September 2010 - KICTANet

FW: Consumers: ZICTA (Zambia) introduces fixed telecommunication charges
by Edith Adera 20 Sep '10

20 Sep '10

Are we joining the era of price controls? Isn't this stiffling competition, creativity and free choice? http://postzambia.com/post-read_article.php?articleId=13821 Edith ________________________________ ZICTA introduces fixed telecommunication charges for all operators By Mutale Kapekele Fri 17 Sep. 2010, 14:00 CAT [http://postzambia.com/pics/icons/uparrow.gif]<http://postzambia.com/post-read_article.php?articleId=13821#text_size> [http://postzambia.com/pics/icons/downarrow.gif] <http://postzambia.com/post-read_article.php?articleId=13821#text_size> Text size [http://postzambia.com/pics/icons/printer.png] <http://postzambia.com/post-print_article.php?articleId=13821> Print<http://postzambia.com/post-print_article.php?articleId=13821> [http://postzambia.com/includes/thumbs/thumbs.php?w=350&id=13821]<http://postzambia.com/article_image.php?image_type=article&id=13821> File Picture: Zamtel mast THE Zambia Information and Communication Technology Authority (ZICTA) has introduced fixed telecommunication charges for all operators expected to come into effect on November 1, 2010. This follows the Authority's recent cost of service study that was undertaken by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PWC) of the United Kingdom that recommended the relaxation of tariffs. Announcing the development yesterday, ZICTA director general Margaret Kunda-Chalwe said all voice calls would be charged at 5.9 US cents (K300) per minute and reduce to 5.3 US cents on January 1, 2011 with a further reduction to 5 US cents at the beginning of 2012. She also announced that Short Message Sending (SMS) charges would with effect from November 1 be pegged at K295 reducing to K132.50 and K125 in 2011 and 2012 respectively. Chalwe said the rates for interconnection would be dominated in Zambian kwacha in conformity with the law and given the low inflation rate in the country. She also disclosed that ZICTA would implement all recommendations from PWC which included the control of telecommunication charges, the elimination of wholesale tariff discrimination and the stimulation of effective communication, among other issues. Chalwe also announced that ZICTA had made funds available for building towers in un-serviced areas where telecommunication companies could mount their transmitters. ZICTA introduces fixed telecommunication charges for all operators <http://postzambia.com/post-read_article.php?articleId=13821#text_size> <http://postzambia.com/post-read_article.php?articleId=13821#text_size> <http://postzambia.com/post-print_article.php?articleId=13821> <http://postzambia.com/post-print_article.php?articleId=13821> <http://postzambia.com/article_image.php?image_type=article&id=13821>

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Re: [kictanet] KPLC should embrace technology and save kenyans millions
by John Kariuki 17 Sep '10

17 Sep '10

I wish life was that simple.However,I am pursuaded that it is not. What should be of concern is the issue of national infrastructure and the extent of private sector participation and whether even after privatisation the Government(read Citizens) still carry very substantial risks. Remember, the recent financial crisis in the West, in particular US, where large sums of taxpayers money were used to bail out private companies whose top executives were at the same time paying themselves huge bonuses. Conclusion: Even when you privatize, the tax payer still carries some risk! Just some little food for thought. --- On Fri, 17/9/10, Dennis Kioko <dmbuvi(a)gmail.com> wrote: From: Dennis Kioko <dmbuvi(a)gmail.com> Subject: Re: [kictanet] KPLC should embrace technology and save kenyans millions To: "John Kariuki" <ngethe.kariuki2007(a)yahoo.co.uk> Cc: "Dennis Kioko Mbuvi" <dmbuvi+kictanet(a)gmail.com>, "KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions" <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> Date: Friday, 17 September, 2010, 12:01 I suggest we invite the Indians to form a second distribution company. However, am sure the suggestion will raise a lot of dust around about support for Kenyan investors. It is my opinion that we need to review a lot of things starting with what we pay for power, and cost of commodities such as sugar. As long as the cost of Pakistan Cement in Nairobi is lower tha factory price of local cement and sugar costs twice what it costs in the region , we are in danger of the more efficient producers upsetting us one day.

