January 2007 - KICTANet

Fw: [Fibre-for-africa] Join KICTAnet's online discuission: What isthe best model for providing the Fiber Optic Submarine Cableto East Africans?
by alice＠apc.org 25 Jan '07

25 Jan '07

Badru, i could pay a dollar for that if you had some resonance on the other side of the coin where the private sector due to a lot of the factors we know cannot do this ALONE? Eric here On 24 Jan 2007, at 19:16, Badru Ntege wrote: > I think we all know "who shot EASSY". it was politics and egos > which have never been good bed fellows. The guilty parties that > pulled the trigger are kenya and South Africa though the jury is > still out on this. Then along the way came some other characters > who used the impasse to get some free publicity (we all know who > they are ). when time to pay up came they all disappeared and guess > who is suffering. > > If government's and Nepad want to be in please consult the > community, lay the law and rules of engagement and stay away. then > next should be those who have the pockets to come in and build the > fiber. > > I mean at the end of the day business rules will kick in and > eventually the price will come down. If government wants to > intervene to bring costs down then give the businesses an incentive > to offer good pricing, maybe tax waivers etc. > > Lets forget the nice world in the clouds where everyone has access > and buys at the same price etc. Some things need to be given time > to develop naturaly. > > Many things and services in all our walks of life are built by > private entities some are closed clubs and others are open. that is > a business decision. > > Forget open access and all that baloony, all those consultants who > were singing all this nice to the ears stuff are back sitting > behind there 10mB links costing them a few dollars while we are > sitting on our 16k 32k links moaning EASSY. > > Bottom line allow the operators to build the cable > Set operating criteria and acceptable pricing levels > Government concentrates on facilitating internal networks to Rural > communities > Encourage the production of local content > Put in measures that will create demand and thus market forces to > bring the prices down. > > my 2 cents > > > gathuri njorohio wrote: >> Hi All >> The EASSY cable implementation seems to be stalling due to >> disagreement on financing and the way to operate and manage it. >> The Eastern african countries will continue being overcharged for >> their international traffic when they pass through satellite due >> to lack of this cheap way of carrying traffic through the >> submarine cable. >> We are aware of the regional economic bodies that are mandated to >> promote trade between the countries and I suggest that they should >> also invest in ICT .COMESA and SADC are the bodies catering for >> trade in south and eastern Africa.Why can't they take the >> opportunity to invest in this cable so that it can benefit the >> countries they are serving. >> A company can be formed answerable to these two bodies for the >> installation , maintenance and operation of this cable. >> The western africa and central africa can do the same for the >> western cable link. >> The existing cables can continue to give redundancy for the new >> cables. >> The e commission of the NEPAD could facilitate these intiatives as >> a neutral body for the development of Africa. >> Eng. Njorohio >> */alice(a)apc.org/* wrote: >> >> (Apologies for Cross positing) >> >> >> >> Attn: Telco Operators, Regulators, Academia, Media, Civil >> Society, >> Consumers >> >> The Last Frontier: The East African Coast remains the last region >> in the >> world that is yet to connect to the cheaper and more reliable >> Global >> Submarine Optical Fiber Network. EASSy, TEAMS and others promise >> to change >> that by providing this crucial link. >> >> EASSy, TEAMS, etc,: What is the best model for providing the >> Fiber >> Optic >> Submarine Cable to East Africans? >> >> Join the Online Discussion: Starting Monday Jan 22nd – Sat Feb >> 3rd >> 2007 and >> make your views be known regarding this historic development. >> >> to subscribe: http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet >> Please send your details to jkimiti(a)email.kictanet.or.ke >> >> >> >> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> Fibre-for-africa mailing list >> Fibre-for-africa(a)lists.apc.org >> http://lists.apc.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/fibre-for-africa >> >> >> --------------------------------------------------------------------- >> --- >> Never Miss an Email >> Stay connected with Yahoo! Mail on your mobile. Get started! >> <http://us.rd.yahoo.com/evt=43909/*http://mobile.yahoo.com/ >> services?promote=mail> >> --------------------------------------------------------------------- >> --- >> >> _______________________________________________ >> Fibre-for-africa mailing list >> Fibre-for-africa(a)lists.apc.org >> http://lists.apc.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/fibre-for-africa >> > > _______________________________________________ > Fibre-for-africa mailing list > Fibre-for-africa(a)lists.apc.org > http://lists.apc.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/fibre-for-africa > Eric M.K Osiakwan ICT Consultant and Journalist Tel: + 233.21.258800 ext 2031 Fax: + 233.21.258811 Cell: + 233.244.386792 Handle: eosiakwan Snail Mail: Pmb 208, Accra-North Office: BusyInternet - 42 Ring Road Central, Accra-North Blog: http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/eric/ Slang: "Tomorrow Now" -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- > _______________________________________________ > Fibre-for-africa mailing list > Fibre-for-africa(a)lists.apc.org > http://lists.apc.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/fibre-for-africa >

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Re: [Kictanet] Safaricom must improve or lose to a better option
by joseph kihanya 25 Jan '07

