App Experience Optimization from Ericsson is a new service that takes optimization to the next level by allowing operators to improve the end user app experience.

It enables operators to consider all aspects of network performance, while keeping up to date with the latest developments in the ever-changing app ecosystem, as well as regional variations in usage patterns and behaviors.

In addition to the conventional key performance indicators (KPIs) for networks, App Experience Optimization utilizes service KPIs to measure network performance. These KPIs are tailored to the specific services they measure, but are generally linked to four key criteria: availability, accessibility, integrity, and retainability.

If any weaknesses are identified in an operator’s network, Ericsson’s 10,000 network design and optimization experts are ready to perform the optimizations necessary to deliver an optimal app experience.

Staffan Pehrson, Vice President and Head of Product Related Services at Ericsson, says: “Data surpassed voice traffic globally in 2009, and operators have long since adapted and optimized their networks for data. However, they now need to adapt to the new reality and optimize their networks for apps.

“This is a major challenge, since it involves keeping track of a wide spectrum of fast-evolving apps and making continuous adjustments to optimize the end-user experience. As the global leader in telecom services, Ericsson has the scale and skill required to overcome this challenge – as we proved through a recent project with XL Axiata, one of Indonesia’s largest operators, and Facebook, the developer of one of the world’s most popular mobile apps.”

Name, title at Facebook, says: “Ericsson and Facebook have signed an extended collaboration agreement whereby we will continue to work together to optimize mobile networks for app performance.

“Replicating the methods proven in the XL Axiata case, Ericsson’s new fully industrialized service offering – App Experience Optimization – will bring unique benefits to operators and ultimately improve the experiences of countless end users. The sharing of measurement feeds between Facebook and Ericsson will lead to optimizations that produce significant, noticeable improvements for end users.”

Jason Marcheck, Service Director for Service Provider Infrastructure at Current Analysis, says: “Ericsson is setting itself apart with a compelling proposition to operators, marrying strong optimization service capabilities with insights from over-the-top collaborations … (full quote will be provided by Jason and is still being finalized).”

A study conducted by Ericsson ConsumerLab in 12 countries in 2013 “Keeping smartphone users loyal” found that, for smartphone users, network performance is the single most important driver of consumer loyalty.

But how do you measure network performance? Most operators do so using conventional, long-established (KPIs) such as radio access network availability, packet loss rate and session activation time.

Unfortunately, networks that perform well against these KPIs don’t necessarily deliver an optimal app experience for smartphone users. Given that the time spent using apps has increased rapidly in recent years – by as much as 63 percent in the space of two years in India, according to a 2014 ConsumerLab study “Performance shapes smartphone behavior” – operators need to reconsider the way they measure network performance.

In a recent project, Ericsson optimized XL Axiata’s network for performance of the Facebook app. Ericsson developed a series of metrics on end-to-end network experience as it impacts app coverage.

Then, using a test agent developed by Facebook, typical app interactions were triggered and measured on different mobile devices across XL Axiata’s network. Ericsson was then able to make substantial, targeted improvements to the radio access network, core network and CDN.

As a result, app experience – defined as the ability to complete transactions within a maximum time of three seconds – improved by between 20 and 70 percent. Time to content improved by up to 70 percent, while upload time improved by up to 50 percent.

These results show that it is possible to optimize app experience using existing network resources – thereby satisfying operators’ most demanding end users.

Following the overwhelmingly positive results achieved in Indonesia, Ericsson has refined and industrialized its methodology for optimizing networks for app performance. The resulting service offering – App Experience Optimization – will be launched at Mobile World Congress 2015 in Barcelona.

Digital Television Company StarTimes Media has  slashed its DVB T2 Free-To-Air(FTA) set top boxes by 17.5 percent today; the company did this to ensure that many Kenyans can afford the boxes as they do not attract monthly subscription charges.

StarTimes FTA set top box will now retail at a one off fee of Ksh 3,299 down from 3,999 with free access to one month Unique bouquet worth Ksh 1,499 giving Kenyans over 75 premium international channels.

Upon the expiry of the one month free Unique bouquet package, Kenyans will enjoy uninterrupted access to over 55 free to air local channels in digital quality for good. Customers will also be in a position to enroll to the company’s pay television platform without the need to acquire another set top box by subscribing to a bouquet of choice at will.

