- Happy 2008
The ADSL South Africa Team would like to make use of this means to thank all of our supporters and wish them a New Year filled with joy, laughter and happiness.
- A run down of 2007
The year 2008 is hanging like a fat juicy peach, ready to be plucked and enjoyed, giving us just enough time to do a run down of noteworthy news pertaining to ADSL Broadband and other broadband alternatives in South Africa for 2007.
- What to expect in 2008
ADSL South Africa (Broadband South Africa) is confident that the year 2008 will bring even more good news where ADSL Broadband and other broadband alternatives are of a concern.
- Why now and not earlier?
This is the question ADSL South Africa (Broadband South Africa) wants to ask ICASA after it has shut down more than one wireless network in Sandton earlier this month, leaving a number of businesses out in the cold in the middle of the holiday season.
- Truthful advertising
Although the situation has improved considerably after the Advertising Standards Authority of South Africa has interfered in more than one instance, a few broadband providers still advertise download speeds that are not in line with true performance.
- 173 Mbps here in 2010
We can expect to experience Wireless Broadband speeds of up to 173Mbps per second in 2010. This comes after Nokia Siemens Networks has successfully completed a multi-user field trial employing the new Long Term Evolution (LTE) technology.
- End in sight for ‘Poison Ivy’?
Is the end in sight for Communications Minister Ivy Matsepe-Casaburri alias ‘Poison Ivy’? This is a question one can ask after Matsepe-Casaburri was not included in the recent ANC national executive committee (NEC) list.
- Which one will come out on top?
Will it be Super ADSL, Fibre to the home, HSPA or WiMAX that will come out on top? Which of these broadband technologies is the best to deliver affordable broadband over the last mile?
- One Price ADSL Service Comparison
A comparison of One Price ADSL Broadband entry-level offerings reveals that Cybersmart is currently offering the best value for money in more than one category.
- Billions will connect to the Internet
It is estimated that five billion people will be connected to the Internet by 2015. This is according to Walter Fust, Chairman of the Global Knowledge Partnership (GKP). The GKP is the organiser of the GK3 conference.
- Easy Switch
Cybersmart recently launched an innovative ADSL Broadband solution that enable ADSL users to switch easily between local and international bandwidth.
- Telkom’s smiling after ICASA ruling
Telkom must be smiling after ICASA recently ruled that the telecoms giant is not in breach of ADSL Regulations regarding the provisioning of Uncapped ADSL Broadband.
- White Christmas
In what can be described as a white Christmas for telecoms in South Africa well-known former Springbok rugby coach, Jake White, has made a surprised move by joining one of the local telecoms groups as Head of Marketing.
- Is Cell C going down hill?
One can’t help to ask the above question because something is definitely not right at Cell C, especially after the latest downgrading of the company’s credit rating by Standard & Poor.
- Initial phase: Fibre network for Cape Town
In what must come as good news to Capetonians the City of Cape Town is planning to invest no less than R300 million in a fibre optic network over the next 5 years.
- ADSL capping: Are we missing something?
It is no secret that ADSL capping is currently a hot issue in South Africa. Is ADSL capping a real issue or are we missing something?
- Web Africa: ISP of the Year
While we were on holiday, Web Africa has come out on top in the recent Broadband Survey and walked away with the ISP of the Year award for the second year in a row.
- Details on Neotel’s consumer services
Angus Hay, Executive Head of Strategy at Neotel, has given details about Neotel’s planned consumer services at the recent Broadband Conference.
- Telkom and MTN end talks
Talks between MTN and Telkom have ended after dealmakers were unable to strike a deal. This means among other things that MTN will not be taking over any of Telkom’s fixed-line business.
- Better ADSL service delivery
Broadband Service Assurance Solution (BSAS) is the grand name given to Telkom’s latest attempt to fast track ADSL Broadband service delivery. Phase 1 of BSAS will be launched on the 1st of January 2008.
- Headaches ‘uncapped’
It seems that the offering of uncapped local ADSL Broadband leave most if not all reseller ISPs with ‘uncapped’ headaches at this stage.
- MyADSL Broadband survey results
It is clear from the recent MyADSL Broadband survey that Telkom, Internet Solutions and Verizon Business are fighting it out for the first place where ADSL Broadband is of a concern in South Africa.
- MWEB’s ‘triple-play’ service launched
MWEB has launched their ‘triple-play’ service that includes a DSTV, ADSL Broadband and VoIP offering in one service.
- Google SA in broadband push
Google South Africa (Google SA) is planning a big broadband drive for 2008. This will tie in nicely with their official launch February next year.
- Faster ADSL by 2011
Telkom is planning to bring us faster ADSL Broadband after the 2010 Soccer World Cup. They are planning to increase the speed of their ADSL Broadband service from 4Mbps to 10Mbps, that’s 10 times faster than iBurst’s current ‘advertised’ speed.
- Healthy ADSL subscriber growth
Telkom has shown a healthy growth of over 76% in the company’s ADSL subscriber base over the last 6 months. This brings them closer to their ADSL subscriber target of 420 000 ADSL subscribers by March 31, 2008.
- Telkom’s headline earnings down
Telkom’s headline earnings per share declined with 15.1% over the 6 months that ended on September 30, 2007. This is a sure sign that increased competition and other factors are starting to impact negatively on the profits of the telecoms giant.
- Full access to SAT3/SAFE
Word is out that Neotel (SNO) ‘…has gained full access to the SAT3/SAFE undersea cable system’ (Neotel gains access to SAT3/SAFE, MyBroadband, 16 November 2007). This must come as good news for a large audience in and outside the telecoms industry.
- The Great Escape
The above is not in reference to any event where Allied POWs escaped from a POW camp during World War II or a movie for that matter, but is in reference to a possible exodus of many of Telkom’s enterprise customers after Neotel (SNO) has launched their Enterprise Product Suite last week.
- 20% per annum
This is the growth rate we can expect from the South African broadband market over the next seven years according to Frost & Sullivan, a global growth consulting company.
