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WEEKLY PUBLICATION DEADLINE: 12 pm GMT Sunday. ISSUE NO 482 27th November 2009 The power to make it happen: Ugandan mobile operators to form rural power consortiumAfrica faces two linked problems that are holding back the extension of mobile services into a wider range of rural areas: diesel supplies are sometimes unpredictable and prices are high. For the first time mobile operators in Uganda this week sought to address the power problem by forming a consortium. Russell Southwood looks at what could happen. Danish Hussain, the head of engineering at Warid Telecom, told journalists in Kampala last week that Warid, MTN, Zain and Uganda Telecom, have formed a consortium that will see the companies share costs incurred in electrifying their base stations across the country. Warid already shares infrastructure with Orange Uganda but this new announcement is a big step towards solving a major problem. The more urban base stations with relatively easy access to roads and grid power can cost US$2,500 a month to run. By contrast, the rural bases stations without either of these advantages can cost up to US$20,000 month to run: in other words, each base station of this type costs an additional $210,000 a year to run. So both capex and opex are held high through lack of power to the base stations. The Consortium plans to connect some rural communities to the grid and the obvious spin-off is that houses and business premises in those areas will get power supply. In July 2007, News Update ran a Top Story entitled “Power to the base stations – A modest proposition” in which we said:”In a nutshell, the mobile operators need to appoint a private company to build and operate a power transmission network.” The issue remains one of silo thinking. Africa’s regulators have universal access funds that they are extremely slow in spending. Mobile operators are extremely heavily taxed, with Uganda Government jostling for the pole position of taxing them most heavily. Telephony universal access funds should be given to provide access to electricity for rural areas: many services (like broadcast television) arrive once a village has power. Government can grant mobile operators tax breaks to help set up privately operated consortia to tackle the problem. And while we are throwing stones at those with silo mentalities, why not run fibre along the power lines that would be built? The marginal additional costs would be a negligible part of the overall budget and it would save operator spend on expensive national satellite cellular backhaul. About a year ago I went through these ideas with one of the continent’s most progressive regulators. The idea did not fire up him up because all he could see were institutional problems: persuading government to allow telecoms regulators to tackle power would just be too difficult. Perhaps this new consortium of mobile operators will light the way for more to happen.
Glo enters fixed line segment in Nigeria with a triple play offerGlobacom is launching a Triple Play service offering voice data and video that will be branded Glo Broad Access. The new service will use Globacom’s national fibre backbone that connects over 40 cities in Nigeria. According to the Group Chief Operating Officer, Globacom, Mohamed Jameel, the service offerings from Glo Broad Access include landline telephony on IP/MPLS-enabled optic fibre for distortion-free clarity, 24/7 connectivity and stability of connection at an affordable price. "Apart from its affordability, the phone lines will also provide value-added services such as 3-party conference call, alarm clock, call waiting and diversion, caller identity recognition (CLIR) and a host of other exciting features. "The Glo prepaid fixed lines can be recharged using normal Glo mobile recharge cards, which are available at Gloworld shops and almost at every street corner", he said. Jameel, stated that other packages included in the service are video conferencing, which would help to reduce travel and thus enhance enterprise productivity, fast broadband internet which allows for interactive gaming, video streaming, high speed downloads and simultaneous "Talk & Surf" on the connection. "Glo Broad Access will also offer consumers their favourite local and foreign cable TV channels subject to agreement with broadcast right owners, using thesame magical digital wire or dedicated Glo fixed line," he said. (Source: Leadership) First VoIP WiMAX company Smile launches in KampalaSmile Telecom, the first ever VoIP telephone provider on the WiMAX platform in Africa launched its services on the Uganda market last week bringing the number of telecommunication providers to seven. In an exclusive interview with East African Business Week, Carrington Phillip, the Country Manager of Smile Telecom revealed that this is the first VoIP WiMAX based telecom company and operates in the same way as Skype (phone communication over the internet free except when calling a mobile phone or landline). "We chose this platform over GSMA and others because of its efficient, unique, excellent, competitive and low cost technology that translates into the lowest cost call rates ever to the customer," Phillip said. "We are targeting the bottom of the economic pyramid customers." Smile Telecom is a South African and Saudi Arabian owned consortium with headquarters in South Africa. "We are the answer to beeping and we are not using any marketing gimmicks to woo customers," he said. Former MTN executive Irene Charnley has been closely involved with the development of the company. (Source: East African Business Week) Phone Operators Differ Over CCK Reform Proposals in KenyaTelecommunications operators are divided over new proposals meant to promote fair competition and guard against abuse of market power. Of particular contention is a clause that calls for a 30-day notice to the Communication Commission of Kenya before any tariff changes, and another one touching on the definition of a dominant operator. Safaricom raised the issue that the two clauses were specifically targeting the company and would undermine its ability to compete effectively, adding that they should be deleted. Safaricom's head of legal and regulatory affairs Nzioka Waita said the way the regulator defines a dominant operator targets Safaricom as a company. Part of the clause defines a dominant operator as one that controls more than 25 per cent of the market share. He spoke at a forum that started yesterday called by the Communication Commission of Kenya (CCK) to deliberate on the way forward on the 14 new regulations it intends to implement beginning next year. The regulations are contained in the Kenya Communication Amendment Act 2009. "The clause should target the abuse of dominant position, but not target an operator due to its market size," said Waita. A study by Renaissance Capital