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Governance vs Utiliterianism
by Al Kags 30 Oct '09

30 Oct '09

I am studying an interesting report on the governance of pioneering public projects that are geared towards increasing competitiveness of a country. Such projects could include, TEAMS, the ROOLA project and the Athi River Plantation project. On the one hand, there is the thinking that the government must act fast and intuitively to lay such projects on the ground to ensure that the country has the facilities it requires for its people to be competitive. A good example of this is TEAMS, where the government had to act fast to increase Kenya's competitiveness. In many cases, this fast action, by necessity circamvents the existing law because the law doesn't change as intuitively. Take TEAMS: people who are versed in questions of governance have put the government to task on its governance. They say that while the government has acted in the public's best interest and with integrity on this project (this is the one large scale government project that hasn't taken decades and has no scandal), it may have gone beyond existing operational law, which sets a precedent that can be misused. I am trying to gain perspective on this issue. What have other countries done with their laws where they have found themselves needing to move quickly beyond the existing law? How did they ensure no reduction in speed of delivery of competitive public service despite the slow changing, sometimes complicated legal process? If you have opinions as well as materials I could read/watch/listen to, I would be most interested. Al Kags

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ICANN root signing likely to shake Africa internet
by Rebecca Wanjiku 30 Oct '09

30 Oct '09

The root will be signed from Jan 2010 Some Africa ISP heads think it will have no effect, the root operators think it will. Who do you believe? Your choice. http://bit.ly/2mEQPm Tel. 254 720 318 925 blog:http://beckyit.blogspot.com/

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Uproar Over Internet Costs in Kenya
by Eric M.K Osiakwan 30 Oct '09

30 Oct '09

Uproar Over Internet Costs in Kenya The Kenyan Government has accused TEAMS shareholders of colluding to fix internet connectivity prices. Information and Communication PS Bitange Ndemo said the shareholders are making a massive 2,000 per cent from selling their capacity before the cable officially goes live. The shareholders have said that they will first have to recoup their investment before lowering the Internet connectivity prices. He said the shareholders should be selling internet connection at about $200 per Megabyte (MB) but the companies have held the price at about $4,000 just below the current price of satellite. "When we were initially setting up TEAMs the issue of recouping investments after it had gone live did not feature," Dr Ndemo said. Some shareholders have confirmed that they are already using the signal, but charging at prices of satellite. "The shareholders are entitled to pre-sell their capacity although the cable has not yet been handed over to TEAMS for commercial operations," said Teams chairman, Michael Joseph. He said the official launch will be announced on Thursday. Teams undersea fibre optic cable landed on June 12 and has been since undergoing testing. The initial testing report was released on August 21. Dr Ndemo says some of the shareholders are sabotaging the government's bid to increase Internet access in Kenya by delaying the launch. In the cable, the Government of Kenya has a 20 per cent stake, Safaricom Limited 22.5 per cent and Telkom Kenya Limited 22.5 per cent. Others include Essar Telecom Kenya Ltd, Kenya Data Networks Ltd, Wananchi Telecoms, Access Kenya and Jamii Telecommunications Ltd. The investors say meaningful price reductions will take up to three years. Dr Bitange says the government may be forced to step in and regulate internet connectivity charges if the prices will not come down significantly in the next one month. (Source: Daily Nation) NB: Sorry for crossposting. Eric M.K Osiakwan Director Internet Research www.internetresearch.com.gh emko(a)internetresearch.com.gh 42 Ring Road Central, Accra-North Tel: +233.21.258800 ext 7031 Fax: +233.21.258811 Cell: +233.24.4386792

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Fw: [AfrICANN-discuss] Uproar Over Internet Costs in Kenya
by alice munyua 30 Oct '09

