March 2011 - KICTANet

An Open Letter to Zuku (Help me please!!!)
by Brian Ngure 19 Mar '11

19 Mar '11

14 28

Service Provider Slugfest - WAS Re: An Open Letter to Zuku
by Francis Hook 18 Mar '11

18 Mar '11

On 18 March 2011 17:22, Lizette Kraft <lfkraft(a)gmail.com> wrote: > If I may join the band wagon. I also have to say that Zuku customer service > is very poor and I also have noticed that my TV channels are so limited > where as I am supposed to have 50 channels!!!!!! It is pathetic and I am > hoping we can talk to the MD as this is way serious in terms of customer > service. The people of ZUKU need to answer to all our complaints and it > seems that the only way is direct to the MD. So can we get the phone number > so we can call + email address and we can also write. This is urgent and we > need to sort these complaints out. > > Thanks everyone for bring this up. I too thought I was the only one. > > Blessed weekend. > > Lizette > AGDEN > > On Thu, Mar 17, 2011 at 4:32 PM, Barrack Otieno <otieno.barrack(a)gmail.com>wrote: > >> Fibre on Fire ! >> >> On Thu, Mar 17, 2011 at 4:10 PM, Musya Michael <michael.musya(a)gmail.com >> > wrote: >> >>> Reading this leaves me wondering whether we have any reliable ISP in >>> the currently in the country.My worst experience was with KDN...The so >>> called BOX service. Six months now and no refund. Now will do an email to >>> CCK,thanks to this list. >>> >>> -- >>> Regards, >>> >>> Michael Musya, >>> >>> Afriregister Limited. >>> >>> I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. >>> Philippians 4:13 >>> >>> _______________________________________________ >>> kictanet mailing list >>> kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke >>> http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet >>> >>> This message was sent to: otieno.barrack(a)gmail.com >>> Unsubscribe or change your options at >>> http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/otieno.barrack%40gmail… >>> >>> >> >> >> -- >> Barrack O. Otieno >> Afriregister Ltd (Kenya) >> www.afrire <http://www.afriregister.com/>gister.bi, www.afriregister.com<http://www.afriergister.com/> >> <http://www.afriregister.com/>ICANN accredited registrar >> +254721325277 >> +254-20-2498789 >> Skype: barrack.otieno >> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> kictanet mailing list >> kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke >> http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet >> >> This message was sent to: lfkraft(a)gmail.com >> Unsubscribe or change your options at >> http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/lfkraft%40gmail.com >> >> > > > -- > Lizette Kraft > P.O. Box 18488, 00500 > Nairobi, Kenya > Cell: 0722-800362 > > _______________________________________________ > kictanet mailing list > kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > > This message was sent to: francis.hook(a)gmail.com > Unsubscribe or change your options at > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/francis.hook%40gmail.c… > > -- Francis Hook +254 733 504561

