Telecommunications – Page 3 – Africa Tech Digest

Arise B.V invests $75m in Ecobank in “landmark” transaction

7Sep

By Africa Tech DigestNo Comments

Africa, Telecommunications

Arise B.V invests $75m in Ecobank in “landmark” transaction

Arise B.V, a leading equity investor in Africa, has made an Additional Tier 1 (AT1) investment of about $75 million in Ecobank Transnational Incorporated (ETI), the Togo-based parent company of Ecobank Group. A statement from ETI reveals that the AT1 instrument is the first to be issued by Ecobank, adding that Arise’s investment is Basel III-compliant. Basel III is an international regulatory accord rolled out by the Basel Committee, which introduced a set of reforms intended to minimise risk and promote stability in the international financial system. Developed in response to the 2007-2009 financial crisis, it requires banks to maintain proper debt ratios and keep certain levels of reserve capital on hand. Continue reading

ICASA Cancels Spectrum Auction in Attempt to Avoid Lengthy Court Battle

7Sep

By Africa Tech DigestNo Comments

5G, Africa, Telecommunications

ICASA Cancels Spectrum Auction in Attempt to Avoid Lengthy Court Battle

The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA), the country’s communications regulator, has announced that it will not be publishing invitations to apply (ITA) to participate in the long-awaited auction of high-demand spectrum in South Africa. ICASA says that the move was made to avoid a lengthy court battle against several litigators that had issues with how ICASA was handling the auction. The regulator is likewise withdrawing an ITA for the licensing of the planned wholesale open-access network (WOAN), pending court approval. “ICASA has now decided to consent to an order setting aside its decision to publish the invitations to apply (ITAs) in order to avoid a long, drawn-out litigation, the effect of which would only be to delay further the licensing of high-dema...

Nigeria’s Autochek acquires Cheki Kenya and Uganda from ROAM Africa

6Sep

By Africa Tech DigestNo Comments

Africa, Nigeria, Telecommunications

Nigeria’s Autochek acquires Cheki Kenya and Uganda from ROAM Africa

Nigerian automotive tech company Autochek today is announcing the acquisition of Cheki Kenya and Uganda from Ringier One Africa Media (ROAM) for an undisclosed amount. Per a statement, Autochek will finalize the deal in the coming weeks. With the acquisition, Autochek completes its expansion into East Africa and follows the first acquisition made almost a year ago when it acquired both Nigeria and Ghana businesses from Cheki. In 2010, Cheki launched as an online car classified for dealers, importers, and private sellers in Kenya. The startup, headquartered in Nairobi, expanded operations to Nigeria, Ghana, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. Continue reading

Telkom SA Cuts 1GB Data Prices & Launches New 1.5GB Bundle

6Sep

By Africa Tech DigestNo Comments

Mobile, Telecommunications

Telkom SA Cuts 1GB Data Prices & Launches New 1.5GB Bundle

South Africa’s semi-private telecommunications firm Telkom has cut the price of its 1GB + 1GB All networks data bundle to R79,00 from the previous price of R99. The telco has also announced the introduction of a new 1,5GB + 1,5GB All networks data bundle at R89,00. According to a statement issued by Telkom, these deals will initially only be available on the *180# USSD menu and from 20 September 2021 may be accessed on all other channels. Telkom says that its all-networks data bundles are available for purchase to all new and existing customers (Prepaid, Post-paid and Top-up or Hybrid). During a BEC attack, fraudsters usually initiate an email exchange with a company employee in order to gain their trust and encourage actions that are detrimental to the interest of the company or...

3 Most Common Cyberscams that Compromise Business Emails

6Sep

By Africa Tech DigestNo Comments

Cybersecurity, Telecommunications

3 Most Common Cyberscams that Compromise Business Emails

Online security firm Kaspersky reports that its cybersecurity experts are increasingly observing BEC (Business Email Compromise) attacks online. Between May and July 2021, Kaspersky says that its security products prevented more than 9,500 BEC attacks globally, including those against businesses in air transportation, industry, retail, IT, and delivery. Such attacks demand significant time and resources, and preparation for them may last from a few weeks to several months. One successful attack may lead to damage worth many millions for a company. During a BEC attack, fraudsters usually initiate an email exchange with a company employee in order to gain their trust and encourage actions that are detrimental to the interest of the company or its clients. Continue reading

