- KICTANet - KICTANet

invitation to E-waste discussions
by Rebecca Wanjiku 19 Nov '07

19 Nov '07

just to remind you of this function on wednesday please confirm attendance for logistics purposes. regards becky RE: INVITATION TO KICTANETs INTRODUCTION OF THE E-WASTE PROJECT IN KENYA KICTANet is working with the Hewlett Packard, EMPA (Swiss Materials Science & Research Technology), the Global Digital solidarity Fund (DSF) on their new programme on the “Recycling of electronic waste” in Kenya . The project will assess the current conditions for electronic recycling in communities in Kenya. It also aims to explore how additional local jobs can be created in this sector as well as the development of a blueprint for a sustainable e-waste management system in Kenya in collaboration with other existing local recycling projects. Pursuant to this KICTANet is therefore inviting you an introduction meeting to be held on Wednesday November 21 at Jacaranda Hotel from 9.00a.m. to 12.30 p.m. The meeting is an opportunity for the international team from DSF, EMPA and the Kenya research team to introduce the project to a few relevant stakeholders involved and interested in E-waste in Kenya . Please confirm your attendance to Rebecca Wanjiku Evelyn Majale on 4453671/2 or email: rebeccawanjiku(a)yahoo.com or evelyne(a)kictanet.or.ke Tel. 254 720 318 925 blog:http://beckyit.blogspot.com/ __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.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: rebeccawanjiku(a)yahoo.com Unsubscribe or change your options at http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/rebeccawanjiku%40yahoo… ____________________________________________________________________________________ Get easy, one-click access to your favorites. Make Yahoo! your homepage. http://www.yahoo.com/r/hs _______________________________________________ kictanet mailing list kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet This message was sent to: rebeccawanjiku(a)yahoo.com Unsubscribe or change your options at http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/rebeccawanjiku%40yahoo…

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U.N. conference ponders Internet's future
by alice 17 Nov '07

17 Nov '07

U.N. conference ponders Internet's future Jack Chang | McClatchy Newspapers http://www.mcclatchydc.com/homepage/v-print/story/21582.html RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil - When more than 1,700 technology experts from around the world envision the Internet's future, they see cars and household appliances that are online, wireless Internet networks in remote African villages and astronauts e-mailing one another from different corners of outer space. Such visions of the future were trumpeted at a landmark U.N. Internet Governance Forum to plan the next stages of one of the most revolutionary communication tools in history. Participants can't make binding decisions, but can lay the groundwork for future policy. Many of the government officials, technology experts and other trendsetters at the conference, which ended Thursday, said the Internet has only now hit its stride. Key to its future, many said, will be bringing online the four-fifths of the globe that still lacks Internet access, as well as combating cybercrime and other malicious uses of the network. The next generation of technology is on its way and will make the Internet an even more integral part of people's lives, said Vinton Cerf, a U.S. computer engineer and one of the fathers of the Internet. He's now chief Internet evangelist to technology giant Google and remains a pioneer. One of his side projects is helping the National Aeronautics and Space Administration build an interplanetary network that would let astronauts e-mail each other without routing their messages through Earth. "Wherever you are, you'll have the potential to get all this information, really all of the world's knowledge," Cerf said. "If you don't take advantage of this information available to you and others do, you'll have a hard time competing." Holding up his BlackBerry, Cerf said that such mobile devices would soon become the main portal to the network, with global positioning systems that tell users where they are and what's around them, no matter where they are on the planet. He also said that molecular-scale computing would become the norm as conventional technology bumps into the laws of physics that limit how quickly processors run and how compact they can be. Molecular computing means harnessing the computing power of DNA and other biological material to run computers tens of thousands of times faster than those with today's conventional processors. For billions of people in the developing world, however, just getting online would be an improvement, said John Dada, the program director of a nonprofit Nigerian anti-poverty agency. More than 4 billion people aren't online, and many of them have never sent an e-mail or accessed a Web site, he said. Only 4 percent of Africans are online, compared with about four-fifths of U.S. residents. "There is absolute awareness of the Internet in the world," Dada said. "The hardware is the problem." -- ================================================================ Mark Graham SVP of Technology, iVillage Inc., an NBC Universal company General Manager, Astrology.com http://www.ivillage.com Office: (415) 447-6193 Ext. 830 * Cell: (917) 697-0110 ================================================================ ======================================= APC Forum is a meeting place for the APC community - people and institutions who are or have been involved in collaboration with APC, and share the APC vision - a world in which all people have easy, equal and affordable access to the creative potential of information and communication technologies (ICTs) to improve their lives and create more democratic and egalitarian societies. _______________________________________________ apc.forum mailing list apc.forum(a)lists.apc.org http://lists.apc.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/apc.forum

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Fwd: [Fibre-for-africa] Fwd: [APC-IGF] Notes on Access Plenary
by Eric Osiakwan 16 Nov '07

16 Nov '07

Begin forwarded message: > From: "Wairagala Wakabi" <wakabi(a)cipesa.org> > Date: 15 November 2007 12:17:57 GMT+03:00 > To: fibre-for-africa(a)lists.apc.org > Subject: [Fibre-for-africa] Fwd: [APC-IGF] Notes on Access Plenary > Reply-To: APC - Private list for use by EASSY Workshop Participants > <fibre-for-africa(a)lists.apc.org> > > --------------------------- Original Message > ---------------------------- > Subject: [APC-IGF] Notes on Access Plenary > From: "Abi Jagun" <abi(a)apc.org> > Date: Wed, November 14, 2007 9:46 pm > To: "Private work space for APC members, staff and partners > participating in the IGF" <apc-igf(a)lists.apc.org> > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > ---- > > The panel was chaired by Helio Costa [Minister of Communications, > Brazil] and Markus Kummer [Executive Coordinator, IGF]; and was > moderated by Richard Sambrook [Director of the BBC's Global News > division]. > > Panellists were: Mike Jensen [Independent consultant/APC], Roque > Gagliano [ANTEL/NAPLA/ALAC], Valerie D'Costa [InfoDev], Sylvia Cadena > [WILAC.net] Mouhamet Diop [Next.sn], Anita Gurumurthy [ITforChange], > and Jacquelynn Ruff [Verizon]. > > Discussants were: Maui Sanford, Rajesh Bansal, Hökmark Gunnar, Sam > Paltridge, and Radhika Lal [UNDP]. > > > The moderator asked that the discussions of the panel be framed in > light of the following two considerations: (i) the characteristics of > the next billion people to be connected to the Internet - "How do they > differ from those who are already connected … Who are they and what is > needed in order to bring them online?; and (ii) issue emanating from > the demand side as well as from the traditional supply side. Issues > arising from the supply perspective include - regulation, law, policy, > competition, capacity building etc. Whilst demand side considerations > include issues of cost, ease of use, relevance of content, access for > the elderly and those with disabilities, questions of language, and > the crucial link between access and development. > > > Key issues and/or suggestions that emerged from the Access Panel > are as > follows: > > 1. There was recognition that availability of Internet infrastructure > must be considered hand-in-hand with the affordability of the > infrastructure. > > 2. There was recognition that more concrete efforts at building demand > for the Internet are required and an important aspect of this is the > availability of content and affordability of access. To facilitate > this, it was suggested that local content and traffic should be "kept" > (in terms of hosting and transmission) at the local level. This is > because "Internet transit cost[a] is one of the main problems for > developing countries" (Gagliano) and are usually borne (100%) by > service providers/operators in the developing countries. With this in > mind, it was suggested that greater support (in terms of regulation > and backbone infrastructure) be given to the establishment and > sustainability of Internet Exchange Points (IXPs) at both national and > regional levels. > > 3. With respect to high transit costs, the need for developing > countries/regions to take advantage of the "savings" that can be made > by adopting a regional policy of interconnected IXPs and thereby > "break through the transit model and … [usher in a] … peering model" > (Diop). > > 4. It was also recognised that for affordable and universal access to > be achieved, the competitive environment in developing nations needs > to be developed. This requires that regulatory and policy regimes be > improved – in particular the "long-term monopolies, duopolies or cosy > cartels" (Jensen) that exist in the key areas of international > gateways, backhaul/terrestrial networks and mobile sector need to be > addressed. Other regulatory and policy areas that need to be looked > into are interconnection, number portability, and the expansion and/or > increase in diversity of organisations that are able to > deliver/provide telecom services – these include community operators, > municipal authorities, cooperatives etc. > > 5. There was recognition that improvements in international and > national fibre optic network require new models for deployment. It > was suggested that backhaul networks be viewed as a public good (in > much the same way as roads are) and that in this respect their > deployment be coordinated with other infrastructure projects – such as > new road, rail, electricity, gas pipelines etc. The position can also > be taken that "…development finance for these types of infrastructure > projects should be conditional on including fibre in their > deployment." (Jensen) > > 6. In considering the suggested need for greater coordination in the > deployment of fibre in new infrastructure projects; it was highlighted > that priority should be given to energy infrastructure and in > particular electrification projects. > > 7. Reviewing regulatory and policy regimes, and achieving greater > coordination in the deployment of infrastructure (amongst others) > requires that the capacity of regulators be built up significantly ... > > 8. In order to improve and achieve more informed policy- and > decision-making, the need to rethink indicators used for measuring > progress/performance was highlighted. Those that are currently > collated and used are often characterised by a significant time lag > (sometimes of up to two to three years) which negatively impacts on > the reliability and realism of decisions on which they are based. It > was therefore suggested that more up-to-date Internet metrics - such > as autonomous system numbers, domain names, Internet protocol > addresses etc. – be incorporated into the repertoire of (global) > telecom/Internet metrics. > > 9. There was recognition of the tremendous strides that have been made > by mobile and wireless technologies in enabling developing country > populations to gain access communication services. It was recognised > that the mobile phone has been instrumental in this success and > suggested that this technology, and the many initiatives that have > adapted its use at the local/"grass root" level be considered for > inclusion in future connectivity/access plans. This would suggest > that such "community-based" initiatives be considered at par with > telco-led roll-out plans – especially with reference to rural areas > and marginalised/under-served communities; and where funding provision > exists for universal service. > > 10. It was recognised that adopting a more "demand side" perspective > to the access problem/issue calls for a better understanding of the > needs of users – and in particular the needs of "the next billion" to > be connected. It was felt that an understanding and articulation of > "what the critical Internet use issues[b] are in underserved > communities" (D'Costa) will help to better identify the relevance of > telecoms and ICT to development, and in initiating access solutions > that better serve these communities. > > 11. Recognising the needs of users – especially those in rural > communities, highlights the importance of translating and promoting > local languages and local customs as this facilitates the use of > communications networks by these communities. An appreciation of the > culture and incorporation of local languages also helps to promote and > develop the skills of the members of the community in using the > networks and in adapting them to their needs. This can significantly > improve the sustainability and continuity of the network (Cadena). > > 12. In developing countries; rural areas can no longer be treated as > the exception: "when in truth [in cited specific instance] more than > 70% of the population lives in rural areas" (Cadena). It was > therefore recognised that some reform/modification of regulation and > policy is required to facilitate the implementation of access > solutions in these areas. Specific areas highlighted include the > removal of charges and/or duties applied to new technologies that are > particularly suited to such areas. > > 13. Also with respect to rural and remote areas, it was suggested that > certain services - such as communication during emergencies and > disasters, should be provided as a public good (and considered more > important than any economic interest). > > 14. There was the recognition that access is more than connectivity > and that the tools used in connecting to the Internet – in particular > their adaptation and adequacy of use –are also important. The need > for capacity building around technological development and adaptation > that would ensure that connectivity tools are "fit for use". > > 15. It was highlighted that when it comes to providing access to poor > communities: "the most meaningful ICT models … are not just about > creating demand loops for individual users to pay, but models that > address systemic and institutional change through ICTs" (Gurumurthy). > It was suggested that Telecoms/ICTs can and should therefore be > embedded within social development initiatives and in these > circumstances be delivered as a public good. It was emphasised that a > "public goods approach to ICT" does not negate the need and relevance > of market-orientated approaches to Internet access; rather each > approach has its own area of application. > > 16. It was noted that access, from the perspective of the deployment > of infrastructure, is capital intensive and that capital available for > investments in infrastructure is international in nature. This > emphasises the capacity developing countries must have in attracting > investment/capital. Areas that facilitate attractiveness for > investment were identified as including transparent and stable > regulatory environment; respect for the rule of law; openness to > foreign investment; a commitment to encouraging competition; good > licensing and spectrum allocation procedures, a flexibility for > innovative services etc. > > > [a] This relates to the cost of accessing Internet ports that are > generally located outside developing countries and also the cost of > transmission to and from these ports all of which are borne (100%) by > the service provider in the developing country. > > [b] Examples of these include how such use substitutes for a two or > three day journey to the nearest town. How it can help a citizen > better engage more effectively with a local or their municipal > authority. How it can help a small business to expand its market > reach, or its distribution network. How it can help new entertainment > and information possibilities open up to those citizens. (D'Costa) > _______________________________________________ > Apc-igf mailing list > Apc-igf(a)lists.apc.org > http://mailman-new.greennet.org.uk/mailman/listinfo/apc-igf > > > > _______________________________________________ > Fibre-for-africa mailing list > Fibre-for-africa(a)lists.apc.org > http://lists.apc.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/fibre-for-africa > Eric M.K Osiakwan Executive Secretary AfrISPA (www.afrispa.org) Tel: + 233.21.258800 ext 2031 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://blogs.law.harvard.edu/eric/ Slang: "Tomorrow Now"

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AFNOG 2008 ANNOUNCEMENT & WORKSHOP APPLICATION
by Badru Ntege 15 Nov '07

15 Nov '07

AFNOG & AFRINIC JOINT ANNOUNCEMENT, MAY/JUNE 2008 9th AfNOG MEETING AfriNIC-8 MEETING The African Network Operators' Group (AfNOG) and the African Network Information Centre (AfriNIC) are pleased to announce that the 9th AfNOG Meeting and the AfriNIC-8 Meeting will be held Rabat, Morocco, in May /June 2008. ABOUT THE ENTIRE EVENT AfNOG and AfriNIC are jointly organising a two-week event that includes the AfNOG Workshop on Network Technology (offering advanced training in a week-long hands-on workshop), several full-day Advanced Tutorials, a one-day AfNOG Meeting, and a two-day AfriNIC Public Policy Meeting and Annual General Meeting. In addition, several side meetings and workshops will be hosted in collaboration with other organizations such as the AAU and ISOC. Further information about the event may be found at <http://www.afnog.org/afnog2008/> and <http://www.afrinic.net/meeting/>. TIMETABLE Unix Boot Camp 24 - 25 May 2008 (Saturday - Sunday) AfNOG Workshop 26 - 30 May 2008 (Monday - Friday) AfriNIC IPV6 W/shop 31 May - 1 June 2008 (Saturday - Sunday) AfREN Meeting 31 May - 1 June 2008 (Saturday - Sunday) AfNOG Tutorials 1 - 2 June 2008 (Sunday - Monday) AfriNIC LIR W/shop 2 June 2008 (Monday) AfNOG Meeting 3 June 2008 (Tuesday) AfriNIC-8 Meeting 4 - 5 June 2008 (Wednesday - Thursday) Africa INET Day 6 June 2008 (Friday) VENUE The Workshop, Tutorials, AfREN Forum, IPv6, LIR (24 May - 2nd June 2008) will be held at Mohammadia Engineering Institute, Rabat. All Conferences (3 - 6 June 2008) will be held at the Golden Tulip Farah, Rabat, Morocco. ABOUT AfNOG AfNOG (see <http://www.afnog.org/>) is a forum for cooperation and the exchange of technical information between operators of Internet-connected networks in Africa. AfNOG has organised an event like this one every year since 2000. ABOUT AFRINIC AfriNIC (see <http://www.afrinic.net/>) is a Regional Internet Registry (RIR), responsible for Internet resources Mangement in Africa region. AfriNIc organises two Public Policy meetings every year (see <http://www.afrinic.net/meeting/>). AfNOG WORKSHOP ON NETWORK TECHNOLOGY The AfNOG Workshop on Network Technology aims to offer advanced training to people who are in the process of developing and enhancing an Internet-connected network with regional and international connectivity. The target audience includes senior and mid-level technical staff of commercial Internet service providers (ISPs), academic networks, government networks, or NGO networks. This workshop builds on the experience of previous AfNOG workshops held annually from 2000 to 2007 in eight different African countries, and also the Internet Society's INET workshops, held annually from 1993 to 2000 at eight locations around the world. The workshop's instructors are an international team with many years of experience operating large networks and teaching about network operations. The workshop is divided into four parallel tracks: SA-E - Unix System Administration (in English), focused on using a Unix-like operating system as a platform for delivery of Internet services. SS-E - Scalable Internet Services (in English), focused on the design and operation of email, web, and other Internet services, in ways that can scale to handle large numbers of end users. SI-E - Scalable Network Infrastructure (in English), focused on the design and operation of networks using routers and switches, in ways that can scale to handle large numbers of interconnected sites. SI-F - Infrastructure Reseaux IP (en francais), similar to SI-E, but given in French. Further information and online application form for the workshop can be found at <http://www.afnog.org/afnog2008/workshop/online_application.html> AfREN MEETING The Africa Research and Education Networking community will be holding a two-day meeting on 31 May and 1 June 2008. The meeting will discuss issues of interest to the NREN community such as coordination on activites in the region, advocacy, bandwidth consortia, regional RENs etc AfNOG TUTORIALS AfNOG will offer 1 to 2 full-day(s) tutorials on advanced topics. Tutorials take place in a classroom-style environment, and may include a hands-on practical component. Tutorials are non-commercial in nature, and most are technically oriented. They are intended to offer advanced training on technology already deployed or soon to be deployed on networking and related services provisioning for ISP operations. 9th AfNOG MEETING The 9th AfNOG meeting will be held in Rabat, Morocco, on 3 June 2008. AfNOG conferences provide a forum for the coordination and dissemination of technical information related to backbone/enterprise networking technologies and operational practices. The meetings are informal, with an emphasis on relevance to current and future African backbone engineering practices. The AfNOG 2007 conference in Abuja, Nigeria, drew over 165 participants, mainly consisting of network engineering staff from national service providers, and members of the research and education community. People interested in making a presentation or chairing a panel discussion at the AfNOG meeting are invited to to submit a proposal, following the instructions at <http://www.afnog.org/afnog2008/conference/> AfRINIC-8 MEETING The AfriNIC-8 meeting will be held in Rabat, Morocco, on 4 and 5 June 2008. AfriNIC Meetings are open to everyone and provide an excellent opportunity to take part in Internet policy discussions. These policies, which describe how Internet Number Resources should be managed and distributed, are developed by the community. The meeting will include tutorials, presentations, update on the various working groups and the AfriNIC Public Policy Meeting. The two day meeting will be preceeded by a two-day IPv6 training. The meeting will focus on the IPv6 protocol and its deployment, especially in Africa and the issue of the exhaustion of the IPv4 pool of address space. There will be an opportunity to discuss the challenges which our region will be facing with the exhaustion. Further information is available at <http://www.afrinic.net/meeting/>. ISOC - INET AfRICA MEETING The Internet Society will be organizing an INET Africa Conference on 6 June 2008 in conjunction with the AfriNIC 8 and AfNOG 9 meetings in Rabat, Morocco. This meeting will focus on technical as well as policy aspects surrounding Internet standards development and applications, with special attention on localisation and education initiatives, and efforts to further internationalise the Internet. The meeting is also expected to open discussion on Internet governance issues of importance to the continent. Issued jointly by AfNOG and AfriNIC ------ AfNOG 2008 WORKSHOP ON NETWORK TECHNOLOGY - APPLICATION FOR ADMISSION Please see <http://www.afnog.org/afnog2008/workshop/> for information about the AfNOG 2008 Workshop on Network Technology. If you have questions regarding this announcement and application, they may be addressed to: <workshopinfo08(a)afnog.org> WHERE TO APPLY - You can fill in an application on line, at <http://www.afnog.org/afnog2008/workshop/online_application.html> - You can download a copy of the application form from <http://www.afnog.org/afnog2008/workshop/application-form.txt>, or request a copy via email to <applications08(a)afnog.org>. Then fill it in off-line, and email it to <workshop-apply08(a)afnog.org>. The "Subject" line of the message should contain your surname or family name in the following format: Subject: AfNOG Workshop Application: <your-family-name> WHEN TO APPLY Application forms must be submitted no later than 7 December 2007. Applicants will be notified of their acceptance to the program and the amount of financial aid available (if any) on or about 31st January 2008. INFORMATION TO BE INCLUDED ON YOUR APPLICATION Please ensure that all of the contact information you submit is and accurate, or we will not be able to contact you. Please give detailed answers to the questions about your work and your experience. If your are applying for financial assistance from AfNOG, please do not forget to answer the questions about other funding sources available to you. A. PERSONAL DATA FAMILY NAME (LAST NAME, SURNAME) ONLY: Full Name: Employer/Organization Position/Title: Business Address: Business Telephone: Alternate Telephone: E-mail address: Fax: Date of birth: Nationality: Name as it appears on passport or other travel document: Passport number: Country issuing passport: Date passport was issued: Date of passport expiration: Knowledge of English /French: Please rate your knowledge in these categories: Listening/comprehension: minimal / fair / good / excellent Reading: minimal / fair / good / excellent Speaking: minimal / fair / good / excellent Writing: minimal / fair / good / excellent Please indicate with an asterisk (*) the most reliable addresses and telephone/fax numbers above which can be used to reach you. B. COURSE OF INSTRUCTION Instructional track applied for (Please select only one track; the tracks will run concurrently): [ ] SA-E - UNIX SYSTEM ADMINISTRATION [ ] SS-E- SCALABLE INTERNET SERVICES [ ] SI-E - SCALABLE NETWORK INFRASTRUCTURE [ ] SI-F - INFRASTRUCTURE RESEAUX (French Track - equivanent to SI-E) Please indicate your specific interests within the area you have chosen: C. TECHNICAL SKILLS 1. Are you a UNIX user? How much have you used it? 2. Have you been a UNIX system administrator? Describe your experience (length of time, versions, etc.). 3 Have you used/administered TCP/IP networks? Describe. 4. Have you set up and/or administered any of the following? Please give details. - bind or any other nameservers - sendmail/smail/exim/postfix - majordomo/mailman or other list manager - apache/IIS web systems 5. Have you configured or otherwise managed any of the following? Details, please. - routers - switches - network monitoring - noc D. DESCRIPTION OF ROLE IN NATIONAL NETWORKING ACTIVITIES Bearing in mind that this information will be used to determine whether to admit you to the workshop, please provide in the format of your choice the following information about yourself. Please be sure that it is sufficiently clear, well organized and adequate for this purpose. 1. A description of your current employer, your position, your duties and responsibilities, and how they relate to current and future data networking activities in your country. 2. A brief description of your computing and networking environment (operating systems, networking software, modems, etc.), including the connectivity of your organization to the Internet and your country's connectivity to the international Internet. 3a. Scope of your institution (check all categories that apply): [ ] Commercial Network Provider [ ] Academic Network Provider [ ] NGO Network Provider [ ] Other (Specify)______________ 3b. Approximate number of full time staff at your institution:________ 4. How your training and current work prepare and qualify you for the track you wish to attend. 5. How you expect to use the knowledge you gain at the workshop after you return to your country. 6. If you have previously attended AfNOG/INET Workshops for Developing Countries, a. Year and track you attended: b. A precise description of how you have used the training you have received in the past: c. The significant advances in networking which have occurred in your country specifically because of your knowledge and effort: E. FINANCIAL INFORMATION Your application must contain the following complete information if you wish to be considered for financial support to attend the workshop. The Workshop fee is US$1,600. This includes accommodation and meals. Applicants are usually expected to provide their own funding (from whatever sources). However AfNOG or its sponsors may make a limited financial assistance available to deserving candidates. Even if you request financial assistance you might not receive any, and your acceptance into the Workshop will be conditional on your ability to provide all or most of the funding yourself. Although you may be well qualified and in great need of financial assistance, the maximum funds AfNOG or its sponsors may provide is US$1,000 in financial assistance for BOTH WORKSHOP FEES AND AIRFARE. Payment for the workshop may be made by funds transfer, bank / certified cheque or in cash. Further details will be provided in the admission letter to successful candidates. NOTE : YOUR ACCEPTANCE INTO THE WORKSHOP MAY BEPEND ON YOUR ABILITY TO PROVIDE SOME OR ALL THE WORKSHOP FEES. 1. Are you are requesting financial aid from the AfNOG Workshop for attending the workshop and meetings? [ ] Yes [ ] No 2. If you are requesting financial aid to cover the workshop fee, please provide a complete list of funding sources in the following form. The list should contain all sources of funds that are available to you for payment of the workshop fee. The amounts should total U.S.$1,600. 1. Your Institution -- U.S.$ __________ 2. Your Government -- U.S.$ __________ 3. From international organizations -- U.S.$ __________ 4. Your personal contribution -- U.S.$ __________ 5. Amount you ask from AfNOG -- U.S.$ __________ (less than $1,000) _________________________________ TOTAL Income = U.S.$1,600.00 (PLEASE SELECT ONLY ONE - WORKSHOP FEES OR AIRFARE) 3. Will you need financial assistance for airfare? If so, how much will you or your institution be contributing? [ ] No, assistance for airfare not needed. [ ] Yes, assistance needed. (less than $1,000) Amount of your contribution: U.S.$_________ 4. If you are requesting financial support for airfare, please provide a good estimate of round trip, lowest economy excursion airfare between your place of residence and Cassablanca, Morocco, in May 2008. (Flights from Africa terminate at Cassablanca, connection to Rabat can be made by bus or train). 1. Airfare: 2. Airline: 3. Type of fare: 4. City of departure: 5. Source of your estimate: Signature (your name as you would sign it): __________________________ Date:___________________ _______________________________________________ afnog mailing list http://afnog.org/mailman/listinfo/afnog