StarTimes Vice President for Marketing Mark Lisboa notes that the move is advised by the need to enable more Kenyans access free digital television service with the country having already switched off the 1^st and 2^nd phase of the analogue transmissions.

“The new price is testament enough that as a brand, we are committed to see more Kenyan household’s access affordable set top boxes and premium digital television service. Our free to air set top box is equally superior in that it saves the consumer the cost of acquiring a pay television set top box in the event they want to upgrade and access international channels as they can use the same set top box,” noted Lisboa.

The free to air set top box will complement the Pay Television one that is currently retailing at just Ksh 199 upon subscribing to a bouquet of choice at Ksh 1,500 giving Kenyans a choice for either of the two.

Kenyans who enroll on either the StarTimes free to air or the pay television platform will enjoy an elaborate aftersales service the company having established a 24 hour seven days a week call centre and a door to door technical service that is aimed at ensuring customers have the best digital television experience.

StarTimes has equally extended a 14 percent subsidy for the external antenna and 10 metre cable with the same retailing at Ksh 1,200 down from Ksh 1,400 to guarantee the best digital television signal reception.

Uptake of set top boxes has been on the rise since the Communication Authority initiated the switch off of the analogue transmissions with the 3^rd and final phase expected to take place on 30^th March 2015 with StarTimes progressively positioning itself as the preferred brand for digital migration.

The Kenyan branch of the giant search engine Google in partnership with Code-IP have launched an online child safety campaign in a bid to promote responsible and positive use of digital technology for young people.

Code-IP will be designing a Child Online Protection Kenya campaign which led to the launch of the Kenya Webrangers. This is a peer-to-peer mentoring club on child online safety in secondary schools.

According to Google, internet users are 23.3 million by December 2014 given that the internet connections have become better. The telecommunication infrastructure as of now includes four submarine fibre optic cables and a massive investment in metro fibre connectivity making internet affordable and high-speed internet.

With the openness the internet under age internet users are at risk of being exposed to cyber threats which included bullying, e-0threats, harassment and the like; and for this reason it is important to protect children who have internet access.

Alex Gakuru, Executive Director Protection – Kenya said: “We intend to achieve this by localising online safety materials, giving it the Kenya context. We want to get the students involved in coming with the solutions. It is not for us to tell them how to go around it, but the youth to tell us.”

In Kenya, the mobile phone still is the main medium of internet access.

“The internet provides is with varied benefits. However, to make it a safer place for all, everyone including the young users have a role to play in ensuring a better cyberspace,” said Micheal Murungi, Google’s head of policy and government Affairs for East Africa.

In a world where more and more of our daily critical activities are increasingly done on the go, mobile devices have emerged the next viable platform which today’s marketing professionals interested in delivering effective integrated marketing communications campaigns can no longer afford to ignore or leave out.

This was the key message that came across at the recently held Mobile Media Advertising Opportunities Forum, organised in Lagos by MTN Business, the business-to-business unit of MTN Nigeria, in collaboration with InTarget Africa.

The forum further highlighted the value of the MTN Mobile Ads service, which offers advertisers and brands an opportunity to connect directly with mobile phone users. The service includes an array of channels that can be mixed and matched to create different levels of engagement.

Speaking at the forum, Mr. Tsola Barrow, acting Chief Enterprise Solutions Officer, MTN Nigeria, described mobile advertising as a targeted and effective engagement platform, adding that the MTN Mobile Ads service offered a world of opportunities, in addition to the benefits associated with other traditional means of advertising.

“This service leverages the combined potential of the mobile phone, the world’s most personal device, and the largest family of mobile subscribers in Nigeria to provide new ways for businesses to engage customers. MTN Nigeria is committed to adding value to lives and helping to drive the growth of Nigerian businesses by delivering tailor-made, productivity-enhancing solutions to every part of this vast country,” Mr. Barrow stated.

In his presentation, Mr. Lazarus Muchenje, CEO, InTarget Africa, highlighted the business imperative for brands and marketers to adopt mobile advertising as a cost-effective means of reaching a profiled target audience and deliver comprehensive and watertight integrated marketing communications plans on a budget-friendly platform.

“People look at their mobile phones an average of one hundred times every day. Everything is gravitating to mobile, even as the mobile phone has become a lifestyle tool. Using mobile, we monitor our health, buy products and move money around. Advertising naturally becomes the next frontier on mobile,” Mr. Muchenje said.