1 0

Re: [kictanet] An Open Letter to Zuku
by Shah, SurajX 18 Mar '11

18 Mar '11

I was wondering whether this would be the right forum to complain about the pathetic standards of ZUKU and their even worse Customer Service, until I saw this thread. I subscribed to their internet services on 27th Jan 2011, and paid upfront for all the equipment and monthly charges. The team came to install and realized that the base station nearest to me on Lower Kabete Road was full so they told me it was not possible to offer me internet services. Any chance of a refund? Several phone calls, a visit to their most unprofessional Customer Service office at Apic Centre and emails later still no refund. Is it even legal for ZUKU to hold on to my money for nearly 7 weeks for a service they did not even carry out? On their TV cable service, since last year they have been dropping channels like CNN, Travel & Living etc on a daily basis WITHOUT ANY REPLACEMENT. Complaints to them results in the same monotonous answer: we will be bringing you new channels? When? It has been months! I paid for a year's subscription upfront in September 2010 based on what then seemed like a good variety of channels. Now 6 months later, if I had the chance I would ask for my money back! Again is it legal for ZUKU to go back on what they promised to air and charge customers money based on lies? Suraj Shah Corporate Affairs Manager Intel Corporation -----Original Message----- From: kictanet-bounces+surajx.shah=intel.com(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke [mailto:kictanet-bounces+surajx.shah=intel.com@lists.kictanet.or.ke] On Behalf Of kictanet-request(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke Sent: Thursday, March 17, 2011 9:21 AM To: Shah, SurajX Subject: kictanet Digest, Vol 46, Issue 68 Send kictanet mailing list submissions to kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to kictanet-request(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke You can reach the person managing the list at kictanet-owner(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific than "Re: Contents of kictanet digest..." Today's Topics: 1. Re: An Open Letter to Zuku (Help me please!!!) (Edith Adera) 2. Re: Digital villages (robert yawe) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Message: 1 Date: Wed, 16 Mar 2011 18:18:12 +0300 From: Edith Adera <eadera(a)idrc.or.ke> To: "brian(a)pixie.co.ke" <brian(a)pixie.co.ke> Cc: "sabiya.bagha(a)ke.wananchi.com" <sabiya.bagha(a)ke.wananchi.com>, "ida.aginga(a)ke.wananchi.com" <ida.aginga(a)ke.wananchi.com>, "sharon.kisia(a)ke.wananchi.com" <sharon.kisia(a)ke.wananchi.com>, "support(a)ke.wananchi.com" <support(a)ke.wananchi.com>, "zukucanhelp(a)gmail.com" <zukucanhelp(a)gmail.com>, "felix.sechero(a)ke.wananchi.com" <felix.sechero(a)ke.wananchi.com>, KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke>, "ruth.muturi(a)ke.wananchi.com" <ruth.muturi(a)ke.wananchi.com>, "poonam.pitrola(a)ke.wananchi.com" <poonam.pitrola(a)ke.wananchi.com>, "shelmith.njoki(a)ke.wananchi.com" <shelmith.njoki(a)ke.wananchi.com>, "supportbb(a)zuku.co.ke" <supportbb(a)zuku.co.ke>, "samson.bonyi(a)ke.wananchi.com" <samson.bonyi(a)ke.wananchi.com>, "jimmy.mbotela(a)ke.wananchi.com" <jimmy.mbotela(a)ke.wananchi.com> Subject: Re: [kictanet] An Open Letter to Zuku (Help me please!!!) Message-ID: <46563326FAEDB04F92FED3DB099C98BB35EEBA682E(a)esaroms07.ESARO.IDRC.ORG> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" It's strange that CCK never responds to issues on KICTANET list except the other day I saw an email from Christopher. Does CCK have a consumer affairs department. Can complaint procedures be published? and QoS performance of all companies be made public? I was just about to sign up to Zuku after the feedback we got from listers on broadband! A consumer study we've just published points to serious complaints in the Internet market which are not being addressed. Edith ________________ Edith Ofwona Adera Senior Program Specialist ICT4D Program and Climate Change & Water Program International Development Research Centre | Centre de recherches pour le d?veloppement international Regional Office for Eastern and Southern Africa Tel: +254202713160 | Fax/T?l?c: +254202711063 | Skype: edithadera eadera(a)idrc.or.ke<mailto:eadera@idrc.or.ke> | www.idrc.ca<http://www.idrc.ca/> | www.crdi.ca<http://www.crdi.ca/> ________________________________ From: kictanet-bounces+eadera=idrc.or.ke(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke [kictanet-bounces+eadera=idrc.or.ke(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke] On Behalf Of