Author: Chris Anu

MTN South Africa CEO Charles Molapisi MTN South Africa and Lynk Global, a satellite company, have said they have completed the first successful test of a satellite direct-to-mobile voice call in the country. Since the initial use case for direct-to-mobile is boosting connectivity in rural and outlying communities, the trial was conducted in a remote part of North West to demonstrate that very capability. Lynk Global chief commercial officer Dan Dooley claimed it was the first commercial direct-to-mobile call made in Africa. We are very aware of the challenges of having to compete as a fixed and wireless operator with…

Videsha Proothveerajh, director of Vodacom Business. In a bid to address water security challenges in Gauteng, Vodacom Business has entered into a strategic partnership with the Strategic Water Partners Network (SWPN).Through this collaboration, Vodacom Business will leverage its digital solutions to drive enhanced water management and sustainable supply for the region.Vodacom Business said in a statement that a key component of this initiative is its digital water tower, developed in partnership with Mezzanine. The digital water tower is designed to deliver, support and maintain critical water services for suppliers, municipalities and consumers. By integrating geospatial consumption data, network topology maps…

Communications minister Solly Malatsi. Image: DCDT The high court in Pretoria has ruled in favour of broadcaster e.tv in its bid to stop communications minister Solly Malatsi from switching off analogue television broadcasts on 31 March. The judgment is a political setback for Malatsi, who had set the deadline for switch-off and then refused to budge even as he was dragged to court by e.tv. E.tv filed suit against Malatsi in January after the minister announced in December that all analogue broadcasts would be switched off at the end of March, or next Monday. The minister is interdicted from taking…

In search of better banking Competition in the banking sector is fierce. There are new players, some of which bear little resemblance to established institutions, and there’s pressure to offer user-friendly, unique services. And there are only so many customers, and banks, both neo and legacy, have to expand the breadth of their offerings and offer more value and services. Financial institutions now need to make their presence felt on different platforms, find new ways to connect with customers, and mine customer data so they can develop personalised products. This, at least in theory, will improve customer retention. According to…

Home affairs minister Leon Schreiber. Image: GCIS Home affairs minister Leon Schreiber has hailed the importance of technological reform in closing gaps that allow corrupt networks to thrive within the department. Speaking at the launch of the Border Management and Immigration Anti-Corruption Forum on Monday, Schreiber said corrupt networks exploit systemic loopholes that give government employees discretion over public service processes like applying for a residence permit or obtaining an ID. Schreiber said technology is key to closing these loopholes because “you cannot bribe a computer or an electronic gate”. We want the systems reform that will close the space…

Dell Technologies has launched its new AI PC portfolio, with the focus on simplicity and consolidation. Dell Technologies officially unveiled its new AI PC product portfolio in Johannesburg this week and said the line-up – built for personal and professional computing – is based on unified branding to make it easier for customers to source fit-for-purpose solutions.The portfolio consists of three product categories: Dell, Dell Pro and Dell Pro Max.With sustainability, environmentally friendly infrastructure and increased application of AI driving PC adoption, executives from Dell Technologies agreed the timing of this launch could not have been better.Commenting on the portfolio…

First National Bank has been named as the principal sponsorship partner of the Springboks, replacing MTN South Africa, which had been the main sponsor for the past eight years. FNB, which has been involved as a sponsor of South African rugby since 2017, will see its logo “taking front and centre on the teams’ jerseys” after a new sponsorship agreement with SA Rugby was signed. “FNB has extended its partnership with Saru (SA Rugby), entering a new era that sees it further entrenching its level of commitment and support of the sport into all levels of South African rugby, which…

Netstar, SA Medical and Education Foundation (SAME Foundation) funds ICT equipment for Ikukasa Comprehensive School in Tembisa. Netstar has partnered with the SA Medical and Education Foundation (SAME Foundation) to fund ICT equipment for Ikukasa Comprehensive School in Tembisa. With the R669 249 donation, Netstar aims to help bridge the digital divide and unlock new possibilities for the next generation. The donation has enabled 2 105 learners to move beyond textbooks, gaining access to digital learning resources. Netstar said in a statement that by integrating technology into the curriculum, it is not just upgrading equipment, it is ‘upgrading futures’. “In…

MTN Group and Airtel Africa have struck a deal to share mobile phone network infrastructure in Uganda and Nigeria, they said on Wednesday, aiming to save on investments while still increasing service coverage. Mobile operators in Africa are seeing sustained demand for digital and financial services, but building and maintaining networks is expensive, especially for fast 5G connections. “There are opportunities within regulatory frameworks for sharing resources to drive higher [operational] efficiencies and improve returns,” MTN Group CEO Ralph Mupita said in a statement. This engagement does not preclude the parties from collaborating with other operators in any respective market…

Jacqui Muller, researcher at Belgium Campus iTversity and UiPath Most Valued Professional. The rapid pace of change in technology continues unabated, with the latest enhancement to artificial intelligence (AI) being agentic AI – a shift from rule-based processes to autonomous decision-making.For companies to excel in this environment, they need to take a holistic approach as to what is required within their business and industry.As demand for AI in the workplace surges, this new technology is already transforming as it moves beyond strict, rule-based processes to intelligent, self-directed systems driven by changes in process automation.Agentic AI is the driving force behind…