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9mobile hosts a Mobile Network Operators workshop

February 21, 2020 Dianne Jacobs

9mobile, the leading telecom operator in Nigeria, in association with Google, and Kirusa, a global leader in communication solutions over data networks for consumers and enterprises, recently hosted a workshop in Lagos for Mobile Network Operators (MNOs), Aggregators, and brands to introduce Rich Communication Services (RCS), and showcase how RCS Business Messaging (RBM) is revolutionizing enterprise communication with their consumers. The workshop was attended by over 50 attendees, including representatives from MTN, Airtel, Glo, GTB, Zenith Bank, Unity Bank, Accion Microfinance, Interswitch, and Infobip, among others. Touted as the next-generation…

5G will support more than 10% mobile connections

February 20, 2020 Dianne Jacobs

According to the new Cisco Annual Internet Report, 5G will support more than 10% of the world’s mobile connections by 2023. The average 5G speed will be 575 megabits per second, or 13 times faster than the average mobile connection. With advanced performance capabilities, 5G will deliver more dynamic mobile infrastructures for AI and emerging IoT applications including autonomous cars, smart cities, connected health, immersive video and more. For the past 50 years, each decade introduced a new mobile technology with cutting-edge innovations. Mobile bandwidth requirements have evolved from voice…

Samsung partners with Safaricom and M-kopa

February 18, 2020 Dianne Jacobs

Technology firm Samsung has partnered with Safaricom and M-Kopa to roll out a Pay-As-You-Go mobile phone solution in Kenya. This initiative is described as a world first mobile security solution enabling carriers, financial partners and retailers running installment plans to remotely manage Samsung devices. The initiative will leverage the benefits of Safaricom’s fast 4G data network and service in Kenya. Essentially, the pay-as-you-go initiative will enable carriers and dealers to expand their current customer base with lower upfront fees and interest rates. It offers customers the opportunity to access a…

MTN Rwanda announced phasing out physical airtime

February 14, 2020 Dianne Jacobs

MTN Rwanda has announced that it will phase out the sale and distribution of physical airtime vouchers as of February 15th, 2020. Airtime will only be purchased and loaded through MTN’s digital Electronic Recharge Service (ERS) or MTN Mobile Money (MoMo). This is in their quest to continue to lead the digital agenda for a brighter Rwanda and more importantly contribute to the country’s green growth. Speaking about this decision to go wholly digital, MTN’s Chief Sales and Distribution Officer, Mr Norman Munyampundu said, “MTN Rwanda is set to deliver…

Kibanda Online: Grocery shopping made easier

January 28, 2020 Dianne Jacobs

A new online platform, “Kibanda Online” has now made buying groceries a task that can be done at the comfort of your home. The platform is a departure from many online shops whether on Instagram, Facebook or websites which mainly trade on home appliances, cosmetics and clothes. The platform is the brainchild of 29-year-old Laurriette Rota. ‘Kibanda’ is a Swahili word meaning stall. Ms Rota says the idea initially was to help deliver groceries and other items needed regularly by the sick, elderly and physically challenged people who have a…

Nokia phones targets a 10% growth in Kenya

January 22, 2020 Dianne Jacobs

HMD Global, the home of Nokia phones, is targeting a 10 per cent growth in Kenya this year, as it eyes to increase its share of the smartphone market. This comes after successfully unveiling the Nokia C1 and Nokia 2.3 in the Kenyan market in December, which came a week after the global launch in Cairo on December 5. The company which has a variety of feature phones is planning a major expansion on the smartphone platform, in the wake of growing technology adoption and internet access in Kenya. “Kenya is our key market which we want to strengthen…

MTN Zambia launches non-expiry data bundles

January 21, 2020 Dianne Jacobs

MTN Zambia has launched a new range of non-expiry mobile data bundles dubbed Freedom bundles. The Freedom bundles are added to existing mobile data bundles to offer customers more choice and to contribute to digital inclusion in Zambia. This introduction, the first of its kind in Zambia, means that MTN Zambia data customers can now load and use mobile data bundles that do not expire before they are exhausted. MTN Zambia Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Bart Hofker said, “Zambia’s number 1 network has taken the lead in the industry by…

Safaricom Launches Lipa Na M-Pesa promotion

January 13, 2020 Dianne Jacobs

Safaricom has launched an eight week Lipa Na M-Pesa promotion that will reward both customers and merchants for making and receiving payments through the service. Buyers and sellers will receive 1 point for every KES 100 payment with customers standing to win one of 6 houses in weekly draws. The promotion runs until March 5th 2020 and will reward both customers and merchants in 8 regions across the country. In the grand finale, customers across the 8 regions will win one of 8 tractors each equipped with a plough and…

Malicious Trojan app terrorizes users with fake reviews

January 13, 2020 Dianne Jacobs

Kaspersky researchers detected a Trojan application that terrorizes users with unsolicited ads and boosts installations of online shopping applications. This malicious app visits smartphone app stores, downloads and launches applications and leaves fake reviews on behalf of the user, all while hiding itself from the device owner. As sales are hitting the stores, both users and brands need to be wary. When choosing shops, users rely heavily on reviews, while retailers increase their promotion and advertising budgets. As it turns out, neither can fully trust what they see online, as…

Innovators create App to assist with Cancer awareness

January 9, 2020 Dianne Jacobs

Late cancer diagnosis due to lack of adequate information has been cited as some of the drawbacks in the fight against the disease. However this may now become a thing of the past thanks to a new innovation. A group of three youths in Eldoret have developed a mobile platform to assist cancer patients obtain proper and correct information on the disease. Salim Bakari, one of the developers of the app dubbed Cancer and Chronic Diseases Focus, says they found that there is a widespread lack of information on cancer…