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Do Flashcom and Popote Wireless still exist?
by Francis Hook 24 Jan '11

24 Jan '11

Hi All, I need to find out if these companies are still operational or whether they were acquired by bigger telcos? Do they still exist? -- Francis Hook +254 733 504561

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Re: [kictanet] [ke-internetusers] Fw: [NVK-Mageuzi] Re: MOBILE PRICE WARS COULD DERAIL NEW KATIBA - JOKE OF THE YEAR (Was Are we letting the PS get away with this too?)
by Barrack Otieno 23 Jan '11

23 Jan '11

Well Listers i suggest we move away from a personalised (political :-)) debate targeted at the PS and tackle the issues that have been raised in the article soberly, i have picked some excerpts from the article posted by Shem. Could we also comment on the comments attributed to Michael Ghossein (TKL) and Mr. Peter Wanyonyi? Regards “We have asked CCK (industry regulator Communications Commission of Kenya) to evaluate if this kind of pricing is sustainable,” Dr Ndemo said on Monday. “I am not opposed to reduced prices but they have to make business sense,” he said. “Competition has to take care of re-investment in the sector as well as shareholder value.” Orange Kenya CEO Mickael Ghossein said on Monday that the future of the industry’s profitability appears grim should the current price wars be allowed to prevail. “There has not been largely significant increase in the traffic across networks that would indicate that the low pricing model offered by the competition has resulted in massive recruitments. In any case, cannibalisation of another player’s market share cannot be considered as industry growth,” Mr Ghossein said. “Operators will see little justification in improving call and related quality when profits are falling under assault from Airtel’s strategy. “Improving service quality requires investment in new infrastructure, but with ever-reducing revenues, this will not happen,” warns Mr Peter Wanyonyi, a telecoms analyst. But India’s Bharti Airtel-owned Kenyan subsidiary has defended its decision. On Wed, Jan 19, 2011 at 5:16 PM, Shem Ochuodho <shemochuodho(a)yahoo.com>wrote: > Fyi > > Sorry, I forgot to include the "Nation" site with the full story (for those > who might have missed it):- > http://www.nation.co.ke/business/news/PS%20fears%20mobile%20phone%20price%2… > . > > Happy reading. > Shem > > Shem J. Ochuodho, MSc (Eng), PhD, LLD (Hon) > Senior Advisor > Ministry of Telecom & Postal Services > Government of Southern Sudan (GoSS), Juba > Commonwealth Telecom Organization (CTO/GoSS) 2010 African Internaut Award > Recipient > Kenya Community Abroad (KCA) 2006/07 Excellence Award Winner > AfricaOnline 2005 Industry Pioneer Award Recipient > Father of Internet in Kenya (CSK 2000) > Cell: +249-955-021-040/+256-477-232025/+254-734-137371 > Skype: shem.ochuodho > > > ------------------------------ > *From:* Shem Ochuodho <shemochuodho(a)yahoo.com> > *To:* Leonard Mware <mleonardo(a)yahoo.com>; KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions > <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke>; NVK-Mageuzi Members List < > NVK-Mageuzi(a)yahoogroups.com> > *Cc:* PICTA Kenya-LIst <picta-kenya(a)yahoogroups.com>; NYCIV Group < > nyciv(a)googlegroups.com>; ProgressiveMinds < > ProgressiveMinds(a)yahoogroups.com>; Madaraka Party < > madaraka-kenya(a)yahoogroups.com> > *Sent:* Wed, 19 January, 2011 15:57:28 > *Subject:* [NVK-Mageuzi] Re: MOBILE PRICE WARS COULD DERAIL NEW KATIBA - > JOKE OF THE YEAR (Was Are we letting the PS get away with this too?) > > > > I have always wondered why one of the major mobile companies is treated > with kids-gloves. The current case of SMS price-wars reinforces this > concern. I would have thought that after passing the new katiba with Bill of > Rights embedded (which includes consumer protection), everyone especially > government, would celebrate when Airtel (I hold no brief) lowered SMS > charges to KSh 1. This was even after their earlier push for interconnect > rate to be pegged to KSh 0.2 was rejected, and instead GoK/CCK (with strong > influence from Safaricom) settled on KSh 0.6. While one needs to look at the > maths to know whether 0.2 or 0.6 should have been a more justified rate, > Airtel has done us one more favour: which all Kenyans of goodwill should > support. They have pegged their SMS costs to KSh 1.0, capping ‘other > overheads + profit’ to KSh 0.4. I wouldn’t expect Airtel, a global reputable > company to do this if the fundamentals were not right – unless it was a > fly-by-night company! They confirm what a number of us have worried all > along about: that mobile companies are over-reaping profits, most of which > is repatriated to shareholders out of the country. > > > > My 3 main concerns:- > > > > 1) Why would the same people who rejoiced/indeed occasioned > retrenchment when nearly 18,000 Kenyans were retrenched on privatizing > Telkom Kenya now be so worried about Safaricom retrenching to the extent > that they would deny Kenyans an opportunity to reap the benefits of > competition, innovation and creativity? > > 2) CCK is supposed to be independent. Why should the government (read > Ministry) always interfere in their decisions? > > 3) When we are being told “we’ll lose so much revenue in tax > collection”, why aren’t we in the same vein being told “but in the process, > we’ll reduce capital flight by way of (foreign) investment repatriation by > so much”, and even more importantly that “through lower phone tariffs, > Kenyan consumers will have saved so much/economy will have grown by so much > as a result of cheaper phone costs.”