30 Oct '09

Uproar Over Internet Costs in Kenya The Kenyan Government has accused TEAMS shareholders of colluding to fix internet connectivity prices. Information and Communication PS Bitange Ndemo said the shareholders are making a massive 2,000 per cent from selling their capacity before the cable officially goes live. The shareholders have said that they will first have to recoup their investment before lowering the Internet connectivity prices. He said the shareholders should be selling internet connection at about $200 per Megabyte (MB) but the companies have held the price at about $4,000 just below the current price of satellite. "When we were initially setting up TEAMs the issue of recouping investments after it had gone live did not feature," Dr Ndemo said. Some shareholders have confirmed that they are already using the signal, but charging at prices of satellite. "The shareholders are entitled to pre-sell their capacity although the cable has not yet been handed over to TEAMS for commercial operations," said Teams chairman, Michael Joseph. He said the official launch will be announced on Thursday. Teams undersea fibre optic cable landed on June 12 and has been since undergoing testing. The initial testing report was released on August 21. Dr Ndemo says some of the shareholders are sabotaging the government's bid to increase Internet access in Kenya by delaying the launch. In the cable, the Government of Kenya has a 20 per cent stake, Safaricom Limited 22.5 per cent and Telkom Kenya Limited 22.5 per cent. Others include Essar Telecom Kenya Ltd, Kenya Data Networks Ltd, Wananchi Telecoms, Access Kenya and Jamii Telecommunications Ltd. The investors say meaningful price reductions will take up to three years. Dr Bitange says the government may be forced to step in and regulate internet connectivity charges if the prices will not come down significantly in the next one month. (Source: Daily Nation) NB: Sorry for crossposting. Eric M.K Osiakwan Director Internet Research www.internetresearch.com.gh emko(a)internetresearch.com.gh 42 Ring Road Central, Accra-North Tel: +233.21.258800 ext 7031 Fax: +233.21.258811 Cell: +233.24.4386792 -----Original Message----- From: "Eric M.K Osiakwan" <emko(a)internetresearch.com.gh> Date: Thu, 29 Oct 2009 23:14:14 To: <Participants(a)ghanaconnect.org.gh>; <members(a)gispa.org.gh>; KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions<kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke>; <africann(a)afrinic.net> Subject: [AfrICANN-discuss] Uproar Over Internet Costs in Kenya _______________________________________________ AfrICANN mailing list AfrICANN(a)afrinic.net https://lists.afrinic.net/mailman/listinfo.cgi/africann

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May be of Interest: Regional Cooperation in IT -- South Asia
by Victor Gathara 29 Oct '09

29 Oct '09

A challenge to the East African Community? Victor DFID, the Department for International Development: leading the UK Government's fight against world poverty. Find out more at http://www.dfid.gov.uk. The road to Copenhagen: the UK Government's ambition for a global deal on climate change. Find out more at http://www.actoncopenhagen.gov.uk and about DFID's work at http://www.dfid.gov.uk/climate. ______________________________________________________________________ This e-mail has been scanned for all viruses by Peapod. The service is powered by MessageLabs. For more information on a proactive anti-virus service working around the clock, around the globe, visit: http://www.peapod.co.uk/cleanmail

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Fw: [AfrICANN-discuss] ICANN 37 International meeting in NAIROBI, Kenya
by alice munyua 29 Oct '09

29 Oct '09

Please apply/ register/ participate. We need more of us in the region to contribute and participate to these global internet governance policy processes. Best regards Alice @@@ Registration is open for Nairobi: http://nbo.icann.org/ Reminder: fellowship call for Nairobi is opened till 6 November 2009 @@@@ L'enregistrement pour la 37eme Reunion Internationale de l'ICANN est ouverte a: http://nbo.icann.org/ Je vous rappelle a tous que le preogramme de bourse pour lareunion de Nairobi ferme l'appel a candidature le 6 Novembre.2009 @@@http://www.icann.org/en/fellowships/ *The 37th International Public ICANN meeting in Nairobi, Kenya 7-12 March 2010 Application Round opens: 28 September 2009 Application Round closes: 6 November 2009 Selected Fellows announced: 18 December 2009* Online Application Form Documentation Terms and Conditions Fellowship Committee Fellowships Committee Questions/Comments? Email: fellowships(a)icann.org -----Original Message----- From: Anne-Rachel Inné <annerachel(a)gmail.com> Date: Thu, 29 Oct 2009 11:22:24 To: <africann(a)afrinic.net>; AfTLD Discuss<aftld-discuss(a)aftld.org>; AFRINIC<afrinic-discuss(a)afrinic.org>; Discussion List for African Private Sector and ICT4D<aisi-ps-l(a)dgroups.org>; African Information Society Initiative - Discussion Forum<aisi-l(a)lyris.bellanet.org> Subject: [AfrICANN-discuss] ICANN 37 International meeting in NAIROBI, Kenya _______________________________________________ AfrICANN mailing list AfrICANN(a)afrinic.net https://lists.afrinic.net/mailman/listinfo.cgi/africann

