| Feature articles |
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Article no.: |
1 |
| Topic: |
A strategic plan for the development of the ICT market in Africa |
| Author: |
Birahim Seck |
| Title: |
President |
| Organisation: |
NEPAD Council |
| PDF size: |
56KB |
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| About author: |
Dr Birahim Seck, PhD, a Senegalese National, is the President of the NEPAD Council. The NEPAD Council is an African organisation adopted by the African Heads of State at the Tenth African Heads of State and Government Implementation Committee meeting (HSGIC) held in Maputo in May 2004, as a major component of the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD).
NEPAD Council is a think tank whose mission is to assist the African Heads of State and Government in their efforts to improve the development of the continent. Since the NEPAD Council was initiated, Dr Seck has worked with several African Heads of State, including President Thabo Mbeki (South Africa), President Abdoulaye Wade (Senegal), President Olusegun Obasanjo (Nigeria), President Abdelaziz Bouteflika (Algeria), President Amadou Toumani Toure (Mali), President Joaquin Alberto Chissano (Mozambique), President Festu Mogae (Botswana), President Paul Kagame (Rwanda) and President Mwai Kibaki (Kenya).
Dr Birahim Seck is an expert in International Development. He studied Social Sciences and International Development in Switzerland at the University of Lausanne and in the United States at Yale University. In addition to his position as President of NEPAD Council, Dr Seck is also a Lecturer at Yale University. |
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| Article abstract: |
| Structural economic problems have hampered Africa’s growth and competitiveness. Much of Africa is quite poor; the best way to deal with poverty is to create jobs. The Information and Communication Technology sector creates jobs and drives growth. Integrating ICT into Africa’s economy is vital to its future. Strengthening the private sector, upgrading the ICT infrastructure and networks, building ICT use and investment to empower the private sector and government policies that foster investment are essential to develop ICT in Africa. |
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Article no.: |
2 |
| Topic: |
Communications in Israel – growth through competition, accessibility and development |
| Author: |
Dalia Itzik |
| Title: |
Minister of Communications |
| Organisation: |
Israel |
| PDF size: |
80KB |
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| About author: |
| Dalia Itzik is the Minister of Communications of Israel. She has also served as Minister of the Environment and Minister of Trade and Industry. Ms Itzik, a member of the Labour Party, was elected to the 13th, 14th and 16th sessions of the Israeli Knesset and has sat on a variety of parliamentary committees, including Constitution, Law and Justice, Internal Affairs and Environment and Science and Technology. Ms Itzik has served as Deputy Mayor of Jerusalem, where she resides, and was educated at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. |
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| Article abstract: |
| Israel has one the of highest digital access levels in the world. It opened its telecommunications and broadcasting sectors to competition in the last decade. Now, almost 100 per cent of the population has fixed and mobile phone services and 50 per cent of the residences and 75 per cent of the businesses have broadband Internet. The Ministry of Communications has fostered the sector’s development through legislation creating a multi-operator environment, by licensing competitive multi-service, “triple play”, operators and by privatising the government’s incumbent fixed operator. |
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Article no.: |
3 |
| Topic: |
Building Africa’s highway |
| Author: |
Andile Ngcaba |
| Title: |
Chairman |
| Organisation: |
Dimension Data |
| PDF size: |
52KB |
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| About author: |
Andile Ngcaba is Chairman of Dimension Data in South Africa. He joined the company leading a Black Economic Empowerment consortium that has a 25.01 per cent equity stake in the company. Before joining Dimension Data in South Africa, Mr Ngcaba served as the Director General of the South African Department of Communications (DOC) for eight and a half years. Mr Ngcaba has served on the Council of the University of South Africa and is currently an adviser to the Digital Inclusion Programme at Harvard University Law School. Mr Ngcaba is the founder of the Institute for Software and Satellite Applications and the Centre for Development of Information and Telecommunications Policy. He is an active member of many international communications organisations and commissions such as the International Telecommunications Union, Internet Corporation for the Assigned Names and Numbers, e-Africa Commission and G8-Dot Force
