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IT News Africa: Top Stories of the Week

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IT News Africa
Get all the latest tech related stories from IT News Africa. (Image Source: Darryl Linington)

This week has been a busy one in the technology industry. Not only has SAP announced that it will be injecting a $500 Million investment into Africa, but Vodacom has also stepped up to the plate with a R1 Billion network upgrade for Gauteng.

Also gracing the headlines this week, Telkom has stated that is set to enforce its fair usage policy on customers who abuse the service.


This week we also spoke to South Africa’s original YouTube star, Cobus Potgieter, regarding tech in South Africa. Potgieter also gave us a run down of the equipment he uses while recording his videos.

Also making the headlines, MTN will start using local street lamps as network towers throughout South Africa. We hope you have an amazing weekend.

News

MTN reveals 2014 App of the Year Award winners
MTN held the 2014 App of the Year Awards on Thursday the 14th of August at The Venue, Melrose Arch. The event, conceptualised by Creative Space Media in partnership with headline sponsor MTN Business, showcased locally developed applications that have made a positive and lasting impact on consumers during the last 12 months. Read More.

ISAT Africa opens first VSAT hub
According to ISAT Africa, located in Zambia, it has established the first commercial VSAT (Very Small Aperture Terminal) hub in Lusaka. According to the company, the private earth station will be used to transmit and receive data signals through a satellite. Read More.

Telkom set to enforce Fair Usage Policy in SA
Telkom has revealed that its Internet Service Provider (ISP) will begin to enforce its Fair Usage Policy (FUP). According to Telkom, the reason behind the move is in the spirit of enhancing the Internet experience of all its users. Read More.

SAP injects $500 Million investment into Africa
SAP has revealed a seven-year plan to up-skill local African talent and drive sustainable innovation and growth in Africa. With more than 1,300 customers across the continent, SAP is already enabling African businesses and governments of all sizes to grow, scale and globalise, as well as make the transition to a networked, technology-driven innovative economy. As part of this commitment, SAP Africa is now taking responsibility for SAP operations across 51 African countries, including Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia and Mauritania. Read More.

Vodacom unveils R1 Billion network upgrade for Gauteng
Earlier this year, Vodacom Group CEO Shameel Joosub announced plans for a 30% increase in investment in Vodacom’s network across South Africa. He stated that amongst other things, the money would go towards adding base stations, getting more data coverage into rural areas, deploying faster technology like LTE (also known as ‘4G’) and expanding fibre optic infrastructure to connect the base stations. Read More.

MTN using street lamps as network towers in SA
MTN has started deploying antennas on street light poles, and erecting purpose-built pole masts with zero visual impact around west and northern Johannesburg to improve network coverage and quality. Read More.

Takealot reveals new mobile store
Takealot has revealed the launch of its new mobile website. According to Takealot, the mobile site features a redesigned user interface and an improved user experience. Read More.

Bharti Airtel & VeriFone to drive Africa’s mobile money evolution
Bharti Airtel and VeriFone Mobile Money have reached an agreement to offer VeriFone Mobile Money’s merchant enablement applications for mobile Tap n Pay across Airtel’s 17 operating countries in Africa. Read More.

Microjobbing service Money for Jam takes off in SA
Money for Jam (M4JAM) has officially launched across South Africa, on the WeChat platform. M4JAM is a microjobbing service that gives NGOs and government organisations a new way to crowd source information and interact directly with the South African public. Read More.

Vodacom SA gives free access to educational sites
Vodacom South Africa is stepping forward in order to offer students a better way to access educational content. Vodacom is allowing students to access five South African educational websites, which have bee approved by the Department of Education, without data costs being charged to their account. Read More.

Opinions

Bringing the human touch to big data analytics
In a crowded market place where differentiation is difficult, average revenue per user is low and price wars are not uncommon, African operators face a tri-fold challenge. They must find new ways to attract new more marginal customers, retain existing customers, and increase revenues. New services and tariffs are one answer, but fundamental to the task is the need to better interact with their customers: to understand them, and deliver tailored services. Read More.

The IoT is already here – Will you be secure?
With 2014 being dubbed as the year of the ´Internet of Things´ (IoT), there are major concerns regarding the security & privacy issues that consumers face now, and potential problems they could have in the future. Read More.

Interviews

Video Interview: Cobus Potgieter talks tech & YouTube
IT News Africa caught up with South African YouTube sensation, Cobus Potgieter, to discuss tech in Africa. Potgieter also gave IT News Africa the run down on the equipment and tech that he uses as well as advice to Africans who want to break out onto the YouTube scene. Read More.

Top List

10 Must have Gadgets & Gear when travelling in Africa
Africa has a variety of beautiful go to destinations to visit. These include the beautiful Masai Mara in Kenya, which is home to some of Africa’s most popular wildlife. There is also nothing like viewing the spectacle that is Victoria Falls located near the border of Zambia and Zimbabwe. for those who seek adventure, Africa is also home to Mount Kilimanjaro Africa’s highest peak. Mount Kilimanjaro is located in Tanzania, and stands at an impressive 19,340 feet (5896m). Read More.

Top Feature

Top execs weigh in on the future of technology
Technology is evolving at a rapid rate across Africa. However, with Big Data, Cloud Technology and Enterprise Mobility making its mark across Africa, a few simply questions still remain unanswered – what does the future hold and where do we go to next?

Hamilton Ratshefola (IBM), Cobus Burgers (NETCB), Dr Brian Armstrong (Telkom), and Mark McChlery (Seartec) weigh in on what the future of technology holds in Africa. Read More.

Gadgets and Gaming

Venture into the void with The Tomorrow Children
At first glance, The Tomorrow Children looks like something that initially crawled out of a Tim Burton movie; however, by watching the launch trailer you will notice that it comes off as something a little more deeper. Read More.

Destiny gets epic launch trailer
Destiny is just around the corner, and what better way to celebrate the launch of this title than with an epic gameplay trailer. Read More.

Darryl Linington

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