- KICTANet - KICTANet

[Fwd: [governance] registration for Rio IGF is open]
by alice 01 Aug '07

01 Aug '07

For all those interested in internet governance issues: http://intgovforum.org/register/index.php Registration for the second meeting of the IGF is <http://intgovforum.org/register/index.php>now open. [updated 30 July 2007] The Government of Brazil will host the second IGF meeting. It will take place in Rio de Janeiro on 12 - 15 November 2007. best, Veni ____________________________________________________________ You received this message as a subscriber on the list: governance(a)lists.cpsr.org To be removed from the list, send any message to: governance-unsubscribe(a)lists.cpsr.org For all list information and functions, see: http://lists.cpsr.org/lists/info/governance

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[Fwd: [Kenic-board] IT Internship Position]
by alice 01 Aug '07

01 Aug '07

-------- Original Message -------- Subject: [Kenic-board] IT Internship Position Date: Wed, 1 Aug 2007 14:13:01 +0300 From: Vincent Ngundi <vincent(a)kenic.or.ke> To: KeNIC Board <kenic-board(a)kenic.or.ke> CC: KeNIC Mgmt <mgmt(a)kenic.or.ke> KENIC wishes to invite interested and qualified persons to submit applications for the above vacancy. *Position* The KENIC Internship programme aims at giving the Intern's hands-on experience on certain aspects of the working environment. The programme also provides additional human resources to the existing KENIC workforce. The KENIC Internship programme will run on a 3-month rotational basis. *Qualifications and Skills* Interested candidates should meet the following criteria: * Be an undergrauate pursuing a Bsc in Computer Science degree - on vacation(preferably going to their final year) or just cleared college * Hands-on experience in using UNIX/LINUX * N+ or Cisco Certifications will be an added advantage * Hardworking * Self-driven - can work with minimum supervision * Ladies are encouraged to apply *How to Apply* Applications should contain a cover letter detailing skills and abilities and with the subject "Application for IT Internship Position" and should be sent via email to internship(a)kenic.or.ke <mailto:internship@kenic.or.ke> on or before the 24th of August 2007. Applicants should also attach a detailed copy of their resume. Kind Regards, *Administrative Manager* *Kenya Network Information Centre* _______________________________________________ Kenic-board mailing list Kenic-board(a)ole.kenic.or.ke http://ole.kenic.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kenic-board

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Re: [kictanet] It's a new twist for Econet Wireless
by bitange＠jambo.co.ke 01 Aug '07

01 Aug '07

Dear Mr. Theuri, Whereas you may be having more information than we do, it may be prudent for you to spill out the beans for the world to know. It is pointless to implicate the Government if you cannot substantiate your claims. We have gone through all these motions for the past one year and the best way forward was to remove government from any possible liability. Remember we accepted $15 million deposit for the licence fee (whether this was right or wrong it is water under the bridge). Even if we were to refund this at normal interest rates, it is a lot of money to the tax payer. One way or another, we had to make a decision since this matter is more of regulatory than policy. If indeed there is injustice to the whole matter, the courts will deny Econet from getting to set up in Kenya. Nobody has stopped KNFC from pursuing justice. One thing that I have learnt in this office is that you cannot be indicisive and hope to achieve anything. I have always used Thika road as the best analogy. In as much as the users are suffering with traffic jams, they usually do not think the same if the Government wanted to make it a six lane highway in both sides, still there will be protesters who will say pedestrians crossing will have a problem or the goat keepers at Utalii will claim lost business. Once in a situation and you want to move on, the most prudent thing you do is to make a decision (good or bad). Have a decive day. Regards Bitange Ndemo. > One cannot envy the PS for he is in a difficult situation trying to > extricate the government from a situation which would never have occurred > had those responsible (long before the tender concluded) abided by the law > and struck out the litigant based on publicly and widely available > information during the pre-qualification stage of the tender. Even though > some might disagree, two wrongs do not make a right, and history no matter > how long it takes to get there will be the judge of this government's > actions. As was the case, while the Government was fighting the litigant > in > Kenyan courts, a different arm of the Government was bizarrely engaged in > a > PR campaign on behalf of the litigant in a foreign country! Was the > litigation in Kenya a mere public relations exercise to show Kenyans that > the government tried to do something so that Kenyans could mistakenly > conclude that atleast the government 'fought tooth and nail' ? > > The government cannot claim to know it did not know what kind of 'animal' > it > was dealing with when it allowed the litigant to get past > pre-qualification > while international telecom giants with more experience, cash and > ---------------------------------------------- This message has been scanned for viruses and dangerous content by Jambo MailScanner, and is believed to be clean. --------------------------------------------- "easy access to the world"