25 Jan '07

I have sent mail on the agreement/, disclaimer...to evelyne/ smail address? kihanya ----- Original Message ---- From: Judy kimiti <jkimiti01(a)yahoo.co.uk> To: kihanyajn(a)yahoo.com Sent: Tuesday, January 16, 2007 10:11:12 AM Subject: [Kictanet] Safaricom must improve or lose to a better option Safaricom must improve or lose to a better option By Andrew Odete Dear Mr Michael Joseph, I tried calling you for a chat, but the network was down, so I fell back to the old ink and pen. It never lets you down, which is more than I can say for the postal service. That is why I have taken the liberty to write to you through the media, for which I beg your understanding and forgiveness. It is not because I am a cheapskate. Greetings from many readers who have asked me to relay their heartfelt congratulations to you for dragging Safaricom, biting and kicking, into the Sh12 billion-profit mark. The readers are also your subscribers and they have exhorted me to relay their concerns relating on your service to your doorstep. You are top in business First, your customers appreciate that achieving such an unprecedented subscription as you have in the proverbial blink of an eye is worthy of accolades. Many say, and rightly so, that you have come top of the business stakes in the region for listening to and understanding your customers. What is more impressive is that you achieved this in the hitherto unexplored terrain of mobile telephony in Kenya. However, your customers hope that this year, the company will outdo itself and improve on last year's performance. Oh yes, sir, they seem to believe that there is room for improvement on your part. Some even reckon that it is pretty easy to be the "Better Option" in a field where there are not too many service providers to challenge you on the quality of the product. Cheap but clogged While they appreciate that you have increased coverage in the country, they wish you could also increase the quality of telephone service. Clarity of phone calls and reliability of the service is all they want. For instance, when you so very kindly offered cheap calling rates during the festive season, the relentless crush of callers ensured that nobody could get through the network at various times of the day. Your network crashed, as happened increasingly often in the course of last year. Moreover, sir, you know we have such diverse accents and dialects that it helps to have a clear line; otherwise, we could as well be insulting one another over the phone. That would be uncivilised and, if I may say so, unChristmas! When Kananu calls from Imenti, Muli from Masinga or Jaoko from Mbita next to the lake, I want to hear the phonetic innocence of their respective dialects and interpret them accordingly. No reason to toast And when Akinyi jets back to Kenya, and tries out her full-on Texan- cum-Siaya drawl on my ears, it would help to, at least, hear some of her words. This year, Safaricom may need to ratchet it up a notch higher if your subscribers are to see the sense of continuing to top up so that you, in turn, may continue to top the profit league. I am sure you have the savoir-faire to remain the toast of East Africa. Already, your subscribers cannot stop thanking you for the reduced call charges. But I fear that unless you give your customers a new year present in the way of better quality services, an even better option might come along and make toast of you. And now that I cannot get through to you on the phone, sir, I take this opportunity to wish you a happy New Year and to request that you please call me back when the network is back to normal. Thank you. odeteac(a)yahoo.com http://www.eastandard.net/hm_news/news.php?articleid=1143963704 Yahoo! Messenger - with free PC-PC calling and photo sharing. _______________________________________________ kictanet mailing list kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet Please unsubscribe or change your options at http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/kihanyajn%40yahoo.com ____________________________________________________________________________________ Have a burning question? Go to www.Answers.yahoo.com and get answers from real people who know.

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Agreement
by joseph kihanya 25 Jan '07

25 Jan '07

Judy/Evelyne Whereas the (winner_______________ ) of the logo cretaion competition (___________) (name)of the competition is not in a contract of service with KICTANET and was commissioned to create the logo, and hereby confirms receipt of the sum of Kshs--------in full and final settlement of that commission, the winner_____________ does hereby confirm that all copyright vests with KICTANET as per section 31(1)(a) of The Copyright Act 2001, (No 12 of 2001, Laws of Kenya ),and hereby confirms that he/ she is the author of the logo and agrees to indemnify KICTANET againts all claims that may arise in future in relation to the logo and this agreement. I hope this helps. Kihanya ----- Original Message ---- From: evelyne ofwona <evelyneofwona(a)yahoo.com> To: kihanyajn(a)yahoo.com Sent: Thursday, October 5, 2006 7:56:54 AM Subject: [Kictanet] MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE TRUST FUND COMMITTEE Good morning all, Attached, please find minutes of the above and the Trust Deed Document. Evelyne Talk is cheap. Use Yahoo! Messenger to make PC-to-Phone calls. Great rates starting at 1¢/min. _______________________________________________ kictanet mailing list kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet Please unsubscribe or change your options at http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/kihanyajn%40yahoo.com ____________________________________________________________________________________ Food fight? Enjoy some healthy debate in the Yahoo! Answers Food & Drink Q&A. http://answers.yahoo.com/dir/?link=list&sid=396545367

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Re: [Kictanet] Why do we need International Optical Fiber Connectivity?- 1 Day Discussion
by joseph kihanya 25 Jan '07

