Issue no 689 24th January 2014
Top Story
Ghana’s Blu pitches content as the show-stopper for its new LTE service
Ghana’s mobile operators are in danger of being outmaneuvered by the new breed of LTE licencees. The newest kid on the block is Blu which is making content and VideoOnDemand a central part of its service offering. Russell Southwood spoke to its Chief Commercial Officer, Tara Squire.Ghana’s regulator auctioned off three packages of LTE-usable spectrum and the winners were all independent, locally-owned ISPs: Blu, Surfline (which will also be launching shortly) and Gold Key. Blu’s key investor is local Ghanaian businessman J.K.Horgle (he runs a transport company) who has backed the “young Turks” who make up the company’s management team.…
Telecoms
Zamtel Launches 4G Service in Zambia
Zambia's communication solutions provider Zamtel today launched its 4G LTE service in Kitwe. Zamtel has also set up a walk-in 4G Live Experiential Centre at its Kitwe offices, where customers…
Telecoms
Ghana: Vodafone Ghana Invests Gh¢ 55 Million On Network Expansion
Ghana's most reliable network, Vodafone, is undertaking a massive expansion to improve network quality for mobile customers in new and existing sites.The expansion which begun in November 2013 will see…
Telecoms
Outdated Telecomms Masts Pulled Down in Lagos, Nigeria
Lagos — LAGOS State Government has commenced the pulling down of all unapproved telecommunication mast in the state.This follows the lapse of a December 31, 2013 deadline the state's Urban…
Telecoms
Nigeria: NCC to Support Consumers to Prosecute Telecoms Operators
The Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC) has promised to give necessary support to any consumer who is ready to prosecute any telecommunications operator in the country over poor services.NCC's spokesperson, Mr.…
Telecoms
Nigeria: Subscribers' N606.4 Billion Compensation Demand Uninformed, Says ALTON
Lagos — Mr Gbenga Adebayo, the Chairman, Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) on Tuesday said that the N606.4 billion compensation demanded by subscribers was uninformed.Adebayo told the…
Telecoms
Nigeria: 2.3GHz Broadband Spectrum Winner to Pay Additional N374 Million
In addition to the bid price, which is presently fixed at a minimum of N3.6 billion, the eventual winner of the wholesale frequency spectrum licence in the 2.3GHz band on…
Telecoms
Telecoms - In Brief
-Globalstar is today launching the cheapest pre-paid satellite phone service for consumers and businesses. Seasonal and occasional satellite phone users can now enjoy crystal-clear satellite phone calls without being tied…
Telecoms
Burundi broadband project nears completion
Well over a year ago we anticipated that 2013 would be a banner year for Internet progress in Burundi. Such bullish sentiment was based on optimistic reports from internet governance…
Internet
MTN Zambia Launches LTE Network
MTN Zambia has commercially launched Long-Term Evolution (LTE) network in the country. The company said the launch of the LTE, 4G network is part of a bigger network transformation plan…
Internet
Globacom Outlines Cable Expansion Plans in Nigeria
Globacom will extend its fibre optic coverage and “push the last mile” connections of its submarine cable further hinterland in the countries where the Glo 1 cable has landings.Speaking at…
Internet
NCC Outlines Spectrum Requirements in Nigeria
Lagos — The Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC) has modified the conditions required to adjudge the eventual winner of upcoming 2.3GHz spectrum auction.In an update on the requirements for a successful…
Internet
Internet - In Brief
- South African ISP MWEB has signed a partnership deal with Spain-based international Wi-Fi network provider FON, under which its subscribers will gain access to more than twelve million wireless…
Computing
Somalia: AU Donates IT Equipment to Somali Parliamentary Committee in Mogadishu
The Political Affairs Unit of the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) last week donated ICT equipment to Somalia's Parliamentary Committee on National Security, Interior and Governance. The donation is…
Computing
Lagos Transforms Yaba Into Silicon Valley
The Lagos State Government said it had ambitious plans to transform the Yaba area into “Africa's next Silicon Valley.” Silicon Valley in the United States is home to many of…
Computing
Computing - In Brief
- Uganda: Almost four hundred iPads acquired at about Shs 1bn to ease MPs' workloads and reduce Parliament's expenditure are not functioning beyond the confines of the House. MPs said…
Telecoms, Rates, Offers and Coverage
Rates, Offers and Coverage
- Kenyan consumers can now buy the Nokia 500, 502 and 503, the new devices in the Asha range with above 3G connectivity and the much superior Gorilla Glass screen.…