notes that Safaricom controls 83 per cent of the market revenue. "Despite market fears that irrational pricing by its competitors could threaten the company's market share position, the company has maintained 83 per cent as its prices are little changed over the past half a year period," read part of the Renaissance note. CCK director general Charles Njoroge said the regulations deal with the entire sector, following changes in the market, and denied claims that they target a specific operator. "Tariffs regulations are not targeted to any company but keep in touch with the changing market, we should remove that fear," said Njoroge The purpose of these regulations is to provide a regulatory framework for the promotion of fair competition and equal treatment in the communication sector, as well as protect against anti- competitive practices. Njoroge said that while the market has had two mobile operators Safaricom and Zain in the past, there are two new entrants, Telkom's Kenya Orange and Essar's Yu. This, he said, called for new regulation that can ensure fair competition. "If the behaviour of the dominant operator goes unchecked consumer welfare can be eroded," he said. Stephen Kiptinness, the head of regulatory affairs at Telkom Kenya, said it would be wrong to term Telkom Kenya a dominant operator. The firm, he said, was the only fixed telephone line provider because of government failure to license a second landline operator. Julius Kinyua, the chief executive of local loop operator Flashcom, said the high interconnection rates by the big operators was locking consumers into their networks. He said that it was not necessarily true that they were getting better value for their money. (Source: Business Daily) Ghana: NCC Board member gives its price target as an E1 for US$100-500A two day workshop called "Fiber Optic Undersea (Submarine) cable", in collaboration with West Africa Telecommunications Regulators Assembly (WATRA), the German Technical Group (GTZ) and also the National Communications Authority (NCA) at the La Palm Royal Hotel. The workshop offered WATRA members the guidance regarding the regulation of access to new undersea cables and also come up with adoptable guidelines for issuance of undersea cable licenses and landing rights agreement. This would ensure the transparency in deployment and pricing of undersea cables. A Member of the Board of Directors of NCA, Solomon Quandzie has observed that the availability of international bandwidth, coupled with NCA's plans for licensing additional terrestrial fiber optic cables systems, and also wireless broadband access (through things like WiMAX) operators would finally set the deployment of broadband networks throughout the country and further lay the foundation for rapid economic growth in the ICT sector. He said, application of Business Process Outsourcing (BPOs) and Government's decentralization program would enhance various e-government packages which would increase the social-economic development of the citizenry in a manner never witnessed in this country over the past several years. Quandzie said that the NCA is committed to opening up the market base of the telecommunication industry by offering an additional fiber optic cable operator (WACS), which would add more capacity to the existing one, all within a 24 month period. According to Quandzie, the current SAT 3 cable systems provides an estimated three gigabytes capacity of international bandwidth to the country at approx systems to become operational, adding that "They will be adding respectively, for a total of 1,920 gigabytes or 640 fold increase to the current capacity of international bandwidth in the country". Quandzie said that NCA expectation of a supply bandwidth a price goal of $100-500 per E1 should be possible within the very near future which would provide the necessary framework for the attainment of such an outcome. He concluded that with the right regulatory framework established, reliable and affordable broadband networks, coupled with low cost of available international bandwidth can be provided through undersea fiber optic cables. (Source: The Ghanaian Chronicle) In brief:- Nigeria's national telecommunications operator, Globacom, has obtained an operating mobile licence in Côte d'Ivoire. The approval was conveyed to Globacom by the Agence des Telecommunications de Cote d'Ivoire, the telecommunications regulatory authorities of the Francophone country. The company which started operations in Nigeria in August, 2003 and in Benin Republic in June 2008 has connected over 28 million subscribers in both countries. - In Kenya, mobile telephony operators have taken their lobbying for lower spectrum costs for 3G licence a notch higher and are now actively engaging the government in talks. The three licensed operators -- Safaricom, Zain and Essar Telkom -- have held various high level meeting with government officials and the industry regulator -- the Communications Commission of Kenya -- that could see the current fee, Ksh1.8 billion ($3.2 million) considerably reduced. - The non-payment of 17 months salaries to staff of the ailing Nitel and its mobile arm, MTel by their former owners, Transcorp and now government is causing disquiet among the two firms' staff members. The federal government had approved payment of five months out of the 17 but the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) that superintends it now alongside the technical committee set up by the government is insisting on paying only one month. - Mobile telephony provider Safaricom is the most respected company in East Africa for the third year running. In a an award that also marked the 10th anniversary of the CEO's Most Respected Company East Africa awards sponsored by the Nation Media Group, Safaricom was voted by its peers as the most resilient company in the face of the global financial crisis. - MTN Nigeria on Thursday, announced the sack of 65 workers, including divisional managers in its Nigerian operations, according to the Next news service. In a press statement announcing the sack, MTN Nigeria said the move will help it embark “on an aggressive plan to refocus its customer service operations towards the next generation customer care.” - The Uganda Communications Commission will announce a price ceiling for cross-network rates next week. Patrick Masambu, the executive director of the commission, said on Monday that upon the announcements, all licensed telecom companies will have to adjust their rates. It will be mandatory not to charge beyond the ceiling, he said. - Tunisie Telecom has opened an outlet in Paris in order to meet the growing demand of foreign investors and offshore companies willing to settle in Tunisia. - MTN Group has reaffirmed its commitment to reducing the impact of climate change by becoming the latest signatory to the Copenhagen Communiqué on Climate Change.