- SEACOM: Expected to land as planned
The SEACOM undersea cable in which Neotel has invested $600 million is expected to land successfully in South Africa despite uncertainty in regard to local landing rights.
- Broadband penetration rates
Word is out that South Africa has fallen even further behind the rest of the world relating to broadband penetration rates. South Africa’s broadband penetration rate came in at 1.5%, 12 times less than the Organization for Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD) average.
- 4 Terabytes
iBurst has divided and credited a total of 4.06 terabytes of free data or bandwidth to the accounts of 8 500 iBurst subscribers who regularly connected to the iBurst network via iBurst Dashboard Version 2 during the month of October.
- Great loss to Cell C
A great loss to Cell C, is the best way one can describe news that Muhieddine Ghalayini, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of Cell C, ‘…will return to Saudi Oger as CFO of its subsidiary, Oger United Arab Emirates’ (Cell C loses another executive, MyBroadband, 12 November 2007).
- ADSL Caps
It is no secret that ADSL caps in South Africa are unacceptably low. Worrying though is that ADSL caps in South Africa range from 1GB to 3GB while the average ADSL cap in other OECD countries that do have a capping policy is 21 GB per month.
- Bravo, finally!
Telkom has finally released their ADSL Service Level Agreement (ADSL SLA) as required by ADSL Regulations drawn up by ICASA. ‘This SLA however only applies to the ADSL access service being provided by Telkom, and therefore excludes any Internet portion’ (Telkom releases ADSL SLA, MyBroadband, 6 November 2007).
- Green light for Cybersmart
Brian Bailey, Sherlayne Koonin, John McFarlane and BP OConnor are sitting with proverbial pie in their faces. This comes after the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) ‘…ruled in favor of a Cybersmart advertising campaign using the national anthem in ‘a humorous manner’’ (ADSL not as difficult as SA anthem, MyBroadband, 5 November 2007).
- Uncapped local bandwidth
Uncapped local bandwidth will soon be a reality in South Africa. Despite missing their own deadline, Telkom’s says ‘…its wholesale arm is indeed ready with a solution, but that it is now up to ISPs, including TelkomInternet, to implement it’ (Telkom says it is ready for uncapped local bandwidth, MyBroadband, 5 November 2007).
- Early 2008
Consumers in South Africa waiting on Neotel’s broadband Internet and voice offerings will not have to wait much longer. These offerings should be launched early 2008.
- We can go much faster
Word is out that we still suck as a country when it comes to broadband speeds when compared to international standards. This leaves much room for improvement.
- 2010 World Cup threat
The SA Government’s insane drive to force majority South African-ownership of undersea cables landing in South Africa threatens the hosting of a successful 2010 World Cup.
- Forced ADSL line rental
TrueTrue competition might have to take a back seat again if Telkom persists in forcing subscribers to ‘…purchase an analogue telephone service with any ADSL product’ (Forced ADSL line rental anti-competitive?, MyBroadband, 31 October 2007).
- Neotel: Knight in shining armour
Neotel still remains our proverbial knight in shining armour despite various setbacks. This is not the time to give up hope but the time to buckle up and unite behind Neotel.
- ADSL Broadband: Use ADSL to retain clients
It is made clear in a survey released by World Wide Worx that small and medium enterprises (SMEs) could ‘…increase their efficiency and boost the chances of retaining clients if they use advanced high-speed internet technologies such as fixed-line service ADSL’ (High-speed internet could help SMEs keep clients – survey, Mochiko, Business Report, 26 October 2007).
- Telkom’s baseless attacks
Telkom’s recent attacks on ICASA’s Complaints and Compliance Committee (CCC) and ADSL Regulations can at best be described as ‘baseless’ or ‘unfounded.’ This comes after Telkom’s non-compliance with ADSL Regulations landed them in the hot seat.
- Patel leaves Telkom
Kaushik Patel has resigned as Telkom’s Chief Financial Officer (CFO). The news was released on Friday by Reuben September, Telkom’s Acting Chief Executive Officer.
- Neotel not happy
Ajay Pandey, Neotel’s Managing Director, has voiced Neotel’s unhappiness about proposed legislation pertaining to the landing of submarine telecoms cables in South Africa.
- Telkom: Back to square one
Telkom has moved back to square one at well-known consumer website HelloPeter.com. This came after Telkom failed to fulfil the requirements of the HelloPeter site, leading to the Telkom’s removal from the ‘companies who respond’ list and immediate ranking at the top of the ‘companies who don’t’ respond list.
- Broadband Infraco Bill adopted
The National Assembly has adopted the Broadband Infraco Bill in a move that can be described as a step in the right direction.
- Internet2: 100 Gbps capacity
The completion of Internet2’s new nationwide network infrastructure in the United States will initially make Internet access speeds of up to 100 Gbps (Gigabits per second) possible.
- Local Loop Unbundling (LLU)
It was made clear at the recent ITWeb Broadband conference in Midrand that Local Loop Unbundling (LLU) is essential for the improvement of ADSL access and ADSL Broadband services.
- Sentech: A costly affair
The cost associated with the rollout of Wireless Broadband by Sentech over the next four years is expected to reach R3.1 billion. Taxpayers will have to foot more than 80% of the bill.
- Neotel: Next phase launch
It seems that Neotel is planning to launch the next phase of their Enterprise services, most likely Converged Enterprise Voice and Data products, at a function that’s planned for the 15th of November this year.
- Vox Telecom storms VoIP market
South African telecoms provider, Vox Telecom, will pay R360m for telephony services provider Storm. It is no secret that Vox Telecom wants to better its standing in the VoIP telephony market.
- WiMAX software upgrade
MWEB has upgraded their WiMAX network by performing a software upgrade.
- Vodacom starts fixed line rollout
Vodacom has started the rollout of their planned fixed line network with a fiber rollout in Johannesburg. This is according to Vodacom CEO, Alan Knott-Craig.
- Telecoms CEOs: Salaries and bonuses
It is no secret that being a CEO involves a lot of hard work and a lot of things not so nice. Despite this, local CEOs and executives of telecoms companies have no reason to complain about their compensation packages.