5 Reasons Why 5G Makes a Real Difference

5Sep

By Africa Tech DigestNo Comments

5G, Telecommunications

5 Reasons Why 5G Makes a Real Difference

Over the last 36 months, 5G has rapidly gained mindshare in society as a vital technology. But not all stakeholders in industries adjacent to the telecom industry understand what makes 5G different from its predecessors. In this post, we describe a set of strategic choices made for previous mobile generations of which we made a single choice. 5G makes it possible to embrace both options, thereby unlocking larger opportunities earlier in the deployment cycle. Here are 5 Reasons Why 5G Makes a Real Difference: 5G is for Both Consumer and Business Users The introduction of 4G was consumer-led, with infrastructure and device technology development centred around smartphones for consumers. Businesses adopted consumer technology through a more visible, bring-your-own-device (BYOD...

Largest-Ever Data Centre Expansion in Africa to Cost $500M Across 10 Countries

4Sep

By Africa Tech DigestNo Comments

Africans in Tech, North Africa, Telecommunications

Largest-Ever Data Centre Expansion in Africa to Cost $500M Across 10 Countries

Africa Data Centres, one of the continent’s leading carrier-neutral co-location data centre providers, has announced plans to build large hyperscale data centres throughout Africa, including the North African countries of Morocco, Tunisia and Egypt. According to a statement today released from Africa Data Centres, the project will involve building 10 hyperscale data centres, in 10 countries, over the next two years – at a cost of more than $500-million. It is being funded through new equity and facilities from leading development finance institutions and multilateral organisations. Africa Data Centres CEO, Stephane Duproz, explains that the finance for the roll-out has been provided by equity and loans to Africa Data Centres’ parent company, Liquid Intelligent Technologies, to fully...

Vodacom SA Launches 5G in Northern Cape with ICASA’s Temporary Spectrum

3Sep

By Africa Tech DigestNo Comments

5G, Mobile, Southern Africa, Telecommunications

Vodacom SA Launches 5G in Northern Cape with ICASA’s Temporary Spectrum

Vodacom Central Region has become the first network provider to launch a 5G mobile network in Kimberly, Northern Cape province of South Africa. The new 5G network supports both mobile and fixed wireless access services. Customers of the carrier with 5G enabled devices, and within a 5G coverage area, are now able to access the new 5G network in Northern Cape province. In May 2020, Vodacom switched on South Africa’s first live 5G mobile network in three cities – Johannesburg, Pretoria and Cape Town. This network supports both mobile and fixed wireless services and is currently available in Free State, Gauteng, Western Cape, Limpopo, Mpumalanga and KwaZulu Natal provinces. Continue reading

Rwanda’s new SIM registration, Somalia’s Trade Information Portal, Cellulant’s partnership with GAINDE 2000

3Sep

By Africa Tech DigestNo Comments

Africans in Tech, Mobile, Telecommunications

Rwanda’s new SIM registration, Somalia’s Trade Information Portal, Cellulant’s partnership with GAINDE 2000

What’s the news? Telecom operators will implement new SIM card registration procedures. The Rwanda Utilities Regulatory Authority (RURA), Rwanda’s telecom regulator, claims it will help reduce fraud. According to RURA, anyone who wants to get or swap a SIM card must do so at their telco’s service centres, authorised agent shops, or kiosks. Charles Gahungu, General Manager, ICT Regulation Department, RURA, said the new procedure would improve SIM card security because it will include ID verification and photographing peopl

10 African tech experts putting Africa on the world map

1Sep

By Africa Tech DigestNo Comments

Africans in Tech, Telecommunications

10 African tech experts putting Africa on the world map

Africans are often poorly mentioned in the media, but there’s so much more to Africans than the negative stereotype often put forward. They have consistently contributed to the growth and development of society, and to celebrate the International Day for People of African Descent, here are 10 Africans doing the continent proud in tech. Chinedu Echeruo Chinedu Echeruo is a Nigerian-born serial entrepreneur who came to the limelight in 2013 following Apple’s $1b acquisition of his travel app, HopStop. After struggling with finding directions while moving around in the US, Echeruo built HopStop, an app that offered real-time directions when using the bus, train, hiking, or biking. The hugely popular service was present in over 600 US cities until Apple shut it dow...