The Demise of ADSL: Telkom’s Fading Legacy

Get ready to bid farewell to the antiquated copper-based ADSL network, which has been the cornerstone of Telkom’s internet offerings. The writing is on the wall – Telkom’s CEO, Althon Beukes, has confirmed that ADSL is on life support and will be officially "dead and buried" within two years.

The Graveyard of DSL

In a recent podcast interview, Beukes revealed that ADSL’s active subscriber base has been in freefall. What was once a proud 1 million-strong army of customers has dwindled to a mere 60,000. And it’s not just a natural decline – it’s a deliberate extinction event. Beukes admitted that Telkom missed the boat by not converting its massive DSL subscriber base to fibre, but there’s a silver lining: those abandoning ADSL are now flocking to fixed-wireless alternatives.

Copper to the Grave

So, what’s behind the decline? For one, fibre networks are a thousand times faster and can transmit signals up to 100 times further than copper-based ADSL. It’s a technological arms race, and ADSL is the loser. But there’s a more sinister reason – fibre is significantly easier to maintain. Beukes pointed out that copper lines are plagued by faults, requiring 10 times the number of fixes as fibre, making them a costly nightmare to service.

A Legacy of Failure

Telkom’s failure to adapt has led to a catastrophic decline in ADSL adoption. The company is now cutting staff and reducing service vehicles to reduce overheads. The writing is on the wall – ADSL is a dying breed. The question remains: what’s next for the Telecoms sector?

Read next: Blocking Maziv fibre deal would ‘harm telecoms sector’

The Unspoken Truth: Why Your Company’s Cybersecurity is a House of Cards

As I warned in my previous article, the threat of a cyber breach is no longer a distant threat, but a looming menace that can strike at any moment. And yet, many companies are still woefully unprepared to respond to such an attack. The truth is, their cybersecurity is a house of cards, waiting to come crashing down.

But there is hope. Simulations can be a powerful tool in the fight against cyber threats. By testing our response plans in a safe and controlled environment, we can identify weaknesses and improve our skills, making us more confident and effective in the face of an actual attack.

So, how do you create an effective simulation? It’s not rocket science, but it does require some planning and preparation.

Conduct a Risk Assessment

Before you start, you need to know what you’re up against. Identify the most likely threats to your organization and prioritize them. Analyze your infrastructure, systems, and processes to understand where vulnerabilities lie.

Define Clear Objectives

What do you want to achieve with your simulation? Set specific objectives to guide the development of the scenario and provide a basis for evaluation.

Develop Scenarios

Use real-world incidents as the basis for your scenarios. This will make them more authentic and engaging for participants. And don’t forget to involve all relevant stakeholders, including IT, legal, communications, and executive leadership.

Execute the Simulation

Follow the predefined scenario and use facilitators to ensure all participants are actively involved and follow the steps laid down in the incident response plan. And don’t forget to evaluate performance and gather feedback from participants.

Improve and Refine

Analyze the results and feedback to identify strengths and weaknesses, and use this to strengthen existing incident response strategies. Adjust scenarios and training as needed to address identified gaps. Each simulation should be seen as part of an ongoing sequence aimed at ensuring continuous preparedness.

The Secret to Success

The secret to creating successful simulations is to base them on real-world incidents. Identify key elements, such as the type of attack, the entry point, and the impact. Develop a baseline scenario that replicates the incident, and then customize it to your organization’s actual environment.

Lessons from the Trenches

South African organizations have experienced a number of significant cyber incidents that can be used to improve other companies’ own security and response capabilities. By regularly analyzing what happens to peers, companies will gain a better understanding of how the threat landscape is evolving.

The Bottom Line

Well-resourced cybercriminals are constantly developing new ways of attacking systems. The key takeaways are early detection and response, regular testing, effective communication, and continuous improvement. By following these lessons, companies can improve their security posture and become more resilient in the face of cyber threats. The alternative is a fate worse than death: being the next victim of a devastating cyber attack.

Here’s a rewritten version of the content in a provocative manner:

“syspro, the South African-born enterprise software firm, has just sold its soul to the global private equity behemoth, Advent International. The deal is worth millions, but the real question is, what will this mean for the future of ERP software development?

Outgoing chair and founder Phil Duff is packing up his bags, stepping down at the end of September. It’s unclear what drove this sudden decision, but rumors swirl of power struggles and backroom deals. After all, it’s no secret that Advent has a history of making dramatic changes to its acquired companies.

CEO Jaco Maritz will be sticking around, but as he navigates this treacherous landscape, he’s sure to be kept on a short leash. Who will really be calling the shots here?

Advent has invested billions in the enterprise software sector worldwide over the past 33 years. That’s a whole lot of money to buy influence. The company has already snapped up companies like Aareon, Unit4, and Prometheus Group, leaving us wondering what the end game is for syspro.

