MTN Liberia fined USD500,00 for network outage

MTN Liberia, formerly Lonestar Communications Corporation, has been fined USD500,000 by the watchdog, the Liberia Telecommunications Authority (LTA), for alleged ‘negligence’ concerning the cellco’s failure to prevent a four-hour network outage on 7 November 2011. The LTA says the operator must pay the fine within seven days, and further, it has ordered MTN to give all its customers four hours worth of free airtime by way of compensation.

Kasamore Receives 2011 Best of Philadelphia Award

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Kasamore Receives 2011 Best of Philadelphia Award

U.S. Commerce Association’s Award Plaque Honors the Achievement

NEW YORK, NY, December 9, 2011 — Kasamore has been selected for the 2011 Best of Philadelphia Award in the Cellular & Mobile Telephone Services category by the U.S. Commerce Association (USCA).

The USCA “Best of Local Business” Award Program recognizes outstanding local businesses throughout the country. Each year, the USCA identifies companies that they believe have achieved exceptional marketing success in their local community and business category. These are local companies that enhance the positive image of small business through service to their customers and community.

Various sources of information were gathered and analyzed to choose the winners in each category. The 2011 USCA Award Program focuses on quality, not quantity. Winners are determined based on the information gathered both internally by the USCA and data provided by third parties.

About Kasamore

New opportunities and experiences may take you far away from your family, your friends, your community, and your country. But living in the United States does not mean that you cannot stay as close as you always have been – and as close as you always want to be.

Kasamore Pin-less International Calling Service is a truly revolutionary service that provides an easy and secure way to stay close to your loved ones. It is a combination of everything you need when making international calls – great rates, crystal-clear voice quality, easy connectivity, uninterrupted calling and value-added conveniences.

Founded in 2007, we share the culture of strict adherence to ethics and strong commitment to social responsibility and community. Built upon this philosophy, Kasamore enables members of the African community living in the United States to feel confident about their international calling experience and know that they can connect with their home countries and pay only for the minutes they use at economical rates. Kasamore is pleased to support the rapidly growing US African community with a service that lives up to the quality standards they expect and deserve, and that helps make it easier for them to stay close to their loved ones across the world.

www.kasamore.com

Contact: 301-366-5063

About U.S. Commerce Association (USCA)

U.S. Commerce Association (USCA) is a New York City based organization funded by local businesses operating in towns, large and small, across America. The purpose of USCA is to promote local business through public relations, marketing and advertising.

The USCA was established to recognize the best of local businesses in their community. Our organization works exclusively with local business owners, trade groups, professional associations, chambers of commerce and other business advertising and marketing groups. Our mission is to be an advocate for small and medium size businesses and business entrepreneurs across America.

SOURCE: U.S. Commerce Association

Telcos face lower revenues, higher cost

Put on your television. Your radio or open a newspaper. Chances are you will be inundated with adverts from at least a couple of the six mobile telephone network operators in Ghana before you are finished.

 Actually this is to be expected. Like, say, Coca Cola products virtually everyone uses mobile telephony. But unlike Cocoa Cola, no company has clear market dominance and all six mobile network operators – including Glo which is only now about to start up – are in the thick of intense competition for customers.

By the end of July this year, there were more than 19.53m mobile phone lines in Ghana, and even as the market moves from growth towards maturity, more lines are still being subscribed to. As at the end of July, MTN had a leading 48.75% market share followed by Tigo with 20.94%, Vodafone with 18.06%, Airtel with 9.75% and Expresso, the only CDMA network, with 1.15%.

The intense competition among the five companies already operating networks, and the specter of the very price competitive Glo launching its Ghana network imminently have seen an unbridled price war which is benefiting mobile telephony subscribers but which is curbing industry profitability. The struggle for market share has persuaded all the networks to progressive lower their tariffs and this has meant that revenues are being driven by market expansion rather than rising revenues per subscriber. Indeed average revenue per user (ARPU) has declined dramatically in Ghana from U5D9.7 in 2008 to U5D6.0 in 2010. However mobile telephony penetration in Ghana is still increasing from 50% in 2008 to 61’1’0 in 2009 and 67% in 2010. By mid-2011 it has risen to 79.1 %.

