News update Telecoms and ICT in Africa - Issue no 419 on 29 August 2008
Top Story
Libya’s LPTIC heads for full NGN implementation with pilot local access projects
Libya’s national incumbent LPTIC has embarked upon what is probably the most ambitious overhaul of a telephone network in the whole of Africa. It plans to put in place a fibre Next Generation Backbone Network (NGBN) and has pilot projects to extend IP delivery at a local level. The impact of new fibre network will also improve both its connections to its neighbours and internationally. Russell Southwood looks at what’s happening. Libyan Post Telecommunications and Information Technology Company (LPTIC) is the national operator that provides fixed, mobile and internet related services throughout Libya. Its implementation of the NGBN is split…
Telecoms
New local GSM Company launched in Gambia
A licence has been granted to a new locally-owned GSM company, which will bring the total number of GSM operators in the country to four. The company is called QCell…
Telecoms
With added competition mobile price war heats up in Uganda
MTN, uganda telecom (utl) and WARID are engaged in a price with each company is offering lower rates on calls within the same network to lure subscribers. Market leader MTN…
Telecoms
Zambia at risk of being cut off from the rest of the world, claims ZACA
The Zambia Consumer Association (ZACA) has urged the Government and the Communications Authority of Zambia (CAZ) to inform the country about the status of the Mwembeshi satellite, following persistent failures…
Telecoms
Vodafone Gets the Nod for Ghana Telecom, So Who’s Next?
Vodafone has finally triumphed in its quest to take a majority stake in Ghana Telecom, opening a new chapter in the mobile giant’s expansion plans. In fact, by chasing the…
Telecoms
Telecoms News - In Brief
- In Uganda, Communication technology minister, Ham Mulira, reported to the Parliament that South Sudan will stop using Uganda's telephone code in October. - To avoid identity theft and ensure…
Internet
Access Kenya Introduces High-Speed Home Internet
Access Kenya has introduced a retail broadband product dubbed Access@home and the service is being marketed to domestic users as a new addition to the company's already existing product for…
Internet
Business Sector to Foot Bill for fibre infrastructure in Rwanda
The Minister in the office of the President in charge of Technology and Research, Professor Romain Murenzi, has said that the business sector will be required to pay a fee…
Internet
48h of the Senegalese Music Online
Kheweul.Com and the Senegalese Regulation Authority for Post and Telecom (ARTP), in close relationship with the supporting institutions (World Bank, etc.), is promoting Senegalese music by launching the My Music…
Internet
Internet News - In Brief
- Ghana Telecom has expanded its broadband coverage to the city of Sunyani. The incumbent broadband service labelled "Broadband4U" offers currently a 256kbps connection at US$92.30 per month. - Sokoto…
Computing
ICT Minister Faces Inquiry Over 150 Million US Dollars Computer Deal in Uganda
In a Parliamentary session last Monday MPs gave junior ICT Minister John Alintuma Nsambu two weeks to explain reports that he was using his post to promote personal business. Nsambu…
Computing
South Africa’s PC brand sales slump
Sales of local computer brands are slumping as consumers instead opt for more well-known international brands. This has put pressure on local brands such as Sahara and Mustek's Mecer as…
Computing
Nigeria: Coscharis Technologies Targets 500 PCs Per Day By 2009
Emecheta Ofondu, chief executive officer, Coscharis Technologies spoke to Vanguard’s reporter, Emeka Aginam on its latest brand of indigenous computer brand. “We believe that there is gap in the information…
Computing
Computer News - In Brief
- Nigeria's representatives to this year's World Cyber Games grand finale scheduled to hold in November in Cologne, Germany are to contest to participate in four of the 14 events…
Telecoms, Rates, Offers and Coverage
Telecoms, Rates, Offers and Coverage (briefs)
- One of Liberia's GSM Service Providers, Cellcom Telecommunications, has connected Cocopa district and other surrounding villages in Nimba County to its services. - Zimbabwe’s three mobile telecommunications firms, Econet…
Mergers, Acquisitions and Financial Results
Access Kenya Profit Up 62 Percent
Technology firm Access Kenya has posted a 62 per cent rise in profit before tax for the first half-year of 2008.The company recorded Sh104 million in the period compared to…
Mergers, Acquisitions and Financial Results
Nitel: Amid search for new core investors, FG to give stakes to IIL
The Federal Government plans to transfer stakes in the national incumbent, NITEL to Investors International Limited (IIL), the London-based consortium that had in 2001 made a botched $1.317 billion bid…
Mergers, Acquisitions and Financial Results
MTN Expects 1st Half Earnings Up As Much As 14.5%
MTN Group, Africa's largest mobile phone network operator, last Wednesday said its earnings rose as much as 14.5% in the first half of the year. The company said attributable earnings…
Mergers, Acquisitions and Financial Results
ICT sector is boosting Tunisia’s economy
Results scored by the information and communication technologies sector in the first half of 2008 revealed a great dynamics at both quantitative and qualitative levels, as part of the implementation…
Mergers, Acquisitions and Financial Results
On The Money - In Brief
- Vodafone Egypt has acquired Sarmady Communications ("Sarcom") - the Cairo-based digital media specialist and one of the fastest growing online businesses in the Region. This deal accelerates the advancement…
Digital Content
Sam Wilson King of the Novel Idea in South Africa
Sam Wilson is South Africa's first award-winning mobilist with a clear majority: 38.5% of the readers' votes. Wilson's story Prestige Animals kept Novel Idea readers hooked to their phones for…
Digital Content
Crooked Police Go Hi-Tech in Hunt for Bribes in Kenya
Corrupt policemen are keeping abreast with technology, and turning to mobile phone transactions and brokers to avoid arrest. Indeed, reputable organisations have since 2001 reported that police are the most…
More
People
* Nitel Plc has approved the appointment of Tom Iseghohi as the new chairman of its Board of Directors and ratified the appointments of Mallam Sayyu Dantata and Olorogun O'tega…
More
Events
* ITU REGIONAL CYBERSECURITY FORUM FOR EASTERN AND SOUTHERN AFRICA 25-28 August 2008, Lusaka, Zambia The purpose of the forum is to identify the main challenges faced by countries in…
More
Jobs and Opportunities
* IDRC Internship Awards The IDRC Internship awards provide exposure to research for international development through a program of training in research management and grant administration under the guidance of…
More
Contracts
Neotel - South Africa Telecoms operator Neotel is about to sign a distribution deal with a national chain store to make it easier to sell its services to consumers. One…
