mobiles

The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) says cellphones may become a key weapon in the war against HIV/Aids in Africa, allowing counsellors to reach greater numbers of people.

UNAIDS executive director, Michel Sidibe, argues that, Africa, which despite widespread poverty has a relatively large numbers of mobile phone users, should take advantage of the digital revolution to reach out widely.”

"It is time to reinforce our capacity to use the modern technology differently," explains Sidibe.

Nokia and Intel say they are combining the software they have each been developing for smart phones, tablet computers and other Internet connected devices.

The world's largest maker of phones and the world's largest maker of computer chips believe that together they have a better chance of competing in a crowded field of software systems that each hope to be as ubiquitous in mobile devices as Windows is on PCs.

The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) has hinted that it could take on cellphone operators over ‘astronomical’ pay-as-you-go rates.

ICASA chairperson, Paris Mashile, told Parliament's portfolio committee on communications that there is an urgent need for competition in the pay-as-you-go market, which is used mainly by the poor.

Mashile pointed out that, "This is an area we have got to delve into and find out what we have to do to make it competitive, in terms of the prices coming down."

The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) has approved a cut in the rate charged by the three main cellphone operators to connect calls between networks.

Vodacom, MTN and Cell C last month filed an agreement with ICASA proposing a cut in the peak interconnection rate from R1.25 to 89 cents on March 1.

ICASA rejected the plan because it would have forced it to agree to a fixed gradual reduction over three years.

The Chembe Urban Security Competition 2010 on the Betavine Social Exchange encourages innovative mobile solutions to assist residents in urban communities in East and Southern Africa address a specific or general security problem.

Disabled people, especially those living in rural parts of South Africa, often find it difficult to get information about the rehabilitation services that are available to them from government departments and NGOs in their area.

This new SMS information service, implemented by Disability Consultants. is available to anyone with access to a cellphone who sends an SMS with their name, town and the information they need to - 072 172 2623.