? > > > > Indeed some of the observations herein rooting against lower SMS costs > remind me of my earlier (pupilage) days at the then KP&TC. For a while, a > number of us advocated ‘lower costs, higher volumes’ (something that lately > has become better known as ‘bottom billion’). The same way that it was > dismissed then appears to me as the same way the ‘mobile price wars’ are > being dismissed now by some. Haven’t Equity and Safaricom itself (actually, > mobile companies) proven over time that this works? > > > > To be honest, every time I am home I shudder about using Safaricom. For > voice, I long stopped using my Safaricom number except to receive – heko to > Airtel, Yu and others. For Internet, even when I do bundles, Safaricom is > still VERY expensive. Instead of government helping (as demanded by the > constitution), they are helping to keep the prices up. In the end who really > benefits? Certainly not the consumer/ordinary Kenyan! If this approach has > worked for Airtel in India (is the population nearly a billion?), why not > for Kenya? > > > > Best rgrds, > > Shem > > > ------------------------------ > *From:* Leonard Mware <mleonardo(a)yahoo.com> > *To:* shemochuodho(a)yahoo.com > *Cc:* KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> > *Sent:* Wed, 19 January, 2011 14:33:22 > *Subject:* Re: [kictanet] Are we letting the PS get away with this too? > > > Listers, > > Two issues are emerging: > > 1. Operators not able to 'recoup' investment hence possible layoffs, stock > market problems etc > 2. Taxman losses > > First, let’s imagine tomorrow the minimum charges are set to 2/- and Airtel > moves up. Assume I am a new entrant in the market with > cheaper-easy-to-deploy technology. Bear in mind that technology is evolving > fast and new multiplexing and radio wave propagation techniques are also > advancing. If my technology allows me to set up a GSM network and I can > confidently 'recoup' my investment at 0.5/- why should I be forced to charge > 2/-? > > My view is that such a scenario will give rise to a government created > cartel that will stifle competition, innovation and advancement. > > Secondly, who is going to set the base rate? Government? I wait to see how > the government can juggle the mathematics of coming up with ‘recouping > period’ and satisfy taxman, investors in stock market and operators at same > time. > > The only option, in my view, is for the government to think of higher > taxation because that’s where they have leverage and the leave the fight on > tariff to operators and market place. The other option is for the government > to set up its own National Mobile Operator (NMO) in the line of National Oil > Corporation of Kenya (NOCK) to help stabilize market ;) > > As for stock market; ups and downs are part of the game.. it is called in > Kiswahili playing *kamari and *any investor should know what happens in a > casino! > > BTW, is there a documented precedence in any developing country? > > Leonard > > > > --- On *Wed, 1/19/11, bitange(a)jambo.co.ke <bitange(a)jambo.co.ke>* wrote: > > > From: bitange(a)jambo.co.ke <bitange(a)jambo.co.ke> > Subject: Re: [kictanet] Are we letting the PS get away with this too? > To: mleonardo(a)yahoo.com > Cc: "KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions" <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> > Date: Wednesday, January 19, 2011, 12:43 PM > > Liko, > In developed Markets where both data and voice have matured, you can > afford drastic fall in price. When you get reports from the public, one > must always be cautious. Take for example when someone reports that there > is a likelihood of cross subsidy which can potentially affect the market. > Should we be locking ourselves in the room and pray that nothing happens? > > It is therefore not abnormal for the Government to be cautious especially > when the public writes to complain of a similar situation elsewhere. We > have not faulted any operator but it is our responsibility to ensure that > there is fair play. > > Imagine a situation where all the operators report losses at the end of > the year. You will begin to see retrenchments, the stock market fall > would trigger a rise both with the exchange rate and the interest rates > effectively the consumer will end up paying somehow. I will not be > suprised that it will be this same forum that will ask what the Government > was doing to let things get this worse. > > Therefore, it does not matter whether you you cricise the Government now > or later. Either way we face the criticism. > > Ndemo. > > > > > > Guys. > > > > How about we just let the prices go down till the govt has to set > > prices ? Or till the Govt supports MNO's (like posta and telkom for a > > loooooong time) > > > > Seriously, the same peeps who were complaining about call costs 3 > > years are worried about the telcos collapsing. > > > > This is the same language we heard when ISP's we asked to reduce > > bandwidth prices ... > > > > Unsustainable :) > > > > > > > > > > > > On 1/18/11, John Kieti <jkieti(a)gmail.com<http://us.mc1619.mail.yahoo.com/mc/[email