MTN Ghana introduces MTN Cares initiatives
MTN Ghana has announced that it’s dedicating the second quarter to the MTN Cares initiative, including various community and environmental awareness activities.
The three-month campaign will focus on cleanliness and malaria awareness in April, energy efficiency in May and the 21 Days of Y’ello Care with an emphasis on reforestation in June.
MTN Ghana will be partnering with the National Malaria Control Programme in a health walk to mark this year’s Malaria Day. There will also be screening and treatment of malaria as well as distribution and hanging of insecticide-treated mosquito nets in and around Nima, a surburb of Accra.
In May, the initiative will focus on improving energy efficiency, including an internal campaign to encourage MTN staff to consciously adopt measures to use energy efficiently both in the office and in their homes. The month of June is for the 21 Days of Y’ello Care Challenge, and MTN staff in all the 21 operating countries will embark on projects aimed at improving the communities they serve.
Newmont Mining deploys Exalt microwave backhaul systems (USA)
Newmont Mining, a gold producer has deployed IP-based wireless backhaul systems provider Exalt Communications’ microwave backhaul systems to support operations at its Phoenix mine near Battle Mountain, Nevada.
This deployment is in addition to other deployments of Exalt systems at Newmont Mining operations in Australia, Ghana, Indonesia and the United States. At the Phoenix mine, Newmont Mining worked with Exalt partner KNS Communications of Denver, Colorado, to plan and install Exalt microwave backhaul systems.
The Exalt systems provide a 200Mbps Ethernet backbone that delivers computer-aided dispatch, traffic management, and inventory tracking information to radio systems on board of each of the trucks, drills, shovels, loaders, and other equipment at the mine.
In addition, the Exalt systems carry video surveillance, IP telephony, power usage monitoring, and other information from mine facilities to the site office, and they also provide a backup link for a fibre connection to another Newmont Mining office 59 miles away in Carlin, Nevada.
Mi-Fone handset sales crosses 1 mln (South Africa)
Mi-Fone has announced that it has connected Africans with over 1 million handsets since launching three years ago, generating in excess of US$15 million in revenue.
The handset maker has developed partnerships with country distributers and GSM carriers to bring its products to consumers.
Mi-Fone handsets can be purchased from approved distributers and operator channels in countries such as Senegal, Rwanda, Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya and Tanzania and very soon will be expanding further with the opening of Mi-Fone South Africa.
Mi-Fone works with suppliers such as Qualcomm. Mi-Fone stated that its products target young African mobile users who require the latest technology without the price tag normally associated with high-end mobile handsets.
Airtel Ghana appoints Donald Gwira as new Head of Corporate Communications
Airtel Ghana has appointed Donald Gwira as the new Head of Corporate Communications and External Affairs.
He took over from Carmen Bruce-Annan, who crossed over to competitor Vodafone Ghana. Gwira will lead engagement with the media and other stakeholders of the company. He joins Airtel from Guinness Ghana Breweries, where he managed corporate communications.
Kirusa partners with txtGhana
TxtGhana has partnered with Kirusa to bring content services to mobile subscribers in Ghana.
The service will encompass several content categories including religious, motivational and lifestyle content, delivered to the market on Kirusa’s platform, an open platform supporting VoiceXML, subscription management and integration into all the key elements in the carrier network.
Initial launch will be through leading mobile carriers in Ghana, leveraging the Kirusa platform deployed at these mobile carriers.
With Kirusa’s deployment across Africa and the geographical reach of txtAfrica, parent company of txtGhana, these services will be expanded to other African markets.
TxtGhana is a mobile-media company that provides integrated mobile services spanning mobile entertainment, mobile information dissemination and the enabling of mobile-based products and services.
Tigo Ghana’s house bonanza promotion halted
A Ghana court has halted Tigo Ghana from running its Tigo House Bonanza promotion.
In December last year, the mobile operator launched the Tigo Xmas Bonanza but it was taken to court by the National Lottery Authority for running an illegal lottery. Tigo settled the matter out of court.
Based on the settlement, Tigo Ghana was warned, among other things, not to engage in any marketing promotion without consulting the NLA. The operator breached the terms of settlement and went ahead to run the Tigo House Bonanza without the NLA’s consent.
Vodafone Ghana promises no costs for number porting
Vodafone Ghana will not transfer the cost of number porting to customers come July 1 when the service is introduced in the country.
According to CEO Kyle Whitehill, Vodafone has made significant investments to cater for new customers joining the network from July 1.
He stated that Vodafone Ghana is firmly ready for MNP in terms of technology, adding that the company had been one of the strong advocates to make MNP happen in Ghana.
Vodafone has extensive experience in MNP from other countries and is pleased with the process spearheaded by the National Communication Authority. He added Vodafone Ghana would be enhancing its value proposition even more in the upcoming weeks to hold on to existing customers whilst attracting new ones.
NCA registers 85% of SIM cards (Ghana)
NCA Ghana’s regulator has stated that 85% of the 17 million mobile phone subscribers in the country have so far registered their SIM cards with the various mobile telecommunication companies.
According to NCA deputy consumer and corporate affairs manager, John Benyarku Essuman, it would be impossible to use a new unregistered SIM card in the country by the end of March. He urged all mobile phone users who are yet to register to do so without delay before July.
MTN Ghana disagrees with HC judgment against Airtel
A High Court in Ghana has reportedly placed an injunction on Airtel’s Freedom to Dream promotion, which gives away up to US$ 27.92 to customers who qualified by spending or recharging specific amounts.
The National Lotteries Authority (NLA) objected to the promotion, claiming that Airtel was practicing lottery, which was the exclusive right of the NLA under law. The court judgment has implications for other telecom operators such as Tigo and MTN, who also have marketing promotions that require subscribers to make some financial commitments.
As per outgoing MTN Ghana CEO Brett Goschen, the mobile company disagrees with the recent court decision against Airtel, stating that customer money is not at risk with such promotions.
MTN Ghana to bring on local shareholders
For Ghanaians to own shares in the company, MTN Ghana is now reconstituting its board with a strong Ghanaian representation as part of effort to float shares through private placement.
According to outgoing CEO Brett Goschen, MTN Group’s policy has always been to allow local participation in shareholding of its operations through private placement but due to some legal battles over shareholding disputes, MTN Ghana was prevented from doing so earlier.
He added that the they have now settled the legal battles with Richmond Aggrey and David Hesse and so are now reconstituting the board with a strong Ghanaian membership. The next step would be to consider a private placement and not necessarily listing on the stock exchange.
