vodacom must withdraw 3G speed chain

Vodacom has to withdraw claims that it has South Africa’s “fastest” and “widest” 3G network as these have not been substantiated and are therefore in breach of the code of advertising practice.

These are the findings of the Advertising Standards Authority, which has instructed Vodacom to desist from making the claims until it is able to verify them “unequivocally”. The rulings follow complaints by rival MTN.

A third complaint against Vodacom by MTN — protesting against Vodacom’s claim that it has the “fastest network for smartphones” — was not upheld. The authority found that this claim by Vodacom was substantiated.

In a complaint dated 7 November, Webber Wentzel attorneys, on behalf of MTN, lodged a complaint against a Vodacom television advertisement that includes a voice-over that claims Vodacom has the “fastest 3G network” and the “widest 3G network”.

MTN argued that although there could be regions in South Africa where Vodacom has the fastest 3G speeds, this is not necessarily true for the country in general. According to MTN, tests done by Ericsson, using Ookla, showed that in Gauteng MTN had faster 3G downlink and throughput speeds than Vodacom in certain periods.

In the Western Cape, MTN was faster than Vodacom during January 2013, and had been faster since August 2013 to the end of the reflected period. In KwaZulu-Natal, MTN outperformed Vodacom during November 2012, and was on par with Vodacom during February 2013. MTN also had lower latency in many instances.

The Advertising Standards Authority said that MTN went to great lengths to explain why and how speed tests and results can be manipulated, and why Vodacom would not be able to substantiate its claim of having the fastest 3G network in general.

Vodacom, through ad agency Ireland-Davenport, argued, among other things, that the nature of the Ookla tests ensures that any variable that could affect the test results is inherently included. “MTN is incorrect in alleging that ‘too many variables are at play’,” it said. “In addition, the magnitude and nature of Ookla tests negate any possible attempt at manipulation. Finally, the Ookla results are derived from random sampling as well, which further negates any effort to manipulate the results in the manner that MTN suggests.”

source: www.techcentral.co

watching television on mobile phones on the increase

Watching television on mobile phones is expected to become common soon as mobile operators increase value added services on their networks. The move is driven by the increasing attempt by various telecommunication companies to grow revenue streams across Sub-Saharan Africa. The growing number of smartphones in the market and deployment of faster networks by mobile operators are aiding the shift in consumption of TV content. Though delivery of TV content on mobile phone seems futuristic especially in Africa, telecommunications infrastructure firm Ericsson says there will be 913 million mobile connections in Sub-Saharan Africa by 2019. It adds that 65 per cent of these connections would be on the third generation (3G) network.

source: www.standardmedia.co

addiis ababa eagerly awaits for 4G rollout

A high speed 4G network, scheduled to be implemented by Huawei, forms a crucial part of the joint venture to expand mobile phone infrastructure nationally.

Abdurahim Ahmed, head of communications at Ethio Telecom, has been quoted as saying, “In terms of allocation, Huawei will be responsible for the expansion of 4G in Addis Ababa, including other mobile services the 2G, 3G, IP and the like.”

Among the expected outcomes of the project are that some 400,000 subscribers stand to benefit, that the country will increase the total number of subscribers and there will be an enhancement of existing 3G services.

In August the acting CEO of Ethio Telecom, Andualem Admassie, was quoted by Ethiopian Radio and Television Agency as saying the Project is important in contributing to efforts to increase telecommunications service access and coverage nationally.

source: www.itnewsafrica.com

British Somalis held over telecom fraud

Gambian authorities have arrested two British nationals of Somali origin over allegations of their involvement in a huge communication fraud in the country, intelligence sources said.

Abdourazak Hazi and Faizal Ahmed Jama were arrested by intelligence officers on Tuesday for the alleged fraud perpetrated on Gambia’s state-run network.

They were apparently able to send vast amounts of information, via the internet and phone calls, for several weeks but avoid any charges, which were instead picked up by the state.

A state security agent said on television that there had been devastating consequences on the network because of their actions.

He said the activities of the suspects are believed to cause massive losses to the national telecommunications operator, though he did not give any specific amount.

“Operatives found two illegal sim card boxes installed, connected and operational at the residence of the suspects who came to The Gambia a few weeks ago,” the security agent who was not identified told state television.

source: midnimo.com

K3 telecom enters Ghanian market

Sweden-based global provider of patented technology, K3 Telecom has partnered local telecoms operator Media Ghana Limited, to launch its unique Triple Play services in Ghana.

The partnership will lead to the building of a customised telecommunications network with a unique patented wireless technology. This will enable the company to deliver unmatched internet speed, Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) telephony and quality television content.

Speaking at the launch, Group Chief Executive Officer of K3Telecom, Uros Mlakar said: “our technology arrives to solve the African challenge of last mile fiber delivery. It allows for the continent to tap into and complete the massive fiber optic infrastructure available on its shores”.

Mike Cooke, CEO of Media Ghana Limited said: “this partnership into our 'Converged Media Connectivity strategy’ will see the value lines of content and access become one”.

K3 Telecom will embark on a 5 year plan to drive and expand internet and content access in Africa with its headquarters in Ghana.

It is expected that the partnership will become one of the major players in the telecommunications sector in Africa.