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FW: [ke-internetusers] ICT Board's accreditation of BPO Society
by Harry Hare 15 Nov '07

15 Nov '07

Apologies for cross-posting. Harry _____ From: ke-internetusers-bounces(a)bdix.net [mailto:ke-internetusers-bounces@bdix.net] On Behalf Of robert yawe Sent: Monday, November 12, 2007 11:37 PM To: Internet user group Subject: [ke-internetusers] ICT Board's accreditation of BPO Society This morning I attended a breakfast meeting hosted by the newly appointed ICT Board but which turned out to be a flag waving event for some private club called the BPO Society. It is interesting what happens when you pick private sector people and give them the mandate to run a public institution. Last time I checked single sourcing for government services can only be done after requesting exemption from the Ministry of Finance, but I stand corrected. The ICT Board has unilaterally appointed the BPO Society as the only bona fide forwarder of licensing applications for any BPO business, under which gazette notice was this status issued? It is interesting how a state agency can send me to pay a private club (Kes. 35,000/-) for them to forward my application to set up a business. Even at the height of bureaucracy institutions like the Chamber of Commerce never had such powers, so where does the ICT Board get the authority to single source for a vetting agency? The answer to the whole issue came out in a subtle manner on one of the slides US$ 11.4 Million (Kes. 0.75 Billion) for capacity building of the BPO industry. Somebody seriously needs to monitor this new private sector dream teams. This are the acts that stifle young industries, I think to grow the BPO business in this country we need to have the government look the other way to let entrepreneurs do what they have to do like the council did with the issue of private garbage collectors and CCK with courier service providers. Let legislation follow ingenuity & creativity, the other way just doesn't work. Robert Yawe _____ Yahoo! Answers - Get better answers from someone who knows. Try <http://uk.answers.yahoo.com/;_ylc=X3oDMTEydmViNG02BF9TAzIxMTQ3MTcxOTAEc2VjA 21haWwEc2xrA3RhZ2xpbmU> it now.

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Internet growth calls for address migration
by Alex Gakuru 15 Nov '07

15 Nov '07

[Folks, incidentally migration to IPv6 from IPv4 is much emphasized at the internet Governance Forum (or IGF) meetings ending today here at Rio de Janeiro, Brazil - and I have taken very good note of the consequences of NOT migrating. Various Kenyans here assembled a team put up quite an impressive "Best Practices on multi-stakeholders participation". GoK, CCK, KENET, KIXP, KICTAnet presentations received accolades:) Thanks KeNIC for excellent read below-- AlexG] --- <http://www.bdafrica.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=4286&Item…> [Business Daily] Internet growth calls for address migration Written by Beatrice Gachenge November 14, 2007: <snip> With the advent of more dynamic technology gadgets, more hosts are encroaching into the Internet, leading to the fast depletion of Internet protocol addresses commonly known as IP address. It was bound to happen, but not as expected. Who would have thought in the early 1980s that a mobile phone or a camera phone would be connected to the Internet ? How about refrigerators, and motor vehicles? Now, one of the latest gizmos connected to the net is an umbrella, that has Google Earth navigation on it. And the experiments are getting weirder and wilder by the day! The current protocol in utility today is known as IPV4 that has run the Internet for more than 20 years. Over the years it has started showing its limit mainly with the running out of number identifiers associated to it, known as IP addresses. IP addresses are used to route traffic on the Internet and can be seen as the backbone of the Internet and they are used to identify hosts that are connected to the Internet. Vincent Ngundi, acting administrative manager of Kenya Network Information Centre, says that with the Internet becoming part of everyday life, more people are aggressively using it and most business processes have now been converted into online applications.... <snip>

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Digital Community Villages with social Enterprise.
by Jose' 15 Nov '07

15 Nov '07

The 4th telecentres leaders forum organized by Ugabytes initiative in Uganda saw up to six countries being represented across the board being Uganda, Kenya Tanania,Rwanda,Burundi and Sudan. We were privileged on the last day to have the presence of the minister for Communication in Uganda Honorable Alintuma Nsambu. The workshop being facilitated by Mr.Loic who is an expert on Social Entrepreneurship from an organization called Nesst brought out the topic of social enterprise more practical than said. What was noted all through the forum was that Digital Villages(telecentres) need to adopt new strategies and innovativeness for self reliance that reaches out to the community yet at the same time catalyze development through social enterprise within the community members. Before telecentres embark into social entrepreneurship, what is encouraged is to carry out a need assessment so that the project can be embraced by the community. To make a digital village be self reliant and non dependent on donars,the following needs to be carried out to ensure success. 1) The Digital Village(Telecentre) needs to have a clear Mission 2) Have a healthy relation with the key players being the community running up the ladder to its partners and friends of the organization. 3) Have committed constituents. 4) Ability to adopt new trends and be flexible 5) Have a strong leadership. 6) Enable legal political and social environment 7) Accountability is key 8) Have sufficient financial resources 9) Have valuable and useful results or impact 10) Have effective high quality or work program. The Honorable Minister Nsambu pointed out that his government is behind every effort to support digital Villages as he introduced a new computer that is being produced that uses Solar energy. This is Jose' Njuki-Imwe Ngunjiri Reporting. --------------------------------- Get easy, one-click access to your favorites. Make Yahoo! your homepage.

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Fwd: [aisi-l] SEACOM gets funding boost
by Eric Osiakwan 14 Nov '07

14 Nov '07

Begin forwarded message: > From: "Wairagala Wakabi" <wakabi(a)cipesa.org> > Date: 14 November 2007 10:56:10 GMT+03:00 > To: "African Information Society Initiative - Discussion Forum" > <aisi-l(a)lyris.bellanet.org> > Cc: discuss(a)afrispa.org, "Eric Osiakwan" <eric(a)afrispa.org>, > gispa(a)yahoogroups.com, africann(a)afrinic.net, "African Information > Society Initiative - Discussion Forum" <aisi-l(a)lyris.bellanet.org>, > "Ghana Information Networking and Knowledge Sharing" > <ginks(a)dgroups.org>, afnog(a)afnog.org, "KICTAnet ICT Policy > Discussions" <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke>, afrinic- > discuss(a)afrinic.net > Subject: [aisi-l] SEACOM gets funding boost > Reply-To: "African Information Society Initiative - Discussion > Forum" <aisi-l(a)lyris.bellanet.org> > > Netters, > Its backers are saying SEACOM will be the only new cable completed > in time > to give South Africa the bandwidth needed for the 2010 WC, with > "actual > production of the fibreoptic cable and undersea facilities" > starting next > week. SA's SNO, NEOTEL, has helped marshal capital from local > financial > heavyweights, enabling NEOTEL to be owned 50% by South Africans. > > Tut Tut... > > Wakabi > > > Sea cable venture lands big investors > > By Lesley Stones, Business Day, November 14 2007 > > AN UNDERSEA cable promising cheap bandwidth for Africa yesterday > finally > named its backers, signing up enough well-connected local investors to > guarantee its landing rights in SA. > > Investment heavyweight Venfin is sinking $75m into the project, > taking a > 25% stake in the 15000km cable linking SA to India and Europe. > > Cyril Ramaphosa’s black investment house Shanduka is taking 12,5%, > worth > $37,5m. Another 12,5% goes to Convergence Partners, a group of black > investors led by Andile Ngcaba, the chairman of Dimension Data > Africa and > a former director-general of the communications department. Nedbank > Capital and Investec will provide financing for the $650m project. > > SA’s second network operator, Neotel, is pumping in a far more modest > R20m, and using its telecoms licence to guarantee that the cable > can dock > in SA. > > The local ownership is sufficient to ensure that Seacom meets > controversial new conditions being drawn up by Communications > Minister Ivy > Matsepe-Casaburri, dictating who can land a cable in SA. The > minister is > insisting that any cable must be majority owned by African > investors to > come ashore. > > South Africans hold 50% of Seacom, and that rises to 75% African > ownership > thanks to 25% held by the Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development’s > Industrial Promotion Services, a development agency based in Kenya. > > The remaining 25% lies with New York’s Herakles Telecom, a development > group that has invested $4bn in Africa. > > Neotel is investing only in the local landing station, but its > licence to > operate in SA conferred on it the right to land a cable, said MD Ajay > Pandey. > > “Our understanding is that the country needs international > capacity, and > the way international cable landing protocols have been defined > means we > have the opportunity here.” > > Venfin CEO Jannie Durand said Neotel’s licence to land a cable in > SA meant > everything had been done “legally and correctly”. Venfin was backing > Seacom for two reasons, he said: “We are hopefully going to make a > lot of > money out of it and SA needs more bandwidth. We want to bring SA > affordable bandwidth to the rest of the world.” > > Although the cable will cost $650m, it would be partly funded by > loans as > well as equity, allowing Venfin to take 25% for less than the book > value > of the project, Durand said. > > Pandey believes Seacom will be the onlyThe actual production of the > fibreoptic cable and undersea facilities will start next week. > > The consortium has already invested more than $10m in a marine > survey and > engineering of the cable. The actual production of the fibreoptic > cable > and undersea facilities will start next week. > > Seacom will connect Mtunzini in SA to Mumbai in India and > Marseilles in > France via Mozambique, Madagascar, Kenya and Tanzania by June 2009. > > Terrestrial links will be built to take its bandwidth to numerous > other > inland countries. Its capacity of 1,28 terabytes per second is 10 > times > the capacity on the existing Sat-3 cable around Africa’s west coast. > > The consortium has promised that it will charge other voice and data > carriers significantly less for its bandwidth than they pay to use > Sat-3 > or satellite services, which should trigger a massive decrease in > the cost > of phone calls, internet access and data transmissions for African > consumers and businesses. > > “Improved access for business and individuals in Africa to > communications, > broadband services and new technology offerings can improve lives > and help > grow the economies of our countries,” said Ngcaba, the chairman of > Convergence Partners. “The linking of southern and east Africa with > India > and Europe is crucial for enhancing development and trade between > these > key regions.” > > gies that will deliver affordable broadband >> services open to all. Leveraging existing internet access point as >> hubs could be a very good starting point to build license-free >> point-to-point, point-to-multipoint, mesh or even cellular networks >> that will reach the masses in the villages. It will be nice when >> someone leaves the town to visit relatives in the village and not >> lost >> connectivity to the wireless space because their provider does not >> offer services yet in that area. Think of a cell phone with WIFI >> capabilities that accesses paid networks in towns and free WIFI >> access >> at the village sector. So in town, you will use your paid >> services, in >> the village you will use the free WIFI access...how nice will that >> be? >> >> Wilfred >> >> >> ----- Message from eric(a)afrispa.org --------- >> Date: Thu, 1 Nov 2007 09:33:30 +0300 >> From: Eric Osiakwan <eric(a)afrispa.org> >> Reply-To: Discuss(a)afrispa.org >> Subject: [AfrISPA.Discuss] Five Goals of Connect Africa >> To: discuss(a)afrispa.org, KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions >> <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke>, gispa(a)yahoogroups.com, Ghana >> Information Networking and Knowledge Sharing <ginks(a)dgroups.org>, APC >> - Private list for use by EASSY Workshop Participants >> <Fibre-for-africa(a)lists.apc.org>, africann(a)afrinic.net, >> afrinic-discuss(a)afrinic.net, afnog(a)afnog.org, African Information >> Society Initiative - Discussion Forum <aisi-l(a)lyris.bellanet.org> >> >> >>> Dear All, >>> >>> The Connect Africa Summit justed ended in Kigali with the following >>> five major goals; >>> >>> Goal 1. Interconnect all African capitals with ICT Broadband >>> infrastructure and strengthen connectivity to the rest of the >>> world by >>> 2012 as well as interconnect major African cities by 2015. >>> Goal 2. Connect all African villages to broadband ICT services >>> by 2012 >>> and implement shared access initiatives such as community tele- >>> centres >>> and village phones. >>> Goal 3. Adopt key regulatory measures that promote affordable, >>> widespread access to a full range of bradband ICT services, >>> including >>> technology and service neutral licensing/authorisation practises, >>> allocating spectrum for multiple, competitive broadband wireless >>> service providers, creating national internext exchange points >>> (IXPs) >>> and implementing competition in the provision of international >>> internet connectivity. >>> Goal 4. Support the development of a critical mass of ICT Skills >>> required by the knowledge economy, notably through the >>> estamishment of >>> ICT Centres of Excellence network in each sub-region of Africa >>> and ICT >>> capacity-building and training centres in each country, with the >>> aim >>> of achieving a borad network of inter-linked physical and virtual >>> centres, whiles ensuring coordination between academia and >>> industry by >>> 2015. >>> Goal 5. Adopt a national e-strategy, including a cyber-security >>> framework, and deploy at least one flagship e-government service as >>> well as e-education, e-commerce and e-health services using >>> accessible >>> technologies in each country in Africa by 2012, with the aim of >>> making >>> multiple e-government and other e-services widely available by >>> 2015. >>> >>> The African ICT Ministers have also shortlisted some projects under >>> ARAPKE which would be implenented through Connect Africa @ http:// >>> www.itu.int/ITU-D/connect/africa/2007/bgdmaterial/flagship-11.html >>> >>> It is important that we all engage and ensure that these ICT >>> goals are >>> met by 2012 and the larger MDGS by 2015. >>> >>> Thank you and sorry for cross-posting. >>> >>> Eric M.K Osiakwan >>> Executive Secretary >>> AfrISPA (www.afrispa.org) >>> Tel: + 233.21.258800 ext 2031 >>> 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://blogs.law.harvard.edu/eric/ >>> Slang: "Tomorrow Now" >> >> >> ----- End message from eric(a)afrispa.org ----- >> >> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> Fibre-for-africa mailing list >> Fibre-for-africa(a)lists.apc.org >> http://lists.apc.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/fibre-for-africa >> > > > > --- > You are currently subscribed to aisi-l as: [eric.osiakwan(a)netplux.com] > To unsubscribe, forward this message to leave-aisi- > l-40669L(a)lyris.bellanet.org > Eric M.K Osiakwan Executive Secretary AfrISPA (www.afrispa.org) Tel: + 233.21.258800 ext 2031 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://blogs.law.harvard.edu/eric/ Slang: "Tomorrow Now"

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Gear up to being nominated or nominate yourself for ICANN constituencies!!
by Rebecca Wanjiku 13 Nov '07

13 Nov '07

Please apply! The Nom Com's 2008 website will be available soon, and candidate recruitment is anticipated to begin in mid-December 2007. Here is the breakdown of representatives from the region now: Board: Njeri Rionge (June 2003 - November 2008) GNSO: NONE as you can see here: http://gnso.icann.org/council/members.shtml CCNSO: Victor Ciza - Burundi - Term ends Mar-09 Paulos B. Nyirenda – Malawi – T erm ends Mar-10 Mohamed El Bashir - Sudan - Term ends Mar-08 Nashwa Abdelbaki - Egyot Term ends 2010 ALAC: Africa Mohamed El Bashir 4 (Sudan) Hawa Diakite4 (Mali) Alice Wanjira-Munyua2 (Kenya) 2008 ICANN Nominating Committee Convenes in Los Angeles 7 November 2007 The 2008 ICANN Nominating Committee (Nom Com) has been convened and met for the first time on 2-3 November, immediately following the 30th International ICANN Public Meeting in Los Angeles, California. Prior to the Los Angeles meeting, on 11 September 2007, the ICANN Board appointed Hagen Hultzsch as Nom Com Chair. Hagen has selected Wolfgang Kleinwaechter as Associate Chair. Due to the bylaws, George Sadowsky, the previous Nom Com Chair will serve as an advisor to the current Nom Com. 2008 Nom Com will select: Two members of the ICANN Board of Directors One member of the Council of the Generic Names Supporting Organization (GNSO) One member of the Council of the Country-Code Names Supporting Organization (ccNSO) Two members of the At Large Advisory Committee (ALAC) (European and North American regions) Those selected by the Nom Com will take their seats at the end of the 2008 ICANN Annual Meeting, 7 November 2008. First tasks of the Committee were to begin work on procedures and a timeline for activities during 2007-2008. The Nom Com's 2008 website will be available soon, and candidate recruitment is anticipated to begin in mid-December 2007. The Nom Com intends to hold a workshop during the ICANN meeting in Delhi, India to provide information about progress and process and answer questions. The workshop will be webcast and remote access provided. The date of the workshop will be confirmed once the Delhi meeting schedule is finalized. The following individuals have been appointed to the 2008 Nominating Committee: Hagen Hultzsch - Chair Wolfgang Kleinwaechter - Associate Chair George Sadowsky - Advisor to the Chair (as previous Chair of the Nom Com) Karen Banks - GNSO, Non-Commercial Users Constituency Phil Davidson - Technical Liaison Group Ute Decker - GNSO, Intellectual Property Constituency Grant Forsyth - GNSO, Business Constituency (Large) Matias Altamira Gigena - ALAC, Latin American and Caribbean Hartmut Glaser - Address Supporting Organization Caroline Greer - GNSO, Registry Constituency Ole Jacobsen - Internet Engineering Task Force Khaled Koubaa - ALAC, Africa Bill Manning - Root Server System Advisory Committee (non-voting liaison) Desiree Miloshevic - ALAC, Europe Ram Mohan - Security and Stability Advisory Committee (non-voting liaison) Ross Rader - ALAC, North America Jose Luiz Rebeiro-Filho, Higher Education Representative Greg Ruth - GNSO, Internet Service Providers Constituency Waudo Siganga - GNSO, Business Constituency (Small) Paul Stahura - GNSO, Registrars Constituency Karaitiana Taiuru - ALAC, Asia Pacific Christopher To - Country Code Names Supporting Organization The Nominating Committee Review was published on 24 October 2007. The review and 2008 Nom Com are independent activities. The Nom Com website can be found at http://nomcom.icann.org. Further information on the invitation for statements of interests in ICANN leadership positions will be posted in the near future. _______________________________________________ AfrICANN mailing list AfrICANN(a)afrinic.net https://lists.afrinic.net/mailman/listinfo.cgi/africann -- becky beckyit.blogspot.com __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Anne-Rachel Inné <annerachel(a)gmail.com> Date: Nov 8, 2007 12:54 PM Subject: [AfrICANN-discuss] Gear up to being nominated or nominate yourself for ICANN constituencies!! To: africann(a)afrinic.net Please apply! The Nom Com's 2008 website will be available soon, and candidate recruitment is anticipated to begin in mid-December 2007. Here is the breakdown of representatives from the region now: Board: Njeri Rionge (June 2003 - November 2008) GNSO: NONE as you can see here: http://gnso.icann.org/council/members.shtml CCNSO: Victor Ciza - Burundi - Term ends Mar-09 Paulos B. Nyirenda – Malawi – T erm ends Mar-10 Mohamed El Bashir - Sudan - Term ends Mar-08 Nashwa Abdelbaki - Egyot Term ends 2010 ALAC: Africa Mohamed El Bashir 4 (Sudan) Hawa Diakite4 (Mali) Alice Wanjira-Munyua2 (Kenya) 2008 ICANN Nominating Committee Convenes in Los Angeles 7 November 2007 The 2008 ICANN Nominating Committee (Nom Com) has been convened and met for the first time on 2-3 November, immediately following the 30th International ICANN Public Meeting in Los Angeles, California. Prior to the Los Angeles meeting, on 11 September 2007, the ICANN Board appointed Hagen Hultzsch as Nom Com Chair. Hagen has selected Wolfgang Kleinwaechter as Associate Chair. Due to the bylaws, George Sadowsky, the previous Nom Com Chair will serve as an advisor to the current Nom Com. 2008 Nom Com will select: Two members of the ICANN Board of Directors One member of the Council of the Generic Names Supporting Organization (GNSO) One member of the Council of the Country-Code Names Supporting Organization (ccNSO) Two members of the At Large Advisory Committee (ALAC) (European and North American regions) Those selected by the Nom Com will take their seats at the end of the 2008 ICANN Annual Meeting, 7 November 2008. First tasks of the Committee were to begin work on procedures and a timeline for activities during 2007-2008. The Nom Com's 2008 website will be available soon, and candidate recruitment is anticipated to begin in mid-December 2007. The Nom Com intends to hold a workshop during the ICANN meeting in Delhi, India to provide information about progress and process and answer questions. The workshop will be webcast and remote access provided. The date of the workshop will be confirmed once the Delhi meeting schedule is finalized. The following individuals have been appointed to the 2008 Nominating Committee: Hagen Hultzsch - Chair Wolfgang Kleinwaechter - Associate Chair George Sadowsky - Advisor to the Chair (as previous Chair of the Nom Com) Karen Banks - GNSO, Non-Commercial Users Constituency Phil Davidson - Technical Liaison Group Ute Decker - GNSO, Intellectual Property Constituency Grant Forsyth - GNSO, Business Constituency (Large) Matias Altamira Gigena - ALAC, Latin American and Caribbean Hartmut Glaser - Address Supporting Organization Caroline Greer - GNSO, Registry Constituency Ole Jacobsen - Internet Engineering Task Force Khaled Koubaa - ALAC, Africa Bill Manning - Root Server System Advisory Committee (non-voting liaison) Desiree Miloshevic - ALAC, Europe Ram Mohan - Security and Stability Advisory Committee (non-voting liaison) Ross Rader - ALAC, North America Jose Luiz Rebeiro-Filho, Higher Education Representative Greg Ruth - GNSO, Internet Service Providers Constituency Waudo Siganga - GNSO, Business Constituency (Small) Paul Stahura - GNSO, Registrars Constituency Karaitiana Taiuru - ALAC, Asia Pacific Christopher To - Country Code Names Supporting Organization The Nominating Committee Review was published on 24 October 2007. The review and 2008 Nom Com are independent activities. The Nom Com website can be found at http://nomcom.icann.org. Further information on the invitation for statements of interests in ICANN leadership positions will be posted in the near future. _______________________________________________ AfrICANN mailing list AfrICANN(a)afrinic.net https://lists.afrinic.net/mailman/listinfo.cgi/africann -- becky beckyit.blogspot.com

