July 2011 - KICTANet

Digital to Analog Conversion
by robert yawe 19 Jun '15

19 Jun '15

Hi, When the migration from analog to digital was initially raised fear was put into the public on how there would be no option but to throw away our analog TV sets and replace them with Digital. Now that digital transmission is finally here we need to look at how to make the migration as painless as possible while at the same time we do not disenfranchise any citizens. It has been mentioned that there are over 1 million TV sets in Kenya today, that means 1 million digital to analog converters will be required over the next 2-3 years. I believe this is a great opportunity for us to go into the electronic assembly business, I would like to propose that we 1st increase duty on converters from the current 35% to 250% so as to discourage the importation of the converters. Then exempt from duty and vat all assembly stations, test equipment and components for anyone who sets up a converter assembly plant, with a 3 year tax holiday. If you setup the plant more than 200 kilometers from Nairobi or Mombasa you receive an addition 2 years tax holiday. I believe this will sort out the issue of substandard converters and will also provide an opportunity for us to develop our electronic devices assembly skills. If you make a net profit of 1,000/- there is a clean 875,000,000/- to be made, close to what the government is spending on purchase of the Malili farm. This is assuming a standard device, there is still a market for those who want high end devices with recording, tuners, USB ports, etc which would mean that the returns could be much higher than projected above. So will we move away from juts being importers and retailers or do we have what it takes to do some value add? Regards Robert Yawe KAY System Technologies Ltd Phoenix House, 6th Floor P O Box 55806 Nairobi, 00200 Kenya Tel: +254722511225, +254202010696

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Commodity Exchange System - Revisited
by robert yawe 21 Feb '13

21 Feb '13

Hi Listers, About 9 month ago (human gestation period) I mentioned the need for developers to start looking into the development of a futures exchange system and as always is with the village madman I was dismissed. On Wednesday 8th June 2011 the Capital Markets Authority advertised for a futures exchange system, rfp is open to both international and local vendors. Regards Hi, The National Cereals and Produce Board together with the East African Grain Council are working towards the creation of a commodity exchange to trade futures. This process is at an advanced stage which begun with a process called warehouse receipting and currently Equity Bank offers credit against the receipts. What does this have to do with us in the IT field? When the Nairobi Stock Exchange tendered for the automated trading system (ATS) and more recently for the Broker Back-office System no local IT company made it past the 1st round. The fact that companies like Virtual City are winning international awards for systems development and others like PesaPal are receiving large direct foreign investments means that we do have the skills to develop world class solutions. This is an appeal to all ICT experts in the country to prepare ourselves to make sure that the grain exchange system is locally developed and we stop being spectators in our own country. I know it is said that a prophet is never recognised in his own town, it is time we made this phrase redundant. NCPB and others are already shopping overseas for a solution so be warned that time is not in our hands and if we are to have an impact we need to move quickly. The proposed system is supposed to provide a trading platform, depository system, GIS for land information, settlement system, warehouse management, weather monitoring and seed planting information system (acreage, seed type, fertiliser, etc). Lets get off our high horses and put a together a world class solution for a local problem. No tears after the horse has bolted. Useful links http://dn.nationmedia.com/DN/DN/2010/09/03/ArticleHtmls/03_09_2010_030_014.… http://allafrica.com/stories/200904271171.html http://www.ratin.net/mainfeature.asp?id=40 http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Smart%20Money/-/688614/899436/-/bypmdxz/-… http://www.unctad.info/upload/SUC/LusakaWorkshop/WarehouseServicesKenya.pdf Robert Yawe KAY System Technologies Ltd Phoenix House, 6th Floor P O Box 55806 Nairobi, 00200 Kenya Tel: +254722511225, +254202010696 _______________________________________________ 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.…

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KIXP Down?
by Michael Bullut 11 Aug '11

11 Aug '11

Good afternoon fellow listers, Might anybody be noting problems with the Kenya Internet Exchange Point? My colleagues working with service providers inform me they can not exchange traffic with their fellow counterparts. Warm regards, Michael Bullut. --- *Cell:* *+254 723 393 114.* *Google Talk: michael.bullut **Twitter:** @Kipsang <http://twitter.com/Kipsang/> * *Blog: http://kipsang.wordpress.com/* *E-mail:* *michael.bullut(a)gmail.com* * * *---*

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Tom Barry in .ke
by Phares Kariuki 05 Aug '11

