At Home

The Muvo card has been officially rolled out to all commuters using People Mover and Durban Transport buses, in the eThekwini Transit System. The card, developed by Standard Bank’s Beyond Payments unit, uses contactless technology to provide tap-and-pay functionality. The ticket machines and reading devices aboard the buses and at self-service kiosks have been provided by transport IT specialist Almex. – ITWeb

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Jonas Bogoshi" />JSE-listed Gijima has appointed several women to top-level positions after implementing a new client-centric business model, which involved restructuring the group. CEO Jonas Bogoshi has said the new model involves deep restructuring of the company’s operations. The recent appointments enhanced Gijima’s female representation at senior level in the organisation, says human resources executive Michael Ferreira. At board level, 10% are female, while the executive representation increased to 20%, he adds. – ITWeb

Gauteng residents are urged to come forward with any complaints they may have regarding the 10111 emergency call centre, in Midrand. Gauteng police said they are appealing to community members who have experienced any problems, or have any complaints and dissatisfactions when dealing with the SA Police Service 10111 centre in the past six months, to come forward. – ITWeb

Government Motor Transport (GMT) in the Western Cape has launched an integrated fleet management system that it says is a first on the African continent. Western Cape transport and public works says Nedbank, fuel management firm AFS Group, and GMT implemented the integration of three independent systems. The system is an electronic technical offering, which provides a card- and paper-free solution. It enables management control over the utilisation of state-owned vehicles. – ITWeb

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Alan Knott-Craig" />Technology companies Altron, Altech and the Vodacom Foundation are sponsoring a hi-tech health facility that specialises in maternal and child healthcare. The Shandukani Maternal & Child Health Centre, in Hillbrow, Johannesburg, was officially handed over to the Department of Health, in July. The facility is a public-private partnership between Altron, Altech, Vodacom Foundation, the Gauteng Department of Health and the Wits Reproductive Health and HIV Institute (WRHI). – ITWeb

Cell C has officially broken ground at what is to be the company’s new operations hub, integrating data and network operations, customer care, and distribution. In a bid to desegregate its Johannesburg-based offices – in Rivonia Road, Esher Place and Sandton – Cell C recently signed up for the development of a 46 000 square-metre campus, north of Sandton. CEO Alan Knott-Craig inaugurated the site recently at an official sod-turning ceremony at Waterfall Business Estate. – ITWeb

Into Africa

Helios Towers Africa, the mobile tower operator, plans to attain $200 million in finance as part of its plan to expand its presence on the continent. An investment arm of the World Bank Group, the International Finance Corporation, intends to make a $100 million commitment to Helios from two of its funds. Helios Towers has operatation tions in Ghana, Tanzania, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Nigeria. – ITWeb Africa

Safaricom, Kenya’s mobile operator, has turned to using social networking sites such as Twitter and Facebook to identify charitable organisations that deserve funding. The operator invites members of the public to nominate their favourite charity that is changing lives for a chance to be awarded with prize money. – ITWeb Africa

Zamtel, Zambia’s telecoms company, has embarked on a countrywide expansion programme to construct 132 cell sites at a cost of $9 million. The project will include the construction of 50m average height towers, ancillary structures, fencing and access. The expansion project is expected to boost the company’s network in both urban and rural areas. – ITWeb Africa

Nigerian government warns banks operating in Lagos to maintain their existing communications masts and towers, as a spate of collapsing infrastructure have put lives and properties in the region at risk. Joe Igbokwe, GM Urban Furniture Regulatory Unit, says it is illegal for any bank to build a mast, tower or antenna in the Lagos metropolis area, without seeking a permit from UFRU. Nigeria has 500 000 fixed lines for its 160 million people. – ITWeb Africa

Globacom, Nigeria’s telecoms company, has unveiled international top-up cards, which allow subscribers to recharge instantly while roaming abroad. The company says the Nigerian community in North America and Europe can get access to Glo international mobile top-up cards through its retail distribution network in these countries. Adewale Sangowawa, executive director of Globacom, says making top-up cards available to consumers could further improve the connection between Nigerians in the diaspora and their loved ones. – ITWeb Africa

Abroad

The Federal Communications Commission released its annual report on how well Internet service providers meet or exceed advertised broadband speeds. It has placed Verizon Communications and Cablevision Systems at the top of the class. Thirteen US broadband providers, representing four-fifths of all US landline broadband connections, are coming much closer to consistently delivering their advertised speeds, according to FCC. FCC analysis concludes that the improvements are due to investments and upgrades to broadband networks. – Reuters

Canon plans to sell its mirrorless camera from mid-September in a bid to tap a growing market for small, interchangeable-lens cameras that rival Nikon entered last year. Mirrorless cameras account for around a third of all interchangeable lens models. Canon’s move will ratchet up competition with Nikon, its main rival for hefty single-lens reflex cameras used by professional photographers and enthusiasts. – Reuters

Nasdaq OMX Group plans to release its compensation plan for firms that lost money in the bungled Facebook initial public offering. The company is working with the US Securities and Exchange Commission on a second draft of the proposal. Nasdaq proposed a $40 million pool, which drew criticism from market makers who lost an estimated $200 million on the IPO. – Reuters

Nokia is considering ripping up its traditional mass marketing strategy ahead of the unveiling of its new Windows 8 smartphone. The mobile phone maker has entered secret negotiations with European operators about forming an exclusive opportunity to launch a smartphone using the Windows 8 platform from Microsoft. Nokia’s usual sales approach will be ditched in favour of partnerships that will help create dedicated support for its smartphones. – Reuters