Mr Ngcaba holds a Master of Commerce, majoring in Information Systems, from the University of Witwatersrand. He was awarded an honorary Doctorate in Commerce from the University of Fort Hare and has a diploma in Executive Management from a joint programme offered by Stanford and Singapore University. |
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| Article abstract: |
| Few of Africa’s 900 million people have access to telecommunications, although, according to the ITU “for most Africans, mobile is the only form of telephone communications they know and may ever know” and penetration is only 5.6 per cent. At Western penetration levels, Africa would have 810 million mobile subscribers. The growth of African telecommunications would bring economic and social growth, telemedicine, distance learning and cultural preservation. It would also provide astounding opportunities to companies that invest in the infrastructure for African growth. |
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Article no.: |
4 |
| Topic: |
The African Virtual University (AVU) |
| Author: |
Kuzvinetsa Peter Dzvimbo |
| Title: |
Rector |
| Organisation: |
African Virtual University |
| PDF size: |
84KB |
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| About author: |
Kuzvinetsa Peter Dzvimbo, a Zimbabwean national, is the Rector of the African Virtual University. Before joining the African Virtual University, he worked for the World Bank in Washington DC as a Senior Education Specialist, as the first Vice Chancellor of the Zimbabwe Open University and as the Pro Vice Chancellor at the University of Zimbabwe (UZ) where he was also responsible for the University College of Distance Education. During Mr Dzvimbo’s long career in education, he has taught at the Rand Afrikaans University, Johannesburg South Africa, at the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg and was Dean of the Faculty of Education at the University of Zimbabwe, among others. Mr Dzvimbo has long been involved in distance education, not only at the school where he has taught, but at the School of Basic Studies at Ahmadu Bello University, in Nigeria, as the head of a unit that produced distance teaching and open learning materials for primary school teachers in Zimbabwe – the famous ZINTEC project. Mr Dzvimbo has worked as a consultant for organisations such as UNICEF, UNESCO, USAID, AED, SIDA and the Netherlands Government in Mozambique, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Namibia, Kenya and Zimbabwe. He has also published extensively about educational reform, teacher education, distance education, educational management and higher education.
He earned his BA and a Diploma in Education at the University of Sierra Leone, Fourah Bay College (FBC), and obtained an MEd in Administration and Planning from Ahmadu Bello University in Nigeria. He has a PhD in Educational Policy Studies with distributed minors in Curriculum Studies and Educational Administration from the University of Wisconsin – Madison, US. |
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| Article abstract: |
| The African Virtual University, a pan-African educational network, has 42 learning centres in 18 countries. The AVU supports African higher education using open, distance and e-learning (ODeL). AVU’s Internet based model is cost effective, flexible, scalable, affordable and sustainable and works in both low and high technology environments. African educational facilities use a VSAT network for cost effective Internet access to the system. The AVU’s Web-based digital library gives Africans free access to the world’s virtual collections of scholarly information. |
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Article no.: |
5 |
| Topic: |
Internet in Africa: defining possibilities |
| Author: |
Masedi Molosiwa |
| Title: |
Executive Director |
| Organisation: |
Cape Information Technology Initiative (CITI) |
| PDF size: |
64KB |
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| About author: |
Masedi Molosiwa is the Executive Director of the Cape Information Technology Initiative (CITI). Mr Molosiwa is also the Joint-chair of the Internet Service Providers’ Association of South Africa (ISPA). ISPA is the representative body of South Africa’s Internet Service Provider community, while CITI is a non-profit organisation promoting the development of the IT cluster in South Africa’s Western Cape Province. CITI’s ultimate aim is for the province to become a global information technology hub and the IT gateway to the African continent. Before joining CITI, Masedi served as both Brand Manager and Product Manager for a technology start-up initiated by one of South Africa’s leading financial services companies in 2001. Mr Molosiwa had previously worked at M-Web Studios as Marketing Services Manager and spent several years as an account manager at the Ogilvy & Mather, Rightford Searle-Tripp & Makin advertising agency in Cape Town.