But while the mobile telephony networks step up their advertising and promotions budgets, to remain in the faces of subscribers, profit margins are being squeezed in part by the frenzied competition. Even Ghana’s Vice President, John Mahama, who was Communications Minister during part of the 1990’s admits that six mobile telephone networks may be too many for the size of Ghana’s market. That competition is unlikely to go away. All the mobile telephone networks in Ghana are now owned by foreign multinationals and so any merger or acquisition would have to originate from the parent firms abroad.

But from the efforts of the recently formed Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications so far, it is sharply rising costs rather than sharply falling revenues per user that are worrying the network operators the most or more specifically, rapidly escalating taxes, duties and other charges imposed by the central government, various local governments, and the industry regulator, the National Communications authority, NCA, as well.
To be sure, the mobile telephony sector is one of the biggest and most important industries in Ghana, with regards to cash flows, consumer spending, capital expenditure, taxes and levels accruing to the public treasury and contribution to gross domestic product, GOP, Over the three years up to 2010, the industry has generated revenues of roughly GHcl.8bn a year. In 2010, the six telecom companies together made capital expenditure of GHc700m out of the country’s gross capital formation of GH¢l0bn.

The taxes and levies paid by those companies, at GH¢600m added up to 10% of government’s income of GHc6bn for 2009, AU together, the industry contributed GHc900m out of Ghana’s COP of GHc44.8bn. The mobile telephony industry now employs about 1.5 million people in Ghana either directly or indirectly. All together the industry has some USD5.6bn in investments in Ghana today.
The large cash flows and the sheer visibility of the mobile telephone companies have encouraged the public sector to see it as a major source of revenues and have therefore piled up various forms of taxes. Currently the companies pay corporate income tax, withholding taxes on dividends, 15% Value Added Tax (VAT) and National Health Insurance Levy (NHIL), additional VAT on management fees and royalties, a six per cent Communications Levy tax on customer charges and interconnectivity, incoming international call tax of USD0,06 cents per minute and a NFSL/CIT tax. Add to this; annual regulatory fees paid to the NCA, Indeed government captures 37% of operators’ revenue.
The various local governments in Ghana are getting in on the act too as they also increasingly see the mobile telephone firms as the panacea to their own fiscal problems, laments Kwaku Sakyi¬ Addo, chief executive of the telecoms chamber.

“One of the longest running problems that is hurting telecom companies are the costs and hurdles in deploying infrastructure and the complete absence of predictability’ in how government ministries, departments, and local authorities determine the cost of business operating permits, (BOP) when it comes to mobile phone operators.” He gives examples: in one district the annual BOP for insurance companies is GHc200; commercial banks GHc700; Electricity Company of Ghana, ECG, GHc1, 000; but for mobile phone companies, it is GH¢9, 000.

Another example: in one district, the BOP levy for a large industry and for mobile operators was GHc2 000 in 2009. The following year, whilst the others remained the same, that of mobile operators was increased to a total of GH¢22, 500.
“Just a couple of weeks ago, one operator paid nearly USD400,000 to the Ghana Highways Authority, GHA, for a permit to lay a fibre optic cable” Sakyi-Addo reveals.
“The cable runs for about 400km. Each district assembly is levying an additional charge for the cable running through their towns. One district has now ordered the operator to pay an extra GH¢420,000 and has stopped the operator from carrying out the job.”

The NCA has got in on the act too with support from the Ministry of Communications itself. The authority is now about to start building a GH¢30m 12-storey head office. Instructively the NCA is funded largely from fees derived from mobile operators. Also GIFEC which is funded by mobile operators, who each contribute one percent of their revenues, is helping to finance the GHc36m National data Centre.

