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IC bill analysis workshop programme
by alice＠apc.org 13 Jun '06

13 Jun '06

Dear All attached and below, the IC bill analysis workshop programme Day | Friday 16 June 2006, Jacaranda Hotel, Nairobi Objectives of the Workshop: The objective is for the stakeholders who will include telecom, ISPs, IT, CSO, academic, and social etc to understand the context of the bill and make informed determinations sessions 08:00-09:00 Registration 09:00-10:30 Opening Telecom and related issues a.. Mr Muriuki Mureithi: Summit Strategies- Facilitator 10:30-11:00 Tea Break 10:30-13:30 Internet and IT issues · Mr. John Walubengo: KICTANET- Facilitator 13.30: -14:30 LUNCH BREAK 14:30- 16.00 Academic and other applications session · Victor Kyalo: KICTANET - Facilitator 16:00-16:30 Tea Break 16:00-17.30 Social dimensions in ICTs · Dorcas Muthoni: KICTANET - Facilitator 16:00-16:30 Closure: Vote of thanks

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Fw: [Fibre-for-africa] Where are things now, really?
by alice＠apc.org 12 Jun '06

12 Jun '06

----- Original Message ----- From: "Eric Osiakwan" <eric(a)afrispa.org> To: "Private list for use by EASSY Workshop Participants" <fibre-for-africa(a)lists.apc.org> Sent: Monday, June 12, 2006 1:33 PM Subject: Re: [Fibre-for-africa] Where are things now, really? > Anriette, the Kenyans where never offboard. They only announce another > national fiber project and the rest was "propaganda" by those who wanted > to pitch the Kenyan against the South Africa government - a rather sad > initiative. > > The way forward now is, you dont need any LICENSE to INVEST in EASSy. The > IGA would authenticate investors to be sure they are legimate businesses > or organisations or investors from their countries of residence. Again > the governments through the Ministries (in charge of ICTs and or > Infrastructure) are not going to ask you to present a license, they may > rather require some documentation to prove their you are legally existing > entity or enterprise. > > The detailed business plan of equity to debt is being finalised but when > i last checked the consideration was 30 to 70 respectively - this may > change. Am not financially knowledgable to be in that space. > > I was in Rwanda the other day and indications are that most of the > Consortium members have come to terms with this new development but as > usual a few still belong to the school of thought that "their legitimate > business" has been snatched away from them by the governments...:-) > > EASSy is now a Public Private Partnership so the UbuntuNet Alliance, > AfrISPA Members and all those who have money to invest, please get ready > and start syncing with your respect governments. > > Eric here > > > On Jun 11, 2006, at 11:04 PM, Anriette Esterhuysen wrote: > >> Hallo all >> >> So the ministers have signed an agreement (on 7 June) and apparently the >> Kenyans are back on board, and an SPV will be created and registered in >> Rwanda. >> >> What is not clear to me is how all the original consortium members feel >> about >> this, particularly the private sector investors? >> >> Any updates? >> >> Anriette >> >> >> ------------------------------------------------------ >> Anriette Esterhuysen, Executive Director >> Association for Progressive Communications >> anriette(a)apc.org >> http://www.apc.org >> PO Box 29755, Melville, South Africa. 2109 >> Tel. 27 11 726 1692 >> Fax 27 11 726 1692 >> >> _______________________________________________ >> Fibre-for-africa mailing list >> Fibre-for-africa(a)lists.apc.org >> http://mailman-new.greennet.org.uk/mailman/listinfo/fibre-for-africa >> > > Eric M.K Osiakwan > Executive Secretary > AfrISPA (www.afrispa.org) > Tel: + 233.21.258800 > Fax: + 233.21.258811 > Cell: + 233.244.386792 > Handle: eosiakwan > Snail Mail: Pmb 208, Accra-North > Office: BusyInternet - 42 Ring Road Central, Accra-North > Blog: http://afrispa.skybuilders.com/users/Eric/blog.html > Slang: "Tomorrow Now" > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > Fibre-for-africa mailing list > Fibre-for-africa(a)lists.apc.org > http://mailman-new.greennet.org.uk/mailman/listinfo/fibre-for-africa

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Fw: [Fibre-for-africa] Article from HANA
by alice＠apc.org 12 Jun '06