protected]>> > wrote: > >> Hi Walu and other esteemed Kenyans, > >> > >> This debate is interesting. As mentioned earlier by someone, the debate > >> would be more enlightening if the cost structure of these MNOs had been > >> in > >> the public domain. But all is not lost; there are some basic parameters > >> already in the public domain ie. (1) Safaricom's dominant position of > >> about > >> 77% market share and (2) Airtel's low price strategy including their 1 > >> bob > >> on-net offer in an attempt to eat into Safaricom's market share. It > >> appears > >> a little premature then to raise a concern of Anti-Trust against a > >> non-dominant player, when they have not even achieved a half of the > >> dominant > >> player's market share. > >> > >> The current cost structure and profit margins for voice, SMS and all > >> other > >> product offerings is what we really need to understand before going into > >> any > >> conclusion on long term sustainability. It seems easy to see that brand > >> loyalty and patriotic sentiments are strong everywhere this debate comes > >> up > >> but it might also help to see these harder facts. > >> > >> Lastly, in today's dynamic economic environment, one has to either > >> innovate > >> or die - and our dear Safaricom has demonstrated substantial competence > >> on > >> this. It then appears that innovation is what will sustain growth of the > >> industry - really not regulation and protectionism. > >> > >> Best regards > >> > >> On Tue, Jan 18, 2011 at 6:09 PM, Walubengo J <jwalu(a)yahoo.com<http://us.mc1619.mail.yahoo.com/mc/[email protected]>> > wrote: > >> > >>> Harry, tough questions you have and the answers may most likely > >>> neutralize > >>> my argument. But the bigger point is/was that certain type of > >>> competitive > >>> tactics can be counterproductive when looked at from a Macro > >>> perspective. > >>> Yes, you (Airtel) wins todays battle, but someone bigger than Safcom > >>> will > >>> lose the war. > >>> > >>> With the Microsoft Case- European Courts ruled that their tactic was > >>> anti-competitive and they were forced to seperate their Browser from > >>> their > >>> OS, rather than sell as a bundle. But I think it was a case of too > >>> little > >>> too late. Did internet numbers go down? probably not since Internet > >>> numbers > >>> do depend on more factors other than just Browsers. > >>> > >>> But for the mobile industry, their growth and expanse does depend on > >>> revenues. I can forcasts that VOICE Revenue generated from all players > >>> might > >>> be the same as last year because the voice industry may not grow - it > >>> will > >>> simply be shared out.. And after the price-wars are over and an > >>> equilibrium > >>> is established (maybe Airtel 50% others 50%) it will dawn on everyone > >>> that > >>> they incoming revenue streams is insufficient to deliver expansion or > >>> extend > >>> the services outside their current levels. > >>> > >>> walu. > >>> > >>> > >>> > >>> > >>> > >>> --- On *Tue, 1/18/11, Harry Hare <harry(a)africanedevelopment.org<http://us.mc1619.mail.yahoo.com/mc/[email protected]> > >* > >>> wrote: > >>> > >>> > >>> From: Harry Hare <harry(a)africanedevelopment.org<http://us.mc1619.mail.yahoo.com/mc/[email protected]> > > > >>> Subject: Re: [kictanet] [Skunkworks] Are we letting the PS get away > >>> with > >>> this too? > >>> To: "Walubengo J" <jwalu(a)yahoo.com<http://us.mc1619.mail.yahoo.com/mc/[email protected]> > > > >>> > >>> Cc: "KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions" <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke<http://us.mc1619.mail.yahoo.com/mc/[email protected]> > > > >>> Date: Tuesday, January 18, 2011, 5:22 PM > >>> > >>> Walu good analogy with Netscape and MS IE. However > >>> > >>> 1. Did the Internet die with the death of Netscape? > >>> 2. Did the Internet numbers stay constant with the death of > >>> Netscape? > >>> 3. Did Microsoft marketshare drop? > >>> 4. Did innovation on the internet stop? > >>> > >>> Guys, let get real, this is business…natural selection comes into play. > >>> > >>> Kindest Regards > >>> > >>> Harry Hare > >>> Director > >>> * > >>> 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 > >>> > >>> From: John Walubengo > >>> <jwalu(a)yahoo.com<http://us.mc1619.mail.yahoo.com/mc/[email protected]> > <http://mc/[email protected]> > >>> > > >>> Date: Tue, 18 Jan 2011 05:35:58 -0800 (PST) > >>> To: Harry Hare > >>> <harry(a)africanedevelopment.org<http://us.mc1619.mail.yahoo.com/mc/[email protected]> > <http://mc/[email protected]> > >>> > > >>> > >>> Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions > >>> <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke<http://us.mc1619.mail.yahoo.com/mc/[email protected]> > <http://mc/[email protected]> > >>> > > >>> Subject: Re: [kictanet] [Skunkworks] Are we letting the PS get away > >>> with > >>> this too? > >>> > >>> Here are my thoughts. > >>> > >>> The PS is right about predatory pricing never aimed at growing the > >>> Industry. For those who were "alive" at the beginning of the > >>> web-browser > >>> wars in early 1990s. Netscape was King. Then Microsoft came in and gave > >>> away > >>> its product Internet Explorer(IE) - for free. Everyone was happy - > >>> until > >>> they realized they were paying for the Microsoft IE through other means > >>> (by > >>> buying for the OS for example). But