Issue no 459 19th June 2009
Top Story
Fibre backbone cables spreading across the continent should lead to cheaper traffic between countries
With the arrival of six international fibre cables over the next two years, the race is on to provide national fibre backbones and competitive connections between countries. There have been for announcements this week that show that the arrival of these international cables has sparked a wave of fibre build-outs. These new routes should lead to both cheaper national backhaul rates and the switching of inter-country traffic from international to regional routings. Russell Southwood looks at what happened this week and what it means for carriers and bandwidth users. There were four national backbone and inter-country announcements this week affecting…
Telecoms
BSNL drops plan to bid for Tunisian licence while Tunisiana will float soon
BSNL has dropped plans to bid for a unified fixed/mobile telecoms licence in Tunisia because it says the potential returns are not high enough. ‘We did not bid for Tunisia...We…
Telecoms
Rwanda’s Telcos React to Increase on Airtime Tax
The country's telecommunication companies have given very different reactions to the 2009/10 budget increase of excise duty on airtime which rose from 3 to 5 percent. Khaled Mikkawi, the new…
Telecoms
Ghana demands permit for telecom masts
Ghana’s Ministry of Environment Science and Technology (MEST) has ordered all mobile communication operators to obtain the necessary environmental permits before installing telecommunication masts. Sherry Aryittey, the sector Minister, said…
Telecoms
Rural Telephony - Prospective Operators Get Ultimatum On Due Diligence in Nigeria
Federal Government weekend gave the five prospective operators for the National Rural Telephony Project (NRTP) two weeks from June 15, to embark on "further due diligence." Authoritative sources told the…
Telecoms
Telecoms News - In Brief
- The newly constituted technical board for Nitel and its mobile arm MTel has taken over the affairs of the ailing company under the auspices of the Bureau of Public…
Internet
EASSy Submarine Project on Target for Completion by June 2010
Noel Herrity, the CEO of Zantel said: "The EASSy Project remains on track for completion at the end of June (2010), and the resulting upgrade to telecoms infrastructure in East…
Internet
Rwanda in Talks With Kenya to Connect to Undersea Cable
Government is currently engaged in talks with Kenya over a possible partnership to connect the country's backbone with the newly launched undersea cable at the Kenyan port of Mombasa. Speaking…
Internet
NIRA sets July 8 deadline for renewal of Nigerian Internet domain names
The Nigeria Internet Registration Association (NIRA) has announced that all domains registered under the nation's .ng internet name prior to January 1, this year will expire by July 8, 2009…
Internet
Internet News - In Brief
- The Rwanda National Police has put in place mechanisms that will enable Rwandans to process their drivers' licences online. According to Mary Gahonzire, the Commissioner General of Police, preparatory…
Computing
IBM expands its operations in Kenya
IBM is expanding its operations in Kenya from simply sales and marketing offices to a fully fledged operation to capture growth in the East African region. During the press conference…
Computing
Uganda: Citizens Opt for Cloned Computers
Uganda Green Computers, an initiative by the Government to enable small and medium size enterprises to buy affordable computers to because of the popularity of cloned computers in the market.…
Computing
Reducing the Cost of ICTs for Kenyan NGOs
There are approximately 4,000 non-profit organisations operating in Kenya today. These organisations make a significant contribution in response to the development and service delivery challenges facing the country. The strengthening…
Computing
Computer News - In Brief
- Zimbabwe’s Ministry of Information Communication and Technology has finalised the Information Communication and Technology draft Bill as it moves to meet some of its targets in the 100-day plan.…
Telecoms, Rates, Offers and Coverage
Telecoms, Rates, Offers and Coverage (briefs)
- Zimbabwe’s Zellco Cellular service has introduced "Billtrek", a facility that will enable customers to control their mobile phone bills. The function allows the customer to define maximum planned expenditure…
Mergers, Acquisitions and Financial Results
Nigeria’s First Bank and Others Finance US$240 Million for MainOne Fibre Cable
First Bank of Nigeria Plc in collaboration with Skye Bank and African Finance Corporation (AFC), have signed a US$240 million financing deal with MainOne Cable Company, a private sector-led initiative…
Mergers, Acquisitions and Financial Results
Mauritius Telecom profit down 5%, listing still on
Mauritius Telecom said 2008 post-tax profit fall 5 percent to 1.9 billion rupees ($59 million) on increased interest payments. Mauritius Telecom, which dominates the fixed line and mobile markets and…
Mergers, Acquisitions and Financial Results
Sierratel secures USD29 million expansion loan from India
The Sierra Leone Parliament ratified a loan agreement of $29,452,856 for the modernization and expansion of the network and telecommunications infrastructure of Sierratel. The loan agreement was provided by the…
Mergers, Acquisitions and Financial Results
URA orders permits firm to pay sh5b
Face Technologies, the company which issues driving permits in Uganda, has not paid taxes in the past five years, the tax body has said. The Uganda Revenue Authority has consequently…
Mergers, Acquisitions and Financial Results
On The Money - In Brief
- Mozambique’s Minister of Transport and Communications, Paulo Zucula, has revealed plans to partly privatise incumbent mobile operator, mCel. According to the plan at least 5% of company shares will…
Digital Content
Mobile Phone Towers to Monitor African Weather
A new partnership has been announced that will place weather monitoring stations on up to 5,000 mobile phone towers operated by Zain, and other mobile networks, across the African continent.…
Digital Content
Facebook Swahili version launched
The social-networking website Facebook has launched in Swahili, targeting more than 110m speakers of the language. A group of Swahili scholars launched the new version with the permission of the…
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People
- Themba Khumalo has been appointed as CEO of MTN Uganda. He previously was CEO at MTN Rwanda. Khaled Mikkawi will replace him at the head of MTN’s operations in…
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Events:
* BARCAMP SWAZILAND 27th June, Malkerns, Swaziland BarCamp Swaziland will bring together technology practitioners in the Kingdom of Swaziland to share and learn in an open environment. BarCamps are participatory…
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Jobs and Opportunities
ERICSSON 3G OPTIMISATION ENGINEERS - WEST AFRICA The ideal candidate will have strong 3G Optimisation experience ideally with previous experience of working for Ericsson on a live 3G Network. Additional…
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Contracts
* Togo Telecom and ECI - Togo ECI Telecom, a provider of networking infrastructure solutions optimized for next-generation network (NGN) migration announced that Togo Telecom, the incumbent fixed line operator…
