November 2007 - KICTANet

Re: [kictanet] Mobile Government: The New Frontier inTransformingPublic Services - 29th November 2007
by robert yawe 28 Nov '07

28 Nov '07

Hi As a sign of good will and intention Mr. Joseph should open up the connection, and if this will result in an illegality have it be provided by a 3rd party temporarily until the legal hurdle is resolved. When you make someone from Mandara have to travel from Mandera to Nairobi just to confirm their electoral details is inhuman and negates your so called SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY programs. Regards Robert Yawe KAY System Technologies Ltd Phoenix House, 6th Floor P O Box 55806 Nairobi, 00200 KEnya Tel: +254722511225 ----- Original Message ---- From: Alex Gakuru <alexgakuru.lists(a)gmail.com> To: robertyawe(a)yahoo.co.uk Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> Sent: Monday, 26 November, 2007 8:15:41 AM Subject: Re: [kictanet] Mobile Government: The New Frontier inTransformingPublic Services - 29th November 2007 Hope is not a bad thing to have but just its just a wish. Until you finally "finalise" the agreement completely then let high costs bite deeper and deeper into our pockets. If we had a CCK that protected consumers this would have happened 2 months ago. Alex On Nov 26, 2007 8:06 AM, Michael Joseph <MJoseph(a)safaricom.co.ke> wrote: > > > > > There is no blocking as such. Simply stated the agreements to open up the > SMS interconnectivity have not been completed. We hope that this will be > done soon. > > > > Regards, > > > > > Michael > > > > CEO > > Safaricom Limited > > > > ________________________________ > > > From: kictanet-bounces+mjoseph=safaricom.co.ke(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > [mailto:kictanet-bounces+mjoseph=safaricom.co.ke@lists.kictanet.or.ke] On > Behalf Of robert yawe > Sent: Monday, November 26, 2007 7:50 AM > To: Michael Joseph > > Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions > Subject: Re: [kictanet] Mobile Government: The New Frontier > inTransformingPublic Services - 29th November 2007 > > > > > > Hi, > > I am unable to send an SMS from my safaricom line to CDMA numbers. Who is > responsible for making sure that we are not blocked from sending messages > across networks. > > Regards > > > > > Robert Yawe > KAY System Technologies Ltd > Phoenix House, 6th Floor > P O Box 55806 Nairobi, 00200 > KEnya > > > > > > Tel: +254722511225 > > > > > > > ----- Original Message ---- > From: "bitange(a)jambo.co.ke" <bitange(a)jambo.co.ke> > To: robert yawe <robertyawe(a)yahoo.co.uk> > Cc: bitange(a)jambo.co.ke; KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions > <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> > Sent: Friday, 23 November, 2007 11:20:03 PM > Subject: Re: [kictanet] Mobile Government: The New Frontier in > TransformingPublic Services - 29th November 2007 > > Dear Yawe, > Welcome to KICTAnet. Just wanted to know how you got to know that > Ministry of Information, CCK and ICT Board did not act on the > Safaricom/TKL sms issue? Do you know the mandate of these "bodies"? My > friend, in the past one year did you not come across the mention of the > ICT Bill? I really want to be of help to you but first I want to > understand where you are coming from. > > > > Regards > > Bitange Ndemo. > > > > > > Hi All, > > > > I am new to this mailing list and would like to start by saying > something > > about myself. > > > > I am an Information Technology specialist with over 15 years experience > > which means I know how to use DOS, UNIX and other OS's that exist only on > > 5.25" floppy disks. My area of specialisation is in design & > > implementation of local and wide area networks. > > > > On the issue of mGovernment I do agree that this is the next frontier but > > it is shocking, as usual, that we are not embracing the technology or > even > > working to develop the necessary legislation to make it flourish. AS > many > > web site designers about WAP and they are lost, we are designing heavy > > sites that have no intelligence to identify the type of device accessing > > the site and thus adjust the page to display better on the particular > > device. > > > > It is interesting that CCK and the Ministry of Information plus the ICT > > Board can sit back when the fight between Telkom and Safaricom on the > > delivery of SMS messages across the network continues to deny the tax > > payer (excise duty on airtime). Or the fact that none of the mentioned > > felt it necessary to educate Mr. Kivuitu on the need to make live > > electoral database available over SMS. > > > > Now if we cannot take advantage of this opportunity to create local > > content and utilise mGovernment how can we entrust this "bodies" (which > > interestingly refers to expired humans) with making the marine cable a > > viable project. Maybe we should cancel the project and use the money to > > put up a technology park in Mandera and Garsen. > > > > We do not need to recreate the wheel, just visit yahoomobile, > > googleearthmobile, or if you have a GPRS enabled phone try > > wap.mystocks.co.ke. Or next time you are going up towards NIC on Bunyala > > Road look at the Nokia advert. > > > > The mobile phone is the future let embrace it or perish. > > > > Robert Yawe > > KAY System Technologies Ltd > > Phoenix House, 6th Floor > > P O Box 55806 Nairobi, 00200 > > KEnya > > Tel: +254722511225 > > > > ----- Original Message ---- > > From: Harry Hare <harry(a)africanedevelopment.org> > > To: robertyawe(a)yahoo.co.uk > > Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> > > Sent: Monday, 19 November, 2007 6:16:53 PM > > Subject: Re: [kictanet] Mobile Government: The New Frontier in > > TransformingPublic Services - 29th November 2007 > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >  > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Dear Kwach, > > > > > > > > > > > > I agree with you and it is equally > > interesting to note that some mobile applications are already being > > implementedÃ¢â‚¬Â¦I > > > > dare say that this part of the world will see more mGovernment in the G2C > > (Government > > to Citizens) arena than the traditional eGovernment where the PC is the > > main service > > delivery channel. Most welcome to attend the session. > > > > > > > > > > > > Kindest regards > > > > > > Harry > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > From: Kwach > > [mailto:kwach@archway-productions.com] > > > > Sent: Monday, November 19, 2007 > > 5:51 PM > > > > To: 'Harry Hare' > > > > Cc: 'KICTAnet ICT Policy > > Discussions' > > > > Subject: RE: [kictanet] Mobile > > Government: The New Frontier in TransformingPublic Services - 29th > > November > > 2007 > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Hi Harry, > > > > > > > > > > > > These are interesting statistics and > > scenario. For developing countries, there is urgent need to move from > > quantity > > to quality. In my view, content is the quality because more 65% of > mobiles > > are > > only meeting social needs and costs involved have got no direct linkage > to > > revenue for the owners, which should be a great concern. > > > > > > > > > > > > With Mobile Government, time and resources > > used in the rural to the say Government offices miles away would be > > deployed in > > other economic activities. > > > > > > > > > > > > I am keen to attend. > > > > > > > > > > > > Kwach Akich > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > From: kictanet-bounces+kwach=archway-productions.com(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > > > [mailto:kictanet-bounces+kwach=archway-productions.com@lists.kictanet.or.ke] > > On Behalf Of Harry Hare > > > > Sent: Monday, November 19, 2007 > > 8:49 AM > > > > To: kwach(a)archway-productions.com > > > > Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy > > Discussions > > > > Subject: [kictanet] Mobile > > Government: The New Frontier in TransformingPublic Services - 29th > > November > > 2007 > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Dear Colleagues, > > > > > > > > > > > > Mobile services are > > quickly emerging as the new frontier in transforming government and > making > > it > > even more accessible and citizen-centric by extending the benefits of > > remote > > delivery of government services and information to those who are unable > or > > unwilling to access public services through the Internet or simply prefer > > to > > use mobile devices. In theory, many government services can be now made > > available on a 24x7x365 basis at any place in the country covered by > > mobile > > networks, which today means almost everywhere! Michael, correct me if Im > > wrong. > > > > > > > > > > > > It is from this > > background that the World Bank in partnership with eGovWorld 2007 > > (www.egovworld.com) and African > > eDevelopment Resource Centre presents a dialogue on Mobile Government > > (mGovernment) on 29th November 2007, 4.30pm -7.00pm at the World > > Bank offices, Nairobi. The dialogue is live Video Conference and an > > integral > > part of the eGovWorld 2007 conference taking place in > > India 29-30 November 2007. > > > > > > > > > > > > According to the ITU, > > the total number of mobile users worldwide as of late 2006 was about 2.7 > > billion and the number of internet users was just above 1.1 billion. This > > means > > that there is 33.6% of world population (and 22.2% of developing > > countries population) who already have mobile phones but are not yet > using > > the > > Internet. > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Does > > this provide a strong case for leveraging the mobile channel to > > dramatically improve access to public services, including electronic > > government services to those who can afford to use a personal or > > shared > > mobile phone? > > Does > > this create an opportunity to connect in the near future the next > two > > billion people to some of the benefits of e-government, e-health, > > e-education, e-banking and e-commerce? > > How > > exactly can Mobile Government change the lives of common people in > > developing countries? What are best examples of such impact? > > What > > are the key