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* TELKOM finally has a permanent CEO. Nombulelo “Pinky” Moholi has been appointed Telkom Group CEO and will take over the reins from Jeffrey Hedberg on 1 April. Moholi says one of the key focus areas for South Africa’s ?xed line operator will be expanding broadband, especially in the consumer market. Telkom plans to introduce faster digital subscriber line broadband beyond the 10Mbit/s currently only on offer at some of its telephone exchanges. Other major priorities will include replacing ageing components in its network, focusing on converged services and developing the group’s Africa strategy.
* INTERNET SERVICE provider MWEB unveiled its low-priced uncapped web hosting plans at R19/month, regardless of how much bandwidth is consumed. Its offer takes local web server hosting costs to levels common in developed markets. The new service is designed for small businesses and individuals. MWeb’s digital subscriber line broadband products are entitled to use the service free of charge for the ?rst year (after which the R19/month fee may apply).
* BLACKBERRY MAKER Research In Motion (RIM) released pricing for its upcoming PLAYBOOK tablet computer last week. Prices will start at US$500 in the United States and Canada and will be available in retail outlets before month-end. With prices rivalling the iPad, BlackBerry is hoping to steal some of Apple’s thunder. No date for a launch in SA has yet been announced.
* PLANNED EXPLORATION by oil company Shell in the Karoo could threaten South Africa’s bid to host the SQUARE KILOMETRE ARRAY (SKA) telescope. Shell wants to explore for shale gas in an area of more than 90 000sq km in the South Western Karoo Basin using a controversial “fracking” process. The deputy director-general for research development and innovation at SA’s Department of Science & Technology says the shale gas initiative leaves a “big question” about the SKA.
* INTERNET SERVICE provider MWEB unveiled its low-priced uncapped web hosting plans at R19/month, regardless of how much bandwidth is consumed. Its offer takes local web server hosting costs to levels common in developed markets. The new service is designed for small businesses and individuals. MWeb’s digital subscriber line broadband products are entitled to use the service free of charge for the ?rst year (after which the R19/month fee may apply).
* BLACKBERRY MAKER Research In Motion (RIM) released pricing for its upcoming PLAYBOOK tablet computer last week. Prices will start at US$500 in the United States and Canada and will be available in retail outlets before month-end. With prices rivalling the iPad, BlackBerry is hoping to steal some of Apple’s thunder. No date for a launch in SA has yet been announced.
* PLANNED EXPLORATION by oil company Shell in the Karoo could threaten South Africa’s bid to host the SQUARE KILOMETRE ARRAY (SKA) telescope. Shell wants to explore for shale gas in an area of more than 90 000sq km in the South Western Karoo Basin using a controversial “fracking” process. The deputy director-general for research development and innovation at SA’s Department of Science & Technology says the shale gas initiative leaves a “big question” about the SKA.
