News update Telecoms and ICT in Africa - Issue no 410 on 30 May 2008
Top Story
Mauritius call-centre and BPO sector needs lower international bandwidth prices to stay competitive
Bandwidth is the petrol of the new global economy and as the price of actual petrol continues to go through the roof, it is an essential component of being able to sell “smart exports” based on “think-work” rather than simply minerals, produce or tourism. Mauritius has had some considerable success in attracting Business Process Outsourcing and Call Centre work but the high price of international bandwidth remains a key concern. With the new cables arriving on the East coast of Africa delivering lower cost international fibre, Mauritius has got to figure out how best to stay competitive. Russell Southwood looks…
Telecoms
Globacom Wins Sixth Licence in Ghana
To no-one’s surprise Nigeria’s Globacom scooped the sixth licence in Ghana, giving it two mobile operations in West Africa outside of its home territory. A letter to the management of…
Telecoms
Sierratel gets US$16.6 million Chinese loan to roll-out a mobile operation
Acting Director of Commercial Service of Sierra Leone’s telco incumbent Sierratel Julius has confirmed that the government-owned institution took delivery of US$16.6 million worth of equipment to be paid for…
Telecoms
10% excise duty to be imposed on CDMA networks in Kenya
Calling charges on Telkom Wireless, Popote and Flashcom could go up following the introduction of 10 per cent excise duty on CDMA networks in the Kenyan Budget last week. This…
Telecoms
N72bn Investment in Rural Telephony At Risk in Nigeria
Senator Sylvester Anyanwu, chairman of the Senate Committee on Communications has expressed concern over the fate of the estimated N72 billion invested by the country in the national rural telephony…
Telecoms
Telecoms News - In Brief
- The government of Mozambique has announced it is ready to license new operators in the country’s fixed line market, following the ending of TDM’s monopoly late last year. Reuters…
Internet
More operators to get WiMax Spectrum in South Africa
The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) has published its final decision on the awarding of radio frequency spectrum. In November 2006, ICASA published a notice in the Government…
Internet
Kenya’s IPO revealed Internet Security flaw
Investors using the online application process for the Safaricom IPO were probably not aware that a security flaw meant that their confidential details and amount invested could be read through…
Internet
Firefox 3 speaks Afrikaans
The long-awaited Firefox 3 browser has been released and is already receiving rave reviews from users around the globe. In South Africa, Firefox 3 is significant in that for the…
Internet
Internet News - In Brief
- Mobile operator Vodafone Egypt is moving into the fixed-line market with the launch of ADSL services. The company said it will offer high-speed services for both residential and business…
Computing
Technology Center Opens in East Province in Cameroon
Residents of Abong-Mbang in the Upper Nyong Division in the East Province of Cameroon are now connected through the opening of a new technology centre. The Chantal Biya Centre for…
Computing
Nicholas Negroponte’s accidental revolution
Digital pioneer Nicholas Negroponte, the man behind the One Laptop Per Child (OLPC) project to put cheap computers in the hands of children in poor countries, has inadvertently kickstarted a…
Computing
ICT training for female journalists kicks off in Botswana
Educating female journalists in online reporting will not only bridge the training gap between men and women on Information and Communication Technology (ICT) but enhance their work too. Permanent Secretary…
Computing
Computer News - In Brief
- In Nigeria, a voluntary body known as the Chibuzor J. Okpata Free Computer Education in Nigerian Prison Services, has given over 4,600 prison inmates the opportunity of acquiring computer…
Telecoms, Rates, Offers and Coverage
Telecoms, Rates, Offers and Coverage (briefs)
- Sierra Leone’s mobile operator Africell has launched three new products, 'Intelligent Clip', 'SMS2Email' and 'Call Me for free' as part of his 'Thank You campaign.' The launching ceremony took…
Mergers, Acquisitions and Financial Results
Hits Plans US$500 Million Investment in Tanzania’s Mobile Market
New mobile phone operator Hits Tanzania Ltd plans to invest US$500 million in its countrywide coverage within 13 months. The firm's CEO Gerhard May, said Hits is targeting a network…
Mergers, Acquisitions and Financial Results
Sibling Rivalry May Scupper MTN Deal in South Africa
Sibling rivalry between the chairman of Reliance Communications, Anil Ambani, and his even richer and more powerful brother, Mukesh, may scupper a potential merger with MTN. The unseemly squabble is…
Mergers, Acquisitions and Financial Results
No End in Sight to Refunds Blame Game in Kenya
The blame game on who and what is causing the delay in issuing refund cheques for the Safaricom IPO is in full swing. So far, the need to authenticate the…
Mergers, Acquisitions and Financial Results
Fujitsu Siemens Takes On Black Partners in South Africa
Fudjitsu Siemens Computers is selling a quarter of its local subsidiary to black investors, becoming the first major global computer maker to sell equity in an empowerment deal. The value…
Mergers, Acquisitions and Financial Results
On The Money - In Brief
- Chief Executive Officer of Vodacom, Alan Knott-Craig, has expressed regrets over pulling out of an opportunity that would have given Vodacom a piece of Nigeria, Africa's largest telecoms sector.…
Digital Content
Dial Up a Local Tune With MTN in South Africa
MTN is aiming to boost the local music scene by helping musicians prepare professional recordings for downloading to a cellphone. Unsigned artists will be given studio facilities to capture their…
Digital Content
10% of world demand for Mobile phone cameras to be made in Morocco
American Tessera Technologies will create in Morocco an industrial unite with a capacity of producing up to 100 million mobile phone cameras, that is 10% of world demand. “We are…
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People
* Geoffrey Shimanyula has resigned as the UUNET Kenya managing director, a position he held for 15 months.
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Events
* FRAUD PREVENTION AND REVENUE ASSURANCE MEA 1-2 July 2008,Dubai UAE ViB events’ Fraud Prevention and Revenue Assurance MENA will bring together telecoms operators and industry experts to discuss the…
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Jobs and Opportunities
* Content Manager Web And Wap – Eastern Africa The client is looking for a high level Content Manager for this six month (extendable) contract. You will be expected to;…
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Contracts
* UTL and Credit Reference Bureau - Uganda Ugandan telecom (utl) has won the multi-million shilling deal to host the databases of the Credit Reference Bureau (CRB). The central bank…
