Issue no 468 21st August 2009
Top Story
Togo: Moov subscribers go on to the streets in Lome to protest at closure of Moov
Demonstrators took to the streets this week in Lome to protest at the Government’s recent closure of the country’s second cellular operator, Etisalat-owned Moov. Togo is one of Africa’s leading laggards in the liberalisation process and the closure of Moov highlights how little is changing in this small West African country compared to some of its neighbours. Russell Southwood looks at why frustrations have spilled out on to the streets. Around 2000 demonstrators representing Moov’s 600,000 subscribers went out on to the streets of the capital Lome to protest at the closure of their service, according to a report in…
Telecoms
Cameroon’s Fibre Saga: MTN has right to build metro network but Camtel keeps national infrastructure monopoly
The Telecommunications Regulatory Board has settled the dispute between Camtel and MTN Cameroon. Camtel continues to have a monopoly over long-distance, national infrastructure but MTN has the right to build…
Telecoms
Government accuses Portugal Telecom of mismanaging Guinea-Bissau’s telcos
The Government of Guinea-Bissau last week published the results of an audit it requested concerning Portugal Telecom’s (PT’s) alleged mismanagement of national fixed line operator Guine Telecom (GT) and its…
Telecoms
Top Lawyer Says Icasa Can Cut interconnection costs in South Africa
Mobile calls could be slashed by a massive R1 a minute almost immediately if the industry regulator agrees with fresh legal opinion declaring that the fees can be forced down…
Telecoms
Uganda Communication Commission bags money for rural development and thinks of increasing the levy
MTN Uganda last week passed US5.5b to the rural communications development fund. The Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) director, Patrick Masambu, confirmed that they had received the money that is part…
Telecoms
Telecoms News - In Brief
- Telkom South Africa and the Communication Workers Union (CWU) have signed a wage agreement. "In the final settlement, Telkom and CWU agreed to a 7.5 percent general salary increase…
Internet
Disrupted SAT3 Service Restored in West Africa
The damage done to the submarine fibre cable that provides internet service to Nigeria and other countries in West Africa SAT3 has been rectified and service restored. A BBC report…
Internet
TEAMS shareholders are getting different prices for bandwidth and still no link to Europe
Shareholders in the Kenyan-Government sponsored TEAMS fibre consortium are getting different prices for their bandwidth, giving some a clear price edge over others. The variations arise from the fact that…
Internet
New Artel in Talks With Seacom in Rwanda
Internet Service Providers (ISPs) in Rwanda are preparing for the submarine fibre optic cable connection that stretch from the East African coast to different interior destinations of the region. New…
Internet
Internet News - In Brief
- Tanzanian incumbent TTCL has announced this week that it is fully connected to Seacom. Other local companies already hooked to the system include TANESCO, Songo Songo Gas and Tanzanian…
Computing
Nigeria’s Datasphir Solutions CEO hits out at the growing market for secondhand ICT products
Industry experts and retailers have bemoaned the influx of secondhand IT products into the Nigerian market, even as they expressed concern that its presence will continue to cripple the country's…
Computing
South Africa’s Government sets timelines for ICT projects
Government has laid out its programme of action for ICT projects for the last four months of the year and set strict deadlines that each department will have to meet.…
Computing
India's Amity University offers IT degrees to Africans
One of India's top universities, Amity, is to offer online IT degrees and diplomas to 100,000 students on the African continent over the next five years. The 100,000 IT students…
Computing
Computer News - In Brief
- The National Information Technology Authority - Uganda (NITA-U) is now a reality following the signing of the bill by President Museveni in July 2009. The authority is expected to…
Telecoms, Rates, Offers and Coverage
Telecoms, Rates, Offers and Coverage (briefs)
- Rwandatel has signed an agreement with Belgacom International Carrier Services (Belgacom ICS) to deliver 'Instant Roaming' to its post-paid subscribers, providing reach for Voice and SMS to over 500…
Mergers, Acquisitions and Financial Results
Altech’s KDN acquires stake in TEAMS
Allied Technologies Limited (Altech), through its subsidiary Kenya Data Networks Limited (KDN), last week announced the acquisition of an 8.5% stake in the TEAMS cable costing US$11 million. The investment…
Mergers, Acquisitions and Financial Results
Mozambique’s mCel profits rise 58% in 2008
mCel, the Mozambique based mobile operator, has reported net profit of MZN548 million (USD20.76 million) for 2008, up 58% year-on-year from MZN348 million in 2007. mCel CEO Gomes Zita said:…
Mergers, Acquisitions and Financial Results
Telkom South Africa Seeking Empowered Buyer for Its Swiftnet Electronic Division
Telkom continues to redefine its business activities by making a concerted effort to finally sell Swiftnet, a division that operates electronic payments including credit card verifications and point-of-sale terminal transactions.…
Mergers, Acquisitions and Financial Results
Easing of Local Partner Rule to Spur Telecoms Sector in Kenya
A surge in foreign telecoms companies investment is expected after the government relaxed the rule on local ownership. The move is anticipated to inspire investor confidence. The cap on 80…
Mergers, Acquisitions and Financial Results
On The Money - In Brief
- Vodafone, formerly Ghana Telecom, says the evolution of Ghana Telecom to Vodafone was expected to involve a process of transformation that would result in the restructuring of the business…
Digital Content
Solar Phone-Power Launched in Kenya
The world's first solar charged phone was unveiled in Kenya last week by telecommunications provider Safaricom. Officials said the innovation is in line with the company's policy of going green…
Digital Content
African Universities 'Face Fresh Internet Challenges'
Africa's access to digital research resources has improved but the continent faces new challenges in its use of these resources, a report finds. "With infrastructure and facilities steadily improving ...…
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People
- Telecom Egypt board of directors has announced the appointment of Tarek Tantawy as the company’s new chief executive officer. The appointment is with immediate effect. Telkom South Africa’s newly-appointed…
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Events:
* INTERCONNECTION COURSE 24-27 August 2009, Sandton, South Africa Good interconnection regime will help businesses boost their competitiveness in an increasingly competitive and globalised telecommunications market. This 5-day course will…
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Jobs and Opportunities
* Tender for satellite networking of border posts in Niger http://www.dgmarket.com/tenders/np-notice.do~4271829 * Tender for the supply, delivery, installation and commissioning of local area networks, wireless equipment and routers in Kenya…
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Contracts
Teraco and Dark Fibre Africa – South Africa Teraco has successfully negotiated a deal with Dark Fibre Africa (DFA) to further increase customer choice in access to high-speed telecoms infrastructure…
