Telecoms news from Congo

Africa's first smartphone unveiled in Republic of Congo

What is said to be the first smartphone designed by an African company has been shown off in the Republic of Congo. ...more.

Gadget makers forced to look at links to Congo war

Pitfalls seen in law forcing gadget makers to check whether metals come from war-torn Congo ...more.

Vodacom's Congo Shareholder Dispute Goes to Arbitration

The dispute between Vodacom and its local partner in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has deteriorated with Vodacom now initiating arbitration proceedings under ICC rules in Brussels. ...more.

Vodacom Q3 Revenues Up 6% Year-on-Year

South Africa based Vodacom has reported a 6% rise in group revenues for the last three months of 2009, to R15.43 billion (US$2 billion), with continued robust performance in South Africa offsetting revenue declines in Tanzania and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). ...more.

Congo Awards 4th Mobile License

The Republic of Congo is reported to have awarded a fourth mobile operating license to a subsidiary of Bahrain-based Bintel. ...more.

Vodacom Faces Lawsuit in Democratic Republic of the Congo

South Africa based Vodacom has revealed a potential dispute with its partner in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) that it says could affect its relationship in that country. ...more.

From Mine to Mobile Phone: The Conflict Minerals Supply Chain

The scramble for minerals did not spark the conflict in eastern Congo, but war profiteering has become the fuel that keeps the region aflame and lies beneath the surface of major regional tensions, notes a strategy paper released by the Enough Project at the Center for American Progress. ...more.

Rights group: Companies fuel Congo conflict

Some companies that source minerals in electronics such as mobile phones and computers purchase the materials from traders who work with rebels and soldiers who exploit civilians in the Democratic Republic of Congo, ...more.

Vodacom Seeking Expansion Opportunities in Africa

Vodafone is expected to use Vodacom as its vehicle to expand into developing markets in Africa now that it has secured control of the company. ...more.

Telecoms Charity Sends Aid to Congo

In an effort to support the agencies of the United Nations and non governmental organizations, a team of emergency telecommunications specialists was deployed from Telecoms Sans Frontieres (TSF) headquarters in France to the Democratic Republic of the Congo. ...more.

Central African IT experts meet in Brazzaville

A meeting of new information and communication technology (NTIC) experts of the Central African Economic and Monetary Community (CEMAC), opened Monday in Brazzaville ahead of the ministerial conference starting Thursday in the Congolese capital. ...more.

Comium Picks Up WiMAX Licenses in Seven Countries

Lebanon based Comium Group says that it has secured nine licenses to provide WiMAX services across several markets in East and West Africa including Ivory Coast, Democratic Republic of Congo, Zambia and Burundi. ...more.

Brazzaville, Kinshasa standardise radio frequency management

Congo and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have set up a joint coordination committee for the management of common interest projects in telecommunications, a memorandum signed in Brazzaville said Monday. ...more.

Vodacom 3Q Customers Rise 4.7% On Quarter To 33 Million

Vodacom Group, South Africa's largest mobile phone operator, Tuesday reported a 4.7% rise in the number of customers across its networks to 33 million during its financial third quarter. ...more.