• Skype Comes To Nokia Smartphones

    Earlier today, the mobile phone giant, Nokia announced that Skype for it’s Symbian smartphones is now available for free download in its OVI store. Mobile users can now use 3G or Wi-Fi connections to call each other for ‘free’ without needing to route the call through mobile operators. This is a big game changer for…

  • ZOL Says “Stop Waiting For Promised 3G Connections – Connect Today To Wireless Broadband.”

    In obvious reference to Econet’s delayed full rollout of data services to mobile, subscribers Zimbabwe Online (ZOL) is telling customers they don’t have to wait – we have great wireless broadband spread across the country and it is available right now! The message was sent out in a promotional email to customers titled “Introducing ZOLspot…

  • Telecel Unearths Recharge Cards Fraud Worth US$ 1.7 Million

    Telecel, the second largest mobile operator in Zimbabwe, confirmed today that it has unearthed a recharge cards fraud case amounting to US $ 1,7 million. The unscrupulous Telecel employees involved in the case, swindled the company through issuing recharge cards and starter packs using manual invoices, an invoicing method long banned by the company.

  • Telecel Slashes International Call Rates To As Low As A Local Call

    Starting today, if you have a Telecel mobile line and need to call someone in the US, the UK, Australia, the Emirates, China or India (Update: Canada too), you will be charged local call rates. Calls to these destinations can now be made for as little as 25 US cents. Note though that this doesn’t…

  • Africom To Launch CDMA2000 Mobile Network

    Word has it that Africom is in the advanced stages of implementing a CDMA 2000 mobile network. The new mobile network will ride on its already established metro fibre networks in Harare and Bulawayo. According to our source, Africom is taking advantage of the anything-goes class A operator license they hold to spread into the…

  • Chamisa For Re-issuing TeleAccess With A Fixed Line License

    Zimbabwe Minister of ICT, Nelson Chamisa would like to see the pressure on TelOne to meet fixed line subscriptions demands eased. How? By re-issuing TeleAccess (remember the guys that sat on a license for 2 years until it was taken back) with an operator’s license. According to the Herald, Chamisa will be meeting Attorney General…

  • “MTN set to acquire…” Rumours All Over Again. We Hope It’s A Solid Deal This Time.

    The rumours about MTN’s interest in acquiring a stake in one of Zimbabwe’s mobile operators have resurfaced, only this time it’s the government owned NetOne up for grabs. So yes, we’re gleefully wagging our tails yet again, hoping this is not just another Telecel story. MTN was last year reported to be courting Telecel in…

  • Year 2009 In Review

    2009 came with a shift in ICT policy direction by the government. Customs duty on ICT equipment for example was suspended and currently ICT hardware suppliers only need to pay 15% VAT on imported equipment. Most positive change has generally been attributed to the energetic Minister of ICT, Nelson Chamisa.

  • Local Application Developers Should Smell the Coffee

    According to the Information Society Statistical Profiles 2009 report prepared by the International Telecommunications Union, in 2008 there were 11 internet users out of every 100 inhabitants in Zimbabwe. 2009 itself saw more Zimbabweans connecting to the Internet owing to the introduction of mobile Internet by telecoms operator Econet. Even more connections will be made…

  • Ambitious New Telecoms Operator, Broadlands Networks

    Yesterday’s Standard newspaper carried an article on the new telecoms operator, Broadlands, with the title: “New Operator to End TelOne Dominance”. It’s not clear from the article if Broadlands Networks is after a slice of TelOne’s market share in fixed telecommunication services, International bandwidth wholesaling or mobile CMDA services.

  • Debating How To Lock The Stable Door After The Horse Has Fled

    Today I attended “The Transition” televised debate at a local hotel. The topic under discussion was “Free Expression and Freedom of the media are fundamental tenets in a democracy. Does […]

  • Zimbabwe’s Broken Websites: Telecoms Operators

    This article is the first in a series of “Zimbabwe’s Broken Websites” articles. Links to future articles will be inserted at the bottom of the post. Last week, we posted […]

  • Zimbabwean Business Should Take Their Internet Image Seriously

    Last week I met with the managing director of a relatively big local electrical engineering firm. “We need a website ASAP!” he cut to the reason he’d called me. “You […]

  • No Zimbabwean Company On AfricaCom Awards Shortlist

    The 2nd Annual AfricaCom Awards are going to be held on the 11th of November 2009 in Cape Town South Africa. The awards recognize and award excellence in the African […]

  • The Prime Minister’s Opening Address At 2009 ICT Africa Exhibition

    We can’t upload a 10 minute long video speech here due to bandwidth limitations so we posted the MP3 version of Morgan Tsvangirai’s address at the opening of the 2009 […]

  • Telecel Launching 3G Shortly

    A week ago we bemoaned the fact that with both NetOne and Telecel not on 3G, Econet subscribers wouldn’t enjoy video calling to friends on these networks. Well, not anymore. […]

  • 2009 ICT Africa: Day 2

    Tomorrow we have a speech/presentation by the Minister of ICT, Nelson Chamisa and the ministry’s permanent secretary. Hopefully I can post a video or audio of it here. Will also […]

  • POTRAZ Suspends New IAP Licensing Indefinitely

    The Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (POTRAZ) has indefinitely suspended the issue of new Internet Access Provider (IAP) licenses from 01 September 2009. The press statement, released on […]

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