Tech

Telecom Egypt, 4iG sign MoU to construct high-capacity subsea cable connecting Albania

Published

1 year ago

October 10, 2023

Egypt’s pioneer integrated telecom operator, Telecom Egypt has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with one of the largest subsea cable operators in the world, 4iG Plc based in Budapest, Hungary, to link the North African country to Albania via a point-to-point, high capacity subsea cable.

The MoU, which was signed in Cairo by Mohamed Nasr, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer at Telecom Egypt, and Gellért Jászai, Chairman of Board of Directors at 4iG Plc, is aimed at “promoting cooperation between Egypt and Hungary by constructing a new subsea cable between Egypt and Albania in order to enhance connectivity”, Nasr said.

According to Nasr, the agreement represents a qualitative addition to the existing Mediterranean routes, connecting to the main internet points of presence (PoP) in Europe, such as the ones in Budapest, Vienna, and Frankfurt, in addition to numerous potential PoPs in Eastern Europe.

“With an open access model and multiple branching units, the system is set up to be a new European cable entry point via Albania.

“The most important pillar in this cooperation is that it comes within the framework of the strategy targeting Eastern Europe with the aim of enhancing business sustainability and future expansions.”

The subsea cables connection will see Egypt expand its international digital infrastructure, especially as more than 90% of the data transferred between the East and the West passes through Egypt, Nasr added.

Ambassador of the Republic of Hungary to Egypt, András Kovács, who signed on behalf of his country, said of the agreement:

“This cooperation agreement is strongly supported by the Republic of Hungary, pointing out that there are ongoing strategic cooperation efforts between Egypt and Hungary at the political level and also in specialized fields.

“We hope that such agreements would enhance cooperation between the two countries in the field of ICT and help expand governmental collaboration between the Egyptian and the Hungarian Ministries of Communications and Information Technology.

“These efforts will resonate in the business sector, especially as many Hungarian ICT companies are getting more interested in exploring investment opportunities in Egypt”.

Related Topics:4ig Featured Memorandum of Understanding Subsea Cables Telecom Egypt

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Tech

Kenya’s ticketing startup BuuPass partners Flexpay for flexible travel payments

Published

3 days ago

December 19, 2024

Isaac Dachen

Kenyan digital ticketing startup, BuuPass, has entered into a partnership with goal-based savings platform, Flexpay, to offer customers flexible payment plans ahead of holiday travels as well as simplify travel planning and ease the financial burden of holiday travel for Kenyans.

Co-founder and CEO at Buupass, Sonia Kabra, who unveiled the package at a press conference, said the collaboration between the two platforms will allow travellers to save for their journeys in manageable, interest-free installments over four to 12 weeks.

“Travelers can select their travel dates, book tickets, and pay a small deposit upfront, with the remaining balance spread across weekly or monthly payments,” she said.

“This approach offers a stress-free way for families and large groups to secure their tickets early, helping them avoid last-minute price hikes as fares are locked in.

“By partnering with Flexpay, we’re giving travelers the flexibility to budget for their trips in advance. This initiative aligns with our mission to make travel accessible to everyone, providing a solution that meets customers where they are financially,” said Kabra.

Also speaking at the event, Richard Machomba, CEO and founder of Flexpay, said:

“Flexpay’s mission is to empower individuals by providing accessible financial solutions that make it easier for them to achieve their financial goals.

“By partnering with BuuPass, we’re making travel more accessible and stress-free for Kenyans, especially during the holiday season when expenses can be overwhelming,” Machomba added.

Founded in 2016 by Kabra and Wyclife Omondi, BuuPass is a B2B2C mobility marketplace that enables users to search, compare, and book travel tickets via web, app, or USSD, while its SaaS platform helps bus operators manage their operations, inventory, and sales.

FlexPay, on the other hand, is an online and offline payment gateway that allows merchants to offer interest-free targeted savings to their customers in Africa.

Tech

DR Congo sues tech giant Apple over illegal mineral exploitation

Published

4 days ago

December 18, 2024

Isaac Dachen

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), has filed a criminal case against the European subsidiaries of tech giant, Apple, accusing them of illegal mineral exploitation and allegedly using “blood minerals” in its supply chain.

In the suit filed on Tuesday, the DRC alleges that Apple has bought contraband supplies from the country’s conflict-ladden east and Rwanda, zones in which it allege the materials are mined illegally and then integrated into global supply chains before ending up in tech devices.

The DRC suit specifically mentioned Apple subsidiaries in France and Belgium, accusing the tech giant of using conflict minerals in its supply chain.

The DRC is a major source of tin, tantalum, and tungsten which are used in electronic devices, with some mines controlled by armed groups responsible for human rights violations.

International lawyers representing the African country’s government have accused Apple’s local subsidiaries of taking these minerals from conflict areas and laundering them through international supply chains, with one lawyer telling journalists that Belgium had a moral duty to act given its history of exploiting the country’s resources under colonial rule.

However, in its response, Apple claims it conducts supplier audits and does not directly source primary minerals.

https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/1262670-dr-congo-sues-apple-over-alleged-illegal-mineral-exploitation