News update Telecoms and ICT in Africa - Issue no. 881 – 16 June 2017
Top Story
Comores: Second operator Telma shakes up a former monopoly market with low-entry smartphones and cheaper data and voice calling
16 June 2017
The implementation of an interconnection agreement between Comores’ new second operator Telma and the incumbent Comores Telecom last week has opened up the market to a new level of competition. Russell Southwood looks at what’s happened since the agreement was signed. After much traditional foot-dragging behavior of the kind incumbents everywhere display, the interconnection agreement signed between Telma and Comores Telecom at the end of May has finally been implemented. The incumbent put the delays down to technical problems. Even before the interconnection agreement was implemented Telma had launched in December 2016 and was offering international calling to France and…
Telecoms
Nigeria: Reps Query MTN Over Mass Sack, Demand List of Disengaged Staff
16 June 2017
The House of Representatives Committee on Telecommunications yesterday queried management of leading telecommunications company, MTN-Nigeria over mass disengagement of personnel. The committee during an investigative hearing into the massive job…
Telecoms
Regulator levying sanctions on Benin cellcos for QoS, security breaches
16 June 2017
Benin’s Electronic Communications & Postal Regulatory Authority (ARCEP) has opened sanction procedures against mobile network operators MTN, Moov and Globacom (Glo), alleging breaches of quality of service (QoS) standards (in…
Telecoms
Paratus telecom extends network coverage to Chirundu
16 June 2017
Paratus Telecom Zambia has extended its internet network coverage with a new point-of-presence in Chirundu. It is aimed at facilitating speedy transactions and trade. The new point-of-presence (Pop) builds on…
Telecoms
Cote d’Ivoire chooses MNP manager
16 June 2017
The Regulatory Authority for Telecommunications in Cote d’Ivoire (Autorite de Regulation des Telecommunications de Cote d’Ivoire, ARTCI) has selected local internet and business services provider VipNet to run the country’s…
Telecoms
In brief
16 June 2017
South Africa: The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) has notified all interested stakeholders that it will be extending the closing date for submissions to the Discussion Document on…
Internet
South Africa: HeroTel expands to Eastern Cape
16 June 2017
HeroTel has acquired two new wireless Internet service providers (WISPs) HX-Systems and Border Internet adding over 3, 000 customers, R35 million in revenue and extending its reach into the Eastern…
Internet
Djibouti Telecom Connects Its IP Network with Hurricane Electric to Help Bring High-Speed IP Transit to East Africa
16 June 2017
DJIBOUTI--(BUSINESS WIRE/ME NewsWire)-- Djibouti Telecom, East Africa’s leading telecom operator, announced today that it has joined its IP network with Hurricane Electric, the world's largest IPv6-native Internet backbone. The connection…
Internet
4G subscribers in Africa to reach 296 million by 2022
16 June 2017
The latest research conducted by Dataxis highlights the steady rise of mobile internet connectivity in Africa. 4G mobile subscribers are expected to reach 296 million by 2022 compared to 24…
Internet
SA's National Development Plan under scrutiny at Vision 2030 Summit
16 June 2017
South Africa's National Development Plan, the government's blueprint for economic and social growth, will headline discussion at the 3rd annual Vision 2030 Summit, scheduled for 21 June in Gauteng, South…
Internet
Kenya: #AfrSS2017 - Cybercrime Activities in Kenya Pickup During Election Time
16 June 2017
Kenya's cybercrime threat landscape changes at different times of the year. One of the most popular time of year for increased cyber-criminal activities affecting the country is during its election…
Internet
Uganda: Minister Tumwebaze's Plan to Filter Social Media Threatens Free Speech
16 June 2017
On May 28, Ugandans gathered at Fort Portal to commemorate the 51st World Communications Day. The day is meant to celebrate the role of communication globally. It was on this…
Internet
In brief
16 June 2017
AXILSPOT, a global vendor in enterprise wireless networking, announced availability of its ASW120 In-wall wireless access point in Middle East and Africa to help businesses manage their growing indoor workload…
Computing
Microsoft and MITI collaborate to improve investment climates in Nigeria
16 June 2017
Nigeria – 14 June 2017 – The Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment (MITI) is partnering with Microsoft, through its Africa Open4Business programme, to digitally transform the delivery of…
