Issue no 793 4th September 2015
Top Story
Argon Telecom wants to halve the cost of data for residents of Kenya’s Kibera using low-cost Wi-Fi roll-out
One of the recurrent themes of the last three years in this e-letter has been the need for operators to cut the cost of data. More competitive African markets may now have European or US level prices but that does little to widen the market to those with lower incomes. Step forward Argon Telecom that wants to turn this barrier into an opportunity. Russell Southwood spoke to Andy Halsall, one of its founders about its plans. Andy Halsall used to work at Fon that has the largest Wi-Fi network globally which has 14 million hot-spots. It also pioneered shared personal…
Telecoms
Zimbabwe finalises network sharing regulations
The Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (POTRAZ) says new regulations covering infrastructure sharing among the country’s telecoms operators will be sent to the ICT Ministry by the end…
Telecoms
NCC slams N120.4m fine on mobile network operators
FOR failing to fully comply with the directive to deactivate pre-registered and defective Subscribers Identification Module (SIM) cards from their various networks, Mobile Network Operators (MNO), the quartet of MTN…
Telecoms
CA insists that Airtel Kenya must pay to stay in business
According to a report via TelecomPaper, Airtel Kenya is in a stalemate with regulators over the renewal of its operating licence. The report reveals that the Communications Authority of Kenya…
Telecoms
Kenya: Safaricom Asks for USF Cash to Bridge Network Coverage
Safaricom yesterday said it planned to put up network masts in Northeastern and other marginalised parts of the county. The telco said it expects to earn rebates for the massive…
Telecoms
Telecoms – In brief
The Mauritian competition commission has opened a case against mobile operators Emtel and Orange for abuse of dominant position, reports L'Express. The two will have to explain their price setting…
Internet
BICS Launches Dynamic IP Over Satellite Solution to Revolutionise Coverage Provision in Africa
RouteFlex enables the flexible prioritisation of data traffic to ensure reliable connectivity in some of the world's most challenging environments BICS, a global wholesale carrier for voice, mobile data and…
Internet
Internet providers slash uncapped ADSL prices
Johannesburg - Internet service providers OpenWeb and MWEB have cut prices on their uncapped internet packages this week. OpenWeb on Wednesday said its 1Mbps home uncapped ADSL is now available…
Internet
AU Launches Internet Exchange Point in Mauritius: “Keeping intra-country internet traffic within the country”
PORT-LOUIS, Mauritius, August 31, 2015/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The African Union Commission (AUC), through the Infrastructure and Energy Department, in collaboration with the Ministry of Technology, Communication and Innovation…
Internet
Afribaba raises undisclosed funding from Frontier Digital Ventures to expand in francophone Africa
Afribaba General classifieds site Afribaba Holdings (AH) has confirmed to TechMoran that it has completed it’s funding deal with Frontier Digital Ventures to expand across French-West Africa. Founded in 2015,…
Computing
MainOne’s Tier III Data Center, MDX-i partners Microsoft on Cloud Computing
MainOne’s Data Center subsidiary, MDX-i, today announced the launch of its new cloud-based service offering with Microsoft. The solution which is built on Microsoft Azure’s enterprise grade infrastructure provides flexible,…
Computing
Opera, Worldreader partner to reach 1 mln African readers
Worldreader has partnered with Opera Software to reach 1 million readers in Africa by the end of the year. The organisations have already provided 5 million readers in Africa, with…
Telecoms, Rates, Offers and Coverage
Telecoms, Rates, Offers and Coverage
In keeping with its commitment to provide top-class telecommunication experience, Etisalat has announced new benefits on its EasyStarter package.According to the company: “On the EasyStarter package, customers can now register…
Money Transfer
Google Play carrier billing comes to South Africa
Mobile payments company Bango and operator Telkom South Africa have partnered to launch carrier billing in Google Play, claiming it to be a first for Africa. Telkom SA is using…
Money Transfer
Safaricom hits banks with new M-Pesa fees
Safaricom has introduced charges for the transfer of funds from customers’ bank accounts to third-party M-Pesa wallets, sealing a loophole that lenders have been using to by-pass the mobile phone…
Money Transfer
Chams Mobile partners Skye bank to debut Nigeria’s first virtual VISA Card
A virtual VISA card needs no account number nor any documentation to obtain it; it can be applied for and received online under 72 hours. It’s digital with an option…
Mergers, Acquisitions and Financial Results
Airtel completes Zambian tower sale to IHS
Africa’s infrastructure player IHS Holding completed a deal to acquire and lease back 949 towers from Airtel in Zambia. Airtel Africa confirmed last December it would sell 1,100 towers in…
Mergers, Acquisitions and Financial Results
Helios offers to buy French firm stake in Telkom Kenya
Helios Investment Partners is the latest suitor said to be gunning for some or all of the 70 per cent stake in Telkom Kenya owned by France Telecom. The Africa-focused…
Digital Content
Hacking Jozi's Wits University
The last weekend of August 2015 saw winners of the Wits Student #AppChallenge announced, followed by entertainment from House Afrika, as part of the Fak'ugesi Festival. A total of 16…
Digital Content
Twitter self-service ads now available in Nigeria, Kenya and over 200 countries
Twitter yesterday announced that its self-service ads platform has been expanded from 33 countries to over 200 countries, including Nigeria and Kenya. Launched over 2 years ago as an avenue…
Digital Content
Airtel Nigeria partners startup MatchUp, launches matchmaking portal
Airtel Nigeria has launched a matchmaking-style mobile portal for young people and professionals, MatchUp, partnering with the startup that was one of the Catapult-a-Startup initiative winners. Airtel named the seven…
Digital Content
Ghanaian photo app Suba raises funding from musician Reggie Rockstone
Ghanaian photo app Suba has raised a funding round from legendary Ghanaian musician Reggie Rockstone, which it hopes can assist it in becoming the “Instagram of Africa”. Suba, a location-based…
Digital Content
Genii Games previews new app: Sango and his wives
Genii Games, known for their apps which promote indegenous African cultures, has released a trailer for a new mobile app titled ‘Sango and his wives‘. Sango and his Wives is…
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Opportunities
StartupIstanbul is calling for African Startup applications On 1st – 3rd of October, 100 startups will gather in Istanbul to meet with mentors from tech companies and tech hubs from…
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People
CEOs named for four Orange subsidiaries in Africa and the Middle East In agreement with its local partners, Orange has appointed the following CEOs for four of its subsidiaries in…
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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,…