by then Netscape as a competitor > >>> was > >>> as > >>> dead as the Dodo. Microsoft Mission accomplished. > >>> > >>> Folks, Airtel is not here because they love giving free things. I am > >>> not > >>> privy to their Strategy but it can be read by anyone. Their aim is not > >>> to > >>> grow/extend the Service, but rather to eat Safaricom's lunch. At a > >>> consumer > >>> level, nothing really wrong with that and infact it is Christmas time > >>> for > >>> consumers. BUT at a national level, what you have is that the > >>> 20million > >>> subscribers you currently have in the country, will remain 20million > >>> subscriber five years later. Only that half of them will be sitting on > >>> Airtel's network and the other half will be with "Others". Net growth > >>> for > >>> Kenya? =ZERO > >>> > >>> Airtel's strategy wont kill the mobile industry, but believe you me, it > >>> will stiffle its growth in the long run, because the returns to the > >>> investors will not be sufficient to sustain operations, let alone > >>> extend > >>> the > >>> network or pay for innovation. > >>> > >>> That said, as a consumer, Airtel's offer is truly irresistible and > >>> worth > >>> considering. But as a scholar, I do know, and agree that it is not > >>> good > >>> for > >>> the industry in the long run. > >>> > >>> walu. > >>> > >>> > >>> --- On *Tue, 1/18/11, Odhiambo Washington > >>> <odhiambo(a)gmail.com<http://us.mc1619.mail.yahoo.com/mc/[email protected]> > <http://mc/[email protected]> > >>> >* wrote: > >>> > >>> > >>> From: Odhiambo Washington > >>> <odhiambo(a)gmail.com<http://us.mc1619.mail.yahoo.com/mc/[email protected]> > <http://mc/[email protected]> > >>> > > >>> Subject: Re: [kictanet] [Skunkworks] Are we letting the PS get away > >>> with > >>> this too? > >>> To: jwalu(a)yahoo.com<http://us.mc1619.mail.yahoo.com/mc/[email protected]>< > http://mc/[email protected]> > >>> > >>> Cc: "KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions" > >>> <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke<http://us.mc1619.mail.yahoo.com/mc/[email protected]> > <http://mc/[email protected]> > >>> > > >>> Date: Tuesday, January 18, 2011, 1:22 PM > >>> > >>> > >>> > >>> On Tue, Jan 18, 2011 at 1:18 PM, Barrack Otieno > >>> <otieno.barrack(a)gmail.com<http://us.mc1619.mail.yahoo.com/mc/[email protected]> > >wrote: > >>> > >>> You have a point Brainiac, there are many factors in your argument > >>> which > >>> need to be tackled and as such we may need expert opinion on some > >>> issues, > >>> a > >>> corporate entity is treated as a person and as the saying goes one > >>> mans > >>> meat is another mans poison, what are the implications of certain moves > >>> on > >>> new market entrants? How will the other Telcos survive in the market?, > >>> this > >>> is where regulation comes in to ensure a piece of cake for everyone. > >>> > >>> > >>> Before making this debate so complicated, is Airtel's move interpreted > >>> as > >>> a > >>> means towards crippling the mobile industry? > >>> Why is this position not being applied on the Internet Service > >>> Provision > >>> industry then? We always heard promises of "prices will come down" but > >>> when > >>> they do now, the govt is gonna lose revenue? Puleease! > >>> > >>> -- > >>> Best regards, > >>> Odhiambo WASHINGTON, > >>> Nairobi,KE > >>> +254733744121/+254722743223 > >>> _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ > >>> Damn!! > >>> > >>> > >>> -----Inline Attachment Follows----- > >>> > >>> _______________________________________________ > >>> > >>> > >> > >> > >> -- > >> My Blog - www.gmeltdown.com > >> ''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''' > >> Keep on doing what you know is right ... > >> > > > > -- > > > > > __._,_.___ > Reply to sender<[email protected]?subject=Re%3A%20MOBILE%20PRICE%20WARS%20COULD%20DERAIL%20NEW%20KATIBA%20-%20JOKE%20OF%20THE%20YEAR%20%28Was%20Are%20we%20letting%20the%20PS%20get%20away%20with%20this%20too%3F%29>| Reply > to group<[email protected]?subject=Re%3A%20MOBILE%20PRICE%20WARS%20COULD%20DERAIL%20NEW%20KATIBA%20-%20JOKE%20OF%20THE%20YEAR%20%28Was%20Are%20we%20letting%20the%20PS%20get%20away%20with%20this%20too%3F%29>| Reply > via web post<http://groups.yahoo.com/group/NVK-Mageuzi/post;_ylc=X3oDMTJxcmtpZmtnBF9TAzk…>| Start > a New Topic<http://groups.yahoo.com/group/NVK-Mageuzi/post;_ylc=X3oDMTJmOTF0cjg5BF9TAzk…> > Messages in this topic<http://groups.yahoo.com/group/NVK-Mageuzi/message/4483;_ylc=X3oDMTM1cm5tZnZ…>( > 1) > Recent Activity: > > - New Members<http://groups.yahoo.com/group/NVK-Mageuzi/members;_ylc=X3oDMTJndG9wOXI3BF9T…> > 14 > > Visit Your Group<http://groups.yahoo.com/group/NVK-Mageuzi;_ylc=X3oDMTJmcHQ1aW9yBF9TAzk3MzU5…> > [image: Yahoo! Groups]<http://groups.yahoo.com/;_ylc=X3oDMTJlbWgxMmllBF9TAzk3MzU5NzE0BGdycElkAzMyN…> > Switch to: Text-Only<[email protected]?subject=Change%20Delivery%20Format:%20Traditional>, > Daily Digest<[email protected]?subject=Email%20Delivery:%20Digest>• > Unsubscribe <NVK-Mageuzi-unsubscribe(a)yahoogroups.com?subject=Unsubscribe>• Terms > of Use <http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/> > . > > __,_._,___ > > > > _______________________________________________ > ke-internetusers mailing list > ke-internetusers(a)bdix.net > http://www.bdix.net/mailman/listinfo/ke-internetusers > > -- 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

