GHANA PITCHES FOR GLOBAL INFORMATION SERVICES BUSINESS News round-up & Snippets On the money Digital toolbox/In search of the business model Internet advertising report: Zimbabwe Useful websites and discussion lists Jobs, people, events...   Classified advertisements

ISSUE NO 63 NEWS ROUND-UP & SNIPPETS

GHANAIAN ISPs FORM AN ASSOCIATION TO PROMOTE THEIR INTERESTS

Internet Service Providers in Ghana has announced the formation of an umbrella organistation called Ghana Internet Service Providers Association (GISPA). The objectives of the GISP include but are not limited to promotion and protecting the interests of internet service providers in Ghana; promotion of the widespread adoption of internet access and services throughout Ghana; to pursue and satisfactorily resolve, primarily through written communication, issues which affect internet service providers and to communicate information pertinent to the benefit of internet service providers to third parties.

The chairman of GISPA is Mr. Leslie Tamakloe, the CEO of Internet Ghana, one of the longest established ISP¹s in the country, said that the formation of this self interest group would bring some push needed to jump start the industry in Ghana. There have been 8 founding full members and 2 more have meanwhile joined the Association. There are about 29 license holders in Ghana and many other businesses who qualify for associated membership. The founding members of GISPA areAfrica Express,AfricaOnLine, InternetGhana, IDN, Tele2, Third-Rail, WWWPLUSand TIN-IFA. GISPA was formally launched on the 6 June in Accra when Ghana’s Minister of Communications clicked the button to electronically launch the GISPA website www.gispa.org.gh <http://www.gispa.org.gh>

(source: Kwami Ahiabenu II)

FRANCE’S WANADOO TO PULL OUT OF ALGERIA?

Things aren¹t looking too good between France Telecom¹s wholly-owned internet affiliate, Wanadoo, and EEPAD, its partner in Algeria. There are current reports that Wanadoo wants to pull out.

(source: http://www.africaintelligence.com)

BOTSWANA SET TO PROMOTE TOURISM ON THE INTERNET

The multi-million Pula tourism project which seeks to market the country’s tourism industry on the internet will start soon if the cabinet approves a proposal that will be presented this week.

(source: Botswana Gazette http://www.gazette.bw/bus_stry2.htm via Big Change)

NEW JOBS TEMPT EGYPTIAN ICT DIASPORA BACK HOME

Despite the economic downturn of the past year, multinationals and domestic companies alike are recruiting middle and senior managers from the ranks of Egyptians working abroad, offering tempting packages to return and work at home. "More and more companies are seeking managers who have a global perspective,"says Magdi Abdel Sayed, general manager of NCR Egypt.

(source: http://www.businesstoday-eg.com/main/coverstory.htm )

MTN UGANDA LAUNCHES DUAL BAND NETWORK

MTN Uganda launched its dual band network worth US$3.5m (about Shs 6.3bn). Uganda Communications Commission executive director Patrick Masambu said that the increased investment by MTN in latest technology has continued to boost rural telecommunications development.

(source: http://www.monitor.co.ug/news.php3?record_number=2&show=Business)

AFRIPROMOTE BANNER EXCHANGE SCHEME TO CLOSE

Life in Africa Foundation’s Afripromote banner scheme has closed after just 7 months. Following its office move in March this year, its wireless internet access (which performed well in its previous location) has been "constantly disrupted with severe interference." Because of this it has found it nearly impossible to make updates to LifeInAfrica.com, and to maintain the AfriPromote! Banner Exchange and its ability to "resolve problems with the exchange in a timely manner "is not nearly what it once was".

Life in Africa’s Christina Jordan believes its difficulties reflect wider bandwidth problems in the country:"We have worked with our ISP to find a solution to this problem continuously since March - to no avail. We will now be looking for an alternative ISP, but it appears that everyone in Kampala is currently facing the same problem of bandwidth limitations. A promising new system is being rolled out by Uganda’s largest mobile phone network at a different frequency/capacity within the next few months, but until then it appears we are stuck with the inadequate infrastructure we now have".

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.
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