- First edition of ‘The Broadband Bible’ launches in SA
The first edition of ‘The Broadband Bible’ has been issued in South Africa, and although still in its infancy (beta version), this free comprehensive independent review of what’s on offer in terms of broadband Internet access in South Africa is definitely going to help fill a huge gap in the local market.
- Mango goes beyond air travel
Mango (Mango Airlines) has partnered with broadband service provider G-Connect in order to enable customers to buy G-Connect Top-up vouchers while booking their flights online.
- Why is Neotel not listening to Braam Dupper?
NeoConnect Prime subscriber, Braam Dupper, has lodged a complaint with the Advertising Standards Authority of South Africa (ASA) against Neotel but the complaint was dismissed.
- More ISPs join the party
It is evident from recent days and weeks that more and more ISPs are starting to join the ‘broadband price cut party.’ It seems like we’re finally seeing a sharp decline, not only in the price of ADSL Broadband, but also in the price of Wireless Internet Access if one considers iBurst’s latest price cuts.
- Cost of ADSL expected to fall below R29 per GB
ADSL users can expect to see the cost of ADSL Broadband fall below R29 per GB within three years. This is the opinion of Afrihost which has launched a R29 per GB ADSL Broadband offering earlier this year.
- Telkom: Reign of terror under threat
Telkom’s reign of terror is under threat if one considers that the Competition Commission under Zuma’s administration is pressing hard to fine Telkom for anti-competitive practices to the tune of R7.2bn. Under threat but no end in sight yet.
- Gridhost: R44 per GB ADSL Broadband offering
Gridhost, which is known for its R8.95 hosting service, has recently entered the ADSL Broadband market with competitive R44 per GB ADSL Broadband data bundles.
- Mobile Interconnect Rates: What’s all the noise about?
The DoC (Department of Communications) has recently issued a policy direction on ‘Mobile Termination Rates’ with the intention to see these rates come down to cost-based levels, all in a bid to reduce the cost of telecoms in South Africa, but is this really their primary intention?
- Afrihost: R29 per GB ADSL Broadband offering to end soon
Afrihost launched a R29 per GB ADSL Broadband offering late September which has caused a stir in the telecoms market. None the less, the ADSL Broadband promotion is set to end soon although there are some good news.
- 10GB ADSL Broadband for free
Web Africa’s new ADSL Broadband network trial has kicked off on the first of this month offering 10GB of free ADSL Broadband access to participants while the trial lasts.
- Cybersmart can do better
Cybersmart, known for their competitive and innovative ADSL Broadband Packages, has according to the mainstream media ‘new ADSL pricing’ or ‘new prices’ in the pipeline as a direct result of cheaper international bandwidth offered by SEACOM.
- Afrihost: R29 per GB ADSL Broadband offering
Afrihost recently launched a R29 per GB ADSL Broadband offering which has caused a stir in the telecoms market in terms of whether it will trigger a price war or not. This is clear from the various comments made in online broadband related forums.
- Broadband in SA still sucks
We have made progress but the broadband landscape in South Africa still looks pretty bad when compared to the broadband landscapes in other countries. According to the latest Broadband Quality Study we fail horribly as a country when it comes to broadband quality, broadband availability and broadband penetration.
- A rundown of 2009
The year 2010 is on our doorstep, giving us just enough time to do a rundown of noteworthy news pertaining to ADSL Broadband and other broadband alternatives in South Africa for 2009.
- High-end ADSL users: Reason to smile
High-end ADSL Broadband users have every reason to smile after Web Africa has decreased the prices of their high-end ADSL Broadband Packages earlier this week on Spring day.
- More ADSL for gaming options
More ADSL products designed for online gaming are surfacing as ISPs are starting to make use of their own networks. This will definitely be welcomed by online gamers, especially by those who are looking to pay less for gaming bandwidth.
- New bandwidth tax: Step in the wrong direction
One cannot blame anyone for thinking that the Government of the Ivory Coast (Côte d’Ivoire) sucks after news that they have introduced a new tax on international incoming voice traffic. This is not the way to go if one considers the damage this will have on the push towards faster and more affordable broadband access in Africa, including South Africa.