Now the NCA has commenced enforcement of its mandatory “first world quality of service standards” which the mobile operators are expected to meet. The chamber argues that the penalties imposed for failing to meet those standards are not proportionate to the infractions.
Government is not impressed by those complaints. Indeed the Minister of Communications, Haruna lddrissu only last week

Source: Ghanaweb 

Web Product Manager

The Web Product Manager will work closely with the web development team as well as the marketing team, to ensure that our website provides great user experience while keeping conversion high and complying to requirements from core / application teams and Head of Product.

Responsibilities:
Definition, specification and planning of new features and improvements
Create wireframes, flow charts, mockups and other interaction documentation
Oversee development, working with developers, visual designers, copywriters and testers to ensure quality, consistency and that timelines are met
Product ownership for the website and its content
Report to Head of Product

Requirements:
Bachelor´s degree in Interaction Design, Computer Science or related
Genuine interest in creating a great user experience that brings business value
Ability to find direct solutions with multiple stakeholders
Experience in product ownership for large online services
Consumer product perspective with deep understanding of UX
Understanding of web development
Knowledge of web-related technologies and languages
Experience of working with SCRUM
Excellent communication skills in English

ABOUT KASAMORE

New opportunities and experiences may take you far away from your family, your friends, your community, and your country. But living in the United States does not mean that you cannot stay as close as you always have been – and as close as you always want to be.

Kasamore Pin-less International Calling Service is a truly revolutionary service that provides an easy and secure way to stay close to your loved ones. It is a combination of everything you need when making international calls – great rates, crystal-clear voice quality, easy connectivity, uninterrupted calling and value-added conveniences.

Founded in 2007, Kasamore is 100% owned by Africans, we share the culture of strict adherence to ethics and strong commitment to social responsibility and community. Built upon this philosophy, Kasamore enables members of the African community living in the United States to feel confident about their international calling experience and know that they can connect with their home countries and pay only for the minutes they use at economical rates. Kasamore is pleased to support the rapidly growing US African community with a service that lives up to the quality standards they expect and deserve, and that helps make it easier for them to stay close to their loved ones across the world.

Jamii spreads FTTH to Nairobi suburb

Kenyan broadband provider Jamii Telecom Ltd (JTL) has confirmed that it has launched its first fibre-to-the-home (FTTH) services in Karen, a high-end suburb of Nairobi; the telco plans to target more than 6,000 households and SMEs in the area. Going forward, Joshua Chepkwony, chairman of JTL, has said that the firm intends to focus its FTTH deployments on Nairobi’s more affluent neighbourhoods, such as Karen, Lavington and Kileleshwa, due to the high purchasing power and growing appetite for broadband use. Chepkwony commented: ‘Despite the various inland metro fibre connections we have in the city, most home users are yet to fully take advantage of them, and this is the experience we want to change’. A 10Mbps fibre-optic connection is priced at KES10,000 (USD106.1) per month, with download speeds of 15Mbps (KES15,000) and 20Mbps (KES20,000) also available. Under the brand name ‘Faiba’, JTL will also offer IPTV and voice-over-internet protocol (VoIP) services to Karen residents.

According to TeleGeography’s GlobalComms Database, in March 2011 Telkom Kenya inaugurated the country’s first FTTH broadband services in Muthaiga and Parklands, two of Nairobi’s most affluent suburbs, whilst cableco Wananchi Group launched its own long-awaited triple-play service in December 2010, under the Zuku brand. Zuku’s bundled offering went live in the Nairobi districts of Kileleshwa, Kilimani, Lavington and Hurligham. Last week, Safaricom, Kenya’s largest mobile operator in terms of subscribers, announced plans to roll out its own independent fibre-optic network, in a bid to secure a larger share of the data sector, and reduce its reliance on the voice market.

