Issue no 530 12th November 2010
Top Story
AfricaCom 2010 – Bigger than ever but wide-scale changes as the industry seeks to absorb changes
The continent’s biggest telecoms talk-fest seemed to attract even more exhibitors and visitors than last year. Most people seemed to be relieved to have weathered a very challenging 2009 and are beginning to see signs of growth again in 2010. But there was an underlying nervousness as many parts of the industry sought to absorb the many changes occurring in the industry. Russell Southwood and Isabelle Gross look at the trends that seem to be emerging. There was much talk of Bharti Airtel’s focus on its OPEX costs through outsourcing and its ambitious plans to make an impact of several…
Telecoms
Third Mobile Phone Licence Awarded in Mozambique
Mozambique's telecommunications regulatory body, the INCM (National Communications Institute of Mozambique), has awarded the country's third mobile phone licence to Movitel, a consortium between the Vietnamese company Vietel, and SPI,…
Telecoms
FT looking to champion rural access across Africa
French telecoms heavyweight France Telecom (FT) has set out an ambitious plan to become the ‘champion of rural Africa’, through the introduction of low-cost products and services aimed at doubling…
Telecoms
Orange Kenya to Launch Money Transfer Service
Nairobi — Telkom Kenya's Orange will today unveil a mobile money transfer service, a move expected to add to the growing rivalry in the telecoms industry at a time when…
Telecoms
Rwandatel Joins BPR's 'Mobile Banking' Scheme
Kigali — Rwandatel subscribers have been saved from making regular visits to Banque Populaire du Rwanda (BPR) branches and can now make money transactions anytime of the day, anywhere with…
Telecoms
Telecoms News - In Brief
*Malawi Telecommunications Limited (MTL), which has enjoyed sole operation as a fixed telephone service provider, is now in for stiff competition with the second fixed telephone operator, Access Communication, rolling…
Internet
Nigcomsat-1 is 65 Percent Ready, Says Rufai
The replacement of the failed Nigerian Communications Satellite (NigComSat-1) is 65 per cent near completion, the Managing Director and Chief Executive, Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited, Engineer Ahmed Rufai, has said.Ahmed,…
Internet
Internet News - In Brief
- The companies Digicel, T+ Telecomunicações, CVNet, SGPM and CVWiFi have won the public tender to award frequency usage rights for the provision of broadband wireless access (BWA) services, reports…
Internet
Safaricom Shifts Price War to Internet Market
Nairobi — Safaricom has slashed internet access charges for its post-paid customers by up to 133 per cent, intensifying the race for customers among mobile telephone companies in the fast-growing…
Internet
Broadband boom for Vodacom
Broadband is becoming big business for Vodacom. Its interim results for the six months to 30 September, released on Monday, show a surge in data revenues year-on-year of 41,1% to…
Computing
Computer News - In Brief
- Mombasa port stakeholders are pushing for the speedy implementation of Port Community Based System (PCBS), a single window electronic document processing programme which could slash cargo staying time by…
Computing
Skyvision Embraces Digital Villages As Competition Stiffens
Nairobi — Internet service provider SkyVision Global Networks LLC is diversifying into digital villages equipped with computers and internet connectivity as competition in the sector stiffens.The change of strategy will…
Computing
The First Classified Website in Rwanda
Kigali — "Knowledge is power and by simply getting connected to the global network through ICT, development is at your fingertips Methode Ramba.Methode Ramba is the 31-year-old proprietor of the…
Computing
Nigeria Banking Specialists Computer Warehouse to Make Uganda Regional Hub
Nairobi — Nigerian information technology firm Computer Warehouse Group Ltd has established operations in Uganda, its designated regional hub, with an eye on emerging opportunities in the oil and gas,…
Telecoms, Rates, Offers and Coverage
Telecoms Rates, Offers and Coverage (briefs)
* Etisalat has partnered with Samsung Electronics West Africa to unveil in Nigeria , the latest Samsung mobile communication gadget, the Samsung Galaxy Tab for the first time in Africa…
Mergers, Acquisitions and Financial Results
On the Money - In Brief
- In South Africa, a service launched by FNB in November enabling its customers to send money or make payments to anyone with a local cellphone number, has so far…
Mergers, Acquisitions and Financial Results
Etisalat Intensifies Moves to Acquire Shares in Zain
Lagos — Mobile telecommunications giants, Etisalat, has updated its proposal to acquire certain shares in Mobile Telecommunications Company LLC ("Zain") to provide that the offer is binding subject to a…
Mergers, Acquisitions and Financial Results
Safaricom Defies Rivalry to Return Sh7.6 Billion Half-Year Profit After Tax
Nairobi — Kenya's mobile phone giant Safaricom defied strong competition and regulatory pressure to report a 15.1 per cent growth in profit after tax for the half-year ending September 2010.The…
Mergers, Acquisitions and Financial Results
Vodacom mulls BEE mega deal
Vodacom is giving thought to kick-starting a new black economic empowerment (BEE) deal that estimates could be worth as much as R20bn.The JSE-listed telecommunications group is considering the option of…
Mergers, Acquisitions and Financial Results
Dividend bonanza for Vodacom shareholders
Vodacom will pay its shareholders a dividend of R2,7bn, or R1,80/share, an increase of 63,6% on a year ago, as a result of strong growth in cash generated from operations.This…
Digital Content
Recycling Plant to Tackle Electronic Waste Threat
amara Education, a non-profit organisation, has announced plans to open an electronic waste recycling plant in Mombasa by year-end, in a move that adds impetus to e-waste management.The move comes…
Digital Content
Offsite ATMs - ATMC Quickcash Commences Processing for UBA ATMs
Nigeria's premier and largest Independent ATM Deployer (IAD) and operator of the QuickCash ATM network, ATM Consortium (ATMC) has commenced the processing of UBA's off-banking location ATMs on its Postilion…
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People
*Newly appointed Communications Minister Radhakrishna "Roy" Padayachie announced on Thursday that he aimed to fill all vacancies within the next six months.
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Events
*Newly appointed Communications Minister Radhakrishna "Roy" Padayachie announced on Thursday that he aimed to fill all vacancies within the next six months.
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Jobs & Opportunities
* Network & Infrastructure Specialist - Senior (CPT)City: Cape TownCountry: South AfricaDescription:Main Role:• Our client is looking for a Linux specialist. In addition to this, they require the candidate to…
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Contracts
*Ceragon inks multi-million dollar turnkey contract with mCelIsrael-based wireless backhaul solutions provider Ceragon Networks has announced that it has signed a contract with Mozambican mobile operator mCel to provide the…
