Issue no 559 17th June 2011
Top Story
Cheap Triple Play offers in Africa may be stifled by regulation that looks at the future through the rear-view mirror
Triple Play (voice, Internet and TV) offers are a good way for those in Africa with fixed networks to add revenues. There’s an odd perception that because mobiles are so widespread that fixed networks somehow don’t matter any more. They also offer a way into creating a wholly IP-based network. But Triple Play (or indeed Quad Play) offers have not spread as fast as they might because of regulatory restrictions around VoIP that might (with television) be the bait for customers. Russell Southwood looks at how the latest one launched operates and the barriers preventing them.Only this week Orange Tunisie…
Telecoms
Kenya: Telecommunications Companies Tasked to Set Up Shared Cash Transfer Platform
Mobile phone companies will be required to develop a common system for facilitating mobile money transfers across rival networks, a move that could cut the cost of sending money and…
Telecoms
Nigeria: South Africa's Telkom Suspends Financing of Multi-Links
Last Wednesday it looked as if the mother company of struggling Multi-Links, Telkom of South Africa may have tacitly abandoned the company to its fate, following losing a $250 million…
Telecoms
Uganda: Interconnection Rates Likely to Be Reviewed – UCC
Making calls from one network to another could become cheaper by September, if the Uganda Communications Commission influences telecom operators to revise their current rates.According to David Ogong, Director, Competition…
Telecoms
Zimbabwe: Potraz Defends Licensing Rules on VoiP and data licences
The Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (Potraz) says the country's licensing framework is conducive for operators despite claims that it was holding back expansion plans by players.Players in…
Telecoms
Telecoms News - In Brief
- Zimbabwe has launched its first national call centre body, the Contact Centre Association of Zimbabwe, which is expected to promote investment into the country's call centre industry.- South Africans…
Internet
Seacom cable Eyes Three More Countries
Cable optic firm Seacom says it will extend services to three more countries - Somalia, Southern Sudan and Burundi - as the demand for high speed Internet increases.The firm's regional…
Internet
Nigeria: Builders Scramble for Nation's Second Satellite Contract
Different satellite builders and service providers across the world are at the moment polishing their briefcases ready to storm Nigeria to slug it out for who grabs the contract to…
Internet
Tunisian regulator suspends Orange VoIP service
Orange Tunisie’s Livebox service has been suspended after the country’s telecoms regulator, the National Authority of Telecommunications of Tunisia (INT), ruled that VoIP services are prohibited. The move comes only…
Internet
Internet News - In Brief
- Sierra Leone’s Minister of Information and Communications has urged members of the Lumley community to serve as watchdogs in ensuring the safety and protection of the fibre optic facilities,…
Computing
AccessKenya Launches Web Filtering software
AccessKenya Group has made its debut into cloud computing with the introduction of a security solution that allows Internet users to access software for a standard monthly fee.The company has…
Computing
Nigeria: Police - Going Digital for Better Security
Recently, a new dimension to crime fighting and control came into being with the commissioning of the Integrated Digital Security Surveillance System Project of the Nigeria Police Force in Lagos…
Computing
Ban On Used Computers Cause for Concern in Uganda
Leading the fight against electronic waste which pollutes the environment in Africa is Uganda. The country has implemented a complete ban on the import of second hand electronics. But since…
Computing
Computer News - In Brief
- Angola registered in about five years an increase from seven to 50 percent in its overall provision of services in the area of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs), revealed…
Telecoms, Rates, Offers and Coverage
Telecoms Rates, Offers and Coverage
- Students of the Freetown Teachers College (FTC) in Sierra Leone have been given the privilege to use their mobile phones to study and share relevant materials with their colleague…
Mergers, Acquisitions and Financial Results
Kenya: Essar Group Seeks to Sell Off Mobile Business, Four Years Later
India's Essar Group, which owns the yu mobile business, plans to exit the Kenyan mobile telephony business, two and a half years after its entry. The operator is said to…
Mergers, Acquisitions and Financial Results
Nigeria: FG Considers Liquidation of NITEL
The Federal Government is considering a "guided liquidation" of NITEL now that the reserve bidder, Omen International has failed to pay its $105 million bid security by Friday, June 17.Answering…
Mergers, Acquisitions and Financial Results
Telkom South Africa Earnings Down
Headline earnings per share for Telkom fell by 35.2 percent to 444.9 cents while normalized operating revenue is down 5.2 percent for the year ended March 2011."Competition, pricing pressures and…
Mergers, Acquisitions and Financial Results
Uganda: UTL Finally Clarifies On Row With MTN
Uganda Telecom Limited has refuted reports about the 30-day ultimatum by the Uganda Communications Commission directing it to pay its debt to MTN as directed by court, in order to…
Mergers, Acquisitions and Financial Results
Money – In Brief
- Safaricom and Orange have formed a new infrastructure company through which they will share some communication equipment and cut down on costs. The joint tower management company will as…
Digital Content
Tanzania: Tobacco Farmers to Access Data Through Cellphones
Tanzanian tobacco farmers can now use an Airtel line to access critical agricultural data and make critical business decisions from their phone devices.The farmers will from today be able to…
Digital Content
Kenya: Bus Ticketing Now Goes Online
Passengers travelling from Nairobi to Mombasa or to Kisumu can now book their tickets online. Under an agreement between Sakura Sanmic Investment and bus companies Mash and Queen, prospective travellers…
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People
- Bruno Nabagné Koné and Max Ahouèkè have been respectively appointed as the new Minister of Post and ICT in Côte d’Ivoire and the new minister of ICT in Benin.
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Events
Femtocells World Summit 2011,21 - 23 June, London, UKFemtocells World Summit 2011, in exclusive partnership with the Femto Forum, is the largest femtocell focused conference in the telecoms industry. Join…
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Jobs & Opportunities
SITE ACQUISITION SPECIALIST – South AfricaSite Acquisition Specialist - Responsible for identifying, surveying, leasing, and zoning wireless telecommunications sites, ensuring the timely acquisition of signed leases and site acquisition complete…