Brian Ngure [brian(a)pixie.co.ke] Sent: 15 March 2011 01:43 To: Edith Adera Cc: sabiya.bagha(a)ke.wananchi.com; ida.aginga(a)ke.wananchi.com; support(a)ke.wananchi.com; zukucanhelp(a)gmail.com; felix.sechero(a)ke.wananchi.com; poonam.pitrola(a)ke.wananchi.com; ruth.muturi(a)ke.wananchi.com; sharon.kisia(a)ke.wananchi.com; shelmith.njoki(a)ke.wananchi.com; supportbb(a)zuku.co.ke; samson.bonyi(a)ke.wananchi.com; jimmy.mbotela(a)ke.wananchi.com; KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions Subject: [kictanet] An Open Letter to Zuku (Help me please!!!) Hi, I would like to bring to attention the extremely poor service provided by Zuku. The quality of service has steadily declined. Emails to customer support are now totally ignored. When I subscribed to the "Turbo 8" bundle from Zuku, I was informed that the speed would be maintained at a minimum of 70% to 80% (approximately 5Mbps - 6Mbps). However, the down speed on my 8Mbps Turbo 8 fibre link is now 0.33Mbps. (This represents 3.75% of the speed that I am signed up for and is advertised by Zuku.) Is there a body that performs routine checks on quality of service? e.g. CCK? And if so, is there a specified procedure that one should follow? Also, if a complaint is filed, is it acted upon? Has anyone on this list filed a complaint and a solution has been found? I am at my wits end. I don't know what else to do. Below is a summary of some of the communication I have had with Zuku support since mid January. ---------------------- My Turbo 8 connection is has been experiencing slow speeds since Monday 24th January. I also lost the TV signal from 23rd January until 7th February. In one of the screenshots, you can see that packet loss on the first two hops is greater than 70%. A work order number was raised: 298106. In calls to support, I have been told: 1. That the problem is a node near my house in Lavington. 2. That the modem firmware is faulty. 3. That the modem is fine! 4. That the 8Mbps package is a shared bandwith, BUT SPEEDS OF 0.3Mbps to a maximum of 1.2Mbps on an 8 Mbps link? 5. That support teams would come on specifed days at specified times (They never bothered to show up or call!) 6. That there is an issue with the main line and the issue has been escalated to our maintenance team who are working to resolve the matter. 7. That the support technician who finally came to my house lied and said everything is ok even though my TV signal (which finally came back on its own) still was jerky and the internet speed was 1.2 Mbps Down and 0.8 Mbps Up. My maximum download was 80 - 100kbps download and an average of 40-60kbps. This is supposed to be an 8Mbps link. 8. That the wifi modem would have to be changed to one that does not have wireless and that this will resolve the current issue. 9. To purchase a router as the one that will be installed does not support wireless. (NOTE: The 8 Mbps package clearly states that wireless is part of the package so why should I have to buy one?) 10. That I will indeed be given a new Cable modem + wifi since I am still on Turbo 8. (February 16th) 11. That another technician will come over to check the internet and TV signal issue. 12. That the HD receiver and phone will be issued soon as they are in stock. (They have not been provided to date.) 13. That it was a mis-communication on the previous mail and that you need to change the modem but to one without the Wifi and that I should tell you if I have purchased the router for the wifi! (Again, the Turbo 8 package is advertised as coming with wifi) (February 17th) 14. That you are working on a resolution for this matter and shall get back to me shortly. (February 18th) I have noticed that packet loss on the link is very high (sometimes between 60% to 80%). I have sent emails with this information which has been totally ignored. I have also been told: 1. That the receiver supplied is an SD Receiver which will be upgraded to the HD Receiver. 2. No phone set was supplied but will be brought as they out of stock (apparently since November last year). 3. That they have just received the HD decoders and telephone which will be installed soon (I was told this on the 27th of January) once they have been integrated into our system. It's March 15th and guess what, I'm still waiting for a solution to these problems. We (Kenya) plan to be the ICT hub for East and Southern Africa, with all the plans in place for the ICT city (Malili). If this is a sample of things to come in regards to customer service and quality of service.... well I suppose you can guess what our potential audience will think of us (Kenya). Brian Ngure

