Issue no 669 23rd August 2013
Top Story
VoIP services in Africa already driving the transition to data – video will accelerate that trend
For years VoIP services in Africa were the grey market in voice calling, which was seen as rather grubby by the mainstream operators. VoIP came of age with widespread use of consumer apps like Skype and Viber which have continued to increase in popularity, particularly among high-end consumers. Now a corporate version of this kind of VoIP calling is being adopted by companies in Africa. Russell Southwood spoke to Marc Israel, Microsoft Office Division Director and reflects on what this means for traditional mobile operators.Skype has millions of users in Africa, although as elsewhere the number of paying customers is…
Telecoms
Ethiopia signs $800 mln mobile network deal with China's ZTE
Ethiopia signed an $800 million deal with China's ZTE last Sunday to expand mobile phone infrastructure and introduce an LTE network in the capital Addis Ababa and a 3G service…
Telecoms
Zimbabwe: POTRAZ imposes price controls on Econet by stopping a 60% cut in user tariffs
Potraz, Zimbabwe’s telecommunications regulator, has reportedly forced the country’s largest mobile service provider, Econet, to reverse a 60% cut in user tariffs – a move that has been met with…
Telecoms
South Africa's Neotel Prepares for LTE Network Launch
South Africa's second landline operator, Neotel is planning a launch of its own LTE network with media invites sent to local journalists to attend an event on the 21st August.The…
Telecoms
Ghana MTN to compensate customers
Ghana’s largest mobile network, MTN, says it will offer a percentage of its service charge to compensate its subscribers who were affected by network disruptions last week.An e-mail in response…
Telecoms
South Africa: Rivals upset as MTN bids on spectrum the industry had ignored
Cellphone giant MTN appears to have stolen a march on its rivals, quietly applying for additional access to a little-known radio frequency spectrum that had been virtually ignored in the…
Telecoms
Telecoms In Brief
- Zimbabwe: TelOne, the country’s fixed line operator is aiming to recover US$50 million by year end through a debt collection campaign that started early this week. The company’s Chief…
Internet
Nigeria: Spectranet Launches 4G LTE Wireless Internet Services
Following the mandate from the newly released broadband policy by the Federal Government that service providers operating in the country should migrate to Long Term Evolution (LTE) technology, Internet Services…
Internet
Kenya: KDN changes Internet billing in recovery bid
Kenya Data Networks (KDN) will charge Internet subscribers for what they have used, as it fights to claw back market share in an increasingly competitive environment.KDN, like the rest in…
Internet
Nigeria: MTN Unveils Cloud Services for SMEs
MTN, Nigeria’s leading Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Company, has launched a Cloud Services in the country for Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs).The launch makes MTN the first telecommunications…
Internet
Internet In Brief
- Zimbabwe’s largest cellco in terms of subscribers Econet Wireless has launched the first commercial 4G Long Term Evolution (LTE) network in the country, ahead of the United Nations (UN)…
Computing
DHL observes changes in Africa’s technology market
Competition within the technology sector is becoming more intense and Asia’s importance as both a manufacturing location and a consumer market is growing. However, although Asia is still key to…
Computing
Raspberry Pi + Indiegogo = One Rural School In Swaziland Kitted Out With A Computer Lab
Most of the million plus US$25-35 Raspberry Pi microcomputers shipped to buyers to-date have been helping U.S.- and U.K.-based makers realise their electronics’ dreams. But the original mission of the…
Computing
Ontario vendor bringing solar-powered laptop to Africa
A Canadian company is hoping its take on a solar-powered, water-resistant laptop will give Africans a new computing solution.Launching Tuesday in Accra, Ghana, WeWi Telecommunications Inc.’s laptop is designed to…
Computing
Computing In Brief
- Kenya: Belgium has given a 10.5 million euro (Sh1.2 billion) loan for installation of communication technology infrastructure in both the county governments and the central government. The funding will…
Telecoms, Rates, Offers and Coverage
Telecoms Rates, Offers & Coverage
- Malawi's Airtel has had to disqualify a number of entrants to a big prize draw promotion it is running after they turned out to be employees or relatives of…
Money Transfer
South Africa: Standard Bank’s mobile customers hit 3 million
Standard Bank says its mobile banking customers have swelled to 3 million representing a 58% increase from the same period last year.Standard Bank says its mobile banking customers as at…
Money Transfer
Kenya: Airtel Money Enlists More Banks in Bid to Grow Mobile Transactions
Airtel Money is reaching our to more financial institutions and businesses to grow its market share in mobile transactions.The operator last week partnered with Equatorial Commercial Bank to enable the…
Money Transfer
Kenya: Safaricom Expands Mobile Money Service to Paying Home Rental Charges
Kenya's Safaricom has expanded its M-Pesa mobile money service so that it can be used to pay rent on houses and homes. Under the new scheme -- called Lipa Kodi…
Mergers, Acquisitions and Financial Results
SPARK Raises $2m For Nigerian Internet Startups
Lagos-based Internet group, SPARK has raised a $2 million investment from a syndicate of 17 international investors, based on a $10 million valuation for its network of Nigerian internet startups.The…
Mergers, Acquisitions and Financial Results
Telecom Namibia's Debt Ratings Put on a Negative Outlook
Fitch Ratings has affirmed Telecom Namibia Long-term local currency debt rating at 'BBB-' and National Long-term rating of 'A(zaf)'. The Outlooks are Negative.The affirmation continues to reflect the one notch…
Mergers, Acquisitions and Financial Results
Senegal's Sonatel books net profit of XOF91bn in H1 2013
Senegal-based fixed and mobile operator Sonatel, a 42.30%-owned subsidiary of the Orange Group, has reported consolidated net profit of XOF91.559 billion (USD186.5 million) for the first six months of this…
Digital Content
Congo-Brazzaville: Mapping logging activities in the forest
A new mobile software may help local communities in the region of Brazzaville, Republic of Congo, manage their natural resources and monitor logging activities in the forest.The Extreme Citizen Science…
Digital Content
Uganda: Health Care Now On Your Phone
The Medical Concierge Group (TMCG), a partnership comprising doctors and entrepreneurs recently launched Uganda's first ever 24/7 health call centre.The centre is a platform where any one who needs medical…
Digital Content
Vodacom chairman linked to new e-commerce start-up
Vodacom Group chairman, Peter Moyo is one of the executives behind a new online venture in South Africa, Going.co.za, which sells assorted products at heavily discounted prices.South African born Paul…
Digital Content
Nelson Mandela's grandsons start social network for change
Two of Nelson Mandela’s grandsons have set up a social network in honour of their grandfather. Mandela.is will reportedly allow its users, called citizens, to connect, share inspirational photos, stories…
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Events
The Social Media Week Lagos Team is excited to announce that our official schedule is now LIVE and registration is open! At present we have 84 events scheduled and will…
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Jobs & Opportunities
Web Developer / Programmer1 Company: Pamoja Media East Africa Ltd Deadline: Wednesday 28th August 2013 Location: NairobiJob DescriptionPamoja Media East Africa is an online marketing agency that builds applications to…
