by Tech Talk | Mar 2, 2023 | Articles
BCX has expanded its partnership with Q-Kon Africa and has added the OneWeb LEO service to the Skylink portfolio.
The Skylink-OneWeb service will bring the benefits of low-latency and high data rates to South Africans who will now benefit from seamless voice and data connectivity amplified by speeds from 195Mbps and latency less than 100msec.
Importantly, the Skylink-OneWeb service will include all the Smart Satellite Service advantages of the current Twoobii portfolio and be further optimised for cloud access, fibre redundancy and off-grid users with no access to mainstream LTE, fibre, and microwave networks.
BCX has extended its partnership with the Q-Kon Africa’s Twoobii Smart Satellite Service team to ensure it can offer enterprise and service providers the rapid-deployment, high-availability, high-speed and low-latency advantages of the next generation satellite services. Leveraging the OneWeb service, BCX will introduce a new landscape in reliable connectivity for cloud access, core backhaul, fibre redundancy and off-grid connectivity for the South African business and government market.
Product provisioning and engineering support will be provided by Q-Kon Africa, using full end-to-end access to ensure optimum customer service delivery. BCX believes that its full-service model represents the future of Smart Satellite Services in South Africa.
“We are delighted to expand our partnership with Q-Kon Africa and to be able to add their Twoobii-OneWeb solution to our portfolio. This next-generation OneWeb LEO service will expand our end-to-end offering and allow us to seamlessly expand our terrestrial connectivity services. Our aim is to remove all connectivity barriers for our customers and ensure always-on services with resilience against network outages and location constraints,” says Neo Phukubje, BCX managing executive: wireless solutions.
“The success of our partnership with BCX underlines the suitability of our Twoobii Smart Satellite Services as a white label solution for satellite connectivity providers. By leveraging the power of Twoobii in this way, BCX can now deliver an exceptional B2B offering under their Skylink VSAT Access brand,” comments Hendrik Bezuidenhout, account director: key accounts at Q-Kon Africa and Twoobii. “The success of BCX has been built on their multi-vendor model, and Q-Kon Africa is delighted to be able to add to their continued growth as they recruit more corporate and enterprise customers.”
Editor@tech-talk.co.za
by Tech Talk | Mar 2, 2023 | Articles
Nokia has been selected by MTN South Africa for the first time ever as one of its 5G Radio Access Network (RAN) equipment providers.
Under the deal, Nokia will modernise the existing 2G/3G/4G radio network and expand MTN’s 5G radio network across 2 800 sites in the Central and Eastern part of the country – driving digitalisation across the African continent.
Nokia will provide equipment from its next-generation, energy-efficient AirScale portfolio – powered by its latest generation of ReefShark chipsets – including 5G AirScale baseband, massive MIMO active antennas and remote radio heads (RRH) covering all urban and rural scenarios.
It will also provide its Self-Organizing Networks (SON) solution for optimization and network assurance, ensuring MTN’s network continues to perform optimally. Nokia’s solutions will enable a 5G experience for mobile users with high bandwidth, ultra-fast speeds, and low latency.
As part of its commitment to South Africa, Nokia is also establishing a training program to drive digitalisation in the country and across the African continent. Open to 5 000 applicants, the program will focus on product development as well as developing entrepreneurship. The program is aligned with the Finnish National Agency of Education and graduates will receive a diploma supporting further career opportunities.
Michele Gamberini, MTN South Africa’s chief technology and information officer, says: “We need next-generation technologies, such as Nokia’s AirScale portfolio to ensure that South Africa is a leader in the digital era across the African continent and globally. Our partnership with Nokia allows us to rapidly expand our 5G network so that our citizens and their businesses can leverage the digital economy and reap the benefits of a modern connected life.”
Tommi Uitto, president of Mobile Networks at Nokia, adds: “This significant contract with MTN strengthens our market position in South Africa and helps MTN deliver superior 5G experiences to its subscribers. Our industry-leading energy-efficient AirScale portfolio will improve the coverage and capacity of MTN’s network performance while contributing to reduced carbon emissions. We look forward to a long-lasting and successful partnership with MTN.”
Editor@tech-talk.co.za
by Tech Talk | Mar 2, 2023 | Articles
Digital signage is no longer a simple extension of a printed poster – it’s a dynamic way to bring your business into the digital era and create a public perception that you are on the cutting edge of technology. Displays capture products in a visually exciting way and provide a touchpoint for you to engage with consumers like never before.
