Issue no 520 3rd September 2010
Top Story
Launch of Samung’s Galaxy Tab will spark the beginning of device wars with Africa’s mobile operators offering tablets
Global Voice Group - An ApologyIn an article entitled; "Life in Africa's Slow Lane- Congo Telecom and Socatel Defend Their International Voice Monopolies, Disapora Callers Ask Why?" published in 491, readers of Balancing Act's News Update might have believed we were alleging Global Voice Group assisted in the commission of fraud by a group we described as "a mafia," adopts anti-competitive practices by taking over all the international phone traffic in Congo and encourages African Governments to impose taxes on incoming calls. We would like to make it clear that it was not our intention to suggest this. We accept…
Telecoms
South Africa’s Neotel to shift focus from consumer market to corporate clients
Speaking at a press conference to mark the fourth anniversary of converged telecoms operator Neotel's launch, CEO and MD Ajay Pandey has admitted that Neotel has failed the consumer market,…
Telecoms
Orascom’s Sawiris talking to Vimpelcom and anyone else who might be interested
Orascom Telecom's Executive Chairman Naguib Sawiris has confirmed previous press reports that his holding company Weather Investments is in talks with Russia’s Vimpelcom over possible merger plans involving assets including…
Telecoms
Kenya’s mobile operators fighting hard for new data revenues
Cell phone makers are scrambling for deals to supply data-enabled handsets as telecommunication firms intensify their presence in the mobile data market.The race to get a share of the Kenyan…
Telecoms
South Africa’s eFive pitches $400m Africa-Brazil fibre route in a crowded market
Just when you thought there couldn’t be any more international fibre projects for Africa, along comes another one. eFive Telecommunications has appointed Alcatel-Lucent to build a system that will connect…
Telecoms
Telecoms News – In Brief
* Freetown: Zain Sierra Leone has taken Cellular Mobile Telephone System (CMTS) technology in Sierra Leone to a more affordable step further with its recent introduction of free internet on…
Internet
Rwanda: Fibre Roll Out 50 Percent Complete
The Government has disclosed that approximately 50 percent of the works to roll out the fibre optic cable across the country is now complete. This was revealed last week by…
Internet
Data Market Heats Up in Uganda With Foris Entry
The arrival of Foris Telecom into the data market has broadened the opportunities for internet consumers as players and offers in the previously secluded market open up.Foris is trading under…
Internet
Safaricom and Huawei to test LTE within two months
Safaricom, Kenya’s largest cellco by subscribers, has announced that it will begin technical trials of 4G Long Term Evolution (LTE) technology across its network within the next two months. Safaricom…
Internet
Internet News - In Brief
* Telecommunications operator Cell C will launch the first leg of its mobile broadband network in Port Elizabeth. TechCentral has established that Cell C will launch its third-generation (3G) network,…
Computing
India Launches Pan-Africa E-Network
The event was characterised by pomp and splendour. With their arrival into the precincts of Telecommunications Consultants India Limited (TCIL) in South Delhi being beamed on the screen, heads of…
Computing
Nigeria Needs Global Link in Technology - Oputu
For Nigeria to position itself for the actualization of the goals of Vision 20:2020, it needs to have an important link in the global production chain in technology, innovation, manufacturing…
Computing
Ugandan IT Aids Teachers, Health Workers Share Knowledge
The quality of education and health care in the African region is anticipated to improve following the inauguration of an online project at Makerere University last week. The project, known…
Computing
Computer News - In Brief
* Kampala:A cybercrime prevention centre has been launched in Uganda to fight crime related to the misuse of the internet and such other technologies.* Rwanda: The Centre for Treatment and…
Mergers, Acquisitions and Financial Results
Telecom Namibia gets BBB credit rating from Fitch
Fitch Ratings yesterday gave Telecom Namibia the credit thumbs-up, affirming its long-term local currency issuer default rating (IDR) at 'BBB-' and national long-term rating at 'A(zaf)', with both ratings getting…
Mergers, Acquisitions and Financial Results
Poor Sales in Tanzania Push East African Cables Into Half-Year Loss
East African Cables (EAC) posted a loss in the six months to June due to poor performance of its Tanzanian unit.The cable maker announced a loss of Sh56.9 million in…
Mergers, Acquisitions and Financial Results
Nairobi Stock Exchange Caught in Crossfire of Telecoms Price Wars
Market capitalisation of the Nairobi Stock Exchange dipped last week on account of a decline in the Safaricom share price occasioned by the stiff competition in the telecoms sector.The bourse…
Mergers, Acquisitions and Financial Results
Nairobi Stock Exchange Caught in Crossfire of Telecoms Price Wars
Market capitalisation of the Nairobi Stock Exchange dipped last week on account of a decline in the Safaricom share price occasioned by the stiff competition in the telecoms sector.The bourse…
Mergers, Acquisitions and Financial Results
Cell C Rejigs Debt With R2,2 Billion From China
South Africa’s third and smallest network operator has been burdened by interest-bearing euro-denominated debts that drain its cash each month, contributing to its failure to make a net profit.The agreement…
Mergers, Acquisitions and Financial Results
On the Money – In Brief
* Nigerian CDMA operator Starcomms has reported a pre-tax loss of NGN2.94 billion (USD19.1 million) for the first half of 2010, news agency Reuters reports. The figure represents a fall…
Digital Content
New Cash Transfer for Diaspora Launched
A new mobile money transfer platform targeting Kenyans in the diaspora has been launched. The new system involves Heart of the City, a Christian organisation, in partnership with yu.The payment…
Digital Content
Local Firms Embrace Facebook to Market Themselves And Brands
A growing number of businesses are making Facebook a vital part of their enterprises in a bid to find new customers, build online communities and tap into information relevant to…
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people
* Could former SABC CEO Dali Mpofu or former Vodacom CEO Alan Knott-Craig be approached to take the reins at listed telecommunications group Telkom? Mpofu and Knott-Craig are two of…
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Events
*MOBIFEST 2010NIGERIANigeria’s first and largest mobile application event will be in Lagos less than two weeks and a key focus for this inaugural event is not surprisingly – Mobile applications…
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Jobs & Opportunities
*Performance Analyst (1000045)Parvana Strategic Sourcing (PTY) Ltd Job Title: Performance AnalystJob Type: PermanentJob ID: 1000045City: Cape TownCountry: South AfricaDescription:Main Role:• Our Client’s Performance team is seeking a well-organized, highly motivated…
