Vodafone cleans up billing hack

Vodafone has reassured New Zealand customers their information is safe after a massive security breach saw millions of Australians' billing, call details and private information posted on the Internet, reports Stuff.co.nz.

Vodafone New Zealand communications manager Matthew East says the company's Australian system required only a password to log in to but in New Zealand there were several other layers of security including authorised laptops and separate electronic password toggles.

In Australia, the company now faces paying compensation of up to four million customers and a further 12 500 customers have added privacy concerns to their complaints.

Egyptian Internet service provider TE Data has inked a deal with electronic bill payment provider Fawry that lets people pay their telecoms bills through Fawry's network, states Trade Arabia.

Fawry plans to increase its point-of-sale machines at retailer stores to 3 000 in Egypt by the end of the year and to 12 000 by the year 2012.

He states plans to expand its network to enable Egyptians to pay for almost anything from vehicle and medical insurance, utilities and government services, as well as paying for monthly satellite TV subscriptions.

A commuter bus service company in Rwanda called Kigali Bus Services, has begun issuing electronic cards for its passengers, says All Africa.com.

According to the company's marketing manager, Thierry Ngarambe, the service will relieve passengers the risk of having to travel with money in their pocket and help them with effective budgeting.

The system is in line with Rwandan government policies of technological advancement as well fulfilling the Central Bank campaign of discouraging people to travel with cash in their pockets.