Africa – Page 11
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Public Affairs
Please Call Me inventor resolute against Vodacom appeal
Nkosana Makate will pursue compensation “until the end of the road” after Vodacom lodged a formal appeal against High Court rulings. Vodacom offers millions to Makate, who claims billions are owed.
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Products & Services
Claws out for M-PESA from Central Bank, Treasury
Bank Governor Njoroge tells Senate ICT Committee that a standalone m-money business will improve regulation and customer protection in Kenya. Treasury Cabinet Secretary Yatani adds that M-PESA transaction charges are too high. Njoroge and Yatani’s submissions are part of probe into alleged monopolistic practices by Safaricom. Central Bank opens ...
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Network & Infrastructure
Vodacom is big spender in SA spectrum auction
Long-awaited auction finally complete, but legal challenge looms. Vodacom is highest bidder, just ahead of MTN, and snags most spectrum. Government halts plan for controversial Wholesale Open Access Network.
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Products & Services
M-PESA not threatened by talk of central Kenyan e-money
A central digital currency would not step on M-PESA toes, says MD Sitoyo Lopokoiyit, but cooperation key to finding efficiencies in a market dominated by Safaricom’s e-money offering. M-PESA at 15: 51 million users in seven markets; Kenyan strength; Super App prospects on the horizon, as is competition.
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Network & Infrastructure
Vodacom on starting line for SA spectrum auction
Rain Networks and Telkom win spectrum in the initial ‘opt-in’ auction for tier-two operators. Telkom court case is still due to take place in April 2022. ICASA insists there is no legal impediment to the main auction on Thursday.
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Premium
Setback for Vodacom in Please Call Me legal battle
High Court orders operator to pay inventor 5% of Please Call Me revenue. 20-year dispute not over yet, but end is in sight.
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Premium
Elsewhere in Vodafone Africa: Little Cab launches in Addis Ababa
Safaricom out to block CA mobile tariff slash; Little Cab arrives in Ethiopia.
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Safaricom builds up for Ethiopian launch
Ethiopian OpCo signs up VMware as telco cloud partner, and flags Huawei and Nokia as main network suppliers. Second data centre opened. Talks begin with rival Ethio on network access. Ethiopia’s Ministry of Finance anticipates service launch “sometime in April”.
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Joosub says ‘all systems go’ for spectrum auction
Telkom secures court hearing dates in April 2022, after the auction is due to take place. President Cyril Ramaphosa says auction will start by early-March 2022. Six operators apply to take part, including MTN, Telkom, and Vodacom.
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Premium
Vodafone Q3 FY21–22 Spend: CPI+ a “necessary logic”
Price rises planned across Europe, in response to rising costs. Della Valle outlines strategy, but remains vague on details. CPI+ formula embedded in five markets, with more to follow.
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Premium
Vodafone Q3 FY21–22 Headlines: Germany struggles, Africa bubbles
Group service revenue growth for fifth successive quarter. German user experience blunder takes gloss off solid set of numbers. Read continues to blame COVID-19 for German struggles, despite rivals’ success. Vodacom makes “very good progress” as Vodafone Egypt deal nears.
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Operations
Vodafone pushes sustainability with IoT farming pilot
MyFarmWeb platform being trialled in Germany, Ireland, Italy, and Spain. Move extends Group’s growing focus on agriculture vertical.
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Partnerships & Alliances
Safaricom signs up VMware as Ethiopian cloud partner
New OpCo to use vendor’s Telco Cloud Platform to underpin network and IT functions as it sets up greenfield operation.
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Network & Infrastructure
Safaricom taps Huawei and Nokia in Ethiopia
OpCo looks set to stick with existing partners for new network. Launch appears on track as STE builds up a head of steam.
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Premium
Vodafone people moves: eyes on public sector in enterprise swaps
New enterprise segment leads in Italy, Spain, the UK, and others, with public sector account growth among the primary targets. Scott Petty adds Vodafone weight to TM Forum initiative. Governance and regulatory spots filled across the operator’s footprint. Group loses quintet of IoT developers to rival BT as health-tech ...
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Operations
Little Cab arrives in Ethiopia
Safaricom-backed ride-hailing app attempting to rival Uber in Ethiopian capital. Expansion into the country has been delayed by COVID-19.
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Public Affairs
M-PESA cleared for Ethiopian launch
State Minister of Ethiopia’s Ministry of Finance anticipates wider Safaricom launch “sometime in April”. M-PESA app will be introduced to a new market of 116 million people. Question marks remain regarding third telecoms licence in the country.
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Financial & Performance
Vodafone’s Q3 deciphered: glad-handing activists; German misfire; IoT, Africa fintech blossom
Management seeks to seize back agenda amid growing City pressure for urgency on asset sales. CEO Nick Read assures Group will be “proactive” in finding returns-focused deals. German user experience misstep takes gloss off solid set of numbers. Price rises planned across Europe, in response to rising costs.
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Public Affairs
Safaricom staff caught in police “trap” after data fraud
Court hearing details how two Safaricom employees were caught attempting to sell subscriber data. Operator commits to fraud reduction initiatives.
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Venturing & Investments
Safaricom energy ally Circle Gas lands big Japanese backer
Deal with conglomerate Marubeni Corporation comes with prepaid LPG startup planning to expand beyond Safaricom-supported deployment in Kenya and into new markets in Africa and Asia.