7 8

The Case for Information Security Management Systems ISO IEC 27001
by Barrack Otieno 18 Mar '11

18 Mar '11

Listers, I have been doing some research in the above mentioned area especially in ISO IEC 27001 and i am wondering whether there are any organisations locally implementing IS standards and whether it is worth the investment, do we need this standards as a country and as an industry? -- Barrack O. Otieno Afriregister Ltd (Kenya) www.afrire <http://www.afriregister.com>gister.bi, www.afriregister.com<http://www.afriergister.com> <http://www.afriregister.com>ICANN accredited registrar +254721325277 +254-20-2498789 Skype: barrack.otieno

1 0

Fw: CCK statement on status of Mobile Number Portability
by Walubengo J 17 Mar '11

17 Mar '11

--- On Thu, 3/17/11, Wambua, Christopher <Wambua(a)cck.go.ke> wrote: Subject: CCK statement on status of Mobile Number Portability To: "Walubengo J" <jwalu(a)yahoo.com> Date: Thursday, March 17, 2011, 1:18 PM Please share this with listers on KICTANET PRESS RELEASE 17th March 2011 NEWS EDITOR RE: STATUS OF MOBILE NUMBER PORTABILITY The attention of the Commission has been drawn by some media reports that appear to suggest that some mobile operators are not ready to implement Mobile Number Portability (MNP) by the set date of 1st April 2011. In view of the foregoing, the Commission wishes to state as follows: · The process of implementing MNP services in the country has been quite consultative and inclusive. Since inception of the project, the Commission has engaged mobile industry players in extensive consultations and discussions, which culminated in the signing of an agreement on 17th December 2010 in which all operators agreed to implement MNP by 1st April 2011. Subsequently, the Commission has been working closely with the mobile operators and the licensed porting service provider (i.e. M/s Porting Access Kenya) to ensure that the implementation process is on course. According to the latest signed reports of the technical meetings, all operators are ready to commence testing their MNP systems this week. · The mobile operators and M/s Porting Access Kenya have displayed utmost commitment and co-operation in implementing the service. Although the mobile operators may not be exactly at the same level of preparedness, the Commission is yet to receive any formal notification suggesting inability to implement MNP by the agreed date of 1st April 2011 from any of the licensed mobile service providers. · The Commission shall continue monitoring progress in respect to implementation of MNP and inform the public accordingly. Issued by: Charles J.K. Njoroge DIRECTOR-GENERAL

