[UgaBYTES] WEEKLY NEWS ROUND UP- AFRICA (WEEK 6)

[Mwathi Francis]

*African mobile market up 20%*

10th February 2010

Mobile subscribers in Africa have reached 448.1 million, this according to a
report produced by Ovum Research. Although the African mobile market really
took off around the year 2000, the industry achieved tremendous growth last
year, reporting 448.1 million mobile phone subscribers, a 20% increase
compared to 2008, when close to 373 million subscribers were accounted for,
representing 75 million new subscribers in just one year.

http://www.itnewsafrica.com/?p=4838&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+itnewsafrica+(ITNewsAfrica.com)<http://www.itnewsafrica.com/?p=4838&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+itnewsafrica+%28ITNewsAfrica.com%29>



*Study reveals the fastest internet connection in Africa*

10th February 2010

According to a report on Internet connectivity worldwide, published by
Akamai, a US company specializing in managing Internet, the best connection
in Africa can be found in Morocco, with a connection speed of 3251 kilobits
per second (Kbps).  The report, compiled during the 3rd quarter of 2009,
also states that the UK is the country with the fastest connection to
Africa. Rabat (3251kbps), Tunis (2211 Kbps) and Casablanca (2030 Kbps) top
the lists of the cities with the best connections on the African continent.
Regarding Internet penetration, Rabat leads with 26%, succeeded by
Casablanca (7.3%), while Midrand in South Africa comes third.

http://www.itnewsafrica.com/?p=4874&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+itnewsafrica+(ITNewsAfrica.com)<http://www.itnewsafrica.com/?p=4874&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+itnewsafrica+%28ITNewsAfrica.com%29>



*Zain Denies Reports of Imminent African Networks Disposal*

8th February 2010

Kuwait's Zain has refuted local media reports that it had been contacted
regarding a sale of its African assets. The Al Anbaa newspaper had reported
that Zain was in talks with Vivendi, France Telecom and Vodafone offer a
possible sale of the former Celtel networks.In a statement to the stock
exchange, Zain said "There are no current offers and the company will inform
the bourse's administration with any new information that may come up
regarding this issue,"

http://www.cellular-news.com/story/41843.php?s=h



*Are We Safe with Mobile Phone Banking*

10th February 2010

As the use of mobile phone banking continues to grow, there are also
increasing dangers of criminal and fraudulent processes taking place. Many
people are attempting to acquire sensitive information by masquerading as
trustworthy entities through electronic communications. There is skepticism
on whether mobile phone banking is safe because criminal minds with
nefarious intentions are everywhere - on the Internet, thieves and scammers
are many.

http://www.newvision.co.ug/D/8/459/709658



*EASSY Cable to land in SA this weekend*

11th February 2010

A significant milestone will be achieved this weekend when the EASSY
undersea cable lands in Mtunzini, on the north coast of Kwa-Zulu Natal. This
will be the only landing of the EASSy cable in South Africa and heralds the
start of the final stage of the long process of planning, financing,
designing and building this important African East Coast consortium cable
system.

http://www.itnewsafrica.com/?p=4970&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+itnewsafrica+(ITNewsAfrica.com)&utm_content=Gmail<http://www.itnewsafrica.com/?p=4970&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+itnewsafrica+%28ITNewsAfrica.com%29&utm_content=Gmail>




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Francis Mwathi
Support Community Facilitator
UgaBYTES Initiatives (www.ugabytes.org)
Telecentr.org (www.telecentrecommunity.ning.com)
Tel: +256 414 370163
Mob: +256 783 010269
Skype: francis.mwathi
E-Mail: mfrancis at ugabytes.org