News update Telecoms and ICT in Africa - Issue no 391 on 25 January 2008
Top Story
Tomorrow’s Internet users today – African universities play catch-up with online content
African universities are crucial to the future development of the Internet on the continent in two ways. Firstly, they contain one of the largest groups of existing and potential users: today’s student user is tomorrow’s future decision-maker. Secondly, universities should be generators of content that will be used by the same students to increase their knowledge and skills. The Kenyan Government and Google have both said they want to provide free Internet connectivity to students. Russell Southwood looks at what the Webometrics rankings can tell us about how far Africa’s universities have to travel. http://www.webometrics.info/top100_continent.asp?cont=africa It provides a raking of…
Telecoms
CCK to Set Up New Licence Regime in Kenya
The Communications Commission of Kenya (CCK) plans to introduce a single licensing framework and market structure beginning July 1st 2008. Currently, the regulator said, it is collating views from stakeholders…
Telecoms
Cost of Pre-Paid Calls to Rise in Namibia
Users of pre-paid airtime sold by telecommunications providers have been slapped with a 15 percent value added tax (VAT) from February 1st. This follows a 15 percent VAT imposed by…
Telecoms
Visafone, EMTS go live soon as telecoms market hits 41.5 million lines in Nigeria
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), the telecoms sector regulator said last weekend that two new companies, Visafone and Emerging Market Telecommunications Service (EMTS) are soon to roll out commercial service…
Telecoms
South Africa's SNO Neotel delays residential services launch
Neotel has confirmed an updated launch date for its commercial residential services.Last year Neotel said that consumers can expect a commercial residential offering in the first quarter of this year.…
Telecoms
Telecoms News - In Brief
- Pan-African satellite RASCOM has been put in orbit despite the serious problems it encountered during its launch in December 07. Fuel linkages have shortened the satellite life expectancy to…
Internet
Telecom Egypt commissions new submarine cable network linking Northern Egypt to France
Telecom Egypt, the incumbent telecom operator in Egypt, and Alcatel-Lucent announced they have signed a USD125 million contract to deploy a new submarine cable network linking Sidi Kerir in Egypt…
Internet
VANS fume over licence conversion process in South Africa
Value added network services (VANS) are decrying the Independent Communications Authority of SA's (ICASA's) delay in converting them to full individual electronic communications network services (ECNS) licensees, and lawyers are…
Internet
Google Starts Recruitment Plan to Up Clout in Africa
Internet search company Google Kenya's Nairobi office is searching for five senior executives for its African operations, laying the foundation for a looming market share battle on the continent. The…
Internet
Internet News - In Brief
- Uganda’s Ministry of ethics, Nsaba Buturo, has announced that the Government has plans to review the pornography law in place. "The anti-pornography bill will soon be tabled in Parliament…
Computing
Federal Government Bans Import of Tokunbo (secondhand) Computers in Nigeria
Nigeria’s Federal Executive Council (FEC) last week banned the import of secondhand computers and other used electronic items otherwise known as Tokunbo. Briefing State House correspondents after the FEC meeting…
Computing
Translate.org Recognised for Multilingual Software in South Africa
South Africa's leading developer of multilingual software, Translate.org.za, has been recognised by the Pan South African Language Board, for its ground-breaking work in this field. The PanSALB award for Multilingualism…
Computing
Nigeria: Much scepticism about OPLC project
One Lap Top Per Child Project has been putting a brave face on the pull-out of Intel from its project. However, the tide of scepticism is growing about the project…
Computing
Computer News - In Brief
- South Africa has rolled out its new next generation network across its main public administrations at a cost of R454m. Neotel won the contract ahead of Telkom last year…
Telecoms, Rates, Offers and Coverage
Telecoms, Rates, Offers and Coverage
- South Africa’s mobile operator, MTN, has become the first cellular network company in the world to introduce fluctuating fees that could see users save up to 95% if they…
Mergers, Acquisitions and Financial Results
South Africa: Cellphone banking grows up as penetration rate doubles
The penetration of cellphone banking in South Africa has more than doubled in one year, according to the Mobility 2007 research study, released in November 2007. And that usage will…
Mergers, Acquisitions and Financial Results
Uganda’s Mbire Sells 50 Percent of Nilecom to South Africa Firm
The Celcom Group, a South African telecom company, has acquired a 50.5% stake in Nilecom, one of MTN's exclusive dealers in Uganda. Nilecom is owned by Charles Mbire, a city…
Mergers, Acquisitions and Financial Results
Nokia Siemens, Huawei Renew Commitment to TD Joint Venture in Nigeria
Nokia Siemens Networks and Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. (Huawei) have announced the signing of a formal agreement to reinforce the R&D capability of their joint venture, TD Tech by injecting…
Mergers, Acquisitions and Financial Results
Mobile Phone Tax Revenues Hit Sh4.8bn in Kenya
The mobile phone industry's importance in the domestic economy grew significantly last year pushing the service providers to the league of top tax payers, official data indicates. Monthly Economic Review…
Mergers, Acquisitions and Financial Results
On The Money - In Brief
- The Public Enterprises Evaluation and Privatisation Agency (PEEPA) has signed a contract agreement with the International Finance Corporation (IFC) to act as transactional advisors in the Privatisation of Botswana…
Digital Content
90 Percent Internet Fraud in Nigeria targeted at the financial sector
Kalu Ndukwe of the Nigerian Internet registration Association, NIRA has stated that over 90% of internet scams in the country is targeted at the financial sector. Ndukwe who made the…
Digital Content
Why You Should Switch Off Your Bluetooth?
Your Bluetooth could land you into a lot of problems if left unattended. While a Bluetooth offers a number of interesting features that can simplify our daily lives, savvy blue…
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People
* The management of Celtel Nigeria has announced the departure of Henry Imaseka and Tito Alai from the company's board. In a related development, the Management of Celtel Nigeria has…
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Events
* ICT AFRICA 13-15 February 2008, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia ICT Africa 2008 offers: A Plenary session featuring policy makers, Business leaders and key ICT research leaders High quality, peer reviewed…
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Jobs and Opportunities
* Operations Manager – Congo (Brazaville) The company is looking for an experienced and mature O&M Engineer to lead a team of 4 O&M engineers ( Core Network, IN, OSS,…
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Contracts
* Zain Group and Det Norske Veritas - Africa Zain Group, owners of Celtel International, a leading mobile telecoms operator across the Middle East and Africa, has pledged to comply…
