Issue no 496 18th March 2010
Top Story
Madagascar: Despite political uncertainty, two new international cables offer market growth and new BPO opportunities
Despite the continuing political crisis in Madagascar, the worst of its impact seems to be over and the major players are looking forward to further expansion in the market. The arrival of the EASSy and LION international fibre cables will provide a much-needed boost to growth. Balancing Act’s Sylvain Beletre spoke to two of the key players - Telma and Orange - about their views on the development of the market. Last year was a terrible one for Malagasy incumbent Telma. At the height of the political crisis over the Presidency, it lost a full month’s revenue because its main…
Telecoms
No Licence For New Telecom Firms in Ghana
The National Communications Authority (NCA) has stated that it will not issue any new licences with the possible exception of data licences to encourage Internet take-up. Bernard Forson, Director General…
Telecoms
Harare City Council Wants Rentals for Telecoms Infrastructure in Zimbabwe
In a move that is beginning to be mirrored across Africa, Harare City Council's environmental management committee has resolved that telecommunication companies should pay rent for cables and infrastructure they…
Telecoms
South Africa: ICASA jeopardises DOC budget
Parliament refused to hear the Independent Communications Authority of SA's (ICASA's) strategy and budget presentation last week. This could precipitate what could turn into a financial crisis for the Department…
Telecoms
Senegal: Former ARTP boss held for possible embezzlement of licence funds
The authorities in Senegal have arrested the former head of the national telecoms regulator, Daniel Goumala Seck, on suspicion that he stole funds from the award of a telecoms operating…
Telecoms
Telecoms News - In Brief
- In Nigeria, Acting President Goodluck Jonathan has ordered an immediate probe into the controversies surrounding the recent sale of the Nigerian Telecommunication Company, Nitel, to New Generation telecom at…
Internet
Seacom, ETC to Sign High-Speed Undersea Connection Agreement
Ethiopian incumbent ETC will sign an agreement on March 18, 2010, with Seacom for the laying of high bandwidth fibre optic cable systems, which are part of its Next Generation…
Internet
Egyptian regulator confirms Skype ban on mobile Internet connections
Egypt’s National Telecommunication Regulatory Authority (NTRA) has confirmed that the country has begun enforcing a ban on international calls made via mobile Internet connections, Reuters reports. So it is now…
Internet
SME's Overtake Corporates in Internet Use in South Africa
More people are accessing the Internet from small medium enterprises (SME's) than from corporate networks, according to the annual Internet Access in South Africa study by World Wide Worx and…
Internet
Internet News - In Brief
- According to local Ghanaian newspaper Business Guide, Globacom’s Glo One cable is expected to go live in July this year. - The ZA Domain Name Authority (ZADNA) has voiced…
Computing
In 10 Years, Uganda Will Be Fully Switched On Computers
Geoffrey Kiirya, the principal information scientist and spokesperson in the ministry of ICT in Uganda was interviewed by local paper the Monitor and was confidently predicting widespread computer use in…
Computing
South Africa: Limpopo Farmers Get ICT Boost
Limpopo's Department of Agriculture has budgeted R6 million in this financial year to install technology-based information systems that will enable extension officers to provide relevant and accurate information to farmers…
Computing
Kenya: Land Deals May Sink ICT City
Plans to build a technology city and create 40,000 jobs have run into allegations of corruption and unfair dealings. The technopolis is to be built on a 5,000-acre piece of…
Computing
Computer News - In Brief
- South African banks will soon have access to fingerprint data through the Home Affairs department to verify clients. The SA Banking Risk Information Centre (SABRIC) has said the new…
Telecoms, Rates, Offers and Coverage
Telecoms, Rates, Offers and Coverage (briefs)
- Mobile operator Tigo Rwanda has announced a new promotional package for its customers, slashing call tariffs by 88.9 percent from Rwf90 to Rwf10 per minute. The promotion, which is…
Mergers, Acquisitions and Financial Results
Orascom reveals net loss in 4Q 2009
Egyptian telecoms group Orascom Telecom has posted a net loss of USD46.4 million for the three months ended 31 December 2009, compared to a profit of USD180.9 million in the…
Mergers, Acquisitions and Financial Results
Ownership Wrangle Breaks Out Over Telecel Stake in Zimbabwe
An ownership tussle has split Telecel Zimbabwe after Telecel International announced plans to sell a disputed 11% stake in the country's second largest mobile phone operator, the Zimbabwe Independent can…
Mergers, Acquisitions and Financial Results
South Africa: Vodafone CEO Backs Bharti's Interest in Zain
The head of Vodafone, the world's largest cellphone group by revenue, said last week that he would not lose sleep if Bharti Airtel succeeded in buying the African assets of…
Mergers, Acquisitions and Financial Results
Managed Services Boost EOH Growth in South Africa
Technology group EOH is targeting acquisitions locally and in the rest of the southern Africa region to further grow its operations. CE Asher Bohbot said the company's strategy was to…
Mergers, Acquisitions and Financial Results
On The Money - In Brief
- The Digital Opportunity Trust (DOT), an international project that focuses on empowering youth entrepreneurs with information and tools to start their new businesses, launched its activities in Rwanda. Speaking…
Digital Content
Uganda: President’s party gets SMS platform to reach out to the entire country
President Yoweri Museveni has launched the NRM communication bureau. The bureau will manage the website where the party news updates, articles, photos, speeches, documents such as the constitution and manifesto,…
Digital Content
Ghana: School Dropouts to Access Free Online Vocational Courses
The Minister for Education, Hon. Alex Tettey- Enyo, has said that the National Democratic Congress government has instituted a long distance education programme, the Technical Vocational Educational Training (TVET), in…
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People
- Safaricom’s Chief Executive Officer, Michael Joseph, plans to step down in 2010 after a decade at the helm, during which he turned the telecommunication company into East Africa’s biggest…
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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
- ITU posting AfriNIC fees waiver scheme With support from TENET's FRENIA, the AAU and AfriNIC have introduced a new scheme through which eligible African RENs, academic and research institutions…
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Contracts
O3b and ViaSat - Africa O3b Networks Limited has signed a contract with ViaSat Inc for the production and installation of Ka-band infrastructure. The value of the contract is approximately…