TTCL cuts Internet charges by 50 percent in Tanzania for high-volume usersTanzania Telecommunication Company Limited (TTCL) last week reduced its Internet charges by 50 per cent in order to pass on the cost saving benefit to the end users after its recent connecting to the Seacom submarine fibre optic cable. The cost savings seem to be mainly aimed at high volume users TTCL Public Relations Manager Amin Mbaga said the new price has seen high volume Internet users including small scale entrepreneurs, banks, students in the higher learning institutions and business community enjoy a substantial internet bandwidth cost reduction. Mbaga told The Guardian on Sunday that this would enable them to get the same capacity of bandwidth at a third the initial prices. Under the new structure, TTCL clients who used to buy in wholesale 1Mbps of Internet capacity for Sh9.2 million can now buy the same capacity at Sh3.14 million, a reduction of about 34 per cent. Likewise, he said their customers can now buy 10 GB at Sh200, 000, the amount that was initially used to buy only 5GB, adding that all Internet subscribers will continue enjoying high speed of up to 4Mbps through their TTCL fixed lines. He said 100GB, 40 GB, and 20 GB are charged at Sh1 million, Sh450, 000 and Sh360, 000 per month respectively while 10GB, 4GB, 2GB and 1GB are now sold at Sh 200,000, Sh100,000, Sh60,000 and Sh30,000 in that order. At the same time TTCL has brought in the market a new wireless phone with the brand name Bongo Phone for the benefit of their mobile subscribers that would give their clients advantage of a mobile phone at almost landline rates. Bongo Phone he said will be a mobile like flexibility, allowing its users to move with it freely. They can access Internet services, send SMS. At a cost of Sh 30,000, Bongo phone users will be access to 600 minutes on-net, 50 SMS and free registration, while at Sh 60,000 monthly, phone subscribers will be able to have 900 minutes on-net, 100 SMS, 100 MB and free registration while 1,200 minutes on-net, 250 MB and free registration will be given to the TTCL client who will buy a Bongo phone at Sh 120,000. TTCL is jointly owned by the government of the United Republic of Tanzania that controls 65 per cent of the share and Zain Tanzania with 35 per cent. It is licensed to provide landline, mobile and data base services at both individual and corporate level. According to statistics from the Tanzania Communication Regulatory Authority website, up to June 2009, TTCL had recorded a total of 278,092 subscribers. This includes 166,379 fixed line and 111,713 mobile subscribers. The number has increased by 56,023 from the 222,069 subscribers recorded by December 2008 to 278,092. While the total number of voiced subscription stands at 15 million, the trend of voice subscription has increased by 4 per cent from the 32 per cent recorded in 2008 to 36 per cent. Likewise, the number of voice mobile operators in the country increases from 6 to 8 with Sasa tel joining in the market, the number of ISP/Data operators has, from 62 by June 2009 from 60 (end of 2008). (Source: IPP Media) Firms Put on Notice Over High Internet Charges in KenyaThe government has given Internet Service Providers a stern warning: Cut your charges or risk an official price cap. It has slapped a March 2010 deadline on the firms to reduce costs on bandwidth and retail prices to allow more Kenyans to access the Internet. ISPs were paying as high as $6,000 per megabyte per month for satellite capacity before the onset of the fibre optic cables, which allow for high speed Internet, but are currently paying $200 for the same capacity in addition to maintenance costs. This has not translated into cheaper internet costs for end users although two cables --Seacom and Teams -- have been activated. Consumers are instead getting a higher bandwidth capacity, which they might not need or use, and receiving the same bill as before the arrival of the cables. Assistant information minister George Khaniri said the government believes the charges should go down substantially. "Indeed the government is concerned that landing of the two cables has not had a profound impact on bandwidth costs and extension on retail internet prices" he said. "If we do not see any changes in retail prices for internet, the government through the Communication Commission of Kenya will consider introducing price caps for bandwidth." The number of internet users currently stands at 3.6 million 90 per cent of whom are in Nairobi and Mombasa, according to CCK, which says most ISPs are not keen on investing in remote areas because of the high cost of satellite bandwidth. CCK boss Charles Njoroge said they were conducting another price cap study to capture the Internet market, which was left out when a price ceiling was introduced in the telecommunication sector three years ago. "In March next year we will be giving new guidelines for the sector and will be very keen on internet accessibility and pricing," said Mr Njoroge. The telecommunications price cap put the maximum a mobile phone operator can charge for calls to other networks at Sh30 per minute to as high as Sh48. It's not clear at what level the price ceiling will be introduced because unlike in the mobile phone sector, the internet has multiple layers of providers who buy the bandwidth capacity at different prices. More widespread Internet use is critical to the government as it starts offering some of its service online through the e-government programme. Apart from pricing, other factors such as access to laptops and electricity besides low computer literacy levels may hold up the e-government ambition. But a host of projects such as deploying a mobile computer lab in each constituency, the setting up of digital villages (Pasha) and the one million laptop campaign are lined up to overcome the challenges. (Source: Business Daily) Broadband Below Standards, Says South Africa’s MinisterSouth Africa's internet broadband penetration is at 2 percent below the global average of 22.5 percent, Communications Minister Siphiwe Nyanda said last week. Nyanda said that 15 years after the advent of democracy, South Africa had "not been able to ensure as many people as possible have access to what is undoubtedly rapidly becoming a basic tool, the Internet. "Statistics tell us that broadband penetration in our country is low because of among other things, the lack of adequate infrastructure and the high cost of accessing broadband services," the minister said, speaking at the National Broadband Policy Colloquium on Thursday. To ensure that every person in South Africa has access to broadband, Nyanda said different sectors needed to consolidate available resources with government to build the necessary infrastructure. Government agencies and parastatals had "a key role to play in helping the country move with precision in the roll out of required infrastructure to ensure the availability of accessible and affordable broadband services". The minister said government would still determine what role state-owned organisations like Sentech would play in delivering Internet access, particularly to rural areas and townships. "As the information and communications technology industry, you need to ask yourselves whether these organisations are able to deal with the mammoth task of connecting the nation by