* Taiwanese handset manufacturer HTC is bringing a range of new Android smartphones to South Africa, including its HTC Sensation, a 4.3” smartphone. Set for release in June, the HTC Sensation features a dual-core 1.2GHz Snapdragon processor and an eight megapixel camera that can shoot high definition video at 1 080p resolution. It will be available exclusively through Vodacom during its initial launch phase and will cost around R5 300 out of contract. HTC is also launching a 7” tablet device called the Flyer.
* The Brics nations (Brazil, China, Russia, India and SA) have agreed to fund a new, R3bn undersea cable – to be called the SOUTH ATLANTIC EXPRESS (SAex) – that will connect Brazil with SA and Angola. It will also provide the region with onward connectivity to the United States and Asia. The SAex will have an initial design capacity of 12,8Tbitps. It will provide the shortest route to the US, which is important in reducing network latency. Currently, most of SA’s Internet traffic is routed via Europe and then across the north Atlantic. The project is the brainchild of black-owned and black-led eFive Telecoms.
* Both VODACOM and CELL C have launched network upgrades that enable theoretical 3G download speeds of 43.2Mbps last week. Vodacom announced its upgrade on the Saturday before Cell C unveiled its own on the following Tuesday. Both upgrades are available to all network subscribers without an additional charge but you do require a newer, compatible 3G modem to use with the faster networks.
* The Brics nations (Brazil, China, Russia, India and SA) have agreed to fund a new, R3bn undersea cable – to be called the SOUTH ATLANTIC EXPRESS (SAex) – that will connect Brazil with SA and Angola. It will also provide the region with onward connectivity to the United States and Asia. The SAex will have an initial design capacity of 12,8Tbitps. It will provide the shortest route to the US, which is important in reducing network latency. Currently, most of SA’s Internet traffic is routed via Europe and then across the north Atlantic. The project is the brainchild of black-owned and black-led eFive Telecoms.
* Both VODACOM and CELL C have launched network upgrades that enable theoretical 3G download speeds of 43.2Mbps last week. Vodacom announced its upgrade on the Saturday before Cell C unveiled its own on the following Tuesday. Both upgrades are available to all network subscribers without an additional charge but you do require a newer, compatible 3G modem to use with the faster networks.