25 Jan '07

Walu. If you can sell a good thing in few words it is a good thing. here goes... Fibre is simply demonstrably an economically and environmentally "good" thing! Capacity- wise and futuristic use is guaranteed. Lets just say,its very hard to argue against, given the options. QED Kihanya ----- Original Message ---- From: John Walubengo <jwalu(a)yahoo.com> To: kihanyajn(a)yahoo.com Sent: Tuesday, January 23, 2007 2:57:00 PM Subject: Re: [Kictanet] Why do we need International Optical Fiber Connectivity?- 1 Day Discussion Also, Satellites will remain around because they do have their unique applications mainly in intelligence gathering (e.g for Weather Predictions, Geographical Mappings, Space Research, Military intellegence, etc). These things, Bill, you will agree cannot be done by optical fiber and that is why the rich nations shall continue investing in satellite technologies. However on the communication side of things, the satellite route is a distant 2nd to Optical fiber. walu. --- Kanja Waruru <kanjawaruru(a)yahoo.com> wrote: > on a light note, satellites pollute the atmosphere > since they are junked in outer space after their short > and unreliable life span. someone ought to report > satellite owners to nema. > cheers > Kanja > > --- John Walubengo <jwalu(a)yahoo.com> wrote: > > > Hey! > > > > 12hrs are ending without an input on the 1st and > > easier > > theme! The silence is too loud! to reduce it, here > > is why I > > think we need international optical submarine > > connectivity > > (as opposed to Satellite). > > > > 1. It is more reliable than satellite connectivity > > 2. It is much more faster (i.e) delay time from one > > continent to the other is less. > > 3. It has unlimited bandwidth capabilities and by > > extension > > 4. It tends (should) be cheaper to buy per Megabit. > > > > Anything I may have left out? Brian, Mucheru and > > others? > > Plse clarify, object or add. > > > > walu. > > > > --- John Walubengo <jwalu(a)yahoo.com> wrote: > > > > > Greetings All, > > > > > > As announced the previous week(s) on this list, we > > wish > > > to > > > kick-off the discussion on this important > > submarine cable > > > developments. > > > > > > The general program is listed below and I would > > like us > > > to > > > get started. But 2 ground rules. > > > > > > ***Keep your contributions brief and to the point. > > (2-3 > > > paragraphs, otherwise members may not have time to > > read > > > through, if you have lengthy additions, just give > > us the > > > url) > > > ***Summary contributions shall be provided at the > > end of > > > each discussion theme. Leading contributions shall > > be > > > acknowledged and rewarded by sponsorship to a > > subsequent > > > face-2-face meeting on the same topic. > > > > > > So the floor is open and the question for the next > > 12hrs > > > is:Why do we need International Optical Fiber > > > Connectivity?- > > > Plse contributed by showing the advantages, > > > opportunities, > > > etc of undersea fiber cable... > > > > > > ~~~~~000~~~~~ > > > The other Questions/Issues that will follow. > > > > > > 1) Why do we need International Optical Fiber > > > Connectivity? > > > (1day) > > > 2) What are the existing (and possible) > > > Business/Financial > > > models for Optical Fiber Submarine Cables?(2days) > > > 3) What are the existing (and possible) Regulatory > > models > > > for Optical Fiber Submarine Cables?(2days) > > > 4) What would be the ideal model for East > > Africans? > > > (2days) > > > 5) How will this (ideal) model impact on the > > existing > > > stakeholders(Consumers, Operators, > > Regulators,etc)(2days) > > > 6) How can conflicting stakeholder interest be > > > resolved?(2days) > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > ____________________________________________________________________________________ > > > The fish are biting. > > > Get more visitors on your site using Yahoo! Search > > > Marketing. > > > > > > http://searchmarketing.yahoo.com/arp/sponsoredsearch_v2.php > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > > > kictanet mailing list > > > kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke > > > http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > > > > > > Please unsubscribe or change your options at > > > > > > http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/jwalu%40yahoo.com > > > > > > > > > > > > > > ____________________________________________________________________________________ > > Don't pick lemons. > > See all the new 2007 cars at Yahoo! Autos. > > http://autos.yahoo.com/new_cars.html > > > > _______________________________________________ > > kictanet mailing list > > kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke > > http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > > > > Please unsubscribe or change your options at > > > http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/kanjawaruru%40yahoo.com > > > > > > > ____________________________________________________________________________________ > The fish are biting. > Get more visitors on your site using Yahoo! Search > Marketing. > http://searchmarketing.yahoo.com/arp/sponsoredsearch_v2.php > > _______________________________________________ > kictanet mailing list > kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke > http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > > Please unsubscribe or change your options at > http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/jwalu%40yahoo.com > ____________________________________________________________________________________ Cheap talk? Check out Yahoo! 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Day 3 of 10: What are the existing Business Models for OFC provisioning
by John Walubengo 25 Jan '07

