Africa is becoming a playground and all big technology companies want to come and play. As that game begins, expect many asymmetric competitions. The latest one is that Netflix wants to help the Kenyan people by giving them TV shows and movies free. Yes, free mobile plan: “Now we’re giving audiences in Kenya the chance to experience these stories for themselves — completely free of charge.” That is a big activation.

“We’re launching a free plan that allows people to enjoy Netflix ad-free on Android mobile phones in Kenya. When you sign-up, no payment information is required. All you have to do is enter your email, confirm you are 18 or over and create a password. If you’ve never watched Netflix before — and many people in Kenya haven’t — this is a great way to experience our service. And if you like what you see, it’s easy to upgrade to one of our paid plans so you can enjoy our full catalogue on your TV or laptop as well.” – Cathy Conk, director of product innovation at Netflix. Netflix needs growth in Africa as TC Daily noted:

Netflix’s growth in Africa is falling short of expectations. In total, Netflix has less than 2.6 million subscribers on the continent. That’s a small percentage, especially when compared to the 27 million subscribers the platform has in Asia, or the 38 million subscribers in Latin America. Netflix was launched in both regions around the same time but Africa still lags in growth.

It is what it is – and that is where anyone starting a local streaming service in Africa must pay attention: the probability of success is extremely low because the competition has become amorphous. I never liked the streaming business in Africa due to the broadband cost challenges. Yes, it takes a “rich” person to spend  money to watch a show of 60 minutes! 

The next dimension which I expect is this: you can sign up for free and if you use Safaricom, even your mobile data will not reduce when you are watching Netflix. In other words, no metering. Disney+, Netflix, Hulu, etc will offer that bundle in Africa within three years; Wall Street expects that playbook.

I added 4 million new customers (that reduced your profit by $10million)  will likely boost your stock than we added 500k users (with improved profitability of $10m). In other words, Wall Street does not care that you have made extra $10m. For them, what matters is that you are growing. And if discounting the products will do it, go ahead. (Remember in America, the best time to buy clothes cheapest is the last week of every quarter as that is when brands do “sales” to improve quarterly numbers.)

As this happens, MultiChoice should watch its flanks. Yes, GOtv and DStv are not immune if people can get shows and entertainment via their mobile devices without thinking of data plans. Even European football can be watched on mobile from an American streaming provider.

And as that happens, consumers will win because choices will abound.

I know that many have  been sending high voltage verbal and textual abuse to the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) over a pamphlet which it denied but has now acknowledged it created, according to Premium Times. The experts at NYSC felt the Service was doing the right thing. Good People, spare NYSC but focus on the law enforcement to make sure our roads are safe. While NYSC is asking its members to have phone numbers and get family members ready with cash in case a bad thing happens, some companies recommend loading a briefcase with cash.

In other words, this debate should not be waged on NYSC, rather on those who are paid to keep our roads safe – and I hope we stay focused and leave NYSC alone.

Of course, this is not to commend NYSC, but in  totality, if you do read the whole pamphlet, they wrote the tips purely to help the corps members, even though it was crazy in a non-failed nation (yes, you still pay tax to FIRS!)

In what appears to be a bold volte-face, the authorities at the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) have admitted that copies of its pamphlets containing security tips for staff and corps members contain the “embarrassing” clause that advises corps members to prepare for ransom payment if abducted.

The organisation, however, noted that it realised that different copies of the pamphlets are in circulation with some containing the clause and others not.

The NYSC spokesperson, Adenike Adeyemi, in a terse message to PREMIUM TIMES on Friday noted that the organisation was already investigating the situation.

The reaction followed this newspaper’s insistence that copies in its possession contain the clause, and queries the rationale behind the hurried rebuttal earlier issued by the organisation on the matter.

Mrs Adeyemi, in a short response, simply wrote; “We realised different copies are in circulation. We are investigating.”

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It’s an unwritten useful tip, the only hysteria here is that it was written. The NYSC cares and protects its own, it’s just doing what it thinks could help.

Keeping corps members safe is not the responsibility of the NYSC, because it’s not an armed organisation, same way it’s not the responsibility of INEC to keep voters safe. If our law enforcers are incapable of dislodging and neutralizing criminals, then we cannot vilify or chastise NYSC who tried to offer some known tips.

My only concern here for it not to have the unintended consequence of emboldened the criminals, who could become more daring, in the hope that payment of ransom is now a sure thing. We need to reverse this ugly trajectory.

The citizens look up to the police and military to keep them safe, if those saddled with this noble responsibility can no longer discharge their duties effectively, then it’s safe to democratise gun ownership here; you won’t worry so much about robbers or kidnappers when you are equally armed.

Most guns in use are in the hands of bad people, put guns in the hands of good people too, so that we can balance things out.

The European Union Commission is proposing legislation to establish a common charging solution for all relevant devices. The Commission said the legislation is key in curbing “e-waste and consumer inconvenience, caused by the prevalence of different, incompatible chargers for electronic devices.”

The proposed legislation will allow a harmonized charging port for electronic devices, making USB-C the common port. This will allow consumers to charge their devices with the same USB-C charger, regardless of the device brand, the Commission said.

The move is expected not only to curb e-waste, but ease consumers the burden of having separate chargers for their devices.

“European consumers were frustrated long enough about incompatible chargers piling up in their drawers,” Margrethe Vestager, Executive Vice-President for a Europe fit for the Digital Age, said. “We gave industry plenty of time to come up with their own solutions, now time is ripe for legislative action for a common charger. This is an important win for our consumers and environment and in line with our green and digital ambitions.”

Disposed of and unused chargers are estimated to pile up to 11,000 tonnes of e-waste every year.

As part of the legislation, producers will need to provide relevant information about charging performance, including information on the power required by the device and if it supports fast charging.

Following its facilitation of the voluntary agreement by the industry in 2009 that resulted in the adoption of the first Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), which has seen chargers reduced from 30 to 3, the Commission said it’s necessary to build on the progress through legislation as a new proposal by industry presented in March 2018 was not considered satisfactory.

USB-C will become the standard port for all devices including smartphones, tablets, cameras, headphones, portable speakers and handheld videogame consoles. The Commission also proposes to unbundle the sale of chargers from the sale of electronic devices.

Last year, around 420 million mobile phones and other portable electronic devices were sold in the EU. The Commission said 38% of consumers complained about their inability to charge their devices due to incompatibility. In addition, they spend €2.4 billion annually on standalone chargers that do not come with electronic devices.

The Commission will allow a transition period of 24 months from the date of adoption, to give industry ample time to adapt before the entry into application.

The proposed legislation means Apple will have a fresh challenge of altering its exclusivity once again to deal with. The American smart device maker has received a lot of criticism over its model of production, which does not accommodate products and services made outside Apple.

The recent ruling on Epic v. Apple legal tussle, which put new restrictions on Apple’s App Store rules that had prohibited developers from using third party links for payment, was a turning point. Apple’s exclusivity business model is seen as aiding its monopoly, intensifying calls to dismantle it.

The legislation will be another bold aim at Apple’s exclusive operations. However, as the rule will apply to Europe only, we have to wait and see if it will force Apple to change its chargers in all its markets.