Author: Gugu Lourie

South Africa’s SqwidNet is fast-tracking the deployment of its open-access Internet of Things (IoT) network infrastructure to enable developers to provide intelligent solutions to solve problems faced by their clients. SqwidNet’s IoT network has been deployed across all of South Africa’s eight major metros and cover more than 49% of the population, and expected to exceed 85% population coverage by the end of the year. For more read: SqwidNet’s IoT Network Goes Nationwide, Now Covers All South African Cities Working with partners to deliver IoT Solutions Brace yourself, IoT solutions are coming to the country, thanks to SqwidNet’s infrastructure. Industrial…

Pakamile Pongwana, South Africa’s Communications Watchdog’s CEO, has been placed on precautionary suspension. “The Council of the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) hereby notifies all stakeholders and the media that it has decided to place the Chief Executive Officer, Pakamile Pongwana, on precautionary suspension pending an internal disciplinary process,” the communications watchdog, said on Thursday. The regulator didn’t disclose the details of the disciplinary hearing process. Icasa said its chief operations officer, Willington Ngwepe, will be acting in this position until such time that the internal processes have been concluded. Pongwana was appointed as the CEO for Icasa…

By News Agency Staff Communications Minister Ayanda Dlodlo will today meet broadcasters following the June 8 court ruling on digital migration. The meeting will be held with broadcasters SABC (South African Broadcasting Corporation), Etv, StarSat and other stakeholders in the digital terrestrial television (DTT) programme. The Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) on Wednesday said the June 8 Constitutional Court ruling paved the way for the Minister to make a decision regarding the encrypt or non-encryption of set-top-boxes, which are required to convert digital broadcasting signals on analogue TV sets. “The meeting is a step closer to ensuring that the…

SqwidNet is keen to expand its network to the rest of Africa, its CEO, Reshaad Sha, said on Tuesday. The company is a subsidiary of Dark Fibre Africa and deploying an open access ultra-narrowband IoT (Internet of Things) radio network in South Africa licensed by France’s Sigfox. Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), also known as the Industrial Internet, brings together brilliant machines, advanced analytics, and people at work. It’s the network of a multitude of devices connected by communications technologies that results in systems that can monitor, collect, exchange, analyze, and deliver valuable new insights like never before. These insights can then…

SqwidNet now has an Internet of Things (IoT) network that covers all South African cities. The IoT network will create opportunities for businesses small and large to come up with innovative solutions. The operator told Techfinancials on Tuesday that its IoT network has been deployed across all of South Africa’s eight major metros and cover more than 49% of the population. The company, which is a subsidiary of South Africa’s Dark Fibre Africa and a licensed Sigfox operator, added that the IoT network will exceed 85% population coverage in South Africa by the end of the year. “We started building…

By Staff Writer JSE-listed Cognition has moved to take full ownership of BMi Sport, a research firm specialising in consumer and industrial research. The South African firm that operates quietly to provide telecoms and IT solutions to big telecommunications operators currently holds 63% interest in BMi Sport, and has struck a deal with two remaining shareholders (David Ian  Sidenberg and Wayne Deary) to buy the remaining 37% shareholding for an undisclosed amount. BMi Sport was established in 1990 as an independent research company focusing exclusively on the sport and sponsorship market. It has been at the forefront of the industry and…

The German-based carmaker has confirmed the arrival of its first ever BMW i8 Roadster. The BMW i8 Roadster will arrive in 2018. The carmaker said on Monday that in 2018, the BMW i8 Roadster will unlock the door to a whole new dimension in pioneering open-top driving pleasure – “virtually silent and with zero local emissions” Here’s a first look: Ultimate progression, ready to spread its wings. The first ever #BMWi8 Roadster. Coming in 2018. #BMWi

In a first six months of 2017 that saw the South Africa’s sovereign credit rating downgraded to BB+ from BBB grade, pushing the rating of the economy to junk status local startups are not doing bad at all. It is shaping up to be a good year for some South African startups looking for new investor money to grow their solutions. Several local startups continues to attract local and foreign investors with big pockets to expand their solutions. These startups are transforming business and everyday life in South Africa. What follows are our picks, in no particular order, for startups…

Naspers, Africa’s biggest tech and media firm, said on Friday that it has successfully priced a $1 billion (R13 billion) bond. The tech firm, which owns stakes in China’s Tencent and Russia’s Mail. Ru, said the coupon of the bond, which is due to mature in 2027, was placed at 4.85%. The company, which owns MultiChoice Africa, is raising the bond through its wholly-owned subsidiary Myriad International Holdings (MIH). “The net proceeds will be used for general corporate purposes, including acquisitions, and to repay MIH’s existing notes maturing in July 2017,” the company informed investors on the JSE filing on…

The rural towns of Ventersdorp and Lichtenburg in the North West Province, seems to be the first countryside area in South Africa to be connected to broadband. True Communications has laid 110 km of fibre optic cable within Ventersdorp and Lichtenburg, providing town-wide optical connection coverage for every home in the two areas. The Ventersdorp-based Internet Service Provider (ISP) installation is a passive optical fibre network using point-to-multipoint fibre optic deployment. Eldred Ekermans, MD of True Communications, on Tuesday told Techfinancials that the ISP has connected 300 customers to the new network, with a projected total of 1 200 connections…