R500m for Broadband Infraco network

DOC prioritises e-education

Communications minister, Roy Padayachie, says his department has prioritised the provision of computers and broadband connectivity to schools across the country.

Speaking at the opening of a Cyberlab in Nongoma, Kwazulu-Natal, Padayachie noted that providing schools with computers and other equipment was part of government’s efforts to ensure ICTs contributed to development in under-serviced communities.

“This is in line with the department’s responsibility to ensure universal service and access to ICTs by all South Africans.

The Department of Communications (DOC) has as a result partnered with the Department of Basic Education to develop a Connectivity Plan for schools that seeks to provide broadband connectivity to all schools through the establishment of a dedicated educational network,” he explained.

FNB Connect offers free YouTube

FNB Connect today announced that their ADSL customers will be provided with free unlimited access to download, view and share videos for the next two months.

As from 6 May – 1 July 2011, customers who are registered for FNB Connect Surf will be able to browse the popular video viewing site 24/7 to upload, view and share videos.

“Broadband access is reaching more consumers and we are in a digital age in which multi-media and social media are

becoming more widespread and popular in South Africa and worldwide.

As part of our innovative and customer centric approach, we are enabling our customers to be part of this growing trend by giving the free access to YouTube,” says Farren Roper, head of products and markets at FNB Connect.

Cipro website gets busy

Following concerns over its performance, the Company Intellectual Property and Registration Office (Cipro) says its website has responded well to high volumes of visits over the past month.

The website has in the past been prone to shutdowns and technical problems. In March this year, the website received from between 14 000 to 18 000 visits per day.

“The recent high volumes are as a result of transaction relating to online name reservations, close corporation registration and restoration of de registered companies. During the last week of March CIPRO reported much higher volumes of transactions on its website than an average day,” Cipro says.

ISPA calls for quick spectrum auctions

Archived; click post to view. Excerpt: The Internet Service Providers’ Association of South Africa (ISPA) has issued a call to ICASA and the Department of Communications (DoC) to inform industry of their progress in finalising the long-awaited spectrum auctions in the 2.6 and 3.5GHz bands. “ISPA welcomes the news that ICASA has requested the DoC to confirm the appointment of a specialist auctioneer to handle the auction of radio frequency spectrum in the 2.6GHz and 3.5GHz bands”, says Ant Brooks, [...]

Vodacom to offer Internet TV

Vodacom has introduced the WebBox, a device offering customers access to Internet from their TV sets.
“I’m thrilled about our latest innovation because it’s going to change the face of Internet connectivity in South Africa. It is estimated that just over 10% of the South African population has access to the Internet; this device will ensure that Internet access is available to many more South Africans who previously had limited or no access,” said Romeo Kumalo, commercial director at Vodacom SA.

The WebBox is a Vodafone innovation developed specifically for customers in emerging markets, where technology and cost barriers exclude many from enjoying affordable and easy Internet access.

Social computing on the rise

Archived; click post to view. Excerpt: Just as the Internet changed the marketplace forever, the integration of social computing into enterprise design represents another shift in the landscape, says IBM. The company notes that as the world becomes more instrumented, interconnected and intelligent and the population continues to embrace social computing, today’s companies face the dawn of a new era – the era of the Social Business. According to IBM’s 2010 Global CHRO Study, more than 700 chief human resource [...]

Online risky behaviour continues - Microsoft

Archived; click post to view. Excerpt: Many children between the ages of 14 and 18 are engaging in risky behaviour online – and while parents say they are aware of the dangers, many are doing nothing to protect their children, according to a Microsoft survey. The MSN survey, run by Microsoft as part of Safer Internet Day on 8 February, suggests that 44% of children have lied about their age when online, while 37% of those who had been contacted [...]

New website for Gauteng Tourism

Archived; click post to view. Excerpt: The Gauteng Tourism Authority (GTA) has unveiled its new online portal for travel and tourism in the Gauteng province. The new look website offers locals and visitors with the latest information on how to get to Gauteng, what to do upon arrival in the province, how to get around provincial regions and what to look out for during a trip to Gauteng. The new site boasts write-ups of 100 top attractions in the province [...]

SA to grow Internet use

Archived; click post to view. Excerpt: [/caption] The Department of Communications (DOC) says it will continue to promote the use and access of the Internet – saying it is a key catalyst for development in the country. Speaking at the 13th Afrinic Public policy meeting in Johannesburg recently, deputy Communications minister, Obed Bapela, noted that the demand for the use of affordable ICTs in everyday life was growing and that governments had become aware of the growing role of the [...]

WC pleased with ICT progress

Archived; click post to view. Excerpt: The Western Cape Education Department (WCED) says it is pleased with the progress of its ICT projects, saying its objectives will soon be met. Education MEC, Grant says the ICT programmes would help the department to achieve its goal to dramatically improve learner outcomes in the province. “In terms of technology, the WCED is pleased that the Western Cape is leading the rest of the country in the delivery and roll-out of ICT infrastructure [...]