Issue no 495 12th March 2010
Top Story
Ghana: New survey results uncover more complex patterns of mobile phone and Internet use
This week market research company InterMedia launches AudienceScapes, a research web site funded by the Gates Foundation. It conducted two country surveys (Ghana and Kenya) in 2009 and of the two, the Ghana survey is probably the more interesting for News Update readers. Based on a robust national sample covering all regions of the country, it looks like there are just under a million Internet users. Furthermore, 3% of the mobile users in the sample accessed the Internet at least once a week. Russell Southwood went through the numbers. The InterMedia survey was conducted in July and August 2009 and…
Telecoms
Telkom South Africa Hires Guards to Protect Cables
Telkom has resorted to deploying armed guards to hide in bushes overnight to try to stop gangs from stripping phone lines in the Western Cape. Sources have told the Cape…
Telecoms
Telecoms News - In Brief
- The dispute over the jurisdiction of government ministers in Zimbabwe’s telecoms sector appears to have been abruptly ended by President Robert Mugabe, who allocated the administration of the Posts…
Telecoms
MTN Ghana trial first UMTS 900 MHz roll-out in Africa
Ericsson and MTN Ghana demonstrate it is possible to build and expand cost effective nation-wide mobile broadband coverage Ericsson has successfully trialled UMTS 900 MHz for the first time on…
Telecoms
The curse of Nitel claims the Director-General of the privatization process
After the fiasco of a successful bidder for Nitel who did not have one of its key shareholders (China’s Unicom) committed, the Nigerian Government has now suspended indefinitely the Director…
Telecoms
Telkom Kenya to shift focus as it recovers from US$124 million loss
Telkom Kenya has announced that it will be making shifts in its strategic focus this year as it attempts to get back on the track to profitability on the back…
Internet
Tata to Capitalise on Sea Cable for Growth in Africa
Global telecoms giant Tata Communications was set to increase its investments in Africa to capitalise on the arrival of new submarine data cables, CEO Srinath Narasimhan said last week. Speaking…
Internet
South Africa: Rica Act and your Internet connection
South Africa’s Regulation of Interception of Communications Act (Rica) gives some idea of the complications that arise when you mandate the registration of customers. For Rica is not just for…
Internet
Uganda e-trading gains pace
The new electronic system launched by the Uganda Securities Exchange that started with the opening of accounts is gathering pace. A significant number of brokers have been opening e-trading accounts.…
Internet
Internet News - In Brief
- Telkom South Africa which is responsible for much of the telecoms and broadcasting requirements for the World Cup, has now turned to Seacom for additional international capacity and redundancy.…
Computing
Kenya’s Ministry Proposes Ban on Used Computers
The government is proposing a ban on second-hand computers to curb dumping and encourage local assembling. A study on electronic waste conducted in Kenya in 2008 indicated that the country…
Computing
Google Holds Software Contest for African Students
Search engine giant, Google, has announced the start-off of it's annual African software programmers competition which is coming barely two weeks after the launch of it's latest map domains which…
Computing
Ghana: Education Minister - 'One Laptop Per Child' is Good But...
The Education Minister, Alex Tetteh Enyo has said the one laptop per child (OLPC) concept is a good one, but issues of sustainability and security needs to be properly addressed…
Computing
Computer News - In Brief
- Leabridge Technologies, a Zimbabwe ICT firm, has been engaged by South African firms to provide advanced technology security services at the 2010 World Cup. - Uganda is reconsidering its…
Telecoms, Rates, Offers and Coverage
Telecoms, Rates, Offers and Coverage (briefs)
- Telkom Kenya Ltd (TKL) is breathing life into its copper fixed line with the activation of a new service that enables calls to be diverted to other lines when…
Mergers, Acquisitions and Financial Results
France Telecom Demand for U.S.$385 Million Compensation Over Telkom Kenya's 'Vanished' Assets
France Telecom will start negotiations with the Government a sum in compensation almost equal to the purchase price of the company because it says that it is not able to…
Mergers, Acquisitions and Financial Results
MTN South Africa net profit is down while revenues increase by 9.2%
MTN Group revenues increased by 9,2% to R111,9 billion and earnings before interest, tax and depreciation ("EBITDA") by 6.7% to R46,1 billion based on a sound operational performance for the…
Mergers, Acquisitions and Financial Results
Egypt: MobiNil aims for LINKdotNET deal completion within a month
Egyptian Company for Mobile Services (MobiNil), Egypt’s largest mobile network operator by subscribers, has revealed that it has set a deadline by which it aims to complete the acquisition of…
Mergers, Acquisitions and Financial Results
Nigeria’s centre switch Begins Operation
A major landmark achievement had been made in the nation's e-payment system, following the completion of the Nigeria Central Switch (NCS) project by the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS), a…
Mergers, Acquisitions and Financial Results
On The Money - In Brief
- The Egyptian government is believed to be considering the sale of a portion of its 80% stake in fixed line incumbent Telecom Egypt, Reuters reports. A final decision has…
Digital Content
Rwanda: Over Rwf60 Million Moved in 'Mobile Money' Transfers
About Rwf60 million has been moved in daily transactions, with the use of the 'Mobile Money' facility, a month after it was launched, MTN Rwanda officials said last week. Andrew…
Digital Content
Kenya: Taking the risk out of farming via your mobile phone
Just as purchasers of electronic goods can buy extended warranties in case their TV goes wrong, farmers in parts of Kenya can now mitigate the risk of weather shocks by…
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People
Two new ICT ministers have been appointed. Colonel. Houga Bi Jacques is taking on the job in Côte d’Ivoire following a government reshuffling. In Niger, Ms Takoubakoye Aminata Boureïma will…
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Events
CIO SUMMIT 2010 – “FROM PRESSURE TO PERFORMANCE 16-17 March 2010, Johannesburg's Emperors Palace, South Africa www.idc-cema.com/events/ciosou2010 4th ANNUAL E-GOV AFRICA FORUM 2010 23-25 March 2010, Maputo, Mozambique At a…
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Jobs and Opportunities
Extended Term Consulting (ETC) Assignment: Task Manager, Mobile Applications Laboratories InfoDev (www.infodev.org) is a research, capacity building and advisory program, coordinated and served by an expert Secretariat housed in the…
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Contracts
Dovetel and Obsidian - Tanzania Obsidian Systems has rolled out the Zimbra open source messaging and collaboration suite for 20,000 end-users at Dovetel, a Tanzanian Internet service provider and mobile…