25 Jan '07

Haven't heard much much from the Consumers...but here is what Consumers in S.A are doing with regard to Telkom S.A and their high communications charges. walu. btw. Telkom SA is a leading sharholder in the SAT3 Consortium model. We hope, that Telkom Kenya will not force similar reactions - 5yrs after implementing EASsy. --- Ashraf Patel <AshrafP(a)osisa.org> wrote: > Date: Mon, 22 Jan 2007 12:48:06 +0200 > From: "Ashraf Patel" <AshrafP(a)osisa.org> > To: <idlelo2(a)fossfa.net> > Subject: [Idlelo2] Telecoms Action Group (TAG) lambasts > Telkom SA on high > Internet prices in full page ad in M&G > > Consumer group fires salvo at Telkom > LESLEY STONES > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ > -------- > E-Mail article Print-Friendly > > > > STINGING criticism from the world-renowned Reuters news > agency, evidence > from numerous analysts and a verbal lashing by President > Thabo Mbeki himself have failed to penetrate Telkom's impervious skin and force it > to cut its prices. > > So what impact will come from 200 despondent consumers > moaning about the > high cost of a phone call? > > Probably very little, but a full-page advert they placed > in the Mail & > Guardian this week is a piece of public activism that > just may make > Telkom's price-fixing executives squirm in momentary > discomfort. > > The advert placed by the Telecoms Action Group (Tag) was > funded by > individual consumers including a sprinkling of lawyers, > journalists and > representatives of a couple of hi-tech companies. > > It is big, bold and aims straight for the jugular. Under > the headline, > "The more of this you read, the more infuriated you'll > become", the > advert says: "Last year, Telkom recorded a staggering > R9,3bn in profit. > At your expense. Don't expect the government to step in. > They couldn't > give a hoot. They've got a 38% shareholding." > > It points out that South Africans pay five times more for > a local call > now than in 1996, and that our internet access is among > the most > expensive in the world. Telkom has laid off 35000 staff > in seven years, > so its profits sky-rocket while consumers wait up to six > months to get a > line, it says. > > The action group was set up by journalists Richard Frank > and Alastair > Otter, who run the tectonic.co.za newsletter. > > Frank admits that Telkom is unlikely to react. "We are > not naive enough > to think our one advert is going to make Telkom slash its > prices by 50% > and neither is government or the regulator going to do > much," he says. > "The main purpose is to show that consumers have a voice > in SA." > > > > In reply, Telkom issued a statement on Friday saying it > was committed to > adjusting its pricing model consistently in order to make > telecommunications more affordable and accessible to > business as well as > the broader public. > > Its last price revision saw an overall cut of 2,1% on a > basket of > products, while high-speed internet access line rental > fell an average > of 24%, it said. > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Sponsored links > > Software > > Treasury services > > Trading > > Unit Trusts > > Residential Property > > Commerical Property > > Business Directory > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ > -------- > > BDFM Publishers (Pty) Ltd disclaims all liability for any > loss, damage, > injury or expense however caused, > arising from the use of or reliance upon, in any manner, > the information > provided through this service > and does not warrant the truth, accuracy or completeness > of the > information provided. > > Copyright (c) 2005 BDFM Publishers (Pty) Ltd. All Rights > Reserved > Site Feedback | Privacy Policy > > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ > -------- > > > > _______________________________________________ > Idlelo2 mailing list > Idlelo2(a)fossfa.net > http://mailman.dst.gov.za/mailman/listinfo/idlelo2 > ____________________________________________________________________________________ Finding fabulous fares is fun. Let Yahoo! FareChase search your favorite travel sites to find flight and hotel bargains. http://farechase.yahoo.com/promo-generic-14795097 _______________________________________________ Idlelo2 mailing list Idlelo2(a)fossfa.net http://mailman.dst.gov.za/mailman/listinfo/idlelo2

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Day 2 of 10: What are the existing Business Models for Optical Fiber Provision?
by John Walubengo 24 Jan '07