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Local (Kenya, later Africa) Call termination to VoIP rates
by Edwin Onchari 17 Sep '10

17 Sep '10

Listers, Could anyone with information on the most competitive call termination to VoIP (local) please contact me urgently! Not sure as yet, on how many calls I will be handling (but will be significant) Kind regards, Edwin M Onchari Founder & CEO - LynxBits Global +254-0720-755-951 eonchari(a)lynxbits.com www.lynxbits.com

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Bharti and IBM extend partnership into Africa
by Harry Hare 17 Sep '10

17 Sep '10

http://tinyurl.com/3876xjj Harry African eDevelopment Resource Centre eDevelopment House : : 604 Limuru Road Old Muthaiga : : P O Box 49475 00100 Nairobi : : Kenya T +254 20 3741646/7 : : C +254 725 650044 Training : : Research: :Consultancy: : Publishing

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Call Completion Rate on Safaricom
by Edith Adera 17 Sep '10

17 Sep '10

What is going on with the network today? I made several calls today and ended up "crossing lines" with other subscribers and listening in on third party conversations rather than getting the subscriber dialed. Could Safaricom inform their consumers what is going on? network upgrade? technical glitch? Are call completion rates a regulatory performance target? Edith

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Re: [kictanet] [Skunkworks] IBM President in the Country
by Brian Munyao Longwe 17 Sep '10

17 Sep '10

This is a bold move and a clear statement of how serious Bharti is taking the intervention in Africa. As James Murua points out in his blog post ( http://bit.ly/avQeUT) Bharti is working with IBM so that they (Bharti) can focus on their core strengths and hit the market hard through partnerships. In the words of a speaker at AITEC's EA ICT conference, Bharti outsources "everything" which allows them to minimize on capital and operating expenses - but more importantly - to hit their target markets hard and square. Can't wait to see what else they have up their sleeve! Regards, Brian On Fri, Sep 17, 2010 at 3:16 PM, Glenn Sequeira <gsequeira(a)gmail.com> wrote: > On Fri, Sep 17, 2010 at 3:59 PM, Dennis Kioko <dmbuvi(a)gmail.com> wrote: > > > For those who missed it, IBMs Samuel Palmisano was in the country this > > morning, physically, not virtually via Hologram . He was here for the > > announcement about Bharti's partnership with IBM. > > Here's the press release from IBM: > > http://www-03.ibm.com/press/us/en/pressrelease/32505.wss > > ~glenn > _______________________________________________ > Skunkworks mailing list > Skunkworks(a)lists.my.co.ke > http://orion.my.co.ke/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/skunkworks > ------------ > Skunkworks Server donations spreadsheet > > http://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=0AopdHkqSqKL-dHlQVTMxU1VBdU1BSWJxdy1… > ------------ > Skunkworks Rules > http://my.co.ke/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=94 > ------------ > Other services @ http://my.co.ke > -- Brian Munyao Longwe e-mail: blongwe(a)gmail.com cell: + 254 722 518 744 blog : http://zinjlog.blogspot.com meta-blog: http://mashilingi.blogspot.com

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KPLC should embrace technology and save kenyans millions
by Edwin Onchari 17 Sep '10

17 Sep '10

Dear KPLC, Here is a brief picture(example from what I have experienced in last 1 year) that is disturbing and unfortunately resonates with millions of Kenyans privileged to have power in their houses/offices: Month Bill Meter reading 1-5 Average 1000 KES Estimate 6 - 8 Average 1100 KES Estimate 9 17000 KES Meter reading Now: If KPLC invested in locally developed and available technology, customers can actually monitor their electricity usage, versus the readings on their meters and what is shown on the invoices. The sad story about these fluctuations is that KPLC insists that you must pay the higher amounts, then go to their ever unending queue at electricity house (good luck if you have a car because parking in Nairobi is another nightmare), where a customer care agent (with no etiquette) will tell you to produce all receipts for the year to sort out your problem. Now, I work along Mombasa road, which means that I have to halt my income generating engagements to navigate through unending traffic so that I can go queue for hours and face a customer care agent that will rudely handle my case, to no conclusion and brace myself for another such session in less than a year later! Any affordable solar solutions out there for apartment duelers? Because I terribly need one. Edwin

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Re: [kictanet] KPLC should embrace technology and save kenyans millions
by Edwin Onchari 16 Sep '10

16 Sep '10

Kioko, Yes, that should it. Just wondering if they have full disclosure on the cost per Kwh on the prepaid, so that when one loads up, he/she can estimate daily consumptions, refunds for overcharges, etc From: Dennis Kioko [mailto:dmbuvi@gmail.com] Sent: Thursday, September 16, 2010 3:39 PM To: Edwin Onchari Cc: Dennis Kioko Mbuvi; KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions Subject: Re: [kictanet] KPLC should embrace technology and save kenyans millions Pray they install the prepaid meter, or try demanding for one. No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 8.5.441 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/3136 - Release Date: 09/15/10 06:34:00

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Trancripts of IGF Conference Proceedings in Lithuania
by Walubengo J 16 Sep '10

16 Sep '10

Apologies for cross-postings... In case you missed to follow the real-time proceedings, you can find the archives at: http://www.intgovforum.org/cms/component/content/article/96-vilnius-2010-me… walu.

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Virtual City wins Nokia Challenge
by Phares Kariuki 16 Sep '10

16 Sep '10

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