Southern Africa
LCA could Retract Vodacom’s Operating Licence
Vodacom has revealed that the Lesotho Communications Authority (LCA) could revoke its license to operate in the country. According to TechCentral, the LCA has imposed a R134-million fine for ‘allegedly flouting its licence conditions and for allegedly being in breach of local legislation governing companies’. In an official response, Vodacom says that it plans on lodging an urgent high court interdict – while assuring local customers that business will continue as usual. “In the same application, Vodacom will be challenging the lawfulness of the LCA’s decision, set out in a notice dated 8 October 2020, revoking its unified licence,” it said. /* custom css */ .tdi_3_441.td-a-rec-img{ text-align: left; }.tdi_3_441.td-a-rec-img img{ margin: 0 auto 0 0; } Vodacom Lesotho MD, Philip Amoateng sa...
Use of Digital Payments is Growing Rapidly in South Africa
Sourced from Htxt.Africa The accelerating rate at which retail merchants are enabling consumers to pay digitally at point of sale is said to be fueling the growth of digital payments in South Africa. This is according to FNB, which revealed that its Scan-to-Pay and Tap-to-Pay functionality on the FNB APP recorded the highest month-on-month usage growth in August 2020 since launch. The Bank states that month-on-month transaction volumes on Scan-to-Pay – which allows users to scan a QR Code to make secure payments at a physical point of sale or on an online merchant website – grew by 36% in August while values increased by 39%. Similarly, month-on-month usage of Tap-to-Pay functionality – which allows users to pay for goods by simply tapping their smartphone to pay at a point of sale – incre...
Cell C and Facebook Launch Public WiFi Hotspots in SA
Image sourced from Town Press Cell C and Facebook have partnered with the Saldanha Bay Municipality (SBM) in the Western Cape of South Africa to launch express public access hotspots – part of a plan to roll out Wi-Fi hotspots across the country. The move is said to be part of an ongoing initiative by Cell C to deploy free WiFi hotspots to marginalised communities, students and anyone in need of free, reliable connectivity. The Saldanha Bay Municipality is the second Municipality to make its infrastructure available to the Programme, after The City of Cape Town. “We are currently rolling out to all the technical and vocational education and training (TVET) colleges in the metro, and looking for new opportunities that are aligned to the Municipal Model,” says Schalk Visser, Cell C’s CT...
Uber to Crack Down on Mask Wearing in South Africa
Sourced from CNet. Uber South Africa has launched its Mask Verification tool in an attempt to ensure all passengers wear a mask when taking a ride. Passengers may be required to take a selfie while the mask verification tool ‘detects whether a mask is within the frame of the portrait and allows access to Uber if this is the case,’ reports MyBroadBand. “Masks are mandatory for riders and drivers, and both of you can leave feedback if the other isn’t wearing one,” reads an email from Uber to its South African users. “If we receive feedback about anyone consistently violating our mask policy, they will be blocked from the Uber app.” /* custom css */ .tdi_3_f66.td-a-rec-img{ text-align: left; }.tdi_3_f66.td-a-rec-img img{ margin: 0 auto 0 0; } Uber Cash Digital Wallet Launched in Sub-Saharan A...
Xiaomi Debuts Two New Entry-Level Smartphones
Xiaomi has officially unveiled two entry-level smartphones – the Redmi 9 and Redmi 9A. The tech company says that these devices represent its mission to make ‘exceptional smartphone experiences accessible to everyone’. Here’s a closer look at the Redmi 9 and Redmi 9A: Redmi 9 As the first entry-level Redmi smartphone to feature an all-purpose quad-camera set up, Redmi 9 helps capture life’s special moments. The device also integrates fun and creativity into the photography experience with premium camera features, including Kaleidoscope and Palm Shutter. Meanwhile, users can view more with Redmi 9’s bigger and better screen. Featuring a 6.53’’ FHD+ Dot Drop display, it offers an optimal visual experience with crystal-clear detail. It also comes with TÜV Rheinland Low Blue Light certifi...
How Alternative Power Solutions could Mitigate Load Shedding
Sourced from the South African. South Africa continues to feel the effects of load shedding, resulting in a decrease in productivity and disruption to business operations. Eskom announced earlier this year that load shedding is expected to continue into 2021 as power demand exceeds supply and more downtime is needed for overdue maintenance of the system. Some of the effects of load shedding include: Damage to electronics: the surge of electricity when the power is returned upsets the steady voltage flow in the electrical system. Loss of production: where most businesses use electricity for machinery, technology and light to complete the day’s work, loss of electrical power means that the day’s target cannot be completed. Data loss: power outages can cause data loss and corruption. Thi...
