Connecting Africa via backhaul

The Southern Africa Telecommunications Association is working out how to get landlocked African countries connected to the East Africa Submarine Cable System through backhaul links, says InfoWorld.

The cable system runs along the east coast of Africa, creating a digital super-highway that links SA, Tanzania, Kenya and Mozambique with Europe and Asia.

Landlocked countries in southern Africa may not be able to connect to the cable due to lack of funds and the long distance to landing stations. Through the backhaul system, landlocked countries will be able to connect to the submarine cables via landing stations in Mozambique, SA and Tanzania.

Vodafone, formerly Ghana Telecom, says the evolution of Ghana Telecom to Vodafone is expected to result in the re-structuring of the business in line with best practices, reports AllAfrica.com.

Vodafone says the restructuring exercise will streamline the business and provide it with the agility to be able to compete successfully for the benefit of customers and shareholders.

Since its takeover, Vodafone has created over 7 000 direct and indirect jobs in sales and distribution throughout the country.

Kenyan telecommunications company Safaricom has rolled out Africa's first fully solar-powered phone, states VOA News.

The solar-powered mobile phone went on sale for under $40, following Kenya's major power shortfall.

The mobile phone is expected to be popular in rural Kenya where electricity is scarce. It's also expected to benefit poor Kenyans who rely on third-party vendors to charge their phones.