Issue no 551 21st April 2011
Top Story
Africa’s Facebook explosion – user numbers double in many countries in just seven months
Facebook has become the single biggest non-mail client product in Africa. Over the last seven months user numbers have doubled in many countries and the smaller countries where it was barely visible, now have significant numbers of users. It is the number one or number two site in every African country. But as Christian Hernandez, Head of International Business Development, Facebook told Russell Southwood, this is really only the beginning of what the platform is setting out to do.Internet user number have always been Africa’s most unreliable data currency. Anyone who provides these figures usually does so by multiplying the…
Telecoms
Libyan Rebels Build Their Own Mobile Phone Network
Part of the Libyan state-owned mobile phone network has been commandeered by the rebels in the country and isolated to build their own phone network. Set up by a team…
Telecoms
Vodacom announces arrival of 43.2Mbps HSPA+ speeds in South Africa
According to local press reports, mobile operator Vodacom South Africa has confirmed that it has exceeded 1,000 active 43.2Mbps HSPA+ sites on its network. Although the deployment has taken place…
Telecoms
Nigeria: Subscribers Shun NCC's N6.1 Billion Sim Registration
The ongoing SIM Card Registration by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) may soon hit a brick wall due to apathy from telephone subscribers in Nigeria. The NCC had budgeted N6.1…
Telecoms
Kenya: Communications Commission to Come Up With Simpler Porting Rules
The Communication Commission of Kenya is considering reviewing the Mobile Number Portability porting procedure to boost its uptake among mobile phone subscribers.Two weeks after MNP was launched, mobile phone users…
Telecoms
Telecoms News - In Brief
- Barely months after it was revealed that Nigerian hip-hop artist, Dapo Oyebanjo, popularly known as D'Banj was to launch his own line of mobile phones, the artist has lived…
Internet
SEACOM biting the hand that feeds it?
SEACOM recently launched a range of IP services, directly competing against companies like Telkom, Internet Solutions and MWEB Business SEACOM has unveiled a new suite of products, focusing heavily on…
Internet
Rwanda: Troubled Rwandatel Leads in Internet Broadband
Rwandatel is the country's leading Internet Service Provider (ISP) despite its recent troubles, Rwanda Utilities Regulatory Agency (RURA) said in the latest statistics, which contradict earlier figures that suggested the…
Internet
Uganda: Govt Blocks Facebook, Twitter as “walk to work” protest gathers momentum
Twitter and facebook services have been suspended by major telecoms in the country.Internet subscribers of UTL, Warid, MTN - some of the major ISPs (internet service providers) - are greeted…
Internet
Internet News - In Brief
- Over 100 years of the Kenya Gazette goes live on Google. Historical copies of the Kenya Gazette (dating back to 1906) will be searchable and viewable, for free, via…
Computing
Tanzania: Public-Private Agreement Set to Establish ICT Park
The Tanzania Commission for Science and Technology (Costech) is formalizing a public-private partnership (PPP) agreement to develop an ICT park in Dar es Salaam.A statement issued by Costech last week…
Computing
Zambia: High-Tech Border Post Transforming Trade
A few weeks ago, a truck driver got the shock of his life when his employer called from South Africa asking why he had siphoned fuel from his vehicle while…
Computing
Kenya: Safaricom Picked for E-Cheque System
Kenya Bankers Association has awarded Safaricom a five year contract to provide data services in implementing the recently launched cheque truncation system. The service provider will connect all 42 commercial…
Computing
Computer News - In Brief
- Gambia: Tujereng Youth Centre, a joint project between the village of Tujereng and Strode College in Street Somerset, England, inaugurated its new Internet Cafe on Friday 1st April, 2011.…
Telecoms, Rates, Offers and Coverage
Telecoms Rates, Offers and Coverage
- South Africa’s third mobile operator, Cell C has officially launched its 42 Mbps HSPA+ network in Port Elizabeth, boosting capacity and increasing speeds. Port Elizabeth was the launch city…
Mergers, Acquisitions and Financial Results
Mauritius Telecom reports rising pre-tax profits
Mauritius Telecom (MT) said pre-tax profits rose 17% year-on-year to MUR2.4 billion (USD89.1 million) in 2010, driven by strong growth at its mobile division. MT added that net profits rose…
Mergers, Acquisitions and Financial Results
Orascom Doubts Vimpelcom Can Resolve Algerian Dispute
The Chairman of Egypt's Orascom Telecom has expressed doubts about Vimpelcom's chances in settling the ongoing and lengthy dispute over Orascom's Algerian subsidiary with the Algerian government.Orascom Telecom is currently…
Mergers, Acquisitions and Financial Results
South Africa: Vox Telecom results a mixed bag
Vox Telecom released it’s results for the six months to the end of February 2011, claiming that although their financials are under pressure, the Group’s strategy is “on track.” The…
Mergers, Acquisitions and Financial Results
Visa, Mastercard Eye Kenya as Use of Plastic Cards Rises
Use of plastic cards to purchase goods and services in East Africa is on the rise, as consumers shift from cash and cheques, latest statistics show. However, the value of…
Mergers, Acquisitions and Financial Results
Money – In Brief
- The retail subsidiary of computing company Toshiba, Toshiba TEC, has bought a 12% stake in digital self-service company Yeahpoint, based in South Africa and Australia, to boost its presence…
Digital Content
Kenyans are more Mobile Savvy Than their Neighbours
Kenyans replace their mobile phone handsets more often than their counterparts in Uganda and Tanzania, a new survey by TNS International shows, signalling that East Africa's biggest economy could be…
Digital Content
Algerian youths aspire to e-revolution
A growing number of Algerian youths are mobilising online to call for political change. In reality, however, these outspoken cyber-activists are acting in a far more reticent manner. The outcome…
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People
- Arthur Kouassi Alloko has been appointed at the head of the Agence des télécommunications de Côte d'Ivoire (Atci). In Guinea, Mr Moustapha Mamy Diaby will head the Autorité de…
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Events
Ghana ICT and Telecom Summit28-29 April 2011, Ghana-India Kofi Annan ICT Centre Accra, GhanaThe summit will bring together over 200 decision-makers from Ghanaian operators and international stakeholders with an interest…
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Jobs & Opportunities
Logistics/ ICT infastructure Sales Manager – GhanaSkills required:Be a Senior Sales Person in Telecom Infrastructure Material (preferably towers) Have worked in the Telecom industry, and be familiar with the equipments/materials…
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Contracts
Tunisiana and Alcatel-Lucent - TunisiaAlcatel-Lucent has announced that it has signed a deal with Tunisiana to upgrade the cellco’s network to IP as it prepares for 3G and LTE. The…