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invitation to E-waste discussions
by Rebecca Wanjiku 12 Nov '07

12 Nov '07

RE: INVITATION TO KICTANETs INTRODUCTION OF THE E-WASTE PROJECT IN KENYA KICTANet is working with the Hewlett Packard, EMPA (Swiss Materials Science & Research Technology), the Global Digital solidarity Fund (DSF) on their new programme on the “Recycling of electronic waste” in Kenya. The project will assess the current conditions for electronic recycling in communities in Kenya. It also aims to explore how additional local jobs can be created in this sector as well as the development of a blueprint for a sustainable e-waste management system in Kenya in collaboration with other existing local recycling projects. Pursuant to this KICTANet is therefore inviting you an introduction meeting to be held on Wednesday November 21 at Jacaranda Hotel from 9.00a.m. to 12.30 p.m. The meeting is an opportunity for the international team from DSF, EMPA and the Kenya research team to introduce the project to a few relevant stakeholders involved and interested in E-waste in Kenya. Please confirm your attendance to Rebecca Wanjiku Evelyn Majale on 4453671/2 or email: rebeccawanjiku(a)yahoo.com or evelyne(a)kictanet.or.ke Tel. 254 720 318 925 blog:http://beckyit.blogspot.com/ __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com

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Marching to a different drum – Africa enters the age of mobile content
by alice 10 Nov '07

10 Nov '07

Marching to a different drum – Africa enters the age of mobile content News Update concentrates all its coverage on what happens in Africa. But this week we have to describe events elsewhere because as all too often happens, key decisions that will affect the continent are happening elsewhere. Unless something fairly radical happens in the next 12-18 months, the development of mobile content revenues on the continent will be shaped by the “hand-me-down” attitudes and technologies of others. Russell Southwood seeks to explain. Last week saw two more salvoes fired in the war for mobile operating systems. American advertising and search engine company Google launched its Android operating system in partnership with the Open Handset Alliance and 30 mobile phone makers and interested parties like Qualcomm. But amongst the larger makers, it is working closely with no 2 player Samsung with whom it agreed a deal on mobile tools in January 2007. Google described Android as “all of the software to run a mobile phone, but without the proprietary obstacles that have hindered mobile innovation.” Meanwhile the world’s largest mobile handset manufacturer (Nokia) agreed with the world’s largest mobile phone operator (Vodafone) to launch an integrated suite of Vodafone services combined with Nokia Ovi services on a range of Nokia handsets. A number of these handsets will be exclusive to Vodafone. By all accounts, it improves access to the Nokia Music Store, although Vodafone has its own product, Omnifone MusicStation. Vodafone looks set to take over Vodacom in the not-too-distant future. Meanwhile Symbian, which is already on 165 million handsets worldwide, was dismissive of the Google offering. John Forsyth, Symbian said:”… a mobile OS is a very specialised form of rocket science. It's not search rocket science." However this has not prevented one-time computer company Apple from showing it can deliver this kind of rocket science, so why not Google? Whoever gains dominance in this market and whether the approach is open or closed will affect how mobile content develops in Africa. And it is at this point two key issues coincide for those in Africa who want to develop mobile content revenues. Everyone knows that the mobile phone and not the computer is the continent’s device of choice but this rather masks the considerable variation in phone operating systems, web access availability and just plain old functionality. The average phone on the street is at the bottom end of the range and is really only fit for receiving SMS messages. This brings us to the hoop-la surrounding the launch of the iPhone today in the UK as I write. Leave aside the usual promotional hype and the sight of members of Cult Apple waiting overnight to buy their treasured object, this phone is different. From trying it on a recent US visit, it has an easy-to-use functionality that with adaptation has much to commend it in the African context. It’s intuitive and icon driven, allowing a lower level of functional literacy for users. (However, the iPhone will not be going to South Africa any time soon. See Telecoms News – In Brief) The barrier to this kind of device is cost and the discussion mirrors similar ones held about palm computers for Africa. The iPhone launch price in the UK is US$538 as it is being launched as a premium product with a monthly plan costing US$70. But give it 2-3 years and it will be down to $300 and be a mainstream product, not necessarily produced by Apple. But secondhand prices in Africa may take it down closer to $100-150. But even this lowered price will not breach the magic $100 level that Nicolas Negroponte set himself and failed to reach for a low-cost computer. Also the low price phones produced as part of the GSM Association initiative are stripped back in terms of overall functionality. But if Africa is to have access to web content on its mobiles, then it needs a cheaper phone device that can access web content with a screen that is bigger than two large postage stamps. Also whilst Africa’s mobile companies engage in the data upgrade arms race, little thought seems to have been given to battery life issues. The iPhone may not have 3G but it has an 8 hour battery life compared to the 3G compatible Nokia N95 which has only a 4 hour battery life. No-one seems yet to have thought through the energy implications of even a significant minority of Africans using 3G phones. Now I can hear you saying that all of this is fantasy stuff for Africa. But Vodacom in South Africa said in October 2007 that it had 139,000 HSDPA customers and 899,000 Vodafone Live! subscribers, the latter being the content service it markets from what is likely to become its parent company. It is also pioneering a mobile TV service to its 3G subscribers in South Africa. Numbers are modest but growing. Ah yes, but South Africa is different. Nevertheless jobs service in Kenya attracted 35,000 subscribers and other services elsewhere in Africa are attracting tens of thousands of people. With numbers on this scale, mobile phones are not just communications devices but media. Certain types of advertisers will be very interested in getting to the largely young demographic that uses these services. The sums will not be spectacular but they will help to fuel further growth. But the barriers to growth in mobile content revenues are significant. Last year we sat in on a seminar with mobile phone companies drawn from right across Africa. Every single person stressed how important content development was to their company and how they had a member of staff working on it. However, with few exceptions not one of them talked about a successful mobile content service that they were actually operating. Mobile companies were not set up to do content and the revenues are not yet large enough to gain real traction with operational managers. A number of mobile operators are owned by multinational owners who have sought to introduce content bundles that have been developed in Europe and the USA. But as one of the more honest managers for these companies admitted, there is only really on the most optimistic view a 50-60% fit with the African market. So there is a need for better and more compelling local mobile content. But this is where the complications start. The typical income split is 50% to the mobile operator, 10-20% to the mobile platform provider and 30-40% to the content provider. Anxious to drive up income from this source, the mobile operators are seeking to take a bigger share of the value in other countries. However, they need to be careful not to kill the goose that might lay the golden egg. They could easily give more generous deals as they benefit from the minutes these services add. Ideally there needs to be a new service every 4 weeks in some African country so that it’s possible to work out what works locally and the optimum price. Another difficulty is that mobile providers are insisting on exclusive deals. For example, if you want to launch your mobile content service with a particular mobile operator, you have to offer an exclusive deal for one year or more. The mobile operators still see content as a marketing device rather than revenue in its own right. The walled garden approach is very like the early days of the Internet where people like AOL tried to create their own content universe. Understandably, the mobile operators would like to control the development of content on their media and take a large part of the rewards. Apple’s approach to iTunes illustrates how lucrative this approach can be. The difficulty is that for mobile content to thrive in Africa, it has to be easier to get it to market and to as wider range of people as possible. At the moment, mobile content creators may have to re-version their services for as many as 3-5 different delivery platforms. The discussion parallels those that were had in the early days in Africa about interconnection between mobile operators. Many operators said they would not connect to other operators because it would be easier to retain subscribers and revenues if the stayed isolated. In the event, interconnection meant almost all operators benefited from there being a large and growing “critical mass” of users. The same would almost certainly be true for mobile content and perhaps the time is ripe for operators to talk to each other about how best to promote wider use of content, rather than simply tending their own back gardens. African Mobile Content Alliance anyone? From Balancing Act <mailbox:///C%7C/Users/IPM/AppData/Roaming/Thunderbird/Profiles/u11w6ixk.default/Mail/Local%20Folders/Inbox?number=856298414#top>

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On MAURITIUS COMPUTER MISUSE AND CYBERCRIME ACT 2003 and MOROCCAN COPYRIGHT LAW
by Rebecca Wanjiku 09 Nov '07

09 Nov '07

MAURITIUS COMPUTER MISUSE AND CYBERCRIME ACT 2003 Kelly O'Connell, Miami Attorney Email Mauritius is an island located in the Atlantic near Southern Africa, in the Indian Ocean, east of Madagascar. It was first explored by Portuguese sailors in the early in the 16th century. Later it was controlled by the Dutch, French, and British until independence was achieved in 1968. Given its inherent limitations of history, location, and natural resources, the country has developed into an unmitigated success, by anyone's standard. The Government carefully assembled the infrastructure for a large, state-of-the-art cyber complex in the early 2000's which should prove attractive to any company wishing for access to the Asian continent within a business-friendly and highly modernized infrastructure. This law is an attempt to protect any foreign or local businesses setting up shop there. To better understand the Computer Misuse and Cybercrime Act 2003; Act No. 22 of 2003; Offense, found in Part II, these questions will be answered: What is "Unauthorized Access to Computer Data"? What is "Access with Intent to Commit Offences," or "Unauthorized Password Disclosure"? What is "Unauthorized Access to and Interception of Computer Service"? What is "Unauthorized Modification of Computer Material", or "Damaging or Denying Access to Computer System"? What is "Unlawful Possession of Devices and Data" or "Electronic Fraud"? Mauritius island state has staged an impressive economic evolution, based upon its stable democracy, featuring a British system of regular free elections and a positive human rights record, as the markets transition from agriculture to building the industrial, financial, and tourist sectors. The country has attracted considerable foreign direct investments, earning one of Africa's highest average incomes, per annum. The population is about one and a quarter million within a land mass about ten times the size of Washington, DC. A serious approach to property laws, in general, and Intellectual Property laws specifically, is a major reason this well-ordered economy thrives. What is "Unauthorized Access to Computer Data"? This occurs when a person causes a computer to "perform a function," ie, enters with the intent of a going into a computer system to have unauthorized access. Here, "Unauthorized" means either lacking general authority to enter a system, or without specific consent of the owner of the equipment. The law does not differentiate whether the person had intent to go after specific data or programming, or whether he was simply accessing the device with a general intent to enter, without any firm goal in mind beyond that. Those convicted of this crime will be fined 50,000 rupees and/or be sentenced to "penal servitude" for no more than 5 years. The act allows for a defense of a "reasonable belief" of consent or authority. (Part II, Section 3) What is "Access with Intent to Commit Offences," or "Unauthorized Password Disclosure"? "Access with Intent to Commit Offences" occurs when a person causes a computer system to do an act for the purpose of accessing any program or data found within a computer system, with intent to commit any crimes listed under the rest of this same Act. It is deemed irrelevant whether the initial access was authorized, or unauthorized; or whether the crime occurred at the same time, or at some period later. Those convicted of this crime will be fined not exceeding 200,000 rupees, and/or incarcerated not to exceed 20 years. (Part II, Section 4.) "Unauthorized Password Disclosure" happens if anyone "knowingly discloses any password, access code, or any other means of gaining access to any program or data held in any computer system" to commit a crime of theft, to damage files, or defame another, If convicted of this crime, the person will be fined 50,000 rupees and/or incarcerated not exceeding 5 years. (Part II, Section 8.) What is "Unauthorized Access to and Interception of Computer Service"? This occurs when anyone purposefully, and without permission or authority, breaches a computer system for the end of obtaining computer service to intercepts "any function of, or any data within a computer system." Those convicted of this crime will be fined not exceeding 100,000 rupees and/or incarcerated not to exceed 10 years. If such an act impairs or compromises the function of a computer system, including disruption or excision of data delivery, Those convicted of this crime will be fined not exceeding 200,000 rupees and/or incarcerated not exceeding 20 years. It is irrelevant if the breacher's intent was to harm the system or disrupt the flow of data. (Part II, Section 5.) What is "Unauthorized Modification of Computer Material", or "Damaging or Denying Access to Computer System"? This occurs when anyone purposefully acts to cause an "unauthorized modification of data held in any computer system." Those convicted of this crime will be fined not exceeding 100,000 rupees and/or incarcerated not exceeding 10 years. If such an act suppresses the system or modifies data, those convicted of this crime will be fined not exceeding 200,000 rupees and/or incarcerated not exceeding 20 years. A "modification" is illegal if the person doing so "is not himself entitled to determine whether the modification should be made;" and has done so beyond the scope of authority, or without permission. It is irrelevant if the damage or modification is temporary or permanent. (Part II, Section 6.) "Damaging or Denying Access to Computer System" is when any person who, without consent or authority, causes "degradation, failure, interruption or obstruction of the operation of a computer system; or denial of access to, or impairment of any program or data storage," those convicted of this crime will be fined not exceeding 200,000 rupees and/or incarcerated not exceeding 20 years. (Part II, Section 7.) What is "Unlawful Possession of Devices and Data" or "Electronic Fraud"? This occurs when anyone "manufactures, sells, procures for use, imports, distributes or otherwise makes available, a computer system or any other device, designed or adapted primarily for the purpose of committing any offence" under this Act. Also, to have such a computer program in possession, is likewise a crime, unless with excuse or justification. Those convicted of this crime will be fined not exceeding 50,000 rupees and/or incarcerated not exceeding 5 years. (Part II, Section 9.) "Electronic Fraud" occurs when anyone "fraudulently causes loss of property" to another by "any input, alteration, deletion or suppression of data;" or interfering with a computer system, with intent to commit this crime. Those convicted of this crime will be fined not exceeding 200,000 rupees and/or incarcerated not exceeding 20 years. (Part II, Section 1) MOROCCAN COPYRIGHT LAW Kelly O'Connell, Miami Attorney Email Morocco has a rich French legal history, which included European intellectual property law. The French law was set aside to make way for the global economy represented by World Intellectual Property Organization, which Morocco assented to the standards of, first in the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property, or TRIPS Agreement; and then, in the Law No. 2-00 on Copyright and Related Rights of February 15, 2000. That Moroccan law is still influenced by the old dahirs (laws). To better understand Moroccan Copyright law, these questions will be addressed: What are Copyright Protected Works, What are Their Conditions? What Are Some Unusual Aspects of Moroccan Copyright Law? How Does Copyright Ownership Work? What are the Formalities and Documentation for Moroccan Copyright? Does the Law Treat as Special Moroccan National Folkways? History of Moroccan Copyright Law: Morocco, like the rest of the Muslim world, did not have a strong history of protecting Intellectual Property (IP) rights. In fact, until the 20th century, the concept was foreign to the law of this country. Morocco did have better IP rights than neighbors since it accessed French laws on the topic, resulting in the dahirs of 1916 and 1970, although application of these standards was hardly uniform. Morocco decided to set aside the old French model and strive for a global model after it chose to attempt to become a member of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). This represented a bold, non-typical deviation from the colonial model when they rejected the regional model to pursue membership in 1993 (Morocco also attempted to become an early member of the European Union, but were rejected out of hand for not technically being a European state). The Government was given guidelines to follow, such as ratifying the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property, or TRIPS Agreement. This transformed the intellectual property thinking in the state as Morocco struggled to bring their legislation and regulations in agreement with international standards and procedures. Morocco, was classed a "developing country" and signed the TRIPS Agreement, and was given a deadline of the year 2000 to redraft its IP legislation to meet WIPO standards. This explains why the new IP law was passed when it was, yielding Morocco Law No. 2-00 on Copyright and Related Rights of February 15, 2000 was signed into effect. What are Copyright Protected Works, What are Their Conditions? "Protected work" in the Moroccan Copyright Law of 2000 are too numerous to list, but Morocco accepts the Berne Convention, which does have a long, but incomplete listing. Protected works presume several characteristics. First, the work being protected must be an "original", which is not a well-developed definition in the Moroccan Copyright Law of 2000. The old 1970 dahir and French law in general define an original as "when its characteristic features and its form, or its form alone, make possible the identification of its author." The new law refers to "originality" as "works that are original intellectual creations in the literary and artistic field." The test for originality, then, will be one of a common sense persuasion through examples and proofs. Second, the work cannot be simply an idea, but an original idea that has been worked-up into some sort of model. Third, there must be an author. This means, according to the law in Article 47, is the person who is shown, via "display on each of the copies the name, pseudonym or mark of the author." Therefore, a model work with a name on it, were it unique, would translate to authorship, and all rights accrued therein, as explained in Article 38. An anonymous, pseudonimical or unknown work is "authored" by the publisher of such. What Are Some Unusual Aspects of Moroccan Copyright Law? While not completely unique, Moroccan copyright law follows the French, as opposed to U.S. standard, and does not require copyrighted articles be fixed on material support for copyright. This is undoubtedly to help preserve Moroccan folksongs as IP. Also, the 2000 Copyright law does not recognize "compilations", again unlike its U.S. counterpart. This has created an interesting situation where computer databases are not treated typically within the 2000 law, but case law (Coprosa decision) and legislation (1985 law) developed to grant databanks original protection, and to help with this void, given as a 'right of extraction and reuse', although the protection has not gone beyond 15 years. Databases are classed derivative works, in Article 5(b), but with no details as to scope and term of the protection. How Does Copyright Ownership Work? In Article 1, paragraph (1), the new law states an author of a work is "the natural person who created the work," and "He or she is the first owner of the moral and economic right in the work," according to Article 31. Proof is that "his or her name appears visibly on the work," according to Article 38. Yet this name, according to Article 1, paragraph (1), might not be the real author or person who commissioned it. The law only applies to "real persons," not legal entities -- although the case law disagrees with this point -- and protection lasts a lifetime plus fifty years, according to (Article 26). What are the Formalities and Documentation for Moroccan Copyright? Formalities: For Copyright registration formalities, and unlike U.S. copyright, the Moroccan Copyright Law of 2000 and the decree of 8 March 1965 do not gave a particular manner of registering copyright or an stipulation to deposit of works. While there is a stipulation in the dahir of 7 October 1932 that says four copies of any work produced in number and put in circulation on Moroccan territory26 must be deposited with the General Library and Archives (BGA) in Rabat. Strangely, this rule has no relation to copyright, since this is registered nowhere else. The Moroccan Copyright Office relies upon a procedure of declaration and the admissibility of such on the Report of the Authentification Commission to then accept them. Documentation: Again, for Moroccan texts, there is no documentary evidence needed to attest to authorship of a work, or any body set up for such a purpose. But the dahir of 7 October 1932 stipulates that on legal deposit, when a work is put into circulation in Morocco, four copies shall be handed over to the BGA, and a formal document is then issued in return. The article gives the name and status of the author referring to 'claims', not unlike copyright forms of the American and Canadian Copyright Offices. But Article 12 of the dahir of 7 October 1932 does not create copyright, nor constitute any kind of certificate of ownership, or a defensible certificate of entitlement regarding such rights. Does the Law Treat as Special Moroccan National Folkways? Yes. Morocco has an extremely rich cultural heritage, expressed in dance, song, and art. The old dahirs protected these works, naming indigenous art and invention as, "folklore", being "unpublished works where the identity of the author is unknown but where there is every ground to presume that he is or was a Moroccan national," according to dahir 29 of the 1970 code. Article 7, "Protection of Expressions of Folklore" makes the fixing of folklore works under approval of the Moroccan Copyright Bureau. _______________________________________________ AfrICANN mailing list AfrICANN(a)afrinic.net https://lists.afrinic.net/mailman/listinfo.cgi/africann -- becky beckyit.blogspot.com __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Anne-Rachel Inné <annerachel(a)gmail.com> Date: Nov 8, 2007 3:56 PM Subject: [AfrICANN-discuss] On MAURITIUS COMPUTER MISUSE AND CYBERCRIME ACT 2003 and MOROCCAN COPYRIGHT LAW To: africann(a)afrinic.net Cc: Me SARR Abdou Abbas <sarr.abdou(a)sarr-allard.com> MAURITIUS COMPUTER MISUSE AND CYBERCRIME ACT 2003 Kelly O'Connell, Miami Attorney Email Mauritius is an island located in the Atlantic near Southern Africa, in the Indian Ocean, east of Madagascar. It was first explored by Portuguese sailors in the early in the 16th century. Later it was controlled by the Dutch, French, and British until independence was achieved in 1968. Given its inherent limitations of history, location, and natural resources, the country has developed into an unmitigated success, by anyone's standard. The Government carefully assembled the infrastructure for a large, state-of-the-art cyber complex in the early 2000's which should prove attractive to any company wishing for access to the Asian continent within a business-friendly and highly modernized infrastructure. This law is an attempt to protect any foreign or local businesses setting up shop there. To better understand the Computer Misuse and Cybercrime Act 2003; Act No. 22 of 2003; Offense, found in Part II, these questions will be answered: What is "Unauthorized Access to Computer Data"? What is "Access with Intent to Commit Offences," or "Unauthorized Password Disclosure"? What is "Unauthorized Access to and Interception of Computer Service"? What is "Unauthorized Modification of Computer Material", or "Damaging or Denying Access to Computer System"? What is "Unlawful Possession of Devices and Data" or "Electronic Fraud"? Mauritius island state has staged an impressive economic evolution, based upon its stable democracy, featuring a British system of regular free elections and a positive human rights record, as the markets transition from agriculture to building the industrial, financial, and tourist sectors. The country has attracted considerable foreign direct investments, earning one of Africa's highest average incomes, per annum. The population is about one and a quarter million within a land mass about ten times the size of Washington, DC. A serious approach to property laws, in general, and Intellectual Property laws specifically, is a major reason this well-ordered economy thrives. What is "Unauthorized Access to Computer Data"? This occurs when a person causes a computer to "perform a function," ie, enters with the intent of a going into a computer system to have unauthorized access. Here, "Unauthorized" means either lacking general authority to enter a system, or without specific consent of the owner of the equipment. The law does not differentiate whether the person had intent to go after specific data or programming, or whether he was simply accessing the device with a general intent to enter, without any firm goal in mind beyond that. Those convicted of this crime will be fined 50,000 rupees and/or be sentenced to "penal servitude" for no more than 5 years. The act allows for a defense of a "reasonable belief" of consent or authority. (Part II, Section 3) What is "Access with Intent to Commit Offences," or "Unauthorized Password Disclosure"? "Access with Intent to Commit Offences" occurs when a person causes a computer system to do an act for the purpose of accessing any program or data found within a computer system, with intent to commit any crimes listed under the rest of this same Act. It is deemed irrelevant whether the initial access was authorized, or unauthorized; or whether the crime occurred at the same time, or at some period later. Those convicted of this crime will be fined not exceeding 200,000 rupees, and/or incarcerated not to exceed 20 years. (Part II, Section 4.) "Unauthorized Password Disclosure" happens if anyone "knowingly discloses any password, access code, or any other means of gaining access to any program or data held in any computer system" to commit a crime of theft, to damage files, or defame another, If convicted of this crime, the person will be fined 50,000 rupees and/or incarcerated not exceeding 5 years. (Part II, Section 8.) What is "Unauthorized Access to and Interception of Computer Service"? This occurs when anyone purposefully, and without permission or authority, breaches a computer system for the end of obtaining computer service to intercepts "any function of, or any data within a computer system." Those convicted of this crime will be fined not exceeding 100,000 rupees and/or incarcerated not to exceed 10 years. If such an act impairs or compromises the function of a computer system, including disruption or excision of data delivery, Those convicted of this crime will be fined not exceeding 200,000 rupees and/or incarcerated not exceeding 20 years. It is irrelevant if the breacher's intent was to harm the system or disrupt the flow of data. (Part II, Section 5.) What is "Unauthorized Modification of Computer Material", or "Damaging or Denying Access to Computer System"? This occurs when anyone purposefully acts to cause an "unauthorized modification of data held in any computer system." Those convicted of this crime will be fined not exceeding 100,000 rupees and/or incarcerated not exceeding 10 years. If such an act suppresses the system or modifies data, those convicted of this crime will be fined not exceeding 200,000 rupees and/or incarcerated not exceeding 20 years. A "modification" is illegal if the person doing so "is not himself entitled to determine whether the modification should be made;" and has done so beyond the scope of authority, or without permission. It is irrelevant if the damage or modification is temporary or permanent. (Part II, Section 6.) "Damaging or Denying Access to Computer System" is when any person who, without consent or authority, causes "degradation, failure, interruption or obstruction of the operation of a computer system; or denial of access to, or impairment of any program or data storage," those convicted of this crime will be fined not exceeding 200,000 rupees and/or incarcerated not exceeding 20 years. (Part II, Section 7.) What is "Unlawful Possession of Devices and Data" or "Electronic Fraud"? This occurs when anyone "manufactures, sells, procures for use, imports, distributes or otherwise makes available, a computer system or any other device, designed or adapted primarily for the purpose of committing any offence" under this Act. Also, to have such a computer program in possession, is likewise a crime, unless with excuse or justification. Those convicted of this crime will be fined not exceeding 50,000 rupees and/or incarcerated not exceeding 5 years. (Part II, Section 9.) "Electronic Fraud" occurs when anyone "fraudulently causes loss of property" to another by "any input, alteration, deletion or suppression of data;" or interfering with a computer system, with intent to commit this crime. Those convicted of this crime will be fined not exceeding 200,000 rupees and/or incarcerated not exceeding 20 years. (Part II, Section 1) MOROCCAN COPYRIGHT LAW Kelly O'Connell, Miami Attorney Email Morocco has a rich French legal history, which included European intellectual property law. The French law was set aside to make way for the global economy represented by World Intellectual Property Organization, which Morocco assented to the standards of, first in the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property, or TRIPS Agreement; and then, in the Law No. 2-00 on Copyright and Related Rights of February 15, 2000. That Moroccan law is still influenced by the old dahirs (laws). To better understand Moroccan Copyright law, these questions will be addressed: What are Copyright Protected Works, What are Their Conditions? What Are Some Unusual Aspects of Moroccan Copyright Law? How Does Copyright Ownership Work? What are the Formalities and Documentation for Moroccan Copyright? Does the Law Treat as Special Moroccan National Folkways? History of Moroccan Copyright Law: Morocco, like the rest of the Muslim world, did not have a strong history of protecting Intellectual Property (IP) rights. In fact, until the 20th century, the concept was foreign to the law of this country. Morocco did have better IP rights than neighbors since it accessed French laws on the topic, resulting in the dahirs of 1916 and 1970, although application of these standards was hardly uniform. Morocco decided to set aside the old French model and strive for a global model after it chose to attempt to become a member of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). This represented a bold, non-typical deviation from the colonial model when they rejected the regional model to pursue membership in 1993 (Morocco also attempted to become an early member of the European Union, but were rejected out of hand for not technically being a European state). The Government was given guidelines to follow, such as ratifying the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property, or TRIPS Agreement. This transformed the intellectual property thinking in the state as Morocco struggled to bring their legislation and regulations in agreement with international standards and procedures. Morocco, was classed a "developing country" and signed the TRIPS Agreement, and was given a deadline of the year 2000 to redraft its IP legislation to meet WIPO standards. This explains why the new IP law was passed when it was, yielding Morocco Law No. 2-00 on Copyright and Related Rights of February 15, 2000 was signed into effect. What are Copyright Protected Works, What are Their Conditions? "Protected work" in the Moroccan Copyright Law of 2000 are too numerous to list, but Morocco accepts the Berne Convention, which does have a long, but incomplete listing. Protected works presume several characteristics. First, the work being protected must be an "original", which is not a well-developed definition in the Moroccan Copyright Law of 2000. The old 1970 dahir and French law in general define an original as "when its characteristic features and its form, or its form alone, make possible the identification of its author." The new law refers to "originality" as "works that are original intellectual creations in the literary and artistic field." The test for originality, then, will be one of a common sense persuasion through examples and proofs. Second, the work cannot be simply an idea, but an original idea that has been worked-up into some sort of model. Third, there must be an author. This means, according to the law in Article 47, is the person who is shown, via "display on each of the copies the name, pseudonym or mark of the author." Therefore, a model work with a name on it, were it unique, would translate to authorship, and all rights accrued therein, as explained in Article 38. An anonymous, pseudonimical or unknown work is "authored" by the publisher of such. What Are Some Unusual Aspects of Moroccan Copyright Law? While not completely unique, Moroccan copyright law follows the French, as opposed to U.S. standard, and does not require copyrighted articles be fixed on material support for copyright. This is undoubtedly to help preserve Moroccan folksongs as IP. Also, the 2000 Copyright law does not recognize "compilations", again unlike its U.S. counterpart. This has created an interesting situation where computer databases are not treated typically within the 2000 law, but case law (Coprosa decision) and legislation (1985 law) developed to grant databanks original protection, and to help with this void, given as a 'right of extraction and reuse', although the protection has not gone beyond 15 years. Databases are classed derivative works, in Article 5(b), but with no details as to scope and term of the protection. How Does Copyright Ownership Work? In Article 1, paragraph (1), the new law states an author of a work is "the natural person who created the work," and "He or she is the first owner of the moral and economic right in the work," according to Article 31. Proof is that "his or her name appears visibly on the work," according to Article 38. Yet this name, according to Article 1, paragraph (1), might not be the real author or person who commissioned it. The law only applies to "real persons," not legal entities -- although the case law disagrees with this point -- and protection lasts a lifetime plus fifty years, according to (Article 26). What are the Formalities and Documentation for Moroccan Copyright? Formalities: For Copyright registration formalities, and unlike U.S. copyright, the Moroccan Copyright Law of 2000 and the decree of 8 March 1965 do not gave a particular manner of registering copyright or an stipulation to deposit of works. While there is a stipulation in the dahir of 7 October 1932 that says four copies of any work produced in number and put in circulation on Moroccan territory26 must be deposited with the General Library and Archives (BGA) in Rabat. Strangely, this rule has no relation to copyright, since this is registered nowhere else. The Moroccan Copyright Office relies upon a procedure of declaration and the admissibility of such on the Report of the Authentification Commission to then accept them. Documentation: Again, for Moroccan texts, there is no documentary evidence needed to attest to authorship of a work, or any body set up for such a purpose. But the dahir of 7 October 1932 stipulates that on legal deposit, when a work is put into circulation in Morocco, four copies shall be handed over to the BGA, and a formal document is then issued in return. The article gives the name and status of the author referring to 'claims', not unlike copyright forms of the American and Canadian Copyright Offices. But Article 12 of the dahir of 7 October 1932 does not create copyright, nor constitute any kind of certificate of ownership, or a defensible certificate of entitlement regarding such rights. Does the Law Treat as Special Moroccan National Folkways? Yes. Morocco has an extremely rich cultural heritage, expressed in dance, song, and art. The old dahirs protected these works, naming indigenous art and invention as, "folklore", being "unpublished works where the identity of the author is unknown but where there is every ground to presume that he is or was a Moroccan national," according to dahir 29 of the 1970 code. Article 7, "Protection of Expressions of Folklore" makes the fixing of folklore works under approval of the Moroccan Copyright Bureau. _______________________________________________ AfrICANN mailing list AfrICANN(a)afrinic.net https://lists.afrinic.net/mailman/listinfo.cgi/africann -- becky beckyit.blogspot.com