Jamii spreads FTTH to Nairobi suburb

Kenyan broadband provider Jamii Telecom Ltd (JTL) has confirmed that it has launched its first fibre-to-the-home (FTTH) services in Karen, a high-end suburb of Nairobi; the telco plans to target more than 6,000 households and SMEs in the area. Going forward, Joshua Chepkwony, chairman of JTL, has said that the firm intends to focus its FTTH deployments on Nairobi’s more affluent neighbourhoods, such as Karen, Lavington and Kileleshwa, due to the high purchasing power and growing appetite for broadband use. Chepkwony commented: ‘Despite the various inland metro fibre connections we have in the city, most home users are yet to fully take advantage of them, and this is the experience we want to change’. A 10Mbps fibre-optic connection is priced at KES10,000 (USD106.1) per month, with download speeds of 15Mbps (KES15,000) and 20Mbps (KES20,000) also available. Under the brand name ‘Faiba’, JTL will also offer IPTV and voice-over-internet protocol (VoIP) services to Karen residents.

According to TeleGeography’s GlobalComms Database, in March 2011 Telkom Kenya inaugurated the country’s first FTTH broadband services in Muthaiga and Parklands, two of Nairobi’s most affluent suburbs, whilst cableco Wananchi Group launched its own long-awaited triple-play service in December 2010, under the Zuku brand. Zuku’s bundled offering went live in the Nairobi districts of Kileleshwa, Kilimani, Lavington and Hurligham. Last week, Safaricom, Kenya’s largest mobile operator in terms of subscribers, announced plans to roll out its own independent fibre-optic network, in a bid to secure a larger share of the data sector, and reduce its reliance on the voice market.

 

Telkom Kenya hopes to make a profit in 2012; pinpoints 2015 for IPO

Telkom Kenya has stated that it hopes to generate its first net profit in 2012, paving the way for an initial public offering (IPO) three years later. Chief executive Mickael Ghossein disclosed the information to Reuters earlier this week, admitting: ‘Right now we are not making positive results; I hope 2012 will be the first time we make positive results. In this case we could [launch an] IPO in 2015’. Kenyan regulations require companies to make a profit for three consecutive years before they are permitted to float on the market.

According to TeleGeography’s GlobalComms Database, in November 2007 France Telecom (FT — as part of an 85%/15% consortium with logistics group Alcazar), acquired a 51% stake in Telkom from the Kenyan government, with an offer of USD390 million, eclipsing the USD300 million reserve price. As part of the takeover agreement the consortium had to commit to selling an 11% stake via an IPO, while the government said it would offload 19% of its own interest. Following the long-delayed IPO the ownership structure will be: France Telecom/Alcazar (40%), public (30%) and state (30%).

Source: Telegeography.

Safaricom plans national fibre-optic network

Safaricom, Kenya’s largest mobile operator in terms of subscribers, has announced plans to roll out its own independent fibre-optic network, in a bid to secure a larger share of the data market, and reduce its reliance on the voice market. The move will see the operator following in the footsteps of rival Telkom Kenya which signposted its intention to shift strategic focus in 2010; in March 2011 Telkom’s plan started to bear fruit, when it launched fibre-to-the-home (FTTH) broadband services in Muthaiga and Parklands, two of Nairobi’s most affluent suburbs. Safaricom CEO Bob Collymore told Business Daily Africa: ‘This is in support of our strategic direction to be the regional leader in broadband provision; the new direction will give us greater control of the quality of service offered to our customers’. The cellco has now started its search for company to build and maintain the inland network, which is expected to cost in the region of KES1 billion (USD10.22 million).

Whilst the bulk of its broadband coverage is provided by WiMAX connectivity, in February 2010 – alongside rival telcos Jamii Telecom Ltd (JTL) and Wananchi Online – Safaricom activated a fibre-optic link between Nairobi and Mombasa, using infrastructure leased from the Kenya Power and Lighting Company (KPLC). Safaricom signed up for a pair of the fibres in a 20-year lease on the Nairobi-Mombasa line for KES288 million.

Source: Telegeography.

Chamber of Telecommunications reacts to NCA penalties

The Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications wishes to respond to the publication “5 TELCOS PUNISHED” in the Daily Graphic (Tuesday, November 8, 2011) and subsequently carried widely in the electronic media. The story focused on a total GhC1.2 million penalty imposed on mobile phone operators by the National Communications Authority (NCA), the industry regulator, for “poor services.”