24 Jan '07

I want to thank all those who contributed (in writing and in silence) during yesterdays 1st day of discussions. Becky will be giving us the summaries in due course. Indeed it was a warm-up to what I believe is going to be a lot more of a complex issue and hence the following long and necessary background information on the Business Models for Provisioning submarine Optical Fiber Cables (OFCs plse not the abbreviation, we shall use it frequently). I stand to be corrected but from what I gather, there seems to be two distinct Business Models for providing OFC, namely, Purely Commercial and Partly Commercial. A third approach, which is yet to be tried (implemented) but is highly acclaimed in Donor and Academic communities, is known as the Open Access approach. Now, in a Purley Commercial Setup, Private Data Communications Companies, usually the top level IBPs Internet Backbone Providers such as Cable&Wireless, BT, France Telecom, MCI, would establish a business need to build an OFC b/w continents in order to exchange traffic between their (ISP) customers that exists on both ends of the OFC. Please note that IBPs are not ideally selling bandwidth directly to the regular you and me, but rather to the ISPs Internet Service Providers who will eventually resale this Internet Access (bandwidth) to you and me. Option I: Purely commercial Model Basically, the IBPs use their own money to put up (down?) the cable and they independently decide who connects to the cables landing (exchange) points and at what rate per month. These private companies are run on a purely commercial basis with the aim of maximising profit at the shortest times possible. Indeed ISPs would not mind the potentially high-prices arising from these model as long as you and me can meet this cost when it is eventually slapped on us. This is the prevailing model for OFCs between America/Europe as well as America/Asia-Pacific but with the advantage that the OFCs in these two realms are abundant to point of having driven the costs extremely down. Option II: Partly Commercial Model. This is what has occurred with the OFC running from Portugal, across the Western Coast of Africa through to S.Africa. The so called SAT3 Cable has been provisioned through a (currently) contentious model that has given the term Consortium a suspicious connotation. At its simplest level, a group of mainly government owned (Public) Telco companies across the affected coast-line get together to form a consortium with a view to seek funds and build the OFC. Thereafter, they retain the privilege of independently deciding who connects to the cable and at what rate per month. From the SAT3 experience, the OFCs monthly rates charged are nowhere near the ones enjoyed currently being enjoyed in the developed economies for various reasons. Their high costs of OFC bandwidth has attracted pressure from Civil Society, Academia and other groups who argue that since (largely) Public Funds were used to build the cable, the Consortium Profit-motive should be moderated (regulated?) to strike a balance with the Public interest (read very cheap rates). The Consortium has ofcourse resisted this thinking arguing that their bandwidth charges are dictated by market forces specifically, Africa has over the years generated little internet traffic volumes that would have made it possible for them to drastically drop down the charges. Circumstances have therefore forced them into a High-cost, Low Volume business model. Furthermore, their Bandwidth charges are incidentally 5-10 times lower than Satellite Bandwidth costs and that should be appreciated. Option III: Open Access Model. And so, in comes the proponents of Open Access Model. In the simplest terms, they argue that Africas socio-economic renaissance hangs on the availability of cheap bandwidth or communication costs. As such, the OFC presents a historic opportunity that should not be left to prevail under short-term, commercial arrangements either within the Private or Consortium models. Open Access Models proposes radical changes at all levels (Political, Legal, Regulatory, Economical, etc) in order to provision international OFC with an alleged bias towards socio-economic development. In particular, they claim that the OFC should be co-owned by both Government and Private sector but should NOT be operated for profit; that is, it should be run at Cost by a body agreed upon. Further, access or connection to the cable should be Open to current and future stakeholders wishing to connect to it AT COST not profit. The fundamental point is that money should NOT be made out of the cable, money and lots of it, should be made out of services (BPO, eCommerce, etc) that would arise from the presence of the cable. Open Access model, foresees a Low-Cost, High Volume Business Model for the Cable. Its biggest limitation is the fact that it remains a fairly academic topic that is yet to be tested particularly in an environment whose political, regulatory and legal structures are not entirely matured. It chances of successful implementations are deemed low. Furthermore, even if it was to succeed, the sceptics are wondering:- of what use is cheap international bandwidth without African (local) Content and an equally developed domestic digital network? Might this not be just another avenue of opening up the emerging African e-markets to be exploited by the developed economies? The Question. So back to the question:- What are the existing Models for provisioning OFC? Plse voice your support, objection, correction or comments on any of the above Models giving reasons why. In addition, feel free to suggest other existing models out there or still under construction. We have only 2days on this theme so let the views start flowing. References/Acknowledgements http://www.fibreforafrica.net/ http://www.africafocus.org/docs06/apc0612.php http://www.fibreforafrica.net/ http://www.diplofoundation.org/poolbin.asp?IDPool=127 ____________________________________________________________________________________ Need a quick answer? Get one in minutes from people who know. Ask your question on www.Answers.yahoo.com

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Re: [Kictanet] Day 2 of 10: What are the existing Business Modelsfor Optical Fiber Provision?
by jmunsaka 24 Jan '07

