News update Telecoms and ICT in Africa - Issue no. 862 - 3 February 2017
Top Story
Nigeria: IXPN’s local traffic could double over next 12 months with new content partners localizing their content
3 February 2017
IXPN is one of Africa’s most successful IXPs and its success tells the story of how fast the Internet is developing in Africa. With Google caching video locally, the amount of traffic exchanged is considerable and looks set to double. Russell Southwood spoke to Muhammed Rudman, IXPN’s CEO about his plans. Initially founded in 2000, the Internet eXchange Point of Nigeria (IXPN) now “connects almost all major telecoms service providers, submarine cables and ISPs. And there are some content providers like Google”. There are over 40 members including: Tara, Cobra Net, Web 4 Africa, Callink. Etisalat, MTN, NG.Com, Broadbased Communications,…
Telecoms
Uganda: No phone calls between Airtel and UTL
3 February 2017
Airtel, Uganda’s second largest mobile operator by subscribers, has announced that it is to stop interconnecting calls with the network of fixed line and wireless provider Uganda Telecom Ltd (UTL)…
Telecoms
Airtel denies exit reports; says ‘remains committed to Africa’
3 February 2017
Bharti Airtel has refuted media reports it may cease its operations in all 15 countries across Africa by end of the year. The telecoms giant says it “remains committed to…
Telecoms
Vodacom’s subscriber numbers and revenue up in South Africa
3 February 2017
Vodacom has released its trading update for the quarter ended 31 December 2016, which shows that the company has increased its revenue and subscriber base in South Africa. South African…
Telecoms
South Africa: ICASA to review previously disputed termination rates
3 February 2017
South African telecoms regulator the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) has kicked off its planned review of the country’s call termination regulations, inviting all licensees to submit the…
Telecoms
In brief
3 February 2017
Ghanaian media outlets have reported that France’s Orange Group could soon be the new owner of Millicom Ghana (Tigo), with takeover talks said to be at an advanced stage. The…
Internet
Kenya's Safaricom shifts funding to catch up on fixed-data demand
3 February 2017
Kenya's Safaricom is reallocating funds to build up its fixed-data network to connect homes to the Internet, as demand grows for online streaming services like Netflix, chief executive Bob Collymore…
Internet
Somalia: Presidential Candidates Boycott Debate Suspicious of Internet Disconnection
3 February 2017
12 candidates including former President Sheikh Sharif and former minister of planning Abdirahman Abdishakur walked out after SNTV team announced the debate will not be aired live . Mohamed Yusuf…
Internet
Cameroon's Anglophone Regions Suffer Under Internet Ban
3 February 2017
In Cameroon, a government-ordered internet blackout aimed at quashing unrest in the English-speaking regions is hurting the local economy. Banks have been paralyzed and salaries left unpaid. In Buea, capital…
Internet
No, this isn't Trump's brother
3 February 2017
Okay, you've probably guessed it. This isn't Donald Trump's Kenyan half-brother. But that hasn't stopped the internet having a good laugh at this man's uncannily Trump-esque locks. When the photo…
Internet
In brief
3 February 2017
According to the Communication Authority of Kenya's first quarter report for the 2016/2017 financial year, mobile subscriptions have declined by 3 per cent to stand at 38.5 million down from…
Computing
Vox launches video conferencing platform for SMEs
3 February 2017
Integrated ICT and connectivity provider, Vox has launched VoxAir, a video conferencing solution specifically designed for small to medium businesses and virtual workforces that need to stay connected to partners,…
Computing
iSON BPO launches Ilorin Call Centre
3 February 2017
iSON BPO, Africa’s leading Information and Communications Technology (ICT) and ITeS company, has further expanded its footprints in Nigeria with the commissioning of another state-of-art call centre in Ilorin, Kwara…
Computing
World Bank grants USD 20 mln credit for 'e-Burkina' project
3 February 2017
The World Bank approved a USD 20 million credit to Burkina Faso to help finance the country’s ‘e-Burkina’ project, which aims to modernize government services by promoting ICT use in…
Computing
In brief
3 February 2017
Lepide has appointed Refresh Networks as their main distributor in South Africa to help them grow their channel in the region Niyi Adekunle, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of…
Money Transfer
Canal+ enters into partnership with MTN Mobile Money
3 February 2017
Canal+ has partnered with MTN Rwanda to offer Rwandans a chance to pay subscription to Canal+ with Mobile Money—the service starts with immediate effect. All Canal+ services will be paid…
Money Transfer
SA branchless bank signing up 5,000 customers every week
3 February 2017
South African fintech company TYME is signing up 5,000 new customers each week, according to a report by The Australian. Commonwealth Bank of Australia acquired TYME, which designs, builds and…
Money Transfer
Ghana: Telcos kick against mobile money intermediary
3 February 2017
Telecom operators in the country are unhappy about moves by the central bank to impose on them a third-party company that will intermediate in mobile money transactions across different networks.…
Mergers, Acquisitions and Financial Results
MTN Group Announces Exchange of Shares in INT Towers Limited
3 February 2017
1 February 2017, MTN Group Limited (“MTN”) announced that it will exchange its 51% interest in Nigeria Tower InterCo B.V., the parent company of INT Towers Limited (“INT”), the Nigerian…
Mergers, Acquisitions and Financial Results
NetOne pays renewal fee deposit
3 February 2017
Zimbabwean state-owned mobile operator NetOne says it has made a down-payment of USD4 million towards the USD137.5 million cost of renewing its operating licence, which was originally due in August…
Digital Content
New Telkom app lets user manage home, mobile accounts
3 February 2017
The new Telkom app aims to improve customer service by giving customers the ability to manage both home and mobile accounts from an easy-to-use app on your smartphone or tablet.…
Digital Content
Nigerian ‘Cultural Evangelist’ Promotes African Languages with Apps and Digital Storytelling
3 February 2017
“Cultural evangelist” is a term that Adebayo Adegbembo sometimes likes to call himself, which has become a fitting description of his work that combines technology, teaching, and a passion for…
Digital Content
Humor - Inside Trump’s Secret Whatsapp group with African Dictators
3 February 2017
Trump (US): Gentlemen, had to mute the group. Since the huge win, my notifications have experienced a tremendous surge. Mugabe (Zimbabwe): It is ok Donald, we are proud of…
More
Opportunities
3 February 2017
Applications For the Swift Innotribe Africa Startup Challenge is Now Open SWIFT Innotribe, a global startup competition has announced that African Fintech startups can now apply for its startup challenge.…
