News update Telecoms and ICT in Africa - Issue no 229 on 3 September 2004
Top Story
Bridges handheld apps competition focuses on health, ed and agriculture
Africa's ICT dilemma is how to find a multi-purpose computing device with connectivity at the right price. Computers are too expensive and therefore not yet widely used. Mobiles are widely distributed but lack the necessary computing power for slightly more complex functions. Before the dream device arrives, Bridges' Executive Director Teresa Peters believes that handhelds have considerable potential that is not yet fully used. To demonstrate this potential, Bridges organised a competition to support innovative ground level initiatives that want to use handheld devices (handhelds) to improve people's lives. The competition was open to South African entrants and made use…
Telecoms
CITY OF CAPE TOWN WANTS PTN LICENCE UNDER SA'S NEW COMPETITION FRAMEWORK
The City of Cape Town has applied for a public telephone (PTN) licence that if awarded, will help it cut a large chunk from its annual R100 million telecommunications bill. Nirvesh…
Telecoms
ZAMBIA'S CELTEL READY TO IMPLEMENT SMS CONNECTIVITY WITH CELL Z
Celtel Managing Director David Venn has said the company has finished working on its radio system and is ready to implement short message service (SMS) connectivity with Cell Z by…
Telecoms
INHABITANTS OF SENEGAL'S BOUNKILING DEMONSTRATE AGAINST POOR PHONE QUALITY
The inhabitants of Bounkiling, a place 60 kms from Sédhiou organised a series of demonstrations on National Route No 4, known locally as the Transgambian as it connects the two…
Telecoms
TELECOM SIGNS INTERNATIONAL INTERCONNECT AGREEMENT WITH GATEWAY COMMUNICATIONS
Gateway Communications last week announced that it had extended an existing partnership with Telecom Namibia to include an interconnection for international services. Telecom Namibia operates a fully-fledged digital telecommunications network…
Telecoms
Telecoms News - In Brief
- A Ugandan computer software writer has petitioned the Commercial Court to stop Uganda's MTN subsidiary from using their airtime software between two subscribers until a copyright suit they filed…
Telecoms
TELECOM RATES, OFFERS AND COVERAGE
- Nigerian fixed Wireless Telephone Service Provider, Cell Communications Limited (Cellcom) in continuation of its on going network expansion plans has announced the launch of its fixed wireless telephone service…
Internet
MAKERERE UNIVERSITY GETS USD65,000 FOR INTERNET
Makerere University recently received a USD65,000 (about sh120m) grant from the New York-based Rockefeller Foundation to boost the quality of its Internet service under VSAT technology. The University's director of…
Internet
CÔTE D'IVOIRE TÉLÉCOM'S DG FAYEAUX CALLS ISPS TO HAVE FIXED ACCESS OBLIGATION TO GOVT
Despite the development of new technology in Cote D'Ivoire, there are still enormous disparities in access to the internet. According to Michel Fayeaug, D-G of Côte d'Ivoire Télécom this new…
Internet
MAURITIUS' GROUPE AFRIATIC OPENS IN SENEGAL
Mauritius-based Groupe Afriatic has opened a new subsidiary in Senegal which will focus on the development of web sites and training. Based in Point E, it will offer a 120…
Internet
Internet News - In Brief
- Telspace has announced another low-cost package as Internet service providers (ISPs) slash Web hosting costs in a thriving market. Telspace, a small Johannesburg-based Web hosting and IT service provider,…
Computing
BENIN ANNOUNCES THAT IT WILL COMPUTERISE ELECTORAL LIST BY 2006
Benin has announced that it wants to computerise its electoral list before Presidential elections in 2006. The "Liste Electorale permanente informatisée (Lepi)" has thus far remained something of a mirage…
Computing
MASTERCARD LAUNCHES PROGRAMME TO ADVANCE SMART CARD ADOPTION IN AFRICA
MasterCard International last week launched its OneSMART MasterCard programme in Africa at a smart card exhibition at the Sandton Convention Centre, Johannesburg.The objective of the programme is to provide, under…
Computing
SELEBI TO CONNECT AFRICANS TO INTERPOL IT SYSTEM
South African National Police Commissioner Jackie Selebi says he will use his position as head of Interpol to connect 44 of the 182 member states to the I-24/7 Global Communication…
Computing
Computer News - In Brief
- Channel Data, the southern African distributor for Legato Software, has released Legato's new browser-based solution designed to give users a logical view of an entire Legato network platform, based…
Mergers, Acquisitions and Financial Results
ZIMBABWE'S SNO TELEACCESS HANGS BY A THREAD AS FINANCE RUNS OUT
The stalled second fixed telephone network, TeleAccess, precariously hangs in the balance as it emerged that its financiers, who have since doled out USD147 billion, no longer have the financial…
Mergers, Acquisitions and Financial Results
INVESTORS NOW SHY AWAY FROM FIXED LINE TELEPHONY
Declining global investment in fixed line telephony is likely to undermine Kenya's search for a second national operator. Dr Cosmas Zavazava, a senior International Telecommunications Union (ITU) official says Africa…
Mergers, Acquisitions and Financial Results
On The Money - In Brief
- NITELlast week signed an agreement with a consortium of banks to raise N14 billion in short term loan facility to finance its operations. A consortium of about four banks…
Digital Content
WASPA SET UP TO GUARD AGAINST RIP-OFF SMS SERVICES
A watchdog body has been set up to guard the mobile industry against unscrupulous SMS services that rip off consumers. The Wireless Application Service Providers Association (WASPA) has been established…
Digital Content
MANOBI WANTS TO OPEN SOUTH AFRICAN OPERATION FOR RURAL SERVICES
When it comes to mobile and Internet solutions, too much time is spent trying to adapt European models to Africa, when what is needed is a cost-effective African-designed solution. This…
Digital Content
Web And Mobile Data News - In Brief
- Botswana has a talent search web site: www.maduowebtalent.com - South Africa's Department of Home Affairs will launch an online child registration system in KwaZulu-Natal last week. The system is…
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PEOPLE
- Mobile phone services giant, Celtel International, has been honoured by the International Finance Corporation (IFC). The company received IFC's first annual Client Leadership Award for making a significant contribution…
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EVENTS
http://www.aitecafrica.com - 2-day VSAT Training course to be held over 2-3 November at Silver Springs Hotel, Nairobi. - Finance-IT West Africa in Lagos over 15-16 November - Finance-IT East Africa…