His academic qualifications include a degree in Architecture from the University of Cape Town. |
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| Article abstract: |
| In Africa, where Internet penetration is only 1.5 per cent, every Internet connection makes a difference. Entire villages and towns typically share only a few Internet access points; even so, African immigrants to South Africa have Hotmail, or other such email addresses to stay in touch with home. Africans at cafés use the Internet to find jobs, to jump from the ghetto and into an office park. Also, in some countries, the Internet is often the only independent source of news. |
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Article no.: |
6 |
| Topic: |
Connecting Africa to the global economy |
| Author: |
Mohamed Ibrahim |
| Title: |
Chairman |
| Organisation: |
Celtel International |
| PDF size: |
56KB |
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| About author: |
Dr Mohamed Ibrahim is Chairman of Celtel International BV. Prior to Celtel, Mo Ibrahim founded MSI (Metapath Software Inc) after six years with Cellnet, as Technical Director. Metapath, which grew into one of the largest independent consultancy and software operations in the mobile industry, was sold to Marconi in June 2000. Mo Ibrahim founded MSI Cellular Investments in 1998 (renamed Celtel International BV this year). The company operates cellular networks in 14 African countries.
Mo Ibrahim holds a BSc in Electrical Engineering from the University of Alexandria, Egypt, an MSc in Electronics and Electrical Engineering from the University of Bradford, United Kingdom, and PhD in Mobile Communications from the University of Birmingham. He is a member of the Africa Regional Advisory Board of the London Business School. Mo Ibrahim is of Nubian, Sudanese, origin. |
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| Article abstract: |
| The Commission for Africa, seeking to create a strong, prosperous, Africa has focused upon its infrastructure, governance and investment climate. Many agree that in Africa, the fastest growing mobile phone region in the world, the telecommunications infrastructure will have the greatest impact on development. Governance is improving, multi-party elections have been held in many countries and businesses are beginning to recognise the importance of corporate governance. Investors, too, are beginning to recognise the enormous opportunity that Africa’s untapped mass market represents. |
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Article no.: |
7 |
| Topic: |
User-friendly mobile Internet in Africa |
| Author: |
Jean Marc Truong |
| Title: |
co-CEO |
| Organisation: |
Swapcom |
| PDF size: |
92KB |
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| About author: |
| Jean-Marc Truong is a co-founder and co-CEO of Swapcom, in charge of the sales and business development departments. Prior to founding Swapcom, Jean-Marc worked with the CEGID software publisher group and with Ernst & Young. He travels extensively around the globe for business purposes and has visited most of the African continent. Mr Truong holds a Master’s degree in Accounting and Applied Computer Sciences. |
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| Article abstract: |
| Mobile subscribers account for 70 per cent of all telephone users in Africa – higher than anywhere in the world. There, the mobile phone culture and SMS encourages young subscribers to read and deal with digital information. Mobile business services and entertainment helps push Africa towards IT usage. Effective remote device management solutions reduce operator customer care costs and increase subscriber base data usage. Remote mobile device management facilitates service delivery including online software updates, problem correction and blacklisting of stolen devices. |
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Article no.: |
8 |
| Topic: |
Mobile – the quiet African revolution |
| Author: |
Callum Dick |
| Title: |
CEO |
| Organisation: |
AlanDick |
| PDF size: |
92KB |
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| About author: |
| Callum Dick is Chief Executive Officer of AlanDick. Mr Dick has held many roles in the engineering and commercial sectors since first joining the company, from driving development into the UK cellular market to rapid international expansion to serve global operators. Prior to his appointment as CEO, Mr Dick served as the Managing Director of the International Division. Callum Dick is a chartered Engineer and MBA graduate. |
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| Article abstract: |
| Low incomes and poor telecommunications infrastructure keep many Africans from using the Internet. Internet Protocol technology, which lets mobile networks offer inexpensive voice- and text-messaging and Internet access, is changing this. Mobile phones are often the African’s sole communications device, so local ingenuity has created services unheard of elsewhere, such as activation of electricity meters via text messaging and cellular enabled pill bottles. Mobile services are so popular that people have reduced spending in other areas to pay for them. |
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Article no.: |
9 |
| Topic: |
Transforming Africa and the Middle East |
| Author: |
Bert Nordberg |
| Title: |
Executive Vice President |
| Organisation: |
Ericsson Sales and Marketing |
| PDF size: |
88KB |
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| About author: |
Mr Bert Nordberg is the Executive Vice President of Group Function Sales and Marketing at Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson. He served previously as Senior Vice President, Group Function Sales and Marketing, Head of Business Unit Systems, Head of Business Unit Global Services, Executive Vice President Division Global Services and as Executive Vice President of Ericsson Services. Mr Nordberg joined Ericsson as the Head of Enterprise Services, which provides all services for Enterprise Segments within Ericsson. Before joining Ericsson, Mr Nordberg worked in various positions with Data General Corporation and Digital Equipment Corporation in Sweden.