themselves. "If the answer is 'no', then what is it that you, as industry, ought to do to ensure that these important state-owned enterprises are better positioned to respond adequately to the needs of our people," he questioned. The minister promised to partner with affected communities and build the necessary infrastructure. Nyanda also emphasised that the policy initiative should not be seen as an attempt by government to control the roll-out of broadband. He was referring to the draft broadband policy, put in place by the government and gazetted on 18 September, which aims to facilitate the provisioning of affordable access to broadband infrastructure to citizens, business and government. The policy also aims to stimulate the usage of broadband services at national, provincial and municipal level, including in rural areas. "The national government is in no way indicating that government is the most important in this. Government needs to act as an enabler for the private sector to make money and provide services," Nyanda said. (Source: Bua News) In brief:- Rwanda’s government has finalised negotiations with undersea fibre-optic cable operator Seacom and it will deliver an STM-1 in Rwanda. The 155 Mbs capacity will be delivered to government's owned Internet Service Provider (ISP) New Artel Rwanda through Uganda Telecom's (UTL) POP. According to the deal, SEACOM will deliver extra 620 Mbps after ten working days. - The Midwives Services Scheme (MSS) embarked upon by the Federal Government of Nigeria, the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) and the Galaxy Backbone PLC have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the provision of Internet access linking the headquarters of the NPHCDA to its six zonal offices and 160 primary health care centres in the 36 states of the federation. - By end of September, 2009, 11 Arab countries had an electronic government portal, these are; Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Mauritania, Morocco, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Tunisia and the UAE. In a new report, the Arab Advisors Group profiled and analyzed the Arab e-Government portals and their varying degree of progress and sophistication. - The rebranding Nigeria campaign was boosted this week with the donation of a brand new website to support the initiative. The website, www.ournigeriarebrands.net which was initiated and developed by Crownsworth Resource Solutions, a legal and IT consultancy firm in Lagos, was presented to the Minister of Information and Communications, Prof. Dora Akunyili at her office in Abuja. - Kenya is among the first beneficiaries of a project to increase internet usage courtesy of the World Wide Web investor Sir Tim Berners Lee. The World Wide Web Foundation launched in Nairobi last week will help to bridge the 'digital divide' in internet use through training opportunities for locals and technology transfer. Already, the foundation is helping create real change and some Kenyan youth have been given global positioning software handsets to map the Kibera Slum, in Nairobi. - Following an outstanding business performance in 2009, Gateway Communications, the leading supplier of secure, reliable telecommunications services across Africa, last week claimed the prestigious award for “Best African Wholesale Offering” for the second year running. This latest accolade adds to two other industry awards collected earlier this year. - Mobile operator, MTN Nigeria, has announced the commencement of its infrastructure upgrade that would translate into a free speed upgrade its HyConnect Internet customers. This bumper speed upgrade will be implemented on all MTN HyConnect Internet lines absolutely free. - Newly launched Internet Service Provider DigiChilli has recently entered the South African market with aggressively priced uncapped ADSL services. The company initially launched three uncapped offerings, 256 Kbps, 512 Kbps and 1024 Kbps, priced at R500, R1000 and R3000 per month respectively. - Nigeria's Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has began the trial of a 23 year-old Internet fraudster, Okoro Osagie Victor, accused of allegedly defrauding foreigners $96 607 through the Internet. - South Africa’s ISP Internet Solutions reveal that they are doing more than 1,000,000 Gigabytes of DSL traffic per month. - Intelsat last week announced that the Atlas V rocket provided by United Launch Alliance successfully launched the Intelsat 14 satellite (IS-14). Liftoff of the Atlas V 431 configuration booster occurred at 1:55 a.m. ET, followed by signal acquisition and spacecraft separation nearly two hours later at 3:53 a.m. ET. The satellite, built by Space Systems/Loral, will provide high-powered data services through its C- and Ku-band payload to Intelsat customers throughout Latin America, Europe and Africa. Once IS-14 is operational, it will replace Intelsat’s 1R satellite at 315º E, providing customers with capacity that has a useful life slated to last the next 16 years.
Cape Verdean government wants to create “cybernetic island” with help from IndiaThe government of Cape Verde wants to turn the Archipelago into a “cybernetic island” and to do this will be supported by India, specifically in creating a technological hub, Cape Verde’s Foreign affairs Minister said Tuesday in Praia. José Brito was summing up his recent visit to New Delhi, where the support of the Indian authorities for a technological hub, in the capital Praia, was granted. The project is expected to cost US$25 million. According to Brito, for now India has provided US$5 million, but is available to provide further funding after studying the project, which will happen in January of next year, when a technical mission is due to arrive in Praia. “Within the framework of ICTs (Information and Communication Technologies) we left (New Delhi) hopeful in relation to India’s support for construction of a benchmark technology hub, which is a project that could cost up to US$25 million and which includes production of software and which is also aimed at becoming a business incubator,” José Brito said. According to Minister Brito, Cape Verde plans for India to become a “strategic partner” and, for this, it already has the guarantee of US$300,000 in aid to boost activities of the Operational Nucleus of Information Systems (NOSI), which is computerising the entire public administration system on the archipelago. With this in mind, in January, he added, a technical delegation from NITT (National Indian Telecommunication), “one of the biggest professional training companies in the world,” is due to arrive to analyse the Cape Verdean market. The trip to India also made it possible to make an agreement to create two centres of excellence - one in Praia (Santiago Island) and another in Mindelo (Sao Vicente), focused on ICTs and English Language training, which will train 600 professionals per year. (Source: macauhub) IBM Mainframe Deployed in Namibia for the First TimeFirst National Bank of Namibia Ltd has selected IBM to help the bank localize its banking systems and operations. Under the $5 million agreement, IBM will provide FNB with two of the latest IBM System z10 Business Class mainframes and supporting software to meet regulatory requirements and support the bank's growth. The deal marks the first deployment of mainframe technology