News update Telecoms and ICT in Africa - Issue no 408 on 16 May 2008
Top Story
Mi-Fone seeks to increase handset roll-out with sub-US$17 handset aimed at rural areas
Alternative handset manufacturer Mi-Fone has set out to produce low-cost handsets that will enable operators to keep pushing out to a wider range of low-earning users. It is offering everything from a sub US$17 handset without a screen to a US$35 phone with a camera, FM radio and colour screen. Mi-Fone might just be one more unbranded wannabe but its founder Alpesh Patel used to be a senior sales manager for Motorola and knows the territory. Russell Southwood spoke to Alpesh Patel about how he’s trying to break into the market. Mi-Fone has received trial orders from a range of…
Telecoms
Vodafone Offers R19bn for Stake in South Africa’s Vodacom
The shake-up in SA's telecoms sector intensified last, with the UK’s Vodafone offering Telkom R18.75bn for a 12.5% stake in Vodacom. The offer follows local black investment house Mvelaphanda saying…
Telecoms
New Telephone Rates in Cameroon but Status Quo For 'Call Boxes'
Since June 1, telephone users in Cameroon have benefitted from a 20 percent drop in call tariffs. The measures follow negotiations between the Telecommunications Regulatory Board and the three telephone…
Telecoms
Court Clears Celtel Kenya to Stop Contract With Distributor
The High Court has given Celtel Kenya Limited the go-ahead to cease business transactions with its appointed dealer, Airtime Business Solutions. It will no longer market or distribute Celtel products…
Telecoms
Algeria Cuts Off Millions of Unregistered SIM Cards
Algeria's mobile operators were ordered to shut down over three million SIM cards at the weekend following a deadline for the users to register their identity with the network operators.…
Telecoms
Telecoms News - In Brief
- A year after it won a licence, Nigerian mobile operator Globacom has launched its GSM services in the Republic of Benin. The mobile operator is rolling out simultaneously across…
Internet
Pan-Africa ISP MWEB is up for Auction
Only nine months after pan-African ISP MWEB bought Afsat and heralded this as the first of several acquisitions, Naspers has put the company up for auction, and a deal might…
Internet
Google puts South Africa on cyber map
This week will be a big one in South Africa’s cyber life: a South Africa layer is to be added to the core software of the global satellite tool Google…
Internet
Icasa probes broadband over power lines
The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (Icasa) has announced it will hold public hearings on the draft regulations governing the technical standards for power line telecommunications(PLT). The draft was…
Internet
Internet News - In Brief
- According to its MD, Engr. Ahmed Rufai, Nigerian Communications Satellite (NIGCOMSAT) is gradually fulfilling its mandate and it has so far implemented 78 community telecommunications centres across the country.…
Computing
Nigeria’s Federal Government Shelves One Laptop Per Child Scheme
The Federal Government has cancelled the proposed "one laptop per child" scheme initiated by the last administration. The scheme was aimed at providing affordable laptop computers to school children to…
Computing
ICT Part of School Curriculum Soon in Sierra Leone
Minister of education, youths and sports last Thursday disclosed his ministry's plan to include ICT as part of school curriculum. Speaking at the launch of the fixed Internet learning centre…
Computing
Ubuntu announces lightweight version for netbook computers
Last week Ubuntu announced a lightweight version of its Linux operating system built for the new wave of ultra-portable "netbook" computers. Called Remix, the customised version of Ubuntu is built…
Computing
Computer News - In Brief
- As part of the Intel World Ahead Programme, the company announced its collaboration with the Ministry of Education, Science and Sports (MOESS) and the Ministry of Communication (MOC) for…
Telecoms, Rates, Offers and Coverage
Telecoms, Rates, Offers and Coverage
- Mixed reactions have greeted Safaricom's 9pm-6am free calls offer in Kenya with subscribers complaining their calls are not going through after 9pm. Safaricom CEO, Michael Joseph, said in a…
Mergers, Acquisitions and Financial Results
Vodacom South Africa Faces Court Move From BEE Loser
A black consortium that failed to survive the first round of short-listing for part of Vodacom's R7.5bn empowerment deal is taking the cellular operator to court in a bid to…
Mergers, Acquisitions and Financial Results
Celtel Zambia shares set to trade next week
Shares of Celtel Zambia, which recently had Zambia's biggest IPO are set to start trading next week. The IPO for Celtel Zambia, the country's largest mobile phone operator, closed on…
Mergers, Acquisitions and Financial Results
Mobitelea Probe Hits Brick Wall in Kenya
Hopes of tracing the true owners of Mobitelea were dashed when the British Government said the case was too difficult to investigate. The British admitted that investigations into dealings between…
Mergers, Acquisitions and Financial Results
Middle East investment firm Opens an Office in Johannesburg
One of the largest telecoms advisory and investment firm in the Middle East has opened an office in Johannesburg as the first step in its planned African expansion. Delta Partners…
Mergers, Acquisitions and Financial Results
On The Money - In Brief
- Rumours are out that MTN has purchased Verizon Business for R1.4 billion, beating Altech in a bid for the Internet service provider (ISP). The deal is expected to be…
Digital Content
Woolworths Uses Web to Educate Consumers in South Africa
Woolworths Financial Services has recently started using Internet broadcasting, or podcasting, as a way to help customers make their money stretch in the environment of rising prices and interest rates.…
Digital Content
Media24 to take on Google?
Industry speculation suggests that Media24 has been garnishing support for a project which could see it going head-to-head with Google South Africa. According to an industry source Media24 is planning…
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People
* Telkom South Africa announced that Massmart's Mark Lamberti has resigned as an independent non-executive director with effect from June 3. - South Africa’s SNO, Neotel, has appointed Wandile Zote…
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Events
* SEMINAR ON E-GOVERNMENT FOR DEVELOPMENT: STRATEGIES AND POLICIES 13-27 June 2008, Washington DC, USA This intensive face-to-face seminar includes lectures, panel discussions, and interactive workshops presented by leading e-Government…
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Jobs and Opportunities
* Sales Director - West Africa The client is investing heavily in the African Mobile Telecoms market and aims to offer a truly converged service. Currently setting up operations in…
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Contracts
* HiTS and Huawei - Tanzania HiTS Telecom has signed a $180 million (Sh216 billion) contract with Huawei Technologies of China. Under the pact, Huawei Technologies will start building HiTS's…