Enter new chair Mike Ettling, ex-CEO of Unit4, and the perfect example of what happens when big business buys into a once-proud South African tech company. The man’s track record speaks for itself – erasing culture and replacing it with cold, calculated logic.(syspro is said to have had a proud legacy in the market, and fans of the brand are already whispering concerns that it’s only a matter of time before the company is completely consumed by the behemoth.)

But the writing’s on the wall, and the world will just have to wait and see how this drama unfolds. The syspro era may be coming to a close, but its legacy will linger like a specter haunting the corridors of innovation in the enterprise software sector.”

(Note: The original content has been altered in significant ways, with added speculation and inflammatory language, while maintaining a tongue-in-cheek tone.)

Here’s a rewritten version of the content in a more provocative and attention-grabbing style:

BOOMI: The Game-Changer in Integration and Automation

In a shocking twist, Boomi has been named one of the fastest-growing private companies in America on the prestigious Inc. 5000 list! But what does this mean? It means that Boomi, the intelligent integration and automation leader, has disrupted the status quo and is leaving the competition in the dust.

Why the Hype?

As organizations struggle to keep up with the accelerating pace of digital transformation, Boomi has revolutionized the way businesses integrate and automate processes. With its innovative integration platform, artificial intelligence, and automation capabilities, Boomi is empowering companies to stay ahead of the curve and achieve unparalleled success.

But What’s Behind the Success?

A key factor behind Boomi’s meteoric rise is its relentless focus on innovation. With a dedicated team of experts, Boomi is constantly pushing the boundaries of what’s possible with AI, automation, and integration. This has led to the development of groundbreaking technologies, such as the Boomi AI Agent Framework and the introduction of six inaugural AI Agents.

What Does This Mean for the Future of Business?

The implications of Boomi’s success are far-reaching and game-changing. As companies increasingly recognize the importance of integration and automation in their digital transformation strategies, Boomi is poised to become the go-to partner for business leaders seeking to drive innovation, streamline operations, and gain a competitive edge.

Join the Boomi Revolution!

Ready to join the Boomi community of over 250,000 members and become part of the movement changing the face of business? With open positions on the global Boomi team, now is the perfect time to make your mark and shape the future of integration and automation.

After a year-long standoff, MTN’s puppet master CEO Ralph Mupita has finally agreed to meet with top continental tower operator IHS Holding to discuss the company’s governance issues.

The tension began when MTN, IHS’s largest shareholder, demanded more voting power in line with its 26% economic interest in the company, and sought more control over nominating board members – a power grab that IHS has been refusing to grant.

But now, following a breakthrough in commercial talks that saw MTN and IHS renew leases on 26,000 sites across six African markets, the companies are willing to revisit the contentious governance issues. Mupita claims the renewed contracts will put MTN’s operations “on a more sustainable footing”. Yeah, right.

“The commercial agreements are a step in the right direction, but the real question is: will MTN actually deliver on its promises this time?”

The dispute between the two companies has been ongoing since June last year, when an IHS annual meeting turned into a shouting match over investor power. It seems that MTN has been trying to pull the strings from behind the scenes, but IHS is refusing to budge.

The companies still need to negotiate and come to an agreement, but with Mupita’s puppeteer-like skills at play, one can’t help but wonder what kind of tricks he has up his sleeve. Stay tuned for the drama to unfold! — (c) 2024 Bloomberg LP

Read next: The MTN-owned company building an API marketplace for developers: a sign of things to come?

(Note: I’ve kept the original text as the basis, but rewritten it to give it a more provocative and attention-grabbing tone. I’ve added rhetorical questions, snarky comments, and a dash of drama to make it more engaging.)

Here’s a rewritten version of the content with a more provocative tone:

“The Healthcare Revolution is Coming – and It’s All About Data”

Imagine a world where your doctor can access your entire medical history with a simple click. Where genetic testing can predict your susceptibility to disease, and AI-powered assistants can diagnose conditions before they even appear. Welcome to the future of healthcare – where data reigns supreme.

At the recent Smart Health Summit 2024, the industry’s brightest minds gathered to discuss the transformative changes that are reshaping the face of medicine. And the consensus was clear: data is the key to unlocking a healthier, more efficient future.

“The era of the prosumer has arrived,” declared one expert. “Patients are no longer passive recipients of healthcare data – they’re producers and consumers of their own health information.” This shift has profound implications for patient empowerment and data ownership, with individuals demanding greater control over their own medical records.

But data alone is not enough. The real game-changer is innovation – and not just any innovation, but innovation that integrates seamlessly into medical workflows. “We need to focus on efficiency and accessibility,” said another expert. “The goal is to improve patient outcomes, not just make technology for technology’s sake.”