24 Jan '07

Hello John Maybe what we should be addressing here are the issues of Technology to be deployed or Economic models What lessons have we learnt from other similar projects that have taken place on the continent such that we do not fall into the same traps or problems experienced What are the good practices to follow on this prject Maybe this will start the roll of infor Thanks John ---- Original Message ---- From: jwalu(a)yahoo.com To: jmunsaka(a)zamnet.zm Subject: Re: [Kictanet] Day 2 of 10: What are the existing Business Modelsfor Optical Fiber Provision? Date: Wed, 24 Jan 2007 04:15:09 -0800 (PST) >Aih! this Day 2 is too quiet. I have copied the the last >paragraph hoping it will kickstart this thread... > >>> > >The Question. >So back to the question:- What are the existing Models >for provisioning OFC? Plse voice your support, objection, >correction or comments on any of the Models below giving >reasons why. In addition, feel free to suggest other >existing models out there or still under construction. >We have only 2days on this theme so let the views start >flowing... > >walu. > >>> >--- John Walubengo <jwalu(a)yahoo.com> wrote: > >> I want to thank all those who contributed (in writing and >> in silence) during yesterdays 1st day of discussions. >> Becky will be giving us the summaries in due course. >> Indeed >> it was a warm-up to what I believe is going to be a lot >> more of a complex issue and hence the following long and >> necessary background information on the Business Models >> for >> Provisioning submarine Optical Fiber Cables (OFCs plse >> not the abbreviation, we shall use it frequently). >> >> I stand to be corrected but from what I gather, there >> seems >> to be two distinct Business Models for providing OFC, >> namely, Purely Commercial and Partly Commercial. A third >> approach, which is yet to be tried (implemented) but is >> highly acclaimed in Donor and Academic communities, is >> known as the Open Access approach. >> >> Now, in a Purley Commercial Setup, Private Data >> Communications Companies, usually the top level IBPs >> Internet Backbone Providers such as Cable&Wireless, BT, >> France Telecom, MCI, would establish a business need to >> build an OFC b/w continents in order to exchange traffic >> between their (ISP) customers that exists on both ends of >> the OFC. Please note that IBPs are not ideally selling >> bandwidth directly to the regular you and me, but rather >> to >> the ISPs Internet Service Providers who will eventually >> resale this Internet Access (bandwidth) to you and me. >> >> Option I: Purely commercial Model >> Basically, the IBPs use their own money to put up (down?) >> the cable and they independently decide who connects to >> the >> cables landing (exchange) points and at what rate per >> month. These private companies are run on a purely >> commercial basis with the aim of maximising profit at the >> shortest times possible. Indeed ISPs would not mind the >> potentially high-prices arising from these model as long >> as >> you and me can meet this cost when it is eventually >> slapped >> on us. This is the prevailing model for OFCs between >> America/Europe as well as America/Asia-Pacific but with >> the advantage that the OFCs in these two realms are >> abundant to point of having driven the costs extremely >> down. >> >> Option II: Partly Commercial Model. >> This is what has occurred with the OFC running from >> Portugal, across the Western Coast of Africa through to >> S.Africa. The so called SAT3 Cable has been provisioned >> through a (currently) contentious model that has given >> the >> term Consortium a suspicious connotation. At its >> simplest level, a group of mainly government owned >> (Public) >> Telco companies across the affected coast-line get >> together >> to form a consortium with a view to seek funds and build >> the OFC. Thereafter, they retain the privilege of >> independently deciding who connects to the cable and at >> what rate per month. From the SAT3 experience, the OFCs >> monthly rates charged are nowhere near the ones enjoyed >> currently being enjoyed in the developed economies for >> various reasons. >> >> Their high costs of OFC bandwidth has attracted pressure >> from Civil Society, Academia and other groups who argue >> that since (largely) Public Funds were used to build the >> cable, the Consortium Profit-motive should be moderated >> (regulated?) to strike a balance with the Public interest >> (read very cheap rates). The Consortium has ofcourse >> resisted this thinking arguing that their bandwidth >> charges >> are dictated by market forces specifically, Africa has >> over the years generated little internet traffic volumes >> that would have made it possible for them to drastically >> drop down the charges. Circumstances have therefore >> forced >> them into a High-cost, Low Volume business model. >> Furthermore, their Bandwidth charges are incidentally >> 5-10 >> times lower than Satellite Bandwidth costs and that >> should >> be appreciated. >> >> Option III: Open Access Model. >> And so, in comes the proponents of Open Access Model. In >> the simplest terms, they argue that Africas >> socio-economic >> renaissance hangs on the availability of cheap bandwidth >> or >> communication costs. As such, the OFC presents a >> historic >> opportunity that should not be left to prevail under >> short-term, commercial arrangements either within the >> Private or Consortium models. Open Access Models >> proposes >> radical changes at all levels (Political, Legal, >> Regulatory, Economical, etc) in order to provision >> international OFC with an alleged bias towards >> socio-economic development. >> >> In particular, they claim that the OFC should be co-owned >> by both Government and Private sector but should NOT be >> operated for profit; that is, it should be run at Cost by >> a >> body agreed upon. Further, access or connection to the >> cable should be Open to current and future stakeholders >> wishing to connect to it AT COST not profit. The >> fundamental point is that money should NOT be made out of >> the cable, money and lots of it, should be made out of >> services (BPO, eCommerce, etc) that would arise from the >> presence of the cable. Open Access model, foresees a >> Low-Cost, High Volume Business Model for the Cable. Its >> biggest limitation is the fact that it remains a fairly >> academic topic that is yet to be tested particularly in >> an environment whose political, regulatory and legal >> structures are not entirely matured. It chances of >> successful implementations are deemed low. Furthermore, >> even if it was to succeed, the sceptics are wondering:- >> of >> what use is cheap international bandwidth without African >> (local) Content and an equally developed domestic digital >> network? Might this not be just another avenue of >> opening >> up the emerging African e-markets to be exploited by the >> developed economies? >> >> The Question. >> So back to the question:- What are the existing Models >> for >> provisioning OFC? Plse voice your support, objection, >> correction or comments on any of the above Models giving >> reasons why. In addition, feel free to suggest other >> existing models out there or still under construction. >> We >> have only 2days on this theme so let the views start >> flowing. >> >> References/Acknowledgements >> http://www.fibreforafrica.net/ >> http://www.africafocus.org/docs06/apc0612.php >> http://www.fibreforafrica.net/ >> http://www.diplofoundation.org/poolbin.asp?IDPool=127 >> >> >> >> >> >> >_____________________________________________________________________ >_______________ >> Need a quick answer? Get one in minutes from people who >> know. >> Ask your question on www.Answers.yahoo.com >> >> _______________________________________________ >> kictanet mailing list >> kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke >> http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet >> >> Please unsubscribe or change your options at >> >http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/jwalu%40yahoo.com >> > > > > >_____________________________________________________________________ >_______________ >Looking for earth-friendly autos? >Browse Top Cars by "Green Rating" at Yahoo! Autos' Green Center. >http://autos.yahoo.com/green_center/ > >_______________________________________________ >kictanet mailing list >kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke >http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > >Please unsubscribe or change your options at http://kictanet.or.ke/ma >ilman/options/kictanet/jmunsaka%40zamnet.zm

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ITWeb comment on AfricaOnline deal
by Brian Longwe 23 Jan '07

