Convergence Partners released its latest research report on African Innovation in the technology sector. The report argues that Africa continues to significantly contribute to global innovation in the technology sector. However, this innovation is impeded by a number of challenges, not least of which are small and fragmented markets, as well as African governments piecemeal and tepid approaches to innovation.
Broadband connectivity is becoming cheaper in many countries and it has also easier for many businesses and individuals to access the Internet. One of the biggest players in the Internet connectivity industry is Internet Solutions (IS). IT News Africa recently took advantage of the opportunity to sit down with Managing Director Saki Missaikos to find out about IS’ strategy going forward, his vision for the future and the company’s further expansion into Africa.
Seacom will look to the cloud to expand its local offering and help keep African content on the continent.
The shape of a “New Internet” is beginning to emerge in Africa, and Seacom’s recent statement that it is set to launch cloud computing services for the continent is pivotal to the movement.
Intelsat, the world’s leading provider of satellite services, and GlobeCast, a leading global content management and delivery company, today announced the launch of the Intelsat New Dawn Ku-band Multi-Channel Per Carrier (MCPC) media platform for Africa. The MCPC platform is being hosted on Intelsat New Dawn, Africa’s first commercial communications satellite, situated directly over Africa at the 33°East orbital slot.
Howard Earley, COO of Plessey, a Convergence Partners investee says that Plessey has identified the opportunities that exist and need for a next-generation service provider with the ability to build the infrastructure required by the fast growing communications industry.
SEACOM, the pan-African ICT enabler, announced the appointment of Mark Simpson as its Chief Executive Officer (CEO) with effect 5 September 2011. Brian Herlihy, the current CEO, will remain with the company as a member of the Board and take on the new role of Executive Director where he will focus on strategic projects essential for SEACOM’s continued success.
Seacom, a Convergence Partners investee company, has invested R100 million in additional South African infrastructure to meet the continuous high growth in demand for broadband services and applications. The investment includes the purchase of physical optical fibre links from Dark Fibre Africa (DFA) as well as installing the equipment required for Seacom to manage the network linking KwaZulu Natal’s coast where the Seacom marine cable lands to two redundant Points of Presence (PoPs) in Gauteng.
On 22 April 2011?Intelsat S.A., the world’s leading provider of fixed satellite services, announced that Arianespace successfully launched the Intelsat New Dawn satellite. The Ariane 5 vehicle lifted off from Kourou, French Guiana, at 5:37 p.m. (EDT), followed by spacecraft separation from the launch vehicle at 6:12 p.m. and signal acquisition at 6:29 p.m.
The Intelsat New Dawn satellite is owned by a joint venture between a consortium led by Convergence Partners and Intelsat. The satellite’s 28 C-band and 24 Ku-band 36 MHz transponder units are designed specifically to supply critical communications infrastructure for African customers, who have experienced exceptional growth along with the development of the region.
In the latest edition of Communications Africa Magazine, the technical and commercial benefits of geostationary communications satellites are assessed, contrasting them to both the failed high profile experimental satellite technologies of the previous decade, as well as to other communications technologies in Africa, notably fibre, as it arrives on the continent’s shores in abundance. In particular profiling the New Dawn satellite.
On 15 July 2010, Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation (“NTT”) Dimension Data Holdings plc (“Dimension Data” or “DiData”) announced that they have reached agreement on the terms of a cash offer to be made by NTT for 100% of Dimension Data. The offer, totalling approximately GBP 2.1 billion (R24.4 billion), was unanimously recommended by both Boards of Directors. Andile Ngcaba, Chairman of Dimension Data’s Middle East and Africa business (“DDMEA”), as well as of its minority shareholder Convergence Partners, is excited about the deal and how its positions DiData in his region. “With access to the resources, products and R&D of the NTT Group, DDMEA is better positioned than ever to grow its presence and capitalise on new and fast growing market opportunities, such as cloud computing. The deal is great for the country and the company”.
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