Ray Le Maistre

Angola Cables Trials Cutting Edge Tech on Direct Subsea Link to US

Ray Le Maistre
1/20/2020

Using state-of-the-art optical technology, Angola Cables has forged a high-capacity subsea data connection between Africa and the US, via Brazil.

Orange Preps IPO of Middle East & Africa Unit

Ray Le Maistre
1/9/2020

French operator considers IPO of regional unit as it opens new Orange Middle East and Africa operational head office in Morocco.

Is Telkom About to Snap Up Cell C?

Ray Le Maistre
11/12/2019

South African operator warns shareholders of potential acquisition as it announces a dip in profits for the first half of its fiscal year.

How Transnet Puts IoT to Work

Ray Le Maistre
11/6/2019

Major South African freight logistics company Transnet has been improving efficiency and maximizing resource potential using Internet of Things (IoT) technology.

Rain Brings 5G FWA to South Africa

Ray Le Maistre
9/23/2019

Competitive South African operator has launched a commercial 5G-based fixed wireless access (FWA) broadband service in Johannesburg and Tshwane, with further locations to follow.

Helios Towers Reignites IPO Plans, Eyes Expansion

Ray Le Maistre
9/12/2019

With mobile tower valuations making global headlines, African operator Helios Towers dusts off its IPO papers with a planned listing on the London Stock exchange and talk of expansion.

Jury's Out on 5G Efforts: Poll Result

Ray Le Maistre
8/7/2019

We asked you if you thought it was too early to put time and effort into 5G in Africa — and the slight majority believe Africa needs to be involved in 5G right now.

Safaricom Pumps Up Its FTTH Plans

Ray Le Maistre
8/5/2019

Uptake for Safaricom's fiber broadband service has been impressive, but the company is still looking to attract new customers and has outlined a short-term discount to tempt new customers.

Africa & Middle East the Key 'Growth Driver' for Orange

Ray Le Maistre
7/25/2019

Major telco's second quarter growth driven by ongoing success across Africa and the Middle East.

African Towers Company Eaton Sells for $1.85B

Ray Le Maistre
5/31/2019

Having postponed plans for an IPO last year, Eaton Towers has agreed a sale to American Tower in a deal valued at $1.85 billion.

Collymore Extends His Stay at Safaricom

Ray Le Maistre
5/23/2019

CEO signs up for another year.

MTN Lists & Leaps in Nigeria

Ray Le Maistre
5/17/2019

Long-awaited IPO finally executed, with dramatic effect.

Orange Boasts Strong Q1 in Africa, Middle East

Ray Le Maistre
4/30/2019

While customer numbers remain flat, revenues are up and 4G uptake is significant.

Safaricom Set for New CEO – Report

Ray Le Maistre
4/30/2019

Operator reacts to Reuters story about CEO Bob Collymore's impending departure but fails to confirm any plans.

Nigeria's 9mobile Still Mired in Scandal

Ray Le Maistre
4/5/2019

Uncertainty abounds as Nigerian operator appeals against a court ruling that some believe nullifies its sale to Teleology.

Rwanda Takes Minor Stake in Satellite Hopeful OneWeb

Ray Le Maistre
3/19/2019

The Government of Rwanda is one of multiple organizations to have participated in a US$1.25 billion funding round in satellite communications startup OneWeb.

Ericsson begins search for new MEA chief

Ray Le Maistre
3/13/2019

Mobile networking giant is on the hunt for a new head of its Middle East and Africa (MEA) unit as Rafiah Ibrahim takes one step towards the exit door at Ericsson.

Africa's Smartphone Market Back in Growth Mode: IDC

Ray Le Maistre
3/12/2019

Market research firm IDC says Africa's smartphone market grew in 2018 for the first time in three years.

Rain boasts 5G network launch in South Africa

Ray Le Maistre
2/28/2019

Alternative data-only operator has built out initial 5G network using technology from Huawei Technologies and Nokia.

Huawei Unveils RuralStar Lite for Rural Connectivity

Ray Le Maistre
2/22/2019

Chinese vendor has developed a smaller, slimmer version of its remote area, solar-powered base station.

Telkom, Airtel finally get engaged

Ray Le Maistre
2/11/2019

At the second time of asking, Kenya's second- and third-largest mobile operators agree a merger deal to create a stronger rival to Safaricom.

Berkshire Partners Takes Control of Data Center Specialist Teraco

Ray Le Maistre
2/2/2019

Investment firm Berkshire Partners LLC has acquired a majority stake in Teraco Data Environments, a major provider of colocation data center infrastructure in South Africa.

Airtel Africa Gets Another Cash Injection, Adds Customers

Ray Le Maistre
2/1/2019

Qatar Investment Authority is to invest US$200 million in Airtel's Africa operations, becoming the latest external investor to pump money into the regional operation.

Africa's 4G Experience Varies Wildly, Finds OpenSignal

Ray Le Maistre
1/22/2019

Study by OpenSignal of mobile broadband connectivity across Africa finds that availability and connectivity varies considerably from country to country.

WorldRemit Sets Up Shop in South Africa, Eyes IPO

Ray Le Maistre
1/17/2019

Digital money transfer specialist now has license to make money transfers from South Africa and has opened an office in Johannesburg as it seeks further funding and aims for an IPO.