23 Jan '07

All of a sudden it seems everyone wants a piece of AfricaOnline - this telco gets some criticism about their ambitions.... .....although the Uganda Telecom deal provokes some interest - would Telkom SA really add value? Regards, Brian ------------------ Telkom mum on Africa move By Damaria Senne and Nicola Mawson Posted: 22 January 2007 Telkom has refused to say whether it has bid for Kenya-based pan- African Internet company Africa Online, owned by African Lakes Corporation (ALC), a London-based group. “The reports linking Telkom SA as a bidder for Africa Online are speculative and Telkom will not comment on media speculation,” says the fixed-line operator. Media reports indicate that, two weeks ago, Kenyan-based group Africa Telecoms announced plans to offer £15.50 a share in cash for all African Lakes' shares, valuing the ordinary shares held by Africa Online's parent at £4.2 million, Balancing Act reports. However, soon after the cash offer was reportedly made, ALC confirmed that it was in discussion with interested parties for the sale of the ALC group or of Africa Online separately. Other media reports indicate Telkom is one of the interested parties bidding for the shareholding of Africa Online. Strange move An analyst, who asked that his name be withheld, says a move by Telkom to bid for an Internet service provider (ISP) would be “strange”. He says he cannot understand why the fixed-line operator would buy into an ISP rather than other, more lucrative, operations such as mobile or fixed-line communications. “If Telkom does move into Africa, adding IT to a telecoms portfolio would be the way to go, but, I'm not sure that it would add any significant value to their business,” he says. Instead, the analyst argues, the addition of an ISP may subtract value from Telkom because of low penetration rates and a lack of sophisticated technology on the continent. “Telkom has far more serious issues to sort out at this stage,” he says, referring to impending competition as Neotel enters the market and Telkom's bid for Business Connexion comes before the Competition Tribunal. Back door entry BMI-TechKnowledge senior analyst Tertia Smit says buying into an ISP would be another way for Telkom to enter the African market, with the idea of establishing a presence in African countries where Africa Online has operations, before making a bid for larger players like fixed-line and mobile operators. The ISP has operations in Cote D'Ivoire, Ghana, Kenya, Namibia, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda and Zimbabwe. Telkom, however, would not discuss whether it has put such a strategy in place. The group, which has previously expressed its intention to explore investment opportunities internationally, has unsuccessfully bid on a number of telecoms companies, including Nitel in Nigeria. CEO Papi Molotsane also previously said the fixed-line operator plans to explore joint opportunities in Africa with Vodacom, of which Telkom holds 50%. Last year, Telkom confirmed its interest in buying into Ugandan Telecom.

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Why do we need International Optical Fiber Connectivity?- 1 Day Discussion
by John Walubengo 23 Jan '07

23 Jan '07

Greetings All, As announced the previous week(s) on this list, we wish to kick-off the discussion on this important submarine cable developments. The general program is listed below and I would like us to get started. But 2 ground rules. ***Keep your contributions brief and to the point. (2-3 paragraphs, otherwise members may not have time to read through, if you have lengthy additions, just give us the url) ***Summary contributions shall be provided at the end of each discussion theme. Leading contributions shall be acknowledged and rewarded by sponsorship to a subsequent face-2-face meeting on the same topic. So the floor is open and the question for the next 12hrs is:Why do we need International Optical Fiber Connectivity?- Plse contributed by showing the advantages, opportunities, etc of undersea fiber cable... ~~~~~000~~~~~ The other Questions/Issues that will follow. 1) Why do we need International Optical Fiber Connectivity? (1day) 2) What are the existing (and possible) Business/Financial models for Optical Fiber Submarine Cables?(2days) 3) What are the existing (and possible) Regulatory models for Optical Fiber Submarine Cables?(2days) 4) What would be the ideal model for East Africans? (2days) 5) How will this (ideal) model impact on the existing stakeholders(Consumers, Operators, Regulators,etc)(2days) 6) How can conflicting stakeholder interest be resolved?(2days) ____________________________________________________________________________________ The fish are biting. Get more visitors on your site using Yahoo! Search Marketing. http://searchmarketing.yahoo.com/arp/sponsoredsearch_v2.php

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Re: [Kictanet] Why do we need International OpticalFiberConnectivity?- 1 Day Discussion
by jmunsaka 23 Jan '07