Huawei Launches the P Smart S in South Africa
Huawei has launched the new Huawei P Smart S device in South Africa. The smartphone has a 6.3″ OLED Dewdrop Display, with a high screen-to-body ratio of 90.17%, offering a massive viewing area and displaying content in fine details and vivid colours. The tech company says that when it comes to their consumers, they are all about the smartphones – which is why Huawei has included a 4,000mAh high-capacity battery that will keep up with any gaming, browsing, reading, music or series and movie needs. This smartphone’s rear camera is capable of producing high-definition images, thanks to its 48MP Main Camera. Even zoomed in, the details are crisp and sharp. The Huawei P Smart S also excels in night photography due to its high sensitivity performance and AI capability. Thanks to the device’s 120...
Sony Unveils New ‘Extra Bass’ Wireless Speaker
Sony has launched its new Extra Bass wireless speaker line-up – made up of the SRS-XB43, SRS-XB33 and SRS-XB23. The new range features superb sound quality, toughness and usability, all housed in refreshed new designs. “Our new SRS-XB43, SRS-XB33 and SRS-XB23 Extra Bass wireless speakers are designed to offer South African music lovers deep, punchy bass in a durable, refreshed look so their favourite music can be enjoyed the way artists’ intended,” says Takakiyo Fujita, MD at Sony Middle East and Africa. “This new XB range uses Sony’s renowned audio technology to produce exceptional sound quality.” X-Balanced Speaker Unit The Extra Bass wireless XB speaker range features Sony’s newly developed X-Balanced Speaker Unit, which is engineered to achieve high sound quality and powerful sound pre...
T-Systems and Fortinet to Launch Cyber Security Academy in South Africa
T-Systems and Fortinet have teamed up to launch a Cyber Security Academy that’s accessible to local South African youth. The new Academy is expected to include Fortinet’s Network Security Expert (NSE) certifications, helping participants build cybersecurity awareness skills and ultimately tackle the global cybersecurity workforce shortage. “Cybersecurity has become a top C-level priority across the globe with skills in high demand. With the addition of this focus to our ICT Academy, we are empowering participants with new skills that will make them even more employable,” explains Marcus Karuppan, ICT Academy Manager at T-Systems South Africa. “T-Systems has been a Fortinet partner for many years. Building on our relationship, we are now collaborating with them to focus on cybersecurity ski...
FNB Introduces QR Code Payments to all Speedpoint Devices
Sourced from Htxt.Africa FNB has revealed that shoppers across South Africa will now be able to make QR code payments at all standalone sale terminals. The bank says that this forms part of the ongoing expansion of its payments ecosystem and integrated App-based QR code, aimed at accelerating the adoption of digital payment solutions in the country. FNB Merchant Services CEO, Thokozani Dlamini says given the challenges we are currently facing globally due to the COVID -19 pandemic, it was essential that FNB fast-track the rollout of QR code payments for enhanced convenience and safety. “Added to the cost-effective, convenient and efficient payment process of contactless payments, both consumers and merchants will have peace of mind from a safety perspective, as physical contact will be lim...
Is South Africa Capable of Managing its own Telecoms Infrastructure?
If South Africa has the local talent and resources to construct, maintain and manage the country’s telecommunications infrastructure, why doesn’t it do so? asks Victor Stephanopoli, chairman at MzansiSat. He says South Africa needs to harness the resources and assets it already has on its shores to boost its telecommunications infrastructure rather than outsourcing to foreign players. “South Africa has the technology, expertise and persistence to address complex issues. The country would do well to harness the creativity and flexibility of its small to medium enterprise (SME) sector to find solutions to its telecoms challenges.” “South Africa could take a leaf from Germany’s Mittelstand model and position itself as a successful nation going forward by recognising good, specialised and mid-...
Intelligent Compliance: POPIA in the Age of AI
The artificial intelligence (AI) market is predicted to reach revenues of $156 billion by the end of 2020, according to IDC, with the largest segments being application and enterprise relationship management (ERM) at 20% and 17% respectively. The scale of AI growth alongside developments in automation, machine learning, deep learning, and the Internet of Things is equally driving the creation of extraordinary volumes of data. In fact, research has found that the number of digital bits produced every year could exceed the number of atoms on the planet by the year 2245. But as data grows and AI interprets and organisations analyse, so does the risk – the risk of non-compliance with regulations such as General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in Europe and the Protection of Personal Informat...
