The greatest barrier to extending Internet use in South Africa, and indeed in most African countries, is the cost of data. In South Africa, 1GB of data on mobile networks – the only means of accessing the Internet for most – is R149 (prepaid). This means that for millions of people
Relatively few South Africans consider careers in software development or information and communications technology (ICT) when leaving school. There are a number of reasons for this, but first let’s look at why a career in software should, in fact, be given
Every September for the past three years, Apple has announced its new product lines. And every year the new features have felt more incremental and less impressive. But does it really matter? Take the product most important to
The South African economy may be teetering on the brink of a recession, but that isn’t keeping the country’s telecommunications operators from ramping up their capital spending. Telkom, Vodacom, MTN and Cell C, along with a host of smaller players, are all gearing up to make
Ah, the good old days. Those lovely summer afternoons where one could scoff at George Lucas and the merchandising monstrosity he turned Star Wars into. I might as well be blunt about this: much as I like the Star Wars films and
Perhaps the most surprising thing about Apple’s announcement of its assault on your living room was the matter-of-fact way it revealed it. Apple didn’t need to build a TV after all (although it surely tried, given the rumour-mill in recent years). Rather, Apple announced a fundamental
There are a number of prerequisites for the Internet (both service providers and end users) to be fully liberated in any African country. They involve the creation of Internet service provider associations, a proper licensing regime, local peering and international connectivity
Which five words does a CEO never want to hear? “Apple is entering our market.” Nokia and BlackBerry were both crushed to dust by the colossus from Cupertino, and big Hollywood studios
Open-access networks. Giving a little, to get a lot – in the long run. Various models are already used, at least in principle, in the recent South African home fibre roll-outs. Now how about open-access wireless networks? Why don’t we share more for the greater good (and better
According to technology consultancy BMI-TechKnowledge, the City of Tshwane now has the largest municipal public Wi-Fi network in Africa. What started as a fantasy of making Internet access a basic
