Author: Shiko Gathoni

  The android text-sharing apps have proven popular due to their ability to send unlimited numbers of text messages, as well as reward phone owners for each text they relay. This has however raised complaints from mobile operators who claim violation of their terms and conditions since routing text messages through a phone makes it cheap to deliver text message to its destination including across boundaries worldwide. The sheer number of text messages passing through phones could cause phone owners problems as well since the operators have the capability to block the number. “There is a huge market in sending…

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In a bid to reduce money circulation in Tanzania, Smart Banking Solutions has rolled out B-PESA a prepaid bank grade closed loop card in the state’s market. The card that is neither debit nor credit is managed through own electronic financial wallet enabled by member banks, will allow the customer to transact at any B-PESA branded merchants, member banks and B-Pesa branded ATM’s. The card is aimed at converting the state to a cash-lite society once fully implemented with a touch of sustainability, security and convenience also having MAFUTA card for fuel customers, ADA card for school fees under…

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Rwanda’s e-commerce has grown at a high rate over the years enhancing job creation and addition of monetary value in the state, at least according to Rwanda Development Board. Q-NET a new online market recently launched in Rwanda marked a milestone for the state. Eusebe Muhira speaking at the official opening said Rwandans needed to tap into the platform to embrace ease as well as value addition of products and services with a wide range of products. The online store will play as catchment for all product deliveries to all representatives throughout East Africa since with the government’s support they…

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iHUB in conjunction with Intel held an event that brought together creators and investors creating a platform for mobile app developers sell their ideas to the public. The Intel Shark Tank hosted a panel of judges to go over Nairobi’s most interesting new apps that have not undergone major tech competition circuit, which the sharks might be interested in and probably fund basing on quality, relevance and creativity Three out of the eight app developers walked away with prizes with the rest earning beneficial advice and constructive criticism as well from the judges. Mile press neighborhood broadcast was among the…

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New telecom’s launch in Uganda promising to arrest network problems and insufficient service provision is underway expected to roll out services early next month. The Telecom has also asked the state’s citizens to put a name on it with a prize to earn on whoever gives them a name. “Give us a name” it says on its website. Ugandans have however dished out a few names to suggest the new telco’s name. With almost 40 licensed mobile operators through Uganda Communication Commission, the telecom hopes to penetrate the local market that feels congested with 17 million subscribers despite having only…

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Marissa Mayer on Friday apologized to yahoo mail users who were locked out of their accounts for quite a tangible time this past week. The problem resulted from hardware breakdown in a data centre that affected the storage system late Monday subjecting the users to the lock out all week causing massive inconveniences. The affected fraction said to be one percent represents 3 million out of 280 million users who couldn’t retrieve their emails on Yahoo, inability to access their accounts, display of an outdated “scheduled maintenance” page that was a confusing incorrect message to the users. This provoked furious…

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 Google Translate marks the calender as it will henceforth translate 80 languages giving users a wide platform to connect and engage among people who do not share a language. The 9 new languages launched today have over 200 million native speakers all together from span Africa, Asia and Oceania. Africa has five languages to add to the already existing ones; Somali, Zulu, Nigeria’s; Hausa(35 million native speakers), Igbo (25million), and Yoruba (28 million). According to Google, the more frequent a language appears on the web, the higher the chances for it to be launched. “A new language sometimes needs a…

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Tanzania’s SIM registration has been termed haphazard and chaotically conducted at least according to Arusha Urban MP Godbless Lema who says Electronic and Postal Communication Act (EPOCA) of 2010 is being violated. He pointed out that the process is not in a position to put misuse of communication through mobile phones in the country in check. Joining in, Minister for Communication, science and Technology Prof Makame Mbarawa said the offence could earn individuals imprisonment and heavy fines as well. “Registration of Sim cards is stipulated through EPOCA and any violating including registering the cards through false names will be dealt…

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Following a court petition filed on the 26th of November by media houses; Nation Media Group, Standard Media Group and Royal Media Services against Communications Commission of Kenya (CCK), the High Court has suspended the switch from analogue to digital to December 23rd. The suspension by Justice David Majanja is to allow determination of the suit hence scrapping of Nairobi’s digital migration supposed to take effect Friday 13th 2013. The media houses accuse the Communications Commission of Kenya (CCK) of locking them out of the digital migration process and granting exclusive rights to local pay-TV channels to oversee the digital…

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Bharti Airtel and Reliance Jio Infocomm have today partnered and will henceforth share telecom infrastructure in a quest to reduce costs they incur on their respective networks. The result is linked to the recent upgrade of 4G services in Punjab, having Reliance Jio as the only company with pan-India airwaves that can be used for 4G services which have very high speed wireless broadband services while Airtel plays key telecom operator in the state with a strong subscriber base. Merging of the two companies also aims at ensuring seamless services to their subscribers, as well as to curb duplication of…

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Nigeria-Regal Devices Ltd has rolled out an online site that now guarantees customers fast and easy purchase of products from their store. The mobile company offers a wide range of mobile devices; Nokia, Samsung, Tecno, HTC, Sony, Apple, electronic appliances ,accessories, laptops and cameras which will be delivered without pay around Lagos and Kaduna to the customer on order with an option of payment that includes Cash on Delivery, Credit card payment and Debit card. With all products on warranty, the electronic distributor offers the consumer a seven day return policy on devices purchased from the newly put up online…

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Nigeria’s online services market place set to redefine and procure local services, Naijaworkman.com will launch in January, 2014 in a bid to make the search experience in the state whole. The platform will converge consumers and service providers in a more secure, comprehensive and transparent way. With a provision of better and qualified service providers who have been screened and found suitable to provide the services needed in a professional and timely manner. Naijaworkman.com will help in the selection process through offering detailed service provider profiles and ratings as well as reviews from past customers. There will also be reward…

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Airtel money has partnered Proflight Zambia an airline company, now enabling customers   purchase air tickets via handsets. The airline based in Lusaka is the first to offer mobile money payment option in the state posing as a convenient, efficient and easy medium to get the tickets. Speaking on the signing of the partnership agreement, Proflight Government and industry affairs officer, Captain Philip Lemba noted that the company is proud of being at the forefront of the new ideas and technology hence boosting customer service satisfaction. “The partnership is a reflection of the synergies that exists between airlines and telecommunication companies…

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Samsung in partnership with Alliance media and Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) will stream live Kenya at 50 events across the country. The multinational electronics company will also put up strategic bill boards across the country as the 50 years of independence commemoration continues. The screens set up round KICC’s top floor can be easily spotted from multiple locations in the city and will also serve as backdrop for Uhuru Park- streaming live footage for the next 12 months. “The screen, which will be launched at the Governors Ball, will be a prime opportunity for the country to showcase its…

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