Issue no 626 12th October 2012
Top Story
LTE cannot just be for the big guys if Africa is to reach its full broadband potential
Two contrasting news announcements about LTE this week highlight what will become the next front in the struggle between Africa’s mobile incumbents and the insurgent challengers. Vodacom made a surprise announcement that it was launching LTE before MTN in South Africa. A less well-known operator in DRC – Cielux – also signed contracts to buy equipment to roll-out. Russell Southwood looks at how LTE will change the landscape in terms of the Internet market.There has been an ebb and flow in the struggle over how the internet is developed in Africa. Initially there were small-scale ISPs and they had to…
Telecoms
Vodacom Beats MTN As It Launches 4G LTE
Vodacom launched South Africa’s first commercial LTE service in Johannesburg last week, in a surprise announcement by CEO Shameel Joosub, winning the race for 4G against rival MTN.Joosub surprised attendees…
Telecoms
Celcom deadline extended
The Malawi Communication Regulatory Authority (MACRA) has extended the launch deadline of the new operator, Celcom, to April next year. Celcom’s original deadline was the end of October.In a notice…
Telecoms
No calls, please: Big Brother in Kenya ties up the lines
Trying to call someone in Kenya? There’s a fine chance the person you’re trying to reach won’t pick up. No, not because that someone is busy, but because the government…
Telecoms
Telecoms News - In Brief
- Kenya will bring together all its presidential hopefuls in a series of debates to be broadcast on nearly all its top media outlets in a move that would raise…
Internet
Kenya: Uptake of social media increases Internet use
Stiff competition by Internet service providers has driven up subscription by 82.7 per cent over the past one year to reach 7.7 million, according the latest industry regulator report.The Communications…
Internet
Internet News - In Brief
- Angolan operator Net One has launched its YahClick service, Angop reported. Executive director Jaime Ferreira said the intention is to deliver an internet service through satellite at a low…
Computing
Nigeria: Apple Establishes Presence in Nigerian ICT Market
Apple has announced a new plan to make its products officially available in Nigeria through its official Apple channels. This is the first time the company will make such move…
Computing
Mozambique to get military comms school
New Mozambican operator Movitel has allocated over USD1.5 million toward equipping a communications school for the Mozambican Defence Force.The school, to be built in Malhampsene in Matola, will offer training…
Computing
Computer News - In Brief
- Ghanaian operator Rlg Communications expects to deliver the last 34,249 laptops to Ghana's Basic School Computerisation Project by the end of this month, Biztech reported. Rlg, which assembles the…
Telecoms, Rates, Offers and Coverage
Telecoms, Rates, Offers and Coverage
* Airtel Tanzania plans to increase its coverage to more remote parts of the country and increase the availability to subscribers of its Air Money financial service, The Daily News…
Mergers, Acquisitions and Financial Results
Intel Capital courts IT start-ups with eye on future
Intel Capital — the world’s largest venture capital investor in innovative technology — is seeking to acquire stakes in several IT start-ups in Kenya with an eye on long term…
Mergers, Acquisitions and Financial Results
Kenya: Samsung, KWFT Pact to Boost Mobile Banking
Samsung has partnered with local microfinance solutions provider, Kenya Women Finance Trust - Deposit Taking Microfinance (KWFT-DTM) to promote the uptake of mobile technology solutions among women.The joint programme by…
Mergers, Acquisitions and Financial Results
Zimbabwe: Ecocash Spreads to Kombis
Econet Wireless has announced that businesses that accept payments in EcoCash are now able to exchange them for cash at Econet Wireless Zimbabwe approved banks. In a statement, Econet said…
Mergers, Acquisitions and Financial Results
Kenyan mobile money deposits reach $8 billion
A Kenyan sends money through his mobile phone. The sector has witnessed a phenomenal rise, industry regulator data shows. Kenyans deposited $8 billion into mobile money services for the year…
Mergers, Acquisitions and Financial Results
EcoCash creates ‘parallel payment system’
Businesses that accept payment in EcoCash are now able to exchange it for cash at Econet Wireless Zimbabwe approved banks, the company said today, creating a parallel payment system in…
Digital Content
Ghana: MTN Ghana Connects Subscribers to Deutsche Welle Radio
MTN Ghana subscribers can now learn while on the go with Deutsche Welle's Learning by Ear. The innovative program is now on the MTN Radio (mRadio) platform and available for…
Digital Content
How much will technology boom change Kenya?
Nairobi City Council recently piloted a scheme to allow motorists to pay parking fees - and fines - on their mobile phones. By eliminating cash payments, the government hopes to…
Digital Content
Tanzania: World Food Program, Vodacom Partner to Support Mothers
Vodacom Tanzania and the UN World Food Programme (WFP) announced a partnership that will encourage vulnerable, food insecure communities in Mtwara region to take advantage of nutrition and health education…
Digital Content
Zimbabwe: Passport Office Goes Digital
The Registrar-General's Office will now send SMS messages to passport applicants to collect their documents, while the applicants will now also be able to download application forms on the Internet.Registrar-General…
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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…
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Jobs & Opportunities
ITU launches Tech Needs Girls Prize to spark creativitySeeking the unique voices and talents of girls to invent our futureTo mark the first ever International Day of the Girl Child,…