12 Jun '06

Submarine Fiber-optic Cable Connectivity in the Balance > > HANA, 30 May 2006. > > Efforts to complete the encircling of Africa by a modern submarine fiber > optic telecommunication could suffer a major blow if the parties involved > fail to reach an agreement in the near future. By: Alari Alare Kenneth > > starts/ > > Efforts to complete the encircling of Africa by a modern submarine fiber > optic telecommunication cable could suffer a major blow if the parties > involved fail to reach an agreement in the near future. > > Following the successful implementation of SAT-3/WASC/SAFE, providing > high > quality and high bandwidth telecommunications services to Western and > Southern Africa, and with Northern Africa served by a number of other > submarine cable systems, the next logical step is to provide the East > Coast of Africa with submarine fiber-optic cable connectivity. This will > complete the encircling of Africa by a modern submarine fiber optic > telecommunications network. > > However, this could be hampered by a few factors at play, one being that > the project is a joint initiative between governments and private telcos > including the incumbents in participating countries. > > EASSy is expected to establish an undersea cable system to connect the > region with the rest of the world. EASSy should be commercially viable to > provide the owners with opportunities to benefit directly from the > international traffic. > > It is anticipated that by the time fiber cable lands at the coastal city > of Mombasa in Kenya, a backhaul (local) transmission link will have been > laid to further link Uganda through Malaba. > > According Peter K Kenduiywo Telkom Kenya, linking the hinterland will > through the East Africa Digital Transmission System (EADTS) forming the > Kenya ? Uganda backhaul (local) transmission link. > > "The basic EADTS configuration is a SDH transmission system, from > Mombasa to Malaba through Nairobi with Spurs to major towns within the > country", he said. > >>From Mombasa, it will pass through towns including Voi, Mtito-Andei, > Nairobi, Longonot, Naivasha, Nakuru, Kericho, Timboroa, Eldoret, > Muhoroni, Kisumu, Bungoma and finally Malaba to link Uganda. > > However, the project's groundbreaking, which was scheduled for March > this year, is yet to take place with well-placed sources saying that the > slim financial base is casting dark clouds over the completion of the huge > project. > > The consortium has so far raised only US$ 110 million out of the > required US$ 290 to stay on schedule. This due to the fact that some of > the members in consortium are state owned incumbent telcos struggling to > stay afloat while others heavily depend on their cash strapped governments > for financing. > > The other issue posing a lot of challenge to the success of the project is > the model of ownership. While one group is pushing for open access on > grounds of affordability, another group is pushing for a closed model > arguing that the project should be operated fully as a commercial venture. > > While giving his views to Hana, Joseph Mucheru, the immediate former > chairman of the Telecommunications Service Providers of Kenya (TESPOK) > and > a director with the biggest Internet Service Provider in Kenya, Wananchi > Online told us that EASSy should be run like a business entity, "Am not > entirely sure about the whole definitions of Open or Closed access, > stakeholders better adopt an hybrid model. This is because I think profits > are important for the sustainability of any business/project and unless > this services will be provided for free it is important to ensure a > business model is adopted and not just a social model", said Mucheru. > > However, an industry player and a member of the WGIG (Working Group on > Internet Governance) ahead of last year's WSIS Waundo Siganga also the > chairman of the Computer of Kenya has shown his support for the Open > Access model, "EASSy should adopt an Open Access Model so that all > investors have equal opportunity and rights". He adds that the World Bank > should be involved as a debt financier to the project. > > Debate is currently raging as to whether EASSy should be built along an > Open Access model, or should be closely controlled by the operators and > investors that will inject funds in it. The view of the World Bank, which > is eager to provide loan financing to the cable system, is that EASSy will > deliver better value to users in Eastern and Southern Africa if it is > built and run along the Open Access model. > > The World Bank has said it wants the cable to be accessible to anybody who > is not an investor in EASSy, but in future wants to use the cable. It says > those operators should access the EASSy system at rates and terms > comparable to those at which investors in EASSy access it. > > Under the Open Access model, EASSy would be owned by a Special > Purpose > Vehicle (SPV), meaning a company that would sell bandwidth to whoever > wants to buy it. This SPV would not offer telecoms services as that would > place it an advantage compared to other users of the EASSy bandwidth. > > The MoU partners reject this argument. Instead, they propose that new > operators intending to benefit from the cable should invest in it too. > > At one point, Mucheru posed, "The World Bank involvement in what way. And > to serve what purpose, as a bank they can either give loans or grants, and > it is not clear to me what the funding mechanism the consortium has chosen > and therefore cannot answer this question." > > He adds: "EASSy should be a business like any other and be allowed to have > competitors. This is the only way to ensure the regions benefits and does > not support another monopoly model, it can be an expensive mistake". > > What about Nepads involvement; "Nepad should not be responsible for > developing a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) managing the financing > process. They should also not be involved in choosing board members for > the EASSy SPV", says Waundo who sat on the Working Group on Internet > Governance. > > A group of big telecommunication firms are pushing for the Sat 3 model > whose monopolist structure has not helped kept the cost of > telecommunication down in the west and southern African region. > > While the battle on the model continues, Kenya Data Network (KDN) who is > also one the consortium members is busy laying out fiber optic in Kenya > hoping that by the time EASSy lands in Mombasa, they would have > completed > the project that should see fiber optic link between the port of Mombasa > traversing through Kenya's hinterland all the way to Kenya Uganda border. > > Source: Highway Africa News Agency <http://hana.ru.ac.za/> (Free > subscription is required). > > > ------------------------------------------------------ > Anriette Esterhuysen, Executive Director > Association for Progressive Communications > anriette(a)apc.org > http://www.apc.org > PO Box 29755, Melville, South Africa. 2109 > Tel. 27 11 726 1692 > Fax 27 11 726 1692 > > _______________________________________________ > Fibre-for-africa mailing list > Fibre-for-africa(a)lists.apc.org > http://mailman-new.greennet.org.uk/mailman/listinfo/fibre-for-africa

