The transition from voice-centric to data-centric business models for African telecommunications and broadband companies is driving change in the industry and is helping to evolve investing strategies, according to global news and leadership events provider TMT Finance.

Joseph d’Arrast, EMEA Editor at TMT Finance, said: “The increasing demand for data services and attractive revenue growth opportunities are fuelling a wave of transactions in African broadband. To answer this demand, fibre companies are attempting to scale up, both by organic expansion and by acquisition, while a number of private-public partnerships are helping to build network backbones through the continent,” he said.

With huge opportunities for M&A and investment in the space, TMT Finance Africa 2018 will return to London on September 19 in London and will feature a dedicated panel on Broadband Leadership, which will discuss strategies for regional growth. Speakers on the panel include Thinus Mulder, CEO, Dark Fibre Africa; Nic Rudnick, CEO, Liquid Telecom; Thomas Hintze, CEO, Wananchi Group; Suveer Ramdhani, Chief Development Officer, SEACOM; and Anikó Szigetvári, Global Head – TMT Group, IFC.

Other classes of infrastructure assets including mobile towers and datacentre rollout are also pressing matters for Africa’s TMT sector, according to d’Arrast. “Operators have been assessing a range of IPOs and potential consolidation, as their portfolios expand and telecom operators continue to offload infrastructure. Datacentres are also attracting significant interest with a number of greenfield projects in the pipeline,” he said.

Over 70 key speakers have been announced for the event, with CxOs and senior executives also confirmed from companies including Orange, IHS Towers, Econet Wireless, Millicom Africa, The Carlyle Group, Standard Bank, PAIX, East Africa Data Centre, Ethos Private Equity, Rack Centre, Jumia, Uber, Intelsat, Huawei, Credit Suisse and World Remit, among others.

TMT Finance Africa will feature leading senior executives (CEOs, CFOs, CSOs), Investment Bankers, Investors and Professional Advisers, with a maximum attendance of 250 to ensure premium networking. 75 Speakers are to be announced.

Hours after the official launch in Dubai, Infinix Mobile in Uganda has launched the Note 5, the brand’s “Beyond Intelligent” smartphone, is part of the Android One program, designed to deliver a software experience by Google. Encased in the beautifully designed hardware of the Note 5, Android One brings secure and smart AI-powered innovations – like the Google Assistant and Google Lens – to everyone.

Following the global debut in Dubai, Infinix Note 5 has launched in more than 30 countries. Shoppers in Uganda, Nigeria, Egypt, India, Kenya, Ghana, Cote d’Ivoire, Morocco, and many other countries will soon be able to get their hands on the new release. With TRANSSION joining the Android One program, Infinix’ Note 5 will bring young people in those countries a new intelligent lifestyle and empower them to become trendsetters.

Quick Infinix Note 5 Specifications;
OS Version: Android One
Display: 6.0″FHD+; 18:9,TDDI; 2.5D
Processor: MT6763
ROM / RAM: 32GB+3GB/64GB+4GB
Battery: 4500mAh
Front “Selfie” camera: 16 MP ,low light selfie ;4in1
Back camera: 12MP,1.25um large pixel;F2.0

The Note 5 smartphone is equipped with an Infinity 6.0’’ display FHD screen and a 18:9 screen ratio. The edge-to-edge screen also makes the device look stunning, both from a design and a technological perspective. The Note 5 device features a perfect 16MP low-light front camera, which allows selfie lovers to take professional selfies even in low light. As for the rear camera, it is supported by a 12MP resolution.

According to Infinx, Its long-lasting battery will provide 3 days on average usage with a 4500mAh battery, built with a 3A Fast Charge that will keep users fully functional throughout the day.

Infinix Note 5 will also support Google Lens – a new way to search what you see and interact with the world around you. You can take action on text, identify distinct plant and animal breeds, learn more about popular landmarks and discover products similar to the ones that catch your eye – like furniture and apparel. The feature will be available right in the Note 5 camera and through the Google Assistant.

Most Importantly, the Infinix Note 5 will retail at UGX 769,000/- and will have a Pro coming out later this year.

Instagram yesterday launched its service IGTV which is aimed at rivalling YouTube. IGTV is basically Instagram allowing users to upload videos up to one hour in length, up from the previous one-minute limit.

People will be able to upload vertical videos through Instagram’s app or the web. Everyone except smaller and new accounts will be able to upload hour-long videos immediately, with that option expanding to everyone eventually.

The new longer-form videos from content creators and users will also get callouts from the IGTV button alerting them to new content. By default, if you have an Instagram account, you have an account with IGTV and you can be a creator if you want to. It’s not only restricted to celebrities or anyone but all.

Instagram added an icon on the already existing app at the top right corner but have also gone ahead to create a focused app for IGTV which is available globally on iOS and Android.

While on IGTV, viewers will be able to swipe through a variety of longer-form videos, or swipe up to visit a Browse tab of personally recommended videos, popular videos, creators they’re following and the option to continue watching previously started videos.

Because it is rivalled with YouTube, many wondered whether IGTV will pay creators like YouTube does and it’s NO! For now.

During its launch, Instagram didn’t address the most important element of calling creators to showcase their work on IGTV which is them ‘making a buck’. However, according to the Recode after Tuesday’s presentation, Instagram CEO Kevin Systrom noted that;

“We are committed to helping [creators] build their careers and make a living doing this work,” a spokesperson told. “After launch, we’ll be exploring and testing ways to help creators monetize.”

While this important aspect is in the Pipeline, IGTV is ready(has been ready) to be used by creators and let’s see how it performs on the market.

Credits: TechCrunch, Recode

The latest mobile phone innovation by Infinix is poised to hit the Middle East and Africa later this month at a glamorous unveiling event at Dubai’s Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building on 24th June which will be followed by a local launch, the following day in Kampala.

Infinix, the TRANSSION Holdings premium smartphone brand, will partner with Google to deliver a “Beyond Intelligent” device. The all-new Infinix Note 5 is part of Android One program, designed to deliver the best Android OS experience powered by artificial intelligence.

More than 200 guests are invited from around the region to join Infinix and Google in celebrating the launch of Note 5 with an unprecedented mobile experience. With the new device, users will be able to experience AI through applications like Google Assistant and Google Lens.

Following the brand’s debut in 2013, Infinix has gone from strength-to-strength in the region. Commenting on this success, Benjamin Jiang, Managing Director of Infinix Mobile said: “We believe that advanced technology with stylish look and feel is the perfect combination for customers eager to shape the world’s trends. Alongside Google, we are excited to share our latest product and journey at the launch event next week. We are committed to continue pushing the boundaries of innovation and allow users to enjoy and utilize the most advanced technologies available.”

During the launch event, guests will get an exclusive hands-on experience of the latest device before the official market release. 

THIS IS A PRESS RELEASE FROM INFINIX MOBILITY