Wrap-Up: Our pick of main stories, Thursday February 19, 2015

Kenya sees increase in bandwidth throughput

The Kenya Internet Exchange Point (KIXP) has recorded an average of 1.2Gbps in bandwidth throughput, compared to 900Kbps ten years ago. After 13 years, KIXP now has 30 peering members across Telco’s, corporate and independent ISPs, making it one of the largest internet exchanges in Sub Saharan Africa. According to KIXP, it has saved telcos millions of money while simultaneously speeding local data exchange, and encouraging the development of locally hosted content and services.

Africa 118 expands business directory service to Uganda

Kenyan mobile directory service Africa 118, one of five startups to be awarded a Microsoft4Afrika innovation grant in 2014, has announced its expansion into Uganda. There it has launched a localised version of its offering, called ‘InfoMoby’. The service is designed to sort business information categorically and by location, making it easier for users to find business information, hours of operation, websites and physical addresses. At launch, the directory reportedly covers thousands of businesses in Jinja, Kampala, Entebbe and other significant areas in Uganda.

ICT Innovation Forum set for KICC, Niarobi in March

The Kenyan Ministry of Information, Communication and Technology in conjunction with the ICT authority and industry players, have announced a National ICT innovation Forum and Expo conference from March 2 to 3, 2015. The event with the theme “Mind the Gap, Close the Gap”, is the “first of its kind aimed at bringing the top echelons of decision makers in the innovation ecosystem”, the organizers say.

ICT Association Boss Faults Govt on Digital Migration

The Information Communication Technology Association of Kenya has urged the government to undertake the digital migration process in a logical and systematic way for it to yield the intended benefits. Association Secretary General Kamotho Njenga has warned the government against blind zeal to honor the June 2015 global migration deadline by destroying a media sector that has taken decades to evolve.

Airtel Kenya’s #UnlimiNET bundle to enable subscribers stay connected after their exhausting data 

Airtel Kenya has announced the introduction of a new product that enables subscribers to talk and remain connected to the internet. The bundled tariff dubbed “UnlimiNET” is destined to offer Airtel customers the convenience and freedom to stay connected to their professional, family and social networks wherever they are.