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Telecoms firms oppose 1pc universal fund
by McTim 28 Oct '09

28 Oct '09

http://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/news/-/2558/676810/-/item/0/-/itq5ov/-/inde… "Telecommunications operators in Kenya have opposed plans by the industry regulator to levy a one per cent fee on their gross annual income to set up a universal fund. The bone of contention is that the Communications Commission of Kenya (CCK) plans to collect the levy under the proposed Universal Service Fund, and thereafter lend the money to the same entities as commercial loans. " Is this notion of loans shocking to anyone else? -- 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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Orange launches attractive Internet offers
by Harry Hare 28 Oct '09

28 Oct '09

Hi All, Looks like the forces of supply and demand are slowly taking over. http://www.cio.co.ke/index.php/view-all-main-stories/318-orange-launches-att ractive-internet-offers.html Harry African eDevelopment Resource Centre eDevelopment House : : 604 Limuru Road Old Muthaiga : : P O Box 49475 00100 Nairobi : : Kenya T +254 20 3741646/7 : : C +254 725 650044 Training : : Research: :Consultancy: : Publishing

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Re: [kictanet] CCK named African regulator of the year
by charles nduati 28 Oct '09

28 Oct '09

Hi DG Njoroge, Kindly thank on behalf of the listers His Excellency the President, Prime minister, Hon Pogisho and ours truly PS Ndemo, your chairman, Board and staff CCK cause we have come along way. I don't how many remember the time of TESPOK Internet exchange disconnection by CCK (how times change) Indeed we do have a conducive environment for business although it can better but this commendation means that we are leading the rest in Africa Keep it up CCK Cheers all !!!! Charles Nduati CHARLES N. NDUATI GENERAL MANAGER JKUAT ENTERPRISES LTD JOMO KENYATTA UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURE AND TECHNOLOGY JUJA MAIN CAMPUS, THIKA P. O. BOX 79324-00200 NAIROBI, KENYA TEL: 254-067-52420 OR 254-067-52711 FAX: 254-067-52438 MOBILE:254-722728815 EMIAL:[email protected],[email protected],[email protected] www.jkuat.ac.ke --- On Mon, 26/10/09, Douglas Onyango <ondouglas(a)yahoo.com> wrote: > From: Douglas Onyango <ondouglas(a)yahoo.com> > Subject: Re: [kictanet] CCK named African regulator of the year > To: charlesnduati2002(a)yahoo.co.uk > Cc: kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > Date: Monday, 26 October, 2009, 8:36 > Congratulations to the CCK. > > Regards, > Douglas Onyango +256(0712)981329 > > If you are not part of the solution, you are part of the > Problem. > > --- On Sun, 10/25/09, alice(a)apc.org > <alice(a)apc.org> wrote: > > From: alice(a)apc.org <alice(a)apc.org> > Subject: [kictanet] CCK named African regulator of the > year > To: ondouglas(a)yahoo.com > Cc: "KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions" > <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> > Date: Sunday, October 25, 2009, 8:36 AM > > > CCK named African regulator of the year > BY EVELYNE NJOROGE > Updated 3 hours 7 minutes ago > > CAPE TOWN, Oct 24- The Communications Commission of Kenya > (CCK) is this > year's winner of the African Infrastructure Regulator > of the Year Award. > > CCK was declared the winner by the investment > communications group, Africa > Investor in Cape Town, South Africa, at a ceremony attended > by venture > capitalists, > developers, and infrastructure experts and policy makers. > > "We are delighted with the award, which goes to show > that our efforts to > promote an excellent and stable investment climate in > communications > industry in the country are being noted as progressive and > exceptional", > said CCK Director General Charles Njoroge of the award. > > He attributed the recognition to their policy of having > consultations > before making any major decision that affects the > industry. > > Mr Njoroge called on investors in the Information and > Communications > Technology industry to take advantage of the stable > regulatory climate and > improved infrastructure to set up businesses in the > country. > > "The country's broadband infrastructure offers > investors tremendous > opportunities for their businesses and we expect to see > more investments > in all facets of the economy that will be driven by the > available reliable > connectivity," he > said. > > http://www.capitalfm.co.ke/business/Kenyabusiness/CCK-named-African-regulat… > > CCK won the award for its role in seeking to develop > regulations that are > aimed at alleviating poverty and improving the investment > climate in > partnership with the private sector. > > "Through infrastructure investment, the private sector > operating in Africa > has established itself as a critical development > partner," said Africa > Investor's Vice Chairman Hubert Danso while presenting > the award. > > CCK beat its counterparts in Nigeria (Nigeria > Communications Commission > -NCC) and South Africa (Independent Communications > Authority of South > Africa -ICASA) that had also been short listed for the > award. > > Other award category winners included Africa Development > Bank as the > Sponsor of > the Year Award, and the Industrial Development > Corporation, > which won the award in the Developer of the Year category. > > The Power Deal of the Year award went to Exxaro, while > Nedbank Capital > took Transport Deal of the Year Award, and Rand Merchant > Bank led the way > with Social Infrastructure Deal of the Year. > > > > _______________________________________________ > kictanet mailing list > kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > > This message was sent to: ondouglas(a)yahoo.com > Unsubscribe or change your options at http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/ondouglas%40yahoo.com > > > > > > > -----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: charlesnduati2002(a)yahoo.co.uk > Unsubscribe or change your options at http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/charlesnduati2002%40ya… >

