Issue no 139
Top Story
KENYA’S JAMBONET BLOCKS THE INTERNET BUT THE PRIVATE SECTOR FIGHTS BACK
The worm has finally turned. In mid-December Kenya Telkom’s monopoly, international internet connection company Jambonet decided to block a number of its ports claiming they "were being used to transmit VOIP traffic." The net result was a near two-day shutdown of internet services in Kenya a week before the elections. Private sector lobby groups TESPOK and the Cyber Café Operators Association of Kenya first protested and then decided to fight back. TESPOK members announced its intention to set up a consortium which will apply for a licence to compete with Jambonet. Meanwhile Kenya’s ruling party for over 40 years -…
Telecoms
TANZANIA’S TRITEL SET TO GO BUST?
The first mobile company to introduce GSM technology to Tanzania, Tri Telecommunication Company Limited (Tritel) may close according to a report in Tanzania’s Guardian. According to the paper the ailing…
Telecoms
NIGERIAN ACTIVISTS CHALLENGE GSM TARIFFS: "UNRELIABLE AND INEFFICIENT"
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has filed a preliminary objection to the suit by the three human rights activists before a Federal High Court in Lagos, challenging the high tariff…
Telecoms
ZIMBABWE’S TELONE WELSHES ON TOLL FREE NUMBER DEAL
Zimbabwean state-controlled fixed telephone operator TelOne has failed to honour a May 2000 agreement signed by its predecessor, the Posts and Telecommunications Corporation (PTC), to allow local firm VASCor to…