Author: Gugu Lourie

Sipho Maseko might not be a favourite among  trade unions, especially because he is unwavering when it comes to right-sizing  – but the Telkom boss cannot be faulted for innovation and turning around the fixed-line telephone firm. By Gugu Lourie Maseko accepted what many may consider a poisoned chalice in 2013 to become Telkom CEO. At the time Telkom was in the doldrums and the public were obviously not impressed. As a result more people opted for cellphones. But like a true turnaround artists, Maseko has made inroads towards turning Telkom into a relevant Information Communications Technology (ICT) firm in South…

By Gugu Lourie Telkom ‘finally’ has managed to convinced the country’s regulators that it is in the interest of the sector  for  the country’s biggest fixed-line operator to buy Business Connexion (BCX). It can now unleash one of its secret weapons in its turnaround strategy. “We wish to inform shareholders of BCX and Telkom  that the Competition Tribunal of South Africa has approved the acquisition by Telkom of the entire issued share capital of BCX with conditions, which conditions are acceptable to Telkom and BCX,” said Telkom and BCX in a joint statemnt to investors. The last remaining condition precedent to…

The CEO of ICASA, the country’s telecommunications regulator, Pakamile Pongwana sent to TechFinancials.co.za a 1400-word long opinion piece addressing various issues affecting the Information Commutations Technology (ICT) industry. For more, read his unedited piece below in which, he  argues: “The Authority is committed to radically transform the ICT sector to facilitate growth and employment in line with government’s national policy objectives” By Pakamile Pongwana, ICASA’s CEO Main point of this opinion piece: As a Chapter 9 institution which supports democracy it is of utmost importance that ICASA acts in terms of the law in fulfilling its constitutional and statutory…

By Staff Writer Turrito Networks, a MICROmega Group company, has been awarded an IT infrastructure upgrade contract from Antalis South Africa to modernise its network. Antalis is one of the largest distributors of printing and digital papers in the country, as well as a range of printing and finishing equipment and consumables (inks and plates), Visual Communication media, Industrial Packaging supplies and Logistic Solutions. Alwyn Miller, executive IT manager at Antalis, said: “Bandwidth was a constant challenge for us. We wanted to enhance our services by incorporating things like video conferencing but the infrastructure was not able to cater…

By David Glance Windows 10, it seems, is proving a hit with both the public and the technology press after its release last week. After two days, it had been installed on 67 million PCs. Of course, sceptics may argue that this may have simply been a reflection of how much people disliked Windows 8 and the fact that the upgrade was free. For others, though, it is the very fact that the upgrade is free that has them concerned that Microsoft has adopted a new, “freemium” model for making money from its operating system. They argue that, while Apple can…

By Staff Writer MTN Business SA has appointed an industry veteran, Mariana Kruger, as General Manager of Private Sector. Kruger’s appointment comes on the backdrop of MTN Business’ ambitions of aggressively growing its market share in the enterprise space and venturing into new markets. Kruger is a seasoned professional who has a wealth of experience in the ICT space. She started her career at IBM as a junior Systems Engineer in 1988 working in the mainframe environment. She later moved into the Systems Management Consulting, Project Management and Business Unit Leadership space. In her different roles, Kruger worked with…

By Staff Writer In light of media reports yesterday that e-Toll revenues are increasing, the Opposition to Urban Tolling Alliance (OUTA) warned on Tuesday that e-toll revenues are grossly down by 35% and is almost 70% off SANRAL’s original target of R260 million per month. “When comparing revenue growth and business performance, it is important to equate this to the same period last year, as well as to one’s original targets. OUTA categorically states that any attempt to talk the e-toll numbers up as a result of May and June’s e-toll revenues at R78 million is nothing but a farce,”…

By Gugu Lourie The Zambian gross domestic product remained largely unaffected by the global economic crisis and was expected to grow at about 8% per annum, according to market research. Predictably, telcos are seeing growth opportunities in Zambia. Vodacom Business sees growth opportunities in the enterprise information communications technology (ICT) market in the landlocked African country. The company, which is currently operating in Zambia through an Internet service provider (ISP), is seeking ways to raise its revenue base. Vuyani Jarana, the chief officer of Vodacom Business, wants to beef up Vodacom Business’ in Zambia in order to provide more…

By Greg Singh There was a time before Facebook and social media and text messaging. But for the current and subsequent generations they’re already here, whether or not they’re aware of them. Inevitably this can lead to ill thought-out or regrettable public posts. It’s said that “the internet is forever”, but a campaign that has garnered ministerial backing aims to give those reaching adulthood a second chance. Not unlike the right to be forgotten applied to Google’s search results, the campaign from iRights calls for a means for those turning 18 to be able to scrub their foolish, childish ways…

By Gugu Lourie Vodacom Business Africa is looking for opportunities in adjacent markets in Nigeria – Africa’s biggest economy and most populous country. It is targeting small companies with growth potential. Vodacom Business chief officer Vuyani Jarana said the cellphone giant was looking at how to address the small medium enterprises (SMEs) market in Nigeria. “SMEs means scale, a lot of automation, network that has a right capacity, quality, right price points,” said Jarana in an exclusive interview with TechFinancials.co.za. “That’s what we are currently looking at, how you break into the SMEs market in Nigeria. You need to…