Issue no 499 8th April 2010
Top Story
The imminent arrival of “fibre heaven” in Africa spoiled by a number of nagging questions
Although by 2012 Africa will be connected to the rest of the world by no less than 12 cables (if you include Atlantis II and LION), there remain a number of nagging issues that will spoil what should just be an unadulterated good news story. The old enemies of protectionism and state interference look set to ensure that there will still be some countries (including one of Africa’s largest) that will not be able to get access to really low price, competitive fibre. Russell Southwood looks at some questions that may not go away. The speed of progress with fibre…
Telecoms
Mobile Number Portability Billed for Early Implementation in Ghana
The concept of Mobile Number Portability could witness an early implementation as frantic efforts are being put in place. The Minister of Communication, Mr. Haruna Iddrisu has stated that the…
Telecoms
Local loop unbundling: South Africa’s SNO keeps the pressure on
Telecoms provider Neotel has called on the market to continue putting pressure on the Independent Communications Authority of SA (Icasa) to implement local loop unbundling (LLU), arguing that it is…
Telecoms
Merger of the Broadcasting Council and the Uganda Communications Commissions
The Uganda Communications Commission and the Broadcasting Council have been merged into one regulatory body that will oversee both communication and broadcasting matters in the country. The new policy directive…
Telecoms
Telephone Identification - Subscribers Given Period of Grace in Cameroon
Clients who have not yet identified their telephone numbers have up to July 10 to do so. Owning a mobile telephone is a pride for many Cameroonians. Mado L. who…
Telecoms
Telecoms News - In Brief
- The Mozambican government has launched an international tender to license a third mobile phone operator. See section “Jobs and Opportunities” below for the full details. - Bharti Airtel Limited…
Internet
Access Kenya Launches 140-Km Metro Fibre Link in Nairobi
Access Kenya has commissioned a 140-kilometre metropolitan fibre optic cable covering Nairobi's Central Business District and other high-end residential areas. The launch of the metropolitan fibre follows the purchase of…
Internet
Uganda Lays Wrong fibre Cable, Experts said
Uganda is laying the wrong fibre optic cable for the national backbone infrastructure, local and international experts have said. Uganda is using the G652 type whereas it should be using…
Internet
Vodafone to launch browser for low-cost phones in emerging markets
Vodafone teamed up with Opera to produce a browser for low-cost, non-smartphone (dumb?) handsets for use in emerging and developing markets and now it's launching services to use the new…
Internet
Internet News - In Brief
- The much awaited East African Submarine Cable System (EASSy) has finally landed at Msasani Peninsula shoreline in Tanzania. Zantel and TTCL which are investors of the EASSy project in…
Computing
Uganda: Row Over Ban On Used Computers
A ban on import of used electronic equipment took effect last week, amid continuing controversy over how to deal with the growing environmental hazard. The ban was ordered in a…
Computing
Kenya: Schools E-Learning Project Excites ICT Sector
Players in the ICT sector are positioning themselves ahead of a planned government project to introduce electronic learning in public schools. The decision by the government to create and deploy…
Computing
Appfrica, The East African Start-up Incubator, explainded by its founder
TechMasai had the pleasure to interview Mr. Jonathan Gosier, an innovative software developer and entreprenuer based in Uganda. He is the the founder of software development firm and start-up incubator…
Computing
Computer News - In Brief
- The Ethiopian Information Communications Technology Development Agency (EICTDA) is organising the annual ICT Exhibition and Conference that will be held from June 2 through 6, 2010 and has assigned…
Telecoms, Rates, Offers and Coverage
Telecoms, Rates, Offers and Coverage (briefs)
- Telecel Zimbabwe now has close to a million subscribers, the company's international partner, Telecel Globe, revealed Telecel Globe chief executive Kai Uebach told a media briefing in Harare that…
Mergers, Acquisitions and Financial Results
Vodacom's Congo Dispute Goes to Arbitration
A bitter quarrel between Vodacom and Congolese Wireless Network (CWN) over the future of their joint venture in the Democratic Republic of Congo is heading for arbitration in Brussels after…
Mergers, Acquisitions and Financial Results
Telecel to List On Zimbabwe’s Stock Exchange for Indigenisation Compliance
TELECEL Global, partners to Empowerment Corporation in Telecel Zimbabwe, intends to list the local mobile company on the Zimbabwe Stock Exchange as part of initiatives to comply with the country's…
Mergers, Acquisitions and Financial Results
Tanzania: Govt to Pay Off Debt and Reclaim Zain Stake in TTCL
Tanzania is to pay $6.8 million it owes the Tanzania Telecommunications Company Ltd (TTCL) as one of the many steps towards getting the firm firmly back on its feet. "As…
Mergers, Acquisitions and Financial Results
Econet Protests Zain Sale, Makes Comeback Bid to Nigeria
Indications emerged that all is still not well with Zain as pioneer GSM investors in Nigeria, Econet Wireless International, is determined to return to the country by getting Zain's deal…
Mergers, Acquisitions and Financial Results
On The Money - In Brief
- France Telecom (FT) chief executive officer Stephane Richard has said his company may invest up to EUR7 billion (USD9.3 billion) in deals centred on Africa and the Middle East…
Digital Content
“R U Ok 2day?" SMS Check-Up Takes Off in Kenya
Phoebe Mapelu's job as a community health worker in Kenya's Kajiado District always meant going from door to door - sometimes with long distances between homes - to check up…
Digital Content
Mobile Payment and Micro Finance Investment safari. Launched in Nigeria
According to the MicroFinance Group, there are approximately 12 million micro and small businesses in Nigeria with an estimated 2.3 million micro and small enterprises in Lagos State alone.Micro Finance…
Digital Content
Stage play spoofs Tunisians' internet addiction
"Tounisi.com", a new one-man show starring Tunisian actor Jaafar Guesmi, has left its audience questioning the balance between their real and virtual lives. "The show, comic as it is, left…
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People
- Engr. Ernest Ndukwe finally retired from public service yesterday after concluding his 10th year and second term in office as the Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigeria Communications Commission…
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Events
SATCOM 2010 AFRICA 12-15 April 2010, Sandton Convention Centre, Johannesburg, South Africa SatCom Africa 2010 is Africa's only satellite exhibition conference. SatCom Africa 2010 gives you an executive business experience…
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Jobs and Opportunities
MINISTÉRIO DOS TRANSPORTE E COMUNICAÇÕES INSTITUTO NACIONAL DAS COMUNICAÇÕES DE MOÇAMBIQUE INVITATION FOR BID Public Tender for Licensing the Third Mobile Telecommunications Operator The Government of the Republic of Mozambique…
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Contracts
Softline Accpad and Internet Solutions – South Africa Softline Accpac has partnered with Web solutions company Internet Solutions in South Africa to launch a service offering Sage Accpac and Sage…