constraints to making this vision a reality? > > How > > should governments change the way they do business to take advantage > > of > > mobile technologies? > > What > > is the role of the private sector? Are there successful business > > models > > (e.g. PPP) for private sector companies to deliver value-added > > m-government services? > > > > > > > > > > > > These are some of the > > questions that will be addressed. > > > > > > > > > > > > Participation to the > > event is free; however, one needs to register to get access to the venue. > > If > > you are interested in participating send an email directly to > > susan(a)africanedevelopment.org > > for a registration form. Space is limited at the venue, only 20 places > are > > available and will be given out on a first-come-first-served basis. > > Deadline > > for registration is Wednesday 22nd November. > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Program: > > > > > > +++++ > > > > > > > > > > > > Welcome > > & Introduction > > > > > > > > > > > > Samia > > Melhem, Senior Operations Officer, Global ICT, World Bank; and > > Chair, e-Development Thematic Group > > > > > > Vikas > > Kanungo, Chairman, The Society for Promotion of > > e-Governance, India & Convener, eGovWorld 2007 > > > > > > > > > > > > Opening > > Remarks/Keynote address > > > > > > > > > > > > R. > > Chandrashekhar, Additional Secretary (e-Governance), > > DIT, Government of India > > > > > > > > > > > > Speakers > > > > > > > > > > > > Ibrahim > > Kushchu, Associate Professor and Director, > > Mobile Government Consortium International & Author, "m-Government: An > > Emerging Direction in e-Government", > > UK > > > > > > Hannes > > Astok, Member of Parliament & former Deputy Mayor, > > City of Tartu , > > Estonia > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Kindest Regards > > > > > > Harry Hare > > > > > > Executive Director > > > > > > African eDevelopment > > Resource Centre > > > > > > 3rd Floor, > > Nelleon Place , > > Raphta Road , > > Westlands > > > > > > PO Box 49475 > > 00100, Nairobi > > > > > > Tel +254 20 4453445 > > > > > > Cel +254 725 650044 > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > -----Inline Attachment Follows----- > > > > _______________________________________________ > > kictanet mailing list > > kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > > > > This message was sent to: robertyawe(a)yahoo.co.uk > > Unsubscribe or change your options at > > > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/robertyawe%40yahoo.co.… > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > ___________________________________________________________ > > Yahoo! Answers - Got a question? Someone out there knows the answer. Try > > it > > now. > > http://uk.answers.yahoo.com/ > > ---------------------------------------------- > > This message has been scanned for viruses and > > dangerous content by Jambo MailScanner, and is > > believed to be clean. > > --------------------------------------------- > > "easy access to the world" > > > > _______________________________________________ > > kictanet mailing list > > kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > > > > This message was sent to: bitange(a)jambo.co.ke > > Unsubscribe or change your options at > > > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/bitange%40jambo.co.ke > > > > > > > > > > > ________________________________ > > > For ideas on reducing your carbon footprint visit Yahoo! 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Safaricom Limited does not accept legal responsibility for the > contents of this email if the same is found to have been altered or > manipulated. > > The contents and opinions expressed in this email are solely those of the > author and do not necessarily represent those of Safaricom Limited. > Safaricom Limited disclaims any liability to the fullest extent permissible > by law for any consequences that may arise from the contents of this email > including but not limited to personal opinions, malicious and/or defamatory > information and data/codes that may compromise or damage the integrity of > the recipient's information technology systems. > > > If you are not the intended recipient please notify the sender and > immediately delete this email from your system. > _______________________________________________ > kictanet mailing list > kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > > This message was sent to: alexgakuru.lists(a)gmail.com > Unsubscribe or change your options at > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/alexgakuru.lists%40gma… > > _______________________________________________ kictanet mailing list kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet This message was sent to: robertyawe(a)yahoo.co.uk Unsubscribe or change your options at http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/robertyawe%40yahoo.co.… _______________________________________________________ Try Yahoo! 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Re: [kictanet] Faith in local web hosting
by robert yawe 28 Nov '07