- Vox Telecom acquires ‘ABSA Internet’
Vox Telecom has announced that they will buy ‘…Absa Internet Access customer contracts and certain computer hardware’ (Vox Telecom buys ‘ABSA Internet,’ MyBroadband, 5 October 2007) through their fully owned subsidiary, Atlantic Internet Services Limited.
- JBNP is moving ahead
The Johannesburg Broadband Network Project (JBNP) is definitely moving ahead. This comes after ‘…a short list of companies which will build demonstration networks has been released’ (Citywide Joburg Broadband Network moving ahead, MyBroadband, 5 October 2007).
- DA clashes with Telkom
The DA or Democratic Alliance has clashed with Telkom over Telkom’s alleged failure to fix a fault in the DA’s broadband connection within an acceptable time frame. An allegation Telkom denies.
- Open access broadband network
Neulogy, well known for their proof-of-concept WiFi network in Tshwane, plans to build an open access broadband network as part of the Johannesburg Broadband Network Project (JBNP) demonstration networks.
- IS upgrades bandwidth
Internet Solutions set to upgrade international bandwidth.
- Nashua Mobile launches One Price ADSL
Nashua Mobile has launched its own One Price ADSL offerings. Their cheapest One Price ADSL offering starts below R200 per month.
- No love left for Telkom
ADSL Broadband Providers (ADSL ISPs) are becoming increasingly irritated by Telkom’s poor service and anti-competitive behaviour that costs them more than an arm and a leg each year.
- Neotel to bring good news soon
South African consumers can expect good news coming from Neotel’s side before the end of the year.
- Intel to kick-start uptake of WiMAX
It’s no secret that the wireless technology WiMAX is struggling to get out of the starting blocks despite the backing of various big names such as Nokia, Motorola and Nokia Siemens Networks. This might change after Intel stepped in.
- Fast and furious
This is how one can describe the Internet connection speeds that are possible with a ‘channel bonding box’ that was developed by Technology Concepts, a Johannesburg IT company.
- Sentech’s WiMAX plans
Sentech is planning to build a nationwide WiMAX broadband network that will replace their current IPWireless technology.
- Uncapped, unshaped ADSL
Online Digital Solutions (ODS) has launched its own unshaped, uncapped ADSL packages.
- Do Broadband claims false
Despite claims made by Telkom in their Do Broadband advertising campaign that their Do Broadband offerings are suitable for ‘movies, gaming and music,’ it’s not the case with all their Do Broadband offerings.
- Municipal broadband
Government research indicates that...
- New faces at Telkom
Telkom has appointed three new Directors to the company's Board of Directors: Dr Victor Lawrence, Dr Ekwow Spio-Garbrah and Ms Reitumetse Jackie Huntle...
- iBurst is aiming at Telkom
The telecoms giant Telkom is in iBurst's cross hairs. The wireless Internet access provider is planning to launch services...
- EASSy is doing ok
The EASSy project is progressing well despite setbacks and potential landing problems in South Africa...
- Sentech puzzles market
Sentech's last minute pullout from the pay TV race on Thursday came as a surprise to many players in the telecoms market...
- Web Africa’s firm support for ADSL
It's clear from a recent Finweek interview with Web Africa's Matthew Tagg that Web Africa strongly believes in the future of ADSL in South Africa...
- Mega-deal speculation
Speculation on an upcoming mega-deal in the telecoms market has helped to push Telkom's share price upwards earlier this week...
- Cellphone VoIP
Three former classmates have landed the solution to South Africa's high cellphone charges...
- Optical fibre network rollout
MTN South Africa has kick-started the process to rollout a 5000 km optical fibre network across South Africa over the next two years...
- Buy Telkom shares
Mark Shuttleworth's lawyer, Michael Alachouzos, recently made it known at an iWeek conference, that the best way to put some pressure on Telkom is to become shareholders of the company...
- Is trouble brewing at Sentech?
One can ask this question after several key Sentech staff members, including MyWireless and Biznet product managers, decided to look for greener pastures elsewhere...
- iBurst’s feeble effort
iBurst's effort to defend the company's shaping policies can at best be described as 'feeble' when compared to legitimate concerns of iBurst subscribers...
- ADSL service problems
Many ADSL users feel like pulling the hairs from their scalps because of problems experienced with their ADSL service...
- Cable thief meets his maker
A cable thief recently lost his life in Pretoria when he tried to 'cut' Eskom cables by using a hacksaw...
- Telkom pushes ahead
Telkom is pushing ahead with their broadband plans. The growing of the company's ADSL access network and the development of new voice-over-broadband and triple-play services form part of the company's broadband plans...
- Bungling not good for VoIP
Regulatory bungling is hampering efforts to grow the VoIP market in South Africa. Issues surrounding fixed line portability, additional bandwidth capacity for VoIP, carrier pre-selection and high interconnection costs should be addressed sooner rather than later...
- Is Neotel battle ready?
Is Neotel battle ready? This is the question one can ask after Neotel's willingness to go in direct competition with Telkom was questioned in recent media reports...
- The Big Steal
Are we still paying too much for ADSL in South Africa? This is the question one can ask after all the ADSL price cuts in South Africa in recent months...
- Is Cell C walking on thin ice?
Cell C got involved with Money Talk, a scheme that’s described as ‘harmful business practice’ by Andre Prakke, a forensics accountant...
- ICASA put to the test
ICASA's Complaints and Compliance Committee (CCC), a new ICASA structure, is in the process of setting up a hearing where Telkom will have to defend their position in regard to the company's non-compliance with ADSL regulations...
- Reduction ADSL rates
Telkom's ADSL rates officially took a nosedive earlier this month while the prices of other services such as analogue line rental increased. This comes after Telkom announced planned ADSL price reductions earlier this year...
- The end of copper theft?
Kabel-X, an international company, has developed technology that makes the replacement of copper with fiber cheaper, as well as five times faster than the conventional method of digging...
- New countdown
A new countdown started when Neotel ...
