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16
Feb 2011 |
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Mobile virtual network operator Virgin Mobile SA has switched on its first third-generation (3G) mobile services, piggybacking off Cell C's new network, and offering out-of-bundle broadband at 60c/minute. Cell C recently sold its 50% stake in Virgin Mobile, though the virtual operator has agreed to continue using the former's network. Cell C has been rolling out a national 3G network based on a technology known as evolved high-speed packet access (HSPA+), which offers theoretical download speeds of up to... |
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15
Feb 2011 |
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Broadband Infraco spent R243m on its national fibre-optic network in 2009/10, Transport Minister Sibusiso Ndebele said on Tuesday. The fibre-optic cable network of the state-owned telecommunications infrastructure provider now covers about 12 250km countrywide, he told a media briefing at parliament in his capacity as chairperson of the infrastructure development cluster of ministries. This also enables South Africa to extend connectivity to the Southern African Development Community (Sadc) region. Ndebele... |
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14
Feb 2011 |
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Telkom's cellphone division, 8ta, is evaluating all options after losing an application to allow it to charge rival cellphone companies Vodacom, Cell C and MTN higher interconnection fees to receive their calls on its network. Telkom said last week that it was "currently studying the rulings and considering their potential implications, and evaluating all options available to it". The complaints and compliance committee at the Independent Communications Authority of SA (Icasa) had received complaints from... |
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13
Feb 2011 |
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Telkom has suspended its foundation's chief executive Reabetsoe Motsepe for making an irregular payment request for close to R4-million for a community project not approved by the organisation. Motsepe will appear before a disciplinary hearing next Thursday on charges of misconduct for allegedly submitting a request for payment of R3.9m for a community project that was not sanctioned by the foundation's board of trustees. Her disciplinary hearing was supposed to sit on Friday, but was postponed for reason... |
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11
Feb 2011 |
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The departments of public enterprises and communications are reportedly in discussions to explore the synergies between Broadband Infraco and Sentech, a move that has analysts concerned. Moneyweb reported on Friday that public enterprises minister Malusi Gigaba and communications minister Roy Padayachie were in discussions to explore a tie-up between the two companies. Infraco, which only launched commercial services late last year, is a state-owned wholesale telecommunications operator; Sentech, also owned... |
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11
Feb 2011 |
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Vodacom has taken the wraps off WebBox, an Internet device that connects to consumers' television sets. The operator hopes the product will extend Internet access to more South Africans. Vodacom SA commercial director Romeo Kumalo reckons the device will "change the face of Internet connectivity in SA". "This device will ensure that Internet access is available to many more South Africans who previously had limited or no access," says Kumalo. WebBox is a Vodafone product developed for customers in emerging... |
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10
Feb 2011 |
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The leadership of the Communication Workers Union (CWU) and Solidarity said they were informed on Tuesday of the packages. Telkom had planned to offer these last year, but when Jeffrey Hedberg was appointed acting chief executive, these plans were put on hold. CWU national spokesman Matankana Mothapo said in a statement released on Thursday the union "noted with extreme sadness" that Telkom was going ahead and offering the packages. "Instead of dealing with allegations concerning its corporate governance... |
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10
Feb 2011 |
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Fixed-line operator Telkom will enter into another round of voluntary severance packages (VSPs) and voluntary early retirement packages (VERPs), with non-management employees, as part of its 2011 cost-cutting strategy. This follows a similar process conducted last year, in which 186 managers opted for the packages, costing the company R144 million in the half-year to September. Among those who went for the package are chief of strategy Naas Fourie, MD of Telkom International Thami Msimango, head of... |
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9
Feb 2011 |
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In April Vodacom Group will start a massive marketing process to bring the Vodacom brand closer to its British parent, Vodafone, according to industry sources. On Tuesday the cellphone giant declined to confirm the news and Vodacom chief executive Pieter Uys said the media would have to "wait and see". Sake24 has learnt that Vodacom will move closer to the Vodafone brand by, inter alia, starting to use Vodafone̒s motto Power to you, as well as the distinctive logo of an inverted red comma. The Vodacom... |
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9
Feb 2011 |
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CELL C is banking on Red Bulls brand, marketing expertise and sports and entertainment sponsorship attracting customers. "Red BullҒs energy will not only be in a can, but in mobile as well," Cell C CEO Lars Reichelt said at the launch of their joint venture, Red Bull Mobile, yesterday. Red Bulls entry into the market will give consumers more choice but analysts have warned that it will not be easy to win customers in a market dominated by MTN and Vodacom . The launch comes four months after Telkom... |
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9
Feb 2011 |
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Cell C is selling its 50 percent stake in Virgin Mobile. This announcement comes on the back of Red Bull Mobile's launch last night, with Cell C backing the new operator. SA's third mobile operator will sell its stake in Virgin Mobile and Virgin Group UK will increase its stake from 50 percent to 55 percent. Bahamas-based Calico Investments will acquire the remaining 45 percent stake. Virgin Mobile says Cell C will continue as Virgin Mobile's network partner in terms of an updated and expanded network... |
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7
Feb 2011 |
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The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has delivered another ruling regarding complaints about Telkom's 'Simple' ADSL and voice solution. The authority received a consumer complaint that the radio commercial promoting the product was misleading and discriminates against Telkom's existing clients, because they are not eligible for the package in question. Telkom said it initially amended the radio commercial to indicate the offer is only available to new customers. However, as of 1 January, it is no... |
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7
Feb 2011 |
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The Competition Tribunal has dismissed attempts by Telkom [JSE:TKG] to quash the competition case brought against it by the Competition Commission. The matter relates to a case that Internet Solutions (IS) brought against Telkom. The tribunal provided IS time to bring an amended case for Telkom to answer. The tribunal's finding follows a hearing on October 11 2010, at which Telkom argued for the dismissal of the cases brought against it by the commission and IS. In 2009 the commission referred its case... |
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6
Feb 2011 |
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Parents worry about what radiation from the mast might do to their children. Constantia resident Coenraad Vemer, 82, said he was concerned his wife would become ill should the mast go up outside her bedroom. The cellular giant asked to lease a Constantia plot from the municipality on which to set up a mast to improve its service. But local residents organisations - including the Bergvliet-Meadowridge Ratepayers' Association and the Constantia Property Owners' Association - have objected to the application... |
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5
Feb 2011 |
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While the government struggles to appoint "strong leaders who know what they're doing" to head Telkom, telecommunications executives in the private sector are taking up prominent international jobs. This week, BP announced the appointment of Phuthuma Nhleko, MTN's outgoing CEO, as a non-executive director with immediate effect. Carl-Henric Svanberg, the chairman of the international petroleum giant, said Nhleko was an "international business leader of high standing with wide-ranging business experience in... |
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