January 2008 - KICTANet

[Fwd: African Banking Technology Conference, Nairobi, 15-22 February.: Sharing Knowledge and Best Practices in Banking across Africa"
by alice 20 Jan '08

20 Jan '08

/"Sharing Knowledge and Best Practices in Banking across Africa"/ 15-22 February 2008 at the Kenyatta International Conference Centre, Nairobi *Hosted and organised by AITEC Africa: http://www.aitecafrica.com/?q=node/524 * Africa’s financial sector aspires to world-class systems and standards that match best practices in developed economies. But at the same time, the continent’s banks have to seek growth in the region’s vast majority of unbanked who require low-cost mass banking services. The effective application of IT and telecommunication solutions is essential for developing a profitable balance between these two sides of the banking market. World-class systems have to be carefully examined and assessed for their appropriateness to extend services to mass, low-income, mostly rural customers – instead of widening the divide between a banking system that serves an urban elite, delivering high-value services to a limited market, and the vast majority of the population that remains unbanked and therefore excluded from the formal economy. The African Banking Technology Conference provides the region’s banking community with in-depth briefings from African and international experts that will enable them to assess latest banking technology systems and strategies to achieve an effective and profitable balance. *Who is the conference aimed at?* The event will have several key audiences: • ICT managers & professionals in the banking and financial services sector • Policy-makers • High-level managers at CEO, COO and CFO level • Innovators and service providers active in the financial services sector • Telecom operators and service providers • NGOs/civil society organisations directly involved with delivering banking or microfinance services in rural areas. • Media representatives *Evaluation and Outputs* There will be several outputs from the event: • Increased knowledge among ICT managers and ICT professionals in the East African banking sector of latest international trends and technologies and their application in the region • Increased awareness among high-level non-technical managers in the sector of the vital role ICT has to play in their business strategies – and the range of technologies and systems available. • Informed media coverage that will help build a profile for the issues under discussion. • Brokering of relationships between suppliers and users of ICT systems for the financial sector. *Presentation Proposals* To propose a Forum presentation, send a brief outline to Sean Moroney, email: seanm(a)aitecafrica.com <mailto:seanm@aitecafrica.com> *Conference six-day programme http://www.aitecafrica.com/?q=node/524* ** *Exhibition* There will be an exhibition linked to the conference, providing an opportunity to network with participants in a unique educational setting. For more information email info(a)aitecafrica.com <mailto:info@aitecafrica.com>

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Annual Digital Africa Summit : “Next Generation Convergence Driving Positive Change”,22-24 April 2008 • Johannesburg South Africa
by alice 20 Jan '08

20 Jan '08

Annual Digital Africa Summit “Next Generation Convergence Driving Positive Change” 22-24 April 2008 • Hilton Sandton Hotel • Johannesburg South Africa Having recently completed the 5th Annual Summit which was an enormous success for all involved. We are pleased to announce the 6th annual Digital Africa Summit 2008 will take an in depth look at technology convergence from an African perspective. Operators on the African continent are currently rolling out WiMax networks, developing IPTV capability and yet many Africans struggle to access even the most basic services. The problems facing African operators are exacerbated by a sense of confusion in the entire Global telecoms industry surrounding implementation of Next Generation Networks. In spite of the confusion and uncertainty surrounding NGN, in 2008 a Global boom is expected in the investment into Triple & Quadruple Play, Fixed-mobile convergence and WiMax solutions. The Digital Africa Summit aims to assist African operators by providing information that will aid them in developing a focussed, practical strategy moving forward. This will be achieved by orchestrating a debate between: * Leading regulatory authorities from Africa and the World (ICASA, ETSI and more) * Operators from Africa and the World * Solution providers such as Alcatel, Nortel, Ericsson and Motorola * System integrators such as IBM and Dimension Data We expect participating executives to leave this debate with greater clarity and understanding about the challenges they will face in developing their networks. The Summary from this year: "The recently concluded 5th Annual Digital Africa Summit attracted participants from over 22 African countries ranging from Government Ministers, Chief Accounting Officers (Permanent Secretaries, Director Generals, Principal Secretaries etc) and public sector professionals to Chief Executives and Managing Directors of leading information and communication technology companies in Africa. This was the first time the ICT practice in Africa was convened in the scenic parliamentary capital of South Africa to discuss ‘Corporate Social Responsibility and how ICTs can set the standard for sustainable development’. The session was opened by South Africa’s Minister of Communications Hon Ivy Matsepe-Casaburri who placed emphasis on the need for sustainable use of information and communication technology in order to meet the expectations of the world information society..." To read the rest of the Summary, please feel free to check out the Archive section of the website for the Summary, Photos, Presentations & Testimonials from the previous Summits. "Highly focused meetings between supplier and prospective buyers. This is a very good Summit. It meets and exceeds my expectations completely. The discussions and content is quite relevant and complimentary to the ongoing responsible development of Africa." Managing Director, VDT Communications Ltd

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Safaricom expresses concern over inflammatory SMS
by Mike Theuri 19 Jan '08

19 Jan '08

http://www.kbc.co.ke/story.asp?ID=47669 Safaricom expresses concern over inflammatory SMS Written By:Rose Kamau, Posted: Sat, Jan 19, 2008 Safaricom has expressed concern over the content of inflammatory text messages being sent around vilifying the company and urging members of the public to shun its services in the name of propagating mass action. In a statement, the company asserts its commitment to the welfare of all Kenyans. The company says it has a staff of over 1,400 Kenyans, in addition to dealer network of 400 dealers employing over 2,500 Kenyans, and indirectly over 25,000 people across the country. "Safaricom currently has over 9.3 million Kenyans subscribers and we know that in one way or another, Safaricom plays a part in Kenya's day to day life, "the company says. The company further says it has contributed to the creation of a sustainable environment by promoting dialogue with its stakeholders countrywide and assisting local communities, through its CSR programs through the Safaricom Foundation. "Having allocated more than Ksh100 million over the past year alone, on projects ranging from education, health, community development, environment, Arts, and culture, sports and disaster funding, Safaricom has and will continue to positively impact hundreds of thousands of Kenyans, " the company says. The company calls for the current crisis to be resolved peacefully soon to avert further loss of lives destruction of property. "We are also committed to alleviating the suffering being experienced by the many Kenyans who have lost their loved ones, livelihoods and homes. It is in this respect that together with our partners Safaricom Foundation and Vodafone Foundation, we have donated Kshs 15 million to the Kenya Red Cross Society towards post-election emergency relief services ". "We have also launched three methods through which members of the public can assist their fellow Kenyans by donating money either by sending funds through Sambaza to line 0721 100 000, by sending a peace message to the short code 767 where each message is charged at Kshs 20, or by sending any amount up to Kshs 35,000 via M-Pesa to account number 10000", the company says.

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No Peace Without Justice [NPWJ]
by Bill Kagai 19 Jan '08

19 Jan '08

Colleagues, As I had informed you earlier, a human rights investigations body called 'No Peace Without Justice' - www.npwj.org - based in Brussels, has been seconded by the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights - www.knchr.org - to spearhead investigations and forensic audit of the causes behind the recent violence, killings, displacement and wanton destruction of property after the 2007 general elections. Having talked to the officers in charge of this operation, they have indicated to me that they require a lot of ICT support in mapping the conflict region, geo-information and 'access' to feed data straight into the database from the field. I have been helping the consultants with basic IT support and informed them that in our Kictanet fraternity, they will be able to get all the support (resources, financial, mobility) to help heal our country and bring the perpetrators of this violence to justice. As a Kictanet patriot, I kindly request you to liaise directly with - *Niccolò A. Figà-Talamanca * or *Anthony Kuria* - email - akuria(a)knchr.org - +254 20 2717908/2717928 to understand the problem statement and see how your firm or as individual can contribute to this enormous task ahead of them. -- Bildad Kagai MD - MediaCorp Limited Nairobi Stock Exchange [NSE] - Authorised Information Vendor Suite B2 Tetu Apartments StateHouse Avenue P. O. Box 20311-00200 Tel. 254 20 272 8332 Fax. Rendered Obsolete URL. www.mediacorpafrica.com --

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STATE OF THE INDUSTRY LUNCHEON 24/01/2008 – KENYA ICT FEDERATION - KENYA ICT BOARD
by nancy bosire 18 Jan '08

18 Jan '08

Kenya ICT Federation * * 18th January 2008 Dear members and partners, RE: STATE OF THE INDUSTRY LUNCHEON 24/01/2008 – KENYA ICT FEDERATION - KENYA ICT BOARD During 2008 KIF will organise a series of State-of-the-Industry luncheons with the Kenya ICT Board, for our Members and guests. The Kenya ICT Board (KICTB) will present its mandate, undertakes to each time present its up-to-date strategic plan and KIF will select a theme for each session. At these meetings, KICTB expects support from the KIF membership as a think tank and source of inspiration. Please note that KICTB has invited the new KIF KICTB Liaison Committee to obtain information about its ongoing activities and programme implementation, whenever required. This will assist KIF to inform its Members better about the KICTB programmes and to encourage their participation. The first meeting in this series will be on the 24th of January 2008 at the Grand Regency from 12.30pm to 2.30 pm. The agenda will be e-mailed mid next week. Charges: Ksh. 2,000 for Members and Ksh.3, 000 for non-members. Contact details are below for early reservations. Book early to avoid disappointment. PLEASE CIRCULATE WIDELY. Sincerely yours, Nancy Bosire *Secretariat Manager* *Kenya** ICT Federation Tel: 020 4440102 Mobile: 0721907995* *secretariat(a)kif.or.ke**, info(a)kif.or.ke* *http://www.kif.or.ke* <http://www.kif.or.ke/>** Mahatma Gandhi once said:- First they ignore you, Then they laugh at you, Then they fight you, AND THEN YOU WIN!!!

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Uganda: ICT Sector Brought in Sh256b in 2007
by Harry Hare 18 Jan '08

18 Jan '08

Interesting figures here from Uganda, unfortunately no comparison was made (or at least the journalist did not capture it) with 2006 figures to measure the growth in the past 12 months. What is interesting is that ICT has contributed to 9% of the GDP! Any such measurement from CCK? Harry ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ New Vision (Kampala) 17 January 2008 Posted to the web 18 January 2008 David Muwanga Kampala THE information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector attracted projects worth sh256b ($150m) last year, the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC), has announced. "Investment in the sector for the year 2007 was estimated at $150m and its contribution to the gross domestic product is approximately 9%," Patrick Masambu, the head of UCC, said on Monday. Masambu was speaking at a function where MTN, uganda telecom and Celtel handed in a combined contribution of sh5.1b to the rural communication development the fund. The telecom operators give a conditional 1% of their annual gross earnings to fund. Masambu explained that more than 300,000 jobs were created directly and indirectly. "This is an increase of one hundred times following the restructuring of the sector and this is likely to increase as a result of the new service providers recruitment drive as well as indirect employment," he said. He disclosed that over 20 companies had been licensed to provide voice telephony and data services. "A wide range of modern postal products including easy mail track and trace, electronic money transfer are now available in the market and the public should utilise them," Masambu said. He said the customer base had also grown from 50,000 in 1998 to 4.7m, representing a tele-density of about 16%. Masambu, however, warned of several challenges the fund faces, including infrastructure limitations in rural areas and insecurity. African eDevelopment Resource Centre 3rd Floor, Nelleon Place Raphta Road, Westlands PO Box 49475 00100 Nairobi, Kenya Cel +254 725 650044 Land +254 20 4453445 www.africanedevelopment.org *********************************************************** February 2008 Capacity Building Opportunities VSAT Field Engineering: 5-8 Records Management: 13-15 Fiber Optics: 26-29 Book Now, Limited spaces available

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[Fwd: [Fibre-for-africa] Q&A with SEACOM President]
by alice 17 Jan '08

17 Jan '08

Hi all FYI -------- Original Message -------- Subject: [Fibre-for-africa] Q&A with SEACOM President Date: Thu, 17 Jan 2008 11:39:47 +0100 (CET) From: Wairagala Wakabi <wakabi(a)cipesa.org> Reply-To: APC - Private list for use by EASSY Workshop Participants <fibre-for-africa(a)lists.apc.org> To: APC - Private list for use by EASSY Workshop Participants <fibre-for-africa(a)lists.apc.org> References: <478EEA7B.7040702(a)apc.org> <FB0CFC3EE5CB18438CE7E5D638A91B8082084F(a)SFCMAIL01.safaricom.net> <2526.217.113.73.239.1200565276.squirrel(a)mail.cipesa.org> Q&A with SEACOM President Construction of the13,700 km Sea Cable System (SEACOM, www.seacom.mu) is underway and expected to reach completion by June 2009. The cable will comprise of two fibre pairs, connecting South Africa, Mozambique, Madagascar, Tanzania, and Kenya to India and Egypt, with an option for connectivity into the UAE and Djibouti. Fibre-for-Africa (www.fibreforafrica.net) spoke to SEACOM Ltd. president Brian Herlihy. Excerpts: Q. Who are the partners in SEACOM and how much are they investing in the network? A. SEACOM has publicly announced its investors, it is 75% African owned with Agha Khan Economic Development Group (IPS) out of East Africa, Venfin, Convergence Partners and Shanduka group from South Africa. The remaining 25% is owned by Herakles Telecom, our New York based development company. Herakles management is also the management of Sithe Global (developer and investor of the Bujagali Hydro in Uganda) and Global Alumina, a $4.5 billion alumina refinery in Guinea. Q. What do you envisage will be the prices for SEACOMs bandwidth? A. SEACOMs pricing is the equivalent of $100 to $170 per Mb/s per month. Q. In what ways will SEACOM be competitive compared to other fibre initiatives in the region, such as TEAMS and EASSy? A. SEACOM is the only cable offering a PoP to PoP solution for Europe and Asia. I believe this is a large advantage and the purchase of onward capacity is a difficult process. SEACOM understands that TEAMS has very competitive pricing to Fujairah. SEACOM believes that its pricing to Europe is more competitive than EASSys pricing to Sudan. Q. How will SEACOM assure affordability of services, and how has it been responsive to NEPADs calls for Open Access? A. SEACOM has structured each landing point as an open access unit. This has been accomplished in two formats. First, the capital cost of the landing stations is a sunk cost for SEACOM, in other words SEACOM does not seek to recover the investment costs of the landing station through co-location fees. Secondly, each landing station is built with an additional building whereby customers can put their own equipment at the cable station. SEACOM has published its prices through many different forums. The pricing is an 80% discount over current satellite charges and is the only cable offering capacity directly from a PoP (Point of Presence) in Nairobi to a PoP in Europe or India without the requirement to purchase onward capacity. Q. Would you say the fact that SEACOM is not a local company in the countries where it is going to land fibre places it at a disadvantage compared to pother cable systems such as EASSy and TEAMS? A. Depending on each countrys regulatory regime, SEACOM has either established a local entity to operate the cable or partnered with an existing cable. SEACOM will bring experienced operators to the cable to ensure that the local entities maintain world class quality service. Q. What are your comments to the assertion that it is not viable for the eastern coast of Africa to have three competing cables? Do you see a need for the cables to cooperate in some areas rather than duplicate everything? A. The current capacity demand on the East Coast of Africa is very small. However, we believe that the future demand will experience exponential growth. Having said the three competing systems would create a large over-supply which could create a short term glut. Q. What is Herakles Telecom and where does it operate from? A. Herakles Telecom is a development company set in New York. The management is the same management that works with Sithe Global (www.sitheglobal.com) and Global Alumina (www.globalalumina.com) Q. There has been talk that Herakles staff were involved in the Africa One project which did not materialise, and that they collected money from African telecom, which money has purportedly not been refunded. How true is this, and how could it affect SEACOMs operations? A. I have noted the slander towards myself and JP (Jean Pierre de Leu) out of Kenya. I can confirm that both of us worked and spent many years with Africa ONE for the hope that this project would go forward. However, neither of us were principals of this project and left the project from 2002. It was our understanding that the only countries that made a deposit were Eritrea and Mauritania. We understand that the sales person for Eritrea was able to help that money be returned. It should be noted that the Africa ONE name was sold by AT&T to a private investment group in 1998 and it was this group who was responsible for that money ¬ JP and myself have nothing to do with this entity. Since Africa (2002) I have worked as a developer on over $5 billion of projects in Africa, each of which have excellent reputations and large impacts in their respective countries, including Bujagali in Uganda. - wakabi(a)cipesa.org --- _______________________________________________ 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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[Fwd: Re: [Fibre-for-africa] [Fwd: Re: [Fwd: Re: SEACOM gets funding boost]]]]
by alice 17 Jan '08

17 Jan '08

From the fibre for Africa list -------- Original Message -------- Subject: Re: [Fibre-for-africa] [Fwd: Re: [kictanet] [Fwd: Re: SEACOM gets funding boost]] Date: Thu, 17 Jan 2008 11:21:16 +0100 (CET) From: Wairagala Wakabi <wakabi(a)cipesa.org> Reply-To: APC - Private list for use by EASSY Workshop Participants <fibre-for-africa(a)lists.apc.org> To: APC - Private list for use by EASSY Workshop Participants <fibre-for-africa(a)lists.apc.org> References: <478EEA7B.7040702(a)apc.org> <FB0CFC3EE5CB18438CE7E5D638A91B8082084F(a)SFCMAIL01.safaricom.net> Vitalis, Fibre-for-Africa (www.fibreforafrica.net) today put this issue to Mr Herlihy, president of SEACOM. His response: "I can confirm that both of us worked and spent many years with Africa ONE for the hope that this project would go forward. However, neither of us were principals of this project and left the project from 2002. It was our understanding that the only countries that made a deposit were Eritrea and Mauritania. "We understand that the sales person for Eritrea was able to help that money be returned. It should be noted that the Africa ONE name was sold by AT&T to a private investment group in 1998 and it was this group who was responsible for that money ¬ JP and myself have nothing to do with this entity. Since Africa (2002) I have worked as a developer on over $5 billion of projects in Africa, each of which have excellent reputations and large impacts in their respective countries, including Bujagali in Uganda." Wakabi > If the two men, Jean Pierre de Leu - a resident in Kenya and owner of > Karibunet and Brian Hilehy President of Heracles from SA- were truly > involved in Africa One Project, then they should explain what happened > to the contributions made to the Africa One Project, after it became a > "White Elephant". The defunct KPTC and many other organizations did > contribute to this project but it did not take-off. How can we trust > them now that SEACOM will not go the same direction? And even if Seacom > will be a success story, they should refund the contributions for Africa > One. > > > Vitalis > > > > -----Original Message----- > From: fibre-for-africa-bounces(a)lists.apc.org > [mailto:fibre-for-africa-bounces@lists.apc.org] On Behalf Of alice > Sent: Thursday, January 17, 2008 8:41 AM > To: APC - Private list for use by EASSY Workshop Participants > Subject: [Fibre-for-africa] [Fwd: Re: [kictanet] [Fwd: Re: SEACOM gets > funding boost]] > > > > -------- Original Message -------- > Subject: Re: [kictanet] [Fwd: Re: [Fibre-for-africa] SEACOM gets > funding boost] > Date: Thu, 17 Jan 2008 07:16:48 +0300 > From: Victor Maloi <victormaloi3(a)gmail.com> > To: alice <alice(a)apc.org> > CC: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> > References: <478E11D0.1070605(a)apc.org> > > > > Wakabi, > You have not addressed the fact that the principals behind Seacom > collected funds from African Telcos and never refunded the money when > the project failed. KPTC now Telcom Kenya indeed paid and never > recovered the funds. Should we embrace these individuals even when they > > stole from our national investments? Please declare your interests too. > > Victor > > > > > > -------- Original Message -------- > Subject: Re: [Fibre-for-africa] SEACOM gets funding boost > Date: Wed, 16 Jan 2008 09:31:24 +0100 (CET) > From: Wairagala Wakabi <wakabi(a)cipesa.org > <mailto:wakabi@cipesa.org>> > Reply-To: APC - Private list for use by EASSY Workshop > Participants > <fibre-for-africa(a)lists.apc.org > <mailto:fibre-for-africa@lists.apc.org>> > To: APC - Private list for use by EASSY Workshop Participants > <fibre-for-africa(a)lists.apc.org > <mailto:fibre-for-africa@lists.apc.org>> > CC: Kenya ICT Action Network - KICTANet <kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke > <mailto:kictanet@kictanet.or.ke>> > References: < > 3104.217.113.73.239.1195028026.squirrel(a)mail.cipesa.org > <mailto:3104.217.113.73.239.1195028026.squirrel@mail.cipesa.org>> > <478CFEF7.1040209(a)apc.org <mailto:478CFEF7.1040209@apc.org>> > > > > Alice, > Our understanding is that SEACOM (The Sea Cable System) is a > registered in > Mauritius and owned 25% by Herakles Telecom - the managing partner > for the > cable who is based in New York. > > The other partners: > 1) Industrial Promotion Service of the Aga Khan Foundation (25%); > 2) Venfin (a South African investment holding company with > interests in > IT (25%); > 3) Shanduka Group, a South African investment company (12.5%); > 4) Convergence Partners, a South African Black Economic Empowerment > (BEE) > investment company focusing on the Telecommunications, Media and > Technology (TMT) sector - 12.5%. > > SEACOM says the ownership structure varies for each segment of the > cable, > which ensures local ownership of the cable segments connecting > individual > countries to comply with regulations in those countries. The cable > backbone along the east coast of Africa and to India and Europe is > owned > by SEACOM; while the segments connecting to individual countries are > either 100% (South Africa, Mozambique, Madagascar, India, France) or > 35% > (Tanzania, Kenya) locally owned. > > Wakabi > > ===== > > Hi all > > > > Out of curiosity, who is SEACOM? rather who are behind SEACOM? > > Anyone conducted due diligence. Any connection to the Africa One > saga? > > > > best > > alice > > > > > > > > Wairagala Wakabi wrote: > >> Netters, > >> Its backers are saying SEACOM will be the only new cable > completed in > >> time > >> to give South Africa the bandwidth needed for the 2010 WC, with > "actual > >> production of the fibreoptic cable and undersea facilities" > starting > >> next > >> week. SA's SNO, NEOTEL, has helped marshal capital from local > financial > >> heavyweights, enabling NEOTEL to be owned 50% by South Africans. > >> > >> Tut Tut... > >> > >> Wakabi > >> > >> > >> Sea cable venture lands big investors > >> > >> By Lesley Stones, Business Day, November 14 2007 > >> > >> AN UNDERSEA cable promising cheap bandwidth for Africa yesterday > finally > >> named its backers, signing up enough well-connected local > investors to > >> guarantee its landing rights in SA. > >> > >> Investment heavyweight Venfin is sinking $75m into the project, > taking a > >> 25% stake in the 15000km cable linking SA to India and Europe. > >> > >> Cyril Ramaphosa's black investment house Shanduka is taking > 12,5%, worth > >> $37,5m. Another 12,5% goes to Convergence Partners, a group of > black > >> investors led by Andile Ngcaba, the chairman of Dimension Data > Africa > >> and > >> a former director-general of the communications department. > Nedbank > >> Capital and Investec will provide financing for the $650m > project. > >> > >> SA's second network operator, Neotel, is pumping in a far more > modest > >> R20m, and using its telecoms licence to guarantee that the cable > can > >> dock > >> in SA. > >> > >> The local ownership is sufficient to ensure that Seacom meets > >> controversial new conditions being drawn up by Communications > Minister > >> Ivy > >> Matsepe-Casaburri, dictating who can land a cable in SA. The > minister is > >> insisting that any cable must be majority owned by African > investors to > >> come ashore. > >> > >> South Africans hold 50% of Seacom, and that rises to 75% African > >> ownership > >> thanks to 25% held by the Aga Khan Fund for Economic > Development's > >> Industrial Promotion Services, a development agency based in > Kenya. > >> > >> The remaining 25% lies with New York's Herakles Telecom, a > development > >> group that has invested $4bn in Africa. > >> > >> Neotel is investing only in the local landing station, but its > licence > >> to > >> operate in SA conferred on it the right to land a cable, said MD > Ajay > >> Pandey. > >> > >> "Our understanding is that the country needs international > capacity, and > >> the way international cable landing protocols have been defined > means we > >> have the opportunity here." > >> > >> Venfin CEO Jannie Durand said Neotel's licence to land a cable > in SA > >> meant > >> everything had been done "legally and correctly". Venfin was > backing > >> Seacom for two reasons, he said: "We are hopefully going to make > a lot > >> of > >> money out of it and SA needs more bandwidth. We want to bring SA > >> affordable bandwidth to the rest of the world." > >> > >> Although the cable will cost $650m, it would be partly funded by > loans > >> as > >> well as equity, allowing Venfin to take 25% for less than the > book value > >> of the project, Durand said. > >> > >> Pandey believes Seacom will be the onlyThe actual production of > the > >> fibreoptic cable and undersea facilities will start next week. > >> > >> The consortium has already invested more than $10m in a marine > survey > >> and > >> engineering of the cable. The actual production of the > fibreoptic cable > >> and undersea facilities will start next week. > >> > >> Seacom will connect Mtunzini in SA to Mumbai in India and > Marseilles in > >> France via Mozambique, Madagascar, Kenya and Tanzania by June > 2009. > >> > >> Terrestrial links will be built to take its bandwidth to > numerous other > >> inland countries. Its capacity of 1,28 terabytes per second is > 10 times > >> the capacity on the existing Sat-3 cable around Africa's west > coast. > >> > >> The consortium has promised that it will charge other voice and > data > >> carriers significantly less for its bandwidth than they pay to > use Sat-3 > >> or satellite services, which should trigger a massive decrease > in the > >> cost > >> of phone calls, internet access and data transmissions for > African > >> consumers and businesses. > >> > >> "Improved access for business and individuals in Africa to > >> communications, > >> broadband services and new technology offerings can improve > lives and > >> help > >> grow the economies of our countries," said Ngcaba, the chairman > of > >> Convergence Partners. "The linking of southern and east Africa > with > >> India > >> and Europe is crucial for enhancing development and trade > between these > >> key regions." > >> > >> > >> > >> _______________________________________________ > >> Fibre-for-africa mailing list > >> Fibre-for-africa(a)lists.apc.org > <mailto:Fibre-for-africa@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 > <mailto:Fibre-for-africa@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 > <mailto:Fibre-for-africa@lists.apc.org> > http://lists.apc.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/fibre-for-africa > <http://lists.apc.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/fibre-for-africa> > > > > _______________________________________________ > kictanet mailing list > kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke <mailto:kictanet@lists.kictanet.or.ke> > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > > This message was sent to: victormaloi3(a)gmail.com > <mailto:victormaloi3@gmail.com> > Unsubscribe or change your options at > > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/victormaloi3%40gmai > l.com > > > > _______________________________________________ > Fibre-for-africa mailing list > Fibre-for-africa(a)lists.apc.org > http://lists.apc.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/fibre-for-africa > The information in this email and any attachments is confidential and may > be legally privileged. It is intended only for the use of the named > addressee. > Emails are susceptible to alteration and their integrity cannot be > guaranteed. 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. > _______________________________________________ > 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 _______________________________________________ secretariat mailing list secretariat(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/secretariat This message was sent to: alice(a)apc.org Unsubscribe or change your options at http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/secretariat/alice%40apc.org

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With friends like these ... understanding Facebook
by alice 17 Jan '08

17 Jan '08

With friends like these ... Face book has 59 million users - and 2 million new ones join each week. But you won't catch Tom Hodgkinson volunteering his personal information - not now that he knows the politics of the people behind the social networking site Tom Hodgkinson The Guardian, Monday January 14 2008 http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2008/jan/14/facebook --

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[Fwd: Re: [Fibre-for-africa] SEACOM gets funding boost]
by alice 17 Jan '08

17 Jan '08

FYI -------- Original Message -------- Subject: Re: [Fibre-for-africa] SEACOM gets funding boost Date: Wed, 16 Jan 2008 09:31:24 +0100 (CET) From: Wairagala Wakabi <wakabi(a)cipesa.org> Reply-To: APC - Private list for use by EASSY Workshop Participants <fibre-for-africa(a)lists.apc.org> To: APC - Private list for use by EASSY Workshop Participants <fibre-for-africa(a)lists.apc.org> CC: Kenya ICT Action Network - KICTANet <kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke> References: <3104.217.113.73.239.1195028026.squirrel(a)mail.cipesa.org> <478CFEF7.1040209(a)apc.org> Alice, Our understanding is that SEACOM (The Sea Cable System) is a registered in Mauritius and owned 25% by Herakles Telecom - the managing partner for the cable who is based in New York. The other partners: 1) Industrial Promotion Service of the Aga Khan Foundation (25%); 2) Venfin (a South African investment holding company with interests in IT (25%); 3) Shanduka Group, a South African investment company (12.5%); 4) Convergence Partners, a South African Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) investment company focusing on the Telecommunications, Media and Technology (TMT) sector - 12.5%. SEACOM says the ownership structure varies for each segment of the cable, which ensures local ownership of the cable segments connecting individual countries to comply with regulations in those countries. The cable backbone along the east coast of Africa and to India and Europe is owned by SEACOM; while the segments connecting to individual countries are either 100% (South Africa, Mozambique, Madagascar, India, France) or 35% (Tanzania, Kenya) locally owned. Wakabi ===== > Hi all > > Out of curiosity, who is SEACOM? rather who are behind SEACOM? > Anyone conducted due diligence. Any connection to the Africa One saga? > > best > alice > > > > Wairagala Wakabi wrote: >> Netters, >> Its backers are saying SEACOM will be the only new cable completed in >> time >> to give South Africa the bandwidth needed for the 2010 WC, with "actual >> production of the fibreoptic cable and undersea facilities" starting >> next >> week. SA's SNO, NEOTEL, has helped marshal capital from local financial >> heavyweights, enabling NEOTEL to be owned 50% by South Africans. >> >> Tut Tut... >> >> Wakabi >> >> >> Sea cable venture lands big investors >> >> By Lesley Stones, Business Day, November 14 2007 >> >> AN UNDERSEA cable promising cheap bandwidth for Africa yesterday finally >> named its backers, signing up enough well-connected local investors to >> guarantee its landing rights in SA. >> >> Investment heavyweight Venfin is sinking $75m into the project, taking a >> 25% stake in the 15000km cable linking SA to India and Europe. >> >> Cyril Ramaphosas black investment house Shanduka is taking 12,5%, worth >> $37,5m. Another 12,5% goes to Convergence Partners, a group of black >> investors led by Andile Ngcaba, the chairman of Dimension Data Africa >> and >> a former director-general of the communications department. Nedbank >> Capital and Investec will provide financing for the $650m project. >> >> SAs second network operator, Neotel, is pumping in a far more modest >> R20m, and using its telecoms licence to guarantee that the cable can >> dock >> in SA. >> >> The local ownership is sufficient to ensure that Seacom meets >> controversial new conditions being drawn up by Communications Minister >> Ivy >> Matsepe-Casaburri, dictating who can land a cable in SA. The minister is >> insisting that any cable must be majority owned by African investors to >> come ashore. >> >> South Africans hold 50% of Seacom, and that rises to 75% African >> ownership >> thanks to 25% held by the Aga Khan Fund for Economic Developments >> Industrial Promotion Services, a development agency based in Kenya. >> >> The remaining 25% lies with New Yorks Herakles Telecom, a development >> group that has invested $4bn in Africa. >> >> Neotel is investing only in the local landing station, but its licence >> to >> operate in SA conferred on it the right to land a cable, said MD Ajay >> Pandey. >> >> Our understanding is that the country needs international capacity, and >> the way international cable landing protocols have been defined means we >> have the opportunity here. >> >> Venfin CEO Jannie Durand said Neotels licence to land a cable in SA >> meant >> everything had been done legally and correctly. Venfin was backing >> Seacom for two reasons, he said: We are hopefully going to make a lot >> of >> money out of it and SA needs more bandwidth. We want to bring SA >> affordable bandwidth to the rest of the world. >> >> Although the cable will cost $650m, it would be partly funded by loans >> as >> well as equity, allowing Venfin to take 25% for less than the book value >> of the project, Durand said. >> >> Pandey believes Seacom will be the onlyThe actual production of the >> fibreoptic cable and undersea facilities will start next week. >> >> The consortium has already invested more than $10m in a marine survey >> and >> engineering of the cable. The actual production of the fibreoptic cable >> and undersea facilities will start next week. >> >> Seacom will connect Mtunzini in SA to Mumbai in India and Marseilles in >> France via Mozambique, Madagascar, Kenya and Tanzania by June 2009. >> >> Terrestrial links will be built to take its bandwidth to numerous other >> inland countries. Its capacity of 1,28 terabytes per second is 10 times >> the capacity on the existing Sat-3 cable around Africas west coast. >> >> The consortium has promised that it will charge other voice and data >> carriers significantly less for its bandwidth than they pay to use Sat-3 >> or satellite services, which should trigger a massive decrease in the >> cost >> of phone calls, internet access and data transmissions for African >> consumers and businesses. >> >> Improved access for business and individuals in Africa to >> communications, >> broadband services and new technology offerings can improve lives and >> help >> grow the economies of our countries, said Ngcaba, the chairman of >> Convergence Partners. The linking of southern and east Africa with >> India >> and Europe is crucial for enhancing development and trade between these >> key regions. >> >> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> 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 > _______________________________________________ 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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