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South Africa’s Communication Crisis: A Wake-Up Call

ITWeb on the Road recently caught up with Communications Minister Solly Malatsi, who is sounding the alarm about the dire state of South Africa’s communication infrastructure. With billions being squandered on vandalism and stolen infrastructure, it’s no wonder that costs for consumers are skyrocketing.

"The telecoms sector is stuck in the Stone Age," Malatsi lashed out. "Billions are being wasted on redundant infrastructure and stolen batteries, all because of policy uncertainty and red tape. We need to get real about what’s driving up costs and fix this crisis once and for all."

So, what’s the solution? Malatsi wants to engage with mobile operators to figure out how they can work together to reduce costs. And he’s not just talking about reducing data costs – he wants to revolutionize the way we connect, making devices more affordable for all South Africans.

"We can’t have a digital population when half the country can’t even afford a smartphone," he slammed. "It’s time to classify smart devices as basic necessities, not luxury goods. We need to cut the bureaucratic red tape and get serious about investing in our communication infrastructure."

The statistics are stark: 45.3 million South Africans have internet access, but most of them are stuck on outdated 2G and 3G networks. Malatsi is urging the government to take bold action, reclassifying luxury goods to include devices that are essential to connecting our citizens.

"It’s not a luxury to own a smartphone, it’s a necessity. We need to stop pretending it’s something special and make it accessible to everyone," he demanded. "The cost of data is just a small part of the problem. We need to address the entire ecosystem of costs and get consumers a break."

The minister’s crusade is a much-needed wake-up call for South Africa’s comatose communication sector. Can Malatsi’s bold moves stir the country out of its apathy and into a new era of digital transformation? Only time will tell.

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Tower Giant IHS Holding: Ready to Abandon African Empires?

In a shocking move, telecommunications tower operator IHS Holding is reportedly exploring the sale of its assets in Rwanda and Zambia. The company, which operates 40,000 towers across Africa, Latin America, and the Middle East, is said to be gauging interest from potential buyers for its operations in the two countries.

But why the sudden interest in divesting? Sources close to the matter suggest that IHS is looking to offload some of its assets to pay down debt and weather the storm of a faltering economy. The company’s revenue has taken a hit due to the devaluation of the naira in Nigeria, its biggest market, which has plummeted over 70% against the dollar since President Bola Tinubu took office.

A Tower of Debt

IHS’s decision to sell off its assets comes as the company struggles to stay afloat. Shares of IHS have fallen more than 80% since its New York listing in 2021, and the company is now seeking to raise between $500 million and $1 billion to stay afloat. It’s a desperate bid to stay ahead of the curve, but will it be enough to save the company from the jaws of bankruptcy?

A Changing Landscape

The sale of IHS’s assets in Rwanda and Zambia marks a significant shift in the company’s strategy. Once a dominant player in the African telecommunications market, IHS is now forced to adapt to a rapidly changing landscape. The rise of new technologies and players has disrupted the traditional telecommunications industry, and IHS is struggling to keep up.

What’s Next?

As IHS navigates this uncertain terrain, one thing is clear: the company’s days as a dominant player in the African telecommunications market are numbered. Will it be able to recover from its current woes, or will it become another casualty of the industry’s rapid evolution? Only time will tell.

The Dark Side of the Tech Revolution: How E-Waste is Poising a Threat to Our Planet

Behind the gleaming screens and sleek designs of our beloved gadgets lies a toxic secret: the e-waste crisis. And now, Pick n Pay has taken a bold step to tackle this behemoth of a problem by deploying new e-waste bins in selected stores across Cape Town.

The Alarming Facts

Did you know that over 360,000 tonnes of e-waste is generated in South Africa every year, with Gauteng responsible for a staggering 55% of this total? Globally, the figure is even more staggering: 50 million tonnes of e-waste is generated annually, equivalent to throwing out 432 laptops every minute.

The Consequences of Neglect

Improper disposal of e-waste poses significant risks to our health and the environment. Hazardous materials like lead and lithium are often released into the air and water, threatening the very fabric of our planet.

The Pick n Pay Solution

But fear not, dear consumers! Pick n Pay has rolled out 210 new e-waste bins nationwide, in partnership with EWaste Africa and the E-Waste Recycling Authority (ERA). These bins will collect 1,000 tonnes of e-waste annually, equivalent to the weight of a large cargo ship.

Empowering People with Disabilities

But here’s the best part: this initiative not only tackles the e-waste crisis but also empowers people with disabilities. To date, 65 individuals have participated in this program, learning to dismantle, repair, and refurbish e-waste. One participant, Faneezwa Kapa, says: "I’m now learning many things that I never knew before."

The Future of E-Waste Management

As the e-waste problem continues to grow, it’s crucial that we prioritize recycling and job creation. Pick n Pay’s initiative demonstrates how the e-waste value chain can unlock job opportunities while reducing harmful waste in landfills. ERA aims to expand this program as more e-waste bins are introduced in Pick n Pay stores.

The Call to Action

The next time you’re tempted to chuck that old phone or laptop in the trash, remember the devastating consequences of e-waste neglect. Instead, take a moment to dispose of it responsibly at one of Pick n Pay’s new e-waste bins. Together, we can make a difference and ensure a sustainable future for our planet.

The Sinister Rise of AI: A Brief History of Artificial Intelligence’s Creeping Menace

Imagine a world where machines think for themselves, devoid of human oversight and control. It’s a scenario that sounds like science fiction, but the truth is, artificial intelligence (AI) has been quietly evolving for decades, inching its way towards a future where humans are mere spectators.