- Paper-based ADSL prepaid vouchers
Two South African ISPs, Axxess and DotCo, recently introduced a first for South Africa, paper-based prepaid ADSL vouchers, to the South African ADSL market. ADSL users responded positively to this development as can be seen in the uptake as well as feedback received...
- Web Africa passes on ADSL price savings
Web Africa has passed on ADSL price savings in a bid to make Internet access cheaper in South Africa...
- iBurst and Telkom in hot soup
iBurst and Telkom have landed in hot soup over dubious speed claims. The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has instructed them to withdraw the relevant claims with immediate effect...
- VoxTelecom: New products, new ideas
VoxTelecom, previously known as DataPro, is planning to launch innovative products and share profits with their subscribers and resellers in a new 'profit sharing' concept...
- Letter from Taiwan
ADSL South Africa (Broadband South Africa) and some Internet Service Providers (ISPs) in South Africa have received a letter from Frank Hung from the C-Com Corporation in Taiwan. We publish his letter here so that other interested parties can contact him directly if they wish to do so...
- “Internet Access in SA 2007”
This is the name of a study by World Wide Worx, which shows that only about 8% of the South African population (3.85-million) will have access to the Internet by the end of the year. This is despite a considerable increase in broadband usage....
- Hayward withdraw resignation
Steven Hayward has reviewed his decision to leave Telkom. The proverbial dog has returned to its vomit...
- Tough times, tough luck
It was made clear in an article in Finweek that the next 12-18 months...
- iBurst bursting ahead
The number of iBurst subscribers shot up from 12 000 to almost 45 000 during the past year. iBurst's partnership with Vodacom and their low-cost offerings are certainly helping to fuel this impressive growth...
- Where is the ADSL SLA?
Telkom has failed to supply ICASA with an ADSL Service Level Agreement (SLA) by the end of May as promised earlier in a meeting with ICASA and MyADSL...
- Telkom’s bid for BCX blocked
The Competition Tribunal ruled in favour of sanity earlier last week by ruling against Telkom's planned R2.4 billion purchase of Business Connexion...
- Will Cell C default?
This is the question one can ask after Moody's Investor Service announced that Cell C...
- DataPro now Vox Telecom
DataPro has officially changed their name to Vox Telecom...
- Cell C wants MTN to pay up
Cell C recently claimed that MTN owes them R200 million in interconnect fees. MTN disagrees...
- Altech Stream Rwanda
Altech Stream Rwanda, a subsidiary of Allied Technologies (Altech), has been granted a broadband licence to deliver broadband Internet access services in Rwandan cities...
- iBurst surprises
iBurst has suspended the network access of some of their users until the 1st of July, while others received warnings in regard to their 'excessive usage'...
- WiMAX makes business sense
More and more businesses and home users will benefit from WiMAX as more and more laptop computers and PDAs are WiMAX-enabled this year...
- Long live ADSL
One can come to this conclusion after Vodacom said that they are planning to launch their own ADSL offering before the end of the year...
- First local provider of WiMAX products
Telkom has become the first local provider to offer WiMAX products in South Africa with the launch of its own commercial WiMAX products...
- Spescom gets R10m contract
Spescom Telecommunications managed to secure a R10m Neotel contract...
- ADSL price reductions
Telkom customers have a lot to smile about after Telkom announced ADSL price reductions of up to 38%. Telkom Closer Plan 4 and Closer Plan 5 subscribers will also benefit...
- Neotel ready to compete
Neotel said that they are ready to compete and that their planning provides for 'significant price re-alignments'. This comes after Telkom recently announced ADSL price reductions that will come into effect on the 1st of August this year...
- Nathan Williams
Nathan Williams is not part of a F1 racing team but the new Head of Customer Support at wireless Internet access provider, iBurst. Williams joined iBurst on the 28th of May this year. This comes after Ed Hall left iBurst earlier this year...
- Vodacom enters fixed-line arena
Vodacom plans to rollout its own fixed-line network. They unveiled their plans last week...
- ‘Life beyond Vodacom’
"There has to be life beyond Vodacom," these are the words of a man that's ready to step down as CEO of the Vodacom Group. Alan Knott-Craig has made his desire to leave Vodacom clear in an interview with Financial Mail...
- ‘Comedy of technological errors’
Sentech and the SABC took a beating at ICASA hearings last week. One General Manager described Sentech as a 'comedy of technological errors'...
- Free plug-and-play modem
Goal Technology Solutions (GTS), known for their Broadband over Power Lines technology, has revealed their broadband pricing. Their Goalnet broadband services, which make use of Power Line Communication technologies, come with a free plug-and-play modem...
- ‘Wayward’ Hayward resigns
Another Telkom executive has resigned. Managing Executive of Retail Marketing at Telkom, Steven Hayward, has left the telecoms giant after 12 years of service...
- Neotel’s ‘true broadband’ offering
Broadband Internet users will welcome the news that Neotel is planning a 'true broadband offering' based on WiMAX for the end of this year...
- DataPro to rebrand
The JSE-listed DataPro Group is planning to rebrand as VoxTelecom...
- New Telkom Company Secretary
Telkom has announced the appointment of Sandi Linford as the new Company Secretary with immediate effect. This comes after former Company Secretary Vincent Mashale's resignation became effective at the end of last month...
- Bigger ISPs optimistic
South Africa's bigger Internet Service Providers (ISPs) seem to be optimistic about prospects that stem from the Communications Minister's budget vote speech...
- New hybrid ADSL account
Web Africa now offers a hybrid ADSL account to ADSL users that enable them to choose between SAIX and Verizon Business when it comes to the supply of bandwidth...
- WiFi leader
The OR Tambo municipal district that consist of Mthatha, Lusikisiki and Port St Johns will soon become the WiFi leader in the Eastern Cape...
- ‘130-year-old mindset’
Kevin Clarke who writes for ICTWorld made it clear in a recent article that we shouldn't focus on 'saving pennies on phone calls' but 'look instead to the new business it can create.' For him it's about the break down of a '130-year-old mindset'...
