Author: Gugu Lourie

Openserve, Telkom’s new wholesale division, is going to launch pilot projects to provide entrepreneurs with an ISP (Internet Service Provider) in a box to on sell connectivity to the end user as part of its ambitious strategy to create community-based ISPs. By Gugu Lourie Telkom on Tuesday announced the much-awaited establishment of Openserve, which is aimed at increasing broadband access in the country through open access on its network and increase competitiveness of smaller players. Explaining the concept of Openserve and what it means to the small medium enterprises (SMEs) market, MD Alphonzo Samuels said the ultimate aim is to…

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The world’s largest and most powerful radio telescope, which is to be constructed in South Africa from 2017, has the potential to stimulate interest in astronomy across Africa by tapping into the continent’s traditions of watching the night skies. By Felix Donkor The Square Kilometre Array (SKA) will be used by scientists to understand how the universe evolved as well as how stars and galaxies form and change. Traditionally, astronomy on the continent is associated with a history of watching the night sky without the help of telescopes. Such indigenous or cultural astronomy relates to how local cultures interact with…

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Telkom on Tuesday  launched Openserve, the company’s redesigned wholesale and networks division. By Staff Writer Openserve will be a distinct business unit within the Telkom Group, which is formed as part of the company’s ongoing efforts to strengthen customer focus through a more flexible and agile operating model. The separation heralds a new era in the Telkom group as it prepares to welcome a more open access environment and all the opportunities it offers. This move is also in line with Telkom’s turnaround strategy to separate its wholesale and retail divisions to facilitate greater focus, accountability and most importantly, customer-centricity. “Over the…

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The way children and young people use social media is often portrayed in the mainstream media via stereotypes in a way that inspires fear and concern. By Teresa Swist, Amanda Third and Philippa Collin Adults are often portrayed as either ignorant of young people’s use of social media or skillful cyber-predators, while children are often perceived as experts or empty vessels: if they’re not empowered, then they’re exploited. Why do we tell these modern day horror stories? These stories often focus on potential harms without acknowledging the benefits that can emerge from the social relations enabled by technology. While it is important to…

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Provision of free internet access in African could unlock massive business potential that can overshadow the US, Europe and Asia. By Phehello Mofokeng, director of Geko Labs, a Johannesburg-based ERP integration and implementation firm. There is no doubt that entrepreneurs could drive the South African economy forward and create much-needed jobs, especially if they have access to cheap or free data. However, most of these entrepreneurs or small medium enterprises (or SMEs) don’t have access to even basic internet. This also applies to the rest of the continent. Nonetheless, a few SMEs are thriving and contributing to economic growth and…

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Allegations that Cryil Ramaphosa “helped” MTN, while he was the chairman of the mobile phone giant, to stash billions away in Mauritius exemplify what can happen when business gets entangled with politics. By Gugu Lourie It is an open secret that Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa, who is also second in command in the ruling African National Congress (ANC) party, faces a rough ride in his attempt to succeed President Jacob Zuma. Some sections of the ANC have publicly stated their preferences for a female candidate to take over from Zuma. They are mostly calling for Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, the president’s former…

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MTN, Africa’s biggest cellphone company, moved billions of rands earned in African countries to offshore tax havens while Cyril Ramaphosa chaired the board of the mobile giant between 2001 and 2013, Amabhungane investigation revealed in a report in the Mail & Guardian. In a report published in the M&G on Friday, Amabhungane and Finance Uncovered, a global investigative journalism network, disclosed that most of the money, which MTN badged as “management fees”, ended up on the Indian Ocean island of Mauritius, where the company employs no staff and appears to own little more than a postbox. Amabhungane and Finance Uncovered stated…

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The Internet of Things (IoT) has become a buzzing topic these days. The IoT: everyone is excited, except me! By Venkata Kiran Maram, BI Consultant at PBT Group IoT is fundamentally a concept that describes a future where every day physical objects will be connected to the Internet and be able to identify themselves with other devices. These smart devices, systems, and services that “communicate” with other devices via the Internet aim to make our lives easier, and offer us many benefits. However many people are distracted from the implications that get ‘swept under the carpet’ – mainly the security…

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As video-on-demand (VOD) services becomes more competitive, MTN FrontRow is not resting on its laurels. By Gugu Lourie The VOD platform owned by MTN is reducing the prices on its services again. This is part of its continuous strategy to retain and attract customers on its VOD services. MTN FrontRow is targeting a niche market with its VOD services. MTN FrontRow said on Thursday it was reducing prices of its VOD services until 31 January 2016. “New and existing subscribers on any mobile network can now watch unlimited TV series and movies on MTN FrontRow Club for only R99…

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HP customers will unleash their Dark Side with power and performance in an impressive Galactic Empire inspired PC with access to rare Star Wars content. By Staff Writer HP on Thursday unveiled its Star Wars Special Edition notebook to deliver an incredible experience for fans around the world in anticipation of the release of Star Wars: “The Force Awakens.” “HP is delivering an amazing Star Wars experience as the only PC vendor collaborating with Disney and Lucasfilm to create a one-of-one-kind notebook,” said Louis Perrin, director, consumer products, Printing and Personal Systems Group, HP EMEA.  “As part of this relationship,…

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