1 0

Re: [kictanet] Digital villages
by robert yawe 17 Mar '11

17 Mar '11

Dr. Ndemo, Some of us on this list have experience in setting up and operating cyber cafes of which I am sure the Digital Villages are similar, any chance you could share with us some of the business proposals for our input. I would be more than willing to offer my experience to improve the business plan and execution and I am sure there are others here who would also be willing, CSR needs to go below the large corporates to all who can give back. This will be my contribution by going beyond rhetoric to offering solutions and adding actual value. We can treat them like MBA case study scenarios. Regards Robert Yawe KAY System Technologies Ltd Phoenix House, 6th Floor P O Box 55806 Nairobi, 00200 Kenya Tel: +254722511225, +254202010696 ________________________________ From: "bitange(a)jambo.co.ke" <bitange(a)jambo.co.ke> To: robert yawe <robertyawe(a)yahoo.co.uk> Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> Sent: Tue, 15 March, 2011 19:19:41 Subject: Re: [kictanet] Digital villages Robert I have been informed that the applicants for DV loan facilities have given fairly good business plans and many of them are experienced cyber owners including some who are already supporting operators in money transfer and other businesses. We have informed family bank to pay special attention to experienced applicants while still maintaining world bank requirement. Ndemo. Sent from my BlackBerry® ________________________________ From: robert yawe <robertyawe(a)yahoo.co.uk> Date: Tue, 15 Mar 2011 16:05:23 +0000 (GMT) To: <bitange(a)jambo.co.ke> Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions<kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> Subject: Re: [kictanet] Digital villages Hi, It is unfortunate that this is too late but if the government was able to cancel the agreement with the WB for the Mombasa Road "over pass" project why can't we stop this one so as to make sure that the country gets the maximum return? Regards Robert Yawe KAY System Technologies Ltd Phoenix House, 6th Floor P O Box 55806 Nairobi, 00200 Kenya Tel: +254722511225, +254202010696 ________________________________ From: "bitange(a)jambo.co.ke" <bitange(a)jambo.co.ke> To: robert yawe <robertyawe(a)yahoo.co.uk> Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> Sent: Mon, 14 March, 2011 20:36:18 Subject: Re: [kictanet] Digital villages Robert, Your proposal makes a lot more sense but it comes too late after we developed the structure with the WB. We sell this variant idea to the operators and also attempt to vary phase 2 of WB. Ndemo. Sent from my BlackBerry® ________________________________ From: robert yawe <robertyawe(a)yahoo.co.uk> Date: Thu, 10 Mar 2011 08:42:26 +0000 (GMT) To: <bitange(a)jambo.co.ke> Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions<kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> Subject: Re: [kictanet] Digital villages PS Ndemo, I just have one issue with how the whole DV and its aliases are being implemented and that is dealing with inexperienced people to set them up. My suggestion would be that to roll out faster and increase the likelihood of success we need to look at first empowering existing cyber and other business center operators as they already have the entrepreneurial spirit, are already meeting their basic needs and understand business. To bring in the youth we can implement an interesting approach that is being done in South Africa where those interested in getting funds to venture into a specific industry receive apprentice type training by being attached to an operating business. Part of the loan/grant is used to pay their salaries while they are attached (KEPSA & GOK have a similar project) the rest will then be given to them to actually start the business. Companies have realised that this is not creating competition but actually developing a franchise operator or a distributor. In the same way the existing cyber cafe operators after being empowered would then be required to take on the Youth who will receive practical experience before being let out to setup on their own. Regards Robert Yawe KAY System Technologies Ltd Phoenix House, 6th Floor P O Box 55806 Nairobi, 00200 Kenya Tel: +254722511225, +254202010696 ________________________________ From: "bitange(a)jambo.co.ke" <bitange(a)jambo.co.ke> To: robertyawe(a)yahoo.co.uk Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> Sent: Tue, 8 March, 2011 8:20:31 Subject: Re: [kictanet] Digital villages Cynicism and negativity will take us nowhere. Simply ask where these DVs are and you will be shown. Ndemo. > I am just wondering, is the digital villages, BPO and other grand > initiatives that have since stalled as a result of GOK is diverting funds > to > political initiatives instead? E.g. shuttle diplomacies! > > > > Best Regards, > > > > Edwin > > From: kictanet-bounces+eonchari=lynxbits.com(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > [mailto:kictanet-bounces+eonchari=lynxbits.com@lists.kictanet.or.ke] On > Behalf Of warigia bowman > Sent: Monday, March 07, 2011 3:47 PM > To: Edwin > Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions > Subject: Re: [kictanet] Digital villages > > > > Hi all, > > I did try to visit a digital visit in Sagana with little success. If the > PS > can kindly give me a clear list of digital villages, including location, a > contact person, and a cell phone, I would really like to visit as many as > possible and report back to you. If any Kenyan academic would like to > coauthor a paper on the same, I would enjoy that. Please contact me. . > > Sincerely, Warigia > > On Mon, Mar 7, 2011 at 12:30 PM, George Nyabuga <gnyabuga(a)uonbi.ac.ke> > wrote: > > In January 2007, the Nation published the story (below) indicating that > the government was