Zain Tanzania onboard Seacom

Zain Tanzania has linked up to the Seacom undersea cable, reports TheCitizen Newspaper.

"Our customers should expect faster Internet services, higher quality voice calls, the elimination of slow dial-up connections, and a dramatic increase in bandwidth," it said in a statement in Dar es Salaam.

"This is a major milestone for Zain to bring the much-awaited bandwidth, speed and reliability to our customers, the business sector, and educational institutions," the statement quoted Zain Tanzania MD Khaled Muhtadi as saying.

A cellular device created by an Israeli start-up venture is to be the first marketed by an international company, its creator announced over the weekend, states Ynetnews.

The international firm, Globe Telecom, said it would distribute the Modu device, which was developed by a start-up company headed by Dov Moran.

The programme is said to include a subscription-based membership, subsidisation of device costs, and a marketing campaign that, according to estimates, will reach approximately one million dollars. Cellcom, the Israeli cellular company, was the first to roll out a pilot programme of the device. A full release is expected later this year.

Motorola wants the bidders for Mirs Communications to submit their final offers by mid-month. All three of Israel's cellular operators have decided to bid for their smaller rival, although both the Ministry of Communications and the Antitrust Authority are opposed to them acquiring the company, according to Globes.

The cellular operators have decided to ignore this regulatory problem for now, and are pursuing the tender as if no objections are anticipated. The companies feel that if a regulatory problem arises, it can be solved if and when there is deal.

For now, there is no reason not to try to persuade the Ministry of Communications and the Antitrust Authority to approve it.