Comm. Decisive coverage of telecommunications strategy

Zain hands over management of touch in Lebanon

by Tawanda ChihotaNovember 3rd, 2020 — Miscellaneous

Zain Group is reported to have handed over the management of touch, the leading mobile operator in Lebanon, to a new management and board, appointed by Lebanon’s telecoms ministry on October 30, 2020. Zain, which has managed touch since June 2004, said it would reapply, if permitted, to manage one of Lebanon’s two state-owned mobile operators. A statement by Zain mentioned that a strategy to re-enter the mobile sector in Lebanon would require a clear business plan within an agreement with the ministry.

Zain has had to say goodbye to its management of touch in Lebanon

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NZ attacks again highlight that cyber defence benefits surely outweigh costs

by Tawanda ChihotaSeptember 1st, 2020 — Miscellaneous

A series of recent cyber attacks reported to have targeted and disrupted the usual operation of the stock exchange in New Zealand (NZX) again highlight the case for proactive investment in cyber defences ahead of cyber incidences occurring or being attempted.

Companies trading on the stock exchange ought to be required to undertake similar cyber security assessment testing and vetting as is currently being undertaken by the NZX itself

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Countries in Africa in urgent need of national cyber vetting and code review

by Tawanda ChihotaAugust 26th, 2020 — Miscellaneous

I am a huge fan of the popular TV series Border Security: Australia’s Front Line, where visitors to the country’s airports are put through their paces in a bid to prevent the importation of prohibited items.

In much the same way border security is constantly on the lookout for prohibited imports or items that may pose a threat to the island state’s natural ecosystem, countries in Africa need to start implementing active measures to vet all digital, connected equipment being imported and utilised in-country

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Resurrecting the Decisive Dozen in tumultuous times

by Tawanda ChihotaAugust 16th, 2020 — Miscellaneous

The Decisive Dozen list was first compiled by Comm. in 2010, and published in early 2011, with the aim of identifying the top 12 telco service provider leaders across the Middle East and Africa who had exerted the highest impact on the sector measured by their company’s activities. At the time, economies across the world were still reeling from the financial crisis of 2008, with corporate leaders needing to bring all their experience and talent to bear to navigate the challenging period.

The effective use of innovation will be a key factor in determining the telco service provider leaders included in the Decisive Dozen list 2020

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State-sponsored hacking emerges as the new arms race

by Tawanda ChihotaJune 21st, 2020 — Miscellaneous

The world appears to be going through a period of rising real-world international tension, what with China and India sabre rattling over territorial claims at their shared border, and North Korea ratcheting up aggressive rhetoric against the South. Ongoing disputes continue to simmer in other regions including Syria, Yemen Hong Kong, and parts of the Middle East, though even more alarming than these infractions is the seeming rise of far less tangible though equally destructive cyber espionage.