28 Nov '07

Hi all, As is normally said by the lake shore "a fish goes bad from the head down", when the authority responsible for encouraging and developing local capacity blatantly shows a preference for external hosting how do we expect the common "mwanainchi" to have faith in local capacity. I also had an interesting experience with Telkom when I tried to have them host a .com, they invoiced me Ksh. 22,000/- where as they register and host .ke at 5,000/-. This was not a new registration, this is a domain that was registered over 5 years ago when Telkom had no idea about domain hosting. So O wonder why they feel it necessary to punish those who are front runners. What I am saying is if those we entrust with the responsibility and authority to carry out a task fail all of us suffer and they should have the courage to reform or resign. Robert Yawe KAY System Technologies Ltd Phoenix House, 6th Floor P O Box 55806 Nairobi, 00200 KEnya Tel: +254722511225 ----- Original Message ---- From: Eric Osiakwan <eric(a)afrispa.org> To: robertyawe(a)yahoo.co.uk Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> Sent: Monday, 26 November, 2007 7:48:15 AM Subject: Re: [kictanet] Faith in local web hosting Dear Mr. Washington, You have stated the obvious which is the challenge but let me try to share some light on how to solve the problem. It is really a chicken an egg situation, the localhosting business would develop based on demand but like you said demand is relative to cost. However in the interest of developing our countries and continent if we all commit to having country code top level domain (in this case .ke) and host them locally, the demand would trigger supply. On the other hand if the local entrepreneurs can invest in infrastructure and based on market study provide competitive rates (with the generic TLDs) then again the supply could trigger the demand. Having said that, i have noticed something under the sun, which is that for some reason African just dont like using what other Africans produce so in some ways the former strategy would work better if we deal with the attitudinal change. Eric here On 26 Nov 2007, at 08:35, Odhiambo Washington wrote: On Nov 26, 2007 8:03 AM, robert yawe <robertyawe(a)yahoo.co.uk> wrote: Hi all, I have raised this issue before when I did a search and found out that the CCK web site was hosted overseas and thus how can we expect them to monitor the service quality levels of the ISP's. On Sunday I visited the Kibaki web site, I experienced unstable audio streaming so I decided to find out where the site was hosted, yes you guest it overseas. The other 2 presidential candidates web sites are no better they are not locally hosted. Is this a reflection of who the targets of this web sites are? The Kibaki site is developed by one 3Mice, if I remember right, which has some association with newly appointed ICT Board Managing Director Kokubo. Regards Robert Yawe KAY System Technologies Ltd Phoenix House, 6th Floor P O Box 55806 Nairobi, 00200 KEnya It's not the faith the people have in local hosting, but rather the cost factor. Last time I looked at this web hosting biz, one company was charging KES 1,000+VAT per month, which was what was though to be competitive. Another one entered into the fray with hype about reduced costing charges, but I am not sure how much business they managed to pick. All the same, their charges did not compare with what is charged internationally (I mean in Europe and the US). Websites is not something that has caught up with many Kenyans, otherwise the volumes would help sustain such businesses locally. I believe the lack of volumes is one of the factors that makes entities like 3Mice to host overseas. Top-notch Kenyan techies have been hosting their Blog with blogspot (overseas). Bandwidth costs is another. In Europe and the US, individuals can afford to connect 10MBps in their kitchens while in Kenya, that kind of bandwidth can only be purchased by ISPs. One last question though: Do you know any reliable webhosting company that hosts it's websites locally, and has reliable and efficient access to those websites? If there is one, they are not marketing themselves enough. -- Best regards, Odhiambo WASHINGTON, Nairobi,KE +254733744121/+254722743223 _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ "Oh My God! They killed init! You Bastards!" --from a /. post _______________________________________________ kictanet mailing list kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet This message was sent to: eric(a)afrispa.org Unsubscribe or change your options at http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/eric%40afrispa.org Eric M.K Osiakwan Executive Secretary AfrISPA (www.afrispa.org) 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" -----Inline Attachment Follows----- _______________________________________________ kictanet mailing list kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet This message was sent to: robertyawe(a)yahoo.co.uk Unsubscribe or change your options at http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/robertyawe%40yahoo.co.… ___________________________________________________________ Yahoo! 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MJ for President
by Alex Gakuru 28 Nov '07

