Issue no 521 10th September 2010
Top Story
Time is ripe for African innovators in the online services and apps market to up their game
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
Uganda: Google looks to market its products through mobile companies
Google is in discussions with MTN and Orange Uganda for business partnerships to vend its products in the country. Besides software applications like; search, mail, and chrome, Google sells company…
Telecoms
South Africa: MTN, Telkom butt heads over fees
MTN and Telkom, which recently signed a cellular roaming agreement, are facing off in a dispute over wholesale mobile termination rates. Telkom, which is due to launch its own mobile…
Telecoms
As price war bites, Kenya’s Safaricom looks to value-added services to fight price cuts
Safaricom is betting on value addition as opposed to a reduction in prices to protect its market share and grow revenues as rivals aggressively poach its clientele. The market leader…
Telecoms
Nigeria’s SWAP Technologies launches first tower sharing service in Cote d’Ivoire
Nigeria’s SWAP Technologies has launched first tower-sharing service in Cote d’Ivoire this week. SWAP is an African-focused tower company that owns, builds, manages and maintains telecom towers for mobile operators,…
Telecoms
Telecoms News – In Brief
* The government of Chad has confirmed that it has sold a 60% stake in Societe des Telecommunications de Tchad (SOTEL) to a UK based company, Mid Cost. Citing authoritative…
Internet
AccessKenya extends metro-fibre to Mombasa
Kenyan ISP AccessKenya has announced plans to lay its own fibre-optic infrastructure in Mombasa, as part of its ongoing plans to build an IP-based fibre network across Kenya. Managing Director…
Internet
South Africa: MWeb expands broadband capacity using Telkom for last mile delivery
Internet service provider MWeb is expanding its capacity by adding extra last-mile access on Telkom’s network. MWeb CEO Rudi Jansen says since the launch of uncapped broadband earlier this year,…
Internet
Internet News - In Brief
* South African mobile operator Cell C has confirmed the commercial launch of its 900MHz HSPA+ network in Port Elizabeth. The HSPA+ network is based on a Release 7 platform,…
Computing
Uganda Adopts New IT Banking System to impose financial discipline on Government spending
The government's expenditure will be checked as Bank of Uganda(BoU) introduced a new banking system that is expected to bring financial discipline. This replaces the old system that was weak…
Computing
Regulator NATCOM and University of Sierra Leone Partner to Promote ICT
Sierra Leone's telecoms regulator, the National Telecommunications Commission (NATCOM), and the University of Sierra Leone (USL) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding, committing the two institutions to work together for…
Computing
Kenyan Government Needs Techpreneurs to Help Create Open Government
The Connected Government Summit held in late May explained what the state is doing to mobilize services. In the course of the two day summit, via a live twitter feed,…
Computing
Computer News - In Brief
* Kampala — Mr Revence Kalibwani the proprietor of Scyfy Technoloies, a local information and technology start-up is set to represent Uganda at the 2010 Annual Peer Awards in Finland.…
Telecoms, Rates, Offers and Coverage
Telecoms Rates, Offers and Coverage (briefs)
* Cell C, which launched its third-generation (3G) mobile network in the Eastern Cape city of Port Elizabeth on Friday, is playing up its launch offering of two broadband modems…
Mergers, Acquisitions and Financial Results
MTN BEE deal popular
According to MTN there has been an overwhelming response to the MTN Zakhele public offer which opened to the Black public in late August. Transaction volumes recorded during the first…
Mergers, Acquisitions and Financial Results
Seedcamp chooses three South African startups for Seedcamp week
Seedcamp, the European micro seed fund that focuses on early stage startups has announced that it has selected three South African technology-startups to attend ‘Seedcamp Week’ in London from the…
Mergers, Acquisitions and Financial Results
FireID gets R48m for global expansion
Local mobile security business FireID has raised €5m (about R48m) from Jersey-based capital investment firm 4D Innovative Capital (4Di Capital) International to help it expand internationally.FireID started in 2006 and…
Mergers, Acquisitions and Financial Results
Zaptronix in Make-Or-Break Deal
ALTX-listed technology group Zaptronix said last week it has agreed to acquire I to I Technology Solutions as a going concern for R6.6m. Zaptronix's survival hinges on the success of…
Mergers, Acquisitions and Financial Results
On the Money – In Brief
* JSE-listed telecommunications equipment and electronics company Jasco has made an offer to buy another fellow listed company, communications business Spescom. Jasco CEO Martin Lotz says the combination of the…
Digital Content
Mobile Project Launched to Reunite Refugees
Arrangements to help thousands of refugees who fled from conflict and disaster areas to reunite with families and friends through the use of mobile technology have been finalised. The pilot…
Digital Content
E-Zwich Roll Out Plan Revised in Ghana
The Ghana Interbank Payment and Settlement System (GhIPSS) has revised its approach in the deployment of e-zwich point-of sale machines and the issuance of the biometric smart cards. Officials say…
More
People
*Kenyan Robert Mburu is this year's winner of the GE Mentorship Experience after his prize, a mobile alarm system, scooped first position at last week's 2010 Maker Faire Africa symposium.
More
Events
Nigeria Com28-29 September 2010 Eko Expo Centre, Lagos Nigeria A brand new event in the Com World Series, Nigeria Com is the ONLY event focused on Nigerian telcos. Incorporating 25+…
More
Jobs & Opportunities
Content Delivery Network Specialist MWEB in Cape TownThe Optinet division in Cape Town currently has a vacancy for a Content Delivery Network Specialist, who, reporting to the General Manager: Networks,…
