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Malawi Gets First WiMAX Network From Burco Broadband and Aptilo Networks

June 17, 2010 By vani Leave a Comment

AMSTERDAM, THE NETHERLANDS, Jun 16 (MARKET WIRE) —
WIMAX FORUM GLOBAL CONGRESS – Burco Electronic Systems Ltd, a leading ISP
and IT solutions provider in Malawi, and Aptilo Networks, the global
leader in integrated solutions for control of billing, user services and
access in wireless networks including WiMAX(TM) and Wi-Fi, jointly
announced today that Burco has selected the Aptilo WiMAX CSN System(TM)
for their eWiMAX service, the first WiMAX 16e-based broadband Internet
service in Malawi.

The eWIMAX service is now available for residential and enterprise
customers in the cities of Blantyre and Lilongwe with mobile Internet
browsing at speeds that surpass any current technology available in
Malawi.

The deployment is one of the first in the world taking full advantage of
the latest WiMAX Forum NWG standard, which allows Burco to utilize a
multi-vendor approach to building their network with the most
cost-effective components. Currently the network uses radio equipment
from RuggedCom (formerly WiNetworks), ASN Gateways from WiChorus and a
diverse range of wireless network equipment from a constellation of
different device manufacturers. The use of low-cost devices has enabled
Burco to expand their business to the residential market and increase
their bottom line by better utilizing the costly satellite backhaul links
during off-business hours.

“We decided from the start that going for a vendor-independent full WiMAX
Forum NWG-compliant network design was the only way for us, in order to
minimize risks and ensure a healthy competition among vendors,” said Dave
Varndell, Managing Director, Burco. “The natural choice of WiMAX AAA
vendor was clearly Aptilo as they are delivering a more complete CSN
solution which also works seamlessly with the majority of vendors.”

Policy Control for the Right Bandwidth Allocation
Aptilo’s Policy
Control functionality is of vital importance for Burco, because of the
high cost of international connectivity to landlocked Malawi. Burco is
also utilizing a differentiated charging structure to control bandwidth
use between residential customers — who can enjoy lower prices after
office hours — and businesses that have an exceptional bandwidth
allocation during the day.

Aptilo’s voucher management functionality is integrated with ATM machines
thanks to Aptilo’s provisioning of unique voucher codes for the different
banks’ systems. End-users can refill their prepaid accounts via the ATM
system, which is a common way consumers in Malawi pay bills.

“We are impressed to see how a local operator like Burco is one of the
first in the world to deploy a truly vendor-independent network
architecture according to the latest standards,” said Torbjorn Ward, CEO,
Aptilo Networks. “Africa is a strong region for WiMAX in general and for
us in particular as many operators appreciate our pre-integrated approach
where the benefits of implementing a complete solution, rather than
taking a piecemeal approach, are significant.”

About Burco Electronic Systems Ltd
Burco has steadily become a provider
that Malawi trusts for its internet, computer & IT needs. We offer
hardware, software and internet solutions for businesses and home users
including a range of software products, desktop computers, laptops,
wireless routers, money counting machines and CCTV cameras. Our broadband
Internet service has the largest coverage in Malawi, with a wireless
network currently extending from Chitipa in the north, to Nchalo in the
South.

About Aptilo Networks
Aptilo Networks is the global leader in integrated
management solutions for control of billing, user services and access in
WiMAX(TM) and Wi-Fi networks. Aptilo has become the provider of choice
for service providers, enterprises and municipalities in need of a
rapidly deployable, scalable multi-service solution to easily manage data
and voice services over these networks. From smaller installations to
large carrier networks, Aptilo’s solutions have been deployed in more
than 45 countries. For more information, please visit www.aptilo.com.

“WiMAX Forum” is a registered trademark of the WiMAX Forum. “WiMAX,” the
WiMAX Forum logo, “WiMAX Forum Certified,” and the WiMAX Forum Certified
logo are trademarks of the WiMAX Forum. All other trademarks are the
properties of their respective owners.