28 Nov '07

wow! has anyone seen today's Editorial cartoon on the Daily Nation? Alas! When did ECK receive his nomination papers? eeehhh! Walu, how did we miss the occasion:) How it would complete the illustration if MJ reacted! All for a laugh. Have a laughly day! Alex ____________________________________________________________________________________ Be a better pen pal. Text or chat with friends inside Yahoo! Mail. See how. http://overview.mail.yahoo.com/

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[BusinessWeek] Would a Gold Standard Save the Dollar?
by Alex Gakuru 28 Nov '07

28 Nov '07

Would a Gold Standard Save the Dollar? With the greenback hitting 40-year lows, some argue for a return to a system where the U.S. dollar is linked to the yellow metal. November 21, 2007 David Bogoslaw These are uncertain times for the U.S. dollar as every day seems to bring fresh all-time lows for the buck against other major currencies. And an uncertain present tends to make people pine for a rose-colored past. The most extreme expression of this longing is the call by some for a return to the gold standard. The longing for the stable currency values seen under the fixed exchange rate system of earlier years is understandable as people fret over the effects of the greenback's fall: everything from a loss of purchasing power at home to higher prices for goods and services on overseas trips. The value of the dollar has been declining since 2002. The U.S. dollar index, a futures contract offered by the New York Board of Trade, which reflects the dollar's standing vs. other major currencies, has been hovering at 40-year lows since the subprime-fueled liquidity crisis this past summer. On Nov. 20, the euro climbed to a new all-time record high of $1.4815, partly in response to the Federal Reserve's more dire forecast for U.S. economic growth. Trade Partners Diversify Currencies Lately, there have been plenty of headlines about the loss of confidence in the dollar by key U.S. trade partners, which could accelerate the dollar's devaluation if any of them decide it's time for a policy change. Take some of the leading oil-producing countries in the Middle East. With the price of oil poised to break through the $100-per-barrel threshold, countries such as the United Arab Emirates and Qatar are said to be considering moving away from pricing crude in terms of dollars in favor of a basket of currencies. Kuwait exchanged its strict dollar peg for a currency basket earlier this year and there's concern that if other countries follow suit, it could reduce demand for the buck and spur other central banks to diversify their holdings, The Wall Street Journal reported on Nov. 20. The buck's weakness makes this a perfect time for a return to the gold standard, according to Nathan Lewis, author of Gold: The Once and Future Money. Lewis is advising the UAE to consider adopting a gold peg instead of a basket of currencies if it moves away from a dollar peg for its oil. <http://www.businessweek.com/investor/content/nov2007/pi20071121_848642.htm> ____________________________________________________________________________________ Be a better pen pal. Text or chat with friends inside Yahoo! Mail. See how. http://overview.mail.yahoo.com/

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Re: [kictanet] BarCamp 2.0 - Conversations
by robert yawe 27 Nov '07

27 Nov '07

Hi, Watch this web site www.tradezone.co.ke for the future in online payment and e-commerce. Regards Robert Yawe KAY System Technologies Ltd Phoenix House, 6th Floor P O Box 55806 Nairobi, 00200 KEnya Tel: +254722511225 ----- Original Message ---- From: Bill Kagai <mediacorp.research(a)mediacorp.co.ke> To: robertyawe(a)yahoo.co.uk Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> Sent: Thursday, 22 November, 2007 8:51:52 PM Subject: Re: [kictanet] BarCamp 2.0 - Conversations On Nov 22, 2007 5:43 PM, Riyaz Bachani <riyaz(a)wananchi.com> wrote: > Some of the questions we have been asking ourselves: > - why are we lagging behind in e-commerce ... why don't we have a > payment gateway yet MPESA. Watch this magic wand...u will soon be paying your bills in the pub with your fone...and we are not far off...see Japan one year ago... http://bulletin.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=147548 _______________________________________________ kictanet mailing list kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet This message was sent to: robertyawe(a)yahoo.co.uk Unsubscribe or change your options at http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/robertyawe%40yahoo.co.… ___________________________________________________________ Want ideas for reducing your carbon footprint? Visit Yahoo! For Good http://uk.promotions.yahoo.com/forgood/environment.html

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Fwd: Re: Food prints around the world
by Leonard Mware 27 Nov '07

27 Nov '07

Note: forwarded message attached. --------------------------------- Be a better sports nut! Let your teams follow you with Yahoo Mobile. Try it now.