Who Might Buy Millicom's African Assets?

Ray Le Maistre
1/16/2019

With Liberty Latin America in talks to acquire Millicom, what will become of the latter's African assets?

Microsoft Delays Data Center Launch

Ray Le Maistre
1/9/2019

Microsoft needs more time and investment before it can open its planned data centers in South Africa, reports ITWeb.

Tigo Senegal Plans Network Boost with Ericsson

Ray Le Maistre
12/20/2018

Three-year network modernization program will see Ericsson's radio access network gear deployed at more than 1,000 sites.

Liquid Telecom Commits to $400M Investment in Egypt

Ray Le Maistre
12/10/2018

In an effort to cement its position as the gateway between Egypt and the rest of Africa, Liquid Telecom plans significant data center and network investments in the country during the next three years.

Safaricom Trials TubeStar Base Station

Ray Le Maistre
12/6/2018

Kenyan operator is putting a new base station design to the test.

Orange Eyes 5G Launches in Africa, Middle East

Ray Le Maistre
11/26/2018

There are still many challenges to overcome to make 5G network deployments efficient but Orange is confident that 5G will be coming to Africa and the Middle East from 2020.

Safaricom Reports Strong Growth in Fiscal First Half

Ray Le Maistre
11/2/2018

Kenyan market leader continues to add customers and grow its revenues, earnings and network coverage but there are clouds on the horizon.

AWS Plans Further Cloud Investments in South Africa

Ray Le Maistre
10/29/2018

Cloud services giant is set to boost its data center presence in South Africa in the coming few years.

Millicom's Mobile Ops Still Growing

Ray Le Maistre
10/26/2018

Millicom may not be focused on its African mobile operations and more but what it still owns continued to add customers during the third quarter.

Six Investors to Pump $1.25B into Airtel Africa

Ray Le Maistre
10/25/2018

Singtel and SoftBank among the companies taking a stake in Airtel Africa ahead of its IPO.

MTN Goes to Court Over $10B Demands in Nigeria

Ray Le Maistre
10/11/2018

Frustrated with at times contradictory financial demands from the Nigerian authorities that run to US$10.1 billion, MTN has taken the issues to court.

SAEx Preps East-West Subsea Cable With Alcatel Submarine Networks

Ray Le Maistre
10/4/2018

The South Atlantic Express (SAEx) project, which aims to connect the Americas and Asia via South Africa, has reached the study, survey and permission phase, with Alcatel Submarine Networks looking into the details.

MTN Ghana Boasts IPO Success

Ray Le Maistre
8/31/2018

But MTN didn't raise as much as hoped.

MTN Hits Back at Repatriation Funds Claims

Ray Le Maistre
8/31/2018

MTN says it has done nothing wrong as the Central Bank of Nigeria demands that US$8.1 billion be 'refunded.'

Will Vodacom Strike Roaming Deal With Telkom?

Ray Le Maistre
8/29/2018

With Cell C now roaming buddies with MTN, will Vodacom strike a deal with Telkom?

Vodacom boasts Africa's first 5G service

Ray Le Maistre
8/28/2018

Don't get too excited… the operator has connected just two customers in Lesotho.

Cell C boosts subs & sales but not everyone's happy

Ray Le Maistre
8/22/2018

South African mobile operator is growing its revenues and subscriber numbers but investors of its main shareholder, Blue Label Telecoms, are not happy.

Liquid Telecom Plans Expansive IoT Coverage in Kenya With Sigfox

Ray Le Maistre
8/20/2018

Liquid Telecom will add about 800 Sigfox IoT base stations to its existing data network in Kenya to achieve speedy coverage of 85% of Kenya's population and create a foundation for many potential services.

Most African Countries Have Some 4G Service: Report

Ray Le Maistre
8/16/2018

More than three quarters of Africa's nations will have some 4G mobile services by the end of this year, according to research house GlobalData.

Alibaba Founder Launches $10M African Entrepreneur Fund

Ray Le Maistre
8/14/2018

Jack Ma, the founder of Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba, has launched the Netpreneur Prize, which will allocate US$10 million to African entrepreneurs in the coming years.

Is South Africa Close to a 4G Spectrum Breakthrough?

Ray Le Maistre
8/14/2018

The uncertainty is crushing the market…

Mixed Bag for MTN in H1

Ray Le Maistre
8/8/2018

The operator added subscribers and improved margins but its debts and challenges in Iran and other markets are making investors nervous.

Millicom May Be Smaller, but It's Growing

Ray Le Maistre
8/3/2018

Millicom is now only active in two markets in Africa, but that approach is paying off.

Telkom Kenya Strikes Commercial Service Deal With Google's Loon

Ray Le Maistre
7/20/2018

Kenyan operator will work with Google's Loon to launch a 4G mobile broadband service in rural and suburban areas starting next year.

Is M-Pesa Heading to Ethiopia?

Ray Le Maistre
7/18/2018

Speculation suggests Safaricom is about to strike a deal with Ethiopia's government to help introduce the M-Pesa mobile money and banking service to the country's 100 million-plus population and compete with existing player M-BIRR.

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