in the process of setting up digital villages across > the country. What happened to these digital villages and plans? Dr Bitange > Ndemo, Paul Kokubo and others were reported to have been driving this > process. But as far as I know there are hardly any 'digital villages' in > the 210 constituencies. Empty promises? > > George > > > Story by JUSTUS ONDARI > Publication Date: 8/01/2007 > > Several communication firms will jointly set up hubs in villages around > the country, in project meant to close the huge gap in Internet access > between rural and urban areas. > In the first phase of the programme, Telkom Kenya, Kenya Data Network and > Popote Wireless will each establish digital villages in 54 constituencies > under an initiative that aims to cover the remaining 156 constituencies by > December this year. > The Government will subsidise broadband access for the villages under a > Sh670 million World Bank loan, that seeks to stimulate demand for > broadband uptake over a three year period. Entrepreneurs will get credit > through the Youth Fund to buy the locally assembled computers going for an > average of Sh25,000 a piece. The initiative, known as Rural Digital > Village "Marshall Plan", also aims to rope in mobile service providers, > Safaricom and Celtel Kenya. > The two have already agreed, in principal, to take part in the first phase > of the programme, said Mr Peter Kimacia, one of the coordinators of the > initiative. Mr Kimacia is the chief executive of ICTvillage.com, an > industry-driven Web site and business lobby that aims to make Kenya the > information and communication technology (ICT) hub of Africa. > "At the end of Phase Two of the initiative in December 2008, each of the > telecommunications service providers will have at least a digital village > in all the 210 constituencies in the country," he said. > He was speaking at the Nairobi Serena Hotel during the launch of the > initiative. > Launching the concept, Information and Communications permanent secretary, > Bitange Ndemo said each of the constituencies will have a digital centre, > two digital schools, and four digital kiosks within the next 100 days > under what he called a "Rapid Results Response". > A digital centre will have between 10 and 20 computers, while a digital > school will have five to 10 computers, and a digital kiosk one to five > computers. > Also present at the launch were Information and Communication Assistant > minister David Were and permanent secretaries David Nalo (Trade and > Industry), and Kinuthia Murugu (Youth Affairs). > The programme will be overseen by the newly appointed Kenya Information > and Communication Technology Board chaired by Ms Catherine Ngahu, and > managing director, Paul Kokubo of 3Mice Interactive Media Limited. > The villages will offer services like data collection, cyber cafes, > training and merchandising. Other services are business outsourcing, > franchising and bureau services. > > > > -- > Dr George Nyabuga > Associate Director > School of Journalism & Mass Communication > University of Nairobi > Education Building > Harry Thuku Road > PO Box 30197 - 00100 > Nairobi, Kenya > Tel: +254(0)20 318262 Fax: +254(0)20 2229168 > Mobile: +254 (0)72151 6573 > Email: gnyabuga(a)uonbi.ac.ke, gnyabuga(a)yahoo.co.uk > www.uonbi.ac.ke > > > > ----------------------------------------- > This message has been scanned for viruses and dangerous content by > MailScanner, > and is believed to be clean. > > +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ > UNIVERSITY OF NAIROBI IS ISO CERTIFIED > > The University of Nairobi is committed to providing quality services to > all > its clients. The University will monitor and review its quality > performance > from time to time through an effective implementation of the Quality > Management System based on ISO 9001:2008 standard. > > University of Nairobi Website: http://www.uonbi.ac.ke/ > +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ > > >_______________________________________________ > kictanet mailing list > kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > > This message was sent to: warigia(a)gmail.com > Unsubscribe or change your options at > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/warigia%40gmail.com > > > > > ---------------------------------------------- > This message has been scanned for viruses and > dangerous content by Jambo MailScanner, and is > believed to be clean. > --------------------------------------------- > "easy access to the world" > >_______________________________________________ > kictanet mailing list > kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > > This message was sent to: bitange(a)jambo.co.ke > Unsubscribe or change your options at > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/bitange%40jambo.co.ke > ---------------------------------------------- This message has been scanned for viruses and dangerous content by Jambo MailScanner, and is believed to be clean. --------------------------------------------- "easy access to the world" _______________________________________________ kictanet mailing list kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet This message was sent to: robertyawe(a)yahoo.co.uk Unsubscribe or change your options at http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/robertyawe%40yahoo.co.… -------------------------------------------------- This message has been scanned for viruses and dangerous content by Jambo MailScanner, and is believed to be clean. -------------------------------------------------- "easy access to the world" -------------------------------------------------- This message has been scanned for viruses and dangerous content by Jambo MailScanner, and is believed to be clean. -------------------------------------------------- "easy access to the world"