- ADSL rates coming down
Combined price ADSL rates are starting to come down as more and more Internet Service Providers (ISPs) are joining the one price ADSL revolution in South Africa...
- Public Friend No.1
It seems that VoIP is going to be Public Friend No.1 if the full benefits of Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), including cost savings, kick in as more and more companies switch from traditional telephone systems to systems employing VoIP technology...
- “Unbundling” soon a reality
Telkom's ability to terrorise consumers in South Africa with high telephone costs will soon get a severe knock...
- What’s up with EASSY?
This is the question one can ask after the launch of the East African Submarine cable system (EASSY) has AGAIN been delayed. This comes as a blow to South Africans that were hoping for waves of change to hit our shores sooner...
- ‘News junkie’ joins Telkom Media
Telkom has appointed Jimi Matthews to run Telkom Media's 24-hour news channel...
- InfraCo to rectify bandwidth wrongs
To rectify bandwidth wrongs created and sustained by Telkom seems to be InfraCo's top priority...
- Busiest ‘beehives’ revealed
Wireless broadband provider and BEE (Black Economic Empowerment) company, iBurst, has revealed...
- More cake for Molotsane
Despite all the damage Telkom's former CEO, Papi Molotsane, has done and the R5.6 million he earned in his first six months at Telkom, he and his legal team is now pushing for another slice of the cake...
- Telkom’s rating is up
This comes after S&P (Standard & Poor's Ratings Services) revised its outlook on Telkom from stable to positive and gave it a 'BBB' long-term foreign currency corporate credit rating...
- New true VoIP service
A division of DataPro and Vox Telecoms, Vox Direct, plans to introduce a true VoIP service to the residential South African telecoms market...
- ASA not convinced
The Advertising Standards Authority of South Africa (ASA) is not convinced that MTN's claim of a 1.8 Mbps HSDPA broadband offering reflects the true state of affairs...
- Bad news for Cell C
Bad news knocked on Cell C's door after Moody's Investors Service downgraded its ratings....
- Wholesale call termination
ICASA hearings relating to wholesale call termination kicked off in Sandton earlier this week...
- Prepaid ADSL vouchers
Dotco (they are the ISP behind All You Can Eat Broadband) has launched prepaid ADSL vouchers that will enable ADSL users to top-up bandwidth...
- Undeniable fact
Even though Telkom will deny it, research done by US-based cost management consulting firm NUS Consulting Group, shows beyond reasonable doubt that Telkom's tariffs remain at ridiculous high levels. Telkom is once again outdoing themselves...
- 10 times the world average
South Africans are currently paying 10 times as much for their broadband access as the world average. It seems that things will change for the better though when Infraco gets its licence from ICASA...
- From free to paid
iBurst is now charging for certain services that were previously free. This comes after its ridiculous out-of-bundle price stunt a few weeks back, which left many subscribers furious to say the least...
- Jasco’s playing it safe
Electronic and electrical products group, Jasco, is upping the number of its wireless communication service offerings...
- Telkom’s not too worried
It seems that Telkom is not too worried about Neotel's chances of dethroning the giant soon...
- MTN investors not impressed
MTN investors are not impressed with MTN's performance the past three months...
- Key Icasa councillor steps down
The Icasa councillor responsible for heading the telecommunications licence conversion process, Mamodupi Mohlala...
- Digital divide is getting bigger
It's apparent from recent OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) broadband statistics that the digital divide between developed countries like Ireland, New Zealand, etc., and developing countries like South Africa, is getting bigger by the day...
- Neotel shareholder signs MOU
Neotel shareholder, VSNL International, and IWTGC (Infinity Worldwide Telecommunications Group of Companies) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in regards to IWTGC's West Africa fiber optic submarine cable project...
- Altech and CityNet signs agreement
South African IT company, Altech, has signed an agreement with CityNet Wireless, an US-based wireless service provider, and its global licensing partner, CityNet Wireless International.
- Enough capacity for at least 20 years
State-owned broadband company, Broadband InfraCo...
- No guidance, no assistance
Guidance and assistance from the Internet Service Providers Association (ISPA) pertaining to recent developments in the ADSL broadband arena, seems to be non-existent, at least at present.
- New CEO of Telkom Media
Last week Telkom's acting-CEO, Reuben September, announced the appointment of Telkom's Chief of Corporate Affairs, Mandla Ngcobo, as CEO of Telkom Media with effect from 1 April 2007.
- No peace and quiet for granny
SA granny of close to a 100 years old, Leila (97), is not enjoying much peace and quiet after she moved into a home for the aged 8 months ago. A telephone directory error has made her life a living hell.
- Telkom’s Israeli connection
Telkom's deployment of its WiMax network - the first commercial WiMax network in South Africa - is a step closer to the implementation of its R30 billion next-generation network (NGN). The Israeli-based WiMax and wireless broadband solutions provider, Alvarion, will supply technology critical to the success of Telkom's WiMax initiative.
- DataPro posted jump in revenue
On Thursday JSE-listed group DataPro posted an excellent set of results for the six months to February. Despite the excellent results posted DataPro seem to be worried about certain constraints on growth...
- Telkom Media’s R7.5bn plan
The South African market will see the launch of Telkom Media's pay-TV offerings by next year if Icasa issues an operating licence to the Telkom owned entity in time. The launch will form part of a R7.5bn plan...
- do Broadband ADSL offerings
Telkom's recently introduced do Broadband ADSL offerings will help TelkomInternet customers to save cents on the Rand but competing Internet Service Providers (ISPs) will suck on the back teat...
- Cheaper cellphone calls
This cost of making a cellphone call in South Africa could fall in the next few months if Icasa has its way. Icasa wants to regulate cellphone termination fees to the benefit of all South Africans...
- Mobile TV estimates
If Mobile TV estimates provided by research house, Gartner, are remotely linked to reality we shall see a phenomenal increase in the number of people watching television on mobile devices such as cellphones over the next three years...
- Cell C takeover offers
Cell C confirmed that the company received several takeover offers. It seems that it's now just a matter of time before a new majority shareholder takes over from Saudi Oger...