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Are we letting the PS get away with this too?
by [Brainiac] 23 Jan '11

23 Jan '11

I seriously hope that this http://bit.ly/famTA5 is just some fanatical reporting at Nation Media (would not be shocked) but if so, if these words came out of your mouth bwana PS, THAT THE PRICE WARS IN THE MOBILE INDUSTRY MIGHT DERAIL THE NEW CONSTITUTION. Are you for Real? Is that not cartel behaviour right there? So now what, are you going to "adjust" the lowest interconnection fees upwards to normalize all this? so that what? Safaricom can make more money? Playing on the public with FUD now? what happened to market forces? who would run their company to a grind just to offer the cheapest? Revenue collection? how about we first spend PRUDENTLY what we collect? how about ALL of us pay taxes for starters? and why not just LOWER taxes and increase the tax bracket? I have never been disappointed like i have on reading this. If it looks like Impunity, Smells like Impunity , guess what it is....

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Safaricom Bonga Points Merchandise
by Odhiambo Washington 21 Jan '11

21 Jan '11

Safaricom has done quite some revisions on their tariffs and data bundles but their Bonga points redemption matrix remains unchanged ever since. I have been hoping (and praying) that they can at least revise the merchandise, given that even some of those they list are not anymore in the market (I may be wrong!) but with prices always depreciating, is it not logical that Safaricom put some revision into this loyalty program?? Can Safaricom also make the point system a little bit realistic when compared to the merchandise?? I know they are not under any obligation but I sure can be motivated to "talk more" within "Niko Na.." with the hope that kupiga mdomo kwangu heunda ikanifaidisha vikubwa:-) Maybe they should include the Huawei IDEOS as one of the merchandise;) -- Best regards, Odhiambo WASHINGTON, Nairobi,KE +254733744121/+254722743223 _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Damn!!

