CTO meets to review Internet governance transition

The Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation (CTO) is convening a meeting of experts to review transition plans underway to transfer the management of the Internet from the U.S. government to the broader Internet community.

Consultations on how the stewardship of the management of names, numbers and protocols of the should be transitioned from the bastion of the US Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) to the wider globally-distributed Internet community will close at the Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation Forum 2015 taking place from September 14-16 in Nairobi, Kenya, the technology body has said.

The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) – under the proposals – will have a role in managing the resources in the new Internet Assigned Names Authority (IANA) regime through an independent subsidiary under contract with the five regional Internet registries and the Internet Engineering Task Force.

“The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) – under the proposals – will have a role in managing the resources in the new Internet Assigned Names Authority (IANA) regime through an independent subsidiary under contract with the five regional Internet registries and the Internet Engineering Task Force.”

Sunday Folayan, President of Nigeria Internet Registration Association (NIRA)

Buhari ‘looks into’ NITEL sale deals

President Muhammadu Buhari’s request Tuesday to review the sale of the Nigerian Telecommunications Limited to NATCOMS, in what may pose another hurdle to the revival of the nation’s pioneer national operator.

The President gave the marching order to the Ministry of Communication Technology (CommTech), which has also been asked to explore technology sector stakes to drive revenue for Nigeria, in the face of dwindling oil income.

CommTech Ministry says that the Nigerian tech sector, which contributes 10% of Nigeria’s GDP can grow to become 20%, if some of its proposals are approved for implementation.

“NATCOM Consortium’s offer of $252.25 million was accepted by BPE as the winning bid, beating NETTAG Consortium, which was disqualified by the government agency over alleged breach of the sale rules.”

File photo shows Dr Tunji Olaopa, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Communication Technology (right) and Mr Peter Jack, DG, NITDA at DEMO Africa 2014 in Lagos