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Fwd: CAN ICT HELP FIGHT HIV/AIDS AMONG YOUNG PEOPLE?
by constance georgina 12 Jun '06

12 Jun '06

Constance Georgina Khaendi Walyaro President-Citron Wood AP-Oxfam International Youth Parlaiment East Africa Region Focal Point-Global Youth Coalition on HIV/AIDS constance(a)youthaidscoalition.org Send instant messages to your online friends http://uk.messenger.yahoo.com

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Wananchi Appoints new CEO
by Alice Wanjira 12 Jun '06

12 Jun '06

Congratulations Mucheru, Njeri and all at Wananchi best alice ----- Original Message ----- From: "Joseph Mucheru" <mucheru(a)wananchi.com> To: <alice(a)apc.org> Sent: Friday, June 09, 2006 5:06 PM Subject: [Kictanet] Wananchi Appoints new CEO > > Wananchi Online has finally merged with ISP Kenya and The Board of > Directors reports the following changes to its structure as well as > changes to the management structure, as the company prepares for its > intended Initial Public Offering. > > Njeri Rionge steps down as CEO at the end of June 2006, but remains > on the Board of Directors. > > Mr. James Gachui remains the Chairman of the board, while Sandeep > Mangat and Hamish Govani join Njeri Rionge, Joseph Kamau and Subash > Handa as Directors on the board. There will be further changes to the > board as the Company continues to enhance its Corporate Governance > structures which will be announced in due course. > > Joseph Mucheru, the Strategy and Business Development Director and Co- > founder is now the acting CEO. He is also the current Chairman of the > Telecommunications Service Providers Association of Kenya (TESPOK) > and has been instrumental in providing strategic input in ICT policy > and regulations both at Wananchi Online and the Industry as a whole. > > Sandeep Mangat and Hamish Govani, who were executive Directors of ISP > Kenya, join Wananchi Online as the Corporate Sales Director and > Projects Director, respectively and both bring a wealth of industry > experience on Internet based communications for Corporates to > compliment the current retail solutions provided by Wananchi Online. > > Wananchi Online continues to enhance its Corporate brand, products > and services, business processes and continued innovative > technologies to deliver customer satisfaction to its clients. > > The Board of Directors > Wananchi Online Limited > > > -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- > > -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- > _______________________________________________ > kictanet mailing list > kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke > http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > > Please unsubscribe or change your options at http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/alice%40apc.org

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Invitation to a meeting to discuss the Kenya Information
by Alice Wanjira 11 Jun '06