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Internet privacy does not really exist
by Alex Gakuru 01 Aug '07

01 Aug '07

Even you feel "stupid" at least now you know.... ------------------------------------------------- Experts in the field of Internet privacy have a consensus that Internet privacy does not really exist. Privacy advocates believe that it should exist. ISPs Consumers obtain Internet access through an Internet Service Provider (ISP). All Internet data to and from the consumer must pass through the consumer's ISP. Given this, any ISP has the capability of observing anything and everything about the consumer's (unencrypted) Internet activities; however, ISPs presumably do not do this (or at least not fully) due to legal, ethical, business, and technical considerations. ISPs do, however, collect at least some information about the consumers using their services. From a privacy standpoint, the ideal ISP would collect only as much information as it requires in order to provide Internet connectivity (IP address, billing information if applicable, etc). A common belief exists that most ISPs collect additional information, such as aggregate browsing habits or even personally-identifiable URL histories. What information an ISP collects, what it does with that information, and whether it informs its consumers, can pose significant privacy issues. Beyond usages of collected information typical of third parties, ISPs sometimes state that they will make their information available to government authorities upon request. In the US and other countries, such a request need not involve a warrant. An ISP cannot know the contents of properly-encrypted data passing between its consumers and the Internet. For encrypting web traffic, https has become the most popular and best-supported standard. Note however, that even if users encrypt the data, the ISP still knows the IP addresses of the sender and of the recipient. (However, see the IP addresses section for workarounds.) General concerns regarding internet user privacy have become a concern enough for a UN agency report to on the dangers of identity fraud. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet_privacy ____________________________________________________________________________________ Be a better Globetrotter. Get better travel answers from someone who knows. Yahoo! Answers - Check it out. http://answers.yahoo.com/dir/?link=list&sid=396545469

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ICT and Engineering Students Exhibition 2007
by Kevit Desai 31 Jul '07

31 Jul '07

Dear All, The 10th Anniversary of the annual ICT and Engineering Students' Exhibition 2007 of the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) will be held on 14th -15th September 2007 in Nairobi at Sarit Centre Expo Hall. This exhibition brings together academia, industries and government to realize the vital opportunity of creating linkages and collaboration.. The event is supported by the Ministry of Information and Communications, Kenya Private Sector Alliance and the Kenya ICT Federation,Kenya Association of Manufacturers among others. This years' theme is 'ICT IN RURAL DEVELOPMENT' The objective of the Engineering Students Exhibition is to encourage students to develop their engineering skills and to give them deeper insight in technology coupled with market demand. The preparation and presentation of projects challenges them to use their theoretical knowledge and demonstrate their engineering ability. Students also network with local and international participants, and interact with senior representatives of the private sector. This being the 10th Anniversary, the exhibition will be equally large and best projects that demonstrate innovation and talent are being sort. The participants are required to place their projects in one of the following categories: i. Electronics Engineering * Electrical * Electronic ii. Information & Communication Technology (ICT) * Computer Hardware * Computer Software iii. Mobile Application I therefore wish you to encourage students in all learning Institution to register for projects and email to: <file:///\\Md\..\..\..\..\Kevit\Desktop\ieee%20dcos\IEEE%202007%20EXHIBITION \exhibition(a)centurionsystemsltd.com> exhibition(a)centurionsystemsltd.com The following link www.engineeringexhibition.com <http://www.engineeringexhibition.com/> is the web page for The Engineering Students' Exhibition.You can access the registration forms. Yours Faithfully, Chair- IEEE Kenya Section Kevit Desai Director of Engineering - Centurion Systems Ltd Chairperson IEEE - Kenya Section Governor - KEPSA Director - KEPSA Director - Innovation Africa BOA - AIESEC Member - National Strategy for University Education 2nd Fl, New Rehema Hse, Raphta Rd, Westlands -Nairobi P.O. BOX 66031 - 00800 Nrb. Tel: 0204440101 Fax: 0204440104 Mobile: 0722517067 http://www.centurionsystemsltd.com <http://www.centurionsystemsltd.com/> http://www.ieee.org <http://www.ieee.org/> http://www.engineeringexhibition.com <http://www.engineeringexhibition.com/> http://www.innovation-africa.net <http://www.innovation-africa.net/> http://www.kepsa.or.ke <http://www.kepsa.or.ke/> http://www.powerup.co.ke <http://www.powerup.co.ke/> http://www.aiesec.org <http://www.aiesec.org/>