1 0

Re: [kictanet] Welcome to the "kictanet" mailing list
by Sheba Kimani 09 Nov '07

09 Nov '07

---------- Original Message ---------------------------------- From: kictanet-request(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke Date: Thu, 08 Nov 2007 12:33:00 +0300 >Welcome to the kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke mailing list! > >To post to this list, send your email to: > > kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > >General information about the mailing list is at: > > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > >If you ever want to unsubscribe or change your options (eg, switch to >or from digest mode, change your password, etc.), visit your >subscription page at: > > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/sheba%40afrispa.org > > >You can also make such adjustments via email by sending a message to: > > kictanet-request(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > >with the word `help' in the subject or body (don't include the >quotes), and you will get back a message with instructions. > >You must know your password to change your options (including changing >the password, itself) or to unsubscribe. It is: > > dutoipce > >Normally, Mailman will remind you of your lists.kictanet.or.ke mailing >list passwords once every month, although you can disable this if you >prefer. This reminder will also include instructions on how to >unsubscribe or change your account options. There is also a button on >your options page that will email your current password to you. > -- Sheba Kimani Program Officer AfrISPA Secretariate email: sheba(a)afrispa.org Tel: 254 - 729 888 904 AFRISPA MISSION STATEMENT: Promoting the growth of the internet in Africa and its use as a tool for development and integration into the global knowledge economy through the strengthening of social and technical infrastructure. --

1 0

KTN online now...
by Michael Kipsang Bullut 07 Nov '07

07 Nov '07

Check out the link below... ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Robert Omange <romangew(a)yahoo.com> Date: 26 Oct 2007 16:10 Subject: [Bush_fire] KTN online now To: bush_fire(a)yahoogroups.com Gentlemen The Kenya Television Network is now live online please try it out and stop missing current affairs. Glory of the Internet. http://216.139.225.126:7008/live_tv_ke Your channel your choice Good day Omange __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com __._,_.___ Messages in this topic <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/bush_fire/message/16282;_ylc=X3oDMTM1dGcycGQy…>( 1) Reply (via web post) <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/bush_fire/post;_ylc=X3oDMTJwNjQ4Y29xBF9TAzk3M…>| Start a new topic <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/bush_fire/post;_ylc=X3oDMTJkMnBlbGVpBF9TAzk3M…> Messages<http://groups.yahoo.com/group/bush_fire/messages;_ylc=X3oDMTJkNG1kaGE3BF9TA…>| Files<http://groups.yahoo.com/group/bush_fire/files;_ylc=X3oDMTJlazZ1NzU0BF9TAzk3…>| Photos<http://groups.yahoo.com/group/bush_fire/photos;_ylc=X3oDMTJkcmtpZ250BF9TAzk…>| Links<http://groups.yahoo.com/group/bush_fire/links;_ylc=X3oDMTJldTZjNHVpBF9TAzk3…>| Database<http://groups.yahoo.com/group/bush_fire/database;_ylc=X3oDMTJidG84amgzBF9TA…>| Polls<http://groups.yahoo.com/group/bush_fire/polls;_ylc=X3oDMTJlY25uaTdqBF9TAzk3…>| Members<http://groups.yahoo.com/group/bush_fire/members;_ylc=X3oDMTJkY3BlNmQ5BF9TAz…>| Calendar<http://groups.yahoo.com/group/bush_fire/calendar;_ylc=X3oDMTJjZjVoMzhhBF9TA…> ******************************************* Join the Alliance Network at http://www.alliancealumni.org/tan To unsubscribe: bush_fire-unsubscribe(a)yahoogroups.com To subscribe: bush_fire-subscribe(a)yahoogroups.com or http://groups.yahoo.com/group/bush_fire/join Rant and Rave: bush_fire-owner(a)yahoogroups.com URL: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/bush_fire ******************************************* [image: Yahoo! Groups]<http://groups.yahoo.com/;_ylc=X3oDMTJjcW51Y2dxBF9TAzk3MzU5NzE0BGdycElkAzUxM…> Change settings via the Web<http://groups.yahoo.com/group/bush_fire/join;_ylc=X3oDMTJldjdzdmMwBF9TAzk3M…>(Yahoo! ID required) Change settings via email: Switch delivery to Daily Digest<bush_fire-digest@yahoogroups.com?subject=Email+Delivery:+Digest>| Switch format to Traditional<bush_fire-traditional@yahoogroups.com?subject=Change+Delivery+Format:+Traditional> Visit Your Group <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/bush_fire;_ylc=X3oDMTJjaWpvanZlBF9TAzk3MzU5Nz…>| Yahoo! Groups Terms of Use <http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/> | Unsubscribe <bush_fire-unsubscribe(a)yahoogroups.com?subject=> Recent Activity - 4 New Members<http://groups.yahoo.com/group/bush_fire/members;_ylc=X3oDMTJlYjgzMWY0BF9TAz…> Visit Your Group <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/bush_fire;_ylc=X3oDMTJkaTVuam9mBF9TAzk3MzU5Nz…> Yahoo! Finance It's Now Personal<http://us.ard.yahoo.com/SIG=12j0kkcg1/M=493064.10729649.11333340.8674578/D=…> Guides, news, advice & more. Y! Messenger Files to share?<http://us.ard.yahoo.com/SIG=12jomlid2/M=493064.10729668.11333359.8674578/D=…> Send up to 1GB of files in an IM. Yahoo! Groups Find Green Groups<http://us.ard.yahoo.com/SIG=12jrb4v3v/M=493064.11135488.11710474.8674578/D=…> Share with others Help the Planet. . __,_._,___ -- "To see a world in a grain of sand, and a heaven in a wildflower...hold infinity in the palm of your hand, and eternity in an hour..." ~ William Blakeg. --

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[DN] Listing Safaricom IPO abroad would be totally myopic
by Alex Gakuru 07 Nov '07

07 Nov '07

[This writer...writes] Listing Safaricom IPO abroad would be totally myopic Story by JAINDI KISERO Publication Date: 2007/11/07 --Excerpts-- I GATHER THE GOVERNMENT IS being lobbied to allow an offshore listing of part of the Safaricom IPO. It must firmly reject this proposal. Why should we allow foreign investors a discounted price of Safaricom shares at the expense of Kenyans? If any foreign investors want to buy into the Safaricom IPO, let them come here and purchase the shares from the Nairobi Stock Exchange. With the efficient trading and settlement system which the NSE has, there is really nothing to dissuade a foreign investor purchasing the shares through the bourse... THIS TIME, MOST OF THE BIG BOYS his time, most of these big boys will want to carry a lot of Safaricom in their portfolios. Applications are likely to be much higher than those for KenGen. Does it surprise anyone that more than 30 per cent of those who own shares today are people who opened their first CDS accounts during the KenGen IPO? These people who are talking about offshore listing have completely missed the point. Today, the most common complaint from wananchi who participated in the recent IPOs KenGen, Mumias and Kenya-Re is the small number of shares they were allocated and the length of time it took to be refunded the money the had put in. How can one think of an offshore listing when our people cant get enough? http://www.nationmedia.com/dailynation/nmgcontententry.asp?category_id=25&n… __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com

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Brighthand.com News Article -- Google Announces Android, an Open Source Operating System for Smartphones
by brian＠isisweb.nl 06 Nov '07

06 Nov '07

Your friend Mblayo thought you might be interested in the following article on Brighthand.com: Google Announces Android, an Open Source Operating System for Smartphones After months of rumors and speculation, Google has officially announced Android, an operating system for mobile devices it is developing in partnership with a wide variety of companies. Link to full article: http://www.brighthand.com/default.asp?newsID=13470 heh! Iko mambo...../... Brighthand.com <http://www.brighthand.com> --

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Extract Mauritius ICT Strategic Plan
by Eric Osiakwan 06 Nov '07

06 Nov '07

Sorry for crossposting.... Eric M.K Osiakwan Executive Secretary AfrISPA (www.afrispa.org) Tel: + 233.21.258800 ext 2031 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://blogs.law.harvard.edu/eric/ Slang: "Tomorrow Now"

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Fwd: [Fibre-for-africa] Five Goals of Connect Africa
by Eric Osiakwan 05 Nov '07

05 Nov '07

Begin forwarded message: > From: Eric Osiakwan <eric(a)afrispa.org> > Date: 1 November 2007 09:33:30 GMT+03:00 > To: discuss(a)afrispa.org, KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions > <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke>, gispa(a)yahoogroups.com, Ghana > Information Networking and Knowledge Sharing <ginks(a)dgroups.org>, > APC - Private list for use by EASSY Workshop Participants <Fibre- > for-africa(a)lists.apc.org>, africann(a)afrinic.net, afrinic- > discuss(a)afrinic.net, afnog(a)afnog.org, African Information Society > Initiative - Discussion Forum <aisi-l(a)lyris.bellanet.org> > Subject: [Fibre-for-africa] Five Goals of Connect Africa > Reply-To: APC - Private list for use by EASSY Workshop Participants > <fibre-for-africa(a)lists.apc.org> > > Dear All, > > The Connect Africa Summit justed ended in Kigali with the following > five major goals; > > Goal 1. Interconnect all African capitals with ICT Broadband > infrastructure and strengthen connectivity to the rest of the world > by 2012 as well as interconnect major African cities by 2015. > Goal 2. Connect all African villages to broadband ICT services by > 2012 and implement shared access initiatives such as community tele- > centres and village phones. > Goal 3. Adopt key regulatory measures that promote affordable, > widespread access to a full range of bradband ICT services, > including technology and service neutral licensing/authorisation > practises, allocating spectrum for multiple, competitive broadband > wireless service providers, creating national internext exchange > points (IXPs) and implementing competition in the provision of > international internet connectivity. > Goal 4. Support the development of a critical mass of ICT Skills > required by the knowledge economy, notably through the estamishment > of ICT Centres of Excellence network in each sub-region of Africa > and ICT capacity-building and training centres in each country, > with the aim of achieving a borad network of inter-linked physical > and virtual centres, whiles ensuring coordination between academia > and industry by 2015. > Goal 5. Adopt a national e-strategy, including a cyber-security > framework, and deploy at least one flagship e-government service as > well as e-education, e-commerce and e-health services using > accessible technologies in each country in Africa by 2012, with the > aim of making multiple e-government and other e-services widely > available by 2015. > > The African ICT Ministers have also shortlisted some projects under > ARAPKE which would be implenented through Connect Africa @ http:// > www.itu.int/ITU-D/connect/africa/2007/bgdmaterial/flagship-11.html > > It is important that we all engage and ensure that these ICT goals > are met by 2012 and the larger MDGS by 2015. > > Thank you and sorry for cross-posting. > > Eric M.K Osiakwan > Executive Secretary > AfrISPA (www.afrispa.org) > Tel: + 233.21.258800 ext 2031 > 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://blogs.law.harvard.edu/eric/ > Slang: "Tomorrow Now" > > > > > _______________________________________________ > Fibre-for-africa mailing list > Fibre-for-africa(a)lists.apc.org > http://lists.apc.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/fibre-for-africa Eric M.K Osiakwan Executive Secretary AfrISPA (www.afrispa.org) Tel: + 233.21.258800 ext 2031 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://blogs.law.harvard.edu/eric/ Slang: "Tomorrow Now"

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Big monies committed to connect Africa
by Rebecca Wanjiku 03 Nov '07

03 Nov '07

USD 55 billion committed to connect Africa Industry drives ICT investment at Connect Africa Summit Kigali, Rwanda, 31 October 2007 — The Connect Africa Summit closed yesterday with investment commitments amounting to over USD 55 billion, with the ICT industry taking the lead. President Paul Kagame of Rwanda set the tone at the outset, saying, "Investment and trade — as opposed to aid and charity — must drive the transformation of our economies." He called for a dynamic ICT sector to connect Africa to the global information superhighway. "In order to realize this much-needed economic revolution, we have to forge productive relationships between government and business," said Mr Kagame. The Connect Africa Summit decided to bring forward ICT connectivity goals to 2012 to enable the achievement of the broader Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by 2015. Commitments were made to interconnect all African capitals and major cities with ICT broadband infrastructure and strengthen connectivity to the rest of the world by 2012. By 2015, broadband and ICT services will be extended to all African villages. The Summit also sets out to meet the World Summit on the Information Society goals for capacity building, establishing an enabling environment for investment, and e-government services. The role of governments in setting a level playing field for industry to compete was highlighted. It was also decided to ensure harmonization of the regulatory framework to stimulate cross-border integration in large-scale projects. Capacity building was identified as one key area for cooperation among all stakeholders. Africa opens doors to ICT Africa’s mobile market has been the fastest-growing of any region over the last five years, and has grown twice as fast as the global market. Mobile phones overtook fixed lines in 2001 and now outnumber fixed telephone lines by nearly seven to one, with nearly 193 million mobile cellular subscribers in 2006. This figure is projected to grow to more than 270 million by the end of this year. Stepping in to consolidate the mobile revolution in Africa, mobile operators of the GSM Association announced USD 50 billion in new investment over the next 5 years to expand and upgrade networks across the continent by 2012. This would provide mobile coverage to more than 90 per cent of the population. Success in mobile penetration is now set to be emulated in broadband connectivity in Africa, with new investment foreseen for ICT infrastructure. "Africa is open for business," said ITU Secretary-General Hamadoun Touré. "We are looking for investment through win-win partnerships in a viable marketplace by an expanding ICT industry." He added that wealth creation is key to achieving the MDGs. "This new investment in ICT infrastructure will lead to new jobs and overall economic growth," said Dr Touré. The representative of the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, Mr Sha Zukang, Under-Secretary-General of the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs, said that innovative ways were needed to extend the reach of ICT to the most remote corners of the continent. "I am confident that with the entrepreneurial spirit of the African private sector working with their international partners, the support of the international community and the commitment from governments, universal connectivity in Africa is no longer a utopian dream." "This is not a technology problem — the technology is waiting to be deployed," said Mr Craig Barrett, who serves both as Chairman of Intel Corporation and the United Nations’ Global Alliance for Information and Communication Technologies and Development. "We now need the government priorities, decisions, and policies to drive the implementation of a pan-African infrastructure." International commitments for ICT The European Commission announced support for trans-African networks that facilitate interconnectivity. An EU Trust Fund for Africa of almost 100 million Euros in grants and some 260 Million Euros for loans has been established along with the European Investment Bank and ten EU member states for the period 2007-2008. The fund, which will be substantially replenished at the end of 2008, will finance cross-border projects or national projects with a regional and continental impact that would include ICT. The Commission also announced a contribution of Euro 6 Million to support ITU’s regulatory reform initiatives in Africa. The World Bank Group announced that it expects to double its commitment to ICT in Africa to USD 2 billion by 2012 from its current investment programme of USD 1 billion over the last five years. The financing will continue to promote private sector participation. The African Development Bank (AfDB) has scaled up its investments in infrastructure, and expects to invest 60% of its concessional resources on infrastructure, including ICT, in the next three years. AfDB has committed close to USD 65 million to two key regional infrastructure projects: RASCOM and EASSy. "The development banks and other financing partners have a responsibility to step in where gaps are holding back development in the region," said Dr Donald Kaberuka, President of AfDB. Over one thousand participants, including six Heads of State, took part in the Connect Africa Summit in Kigali, Rwanda, from 29 to 30 October 2007. Tel. 254 720 318 925 blog:http://beckyit.blogspot.com/ __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com