11 Jun '06

(Apologies for cross posting) Dear Colleagues The Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet) invites you to a one-day workshop Meeting on Friday 16 June 2006 from 8:00 to 5:30 to discuss the Information Communication Bill 2006 at the Jacaranda Hotel, Gazebo Banda. The Ministry of Information and Communications finalized the ICT Policy Early this year and Cabinet approved it. Subsequently, KICTANet has Established a team to facilitate a comprehensive review of the draft ICT Bill to make substantial recommendations for those who will finalize it. The Key issues to be addressed include context, construction and implementation Of the bill. Your participation to this workshop will be highly appreciated and we look Forward to having you there. To RSVP please contact Judy Kimiti on Tel number 6751323 or Cell number 0722-716020, email jkimiti(a)email.kictanet.or.ke before 13th June 2006 Thank You Yours Sincerely, Judy Kimiti Events and logistics coordinator Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTAnet) Enclosed Agenda

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e-Govt security questions
by Wainaina Mungai 11 Jun '06

11 Jun '06

Great progress in eGovt. especially http://www.immigration.go.ke/kenyan_ppt.php...however, I came across the attached ppt detailing internet security issues and abuse of the eGovt facilities e.g. a politician's campaign website is on the govt servers ;-) etc Security will be a critical determant of the success of eGovt / Digitisation campaign. --- Wainaina Mungai http://www.madeinkenya.org SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. > -------Original Message------- >

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Re: [Kictanet] eGov in Action?
by Andrew Limo 11 Jun '06

11 Jun '06

Thanks Harry for the compliment. Making such services interactive is the next phase in the modernization of government service delivery channels in Kenya. Your feedback and suggestions from other users invaluably help us chart the way forward. Regards, Andrew e-Govt, Kenya Harry Harry <harry(a)aitecafrica.com> wrote: st1\:*{behavior:url(#default#ieooui) } Dear Colleagues, Today I was pleasantly surprised when from the conform of my home office, download a passport renewal application form from the department of Immigration website (http://www.immigration.go.ke/kenyan_ppt.php) . The Department has a fairly useful site that guides visitors on how to apply for various travel and immigration documents including Visas and Passes. My further request to for the site to enable visitors to actually fill the forms online! This would have saved me another KSh 3000 to courier the forms to Nairobi from Dar es Salaam. All the same, this is a good start. For that I would like to register my heartfelt congratulations to all those involved in this initiative. Harry -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.394 / Virus Database: 268.8.3/360 - Release Date: 6/9/2006 _______________________________________________ kictanet mailing list kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet Please unsubscribe or change your options at http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/andrew.limo%40yahoo.com __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com

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eGov in Action?
by Harry Harry 10 Jun '06

10 Jun '06

Dear Colleagues, Today I was pleasantly surprised when from the “conform” of my home office, download a passport renewal application form from the department of Immigration website (HYPERLINK "http://www.immigration.go.ke/kenyan_ppt.php"http://www.immigration.go.ke/ke nyan_ppt.php) . The Department has a fairly useful site that guides visitors on how to apply for various travel and immigration documents including Visas and Passes. My further request to for the site to enable visitors to actually fill the forms online! This would have saved me another KSh 3000 to courier the forms to Nairobi from Dar es Salaam. All the same, this is a good start. For that I would like to register my heartfelt congratulations to all those involved in this initiative. Harry -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.394 / Virus Database: 268.8.3/360 - Release Date: 6/9/2006

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US House rejects Net neutrality rules
by Wainaina Mungai 10 Jun '06

10 Jun '06

--- Wainaina Mungai http://www.madeinkenya.org SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. > -------Original Message------- > From: Maja Andjelkovic <mandjelkovic(a)iisd.ca> > Subject: [wsisyouth] US House rejects Net neutrality rules > Sent: 09 Jun '06 16:47 > > House rejects Net neutrality rules > By Declan McCullagh > Staff Writer, CNET News.com > > The U.S. House of Representatives definitively rejected the concept of > Net neutrality on Thursday, dealing a bitter blow to Internet companies > like Amazon.com, eBay and Google that had engaged in a last-minute > lobbying campaign to support it. > > By a 269-152 vote that fell largely along party lines, the House > Republican leadership mustered enough votes to reject a Democrat-backed > amendment that would have enshrined stiff Net neutrality regulations > into federal law and prevented broadband providers from treating some > Internet sites differently from others. > > http://news.com.com/2100-1028_3-6081882.html > >

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