Author: Gugu Lourie

In another significant move to strengthen customer focus through a more flexible and agile operating model, Telkom Group’s Openserve wholesale and networks division has announced that it is peering at Africa’s largest Internet eXchange Point (IXP), NAPAfrica. By Staff Writer As Africa’s largest IXP, NAPAfrica is four times the combined size of all the continents’ exchanges and regionally services multiple countries included South Africa. Its rapid growth has proven that peering exchanges are a much-needed facility in the African Internet ecosystem. Based within Teraco, Africa’s largest vendor-neutral data centre, NAPAfrica is excited to offer Openserve access to its lower cost…

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Unlisted tech firm Business Connexion (BCX) has snapped up Relational Database Consulting Group (Pty) Ltd (RDC),  a market leader in database and operating system administration, with a strong focus on Oracle, SQL Server, MySQL and PostgreSQL on a variety of operating systems. The deal is effective 1 April 2016 and comes after the Telkom-owned tech firm bought ANCO-IT, a company with a strong focus on Oracle applications which has already strengthened BCX’s existing complementary Oracle capabilities. RDC currently supplies Database, Middleware and Operating System support to Telkom and some of Telkom’s key customers in the datacentre space. “The acquisition of…

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There are approximately 447.9 million mobile payment users worldwide, a remarkable evolution from coins being introduced in 700 BC, notes in the 10th century and the introduction of Western Union’s “credit card” in the 20th century. By Charles Pittaway, Managing Director of Sage Pay Now customers can choose from a variety of payments including in-app payments, mobile point of sale, and online payment services such as retail giant Amazon or Paypal that operate a global online payment system. Africa has 52% of mobile payment usage in the world. In the continent alone, mobile payment solutions have revolutionised the way in which business is…

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The top ten of the 2016 #Hack.Jozi Challenge has been announced. The varied ideas include ways for parents to reduce screen time for their children, a free pick up and drop off laundry service and an online platform to upload or download building plans for quicker approval by local authorities. By Staff Writer #Hack.Jozi Challenge is a project of the City of Johannesburg and the JCSE (Joburg Centre for Software Engineering) at Wits University. Ravi Naidoo, executive director for Economic Development for the City of Johannesburg, says they were overwhelmed not only by the number of entries to the 2016 #Hack.Jozi Challenge but also by their…

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Vox Telecom is partnering with Ionizr, the pioneer in real-time proximity advertising technology in South Africa, integrating the open access digital engagement platform into its Vox AURA managed guest Wi-Fi solution.   For the first time, digital agencies will have a level of control of their Wi-Fi-advertising campaigns and messages across multiple customers and multiple venues, through a single interface and in real time. This coupled with the fact that it is a locally developed platform, offering local support, makes it another best of breed ‘must have’ for our Wi-Fi portfolio.   The monetisation of Wi-Fi can no longer be…

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A new tech company aims to tackle South Africa’s “archaic” property selling methods and make residential sales happen, in some cases, at over 80% less than traditional estate agent commissions. By Gugu Lourie Sellers sign up with Property Fox online, after which professional photographers will visit their homes. The new ‘enhanced’ model to buy and sell property online was launched earlier this month across South Africa. It offers customers the services of a professional photographer, floor plans and valuations. Property Fox have teamed up with SA’s leading online property market intelligence company, Lightstone Property, to ensure accurate property valuations. This…

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South Africa’s Internet Service Providers’ Association (ISPA) believes discrimination should not feature in the country’s online or real-world environments. The Association says there should therefore be no blocking or prioritisation of lawful websites, content, applications or services. “Net neutrality affects every one of South Africa’s Internet users,” says ISPA regulatory advisor, Dominic Cull. “An independent judiciary, regular elections, and a free press are traditionally seen as some of the most important hallmarks of a functioning democracy. To this list should be added net neutrality, or the inability of Internet Service Providers (ISPs), government or major corporations to discriminate against Internet…

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ShowMax’s largest collection of series and movies keeps getting bigger with new shows added every week. From Hollywood heavy hitters to international exclusives and local favourites. Here’s what’s coming up in May. Here’s what’s coming up this month. NEW SERIES Brooklyn Nine-Nine S2 The Shield S1 – S2 The Secret Life of the American Teenager S1 – S8 Unreal S1 The Secret Life of Marilyn Monroe (Mini-series) Chicago PD S2 The Newsroom S3 Nashville S3 KIDS ADDITIONS  Ever After High: Legacy Day Ever After High: True Hearts Day Ever After High: Thronecoming Pingu S1 – S6 Ever After High:…

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Wanting to share your Mall of Africa experience with your friends and family on social media? Needing to send a business email in the midst of shopping? Not a problem! You can surf the internet for free wherever you are at Mall of Africa. By Staff Writer VAST Networks, South Africa’s first open-access Wi-Fi Network, along with global wireless equipment provider Ruckus Wireless., have successfully deployed the continent’s largest mall Wi-Fi installation to provide consumers and retailers with a reliable and fast Wi-Fi experience throughout Mall of Africa. Wi-Fi on this scale has never been delivered before on the continent, marking…

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To future proof its business, MTN SA together with Ericsson has successfully trialled LTE-Unlicensed (LTE-U) at MTN’s flagship channel store in Morningside, Johannesburg. LTE-U is a mobile technology innovation that enables higher data speeds, which increase network capacity and significantly enhance customer experience. This is the first LTE-U trial in Africa, which demonstrates MTN’s constant drive towards introducing innovative technologies to help improve its network quality experience. The LTE-U trial was completed by aggregating 10MHz of MTN’s licensed 1800MHz spectrum and 20MHz within the unlicensed 5GHz band. The trial achieved a throughput of more than 200Mbps. The aggregation of licensed…

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