Attesting to the effectiveness of the MTN Mobile Ads service, Mr. Dayo Elegbe, CEO, Sponge Group, said that after taking the decision to use the service, he was overwhelmed by the positive response he got from clients. “The response and demand for products yielded high results and delivered great value for the amount we had spent,” stated Mr. Elegbe.

The increasing use of mobile devices continues to open new business possibilities for advertisers. The MTN Mobile Ads service creates advertisements that are designed specifically for mobile users and provides brands and organisations with a platform to directly engage with their target audience, while optimising advertising budget.

Samsung Electronics is introducing a range of products to the African market at the sixth annual Africa Forum in Antalya, Turkey, as the company continues to contribute to the continent’s ongoing transformation in the consumer electronics space.

The theme for Africa Forum 2015 is “One Beat – Beyond the Limit” and builds on Samsung’s intent to create change in Africa by bringing consumers’ desires to life through innovative products.

S.Y.Hong, president and CEO of Samsung Electronics Africa said: “Last year we introduced our intent into Africa: One Beat. It embodies the spirit of overcoming challenges and moving towards a vision of togetherness across the continent, part of this is remaining focused on providing our African consumers with innovative products that are driven by consumer needs and passions.”

The products introduced include:

SUHD TV 

Samsung is showcasing an extensive range of SUHD TVs for the African market, which sets a new standard in premium UHD content. The launch of the 88-inch JS9500 TV, powered by a proprietary, eco-friendly nano-crystal display technology and intelligent SUHD re-mastering engine delivers superior picture quality with stunning contrast, striking brightness, spectacular colour and superb UHD detail. SUHD TV’s nano-crystal technology transmits different colours of light depending on their size to produce the highest colour purity and light efficiency available today. This technology provides viewers with 64 times more colour expression than conventional TVs.

The SUHD JS9500 TV features a Grand Chamfer bezel design, adding more depth to the TV screen. Samsung will offer four new series of SUHD TVs to Africa, including the JS9500, JS9000 and JS8000.

Users will be able to enjoy African Cinema Mode, which provides an optimised viewing experience for African cinematic content, as well as Ultra Clean View for crisper picture quality; More TV Plus for easy content transfer and Review, which records TV programs by capturing still images every 5 seconds with full audio. Samsung has also partnered with eNCA to provide users with easy access to Africa’s latest news, and is working with SuperSport to offer sports highlights and live scores. Users also have access to premium lifestyle application, ONTV.

From 2015, all new Samsung Smart TVs, including the SUHD line-up, will be powered by Tizen, an open source platform that supports web standards for App TV development. Most importantly, it ensures that consumers will have access to a much broader range of Smart TV content and services.

New Premium Audio line-up

The expanded Curved Soundbar line-up features a sleek design that complements Samsung’s Curved TVs, providing an immersive listening experience. The HW-J8500/J8501 Soundbar offers an enhanced sound experience thanks to 9.1 channel audio, centre and side speakers, and Samsung’s Multi-Air Gap speaker unit in the subwoofer.

The WAM7500 and WAM6500 speakers, developed in Samsung’s audio lab in California, deliver a 360-degree sound experience thanks to Samsung’s proprietary ring radiator technology.

Monitor innovation and design

Samsung will showcase a full line-up of monitors at the Africa Forum in Antalya. The cutting edge solutions include curved and UHD monitors, in the SE790C, SD590C, UD970 and SD850 range.

Digital Appliances Designed for a Better Lifestyle

Samsung continues to innovate convenient home appliances that elevate the quality of consumer lives in Africa, by infusing innovative technologies and outstanding design with the expertise of Michelin-starred chefs.

Samsung’s digital appliances line-up, tailored for the African market, now features:

The Chef Collection refrigerator RF9900, the 4 door refrigerator enables an exact and constant temperature for food storage and the Triple Cooling System creates three separate airflows in the refrigerator and freezer, enabling optimal humidity control and improved cooling performance for each compartment.

Samsung’s load washers, the activ dualwash™ washing machine, which includes a built in sink with water jets and a scrubbing surface to allow consumers to handle the entire wash process in the laundry unit instead of pretreating the items elsewhere.