Bert Nordberg graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Electronic Engineering, and later as an Engineer in the Marines, from Berga. He subsequently complemented these studies with courses in International Management, Marketing and Finance at Insead University, France. |
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| Article abstract: |
| For many people in Africa and the Middle East, the mobile phone is their primary means of communication. Mobile service there is growing 30 per cent each year, and will reach 150 million subscribers by 2007. WCDMA high-speed mobile access, in the 850 MHz band, will help bring the Internet and many other vital services to Africa and the Middle East. The combination of high efficiency WCDMA and enhanced coverage 850 MHz technologies means operators can make a profit in low-income regions. |
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Article no.: |
10 |
| Topic: |
Working together toward the next billion users |
| Author: |
Juha Pinomaa |
| Title: |
Vice President, Mobile Entry Business Line |
| Organisation: |
Nokia |
| PDF size: |
88KB |
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| About author: |
Juha Pinomaa is the Vice President of Nokia’s Mobile Phone Entry Business Line. Mr Pinomaa was Director of Product Marketing and Business Development for Nokia's Mobile Entry Business Unit, having served earlier as Vice President of Product Marketing of the CMT Business Unit. Before that, he served over three years in Irving, Texas, as Vice President of Product Marketing for the Americas and as Vice President of the AMPS Product Line. Prior to this, Mr Pinomaa was Managing Director of Nokia Mobile Phones Pte Ltd in South East Asia and worked in Australia as Product Manager. He began his career with Nokia in as a Management Trainee in Salo, Finland, and then served as Product Manager for Global Product Marketing. Since 2000, Mr Pinomaa has been a member of the board of the Nokia Brand Forum. He has also served on the board of the Nokia Environmental Steering Group since 2001.
Mr Pinomaa holds a Master of Business Administration from the University of Pennsylvania and a Master of Science in Industrial Management from Helsinki University of Technology. He speaks Finnish, English, Swedish and German. |
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| Article abstract: |
| The ranks of mobile subscribers should reach the 2 billion mark this year – well ahead of forecast. Africa has one of the fastest mobile growth-rates in the world. Wherever mobility is available and affordable, it quickly becomes part of the social fabric, stimulates economies and provides new channels of communication for social services. To stimulate the growth of mobile in Africa and to facilitate the economic and social gains, government and industry must work together to make mobile affordable for all. |
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Article no.: |
11 |
| Topic: |
Video goes mobile – with DVB-H |
| Author: |
Johannes Hofmann |
| Title: |
Managing Director |
| Organisation: |
Rohde & Schwarz, Middle East and Africa |
| PDF size: |
64KB |
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| About author: |
Johannes Hofmann is the Managing Director of Rohde & Schwarz for the Middle East and Africa. Mr Hofmann began working at Rohde & Schwarz in Cologne after having served in the German Air force for six years. During his first years of employment at Rohde & Schwarz, he was promoted to Head of Training for the operation, maintenance and repair all Rohde & Schwarz products. He then moved to Munich where he became Managing Director for Sales for the Middle East and Africa. During the last years he has concentrated his activities on Africa.
