The Telecoms Industry is Plotting Against You: Don’t Let Them Shut Down Your 2G and 3G Networks

The Association for Comms and Technology (ACT), a lobby group representing six of the largest telecommunications companies in South Africa, is secretly plotting to undermine the government’s plan to shut down 2G and 3G networks. And they’re using every trick in the book to do it.

According to ACT CEO Nomvuyiso Batyi, the deadline for switching off these older networks is "unnecessary" and should be left to the industry to determine when the right time is to terminate the 2G and 3G carriers. But what’s really going on here is that the telecoms industry is trying to protect their own interests and profits, rather than serving the needs of the public.

The Truth About 2G and 3G

The truth is that 2G and 3G networks are still widely used in South Africa, particularly in rural areas where building towers is more expensive and generates less revenue. And it’s not just about the cost – many people in these areas can’t afford 4G handsets and are still reliant on 2G just from an affordability point of view.

But the telecoms industry is trying to spin this as a problem, claiming that the shutdown of 2G and 3G networks will be a "big headache" for merchants and that it will affect the consumer handset market. But what they’re really trying to do is protect their own profits and keep the status quo.

The Real Agenda

So what’s the real agenda here? It’s simple: the telecoms industry wants to keep making money off of 2G and 3G networks, even though they’re outdated and inefficient. They’re using every trick in the book to delay the shutdown of these networks, including claiming that it will be a "big headache" for merchants and that it will affect the consumer handset market.

But the truth is that the shutdown of 2G and 3G networks is necessary for the growth and development of South Africa’s telecommunications industry. It’s time for the government to stand up to the telecoms industry and protect the interests of the public.

The People’s Voice

So what can you do? You can start by speaking out against the telecoms industry’s attempts to delay the shutdown of 2G and 3G networks. You can also support organizations that are working to promote the growth and development of South Africa’s telecommunications industry.

Together, we can make a difference and ensure that the telecoms industry serves the needs of the public, rather than just protecting its own interests.

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“BREAKING: Court Saves the Day, Exposes NSFAS’s Shady dealings!

In a shocking twist, the Western Cape High Court has handed eZaga Holdings a major win, reinstating the fintech giant as an NSFAS direct payment provider. And let’s be real, this development is a major blow to the financial aid scheme’s reputation.

As the plot thickens, it appears that NSFAS was hell-bent on dumping eZaga and its peers, despite the companies’ protests of innocence. But the court’s ruling shows that even the mighty can’t bully their way out of accountability. Or can they?

In a veiled attempt to deflect criticism, NSFAS claimed that the judgement only deals with the “circumstances” surrounding the contract termination, but refused to acknowledge the elephant in the room: the tender process was riddled with irregularities.

Meanwhile, eZaga is milking its “landmark win” for all it’s worth, boasting about its “commitment to integrity and excellence.” Yeah, sure. After all, a company that’s been accused of corruption can’t exactly brag about its morals.

As the saga continues to unfold, one thing is clear: NSFAS needs to stop trying to cover its tracks and get to the bottom of these shenanigans. It’s time to show some transparency and accountability, rather than dodging and weaving around the truth. After all, students are watching and won’t tolerate any shadiness.”

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Ministerial Intervention: A Last-Ditch Effort to Save Sports Broadcasting from the Brink of Chaos

A high-stakes showdown between the nation’s top broadcasters, the SABC, eMedia, and SuperSport, went down on Tuesday, with Communications Minister Solly Malatsi and Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie attempting to broker a peace deal and put an end to the escalating war over sports broadcasting rights.

The meeting, which was attended by eMedia and the SABC, but notably skipped by SuperSport, aimed to address the contentious issue of sports rights, which has been mired in controversy for months. The drama reached a boiling point when eMedia accused MultiChoice, the parent company of SuperSport, of anticompetitive behavior and refusing to allow the SABC to broadcast rugby and cricket games on its Openview satellite TV platform.

But behind the scenes, tensions are still simmering, and the fate of South African sports broadcasting hangs in the balance. The Competition Tribunal’s recent ruling in favor of eMedia, which restricted the SABC and MultiChoice from entering into sublicensing agreements that sideline Openview, has only added fuel to the fire.

