Broadband

Oct252018 by Alex ReeceNo Comments

Global internet access is plunging fast due to high cost of data, billions remain offline

The internet today is central to our lives. Many depend on the web to shop, bank, learn, work, date and play to a degree unimaginable even ten years ago. On the odd occasion our connection goes down we panic. Suddenly hundreds of simple day-to day tasks become inordinately difficult or time consuming. Yet, that's life for over half the world’s population which is still offline. The latest UN figures show that the rate of people getting connected is slowing. In 2007 people came online at a rate of 19 per cent annually. Last year this dropped to just 6 per cent – and the rate of growth is projected to fall further. A new report by the Alliance for Affordable internet says over two billion people live in countries without affordable internet. That means getting connected to the internet

Mar82018 by Lynn WandiaNo Comments

Rafiki Power Partners with Mobisol to launch Hybrid Grids to Serve Rural Tanzania

Broadband, Startups

Rafiki Power and Mobisol have partnered to pilot a new approach labelled the Hybrid Grid for off-grid clients in rural Tanzania. combining the best of mini-grids and solar home systems to bring higher value and better service to their mutual customers at lower cost. While Rafiki Power will continue to build mini-grid infrastructure, Mobisol will complement the offer and help reduce overall costs by equipping customers lying outside the core perimeter of the mini-grid with their large solar home systems. According to Daniel Becker CEO Rafiki Power, “We are thrilled to combine the best of both worlds of mini-grids and solar home systems. Our customers stand to benefit from the improved offer, in particular in terms of access to a wider range of high quality appliances. The operat

Feb152018 by Nasha HarperNo Comments

Alepo & Smart Link Communications to launch Algeria’s first public WiFi service

Broadband, Internet, Startups

Alepo, a provider of core network and IT software solutions for communications service providers, has announced that it has been selected by Smart Link Communications (SLC), an Algerian internet service provider, for its public wireless broadband service. As part of the first public WiFi network in Algeria, SLC will deploy the complete Alepo WiFi monetisation solution, including AAA infrastructure, real-time charging and policy control, prepaid voucher management, and more. Alepo will deploy a solution that will support the WiFi monetisation requirement, as well as offload in the near future. According to SLC, by selecting Alepo, the firm will be able to accelerate their overall return on investment (ROI) by creating new revenue streams with a flexible and robust captive portal that...

Dec62017 by Nasha HarperNo Comments

Sun King Parent Firm Greenlight Planet Raises $60M to Finance its Off-Grid Solar Business in Africa

Broadband, Business

Sun King solar brand’s parent firm Greenlight Planet has raised $60m in equity and debt led by London-based private equity fund manager Apis Partners with participation from existing shareholders Eight Roads Ventures and Bamboo Capital Partners. Debt investments included new disbursements from the company’s earliest institutional lenders, Deutsche Bank and Global Partnerships, as well as from SunFunder, PG Impact Investments, responsAbility and SIMA Funds. Greenlight Planet says it will use the new debt and equity capital to expand its solar-energy product lines, distribution networks, and financing capabilities in Africa and Asia.There, over a billion people lack reliable access to electricity, finding it too expensive or unavailable. According to Patrick Walsh, Co-Foun

Nov292017 by Nasha HarperNo Comments

Solar Project Brings Relief to Malawi Health Facilities

Broadband, Governance

As part of its ongoing commitment to developing the healthcare infrastructure in Malawi, the country’s Ministry of Health, through the Global Fund Project Implementation Unit (PIU), has embarked on a $3,7-million project to install solar energy at 85 health facilities nationwide. In an interview with Malawi’s The Nation newspaper, the Ministry of Health’s Chief of Health Services, Dr Charles Mwansambo, said that the initiative aims to ensure seamless delivery of healthcare services in the face of prolonged power outages the country is currently experiencing. “Our Global Fund grant ends on December 31st this year, and we are grateful that we could use part of it for this initiative,” he said. “The goal is to prioritise saving lives and curbing power disruptions, especially in key hospit