April 2010 - KICTANet

Re: [kictanet] Presentations from Connected Government...+ BPO eDiscussion Report
by Walubengo J 03 Apr '10

03 Apr '10

Kobia, I noted you mentioned BPO as one of the upcoming discussions at the Summit. I therefore take this opportunity to upload the summaries of the BPO discussions held mid last year. More specifically, there was heavy and pending Government interventions as copied below in the Executive summary. Maybe if the Permanent Secretaries can commit to implementing on some them during your meeting, then those of us not invited will begin to feel it wasnt after all purely pleasure at Leisure Lodge ;-) walu. ----begins--- Executive Summary A team of Researchers (BPO Researchers) were commissioned by IDRC to do a study titled: Development of a Business Process Outsourcing Industry in Kenya: Critical Success Factors. The aim of this study was “to undertake comprehensive research in the business process outsourcing (BPO) sub-sector in pioneer, emerging and mature markets to provide evidence and a deeper understanding of the imperatives for success in this industry to better inform Kenya’s policy decisions and investment choices”. The studies were conducted in two client countries, namely United Kingdom and the United States of America and four vendor countries, namely Kenya, South Africa, India and Mauritius. After the above study was completed, the Researchers had preliminary Results/Reports (Synthesis) that they felt needed to be discussed by Stakeholders with the aim of cross-checking and validating some of the preliminary conclusions. KICTAnet, a multi-stakeholder forum was chosen as the platform to subject the preliminary findings of the study to the Stakeholders. The Stakeholders discussed the Research Synthesised findings under various BPO themes that included: Policy, Legal and Institutional (Governance) Frameworks, Subsidies, Human capacity Issues, Youth & Gender issues and Strengths & Challenges facing the BPO sector. Notable feedback on the BPO Governance Frameworks was the lack of enabling legislation specifically the Data Protection and the Freedom of Information Acts. Lack of enforceable Standards for BPO Training and Operations in the industry was also cited as a barrier to provisioning high quality standards of service. Negative publicity, general insecurity and unreliable Utilities (power, road, telecommunication) presented institutional challenges that made it difficult to sell Kenya as a favourable BPO destination. With regard to Human Capacity, the lack of a standardized BPO curriculum, lack of a National Skill-set Register and little or no experience for the BPO Operators made Kenya's BPO labour market less competitive. Domestic "outsourcing" both from Government and Private Sector was proposed as the best way to demonstrate confidence while providing experience to the emerging BPO industry. The question of Subsidies for the sector was highly contentious with some participants pushing for an array of benefits - Tax-holidays, Utility and Training Subsidies, Government Contracts, amongst others. Those against subsidies argued that BPO is a sub-sector just like any other and therefore should not enjoy Government-subsidies at the exclusion of the others. The Youth and Gender discussion revealed that lack of clear, career-path progression meant that most youth in the BPO sector considered their jobs as a stop-gap measure to a better opportunity elsewhere. It was also observed the that Kenyan Labour law that afforded mothers 3months maternity leave meant that employers implicitly preferred male employees. Finally, participants discussed the Strengths and Challenges, noting the advent of the undersea cable as the biggest strength while Negative Publicity as the biggest weakness. ---ends--- walu. --- On Wed, 3/31/10, Kaburo Kobia <kkobia(a)ict.go.ke> wrote: From: Kaburo Kobia <kkobia(a)ict.go.ke> Subject: [kictanet] Presentations from Connected Government Summit 2010 To: jwalu(a)yahoo.com Cc: "KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions" <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> Date: Wednesday, March 31, 2010, 12:14 PM Dear all, Presentations from Connected Gov Summit 2010 are now available online. We are also taking questions from twitter and the Connected Gov website (click on Comments/Question and post your question or comment). Presentations include: - Opening speech by the Minister of Information and Communications Hon Samuel Poghisio - From reform to transformation by Emmanuel Lubembe Head Public Service Transformation Department - Transforming Company registry by Wanjuki Muchemi, Solicitor General - and several presentations from private sector. Today we expect to hear from more government departments on their digitization projects, some local SMEs and BPO companies. Please view the program here. Visit: www.ict.go.ke/connectedgov Track on twitter: #connectedgov Regards, -- Kaburo Kobia Kenya ICT Board Project Manager: Local Digital Content Kenya ICT Board Telposta Towers, 12th Floor, Kenyatta Avenue P.O Box 27150 - 00100 Nairobi, Kenya t: + 254-020-2093040 | m: + 254 (0)729466260 | w: www.ict.go.ke --------------------- The Kenya ICT Board Mission: To champion and actively enable Kenya to adopt and exploit ICT, through promotion of partnerships, investments and infrastructure growth for socio economic enrichment -----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: jwalu(a)yahoo.com Unsubscribe or change your options at http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/jwalu%40yahoo.com

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Easter Mpesa con/hoax
by Benson Mbugua 03 Apr '10

