Issue no 525 8th October 2010
Top Story
Tower sharing can save mobile operators “north of 20%” in costs, says Eaton Towers CEO
Tower sharing is beginning to take off on the continent with 3-4 companies now offering the service to operators. Operators with larger market share remain sceptical but those in extremely competitive markets are quicker to see the benefits. This week one of the continent’s tower share operators Eaton Telecom announced that it had signed a deal with Vodafone Ghana. Russell Southwood spoke to its CEO Alan Harper about how the business works and what’s in it for operators.Eaton Towers was set up by Vodafone veteran Alan Harper with two other colleagues: former Orange CEO Sanjiv Ahuja and one of the…
Telecoms
Ghana makes $14m in three months after monitoring inbound foreign calls
The government of Ghana has in three months made more than $14 million as non-tax revenue from monitoring inbound international calls that Ghanaian mobile phone users receive, according to a…
Telecoms
Nigeria’s ALTON begs for state aid for CDMA operators
A telecommunications expert and president of the Association of Licenced Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria, ALTON , Engr.Gbenga Adebayo has urged the Federal Government to as a matter of urgency come…
Telecoms
MTN Uganda Calls for Industry Consolidation
The head of MTN's Uganda has called for consolidation in the local market in order for the industry to grow, become more efficient and for business to be sustainable. Uganda…
Telecoms
Rwandatel Calls for Uniform interconnection fees
Former incumbent Rwandatel has called for the telecoms regulator to reduce interconnection fees among the operators. Rwandatel's Chief Commercial Officer (CCO), Francis Egbuson, believes that reduction of the interconnection fee…
Telecoms
Telecoms News - In Brief
- The ICT sector can look forward to new developments as South Africa hopes to be nominated onto the council of the world's top policy-making body for the telecoms industry.…
Internet
EASSy arrival in South Africa looks set to spark another bandwidth price war
The arrival of the latest international fibre on the east coast of the continent (EASSy) has sparked another set of downward price movements in the wholesale bandwidth market.According to a…
Internet
Mweb's Unlimited Internet Enables South Africa's First Online Radio Service
MWeb's unlimited internet has enabled the launch of SA's first online radio service that is targeting the tech-savvy market. 2oceansvibe Radio is aiming to change the face of radio in…
Internet
Zambia: ZICTA Rescinds Ban on ISPs
The Zambia Information and Communication Technology Authority (ZICTA) has temporarily withdrawn its earlier statement that five Internet Service Providers (ISPs) should cease operations effective tomorrow.ZICTA director for public relations and…
Internet
Internet News - In Brief
- A Namibian man's online identity was stolen this week when an unknown Internet confidence trickster used the man's personal mailing list to beg for US$3,000 from unsuspecting friends, family…
Computing
Orange, Equity Bank deal to provide internet-enabled computers in Kenya
In a landmark partnership, integrated telecommunications solutions provider Orange will sell internet-enabled phones and computers within Equity Bank branches countrywide while the bank will extend a credit facility to customers.…
Computing
South Africa: Rand, Foreign Competition Hinder IT sales
Allied Electronics Corporation (Altron), a family-owned business and one of South Africa's largest electronic and electrical equipment companies, said last week the strong rand affected its exports and created stiff…
Computing
An Electronic Education Initiative is launched for Students in Nigeria
National Universities Commission (NUC), is collaborating with the e-DON Initiative to provide a platform for Nigerian students to be able to reach out and be reached within their classrooms by…
Computing
Computer News - In Brief
- The Egyptian Minister of Communications and Information Technology, Dr. Tarek Kamel, announced the launch of Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center (IEC) at the Smart Village. Viewed as a technological and…
Telecoms, Rates, Offers and Coverage
Telecoms Rates, Offers and Coverage - In Brief
Tanzania based mobile network, Zantel has announced a national roaming deal with Zain Tanzania that will expand its network by 236 base stations, a move that has connected its services…
Mergers, Acquisitions and Financial Results
VimpelCom CEO: Algeria Has "Firm" Intention To Nationalize Djezzy
VimpelCom Ltd.'s (VIP) Chief Executive Alexander Izosimov said Thursday the authorities in Algiers are moving in a "firm direction" toward nationalizing the Algerian unit of Orascom Telecom HoldingOrascom Telecom Holding…
Mergers, Acquisitions and Financial Results
Zimbabwe’s Econet ventures into Life Insurance services
Zimbabwe's leading mobile phone operator, Econet Wireless and insurance giant, First Mutual Life have unveiled a new life insurance cover to cater for over 4.5 million Econet subscribers.The new life…
Mergers, Acquisitions and Financial Results
Telecel Burkina Faso’s ownership settled by latest Paris’ ICC decision
An Arbitral Tribunal of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) in Paris, France rendered a final award in the dispute between Zain (owned by Etisalat UAE) and Planor Afrique ("Planor")…
Mergers, Acquisitions and Financial Results
Kenya carries out a Study to facilitate equity investment and exit routes for ICT companies
A team appointed to find ways on how private equity and venture capital funds can be encouraged to invest in ICT opportunities and helped to exit by the Capital Markets…
Mergers, Acquisitions and Financial Results
On the Money - In Brief
- South Africa Dimension Data (Didata) subsidiary Datacraft has submitted an offer to buy New Zealand-based Integral Axon Computer Systems for an undisclosed amount in an acquisition that will more…
Digital Content
Company to Launch Mobile Payment System for Zimbabwe’s diaspora
Zimbabweans in the Diaspora are set to benefit from the country's first mobile payment system to be launched next month by local firm Mikemusa (Pvt) Ltd. The mobile money transfer/payment…
Digital Content
Uganda Achieves 80 Percent Tax Collections Online
About 80% of Uganda's domestic tax collections is currently collected electronically, Ms Allen Kagina, Uganda Revenue Authority's (URA) Commissioner General has said.She was speaking at the Sixth URA Appreciation Awards…
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People
- MTN Group has announces the appointment of Ignatius Sehoole as Vice President for the South and East Africa (SEA) Region. He will take over from Mr Tim Lowry whose…
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Events
Unix System Administration Workshop For Eastern and Central Africa Women Engineers,11th - 15th October, 2010 Nairobi, KenyaThe African Network Operators Group (AfNOG: http://www.afnog.org ) invites women engineers from Eastern and…
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Jobs & Opportunities
Request for Proposal (RFP) for International Gateway Management –LiberiaThe Liberia Telecommunications Authority (LTA) has created a stable and predictable regulatory environment and, as a result, Liberia now has a vibrant…
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Contracts
EGYPTAIR announced that it has selected SAP, the world’s leading provider of business software, to support the airline’s growth and expansion plans by supplying solutions that improve the company’s financial…