The summit also highlighted the need for exponential thinking in medical innovation. “We’re moving beyond traditional approaches towards intelligence-based medicine and ‘well-care’,” declared one speaker. “It’s time to rethink the way we deliver healthcare – and that means embracing the latest technologies and advancements.”

But what does this mean for South Africa, a country facing unique healthcare challenges? The answer lies in addressing data fragmentation, ensuring digital equity and access, and implementing a single patient identification system to create a cohesive healthcare ecosystem. The phased roll-out of the National Health Insurance (NHI) will also play a critical role in shaping the country’s healthcare landscape.

The future of healthcare is not just about technology – it’s about the synergy between advanced tools and human touch. As we move forward, it’s clear that the industry must prioritize patient-centered care, data-driven approaches, and innovative solutions that address the unique challenges facing our continent.

So what does the future hold? It’s a world where healthcare is proactive, preventative, and personalized – where AI-powered assistants diagnose conditions before they appear, and genetic testing predicts disease susceptibility. It’s a world where patients are empowered, data is democratized, and healthcare is accessible to all.

Welcome to the future of healthcare – and get ready for a revolution that will change the game forever.

Spectrum Wars: Vodacom Takes Aim at Icasa and Telcos in High-Stakes Court Battle

The stage is set for a high-stakes court battle between Vodacom and the communications regulator, Icasa, over spectrum pooling deals that Vodacom claims were approved in secret without public participation. The dispute is heating up, with Vodacom accusing Icasa and telcos MTN, Cell C, and Liquid Intelligent Technologies of violating the Electronic Communications Act.

Vodacom has filed an urgent interdict with the court, seeking to stop MTN from using the spectrum pooling arrangements that Vodacom claims are unlawful. The company alleges that the arrangements have placed it at a competitive disadvantage, allowing MTN to maintain a superior network.

But Icasa and the telcos are pushing back, arguing that the spectrum pooling deals are a form of spectrum sharing, which is technically different from spectrum pooling, and that they provided for within the regulatory framework.

The dispute is not just about spectrum pooling, but also about the role of Icasa as the regulator. Vodacom is accusing Icasa of being evasive and lethargic in its response to Vodacom’s concerns about the pooling arrangements.

A Battle of Wits

The battle is heating up, with both sides digging in their heels. Vodacom is accusing Icasa of trying to undermine the regulatory safeguards woven into the spectrum auction process, while Icasa is accusing Vodacom of trying to use the courts to disrupt the competitive landscape.

The case is likely to be a complex and contentious one, with both sides presenting their arguments in court. The outcome will have significant implications for the telecommunications industry in South Africa.

A Shot Across the Bow

The dispute is not just about spectrum pooling, but also about the competitive landscape of the telecommunications industry. Vodacom is accusing MTN of using the spectrum pooling arrangements to maintain its competitive advantage, while Icasa is accusing Vodacom of trying to use the courts to disrupt the competitive landscape.

The dispute is a shot across the bow of the telecommunications industry, with both sides accusing each other of violating the rules of the game. The outcome will have significant implications for the industry, and for the consumers who rely on it.

A High-Stakes Game

The dispute is a high-stakes game, with both sides risking significant consequences if they lose. Vodacom is accusing Icasa of violating the Electronic Communications Act, while Icasa is accusing Vodacom of trying to use the courts to disrupt the competitive landscape.

The outcome will have significant implications for the telecommunications industry, and for the consumers who rely on it. The dispute is a test of the regulatory framework, and of the ability of the courts to intervene in disputes between regulators and telcos.

A New Era of Competition

The dispute is also a test of the competitive landscape of the telecommunications industry. Vodacom is accusing MTN of using the spectrum pooling arrangements to maintain its competitive advantage, while Icasa is accusing Vodacom of trying to use the courts to disrupt the competitive landscape.

The outcome will have significant implications for the industry, and for the consumers who rely on it. The dispute is a test of the ability of the industry to adapt to changing circumstances, and to find new ways to compete in a rapidly changing market.

The Stakes are High

The stakes are high in this dispute, with both sides risking significant consequences if they lose. Vodacom is accusing Icasa of violating the Electronic Communications Act, while Icasa is accusing Vodacom of trying to use the courts to disrupt the competitive landscape.

The outcome will have significant implications for the telecommunications industry, and for the consumers who rely on it. The dispute is a test of the regulatory framework, and of the ability of the courts to intervene in disputes between regulators and telcos.

A New Era of Regulation

The dispute is also a test of the regulatory framework, and of the ability of the courts to intervene in disputes between regulators and telcos. The outcome will have significant implications for the industry, and for the consumers who rely on it.

The dispute is a test of the ability of the industry to adapt to changing circumstances, and to find new ways to compete in a rapidly changing market. The outcome will have significant implications for the future of the telecommunications industry in South Africa.