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FW: East African Outsourcing & Contact Centre Conference & Exhibition 27-28 November 2007, Safari Park Hotel, Nairobi
by Kevit Desai 02 Nov '07

02 Nov '07

Dear Members, Circulate... _____ From: Sean Moroney [mailto:seanm@aitecafrica.com] Sent: Thursday, November 01, 2007 9:48 AM To: 'Kevit Desai' Cc: 'Judith Juma' Subject: RE: East African Outsourcing & Contact Centre Conference & Exhibition 27-28 November 2007, Safari Park Hotel, Nairobi Hi Kevit. We'd appreciate it if could help us promote the conference by distributing the attached brochure . Regards Sean Sean Moroney Chairman AITEC Africa <mailto:seanm@aitecafrica.com> seanm(a)aitecafrica.com UK Tel: +44(0)1480-880774 UK Fax: +44(0)1480-880765 UK Mobile: +44(0)7973-499224 Kenya Mobile: +254(0)721-845674 Nigeria Mobile: +234(0)802-0571766 SA Mobile: +27(0)72-610-7153 Skype: seanmoroney <http://www.aitecafrica.com> www.aitecafrica.com Registered as:AITEC Conferences Ltd at Companies House, No. 4698475. Address: Cromer House, Caxton Way, Stevenage, Herts SG1 2DF, UK _____ From: Kevit Desai [mailto:kevit@centurionsystemsltd.com] Sent: 31 October 2007 09:20 To: seanm(a)aitecafrica.com Cc: 'Judith Juma' Subject: RE: East African Outsourcing & Contact Centre Conference & Exhibition 27-28 November 2007, Safari Park Hotel, Nairobi Dear Sean, I would appreciate if KEPSA would be included to participate in the conference as a speaker. Regards, Kevit Desai Director of Engineering - Centurion Systems Ltd Chairperson IEEE - Kenya Section Governor - KEPSA Director - KEPSA Director - Innovation Africa Director - Kenya ICT Federation BOA - AIESEC Member - National Strategy for University Education General Co-Chair - Africon 2009 2nd Fl, New Rehema Hse, Raphta Rd, Westlands -Nairobi P.O. BOX 66031 - 00800 Nrb. Tel:+254 20 4440102/3 Fax: +254 20 4440104 CDMA: 020 2049750 Mobile: +254 722 517067 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/> http://www.africon2007.co.za <http://www.africon2007.co.za/> http://www.kif.or.ke <http://www.kif.or.ke/> _____ From: Judith Juma [mailto:judym@in-sync.co.ke] Sent: Thursday, October 25, 2007 3:20 PM To: Undisclosed-Recipient:; Subject: East African Outsourcing & Contact Centre Conference & Exhibition 27-28 November 2007, Safari Park Hotel, Nairobi Dear Sir/Madam, RE: Invitation to the 3rd East African Outsourcing & Contact Centre Event 27-28 November, 2007, Safari Park Hotel, Nairobi In response to the growing interest in and potential of this sub-sector, AITEC Africa/In-Sync Ltd is holding the East African Outsourcing & Call Centre Conference in Nairobi in order to highlight the business potential for the East African region across all aspects of BPO, including: 1. Simple bulk transactions, such as processing of stock trades or credit card transactions. The world market size of this segment is forecast at $58 billion in 2008, and it is the easiest segment to master. 2. BPO services, covering human resources and finance and administration, is a segment of similar value that calls for more sophisticated skills from vendors. 3. A smaller segment of high-volume vertical processes such as the administration of insurance policies and the processing of loan applications. 4. Contact Centre services for enterprises and government departments in domestic national and regional markets. The East African Outsourcing & Contact Centre Conference will provide participants with the insights they need to assess the potential of this rapidly expanding sector for their organisations. You cannot afford to ignore the business potential - but you also must not enter this field blindly without assessing the risks as well as the opportunities. Delegates and exhibitors will attend this unique event in order to add to their own store of knowledge by capitalizing on the expertise and experience of their colleagues. Who are the Forums aimed at? The conference will have several key audiences: . Policy-makers & regulators . Existing call centre & BPO operators . Prospective operators . Telecom operators . Potential investors/investment funds . Client service managers from government and private sector organisations . Academics . Equipment & system manufacturers, developers, consultants, suppliers Attached find the conference brochure, draft programme and registration form for your consideration. For more information and to book your slot kindly contact the undersigned. Regards Judith Juma In-Sync Ltd Dik Dik Gardens| Kileleshwa PO Box 63103-00619, Nairobi, Kenya Tel: +254 20 4451655 | Tel/Fax: +254 20 4451655 Mobile: +254 722 150272| Email: judym(a)in-sync.co.ke Web:www.aitecafrica.com

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12th Executive Course on Telecom Reform, 2-6 March 2008, Singapore
by Edith Adera 02 Nov '07

02 Nov '07

FYI Date: Mon, 22 Oct 2007 05:30:50 -0200 From: Rohan Samarajiva <samarajiva(a)lirne.net> Reply-to: training(a)lirne.net To: training(a)lirne.net Subject: 12th Executive Course on Telecom Reform, 2-6 March 2008, Singapore User-Agent: Internet Messaging Program (IMP) H3 (4.1.3) X-AntiAbuse: This header was added to track abuse, please include it with any abuse report X-AntiAbuse: Primary Hostname - host.comunica.org X-AntiAbuse: Original Domain - idrc.or.ke X-AntiAbuse: Originator/Caller UID/GID - [47 12] / [47 12] X-AntiAbuse: Sender Address Domain - lirne.net Course Announcement 12th Executive Course on Telecom Reform: Strategies to achieve connectivity and convergence, 2-6 March 2008, Changi Village Hotel (), Singapore (The following course announcement can also be viewed at the link below: http://www.lirneasia.net/training-courses/12th-lirnenet-course-singapore-ma…) LIRNEasia and CONNECTasia Forum Pte. Ltd. The current stage of telecom and ICT reform poses many challenges to governments, regulatory agencies, operators, and other stakeholders. The certainties of yesterday are no more: individual assignments of frequencies are being questioned in the light of new standards such as Wi-Fi and WiMax; the distinctions between wired and wireless are being blurred; classic price regulation is becoming less central to the missions of regulatory agencies and new market friendly mechanisms for extending connectivity are beginning to be implemented; and all industry players are being challenged to address content issues at various levels. More is being demanded of the regulatory process and agencies, with the same resources. Operators have to understand the regulatory process well so that they can navigate its complexities. With telecom assuming a more prominent position in economies and societies, civil society and media have to equip themselves to participate in its governance. Knowledge to deal with these new challenges is vital; the opportunity to reflect on these issues in the company of peers and away from the daily demands of the office environment is essential. The 12th Telecom Reform Course offered by LIRNEasia and CONNECTasia Forum Pte.Ltd. (the third in Singapore) offers that learning opportunity. It is designed to enhance the strategic thinking of a select group of senior decision makers in the telecom and related sectors in the Asia Pacific and elsewhere. After having been offered in Europe, Africa, the Caribbean and Latin America, the course is now being taught on a regular schedule every March in Singapore. Attendance at Telecom Reform courses is capped at 40. Attendees will include regulators and senior officials of regulatory agencies; senior regulatory staff at operators; and leaders of consumer and other organizations participating in reform processes. In addition to Dr. Rohan Samarajiva who designed and led the recent Telecom Reform courses, Dr. Tim Kelly (Head, Telecom Standardization Policy Division, International Telecommunication Union), Mr. Rajendra Singh (former Secretary, TRAI, currently with the World Bank), Mr. Muhammed Aslam Hayat (Regulatory Consultant to Grameen Phone), Dr. Harsha de Silva (Lead Economist, LIRNEasia) and Ms. Helani Galpaya (Director of Strategic Development, LIRNEasia) have agreed to share their expertise. At recent courses, keynote presentations were delivered by speakers of the caliber of Mr. M.H. Au (Director General of Telecom, Hong Kong China), Dr. Hans Wijayasuriya (CEO, Dialog Telekom, Sri Lanka), Mr. Andy Haire (Assistant Director General, InfoComm Development Authority, Singapore), and Mr. Satish Ranade (Vice President?Legal, VSNL). LIRNEasia courses provide cutting-edge, policy-relevant knowledge presented by reflective practitioners, addressing the most pressing regulatory issues and drawing from ongoing research. The 2008 Course will include presentations on benchmark regulation and demand analysis that draw from ongoing research projects. The final agenda with confirmed speakers will be provided closer to the date. COURSE FEE, INCLUSIVE OF COURSE MATERIAL, 5 NIGHTS OF 4-STAR HOTEL ACCOMMODATION, 5 BREAKFASTS, 4 LUNCHES, 2 DINNERS, AND REFRESHMENTS DURING BREAKS Government/regulatory agency (1st participant) Government/regulatory agency (additional participants from same entity) Public or private operators and other private sector (1st participant) Public or private operators and other private sector (additional participants from same entity) Civil society, non-profit and educational institutions; media organizations The fee (and scholarship) covers: program tuition, reading and classroom material; accommodation for five nights (arrival March 2nd, departure March 7th) (additional nights may be arranged direct with the hotel); 5 breakfasts (March 3-7); 4 lunches (March 3-6); 7 refreshment breaks and opening and closing dinners (March 2 and March 5) only. Changi Village is a beach resort hotel optimized for conventions and meetings. Many dinner options are available at the hotel and within walking distance of hotel (hawkers? market and restaurants). The fee does not cover airfare and any additional activities within Singapore. Registrations are on a first-come-first-served basis until the course limit is reached. Registrations close February 4th, 2008. The hotel is very close to the Changi Airport and offers hourly free shuttles which may be taken or an efficient Singapore taxi will take you to the hotel for less than USD 5 (they take credit cards; but you may wish to change currency at the airport). For a valid registration, the completed registration form must be received and full payment must be deposited in the Connectasia Forum Pte. Ltd. account: The Hongkong and Shanghai Corporation Limited, HSBC Payments Department, 60A Orchard Road #01-02, The Atrium@Orchard, Singapore 238890; Account name: CONNECTasia Forum Pte. Ltd.; Account number: 260-531520-178 (USD account); SWIFT code: HSBCSGSG. For cancellations after February 4th, 2008 no refunds can be made, though the organizers will be

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FW: Research and Training Manager Advert
by Kevit Desai 01 Nov '07

01 Nov '07

Dear Members, Sambazaa.... Regards, Mike _____ From: Neema Nzimbi [mailto:nnzimbi@atpsnet.org] Sent: Tuesday, October 30, 2007 11:42 AM To: Undisclosed-Recipient:; Subject: Research and Training Manager Advert Kindly circulate. Regards, Neema

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Internet-pioneer-leaves-oversight-group
by Wanjira, Alice Munyua 31 Oct '07

31 Oct '07

http://www.theage.com.au/news/web/net-pioneer-leaves-oversight-group/ 2007/10/29/1193555566207.html?page=fullpage#contentSwap1 October 29, 2007 - 9:52AM In the 1970s, Vint Cerf played a leading role in developing the internet's technical foundation. For the past seven years, he's faced the more daunting task of leading a key agency that oversees his creation. After fending off an international rebellion and planting the seeds for streamlining operations, Cerf is stepping down this week as chairman of the Internet Corporation of Assigned Names and Numbers. "My sentence is up," Cerf said with his characteristic sense of humour, which he and others credit for helping him steer the organisation through several high-profile battles from which it emerged more stable and stronger. Cerf, 64, who's also a senior executive at internet search leader Google, joined ICANN in 1999, a year after its formation to oversee domain names and other internet addressing policies. Cerf was elected chairman in 2000 and leaves the unpaid position after Friday's board meeting in Los Angeles because of term limits. When he joined the board, many questioned whether ICANN would survive. Now - though some people still complain that ICANN is arbitrary, secretive and slow - the focus is more on improving it than replacing it. Under Cerf, the organisation withstood power struggles and ballooned in size. It also has shown signs of movement on key issues: After years of debate, for instance, it is now beginning to create mechanisms for more easily adding internet addresses, including domain names in languages besides English. "In some respects it has gained credibility," Cerf said. "It is now part of the internet universe as opposed to a thing that was open to some serious debate." That has been particularly so since ICANN, teaming with the U.S. diplomats, resisted efforts by China, Brazil and other developing countries to replace the group with a more U.N.-like organisation over which world governments would have greater control. Among other things, ICANN critics wanted quicker action on addresses in other languages, saying the current restrictions are akin to requiring all English speakers to type in Chinese. Many foreign governments also resented the U.S. government's veto power over the Marina del Rey, Calif.-based nonprofit agency. Calls to strip ICANN and the United States - of its oversight of domain names, which are key for computers to find Web sites and route e-mails, grew as world leaders gathered in Geneva for the 2003 U.N. World Summit on the Information Society. The European Union even joined by the time the summit convened again in 2005, in Tunis, Tunisia. But ICANN ultimately emerged intact. Credit goes to many people besides Cerf, yet many say he had the gravitas to meet with heads of states and senior ministers - and tell them, "no." "He has a certain star quality," said Paul Twomey, ICANN's chief executive since 2003. "He can open a door. He can talk to anybody. He can say, 'Me and my colleagues actually invented the internet and here's how it works.' There was a lot of ignorance, and he was able to say, 'It just doesn't work the way you think it works.'" Cerf tested the first internet hookups in 1969 when he was a graduate student at UCLA. As a professor at Stanford University in the 1970s, Cerf led a team that invented the protocols, known as TCP/IP, that now serve as the internet's basic communications tools. Known since as one of the internet's founding fathers, Cerf continued working on internet technology at the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency and later developed MCI Mail, the internet's first commercial e-mail service. Google lured him in 2005 to be its "chief internet evangelist" and gave him an office a few doors from CEO Eric Schmidt. In 1997, then-President Clinton presented Cerf and TCP/IP co-inventor Robert Kahn the National Medal of Technology, and in 2005 President Bush gave the pair the Presidential Medal of Freedom. As ICANN chairman, Cerf has played a hands-on role, attending many committee meetings and workshops in his trademark three-piece suit, often asking questions and contributing his know-how. Jeffrey Eckhaus, a business development director at domain registration company Register.com Inc., found him "very knowledgeable about every single topic that would go on. He would really know all the ins and outs." Besides his sense of humour and his technical knowledge, Cerf brought business and administrative acumen, many ICANN participants say. He has a slew of anecdotes ready and has displayed a willingness to listen to concerns and "engage with people from heads of states down to university students," Twomey said. Now that Cerf has guided ICANN from nearly its inception through a tumultuous adolescence and into early adulthood, many believe it's time for an ICANN driven more by procedures than personality. "It doesn't demean Cerf's towering legacy to say people are ready for a change," said Milton Mueller, a Syracuse University professor and frequent ICANN critic. The short list of potential successors includes telecommunications expert Roberto Gaetano and lawyer Peter Dengate Thrush. Both have been active with ICANN, but neither has Cerf's name recognition or long-standing ties to the internet. "The bad news is we're not going to find another Vint," said Steve Crocker, a high school classmate of Cerf's and fellow internet pioneer. "It's equally a form of good news. We're now going to go through a period where ordinary mortals are managing things." Even with Cerf's clout, ICANN has had its share of battles. For one, a decision to reverse preliminary support for a proposed ".xxx" domain name for porn sites was criticized as arbitrary and politically influenced. During Cerf's tenure, ICANN's staff and budget have grown, permitting faster response. Its roughly 100 staff members are paid out of a $41.6 million budget for fiscal 2008, compared with about a dozen employed during fiscal 2001, when ICANN budgeted $3.78 million for operating expenses. The board and its constituency committees have reorganized numerous times in an effort to better reflect the internet community, and minutes to private board meetings have been posted more quickly to improve transparency. Nonetheless, many critics still complain that ICANN has neither opened the decision-making process enough nor acted as quickly as it should on issues like adding domain names after several years, it is just now streamlining the approval process. Few of those complaints, however, are directed at Cerf. "It would have been a lot more without Vint," said David Farber, former chief technologist for the Federal Communications Commission. "I don't have warm, fuzzy feelings about ICANN, but Vint is not a person you want to get into battles with. He's a nice guy. He's smart. He's reasonable to talk to." Cerf plans to disengage entirely from ICANN for at least a year, freeing him to write books and devote more time to his Google duties. "This is a very important test ICANN both must pass and will pass, that it can withstand a change of its senior management," Cerf said. "I have no hesitation at all turning this over to a new team." AP

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Reuters/Nokia Collaboration Has Potential for Citizen Journalists
by Rebecca Wanjiku 31 Oct '07

31 Oct '07

Tel. 254 720 318 925 blog:http://beckyit.blogspot.com/ Reuters and Nokia Research Center have teamed up to advance the usage of mobile journalism with the release of a new mobile toolkit and reporting try-out. Although the initiative is currently aimed at professional reporters, the project has implications for citizen journalists around the world. In a trial that began over the summer, Reuters journalists were given a lightweight " mobile toolkit " that included a Nokia N95 mobile phone, a tripod, a folding bluetooth keyboard, a Sony microphone, and Power Monkeys. The Power Monkey Explorer was used in Senegal and allowed the phone to be charged using solar power. The toolkit also includes text editing and multimedia capabilities. According to Nokia, "metadata facilities" combine everything that the phone already knows about the story, such as GPS location, time, date and other information. The toolkit allows journalists to write and publish stories from the field to deliver up-to-date news and instant reporting. The trial involved journalists reporting on everything from New York Fashion Week to the US presidential campaign. Archived stories are available on Reuters Mobile Journalism website. Although the mobile toolkit's usage has been confined to professional journalists, usage could be expanded in the future to include non-professionals as well. According to Nokia's press release, The implications of the research could be much wider in the long term. Timo Koskinen, project manager with Nokia Research Center, said: "The term 'citizen journalism' has been in use for several years, but technological innovations - particularly the introduction of mobile multimedia computers - have transformed the concept. 'Citizen journalism' is beginning to embrace a wide range of public engagement with the media, from groups of contributors organized around subject or geographic areas to the casual participation of observers who are lucky - or unlucky - enough to be at the scene of a newsworthy event." The Nokia/Reuters collaboration joins other mobile journalism projects, including Voices of Africa, a project of AfricaNews that we have previously written about. Voices of Africa allows citizen journalists throughout Africa to submit videos, photos, and stories via mobile phone. The project seeeks to make news coverage more democratic by expanding reporting abilities to those who aren't represented by the conventional media with the basic premise that "the bigger the number of people expressing their opinions through that technology, the stronger becomes democracy, and the more valuable is the contribution to good governance efforts in Africa." http://mobileactive.org/reuters-nokia-collaboration visit our website at www.penplusbytes.net our blog is located at http://penplusbytes.blogspot.com/ --- --You are currently subscribed to penplusbytes as: rebeccawanjiku(a)yahoo.com --To unsubscribe send a blank email to leave-penplusbytes-352938B(a)dgroups.org Penplusbytes online list is hosted on Dgroups- a joint initiative of Bellanet, DFID, Hivos, ICA, IICD, OneWorld, UNAIDS __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com

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ICANN opens 30th meeting in LA
by Rebecca Wanjiku 30 Oct '07

30 Oct '07

ICANN Opens Historic 30th International Public Meeting in L.A. Meeting marks end of Vint Cerf's term, offers updates on major changes to Internet 29 October 2007 LOS ANGELES: The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers has opened its 30th International Public Meeting in Los Angeles. "It's fitting to host such an historic meeting in California. ICANN will be looking at issues impacting the future of the Internet in the place where, in many ways, the Internet was born and grew up," said Dr Paul Twomey, ICANN's President and CEO. "The ICANN model is working and these meetings are pivotal. As a bottom up, consensus-driven organization, help us get the community together to discuss the direction we need to head, and how we will get there." Attendees and on-line participants can be part of more than 30 sessions and workshops, and will help ICANN continue improving the global coordination of the Internet's unique identifiers. Some of the highlights of the Los Angeles meeting include: ICANN's ongoing technical test of Internationalized Domain Names, Developing policies on how IDNs will be implemented so global internet users can get their names in their languages, A major workshop on Increasing consumer choice through the development of the application and approval process for new generic top-level domains (gTLDs, which are the part of web addresses after the dot — like .com or .info), Enhancing protection for domain name registrants through amendments to the Registrar Accreditation Agreement. "I can't over emphasize the importance of IDNs and new gTLDs — when ICANN reaches the implementation point on these projects we will see an incredible change in the way people interact with the Internet and each other," Dr Twomey added. "ICANN stands for a single, globally interoperable Internet — and the work on IDNs and new gTLDs is part of enhancing that." Dr Twomey also welcomed the announcement from the U.S. Department of Commerce's National Telecommunications and Information Administration that the NTIA will consult with interested stakeholders regarding the mid-term review of the Joint Project Agreement (JPA) between the Department and ICANN. "ICANN and the Department agreed to a mid term review in 2006," Assistant Secretary for Communications and Information John Kneuer said at the ICANN meeting this morning. "It is important that all interested stakeholders have an opportunity to directly share their views on ICANN during the JPA mid-term review," Kneuer added. "We feel strongly that our review must be informed by your experiences with ICANN and perspectives regarding its evolution." The NTIA release is available at http://www.ntia.doc.gov/ntiahome/press/2007/PR_ICANNJPA_10292007.html. "We welcome this public consultation. ICANN stands for one, global interoperable Internet. If you believe in that, this is your opportunity to tell the NTIA that the ICANN model is our best one to ensure co-ordination not control," Dr Twomey added. "It's also an historic meeting because it is Vint Cerf's last official function as board chair," Dr Twomey added. "His contributions to ICANN, and the Internet, have been immeasurable. We are going to celebrate his achievements at a special tribute during the meeting." The complete schedule for ICANN's Los Angeles meeting, as well as links to webcast sessions and our public participation website, can be found at: http://losangeles2007.icann.org/. . Tel. 254 720 318 925 blog:http://beckyit.blogspot.com/ __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com

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ITU and AfDB join hands
by Rebecca Wanjiku 30 Oct '07

