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Vodacom leads South Africa’s cellular race

Vodacom is the mobile leader in South Africa having grown its market (y-o-y) from 44.3 million active subscribers to 45.77 million as at December 31st 2021. This represent a 42 per cent market share. Second place is occupied by MTN which had (as at September 30th 2021) 33.51 million subs (and a 31 per cent […]

February 8, 2022By Chris Forrester

Six register for South Africa spectrum auction

Six telcos have formally applied for to take part in the upcoming spectrum being auctioned by South Africa’s government. The timetable closed on January 31st and six players had entered the auction line-up. They are: · Cell C · Liquid Intelligent Technologies · MTN · Rain · Telkom · Vodacom Telkom is still involved in […]

February 2, 2022By Chris Forrester

Telkom withdrawing ICASA objections?

South Africa’s Telkom, in its High Court action, has proposed withdrawing its objections to the upcoming proposed spectrum auction. But this might not mean a speedy end to its objections. Local reports say that lawyers for Telkom, in a letter to the Court, appear to want instead to see the various parties have a full […]

January 21, 2022By Chris Forrester

Telkom challenges ICASA spectrum auction

South Africa’s Telkom has thrown the regulator ICASA’s planned spectrum auction into considerable confusion. Telkom has filed a formal objection with the country’s high court over ICASA’s planned auction saying that it is not satisfied with the way ICASA is managing the process. The auction was due to open in March. According to the filing, […]

January 5, 2022By Chris Forrester

ICASA awards cellular spectrum

South Africa’s telecoms regulator ICASA has made a number of provisional cellular spectrum awards. The licences are only good for seven months (starting on December 1st) and reflect the challenges created by the pandemic and the recommendation that people work from home. The provisional licences are until June 30th 2022, or three months after the […]

November 30, 2021By Chris Forrester

ICASA telco writs get scrubbed

South Africa’s communications regulator ICASA was due to face a slew of court actions starting November 15th over spectrum allocations. The actions were cancelled. The legal actions had started and included Telkom, Rain, Vodacom and MTN. The softening comes about because ICASA has now licensed “provisional” spectrum in place of temporary allocations which have been […]

November 16, 2021By Chris Forrester

Vodacom joins Telkom/MTN in ICASA action

South African cellular operator Vodacom has joined telco Telkom in confronting regulator ICASA over its decision to take back “temporary” spectrum. It means that South Africa’s three largest telcos (including MTN) are all now pursuing ICASA through the Pretoria High Court and arguing that ICASA’s timing is not right. The spectrum was made available in […]

October 18, 2021By Chris Forrester

Vodacom explains new Ethiopian business

Vodacom is part of a consortium that has won an operating licence for a cellular service in Ethiopia. The consortium is made up of acknowledged experts in the supply and operation of a telephone service and beat another applicant (MTN Grp) which was not successful. The Global Partnership consortium comprises includes Safaricom (in which Vodacom […]

September 15, 2021

StarNews Mobile, CareGame launch gaming channel

Africa-focused mobile video network StarNews Mobile is partnering with mobile cloud gaming solution CareGame to offer unlimited, mobile cloud gaming to StarNews Mobile subscribers while expanding CareGame’s global reach throughout Africa. CareGame will leverage StarNews Mobile’s platform and established telecom partnerships with Orange and MTN in order to distribute its mobile gaming experience to 30 […]

July 21, 2021

All Def Media comes to Africa

Africa-focused mobile video network StarNews Mobile is partnering with black-owned digital platform Culture Genesis to distribute All Def Comedy and Music channels to over 430 million mobile subscribers via Orange and MTN in Africa. Initially, All Def’s Dad Jokes, Great Taste, Roast Me comedy shows and Arts & Raps and Bar Exam music shows will […]

July 15, 2021