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Digital Inclusion

Podcast – The Divide: Upstream's Kostas Kastanis on offering 'free' Internet in Africa


On this episode of The Divide, we hear from Kostas Kastanis, deputy CEO of Upstream – a mobile technology company that works with providers to offer affordable and secure access to Internet services, primarily in emerging markets.

Our conversation focuses on Upstream's work in Africa, where its service Zero-D offers free Internet access through an ad-supported model. Kastanis says this works especially well in countries like Nigeria where 1 gig of data costs more than an average day's pay.

Currently, 115 million of Upstream's Zero-D subscribers are in Africa, with the service active in Kenya, Nigeria, Ghana, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Tunisia and South Africa. We discuss how Zero-D works for users and providers, and other ways to solve the unique challenges to delivering and accessing the Internet in Africa.

— Nicole Ferraro, contributing editor and host of "The Divide" and "What's the Story?" Light Reading

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Omdia View: February 2024

Highlights in February 2024 in the Middle East and Africa included 5G launches in Senegal and 5G trials in Egypt as well as Kenya's first 5G MVNO. Airtel also launched a new wholesale connectivity business while MTN and Huawei are planning a joint Innovation Technology Lab in South Africa – that and more in this month's Omdia View.

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Upcoming events

Africa Tech Festival 2024
November 11-14, 2024
Cape Town, South Africa
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Uber's Marjorie Saint-Lot on inclusion and sustainability in Africa

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The 100 most influential African leaders in 2023

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Deep dive into East Africa's tech startup ecosystem

New survey reveals a lack of access to investors, reliance on international VCs and global recession trends as the biggest barriers for East African tech startups to access funds.

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Guest Perspectives

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Omdia View: February 2024

By Omdia Analysts

Highlights in February 2024 in the Middle East and Africa included 5G launches in Senegal and 5G trials in Egypt as well as Kenya's first 5G MVNO. Airtel also launched a new wholesale connectivity business while MTN and Huawei are planning a joint Innovation Technology Lab in South Africa – that and more in this month's Omdia View.

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Omdia View: January 2024

By Omdia Analysts

Highlights in January 2024 in the Middle East and Africa included a $200 million fintech deal between MTN and Mastercard as well as 5G network trials by Telecom Egypt – that and more in this month's Omdia View.

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