- The next 100 days
The next 100 days in Neotel's (SNO's) history will be marked by the launching of Neotel's services and the consolidation of progress made earlier this year...
- Corruption at Telkom?
One can't reject allegations of corruption at Telkom especially since well-known trade union Solidarity...
- Telkom in 2010 and beyond
Will the Telkom of 2007 be the same Telkom in 2010 and beyond? This is the question that one can ask since it's as clear as daylight that Telkom is heading along the same road as British Telecom and Australia's Telstra...
- Justin to relocate
Telkom executive, Justin Ramayia, '...has been appointed as CEO of Multi-links, a Nigerian-based telecoms operator, with effect from 1 April 2007'...
- Transtel to become part of Neotel
In what comes as a step in the right direction Transtel Telecommunications (TT) has in principal accepted Neotel's (SNO's) offer to buy it for R230m...
- Online onslaught
Telkom is facing what can only be described as an online onslaught of consumer dissatisfaction. This is especially true if the flood of complaints about Telkom's ADSL service on the Hellopeter consumer website is taken into account...
- Verizon Business SA
One of South Africa's first tier ISPs, Verizon Business SA...
- New Vodacom company
Vodacom announced changes to the Vodacom Group's organisational structure...
- Will iCall survive?
This is the question one may ask because recently launched iCall, iBurst's own VoIP service, is clearly facing fierce competition from the likes of Skype and other VoIP services...
- Adequate bandwidth
Neotel made it clear that they're...
- Profitable within two years
Cell C stated that the company plans to become profitable within the next two years...
- Cell C meets job target
Cell C has succeeded in meeting its direct job target by creating 2 500 direct jobs...
- Combined ADSL offerings
Combined ADSL offerings are now starting to emerge in the ISP arena with Cybersmart being one of the first Internet service providers...
- 100GB ADSL service
Internet Solutions (IS) has announced '...the immediate availability of their new Business ADSL 100GB service'...
- Biznet range
Sentech's Biznet range is starting to make dents in the armour of Telkom's Diginet offering. It seems that Sentech's luck is turning after all the bad publicity they received the last few years...
- Looking for a job?
Word is out that iBurst is still searching for a replacement for Ed Hall, their previous Head of Customer Support...
- Broadband vs. ISDN
In Britain it seems that ISDN is falling away to make place for broadband. Things do not look as gloomy for ISDN in South Africa however, at least not at present...
- Molotsane moved on
Telkom announced last Thursday that it's CEO, Papi Molotsane, has left office. While it's unclear whether he was fired or not, his departure couldn't have come sooner, since he was for at least 18 months a thorn in the flesh of many South Africans...
- No shortage of partners
A total of 24 submissions had been received by the City of Johannesburg in their search for a partner who can help them to develop the Joburg Broadband Network Project...
- TV readiness for 2010
It's proposed in a strategy paper that Sentech should be relieved of all other duties to ensure television readiness for 2010...
- Close to boiling point
It seems that pressure on Telkom for a telecoms reform is close to boiling point if recent developments are taken into account...
- Star status
Internet Solutions (IS) is gaining star status in the broadband community because of the generous local usage allowances on its ADSL accounts.
- Huge increase HSDPA devices
There was a 100% increase in the number of HSDPA-capable devices in the last three months. This is according to the latest "HSDPA Devices" survey undertaken by GSA...
- Sentech back on track
Sentech seems to be back on track after it struggled the last couple of years to boost the number of MyWireless subscribers...
- E-learning boost
E-learning in South Africa received a welcome boost when four high schools in Mamelodi were connected to St Albans College in Pretoria via a broadband network...
- Second undersea cable
A second cheaper undersea cable may be laid if private investors and governments can't sit around the same table where the East Africa Submarine System (EASSy) is of a concern...
- Levelling the playing field
It seems that Government has finally realised that Telkom's control over outbound traffic on the SAT3 landing station needs to come to an end. This means that we can expect to see broadband prices crash landing later this year...
- Ten positions back
South Africa has slid backwards ten positions in the Networked Readiness Index. This is according to a report titled "The Global Information Technology Report 2006-2007" (GITR) released by the World Economic Forum.
- Better late than never
ICASA has finally allocated the frequency spectrum in the 800 MHz band to Neotel. This means that Neotel will now be able to roll out...
- MTN delivers great results
MTN has delivered an excellent set of results with after-tax profit coming in at R12bn. MTN investors have much to smile because it's clear that MTN is giving them a lot of value for money.
- WiMax will bring real benefits
One can't help to smile about the real benefits the commercial launch of WiMax will bring to thousands of South Africans. This is the case if we can believe MWEB and Internet Solution's (IS) take on the potential of WiMax to bring sunshine in our lives...
- Smart move
iBurst's move to release new 'improved' out-of-bundle data rates can only be deemed as a smart move. This comes after an outcry from iBurst partners and subscribers, after sky-high out-of-bundle data rates were prematurely released...
- 10th of April
This is the date on which Telkom will launch its new wholesale ADSL access service, which will make the reselling of single price ADSL packages possible.
- Telkom’s WiMax service
The official launch of Telkom's WiMax service is scheduled for May this year. In the mean time its WiMax broadband trials will continue in Pretoria and Centurion...
- iCall
iBurst has announced the launch of its own Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) service, called iCall...
- IMCCS to bring relieve
Affordable broadband will soon be available to all South Africans, even to those in non-serviced rural areas, if communications solutions provider, IMC Communication Solutions (IMCCS), has its way.
- Streamlining Cell C
It's clear that Cell C's new Chief Executive, Jeffrey Hedberg, is keeping to his stated objectives of streamlining Cell C. Cell C has reportedly fired almost '3% of its 2 500 strong workforce in the last 6 months'...
- New iBurst packages
iBurst will soon launch new broadband packages. Month-to-month subscribers will also have something to smile about. There is a catch however...
- DoC vs. Telkom
Telkom's biggest shareholder, the Department of Communications (DoC), has recently made it clear in Midrand that they don't share Telkom's view in regard to broadband pricing. It's clear that DoC wants to see a reduction in the pricing of broadband while Telkom is hard pressed not to make any compromises in this regard.