- Cell C: Big push into Mobile Broadband market
Cell C has for a long time been criticised for not offering third-generation (3G) services. This is however about to change if one considers the recent announcement made by Cell C. They’re planning to build the most advanced 3G network in South Africa as part of a do-or-die strategy.
- Cable theft still out of hand
Cable thieves are having a whale of a time if one considers that Telkom has lost an estimated R3bn due to cable theft in the past 3 years. This is without even trying to estimate the cost to the South African economy as a whole.
- Cheaper ADSL at shocking service levels?
We should ask ourselves, if we’re really prepared to pay less for ADSL Broadband when its accompanied by shocking service levels? Hell no, I can already hear someone mumble in the background.
- Virgin Mobile is failing in SA
One can’t help to think that Virgin Mobile is failing in South Africa. This comes after news that Virgin Mobile has cut its targeted market share from 10% (5 million subscribers) in 3 years to less than 1% (1/2 million subscribers) in 2 years.
- ADSL Broadband remains at the top
The recent statistics released by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) pertaining to broadband usage in OECD countries in June this year, gives a clear indication that ADSL Broadband remains the most popular broadband technology or means to connect to the Internet in the OECD.
- Neotel expands into the SADC region
Neotel is expanding into the South African Development Community (SADC) region in partnership with the state-owned broadband entity, Infraco. The plan is to provide interconnectivity to countries within the given region, offering them an alternative to Telkom.
- Telkom chooses for you
The launch of the Seacom undersea cable system has seen a drop in the cost of broadband ADSL in some instances. It’s just a pity that the likes of Telkom have already decided that we need ‘extra’ bandwidth instead of direct cost savings in our pockets.
- ADSL price cuts welcomed
It is great to see that at least some ADSL price cuts are starting to filter through despite the kicks of major telecoms players against substantial ADSL price cuts in the foreseeable future.
- Are your caps being stolen?
Are you targeted by bandwidth thieves? This is the question one can ask after it has become clear that an increasing number of Average Joes in South Africa are becoming the victims of bandwidth theft.
- Goodbye New York
It will truly be a case of goodbye New York if Telkom’s planned delisting from the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) is successful by the end of August.
- ICASA fails us again
It has become an annual event for Government to call for cheaper telephony in South Africa but so far we have seen little action towards the lowering of call rates. What we have seen is rather the likes of ICASA (The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa) determined to sustain a regime earmarked by ridiculous high call rates.
- Vox Telepreneur lowers cost of ADSL
Vox Telepreneur has lowered the cost of shaped ADSL to R50 per GB with a flexi-cap, which enables ADSL Broadband users to set their own monthly caps, paying only for the bandwidth they use.
- Take the fight to Neotel
It’s encouraging to see that a growing number of Average Joes are taking the fight to Neotel. Entrepreneur Colin Levin has lodged a complaint with The Dependent Communications Authority of South Africa (DCASA) after it has become clear that Neotel is not delivering on its advertised claims.
- Good growth: ADSL subscriber base
The ADSL Broadband subscriber base has once again shown good growth in Telkom’s previous financial year. Telkom managed to increase the number of ADSL Broadband subscribers with no less than 33% to 548 015 in March this year.
- Uphill battle to get base stations up
It is becoming increasingly clear that Mobile/Wireless Internet Access Providers (Mobile/Wireless Operators) are fighting an uphill battle to find suitable high sites. High sites are needed to erect base stations or towers in order to expand mobile/wireless networks.
- Pirates delay Seacom launch
It has become known that modern sea pirates have delayed the launch of the SEACOM undersea cable system with more or less a month.
- New iBurst CEO: Jannie van Zyl
Jannie van Zyl, senior consultant to Vodacom, has been appointed as the new CEO (Chief Executive Officer) of the WBS (Wireless Business Solutions) or iBurst Group.
- Broadband infrastructure injection
The West Coast of Africa is going to receive an USD240m broadband infrastructure injection in the form of a new undersea optical fiber cable system called the Main One Cable System. This comes after the African Finance Corporation (AFC) and its partners announced earlier this week that they have closed a deal.