03 Apr '10

Hey Listers, Please beware of a "sam kamau" calling from safaricom Mpesa department number 0724 142313 saying that there is an easter promotion and you have won Kshs 50, 000 if you tell him your Mpesa balance and send him money to 000 I just received the call Have a safe and Happy Easter. Ben

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Kenya's Safaricom says to test 4G later in 2010
by Jevans Nyabiage 02 Apr '10

02 Apr '10

Has Safaricom fully achieved the benefits of 3G to start testing 4G? http://www.nation.co.ke/business/news/Kenyas%20Safaricom%20says%20to%20test… Jevans DISCLAIMER: The information contained in or accompanying this e-mail is intended for the use of the stated recipient only. It may contain confidential, proprietary or legally privileged information. No confidentiality or privilege is waived or lost by any mistransmission. If you receive this message in error, please immediately delete it and all copies of it from your system, destroy any hard copies of it and notify the sender. You must not, directly or indirectly, use, disclose, distribute, print, or copy any part of this message if you are not the intended recipient. Any views or opinions presented herein are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of the Nation Media Group. �To get all breaking news alerts send the word BREAK to 6667 or visit http://mobile.nation.co.ke to read news on your mobile phone.�

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Re: [kictanet] [ke-internetusers] Re: Kenya's Safaricom says to test 4G later in 2010
by Walubengo J 01 Apr '10