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VoiP market dominated by big players
by Alex Gakuru 31 Jul '07

31 Jul '07

BTW/I hope this is not the duo's proactive strategy to lock out interconnection with our upcoming community WiFi telcos? We intent to populate rural areas with IP phones using Licence Free 2.4 and 5.8 GHz band courtesy of CCK. I shall reveal details at my CTO presentation here <http://www.events.cto.int/default.aspx?event=crcafrica07> [Business Daily] <http://www.bdafrica.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2196&Item…> "VoiP market dominated by big players" Okuttah, Mark 31-July-2007 --<snip>-- Recently, the CCK came up with the maximum amount chargeable for voice interconnection. The regulator also asks companies to interconnect with other network providers though it does not state how or how long an interested party should engage the other. Mr Nzioka Waita, the Legal Service Manager at Safaricom, said the company is negotiating with seven ISP providers on the matter and that sealing a deal depends on a number of factors, including the traffic volumes and quality of service. Some of the providers dump low quality VoIP services on consumers, so why go through them if we are able to secure the same deal with an international partner? he asked. Mr Nzioka says Safaricoms capacity cannot allow it to interconnect with all the players and was using a first come first served formula, which is usually on the basis of a nondisclosure agreement. Celtel Kenya CEO David Murray says while a number of the ISPs have shown interest in interconnecting to the companys network, most do not have independent clients and can only act as agents. <snip> ____________________________________________________________________________________Ready for the edge of your seat? Check out tonight's top picks on Yahoo! TV. http://tv.yahoo.com/

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Re: [kictanet] [Skunkworks] It's a new twist for Econet Wireless
by Mike Theuri 31 Jul '07

