Issue no 606 25th May 2012
Top Story
South Africa: VoIP begins to change the landscape for both consumers and business users
The opening up of VoIP in Africa’s more liberalized territories over the last five years is beginning to make a small but increasing impact on the market. It is one way in which all voice will become data in the next 5-10 years, which will have profound consequences for how telcos operate. Russell Southwood looks at a couple of early birds disrupting existing models.This week saw Comcast in the USA offering a voice service where you can use your home number to call from Wi-Fi hot-spots. This is just another sign of how voice – which is a low bandwidth…
Telecoms
Vodacom targets acquisitions in the USD100m range; Angola, Ethiopia, Uganda all pinpointed
South Africa-based mobile group Vodacom has confirmed that it is ready to expand its operational footprint across Africa, and is on the hunt for small-scale acquisitions. Vodacom, which is majority…
Telecoms
Sierra Leone, Parliament to Quiz Mobile Phone Operators
The Chairman of the Parliamentary oversight committee on Information and Communication, Hon Yapo Condeh Conteh has announced that all mobile phone companies operating in Sierra Leone will be summoned by…
Telecoms
Nigeria's dialling dilemmas
Balancing Act is running the piece below because it provides good insights into how mobile customers in Nigeria see their providers. If you must make a call to anybody's mobile…
Telecoms
Ugandan telecos face stiff penalties
Uganda’s Communications Commission (UCC) announced that the country’s telecommunications operators will know within two weeks if they will be issued with penalties for poor service delivery. This comes just a…
Telecoms
Telkom wins leave to appeal in Mzanzi case
Fixed-line telecommunications operator Telkom was on Wednesday granted leave to appeal by the high court in Pretoria in a case brought against it by ZTE Mzanzi. A court interdict preventing…
Telecoms
Shareholder shake-up at Virgin Mobile
Richard Branson’s Virgin Group is planning to dilute its shareholding in mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) Virgin Mobile SA by selling a portion of its shares to Dubai-based telecommunications company,…
Telecoms
Telecoms News - In Brief
- National regulator the Liberia Telecommunication Authority (LTA) has ordered domestic mobile operator MTN Liberia, trading under the Lonestar Cell brand, to reconnect rival operator Comium Liberia ‘with immediate effect’.-…
Internet
Avanti powers digital economies across Africa and Middle East with new Ka-band International IP Trunking service
Avanti Communications, the satellite operator, has announced the launch of the world’s first commercial Ka-band, International IP Trunking proposition that will transform international IP trunking across Africa and the Middle…
Internet
Kiswahili lovers find rich digital content on new Internet hub
A kilometre into the Indian Ocean from Malindi, Captain John Mwaboza pulls his mobile phone from a pouch dangling from his neck. “Evidence from oral traditions supports the fact that…
Internet
Google Advises Nigerian Media To Create Local Content On Internet
Lanre Aina, the Business Development Manager of Google Nigeria, has advised the Nigerian media to develop local content on the Internet.Aina gave the advice in Lagos at a “New Media…
Internet
Nigeria: Over 7.78 Terabyte of Internet Capacity Untapped
The Minister of Communications Technology, Mrs. Omobola Johnson, has said over 7.78 terabyte of internet capacity is lying untapped at the shores of the country, yet internet penetration in the…
Internet
Internet News - In Brief
- German-based cloning giant Rocket Internet is set to open up an Amazon-style ecommerce site in Nigeria. Nigerian tech site Techloy claims a reliable source confirmed that the new ecommerce…
Computing
Angola: Enana Extends Aeronautical Information Services to Africa/Indian Region 23 May 2012
The Aeronautical Information Service "AIS"of the National Airport and Air Navigation Exploration Company (ENANA) will be extended to Africa/Indian region.This was said to Angop on Tuesday in Luanda, the administrator…
Computing
Ghana: Govt to Provide Additional 100,000 Laptops to Students
The government has planned to increase the distribution of laptops to second cycle and tertiary students to boost the teaching and learning of Information, Communication and Technology (ICT) in the…
Computing
Computer News - In Brief
- Rwanda: Schools to Get E-Libraries: Isaro Foundation, a local NGO, will establish electronic or digital libraries in secondary schools countrywide in a bid to improve reading and writing skills…
Telecoms, Rates, Offers and Coverage
Telecoms, Rates, Coverage and Offers
- Morocco’s telecoms watchdog, the Telecommunication Regulatory National Agency (ANRT), says it is looking to launch a tender for 4G cellular licences later this year. The head of ANRT, Azdine…
Mergers, Acquisitions and Financial Results
Mobile Banking Kicks Off in Rwanda
Banks in Rwanda are turning to mobile phones in an effort to improve service delivery and cut costs as competition intensifies. It is now possible to pay electricity bills, top…
Mergers, Acquisitions and Financial Results
Kenya: M-Pesa Linked to Your Bank Via Pesapoint
M-PESA subscribers will be able to transfer money from their bank accounts into their M-PESA accounts through a new service launched with PesaPoint.Safaricom Financial Services General Manager Betty Mwangi-Thuo said…
Mergers, Acquisitions and Financial Results
Ghana: 'Money Market' - Airtel and Rancard Build Online Store
Airtel Ghana, in collaboration with Rancard has launched a new online store dubbed "Airtel Money Market", an online portal aimed at providing additional channel for Airtel Money customers and merchants…
Mergers, Acquisitions and Financial Results
Ghana: 'Money Market' - Airtel and Rancard Build Online Store
Airtel Ghana, in collaboration with Rancard has launched a new online store dubbed "Airtel Money Market", an online portal aimed at providing additional channel for Airtel Money customers and merchants…
Mergers, Acquisitions and Financial Results
Money News - In Brief
- The Rwanda Revenue Authority will launch an Electronic Sales Device (ESD) to counter fraudulent transactions and tax evasion by individuals. The device is set to be launched in June…
Digital Content
M-farm to launch price information mobile apps in June
M-farm Limited will launch its brand new mobile applications for agricultural commodity price information on 5th June 2012 at Ole Sereni Hotel, Nairobi. The launch which will be officiated by…
Digital Content
Uganda: Students Develop Software to Monitor Unborn Babies
Three students at Makerere University in Uganda have designed mobile phone software that can monitor foetal movements and heartbeats.The innovation won Josiah Kavuma, Aaron Tushabe and Joshua Okello of Makarere's…
Digital Content
Kenya - ’Skype’ offers local cybercafes operators a new lifeline
The young woman sitting before a computer at a cybercafé in Nairobi, Kenya laughed heartily and gestured with her right hand, seemingly talking to herself.She then produced a photo from…
Digital Content
Science Blogging in Sub-Saharan Africa
Blogging has become an integral part of popular culture in Sub-Saharan Africa but blogging about science is still lagging behind. Many initiatives have been launched to increase the culture of…
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People
Virgin Mobile SA CEO Steve Bailey has decided to step down and will leave the company at the end of this month. Virgin Mobile is looking for a suitable candidate…
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Jobs & Opportunities
Web Creation WorkshopThe Creative Web Workshop, Software Dynamics in partnership with Google East Africa will be hosting an exciting, on-site and active web, internet marketing and Social Media management workshop,…