The new Samsung AR9500 air conditioner

The new AX7000 Air Purifier. The AX7000’s front air inflow easily draws in air through a Dual Power Fan with two 5 step filtration system

Instantly share superior images  with the Samsung NX500

The new NX500 camera has a NX AF system III and Samsung’s highest-resolution 28 MP BSI APS-C sensors. Compared to conventional CMOS sensors, BSI reduces noise more effectively by keeping the path between the lens and sensors clear so more light can hit each pixel, lowering the signal-to-noise ratio.

Putting the core performance and functionality of the NX1 into a highly portable format, this new compact camera makes sure that a moment is never missed. The palm-sized NX500 offers updated connectivity such as Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, providing users with an advanced wireless experience, as well as the option to seamlessly shoot and share their captured experiences.

Samsung Expands Ultra-slim Galaxy A devices into Africa

Samsung has expanded its line-up of Galaxy A mobile devices in the African region. Optimised for capturing and sharing your digital life, the Galaxy A7, A5 and A3 come with a 5MP front facing camera to ensure the perfect selfie, and offer original features like an animated GIF setting. The device also supports LTE category 4 for quick and easy photo and video uploads on any social network.

With a slim metal unibody design, Samsung continues to focus on creating unique style with comfortable grip for ease of use.

George Ferreira, Vice President and COO of Samsung Electronics Africa, said: “The key question for us at Samsung is how people use our products. We work hard to understand what people need and want and then we push the limits of what technology can do to deliver this. I believe that the products on display at our Africa Forum embody this way of thinking and offer our African consumers solutions through new experiences and aspirational products.”

There will be an added spotlight on Samsung’s Digital Village, Samsung Engineering Academy and Solar-powered Internet School, all of which focus on uplifting communities, developing skills and creating sustainable education systems.

The African Development Fund (AfDB) has approved a $145 million loan request by Kenya and Tanzania to fund the building of an electricity line between the two countries.

This, according to the bank, will improve the power connections as that is the major problem that deters the growth, development and investment opportunities of the East Africa.

This funding, the bank says will help construct 508km of transmission lines and substations along to allow the transfer of 2000MW of electricity in either direction between Kenya and Tanzania.

With this project, Kenya will be adding 5000 MW on installed capacity by 2017 from approximately 1664; while Tanzania wants to double its generation capacity to 3000MW by next year.

Similar connections will be done between Kenya, Tanzania and Zambia by 2018 that will cost them $1.4 billion. Ethiopia and Kenya will also have a similar connection that will improve the electricity supply.

Hallo Tomorrow challenge is still looking for you who can transform innovative technologies into impact products. The company is looking for students, researchers and start-ups and the application is still on for the next eight days, as the application deadline is 28^th of Feb, 2015.

This not-for-profit worldwide startup competition will select and highlight the 30 most exciting science & tech projects in six sectors that will have a positive impact on society. The sectors include:

• Food and agriculture
• Materials and manufacturing
• Transport and Mobility
• Healthcare
• Energy and Environment
• Information technologies

The semi-finalists will compete for 5 track prizes of €15,000 and the €100,000 Orange, they will get dedicated mentoring and advice for international experts and successful entrepreneurs’. Grand Prize winner will by pitching their project to a 2,000-strong audience in their annual conference in Paris including a selected jury panel of international experts, investors and journalists.

WorldRemit and VTNETWORK LIMITED (VTN), one of Nigeria’s mobile payment operators have partnered to bring a mobile money transfer service; that will see Nigerians in the Diaspora have a convenient and affordable option to directly deposit money into the mobile wallets of their loved ones in Nigeria. While full details will be announced this WorldRemit-VCASH service will be conveniently available 24/7 and there will be no minimum. 
Monies in the wallets of VCASH subscribers can be sent on to other VCASH users, known as a person to person (P2P) transfer, or be used to pay bills and purchase goods or services. VCASH users can also deposit funds into their accounts in any of Nigeria’s commercial banks.

World Remit is just taking in a record-breaking Silicon Valley investment ($100 million) and recently launched a wildly successful app for android phones. Ojo , CEO of VTNETWORK LIMITED , said, “VCASH is pleased to launch this international mobile money transfer service in collaboration with World Remit . What is exciting for us is that this is a marriage of innovators.”

