Want to phone someone on Vodacom? Rather than dialling “082”, you may soon have to dial “882” instead. Draft regulations governing the phone numbering scheme SA uses could mean that every phone number in the country will have to change. The Independent Communications Authority of SA (Icasa) has released draft numbering plan regulations that could result in South Africans having to learn a raft of new dialling codes if fully implemented.
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Clay Shirky, celebrated author of Here Comes Everybody, a book on how the Internet is changing social behaviour, is a keynote speaker at the inaugural Tech4Africa conference, to be held in Johannesburg in August. Shirky, who divides his time between consulting, teaching and writing on the social and economic effects of communication technology, is a sought-after international speaker.
The Independent Communications Authority of SA (Icasa) has withdrawn plans to hold a high-profile radio frequency spectrum auction. The spectrum, in the 2,6GHz and 3,5GHz bands, is ideally suited to providing the next generation of wireless broadband services. The decision to postpone the auctions follows a recent meeting between Icasa and communications minister Siphiwe Nyanda in which the minister is understood to have raised concerns that the auction process was not in line with government’s policy on spectrum management.
As Neotel gears up to launch its first prepaid consumer products in the next few weeks, the telecommunications operator has announced it has concluded a deal with JSE-listed Blue Label Telecoms to take the offerings to market. Blue Label will offer Neotel’s prepaid products through its retail points of presence across the country. The products are expected to be launched next month.
Tired of cellphone spam and unwanted SMS subscription services? Here’s your chance to do something about it. Well, kind of. The Wireless Application Service Providers’ Association (Waspa), an industry body of mobile marketers created to self-regulate the industry, has invited public comment on proposed amendments to its code of conduct aimed at protecting consumers of mobile content and services.
The East African Submarine System, the second high-capacity fibre-optic cable along Africa’s east coast, is live. However, local Internet users will have to wait until at least August to enjoy any benefits. The West Indian Ocean Cable Company, the largest shareholder in Eassy, announced this week that the cable is ready to be tested by its owners.
The world’s largest chipmaker Intel has not turned its back on WiMax, saying the technology still has strong potential in Africa. New Intel SA country manager Videsha Proothveerajh says the company is still committed to the wireless technology despite its decision to shut down the WiMax programme office in Taiwan last month.
JSE-listed Pinnacle Technology Holdings has offered to buy distribution business Axiz Technology for R170m in a deal that could see it become the largest IT distributor in the country. In a statement to shareholders on Tuesday morning, Pinnacle revealed its decision to make the offer to Axiz, which is expected to merge with Pinnacle’s Workgroup business.
The fixed-line telecommunications market in SA is set for a turnaround, in part because of declining mobile termination rates, says technology research and advisory firm BMI-TechKnowledge. A new report, SA Voice Services Market Forecasts and Analysis, shows that between 2009 to 2014, fixed and mobile revenues are forecast to grow at compound annual growth rates of 3% and 7% respectively.
The fate of valuable broadband spectrum will be decided on Tuesday when the regulator, the Independent Communications Authority of SA, meets to discuss whether to go ahead with a planned auction. Industry insiders say the auction, for radio frequency spectrum in the 2,6GHz and 3,5GHz bands could be canned. The spectrum is ideal for providing the next generation of wireless broadband services.