Africa – Page 14
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Network & InfrastructureVodacom Tanzania targets rural areas with fibre investment
TZS 25bn investment secures use of government-owned fibre infrastructure. State wants 80% population coverage by 2025. OpCo aims to offer increased access to healthcare, education and “financial inclusion”.
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Network & Infrastructure“A serious tragedy”: Vodacom begins repairs following SA floods
KwaZulu-Natal flooding declared an emergency with more than 300 dead. Vodacom cites ‘social contract’ in ZAR 3m relief donation. Operators begin network restoration, with power outages a core issue after backup batteries washed out.
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Partnerships & AlliancesM-PESA gets interoperability boost in Kenya
Airtel, Telkom, and Safaricom customers granted access to M-PESA till payments. Central Bank of Kenya says first phase will “deepen digitalisation” for businesses. Airtel Money and T-kash equivalents still some way off.
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Venturing & InvestmentsUK’s rebranded BII embarks on new impact investing
British International Investment (BII) embraces broader digital strategy.
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Operations“A country with enormous potential”: Safaricom poised for Ethiopia launch
Safaricom Telecommunications Ethiopia aims to go live on 9 April 2022. Hopes to add M-PESA within the next 12 months. Over 300 staff recruited to work in the country.
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PremiumVodafone people moves: Vi actions Digital shake-up
Indian operator Vi sees Chief Digital Officer Jain exit ahead of Consumer Digital function refresh. Operations and skills transformation appointments made at Group-level. Italy’s INWIT JV names Technology and Planning leads in senior changes. TechCo transition takes hold at Vodafone Italy. Fintech vertical in the spotlight at Safaricom on ...
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PremiumElsewhere in Vodafone Africa: corruption in Lesotho?
Allegations of corruption in Lesotho said to be hampering 5G deployment; Vodacom appeals Please Call Me High Court ruling.
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Public AffairsSafaricom stands alone against tariff changes
Kenyan communications authority set to cut mobile termination rates by 88%, with Safaricom seen as biggest loser. Rate cuts said to level playing field, and enable greater competition and lower barriers for new market entrants.
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Public AffairsPlease 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 & ServicesClaws 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 & InfrastructureVodacom 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 & ServicesM-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 & InfrastructureVodacom 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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PremiumSetback 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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PremiumElsewhere 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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PremiumJoosub 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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PremiumSafaricom 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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PremiumVodafone 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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PremiumVodafone 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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OperationsVodafone 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.