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Re: [kictanet] [Skunkworks] Fwd: CCK PRESS RELEASE ON AIRTEL'S PROMOTIONAL TARIFF - FEELANGA FREE
by Odhiambo Washington 21 Jan '11

21 Jan '11

On Fri, Jan 21, 2011 at 10:25 AM, Larry Madowo <lmadowo(a)ke.nationmedia.com>wrote: > This might interest some of you > > ---------- Forwarded message ---------- > From: Alwala, Rachel > Date: Thu, Jan 20, 2011 at 7:23 PM > Subject: CCK PRESS RELEASE ON AIRTEL'S PROMOTIONAL TARIFF - FEELANGA FREE > > Cc: CPR team <CPRteam(a)cck.go.ke> > > > *PRESS RELEASE * > *[image: > cid:[email protected]]* > > > > > > 20th January 2011 > > * * > > *STATEMENT FROM CCK ON AIRTEL’S PROMOTIONAL TARIFF – FEELANGA FREE * > > * * > > The Communications Commission of Kenya issued an Interconnection > Determination for termination rates of both voice and Short Message Services > (SMS), on 16th July 2010 and 1st January 2011, respectively, following the > telecommunication network cost study undertaken by Analysys Mason on behalf > of the Commission. > > > > The Commission expected that the reduction of Interconnection termination > rates would influence reduction in retail tariffs and consequently generate > more competition in the market. Subsequently there has been considerable > reduction of retail tariffs both for voice services and SMS, which has > resulted in a significant increase in minutes of use on the GSM networks in > the country. This is an indication of positive market response to the > changes in prices. > > > > Airtel Networks Kenya Limited, recently launched an offer in the market > under the name, *feelanga free, *costing the on-net calls at a retail > price of Ksh. 1 per minute from 6am to 6pm. Based on the information availed > at the launch, the public has perceived it as a permanent tariff. Further, > the Commission has received a complaint filed by one of the GSM Network > operators that it is not clear whether *feelanga free* is a promotion or > permanent tariff. Upon enquiry by the Commission, Airtel Networks Kenya > Limited has since clarified that *feelanga free *is a promotional tariff, > w.e.f, 13th January 2011. The Commission has further instructed Airtel > Networks Kenya Limited, to comply with the promotional guidelines as > provided in the Kenya Information and Communications (Tariff) Regulation, > 2010. > > > > The Commission also wishes to emphasize that network operators are free to > adopt business models that suit them. Matters of cost structures and > profitability are therefore left for the determination of individual > operators. The mandate of the Commission is purely guided by the Sector > Legislation and Regulations in force. > > > > Issued by: > > > > *Charles. J. K. Njoroge* > > *Director General * > > *Communications Commission of Kenya * > > *PO Box 14448* > > *Nairobi 00800* > > *Tel: 4242000* > > *Fax: 4451866* > > *Email: info(a)cck.go.ke* > > * > <info(a)cck.go.ke>* > I wonder what the promotional guidelines say. I don't have time to read the documents that spells those. Anyone? That sentence says it all though. If the business model suits Airtel, I wonder why anyone outside the Airtel conglomerate is complaining. Isn't it the same "*pilipili usioila...*"? I still feel the PSs statements were biased towards a certain player, and the issue of the constitution was the smoke screen used! -- Best regards, Odhiambo WASHINGTON, Nairobi,KE +254733744121/+254722743223 _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Damn!!

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Lowering of Mobile Charges
by waudo siganga 20 Jan '11

20 Jan '11

Those who say it cannot be done should not interrupt those who are doing it.

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Re: [kictanet] [Skunkworks] Are we letting the PS get away with this too?
by Walubengo J 20 Jan '11

