Issue no 493 26th February 2010
Top Story
US$99 smartphone ready to hit emerging markets: will it make it into Africa?
Two weeks ago, Synchronica, a UK based company developing and selling next-generation mobile messaging solutions, launched the “MessagePhone”, a low cost smartphone aimed at mobile users in emerging markets. Last week, at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona (MWC), Vodafone unveiled the “Vodafone 150” handset which the company presented as the "lowest-cost mobile phone on Earth" aimed at developing markets. The quest for “market with potential growth” is on and the words “low cost” and “emerging markets” are becoming the mantra among the telecommunication industry. Isabelle Gross looks at what’s in the bag with Synchronica’s low cost smartphone and how…
Telecoms
Telecom operators Given Ultimatum on Installation of Masts in Nigeria
In line with its mandate of ensuring safer and environment-friendly telecommunications operations in the country, the Director General of the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency, NESREA, Dr. Ngeri…
Telecoms
Uganda: MTN, Regulator Given 30 Days by High Court to agree on termination tariffs
The High Court has given MTN Uganda and Uganda Communication Commission (UCC) 30 days to resolve their differences. High Court judge Kibuuka Musoke gave the order amidst reports of an…
Telecoms
Angola: INACOM announces an increase in fixed lines and 8.69 million mobile users
A total of 302,991 landline telephone networks were installed countrywide, until 2009, according to statistics data of the National Communication Institute (INACOM) made available to ANGOP in Luanda. According to…
Telecoms
Musicians win in ringtones duel with Safaricom in Kenya
Mobile network operator, Safaricom, and ringtone provider, Cellulant, have been restrained from distributing musical works of 11 top Kenyan artists until a case brought by the Music Copyright Society of…
Telecoms
Telecoms News - In Brief
- The Nigerian Communications Commission has postponed the deadline for SIM card registration from 1 March 2010 to 1 May 2010. According to NCC, the postponement became necessary following the…
Internet
Google Maps get to Ghana and 30 other African Countries
Detailed maps of West African nation Ghana are now accessible on Google Maps. Users can search up to date online maps, businesses and locations through any web browser or via…
Internet
Web Resource for Farming Data Launched in Tanzania
A one-stop online resource for national statistics on agriculture was launched in Dar es Salaam last week. The National Bureau of Statics (NBS) partnered with the Food and Agricultural Organisation…
Internet
Draft cyber policy welcomed but criticised in South Africa
Legal experts have welcomed the Department of Communications' (DOC's) draft policy on cyber security, but point out that the private sector has not been incentivised to participate. Gazetted on 19…
Internet
Internet News - In Brief
-The means to establish a network of North African scientific research on priority development including alternative and renewable energies were the focal points of the Ministerial committee of senior officials…
Computing
Zimbabwe: National ICT Strategic Plan Launched
The Government has unveiled the National Information Communication strategic plan that will run from 2010 to 2014, and is expected to usher the country into the global information "super highway".…
Computing
Nigeria: Software Development Policy Ready Soon
The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) says that the policy for software, hardware and network development will be ready in the second quarter of 2010. The Director-General of NITDA,…
Computing
IICD and NComputing Collaborate to Boost Development in Burkina Faso, Zambia and Bolivia Africa Using Innovative Low-Cost ICT Solutions
IICD and NComputing Inc signed an agreement in December to cooperate to promote reliable low-cost ICT solutions among IICD’s partner organisations in Africa and Latin America. Partner organisations in Bolivia,…
Computing
Computer News - In Brief
- Work on Ghana’s first Technology Park at Adako-Jachie in the Ejisu-Juaben Municipality of the Ashanti Region has started. The $2 million project is being funded jointly by the Kwame…
Telecoms, Rates, Offers and Coverage
Telecoms, Rates, Offers and Coverage (briefs)
- One of Nigeria's largest CDMA operator's Visafone said it has extended its network coverage to Maiduguri, capital of Bornu State. Among the services and products the residents of Maiduguri…
Mergers, Acquisitions and Financial Results
MTN sues Uganda Telecom over Shs7b
MTN Uganda has taken its competitor, Uganda Telecommunications Ltd to court, seeking payment of Shs7.2 billion in interconnection fees. In its case filed at the High Court’s Commercial Division, the…
Mergers, Acquisitions and Financial Results
Maroc Telecom’s 2009 financial results: Revenue up by 2.8% and net earnings down by 1%
Maroc Telecom Group’s 2009 consolidated revenues amounted to MAD30,339 million, up 2.8% versus 2008 (up 1.3% on a comparable basis2), underpinned, on the one hand, by results in Morocco and…
Mergers, Acquisitions and Financial Results
Doubts grow over $2.5 bln Nigerian Nitel/M-Tel sale
Doubts surfaced over the planned $2.5 billion sale of Nigeria's former state telecoms monopoly on Thursday when China Unicom denied involvement in bidding in the African country's biggest privatisation. But…
Mergers, Acquisitions and Financial Results
South Africa: Innovative Festive Season Packages' Boost Pinnacle results
Pinnacle Technology thanked "a stable and stronger exchange rate, stable fuel prices and reduced interest charges" for a strong set of results for the six months to December, which saw…
Mergers, Acquisitions and Financial Results
On The Money - In Brief
-Vodafone Ghana has launched a new staff business slogan "The Vodafone Way", aimed at a significant shift in the work culture of employees and partners of the telecom giant to…
Digital Content
SMS Feedback Platform launched for patients in Nigeria
Federal Government has said henceforth, patients attending Federal Government Hospitals can now report on the quality of services through SMS. With the support of MTN and Glo GSM Networks, who…
Digital Content
African Churches Use Mobile Phones to Ring up Growth in Members
A mobile phone suspended on a belt round the waist, or from the neck, is a common sight among members of church congregations in Africa. Now, church leaders are heaping…
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People
O3b Networks has appointed Mark Rigolle as CEO. Rigolle succeeds Greg Clarke, who is stepping down for personal reasons but will continue to support O3b Networks as member of the…
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Events
DIGITAL AFRICA SUMMIT 9-11 March 2010, Munyonyo Resort, Lake Victoria, Kampala,Uganda This year's 8th Annual Digital Africa Summit is set to be Africa’s premier ICT business summit, creating more opportunities…
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Jobs and Opportunities
* Regional Director - Eastern and Southern Africa Regional Office IDRC The Regional Director for Eastern and Southern Africa is the focal point of IDRC’s presence and management in the…
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Contracts
Togo Telecom and Xtera - Togo Togo Telecom has contracted Xtera Communications, a global provider of optical and IP networking solutions, to deploy a high capacity fibre-optic network across Togo.…
