Issue no 623 21st September 2012
Top Story
Social media content platform biNu attracts 0.5 million books readers on low-end smartphones and feature-phones; 42% are in Nigeria
Africans have a thirst for mobile content and it’s not just for SMS news headlines and football scores. Last week social media content platform biNu announced that its partnership with World Reader had netted it 0.5 million book readers on mobile phones and that the number was growing 30% a month. Russell Southwood spoke to Mark Shoebridge of biNu about this development.When you hear about content being developed for mobile phones, it’s not the mobile operators who are making the running. Yes, SMS services and income will be relevant for some time to come. But the really interesting content services…
Telecoms
Kenya: Nokia to Collect Fake Handsets for Recycling
Nokia has partnered with local mobile service providers and retail outlets to collect and dispose off counterfeit phones, ahead of the planned switch-off of these devices by the Communications Commission…
Telecoms
Sebaggala storms MTN over ringtones
Former Kampala mayor Al Haji Nasser Ntege Sebaggala Thursday stormed MTN head offices in Kampala demanding the audio tapes containing caller tunes in his voice. Sebaggala said he wants to use…
Telecoms
Ministry still considering 3G options in Algeria
Algeria’s Ministry of Posts, IT and Communications (MPTIC) is reportedly considering three strategies which would finally see the award of 3G mobile licences in the country. The Ministry is currently…
Telecoms
Tigo Rwanda warned on QoS
The Regulatory Board of the Rwanda Utilities Regulatory Agency (RURA) has issued an enforcement notice to Tigo Rwanda over quality of service.RURA said in an official notice that Tigo’s quality…
Telecoms
Third operator set to enter Mali
After a process lasting over a year, Mali’s Council of Ministers has approved the conditions for a new mobile operator, Alpha Telecom Mali, to enter the market.Alpha Telecom Mali is…
Telecoms
Telecoms News - In Brief
- Mobile network provider Tigo and non-profit organization Reach for Change are joining forces to improve the lives of children in Africa through social entrepreneurship. Throughout 2012, a joint program…
Internet
Nigeria: Defence Headquarters Website Hacked - Chief of Defence Staff
The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Air Chief Marshal Uluseyi Petinrin, said some unknown persons have gained unlawful access to the computer systems of Defence Headquarters and that of the…
Internet
Chinese engineers deploy Brazzaville-Kinshasa fibre link under Congo River
The capitals of the Republic of Congo and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Brazzaville and Kinshasa, have been linked by an under-river fibre cable installed by Chinese engineers, Agence…
Internet
Orange, Wordcamp host blogging event
Orange is the title sponsor of this year’s WordCamp Kenya Conference, set for November 10-11, 2012.As the platinum sponsor of the event, Orange’s contribution will go towards the organisation of…
Internet
Launching of the first 4g internet network in bangui
Millenium Telecom Centrafrique S.A. has announced the launch of the first 4th Generation wireless high speed Internet network, technology-‐based mobile WiMAX (802.16e), under the brand name “BLACK”.As a result of…
Internet
Google goes low-tech to unleash Nigeria potential
Despite all its cutting-edge technology, Google Inc. has turned to the humble text message to break into Nigeria’s booming economy.The search engine has started a service in Nigeria, as well…
Internet
Internet News - In Brief
- South Africa's Cell C has upgraded its internet firewall platform with Crossbeam Systems - allowing for a 10-fold increase in traffic.
Computing
Gemalto Selected to Build Secure and Reliable Biometric National Registry in Gabon
Gemalto, has been selected by the Government of Gabon for its national biometric identification initiative, following an international tender. The program aims to build a reliable national biometric civil registry…
Computing
Computer News - In Brief
- The Namibia Non-Governmental Organisation Forum (NANGOF) Trust last week donated a batch of used laptops to six community and faith-based organisations in the Hardap and Karas regions.
Telecoms, Rates, Offers and Coverage
Telecoms, Rates, Offers and Coverage
- Dar es Salaam-based newspaper the Daily News writes that Vodacom Tanzania has slashed the cost of off-net mobile calls by 50%. The cellco has introduced a new ‘Bonga Tariff’…
Mergers, Acquisitions and Financial Results
Nigeria: Mobile Money - Etisalat Launches Easywallet SIM Application
Etisalat has launched new SIM Application solution for mobile money payments and transfers, aimed at providing secure and innovative products and services for its customers.Etisalat is offering the service in…
Mergers, Acquisitions and Financial Results
SA’s Telkom Group up for re-nationalisation at US$1.5 billion
The South African government is re-nationalising the Telkom Group given its importance to the growth of telecommunications infrastructure in the country, reports say. The government is set to offer R24 ($3.00)…
Mergers, Acquisitions and Financial Results
South Africa’s PayU launches SME-relevant payment service
South Africa’s online and mobile payment service provider PayU has launched EasyMerchant, a payment solution targeted at enabling small to medium sized enterprises (SMEs) to perform credit card payment transfers. EasyMerchant…
Digital Content
Kenyan company rolls out social media monitoring tool ahead of elections
Kenya-based new media company African Laughter has launched a social media monitoring phone app to help politicians monitor their reputations online.Named Track-All, the app delivers “every media and social media…
Digital Content
Islamic Social Networking Website Test Runs In Egypt
Salamworld, the new social network site created to compete with Zuckerberg’s Facebook, while providing a morally safe platform for Muslims around the world to interact, is currently running a trial…
Digital Content
Sudan - ANHRI Condemns the Blocking of 'Youtube' By the Sudanese Authorities
ANHRI condemns the blocking of the "You Tube" by the Sudanese authorities without giving reasons of why "National Authority of Communication" blocked it.On September 16, 2012 the Sudanese Ministry of…
Digital Content
Uganda: Judges Warned Over Facebook, Twitter
Judges and magistrates have been warned over the dangers of using social media sites like Facebook and Twitter, with a call that their messages could jeopardise the cases that they…
Digital Content
Translation app wins Kenya Hackathon
The Hackathon was staged at five m:Labs around the world. In Kenya, participants came up with 10 ideas, forming 10 teams. The teams concentrated on developing their ideas to prototypes…
Digital Content
Nearly 250% rise in ad impressions for InMobi in North Africa
InMobi, the world’s largest independent mobile ad network, has reported a triple digit growth for its ad impressions in North Africa and the Middle East.InMobi’s second quarter resultsfor the 2012…
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People
- Ethio Telecom, Ethiopia’s leading telco, has appointed a new chief executive to steward the company in its strategic expansion across the Horn of Africa. Bruno Duthoit is a former…
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Events
Broadband World Forum16 – 18 October 2012, Amsterdam RAI Convention Centre, Amsterdam, The NetherlandsThe event, now in its 12th year, is the most respected in the regions Telecoms calendar and…
