technology news
MTN Named Best Mobile Network in South Africa
MTN has the best mobile network in South Africa, according to findings from the Q3 2020 Mobile Network Quality Report. The report, from MyBroadband Insights, shows that South Africans had an average mobile download speed of 29.16Mbps and an average upload speed of 11.46Mbps. To determine the best mobile network in South Africa, a “Network Quality Score” out of 10 was calculated for each network using download speed, upload speed, and latency. MTN reigned supreme with a Network Quality Score of 9.68, followed by Vodacom on 5.99, Telkom on 5.16, Cell C on 4.27, and Rain on 3.74. Here’s a closer look at the mobile network rankings: /* custom css */ .tdi_3_1f1.td-a-rec-img{ text-align: left; }.tdi_3_1f1.td-a-rec-img img{ margin: 0 auto 0 0; } Network Operator Download Speed (Mbps) Upload ...
Important Considerations when Selecting a Payroll Service Provider in Africa
In my years of experience in the African payroll market, I have come across various companies and individuals who consider themselves to be payroll experts. However, when questioned deeper, and based on the complexities associated with servicing payroll across multiple African countries (each with their own legal, customary and operational nuances), it has become apparent that many have misconstrued their knowledge or are in fact primarily relying on their payroll service providers to deliver compliant solutions. In 2019, Deloitte conducted a payroll benchmarking survey which collated responses from 750 different organisations operating across 55 countries. 73% of the companies who participated already outsource some components of their payroll and a key finding of the survey was that sour...
Why Technology is Key to Maintaining Business Continuity during the Pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic has forced almost all businesses to change their working practices and priorities in a matter of weeks, with the findings from the 2020 Internet of Things (IoT) Spotlight report showing that 71% of SA adopters increased the pace of IoT projects during this time. Adopters clearly believe IoT was vital to keep them going: 88% said the technology was key to maintaining business continuity during the pandemic. As a result, the majority of adopters (91%) now view the integration of IoT devices with workers as a higher priority and 83% of SA businesses considering this technology agree the pandemic will accelerate their adoption of it. IoT is key to improving business performance in South Africa The Vodafone Business research findings are clear: IoT continues to generate va...
The Future of Micro-finance in Emerging Markets
The pandemic has emphasised, beyond a point of reasonable doubt, the importance of technology to our modern world. Just as video calling and messaging have allowed us to work, study and socialise, fintech has played a similarly critical role in ensuring that people can still access the banking system. However, entirely too many people still lack access to financial services, leaving them without recourse in these unprecedented times. Financial inclusion is vital if we are to ignite economic growth, yet major obstacles remain. Reports suggest that as many as 40% of Nigerians are excluded from the banking system. To bring basic banking to everybody, we must still contend with limited access to technology, insufficient infrastructure, isolated areas, jealous hoarding of data by traditional in...
Plumbing and IOT in South Africa
Officially, South Africa is a country with a water-scarce rating. This is not a surprise for anyone that lives in Cape Town. Drought conditions have been endured for a long time, moving the city towards countless moments when water is simply not available. Farmers often struggle because of water scarcity and low yield. Water stands out as a finite resource. It now finally gets attention at a global state. The UN has numerous sustainability goals and water is on the top of the list. Unfortunately, often leaks appeared and countless water pipe breakages impacted water levels and water supply. According to fixitrightplumbing.com.au, numerous preventable leaks weaken infrastructures and the real problem is that sustainability is very low. In the entire plumbing industry, we see spe...
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...
DStv Launches ‘Add Movies’
DStv has launched ‘Add movies’ – a new movie offering that allows Compact Plus, Compact, Family and Access customers to sign up for DStv’s dedicated movie channels previously only available to Premium subscribers. This offering is available on M-Net Movies 1, M-Net Movies 2 and fliekNet for an additional R99 per month. The entertainment company says that Add Movies “gives subscribers more choice and control to structure their entertainment needs, including the flexibility to add on this service from month-to-month”. While Yolisa Phahle, CEO of General Entertainment & Connected Video at MultiChoice Group says that Add Movies was developed in response to customers’ appetite and interests. /* custom css */ .tdi_3_1e0.td-a-rec-img{ text-align: left; }.tdi_3_1e0.td-a-rec-img img{ margin: 0 ...
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...
MTN Liberia to Introduce New Voice and Data Surcharge
Lonestar Cell MTN has introduced a mobile voice and data surcharge – these charges are expected to abide by government regulations and directives. In an official statement, the telco says it “wishes to notify the public that in accordance with LTA-Order 0016-02-25-19 issued by the Liberia Telecommunications Authority (LTA), a surcharge on mobile voice on-net (Lonestar to Lonestar calls) and mobile data services has been introduced”. The surcharges are as follows: On-net (Lonestar-to-Lonestar) voice calls: US$0.008/min (or 0.8 cents/min) Data (per MB) US$0.00065/MB (or US$0.065 cents/MB) “Lonestar Cell MTN understands that these are tough economic times, but we assure you that we still have many products to allow our customers to communicate affordably. We remain com...
Airtel and Ericsson Partner to Modernise Kenya’s 4G Network
Sourced from Comms MEA Airtel has partnered with Ericsson to modernize its 4G network in Kenya. The telco signed a deal in August 2020 to enhance the quality of voice and data – this is expected to be done by leveraging Ericsson’s Radio System and Packet Core solutions. According to TechWeez, this project is also expected to make Kenya ready for 5G deployment. “Robust and secure communications are an essential component of a digital society in Kenya. We are firmly anchored to the strategy of delivering reliable connections across the country and are looking forward to expanding the high-quality mobile broadband services to our subscribers,” says Prasanta Das Sarma, CEO of Airtel Kenya. Fadi Pharaon, President of Ericsson Middle East and Africa, says, “Together with Airtel, we will imp...
Google to Warn Users if their Passwords are Hacked
Sourced from IOL. Google has revealed that it would notify Chrome users if their passwords have been compromised. In an official blog post, the tech company said that it would be improving password security on both Android and iOS devices. To find out whether your passwords have been compromised, Chrome will send users a copy of their usernames and Passwords using a special form of encryption – this lets Google check them against lists of credentials known to be compromised, but “Google cannot derive your username or password from this encrypted copy”. “We notify you when you have compromised passwords on websites, but it can be time-consuming to go find the relevant form to change your password. To help, we’re adding support for “.well-known/change-password” URLs that let Chrome take user...