Computing
Facebook Launches Disaster Maps to Help Aid Workers Save Lives
16 June 2017
London — Facebook on Wednesday launched disaster maps - an initiative aimed at helping humanitarian organisations save lives in emergencies. "When there's a flood, earthquake, fire or other natural…
Money Transfer
Tanzania: Mobile Money Transactions Hit 50tri/-
16 June 2017
Mobile money transactions in 10 months ending April this year reached 1,444.6 million worth 49.99tri/-, thanks to interoperability among the four major mobile payment services providers. According to the Bank…
Money Transfer
Paga, MFS Africa Partner to Drive Money Transfer
16 June 2017
Pan-continental fintech company, MFS Africa has collaborated with Paga, a mobile money transfer provider, to connect its users and Nigerian bank account holders to remittance senders from around the world.…
Money Transfer
Kenyan Mobile Money Payments up 15% in April
16 June 2017
Mobile payments grew by 15 percent to KES 1.19 trillion at the end of April from KES 1.04 trillion in the same period in 2016, according to the Central Bank…
Money Transfer
Youtap partners with MatchMove to deliver open-loop payments for mobile money customers in Africa and Asia
16 June 2017
NAIROBI, Kenya, June 13, 2017/ -- Youtap, a global provider of contactless mobile money payments and financial services software, has announced a partnership with MatchMove (www.MatchMove.com) that will provide Youtap’s…
Money Transfer
WorldRemit launches with Android Pay to offer mobile-to-mobile transfers to the world’s unbanked
16 June 2017
LONDON, United Kingdom, June 13, 2017/ -- WorldRemit (www.WorldRemit.com), the leading digital money transfer service has added Android Pay to its service, offering a new way for WorldRemit’s Android Pay…
Money Transfer
Kenya: Smaller banks yet to adopt Pesalink money
16 June 2017
Smaller lenders and banks headquartered outside the country are yet to get on board the digital money transfer platform Pesalink, Kenya Bankers Association has said. KBA said the digital platform…
Mergers, Acquisitions and Financial Results
Nigeria: Etisalat Nigeria's Troubles Worsen As Largest Shareholder Pulls Out
16 June 2017
Etisalat Nigeria Limited, Nigeria's fourth largest telecommunication firm, appears to be swimming deeper in troubled waters as Mubadala Development Company of United Arab Emirates, the company's largest shareholder, has pulled…
Mergers, Acquisitions and Financial Results
NTT said to mull Didata Africa sale
16 June 2017
Nippon Telegraph & Telephone (NTT) Corp is considering the sale of African operations it acquired with the takeover of Dimension Data Holdings and is open to approaches from interested buyers,…
Mergers, Acquisitions and Financial Results
TDM and mCel merger moving ahead
16 June 2017
The government of Mozambique is pushing ahead with its plan to merge state-backed fixed line operator Telecomunicacoes de Mocambique (TDM) and its mobile subsidiary mCel. A director’s committee has been…
Digital Content
South Africa: #Activism and #Outrage, in 140 Characters
16 June 2017
Beyond Trump, be it Hillary Clinton, Theresa May, Emmanuel Macron, Jeremy Corbyn or closer to home, Helen Zille, social media is playing one of the largest roles in driving sentiment.…
Digital Content
Fin - the secret Facebook group of Nigerian women
16 June 2017
It is one of Facebook's fastest growing communities and has become such a phenomenon that last week, Mark Zuckerberg asked to meet its founder. But what is Fin? Female IN…
Digital Content
'Myfotobook' Mobile Application Debuts
16 June 2017
To keep up with global trends in recreating memories, Myfotobook Nigeria has unveiled a mobile application with a 'do it yourself' model for individuals, businesses and organizations. The app…
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People
16 June 2017
Vodacom : appoints new chairman Jabu Moleketi has been appointed chairman of Vodacom. The Vodacom Group has announced the appointment of Jabu Moleketi, current independent non-executive director, to the role…
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Opportunities
16 June 2017
Google News Lab Powers Digital Journalism Training For 6,000 Journalists In Africa For journalists, recent advances in digital technology present compelling new opportunities to discover, tell, and share stories. But…
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Events
16 June 2017
Information Technology Innovations For Economic Diversification: The Role of Youths 3rd - 7th July 2017University of Uyo, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State The National Conference is an annual event that bring…