05 Aug '11

Hi, For those interested... Thomas C. Barry is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Zephyr Management, L.P., an investment management company which he founded in 1994. Zephyr has sponsored thirteen specialized investment funds with approximately US $2 billion in committed capital. Zephyr’s private equity funds currently invest in Africa (Kingdom Zephyr Africa Management Company) and India. Zephyr’s marketable securities funds invest in stock markets of developing countries. He was one of the first investors in Celtel with Mo Ibrahim. He will be giving a talk at the iHub on the 6th of August 2011, from 3pm. Registration link below: http://tombarry.eventbrite.com -- With Regards, Phares Kariuki | T: +254 720 406 093 | E: pkariuki(a)gmail.com | Twitter: kaboro | Skype: kariukiphares | B: http://www.kaboro.com/ |

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Update on National Optical Fiber Backbone Infrastructure (NOFBI)
by Fiona Asonga 03 Aug '11

03 Aug '11

Hallo Listers, Other the last couple of days there has been growing interest in the status of the government build National Optical Fiber Backbone Infrastructure. Since last week PS Dr. Ndemo and his team at the MOIC have been engaging operators in discussions to find the best way to maximize value on the government built NOFBI infrastructure. In summary the outcome of the meetings has been that; 1. NOFBI is accessible to all interested licensed operators who shall provide the last mile solutions to their customers. 2. A management committee comprising of various operators and government has been put in place to finalize on suitable pricing and ensure as many people as possible have access to the backbone infrastructure and ensure that it is eventually self-sustainable. 3. The management committee shall share quarterly reports on the progress It is the hope of all those involved that the use of this shared platform will be a contributing factor to the reduced costs of internet access. Kind regards, Fiona Asonga Chief Executive Officer Telecommunications Service Providers Association of Kenya/ Kenya Internet Exchange Point Board Member Africa Internet Services Providers Association NRO Number Council http://www.nro.net/about/number-council.html ASO Address Council http://aso.icann.org/ac/ 14th Floor, Bruce House Standard Street Tel: +254 20 2245 036 Cell: +254 721 713 504 Website: www.tespok.or.ke Industry voice in Telecommunications, Providing Policy and Direction within the Industry and Government -- This message has been scanned for viruses and dangerous content by MailScanner, and is believed to be clean.

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Re: [kictanet] [KICTAnet] KONZA SILICON SAVNAH BANNER
by charles nduati 02 Aug '11

02 Aug '11

hi listers, I want to congratulate bwana ndemo for kicking of technocity. I passed there yesterday and so the fence is almost done and there is even a small banner I want to appeal to those listers with deep pockets to help daktari by sponsoring a gant size banner any offers? charles On Sat, 30 Jul 2011 12:44 EEST bitange(a)jambo.co.ke wrote: >Harry, >We have been having an awareness campaign but it seems nobody is listening. That is why we want to roll out the last mile so that at least we can utilize it for learning. At the moment only telcos are using it. We need all Kenyans to start to use this resource. We shall heavily use it in 35 counties before covering the rest. > >Regards > > >Ndemo. > > >Sent from my BlackBerry® > >-----Original Message----- >From: "Harry Delano" <harry(a)comtelsys.co.ke> >Sender: kictanet-bounces+bitange=jambo.co.ke(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke >Date: Sat, 30 Jul 2011 10:40:00 >To: <bitange(a)jambo.co.ke> >Reply-To: harry(a)comtelsys.co.ke >Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions<kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> >Subject: Re: [kictanet] [KICTAnet] Update on National Optical Fiber > BackboneInfrastructure (NOFBI) > >_______________________________________________ >kictanet mailing list >kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke >http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > >Unsubscribe or change your options at http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/bitange%40jambo.co.ke > >The Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet) is a multi-stakeholder platform for people and institutions interested and involved in ICT policy and regulation. The network aims to act as a catalyst for reform in the ICT sector in support of the national aim of ICT enabled growth and development. > >KICTANetiquette : Adhere to the same standards of acceptable behaviors online that you follow in real life: respect people's times and bandwidth, share knowledge, don't flame or abuse or personalize, respect privacy, do not spam, do not market your wares or qualifications. >_______________________________________________ >kictanet mailing list >kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke >http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > >Unsubscribe or change your options at http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/charlesnduati2002%40ya… > >The Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet) is a multi-stakeholder platform for people and institutions interested and involved in ICT policy and regulation. The network aims to act as a catalyst for reform in the ICT sector in support of the national aim of ICT enabled growth and development. > >KICTANetiquette : Adhere to the same standards of acceptable behaviors online that you follow in real life: respect people's times and bandwidth, share knowledge, don't flame or abuse or personalize, respect privacy, do not spam, do not market your wares or qualifications.