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Govt Websites
by Harry Hare 27 Nov '07

27 Nov '07

Dear Colleagues, The Kenya.go.ke appears to be a portal that can lead you to most of the government websites, Bobby, next time you could give it try when looking for a certain ministry.url http://www.kenya.go.ke/index.php?option=com_content <http://www.kenya.go.ke/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=36&Itemid= 1> &task=view&id=36&Itemid=1 Harry

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Celtel signs text message deal with Telkom-K
by Alex Gakuru 27 Nov '07

27 Nov '07

[Any chance Celtel could demonstrate their SMS service] Story by NATION Correspondent Publication Date: 11/27/2007 Celtel Kenya has signed an SMS interconnection agreement with Telkom Kenya that allows the latters wireless customers to access the formers network via a short message service. Previously, the interconnection agreement covered voice calls only. Further, Celtel said it would extend interconnection to the Internet service providers (ISPs) to use Celtels platform for the Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP). We are proud to open our platform with Telkom and the ISPs as we seek to extend the benefits of the widest coverage to all Kenyans, said Celtel corporate and regulatory affairs manager, Ms Clare Ruto. Last week, Celtel announced the extension of the One Network to six more African countries bringing the total to 12. <http://www.nationmedia.com/dailynation/nmgcontententry.asp?category_id=3&ne…> ____________________________________________________________________________________ Never miss a thing. Make Yahoo your home page. http://www.yahoo.com/r/hs

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Re: [kictanet] [AfrISPA.Discuss] UUNET MD challenges Kenyan Government estimates of low bandwidth costs
by Eric Osiakwan 26 Nov '07