20 Jan '11

Harry, tough questions you have and the answers may most likely neutralize my argument. But the bigger point is/was that certain type of competitive tactics can be counterproductive when looked at from a Macro perspective. Yes, you (Airtel) wins todays battle, but someone bigger than Safcom will lose the war. With the Microsoft Case- European Courts ruled that their tactic was anti-competitive and they were forced to seperate their Browser from their OS, rather than sell as a bundle. But I think it was a case of too little too late. Did internet numbers go down? probably not since Internet numbers do depend on more factors other than just Browsers. But for the mobile industry, their growth and expanse does depend on revenues. I can forcasts that VOICE Revenue generated from all players might be the same as last year because the voice industry may not grow - it will simply be shared out.. And after the price-wars are over and an equilibrium is established (maybe Airtel 50% others 50%) it will dawn on everyone that they incoming revenue streams is insufficient to deliver expansion or extend the services outside their current levels. walu. --- On Tue, 1/18/11, Harry Hare <harry(a)africanedevelopment.org> wrote: From: Harry Hare <harry(a)africanedevelopment.org> Subject: Re: [kictanet] [Skunkworks] Are we letting the PS get away with this too? To: "Walubengo J" <jwalu(a)yahoo.com> Cc: "KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions" <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> Date: Tuesday, January 18, 2011, 5:22 PM Walu good analogy with Netscape and MS IE. HoweverDid the Internet die with the death of Netscape? Did the Internet numbers stay constant with the death of Netscape?Did Microsoft marketshare drop?Did innovation on the internet stop?Guys, let get real, this is business…natural selection comes into play. Kindest Regards Harry HareDirectoreDevelopment 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 From: John Walubengo <jwalu(a)yahoo.com> Date: Tue, 18 Jan 2011 05:35:58 -0800 (PST) To: Harry Hare <harry(a)africanedevelopment.org> Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> Subject: Re: [kictanet] [Skunkworks] Are we letting the PS get away with this too? Here are my thoughts. The PS is right about predatory pricing never aimed at growing the Industry. For those who were "alive" at the beginning of the web-browser wars in early 1990s. Netscape was King. Then Microsoft came in and gave away its product Internet Explorer(IE) - for free. Everyone was happy - until they realized they were paying for the Microsoft IE through other means (by buying for the OS for example). But by then Netscape as a competitor was as dead as the Dodo. Microsoft Mission accomplished. Folks, Airtel is not here because they love giving free things. I am not privy to their Strategy but it can be read by anyone. Their aim is not to grow/extend the Service, but rather to eat Safaricom's lunch. At a consumer level, nothing really wrong with that and infact it is Christmas time for consumers. BUT at a national level, what you have is that the 20million subscribers you currently have in the country, will remain 20million subscriber five years later. Only that half of them will be sitting on Airtel's network and the other half will be with "Others". Net growth for Kenya? =ZERO Airtel's strategy wont kill the mobile industry, but believe you me, it will stiffle its growth in the long run, because the returns to the investors will not be sufficient to sustain operations, let alone extend the network or pay for innovation. That said, as a consumer, Airtel's offer is truly irresistible and worth considering. But as a scholar, I do know, and agree that it is not good for the industry in the long run. walu. --- On Tue, 1/18/11, Odhiambo Washington <odhiambo(a)gmail.com> wrote: From: Odhiambo Washington <odhiambo(a)gmail.com> Subject: Re: [kictanet] [Skunkworks] Are we letting the PS get away with this too? To: jwalu(a)yahoo.com Cc: "KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions" <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> Date: Tuesday, January 18, 2011, 1:22 PM On Tue, Jan 18, 2011 at 1:18 PM, Barrack Otieno <otieno.barrack(a)gmail.com> wrote: You have a point Brainiac, there are many factors in your argument which need to be tackled and as such we may need expert opinion on some issues, a corporate entity is treated as a person and as the saying goes one mans meat is another mans poison, what are the implications of certain moves on new market entrants? How will the other Telcos survive in the market?, this is where regulation comes in to ensure a piece of cake for everyone. Before making this debate so complicated, is Airtel's move interpreted as a means towards crippling the mobile industry?Why is this position not being applied on the Internet Service Provision industry then? We always heard promises of "prices will come down" but when they do now, the govt is gonna lose revenue? Puleease! -- Best regards, Odhiambo WASHINGTON, Nairobi,KE +254733744121/+254722743223 _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Damn!! -----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 _______________________________________________ kictanet mailing list kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet This message was sent to: harry(a)africanedevelopment.org Unsubscribe or change your options at http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/harry%40africanedevelo…

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Fwd: [ISOC] Global Internet Community Leader Joins Internet Society as VP for Public Policy
by McTim 20 Jan '11