1 0

problem inherent in how mobile money transactions are done
by Francis.Hook＠gmail.com 16 Mar '11

16 Mar '11

I have a colleague who received a rather suspect SMS that, at first glance seemed to advise of money rcvd from someone and a few minutes later someone called to say he had sent the money and error and has a crisis of sorts and would like the money sent back. I have seen this twice. Tricksters at work. When using mobile money I have always wondered about the privacy of such transactions since one is required to sign a sheet with details of the transactions - details which are clearly visible to everyone. I note both ZAP and Mpesa have such sheets. It would only take a keen eye to quickly pick out a number next to a high value, memorise it - under the pretext of doing a small transaction and then claim a victim within hours of the person depositing money into their account. I suppose unregistered mobile numbers must now be de-activated ASAP. Be on the look out.

5 5

Draft report on ICCK BILL 2010
by k.k. ombati 16 Mar '11

16 Mar '11

Dear Listers, Please find the draft report on the ICCK Bill 2010 attached. kindly let me have your comments and suggestions.it is up for discussion from today (16th march 2011) up to Tuesday 22nd March 2011. Regards, Kerubo

2 1

Invitation to the Africa Internet Entrepreneurs' Conference 2011
by Albert Mucunguzi 16 Mar '11

16 Mar '11

Dear All, The Africa Internet and Mobile Entrepreneurs' Conference, organized by PC Tech Magazine, is a one day conference that seeks to showcase the innovative use of new media – internet and mobiles – by entrepreneurs to address the socio-economic and development challenges in Africa. Research studies have discussed the impact of the new media for business and development as including new business models, access to new resources, markets and opportunities for collaboration, and novel approaches to sustaining livelihoods. However, these opportunities depends on the ‘capability to function’ – thus the ability of the African entrepreneur to go beyond access to new media and use associated functions and services which empower them in their individual ventures and contribute to sustaining their livelihoods. This capability to function starts from educating and training in the use of new media, and hence, the objective of this conference. Driven by the new media – Internet and mobile applications - the information economy has birthed a space for participation, access, expression and creativity. Concerning development in Africa, we ask, what is the impact of the new media on the African Entrepreneur? Entrepreneurs play a critical role in the starting and establishing small business opportunities in Africa. However, a number of newly-established ventures in developing economies fade out in the early stage of business, within 42 months. There are multi-prong challenges including access to information and new skills which contribute to this failure. These challenges stifle the contribution of African entrepreneurs to the society. This year's conference will bring together a blend of academics, practitioners and policy makers in the area of ICT for sustainable development and innovative mobile solutions for Africa. AFRIEC 2011 will encourage open minds, critical thinking, self-examination, creativity, and sharing ideas. We invite you to join us and look forward to welcoming you to the Africa Internet and Mobile Entrepreneurs' Conference 2011. Tickets are avaibable at UGX. 100,000/= for professionals and UGX. 50,000/= for students. The conference will take place at Hotel Africana, Friday 18th March, 2011 (full day). You can book your place by emailing afriec(a)pctechmagazine.com. The conference is sponsored by Orange Uganda, and SMS Media among others (you are also invited to sponsor). Regards, Albert MucunguziPC Tech Magazine,P. O. Box 32180,Kampala,UgandaEmail: ed(a)pctechmagazine.comWebsite: http://www.albertmucunguzi.com http://www.pctechmagazine.com Visit the I-Network website - www.i-network.or.ug Follow I-Network on Twitter: http://twitter.com/inetwork The I-Network Dgroup is a platform for ICT Knowledge Sharing Visit web site Click here to unsubscribe The email is intended only for the recipients. The owners of the Dgroups cannot be held responsible for the contents of the email message.

1 0

ICTs help in Linking Farmers to Markets
by Edith Adera 16 Mar '11

16 Mar '11

Listers, Just a quick note to share some research findings of work supported by IDRC in 6 African countries (Kenya, Benin, Ghana, Madagascar and Malawi) Some highlights of findings from the project (eAgriculture Research Network):- * Participation in ICT-based market information service projects strengthens farmer linkage to markets:- increases the share of agricultural production (crop and livestock) that is sold by about 14% implying that farmers that participate in such projects have greater participation in the market. It also increases the per-capita household use of productivity enhancing purchased inputs (seeds, fertilizer & pesticides) by 10-12%. * There is evidence that participation in ICT-based projects improves household food security: Increases per-capita agricultural income and reduces the extent of food insecurity (duration of food deficit) in a participating household. * Markets covered by ICT-based projects perform better:- they are characterized by lower price dispersion and lower transaction costs and are more integrated with other markets. * That the effect of the use of ICT-based tools (especially mobiles) by rural traders on transaction cost is nuanced. It reduces some of the components of transaction costs but not others (e.g. screening & renogotiation costs) suggesting that the nature of the market influence how use of such tools affect transaction costs. * Awareness of ICT-based market information service (MIS) projects are driven by farmer-specific factors - age (-ve), education/literacy, farming experience, membership in farmer organizations; infrastructural factors - access to electricity (-ve); asset endowment - land size, value of household non-land physical assets, value of livestock assets, household income; country-specific factors e.g. price controls and ban on maize export in Malawi distorted the market. * The environment (physical, socio-cultural, economic and legal) in which ICT-based projects are deployed and their design affect their outcomes i.e. performance and sustainability. Flexible and responsive designs improve the odds of success and sustainability of such projects. Overdependence on donor support and failure to plan for exit reduce the odd of success. Finally, in Kenya it was found that over 60% of mobile money transfer is used in the agriculture sector! Telecom operators in Sri Lanka have incorporated provision of "real-time" (within the hour) agricultural market information in their service offerings and have hired market scouts to collect information hourly (they charge consumers equivallent of ksh 30 per month for this information (good source of revenue) - we need these types of innovations in Kenya rather than price controls. Edith ________________ Edith Ofwona Adera Senior Program Specialist ICT4D Program and Climate Change & Water Program International Development Research Centre | Centre de recherches pour le développement international Regional Office for Eastern and Southern Africa Tel: +254202713160 | Fax/Téléc: +254202711063 | Skype: edithadera eadera(a)idrc.or.ke<mailto:eadera@idrc.or.ke> | www.idrc.ca<http://www.idrc.ca/> | www.crdi.ca<http://www.crdi.ca/> [https://email.idrc.or.ke/owa/attachment.ashx?id=RgAAAAANayfd3%2b2VQYZo%2flc…]

2 1