2007 UTL Business Forum

‘DO you own a small or medium business’?
That could mean less or just more than 5 employees. If yes, then you should have attended the three day 'uganda telecom Business Expo 2007',the first of its kind held on 3rd – 5th April at the UMA Showground Main Exhibition Hall. It provided a platform for small and medium businesses to better their portfolios and look good in front of their customers. Each day would feature three presentations on different topics by uganda telecom and partners. The participating companies besides the telecommunications provider included Enterprise Uganda, Stanbic Uganda, Cell 2 Cell, Tropical Bank, SMS Media, Telchoice, X-tel, URA, and the Uganda Police Fraud Section. The expo was an opportunity for business people to meet loan and tax experts, business solutions advisors, business fi nance experts and many others all willing to freely give advice on how to grow and better manage your business.



(Francis Egbuson, utl's National Sales Manager - Nigerian - giving his informative speech)

While opening the 3 day exhibition, the uganda telecom National Sales Manager, Mr. Francis Egbuson said, “Jobs are created by small businesses ... How can we use technology to better these businesses? On behalf of uganda telecom and our partners, I encourage you to listen to Faraouk ... Have a wonderful 3 days.”



(Farouk Kiwola gives his presentation)

Faraouk Kiwola was the first presenter at the 2007 business expo. He talked about uganda telecom’s ‘Integrated Business Solutions’, communication solutions that can save you money. At a glance, these solutions include Landline; Mobile; ISP; Data plus
ICT Solutions and additional services. “How do we translate these products into solutions? What can we as uganda telecom offer you? Our Mission is ‘A New Exciting Experience in communications’ ... ” Talking about the telephone exchange system
called PABX or Intercom, Faraouk explained that it enables businesses optimize communication and infrastructure costs. You can monitor all outgoing costs, and it also offers voice and data solutions (all in one). “You might have an offi ce here (in Lugogo) and another in Ntinda. An extension to connect the two offi ces is not going to be charged.” Many in the audience were interested in talking about Closed User Groups (CUGs) and Internet services. CUGs reduce costs of doing business due to very attractive calling rates within a family or group. Asked by Kargo Magazine why
utl takes three weeks (sometimes less or even more as other members of the audience admitted) to finalise internet connectivity via landline, Mr.Egbuson answered by saying, “It’s supposed to be only one week ... We have graduated from giving you a Landline or Sim Card. We also sit down with you and understand what it takes to run your business ...” Asked by a member of the audience why rural areas do not get fast internet connectivity like in towns, the National Sales Manager replied, “We do not want to provide a business that is painful. Where we have capacity and structures, you have full assurance of the same service in rural areas just like the towns. ”
Focusing on data solutions, Faraouk said that utl provides Local Area Network linkages plus Asycuda, a data link which connects customers to URA (Uganda Revenue Authority)’s financial system. “A couple of clearing bodies and other companies are under obligation to connect to URA. We have brought it close to you and it is there for you to have ... Do you have to buy newspapers to know the exchange rates? Use the info services on your UT Mobile.” Faraouk advised the business community, “There are mobile benefi ts for your services, in form of GPRS, and Dial Up internet.” Besides Dial Basic internet, utl provides broadband and a dedicated internet service delivered over leased line, wireless IP, Frame relay and Fiber (ranging from 64 kbps to 2 Mbps). While talking to Mr. Francis Egbuson, Kargo Magazine also learnt that utl is about to introduce an internet solution called PLC (Power Line Connections)
still under test though.

While in South Africa, Mr. Egbuson discovered that over 6,000 homesteads are connected to the internet using their power lines. You just fix a plug to your electricity socket and get connected. No need to worry about anything. “When there is no power, it even works better ... We want to be known as a company that supports
businesses.” Through NGN (Next Generation Network), utl can now switch on the landline and mobile networks in one combination unlike in the past, while the public can also access additional broadband on demand at their convenient time. The other talks were presented by Enterprise Uganda (Tips on how to expand your business),
and URA (Understanding taxes when you are Importing and Exporting). Wednesday talks were by KPMG (concerning business fi nance every manager should know), Stanbic Bank (lectured on how to access loans and leasing schemes), plus utl presented its second talk. The last day of the expo had utl and Enterprise Uganda again and finally
the Uganda Police (talking about how to detect fraudulent behaviour).

Courtesy of Aiko