INTERNET BUSINESS CENTRES SPRING UP ACROSS THE CONTINENT... NOW GHANA News round-up & Snippets On the money Africa's Digerati Useful websites and discussion lists Digital toolbox/ In search of the business model Jobs, people, events... Free small ads

If our correspondent is "off the mark" or you have factual amendments, mail them to us and we will include them in subsequent News Updates. If you'd like to contribute, write and let us know. If you need information about a particular place or issue, just send your questions in. We are always happy to follow up on readers concerns.

ISSUE NO 52 NEWS ROUND-UP & SNIPPETS

SOUTH AFRICAN CABINET APPROVE NEW TELECOMMS POLICY

Communications minister Ivy Matsepe-Casaburri has gained cabinet approval to introduce a single competitor to Telkom at the end of its exclusivity, but Telkom’s wished-for facilities competition will be put on ice for three years.

(source: http://www.itweb.co.za/sections/telecoms/2001/0103151116.asp)

Highlights include:

-a SNO (second national operator) with facilities sharing with Telkom until 2005 and "empowerment participation" (a local shareholder) of up to 30%;

-Sentech to be a third (with Telkom and the SNO) international operator; fixed-mobile licenses (Bluetooth or similar);

-SMMEs permitted to provide VoIP for the specific purpose of advancing universal access in geographic areas with a teledensity of less than 1%;

-VANS still prohibited from carrying voice but "shall have the right to provide the full spectrum of end-to-end electronic commerce services";

-various provisions related to the mobile industry, including sharing of 1800 MHz and 3G;

-universal service obligations;

-a specific education "E-Rate" with a discount of 50%;

(source: Highlights from Government Gazette via Mike Silber, IOZ)

ALL AFRICA GLOBAL MEDIA AND AFCOM SIGN STRATEGIC AGREEMENT

All Africa Global Media and Afcom International Agree to an Alliance http://allafrica.com All Africa Global Media, the largest distributor of African news and information world wide, has signed a strategic agreement with Afcom International, a Fairfax, Va based international technology consulting firm. The agreement provides for joint work to help bridge the digital divide, says press release from All Africa Global Media.

ALGERIAN BLACK MARKET MOBILE CONNECTION: JUST US$800 ONLY

The mobile phone black market is thriving in Algiers. "Under-the-counter" GSM processors are trading at over US$800 apiece. Marketeers who have "connections" in the telecommunications sector are illegally selling phone lines at a cost that includes the connection service. As a result they are reaping a cool US$400 profit per line.

(source: Algerian Interface via DigAfrica)

SOUTH AFRICA LOOKS FORWARD TO DIGITAL BROADCASTING

The Department of Communications has launched two committees on broadcasting - the Digital Broadcasting Advisory Body and the SA Broadcasting Production Advisory Body. Government believes digital broadcasting will change the world and says SA will not be left behind. Implications include another internet platform (your TV), greater interactivity and oh yes, a sharper picture. Better programmes? You can only wait and see.

(source: http://www.itweb.co.za/sections/business/2001/0103121233.asp)

MOBILE INTERNET ACCESS TAKES UP A STEP UP IN SOUTH AFRICA

General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) handsets could be available to the commercial South African market shortly. GPRS is a more advanced standard used for wireless Internet access, easier to use, faster and more cost effective.

(source: http://africa.iafrica.com/b2b/b2bnewsletter/243419.htm )

Mobile operator Vodacom, internet service provider World Online and international mobile company Ericsson today launched new software into the South African marketplace, which will speed up wireless Internet access by more than three times.

(source: http://africa.iafrica.com/b2b/b2bnewsletter/243437.htm )

SIEMENS WINS SUPPORT CONTRACT FOR VODACOM TANZANIA

Siemens signs $12 million support contract for Vodacom Tanzania network Siemens and Vodacom Tanzania Limited have signed a network support and maintenance agreement, valued at $12 million, over the two year contract period. The contract gives Siemens full responsibility for the running and quality maintenance of the network, for the duration of the contract, commencing April 1, 2001.Commercial operation of the Vodacom Tanzania network commenced six months ago and has since notched up some 80 000 subscribers. An extension of phase one also saw the addition of 16 base stations, bringing the total to 100 base stations.

(source: Siemens)

INTEL SAYS LOWER IMPORT TAXES IN EGYPT WILL BOOST ACCESS TO COMPUTERS

A representative of Intel Middle East said that lower government import duties would boost access to computers for Egyptians. The large chipmaker will be launching the Pentium 4 computer in Egypt at GITEX Cairo on April 4-7. The exhibition will be held at the Cairo International Conference Center. The new generation computer is geared toward Internet users and will be able to download Internet files 10 times faster than computers with the Pentium III chip. Unfortunately, the high import duties placed on computers by the Egyptian government will mean that these new computers will be priced out of reach for not only home computer buyers but also small and medium sized businesses. "We know that current import duties are reducing the general population’s access to this technology in Egypt right now," said Gilbert Lacroix, General Manager of Intel Middle East.

(source: Middle East Times via DigAfrica)

News Update is a free e-letter produced by Balancing Act that covers African internet content and infrastructure developments, It goes out to government, the private sector, education and NGOs. To subscribe, send a message saying "I want to subscribe" to info@balancingact-africa.com