Author: Staff Writer

Telkom has launched a new tariff plan named Thola More. The new prepaid plan will replace the company’s voice-focused offering – SIM Sonke, effective today to include data and extra SMS and calling benefits upon recharging. Telkom Thola More is a prepaid tariff plan that offers prepaid customers additional free benefits including data, SMSs and Telkom-to-Telkom voice call minutes when they recharge their account with R5 airtime or more. The benefits apply to new and existing customers who migrate to the tariff plan. “Essentially, customers be will rewarded with free all-network data, on-net minutes and SMSs as specified in the…

MTN is rolling out an updated, more affordable range of capped broadband plans today. MTN’s new fixed long-term evolution (FLTE) proposition includes a new promotional price entry point for MyMTN Home of R269 for 120GB. A new 500GB plan is also added at R699 over 24 months, including a Fixed LTE Wi-Fi router. Customers who sign up on selected MyMTN Home packages on a SIM only month-to-month payment plan will get their first month free. To take advantage of this offer the customer needs to purchase a Fixed LTE router from any MTN store from R1999, the offer is valid…

Dimension Data announced on Thursday it has acquired Acacia Cloud Solutions, a market-leading cloud implementation partner with an exceptional AWS (Amazon Web Services) pedigree. The move cements Dimension Data’s commitment to invest in cloud services and solutions that meet the digital transformation and hybrid cloud requirements of organisations in the Middle East and Africa region in an increasingly competitive and digital business operating landscape. The acquisition will expand Dimension Data’s AWS capabilities and provide its clients with innovative cloud managed services solutions that deliver relevant optimisation tools and speed to market. This will see both companies building more capacity and skills…

The National Treasury has chosen to retain the services of Vodacom, awarding the company with a new mobile communication services contract. The RT15 2021 Transversal contract allows all state entities to utilise the contract for mobile communication services, which will further assist with cost containment. In 2016,  Vodacom was appointed as the sole provider of mobile telecommunication services to the government. The contract comes to an end. The new 2021 transversal contract is for sixty (60) months commencing on 01 April 2021 to 31 March 2026. It has been awarded to multiple Service Providers, including Vodacom, MTN, Telkom and Cell C. For more…

The Department of Communications and Digital Technologies will conduct public hearings into the Draft White Paper on Audio-Visual Content Services Policy Framework. Last year, the department gazetted the Draft White Paper on Audio-Visual Content Services for public comment. The Public hearings on the Draft White Paper on Audio-Visual Content Services Policy Framework are set to start in April. The objectives of the Draft White Paper are to solicit inputs from the sector and all affected stakeholders to ensure that it covers all aspects of audio-visual content players, in preparation for the final White Paper. The draft White Paper, among others,…

Telkom has welcomed the National Treasury to its growing list of clients following a competitive pitch process after which the company was added as one of the official service providers. As part of the RT15-2021 Transversal contract, Telkom will provide government institutions with Mobile Communication Services for the period commencing 1 April 2021 and ending 31 March 2026. The Transversal Contract RT15-2021 is a 5-year tender that offers successful mobile service providers the opportunity to serve the South African government with all its mobile and enterprise solutions including hardware and software as well as accessories. “We couldn’t be prouder to…

MTN South Africa announced on Wednesday that MoMo (Mobile Money) subscribers will be able to cash-in and cash-out at 1,647 Pick n Pay stores across the country. Customers should be registered on MoMo app to use the new service. They will require an 8-digit Voucher Number and a PIN number to perform a MoMo transaction at the Pick n Pay point of sale tills. “We’re pleased to extend our relationship with Pick n Pay by offering quick and convenient cash-in and cash-out services to our 2,8 million MoMo subscribers through Pick n Pay stores,” says Felix Kamenga, MTN SA’s Chief…

TymeBank, one of South Africa’s digital banks, has reached the 3 million customer milestone. The digital bank owned by billionaire Patrice Motsepe was launched in February 2019. The bank has no monthly banking fees and in most cases, transaction costs are 30 to 50% lower than what customers would pay at other banks.  TymeBank said this is a compelling proposition for South African consumers, with the bank consistently onboarding between 100 000 and 120 000 customers each month – between 3 000 and 5 000 new customers every day. TymeBank has no branches, and its core banking technology platform is…

Lexus is planning to introduce 10 new electrified vehicles will be introduced by 2025 as part of the luxury lifestyle brand’s ‘Lexus Electrified’ vision. To symbolise the Lexus brand transformation, the Toyota Motors-owned luxury brand today introduced a new concept battery electric vehicle, known as LF-Z Electrified. Drawing from an advanced lithium-ion battery technology, the LF-Z Electrified realises a maximum 600km cruising range [WLTP] on a single charge – combined with 400kW of power, 700Nm of torque and standstill to 100km/h performance in 3.0 seconds. DIRECT4 technology The new four-wheel-drive force control technology, DIRECT4, allows the driving force of the…

Microsoft on Tuesday announced it has helped nearly 300 000 in South Africa gain access to digital skills during COVID-19.  This is why the company is extending its commitment by launching new resources to help job-seekers and 250,000 companies make skills-based hire in 2021. From laid-off factory workers to retail associates and truck drivers, millions of people turned to online learning courses from GitHub, LinkedIn and Microsoft during the pandemic to help prepare for and secure the most in-demand roles, including customer service, project management and data analysis. The announcement builds on the company’s efforts to help people by extending…