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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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,…
Avaya, a business communications software, systems and services firm, has appointed Hatem Hariri as managing director for all of Africa, effective immediately. By Staff Writer The move is the latest in a series of executive appointments designed to drive growth in the region and continue Avaya’s successful transformation into a customer-centric, solutions and services driven organisation. As Avaya helps customers in Africa progress on their digital transformation journey, Hariri will focus on delivering engagement solutions that enable deep and broad connections between customers that lead to better business outcomes. He will report directly to Mohammed Areff, Vice President, Middle East,…
HP has introduced the HP Stream 11.6 and 13.3 diagonal notebooks offering vibrant new colors, lightweight designs with longer battery life. By Staff Writer Building on the success of the first generation of HP Streams, HP is delivering new HP Stream 11.6 and 13.3 inch diagonal notebooks to provide customers with great value with a more powerful processor on the Windows 10 notebooks. “Last year HP created a very successful new category of cloud-based PCs when we introduced the HP Stream, giving customers a colorful, thin and light PC at an affordable price,” said Louis Perrin, director, consumer products, printing and…
The mobile industry in Sub-Saharan Africa contributed more than $100 billion to the region’s economy last year, according to a new GSMA study ‘The Mobile Economy – Sub-Saharan Africa 2015’. By Staff Writer The study finds that the $102 billion economic contribution in 2014 was equivalent to 5.7 per cent of the region’s GDP. Mobile operators directly contributed $31 billion, representing 1.7% of GDP. This economic contribution is set to increase over the coming years as mobile operators continue to extend connectivity to unconnected populations across the region and roll out new mobile broadband networks and services. The industry is forecast…
Local mobile technology brand AG Mobile has activated Wi-Fi calling on its new AG style smartphone. The smartphone maker has partnered with Cell C, which recently launched Wi-Fi calling services in South Africa. By Staff Writer AG Mobile has teamed-up with chipset supplier Mediatek and software supplier Lydrasoft to enable the AG Style smartphone with Wi-Fi Calling for Cell C. “Not only does Wi-Fi Calling support Cell C’s strategy to offer improved network coverage but it has huge appeal to users as it can save on call charges via select packages, and when using international Wi-Fi hotspots and networks whilst…
The country’s largest technology firm Dimension Data (DiData) has snapped up the remaining 60% stake it didn’t own in Britehouse, a digital solutions provider, for an undisclosed amount. By Staff Writer DiData bought the stake from a consortium made up of Remgro, Convergence Partners, and Britehouse management. DiData has held 40% shareholding in Britehouse in 2007 when the company was established. “Digital transformation is fast becoming a priority among enterprises across the globe. The acquisition of Britehouse boosts our skills and experience in the digital space, and positions the Group well to run our clients’ mission-critical applications through either an…
It’s “All things Student” by Stoogle – this internet-based information portal assists students to decide which institution of higher learning to study at and what field of study they qualify to enroll for after matric. The portal also provides parents and guardians with advice on how to access finance for their children’s education. By Gugu Lourie This Cape Town-based startup, Stoogle, was founded initially as “Varsity Vibes” – a website for high school students to get more information about university. It now aims to help thousands of students to make better decisions about where they are going to study after…
Struggling technology firm Allied Electronics Corporation (Altron) announced on Wednesday plans to sell Powertech Transformers through a sale of shares in the next 12 months and may also sell some of its manufacturing operations. By Staff Writer The firm, which is exploring strategic equity and technology partnerships with global industry players in other areas of the business to revamp the company, said Power Transformers has been classified as held-for-sale and as a discontinued operation. “In the light of challenging market conditions the board felt the business would be better placed within a global industry player to benefit from less dependency on…
Breaking up is never easy, and while 20 years ago there may well have been little or no post break-up contact between exes, 21st century technology – from social media to Whatsapp – means there are many new ways to open old wounds. By Sally Quinn With so many communications channels with which to get hold of people, and with so much of our lives visible online through such things as Facebook, it’s easy to keep an eye on our exes once we’ve parted. A recent study found that “Facebook stalking” an ex-partner was found to hinder recovery after the…
People are coming online at a staggering rate in emerging markets and, in most cases, are doing so on mobile via 2G connections. In order to make sure another billion people can connect using Facebook we need to design features of the product that work seamlessly regardless of mobile network and device. By Chris Marra, Emerging Markets Product Manager at Facebook and Alex Sourov, Emerging Markets Engineering Manager at Facebook What this means for those of us on the News Feed team is making sure people can load and scroll through News Feed on any connection speed. We’ve worked on a…
In today’s always-on business environment, being out of the office – or even out of country – is no longer an excuse for being out of touch. Most South Africans however, are still using outdated and overly expensive means to stay connected on the move. By Craig Lowe, founder of execMobile With the Rugby World Cup now underway, thousands of South Africans are preparing to travel to the U.K. and get in on the action. Many will be juggling work and play, with only a few that can afford to simply disconnect from work for even a few days…
Vox Telecom has revamped its Fat Pipe DSL packages and now you can get 100GB for R249 a month excluding Telkom line rental. By Staff Writer Effective today, all Vox Telecom Fat Pipe customers (new and existing) can expect to get more data as part of their packages – 100GB customers (for example) will level up to the next available data bundle, for the same price they are currently paying. This will apply across the board. “We’ve used the last few months, to trial how our Fat Pipe packages are being received by consumers, and one thing is clear…
Ex-Telkom staffers, who were outsourced to WNS, faces a bleak festive season. By Gugu Lourie In a letter from WNS dated 30 September 2015, 255 ex-Telkom employees were told they may be retrenched by December 31. “We envisage that if retrenchments are unavoidable, they are likely to take effect on 31 December 2015,” Johann Kunz, MD of WNS, said in a letter to the affected staff. An ex-Telkom staffer, who asked to remain anonymous out of fear that disclosure of his name may jeopardise his chances of being redeployed by WNS either in Port Elizabeth or Durban sent TechFinancials.co.za the letter…
FNB today announced the launch of its latest marketing campaign to encourage digital banking via its innovative platforms. The campaign revolves around the concept of time and cost saving when banking digitally. By Staff Writer The TV advert focuses on real people going about their everyday lives and highlights minor frustrations that take up time such as leaving your wallet in a taxi, spilling a cappuccino in your lap, looking for your car in an underground garage or failing to get a tie right in the morning. “The adverts are light-hearted and ordinary South Africans will identify with the…
Phuthuma Nathi shareholder, Priscilla Hadebe tells of how the excellent value derived from her Phuthuma Nathi shares has helped her and her family realise their dreams. MultiChoice said investors who invested in the BBBBEE scheme and still held their shares until 31 March 2015 have received a return of over 1 400%, including dividends. Watch Video below: Email TechFinancials.co.za at [email protected]
Cell C, ‘the champion of the consumer’ could soon have a new owner – a “potential” buyer has already advised investors of ongoing talks for the purchase of a majority stake in the country’s third mobile phone operator. By Gugu Lourie Last month, Dubai-based Oger Telecom – Cell C’s parent company – put up a “for-sale sign” at the company’s Midrand offices. While there have been as many as six suitors, Telkom has emerged as a front runner, especially after the leading fixed line operator issued a “cautionary announcement” to shareholders on Monday. The suggestion was that Telkom was about to secure a deal to acquire…