August 2011 - KICTANet

ISP suspends service over Kshs 1/-
by Francis Hook 02 Aug '11

02 Aug '11

I know ISPs are not charities but I found it rather ridiculous for Zuku to suspend a client's connection over Kshs 1. Reminds me of a time a company sent an invoice for Kshs 0.05....with a Kshs 3.5 postage stamp attached. I suppose a FA system properly integrated with CRM would have flagged this kind of thing to keep the customer connected and carry forward the shilling to the next month. I think we are a really long way down the road when it comes to customer service...never mind we cannot get 100% uptime...and never mind the provider is supposed to credit clients when they fall below 97% uptime...and the client does not raise a fuss over that. --- Francis Hook +254 733 504561

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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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SMS and Online passport application tracking
by Daudi Were 01 Aug '11

01 Aug '11

Good morning listers, We've been trying to track a passport application online and via SMS (short code 2032) with no luck. SMS to 2032 do not generate a response and the online tracking page at http://www.immigration.go.ke/ has been removed. Have these services been withdrawn? Thanks Daudi -- Ni Wakati! Pamoja! Daudi Were

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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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