For further information please contact:
Hillary Call
Public Relations Manager
Aptilo Networks AB
c/o Call Communications
Phone: +1-917 414-9262
hillary.call@aptilo.com

Dave Varndell
Managing Director
Burco Electronic Systems Ltd
Phone: +2651840777
Mobile: +265999971054
davevarndell@burcomw.com

Filed Under: International News Tagged With: amsterdam the netherlands, Bandwidth Allocation, Blantyre, Burco, Control Functionality, current technology, Device Manufacturers, Electronic Systems Ltd, Enterprise Customers, global congress, global leader, integrated solutions, Lilongwe, natural choice, Nwg, Radio Equipment, Residential Market, solutions provider, Wichorus, Wimax Forum

Madge and kids jet off to Malawi to get Mercy

June 20, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

London, June 20 (ANI): Madonna has finally jetted off to Malawi to pick up her new adopted daughter Mercy James.

Tagging along with the Queen of Pop on her journey to Malawi were her kids- Lourdes, 12, Rocco, eight, and David, three.

While the 50-year-old superstar had initially planned to have the four-year-old flown to her LA home, she later set off to get her personally on adopted son David’s insistence.

“I want to play with my sister NOW,” the Sun quoted David as saying.

However, Mercy’s whereabouts were unknown after she was moved from Madge’s pad in capital Lilongwe under a veil of secrecy. (ANI)

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Madonna’s adoption bid gets another blow

May 3, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Washington, Apr 30 (ANI): Giving a devastating blow to Madonna’s bid to adopt Malawian orphan Mercy James, the child’s father has come out in open to ask for full custody of his little girl.

The Queen of Pop wanted to become mum to the four-year-old girl, but all her hopes were shattered when a court in the country’s capital Lilongwe turned down her request for an interim adoption.

However, Madonna appealed the decision and an African court hearing is scheduled for May 4.

But, now the Material Girl’s hopes of the ruling being overturned could go down the drain, because now Mercy’s biological father James Kambewa has launched a bid to get his daughter back.

And he has targeted the 50-year-old singer, branding her “scandalous” and calling her failed marriage to Guy Ritchie and subsequent relationship with toyboy lover Jesus Luz, 22, an indication of a lack of “good morals”.

“She is my daughter; she is my blood; she needs parental love. She is not an orphan. She lost one parent, yes, but I am still alive and so she is not an orphan,” Contactmusic quoted Kambewa as telling Britain’s Daily Mail newspaper.

He added: “Madonna has millions of dollars but that doesn’t make her a good mum. Parental love is more than money. Besides, I don’t think Madonna is a model mum. I have seen her in movies of her songs. She doesn’t portray good morals.

“How can a woman of 50 dance almost naked on stage? I wouldn’t want my daughter to grow up like that! In Malawi women respect themselves. Cultured women do not go about half-naked.

“I also heard after her marriage failed she is already seeing two men, both very younger than her and her ex-husband. I hear one of them is even less than half her age. That’s scandalous. How can a normal woman fall for a boy who can as well be her son? No, spare my Mercy that scandal.”

Kambewa has also enlisted the help of the Human Rights Consultative Committee (HRCC) to acquire a lawyer to fight on his behalf.

In a letter to the organisation he wrote: “I have learnt that an American-musician called Madonna has applied to a court for the adoption of the kid, to which the grandmother has consented. However, I do not consent to the adoption because I feel I am capable of raising the child.” (ANI)

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Madonna still keen to adopt Malawian child: report

April 14, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

LILONGWE (Reuters) – U.S. pop star Madonna is still keen on adopting a second child from Malawi, despite a court ruling in the southern African country preventing her from doing so, a local newspaper reported on Sunday.

Madonna, who lost an appeal against a High Court decision refusing her bid to adopt a four-year-old girl named Mercy James, said she wants to provide education and a family environment for the young girl.

“I want to provide Mercy with a home, a loving family environment and the best education and healthcare possible. And it’s my hope that she like David, will one day return to Malawi and help the people of their country,” Madonna told the Nation on Sunday newspaper in an emailed response to questions.

“Though I have been advised that I cannot publicly discuss the pending appeal regarding my desire to adopt Mercy, I do want to say how much I appreciate the level of support that I have received from the people of Malawi and my friends around the world.”

Malawi’s government came under fire after Madonna adopted a 13-month-old child, David Banda, in 2006, with critics accusing it of giving her special treatment by skirting laws that ban non-residents from adopting children.

Madonna’s lawyer, Alan Chinula, has already lodged a notice of appeal against the decision earlier this month but by last week the courts had not yet granted a date for the hearing.

In her ruling, Judge Esimie Chombo warned against celebrity adoptions, saying they could lead to child trafficking.

