News update Telecoms and ICT in Africa - Issue no. 889 – 11 August 2017
Top Story
Kenya: Andy Halsall, poa! Internet:”There’s massive home broadband demand….Fibre operators just don't want to go to these areas.”
11 August 2017
poa! Internet launched to provide low-cost internet services for low-income areas in Kenya. It started with Kibera and has now launched in Kawangware. It’s changed its business model from charging by MB to time-based charging. Russell Southwood caught up with poa! Internet’s co-founder Andy Halsall. As a low-cost Internet operator poa! Internet has not rushed into things. It has chosen to move slowly but methodically to get its business model right. At the beginning of April it launched its unlimited service:”The (selling) MBs model felt like a cellular model.” “Unlike all the other operators we no longer charge per Mb.…
Telecoms
South Africa: Black ownership commission investigating Nokia and MTN for possible violations
11 August 2017
MTN Group and Nokia are under investigation for the potential violation of laws dictating the ownership of companies in South Africa. The Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) Commission, which promotes…
Telecoms
QCell to launch mobile services in Sierra Leone
11 August 2017
Gambian mobile operator QCell is planning to launch mobile services in Sierra Leone, after it secured an operating concession from the regulator, CEO Muhammed Jah told local news source Awoko.…
Telecoms
South Africa: Icasa eyes new mobile tariff regulations on termination rates
11 August 2017
CAPE TOWN – South Africa could impose new restrictions on termination rates, the prices mobile phone companies charge for connecting calls made from other networks, when the current three-year regulations…
Telecoms
Benin cancels BBCOM’s GSM operating licence
11 August 2017
Defunct mobile operator Bell Benin Communication (BBCOM) has had its telecoms licence revoked for failure to meet its operating obligations regarding continuity of service, and non-payment of debts, Agence Ecofin…
Telecoms
In brief
11 August 2017
The Federal Government of Nigeria has revealed plans to enter into negotiations with the China Exim Bank for the full funding of the NIPTI 2 national backbone network, estimated to…
Internet
African women use mobile internet more heavily than men
11 August 2017
Opera, and digital reading non-profit, Worldreader study found that women tend to purchase bigger data packages when compared to men. A study undertaken by global software company Opera and digital…
Internet
Installation of first direct subsea link between Africa and South America begins in Angola
11 August 2017
LUANDA, Angola, August 9, 2017/ -- Angola Cables (www.AngolaCables.co.ao) today took a step closer to completion of the South Atlantic Cable System (SACS) at an official launch in Sangano, Angola.…
Internet
Hyperscale demand encourages African infrastructure investment Teraco launches Riverfields Hyperscale Data Centre Facility
11 August 2017
It’s taken hyperscale computing a decade to steadily claim significant cloud infrastructure service market share. Initially focused on major international markets, Africa has not been a priority until recently, when…
Internet
Alphabet expands in Africa
11 August 2017
Google is expanding its Africa initiatives, on the back of CEO Sundar Pichai’s recent trip to Nigeria. While visiting Lagos, he announced the global internet services company’s plans to train…
Computing
Hacking SA’s high female unemployment rate: How ICT can open up opportunities
11 August 2017
Women in South Africa are the most affected by the growing unemployment rate, according to figures from StatsSA. Figures released yesterday for the second quarter of 2017 national employment rate…
Computing
Paratus introduces the next level of cloud services
11 August 2017
Paratus Telecom, the largest privately owned Pan African telecoms operator, is taking cloud services to a next level by offering additional resilience solutions to its customers. At a closed event…
Computing
In brief
11 August 2017
Mozambique's communications regulator Instituto Nacional das Comunicações de Moçambique (INCM) has donated ICT equipment, including computers, for use by the country's School of Communications of the Armed Forces. The regulator…
Money Transfer
Absa Launches Virtual Investor
11 August 2017
Absa has launched Virtual Investor, an online self-service investment platform that uses artificial intelligence and computer algorithms to recommend a product for customers based on their financial attitudes to risk.…
Money Transfer
Abu Dhabi and Kenya Form Fintech Bridge
11 August 2017
Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), the International Financial Centre in Abu Dhabi, and the Capital Markets Authority (CMA) Kenya have signed a co-operation agreement for fintech innovation. The agreement provides…
Money Transfer
PayU Nigeria Introduces a convenient payment solution for recurring bills
11 August 2017
PayU Nigeria (www.PayU.com.ng) introduces PayU Subscription, a convenient payment method which allows merchants to safely and securely collect payments from consumers who have recurring bills or subscription payments in a…
Money Transfer
TerraPay launches international mobile money transfers to Uganda
11 August 2017
London, UK – 09 August 2017: TerraPay, the world’s first mobile payments switch, announced today that it has successfully obtained an approval from Bank of Uganda to facilitate International money…
Mergers, Acquisitions and Financial Results
NTT's African Unit Is Said to Attract Interest From MTN, Vodacom
11 August 2017
After NTT’s decision to sell off Didata, two buyers – MTN and Vodacom – have thrown their hats into the ring, according to a report in Bloomberg. Didata’s management is…
Mergers, Acquisitions and Financial Results
South Africa's MTN swings to $294 mln H1 profit
11 August 2017
JOHANNESBURG, Aug 3 (Reuters) - MTN Group, Africa's biggest mobile phone operator, returned to first-half profit on Thursday in the absence of one-off charges related to a $1.1 billion Nigerian…
Mergers, Acquisitions and Financial Results
Cell C recapitalisation concluded
11 August 2017
Cell C’ recapitalisation has been concluded, reducing the company’s net debt to no more than R6-billion, including $184-million of bonds which are fully hedged into South African rand. The recapitalisation…
Mergers, Acquisitions and Financial Results
Vodafone finalises transfer of 35% Safaricom stake to Vodacom
11 August 2017
Vodacom Group has completed the ZAR34.6 billion (USD2.6 billion) acquisition of a 34.9% stake in Kenya’s largest mobile operator by subscribers, Safaricom, after all regulatory approvals and conditions precedent in…
Digital Content
Tencent, Naspers launch music streaming service in SA
11 August 2017
Tencent Africa, a joint venture between China’s Tencent and South African-headquartered media group Naspers, have entered the competitive local music streaming market with a R60/month service called Joox. Joox offers…
Digital Content
You Have to See the #GitheriMan Memes Breaking the Internet After the Kenyan Election
11 August 2017
In the wake of the Kenyan general election which took place on Tuesday, August 8, one particular photograph has been making waves on the Kenyan internet for the past two…
Digital Content
Angolan Activists Create a Platform To Monitor Presidential Elections
11 August 2017
Election material of the ruling MPLA party and its candidate João Lourenço, used with permission (Jiku). Angola is currently in the middle of campaigning for the upcoming elections on August…
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People
11 August 2017
Project Isizwe appoints new CEO Project Isizwe, the large-scale Free WiFi network, has announced Dudu Mkhwanazi as its new CEO. The position was previously held by Zahir Khan and before…
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Opportunities
11 August 2017
DEMO Africa opens up entries to local digital startups Africa’s largest startup competition, DEMO Africa, is coming back to Joburg this year and has invited digital startups to submit their…
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Events
11 August 2017
2017 FTTH COUNCIL AFRICA CONFERENCE!3 October 2017Join the biggest Fibre Optic Event in Africa. OPERATORS ATTEND FREE! Lively discussions by some of the best speakers in the industry on the…
