Shine Technologies to block ads for Econet African subscribers

Shine Technologies and Econet Wireless announced a deal to bring network-level advertisement blocking to 40 million subscribers across Africa. The agreement marks the first availability of Shine’s network level advertisement control technology in Africa, following a similar agreement with the Three Group in Europe.

An analysis of Econet’s network performance has exposed that the prevalence and unchecked behavior of AdTech is robbing its subscribers of up to 40% of their data plans. Placing the benefit of its consumers first, the introduction of Shine’s advertisement blocking technology is seen as a way to help subscribers protect and manage their data consumption.

Under the terms of the agreement, which was facilitated by Cumii International, the first roll-out will take place in Zimbabwe, with advertisement blocking coverage turned on automatically for all subscribers. All remaining Econet Group regions will follow in succession.

“We are able to block 95% of display advertising on mobile-web and within applications. Our ultimate goal is to give choice to consumers as it relates to their tracking, profiling and targeting by AdTech. We believe that by doing so, we can create a more evolved online advertising experience that both respects consumers, and removes significant fraud for advertisers,” says Roi Carthy, Chief Marketing Officer, Shine Technologies.

“The problem is a global phenomenon. In the case of Econet, subscribers are losing significant portions of their data plans to AdTech they know nothing about. This is also true in Western markets as well of course, but it is what motivated Econet’s management to move fast,” he adds.

Shine CEO and co-founder Ron Porat said, “We are proud to be able to bring the benefits of advertisement blocking to all of Econet’s subscribers. AdTech abuse is a global phenomenon, and in Africa in particular, it is devastating to consumers’ limited data plans.”

Econet Wireless Zimbabwe CEO Douglas Mboweni said, “We are delighted that we have taken the lead in ensuring that customers have control of unsolicited advertisements. This will lead to quicker loading and cleaner looking web pages free from advertisements, lower resource waste in terms of bandwidth and memory. This goes a long way in solving the issue of bill shock resulting from unsolicited advertisements. In addition, there are privacy benefits gained through the exclusion of the tracking and profiling systems of advertisement delivery platforms.”

Mboweni added that, “It would be remiss not to acknowledge the role played by our partner Cumii in bringing this service to our subscribers in Zimbabwe.”

Shine Technologies helps consumers protect themselves from negative advertisement practices, including: tracking, targeting, PII data mining and cellular data theft. With Shine’s network-level solutions deployed, MNO’s and fixed-line operators can protect both subscribers and their infrastructure investments from bad operators.

Shine provides a network-level technology that helps carriers protect their infrastructure and subscribers from abusive AdTech. Shine customers include The Group, Digicel Group, and Econet Group.

Econet is a privately held diversified telecommunications group with operations and investments in Africa, Europe, South America, North America and Asia Pacific, offering products and services in the core areas of mobile and fixed telephony services, broadband, internet, satellite and fibre optic networks.

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