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All the latest technology news from South Africa and around the world.

MTN says no talks with India’s Loop Telecom

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MTN is not in discussions to acquire a stake in India’s Loop Telecom, the JSE-listed telecommunications group said on Monday. This followed a report in India’s Business Standard newspaper that the two telecoms providers were in talks. The newspaper did not name its sources, merely citing people close to the developments

Vodacom comes out firing at Icasa hearings

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JSE-listed cellular network operator Vodacom has warned of extensive job losses and damage to SA’s mobile industry if its regulator, the Independent Communications Authority of SA (Icasa), pushes ahead with plans to cut wholesale mobile termination rates next month. In a presentation at Icasa hearings in Midrand on Monday, it has asked the regulator to implement the first proposed cut in the rates in March 2011, and to extend the end of the glide path period

Battle lines drawn as rates hearings kick off

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The most important public hearings to be held by SA’s telecommunications regulator in years kick off today (Monday) in Midrand, north of Johannesburg. The hearings, on wholesale call termination rates, are set to be a legalistic battleground as top regulatory and legal experts from the incumbent operators fight tooth and nail to lessen the reduction in the rates proposed by the Independent Communications Authority of SA

Uncapped Internet: Telkom goes on the offensive

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Telkom has hit back at the introduction by MWeb and other Internet service providers of uncapped broadband, accusing rivals of “not delivering on their promise”. In a newsletter sent out to Telkom subscribers with their monthly bills this month, the incumbent fixed-line operator climbs into its competitors without naming

Details emerge of telecoms tariff council

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Details have emerged of government’s plan to create a new tariff monitoring structure in an effort to drive down telecommunications prices in SA. Legislation is being amended to create a new tariff advisory council at the Independent Communications Authority of SA (Icasa) to help the authority’s councillors and the minister of communications find ways of cutting telecoms

Government defines broadband as 256kbit/s

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The department of communications has defined broadband as an always-on, multimedia-capable connection able to offer download speeds of more than 256kbit/s. The definition forms a crucial part of government’s final draft broadband policy, approved by cabinet last week. Government describes the policy as “critical for SA to ensure realisation of the goal of an

Spectrum auction doubts as Nyanda steps in

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A plan to auction off valuable radio frequency spectrum that can be used to provide wireless broadband services appeared to be hanging in the balance on Tuesday after communications minister Siphiwe Nyanda raised concerns over the process. The council of the Independent Communications Authority of SA (Icasa) is meeting today (Tuesday) to discuss its response to the minister’s concerns. An Icasa insider says there is a possibility that an invitation

Telkom warns it may keep rate cuts to itself

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Outgoing Telkom CEO Reuben September has warned the group’s customers not to expect an automatic cut in fixed-to-mobile call charges that are directly in line with reductions in wholesale mobile call termination rates. In March, Telkom elected to pass on the entire 36c/minute saving when peak-time mobile termination rates were reduced from R1,25/minute