30 Oct '07

ITU and AfDB join forces to Interconnect African Capitals and Major Cities Collaboration to achieve key Connect Africa Summit Goals Issued jointly by ITU and the African Development Bank Kigali, Rwanda, 30 October 2007 — The International Telecommunication Union and the African Development Bank (AfDB) agreed to collaborate on interconnecting all African capitals and major cities with ICT broadband infrastructure and strengthen connectivity to the rest of the world by 2012. Commenting on the challenge ahead, Mr Kaberuka said, “In recent years, private investment in ICT infrastructure, especially in mobile phone networks, has had an enormous impact in many parts of Africa, but major gaps remain. The development banks and other financing partners have a responsibility to step in where these gaps are holding back development in the region.” Secretary-General of ITU, Dr Hamadoun Touré and President of the African Development Bank (AfDB) Mr Donald Kaberuka announced this today at the Connect Africa Summit in Kigali, Rwanda. “The solution for African development is not charity,” Dr Touré said. “African countries need modern, reliable broadband ICT infrastructure to attract investment for jobs and economic growth. This is about economic independence and strengthening Africa’s competitive position in the global economy.” As part of this collaboration, ITU and AfDB will actively mobilize partners and financing to close ICT broadband infrastructure gaps between major centres in Africa. AfDB hosts the Secretariat of the African Infrastructure Consortium, which brings together major donors and financial institutions active in the region. This group plays a crucial role in the financing of projects, as well as in ensuring a coherent approach among those involved. “The Bank aims to stimulate economic growth and climate and facilitate economic integration. We want to make the economies of Africa more competitive, and therefore AfDB is committing to the development of information and communication technology across the continent,” Dr Kaberuka said. To support the implementation of ICT infrastructure projects funded by the AfDB or other interested financing partners, ITU will serve as an executing agency and provide telecommunications expertise and technical assistance, where the need arises. ITU will also mobilize its base of more than 650 Sector Members, including many leading ICT industry players. To support new ICT infrastructure investments and fill in remaining gaps, ITU and AfDB will jointly undertake feasibility studies and develop project proposals in consultation with Member States and other stakeholders in the region. With the aim of rationalizing available funds and building on efforts in other sectors, ITU and AfDB will also work together to promote wider integration of ICT with other major infrastructure investments. This would include laying broadband fibre alongside transport and energy projects, as well as encouraging innovative infrastructure sharing approaches among telecommunication/ICT operators. ITU and AfDB also agreed to collaborate in assisting countries to develop policies and regulations to encourage new ICT infrastructure investments. About AfDB The African Development Bank Group is Africa’s premier development finance institution which is dedicated to combating poverty and improving living conditions across the continent. The ADB Group is also engaged in mobilizing resources for the economic and social progress of its Regional Member Countries. The Bank’s mission is to promote economic and social development through loans, equity investments and technical assistance. The Group includes: The African Development Bank (ADB) is a multilateral development bank whose shareholders include 53 African countries (regional member countries—RMCs) and 24 non-African countries from the Americas, Asia, and Europe (non-regional member countries—non-RMCs). It was established in 1964, with its headquarters in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, and officially began operations in 1967. The Bank has been operating from its Temporary Relocation Agency in Tunis since February 2003. The African Development Fund (ADF). Established in 1973, the ADF, which comprises the ADB and State Participants, became operational in 1974. Its main objective is to reduce poverty in RMCs by providing low-income RMCs with concessional loans and grants for projects and programs, as well as technical assistance for studies and capacity-building activities. About ITU ITU is the leading United Nations agency for information and communication technology issues, and the global focal point for governments and the private sector in developing networks and services. For more than 140 years, ITU has coordinated the shared global use of the radio spectrum, promoted international cooperation in assigning satellite orbits, worked to improve telecommunication infrastructure in the developing world, and established the worldwide standards that foster seamless interconnection of a vast range of communications systems. ITU also organizes worldwide and regional exhibitions and forums bringing together the most influential representatives of government and the telecommunications industry to exchange ideas, knowledge and technology for the benefit of the global community, and in particular the developing world. From broadband internet to latest-generation wireless technologies, from aeronautical and maritime navigation to radio astronomy and satellite-based meteorology, from phone and fax services to TV broadcasting and next-generation networks, ITU continues to play a central role in helping the world communicate. About Connect Africa The Connect Africa Summit takes place in Kigali, Rwanda, 29-30 October 2007, under the patronage of Mr Paul Kagame, President of the Republic of Rwanda and Mr John Kufuor, President of the Republic of Ghana and Chairman of the African Union. It is being organized by the International Telecommunication Union, the African Union, the World Bank Group and the United Nations Global Alliance for ICT and Development, in partnership with the African Development Bank, the African Telecommunication Union, the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa and the Global Digital Solidarity Fund. The overall objective of the Connect Africa Summit is to mobilize the human, financial and technical resources required to close Information and Communication Technology (ICT) gaps throughout Africa. The Summit offers a venue for leaders from the public, private and financial sectors to network face-to-face and forge new partnerships. Debate centres on the key success factors vital to advance ICT investment and boost growth in Africa, including the expansion of broadband infrastructure, “last mile” access and rural connectivity solutions, establishing a business-friendly policy and regulatory environment, developing an ICT skilled workforce and relevant applications and services, and striking a balance between private and public investment. Tel. 254 720 318 925 blog:http://beckyit.blogspot.com/ __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com

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Fwd: [TIER] Wireless School at ICTP
by Eric Osiakwan 30 Oct '07

30 Oct '07

Begin forwarded message: > From: Marco Zennaro <mzennaro(a)ictp.it> > Date: 30 October 2007 11:43:35 GMT+03:00 > To: tier(a)tier.cs.berkeley.edu > Subject: [TIER] Wireless School at ICTP > > The Abdus Salam International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP) > is organizing a School on "New Perspectives in Wireless Networking > Applications", to be followed by "Relevance of Low Cost Wireless > ICT Solutions for Development: an Awareness Workshop" from 11 > February to 5 March 2008. The venue will be ICTP in Trieste, Italy. > > > PURPOSE AND NATURE > The School is addressed to a limited number of candidates coming > from academic and research institutions of Developing Countries and > having an adequate working knowledge of IP networking. It will > include tutorial lectures and laboratory work, where wireless > solutions will be experienced through hands-on-sessions. > > The Laboratory work will be dedicated to practical exercises and > demonstrations on: > > - Basics of wireless networking with Wi-Fi/WiMax technologies > - Wireless Sensor Networks > - Powering remote sites > > AWARENESS WORKSHOP > In the Awareness Workshop participants and international experts > will discuss the most advanced and cost-effective low cost wireless > technology available to help the educational, scientific, social > and economic development of Least Developed Countries. > > Deadline for requesting participation is 5 November 2007. > > > More info is available at: http://cdsagenda5.ictp.trieste.it/ > full_display.php?smr=0&ida=a07142 > > > Marco Zennaro > Aeronomy and Radiopropagation Laboratory > the Abdus Salam International Centre for Theoretical Physics > Strada Costiera 11 > 34014 Trieste > Italy > > Telephone: +39 040 2240 406 > E-mail: mzennaro(a)ictp.it > > > > _______________________________________________ > TIER mailing list > Website: http://tier.cs.berkeley.edu > TIER(a)tier.cs.berkeley.edu > https://www.millennium.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/tier Eric M.K Osiakwan Executive Secretary AfrISPA (www.afrispa.org) Tel: + 233.21.258800 ext 2031 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://blogs.law.harvard.edu/eric/ Slang: "Tomorrow Now"

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Intellectual Property (IP), Copyrights, Infringement, Access to Knowledge
by Alex Gakuru 29 Oct '07

29 Oct '07

Dear All, I have an assignment that will definitely strengthen the consumer but for that to happen much sooner,better, and a lot easier I need your help. A practical example: Cyber cafes around town infringing on Microsoft Windows 2000 have less than 1-month to purchase XP or Vista else they will be arraigned in court by the company and/or its agents. Anyone who wants to purchase "licences" for the Windows 2000 cannot do so because Microsoft says they no longer support that product. This means that one has to upgrade to Vista, quite an unpopular product according to this study: http://www.windowsvistaweblog.com/2007/09/22/2-percent-of-companies-upgrade… Meagre revenue generating Cyber cafe are expected to spend more 15 million in new hardware to support vista in addition to Microsoft software licenses else they face legal action. Fortunately, Free and Open Source Software run very fast on old computers. (Mine is 533 MHz! and it runs great) In total, Kenya has about 700,000 computers most running on whatever windows and it is also said that the level of infringement is 85% (see below). If every computer were to run on "licensed" windows, them the capital flight from Kenya would be 700,000(PCs) x 17, 000 (windowsXP) = Kshs 11,900,000,000 (approx.20 billion). Add Shs 17.5 billion for Microsoft Office retailing at Kshs 25,000 per copy making a total of shillings 29.4 billion (about the amount Finance Ministry hopes to get from sale of Safaricom shares?) Free and Open Source Software has free OpenOffice and hundred of thousands of other free software... ------------------------------------------------------------- Country GDP/cap (US$) PCs('000) Piracy ------------------------------------------------------------- Kenya 1,200 700 81% S.Africa 13,300 3,100 35% USA 44,000 200,000 21% Malawi 600 60 85% ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Source: Speaker at Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation's "Connecting Rural Communities-Africa Forum" at Nairobi. (I prefer use of "license infringement" as opposed to pre-condemning "piracy") In order to assist me in addressing this consumer and development and related issues, please fill and send back the attached questionnaire.For more info see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Access_to_Knowledge_movement. I have attached the questionnaire in two of various "save as" formats OpenOffice Word Processor offers ( Microsoft Word".doc" and OpenOffice .odt). Please fill and return ASAP to help me make a more informed Rapid Assessment Study. asante. Alex __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com

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ITU and Microsoft launch online platform to track ICT development
by Rebecca Wanjiku 29 Oct '07

29 Oct '07

ITU and Microsoft launch online platform to track ICT development Support for ICT infrastructure and capacity building pledged at Connect Africa Summit Issued jointly by ITU and Microsoft Kigali, Rwanda, 29 October 2007 - ITU Global View, a virtual earth-based online platform to track and help accelerate the implementation of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) goals in Africa was launched today on the opening day of the Connect Africa Summit. Governments, along with industry, development banks and international organizations are gathered in Kigali to mobilize the human, financial and technical resources required to expand the development of ICT infrastructure and ensure it is used effectively in pursuit of the WSIS development goals for Africa. For full text see: http://www.itu.int/newsroom/press_releases/2007/32.html __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com

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Fwd: [Fibre-for-africa] Statement from CS meeting on African Connectivity Kigali Oct 2007
by Eric Osiakwan 29 Oct '07

29 Oct '07

fyi Begin forwarded message: > From: "Anriette Esterhuysen" <anriette(a)apc.org> > Date: 29 October 2007 16:44:29 GMT+03:00 > To: aPC-forum(a)lists.apc.org > Cc: fibre-for-africa(a)lists.apc.org, apc.africa(a)lists.apc.org > Subject: [Fibre-for-africa] Statement from CS meeting on African > Connectivity Kigali Oct 2007 > Reply-To: anriette(a)apc.org, APC - Private list for use by EASSY > Workshop Participants <fibre-for-africa(a)lists.apc.org> > > Hallo all > > For all your information. > > Attached is a statement developed by APC and > partners (CIPESA, AfrISPA, KictaNet, OSIWA, > and RERN) held in Kigali, Rwanda on 28 > October 2007 prior to the Connect Africa > Summit convened by the ITU on 29 and 30 > October. Please address queries to Abi Jagun > (abi(a)apc.org) and Coura Fall > (coura(a)apc.org) > > Anriette > > PS- APC members and partners and friends in > Kigali please note we are meeting for dinner at > Hotel Chez Lando at 19h30 today, 29 October > 2007. > > > ------------------------------------------------------ > 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 > > The following section of this message contains a file attachment > prepared for transmission using the Internet MIME message format. > If you are using Pegasus Mail, or any other MIME-compliant system, > you should be able to save it or view it from within your mailer. > If you cannot, please ask your system administrator for assistance. > > ---- File information ----------- > File: Kigali_mtng_recom291007.pdf > Date: 29 Oct 2007, 15:43 > Size: 56319 bytes. > Type: Unknown_______________________________________________ > Fibre-for-africa mailing list > Fibre-for-africa(a)lists.apc.org > http://lists.apc.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/fibre-for-africa Eric M.K Osiakwan Executive Secretary AfrISPA (www.afrispa.org) Tel: + 233.21.258800 ext 2031 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://blogs.law.harvard.edu/eric/ Slang: "Tomorrow Now"

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Fwd: (KAZI-AFRICA) THE APPRENTICE!!!- Africa!!
by Michael Kipsang Bullut 27 Oct '07

27 Oct '07

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GET YOUR HANDS OFF THE WEB
by Alex Gakuru 27 Oct '07

27 Oct '07

Others say.. GET YOUR HANDS OFF THE WEB [SOURCE: BusinessWeek, AUTHOR: Stephen H. Wildstrom] [Comentary] The behavior of the top telecommunications companies, especially Verizon Communications and AT&T, has convinced me that more government involvement is needed to keep communications free of corporate interference. There's a certain irony here. The carriers warn that without premiums to pay for advanced services, the U.S. risks falling behind other nations in broadband. But the U.S. is already losing ground to the rest of the industrialized world in broadband speed and percentage of homes served. Last year the U.S. fell from 12th to 15th in broadband penetration among 29 countries ranked by the Organization for Economic Cooperation & Development. Most of those nations are enthusiastic regulators. The hands-off approach hasn't served consumers well. And the Web is far too important to entrust the free flow of information to the shifting whims of a few big companies. Government must step in and tell them to leave our content alone. http://www.businessweek.com/technology/content/oct2007/tc20071024_623695.ht… ---------------------------------------------------------- WWWhatsup NYC http://pinstand.com - http://punkcast.com ---------------------------------------------------------- __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com

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Re: [kictanet] [Fibre-for-africa] RE: The tables are turned
by Eric Osiakwan 26 Oct '07

26 Oct '07

Dear Peter, I also think this should be abitration after the two parties did not agree between themselves but one of them prefered to take it to the regulator whether rightly or wrongly but thats their choice. The regulator can then ask them to go abitrate. In Ghana when a similar situation happened between GT and IGH, the issue went up the regulator and the regulator said, thier next line of call after they could not agree was to abitrate and if abitration does not work then they come to the regualtor and if the decision of the regulator does not work then the courts comes in. Our regulations provide for such progression but i dont know about yours, may be Alex G. can again come to my rescue. Your last issue boaders on dominate market share, now as far as i know Kenya does not have competition regulation but ideally that should take care of such growths in the market as it is in the EU. Am just reading a story of Microsft surcumbing to that regulation in the EU. Eric here On 23 Oct 2007, at 12:49, Peter Othino wrote: > Hi Eric, > > I do agree Michael Joseph and the situation should be arbitration > and not a > regulator handling commercial differences in the field. > > Looking at it on the reverse, the current Telkom Operation on their > CDMA > platform they are no different from a GSM provider yet I believe the > licensing conditions were different this to me has no direct > commercials but > a regulatory aspect but I do not remember it being handled despite > concerns > raised. I do not believe that parties need to complain for > regulation to be > effected as that would kill the whole concept and drive about self > regulation that is the ultimate desired position. > > Yet again if a provider gets powerful for it is position in the > market I > believe it is part of the Matrix as this comes either as tangible or > intangible value adds above the rest associated with the service > delivered. > > Thanks, > > Peter Othino > > > -----Original Message----- > From: Timothy Kasonde KASOLO [mailto:timothy@africonnect.co.zm] > Sent: Tuesday, October 23, 2007 12:08 PM > To: eadera(a)idrc.or.ke; APC - Private list for use by EASSY Workshop > Participants > Cc: APC - Private list for use by EASSY Workshop Participants; > KICTAnet ICT > Policy Discussions > Subject: RE: [Fibre-for-africa] RE: [kictanet] The tables are turned > > Hello, > I think the media needs to be balancing the articles .... > > Timothy > >> Michael, >> >> It would help to hear your side of the story so we can all be >> informed. >> >> We unfortunately do not have other sources of information at this >> point >> other than the media. >> >> Looking forward, >> >> Edith >> >> -original message- >> Subject: [Fibre-for-africa] RE: [kictanet] The tables are turned >> From: "Michael Joseph" <MJoseph(a)Safaricom.co.ke> >> Date: 23/10/2007 10:53 am >> >> What you have not mentioned whether the complaint had any merit and >> whether the Parties could not have resolved it between themselves >> rather >> than relying on the CCK to mediate every commercial dispute. There is >> much more to this than just the one-sided view quoted by the media >> but >> we have chosen not to try to resolve our disputes through the media. >> >> >> >> Regards >> >> >> >> Michael >> >> >> >> CEO >> >> Safaricom Limited >> >> >> >> ________________________________ >> >> From: kictanet-bounces+mjoseph=safaricom.co.ke(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke >> [mailto:kictanet-bounces >> +mjoseph=safaricom.co.ke(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke] >> On Behalf Of Eric Osiakwan >> Sent: Sunday, October 21, 2007 12:27 AM >> To: Michael Joseph >> Cc: APC - Private list for use by EASSY Workshop Participants; >> KICTAnet >> ICT Policy Discussions >> Subject: [kictanet] The tables are turned >> >> >> >> Dear All, >> >> >> >> We are really living in interesting times especially in the ICT >> industry >> because a few years ago, it was the mobile operators and ISPs who >> would >> be knocking on the doors of the regulator complaining and sometimes >> weeping at the anti-competitive practices of the imcumbent PTT >> towards >> them. >> >> >> >> Today the tables have turned and in Kenya as per the story below, >> Telkom >> Kenya is rather asking CCK to put Safaricom in check because they are >> acting anti-competitively on the SMS platform against their CDMA >> operation. Five years ago, this would have being an "incorrect >> prophesy" >> but it has happen sooner than all would have expected. >> >> >> >> What is more interesting is the fact that Safaricom is 60% owned by >> Telkom Kenya which is fully owned by government that means that the >> mobile operators have become so powerful that the combined years >> of PTT >> operation and their political forces cannot turn the tables except >> the >> mediation of the regulator. This confirms Russell Southwood's recent >> story of the emergence of the mobile operators as the new >> incumbents of >> our time. >> >> >> >> May be one good thing is the fact that the mobile incumbents are so >> powerful that not a combiantion of PTT operation and political forces >> can impact them except the court of the regulator so the political >> leadership in some of our countries would now see reason to >> strengthen >> their regulators and make them independent enough to be the pivot to >> balance the weight of the mobile operators against their "cash cow" >> incumbents. >> >> >> >> Eric here >> >> >> >> >> >> Telkom Lodges SMS Petition Against Safaricom in Kenya >> >> In the fight for control of Kenya's lucrative telecoms industry, >> competition is becoming a useful weapon in the hands of rival firms >> -especially those that need to play the catch-up game to remain in >> the >> race. >> >> This market share war has become so intense that players are breaking >> all boundaries in the corporate rulebook. >> >> Five months ago, mobile phone service provider Celtel took its bigger >> and only rival Safaricom before the market regulator, accusing it of >> playing unfairly in the market to the disadvantage of the consumer. >> >> Now it is the national operator Telkom's turn to lodge a landmark >> complaint against its subsidiary -Safaricom. >> >> In its letter to Mr John Waweru, the Communications Commission of >> Kenya >> director general, Telkom Kenya is accusing Safaricom of practising >> anti-competitive behaviour in the market -especially in the Short >> Messages Services (SMS) segment of the business. >> >> Telkom says Safaricom has been blocking the exchange of SMSs >> between the >> two networks, thereby denying its customers access to key services >> that >> the national operator is offering such as the one that enables >> them to >> check their voter registration details with the Electoral >> Commission of >> Kenya (ECK). >> >> "Telkom Kenya is concerned that Safaricom is engaging in >> anti-competitive behaviour and in essence abusing its dominant market >> position by introducing barriers to new entrants targeting SMS market >> segment," Telkom says. >> >> Public attention was first drawn to the matter after some Safaricom >> subscribers complained that Safaricom was charging them for >> undelivered >> SMSs to Telkom Kenya's Wireless network. SMSs to Telkom network >> got an >> automatic reply indicating that delivery had failed yet the consumers >> were being billed. >> >> Safaricom CEO Michael Joseph acknowledged that some of its >> subscribers >> had sent messages to Telkom Kenya during the test period and may have >> been charged erroneously. >> >> He said that although the company was not billing SMSs to Telkom >> Wireless network between August 13 and August 27, some of its >> customers >> may have been billed. Safaricom later agreed to refund the affected >> subscribers. >> >> Telkom says that on August 16, the two interconnectivity negotiating >> parties met and agreed on interconnection rate and a technical >> testing >> schedule. >> >> During this period the parties also exchanged SMS test templates >> to be >> adopted in the tests. Safaricom has however not cooperated in >> facilitating the process, making it unable to commercialise the >> service. >> >> The matter seems to have reached fever pitch after Safaricom >> introduced >> a voter registry query service similar to the one Telkom Kenya had >> rolled out after it won an ECK tender. >> >> Telkom Kenya is complaining that failure by Safaricom to activate the >> SMS service is affecting its ability to use an innovative platform >> that >> delivers voter registry query services by utilizing the 460 >> numeric to >> access the ECK database. >> >> Telkom Kenya says Safaricom acted maliciously in delaying to activate >> the SMS service only to launch a similar service. >> >> "We are perturbed that Safaricom, having not been involved in the >> initial tender process is currently able to provide a similar >> services >> using the 460 prefix. This is a totally unacceptable anti-competitive >> behaviour," Telkom says. >> >> Mr Joseph declined to comment on the matter saying it was already >> before >> an arbiter. >> >> Telkom Kenya is the majority shareholder at Safaricom with a 60 >> per cent >> stake. It co-owns the company with the United Kingdom's Vodafone Plc >> which has a 40 per cent stake in the firm. >> (Source: Business Daily) >> >> >> >> >> >> Eric M.K Osiakwan >> >> Executive Secretary >> >> AfrISPA (www.afrispa.org) >> >> Tel: + 233.21.258800 ext 2031 >> >> 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://blogs.law.harvard.edu/eric/ >> >> Slang: "Tomorrow Now" >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> The information in this email and any attachments is confidential >> and may >> be legally privileged. It is intended only for the use of the named >> addressee. >> Emails are susceptible to alteration and their integrity cannot be >> guaranteed. Safaricom Limited does not accept legal responsibility >> for the >> contents of this email if the same is found to have been altered or >> manipulated. >> The contents and opinions expressed in this email are solely those >> of the >> author and do not necessarily represent those of Safaricom Limited. >> Safaricom Limited disclaims any liability to the fullest extent >> permissible by law for any consequences that may arise from the >> contents >> of this email including but not limited to personal opinions, >> malicious >> and/or defamatory information and data/codes that may compromise >> or damage >> the integrity of the recipient's information technology systems. >> If you are not the intended recipient please notify the sender and >> immediately delete this email from your system. >> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> Fibre-for-africa mailing list >> Fibre-for-africa(a)lists.apc.org >> http://lists.apc.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/fibre-for-africa >> >> >> >> -- >> This message has been scanned for viruses and >> dangerous content by MailScanner, and is >> believed to be clean. >> >> _______________________________________________ >> Fibre-for-africa mailing list >> Fibre-for-africa(a)lists.apc.org >> http://lists.apc.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/fibre-for-africa >> >> > > > Timothy Kasonde Kasolo, > Africonnect > NETWORK SUPPORT ENGINEER, > Plot 59, Great East Road, > Lusaka. > Phone: Lusaka +260-1-232005 > Mobile:+260-97-893922. > E-mail: timothy(a)africonnect.co.zm > www.africonnect.co.zm > www.iconnect.co.zm > > _______________________________________________ > Fibre-for-africa mailing list > Fibre-for-africa(a)lists.apc.org > http://lists.apc.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/fibre-for-africa > > > _______________________________________________ > Fibre-for-africa mailing list > Fibre-for-africa(a)lists.apc.org > http://lists.apc.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/fibre-for-africa > Eric M.K Osiakwan Executive Secretary AfrISPA (www.afrispa.org) Tel: + 233.21.258800 ext 2031 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://blogs.law.harvard.edu/eric/ Slang: "Tomorrow Now"

3 5

History Comes Un-noticed
by Bill Kagai 25 Oct '07

25 Oct '07

http://www.bdafrica.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3880&Item… Transferring money via mobile fone was not developed at MIT but right here in Africa...and the service is now rolling beyond Africa. Kudos to the pioneers making life this simple for us. Mobile firms set to transfer cash abroad Written by Okuttah Mark *October 25, 2007:* Mobile phone operators in Africa have entered into a partnership agreement with Western Union to facilitate electronic transfer of money transfer across the national borders by mid next year. The partnership paves the way for the development of a commercial and technical framework to be used by mobile operators to facilitate high frequency money transfers using mobile phones. Initial roll-out of the service is expected to kick off in the second quarter of 2008. If successful, Kenya's two mobile operators Safaricom and Celtel will be able to expand their reach to Kenyans in the diaspora with the electronic money transfer services. Safaricom in partnership with Vodafone was the first to roll out mobile phone based electronic money transfer services that have proved to be a success especially among the un banked. Safaricom operates M-pesa while Celtel has Sokotele. Both networks are working on modalities of expanding their services beyond the national borders. Since its launch early this year, M-pesa has attracted 700,000 users and handled Sh3 billion worth of transactions. The new system combines key elements of both Western Union's electronic money transfer system and the GSMA's money transfer programme. Electronic services have transformed the money transfer services making it simple, quick and affordable for more users sending small amounts of money.