31 Jul '07

David, These are good questions, and several remain to be unravelled. There are many dimensions to this issue. One party clearly has a public relations scoop over the other as certain reporters who masquerade as 'correspondent' gleefully write about one entity in a one sided manner that borders on glorification. If KNFC's arguments are accurate, it begs the question of how a minority shareholder made a decision on behalf of an entire company without the knowledge of the other shareholders so as to 'withdraw' the case. I doubt that KNFC want to pocket the difference, just the other day none other than Vice President Awori promised to deliver the licence to KNFC/EWK on Ushirika day while addressing members of the Co-operative movement. This was reported in sections of the media (note the lop sided coverage) and KNFC was quoted as stating they were prepared to go it alone (per KT and Capital FM). You are right on the mark, it is imperative to use lawyers to avoid these types of controversies or where token board members (now former) of a company are compromised and terrorize an entire movement. KNFC were brought on board by a well meaning Kenyan who was then an executive at the foreign entity, he was apparently inspired by how Empowerment programs were working in South Africa. KNFC has the capacity to raise the capital. KNFC has been derailed several times by powerful outside forces who continuously meddle in its attempts to progress. This licence is fully capable of being wholly owned by Kenyans and Kenyans alone if need be through a combination of grass root equity through the cooperative movement, private equity,debt financing and a build, operate and transfer arrangement. What KNFC needs is an advisory firm with experience preferably with transactions in South Africa's empowerment models. As to the retention of the funds, it will be interesting to see how the Government handles this debacle. As it is, if the tender rules were to have been followed to the letter the licence ought to have been cancelled over 2 years ago according to the tender rules and the Kenya Communication Regulations. ======== Page 16, Section 4.5 of the Tender document: The pre-qualified mobile operators consortia shall not be allowed to change the character of their composition by either substituting any of the pre-qualified operators' consortia with a new member or by submitting separate bids. ========== Page 90 of the 3rd mobile Tender document regarding cancellation was also appropriately applied in the case of the Second National Operator in cancelling Vtel's bid where VTel was willing to pay but its local partners were not: (iii) if the Applicant, after having notified the Commission of its acceptance of the licence, fails to pay the licence fee fully within 60 (sixty) days after such notice; http://www.telegeography.com/cu/article.php?article_id=16405 The East African reported on November 1, 2004, the following: However, the licence was not awarded as the fee was not raised by the October 17 deadline. But neither did the Communication Commission of Kenya (CCK) invite fresh tenders or award the licence to the second highest bidder as required by the Kenya Communications Act. Instead, it decided to give the Kenya National Federation of Co-operatives another 30 days – beginning October 18 – to raise its share of the amount required. Econet has already paid its share of $15 million of the licence fee. ========= Perhaps VTEL should get a similar deal no matter how unorthodox and get a second shot at the licence now that the regulator has established a precedent?? Well that remains to be seen. Mike Theuri On 7/25/07, David Kiania | Asentric Consulting Ltd <kianiadee(a)gmail.com> wrote: > > > Herein lies poignant lessons for anyone looking to partner for whatever > reason. First avoid Farmers and amorphous bodies their interests are as > diverse as their membership. KNFC nees to tell us since EWK will be > settling the legal costs of the suits that they have terminated, what % > of the legal bills will they foot. Secondly can they or can't they raise > their portion of license fee which was a point of contention ab initial. > From what I gather, they are broke and are not in a position to so of > the US$ 27m license fee, Econet International has already paid $12M > being the majority shareholder can KNFC raise $15M or are they seeking > to auction their shareholding and have and pocket the surplus. Me thinks > they want to cash out and pocket something. > > Last but not least, the outcome will also be influenced by their > shareholders' agreement on liquidation and ownership transfer. Herein > lies the other lesson, during incorporation get a good lawyer, not a pal > because they will cost you nothing. From my experience get a lawyer (in > their personal capacity) with one of the big firms (K&S, HHM, etc) they > have great incorporation templates and are thorough not to mention they > know how to get things done right. > > I have a feeling that EW Kenya may carry the day, after all the govt > needs to fund the Kshs 400 billion budget deficit and are in not > position to refund the $12M already paid, it's an election year :) Watch > what happens carefully . > > Kiania D. > > > > Mike Theuri wrote: > > It's a new twist for Econet Wireless as it prepares to roll out its > > services > > Written By:Emmanuel Toili , Posted: Tue, Jul 24, 2007 > > > > It's a new twist for the third mobile service provider Econet Wireless > > International after the Kenya National Federation of Co-operatives > > limited- > > KNFC > > threatened to take a court injunction to stop the rolling out of the > > mobile > > services. > > > > Interim Chairman Stanley Muchiri said the Federation had neither > > withdrawn > > two > > court cases that prevented Econet Wireless International from > > providing the > > mobile services. > > > > The government and Econet Wireless International had last week signed a > > settlement agreement and agreed to settle the contentious issues out of > > court. > > > > KNFC who are allegedly the majority shareholders of Econet Wireless > > Consortium, > > want the Communications Commission of Kenya - CCK, to issue them a > > license > > as a > > partner. > > > > http://www.kbc.co.ke/story.asp?ID=43974 > > > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ > > > > _______________________________________________ > > skunkworks mailing list > > skunkworks(a)my.co.ke > > http://ole.kenic.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/skunkworks > > Blog http://skunkworks-ke.blogspot.com > >