Peter Ojo, CEO of VTN said’ “Our solution is a revolutionary system, which makes it convenient for Nigerians to receive payments. It is fitting that we have collaborated with WorlRemit, a leader in online global payment services, to allow Nigerians in Diaspora to direct money into the VCASH wallets or bank accounts of their loved ones and have this capability 24/7. The choice, flexibility and convenience – given the vast remoteness of some parts of our nation – are priceless.”

He added, “We are thankful to the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) mobile payment regulatory framework, which allows non-bank model operators to facilitate international remittances to both scheme and non-scheme recipients. Such innovation within its strict regulatory guidelines facilitates greater economic prosperity at all levels for all our citizens and residents.”

M-Net regrets to inform DStv viewers that after much deliberation, a business decision was taken to make changes to the Maisha Magic channels in East Africa. Following an in-depth assessment of each of the channels viability was concluded, including a review of the rankings and popularity of the channels a decision was taken to close Maisha Magic and refocus on the Maisha Magic Swahili channel.  Thus, the Maisha Magic channel will close at end of March 2015.

“Unfortunately, Maisha Magic has not performed and grown as per our expectations. Overall, the channel was unable to achieve the ratings consistency we needed to sustain the business and support our continued investment,” said Patricia van Rooyen, CEO M-Net Sub-Saharan Africa.

“As a result, M-Net made the carefully considered but difficult decision to cease operations of the channel. We are grateful to the Maisha Magic team, which includes M-Net East Africa Regional Director Michael Ndetei and some of the most talented and creative people in the Kenyan media industry. M-Net will endeavour to make this closure as smooth a transition as possible for them.”

M-Net remains firmly committed to the Kenyan market and will ensure that it continues to support film makers by showcasing their talent on other M-Net channels.  The film and television industry in Kenya will continue to be supported by M-Net’s investment in channels made in Africa for Africa, thus ensuring that we assist Kenya in playing a role in the growth and future of African television and film on the continent.

Africa 118, the East African tech firm which has been supplying a mobile directory service in Kenya,  launched its online directory in Uganda today dubbed ‘InfoMoby’.

The directory covers thousands of businesses in Jinja, Kampala, Entebbe and other significant areas in Uganda. InfoMoby sorts business information categorically and by location, making it easier for users to find business information, hours of operation, websites and physical addresses.

Ezana Raswork, the firm’s founder and Chief Executive, said that the move was made to address the frustration of finding contact information on local businesses. To get the database started, InfoMoby’s team walked door-to-door, collecting business information using Windows phones.

Through the database, users can directly call business communities, favourite a page for future reference or share page links with friends through social media. InfoMoby uses a very simple, mobile-friendly design and the latest search technology to help users quickly find the information they are looking for.

InfoMoby also leverages Microsoft’s Azure cloud hosting platform, which will allow the team to rapidly expand and launch in new markets using the same core infrastructure.

According to Microsoft 4Afrika’s Chief Technology Officer (CTO) Ivan Lumala, InfoMoby is helping local businesses to grow their awareness and attract more customers. This makes Africa 118 one of many dedicated start-ups focusing its tools and technologies on solving business challenges for African SMEs.

“At Microsoft we recognize the role SMEs are playing in Africa’s economic transformation, at the same time the role of technology in accelerating this growth. We’ll continue working with and investing in these SMEs to grow to be the next generation of multi-nationals from Africa. ” he added.

InfoMoby is currently only available in Uganda. Going forward, the firm plans to have a presence in five African markets within the next year.

South African company, Master Power Technologies has set up office in Nairobi, Kenya to serve the East African community. The company has other offices in Kitwe and Lusaka in Zambia and is looking to expand into other African countries.

Neill Schreiber, sales and marketing manager at Master Power Technologies, on the expansion said: “We identified a requirement for solutions and products in East Africa, not to mention direct representation and made the decision to have a dedicated full time presence here.”

The Kenyan team is being led by Babeksingh Khalsa who is the Regional Manager for East Africa. He had this to say: “We are very excited about having a dedicated Kenyan office as this is enabling us to better service our current projects by having a foot on the ground. Projects planned for 2015 will also benefit greatly from this local office.”

Khalsa concludes by saying that: “Plans to increase our market share are underway as we are working closely with  associated partners for support and are exploring conducting business within different sectors in the market such as; Oil and Gas,  Mining and the Marine Industry in addition to the telecom, financial and general data centre markets.”