1 0

[Fwd: [APC Forum] Research opportunity
by alice 24 Oct '07

24 Oct '07

Greetings All, The Association for Progressive Communications (APC) is a partner in the Harambee project - Reinforcing African Voices through Collaborative Processes along with Bellanet Africa, Bellanet International and UNECA (United Nations Commission for Africa). Harambee is a Swahili word for Lets work together. It is intended to signify the uniting of a community around a common goal. The overall goal of the initiative is to enhance capacity development in Africa around the use of knowledge and ICTs (Information and Communication Technologies) for collaboration, such that Africa-based organisations are better equipped to play a lead role in development dialogs and action affecting them. For more information on Harambee please visit http://www.harambeeafrica.net/ We are undertaking research under the Harambee banner and are looking for researchers for four (4) research projects. We are looking for experienced researchers who would take an action-oriented, participatory and inclusive approach and who understand networks and networking in Africa. We are wanting both English and French researchers. i.e. some research projects could be conducted in either French or English. Researchers will be contracted by APC and remunerated for their work. They would also need to attend a workshop in mid to late January possibly in South Africa in order to interview Harambee participants. All research should be completed by mid-March 2008. The topics include: 1. Gender issues in networks and differences in the way men and women engage in network activities 2. The status of the networking world in Africa, the issues and the opportunities. 3. Communication in African networks 4. Networking processes: opportunities and challenges for online interactions in African networks The research approach will include case studies and storytelling in order to evoke a deeper and more qualitative understanding of the four themes we are exploring. Harambee is about building on existing research and experiences in designing and implementing collaborative processes and technologies. So the methodology should include an understanding of existing experiences and uses of communication technologies. The research is a journey of discovery which is not about answers but rather what we can learn from the research. It should be participatory, inclusive and action oriented. A key part of the Harambee project are Focus Networks and recipients of the small grants fund who were selected to implement specific projects. We plan to include them in the research component to learn from their network experiences. This will happen at a knowledge sharing workshop to be hosted in late January 2008. Researchers are expected to be there to interview participants as part of the research process. Harambee has existing online spaces which could be used to communicate with the Focus Networks and small grants fund recipients. These include dGroups mailing list, a blog and a wiki. Although we would like to have a written paper (written in plain language) as one output of the research process, we are keen to also include outputs such as audio recordings of interviews, blog postings, resources posted to the Harambee website, photos, transcripts etc. We would like to see creative outputs to share easily with people via online and off line spaces. Should you want more information and if you are interested or know of researchers please email me offlist at jenny(a)apcwomen.org We would need examples of previous research. Warm Regards, Jenny Radloff ======

1 0

CCK Tariff Comparison
by Alex Gakuru 24 Oct '07

24 Oct '07

[apologies to those on both lists for my cross-posting] The simple most common consumer question faced is, "who is the fairest among the telecommunication providers?" This is often hard to answer without appearing to "endorse" or "criticise" any one provider. Apparently, CCK website now has some spreadsheets which, if dated, simpler to understand(user-friendly) and regularly updated, would also enable independent third parties to publish current,real, and detailed comparative tariffs to assist consumers decide which provider offers best value for money. While appreciating and welcoming this development, we urge the Regulator to prioritise this data provision considering the impact communication costs have on consumers and business for continued health of the entire economy. Alex Gakuru ICAK PS: CCK comparison: http://www.cck.go.ke/tariff_comparison/ Wish-for style: "Internet Connectivity in Uganda-Easy Guide" http://www.isoc.or.ke/docs/Booklet%20Inet.pdf (Newest i-net Uganda edition available on request) Does the CCK have sufficiently compelling reasons to act fast and motivation to regularly update the data? If not, who can help us develop a similar guide regularly updated for Kenyan consumers? AG __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com

1 0

[APC Forum] Call for dialogue: Regulatory frameworks for improving access
by alice 23 Oct '07

23 Oct '07

------------------------------------------------------------------------- Call for dialogue: Regulatory frameworks for improving access ------------------------------------------------------------------------- http://www.apc.org/english/news/index.shtml?x=5252920 What key actions could telecom and ICT regulators undertake to promote access to infrastructure at local, national and regional levels? Send dialogue comment for posting to dialogue(a)regulateonline.org “Regulatory Frameworks for Improving Access” – Workshop presented by APC, IDRC, and LIRNE.NET This dialogue is being undertaken in preparation for the “Regulatory Frameworks for Improving Access” workshop co-hosted by the Canadian International Development Research Centre (IDRC), the Learning Initiatives on Reforms for Network Economies (LIRNE.NET) and the Association for Progressive Communications (APC), at this year’s IGF. The workshop will explore the key regulatory issues and imperatives in promoting equitable deployment and affordable access to internet (communications) infrastructure at local, national, regional and global levels. Background Regulation is how policies are put into practice. However, experience has shown that there is not necessarily a trouble-free transition from the conceptual to the real world. For telecom (and other sectors) despite expectations of market solutions to improve infrastructure development and deployment, there are still substantial access gaps beyond the reach of the market, especially in rural areas. LIRNE.NET and APC invite internet and telecom practitioners, ICT policy and regulation experts, and other stakeholders to submit short (200-500 words) statements on what they identify as the key issues and important factors currently facing regulators concerned with access to infrastructure. Statements can focus on local, national or regional access and can also highlight solutions that have been already implemented to resolve existing issues and challenges. Comments which address the following are particularly welcomed: 1. Whose jurisdiction? The role of regulation in addressing the international gap - international backbone infrastructure deployment and interconnection. 2. Issues and/or challenges in regulating regional (cross-national) communications infrastructure. 3. Trade-off or complementary objectives? Regulating for infrastructure investment and/or regulating for equitable access. 4. Access at the local level – definition of universal access and mechanisms for attainment. Internet Governance Forum (IGF) The Internet Governance Forum (IGF), a medium for multi-stakeholder policy dialogue, was set up in 2006 as a direct response to the deliberations of the World Summit of the Information Society (WSIS). The forum was created to (amongst other things) discuss public policy issues related to key elements of Internet governance in order to foster the sustainability, robustness, security, stability and development of the Internet. The second meeting of the IGF will be held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil from 12 - 15 November 2007. Association for Progressive Communications http://www.apc.org LIRNE.NET http://www.lirne.net IDRC http://www.idrc.org

1 0

Re: [kictanet] [Fibre-for-africa] RE: The tables are turned
by eadera＠idrc.or.ke 23 Oct '07

23 Oct '07

Michael, It would help to hear your side of the story so we can all be informed. We unfortunately do not have other sources of information at this point other than the media. Looking forward, Edith -original message- Subject: [Fibre-for-africa] RE: [kictanet] The tables are turned From: "Michael Joseph" <MJoseph(a)Safaricom.co.ke> Date: 23/10/2007 10:53 am What you have not mentioned whether the complaint had any merit and whether the Parties could not have resolved it between themselves rather than relying on the CCK to mediate every commercial dispute. There is much more to this than just the one-sided view quoted by the media but we have chosen not to try to resolve our disputes through the media. Regards Michael CEO Safaricom Limited ________________________________ From: kictanet-bounces+mjoseph=safaricom.co.ke(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke [mailto:kictanet-bounces+mjoseph=safaricom.co.ke@lists.kictanet.or.ke] On Behalf Of Eric Osiakwan Sent: Sunday, October 21, 2007 12:27 AM To: Michael Joseph Cc: APC - Private list for use by EASSY Workshop Participants; KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions Subject: [kictanet] The tables are turned Dear All, We are really living in interesting times especially in the ICT industry because a few years ago, it was the mobile operators and ISPs who would be knocking on the doors of the regulator complaining and sometimes weeping at the anti-competitive practices of the imcumbent PTT towards them. Today the tables have turned and in Kenya as per the story below, Telkom Kenya is rather asking CCK to put Safaricom in check because they are acting anti-competitively on the SMS platform against their CDMA operation. Five years ago, this would have being an "incorrect prophesy" but it has happen sooner than all would have expected. What is more interesting is the fact that Safaricom is 60% owned by Telkom Kenya which is fully owned by government that means that the mobile operators have become so powerful that the combined years of PTT operation and their political forces cannot turn the tables except the mediation of the regulator. This confirms Russell Southwood's recent story of the emergence of the mobile operators as the new incumbents of our time. May be one good thing is the fact that the mobile incumbents are so powerful that not a combiantion of PTT operation and political forces can impact them except the court of the regulator so the political leadership in some of our countries would now see reason to strengthen their regulators and make them independent enough to be the pivot to balance the weight of the mobile operators against their "cash cow" incumbents. Eric here Telkom Lodges SMS Petition Against Safaricom in Kenya In the fight for control of Kenya's lucrative telecoms industry, competition is becoming a useful weapon in the hands of rival firms -especially those that need to play the catch-up game to remain in the race. This market share war has become so intense that players are breaking all boundaries in the corporate rulebook. Five months ago, mobile phone service provider Celtel took its bigger and only rival Safaricom before the market regulator, accusing it of playing unfairly in the market to the disadvantage of the consumer. Now it is the national operator Telkom's turn to lodge a landmark complaint against its subsidiary -Safaricom. In its letter to Mr John Waweru, the Communications Commission of Kenya director general, Telkom Kenya is accusing Safaricom of practising anti-competitive behaviour in the market -especially in the Short Messages Services (SMS) segment of the business. Telkom says Safaricom has been blocking the exchange of SMSs between the two networks, thereby denying its customers access to key services that the national operator is offering such as the one that enables them to check their voter registration details with the Electoral Commission of Kenya (ECK). "Telkom Kenya is concerned that Safaricom is engaging in anti-competitive behaviour and in essence abusing its dominant market position by introducing barriers to new entrants targeting SMS market segment," Telkom says. Public attention was first drawn to the matter after some Safaricom subscribers complained that Safaricom was charging them for undelivered SMSs to Telkom Kenya's Wireless network. SMSs to Telkom network got an automatic reply indicating that delivery had failed yet the consumers were being billed. Safaricom CEO Michael Joseph acknowledged that some of its subscribers had sent messages to Telkom Kenya during the test period and may have been charged erroneously. He said that although the company was not billing SMSs to Telkom Wireless network between August 13 and August 27, some of its customers may have been billed. Safaricom later agreed to refund the affected subscribers. Telkom says that on August 16, the two interconnectivity negotiating parties met and agreed on interconnection rate and a technical testing schedule. During this period the parties also exchanged SMS test templates to be adopted in the tests. Safaricom has however not cooperated in facilitating the process, making it unable to commercialise the service. The matter seems to have reached fever pitch after Safaricom introduced a voter registry query service similar to the one Telkom Kenya had rolled out after it won an ECK tender. Telkom Kenya is complaining that failure by Safaricom to activate the SMS service is affecting its ability to use an innovative platform that delivers voter registry query services by utilizing the 460 numeric to access the ECK database. Telkom Kenya says Safaricom acted maliciously in delaying to activate the SMS service only to launch a similar service. "We are perturbed that Safaricom, having not been involved in the initial tender process is currently able to provide a similar services using the 460 prefix. This is a totally unacceptable anti-competitive behaviour," Telkom says. Mr Joseph declined to comment on the matter saying it was already before an arbiter. Telkom Kenya is the majority shareholder at Safaricom with a 60 per cent stake. It co-owns the company with the United Kingdom's Vodafone Plc which has a 40 per cent stake in the firm. (Source: Business Daily) Eric M.K Osiakwan Executive Secretary AfrISPA (www.afrispa.org) Tel: + 233.21.258800 ext 2031 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://blogs.law.harvard.edu/eric/ Slang: "Tomorrow Now" The information in this email and any attachments is confidential and may be legally privileged. It is intended only for the use of the named addressee. Emails are susceptible to alteration and their integrity cannot be guaranteed. Safaricom Limited does not accept legal responsibility for the contents of this email if the same is found to have been altered or manipulated. The contents and opinions expressed in this email are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of Safaricom Limited. Safaricom Limited disclaims any liability to the fullest extent permissible by law for any consequences that may arise from the contents of this email including but not limited to personal opinions, malicious and/or defamatory information and data/codes that may compromise or damage the integrity of the recipient's information technology systems. If you are not the intended recipient please notify the sender and immediately delete this email from your system. _______________________________________________ Fibre-for-africa mailing list Fibre-for-africa(a)lists.apc.org http://lists.apc.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/fibre-for-africa -- This message has been scanned for viruses and dangerous content by MailScanner, and is believed to be clean.

