Issue no 790 14th August 2015
Top Story
Trends that will accelerate Africa’s data future – anticipating the end of the mobile operator as we know it
The transition to an all-data future in Africa will not necessarily be smooth or quick. But signs from elsewhere indicate an accelerating move from the old mobile ways to what may become the new data ones. Russell Southwood looks at recent global and African industry news developments that have important implications for Africa’s communications industry. When industries go through a process of fundamental change it’s often difficult to tell what’s busy being born and what’s busy dying. Below I’ve tried to highlight a number of trends that will be of significant important for Africa: The Commodization of Smartphones Rajan Anandan,…
Telecoms
Zimbabwe Government Faces Resistance Over Telecel
A new twist to the Telecel saga has emerged amid indications that neither the major shareholder in the company, VimpleCom, nor local shareholders under Empowerment Corporation have agreed to sell…
Telecoms
Telecoms Sector Key Focus of Kenya's U.S.$55.6 Billion Infrastructure Development Plan
An estimated $55.6 billion in investment into infrastructure development for Kenya is planned (as of 2015), the majority of which will focus on telecommunications and power generation infrastructure, a new…
Telecoms
Algeria’s ICT ministry to draft new telecoms law by the end of 2015
Algeria’s new Minister of Post, IT and Communications, Iman Houda Feraoun, has disclosed that a new postal and telecoms bill will be drafted by the end of the year, Tout…
Telecoms
Lagos Deputy Governor Urges Youths to Explore Telecom Opportunities
The Lagos State Deputy-Governor, Dr Idiat Adebule has urged Nigerian youths to explore opportunities in the telecommunication industry by coming up with ideas that would create wealth for them. Adebule…
Telecoms
Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe and Zambia Agree to Lower Roaming Charges
Mobile operators in Namibia, Botswana, Zambia and Zimbabwe recently agreed to reduce roaming tariffs as part of a pilot roaming project, which will commence among all operators in the four…
Telecoms
Telecoms – In brief
Telecom operators in Rwanda have began revising downwards their SMS and data charges from Rwanda to countries within the Northern Corridor region marking the beginning of the second phase of…
Internet
Huawei completes 100G upgrade to West Africa Cable System
Huawei Marine Networks has announced the completion of its work to upgrade the West Africa Cable System to 100G transmission technology. The WACS is the largest of a number of…
Internet
MainOne’s Tier III Data Center is first PCI DSS, ISO 27001 Certified Data Center in Nigeria
The certifications ensure the Data Center’s compliance to globally accepted standards on Customer Data Security as well as commitment towards the security and protection of the company’s information assets. MainOne’s premier…
Internet
TTLC Completes Broadband Connectivity Across Tanzania
Tanzania Telecommunication Company Limited (TTCL) has announced that it has completed broadband connectivity in the entire country marking an important milestone in digital transformation that will lead the country to…
Internet
Nigeria: Operators Deploy 80,938km of Fibre Optics Cable System for Services
The quest for expanded service offerings has resulted in the deployment of about 80, 893km of fibre optic cable systems by the telecommunications operators including the (GSM and CDMA/Fixed telephony…
Internet
Internet – In brief
Globacom, is set to boost subscribers' roaming experience with the launch of its Wi-Fi roaming service for subscribers on the go. The Glo Wi-Fi roaming service affords subscribers who travel…
Computing
Computer Access Motivates Learners in Namibia
Learners at the Moses van der Byl Primary School in Katutura says they feel motivated and eager to learn now that they have access to computers after the school received…
Computing
Kenyatta University, BRCK Sign MoU to Promote Digital Literacy
Kenyatta University, and BRCK, a local technology firm based in Nairobi, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to promote digital literacy in the country.The MoU covers among other areas,…
Computing
Student Software to Ease Parking in Nairobi
A university student has invented a computer system to map and monitor parking lots.The software informs motorists about the availability of parking space in the city.Patrick Waweru, a computer student…
Computing
Computing – In brief
Kenyan startups can now submit their app development ideas for the Orange API AMEA (African, Middle East and Asian Countries) Developer Challenge. This competition will see startups submit their proposals…
