Hands up anyone who remembers British band The Tornados. A clue: it was 1962. No? Oh well. What about their hit single Telstar then? Shifted five million copies … first Brit band to crack No 1 in the US … jangly electronic instrumental … goes like this: Nah, nah, nah, nah nah nah nah nah naaaaah! It was supposed to evoke the dawn of the ‘space age’. In fact, it was named after the AT&T communications satellite that went into orbit in July of that year. Telstar – the satellite that is – relayed the first television pictures, phone calls and fax images, and supplied the first live Transatlantic TV feed from space.

Just under 50 years later, satellites are no longer a novelty to write pop tunes about – and there’s a lot more of them too. For African countries, with lengthy borders, inhospitable terrain and capitalisation issues, satellites will remain vitally important communications technology for many years to come. On page 28 Lance Harris investigates this crucial role. Over 35 new satellites will be launched by the end of 2013, at a cost of nearly US$4.5 billion and bringing the equivalent of 26.325 MHz of additional capacity to the continent. Good news indeed. We have further satellite-related articles beginning on pages 56 and 66.

Billions of dollars also come under the spotlight on page 36 where we explore whether buying low-priced computer hardware, software and accessories from the Far East rather than the US and Europe works out for Africa, or whether it’s a case of cheap in the short run but expensive in the long run. Talking of booming business, contact centres seem to be going from strength to strength in the region, but they will need to keep evolving. As an expert says in our article on page 46: ‘Today, for call centres to remain competitive, they need to embrace new technology platforms and examine ways in which to connect with customers.’

Mention Rwanda and the first thought is death and destruction. The infamous 100 days of genocide in 1994 left the country shattered, but over the past few years Rwanda has enjoyed political and social stability, allowing for the gradual rebuilding of many sectors. A standout success has been ICT. Between 2007 and 2009, for example, the industry attracted investments of more than US$500 million. More reports about IT and Rwanda can be found on page 52.

All across Africa millions of people use minibus taxis every day to get to and from work. It’s a captive audience ripe for entertainment. Or news. Or sport. Or education. Perhaps with a few advertisements thrown in? In theory Taxi TV should be a runaway hit. However, less than 1 500 minibuses in South Africa have been fitted with TV screens and no other African country has introduced it yet. It’s a classic case of a great, simple idea frustrated by technological shortcomings. How can it be solved? Our article on page 73 is a good place to start.

Patrick Farrell

Gizmos & gadgets – The latest hot technology

Sound bytes – News and developments from the industry

Radar – Arthur Goldstuck on mobile internet

Mission possible – SES vice-president of Sales, Africa, Nicolas Baravalle

Make space – Satellite continues to provide capacity

Bridging the gaps – Impact of low-cost technology

Calling the shots - Africa to host future contact centres

Business unusual – Rwanda races ahead with IT

Small wonders – Challenges of VSAT

No contest – Future expansion of satellite

Highway information – A look at taxi TV

What’s on – Conferences and exhibitions