Here’s a rewritten version with a more provocative tone:

Why is South Africa Stuck with 2G? Blame the Mobile Operators and the Regulator!

Cell C’s CTO Schalk Visser is not mincing his words. He’s fed up with the ongoing importation of legacy 2G devices into the country, and he’s pointing fingers at the mobile operators and the regulator for their lack of urgency in shutting down these outdated networks.

"2G-only devices are clogging the system, hindering our efforts to migrate to 4G," he blasted. "It’s like we’re stuck in a time warp, and it’s frustrating to see consumers still clinging to these ancient technologies."

But Visser isn’t just laying the blame at the feet of the consumers. He’s also accusing the mobile operators of dragging their feet on the migration to 4G, citing the cost of 4G feature phones as a major stumbling block.

"It’s not about the cost anymore. 4G feature phones are available for as little as R199. The operators need to step up and get the right devices to the right people," he insisted.

So, what’s the holdup? It seems that the mobile operators are still relying on their roaming partners, MTN and Vodacom, to provide services, and those partners are dragging their feet as well.

Visser has been working on improving the multi-operator core network (Mocn) roaming system, which allows Cell C to create a virtual representation of its network on top of either MTN’s or Vodacom’s infrastructure. But progress is slow, and he’s still hoping to complete the project by March.

The real question is: can South Africa afford to keep staring into the past? With the ongoing reliance on 2G and 3G technologies, the country is missing out on the benefits of faster data speeds and better call quality. It’s time for the mobile operators to take responsibility and get with the times.

The End of Passwords: Swoop’s Revolutionary Path to a Global, Password-Free Future

The era of passwords is finally coming to an end. Imagine a world where you can access anything online without the hassle of usernames and passwords. That future is now a reality, thanks to Swoop, a next-generation internet technology company that has reinvented the way we interact with the internet.

For decades, we’ve been trapped in the age of passwords, toiled by tedious login processes, forgotten usernames, and the constant threat of data breaches. But Swoop is shattering these shackles, empowering users to break free from the cycle of password-related stress and frustration.

How does it work? Swoop’s patented solution is simple: leverage your email account as your primary key to the kingdom. By transforming email apps and webmail into secure authentication tools, Swoop streamlines transactions with unparalleled ease. No more passwords, no more login drama, no more worries.

A Global, Password-Free Future

With Swoop, we’re not just replacing passwords – we’re revolutionizing the way we interact with the internet. Imagine buying online without sharing your personal information, logging in to your favorite apps without remembering multiple usernames and passwords, and accessing secure accounts without the burden of password management.

A Panacea for the Password-Protected Present

The current state of passwords is a ticking time bomb, waiting to unleash chaos in the form of data breaches, ransomware, and identity theft. We’ve spent decades trying to secure our online presence with passwords, but the reality is, they’re a breeding ground for cybercrime. It’s time to abandon this outdated, vulnerable approach and adopt a more secure, more convenient, and more user-friendly solution.

Join the Revolution

Join the Swoop brigade in this bold effort to disrupt the status quo. With a robust international patent portfolio, Swoop is poised to become the global standard for password-free authentication. Don’t miss the chance to be part of this revolutionary journey.

Learn More

Discover how Swoop is paving the way for a password-free future. Visit www.swoopnow.com to experience the power of Swoop for yourself.

The time to ditch passwords is now. Welcome to the future, where security and convenience go hand-in-hand.

The Dark Side of Fair Share: When Celebrities Believe They’re Above the Law

Meet Jorge Mendes, the Cell C CEO who’s got a bone to pick with the "Fair Share" concept. It seems he’s had enough of operators being forced to share their precious bandwidth with the likes of Netflix and Co. But is he just trying to avoid the blame?

Mendes is adamant that operators should focus on finding their own ways to make a buck, rather than relying on regulators to dictate how they operate. "Don’t give someone 100GB + 100GB (night bundles) or sell 1TB of data for R249 when your network can’t handle it," he spat, shaking his head in disapproval.

But not all operators are in the same boat. Vodacom and MTN, for instance, have thrown their support behind the Fair Share concept, arguing that they’re the ones who do all the heavy lifting in terms of infrastructure investment, while OTT players like Netflix and Facebook get away with paying peanuts.

So, what’s the real story behind the Fair Share debate? It’s all about the Benjamins, baby. Will operators succumb to the temptation of more profits, or will they stand strong against the big bad wolves of the OTT world? Only one way to find out: keep reading.

SHOCKING TRUTH REVEALED: NetWitness Digs Deeper into Data with New Platform 12.5

In a bold move, NetWitness has unveiled its latest game-changing platform, 12.5, packed with revolutionary innovations that will leave you breathless! Get ready to experience the most sophisticated threat detection and response technology on the market.

BUT WAIT, THERE’S MORE! NetWitness has been crowned the top dog in the SIEM and NDR space by leading research and advisory firms, showcasing its dominion over the cybersecurity landscape. Gartner’s Magic Quadrant for SIEM, IDC, and KuppingerCole have all hailed NetWitness as the king of the cybersecurity castle.

SO, WHAT’S COMING DOWN THE PIPES? With NetWitness Platform 12.5, you’ll get:

Enhanced visibility: Uncover hidden threats with unparalleled visibility across your entire infrastructure, on-premises, in the cloud, or in hybrid environments.