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Fwd: [DigAfrica] CyberTrackers of the Kalahari take out their PDAs in Botswana
by Michael Kipsang Bullut 30 Jul '07

30 Jul '07

I thought I might want to share this with you... (KWS wanafanya nini?) ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: yamanjanl <yamanjanl(a)yahoo.com> Date: 15-Jul-2007 17:58 Subject: [DigAfrica] CyberTrackers of the Kalahari take out their PDAs in Botswana To: DigAfrica(a)yahoogroups.com That indispensable electronic tool of every rising young executive, the personal digital assistant (PDA), has been matched to the traditional knowledge of the Bushmen of the Kalahari Desert to give Africa a new profession: digital wildlife tracker. The high-tech wildlife trackers have been used against poachers, in ecotourism, environmental education, research and monitoring. The free software that links up traditional knowledge to electronic data mapping has been applied around the world to social surveys, organic farming, integrated pest management and disaster relief. The new profession sprang from the work of Louis Liebenberg, a South African conservation scientist who learned tracking from bow-and- arrow hunters in Botswana. He recognized the importance of their skills and knowledge for conservation — and how little it was valued by protection authorities, partly because the Bushmen could not read or write. With former University of Cape Town computer scientist Justin Steventon, Liebenberg developed a hand-held computer and software to capture their knowledge. He called the system CyberTracker. The computer displays a palette of symbols representing more than 40 animal species, subspecies and plants. The icons also cover activities such as drinking, feeding, running, fighting, mating and sleeping. Pressing an icon records a sighting or other indications. Each screen allows the user to record increasingly detailed information. They found that one tracker might record up to 300 observations in a day. Connected to a satellite navigational system in 1996, the hand-held computer automatically recorded the details, time, date and exact location. This information was processed on a base-station computer to create maps and charts of animal movements and feeding habits. Today, all the data collection can be done on a PDA and worked on a personal computer. The free software used to turn a tracker into a digital wildlife tracker has now been downloaded over 25,000 times in more than 50 countries. When Liebenberg received a Rolex Award for Enterprise for his work with CyberTracker, the European Union funded work that enabled him to set up a non-governmental organization to develop and distribute the software as part of his effort to establish a worldwide network to monitor wildlife (http://www.cybertracker.org) Mr Liebenberg's plan was to hand over management to someone else and go back to research exclusively, but so far that remains a dream, and he now also spends time evaluating trackers for certification. The scientist's efforts had a social development goal from the start. "I set out to show that there is an alternative for the desperately downtrodden and impoverished Bushmen whose understanding of nature and its rhythms is unparalleled," he says. The illiterate trackers who carried out the first project, a detailed study of the black rhinoceros, were able to publish their findings in a respected scientific journal with the aid of Liebenberg and Steventon. Certified trackers now run into the hundreds. Liebenberg runs tracker certificate programmes in South Africa at the Thorny Bush Nature Reserve, a private reserve adjacent to the Kruger National Park, and the Kalahari Gemsbok National Park. Others are now also organized in the United States. 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Nairobi: 2nd Annual "Connecting Rural Communities Africa" Forum (August)/ICT Africa 2007 (October)
by Janet Feldman 29 Jul '07

