Issue no 676 11th October 2013
Top Story
Rwanda’s Liquid Telecom will build Fibre-To-Wherever and 1 meg minimum access speed by next year
In June this year, Liquid Telecom took over former Rwandan incumbent Rwandatel, absorbing all of its assets except its property. The company is headed up by former Rwandan Communications Minister Sam Nkusi who is bullish about its future prospects. Russell Southwood spent last week in Kigali and explains how the Rwandan telecoms and Internet landscape is changing and catches up with Liquid’s Nkusi.Rwanda’s President Kagame has always had a policy line that said Rwanda would become an ICT hub in the East African region. Until a few years ago, this was largely policy rhetoric but there are now a number…
Telecoms
Israel’s Mer Group to expand mobile phone network in Mozambique
Israel’s Mer Group has been awarded a turnkey contract to supply telecommunications towers for two of the three mobile phone operators in Mozambique, the group said in a statement issued…
Telecoms
Made-in-Nigeria phones to be launched in November, PAPDAN says
Plans have reached advanced stage to introduce two new made-in-Nigeria mobile phone brands into the nation’s highly competitive telephony market later this year, the Phone and Allied Products Dealers’ Association…
Telecoms
Namibia: Telecom Waiting for Vodacom, Neotel Deal Talks to Conclude
Telecom Namibia, which is a shareholder in the South African communication firm Neotel with a 12,5% stake, says it is currently waiting for the outcome of talks between Neotel and…
Telecoms
South Africa: MTN, Vodacom Slammed With ‘Discriminatory Pricing’ Charges
Cell C, South Africa’s 3rd largest telecommunication firm, has lodged a complaint with the country’s anti-competition authorities over what it calls “discriminatory pricing” being perpetrated by the MTN and Vodacom.MTN…
Telecoms
Telecoms - In Brief
- Mobile network operator Vodacom Tanzania has awarded wireless backhaul specialist Ceragon Networks a USD7 million follow-on contract to upgrade and support its backbone links across the country as it…
Internet
Online Tool to Review Candidates Platforms in Madagascar
Malagasy website Madatsara created a comparison website to review every presidential candidates platforms.The platforms were categorized into 9 main topics to help citizens make an informed decision during the elections.…
Internet
Swazi Internet To Schools Programme Launched
In line with the Swaziland Government’s vision of absolute access to technology, SPTC has committed itself to ensuring that all schools, colleges, and communities in all corners of the country…
Internet
Google Earth and drones help save Kenya’s elephants
A fleet of iPad-controlled drones – and chilli powder – is helping conservationists keep elephants away from dangerConservationist Marc Goss touches “take off” on his iPad 3, sending a $300…
Internet
The Internet as a 'Miracle Solution' for Congo
According to a new report by Freedom House, only 1.7 percent of Congolese accessed the Internet in 2012. As the only media outlet where the government does not restrict access…
Internet
Sierratel Launches Exciting Wi-Fi Product
Sierratel, which is 100% owned by Government and people of Sierra Leone and is becoming again a significant player in telecommunication in Sierra Leone, has launched a Mi-Fi modem.Mi-Fi is…
Internet
Internet - In Brief
- Eritrea: Digital Library and Internet Service Introduced in Community Library At Denden Camp. Speaking at the inauguration ceremony yesterday, Mr. Amanuel Tekeste, the library's manager, indicated that it has…
Computing
Togolese makes 3D printer using e-waste
A Togolese man has constructed a fully functional 3D printer from scratch using e-waste.Kodjo Afate Gnikou made the printer at a cost of US$100 from rails and belts from old…
Computing
Kenyan Technology Company Transforms Management of 'Chamas'
A Kenyan technology company has developed a web application that enables investment groups to automate their financial records and systems, from collection to investment, bringing transparency and efficiency.The product, dubbed…
Computing
Computing - In Brief
- Nigeria: Determined to address daily operational challenges facing managers of data centres, KITS Technology has said it will inject fresh knowledge of best practice into Data Centre Design (DCD)…
Money Transfer
Moov Niger rolls out mobile money service
United Arab Emirates-based telecoms group Etisalat is expanding its mobile money service 'Flous' to the West African nation of Niger. Etisalat owns wireless network operator Moov Niger via its wholly…
Money Transfer
Bango and MMIT introduce M-Ifl - The Solution to Africa's Complex Mobile Payment Landscape
Bango and MMIT have released M-Ifl , a safe payment solution that enables online transactions for digital content. M-Ifl navigates the complex mobile payment environment in Sub-Saharan Africa and is…
Money Transfer
Senegal: Sonatel attracts 1.25 m Orange Money customers
Senegalese operator Sonatel reported that it had attracted 1.25 million users of the Orange Money electronic fund transfer service since its launch in April 2010. The system widely used for…
Money Transfer
Rwanda Revenue Authority Introduces Mobile Application That Allows Declaration and Payment of Taxes By Mobile Phones
Kigali — Rwanda Revenue Authority (RRA) has moved a step further in bringing services close to the people by introducing a mobile telephone facility that allows people to declare and…
Mergers, Acquisitions and Financial Results
Mobilis reports record results for 3Q13
Moussa Benhamadi, CEO of Algeria’s dominant telecoms operator Algerie Telecom, has announced that its mobile arm Mobilis has achieved positive results in the third quarter of 2013. Agence Ecofin cites…
Digital Content
Alliance for Affordable Internet to lead digital policy reform in developing countries
An alliance made up of private and public sector organisations aims to drive policy and regulatory reform in order to make access to the web in developing markets more affordable.The…
Digital Content
The technology modernising Kenya's matatus
Matatus - the ramshackle public minibuses seating between 14 and 24 people that zip along the streets of Kenya's capital Nairobi - carry a third of the city's residents to…
Digital Content
Cape Town’s MyCiTi bus routes now on Google Maps
MyCiTiCapetonians, listen up. The Mother City’s favourite and most efficient transport system, MyCiTi, has announced that they have now fully integrated with Google Maps.The integration of MyCiTi and Google Maps…
Digital Content
Intel ‘She Will Connect’ & Akirachix Initiative
Intel Kenya will celebrate the second International Day of the Girl on October 11 by launching a joint initiative targeting Kenyan girls with Akirachix. As a direct result of findings…
Digital Content
Online radio in South Africa
New research finds that around 5% of South Africans now listen to the radio online, while approximately 28% listen to radio content on their phones.This is according to the Fourth…
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People
Rwanda's MTN has named Ebenezer Asante as its new CEO. He comes to the company from MTN's Ghana subsidiary where he was a sales executive.
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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…