26 Nov '07

I concur but there are equally substantial efforts to deal with the energy crisis in Africa both at the regional, national, urban and rural levels. The idea is that these simultaneous peocess shoudl have some co-ordination and ensure maximum impact. For example, i know an investor friend who primarily does Power and Telecom investments at a highly substantial level because of what you mentioned. Eric here ---------- Original Message ---------------------------------- From: "Global One Solution" <malabow(a)gmail.com> Reply-To: Discuss(a)afrispa.org Date: Mon, 26 Nov 2007 01:35:05 -0500 >Eric, > >Thanks for the information, African government and corp, still fail to >understand how much money they can make if they offer low cost >connectivity, and just make money the VAS (Value added Service). this >is virgin market, and they make whole alot of $$$$$. This also helps >Africa which can attract technology jobs. But this is my only concern, >What do you guys think how these countries plan to resolve the >Electricity issue, because without electricity we are hopeless.. > > >Thanks again Eric, good information. > >On Nov 25, 2007 6:34 AM, Eric Osiakwan <eric(a)afrispa.org> wrote: >> >> >> >> >> >> The cost of Internet connectivity is unlikely to fall to $500 (Sh33,000) per >> megabit per month as the Government has projected, UUNET managing director >> Geoffrey Shimanyula has said. The charges would only fall marginally with >> the landing of the first submarine fibre optic cable in Mombasa, he said. >> >> UUNET- an Internet service provider - which is one of the prospective >> private investors in government-driven East Africa Marine System (TEAMs), >> said such a feat would require the cost of internet connectivity to fall by >> more than 80 per cent from the current average of $5000 per megabit. >> >> The submarine cable is expected to land in Mombasa by second quarter of 2009 >> and terminate in Fujaira, Dubai. >> >> "As you present your budgets for 2010 do not present the $500 figure because >> you may have to go back and justify your adjustments for that item," >> Shimanyula warned IT marketing executives. >> >> "That price can only be for the last mile, the layer two services, and the >> raw pipe - WiMAX or KenStream that you get from Telkom Kenya. There is no IP >> service that can be sold for $500 per megabit per month ," he said. >> >> IT firms, including UUNET, will have to connect to an Internet Service >> Provider (ISP) based in Fujaira before bringing the service - with a mark-up >> to local companies. >> >> "That is where UUNET comes in. We will be connecting directly to Verizon >> Business in Fujaira, who are our principle shareholders hoping that we will >> get competitive rates from them to pass over to our customers," he said. >> >> Information permanent secretary, Bitange Ndemo, however maintained that the >> $500 price was achievable with the a fibre optic cable. >> >> "We have structured the pricing in such a way that even after factoring in >> the cost of onward connectivity the highest an operator may charge is $700. >> Anyone who will be charging consumers more than that in the first year of >> operation will just be serving the cause of greed," he said. >> >> Dr Ndemo said the cost of connectivity was expected to continue dropping >> gradually in the subsequent years as the demand for the bandwidth picks up. >> >> "The reason we are working on these figures is that we do not plan to make >> money from the pipes but only from the services rendered and by taxing the >> jobs that will be created," said Dr Ndemo. >> >> The Kenya government has a 40 per cent stake in the project with Dubai's >> Etisalat holding 15 per cent. A 45 per cent stake has been reserved for >> private telecommunication companies. >> >> Shareholders will have access to large amounts of capacity with a 13 STM1 >> (SynchronousTransport Module ) - basic rate of transmission of fibre optic >> network - for a minimum of five per cent equity investment. >> >> Capacity will be allocated at cost with TEAMs investors paying $400,000 per >> STM1 per year. This translates to $2580.645 per megabit per year up to >> Fujairah and $ 215.00 megabit per month. >> >> TEAMs shareholders are expected to operate on an Internal Rate of Return of >> 32.71 per cent with a pay back of 2.4 years. >> >> Share holders in TEAMs will have the freedom to either use or sell excess >> capacity allocated to them through a pool or directly to the market under a >> bilateral sale arrangement. >> >> CCK has said that only licensed operators will be allowed to sell capacity >> directly to the market - all other shareholders will be allowed to sell >> their excess capacity through jointly coordinated pool sales. >> >> TEAMs shareholders will also benefit from the flexibility of selecting >> onward connectivity carriers from Fujairah. >> >> Dr Ndemo said TEAMs shareholders could get a better deal by collectively >> bargaining for capacity from Fujairah onwards and offer even more >> competitive point to point connectivity prices. >> >> Transit costs from Fujairah to Europe and US stands at between $55,000 to >> $100,000 per year, which Dr Ndemo insists is still in line with the >> government's estimates. >> (Source: Business Daily) >> >> >> >> >> Eric M.K Osiakwan >> Executive Secretary >> AfrISPA (www.afrispa.org) >> 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" >> >> >> >> >> > > > >-- >Liban Mohamed >Global One Solution >www.globalonesolutions.net >malabow(a)gmail.com >To unsubscribe send a mail to: imailsrv(a)afrispa.org. Type the following in >the body of your mail (not header): "Unsubscribe discuss" (without quotes). >This List is operated by ZAnet Internet Services: www.zanet.co.za on behalf >of www.afrispa.org. For any List Admin queries send mail to William(a)zanet.co.za > -- Eric M.K Osiakwan Executive Secretary AfrISPA (www.afrispa.org) Tel: + 233.21.258800 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" --

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TeleTech Expands Global Footprint Into South Africa
by Dorcas Muthoni 26 Nov '07