- Strong clear ADSL Regulations needed
It is as clear as daylight that the current set of ADSL Regulations in South Africa are more designed to keep up appearances than actually make sure that all the relevant players play fair. South Africa needs ADSL Regulations that leave no room for vagueness and that are enforceable.
- Tired of Neotel yet?
This is the question one can ask to several Neotel subscribers who are currently experiencing serious network problems. To make things worse, Neotel blames the network problems on overcapacity instead of a lack of effective planning.
- OECD report spells disaster for SA
A recent Organization for Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD) report clearly indicates that South Africa is falling behind OECD countries in terms of broadband penetration and broadband service quality. This is despite the progress SA has made in creating a more broadband friendly environment.
- Vodacom: No lack of supporters
Loftus Versfeld has come alive on Saturday night as a crowd in excess of 50 000 cheered for their respective teams. The Vodacom Bulls and the Chiefs clashed in the Super 14 final which ended 61 to 17 in favor of the Vodacom Bulls.
- ICASA and Cosatu: Pie in their faces
ICASA (The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa) and Cosatu (Congress of South African Trade Unions) are both sitting with pie in their faces after they have failed to block the sale of Telkom’s 15% stake in Vodacom to Vodafone.
- SEACOM on schedule
ADSL South Africa (Broadband South Africa) believes the SEACOM undersea cable project has so far being a tremendous success. This is especially true if one considers that it is the only cable project in this part of the world that’s on schedule.
- ADSL Broadband in demand
ADSL Broadband is pretty much in demand if one considers that Telkom is currently experiencing a shortage of ADSL modems in certain areas.
- ADSL Prepaid Solution: Connecti-FUEL
FNB (First National Bank) has recently launched a small telecoms product range through FNB Connect, a specialised telecoms division of the FirstRand Group. In this article, our focus will be on FNB’s ADSL prepaid solution: Connecti-FUEL.
- Vodacom, ICASA and Cosatu on war path
Vodacom, ICASA (The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa) and Cosatu (Congress of South African Trade Unions) are about to ‘lock horns’ in a struggle that has already seen the Rand drops 3% against the dollar on Friday.
- ADSL ISP ordered to withdraw ad
ADSL Broadband Provider, Cybersmart, was ordered to withdraw one of their radio ads after a complaint was lodged with the Advertising Standards Authority of South Africa (ASA).
- Don't expect huge price drops
Don’t expect huge price drops in the tariffs of ISPs when the cost of bandwidth drops with 50% or even more later this year. Most ISPs won’t drop their tariffs but will rather allocate more bandwidth to their broadband subscribers.
- Telkom plans mobile assault by year end
South African consumers can expect to see the launch of Telkom’s very own cellular or cellphone service by the end of the year. We will be able to buy Telkom-branded cellphones and airtime from Telkom shops.
- Vodacom: Just the beginning
Vodacom subscribers have every reason to smile considering that Vodacom has announced the first phase of plans to restructure its Internet connectivity and broadband services.
- Will Neotel learn the lesson in time?
This is the question one can ask after it has become known that Neotel has launched its 1GB NeoConnect Prime service. One would have expected them to hold back a bit considering the serious issues they are currently face relating to network coverage, etc.
- MWEB: Free Local Only ADSL to come to an end
MWEB has announced earlier this week that their unlimited free Local Only ADSL Broadband trial will end in 30 days time. This comes as a total surprise considering the comments they recently made to the contrary.
- Higher speeds, higher usage limits and value-added products
Telkom ADSL users will welcome the fact that Telkom is planning to introduce higher speeds, higher usage limits and value-added products towards the end of the year. This comes after a long dry period where Telkom’s ADSL pricing and almost everything else stayed the same.
- Will Vox feel the sting?
The major BEE (Black Economic Empowerment) investors in the JSE-listed telecoms group, Vox Telecom, cannot be happy campers considering that their investment in Vox is not performing as well as expected.
- Cell C CEO resigns
The CEO of Cell C, Jeffrey Hedberg, has resigned earlier this week.
- Don’t lock yourself in
This is not the time to lock yourself into long-term contracts. All the signs are there that the cost of bandwidth is going to come down considerably when the SEACOM undersea cable goes live later this year.
