Internet

SA targets broadband for empowerment

South Africa’s minister of communications, minister Malatsi, has announced a new initiative aimed at making broadband connectivity one of the nation’s top empowerment goals

The initiative is set to clarify the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies’ (DCDT) position on recognising equity equivalent programs through a policy directive to the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA). This move is expected to significantly expand broadband access to underserved populations, including those in remote and low-income areas.

The proposed policy, issued under section 3(2) of the Electronic Communications Act, highlights the importance of broadband in economic development. Citing World Bank research, Malatsi emphasised that every 10% increase in broadband penetration can lead to a 1.21% rise in GDP growth in middle-income countries like South Africa. He noted that broadband access can help individuals start and grow businesses, secure employment, work remotely, and market goods and services, making it a vital tool for economic empowerment.

“This policy will be one of the most impactful empowerment programs the South African government has undertaken,” said Malatsi. He outlined a two-part plan to achieve this goal. The first phase focuses on reducing regulatory barriers to attract investments in affordable, reliable broadband infrastructure. The second phase, which will be addressed in future announcements, aims to lower the cost of smart devices necessary for 4G and 5G data use.

The Minister also mentioned that, following consultations with ICASA, the proposed policy direction will be made available for public comment as required by section 3(5) of the Electronic Communications Act. This approach aligns with the Codes of Good Practice, which acknowledge the challenges faced by multinational companies in meeting equity ownership requirements and promote alternative equity equivalent schemes.

For years, the ICT industry has sought clarity on the recognition of such schemes, which could pave the way for increased investments in the sector. Minister Malatsi believes that this policy direction will provide the necessary certainty to attract investment and expedite the goal of universal internet access in South Africa, driving significant socioeconomic progress.

MTN launches Congo's first 5G network

MTN Congo's new 5G network aims to revolutionise connectivity and drive economic growth in the region. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

MTN Congo has officially launched its 5G network, marking a significant milestone as it becomes the first country in Central Africa to do so

The announcement comes two years after MTN Congo initiated a pilot-phase 5G network in October 2022, establishing itself as the first operator to conduct a 5G pilot in the country.

At that time, Leon Juste Ibombo, the country's telecoms minister, revealed that tests had achieved data speeds exceeding 10Gbps, setting the stage for the operator to prepare for commercial 5G services in the Republic of the Congo. Ibombo also noted the government's commitment to expedite the provision of a technologically neutral license, allowing operators to set up and manage a public terrestrial cellular mobile network for electronic communication services.

In light of this recent launch, MTN Congo expressed appreciation to local authorities, especially to Leon Juste Ibombo and Louis-Marc Sakala, the telecom regulator's representative, acknowledging that this progress will create new opportunities for connectivity and innovation.

MTN Congo emphasised that "This technological advancement is an unprecedented opportunity to boost the development and growth of businesses," highlighting that the country is entering a new digital era with the introduction of the 5G network. Additionally, there were 2.24 million Internet users in the Congo as of January 2024, with an Internet penetration rate of 36.2% of the total population, projected to rise to 62.48% by the end of the year.

Nebula extends cloud partnership

Nebula Logistics Africa extends cloud partnership with Datacentrix to enhance IT infrastructure and agility amid business growth. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

Nebula Logistics Africa, a prominent supply chain solutions provider, has strengthened its collaboration with Datacentrix by renewing its hybrid cloud and on-premises infrastructure agreement

This ongoing partnership aims to continually optimise Nebula’s IT systems.

Originally known as Barloworld Logistics, Nebula Logistics Africa is now a part of the Nebula Group, offering a full range of integrated supply chain services with bespoke end-to-end solutions to meet clients’ needs.

"In the past, our logistics division utilised the hyperconverged private cloud environment of our parent company. However, as we transitioned to becoming a stand-alone entity, we needed to decouple from that setup," explained Moepi Matome, CIO of Nebula Logistics Africa. "Recognising our expertise lies in logistics, not IT infrastructure, we brought in Datacentrix, a cloud and data center expert, to help. Our decade-long partnership allowed us to concentrate on what we do best."

With a cautious phased migration strategy, the transition was seamless, going largely unnoticed by employees, due to Datacentrix’s proficiency in cloud technology, networking, and application support.

"As Nebula’s needs have evolved, we’ve adapted their cloud environment to ensure agility and responsiveness," said Francois Jacobs, Business Unit Manager at Datacentrix. "Our long-term collaboration has resulted in a robust hybrid environment, supporting key workloads and backups."

After a smooth 18-month migration, Nebula extended its agreement with Datacentrix for another year. "Our aim is to strike a balance across the various businesses within the Nebula Group, and Datacentrix’s flexible hybrid environment supports our dynamic growth," Matome noted.

Datacentrix also audited Nebula's SQL environment, providing essential advice for scaling. "A key benefit has been the ‘pay as you grow’ model," added Matome. "We don’t have to pay upfront for unused capacity, and Datacentrix has even advised us when to downgrade, lowering our costs. Their commitment to optimizing our environment has truly solidified our partnership."