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Yawe for Post Master General - Aluta Continua
by robert yawe 01 Aug '11

01 Aug '11

Hi Listers, My journey to Postal Corporation as Post Master General is still alive and kicking, as we get closer to the elections I believe the chances shall improve. As I await the appointment I continue to regularly visit various post offices so as to keep my finger on the pulse of the organisation. Most of my visits reveal the continuing decay and at times wonder if the organisation can really be salvaged. Yesterday on visited the City Square Post Office and was shocked to find that they still have posters hanging advertising the Zaine service. I have had of snail mail but it has never been brought home so effectively. http://quadrantshift.co.ke/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/Photo_062811_001.jpg Such experiences can be most heart wrenching but on my way out I saw a poster/model that shows the spread of Postal's network and my drive and determination to become the Post Master General was rekindled. http://quadrantshift.co.ke/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/Photo_062811_002.jpg Comrades, e-commerce is not going anywhere in this country without the total and absolute participation of Postal Corporation and for this reason I shall continue my struggle, aluta continua and the giant shall again arise to the challenge. Regards PS. I have finally come to appreciate the camera on my phone. Robert Yawe KAY System Technologies Ltd Phoenix House, 6th Floor P O Box 55806 Nairobi, 00200 Kenya Tel: +254722511225, +254202010696

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Zuku (DTH) TV -- 3 transponders over NSS12 satellite East Africa Beam
by aki 01 Aug '11

01 Aug '11

Seems Zuku TV already have 2 transponders on NSS12 satellite ( SES ), while the third could be for VSAT apps ( am assuming will be iDirect X3 ). The two Zuku TV active (unconfirmed) transponders are on Ku Band 11105Mhz ( FTA channels 18-50 ) & 11604Mhz ( CryptoWorks encryption channels 56-81 ). I read somewhere that final target will be 80 channels. We are already on the way to DTT, I wonder why Wananchi would choose to go back to satellite which means end users will have to invest in Ku-Band sat dishes, LNBs, dish mounts, installation teams with spectrum analyzers and not to forget that during the rainy season we can expect Ku Band not to behave too well? With DTT, just one antenne and dvb is needed, come rain or sunshine. My knowledge of this sector is very rusty therefore I'd like to request if we have any broadcast engineers onlist who would care to share some insights into DTT versus Sat Transponder spacing and costing. Is it not much cheaper to go DTT on 8Mhz spacing with Mpeg4 than Sat Transponder spacing with Mepg 2? The other reason I ask is the VSAT transponder that Wananchi have chosen over NSS12, when will it be possible for us to create teleports right here in kenya with facilities for inland nations so that we not only use the national infrastructure but also provide extra services. Congratulations to Wananchi on such a commited project and hope it will be of success in the long term. Corrections are welcome. :-) Thank you.

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To KICTB for next year's grants : Digital TV local content
by aki 29 Jul '11

29 Jul '11

To concide with the DTT changeover in 2012, I hope next year the some of the grants can go to some local content production companies who can create a one-stop studio and infrastructure sets to enable artists and content developers a plaform for content creativity. Will we see a start of "Warner Studios" at some point? These studios will have a feed to e.g Signet where the production company may own its own channel, or sell the content onto main broadcasters. Also for public interest, have the channel rates on e.g. Signet been decided between content and teletext services? Hope this information can be published so as to help many out there who maybe planning various involvements in the sector. Thank you.

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Fwd: Digital Villages-Detailed Machakos itinerary
by warigia bowman 28 Jul '11

28 Jul '11

Dear listers Here are thoughts on Machakos. 1) Look, I do not knowEeastern that well. I know it somewhat, because I have an aunt in Masii. If someone knows it better, please advise. 2) Safaricom 2 list = Makueni, Britech, Makueni cont.wote town center; Kyondo investment, Makueni constituency, Mbumbuni town center; Matheka electronics, Machakos constituency, Wamunyu town. 3) ICT Board Pasha List = Makueni, Makueni, wote town; Machakos, Mbooni, Mbumbuni; 4) Safaricom general list = markpoint communications, machakos town, machakos; Please let me know if you are interested in joining us. Thanks, Rigia

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