First, the robust competition in the mobile industry in Ghana leaves operators little room for “poor services” by any telecom operator who expects to survive and justify its huge investments.

Second, however, mobile operators in Ghana have consistently raised concerns over the key Quality of Service indicators used by the NCA. We are currently in discussions with the regulator for a review. Those discussions are on-going, and therefore the Chamber is surprised by the decision of the NCA to go public on this subject.

Third, whereas Telecom Operators share the NCA’s desire to ensure that subscribers in Ghana have the same quality of service as pertains in developed countries, there are many external factors within the Ghanaian environment which make such a desire difficult to attain, despite consistent committed efforts by operators. These factors include electric power outages, theft of diesel from back-up generators, and cable cuts. The problem of fibre cuts is of major concern and the Telecoms Chamber is currently working with the Ghana Highways Authority, Department of Urban Roads and road contractors to minimize the occurrence.

Fourth, concerns about radiation from telecom masts, though not borne out by scientific facts, have also affected the roll out of cell sites in some communities.

Fifth, Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) levy astronomical charges on telecom infrastructure, with massively discriminatory disparities compared to those imposed on other industries. These charges inhibit the roll-out of infrastructure and have an impact on quality of service.

Sixth, the Telecoms Chamber and its members have persistently drawn the attention of the NCA and other responsible authorities to the effect that these problems have on quality of service. We had, over the past several months, chosen the path of dialogue with the institutions and agencies concerned and we look forward to a speedy resolution.

Finally, we wish to emphasise the socio-economic importance of the telecoms industry in which operators have invested more than five billion US dollars in Ghana since the mid-90s. In 2010, telecommunications alone was responsible for a third of GDP growth. Nearly 40 per cent of telecom operators’ revenues go to government in taxes. A further 40 per cent of revenues are re-invested in Ghana. Even so, tariffs have dropped consistently unlike any other sector in Ghana, even as the cost of inputs have kept on rising.

The telecoms industry alone employs more than 1.5 million Ghanaians directly and indirectly, with many other industries such as banking, trade and commerce, media and advertising being dependent on it for revenues and efficiency.

Not least, telecom operators have carried out some of the most impactful social responsibility projects to the joy of thousands of grateful communities throughout Ghana.

On the basis of the importance and impact of the telecoms industry on all sectors of the economy and on social life, we implore the NCA to reconsider its rigid posture towards the telecoms operators with a view to supporting it towards further growth in order to lead the industry to even greater economic and social benefits for the Ghanaian people.

We take this opportunity to assure all subscribers that operators will continue to work with the relevant agencies and institutions to provide reliable services.

Source: Ghanaweb.

NCA fines telecom firms

The National Communications Authority has imposed a 1.2 million Ghana Cedi fine on MTN, Vodafone, Airtel, Expresso and Tigo for rendering sloppy services to their clients.

The punishment of the five Telcos covers the third quarter of this year.

It forms part of a strategy by the NCA to ensure that MTN, Vodafone, Airtel, Expresso and Tigo do not take subscribers for granted in their operations.

In a report issued by the NCA and published by the Daily Graphic, the Telecoms regulator says Airtel will suffer the heaviest fine of 350,000 Ghana Cedis for experiencing call channel traffic congestion, an offence for which market leader, MTN, has also been cited. However MTN and Expresso will each pay 300,000 Ghana Cedis.

Speaking on Joy FM’s Super Morning Show on the fine, a Deputy Director In Charge of Consumer and Corporate Affairs at the NCA, Mr Mawuko Zormelo, said the NCA wants to ensure that the telecom companies improve their services “for consumers to have absolute value for money.”

He said although the telecom companies have invested heavily in infrastructure, more needs to be done.

According to him, the NCA is also determined to compel the telcos not only to improve their services but also to take their customer service seriously.

The parameters considered in imposing the penalties, he said, were call drops, call congestion amongst others.

Mawuko Zormelo rejected suggestions that the fines are too negligible, maintaining that the purpose of the fine was to achieve the overall objective of improved mobile telephony services to subscribers.

The money will go the state, he said.