Issue no 451 23rd April 2009
Top Story
Low-cost phone and voice operator bounces back with entrepreneur support from Cisco
South African low-cost phone and voice operator Dabba had its equipment confiscated by ICASA (for non-compliance) in February 2009. But it has bounced back today with new equipment and support from both Cisco and the Shuttleworth Foundation for an entrepreneur programme that will take its service out in the townships. Russell Southwood spoke to its CEO Rael Lissoos about its plans. On 13 February 2009 an inspector from the South African regulator ICASA (D Makhubu) seized equipment from three sites and accused Dabba of contravening the ECA Sections 7, 31, 32(i) and 35(i), essentially claiming Dabba was providing service without…
Telecoms
Angola Telecom to invest $2.4 bln to boost network
State-owned Angola Telecom is preparing to invest $2.4 billion by 2013 to boost the fixed-line fibre network in Angola, Chief Executive Joao Manuel said on Tuesday. The investment will include…
Telecoms
New Uganda interconnection rates could open market
The Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) is set to regulate the interconnection fees that players in the mobile telecommunications sector pay when they carry traffic from other operators. A fixed interconnection…
Telecoms
Nigerias’ Telecoms operators risk licence revocation over unapproved adverts
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) may revoke the operating licence of companies that fail to obtain the necessary approvals for their advertisements and promotional messages under new rules unveiled weekend…
Telecoms
Botswana’s telecommunications market outlook is bright
The mobile market in Botswana has expanded, rising from zero in 1998 to 1.7 million subscribers as at the end of November 2008. A recently conducted market study into the…
Telecoms
Telecoms News - In Brief
- The Lagos State Infrastructure Maintenance and Regulatory Agency (LASIMRA), an agency of the Lagos State Government, empowered to regulate telecom masts and cable laying, has taken steps to put…
Internet
TEAMs begins laying cable as deadline looms
Laying of the Sh10.4 billion ($130 million) undersea fibre optic cable -the East Africa Marine System (TEAMs)- started on Friday and is expected to take two months in a race…
Internet
NCC Calls for Joint Management of Sat3 in Nigeria
Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) Engr. Ernest Ndukwe has called for a joint management of the SAT3 optics fibre project to forestall frequent breakdown and improve…
Internet
Small wireless providers in limbo in South Africa
Small wireless application providers still have to feel the direct benefits of the telecommunication industry's liberalisation, with frequency being the biggest question, says Wireless Application Providers' Association (WAPA) chairman Johann…
Internet
Internet News - In Brief
- MainOne Cable Company announced at the weekend that it has started the main route survey operations of its submarine cable project. Over the next two months, while en route,…
Computing
Italy Supports E-Government programme in Mozambique
The Italian government has pledged to grant five million Euros (about 6.7 million US dollars) to finance the third phase of the Mozambican government's Electronic Network programme, that began in…
Computing
Computer based Examination to be introduced in Nigerian universities for Students
Five universities, six other institutions and independent bodies have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Testing Company Limited, an electronic outfit that conduct eletronic test to conduct computer based…
Computing
Can netbooks really cut it in Africa?
The genesis of netbooks can be seen in machines such as the One Laptop per Child XO device, and its rival the Intel Classmate - both originally targeted at the…
Computing
Computer News - In Brief
- Nigeria’s National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) is to establish a software testing centre in Kano ICT park. - A cooperation agreement between Tunisian and Indian technological parks was…
Telecoms, Rates, Offers and Coverage
Telecoms, Rates, Offers and Coverage (briefs)
- Uganda’s WARID Telecom customers base has hit 1.2 million, the chief executive officer (CEO), Zul Javaid, said, during the opening of a new switching centre. The mobile operator targets…
Mergers, Acquisitions and Financial Results
Forex pushes Nigeria's Starcomms to 2008 net loss
Starcomms Plc, one of Nigeria's biggest mobile telecoms operators, swung to an 8 billion naira ($60 million) net loss last year due in part to the depreciation of the naira…
Mergers, Acquisitions and Financial Results
South Africa’s Altec announced healthy revenue and profit increase
JSE-listed Allied Technologies played a solid game this year, with revenue up by 11% and operating profit up 32% in its final results. The company released its results for the…
Mergers, Acquisitions and Financial Results
Egypt Orascom Says France Telecom Deal Null And Void
Egyptian operator says acquisition of shares in Mobinil is off, local press reports. Egypt's Orascom Telecom Holding considers the deal to sell part of its shares in Egyptian Co. for…
Mergers, Acquisitions and Financial Results
South Africa’s Vox Telepreneur scheme pays R2million
Telepreneur initiative rings up R2m in payouts as Vox grows network Vox Telecom had paid R2 million in commissions to 3 000 entrepreneurs who had taken advantage of its Vox…
Mergers, Acquisitions and Financial Results
On The Money - In Brief
- MTC Namibia has announced that it will invest about N$113.8 million towards the West Africa Cable System a project worth about N$5.4 billion. Its contribution is equivalent to 50%…
Digital Content
South Africa campaigns adopt online social media
South Africa made history as the first country in Africa to hold political debate on Twitter, Facebook and blogs, as well as on interactive Web sites that allowed improved interaction…
Digital Content
Cyber criminals target newly launched eTranzact in Ghana
The electronic payment system which was only launched on Friday March 27, 2009 by market leaders eTrazanct to boost online commerce and money transfer through the mobile phone in Ghana…
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People
- President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua has approved the renewal of the tenure of Director-General, National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Cleopas Angaye, for a second term as chief of the…
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Events
* TELECOMFINANCE MIDDLE EAST & AFRICA 2009 28th - 29th April 2009, Park Hyatt Hotel, Dubai The third annual TelecomFinance Middle East & Africa Conference will offer true Middle Eastern…
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Jobs and Opportunities
ABHA AHUJA AWARD 2009 - CALL FOR APPLICATIONS Since 2008, the generosity of an anonymous donor and the administration of the Internet Society, have allowed a person from Africa to…
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Contracts
Globacom and Dangote Group - Nigeria Globacom has signed a business agreement with Dangote Group. The contract, which was bided for by other telecom companies in the country, allows the…
