Issue no 582 25th November 2011
Top Story
WASACE: A new cable project that bundles together all of Africa’s fibre dreams
There’s a rather cruel definition that does the rounds amongst those who watch these things: what’s an international fibre project? A person with a power-point presentation who goes to conferences. This week sees the launch of an extremely ambitious project to connect Africa, South America, North America and Europe: WASACE. Russell Southwood looks at its prospects and how it might fit into the connectivity landscape.Africa has gone from having hardly any cables in 2000 to having no less than 9 cables that will now connect almost all African countries by 2012. Eritrea’s the exception but they’ve always been the exception.…
Telecoms
South Sudan: Telecommunication Ministry to Introduce company to run single, Government international gateway
The Minister of Telecommunication and Postal Service Madut Biar Yel said most operators now use their own gateways, but a government is planning to assign a company to operate Government-owned…
Telecoms
Nigeria: Glo Boss Cries Out Over High Interconnect Rate and Taxation
The Federal Government has commended National Carrier, Globacom for its leading efforts in innovation and other milestones even as Globacom calls for government support in the provision of communication infrastructure…
Telecoms
Kenya: China Firms Pave Way for Local Rivals in Second 4G Licence Bid
Two Chinese telecommunication firms and four local Internet Service Providers (ISPs) have stayed out of the government's second call for the 4G tender, ceding control to Kenya's four mobile operators…
Telecoms
Uganda: Telecom Firms Warned On Operating Licenses
Telecom operators have been warned that the renewal of their operating licenses will now be dependent on the quality of the service. The frequency of surveys is also likely to…
Telecoms
Mozambique: Vodacom Invests in Modernising Its Network
Vodacom-Mozambique, the second largest mobile phone company in the country, recently announced that it is to invest 12 million euros (about 16 million US dollars) in expanding and modernising its…
Telecoms
Telkom faces R4bn Multi-Links damages claim
African Prepaid Services Nigeria (APSN), a now-mostly-dormant company in which JSE-listed Blue Label Telecoms has an effective 37% stake, is claiming US$481m, or about R4bn at the prevailing exchange rate,…
Telecoms
Telecom News – In Brief
- A meeting that was to decide when Telecom Namibia employees were to go on a mass demonstration to protest against management was postponed indefinitely after the company's management hastily…
Internet
Kenya: President's Office to Host Key Cyber Security Team
The Office of the President will house a new department to monitor cyber security on all public platforms set up with the adoption of online services. Falling under the directorate…
Internet
Wood grants Zamtel fibre optic injunction
Lusaka High Court judge Albert Wood has granted Zamtel an injunction restraining Zesco from preventing the communication company having the indefeasible right to use its optic fibre network as agreed…
Internet
Liberia: Fiber Optic Cable Emerges From the Sea in Liberia
Inside a small internet cafe in Monrovia, only three customers hunch over computers. Getting on-line in Liberia's capital costs $2 an hour, more money than many Liberians earn in a…
Internet
Internet News – In Brief
- A software used to identify victims of September 11 bombings in the United States has been brought to Kenya. Acting government chemist Leonard Waweru said the Mass Fatalities Identification…
Computing
Nigeria: Minister Tasks Lawmakers Over ICT Bills
The Minister of Communication Technology, Omobola Johnson, has stressed that lawmakers have a critical role to play in the development of the nation's Information Communication Technology (ICT) sector through advancing…
Computing
Nigeria: NigComSat-1R for Launch December 19, Says MD
The Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited said the Nigerian Communications Satellite-1Replacement (NigComSat-1R) would be launched on Dec. 19. The managing director of NigComSat-IR, Timasaniyu Ahmed-Rufai stated this at the stakeholders' conference…
Computing
Nigeria: Microsoft, British Council Commit U.S.$2 Million to 80 Digital Hubs in the Country
At the just concluded Microsoft's Partners in Learning global forum 2011 held in Washington DC, the software giant in partnership with the British Council have each committed $1 million to…
Computing
Computer News – In Brief
- Chevron has donated IT equipment and software to the Rivers state University of Science and Technology. They include 104 workstations, four printers, two server workstations, multimedia equipment, seven AutoCAD…
Telecoms, Rates, Offers and Coverage
Telecoms, Rates, Offers and Coverage
- Boingo Wireless has announced an agreement with Skyrove that will give Boingo customers access to an additional 600 hotspots throughout South Africa, bringing the total number of Boingo hotspots…
Mergers, Acquisitions and Financial Results
South Africa: First National Bank Opens Up Access to Paypal Service
First National Bank (FNB) has opened up access to the PayPal service so that people with accounts at any of South Africa's banks can link their accounts to their PayPal…
Mergers, Acquisitions and Financial Results
Uganda: Mobile Payments Go International
In a matter of days it will be possible to send or receive money in Uganda across international borders at the push of a button on your cell phone. Subsequent…
Mergers, Acquisitions and Financial Results
Egyptian telecoms take a knock amid Tahrir unrest
Egyptian shares have fallen for the eight day in a row after clashes in Tahrir continue. Egyptian shares have dropped $1.2-billion dollars of the market value but traders have said…
Mergers, Acquisitions and Financial Results
Blue Label, Microsoft divorce goes ahead
Blue Label Telecoms shareholders on Tuesday approved a plan by the JSE-listed company to buy the 12% of the company’s shares held by US software maker Microsoft in a deal…
Mergers, Acquisitions and Financial Results
Kenya: Bid to Block Mobile Cash Transfer Companies Flops
An attempt to block four mobile phone operators from offering money transfer services has failed after a judge dismissed the case challenging it. The case challenging the legality of the…
Mergers, Acquisitions and Financial Results
Money News – In Brief
- Telkom South Africa, the dominant landline operator and newish entrant to the local mobile market has reported that its operating revenue for the past six months declined by 3.2%…
Digital Content
Nigeria: NAFDAC, Drugmakers Want SMS Charges Down
Nigeria's agency against fake drugs is seeking help from communications technology ministry to bring down the cost of text messaging, the platform for its newest anti-counterfeiting technology in time for…
Digital Content
Ugandan Student Wins Nomination for Mobile Premier Awards in Barcelona
Christine Ampeire, a second-year student of Software Engineering at Makerere University, was beaming with delight after her mobile app, Mafuta GO was announced winner of the AppCircus competition at Protea…
Digital Content
Uganda: Nation Will Not Beat Digital Migration Deadline, Says Government
The government has said it is not certain of beating the December 31, 2012 deadline that requires East Africa member states to have switched from analogue to digital broadcasting.A delay…
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People
- Telecoms mogul Strive Masiyiwa is one of the richest in Africa, according to an inaugural survey by Forbes magazine. The Forbes Africa's 40 Richest list was topped by Nigerian…
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Jobs & Opportunities
Invitation to Tender – Botswana Telecommunications AuthorityProvision of Consultancy Services for the Development of a National Broadband Strategy for Botswana – Tender No: BTA/PT/005/2011-12To download the Tender Document click here:
