November 2009 - KICTANet

Re: [kictanet] NCA Board member gives its price target as an E1 for US$100-500
by Eric M.K Osiakwan 29 Nov '09

29 Nov '09

Kai, The Central Bank as the regulator of the financial sector in every economy sets prime rates and other industry indicators based on their calculation of the market forces as they interplay with demand and supply. i dont see why you sense danger with the regulator of the coms industry setting "prime rate" based on the commoditized calculation..... You generate a lot of weight in your submission below on the private sector factors as a basis to slap the need for regulatory intervention in a market situation that has held the industry back for a very longtime. Am a private sector spice like you but if there is any lesson for us to learn from the current global financial crisis, it is that, we need regulatory interventions in the market theatre as markets have mood and are by that extension in perfect. My comment is, all the factors you have enumerated are great but they dont negate the need for regulatory intervention to bring artificially high prices down for the masses to have access, a market expansion mechanism. Eric here On 29 Nov 2009, at 17:59, kai wulff wrote: > Eric, > > This is exactly the type of statement that is dangerous. It is a little bit like deflation … > > Because everybody expect cheaper prices nobody moves .. And because of this, uptake is below the potential, usage of the cable is sub optimal and prices don’t come down … Result: People will wait longer .. > > I still don’t understand why we are so set on the E1 price (actually we should talk about 2M duplex and not old school) for a BPO .. Quality is what matters .. > > With a good quality compression you can push more than 256 calls at any given time. So in an 8 hour shift you could have 122880 call minutes with 256 agents .. Assume 70% load, this makes 86016 minutes. Surely, you will have to terminate them into a network. Assume 0.02USD per minute. > > So my question: What is your staff cost? Let’s argue 700KSH per day and person? Electricity? KSH 20 per day and person? Rent KSH 50 per day and person (assuming you work 2 shifts, 7 days a week). > > Add software, overheads ….. > > So now, what is the cost of communication? > > Currently an E1 in Kenya costs 1200 USD (not using the free offer) list price. So we said 2 shifts, 30 days, 70% load .. > > 5160960 call minutes a month > > That makes 0,0174 KSH per minute (took a rate of 75 to the USD) for the submarine portion! > We add KSH 2 for termination = 2,0174 KSH communications per minute > > Salaries: 1,45 KSH per minute (and this includes the idle ones or KSH 2,08 per minute at 70% > > You see the contribution of the pure Submarine portion .. It is NEXT TO NOTHING. > > Any comments? > > Kai > > > > > > Von: kictanet-bounces+kai.wulff=kdn.co.ke(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke [mailto:kictanet-bounces+kai.wulff=kdn.co.ke@lists.kictanet.or.ke] Im Auftrag von Eric M.K Osiakwan > Gesendet: Sunday, November 29, 2009 20:35 > An: kai.wulff(a)kdn.co.ke > Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions > Betreff: [kictanet] NCA Board member gives its price target as an E1 for US$100-500 > > A two day workshop called “Fiber Optic Undersea (Submarine) cable”, in collaboration with West Africa Telecommunications Regulators Assembly (WATRA), the German Technical Group (GTZ) and also the National Communications Authority (NCA) at the La Palm Royal Hotel. > The workshop offered WATRA members the guidance regarding the regulation of access to new undersea cables and also come up with adoptable guidelines for issuance of undersea cable licenses and landing rights agreement. This would ensure the transparency in deployment and pricing of undersea cables. > A Member of the Board of Directors of NCA, Solomon Quandzie has observed that the availability of international bandwidth, coupled with NCA’s plans for licensing additional terrestrial fiber optic cables systems, and also wireless broadband access (through things like WiMAX) operators would finally set the deployment of broadband networks throughout the country and further lay the foundation for rapid economic growth in the ICT sector. > He said, application of Business Process Outsourcing (BPOs) and Government’s decentralization program would enhance various e-government packages which would increase the social-economic development of the citizenry in a manner never witnessed in this country over the past several years. > > Quandzie said that the NCA is committed to opening up the market base of the telecommunication industry by offering an additional fiber optic cable operator (WACS), which would add more capacity to the existing one, all within a 24 month period. > > According to Quandzie, the current SAT 3 cable systems provides an estimated three gigabytes capacity of international bandwidth to the country at approx systems to become operational, adding that “They will be adding respectively, for a total of 1,920 gigabytes or 640 fold increase to the current capacity of international bandwidth in the country”. > > Quandzie said that NCA expectation of a supply bandwidth a price goal of $100-500 per E1 should be possible within the very near future which would provide the necessary framework for the attainment of such an outcome. > > He concluded that with the right regulatory framework established, reliable and affordable broadband networks, coupled with low cost of available international bandwidth can be provided through undersea fiber optic cables. > (Source: The Ghanaian Chronicle) > > > Eric M.K Osiakwan > Director > Internet Research > www.internetresearch.com.gh > emko(a)internetresearch.com.gh > 42 Ring Road Central, Accra-North > Tel: +233.21.258800 ext 7031 > Fax: +233.21.258811 > Cell: +233.24.4386792 > > > > > Eric M.K Osiakwan Director Internet Research www.internetresearch.com.gh emko(a)internetresearch.com.gh 42 Ring Road Central, Accra-North Tel: +233.21.258800 ext 7031 Fax: +233.21.258811 Cell: +233.24.4386792

2 1

NCA Board member gives its price target as an E1 for US$100-500
by Eric M.K Osiakwan 29 Nov '09

29 Nov '09

A two day workshop called “Fiber Optic Undersea (Submarine) cable”, in collaboration with West Africa Telecommunications Regulators Assembly (WATRA), the German Technical Group (GTZ) and also the National Communications Authority (NCA) at the La Palm Royal Hotel. The workshop offered WATRA members the guidance regarding the regulation of access to new undersea cables and also come up with adoptable guidelines for issuance of undersea cable licenses and landing rights agreement. This would ensure the transparency in deployment and pricing of undersea cables. A Member of the Board of Directors of NCA, Solomon Quandzie has observed that the availability of international bandwidth, coupled with NCA’s plans for licensing additional terrestrial fiber optic cables systems, and also wireless broadband access (through things like WiMAX) operators would finally set the deployment of broadband networks throughout the country and further lay the foundation for rapid economic growth in the ICT sector. He said, application of Business Process Outsourcing (BPOs) and Government’s decentralization program would enhance various e-government packages which would increase the social-economic development of the citizenry in a manner never witnessed in this country over the past several years. Quandzie said that the NCA is committed to opening up the market base of the telecommunication industry by offering an additional fiber optic cable operator (WACS), which would add more capacity to the existing one, all within a 24 month period. According to Quandzie, the current SAT 3 cable systems provides an estimated three gigabytes capacity of international bandwidth to the country at approx systems to become operational, adding that “They will be adding respectively, for a total of 1,920 gigabytes or 640 fold increase to the current capacity of international bandwidth in the country”. Quandzie said that NCA expectation of a supply bandwidth a price goal of $100-500 per E1 should be possible within the very near future which would provide the necessary framework for the attainment of such an outcome. He concluded that with the right regulatory framework established, reliable and affordable broadband networks, coupled with low cost of available international bandwidth can be provided through undersea fiber optic cables. (Source: The Ghanaian Chronicle) Eric M.K Osiakwan Director Internet Research www.internetresearch.com.gh emko(a)internetresearch.com.gh 42 Ring Road Central, Accra-North Tel: +233.21.258800 ext 7031 Fax: +233.21.258811 Cell: +233.24.4386792

2 1

4th IGF 2009 Egypt: Diplo
by mwende njiraini 29 Nov '09

29 Nov '09

Dear all, At the recently concluded 4th IGF held in Sharm El Sheikh Egypt, the importance of capacity building, national and regional IGFs were recognized. "Short retrospective view of Diplo activities related to the Internet Governance Forum 2009. Everything begins a day after IGF2008 in India and ends at Sharm el Sheikh this November. It's a short review of Diplo efforts and also a perspective for the future.” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mKgc8KQh_4E Regards Mwende *Disclaimer: Views expressed here (except those quoted or referenced) are the author’s own*

1 0

Sir Tim Berners-lee web inventor on K24 Capital Talk on Monday 30th
by muriuki mureithi 27 Nov '09

27 Nov '09

Hi all stakeholders of the web Sir Tim Berners-Lee, the www inventor in 1989 and Time magazine member of 100 Most Important People of the 20th century honoured Kenya by a visit last week facilitated by KICTAnet. On the conclusion of the trip, he gave a wide ranging one-on-one interview to K24's Jeff Koinange Capital Talk to be aired on Monday 30th at 2000 hrs and 2200hrs. Make a date to hear first hand the inventor of the www. In his itinerary, he met and interacted with the cross-section of Kenyan web stakeholders - government, parliament, academia, techies, industry and civil society. This was a fact finding mission to understand how his invention is being exploited. He also profiled Web Foundation (www.webfoundation.org ) that he launched in Sharm el Sheikh IGF on 15th Nov, Web Science Research Initiative (www.wsri.org) and clarified some of the outputs of www consortium (w3c) in standard setting especially for the virtually impaired. He met government officials led by Vice President Hon Kalonzo Musyoka, Permanent Secretary Dr Bitange Ndemo and CCK DG Mr Charles Njoroge among others over lunch, had an interactive session with Parliamentary committee responsible for ICT led by Hon Eng James Rege. He also gave a one hour lecture to the academic community (view the video lecture at www.kenet.or.ke) and met Skunkworks at Strathmore University as well as TESPOK. A recurring theme was the opportunity provided by the www but can only be fully exploited by the development of content - just do it, put data on a web page and contribute to the growth of the web now estimated at 10 raised to power 18 pages and growing rapidly. >From the high and mighty, Sir Tim went to the grassroots. First stop was first hand interaction with the virtually impaired at the Kenya Society of the Blind. Yes, the blind who constitute up to 3% of the Kenyan population need to access the web and software to help them is available both for the computer and the cell phones. According to the virtually impaired ,the cost was a barrier, good pc software cost about $500 while for the cell phone cost $300, and open source was not as good. Equally, most of the Kenyan web developers do not incorporate features for virtually impaired. In addition, Sir Tim saw applications of the web as a social intervention to create jobs, reduce crime and organise a neighbourhood by the excellent work by Kimathi Information Centre, and the power of the community radio to extend the power of the web to those in the slums as ably illustrated by the SIDAREC radio - Ghetto 99.9. To crown the visit to SIDAREC, he talked live on Ghetto 99.9 FM and praised the efforts of the SIDAREC to empower the poor with information. His visit comes at time when Kenya has just plugged into submarine optic fibres cables and a repealed Kenya Communication Act chaperoning Kenya to the information society era. From the many interactions in his itinerary it was clear that all sectors of the society are highly sensitised on the opportunities created by www and ways to exploit the web. The only way to honour Sir Tim's visit is to ACT now. Cheers Muriuki Mureithi ---------------------------------- Summit Strategies Ltd ICT consulting and research Land mark Plaza 13th floor P O Box 62454 - 00200 Nairobi Kenya tel + 254-20- 3673925 Cell +254 722 520090 email - mureithi(a)summitstrategies.co.ke www.summitstrategies.co.ke

11 12

Mobile Boot Camp - Kenya Edition
by Jessica Colaço 26 Nov '09

26 Nov '09

Hi All, You are cordially invited to - Mobile Boot Camp - Kenya Edition. More details at: http://mobilebootcamp.srcc.co.ke Regards, -- Jessica Colaço Blog: www.jessicacolaco.wordpress.com Skype ID: jessica.colaco Twitter ID: JessicaColaco

1 0

New Registrar Agreement Covers Most Registrations...over 88% of domain names covvered by new protections
by alice 25 Nov '09

25 Nov '09

News Alert http://www.icann.org/en/announcements/announcement-24nov09-en.htm ------------------------------------------------------------------------ New Registrar Agreement Covers Most Registrations Over 88 percent of domain names covered by new protections 24 November 2009 Less than six months after new registrant protections were approved by the ICANN Board, over 88 percent of all generic domain names are now covered. The protections include improved ways of storing data that require registration companies to submit to more stringent rules. These are included in a revised contract between ICANN and registrars, called the Registrar Accreditation Agreement (RAA). Since the revised RAA was approved on 21 May 2009, 650 registrars have voluntarily agreed to be bound by the new agreement; collectively they represent 88 percent of all generic top-level domains registered. In return, those that have signed the new agreement are recognized by ICANN on its listing of accredited companies. Under their existing contract, registrars are not required to sign up to the new RAA until their existing agreement ends, but they can voluntarily sign up early. The high level of coverage achieved to date is due primarily to these voluntary early adopters. ICANN CEO and President Rod Beckstrom said of the high sign-up rate: “The fact that the vast majority of generic domain names are now covered by these protections is a clear sign of the industry’s goodwill and its commitment to effective self-regulation - especially since some of these protections come at a cost to the companies themselves. It is an extraordinary achievement in a very short time.” Some of the additional protections afforded registrants under the new contract include: * Enhanced enforcement tools to assure registrar compliance with ICANN policies * Enhanced data escrow requirements to protect registrants that use privacy or proxy services * A Registrant Rights & Responsibilities document * New requirements placed on resellers * Improved contact information requirements * Registrar required training program “Registrars and the ICANN community successfully collaborated to make sure consumers are well protected while respecting the competitive marketplace ICANN has made part of its mandate,” said Mason Cole, Vice President of Oversee.net and chair of the Registrar Stakeholder Group. “It’s encouraging to see how quickly and assertively registrars have adopted the terms of the new agreement.” As an aid to potential registrants, ICANN has added an indicator on each of our public lists of registrars to show which registrars have adopted the 2009 RAA. See: * http://www.internic.net/regist.html * http://www.icann.org/en/registrars/accreditation-qualified-list.html * http://www.icann.org/en/registrars/accredited-list.html ------------------------------------------------------------------------ *Sign up for ICANN's Monthly Magazine <http://www.icann.org/magazine/>* _______________________________________________ AfrICANN mailing list AfrICANN(a)afrinic.net https://lists.afrinic.net/mailman/listinfo.cgi/africann

1 0

Invitation to connect on LinkedIn
by Peter K Kenduiywo 25 Nov '09

25 Nov '09

LinkedIn ------------ Peter K Kenduiywo requested to add you as a connection on LinkedIn: ------------------------------------------ Benjamin, I'd like to add you to my professional network on LinkedIn. - Peter K Accept invitation from Peter K Kenduiywo http://www.linkedin.com/e/4_n5t6X_WQjXh2Z5g_n5tTYK1bLMphUgsD_gUY8QrOaX/blk/… View invitation from Peter K Kenduiywo http://www.linkedin.com/e/4_n5t6X_WQjXh2Z5g_n5tTYK1bLMphUgsD_gUY8QrOaX/blk/… ------------------------------------------ DID YOU KNOW LinkedIn can help you find the right service providers using recommendations from your trusted network? Using LinkedIn Services, you can take the risky guesswork out of selecting service providers by reading the recommendations of credible, trustworthy members of your network. http://www.linkedin.com/e/svp/inv-25/ ------ (c) 2009, LinkedIn Corporation

1 0

safaricom dividend payment's via MPesa?
by michael Ouma 25 Nov '09

25 Nov '09

Hi all: has any list member received his/her safaricom dividend payment via mpesa? i'm still waiting for mine even tho' we're promised during registration that they'd be processed and sent before month end. thanks. Michael Ouma Journalist Kenya Tel:+254-725-537823 "There are risks and costs to a program of action, but they are far less than the long-range risks and costs of comfortable inaction," - JF Kennedy.

1 0

FW: LINK CENTRE: Reminder - Master of Management in ICT Policy & Regulation - Applications close soon!
by Edith Adera 24 Nov '09

