SA's 3G world class , fixed broadband

Naspers CEO Koos Bekker said that while South Africa’s mobile broadband (3G) services are world class, fixed broadband access remains poor.

Speaking to Talk Radio 702’s Bruce Whitfield, Bekker said that South Africa’s Internet access diverges between mobile phones and PCs.

“Our 3G [mobile broadband] systems are as good as we get anywhere in the world,” said Bekker, adding that fixed broadband [used on a PC] has a problem with a lack of bandwidth.

The bandwidth restraints of fixed broadband access in SA, said Bekker, has a consequence on their pay-TV operations.

Bekker said in an interview with Moneyweb that they are forced to “fake the Internet” using their new DStv Explora decoder to make it possible for users to catch up on news or sporting events when it suits them.

“But we can fake the Internet a bit by putting it on satellite, loading it down into the PVR and then offering it to you as if it were the internet.”

source: www.mybroadband.co

liquid telecom Kenya to offer home users internet, tv

Liquid Telecom Kenya is set to launch an Internet Protocol television (IPTV) service in Nairobi in 2014. ITWebAfrica from South Africa reports that the Internet Service Provider will offer a mix of "free" and premium channels, possibly in partnership with DSTv.

In September, Liquid Telecom Kenya announced that it would be getting back into retail sector, with a pilot launch in 3 to 6 months. The video service may thus be offered alongside retail Internet, making Liquid Telecom the second ISP in Kenya to offer TV and Internet, the other being Wananchi Group with their Zuku Service.

Safaricom has also being reported as setting its sight on offering TV and Video to its subscribers. The firm is currently spending KSh. 10 billion on laying fibre across the country - which may be extended to home users or used to offer data intensive video services via mobile. Related stories

Shahab Meshki takes new role at Liquid Telecom tasked with multi-country SLAs Zuku TV hits 35,000 subscribers as units stock out

KDN sees service improvement after buy out by Liquid Telecom Richard Alden takes over as Wananschi Group CEO

source : allafrica.com