in Namibia Implementation of the IBM system was completed this month and forms part of FNB Namibia's $15 million project to localize its core banking systems and operations in Namibia. Previously, FNB Namibia, which is majority owned by FNB South Africa, had its server infrastructure and the data of more than 400,000 customers residing in South Africa. FNB Namibia joins a growing list of companies in emerging economies relying on IBM System z to build their infrastructures. For example, IBM in April announced its first System z sale to a commercial bank in India -- a $10 million, seven-year win at Housing Development Finance Corporation Limited Bank. Other growth markets where IBM has won new mainframe business include China, Korea and Russia. Businesses and governments in these emerging markets are modernizing their IT systems in banking, retail and other key sectors to compete in an interconnected world. IBM System z mainframes provide one of the world's highest levels of security and are unmatched in reliably managing high levels of transactions. The FNB Namibia project responded to a directive from the central Bank of Namibia to localize all banking infrastructure and IT systems in Namibia before the end of 2009. Working with IBM, FNB Namibia has managed to complete the project, which includes all information technology systems, documents and data relating to customer transactions, the bank's business affairs, property, assets and liabilities, well in advance of the deadline. "FNB Namibia's investment in the latest, industry-leading IBM mainframe systems and software has helped us to build a dynamic core banking platform as well as meet all regulatory requirements," said Advocate Vekuii Rukoro, Group Chief Executive Officer of FNB Namibia Holdings, at a media briefing today. "Importantly, the project to localize Namibia's banking infrastructure has brought technological advancement, knowledge transfer and created jobs for Namibian professionals." (Source: PR Newswire) Egypt IT spending projected to reach USD 1.9 billion by 2013Better risk management to fuel local business' development, says SAS IT spending in Egypt is projected to reach highs of USD 1.9 billion by 2013, reflecting a significant jump from its 2008 levels at USD 1.2 billion, according to statistics released by Business Monitor International (BMI) in its 'Egypt Information Technology Report Q3 2009'. With factors such as growing foreign investment and government spending expected to bolster the growth over the forecasted period, SAS, the leading provider of business advisory and analytical intelligence, is confident that better risk management is vital to fuel the development of local businesses in the country. Furthermore, 'Chartis RiskTech100' report also estimates the global risk technology expenditure to increase by 10 percent or more in 2010, with Egypt among the countries who are geared up to undertake major risk management initiatives. With focus on timely analysis of risk, SAS offers its 'Enterprise Risk Management' (ERM) solution, which provides a deeper understanding of how institutions are impacted by the dynamic risk environment of a global financial community. Designed for the banking and financial services sectors, the system can help improve financial performance by reducing losses, improving capital management and building a risk-aware culture throughout an organisation. By effectively and efficiently managing all types of risk and lowering associated costs, SAS' ERM software can also reduce time to and cost of compliance. "Expectations for the Egypt IT sector remain high, with projection of an 11 per cent compound annual growth rate surfacing despite anticipation that 2010 will be another challenging year for the market," said Sherif Fathy, Business Development Manager, SAS - Middle East. "Specifically, risk management is proving to be an excellent growth market in the country, as the number of initiatives taken to address risk management issues continue to grow. In line with this, we are committed to providing risk management solutions and services to address Egypt's demand for better, timelier analysis of risk and a deeper understanding of how institutions are affected by the global risk environment." Further underlining the importance of risk management initiatives, a global study commissioned by SAS has revealed that more companies are appreciating the advantages of such programs. Going further beyond quantitative benefits, another study conducted by the Economist Intelligence Unit revealed that failure to address risk management issues has largely contributed to the current global credit crisis. Embedding risk management into everyday processes at all levels of an organisation, SAS' ERM portfolio delivers a current, credible understanding of all types of risks unique to every organisation, including credit, operational, market, liquidity and trading risks. "Amidst the current state of the global financial market, it has become more critical for businesses to make the right strategic decisions swiftly while minimising risks to its lowest possible levels. We leverage our extensive experience in the banking industry by working with more than 1,100 global banks to deliver leading risk management solution that address the current priorities of stockholders, boards of directors and regulators. Our ERM solution has been built around the tenet of integrating risk management into everyday processes at all levels of an organisation, with aims of building an effective risk management framework that can keep them operating competitively in today's technology-driven, multi-channel banking industry," concluded Fathy. (Source: Zaway) In Brief:- Tunisia is among the first countries in Africa and in the Arab world to have committed themselves to set up a system of intelligent transportation to better manage its fleet of buses and lorries. The country’s transportation company (SNTRI), signed an agreement setting up an intelligent transportation system , with the Center for Research in Telecommunications (CERT). Under the agreement, CERT is committed, to monitor the movement of SNTRI bus park via satellite and developing computer systems and communications for the benefit of SNTRI. - Lagos State government has commenced a comprehensive computer literacy programme involving teachers and counsellors in all primary and secondary schools as part of its effort aimed at improving learning and teaching techniques. - Pristine Global Tanzania Ltd will distribute the Indian consumer electronics major brand ‘Weston’. The company will sell various electronic products including LCDs, CTVs, DVDs, Washing Machines and Washers. - Executive Secretary, Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC), Professor Godswill Obioma has disclosed that the ultra-modern virtual library project embarked upon by his agency has been stalled due to lack of funds to complete the project. The E-library project according to him was intended to serve the entire country, linking all the tertiary and educational institutions in the country to facilitate knowledge sharing and research activities for enhanced quality of education in Nigeria. Unfortunately, Obioma said the N40 million appropriated by the National Assembly in the 2009 budget could not get through at the Executive level for the project to be completed.
MTN Rwanda secures Rwf10b syndicated loanMTN Rwanda, the country’s largest mobile operator announced on Monday that it has acquired Rwf10b in form of a syndicated loan from seven local banks to upgrade its network. The loan, which is the first and biggest commercial transaction provided by a group of local lenders in Rwanda, was led by the Commercial Bank of Rwanda (BCR). MTN Rwanda’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Khaled Mikkawi, said the money is a fraction of the $100m (Rwf56.7b) the mobile operator will invest in the Rwandan telecom industry this year alone. Last year MTN Rwanda invested an estimated $60m (Rwf34.1b). The company is installing more towers, purchasing new equipment and expanding stores in order to guard its market share as competition in Rwanda’s mobile space stiffens. Six local banks including Kenya Commercial Bank, Ecobank Rwanda, Cogebanque, FINA Bank, Access Bank and the Development Bank of Kigali (BRD) where involved in the arrangement of the syndicated loan facility. The loan facility attracts an interest rate of 15 percent and will be paid over a period of five years. “ This is a very strong message to investors in the international community that even if we do not yet have a very first class national bank in the country, our banks can come together to support big investments in the country,” said François Kanimba , the Central Bank Governor, hailing the syndicate loan as a milestone to the country’s financial sector. Kanimba noted that the arrangement is a step forward towards addressing challenges related to mobilising foreign direct investments in to the Country. “This has been an issue raised so many times in different forums as the country tries to mobilise investments abroad,” he said, mentioning that giant investors refer to Rwanda’s banks as “very small” thus incapable of supporting big financial deals. The Governor also said he was optimistic that more financial deals will come through to support investments in the country. (Source: The New Times) Africell completes acquisition of Millicom Sierra LeoneAfricell Holding SAL, a member of the Lintel Group, has completed the acquisition of Millicom (SL) Limited following the final regulatory approval. Millicom (SL) is a subsidiary of Millicom International Cellular SA. This acquisition and the ensuing merger of the two entities will further consolidate Africell’s leading market share to more than 55% of the total GSM telephony market in Sierra Leone. Africell Holding, through its wholly owned subsidiary, Africell (Sierra Lone) Limited has been operating in Sierra Leone since 2005. Africell Holding currently operates two GSM networks; in Gambia and Sierra Leone, both are market share leaders with respectively 65% and 50% of the market. A third operation is in the planning as the group has obtained a license to operate a GSM network in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Lintel group currently employs around 1,500 between its GSM operations and its telecom turn-key contractor, Linfra, which operates in 14 countries across the MENA and Africa. (Source: IT News Africa) Libya to Sell Stakes in State Owned Mobile NetworksThe Libyan government has announced plans to sell small stakes in the country's two mobile phone networks as part of a wider plan to sell off state owned corporations. The IPOs will offer shares in the government's two mobile telephone operators, al Madar and Libyana, as well as in Iron and Steel Company and National Commercial Bank. Earlier this year, Etisalat said it had submitted a bid for Libya's third mobile phone license, although nothing further has been heard. According to figures from the Mobile World, Libyana is the dominant operator with 83% of the market, followed by Al Madar. The country has a population penetration level of 134%. (Source: Reuters) Interim Results Show Telkom South Africa in DeclineA convoluted 21-page report covering Telkom's interim results boils down to one essential fact -- its fortunes are in decline. The results issued last week slice and dice figures every which way, but inescapably lead to a picture of falling profit and pared profit margins. Telkom lost 150c in basic earnings per share, down 141% from a profit of 364c a year ago, while headline earnings per share from continuing operations slumped 37,9% to 242c. The operating margin fell from 32,3% to 27,3%, mainly due to higher running costs. This comes on an operating revenue up 4% to R18,7bn. Results for the six months to September 30 are distorted by Telkom's sale of its 50% stake in Vodacom, selling its ill-conceived Telkom Media division and impairing goodwill of R2.1bn for its struggling Multi-Links operation in Nigeria. Headline earnings per share exclude those items. Selling Vodacom brought in a profit of R40.4bn, but analysts are still waiting to see how it will use the money to fill the gap in its services from having no mobile offerings. The effect of people switching from fixed-line to cellphones was starkly highlighted in a 9% dip in traffic revenue. CEO Reuben September said Telkom clearly needed to develop a mobile service to win back traffic, and because offering both mobile and fixed products would help it fend off competition. Telkom had earmarked R6bn over five years for its mobile business and a plan had been approved. But information on its network roll-out and go-to-market strategy "cannot be disclosed due to competitive sensitivities". One analyst said it was a concern that Telkom was not clarifying its mobile strategy despite budgeting R6bn for the task. Overall the results were "a mess", she said. The fixed-line business was under pressure with its margins shrinking, and losses at Multi-Links were considerable. Another analyst said: "I wasn't impressed. Multi-Links isn't exactly a roaring success yet and one key concern is that it never will be. Telkom is talking about a lot of initiatives but they are going to take time." September said Multi-Links remained Telkom's major challenge, with an interim operating loss of R164m. Subscribers rose by 30% to 2-million, yet the average amount they spent each month decreased. Turnaround plans included shedding staff, and Multi-Links was beginning to show slight improvements with growing revenue and declining running costs, he said. Telkom as a whole saw its operating expenses grow 12% from factors including salary increases and higher payments to international operators. A restructuring process to create leaner business units that will chase new revenue streams to compensate for the dip in fixed voice profits has been dubbed the Telkom Renaissance . "We are expanding into other geographic markets and other domestic markets," September said, but he warned that earning new revenues from mobile services and data centres would take time and incur up-front costs. (Source: Business Day) In brief:- South Africa’s technology services provider ConvergeNet has suffered a drop in profitability in the past year with delays in the awarding of government contracts compounding damage caused by the recession. Business in the government segment was slower than expected due to the general election and changes in the administration, the directors said, which delayed some projects. In the private sector, some customers had delayed or cancelled their technology investments outright. - Bourse Africa, a unit of Financial Technologies, plans to set up an electronic exchange to trade African commodities futures by the second half of next year, Director of Strategy Adam Gross said. The Gaborone-based company is in talks with regulators in Botswana, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Nigeria, Ghana, Ivory Coast, South Africa and Zambia for approval to incorporate them into an Africa-wide trading forum. - South Africa’s independent telecommunications provider Vox Telecom released its annual results this week. The company has recorded a 13% growth in revenues over the previous year to R2.1 billion. EBITDA was 11% higher at R201 million, and earnings per share climbed 45% to 5.49 cents. Operating profit was however down by 3.5%. Vox Orion remains the largest contributor to group revenues, although it showed little growth over the previous year. - Listed investment company Sekunjalo will continue to target acquisitions in the ICT sector. CEO Khalid Abdulla says: “In the next months and year we will be quite active in the ICT space.” He explains that ICT is an important growth area for the company, and there are opportunities in the public and private sector locally and on the continent. Sekunjalo is also the black economic empowerment partner of global telecommunications giant British Telecom (BT), for its South African operations. The company has a 30% stake in BTSA. - iBurst's listing on the JSE has been put on hold, because foreign investors want to rather invest in an “offshore” entity. The vehicle that iBurst SA and iBurst Africa were going to use to make their début on the JSE was S&J Land Holdings, which is listed on the JSE, although trade in its shares is suspended as it is a cash shell. Telecoms, Rates, Offers and Coverage (briefs)- In Uganda, MTN's ARPU has declined, according to its latest figures. On average, each MTN caller spent US$6 (Approx. Shs 11,000) on calls in the September Quarter compared to US$7 (Approx. Shs 13,000) which is a 9% drop in revenue contribution to the group. Ugandans were spending up to US$8 on MTN calls in 2008 and US$10 in 2007. In 2002, MTN's ARPU in Uganda was US$30. - Tigo Rwanda, the third mobile operator in the country has launched commercial operation this week. The new mobile operator has so far registered over 30,000 subscribers. The company announced it had put in place base stations in 111 network sites with 26 in Kigali and the rest in the provinces. Currently, Tigo has 53% of the network population coverage. The network is live in 13 out of 30 districts in the country. On the same day MTN Rwanda has launched the MTN Multi Media Messaging (MMS). - Research In Motion (RIM) announces that BlackBerry App World is now available to BlackBerry smartphone users in South Africa. The on-device application store brings together a broad mix of free personal and business applications for South African customers to discover.
