Alcatel-Lucent assists Libyan parastatal

Alcatel-Lucent has signed a multi-million dollar contract with the Libyan Post Telecommunications & Information Technology Company to deploy the second phase of eastern Libya's optical fibre network, reports IT News Africa.

Alcatel-Lucent is currently finalising the first phase of deployment which includes 4 400km of optical fibre across the eastern part of the country.

Once the second stage is complete, which will add a further 2 800km, Libya will be equipped with one of Africa's most widespread fibre optic backbones able to interface with neighbouring countries and support Libyan economic growth and social development.

New communications applications are being pioneered across the continent with a view to eventual profit and based on meeting vital social needs, states The Africa Report.

The mechanics of small and medium enterprise are now being serviced through a partnership between Google, MTN, and the Grameen Foundation, offering a mobile-based 'Google Trader' application to all MTN customers in Uganda.

Alongside a suite of four other applications, including a text service giving tips on sexual health or farming, subscribers will be able to use their phones to search and buy anything from a sack of bananas to a new house.

Climate change mitigation in developing countries such as Botswana is dependent on the provision of finance and technology by developed countries, reports BOPA Daily News.

An official of the African Carbon Exchange, David Lesolle, says in addition to this, capacity building should also accompany these finance and technological provisions.

Lesolle mentioned that a lot of developing countries such as Botswana are already implementing some of the technologies that serve to reduce greenhouse gases.