• As MTN zero-rates data for VOD here’s why other providers might follow suit

    It was recently reported that MTN South Africa, the mobile network operator, zero-rated data for MTN FrontRow. This is the operator’s Video On Demand (VOD) service. This has implications on what might work for VOD services in Africa aligned to broadband providers.

  • Unboxing the Telecel Hie Bundles

    The value proposition for subscribers is clear. Telecel has been generous with voice, SMS, and social media access and it is outpacing its competition with this offer. While both bundles offer savings on airtime purchases, the $10 bundle is easily the better pick of the two, considering the access to Facebook, generous free minutes and,…

  • Lax security leading to rampant website defacement

    Zimbabwean websites (.co.zw TLD) are easy pickings for hacker groups making names for themselves – that is the impression I get looking at the sheer number of defaced websites. The state […]

  • Tengai 2.0 on the cards as startup makes plans to re-enter the market

    According to some sources from Econet, the Tengai team is working on a comeback for the hacked e-classifieds site. Efforts are being put into creating a secure platform, though the sources couldn’t specify what sort of changes would be made to make the e-commerce platform more robust.

  • It’s just been bought by the government, but who is Portnet Software?

    The decision recently by the government, through ZARNet to acquire a 51% stake in SAP Partner Portnet raises the question of who Portnet is. Here is a brief profile.

  • Muzinda Hub develops free websites as part of global education campaign, calls for support

    Muzinda Hub is partnering with the Global Business Coalition for Education to run an initiative called the #UpForSchool Campaign, in Zimbabwe. The hub will be developing free websites for the first 20 schools that support this cause by mobilising 1,000 signatures for the #UpForSchool petition.

  • Here’s why the government might block WhatsApp

    The suggestion of a WhatsApp ban is shocking, especially when we consider how it has made communication so much easier and cheaper. However, the latest numbers from the industry regulator suggest that its effect is huge on revenue and if the operators make that call, our favourite app could be banned.

  • Net Neutrality and the curse of the privileged byte

    The same bundles that operators created to lure users are the ones that are denting their voice revenues and yet they won’t implement net neutrality.

  • Lessons for African operators as Safaricom opens M-PESA API to developers

    Recently, there was a lot of excitement stirred up when Safaricom, Kenya’s largest mobile operator, released the Application Program Interface (API) for its mobile money service M-PESA to local and international developers. This is a step forward for Kenyan mobile commerce and e-services, but also shines light on the importance of startup and developer engagement.

  • Shouldn’t TelOne migrate its major voice clients to VoIP?

    Given that Telone is not investing in maintaining or improving their fixed lines infrastructure, shouldn’t it just migrate major customers to VoIP?

  • For whom the bell tolls: Is Telecel Doomed?

    It cannot be ignored that Telecel has been on a downward trend since 2012 if the subscriber numbers from Potraz are anything to go by. With the licence issues reaching boiling point early this year resulting in the most disruption on their timeline it is interesting to see how they will bounce back.

  • 8 interesting things from the new Infrastructure Sharing Regulations

    Here are 8 things you may need to know from the final draft of the Infrastructure Sharing Regulations.

  • Mobile operators suffer a 14.2% decline in revenue: POTRAZ Report

    POTRAZ has released the latest Telecommunications and Postal sector report that indicates an overall decline in business despite gradual increase in subscriptions.

  • Supa Mandiwanzira clarifies infrastructure sharing issue & impact on private companies

    The latest statements from the Minister of ICT give a glimpse into what the government is thinking in terms of Infrastructure and may explain the ICT ministry’s agenda in infrastructure sharing.

  • POTRAZ adopts Infrastructure Sharing Draft Policy and Regulations

    The telecoms regulator, POTRAZ, has adopted the Draft Infrastructure Sharing Regulations and Policy that, among other issues, compels sharing of telecommunications infrastructure amongst operators.

  • Rural Electrification Agency offering free solar and biogas quotations

    The Rural Electrification Agency is offering free quotations and education for aspiring biogas and solar users. This is part of an effort to lower the burden on the national power grid.

  • A quick how-to for scheduling downloads

    Most of us are keen on taking advantage of different off-peak packages for broadband, so here’s a run through the steps for scheduling downloads.

  • What is local content?

    So after the noise with the tengai.co.zw store and the ensuing usual talk about local content one question has been tickling the nether regions of my brain. Just what the heck is local content?

  • POTRAZ finalises Infrastructure Sharing regulations ahead of 90 Ultimatum

    POTRAZ will be holding an open-house conference of stakeholders involved in infrastructure sharing in telecoms in the next few days as it finalises the draft sharing agreement readying for transforming into law and possible implementation by end of year.

  • Telecoms job cuts, the Liquid & MTN partnership, TelOne WiFi at Innscor: Podcast

    Here is the latest edition of the Techzim podcast. This episode touched on the MTN-Liquid Telecom partnership, the TelOne and Innscor WiFi arrangement, job cuts and salary adjustments in Telecoms as well as the workshops at Harare Institute of Technology.

  • Liquid Telecom enters into partnership with MTN

    Liquid Telecom, the Pan- African Telecoms infrastructure company has entered into a partnership with another African telecoms giant, MTN. This is part of an arrangement meant to ensure that the customers for both companies benefit from a wide fixed and wireless footprint.

  • TelOne slashes salaries by 15%, scraps bonuses

    Telone is reported to have joined the Labour realignment bandwagon and slashed salaries by 15 percent. It has also implemented a raft of measures to reduce the overall wage bill.

  • Here’s what to expect from the upcoming MISA Internet Governance Forum

    MISA will hold an Internet Governance Conference which will dwell on Internet reach, sustainability, governance, content creation & dissemination. While the media will dwell on issues surrounding their viability, it is also prudent for general consumers to join the wider discussions towards coming up with an internet governance framework.

  • Zimbabwean telecoms is changing, isn’t it time for an MVNO?

    With the current quality of service from the operators coupled by the coming in Infrastructure Sharing framework coming, it may be ample time for a Mobile Virtual Network Operator.

  • Telecel Zimbabwe becomes latest company to effect job cuts

    Telecel Zimbabwe has become the latest company to effect a series of job cuts in a follow-up to a Supreme Court decision that gave Zimbabwean employers the right to terminate employment contracts at any time by putting employees on three months notice.

  • Reduced roaming tariffs project welcome, but a bit late in the making

    A pilot exercise by regional member states to reduce roaming tariffs as a means through which to promote regional trade and partnerships under the SADC Home and Away Roaming (SHAR) initiative is underway. However, this development is a bit late in the making and seems to ignore data roaming charges.

  • E-commerce needs a payment API

    Lately, there has been a lot of noise over how classified sites could lead to a boom in e-commerce,yet online peer-to-peer marketplaces (classifieds) do not quite qualify as electronic commerce. […]

  • World’s first heavyweight Tennis champion

    Mike was the world heavyweight boxing champion, a title he practised and fought hard to acquire through discipline, hard work and skill. He won his championship fight against an opponent […]

  • TelOne expanding distribution network through local agents & entrepreneurs

    TelOne has started inviting people interested in becoming sales agents for its products and services to contact the operator or submit details at the Harare Post Office. This franchising opportunity is part of TelOne’s strategy to expand its footprint while managing costs.