Money Transfer
Safaricom launches mobile micro-insurance service
Kenyan operator Safaricom, Britam and Changamka Health have launched a micro-insurance health cover service which enables Kenyans to make contributions via M-Pesa, looking to increase the level of medical insurance…
Money Transfer
Emerge Mobile bringing MPOS services to Africa
South African startup Emerge Mobile hopes to bring mobile point of sale (MPOS) services to Africa, affording business owners reasonably priced access to on-the-go payment services.Emerge Mobile’s payment solution allows…
Money Transfer
EcoCash targets coffee makers
Coffee producers now have the opportunity to be paid directly through EcoCash. An agreement between Econet Wireless and African Fine Coffees Association will allow farmers to see their money sooner…
Money Transfer
Tales of Mobile Money Fraudsters in Uganda
Since entering the public domain, electronic money transfer using the mobile phone platform, has almost literally lit up the airwaves.Paperwork is at the minimum and speed is usually counted in…
Mergers, Acquisitions and Financial Results
Telkom denies rumours mobile tower deals
Telkom on Wednesday denied speculation in the media that it has received a proposal from a Southeast Asian company or grouping for the sale of its mobile towers business in…
Mergers, Acquisitions and Financial Results
Bharti tower deal could fetch USD500m in Nigeria
Indian group Bharti Airtel may sell off its mobile network tower infrastructure in Nigeria for around USD500 million by April, according to a report by the Economic Times, which cites…
Mergers, Acquisitions and Financial Results
Telone to invest US$90 million for Expansion in Zimbabwe
Fixed telecommunications operator, TelOne will invest US$90 million in new projects particularly in data, managing director Mrs Chipo Mtasa said. Mtasa said the money was part of the company's budget…
Mergers, Acquisitions and Financial Results
Etisalat hires Standard Bank to advise on towers sale
United Arab Emirates (UAE) telecoms firm Etisalat has hired South Africa’s Standard Bank to advise on the planned sale of up to 2,500 mobile phone towers in Nigeria, a report…
Mergers, Acquisitions and Financial Results
IoE could generate $14.3bn in revenues for SA
South Africa’s public sector could benefit to the tune of ZAR152.58 billion (US$14.3 billion) in the next decade if it implements Internet of Everything (IoE) technology, according to a Cisco…
Mergers, Acquisitions and Financial Results
Dimension Data buys out remaining AccessKenya shareholders
South Africa’s Dimension Data has compulsorily bought out AccessKenya shareholders who did not accept the company’s acquisition offer last year.Dimension Data had announced 75 per cent of AccessKenya shareholders accepted…
Mergers, Acquisitions and Financial Results
$200 million Rural Telephony Project Set to Commence in Nigeria
The much-anticipated national rural telephony project will take off in April this year, a senior official in the Ministry of Information Communication Technology, said.Engr John Ayodele, who is the director…
Digital Content
E-Voting Not Feasible in Nigeria for 2015 – Jega
Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Professor Attahiru Jega last week said that the electronic voting system will not be used during the 2015 general elections.Jega, who spoke…
Digital Content
Kenyan Website Creates Invisible Girlfriend to Combat Nagging Relationship Status Questions
For those who currently are not dating or just don't wish to and are tired of answering questions about their relationship status from friends and family, you can now set…
Digital Content
Africa: New Web Platform Launched to Accelerate Green Economy Transition
A robust, state-of-the-art knowledge-sharing platform was launched today by the newly established Green Growth Knowledge Platform (GGKP), a diverse consortium of leading institutions and organizations working in areas related to…
Digital Content
Foodstantly cuts out middlemen with online food platform
Nigerian startup Foodstantly is hoping to provide a platform for buying and selling fresh farm produce as well as pre-cooked meals on the internet, cutting out the middleman in the…
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People
- Hannes van Rensburg, the founder of mobile money company Fundamo, is to leave the business at the end of the month.Fundamo was sold to Visa for $110m in June…
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Events
eGov Kenya 20-21 March 2014Brackenhurst Conference CentreNairobi, KenyaeGov Kenya will provide an intensive two-day briefing for CFOs and CIOs from each county to empower them with the insights and knowledge…
