Author: Staff Writer

Vodacom has welcomed ICASA’s approval of its application for temporary spectrum in all of the 700, 800, 2300, 2600 and 3500 bands. In addition to the accelerated R500 million in network infrastructure investment announced on Wednesday by Vodacom, the mobile phone operator said the temporary assignment of the spectrum will help alleviate network congestion during the COVID-19 lockdown in South Africa. In recent weeks, mobile network traffic has increased by circa 40% as more people work from home and turn to online services for entertainment. This additional spectrum will be made available from the date which the temporary license is…

The Pan African Chamber of Commerce, today, announced the appointment of Phumza Dyani as Chief Innovation Officer and leader for the Africa Innovation Centre. Dyani’s appointment is effective today. Currently, the chief marketing & sales officer for Broadband Infraco, Dyani will be part of the digital economy and digital inclusion committee which seeks to bring together innovators, leading thinkers and actors from industry, Government, Academia and Non-Governmental Organisations, to advise African Governments through the AU and other regional economic communities on how to best meet their objectives to build the digital economy and eliminate digital divides. As Chief Innovation Officer…

As the country takes steps to address the fight against the spread of COVID-19, BMW South Africa is stepping up to help the cause. Last week, the company responded the call for help from the Gauteng Department of Health for donations of face masks and other protective gear for emergency services personnel. Recently the company handed over 40 000 high-quality protective respiratory (FFP2) face masks to the department in order to help protect health services workers. Many essential services use BMW vehicles and it is critical to the success of the national lockdown that these people remain mobile. 15 BMW…

Two South African entrepreneurs have developed a ground-breaking testing kit that promises to significantly speed up the process of identifying positive COVID-19 cases. Allan Gray Orbis Foundation Fellows Daniel Ndima and Dineo Lioma have developed a testing kit that provides results in just 65 minutes, through their company CapeBio. Testing is a pillar of any campaign against coronavirus, not only because it identifies infected individuals but because it also provides an idea of how the virus may be developing within the country. Once scientists potentially understand its spread, the government can plan resources accordingly. This is why the qCPR kits…

MTN has been crowned the most valuable telecom brand in Africa, as the “Everywhere You Go” brand continues to deliver solid overall performance for the year, despite challenging economic conditions and regulatory challenges in some markets. In a recent annual report by Brand Finance, a leading independent brand valuation consultancy recognised MTN for its focus on customers and providing a high-quality service across all its markets. “Amid these unprecedented times in fighting a global pandemic, MTN Group is humbled by the Brand Finance recognition and our progress in rising through the ranks of this year’s Telecoms 150 report,” said MTN…

Investec Group CEO Fani Titi is among the top four executives of its South African business who, along with the chairmen of the Investec Group and the South African bank boards, are donating part of their compensation to honour the example set by President Cyril Ramaphosa and his government in helping to mitigate the effects of COVID-19. “Investec is very conscious of the extreme pressure that individuals, businesses and industries are under as a direct consequence of COVID-19. We are inspired by those on the frontlines and by the overwhelming sense of generosity of South Africans,” said Titi. Along with…

The JSE’s Board of Directors and the Group Chief Executive Officer have pledged as much as 30% of their earnings to the Solidarity Fund for the next three months. Members of the JSE Executive will also be making contributions. The JSE pledge was announced as the bourse completed the second day of its two-day #Trade4Soldarity campaign. The fundraising will include all fees earned from trades across all asset classes by the JSE and market participants on Wednesday 15 April and Thursday 16 April. The fundraising effort was launched in response to President Cyril Ramaphosa’s appeal to the country for donations…

The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) has assigned an emergency temporary spectrum to telecommunications operators to ensure connectivity for all during the National State of Disaster period. The Authority has considered applications for temporary radio frequency spectrum assignments in the 700MHz, 800MHz, 2300MHz, 2600MHz and 3500MHz bands, including the use of Television Whitespaces (TVWS) in an effort to ensure connectivity for all during the National State of Disaster period. “Of all applications received, only seventeen (17) were found to be in line with the criteria and conditions outlined in Annexure A of the Regulations which, among others, required…

South Africa has 2 605 confirmed COVID-19 cases, with Limpopo and the Eastern Cape recording their first deaths. “It is with regret that we inform the public that the COVID-19 related deaths is now 48. “We note that two provinces, Limpopo and the Eastern Cape, have also recorded their first deaths. We convey our condolences to the families. “We continue to speak strength and appreciate our dedicated health workers, who are faced with these circumstances daily,” said the Health Department on Thursday. The number of tests being conducted continues to rise, with the total number of tests conducted to date being…

Work is underway to prepare Gauteng’s public health infrastructure for the period when the COVID-19 pandemic may peak. With Gauteng as the country’s epicentre, with 930 of the 2 506 confirmed cases, the province has cleared some of its existing hospitals and declared them COVID-19 facilities. “This has helped us to make available 555 standard beds and 308 ICU beds. We are also putting up new permanent wards in Kopanong, Jubilee, Chris Hani Baragwanath and George Mukhari Hospitals. This will add 800 new beds, which will be used for different purposes. “This intervention will help speed-up our existing plans to…