Actionable insights: Make quick work of threats with real-time guidance, empowering you to respond with lightning speed and precision.

Optimized for ops centers: As the largest organizations in the world scale up their security operations, NetWitness has got them covered, providing a platform that excels in addressing critical use cases, such as ransomware, APTs, insider threats, and compliance.

AND THE FUTURE BELONGs TO NETWITNESS! With the latest design language, NetWitness has achieved a sleek, modern, and intelligent design that serves as the perfect antidote to the chaos of modern cybersecurity. The new integrated network SASE capabilities enable customers to adapt to a rapidly evolving IT landscape without surrendering an inch of security or visibility.

HOLD ON TO YOUR HATS, FOLKS! With NetWitness Platform 12.5, the future of threat detection and response has arrived, and it’s looking awfully bright! Don’t miss out on this revelatory experience. Get ready to join the ranks of the elite security teams as you harness the power of NetWitness 12.5!

Software Sharpens Teeth of Cybersecurity Firm, Fangs Out in Court

A killer update has landed cyber security firm CrowdStrike in a bloody fight with Delta Air Lines, after a faulty software update brought the world to its knees in July.

The deadly update, unleashed globally on July 19, triggered a global outage, canceling flights, paralyzing banks, hospitals, and hotels. It was like the zombie apocalypse, but instead of slow-moving, undead, it was fast-moving, digitally armed and dangerous… and completely untested.

CrowdStrike thinks it’s being unfairly targeted, and has taken to the courts to prove that they didn’t cause the chaos. But Delta Air Lines believes they are to blame, and is seeking damages of over $500 million… and that’s not even counting the emotional distress, reputational harm, and future revenue losses.

"The software update was a ticking time bomb, just waiting to blow up in our faces," said a defiant Delta Air Lines in a statement. "And CrowdStrike knew it, knew it, knows it… and yet, they still unleashed it on the world, causing untold harm to millions of people."

But CrowdStrike is firing back, saying that Delta’s own response to the crisis was slow, and that their own technology contributed to the delays in getting operations back on track. The firm is seeking a declaratory judgment, plus legal fees, and some justice.

The battle has only just begun, with the US transportation department investigating the incident, and the original article’s author, David Shepardson, reminding us that "if CrowdStrike had tested the faulty update on even one computer before deployment, it would have crashed."

Stay tuned for the latest updates on this tech nightmare!

The Great Brain Drain: How South Africa’s Skilled Labour Exodus is Fuelling the Skills Shortage Horrors

The latest instalment in the never-ending tale of woe for South Africa’s struggling tech industry: a survey from the Institute of Information Technology Professionals South Africa (IITPSA) has revealed that the country’s skills shortage is reaching new heights, with employers more likely to prioritize experience over qualifications.

The Data: A Disaster in the Making

The survey, sponsored by Software One Experts SA, found that:

• 47% of employers are prioritizing professional experience over formal education when recruiting new staff.
• 27% of employers have current AI/ML skills shortages, with 32% expecting shortages in the future.
• 19% of employers are struggling with data science skills gaps, 22% with data storage, and 27% with information security/cyber security.

It’s a bleak picture, but let’s not sugarcoat it. The great brain drain is real, and it’s fuelling the skills shortage.

The Silent Refugees: The Unstoppable Forces Behind the Exodus

While some might see the migration of skilled labour from South Africa as a simple case of supply and demand, there’s more to it. The survey reveals that the silent refugees – those who have given up on the country’s talent-rich tech landscape and seek better opportunities abroad – are driving the exodus.

• 49% of ICT practitioners are considering working remotely for an employer or client overseas.
• 9% plan to do so, and 11% already do.
• 8% describe themselves as digital nomads, living the dream (or nightmare, depending on your perspective) of perpetual travel and endless work opportunities.

The writing is on the wall. The exodus of skilled labour from South Africa is a ticking time bomb, waiting to detonate and further exacerbate the skills shortage crisis.

The Fix: A Plea for Change

What can be done to stop the rot? For a start, IITPSA CEO Tony Parry has a stern warning: "The lack of progress in broadening STEM education and training programmes not linked to employment continues to contribute to the skills gaps. We need coordinated efforts to make candidates more work-ready when they enter the labour force, as well as more qualified educators to help academic institutions produce a larger pipeline of ICT professionals."

In other words, the problem is not just about educating more people, but about making those people more employable. It’s a complex web of education, training, and upskilling that requires urgent attention.

The Solution: Revolutionize the Way We Think About Skilled Labour

We need to rethink the way we approach skilled labour in South Africa. It’s time to break free from the shackles of traditional education and instead focus on work-integrated learning, short courses, and certifications. We must also recognize the value of remote work and the gig economy in bridging the skills gap.

It’s not a question of "either-or" – it’s a question of "and". We need education, training, and upskilling to go hand in hand. Anything less will only lead to a never-ending cycle of skills shortages and brain drain.

The Future: A Glimmer of Hope?

All hope is not lost. The IITPSA survey reveals that 65% of employers believe skills gaps have a moderate or high impact on their businesses. This means that there’s still time to act, to adapt, and to revolutionize the way we approach skilled labour in South Africa.

It’s time to wake up to the reality of the skills shortage crisis and start building a brighter, more sustainable future for our country’s tech industry. The clock is ticking.