The story begins in the 1950s, when Alan Turing, a British mathematician, posed the question, "Can machines think?" His proposed solution, the Turing Test, would determine whether a machine could exhibit intelligent behavior equivalent to, or indistinguishable from, that of a human. Little did he know that his idea would unleash a torrent of innovation, leading to the creation of AI systems that would eventually surpass human capabilities.

The 1960s saw the rise of expert systems, designed to mimic human expertise in specific domains. These systems were hailed as revolutionary, but they were limited by their inability to generalize and adapt to new situations. The development of connectionism, which aimed to model the human brain, marked a significant turning point. In the 1980s, the multi-layered perceptron (MLP) was born, a neural network capable of learning from examples and generalizing to new situations.

Fast-forward to the 21st century, and AI has become an integral part of our daily lives. The rise of large-language models (LLMs) has enabled machines to generate text, images, and music with uncanny accuracy. These models have been trained on massive datasets, allowing them to learn and adapt at an exponential rate. The implications are staggering – machines can now generate content, diagnose diseases, and even drive cars.

But don’t be fooled – AI’s capabilities are not a harbinger of human-like intelligence. The notion of AI taking over the world is a gross exaggeration. In reality, AI systems are simply complex algorithms designed to solve specific problems. The future of AI is bright, but it’s a future where humans remain in control, using AI as a tool to augment our capabilities, not replace them.

So, what’s the future of AI? It’s a future where AI is used to enhance human decision-making, where machines learn from data, and where humans filter out biases and errors. It’s a future where AI is used to drive cars, diagnose diseases, and generate content, but where humans remain the ultimate decision-makers.

In conclusion, the rise of AI is a complex and multifaceted phenomenon that demands our attention. While AI has the potential to revolutionize industries and transform our lives, it’s essential that we approach its development with caution and skepticism. The future of AI is bright, but it’s a future that’s shaped by human values and ethics, not by the whims of machines.

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“The Telecoms Industry’s Dirty Little Secret: OTTs are Sucking the Life out of Traditional Operators”

Nomvuyiso Batyi, CEO of the Association of Comms and Technology (ACT), blew the lid off the telecoms industry’s biggest secret during a webinar presentation of the industry body’s research paper on OTT services. According to Batyi, the success of OTT services like WhatsApp, Facebook, and Google Meet is dependent on the availability of high-quality, reliable, and efficient network infrastructure… but at what cost?

“The Continued Survival of Traditional Operators Depends on OTT Players Paying Their Fair Share”

As the OTT model continues to dominate the telecoms landscape, traditional operators are struggling to make ends meet. Batyi warned that unless OTT players are made to pay their fair share of infrastructure costs, the very existence of traditional operators is at risk. It’s a call to action that resonates with many in the industry.

“Regulators Must Act: The Time for Talk is Over”

Batyi lambasted regulators for their lack of action on the issue, stating that the Electronic Communications Act and its proposed amendments provide a golden opportunity to address the issue. She urged regulators to take a proactive and inclusive stance in the OTT space, lest they risk being left behind as the digital landscape continues to evolve.

“Time to Get Real: Fair Share Arrangements are the Future of Telecoms”

Batyi outlined three areas where OTT providers could be expected to make a proportional contribution towards infrastructure costs: efficient resource utilisation, commitment to a sustainable ecosystem, and investment incentives. It’s a wake-up call to OTT players and regulators alike: the time for fair share arrangements is now.

“The Bottom Line: OTT Players Must Pay Their Fair Share to Save the Telecoms Industry”

In conclusion, Batyi left no doubt about the gravity of the situation. Unless OTT players are made to pay their fair share, the telecoms industry will continue to decline. It’s a stark warning that will resonate with many in the industry, and a call to action that cannot be ignored.

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"The ‘Pay to Play’ Scandal: How OTT Players are Sucking the Life out of South Africa’s Telecoms Sector"

The Association of Comms and Technology (ACT) has dropped a bombshell, demanding that over-the-top (OTT) service providers like Netflix start paying to play in South Africa’s telecoms sector. And by "playing", we mean paying for the privilege of using our networks.

At a recent event, ACT CEO Nomvuyiso Batyi sparked outrage when she slammed OTT players for bypassing traditional legislative requirements, leaving telecoms operators to foot the bill for infrastructure upgrades. "For the OTT services model to be successful, it requires high-quality and reliable network infrastructure," she said, hinting that without payment, the whole system is doomed to collapse.

ACT represents South Africa’s six biggest telecoms operators, including Vodacom, MTN, and Telkom – the very same companies crying foul over the perceived lack of financial support from OTT players. By "fair share", ACT wants OTT providers to cough up the cash to maintain and upgrade the very networks they’re using to deliver their streaming services.

But opponents of the "Fair Share" initiative argue that consumers already pay for the network capacity they need, or data, required to consume OTT services. "There’s no need for OTT players to pay network operators when consumers are already paying for the bandwidth," they say.

ACT, however, thinks that’s a cop-out. "As a country, we need to go back, from a regulatory point of view, to demonstrate how we will include OTT service providers to help maintain the network infrastructure over the short to medium term," Batyi insisted.

But what about the EU and Asia, where regulators are grappling with the same issue? Don’t they offer a model for South Africa to follow?

The debate rages on. One thing’s for certain – the stakes are high. Without meaningful payment from OTT players, South Africa’s telecoms sector may be doomed to perpetuate the cycle of poverty and exclusion, where only the wealthy enjoy reliable internet connectivity.

Join the conversation: Should OTT players like Netflix pay to play in South Africa’s telecoms sector? Share your thoughts in the comments below!