- Vox needs a miracle
Vox Telecom will need a miracle to survive the negative sentiment unleashed by the company’s decision to allocate shares though a new share incentive scheme.
- ‘Black hole’ for sale
One can assume that Cell C is for sale if one considers the fact that Cell C’s CEO, Jeffrey Hedberg, wants Telkom to buy the company with its ‘black hole’ of debt and numerous of other problems.
- Pressure mounting on ICASA
The pressure is mounting on ICASA (The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa)to adjust the planned 3000% hike in license fees to a more realistic level, and to give serious thought to issues relating to frequency spectrum allocation and interconnection fees.
- Ericsson bags R1bn JBNP tender
The world’s leading supplier of telecommunications, Ericsson, has been awarded the contract to build a municipal broadband network that will cover the whole of Johannesburg (Joburg). The project, known as the Joburg Broadband Network Project (JBNP), will take an estimated 3 years to complete at a cost of R1bn.
- September must fall on his sword
The Telkom CEO, Reuben September, must do the honorable thing and fall on his proverbial sword. This comes after a flood of allegations relating to corruption has surfaced with a choir of voices callingfor his removal from office.
- The ADSL pie: Changes in size and composition
The ADSL Broadband pie, although a relatively small part of the broadband Internet user base in South Africa, has shown consistent growth and is continuing to make inroads in the broadband market.
- Telkom: Nzeku vs. September
Fired Chief of Operations at Telkom, Motlatsi Nzeku, and Telkom CEO, Reuben September, are at each other’s throats amidst a sea of allegations relating to corruption and other malpractices at Telkom.
- ADSL Broadband: Unmetered uploads
Cybersmart, a Cape Town based ISP (Internet Service Provider) known for the launching of innovative ADSL Broadband products such as “Grow for Life” and “Knightrider,” is planning to make ADSL Broadband uploads unmetered (but not free considering the monthly fee they will charge).
- Zimbabwe: Telecoms ripe for the plucking
Like many industries in Zimbabwe, the Zimbabwean telecoms industry has fallen into disrepair, leaving telecoms operators in Zimbabwe highly exposed to takeovers by foreign telecoms operators.
- Internet user base grows 12.5% in 2008
The Internet user base has grown with 12.5% to 4.5 million users in South Africa last year. This according to the Internet Access in South Africa 2008 report produced by World Wide Worx and backed by Cisco Systems.
- VANs receive their telecoms licenses
ICASA (The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa) has issued telecoms licenses to no less than 400 VANs (Value Added Service Providers), which give them the legal right to build their own networks independently from Telkom.
- Vodacom follows MTN’s lead
Vodacom has scrapped the additional R49 per month fee for High-Speed Uplink Packet Access (HSUPA) and made it available to all their Mobile Broadband subscribers at no additional cost.
- ADSL South Africa revamp 2009
The ADSL South Africa (Broadband South Africa) team is planning a revamp of the ADSL South Africa site over the coming days and months.
- An unacceptable cost
South Africa needs additional broadband infrastructure but things are starting to get out of hand. Infrastructure providers laying down broadband cables in the Rosebank/Sandton areas seem to be more interested in making money than to lay down cables in a responsible manner.
- MTN and Neotel team up
MTN and Neotel have teamed up to build a national fiber optic network that will span 5000km and connect major centres such as Johannesburg and Durban.
- Bonus time at Telkom Media
Telkom Media, a subsidiary of Telkom, has paid workers huge bonuses last year in a bid to retain them, despite the fact that they only come to work for an hour or so per day to do nothing.
- Altech remains our hero
Altech, who went to Court last year to force the review of ICASA’s licensing process and won, has pulled out of the MTN Verizon hearings but remains a hero in the eyes of the Average Joes and ADSL South Africa (Broadband South Africa).
- Prospects remain positive for broadband
It is no secret that the world is experiencing a financial and economic meltdown. This is why it’s encouraging to read elsewhere that broadband lines amounting to 64 million were added around the world up to September last year.
- Neotel appoints new spin doctor
Neotel has appointed Albi Modise, the previous spokesperson for the Department of Communications (DoC), as the company’s new Media Relations Specialist for Corporate Communications, or corporate spin doctor in simpler terms.
