samsung galaxy S4 android 4.3 update in SA

An update to Android 4.3 “Jelly Bean” appears to be rolling out for the Samsung Galaxy S4 in South Africa, Vodacom, and Telkom Mobile, subscribers have told MyBroadband.

News of the availability of the update locally comes after SamMobile and AndroidPolicereported that Samsung has pulled an update to Android 4.3 in the UK and US.

According to the notification, the update is 693.21MB and includes the following:

1. OS upgrade (Android 4.3)
2. Add new feature [sic] (KNOX for consumer, etc)
3. Compatibility with Galaxy Gear
4. Improved performance (graphics, multimedia, bluetooth, etc)
5. Improved the user interface and stability
6. User interface adjustment (icon change, etc.)
7. Security enhancement

source: www.mybroadband.co

Telkom mobile breaks barriers to internet access

Telkom Mobile is championing internet access for all in South Africa with the launch of the Prepaid SIM Only Internet Starter Pack. This offer provides first time Internet users the opportunity to start their online journey with South Africa's best Mobile Broadband provider. To kick-start the online journey, Telkom Mobile will provide customers with a SIM card and 2.4 GB of data, allocated as 200 MB per month over 12 months for a once off fee of R49.

"The Internet has become a way of life, and it is our goal to make it accessible and affordable to all," says KG Moncho, Executive of Product Development. Moncho believes that the Internet provides a wealth of information and resources that can aid in elevating gaps in education, employment and self-development.

"Many South Africans have unfortunately not been able to access information and resources on the World Wide Web due to the high cost of data, however Telkom Mobile is breaking that barrier by providing high quality and affordable data," he continues.

The SIM only internet starter pack can be used on most devices including tablets, smart phones or it can be inserted in a data modem to be used on a laptop or desktop.

Telkom Mobile will also provide technical support for the first time Internet user. "We understand that starting your online journey can be challenging. That is why we provide customers with a user-guide that gives them information they may need when setting up including how to purchase data bundles, viewing and managing data bundle balances and support contact details," concludes Moncho.

Data allocation is done on the first of every month and will be valid until the end of the current calendar month. In addition, customers can buy additional data bundles once they have depleted their monthly data allocation.

source: www.4-traders.com

vodacom warns Icasa it could 'adjust' capex

Vodacom has come out guns blazing against proposals by its regulator, Icasa, that mobile call termination rates be slashed over the next three years while giving the company’s smaller rivals a leg up through “asymmetry”.

Icasa wants the new rates — which operators charge each other to carry calls between their networks — chopped in half, to 20c/minute, on 1 March 2014. It then wants them cut in half again, to 10c/minute, by 2016.

At the same time, it has proposed aggressive asymmetry that favours Cell C and Telkom Mobile— the smaller operators will pay less to Vodacomand MTN for calls between their networks than the other way around. Both MTN and Vodacom have objected strenuously to Cell C, which was licensed 13 years ago, being advantaged in this way.

Icasa has proposed increasing the level of asymmetry offered to smaller players from 10% now to 95% in March, to 120% in 2015, and to 160% in 2016.

“The proposed new rates are significantly lower than the rates that were published in previous years and [there is] a higher degree of asymmetry,” Vodacom said in notes accompanying its interim financial results for the six months ended 30 September 2013.

“The new rates will require adjustment of our forecasts, including capital investment and operating expenses, if approved in the current year,” the operator said. “They are also likely to impact our price transformation programme. We are actively participating in the consultation process [with Icasa], with the aim to get to a more reasonable outcome.”

On Monday, Vodacom reported that group revenue had risen by 6,6% compared to a year ago, with strong growth in its non-South African operations and “improved growth trends” in its home market. Headline earnings per share rose by 10,9% “as a result of strong operating profit growth”.

source: techcentral.co