Author: Contributor

Blue Label Ventures, the venture capital and private equity arm of JSE-listed Blue Label Telecoms, has invested in Cape Town-based technology startup Mobii Systems. As part of the deal, Blue Label will take up 26% of Mobii, giving the company’s team of highly skilled developers of sports data applications the funding needed for new and ongoing product development, as well as access to a wider customer base and increased market share. Mobii built the timing platform on which Blue Label Telecom’s popular timed fitness events company MyRun operates. Activity data is collected from various wearable Mobii transponders and synchronised to…

MTN would like to warn its customers about two parody social media accounts, namely MTN AWOOF Giveaway and MTN Free Dashout, that purport to be official MTN accounts. These are NOT MTN’s official accounts, nor have they been endorsed by MTN or any of its third-party service providers. These accounts are run by scammers who use them to defraud unsuspecting members of the public. We wish to strongly urge our customers not to fall prey to these accounts as they are not official and legitimate MTN accounts. Customers who wish to interact with us on social media can do so…

by Wim Delva The term “data science” was coined by scientists working at the social networks LinkedIn and Facebook in 2008. A few years later, they dubbed it “the sexiest profession of the 21st century”. This relatively new, interdisciplinary field is a blend of statistics, computer science, mathematics, engineering and subject matter knowledge. In fact, any and all subjects qualify. Its proponents believe it will transform every aspect of society. Many of the disruptive, game-changing innovations that are grounded in data science are intended to improve people’s quality of life as well as the efficiency of processes and services. Examples…

The concerning rise in battery theft and vandalism at cell phone towers across the country requires a stronger and more concerted drive to clamp down on syndicates and opportunistic criminals. According to MTN, which recorded 125 incidents of battery theft last week from 74 the week before, a greater fightback is needed to avoid the costs of replacing batteries and fixing damaged infrastructure being passed on to consumers. The worst-hit areas are currently Soweto, Tembisa, Vereeniging, and Parktown, however, this is a national problem affecting all mobile networks. “Battery theft and related vandalism are costing MTN hundreds of millions of…

by Wim Naudé Most discussions about artificial intelligence (AI) are characterised by hyperbole and hysteria. Though some of the world’s most prominent and successful thinkers regularly forecast that AI will either solve all our problems or destroy us or our society, and the press frequently report on how AI will threaten jobs and raise inequality, there’s actually very little evidence to support these ideas. What’s more, this could actually end up turning people against AI research, bringing significant progress in the technology to a halt. The hyperbole around AI largely stems from its promotion by tech-evangelists and self-interested investors. Google…

Why satellite is a better “off-grid” option by Dr Dawie de Wet Most network architects won’t actually consider satellite as an option. For them, the only alternative is LTE. The reason satellite is not considered an alternative is mainly due to bad past experiences and personal perceptions fuelled by old information or hearsay. The satellite industry is a very specialised and niche industry and hence not part of the mainstream tech publications and info channels. At the same time, it doesn’t mean that just because you don’t know about the latest satellite technologies that it won’t work and is not…

With two weeks left before branch filing opens, the South African Revenue Service (SARS) has encouraged taxpayers to beat the queues by filing their returns on the SARS MobiApp and eFiling. The revenue said it has paid out R3.5 billion in refunds during Tax Season for eFilers and users of the SARS MobiApp from 1 July to date. “During the first week of July, R1.5 billion in refunds were validated and released,” the revenue said. SARS encouraged taxpayers to file their returns on the SARS MobiApp and eFiling, and assured them that their claims will be attended to and resolved…

by Bhaskar Chakravorti As the public and government regulators around the world discuss whether and how to manage the power of technology companies, one idea that keeps coming up is breaking up these large conglomerate corporations into smaller pieces. Public distrust for tech companies has shifted to talk of antitrust action against them. Facebook, for instance, might then have to compete with Instagram for photo-sharing and WhatsApp for messaging – rather than owning both. The idea has managed to garner support from both Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren, a Democrat, and Republican President Donald Trump. However, advocates and opponents of breaking…

by Ayanna Howard, Ph.D The Singularity (with a capital S) is a doomsday vision that has cast artificial intelligence (AI) and its robot sister-in-crime as evil villains bent on the irreversible and immeasurable disaster to the human condition. Whether we need to worry about the big S or not really isn’t the issue, rather the primary concern today should focus on how do we capitalize on the impact of AI in the now and the foreseeable future. Yes, there are challenges with the deployment of AI in various applications and industries, but there are also amazing opportunities as well. Following are two areas…

by Benjamin Roberts, Jare Struwig, Narnia Bohler-Muller, and Steven Gordon Powerful new technologies are emerging that will continue to affect individuals in multiple ways. This has led to references to a Fourth Industrial Revolution – a new era involving the application of digitisation and automation to different areas of society and everyday life. This revolution is one that presents distinct opportunity. But it also presents major risk and human costs. These changes have become a growing point of discussion in most countries in the world. In South Africa the debate has drawn in policymakers, business and unions. But the voices…