Strike up the bands
A reading of a detailed draft plan by the telecommunications regulator to license radio frequency spectrum for next-generation wireless broadband networks shows it wants to entice new entrants, maximise competition and encourage infrastructure sharing. It could change SA’s telecoms
Return of the king?
Next year will be a decisive one for Microsoft as it readies new products to fend off challengers in the consumer technology market. Its upcoming touch and tablet-friendly operating system, Windows 8, will be an important part of its plan to win back the hearts and minds of
A hard last mile
The telecommunications regulator came under attack last week after it published a long-awaited framework on local-loop unbundling. It was accused of, among other things, failing in its mandate. But the truth is it has limited room to move. The Internet Service
Let’s just call it 4G
Earlier this year, Cell C lost a battle with its larger rivals, Vodacom and MTN, over its use of the term “4Gs” in its advertising campaigns. MTN and Vodacom argued to the final appeal committee of the Advertising Standards Authority, which found in their favour, that ordinary consumers
Free the spectrum
Further hold-ups in migrating from analogue to digital terrestrial television could have profound economic implications for SA and the sub-Saharan African region, new research from a powerful mobile industry lobby group shows. The picture it paints is clear: further delays
Telkom’s upside
Telkom released another set of shocking financial results this week, prompting some commentators to wonder if the company is sliding into irrelevance. But behind the dismal numbers is a more positive story. It’s one of a management team, under CEO Nombulelo Moholi
One step forward, one step back
The National Planning Commission’s National Development Plan, published on Friday, makes a number of sensible, market-friendly proposals to grow SA’s information and communications technology industry. One of the most important is the idea of spectrum trading
This changes everything
The level of competition between smartphone manufacturers and the companies that make the software that powers these devices is awe-inspiring to watch. It is fuelling innovation not seen in the technology industry since the early days of the personal
Telkom’s chickens come home to roost
Years after complaints were first lodged, Telkom is finally being called to answer to charges that it abused its monopoly in the telecommunications industry. It could face a huge fine. But the foreign shareholders responsible for the excesses are gone. When SBC
Rebooted yet again
Though he’s been widely praised for firing two of his ministers this week, President Jacob Zuma’s cabinet reshuffle has ruffled the technology industry. There are fears that redeploying communications minister Roy Padayachie will delay crucial projects. Padayachie, in the job
David Sinclair: 
Navin Moodley: 
Doczc: 
Graham: 
Chanyane: