Author: Duncan McLeod

Communications regulator Icasa has assigned emergency temporary spectrum to telecommunications operators to deal with network demand during the Covid-19 crisis.

Cell C is conspicuous by its absence from Icasa’s announcement on Friday of the companies that have been given access to temporary spectrum during the Covid-19 crisis. That is by design, it said.

Vodacom has appointed Dejan Kastelic to replace the long-serving Andries Delport as its group chief technology officer. Kastelic will start on 1 May, subject to receiving a work permit.

E-commerce players hoping for an immediate lifting of restrictions preventing the online sale and delivery of non-essential products to consumers have been dealt a harsh blow by trade & industry minister Ebrahim Patel.

Vodacom said on Thursday that data traffic flowing across its network has jumped by as much as 40% as a result of the lockdown and work-from-home measures introduced by many businesses.

Kim Reid, CEO of South Africa’s largest online retailer, Takealot.com, has made an impassioned plea to government to allow unfettered e-commerce and food delivery as soon as possible.

Apple on Wednesday unveiled a new, cheaper iPhone with a relatively small 4.7-inch screen but powered by the same processor used in the more expensive iPhone 11 Pro models.

Data from vehicle tracking companies Netstar and Tracker shows the number of vehicles on South Africa’s roads plunged during the first few days of the national lockdown – as did vehicle theft and hijackings.

Communications regulator Icasa has received “about 35” applications for access to temporary high-demand spectrum, it said on Friday.

South Africans will have to endure at least another two weeks of the national Covid-19 lockdown. President Cyril Ramaphose announced on Thursday evening that the lockdown will be extended until the end of April.