24 Nov '09

This might be of interest. ________________________________ From: link-info-bounces(a)lists.wits.ac.za [mailto:link-info-bounces@lists.wits.ac.za] On Behalf Of Charley Lewis Sent: Tuesday, November 24, 2009 12:41 PM To: link-info(a)lists.wits.ac.za Subject: LINK CENTRE: Reminder - Master of Management in ICT Policy & Regulation - Applications close soon! Hungry to interconnect with policy and regulation in the ICT sector? Can the general really bring mobile prices down? Need to boost up your knowledge and analytical skills in this fast changing arena? Enrol for the degree of Master of Management in ICT Policy & Regulation, offered by the University of the Witwatersrand. [image001.jpg] The deadline for applications is now only a few days away! Get yours in soon! Or forward this e-mail to someone who may be interested in applying. =============================== Master of Management in ICT Policy & Regulation =============================== Empowering you for policy and regulation in the ICT sector! The Graduate School of Public & Development and the LINK Centre at the University of the Witwatersrand invites applications for the January 2010 intake into its CHE-accredited Master of Management in ICT Policy and Regulation degree programme. What is the MM(ICTPR)? The MM(ICTPR) aims to provide a formal post-graduate academic qualification for senior staff engaged in policy formulation, policy analysis and regulation of information communications technologies (ICTs), a sector which is currently undergoing rapid change and experiencing continued expansion. Who should attend? This Master's degree is designed for middle to senior level managers and practitioners working in the broad ICT sector across Africa - telecommunications industry; IT industry; broadcasting; trade unions; regulatory associations; government policy departments including communications, trade and industry, science and technology; science councils; university teaching departments; public sector ICT organisations, consumer advocates and the development sector. How do I find out more? The degree comprises 10 week-long course-work modules and a substantial (50%) applied research report. It can be completed over 3 years part-time or 1 year full-time. Information on courses, scheduling, fees and more can be found at http://link.wits.ac.za/training/training4.html. For a copy of the course brochure, go to http://link.wits.ac.za/training/MM-ICTPR-brochure.pdf. How do I apply? Contact the P&DM Admissions Office, Tozi.Zeka(a)wits.ac.za, tel: + 27 11 + 717-3783, for more information. This communication is intended for the addressee only. It is confidential. If you have received this communication in error, please notify us immediately and destroy the original message. You may not copy or disseminate this communication without the permission of the University. Only authorized signatories are competent to enter into agreements on behalf of the University and recipients are thus advised that the content of this message may not be legally binding on the University and may contain the personal views and opinions of the author, which are not necessarily the views and opinions of The University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg. All agreements between the University and outsiders are subject to South African Law unless the University agrees in writing to the contrary.

1 0

Taking stock and way forward session @ IGF2009- Sharm-El-Sheikh
by Judy Okite 21 Nov '09

21 Nov '09

here is an extract from Hon. Poghisio's speech during the taking stock and way forward.... you can follow on the links below on what happened, especially concerning the desirability of IGF continuation... I have my favorite extracts from the speeches......but will keep them that way...'my favorites'..for now :-). >>SAMUEL POGHISIO: Ladies and gentlemen, after four years of IGF, it's now time to reflect on what we have achieved so far and the future of this forum. As we deliberate on the five-year life span, whether it's adequate or not, it's important for us to think of the need for continuation of this coordinated mechanism to harness contributions from all Internet stakeholders. Kenya has established the process -- this process at a national level and has also pioneered the same at the subregional and regional level, and we've found the following. A, that with inspiration of the national IGFs, we are able to identify local level Internet governance issues that then form the building blocks for the regional level. The East African Internet governance forum, which is now on its second year. And B, the following, that the level of sensitization of various Internet governance issues is now high. We are now very much aware of the governance issues from management of critical Internet resources, more specifically strengthening our country's code top level domain, ccTLDs, to develop the strategies for handling cybercrime and creating universal, affordable access to ICTs. This has been an important lesson for us, and we see an even better opportunity in the future. We support the extension of the IGF and particularly the multistakeholder processes underpinning it, and we believe it is important for us to continue the constructive discussions and the debates and open exchange of ideas. However, there are a number of things that we may want to see changed. One, allocation of adequate resources to IGF Secretariat and its ability to function. Two, the support for regional and national IGFs, with clear mechanisms of inclusion and integration of the global IGF. The EA IGF which is the East African IGF wishes to contribute and impact on how the IGF could achieve more practical and useful outcomes growing from local and regional lessons. Provisions of deep analysis of discussions on thematic areas to provide a framework. This will not -- this will not only allow for broad and structured discussions but also harness the potential for all to get value out of our process. Lastly, Kenya is proud to be hosting the ICANN 2010 Africa meeting in Nairobi in March 7th through 12th and we look forward to hosting you all at the 2011 IGF. I thank you. http://www.intgovforum.org/cms/2009/sharm_el_Sheikh/Transcripts/Sharm%20El%… <http://www.intgovforum.org/cms/2009/sharm_el_Sheikh/Transcripts/Sharm%20El%…> http://www.intgovforum.org/cms/2009/sharm_el_Sheikh/Transcripts/Sharm%20El%… <http://www.intgovforum.org/cms/2009/sharm_el_Sheikh/Transcripts/Sharm%20El%…>Kind Regards, -- "It is time,Africans moved from a knowledge based society to a wise society" Dr. Nii Quaynor

2 1