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Re: [kictanet] kictanet Digest, Vol 29, Issue 65
by Herbert Nyukuri 28 Oct '09

28 Oct '09

Walu, Kwach and all, I read the discussion and analysis about broadband costing with immense interest. I belief that the stats below can enrich and contribute in putting into perspective what we are talking about in a nutshell. I have lifted it from a paper am reviewing. I therefore see CCK's plate quite full in making sure that we consistently move towards the direction of affordable rates. Herbert Development Informatics Working Paper no.42: The ICT4D 2.0 Manifesto Broadband: New Hope / New Divide Broadband is already an integral part of ICT usage in the global North. In the US, for example (one of the poorer performers), by 2008, there were 25 broadband subscriptions per 100 citizens, and 55% of households had broadband, representing around 90% of all Internet connections. By contrast, the subscription rates for most African countries including Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, and Uganda were well under 0.1% of the population. Tiny Andorra had roughly as many broadband subscriptions as Africa's most populous country, Nigeria. So, as we start seeing digital divides closing around Internet access and mobile phone ownership, a new broadband divide is growing. This is already – and will continuingly – require a strategic response which, if not led, must at the least be coordinated by government. As and where this happens, the development results will be impressive. Broadband uptake is associated at the macro level with growth in indicators such as employment and GDP, and at the micro level there are many new employment- and productivity-enhancing opportunities. Manchester Centre for Development Informatics Working Paper 42 Full citation The ICT4D 2.0 Manifesto: Where Next for ICTs and International Development? Richard Heeks Development Informatics Group University of Manchester, UK 2009 --- On Tue, 10/27/09, kictanet-request(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke <kictanet-request(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> wrote: From: kictanet-request(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke <kictanet-request(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> Subject: kictanet Digest, Vol 29, Issue 65 To: herbertwamalwa(a)yahoo.com Date: Tuesday, October 27, 2009, 8:53 AM 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: [Skunkworks] Safaricom to introduce unlimitedinternet service (Akich Kwach) 2. Re: "Outsource our jobs? Why firms are afraid of BPOs" (Edith Adera) 3. Re: "Outsource our jobs? Why firms are afraid of BPOs" (Rad!) 4. Fw: press invite - kenya economic report 2009 launch (alice munyua) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Message: 1 Date: Mon, 26 Oct 2009 12:30:26 +0300 From: "Akich Kwach" <kwach(a)archway-productions.com> To: "Walubengo J" <jwalu(a)yahoo.com> Cc: Kenya ICT Policy - kictanet <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> Subject: Re: [kictanet] [Skunkworks] Safaricom to introduce unlimitedinternet service Message-ID: <BCCA03C03191455C9A683D8ACEDA96DF@USERPC> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Walu, I have been receiving such direct marketing mails from Safaricom. One thing i noted with concern; are such products developed/informed based market research, i doubt if ordinary Kenyans would have made such proposals. In my view, this is like pushing products/services down the customers throat. Even with those "wonder speed", COST is stil a fundamental factor especially for the SMEs under which majority of Kenyans fall. One fact is the operator is ignoring the public expectations - speed without cost is just but a fallacy. Thank you for making the GDP comparison which the operators and regulators always ignore, both should aprreciate internet and information are basic needs if we have to achieve the 2030 dream and as such those in the sector should not just be focussing on being declared the highest tax payers. Could someone from Safaricom let us know whom they were targeting with such offers? Have a blessed week Akich Kwach ----- Original Message ----- From: Walubengo J To: kwach(a)archway-productions.com Cc: Kenya ICT Policy - kictanet Sent: Monday, October 26, 2009 9:10 AM Subject: Re: [kictanet] [Skunkworks] Safaricom to introduce unlimitedinternet service very interesting analysis...