Growing Use of Cellphones for Family Planning in AfricaThe growth of cellphone use, particularly in the developing world, is providing health experts with a new channel of communication to provide family planning information. "The number of mobile subscribers is increasing at a dramatic rate with the number of global cellphone subscribers in 2006 being estimated at 2.5 billion of an estimated global population of 6.6 billion," says David Cantor, a senior technical manager of ICF Macro - a U.S.-based research firm. "These figures are expected to grow to 3.3 billion or approximately half of the world's population by 2010, with the greatest growth in Asia, the Middle East and Africa." Cantor, who was attending the International Conference on Family Planning held in Kampala, Uganda Nov. 15-18, says there is growing interest in the health sector in capitalising on this rapid uptake of mobile communication. One World's Mobile4Good in Kenya uses cellphone technology to inform subscribers about opportunities for free exams or treatment, and also provides a question-and-answer service that allows individuals to ask sensitive health questions. In South Africa and Botswana, cellular technology is being used to remind people needing to take medicines at regular intervals. Jamaica Corker of Population Services International (PSI) - a global health programme targeting malaria, child survival, HIV/AIDS and reproductive health - says a project in the Democratic Republic of Congo where mobile users call a toll-free line to request family planning related information has shown the power of mobile technology. Since 2005, PSI has run a toll-free line through which callers can speak to trained educators and get accurate information about family planning, or a referral to the nearest clinic or pharmacy, where one is available in the caller's location. "While at the onset, the project was aimed at reaching more women, we have learned that mobile technology is an effective way of reaching men with family planning messages," Corker says. "Since men are the majority of mobile phone owners, many call on behalf of their wives and girlfriends and we are able to pass the message to them as well." The use of PSI's toll-free line by men seeking family planning information could indicate encouraging growth interest in family planning by men, perhaps facilitated by the privacy communicating by phone allows. With the cost of mobile technology steadily falling, Cantor says the stage is set for more rapid development in the sector. Aside from providing family planning information, mobile phones are being used as patient monitoring devices. Mobile phones are also being used to collect community and clinical health data, for sending information to health workers, researchers and patients, and to monitor patients' vital signs. (Source: IPS) Online livestock auctions a hit in NamibiaThe recent introduction of livestock auctions on the Internet by Agra Cooperative is taking the farming community by storm. Several animals have already been sold online. The biggest deal was the electronic auction of Clawa, a top Brahman bull who fetched N$48 600. Clawa, bred by the well-known farming couple Mecki and Brigitte Schneider of Okabra Brahmans, was bought by Hendrik Blaauw and his son Piet. A week before buying Clawa on the Internet, Piet Blaauw bought a son of Clawa, two-year-old Roas at a northern auction. There the Blauuws saw the top quality of Clawa’s offspring and the good prices they fetched. Two of Clawa’s other sons were sold for a total of N$126 000 at this auction. Building a Brahman stud, the Blauuws found Clawa’s genetic material ideal. At the northern auction they heard about Agra e-Auctions. In the comfort of his office, Piet explored the Agra e-Auctions site and took part in the final bidding of the auction, which caused the auction to last half an hour longer than scheduled, with two prospective buyers bidding. “I am very excited to have a bull like Clawa joining our stud. I encourage serious breeders to make use of Agra’s e-Auctions and stud auctions to obtain the best genetic material in Namibia,” Blaauw said. For Mecki Schneider, offering Clawa via on Agra’s e-Auctions was a first trial run. “I am convinced that this option provides a wonderful opportunity in breeding circles to make selected genetic material available to potential buyers, also outside the borders of Namibia. It made a big difference not to having to drive the animal to an auction over a long distance, thus saving time and cost and stress for the bull,” Schneider said. (Source: The Namibian)
PeopleHarris Stratex Networks CEO, Harald Braun has been awarded the prestigious title of International Telecom CEO of the Year 2009 by IT & Telecom Digest at the Eight Nigerian Information Technology & Telecom Awards. Events:ONLINE EDUCA BERLIN 2009 2-4 December 2009, Berlin, Germany Innovate, Share, Succeed – is the theme of OEB 2009. This year’s agenda will be about your learning innovations, your expertise and the great ideas that will lead your organisation, company or school to success. For the full programme visit the organiser’s website TANCon AFRICA 2009 4-6 December 2009, Taia Resort, Freetown, Sierra Leone This years conference will explore the theme "Virgin Territories: A New Market for Innovative Investment" through the use of case studies on Sierra Leone and other liberalizing African markets. TANCon Africa is hosted by TAN a global non-profit organization that fosters entrepreneurship and technology among people of African descent. TAN was founded in Silicon Valley, California in 2004 to provide a support structure and network for entrepreneurs, aspiring entrepreneurs, and community leaders worldwide. This year, the TAN Africa conference is held in collaboration with the Internet Society of Sierra Leone and supported by the Ministry of Trade & Industry and Sierra Leone Import Export Promotion Agency (SLIEPA). TANCon Africa 2009 will attract over 250 local and international attendees from the United States of America, South Africa, the United Kingdom, Nigeria, Ghana and the rest of the world. Conference participants will range from industry leaders and key decision makers of global financial institutions, fortune 500 companies in ICT, Finance, Agriculture, Tourism, Infrastructure, Social Entrepreneurship and Renewable Energy. For