Telecoms, Rates, Offers and Coverage
Telecoms, Rates, Offers and Coverage
Lagos — Bharti Airtel, the world's third largest telecommunications services provider with operations in 20 countries across Africa and Asia, today announced a significant milestone in its African odyssey when…
Money Transfer
MTN rings up Ericsson for money service platform
MTN SA is considering the use of Ericsson’s technology platform for its mobile money service to enhance its offering, a move that will allow it to provide more value-added data…
Money Transfer
Worldremit introduces mobile money transfers to Burundi
Online money transfer service WorldRemit today launches instant Mobile Money transfers to Burundi, the first remittance service to do so. Customers in 50 countries can now send money direct to…
Money Transfer
Airtel money Africa’s total transaction value at $3.33b in Q1-FY16
Telecom operator Bharti Airtel’s mobile commerce subsidiary Airtel Money’s total values of transactions in Africa has grown 72.2% to $3.33 billion for the quarter ended June 30, 2015 from $1.93…
Money Transfer
18.5 Million Subscribers Patronize MTN Mobile Money per Month in Ghana
Telecommunications giant, MTN Ghana has announced that 18.5 million volumes of transactions are recorded through its MTN Mobile Money in a month, as against more than five million in 2014.Out…
Money Transfer
Mukuru and Mkesh partnership Enables South Africa to Mozambique Remittances
Mukuru and Mcel have partnered to allow money to be sent from South Africa into any Mkesh mobile wallet in Mozambique. With the mobile phone being central to the process…
Mergers, Acquisitions and Financial Results
Telecom Egypt publishes second quarter financials
Telecom Egypt (TE) reported consolidated revenues of EGP3.025 billion (USD385 million) in the quarter ended 30 June 2015, representing year-on-year growth of 9.6%. Turnover generated by the company’s ‘Home Services’…
Mergers, Acquisitions and Financial Results
IHS closes tower sale with Etisalat Nigeria
Mobile telecoms infrastructure provider IHS Towers has completed the second tranche of a transaction with Etisalat Nigeria, involving the transfer of an additional 555 towers. The deal was first announced…
Mergers, Acquisitions and Financial Results
Neotel and Transnet “kickback” scandal widens
State-owned Transnet has awarded two more mega-projects to telecoms firm Neotel, both without going to tender. And there are indications that mystery company Homix may have been involved again. AmaBhungane…
Mergers, Acquisitions and Financial Results
NATCOMs Puts Subscribers' Yearly Call Expenses at N2.5 Trillion
The National Association of Telecommunication Subscribers (NATCOM) has disclosed that telecoms subscribers in Nigeria spent a whopping N212bn on monthly basis. Speaking over the weekend on the Channels Television's through…
Digital Content
Rwanda's Online Portal to Boost E-Governance Goes Live
The government's one-stop portal that aims to provide online services to citizens and businesses has gone live. The online platform branded "Irembo" is a public-private partnership deal between the government…
Digital Content
Online Trading Platform for Grain Farmers in Kenya
For the first time, grain farmers in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania will be able to sell their produce and connect with buyers online. This follows the launch of the G-Soko…
Digital Content
Envoy Advised Uganda to Use Hi-Tech to Track Mineral Wealth
Kampala — African countries should invest in advanced technology to track the quantity of mineral resources extracted by multinational companies, an envoy has advised.Prof Lekoa Solly Mollo, the South African…
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Opportunities
Chief Technical OfficerRemuneration: R370020 - R435267 per year Benefits: To be discussedLocation: Cape TownJob level: Mid/SeniorJob policy: Employment Equity position, Disabled positionType: PermanentReference: #E15153 Job descriptionThe Department of Mathematics…
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People
MTN Appoints Acting CMO for Ghana - As Rahul De Moves to NigeriaMTN Ghana has appointed Noel Kojo-Ganson as its Acting Chief Marketing Officer (CMO), effective July 30th, 2015. Mr.…
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Events
Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation Forum 14-16 September 2015Safari Park Hotel, Nairobi, KenyaThe Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation Forum is an annual three-day conference and exhibition which brings together government ministers and senior officials,…
