Avanti to provide Niger’s government with satellite capacity and equipment to support Covid-19 response
20 May 2020
Avanti Communications has thrown its weight behind the Niger government’s response to Covid-19 by offering up its services.
Using HYLAS 4 capacity, Avanti provides satellite connectivity and equipment to 10 government sites across the country, keeping lines of communication open for key government bodies in Niger. Avanti is collaborating with the National Agency of Information Society (ANSI), the technical arm of the government of Niger responsible for coordinating ICT solutions in the Covid-19 response in Niger.
The first site was set up on 15 April 2020 and the remaining nine will be installed over the next few weeks.
"At Avanti, we are deeply concerned about the spread of the pandemic and we want to help in any way we can," said Avanti CEO, Kyle Whitehill.
Vodacom Mozambique signs internet balloon deal
15 May 2020
Vodacom Mozambique signed an agreement with the American company Loon to use its internet balloons to extend the coverage of telecom services in rural areas.
The latter’s solution will provide a 4G service that supports data, voice, SMS and USSD, which will also enable mobile financial services.
Vodacom said it intends to use Loon's technology to increase its presence in the provinces of Cabo Delgado and Niassa, which have proven difficult to cover in the past due to the large geographic areas and the low population density which represent a logistical challenge.
Find out more
Angola switches satellite manufacturer
14 May 2020
Angola has withdrawn construction of the Angosat-2 from Rocket and Space Corporation (RSC) Energia and entrusted it to the ISS-Reshetnev Company, according to reports.
The change was made at the request of the Angolan government and the creation of the satellite should be completed by the end of 2021.
The Angosat-2 satellite is Russia's compensation to Angola for the Angosat-1 satellite, worth $327.6m, lost in space after its launch in 2017. It should allow the country finally to gain independence in satellite telecommunications. Independence that would not only help extend coverage of telecom services across the country, but also reduce government spending on private providers and even make money by selling capacity to other countries .
Find out more Tanzania: MasterCard leads digital transport payment
11 May 2020
MasterCard has partnered with NMB Bank in Tanzania to launch a digital platform EYWA Transit Solution that will enable commuters to pay for fares electronically while booking transportation online.
The service comes as a service card and a mobile application and will enbable commuters to scan their cards and track the arrival of transport. It will alsoalso enable commuter to pre-pay for their fares.
In addition, EYWA will offer transport companies digitised payment records which in turn will enable them to secure credit facilities.
Find out more