- Telkom enters Nigeria
Telkom's acquisition of a 75% stake in Nigerian private telephone operator, Multi-links, has finally gave Telkom the opening it needed to enter the Nigerian market...
- Khetha Media not happy
In papers filed with the Independent Communications Authority of SA (ICASA), Khetha Media commented about the unfair advantage Telkom Media will have over broadcasters, if Telkom is allowed to keep its monopoly on the local loop...
- Unfair dismissal?
This is the question one needs to answer after a Vodacom worker was dismissed about two weeks ago...
- Control of WBS
Alan Knott-Craig, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Vodacom, recently made his intentions to eventually obtain 'management control of WBS' clear. Will he succeed?
- Why are we still waiting?
Neotel's management must be asking the above question, since the company is still waiting on ICASA to allocate the 800MHz frequency band that's needed to successfully enter the residential market...
- MTN loses out in Saudi bid
MTN has lost its bid for Saudi Arabia's third cellphone license.
- MTN’s price cuts pay off
MTN's recent broadband price cuts are definitely paying off if the massive growth in their data bundle and price plan subscriptions tells us anything.
- Telkom’s Ugandan dream shattered
Telkom's dream to enter Uganda seems to be shattered after the telecoms giant failed to win control of Uganda Telecom.
- 30 Mbps a reality in Pta
Some Pretoria residents are already enjoying broadband services with speeds of up to 30 Mbps delivered by Goal Technology Solutions (GTS)...
- OMD drops MTN
Media strategy company, OMD Media Direction South Africa, has decided to end its 13-year relationship with telecoms giant MTN. OMD has voluntarily relinquished its account with MTN but failed to comment on the reason for its decision...
- Vodacom staff win battle
A 1/4 or 25% of the proposed R7.5 billion BEE (Black Economic Empowerment) transaction will be allocated to all Vodacom employees (4 300). This is after Vodacom staff have won a three-year battle to be allocated shares.
- ICASA’s screwing poor people
ICASA is screwing poor people in rural areas because of delays on their part where the allocation of spectrum to Under Serviced Area Licensees (USALs) is of a concern...
- Telkom spreads misinformation
Telkom is spreading misinformation with the intention to confuse the public and to give analysts a false impression of its services...
- Molotsane must resign
Papi Molotsane, Telkom's Chief Executive, should be forced to resign as soon as possible, that is if Telkom shareholders don't want to see more key executives pack their bags and go, and eventually see how Telkom goes down the drain...
- Cell C’s smiling
Cell C is smiling, not because a major competitor has been declared bankrupt, but because they've experienced phenomenal growth rates where their data services are of a concern, and expect that the trend will continue upwards...
- Another Telkom executive resigns
Telkom's Chief Technical Officer (CTO), Thami Msimango, is the second Telkom executive member to resign, stating the same reason for his resignation as executive member Wally Beelders who resigned only a week before him.
- Cheaper bandwidth
Intel has announced the world's fastest silicon modulator that could lead the way to computers that run faster and cooler, and to cheaper bandwidth...
- Fight fire with fire
It comes as no surprise that Telkom and ICASA are once again standing in the way of decent pricing and service where telecoms and broadband Internet in South Africa are of a concern.
- MTN might get nasty
MTN customers using MTN's airwaves to make use of free services such as Skype and MXit must be careful not to run into huge bills.
- Vodacom answers call
Vodacom has answered the call to cut the cost of broadband in South Africa with price cuts of up to 61%. This means that they're now the cheapest broadband provider in South Africa for lower usage offerings.
- Telkom’s secretive about new product
Telkom is secretive about a new product that may introduce a one-price ADSL service as early as May this year.
- Telkom stays true to its nature
Telkom's reasons for the proposed acquisition of Business Connexion (BCX) at The Competition Tribunal hearings left no doubt that Telkom has decided to stay true to its nature...
- Sentech in need of extra funding
Sentech is in need of extra government funding if its 2010 Soccer World Cup dreams are to become a reality....
- ADSL wholesale price cuts
Telkom's wholesale Internet provider, SAIX, has decided to reduce its wholesale ADSL prices to Internet service providers (ISPs). Price cuts will be effective from the 1st of April...
- Best broadband deals
Aggressive price cuts by broadband market players such as MTN, Sentech and Vodacom have really stirred a lot of value for money to the surface...
- Letter from Switzerland
ADSL South Africa has received a letter from Switzerland that we would like to share with you...
- More joining broadband battle
It's as clear as daylight that MTN has started a broadband battle that will see pricing on wireless broadband offerings heading south sooner than expected. Sentech and iBurst have joined the battle and one can expect to see fierce fighting...
- Another milestone for Neotel
Neotel has partnered with several technology companies, which will help South Africa's Second National Operator (SNO) in the building of its networks...
- WiMax’s gaining ground
WiMax, a long-range wireless broadband technology, is gaining ground faster than expected despite scepticism and resistance from certain key industry executives. It's unclear at this stage whether the deployment of this technology will benefit current mobile networks although there's also clear support for its speedy adoption...
- New revenue sources
It's clear that Telkom is searching for new revenue sources if its desire to expand into the rest of Africa can be seen as an indication of this...
- Great news from Nashua
Nashua Mobile Broadband will offer clients pay-per-usage ADSL within the next 3-4 months when they launch their long awaited ISP division...
- ADSL Protected Access
ADSL Protected Access... this is the name of the new service MWEB introduced to combat the ever increasing problem of bandwidth theft. Home users and small businesses lose a lot of money every year that can be directly attributed to this type of thievery...
- 'Administrative oversight’
Administrative oversight, this is Telkom's lame excuse for ignoring a directorate ruling of the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA). It's clear that Telkom has once again walked over ASA...
- Telkom and IS shake hands
Telkom and Dimension Data subsidiary, Internet Solutions (IS), have reached an out-of-court settlement. This will end a four-year legal dispute...
