This event will tackle all of the fundamental elements of this vital topic area – right from monetising mobile to harnessing its potential for social change.

The complete speaker faculty at the event:

• Jared Cohen, Director, Google Ideas
• Titi Omo-Ettu, President, ATCON
• Chris Uwaje, President, Institute of Software Practioners of Nigeria (ISPON)
• Bankole Ojutalayo, Senior Manager, Value Added Services, Glo Mobile
• Deon Liebenberg, Regional Director, Sub Sahara Africa, Research In Motion
• A senior representative from Nokia
• A senior representative from Samsung
• Obi Asika, Chairman & CEO, Storm 360
• Stefan Magdalinski, GM, E-Commerce, Sub-Saharan Africa, MIH
• Lola Masha, Business Development Manager, Google Nigeria
• Dayo Ogunyemi, CEO, 234 Media
• ‘Gbenga Sesan, Executive Director, Paradigm Initiative Nigeria
• Yomi Adegboye, Publisher/Editor-in-Chief, MobilityNigeria.com
• Abasiama Idaresit, Founder, Wild Fusion
• Gustav Praekelt, Founder & Managing Director, Praekelt Foundation
• Ayo Alli, Business Development Consultant, West Africa, Goal.com
• Alex Meisl, Chairman, Sponge
• Loy Okezie, Founder, StartUps Nigeria
• Russell Southwood, Editor, Balancing Act
• Emeka Okoye, CEO, Vikantti Nigeria / Mobile App Engineer, StorySpaces.org
• Simon Leps, Chief Executive Officer, Fontera
• Mohamed Diaby, Consultant and Tech Analyst, DiabyMohamed.com
• Etienne Louw, Managing Director, MapIT
• Tim Akinbo, Founder, TimbaObjects
• Kenneth Omeruo, CEO, Emerging Media & Founder, TechTrendsng.com
• James Adeyemi Fowe, MoMo Evolution& HUman Resource, Mobile Monday Nigeria
• Chike Maduerbuna, Managing Directo, FansConnectOnline
• Matti Ilmanen, Founder, Solumo

More details: Visit the Mobile Web West Africa Website

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Then we stepped in and initiated a regime of affordable web hosting. A 10MB account could now be purchased for as low as N7,000. Very soon, the nigerian webhosting landscape blossomed. Webhosting became even more affordable over time.

But, a couple of years ago, the thin line between affordable pricing and unsustainable pricing began to be crossed. The industry was hitting hard times.

I was a participant at Strategic Bloggers Conference held yesterday at the Sheraton, Lagos. It was an interesting event at which issues pertaining to the blogging industry were explored.

In the course of the meeting, we had cause to talk about price wars and I commented that it would be detrimental to the industry at large if allowed to happen. I made reference to the web hosting industry and the ongoing price wars that started a few years back. As far as I can see, no Nigerian webhost can run profitably at the price points that many of them are currently offering their services. I monitor the industry like a hawk and I have watched some of these hosts collapse.

Indeed, it is natural that people flock to service providers offering those lower price points, but those prices do not seem sustainable, in my opinion.

My company, Alireta has refused to join the price war, focusing instead on delivering value via superior services. As such, our clients are sure that we will be here tomorrow, and the day after, though they pay a little more.

I am keeping my eyes on developments in the industry. We will see more webhosts shut down. We will also probably see some mergers and acquisitions over time. The excitement has only just begun.

One thing is sure, in any business operation, it is important to price your services within the reach of your target market. But be careful to ensure that your prices stay sustainable otherwise your business operation will soon be dead.

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• Saturday 23rd October, 2010
• 1.00 p.m. – 3.00 p.m.

For more details, visit the following sites:

• Mobility Nigeria: Smartphone Show coming up in October 2010
• Facebook: Smartphone Show – Come show your phone!

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The expo will host:

• Independent mobile application developers / vendors
• Device manufacturers
• Content providers
• Integrators and Aggregators
• SMS services providers
• Location based services

He will be sharing on the mobile VAS (value added service) domain in Nigeria.

Date – August 17 to August 18
Time – 10.00 a.m.
Venue – University of Lagos Auditorium

Read more about mobiFEST 2010.

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Yomi has been invited to participate as one of the panelists at the occasion. More details of the event:

Theme: Improving Science and Technology Education; the Key to Nigeria’s Development

Date: 5th August 2010

Venue: Education Auditorium, University of Lagos

Time: 12 noon

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Theme: START, GROW AND SUSTAIN A 21ST CENTURY BUSINESS
Date: Friday May 28, 2010
Time: 10.00 a.m.
Venue: Afe Babalola Hall, University of Lagos, Akoka

There will be four sessions, including one for questions and answers.

Yomi will be speaking on the subject, “Your business and ICT – the role of information and technology in business” at one of the sessions.

This event is open to entrepreneurs, fresh graduates, as well as students considering entrepreneurship.

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I daresay that it is a sin (and sheer irresponsibility) for a webmaster not to be reachable online on a regular basis. It must be said that e-mail is still the default means of communications in the web services industry.

Here in Nigeria, it is true that epileptic public power, the high cost of PCs, power generating sets and fuel, make things difficult for webmasters, especially those running their own businesses. Still, there are ways around these obstacles.

By harnessing the power of mobility (basically mobile phones and mobile data), webmasters can stay reachable online at very modest costs.

What is needed?

1. a data-enabled mobile phone. This may come with a built-in email client, or the user can use installable 3rd party email applications (java is good). Cost: from N15, 000
2. a data subscription from a GSM network. This includes GPRS, EDGE, 3G and HSDPA. Cost options available on various networks include: pay as you go at 15k per kb; N1, 000 for 100mb monthly bundle, N5, 000 for 1GB monthly bundle, etc.

With the above, a webmaster can ensure that he does not miss out on mission-critical mails. Or at least he can minimize the chances of missing them.

Yet, many webmasters I know own and use much more advanced and expensive devices than the basic sort I have presented above, without using those devices for anything more than voice and SMS communications.

Having been in the web services business since 2003, I continue to be amazed when a webmaster gives the excuse that he has not checked his mail in one, two or even three weeks! Unbelievable, but we hear that line all the time. And it is plain irresponsibility.

GSM-based internet access is available in almost every nook and cranny of the country today. Even if a webmaster is on holiday to his village, lack of access to the internet should not be an excuse.

In times past, I have stayed connected and promptly responded to customer mails on return trips from Lagos to Warri, Lagos to Abuja, and Lagos to Abeokuta, among others.

My wife and I once took the kids all the way to Olumo Rock in the city of Abeokuta, Western Nigeria. Even at the very top of the famous rock, I was able to provide much-needed support to clients – via a GPRS connection and a smartphone.

By taking advantage of mobile technology, webmasters can:

• cut down expenses
• improve productivity
• minimize customer dissatisfaction
• improve on the support experiences of customers, and
  ultimately build a brand known for reliability and diligence

It is essential that webmasters in these parts wake up to the realities and opportunities on ground today. Those opportunities have been available for years. Please take advantage of the so-called mobile revolution to profitable use for your web-based business. It doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg. Plus, your clients will appreciate you for it.

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