Centre For Information Technology and Development (CITAD), has developed a spectrum analyser to promote open billing system.
Executive Director CITAD Engineer Y.Z.Ya’u made the disclosure, while briefing newsmen on the newly developed Android Application called Network Tester Pro.
According to him, the new android application would promote transparency and accountability regarding data purchase, and network strength , by tracking the speed and volume of data provided by network service providers.
The executive director highlighted that, consumers respect internet and band width, where they sign an agreement with service providers, pay for services without actually knowing whether they get value for their money.
Engineer Y.Z Ya’u hinted that, sometimes consuming data too fast ,or experiencing poor services is a clear indication that the speed the network provider claimed to have given is much lower than what was paid for.
“The primary purpose is to ensure citizens enjoy services on payments that have made to service providers”
He however stressed that, another aim of the spectrum analyzer is to test the claim by the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF), that it had reduced the number of community clusters without connectivity from over 200 to 114.
The executive director pointed out that, the clusters called underserved or unserved communities, do not have internet network or have only 2G, where they can only make voice calls and text messages.
He noted that many people outside the 114 communities are struggling to get signals, while many have experienced situations where people have to climb tree and hills in order to make basic calls.
Engineer Y.Z said , CITAD would promote community network to build capacity of communities to design, develop, and manage their own network infrastructure to meet their connectivity needs without waiting for government or private sector.
“In the work that we have done,two issues have arisen, transparency in terms of government speaking the truth to citizens and accountability from service providers”
He said, CITAD would embark on independent testing across the country to see whether the claim by USPF, on the reduction on number of cluster communities without connectivity, is genuine.
The executive director advised the public, to utilize the opportunity by downloading the network tester on their android phones, as it can also be used to send signals on specific location to a particular number, while traveling to mitigate insecurity.
KHADIJAH ALIYU