Across industries, digital signage is leaving its mark, especially in the Quick Service Restaurants (QSR) sector. The retail industry is known for its swift, fast, and flexible nature. One moment items are in stock, but the next, they’re sold out, leaving customers feeling deflated and disappointed. Here are a few reasons you should invest in digital signage both as a powerful marketing tool and as a way to boost customer satisfaction.
Personalise the customer’s experience
Digital signage helps simplify the ordering process by clearly displaying when items are out of stock, how long it will take for customers to receive their order, and by alerting customers to unforeseen mishaps – like an out-of-service ice cream machine. These displays offer customers the chance to interact with the boards. At the same time, they make their decisions based on food availability or consider new menu options on the go.
A breakthrough personalisation trend to keep an eye out for this year is license plate recognition. The system recognises a previously seen license plate and will either suggest the same order the customer ordered before, or offer alternatives based on the data. It’s a simple way to provide up-to-date personalisation.
Display menu options more effectively
Digital displays simplify the way your customers place their orders. They no longer have to sit in long queues to reach the staff member at the drive-through window before asking which sauces the burger comes with, what the nutritional value of the wrap is, etc. Now, businesses can be upfront with their offerings, including meal ingredients and the latest specials.
In the past, it would take longer to introduce customers to new food items. In contrast, today, it’s easier to update menu content digitally and remotely. Additionally, providing additional information becomes possible, enabling people with allergies or dietary preferences to know exactly which foods to avoid before placing an order.
Investing in quality and convenience
South Africa has some of the best weather. However, there are still a few scorching summer days and violent thunderstorms. This places extra responsibility on QSR business owners to invest in menu displays that can withstand any weather.
A quality display with a slim and robust design like the LG XE4F can display brilliantly and clearly during any environmental condition. And by adding more LED units, XE4F operates brighter at a lower temperature, lasting longer than conventional products. As a bonus, it’s easy to install to meet your customers’ needs, even if the location seems a little complex. For example, you might want to install a display at the entrance of your store to limit queues or on a slanted wall to use your advertising space more effectively.
LG also offers a Super Sign QSR series that delivers high-luminance displays and smart platforms that provide added convenience with features like voice recognition software and mobile app solutions. Paired with LG Connected Care, it allows you to engage in real-time monitoring, which makes remote failure response possible, lowers TCO, and provides distinct experiences to customers.
All QSR customers want is added convenience. LG is pioneering the digital signage industry and has released many displays to bring greater convenience to your customers. For more on LG’s QSR display options, visit.
Editor@tech-talk.co.za
by Tech Talk | Mar 1, 2023 | Articles
Twitter has laid off at least 200 employees, or about 10% of its workforce, the New York Times reported late on Sunday, in its latest round of job cuts since Elon Musk took over the company last October.
The layoffs on Saturday night impacted product managers, data scientists and engineers who worked on machine learning and site reliability, which helps keep Twitter’s various features online, the Times report said, citing people familiar with the matter.
Twitter did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The company has a headcount of about 2 300 active employees, according to Musk last month.
The latest job cuts follow a mass layoff in early November, when Twitter laid off about 3 700 employees in a cost-cutting measure by Musk, who had acquired the company for US$44-billion.
Musk said in November that the service was experiencing a “massive drop in revenue” as advertisers pulled spending amid concerns about content moderation.
Twitter recently started sharing revenue from advertisements with some of its content creators.
Earlier in the day, The Information reported that the social media platform laid off dozens of employees on Saturday, aiming to offset a plunge in revenue. — Reuters
Editor@tech-talk.co.za
by Tech Talk | Mar 1, 2023 | Articles
The Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) has paid tribute to distinguished South African, veteran editor Rafiq Rohan, for his foresight and impactful leadership.
“It is truly with deep sadness that we at GCIS learnt of the passing of our former colleague Rohan,” GCIS Acting Director-General Michael Currin said on Monday.
Rohan passed away on Sunday in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal.
He was appointed at GCIS as the editor of the government’s Vuk’uzenzele newspaper from the year 2005 until 2010.
He was able to produce a newspaper that now distributes millions of copies across the country, thanks to his foresight and impactful leadership. Rohan was also a member of the GCIS team that worked on improving and strategising government communications.
Rohan was a renowned journalist and a former South African political prisoner on Robben Island who played a significant role in the attainment of our democracy.
“His gentle yet firm and confident ability to tell stories of hope and determination in our country’s efforts to improve the lives of ordinary citizens, continue to inspire us in our work in communicating the South African story in the GCIS. His passing is a great shock to many in the government communication fraternity and we extend to his family our heartfelt condolences,” Currin said.
GCIS has expressed condolences to his family, friends and colleagues.
Editor@tech-talk.co.za
