Issue no 643 22nd February 2013
Top Story
Augmented reality comes to Africa – what is it and what can it do for the continent?
Like a lot of technologies, augmented reality has long roots, going all the way back to the 1970s and 1980s. But the arrival of the smart phone has really started to put it on the map and generate a significant user base. Russell Southwood talked to Brett Levy, Managing Director, Rapid Blue Digital about how it’s been using the technology.Augmented reality allows a user to look at a view in front of them on a device (whether something as large as a screen with a projection on it or as small as smartphone screen) and see something in the image…
Telecoms
Liberia: Cellcom, Total Announce Partnership
The managements of Cellcom GSM and Total Liberia have announced a business partnership for the provision of all Cellcom products and services to be sold at Total service stations across…
Telecoms
Ghana NCA issues three new mobile broadband licences
Ghana’s National Communications Authority (NCA) has awarded Broadband Wireless Access (BWA) licences in the 2500 – 2690 MHz band to Surfline Limited and GoldKey Properties Limited, as well as an…
Telecoms
Cameroon declines proposed MTN and Orange rates
Cameroon regulator Agence de Regulation des Telecommunications (ART) has refused to accept proposed mobile tariffs pitched by operators MTN and Orange for authorisation based on dissatisfaction over suggested off-peak discounts. This…
Telecoms
Telecoms – In Brief
- The Ghana Investment Fund for Electronic Communications (GIFEC) has donated 600 mobile phones to Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) at a cost of GHS 120,000. The support is to…
Internet
Telecom Namibia, Jasco to deliver faster, cheaper Internet
Telecom Namibia has entered into an agreement with NewTelco South Africa, represented by Jasco Co-location Solutions, to establish a total of four international Points of Presence (PoPs) connected into the…
Internet
Internet – In Brief
- Ericsson and MTN-Rwanda are partnering to help rural based schools in Rwanda access faster internet in a bid to improve the quality of education for less privileged students in…
Computing
Nigeria: Corps Member Builds ICT Resource Centre for Community
A Batch A corps member, Tom Samuel serving in Gadabuke Development Area of Nasarawa State has built an ICT resource centre for the residents of Kullo Village in the area…
Computing
Sierra Leone: Prisons Service Launches Website
The Sierra Leone Prisons Service last Thursday 14 February officially launched its website, which is expected to closely bringthe activities of the Prisons to the public - both nationally and…
Computing
Computing – In Brief
- The Kenya ICT Board has released phase two of the Julisha survey report which indicates that the sector performed well with good growth in value, usage and access across…
Telecoms, Rates, Offers and Coverage
Telecel offer Zimbabwe’s first unlimited local calls plus text and data packages
Telecel, a major mobile operator in Zimbabwe, is offering a new fixed payment contract which aims to give consumers more control and flexibility over their expenditure. As well as offering unlimited…
Mergers, Acquisitions and Financial Results
Yu joins Safaricom in raising mobile cash transfer fees
Essar Kenya has joined market leader Safaricom in raising charges for its mobile money transfer as operators pass on a new excise tax effected recently.Orange and Airtel are yet to…
Mergers, Acquisitions and Financial Results
Kenya: M-Pesa Dealers Set to Benefit From KCB Loans
Safaricom has partnered with Kenya Commercial Bank to offer M-Pesa agents loans at 20 per cent interest, payable in 12 months.The bank has allocated Sh1.5 billion for the unsecured loan…
Mergers, Acquisitions and Financial Results
Standard Chartered Bank tips on mobile money
Standard Chartered’s Maxweber Asiimwe has dismissed as untrue reports that banks are feeling the heat from telecom companies offering mobile money services in Uganda.In an email to The Independent, Asiimwe…
Mergers, Acquisitions and Financial Results
Money – In brief
- Chase Bank and the University Students Community Organisation (UNISCOO) have launched a MasterCard prepaid card to be used by members of the student’s union to top up and shop…
Digital Content
Beliaa wins Cairo Transport App challenge
Beliaa, a mobile road assistance app, has won the Cairo Transport App challenge.The challenge sought solutions to traffic problems in Cairo, offering prizes of cash and a trip to the…
Digital Content
SA Taxi app Afta-Robot to launch in March
Afta-robot, a South African taxi app providing a two-way solution to South African taxi drivers and commuters, will be launched by developer Sowertech next month.Whereas most similar services only offer…
Digital Content
WHO identifies main barriers to m-health
Despite the successful pilot of m-health programmes in developing countries, especially in Africa, the World Health Organisation (WHO) says m-health implementation is still being hampered by competing health system priorities,…
Digital Content
Africa: Mobile Masts Could Help Measure Rain and Chill Vaccines
Mobile-phone masts in Africa could be used for other development initiatives, such as filling gaps in rainfall data and providing electricity to refrigerate vaccines, experts say.For example, masts could be…
Digital Content
Crowdfunding service SliceBiz wins Apps4Africa cash prize
A Ghanaian start-up planning to popularise crowdfunding in Africa has been selected as one of the winners of this year's Apps4Africa competition.SliceBiz plans to develop a service that will deliver…
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People
Professor Stanislaus Bernard Lwakabamba assumes the Chair of UbuntuNet Alliance from 15 April 2013Lilongwe, Malawi. UbuntuNet Alliance, the regional research and education network for Southern and Eastern Africa announces the…
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Events
Broadband MEA 19 - 20 March 2013 The JW Marriott Marquis Hotel, Dubai, The region’s premier broadband event attracting 750 decision makers from across The Middle East and Africa. Now in its 5th…
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Jobs & Opportunities
Global Voices Seeks Part-Time DeveloperGlobal Voices seeks a part-time web designer and developer to help maintain and redesign our many WordPress and other LAMP-based sites, working closely with our primary…