20 Jan '11

FYI: GLOBAL INTERNET COMMUNITY LEADER JOINS INTERNET SOCIETY AS VP FOR PUBLIC POLICY Markus Kummer takes on leadership role for global, regional and national Internet issues GENEVA, SWITZERLAND and RESTON, VIRGINIA, USA - 19 January 2011 - An internationally recognized leader in a broad range of Internet policy issues will join the Internet Society as head of its public policy department. As the Internet Society's Vice President of Public Policy, Markus Kummer will advance key Internet Society policy positions on issues such as privacy, cybersecurity, and network neutrality. Most recently the Executive Coordinator of the Secretariat supporting the United Nations' Internet Governance Forum, Kummer has extensive experience with Internet policy at the global, regional, and national levels. "Markus' broad experience with and deep understanding of the key policy issues facing the Internet will help ensure the Internet Society has an even greater impact on issues critical to the Internet's continued evolution as an open platform for innovation and economic development," said Lynn St.Amour, the Internet Society's President and CEO. Before joining the United Nations in 2004, Kummer held the position of eEnvoy for the Swiss Foreign Ministry in Berne. Mr. Kummer was a member of the Swiss delegation during the first phase of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) where he chaired several negotiating groups, including the group on Internet governance. He went on to serve as the Executive Coordinator of the WSIS Working Group on Internet Governance from 2004 to 2005. Before his involvement with the WSIS, he served as a career diplomat in several functions in the Swiss Foreign Ministry and was posted in Lisbon, Vienna, Oslo, Geneva, and Ankara. "In joining the Internet Society, I look forward to advancing the multistakeholder approach to policy that has been so central to the Internet's development and is even more critical to its future," said Markus Kummer, who will officially take up his position on 1 February 2011. "With its technical roots, the Internet Society is already established as a uniquely credible leader on policy issues, and a key contributor to policy discussions at the national, regional, and global levels." The Internet Society is the world's trusted independent source of leadership on Internet issues. The Internet Society works with its tens of thousands of Members and nearly 100 Chapters around the world to promote the continued evolution and growth of the open global Internet. About the Internet Society The Internet Society is a non-profit organisation founded in 1992 to provide leadership in Internet-related standards, education, and policy. It is dedicated to ensuring the open development, evolution and use of the Internet for the benefit of people throughout the world. See: www.internetsociety.org Contact Greg Wood wood(a)isoc.org +1-703-439-2145 _______________________________________________ To manage your ISOC subscriptions or unsubscribe, please log into the ISOC Member Portal: https://portal.isoc.org/ Then choose Interests & Subscriptions from the My Account menu. -- Cheers, McTim "A name indicates what we seek. An address indicates where it is. A route indicates how we get there." Jon Postel

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Fw: Police Website Hacking
by Matunda Nyanchama 19 Jan '11

19 Jan '11

Friends, On the recent hacking of the Kenya Police website, here is what I posted on the Security List <security(a)lists.my.co.ke>,although for some reason it hasn't shown up on the list. ----- Forwarded Message ---- From: Matunda Nyanchama <mnyanchama(a)aganoconsulting.com> To: Security List <security(a)lists.my.co.ke> Sent: Wed, January 19, 2011 7:21:18 AM Subject: Police Website Hacking Friends, I think this is a great opportunity for information protection professionals to step up and help government better protect its information assets. Remember: this government is much our own as it is of those that make decisions. Out here Canada, some people are pointing at me saying: what security professional can't step up to reduce the embarrassment and (possible) espionage when their government sites are hacked! But conversation must a 2-way process and needs to happen us professionals and those in government. We could help in this respect: * Do a current state assessment, including understanding what damage has been caused so far and what be happening "under the hood". The hack is what became public. We don't know what else may be happening. I can bet that government servers are possibly on some international botnet rings where hackers (including spies - here is an example) may be collecting GoK information. The proposed assessment would look at everything from people to processes to technology and how these have been structured to protect government information assets. * Future state design: this is where the government security management would wish to be in the future * Gap analysis: what those gaps are and what are the priorities between current state and future state of security in government. My guess is that there are major gaps in skills (technical and management); technology may be there but is poorly deployed and managed (caring and feeding, e.g. monitoring, patching, etc.); processes may be poorly designed and implemented: .... * Roadmap to secure state: based on priorities we would design for them a master security plan to follow, including strategy, a proper security organization staffed with people with right skills and requisite mandate; technology infrastructure deployment and processes for managing things: people, processes and technology + associated accountabilities. I hope they take this offer, if they haven't started working on it already. Over to you! ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Matunda Nyanchama, mnyanchama(a)aganoconsulting.com Agano Consulting Inc.; www.aganoconsulting.com ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- “If you have an apple and I have an apple and we exchange these apples then you and I will still each have one apple. But if you have an idea and I have an idea and we exchange these ideas, then each of us will have two ideas.”- George Bernard Shaw ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This e-mail, including attachments, may be privileged and may contain confidential or proprietary information intended only for the addressee(s). Any other distribution, copying, use, or disclosure is unauthorized and strictly prohibited. If you have received this message in error, please notify the sender immediately by reply e-mail and permanently delete the message, including any attachments, without making a copy. Thank you.

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Part- Time I.T Tutor needed
by linus wahome 19 Jan '11

19 Jan '11

Dear All Webzzz Tuition Centre is an academic Institution offering tuition services in all subjects. We are looking for a part time tutor who has a good understanding in the field of Information Technology. If Interested forward to wahomelinus(a)gmail.com -- *Linus Wahome I.T Consultant and Trainer Webzz Tuition Centre, Mugoiri Rd, Kileleshwa +254 720 71 22 33 www.webzz.co.ke*

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