Alcatel Announces Large East African Investment
International mobile phone manufacturer Alcatel One Touch has announced its intention to spend KES 3.4 billion (approximately $35million) on its marketing strategy for the East African region.
Alcatel One Touch has stated its intention to make a substantial investment within East Africa's growing telecommunication market. (Image: Google/itproportal.com)
The countries being targeted are Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.
“The money will be used to shore up the company’s distribution network, upgrade and support its customer care and after sales service, and brand company points of sale,” said the press statement.
The mobile manufacturer, as part of its renewed focus in Africa, also announced that it would be unveiling its latest and full range of devices into the market, from low-cost mobile phones to premium Android smartphones, tablets and data devices.
The Chinese phone manufacturer said that since its official re-entry into Africa in 2010, it has “witnessed immense growth on the continent.”
“In some African countries like Kenya, Uganda, and Mozambique, the renewed focus had seen sales in excess of 100,000 Android smartphones per month in the last quarter of 2012.”
Unveiling the company’s strategy in Nairobi, they said the company’s “approach continues to focus on offering end-consumers choice with different designs tailored for different styles and needs, loaded with the features they need, all at a smart price.”
The firm added that it would use Kenya as an entry point for its renewed strategy.
Uganda’s SIM Registration To Go Forward, Says Court
Uganda’s SIM card registration process will go ahead after a court ruled that it would not block a move by the Uganda Communication Commission (UCC) to have all telecom users’ SIM cards registered.
A Ugandan court has ruled that it would not block a move by the Uganda Communication Commission (UCC) to have all telecom users' SIM cards registered. (Image: File)
Justice Eldard Mwangusya said in his ruling that the application for an injunction by the Human Rights Network for Journalists was “not formally filed in court and could not be upheld.”
The journalists, through Web Advocates and Associates, argued that the March 1 deadline for SIM registration “violated or threatened to violate citizens’ right to communication, freedom from deprivation of property, and related consumer rights to telecommunication services.”
The UCC has repeatedly argued the entire registration of SIM cards in the East African country is in line with the Regulation of Interception of Communications Act 2010.
The court said that the main lawsuit would be heard on May 2.
Most telecommunication operators have hired extra staff to cope with the increasing number of subscribers intending to make the deadline.
The UCC has noted that the exercise “is entirely free and the cost is supposed to be borne by the telecommunications operators.” This statement was made following allegations that some subscribers are being forced to pay UGX 2,000-4,000 to register, which the UCC said was illegal.
By IT NEWS