01 Apr '10

@Ombati, I hear you...and I regret if I did sound pro-Telco or pro-Regulator because I speak for neither. Secondly, plse take my comments as "Part-of" rather than the "End-of" discussion. MJ, CCK, ICT Board and others are indeed most welcome to speak for themselves...even after I have made my position know. Meanwhile, you will fear not 4G, after you visit http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/4G walu. --- On Thu, 4/1/10, Kepta Ombati <kombati(a)akibauhaki.org> wrote: From: Kepta Ombati <kombati(a)akibauhaki.org> Subject: Re: [ke-internetusers] Re: [kictanet] Kenya's Safaricom says to test 4G later in 2010 To: "Walubengo J" <jwalu(a)yahoo.com> Cc: "Solomon Mburu Kamau" <solo.mburu(a)gmail.com>, ke-internetusers(a)bdix.net, "KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions" <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> Date: Thursday, April 1, 2010, 1:20 PM Walu: While we agree that unnecessary barriers shouldn't be erected on new services and products that could benefit consumers, we must firmly disagree with you that only CCK and other such govt agencies should comment on new products coming into the market. We also disagree that consumers should be a dumping ground. As things stand, many of us feel very exposed due to failures of mandated govt agencies to protect us from poor/substandard products that get dumped on us every day. We also spend a lot of money in expensive experimental products. In any case, don't you think that MJ can speak for himself... or that Safcom - and other telcos - has/have enough Customer service people and techies who can speak for the co/cos.? MJ is in fact doing very well from his recent mails to this forum. ICT Board's Kukubo and PS BN have done pretty well in engaging in this forum in the past. What exactly is wrong with empowering the consumer with info.? Don't you know that not everyone has the privilege of your industry info. and therefore not everyone is cushioned against opportunism and market distortion. Info asymmetry is a major distorting factor. We need preventive not curative approaches as much as practicable. Put differently, the Kenyan consumer should be protected in all ways possible from being perpetual guinea pig. Your voting with the feet sound good from far but is indeed far from good! I therefore urge that we permit those who can provide useful information to help us make informed decisions to do so without self appointed police or pro-telcos agencies constraining them. And though it might not cure the ills of market imperfection, apriori info on possible risks certainly mitigates our individual and collective exposure. So Solomon, Alex and all those who have steadfastly played the role of public watchdog, hongera! Keep it up. And barbs to anyone trying to stifle consumer education and protection!! And more barbs to the public agencies that are sleeping on the job or in bed with the telcos at the expense of the consumers! -- Kepta Ombati Akiba Uhaki Foundation - The Human Rights & Social Justice Fund K-Rep Center, Wood Avenue, Kilimani Box 27611-00100, Nairobi, Kenya Tel: (254) 20 2441204/2441196 Fax: (254) 20 3861576 Mobile; (254) 0 722 659 364/738 550 550 Email:kombati@akibauhaki.org Website: www.akibauhaki.org …………………………………….......... “For a Just and Egalitarian East Africa where all persons enjoy their Rights and live in Dignity” On Thu, 2010-04-01 at 01:20 -0700, Walubengo J wrote: I dont think Safcom or any other Telco needs permission from Users(customers) to test new technologies (unless ofcourse these are medically harmful - of which the regulator would have cleared beforehand). Futhermore, I dont think CCK licenses peg the introduction of new technologies(4G) on the success or otherwise of the older technologies (2go r3g)... So lets not mix the two issues. If consumers have issues with the old technologies, they should raise those issues (like Aki did) INDEPENDENT of subsequent technologies... Plse dont introduce barriers to new developments(@Jevans), after all if eventually 4g s*cks, the customers will simply vote with their feet... walu. --- On Thu, 4/1/10, Solomon Mburu Kamau <solo.mburu(a)gmail.com> wrote: From: Solomon Mburu Kamau <solo.mburu(a)gmail.com> Subject: Re: [kictanet] Kenya's Safaricom says to test 4G later in 2010 To: jwalu(a)yahoo.com Cc: ke-internetusers(a)bdix.net, "KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions" <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> Date: Thursday, April 1, 2010, 11:21 AM On 01/04/2010, Dorcas Muthoni <dmuthoni(a)gmail.com> wrote: > Very welcome...LTE or call it 4G will be very good for the last mile, we > need it here! We are speaking about insanely fast speeds … potential as high > as 150Mbps download and upload speeds as high as 50Mbps … about 100x more > bandwidth (much faster) than most 3G networks. Safaricom should go ahead and > test! > IMHO, while this is a great idea it should not just be pegged on the speeds but also on the consumer benefit. Just to ask, how many consumers outside Nairobi really understand the essence behind 3G? Can Safaricom, say, for instance, the viability of 3G, at the moment from the consumers end? What about areas which are not fully covered by 3G? Sometimes, the consumer ends up getting confused with this 'new' products leaving him with no choice but to subscribe without public education, which is an essential tool for helping the end user make informed choices at the end of the day. > On Wed, Mar 31, 2010 at 4:35 PM, Michael Joseph > <MJoseph(a)safaricom.co.ke>wrote: > >> At extreme risk of responding via this list, I ask why should we not be >> testing new technology which might benefit both the Kenyan public and the >> industry? It did not say we are launching it commercially but merely >> hoping >> to do a technical trial. >> >> >> >> Certainly 3G is more than producing the results – that is why all of a >> sudden the other operators want to climb on board when 2 years ago they >> said >> it was not commercially viable. >> >> >> >> Michael >> >> >> >> *CEO* >> >> *Safaricom Limited* >> >> >> ------------------------------ >> >> *From:* >> kictanet-bounces+mjoseph=safaricom.co.ke(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke[mailto: >> kictanet-bounces+mjoseph <kictanet-bounces%2Bmjoseph>=safaricom.co.ke@ >> lists.kictanet.or.ke] *On Behalf Of *Jevans Nyabiage >> *Sent:* Wednesday, March 31, 2010 4:20 PM >> *To:* Michael Joseph >> *Cc:* ke-internetusers(a)bdix.net; KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions >> *Subject:* [kictanet] Kenya's Safaricom says to test 4G later in 2010 >> >> >> >> Has Safaricom fully achieved the benefits of 3G to start testing 4G? >> >> >> >> >> http://www.nation.co.ke/business/news/Kenyas%20Safaricom%20says%20to%20test… >> >> >> >> Jevans >> >> DISCLAIMER: The information contained in or accompanying this e-mail is >> intended for the use of the stated recipient only. It may contain >> confidential, proprietary or legally privileged information. No >> confidentiality or privilege is waived or lost by any mistransmission. If >> you receive this message in error, please immediately delete it and all >> copies of it from your system, destroy any hard copies of it and notify >> the >> sender. You must not, directly or indirectly, use, disclose, distribute, >> print, or copy any part of this message if you are not the intended >> recipient. >> >> Any views or opinions presented herein are solely those of the author and >> do not necessarily represent those of the *Nation Media >> Group*<http://www.nation.co.ke> >> *.* >> >> To get all breaking news alerts send the word BREAK to 6667 or visit >> http://mobile.nation.co.ke to read news on your mobile phone. >> *Note:* >> All emails sent from Safaricom Limited are subject to Safaricom’s Email >> Terms & Conditions. Please click >> here<http://www.safaricom.co.ke/Emailtermsandconditions>to read the >> policy. >> ------------------------------ >> * * >> >> _______________________________________________ >> kictanet mailing list >> kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke >> http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet >> >> This message was sent to: dmuthoni(a)gmail.com >> Unsubscribe or change your options at >> http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/dmuthoni%40gmail.com >> >> > > > -- > Muthoni > > My Blog: http://rugongo.blogspot.com/ > -------------------------------------------- > Mahatma Gandhi once said:- > > First they ignore you, > Then they laugh at you, > Then they fight you, > AND THEN YOU WIN!!! > -- Solomon Mbũrũ Kamau P.O. Box 19343 - 00202 Nairobi Cell: (+254-0) 735 431041 Man is a gregarious animal and enjoys agreement as cows will graze all the same way to the side of a hill! AND It is better to die in dignity than in the ignomity of ambiguous generosity! http://dawn-in-kenya.blogspot.com http://smiley2.wordpress.com http://mburu.sikika.co.ke _______________________________________________ kictanet mailing list kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet This message was sent to: jwalu(a)yahoo.com Unsubscribe or change your options at http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/jwalu%40yahoo.com _______________________________________________ ke-internetusers mailing list ke-internetusers(a)bdix.net http://www.bdix.net/mailman/listinfo/ke-internetusers

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