@200ksh unlimited internet gives you 6,000Ksh per month as some of you noted - almost 100USD per month. Almost like in the US -BUT the US GDP per capita is about 50times higher than .KE. So we must adopt some weighting to get the equivalent pricing in kenya. Put in another way, Kenyans should work towards 50x less the US monthly rates (of 100USD) for broadband internet i.e. 2USD per month for unlimited broadband internet. It wont happen tomorrow, maybe 2030? But am glad the operators are tweaking all possible combinations as the 1st step in seeing how to move in that direction... walu. --- On Sun, 10/25/09, Bernard Mwagiru <bmwagiru(a)gmail.com> wrote: From: Bernard Mwagiru <bmwagiru(a)gmail.com> Subject: Re: [Skunkworks] Safaricom to introduce unlimited internet service To: "Skunkworks Forum" <skunkworks(a)lists.my.co.ke> Date: Sunday, October 25, 2009, 12:55 PM Thats Kbps not KBps... ./bernard On Sun, Oct 25, 2009 at 11:50 AM, Bernard Mwagiru <bmwagiru(a)gmail.com> wrote: My peak is approx 260KBps. Average 140 KBps... However, I don't doubt the capacities provided by the submarine fiber cables...Thats no longer a constraint now....My biggest worry is at the radio interface. The biggest bottleneck in any GSM/UMTS network is at the BTS/Node B level...You can have STM-1 capacities on the transmission but the bandwidth in the wireless medium diminishes exponentially as the number of users per cell increases. Also voice is always given a priority so again this should add to the congestion(remember the free calls ?) Also, there's no info on how long this promo is(or whether it is a promo)... ./bernard On Sun, Oct 25, 2009 at 11:35 AM, Dennis Kioko <dmbuvi(a)gmail.com> wrote: 10 gigs at what rate Bernard? I think they now have extra bandwidth on Teams, hence the unlimited product. -- with Regards: Get your free technology e-magazine in pdf format: Tekniaonline: http://bit.ly/tekniaonline-2 Maybe we should start a Reality show of collapsing buidlings: http://gramware.blogspot.com _______________________________________________ Skunkworks mailing list Skunkworks(a)lists.my.co.ke http://lists.my.co.ke/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/skunkworks ------------ Skunkworks Rules http://my.co.ke/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=94 ------------ Other services @ http://my.co.ke Other lists ------------- Announce: http://lists.my.co.ke/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/skunkworks-announce Science: http://lists.my.co.ke/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/science kazi: http://lists.my.co.ke/cgi-bin/mailman/admin/kazi/general -----Inline Attachment Follows----- _______________________________________________ Skunkworks mailing list Skunkworks(a)lists.my.co.ke http://lists.my.co.ke/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/skunkworks ------------ Skunkworks Rules http://my.co.ke/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=94 ------------ Other services @ http://my.co.ke Other lists ------------- Announce: http://lists.my.co.ke/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/skunkworks-announce Science: http://lists.my.co.ke/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/science kazi: http://lists.my.co.ke/cgi-bin/mailman/admin/kazi/general ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ _______________________________________________ kictanet mailing list kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet This message was sent to: kwach(a)archway-productions.com Unsubscribe or change your options at http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/kwach%40archway-produc…

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