“Anyone could come to Malawi and quickly arrange for an adoption that might have grave consequences on the very children that the law seeks to protect,” she said.

Madonna has entertained millions around the world with sexy high-energy performances and songs like “Material Girl” and “Papa Don’t Preach,” and created controversies along the way.

The star, who was divorced last year from British film director Guy Ritchie, is one of the music industry’s most successful singers, with album sales of more than 200 million.

(Reporting by Mabvuto Banda; Editing by Sophie Hares)

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Madonna back in Britain after failed adoption bid in Malawi

April 6, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Johannesburg/Lilongwe – US popstar Madonna has left Malawi after having failed in her bid to adopt another child in the south- east African country, according to media reports in South Africa and Britain on Monday.

The 50-year-old and her children took off in her private jet in a quiet part of the airport in the capital Lilongwe on Sunday. She had been shielded from the media by security guards, South African radio reported.

Madonna later landed in London where she handed her son Rocco as well as her adoptive child David Banda over to her ex-husband Guy Richie, 40, according to British media.

She and her daughter Lourdes then went to their apartment in London while Ritchie and the two boys flew to his country home, the reports said.

Madonna and film director Richie were divorced at the end of 2008. Photos published after the singer’s trip to Malawi showed the singer looking quite depressed.

In a surprise move Friday, the High Court in Lilongwe turned down Madonna’s application for an interim 18-month custody order for Chifundo (Mercy) James, three years after she was given custody of the Malawi-born infant Banda.

Judge Esmie Chombo told Madonna she could not adopt the 4-year-old because she has not been resident in Malawi for 18 months as required by the law

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Madonna’s millions raised from Malawi fundraiser go ‘missing’

April 1, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Washington, April 1 (ANI): Millions of dollars raised from Madonna’s Malawi fundraiser last year have no address, it has emerged.

According to Fox News, the estimated 3.7 million dollars remain unaccountable after repeated inquiries to The Gucci Foundation and the singer’s Raising Malawi charity.

The Queen of Pop had previously urged her fellow celebrities to donate for the cause, which is backed by Jewish mysticism Kabbalah and dedicated to helping Malawi’s one million poverty-stricken orphans.

The US-based channel claimed that fourteen months ago the entire event was alleged to have been underwritten and the amount divided between Raising Malawi and UNICEF.

But, both the Gucci Foundation and Madonna’s non-profit organisation were yet to file a Form 990 tax statement, leaving room for suspicion, according to the channel.

The development comes at a time when the megastar is back in the African country for a second adoption.

The 50-year-old, who adopted three-year-old David Banda from the region, recently pleaded to Lilongwe’s High Court to let her take home four-year-old Mercy James, whose teenage mother had died three years ago.

She will next appear in court for the ongoing adoption process on April 3. (ANI)

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Madonna requests Malawi court to let her adopt a daughter

April 1, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

London, March 31 (ANI): Madonna recently appeared before a Malawi court with her request that she be allowed to adopt a second African orphan.

The Queen of Pop, who adopted three-year-old David Banda from the country in 2006, pleaded to Lilongwe’s High Court to let her take home four-year-old Mercy James, whose teenage mother died three years ago.

Sources have revealed that the singer told Judge Esmie Chombo that she was a “deeply loving mother”, and would care for Mercy as her own child, reports the Sun.

The hearing was adjourned for a ruling on whether to grant a temporary custody order to the megastar, who was wrapped in a black dress, white Panama hat and small heels.

Madonna will next appear in court for the ongoing adoption process on April 3. (ANI)

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Madonna ‘headed to Malawi for tot No2′

March 28, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

London, Mar 27 (ANI): Madonna is expected to travel to Malawi this weekend to try to adopt a second child, it has emerged.

The 50-year-old singer is close to ending the end of a 19-month battle to make “smiling angel” Mercy James legally hers.

Officials in the impoverished African country have confirmed that adoption papers had been filed and that proceedings would begin at a court in the capital Lilongwe next week.

Madge first spotted Mercy, now four, in an orphanage in August 2007.

She has long talked of her desire for a sister for adopted son David Banda, three, insisting on a girl to “redress the balance.”

“Madonna is determined that she will leave Malawi with a new daughter. She desperately wants Mercy but there are other orphans who need homes,” The Sun quoted a source, as saying.(ANI)

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