more information on the conference, see the conference Web page at: INVESTING IN ICT IN EMERGIN MARKETS 9-10 December 2009, London, UK With a world population of 6.7 billion people, 1.2 billion land line telephone lines and 4.0 billion mobile cellular subscribers, there is a need to bring new ICT investment into developing countries. This years CTO Conference on Investing in ICTs in Emerging Markets will help to bridge the gap by discussing future policy, regulation and business models to maximize opportunities for joint investments. The conference will be attended by an International delegation consisting of ministers, regulators, funding agencies, operators and infrastructure providers For further information on the conference visit the CTO’s website http://www.events.cto.int/Investing_in_ICT_09 MOBILE PAYMENT, REMITTANCE AND M-COMMERCE AFRICA 2009 9-10 Dec 2009, La Palm Royal Beach Hotel, Accra, Ghana This premier Summit brings in telecom operators, Mobile Virtual Network Operators, financial institutions and technology providers in the mobile payment & remittance space to look at the new opportunities in Africa, particularly West, Central and Southern Africa. Indeed, banks, including microfinance/microfinance institutions, together with the national telcos are tapping on new business opportunities in the African market by rolling out mobile financial services products. For further information visit the conference’s website http://www.magenta-global.com.sg/MPRMC/ TELECOMFINANCE 2010 26th – 27th January 2010, Renaissance Chancery Court Hotel, London TelecomFinance 2010 will bring together the key individuals and companies that will shape the telecoms industry in what is set to be another challenging year ahead. After a subdued year of deal activity the panel sessions will explore the changing focus in global M&A, the hottest regions for deals and fresh ideas on operational efficiency and maximising new technologies. Don't miss this opportunity to network, share knowledge and do business with operators, financiers and dealmakers from across the global telecom finance community. For further information please visit www.telecomfinance.com/2010 MOBILE WEB EAST AFRICA: Harnessing the potential of the internet and applications on mobile devices 3rd & 4th February 2010, The Continental Hotel, Nairobi, Kenya Following the unrivalled success of Mobile Web Africa, the most progressive and innovative mobile focused event in Africa is now moving to East Africa. With contributions and support confirmed from a host of the leading individuals and organisations Mobile Web East Africa is promising to be a superb two day conference. If the evolution of one of the most important technological advances of the 21st century is of interest to you then attending this event, which features an interactive roundtable seating format, is a fantastic opportunity. For information visit the event website: www.mobileeastafrica.com or contact the organiser All Amber on: info@allamber.co.uk AITEC BANKING & MOBILE MONEY COMESA 24-25 February 2010, Kenya International Conference Centre, Nairobi, Kenya Technology presents great opportunities for the financial sector to extend reach, improve service and reduce costs. However, in the drive to implement the very best that technology vendors have to offer, the focal point of the banking process is often forgotten – the customer. AITEC Banking & Mobile Money COMESA 2010 will focus on the customer experience in relation to all technology implementation and services, challenging suppliers and bankers alike to evaluate their systems in the light of customer needs and preferences. For further information on the conference visit AITEC’s website http://www.aitecafrica.com/event/view/45 Jobs and Opportunities* Implementation Manager - NSN Equipment – Sierra Leone The Implementation Manager’s position involves Implementation Management of WCDMA rollout as well as R4 and GPRS deployment. Requirements: Technical Diploma or BsC engineering degree. Previous Implementation Management experience in the deployment of Core projects and 3G deployment. Hands on knowledge on NSN flexi WCDMA BTS's, RNC 2600 and Release 4 products. English Language. Responsibilities: Manage all the project level telecom implementation activities in a NSN customer project. Provide Management and support of the TI subcontractors. Ensure site implementation quality. Plan and order subcontractor work. Support PM to prepare / update roll-out schedule. Follow up the time schedules and checking if the work is executed according to plan and escalations to project management as needed Technical and site solution content support. For further information or to apply click on the following link http://www.jobsoffborders.com/index.php?option=com_neorecruit&task=offer_view&id=143&Itemid=58 * Master of Management in ICT Policy & Regulation The Graduate School of Public & Development and the LINK Centre at the University of the Witwatersrand invites applications for the January 2010 intake into its CHE-accredited Master of Management in ICT Policy and Regulation degree programme. The MM(ICTPR) aims to provide a formal post-graduate academic qualification for senior staff engaged in policy formulation, policy analysis and regulation of information communications technologies (ICTs), a sector which is currently undergoing rapid change and experiencing continued expansion. The degree comprises 10 week-long course-work modules and a substantial (50%) applied research report. It can be completed over 3 years part-time or 1 year full-time. Information on courses, scheduling, fees and more can be found at http://link.wits.ac.za/training/training4.html. For a copy of the course brochure, go to http://link.wits.ac.za/training/MM-ICTPR-brochure.pdf ContractsZain and Nokia Siemens Networks – Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda Zain is streamlining its mobile network operations to improve the quality of service and increase efficiency. As part of this process, Nokia Siemens Networks has been awarded a strategic five-year contract to optimize, modernize and manage Zain’s over 3,000 multi-vendor mobile networks sites in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. Zain currently serves over 9 million customers across these three countries.
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