Mr Hofmann was educated in Cologne, Germany, as a radio and TV Technician. He has also studied Parallel Mathematics at the University of Hagen. |
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| Article abstract: |
| The new DVB-H digital TV standard enables efficient transmission of multimedia content to mobile receivers. DVB-H combines video broadcasting with mobile radio for mobile phone reception. The upgrading of many African analogue broadcast systems to mobile compatible DVB-H digital broadcasting is often quite cost effective. Since DVB-H program content originates as an IP data stream, it is compatible with modern, Internet-enabled mobile phones. DVB-H broadcasts data packets sent in short bursts and the consequent energy consumption of user equipment is low. |
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Article no.: |
12 |
| Topic: |
Broadband in Africa: getting it right |
| Author: |
Amnon Unger |
| Title: |
CEO and President |
| Organisation: |
Teledata Networks |
| PDF size: |
52KB |
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| About author: |
Amnon Unger is the CEO and President of Teledata Networks. Previously, Mr Unger served as the Vice President of R&D in the wireline division of ADC and as a Country General Manager for ADC. Mr Unger has more than 25 years of experience in the telecommunications industry, championing very large development projects.
Mr Unger holds an MSc degree in Electrical and Electronic Engineering. |
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| Article abstract: |
| Broadband deployment in Africa is low and much of its infrastructure is obsolescent. African telecom operators, leveraging experience of operators in other regions, can plan the expansion of their access network architecture so advanced services can be implemented with minimal additional investment. The major trends affecting network architecture are triple play services, which require access network architectures based on FTTX (fibre-to-the-curb/node/home/building), and migration to NGN, which requires that the access nodes deployed be upgradeable to VoIP access gateways. |
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Article no.: |
13 |
| Topic: |
What rural telephony means to Africa |
| Author: |
Boaz Fletcher |
| Title: |
General Manager |
| Organisation: |
Equatel |
| PDF size: |
84KB |
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| About author: |
| Boaz Fletcher is the General Manager of Equatel Limited, an innovator of fixed-cellular technologies and products. Mr Fletcher has held senior technical, marketing and management positions in a number of leading technology start-ups in the fields of banking software, commerce, Internet services and technologies, mobile communication technologies and hardware. Mr Fletcher is also the founder and Chairman of StartUps, Inc, a consulting firm to early stage start-up companies. Mr Fletcher holds a Bachelor of Science (BSc, Hons) from the University of Guelph, Ontario, Canada. |
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| Article abstract: |
| Half the world’s population has never made a phone call. Investing in telecommunications for such as these is necessary, but building advanced communications systems as a first step may be missing the mark. Voice communication is the essential; it preserves social bonds and facilitates business in the largely illiterate rural world. Mobile, Wi-Max and fixed services all have a place in a well-conceived rural network strategy. With planning, advanced services can be added as the need, and the market, develops. |
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Article no.: |
14 |
| Topic: |
IP evolution – unlocking contact centre potential |
| Author: |
Mark Payne |
| Title: |
Managing Director, Southern Africa |
| Organisation: |
Genesys Telecommunications Laboratories |
| PDF size: |
52KB |
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| About author: |
Mark Payne is the Managing Director of Sub-Saharan Africa for Genesys. In the course of his career, Mark Payne has covered the spectrum, from programmer, to consultant, to management. Prior to joining Genesys, Payne spent two years on Sabbatical raising Arabian horses. Previously, Mr Payne served as the Senior VP EMEA for Avaya Communications, as Senior VP for Quintus Corporation and, also, as Senior VP for Versatility. Mr Payne has had many years of experience with the EMEA region as a whole.
Mr Payne has a Diploma in French linguistics and is fluent in Dutch and English. |
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| Article abstract: |
| IP systems hold tremendous potential for contact centres. They handle a mixture of traditional and IP-based infrastructure and let enterprises cost-effectively migrate towards IP systems while maintaining current operations. IP enables easy implementation of open standards-based applications such as those using Session Initiation Protocol, or SIP. Open standards enable telephony applications to interface with each other and inexpensively provide high-level functionality. They reduce the redundancy of enterprise applications and hardware and provide a migration path for future systems upgrades. |
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