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Politics

Telkom Cuts Uncapped Data Prices

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Image sourced from My Broadband In response to the increased demand for home connectivity during the COVID-19 lockdown in South Africa, Telkom has reduced prices and removed caps on its copper-based DSL broadband portfolio to new customers. Telkom’s new promotional prices start from R199 ($10.72) for an initial 6-month period for a 4 Mbps line, with the company hoping to enable access for those who currently do not have fixed broadband. This pricing of the uncapped data is part of Telkom’s COVID-19 relief efforts to enable access to education, work, and entertainment platforms. “Telkom already has copper access technology which can provide cost-effective home connectivity. During the lockdown we decided to use all the infrastructure available to us to provide good,  affordable quality...

Politics

GovChat to Digitise Africa’s Largest COVID-19 Social Relief Campaign

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GovChat, the South African civic engagement technology platform, has announced a partnership with the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) to support the digitisation of the COVID-19 social relief grant application process. The partnership with GovChat could enable millions of unemployed citizens to access the largest social security programme on the African continent directly from their mobile devices. GovChat’s platform – accessed through WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, SMS and USSDchannels – is said to provide a secure application portal for pre-qualifying citizens, automating filling, verification and applicant assessment. The automation of processes, using the GovChat artificial intelligence tools, enhances the agency’s productivity and allows them to respond to more application...