- Time for confession
It's time for confession and the ADSL South Africa team stands first in line. While our confession will not go down history as earth-shattering, it might remind our loyal supporters of our noble intentions...
- iBurst in hot water
iBurst has landed in hot water after the Wireless Access Providers Association (WAPA), which represents 25 Wireless Internet Service Providers (ISPs), has labelled its recent comments about 'rogue wireless operators' as 'inaccurate and misleading'...
- Cisco teams up with Neotel
Cisco Systems, well-known worldwide network solutions provider, has teamed up with Neotel (SNO) through its partner Dimension Data Africa (Didata). This happened after vital components of Neotel's infrastructure rollout were awarded to them...
- No service, no payment
Landline users in many rural areas has been taken for a ride by Telkom for far too long when it comes to the idea of 'no service, no payment'. Late in the day and partial reimbursements are simply not enough...
- Thumbs down for Telkom
Telkom's cheapest ADSL offering is according to the latest research done by research firm Point-Topic definitely not cheap...
- JBNP to bring relieve
The Joburg Broadband Network Project (JBNP) will bring relieve to Joburg residents by lowering the costs of telecoms in the city and also enabling improved service delivery...
- 16 March 2007
Head of Customer Service at iBurst, Ed Hall, has decided to leave iBurst for greener pastures. His last day in office at iBurst will be on the 16th of March...
- BT seeks BEE partner
UK giant, British Telecommunications (BT), is searching for a black economic empowerment (BEE) partner in South Africa...
- Extra power
Power blackouts in South Africa and the rest of Africa have left some mobile operators with no choice but to seek alternative power sources for their base stations...
- Mashile’s still in denial
ICASA Chairman, Paris Mashile, is still denying that ICASA's not delivering on its mandate although it's clear that the organization is drenched in turmoil and under constant attack...
- Holiday at Margate
We're not officially retired from our holiday yet but we shall provide you with a short update before we move on to the Kalahari for the last leg of our holiday...
- Vodacom to face strike
Vodacom can expect to face the onslaught of unhappy workers after talks with the labour union CWU (Communications Workers Union) and the CCMA (Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration) ended in a stalemate...
- Infraco to launch soon
State-owned broadband entity Infraco will launch next month. Minister of Public Enterprises, Alec Erwin, has in the mean time clarified a lot of issues pertaining to Infraco...
- Namibia sets example
The Namibian government has set an example to other countries in the SADC region, including South Africa, on how deregulation of broadband should commence to truly benefit a broader base of citizens...
- Broadband growth
It's clear from estimates that an increasing number of people are making use of broadband Internet services in South Africa...
- Ready to take action?
President Thabo Mbeki has once again reaffirmed government's desire to make cheaper telecommunications a priority but failed to make known a specific plan of action...
- ADSL network failures
MWEB was forced to issue a statement to their customers after a significant increase in complaints placed a lot of pressure on their call centre. All due to Telkom maintenance of the SAIX ADSL network which caused a series of ADSL network failures...
- Vodacom to launch faster internet
South Africa's largest wireless broadband provider, Vodacom, plans to launch faster broadband later this year...
- Neotel's growing
Neotel, South Africa's second national operator (SNO) is clearly growing. This is true if the almost 300% increase in its staff numbers since August last year can be used as a measure of growth...
- Dirty tactics
Both MTN and Vodacom seem to be employing dirty tactics in the number portability war. Cell C customers seem to receive the most abuse in this regard...
- Telkom at it again
Telkom is at it again. The suspension of a 75-year-old widow's landline under very suspicious circumstances leaves one cold to say the least...
- Fixed-line portability
Both Neotel and Telkom are required to make sure their networks are number portability friendly by February this year. Will they be ready?
- Africa Online
Kenya-based internet service provider, Africa Online, might become part of Telkom...
- Righteous anger
We're sure ADSL users and other telephony consumers in South Africa have welcomed TAG's initiative that calls for reform in the telecoms sector...
- BizNet Xtreme
Sentech is clearly hoping for a fresh start if one takes a peep at their latest plans...
- Wide open
Undersea cable projects are under way along Africa's east coast that will for one result in much cheaper international bandwidth...
- Reuters blames Telkom
Well-known media and information provider Reuters made it clear that Telkom is standing in the way of foreign investment in South Africa...
- Icasa's rotten apples
One of the proverbial rotten apples has fallen off the tree when Icasa's CEO, Jackie Manche, quietly resigned on December 22 last year...
- iPhone: Slim and sleek
Overall South Africa's cellular providers seem to be cautiously optimistic about Apple's iPhone with responses ranging from cold but calculated to outright upbeated...
- Remember area code
Phone users in South Africa, pretty much all of us, will have to remember that the deadline to switch over to Telkom's new 10-digit dialling system is midnight January 16...
- Want to buy a cellphone?
"How to buy a cellphone in South Africa" is the title of a pocket guide recently released by Arthur Goldstuck and Steven Ambrose...
- Neotel's on schedule
From February this year large enterprises will be able to make use of alternative international and national circuits or leased lines...
- On a comical note
We're sure many of us will find something to laugh about this year. In a good way of course...
- Illegal telephone calls
Many Sunnyside residents must still be fuming after their telephone lines went dead on Wednesday because of damage caused to a Telkom cable by criminals...
- Telkom to expand control
Telkom is set to expand its control in sub-Saharan Africa by acquiring a controlling stake of 51% in Uganda Telecom...
- Record breaking holiday season
Cellular network providers in South Africa have seen a record-breaking increase in the number of SMS messages sent as well as voice calls made over the holiday season...
- More deploying HSDPA
It's clear from the latest Global mobile Suppliers Association (GSA) surveys that more and more mobile network operators are deploying High Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA)...
- Million dollar questions
MD of ICT research firm World Wide Worx, Arthur Goldstuck, has for one predicted that over a million people will be using broadband in two years' time, or by the end of 2008. It sounds great although we have a few questions...
- iBurst to invest R350 million
iBurst is set to invest R350 million in new infrastructure in the hope of reaching even more embattled broadband consumers in South Africa...