Matome concluded, "There’s no distinction between us and Datacentrix—they are an integral part of our IT operations."

Ooredoo secures major financing deal

Ooredoo secures a QAR2bn (US$550mn) financing deal with QNB, Doha Bank, and Masraf Al Rayan to expand its data centre and AI business. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

Ooredoo Group, a global communications company operating across the MENA region and Southeast Asia, has secured a QAR2bn (approx. US$550mn) financing deal to accelerate its data centre and AI business growth

The deal was signed with QNB, Doha Bank, and Masraf Al Rayan, marking the largest transaction ever in Qatar’s tech sector.

Aziz Aluthman Fakhroo, group CEO of Ooredoo, stated, “The MENA region is one of the fastest growing markets for data centres worldwide, and there is significant untapped potential in AI, Cloud services and accelerated computing. This financing deal marks a major milestone in our strategic vision for expanding our data centre and AI business, and we are excited to meet the region’s increasing demand while upholding our commitment to sustainable, energy-efficient infrastructure.”

The funds will be used to separate Ooredoo’s data centre assets from its telecom operations, with a substantial portion allocated to expanding capacity and upgrading infrastructure to support AI, cloud services, and hyperconnectivity.

Fahad Al Khalifa, group CEO of Masraf Al Rayan, commented, "We are excited to be part of this major financing deal, which will contribute to driving technological progress in Qatar and the region. By partnering with Ooredoo, we are investing in the future of digital infrastructure and supporting sustainable growth through innovation and economic diversification. We are proud to be at the forefront of this significant initiative, which will undoubtedly cement Qatar’s position as a leader in the digital economy."

Sheikh Abdulrahman bin Fahad bin Faisal Al Thani, group CEO of Doha Bank, added, “We are dedicated to support Ooredoo in its ambitious expansion of digital infrastructure through this financing deal. The growth of Ooredoo’s data centres will have a transformative impact on the tech sector, enhancing regional competitiveness and positioning the country as a leader in the digital economy. We are proud to play a role in enabling this important step towards achieving comprehensive development in Qatar and the region.”

Smart cities: Vodacom revolutionises South Africa's future

Vodacom Business partners with local governments to transform South African cities through innovative digital solutions. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

Vodacom Business is dedicated to digitising essential sectors within enterprises and is collaborating with local governments to implement technology solutions aimed at creating smarter cities in South Africa

In announcing this partnership, which is part of a five-year Transversal Contract with the National Treasury, Vodacom Business highlighted the critical role that digital solutions can play in helping municipalities operate more efficiently and foster an inclusive future.

“We have a proven track record in partnering with the public sector to deliver transformative digital solutions. We aim to use our experience and expertise in understanding government needs to achieve their smart city goals. This includes digitalising utilities management, healthcare, education, and security, which streamline operations, enhance efficiencies, and improve the lives of citizens,” stated Videsha Proothveerajh, director of Vodacom Business.

Digital solutions can empower municipalities to better manage the consumption and delivery of essential services, including water and electricity. Vodacom Business has introduced a smart utilities management system that utilises connected smart meters to provide real-time consumption data. This innovation not only enhances accurate billing and revenue collection for residents but also extends to fleet management, resulting in cost savings for municipalities while improving the efficiency, value, and lifespan of their assets. Additionally, Vodacom Business has developed the Citizen Engagement app, which fosters two-way communication between citizens and municipalities, enabling residents to log service requests and track their status.

Technology has also been harnessed to enhance access to healthcare. Solutions like the secure, cloud-based Stock Visibility Solution (SVS) by Vodacom Business aid healthcare facilities in monitoring stock levels and managing medication dispensing more efficiently. Furthermore, the AitaHealth platform empowers Community Health Workers (CHWs) to provide preventative care services at home, improving patient care. Other initiatives supporting public healthcare include the Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) system, which tracks ambulance requests from the moment a call is received until the patient is delivered to their destination.

In education, Vodacom Business has created digital solutions that assist education departments and schools with streamlined e-admissions and improve communication between schools, district management, and provincial offices for better visibility. Vodacom’s e-learning platform utilises mobile technology to enhance the educational experience inside and outside the classroom, aligning with the government’s objective to improve educational outcomes in South Africa.

To ensure citizen safety, Vodacom Business has developed a range of IoT security solutions, including real-time firearm tracking and geo-fencing to bolster public sector security services. Body-worn cameras enable real-time video transmission to central locations, facilitating live monitoring during critical incidents and providing evidential support for incident management.

As Vodacom marks its 30th anniversary, Vodacom Business remains steadfast in its commitment to transforming enterprises of all sizes to positively impact lives and ensure that no one is excluded from the digital future. By promoting the development of smart cities, Vodacom is turning public services into public successes and assisting the government in leveraging technology to better serve citizens, fostering an inclusive digital society in South Africa.

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