Issue no 565 29th July 2011
Top Story
Sprucing up mobile networks can add between 6-18% more capacity, says TIA Telecom's CEO Lance Dickerson
Over the last five years Africa’s mobile networks have undergone an intense period of constant upgrades as data has been added to the voice network. New infill sites have been added to combat congestion and improve data coverage. Lower customer voice and prices have seen the volume of traffic grow enormously. And underlying all these changes has been a shift in the overall breakdown between voice and data. The latter is now beginning to outstrip the former and will continue to do so. In this context, Russell Southwood talked to Lance Dickerson, CEO, TIA Telecom about how networks can be…
Telecoms
Kenya: Nokia Siemenss Takes on Huawei and ZTE With Leasing Plan
Nokia Siemens will start building telecoms infrastructure for leasing to mobile phone operators as it battles competition from Chinese firms Huawei and ZTE. The firm, along with other European companies…
Telecoms
Nigeria: NITEL's N300 Billion Liabilities Take Toll On Sale
The Federal Government has been advised to clear the liabilities of NITEL totaling N300 billion to remove any encumbrance affecting the conclusion of sale of the moribund first National Carrier.…
Telecoms
Blackberry users hit 1.5 million in Nigeria: 40% are grey market buyers
The usage of BlackBerry technology in Nigeria has increased tremendously in the last 12 months as new evidences revealed that there are now about 1.5 million BlackBerries in the hands…
Telecoms
Cameroon regulator fines six operators US$13.6 million for regulatory violations
Cameroon’s telecoms agency, Agence de Regulation des Telecommunications (ART), has issued fines amounting to XAF6.3 billion (USD13.6 million) to six of the country’s telecoms operators for violating laws that govern…
Telecoms
Telecoms News - In Brief
- The number of mobile subscribers in Tanzania is expected to hit 36.6 million in the next four years. According to a Business Monitor International report, the industry is expected…
Internet
Kenya: Task Force set up to Look Into Internet Prices
The government has succumbed to Internet market players' demands for a piece of its inland fibre optic network.In a meeting chaired by Information permanent secretary Bitange Ndemo, and attended by…
Internet
Uganda: Online marketplace services are beginning to get traction
As cheaper retail fibre prices began to appear in the market, Uganda’s SMEs are starting to offer online trading services.Recently, Kampala Money Mart launched an online portal, a platform aimed…
Internet
South Africa SEACOM invests R100M in terrestrial infrastructure with Dark Fibre Africa
SEACOM has invested R100 million in additional South African infrastructure to meet the continuous high growth in demand for broadband services and applications. The investment includes the purchase of physical…
Internet
Internet News - In Brief
- According to MyBroadband.co.za, British Telecom’s international unit BT Global Services is gearing up to get involved in one of South Africa’s ongoing national fibre projects, with an announcement expected…
Computing
Team Nerds Compete in Imagine Cup Worldwide Finals
Team Nerds, a team of four students from University of Technology, Akure, represented Nigeria in the just concluded 2011 Imagine Cup Worldwide Finals held in New York, the United States…
Computing
mLab Southern Africa Opens Application for Membership
mLab Southern Africa (SA), the region’s new incubator for entrepreneurs and innovators with a focus on mobile technology, is pleased to announce that application for membership has opened. The head…
Computing
South Africa: Vodacom's Launches Energy-Efficient Data Centre
Vodacom's new state-of-the-art, energy-efficient data centre on Cape Town's foreshore was designed and built not only to help the telecoms group reduce its carbon footprint, but also so that cost…
Computing
Computer News - In Brief
- TWAS is currently seeking nominations of young scientists in Africa whose research in computer science promises to have a positive impact in the developing world. Each year, three winners…
Telecoms, Rates, Offers and Coverage
Telecoms Rates, Offers and Coverage
- Zimbabwe’s Telecel has added a dollar's worth of free data to its one dollar Mega Juice airtime card, which already carries a dollar's bonus airtime. That means that for…
Mergers, Acquisitions and Financial Results
Nigeria: Syntel joins hands with Ericsson in bid to acquire NITEL
Nigerian firm Syntel has finalised a technical partnership agreement with Swedish equipment vendor Ericsson in an attempt to acquire a 75% stake in fixed line incumbent NITEL, after the latest…
Mergers, Acquisitions and Financial Results
MTN MobileMoney debuts new e-commerce payments system in South Africa
MTN MobileMoney is introducing an e-commerce payment mechanism called payD that allows SA consumers to buy products and services online using their debit cards. Budget airline 1time is the first…
Mergers, Acquisitions and Financial Results
Automated Banking Deposits come to Nigeria
The ongoing revolution in the Nigerian Information Technology (IT) market will enable Nigerians to get access to latest technologies in banking services with the introduction of money deposit ATMs in…
Mergers, Acquisitions and Financial Results
Government looks set to sell Rwandatel by year-end
The government of Rwanda is hoping to sell telecoms operator Rwandatel by the end of the year in a move aimed at raising funds to pay off the company’s creditors,…
Mergers, Acquisitions and Financial Results
Money News - In Brief
- The government of Guinea-Bissau is preparing the financial restructuring and revaluation of its nation PTO Guinea Telecom ahead of the proposed privatisation of the operator, Prime Minister Carlos Gomes…
Digital Content
Kenya: Mobile Advertising Needs APPs to Grow
Relevant local information that can drive more people into the Internet is what is required to spur mobile advertising in the country, according to industry experts.Moses Kemibaro, the regional manager…
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People
- John Barorot, Airtel Kenya Network Director has resigned barely two months after taking up the position. Managing Director, Rene Meza said:” Barorot will be leaving for personal reasons in…
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Events
Mobile Entertainment Africa23 -24 August, 2011, Cape Town, South AfricaFrom the team behind the Mobile Web in Africa series of events comes Mobile Entertainment Africa. Aiming to create a fantastic…
