[UgaBYTES] WEEKLY NEWS ROUND UP-AFRICA (WEEK 2)

[Mwathi Francis]

*East African Mobile Communication market to reach $9 billion in 2015*

14th January 2010

The mobile communications markets of Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda and Rwanda,
earned revenues of $2.62 billion in 2008 combined and are expected to
deliver $8.99 billion in 2015, following the availability of cheaper
handsets and network investments in this region, says a recent study
compiled by Frost & Sullivan.

“The key drivers in these markets include strong gross domestic product
(GDP) growth rates, increasing demand for mobile money transfer services and
declining handset costs”, said Frost & Sullivan Research Analyst Jiaqi Sun.

http://www.itnewsafrica.com/?p=3845&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+itnewsafrica+(ITNewsAfrica.com)&utm_content=Twitter<http://www.itnewsafrica.com/?p=3845&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+itnewsafrica+%28ITNewsAfrica.com%29&utm_content=Twitter>



*SA Internet growth accelerates*

14th January 2010

The number of South African Internet users has passed the 5-million mark for
the first time, finally breaking through the 10% mark in Internet
penetration for the country. This is the key finding of the Internet Access
in South Africa 2010 study, conducted by World Wide Worx and jointly
sponsored by Cisco, released this morning, Thursday, 14 Jan 2010. The
headline data shows that the Internet user base grew by 15% last year, from
4,6 million to 5,3 million, and is expected to grow at a similar rate in
2010.

http://www.bizcommunity.com/Article/196/16/43642.html



*Zinox to Boost Reading Culture in Nigeria with Computers*

11th January 2010

Zinox Technologies, manufacturers of Nigeria's first internationally
certified branded computers is set to revive reading culture in Nigeria with
the planned launch of its 'Nigeria Reads' initiative. 'Nigeria Reads' from
Zinox Computers is inspired by the company's exclusive affiliation to the
World e-Books Library, which gives Nigeria direct access to over 750,000
e-books and documents embedded in every Zinox Computer and enabled by a
Zinox e-Card, renewable annually at a subsidized rate of N5, 000.00 only.

http://www.independentngonline.com/DailyIndependent/Article.aspx?id=6718



*ICT becomes examinable in 2011 for SHS in Ghana*

11th January 2010

To ensure that products from senior high schools are equipped with requisite
skills that will prepare them adequately for further academic work and
possibly the job market, Information Communication Technology (ICT) will
soon be introduced as an elective subject in senior high and technical
schools, hopefully by 2011.  Students will take the ICT course for two years
to develop the relevant skills for purposes research work following which
they will undertake examinations. This was disclosed by the Minister for
Education, Mr. Alex Tettey- Enyo, when he addressed a news conference in
Accra last Wednesday at which he outlined some of the initiatives and
programmes of his Ministry.

http://www.ghanaweb.com/public_agenda/article.php?ID=14293



*QCell launches Muslim phone in Gambia *

11th January 2010

Over 300 scholars and Imams from across the country Friday gathered at the
conference room of Qcell to launch its newest product called-the Qcell
Muslim phone. Whichever country someone travels to with the Muslim phone,
all that the person needs to do is to select the country and the phone will
automatically reveal the prayers times of that particular country, and alert
the person whenever it is time for prayers. He added that when the Muslim
features are activated, even when the phone is off, it will automatically
switch itself on and alert the person. With Qcell sim card, you can also
have the access services such as fast internet access throughout the length
and breath of the country; Qcell MMS, the service that allows you to send
and receive video, music and photos from one mobile to another, this product
is particularly interesting among young people; and Qchat service which is a
social networking application which allows the customers to have fun chats
in groups or in private among other things.

http://observer.gm/africa/gambia/article/qcell-launches-muslim-phone