26 Nov '07

TeleTech Expands Global Footprint Into South Africa New Facility to Support Growing Need for Global Outsourcing Distribution Source : Market Wire Date : Monday, November 26, 2007 ENGLEWOOD, CO -- (Market Wire - Nov 26, 2007) -- TeleTech Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: TTEC), one of the largest and most geographically diverse global providers of business process outsourcing (BPO) solutions, today announced its expansion into South Africa, further broadening its global sourcing platform to encompass six continents. Today, TeleTech began construction on its first facility on the African continent. Ground was broken at the Old Match Factory in Salt River, Cape Town, at a ceremony attended by major officials from the South Africa government. The Cape Town facility is scheduled to commence operations later this year. As a new investor to South Africa, TeleTech is the first multinational company to benefit from a new investment incentive plan launched by the South African Department of Trade & Industry, which has targeted the international business process outsourcing industry as a major future source of employment. "BPO is critical to our economic development strategy and we see TeleTech as an anchor company for this new industry," Minister of Trade & Industry Mandisi Mpalhwa said. "We are grateful for the commitment TeleTech has made to develop our industry." TeleTech plans to build a number of new facilities in South Africa and in other African countries, creating thousands of new jobs to serve global clients seeking multiple levels of front- and back- office support. "We welcome TeleTech to South Africa as a partner in our mission to increase our economic growth to six percent and as a strategic bridgehead for the Accelerated & Shared Growth Initiative South Africa," said Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, deputy president of the Republic of South Africa. "Africa's future is in services and South Africa is a virtually untapped market for offshore BPO. We are attracted by the country's excellent infrastructure, talented and growing labor pool, and the widespread use of English," commented Craig Reines, general manager of TeleTech Africa. "South Africa is a high quality location linking Africa into the global BPO supply chain." ABOUT TELETECH TeleTech is one of the largest and most geographically diverse global providers of business process outsourcing solutions. We have a 25- year history of designing, implementing, and managing critical business processes for Global 1000 companies to help them improve their customers' experience, expand their strategic capabilities, and increase their operating efficiencies. By delivering a high-quality customer experience through the effective integration of customer- facing front-office processes with internal back-office processes, we enable our clients to better serve, grow, and retain their customer base. We use Six Sigma-based quality methods continually to design, implement, and enhance the business processes we deliver to our clients and we also apply this methodology to our own internal operations. We have developed deep domain expertise and support approximately 300 business process outsourcing programs serving approximately 135 global clients in the automotive, communications, financial services, government, healthcare, retail, technology and travel and leisure industries. Our integrated global solutions are provided by more than 52,000 employees utilizing 37,700 workstations across 90 delivery centers in 18 countries. FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS This press release may contain certain forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. The projections and statements contained in these forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, performance, or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. All statements not based on historical fact are forward-looking statements that involve substantial risks and uncertainties. In accordance with the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, following are important factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward- looking statements, including but not limited to the following: all of the results reported above are presented without taking into account any adjustments that may be required in connection with the ongoing review of TeleTech's accounting for equity-based compensation plans and should be considered preliminary until TeleTech files its Form 10-Q for the third quarter ended September 30, 2007; the review and possible conclusions may have an impact on the amount and timing of previously awarded non-cash equity-based compensation expense for current and previous financial periods; the effect of TeleTech's failure to timely file all of its required reports under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, including the potential of a default under its credit facility; our ability to meet the requirements of the NASDAQ Stock Market for continued listing of our shares; potential claims and proceedings relating to such matters, including shareholder litigation and action by the SEC and/or other governmental agencies; and negative tax or other implications for TeleTech resulting from any accounting adjustments or other factors; our belief that we are continuing to see strong demand for our services and that sales cycles are shortening; the ability to close and ramp new business opportunities that are currently being pursued or that are in the final stages with existing and/or potential clients in order to achieve our Business Outlook; estimated revenue from new, renewed, and expanded client business as volumes may not materialize as forecasted or be sufficient to achieve our Business Outlook; the possibility of lower revenue or price pressure from our clients experiencing a business downturn or merger in their business; greater than anticipated competition in the BPO and customer management market, causing adverse pricing and more stringent contractual terms; risks associated with losing or not renewing client relationships, particularly large client agreements, or early termination of a client agreement; the risk of losing clients due to consolidation in the industries we serve; consumers' concerns or adverse publicity regarding our clients' products; our ability to execute our growth plans, including sales of new services; our ability to achieve our year-end 2007 and 2008 financial goals, including those set forth in our Business Outlook; risks associated with attracting and retaining cost-effective labor at our delivery centers; the possibility of additional asset impairments and restructuring charges; risks associated with changes in foreign currency exchange rates; our ability to find cost effective delivery locations, obtain favorable lease terms, and build or retrofit facilities in a timely and economic manner; risks associated with business interruption due to weather, pandemic or terrorist-related events; economic or political changes affecting the countries in which we operate; achieving continued profit improvement in our International BPO operations; changes in accounting policies and practices promulgated by standard setting bodies; and new legislation or government regulation that impacts the BPO and customer management industry. Investor Contact: Karen Breen Investor Relations 303-397-8592 Media Contact: KC Higgins Public Relations 303-434-8163 Jennifer Martin Investor Relations 303-397-8634

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