23 Jan '07

Dear All The opportunities that exist in rollling our fibre in the region should not be underestimated. Here is one chance we have to have reliable service in the region whose impact will make the satellite people rethink their pricing to the region as they will have competition..ie we shall have a choice at least unlike the case now Nice day John ---- Original Message ---- From: mleonardo(a)yahoo.com To: jmunsaka(a)zamnet.zm Subject: Re: [Kictanet] Why do we need International OpticalFiberConnectivity?- 1 Day Discussion Date: Tue, 23 Jan 2007 01:54:23 -0800 (PST) >The long lifespan of optic fibres viz a viz satellite, should be a >good for cost/benefit in the long run for our country so long as >ownership is right and to our advantage. > > Second, we don't have satellite up 'there' so this gives us another >opportunity to 'kujivunia kuwa wakenya' -)) > > > > > >charles nduati <charlesnduati2002(a)yahoo.co.uk> wrote: > Hi Walu, > >The fact that we are the only ones in the whole world >who are not connected is enough justification. Unless >we want to continue to be refered to as the darkest >part of the globe. > >Charles Nduati > >--- Kagwe James wrote: > >> 1.Based on fiber optic cables which are harder to >> tap or eavesdrop thus >> more secure. >> 2. Possible to have voice, data and video ride on >> without significant >> quality deterioration. >> >> >> -----Original Message----- >> From: >> kictanet-bounces+jkagwe=aforbes.co.ke(a)kictanet.or.ke >> >[mailto:kictanet-bounces+jkagwe=aforbes.co.ke@kictanet.or.ke] >> On Behalf >> Of John Walubengo >> Sent: Tuesday, January 23, 2007 8:27 AM >> To: Kagwe James >> Subject: Re: [Kictanet] Why do we need International >> Optical >> FiberConnectivity?- 1 Day Discussion >> >> Hey! >> >> 12hrs are ending without an input on the 1st and >> easier >> theme! The silence is too loud! to reduce it, here >> is why I >> think we need international optical submarine >> connectivity >> (as opposed to Satellite). >> >> 1. It is more reliable than satellite connectivity >> 2. It is much more faster (i.e) delay time from one >> continent to the other is less. >> 3. It has unlimited bandwidth capabilities and by >> extension >> 4. It tends (should) be cheaper to buy per Megabit. >> >> Anything I may have left out? Brian, Mucheru and >> others? >> Plse clarify, object or add. >> >> walu. >> >> --- John Walubengo wrote: >> >> > Greetings All, >> > >> > As announced the previous week(s) on this list, we >> wish >> > to >> > kick-off the discussion on this important >> submarine cable >> > developments. >> > >> > The general program is listed below and I would >> like us >> > to >> > get started. But 2 ground rules. >> > >> > ***Keep your contributions brief and to the point. >> (2-3 >> > paragraphs, otherwise members may not have time to >> read >> > through, if you have lengthy additions, just give >> us the >> > url) >> > ***Summary contributions shall be provided at the >> end of >> > each discussion theme. Leading contributions shall >> be >> > acknowledged and rewarded by sponsorship to a >> subsequent >> > face-2-face meeting on the same topic. >> > >> > So the floor is open and the question for the next >> 12hrs >> > is:Why do we need International Optical Fiber >> > Connectivity?- >> > Plse contributed by showing the advantages, >> > opportunities, >> > etc of undersea fiber cable... >> > >> > ~~~~~000~~~~~ >> > The other Questions/Issues that will follow. >> > >> > 1) Why do we need International Optical Fiber >> > Connectivity? >> > (1day) >> > 2) What are the existing (and possible) >> > Business/Financial >> > models for Optical Fiber Submarine Cables?(2days) >> > 3) What are the existing (and possible) Regulatory >> models >> > for Optical Fiber Submarine Cables?(2days) >> > 4) What would be the ideal model for East >> Africans? >> > (2days) >> > 5) How will this (ideal) model impact on the >> existing >> > stakeholders(Consumers, Operators, >> Regulators,etc)(2days) >> > 6) How can conflicting stakeholder interest be >> > resolved?(2days) >> > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> >_____________________________________________________________________ >___ >> ____________ >> > The fish are biting. >> > Get more visitors on your site using Yahoo! Search >> > Marketing. >> > >> >http://searchmarketing.yahoo.com/arp/sponsoredsearch_v2.php >> > >> > _______________________________________________ >> > kictanet mailing list >> > kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke >> > http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet >> > >> > Please unsubscribe or change your options at >> > >> >http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/jwalu%40yahoo.com >> > >> >> >> >> >> >_____________________________________________________________________ >___ >> ____________ >> Don't pick lemons. >> See all the new 2007 cars at Yahoo! Autos. >> http://autos.yahoo.com/new_cars.html >> >> _______________________________________________ >> kictanet mailing list >> kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke >> http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet >> >> Please unsubscribe or change your options at >> >http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/jkagwe%40aforbes.co.ke >> >> _______________________________________________ >> kictanet mailing list >> kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke >> http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet >> >> Please unsubscribe or change your options at >> >http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/charlesnduati2002%40ya >hoo.co.uk >> > > >CHARLES N. NDUATI >BUSINESS MANAGER >JKUAT ENTERPRISES LTD >JOMO KENYATTA UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURE AND TECHNOLOGY >JUJA MAIN CAMPUS, THIKA >P. O. BOX 79324-00200 >NAIROBI, KENYA >TEL: 254-067-52420 OR 254-067-52711 FAX: 254-067-52438 >MOBILE:254-722728815 >EMIAL:charlesnduati2002@yahoo.co.uk >www.jkuat.ac.ke > > > >___________________________________________________________ >Now you can scan emails quickly with a reading pane. Get the new >Yahoo! Mail. http://uk.docs.yahoo.com/nowyoucan.html > >_______________________________________________ >kictanet mailing list >kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke >http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > >Please unsubscribe or change your options at >http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/mleonardo%40yahoo.com > > > > > > > > > > > >--------------------------------- >Check out the all-new Yahoo! Mail beta - Fire up a more powerful >email and get things done faster.

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