News update Telecoms and ICT in Africa - Issue no 895 – 29 September 2017
Top Story
Namibia – Topsy-turvy world of telecoms sector where the Government owns almost everything and wants monopoly gateway without a tender
29 September 2017
Namibia was one of the first countries in Africa to get an extensive fibre network and has a very high level of penetration across both voice and data metrics. But the main players in its telecoms sector are now entirely owned by the Government and the Minister responsible wants to impose a monopoly gateway with surveillance tools. In population terms, Namibia is a relatively small country (2.48 million people) but covers a vast geographic area. Urbanisation is accelerating and there has been rapid growth in parts of the once poor north of the country. There used to be three major…
Telecoms
Nearly New UK DTT transmitter equipment goes on sale – exclusive offer
29 September 2017
Close on the heels of the main digital switchover in the UK, the Government decided to release further bandwidth. The 800 MHz frequency bands were cleared, and, following the pattern…
Telecoms
Zambia has capacity to accommodate a fifth mobile network operator, says Minister
29 September 2017
Zambia's Minister of Communications and Transport Brian Mushimba says the country has the capacity to accommodate a fifth mobile network operator. The Minister made the announcement soon after a directive…
Telecoms
South Africa: Rain On Track To Launch Data Only Mobile Products This Year
29 September 2017
Rain is on track to launch its first mobile products before the end of 2017, which promises to disrupt the market in South Africa. Rain director Michael Jordaan told MyBroadband…
Telecoms
ICASA extends call termination rate regulations
29 September 2017
ICASA has extended its current call termination glide path for 12 months while it performs a new cost study. Vodacom and MTN will continue to charge R0.13 for calls from…
Internet
Mozambique's President Answers Citizens’ Questions Online, but Avoids Difficult Ones
29 September 2017
The president of Mozambique, a country where less than 5% of the population has internet access, has adopted a new method of communicating with citizens online, named “Ask the President”.…
Internet
Djibouti Telecom connects IP network to LINX
29 September 2017
East African telecom operator Djibouti Telecom has joined the London Internet Exchange (LINX), reports Capacity Media. Djibouti Telecom IP networks and internet service providers will have access to many of…
Internet
Mauritius Telecom signs agreement to use IOX Cable System to enhance global Internet connectivity in Mauritius
29 September 2017
PORT LOUIS, Mauritius, 25 September 2017-/African Media Agency (AMA)/- Mauritius Telecom signs agreement to use IOX Cable System to enhance global Internet connectivity in Mauritius IOX Cable today announce that…
Internet
No business, no boozing, no casual sex: when Togo turned off the internet
29 September 2017
When young people started mobilising online against Togo’s president, the state switched off the internet. In the week that followed, people talked more, worked harder and had less sex –…
Internet
Tanzania: Govt Tightens Noose On Social Media
29 September 2017
Dar es Salaam — The government has drafted sweeping regulations to tighten its grip on online content producers and users across popular social media platforms. The Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority…
Computing
Uber Movement traffic data website launched in SA
29 September 2017
Gauteng has become the first region in Africa to become part of Uber Movement, Uber’s free website that provides the public and urban planners with anonymised data about traffic flows.…
Computing
South Africa Bidding to Host ITU Telecom World 2018
29 September 2017
The South African government will bid to host the International Telecommunication Union’s (ITU) Telecom World 2018. The ITU Telecom World is the most prestigious gathering in global telecommunications. It brings…
Computing
New program draws Egyptian women to tech
29 September 2017
An Egyptian tech school is shattering stereotyping in the tech industry by enabling more women to learn programming, coding and elements of building websites. AlMakinah, a Cairo-based tech school, has…
Computing
3.9 billion people lack access to ICT, ITU calls for change
29 September 2017
The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Telecom World 2017 conference opened today with an urgent call on governments as well as local and global ICT players to work together and connect…
Money Transfer
Uganda: Mobile Money Transactions Hit Shs 44 Trillion
29 September 2017
A report by Bank of Uganda found that the annual amount of money transferred through mobile money totalled Shs 43.83tn in 2016, up from Shs 32.7tn in 2015. This accounts…
Money Transfer
New Case Study Details How to Deploy Successful Agency Banking in Africa
29 September 2017
Today, FINCA International, in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, released a case study to highlight FINCA's journey in deploying agency banking in Africa over the past four years. The case…
Money Transfer
Youtap launches mobile money payment processing platform as a cloud-based service
29 September 2017
NAIROBI, Kenya, September 25, 2017 Youtap (www.Youtap.com) has launched Youtap Cloud, a payment processing platform delivered as a cloudservice for mobile money and payment providers in developing markets. Youtap Cloud…
Mergers, Acquisitions and Financial Results
Glo Benin must settle arrears, meet other commitments to renew licence
29 September 2017
The government of the Republic of Benin issued a decision on 20 September rejecting the proposed terms of Nigerian-owned cellco Globacom Benin (Glo Mobile) to renew its operating licence. Glo’s…
Mergers, Acquisitions and Financial Results
Forget Chinese investment in Africa, here's a tech partnership in the region you haven't heard of
29 September 2017
South Korea is a major foreign investor in Rwanda's blossoming tech scene The two countries share geographical features and have similar recent histories, which has helped foster a mutual understanding.…
Mergers, Acquisitions and Financial Results
South African government mulling sale of Telkom stake
29 September 2017
The South African government is reportedly looking to sell its shares in telecoms provider Telkom South Africa to fund the bailout of cash-strapped South African Airways (SAA), TechCentral writes. Treasury…
Digital Content
Uganda takes on 'irresponsible' social media users
29 September 2017
The Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) has issued a fresh warning to social media users in the country to conduct themselves in a "responsible manner" at all times. The regulator has…
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People
29 September 2017
Cell C appoints chief operations officer South African operator Cell C has announced the appointment of Douglas Craigie Stevenson as its new chief operations officer, effective 26 September. Stevenson joins…
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Opportunities
29 September 2017
Wits CIO Certificate, Level 2: CIO Professional Practice (NQF 7) Cape Town offering begins 2 Oct 2017. Next Joburg offering begins 16 Oct 2017. And applications are still being accepted…
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Events
29 September 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…