29 Jul '07

2ND ANNUAL CONNECTING RURAL COMMUNITIES AFRICA FORUM 2007 21st-24th August 2007, Nairobi, Kenya This international event will bring together African government officials, senior figures from African regulatory authorities and international ICT experts who are leading the private sector connectivity drive. At this forum you have the opportunity to discuss and analyse best practices, share case studies, and debate crucial topics. If you would like to register as a delegate, please contact Marco by email: m.dekock(a)cto.int or telephone: 0044 208834 1577 More Info: 2nd Annual Connecting Rural Communities Africa Forum 2007: Bridging the digital divide through sustainable ICT connectivity Take advantage of the opportunity to attend the forum which will enhance your understanding of connecting rural Africa through ICT. If you would like to participate, please contact Marco by email: m.dekock(a)cto.int or telephone: 0044 208834 1577 The Conference In A Nutshell: Pre-conference workshop day: Tuesday 21st August 2007 Main conference: Wednesday 22nd August to Thursday 23rd August 2007 Rural Services & Applications Focus Day: Friday 24th August 2007 Grand Regency Hotel, Nairobi, Kenya Host Organisation: The Communications Commission of Kenya Website: www.cto.int This international event will bring together African government officials, senior figures from African regulatory authorities and international ICT experts who are leading the private sector connectivity drive. At this forum you have the opportunity to discuss and analyse best practices, share case studies and debate crucial topics such as: * Optimal regulation strategies to promote rural connectivity * Creating the right environment to attract foreign investment * How to best harness and utilise ICT to deliver socio-economic benefits to rural communities * Analyse current projects which seek to bridge the digital divide * The opportunity to advance rural connectivity through mobile, internet and satellite and enhance access to key services, content and applications How You Can Participate: If you would like to participate as a speaker, contact Mani by email ( m.kaur-rai(a)cto.int) to discuss speaker opportunities. Speakers receive FREE admission to the whole forum Interested in sponsoring or exhibiting? We have limited space available for solution providers, if you have services which you would like to highlight to our large delegation, please email Mani at m.kaur-rai(a)cto.int If you would like to register as a delegate, please contact Marco by email: m.dekock(a)cto.int If you would like to help us create a successful event, please email Andrea: a.hooker(a)cto.int or telephone: 0044 208834 1589 for details of becoming a media partner and receiving your press pass. - ICT AFRICA 2007 October 1-5, 2007, Kenyatta International Conference Centre, Nairobi, Kenya ICT Africa is an annual continental information and communications technology conference addressing all aspects of ICT development in Africa. The conference is convened by NEPAD council in collaboration with the NEPAD Kenya secretariat. The 2007 event will be organized by Global Conferences, Cape Town, South Africa. For further information contact rjacobs(a)globalconf.co.za

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EU to Open Up Mobile Spectrum
by Alex Gakuru 29 Jul '07

29 Jul '07

[BUSINESSWEEK] <http://www.businessweek.com/globalbiz/content/jul2007/gb20070727_798976.htm…> EU to Open Up Mobile Spectrum To encourage innovation in telecommunications, radio spectrum previously reserved for GMS mobile networks may be freed up Tim Ferguson July 27, 2007 The European Commission (EC) has proposed the removal of restrictions on the radio spectrum previously used solely for GSM mobile phone networks. The proposals include the repeal of the 1987 GSM Directive which allocated the 900MHz-1800MHz spectrum to GSM services only. The move is aimed at making it easier and more lucrative for operators to develop innovative wireless technologies such as 3G, mobile data or multimedia services. European telecoms commissioner Viviane Reding said the EU needs to remove regulatory barriers and allow new tech to share the spectrum. This will be a "concrete step" towards a more "flexible market-driven approach" to spectrum management, she said. This should mean a greater choice of wireless services available to European citizens and should also expand the geographical coverage of mobile networks. Another benefit could be reduced network deployment costs for the wireless communications industry as it will remove the need to develop services on other spectrums. It has been estimated that the wireless comms industry could save up to 40 per cent in cumulative capital expenditure over five years if the proposals come to fruition. Mike Grant, head of broadband and media at consultancy Analysys told silicon.com: "This is an interesting move by the Commission. One of the reasons is that technology is now allowing use of spectrum in a way previously not possible." He added the move is "a helpful step forward". Mark Blowers, senior research analyst at the Butler Group, agreed. He said the EC is being more pragmatic: "To my mind, that's a good thing." The European Commission expects the measures to be in place by the end of the year. --- ____________________________________________________________________________________ Got a little couch potato? Check out fun summer activities for kids. http://search.yahoo.com/search?fr=oni_on_mail&p=summer+activities+for+kids&…

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