Issue no 616 3rd August 2012
Top Story
Lifeline sells rugged, solar powered MP3 player/radio for rural education – next generation device will have video
The few attempts to create bespoke devices for education by NGOs and companies have not had a spectacular track record. The Worldspace satellite radio is no more and although One Laptop Per Child is probably more successful than its detractors would allow, the results are at best ambiguous. India periodically spawns very cheap laptops and tablets that get lots of headlines and then disappear. Russell Southwood talks to Kristine Pearson, CEO of Lifeline Energy about its Lifeplayer MP3/radio.The Lifeplayer is a rugged MP3 audio player, 5 band radio and recorder. Its recording facility will allow it to record live speech…
Telecoms
Mozambican Government Planning to Unify Telecom Licences
The Mozambican government is studying the viability of unifying the licensing of new telephone operators and Internet service providers, who wish to enter the Mozambican market.Interviewed in Friday's issue of…
Telecoms
Fifth Mobile phone operator coming to Kenya soon
Kenya is set to have its fifth mobile services provider after a Vietnamese mobile operator announced plans to set up its operations in the country, three months after launching in…
Telecoms
Ethiopia’s first mobile banking services set to go live
Addis International Bank (AdIB), a leading bank in Ethiopia, last week signed an agreement with Reewire ICT Solutions to offer Mobile banking services. AdIB becomes the first bank to launch…
Telecoms
Libercell Closed Down Due to Tax Arrears
Libercell’s, one of Liberia’s mobile companies was shut down due to tax arrears. Tax Court at the Temple of Justice ordered the company to be closed due to a $1.4-million…
Telecoms
Cameroon to licence third mobile operator
An upcoming tender for Cameroon’s third mobile network operator licence has attracted interest from nine potential bidders, a government committee is expected to draw up a shortlist of the pre-qualified…
Telecoms
Telecoms News - In Brief
- Gateway Communications, which describes itself as a supplier of pan-African telecoms services, has provided Mauritian mobile operator Emtel with a connectivity solution for the islands of Agalega and Rodrigues…
Internet
Nigeria: Jonathan's Aide Cautions On Use of Social Media – President Goodluck – “the most insulted in the world”
The Special Adviser to the President on Special Duties and Social Development Matters, Mrs Sarah Pane has said that the negative use of the social media by Nigerian youths is…
Internet
Bandwidth prices drop by 67% in Lesotho
The West Indian Ocean Cable Company (WIOCC) has stated that Internet bandwidth prices in Lesotho have fallen by approximately 67 percent as a result of the region's connection to terrestrial…
Internet
Telkom SA’s latest IP-based solution, SpaceStream Home, launched
Telkom South Africa has launched its “latest” Internet Protocol (IP) device brand named SpaceStream Home.The device offers Internet access with the speed rate of up to 512kbps while downloading. Telephone…
Internet
South Africa: Debate over who is to blame for high Blackberry charges: RIM vs Vodacom
A debate has emerged over who is to blame for the high rates charged by Vodacom for data usage. Research carried out pointed out that a majority blame Vodacom for…
Internet
Internet News - In Brief
- Gabonese internet service provider (ISP) Internet Gabon has launched its ‘Triple Net’ project, a partnership between itself, the European Satellite Company (SES) and Hughes Advantage, that aims to expand…
Computing
FG of Nigeria Grants IT Outsourcing Companies N20 Million
Federal Government yesterday granted N20 million to the Nigeria Association of Information Technology Enabled Outsourcing Companies (NAITEOC) as a take-off grant, the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has said.Speaking…
Computing
Predatory Cyber Crime in South Africa - Current Risks and Realities
Nearly a year ago, a specialist in software risk management and data storage, Marthinus Engelbrecht, warned that while statistics on violent crimes in South Africa hit the headlines every day…
Computing
Mxit appointed the official social network for Team SA at the London 2012 Olympics
The dedicated portal on the Mxit platform, olympics_sa, has since attracted over 200 000 supporters who have sent messages of support and congratulations to Team SA, according to the South…
Computing
Computer News - In Brief
- Bharti Airtel (‘Airtel’) has announced a partnership with The Learning Resources Management Group to provide an extensive e-learning program for Airtel employees across 17 African countries.In addition to the…
Telecoms, Rates, Offers and Coverage
Telecoms Rates, Offers and Coverage
- Airtel Tanzania has launched its cash transfer promotion drive which enables subscribers to send or receive money free of charge. The firm has also introduced a short code to…
Mergers, Acquisitions and Financial Results
POTRAZ to Spend U.S.$21 Million On 43 New Base Stations
The Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority says it will spend at least US$21 million from the Universal Services Fund to construct 43 new base stations in under-serviced areas throughout the…
Mergers, Acquisitions and Financial Results
Money Matters Can Be Handled by Mobile Firms in Tanzania
Four mobile phone companies, Tigo, Vodacom, Airtel and Zantel, have been licensed to carry out financial transaction business, apart from other services they offer such as airtime sales and Internet.This…
Mergers, Acquisitions and Financial Results
Tunisia’s government to sell off its Telecom stake in Tunisiana
The Tunisian government has announced that it wishes to sell its stake on Tunisiana, the biggest mobile telecom company in the country.The government currently has 25 percent stake in the…
Mergers, Acquisitions and Financial Results
Ricoh Steps Up South Africa Investment
Japan-based technology group Ricoh is to accelerate its investment in South Africa, spending about R200-million as it looks to expand its presence in a key emerging market."South Africa is viewed…
Mergers, Acquisitions and Financial Results
Money News - In Brief
- Liberian mobile network operator Comium Liberia has been sold to Lebanese businessman George Abou Joaude for USD18 million. The unconfirmed source says that the influential entrepreneur, who works in…
Digital Content
Kenya’s parking fees can now be settled via Airtel Money
The hustle for long queues to settle parking fees in Kenya could soon be reduced after Airtel and Kenya Airport Parking Services (KAPS) partnered to allow Airtel subscribers to secure…
Digital Content
Vodacom SA and Primedia launch a social game on radio
South Africa-based mobile network operator Vodacom has announced it has teamed up with Primedia Broadcasting to bring 94.7 Highveld Stereo and 94.5 KFM to listeners the ultimate integrated virtual and…
Digital Content
Nigerian healers turning to Effiwe.net for health information
Nigerian healers turning to Effiwe.net for health information Effiwe.net, an academic resource site for African medical personnel, now boasts of a vast database of free online resources for download by…
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People
- Ms Anne-Rachel Inné has been appointed Chief Operations Officer of AFRINIC. - Alexandra Zagury has been appointed as the managing director for South Africa and Southern Africa by Blackberry-maker…
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Events
Managed Services World Congress 201218 – 19 September 2012, Maritim Pro Arte Hotel, Berlin, GermanyWith Managed Service business models evolving in new and exciting directions, it’s time to reassess the…
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Jobs & Opportunities
* Project Manager – SDLCBBD Midrand, Gauteng, South AfricaJob DescriptionA Project manager with a proven track record of delivering projects on time. You will be responsible for managing client expectations…
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Contracts
* MTN and Ericsson - NigeriaSwedish equipment and solutions provider Ericsson has announced that MTN Nigeria has become the first African operator to deploy its SSR 8020 platform for wireless…