"We need to understand the sources of the deadlock and the commercial aspects of the contest for bidding for sports rights," Malatsi said in a statement, acknowledging the complexity of the issue. "We can’t just talk about finding solutions without understanding the dynamics at play."

Malatsi and McKenzie have promised to tackle the regulatory obstacles that have led to "constant uncertainty" in the industry, and have committed to investigating the concept of "national interest" in sports matches, which has created confusion and loopholes.

The meeting’s outcome may be a step in the right direction, but it’s clear that the sports broadcasting war is far from over. Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.

Telkom’s Lunga Siyo: A Master of the Game

The man who will stop at nothing to dominate the mobile market.

Lunga Siyo, CEO of Telkom’s consumer business, has a vision for the future – and it’s a vision of dominance. With Telkom Mobile boasting an impressive 20 million active Sims, Siyo is convinced that the company has cemented its position as a long-term player in the telecommunications market.

And why shouldn’t he be? After all, international studies show that a market share of 15% is the threshold for survival, and Telkom Mobile has already exceeded that. But Siyo isn’t just stopping at survival – he’s going for the jugular.

"We’re not just a third player in the market," Siyo said in an interview with TechCentral. "We’re a sustainable business with a strong brand presence. And our growth demonstrates that customers love what we’re offering."

But don’t think for a second that Siyo is complacent. Oh no, he’s got his eyes on the prize, and he’s willing to do whatever it takes to get there.

"We’re not going to stop investing in infrastructure," Siyo said. "We’re going to keep pushing the boundaries and innovating to stay ahead of the competition."

And innovate he is. Telkom Mobile has already topped 30% Ebitda margin during the pandemic, and Siyo predicts that as voice revenues continue to decline, the Ebitda margins of Vodacom and MTN will also fall.

But what about market consolidation? Is Telkom looking to buy out its rivals?

"I don’t think consolidation is necessary," Siyo said. "We’re happy to continue competing with our rivals and offering our customers the best service possible."

And how will Telkom achieve this? By sharing infrastructure, of course. Siyo believes that by sharing towers and network equipment, the company can reduce costs and pass the savings on to customers.

"It’s all about efficiency," Siyo said. "We can’t just keep building our own infrastructure – it’s unsustainable. We need to work together to reduce costs and improve service."

So there you have it – Telkom’s Lunga Siyo, a master of the game, a man who will stop at nothing to dominate the mobile market.

The Shocking Truth: AI-Driven Car Smashes Record at Goodwood Festival of Speed

Imagine a world where cars can drive themselves at breakneck speeds, leaving humans in the dust. Sounds like science fiction, right? Well, it’s not. The Indy Autonomous Challenge (IAC) has just shattered records at the prestigious Goodwood Festival of Speed with its AI-driven AV-24 racecar, piloted by an artificial intelligence driver developed by Team PoliMOVE-MSU.

The AV-24 tore up the Goodwood Hill, setting a new record for the fastest autonomous Hillclimb, clocking an astonishing 111.2 mph (179 kph) and finishing in just 66.37 seconds. The previous record was held by Roborace since 2019, and the IAC team’s achievement is a major milestone in the development of autonomous driving technology.

But don’t just take our word for it. Watch the record-breaking run for yourself, as the AV-24 takes on the treacherous Goodwood Hill, navigating its narrow course and limited run-off space with precision and ease.

So, what makes the AV-24 so special? For starters, it’s powered by a cutting-edge AI driver that can anticipate and react to the road conditions in real-time, ensuring a smooth and safe ride. The car’s advanced sensors and Luminar Iris lidars provide precise mapping and localization, allowing it to adjust its speed and trajectory accordingly.

The IAC team worked closely with Bridgestone’s tire engineers to optimize the AV-24’s performance, testing the limits of the car’s tires and fine-tuning its setup to ensure maximum speed and control.

"This challenge represents an important milestone for autonomous mobility," said Professor Sergio Savaresi, PoliMOVE-MSU Team Principal. "We’re proud to have overcome significant challenges and shown the public that safe and high-speed vehicular autonomy is possible, even in adverse conditions."

The IAC’s achievement is a testament to the power of innovation and collaboration. With the automotive industry moving towards a future of autonomous driving, this record-breaking run is a bold statement of what’s to come.

So, buckle up and get ready to experience the thrill of autonomous driving like never before. The future is here, and it’s faster than you think.