2 1

Readings on ICANN, IGF, ccTLDs, etc.
by alice 23 Oct '07

23 Oct '07

1. Internet Governance, Global Privacy and IGF-Rio This article looks at governance issues and the upcoming IGF in Rio. The article concludes "As the Internet Governance Forum continues to evolve definitions of the potential UN role in promoting the global debate on the future of the Information Age, stake-holders from small to large are also in the process of defining themselves, their agendas and their participation in the new worlds of cyberspace governance. The November meetings of IGF-Rio could be the place where many conversations and initiatives rise from blog-talk into a world view." http://eco-rama.net/2007/09/18/internet-governance-global-privacy-and-igf-ri o/ 16. gov.uk <http://gov.uk> websites - accessible or offline by end 2008! Accessibility has been a big issue foe me since I worked for a not for profit organisation dealing with disabilities. So it was pleasing for me to see an article in The Register that the British government has given all websites in the gov.uk <http://gov.uk> domain till the end of 2008 to achieve the minimum, Level Double-A of the W3C Guidelines will have its domain withdrawn. http://technewsreview.com.au/article.php?article=3045 19. Have a CERTs - attending GovCert.NL Symposium in the Netherlands by Milton Mueller Milton Mueller attended the GovCert.NL Symposium in the Netherlands. He writes "there were two take-away messages. One is the astounding degree to which Europeans take privacy more seriously than people in the US."The other was "the degree to which CERTs constitute an informal "network form" of global governance, which melds academic, governmental, industry and advocacy stakeholders." Milton also links to what he calls a very interesting discussion on the Whois-privacy problem with ICANN, no doubt largely because it's a paper written by himself titled "The DNS as a Tool for Global Identity Policy: WHOIS, ICANN, and Global Internet Governance". http://blog.internetgovernance.org/blog/_archives/2007/10/20/3304029.html ********************** WESTERN SAHARA ********************** i. Little Progress on Western Sahara As the Fourth (Special Political and Decolonization) Committee of the UN General Assembly holds its meetings in New York, the issue of Western Sahara continues to be one of the key items on its agenda. This thorny issue has resisted any international mediation efforts for decades. The first gleam of hope appeared in June 2007, after negotiations in Manhasset, New York, between the government of Morocco and Western Sahara's Algerian-backed pro-independence movement, the Polisario Front. http://mnweekly.ru/world/20071018/55283532.html ********************** GOVERNANCE ********************** 1. Internet Governance, Global Privacy and IGF-Rio The global debate on Internet governance will once again gather people from all over the world at UN's IGF, this time in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The process was started last year in Athens, when more than 1,200 participants focused on discussion of the overarching issues tied to the future of information and communications technologies, including control over the Internet architecture and numbering and naming system, security, intellectual property, openness, connectivity, cost and multilingualism. http://eco-rama.net/2007/09/18/internet-governance-global-privacy-and-igf-ri o/ 2. Working with civil society at the heart of UNESCO Forum Hubert Védrine, former French Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nitin Desai, President of the Internet Governance Forum and former UN Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs as well as Lindsay Owen-Jones, Chairman of the Board of Directors of L'Oréal, will give keynote speeches during the meeting. http://mediaforfreedom.com/ReadArticle.asp?ArticleID=5152 3. A Consociational Bureau for the Internet Governance Forum The principle that Internet governance "is a joint effort which requires cooperation and partnership among all stakeholders" (Geneva Declaration of Principles, para 20) has become axiomatic since it was first agreed at WSIS, and is fundamental to the IGF as a "new forum for multi-stakeholder policy dialogue" (Tunis Agenda, para 72). However at the same time as this principle has been universally embraced, some of its implications, that would require the four stakeholder groups identified in the Tunis Agenda to collaborate on the development of joint policy recommendations (Tunis Agenda para 72(g)) have met with resistance. http://igfwatch.org/discussion-board/a-consociational-bureau-for-the-interne t-governance-forum 4. Internet Users to Surf Solar System by 2010? Vint Cerf, one of the founding fathers of the internet, in a recent address in South Korea talked about working with NASA JPL to create the standards needed to turn the World Wide Web, to the Solar System Wide Web. http://blog.wired.com/wiredscience/2007/10/internet-users-.html http://www.net4now.com/isp_news/news_article.asp?News_ID=5285 ********************** DOMAIN NAMES ********************** ********************** - ICANN ********************** 5. ICA@ICANN-LA [news release] The upcoming ICANN meeting scheduled for October 29-November 2 in Los Angeles will be a unique opportunity to attend an ICANN meeting in the United States. It has been more than six years since a meeting took place in the USA. This opportunity will not recur this decade and is just too good to miss. The Internet Commerce Association is strongly encouraging all ICA members and other concerned domain name registrants to attend the LA meeting. http://internetcommerce.org/ica_icann_la 6. Single-letter and Single-digit Domain Names available? ICANN is opening a forum on allocation methods for single-letter and single-digit domain names in gTLD registries. Answers should be submitted no later than 15 november 2007. http://domainesinfo.fr/english/123/single-letter-and-single-digit-domain-nam es-available.php http://www.cscprotectsbrands.com/news.asp?newsId=18320018 7. Yes, it is your bubbe's Web address! The Internet is a worldwide phenomenon, and yet the dominant language for online traffic has been English. If you want to navigate around the World Wide Web with a browser, you must have command of the Latin alphabet -- even if you primarily read and write in Chinese, Japanese, Arabic or Hebrew. http://jewishjournal.com/home/preview.php?id=18370 8. It's all Greek, Persian, Tamil and Cyrillic Russian to me! Web users across the planet can now play around with their name in their own language (i.e. not English or other "Western-style" languages that use the same Latin alphabet that I am using to write this blog) thanks to the fact that ICANN has commenced live testing of IDNs. http://community.zdnet.co.uk/blog/0,1000000567,10006213o-2000458459b,00.htm 9. Domain names in Indian languages soon India is all set to join the global bandwagon of local language domain names. Soon you will be able to own domain names in Hindi, Tamil, Sanskrit, Bengali, Punjabi and some other Indian languages. http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/Domain_names_in_Indian_languages_soon/ar ticleshow/2479794.cms http://infotech.indiatimes.com/Domain_names_in_Indian_languages_soon/article show/2479794.cms ********************** - (cc)TLD NEWS ********************** 10. Argentinian com.ar <http://com.ar> domain name heads Latin American names [sub req'd] http://telecom.paper.nl/news/article.aspx?id=188839 11. Prominent Global Brands Adopt .Asia as Sunrise Commences [news release] Building on the momentum of the groundbreaking .Asia Pioneer Domains Program which has attracted global leading brands, DotAsia, the registry operator of the ".Asia" Internet domain, has launched its Sunrise period, a priority registration period for trademark owners and companies. The Sunrise phase will run through to January 15 2008, giving corporations a chance to register domain to protect their brands online before the general public is invited to take part in the "Landrush" registration phase in February 2008. http://pioneer.domains.asia/press/2007-10-17-DotAsia-PR.html 12. Australian political websites ripe for the picking [AAP] Australia's political parties are leaving themselves open to attack from hackers, according to internet security company Symantec. ... He is also concerned that many political parties are leaving themselves open by not registering "typo" domain names, subtle variations on the party's official website address, which could be used to host malicious material. http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2007/10/19/1192301018970.html http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2007/10/19/1192301018970.html http://news.brisbanetimes.com.au/articles/20073619-158v.html http://news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=307345 13. au: Online Regulations - Your Website and the Law The internet is not a lawless territory where anything goes. An online business is subject to the same regulations as any other model, and there are pitfalls particular to this relatively new and constantly changing environment. Michael Sutton sets out regulation guidelines for developing and operating an online site so it won't fall foul of the law. These days, every business seems to be online. From multinational corporations to one-man businesses, the low cost and relative ease of advertising online has lured many traders to create a website to promote their goods and services. Consumers are also attracted to the wealth of purchasing information that these traders are making available on the internet. http://dynamicbusiness.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=531&Ite mid=10499 14. Five Domain Name Service Providers exposed by CNNIC The .CN registry has published the name of five domain name service providers that have received the most complaints from consumers but have not taken effective measures to rectify their problems. http://domainesinfo.fr/english/124/five-domain-name-service-providers-expose d-by-cnnic.php 15. sg: Domain names as easy as 123 Businesses and Internet users in Singapore can soon use their favourite numbers as their website addresses. Singapore Network Information Centre (SGNIC), the national internet domain name registry, will release pure numeric domain names for registration from November. http://www.straitstimes.com/Latest+News/Tech+%2526+Science/STIStory_169365.h tml 16. gov.uk <http://gov.uk> websites - accessible or offline by end 2008! Accessibility has been a big issue foe me since I worked for a not for profit organisation dealing with disabilities. So it was pleasing for me to see an article in The Register that the British government has given all websites in the gov.uk <http://gov.uk> domain till the end of 2008 to achieve the minimum, Level Double-A of the W3C Guidelines will have its domain withdrawn. The Register feels this is foolhardy. The Register is wrong and misguided in its view. It is a great incentive for government agencies to get their websites to abide by the W3C guidelines. For too long website designers have ignored or paid lip service to the needs of people with disabilities, and more courageous decisions such as this need to be made to make the web accessible for all. http://technewsreview.com.au/article.php?article=3045 17. UK.gov makes bizarre threat to throw self off internet The UK Government has given itself until the end of next year to get its act together on accessibility, after which any .gov.uk site failing to achieve the minimum, Level Double-A of the W3C Guidelines will have its domain withdrawn. This brave, nay, foolhardy commitment could conceivably result in carnage across national, local government and miscellaneous hanger-on .gov.uk sites - and we can perhaps look forward to a more overtly outsourced future containing sites such as homeoffice.tv <http://homeoffice.tv>, mod.cn <http://mod.cn> and basildon.eu. http://www.theregister.co.uk/2007/10/18/uk_gov_accessibility_suicide_threat/ 18. The Sun is first UK national newspaper to launch a .mobi site [news release] dotMobi announced that Britain's most popular newspaper, The Sun, is the first UK national newspaper to launch a .mobi web site. http://mtld.mobi/node/845 ********************** - DOMAIN SECURITY ********************** 19. Have a CERTs - attending GovCert.NL Symposium in the Netherlands by Milton Mueller This week I attended the GovCert.NL Symposium in the Netherlands. This is the 6th annual gathering of "Computer Emergency Response Teams (CERTs) and other experts in Internet security and privacy. About 50% of the participants were Dutch, I would guess, and maybe 85% from Europe, although there were attendees from as far away as the USA, Japan and Australia. There were some fascinating presentations, including an analysis of the role of money mules in phishing scams, analyhsis of a new "man in the middle"-style attack on banks, attempts by governments to implement digital identity systems, a detailed recounting of the Estonian "cyber riot" that temporarily crippled the Internet in that country, advocacy for Bitfrost, a new operating system platform based on new privacy/security assumptions, and, oh, a very interesting discussion of the Whois-privacy problem in ICANN. There were two take-away messages. One is the astounding degree to which Europeans take privacy more seriously than people in the US. http://blog.internetgovernance.org/blog/_archives/2007/10/20/3304029.html 20. Security experts say Rock Phish widening net A recent surge in phishing — fraudulent e-mail and Web sites designed to "fish" sensitive personal information such as passwords and credit card numbers — is the handiwork of a small, shadowy cybergang, say computer security experts. http://deseretnews.com/dn/view/0,5143,695220241,00.html ********************** - DOMAIN DISPUTES ********************** 21. Trademark Law – What Search Marketers Should Know, Part 1 Since search became monetized, trademarks have been a front-and-center issue for legal debate. In the late 1990s, competitors were buying each other's trademarks as keywords, and hiding those keywords in meta tags. Today, with the proliferation of paid and organic search listings, search and trademarks have become a growing dilemma for search engines and advertisers alike. http://searchenginewatch.com/showPage.html?page=3627333 22. Trademark Law – What Search Marketers Should Know, Part 2 In Search Engine Watch's previous article, they covered the law fundamentals search marketers should know about online trademarks. Here they cover important tips and tactics by online intellectual property attorneys and legal counsels for the search engines, for both protecting your own trademark material and respecting the trademarks of others. http://searchenginewatch.com/showPage.html?page=3627346 23. Cybersquatting – Moving With The times? Cybersquatting – the practice of registering internet domain names that are based on another entity's brands or company name - is as prevalent as ever. As online business models have developed and converged, the cybersquatter's methods have adapted accordingly. Today, businesses routinely need to think about registering domain names simply to prevent others getting hold of them – in the wrong hands, a domain name can be used to divert business, confuse customers, dilute the brand and commit fraud. http://kemplittle.com/SL-Cybersquatting_Oct07.htm 24. Rebranding 'Thelen' And The Problem With A Cybersquatter Thelen Reid Brown Raysman & Steiner had well-laid plans to rechristen itself with the shorter and catchier "Thelen" -- but the branding effort was held hostage by a lone Korean cybersquatter. The marketing move, which launched Monday with a new logo and Web site, was threatened by the distant owner of the "thelen.com <http://thelen.com>" domain name, Thelen lawyers say. http://lawfuel.com/show-article.asp?ID=83892408 25. Pornographers hijack Somerset's Web address Looking for a "nude man club" or "nude mideastern teens?" Try searching for the city of Somerset's Web site, which was hijacked by cyber-criminals last week. http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/metro/stories/MYSA101907.01B.MUNICIPALPORN . 6c7dc9.html 26. Rahul sitting duck for cyber squatters The younger generation of Nehru family has become money-spinning names in cyber space, thanks to cyber squatters whose commercial interest recently got a fillip with the appointment of Rahul Gandhi as AICC General Secretary. Since his appointment, there are many more 'hits' on the websites with the domain name of Rahul Gandhi. http://www.indianexpress.com/story/230853.html ********************** - MISCELLANEOUS ********************** 27. Research and Markets Report: By 2010, Over US$2 Billion Will Be Spent on Social Network Advertising in the US Alone ... Volume 2 of this report provides an insight and analysis into the trends and developments taking place in the revived Internet economy. It includes information and statistics on the Internet industry, beginning with an historical look at Internet growth. Information and statistics on Internet hosts, domain names, the World Wide Web, search engines, websites, the ISP market, Internet users and penetration is also provided. An overview of some of the key online services such as adult entertainment, dating, e-education, online financial services, e-government, mapping and online music is also incorporated. Covered in more detail are the sectors of ehealth, online gambling/gaming and virtual worlds. Also provided is technical information on web development related to Web 2.0. http://tradingmarkets.com/.site/news/Stock%20News/718160/ 28. One Web site, many names: an introduction to domain forwarding by Michael Horowitz When my Defensive Computing blog went live in July, the Web page address (URL is the nerd term) assigned to it was blogs.cnet.com/8300-13554_1-33.html <http://blogs.cnet.com/8300-13554_1-33.html>. Shortly thereafter, CNET assigned the friendlier address blogs.cnet.com/defensive-computing/ <http://blogs.cnet.com/defensive-computing/> http://www.news.com/8301-10784_3-9800302-7.html 29. ARIN to Hold Meetings in Albuquerque [news release] The ARIN XX Public Policy and Members Meetings will take place 17-19 October in Albuquerque, New Mexico, at the Hyatt Regency, directly following the NANOG meeting at the same hotel. About 200 representatives from the technical Internet community, large corporations, governments, academia, and civil society will attend ARIN XX. http://arin.net/media/releases/ABQ_Media_Invitation.pdf ********************** - AFTERMARKET ********************** 30. Network Solutions Releases Whitepaper Combining Ecommerce Solutions and Search Engine Optimization Tips for Online Businesses [news release] Network Solutions offers helpful information for online retailers looking to drive business to their stores during the busy holiday season. This new whitepaper, "Is Your Site Holiday-Ready? 7 Steps to Improve Your Online Holiday Sales" explains what needs to be done today to get ready for the winter holiday shopping season. http://vocuspr.vocus.com/VocusPR30/Newsroom/Query.aspx?SiteName=NetworkSolut ions&Entity=PRAsset&SF_PRAsset_PRAssetID_EQ=212157&XSL=PressRelease&Cache=Tr ue&Merge= 31. Analyst Says $8 Billion Online Advertising Network Will Grow 15%, Domain Channel Advertising by 37% in 2007 [news release] T.R.A.F.F.I.C, the domain industry's premier conference, today announced that Michael Gilmour, a respected industry analyst, projects that the domain name and Internet traffic industry will grow dramatically in 2007. Publicly available corporate reports state that Google and Yahoo!'s total revenue in 2006 from their ad-network channel was $7.88 billion, including $800 million from domain parking. Thus, domain parking represents 10.2% of the companies' total ad-network channel, or 4.7% of Google and Yahoo!'s aggregate revenues. Gilmour, who will present at T.R.A.F.F.I.C.'s show next week, projects that online advertising spending will increase by 15.1% for 2007 while domain channel advertising will grow 37.5%. http://www.domainpulse.com/2007/10/18/analyst-says-8-billion-online-advertis ing-network-will-grow-15-domain-channel-advertising-by-37-in-2007/ 32. Yee-hah! Dallas Cowboys Clueless On Domains Poor Jerry Jones, first his 'Boys get curb-stomped by the Patriots, then it turns out the attorney representing them at a domain name auction has no idea about the starting or ending price. http://www.webpronews.com/topnews/2007/10/18/yee-hah-dallas-cowboys-clueless -on-domains 33. Dallas Cowboys Return Cowboys.com <http://Cowboys.com> Domain Name by Bill Hartzer Last week I spoke about SEO, Search, and Domain Names at the TRAFFIC domain name conference, held in Hollywood, Florida. The highlight of the conference was the live internet domain name auction on Friday, October 12th, at 2pm, hosted by Moniker. One of the domain names that was up for sale was Cowboys.com <http://Cowboys.com>, a great domain name. The Dallas Cowboys apparently was amongst the many bidders for this name and ultimately won the auction for $275,000. Now, about a week later, they want to give it back. http://www.webpronews.com/blogtalk/2007/10/19/dallas-cowboys-return-cowboys- com-domain-name 34. Not the bill the Cowboys were expecting Going once, going twice, sold ... almost. Seeking to increase their online visibility, the Cowboys were bidding on the domain name cowboys.com <http://cowboys.com> at an auction in Hollywood, Fla. But something went amiss – as in the final price. http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/football/cowboys/stories/101 907dnspocowside.92664c.html 35. Cowboys.com <http://Cowboys.com> Sells (Again) for US$370,000 After Dallas Cowboys back out of deal, Cowboys.com <http://Cowboys.com> sells for $95,000 more. http://domainnamewire.com/2007/10/19/cowboyscom-sells-again-for-370000/ 36. The Domain Name Auction Scene is a-Changin' SnapNames to unveil new service, GoDaddy signature auctions (finally) on tap. http://domainnamewire.com/2007/10/18/the-domain-name-auction-scene-is-a-chan gin/ 37. Atomico.com <http://Atomico.com> is The Bomb After $80,000 Sale on the AfternicDLS Every domain on this week's Top 20 sales chart cracked the five-figure mark and the AfternicDLS wielded the heaviest weapon, Atomico.com <http://Atomico.com> at an even $80,000. That was one of five charted domains for that venue, a number exceeded only by Sedo.com <http://Sedo.com>'s nine. Sedo's total included a pair from their GreatDomains site that ranked 2nd and 3rd - Subscription.com <http://Subscription.com> at $74,000 and HOO.com at $47,000. http://dnjournal.com/archive/domainsales/2007/domainsales10-09-07.htm ********************** - NON-ENGLISH NEWS ********************** 38. Gesetzliche Regulierung für Migration zu IPv6 angeregt Bereits ab dem kommenden Jahr könnte es gesetzliche Regelungen zur Migration von IPv4 auf IPv6 geben. Das sagte der Vorsitzende des Kuratoriums der nordamerikanischen IP-Adress-Registry ARIN, John Curran, unmittelbar vor der heute startenden, turnusmäßigen ARIN-Tagung in Albuquerque. Laut US-Medienberichten sieht Curran auch durchaus auch Handlungsbedarf vons Seiten der Regierungen. ARIN hat in den vergangenen Monaten verstärkt auf die Erschöpfung des Pools an IPv4-Adressen hingewiesen http://www.heise.de/newsticker/meldung/97546 39. Deutsche Internetnutzer wünschen einprägsamere Domainnamen für Städte und Regionen [news release] Die Mehrheit privater Internetnutzer wünscht in Zukunft die vermehrte Verwendung lokaler Domainendungen nach dem Muster .stadt oder .region, weil sie aufgrund des einprägsameren Namens wesentlich einfacher und schneller an die von ihnen gesuchten Informationen gelangen können. Das ist ein zentrales Ergebnis der Umfrage*, die der eco Verband der deutschen Internetwirtschaft Anfang Oktober durch das Marktforschungsinstitut eResult hat durchführen lassen. http://www.finanznachrichten.de/nachrichten-2007-10/artikel-9273728.asp 40. Das Internet lernt Jiddisch Schon Ende nächsten Jahres könnte es Internet-Adressen in nicht-lateinischen Schriften geben. Doch bis dahin muss noch ein Test der Internetbehörde ICANN erfolgreich verlaufen. http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,,2827234,00.html 41. Wie gross ist das Internet? Bald einmal werden uns die IP-Adressen ausgehen. US-Forscher haben deshalb eine Volkszählung im Internet gemacht. http://infoweek.ch/news/NW_single.cfm?news_ID=16794 42. Les gTLD à 1 caractère bientôt alloués ? L'ICANN lance jusqu'au 15 novembre 2007 un appel à propositions pour réfléchir à une méthode d'attribution des noms à 1 caractère (alphabet occidental ou chiffre) dans les extensions génériques. http://domainesinfo.fr/actualite/1339/les-gtld-a-1-caractere-bientot-alloues .php 43. L'AFNIC dévoile les interactions entre référencement et noms de domaine Dans un dossier paru la semaine dernière sur son site, le registre français soutient l'étude menée par Olivier Andrieu sur les liens étroits existants entre référencement et noms de domaine. http://domainesinfo.fr/actualite/1338/l-afnic-devoile-les-interactions-entre -referencement-et-noms-de-domaine.php 44. Les gTLD à 1 caractère bientôt alloués ? L'ICANN lance jusqu'au 15 novembre 2007 un appel à propositions pour réfléchir à une méthode d'attribution des noms à 1 caractère (alphabet occidental ou chiffre) dans les extensions génériques. http://domainesinfo.fr/actualite/1339/les-gtld-a-1-caractere-bientot-alloues .php 45. .MOBI: vers les 700 000 enregistrements L'extension dédiée aux téléphones portables s'apprête à franchir le cap des 700 000 noms, doublant en moins d'un an le volume de ses enregistrements. http://domainesinfo.fr/extension/1322/appareils-mobiles-mobi-vers-les-700-00 0-enregistrements.php 46. 5 registars dans la ligne de mire du .CN Le registre chinois publie les noms de 5 registrars vivement critiqués par les internautes pour leur démarche d'intimidation, et promet des sanctions dans les mois venir. http://domainesinfo.fr/extension/1341/chine-5-registars-dans-la-ligne-de-mir e-du-cn.php 47. Le site du .KP ouvert d'ici fin 2007 L'extension nord-coréenne, officiellement déléguée au Korea Computer Center, ouvrira son site officiel d'ici décembre 2007. http://domainesinfo.fr/extension/1340/coree-du-nord-le-site-du-kp-ouvert-d-i ci-fin-2007.php 48. L'IFPI accuse The Pirate Bay de cybersquatting L'industrie phonographique lance une action devant l'OMPI pour récupérer le nom de domaine IFPI.com, passé dans le camp des pirates suédois. http://www.vnunet.fr/fr/news/2007/10/18/l_ifpi_accuse_the_pirate_bay_de_cybe rsquatting 49. L'IFPI porte plainte contre The Pirate Bay Sans grande surprise, l' IFPI a entamé des démarches judiciaires pour tenter de récupérer le nom de domaine ifpi.com <http://ifpi.com> récemment passé sous pavillon pirate. Une reconquête qui ne devrait pas poser de problème. http://www.generation-nt.com/ifpi-pirate-bay-torrent-cybersquatting-actualit e-46385.html 50. L'IFPI va tenter de reprendre IFPI.com à The Pirate Bay On pouvait s'y attendre, la prise (légale) du nom de domaine ifpi.com <http://ifpi.com> par le groupe de pirates The Pirate Bay, afin de donner naissance à l'International Federation of Pirates Interests, n'a pas beaucoup été apprécié par l'IFPI (International Federation of the Phonographic Industry - voir The Pirate Bay parasite l'IFPI avec IFPI.com) http://www.clubic.com/actualite-83292-ifpi-reprendre-ifpi-pirate-bay.html 51. Et l'on reparle des noms de domaine d'un seul caractère L'ICANN va relancer l'idée déjà caressée en 2005, de l'adoption de nom de domaines d'une seule lettre. Un forum est actuellement organisé au sein de l'organisme avec appel à contribution pour définir une méthode d'attribution de ces noms de domaines. Très courts, ils ne représentent pas moins un intérêt important financièrement. Ces domaines à une lettre ou à un chiffre concerneront les gTLD, extensions internet à caractère générique, formées à l'origine de trois lettres et plus. http://www.pcinpact.com/actu/news/39545-icann-un-caractere-une-lettre.htm 52. Adsense à vendre 200.000 euros Le géant de l'Internet Google semble avoir oublié d'enregistrer un nom de domaine. Bilan, un Internaute l'a fait pour lui et demande 200.000 euros. http://www.zataz.com/news/15367/adsense-luxembourg.html 53. Internet em 138 milhões de domínios, diz estudo O número de nomes de domínios registrados globalmente já ultrapassa 138 milhões. A constatação vem de do estudo "Dossiê sobre a Indústria de Domínios na Internet" realizado no segundo trimestre de 2007 pela VeriSign. http://www.latinoamericann.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article &sid=1561 54. Internet Siap Jelajah Luar Angkasa Pertumbuhan jumlah pengguna internet di dunia sungguh mencengangkan. Mereka telah tumbuh sebanyak 20 kali lipat dalam satu dasawarsa ini, yakni menjadi sekitar 1,2 miliar pengguna dengan pertumbuhan server komputer dari 22,5 juta menjadi 489 juta. http://www.detikinet.com/index.php/detik.read/tahun/2007/bulan/10/tgl/18/tim e/091216/idnews/842043/idkanal/398 55. Story from Malaysia mentioning ICANN http://www.kwongwah.com.my/news/2007/10/18/83.html 56. Story in Chinese mentioning Vint Cerf http://www.chubun.com/modules/article/view.article.php/54255/c108 57. Story in Chinese mentioning ICANN http://www.takungpao.com.hk/news/07/10/22/_IN-812475.htm 58. Story in Russian mentioning ICANN http://www.cnews.ru/news/line/index.shtml?2007/10/12/270342 _______________________________________________ AfrICANN mailing list AfrICANN(a)afrinic.net https://lists.afrinic.net/mailman/listinfo.cgi/africann

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Day 7-10:-Available eCommunication Strategies for Regulators
by Chanuka Wattegama 23 Oct '07

23 Oct '07

Dear All, Extremely sorry to barge in this later stage, but I had no other option because the past few days were exceptionally busy. Let me share some of the useful findings from the study Benchmarking National Telecom Regulatory Authority websites of Asia-Pacific Region For those who are not familiar, This study systematically benchmarked National Telecom Regulator websites in the Asia-Pacific region, evaluating their usefulness to telecom operators, investors, consumers, researchers and even the general public. Each website is awarded marks for the availability of information and features that are useful to the regulator's stakeholders. A total of 27 websites are evaluated from a region that includes 62 economies. (More details: http://www.lirneasia.net/projects/completed-projects/regulatory-web-survey) 1. For the study I have considered 62 independent Asia Pacific economies (Hong Kong could have been the only exception, but that needs to be taken into account because of its independent regulatory environment, which cannot be put in the same category as China.) The definition used for 'Asia' was the broadest that can be thought of because it included Middle East and Central Asia as well. Out of that 62, only 33 NRAs had web sites. (This was in 2004, the situation is a bit better now) Anyway the bottom line is only 60-70% of the NRAs have some sort of websites. This raises the question how far the NRAs have thought about communications. 2. If my memory serves me right I could not benchmark NRA sites (Japan, China, Korea, Thailand, Indonesia and Yemen) because then they did not have English versions. So the number has to be limited to 27. (I do not say ever NRA should have an English version, but this was a practical difficulty that we could not avoid) Even out of that 27, there were many NRAs that had not given any information relevant to end consumers. The limited information gives perhaps the mandate and the top officers at NRA. One NRA website even had a page for foreign tourists. 3. Then there were sites that provided consumer information to levels varying from basic minimum to very good. There was one site that reproduced every customer complaint and monitored the progress. I am not sure whether we expect NRAs to do to that level. There were also some sites (eg. Singapore, Malaysia) that provided a gamut of information including technical details many consumers might not even follow. Anyway, I do not think this is a bad practice. We do not need everybody's grandmother to understand this information, but the fact that they are in public domain implies that all consumers (including grandmothers!) receive a better service. 4. Not many NRAs were worried about presenting the information in a language understandable to the end consumers. (The six countries I have mentioned in No. 2 were exceptions) So even if the information is available it is not sure whether the consumers can take any use of it. We also have to take into account that some of these countries have extremely low Internet penetration levels. So we come to the same problems again. The content is there, but can the consumers realistically access that? These observations raise the important question how far NRAs can use websites as a tool to interact with the end consumers. I do not try to provide an answer right now. May be I can give a better answer at GK3. Then the question how NRAs can improve their communications using e-tools. I have some good new here. After publishing the survey results some NRAs have taken serious efforts to improve their websites. India and Bangladesh are two examples. I know both these countries have benefitted from the survey results at best. I do not see any reason why others could not. Think this is adequate for the moment. I hope I have brought in the Asian dimension to the discussion. Best Rgds, Chanuka Wattegama LIRNEasia www.lirneasia.net

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The tables are turned
by Eric Osiakwan 22 Oct '07

22 Oct '07

Dear All, We are really living in interesting times especially in the ICT industry because a few years ago, it was the mobile operators and ISPs who would be knocking on the doors of the regulator complaining and sometimes weeping at the anti-competitive practices of the imcumbent PTT towards them. Today the tables have turned and in Kenya as per the story below, Telkom Kenya is rather asking CCK to put Safaricom in check because they are acting anti-competitively on the SMS platform against their CDMA operation. Five years ago, this would have being an "incorrect prophesy" but it has happen sooner than all would have expected. What is more interesting is the fact that Safaricom is 60% owned by Telkom Kenya which is fully owned by government that means that the mobile operators have become so powerful that the combined years of PTT operation and their political forces cannot turn the tables except the mediation of the regulator. This confirms Russell Southwood's recent story of the emergence of the mobile operators as the new incumbents of our time. May be one good thing is the fact that the mobile incumbents are so powerful that not a combiantion of PTT operation and political forces can impact them except the court of the regulator so the political leadership in some of our countries would now see reason to strengthen their regulators and make them independent enough to be the pivot to balance the weight of the mobile operators against their "cash cow" incumbents. Eric here Telkom Lodges SMS Petition Against Safaricom in Kenya In the fight for control of Kenya's lucrative telecoms industry, competition is becoming a useful weapon in the hands of rival firms - especially those that need to play the catch-up game to remain in the race. This market share war has become so intense that players are breaking all boundaries in the corporate rulebook. Five months ago, mobile phone service provider Celtel took its bigger and only rival Safaricom before the market regulator, accusing it of playing unfairly in the market to the disadvantage of the consumer. Now it is the national operator Telkom's turn to lodge a landmark complaint against its subsidiary -Safaricom. In its letter to Mr John Waweru, the Communications Commission of Kenya director general, Telkom Kenya is accusing Safaricom of practising anti-competitive behaviour in the market -especially in the Short Messages Services (SMS) segment of the business. Telkom says Safaricom has been blocking the exchange of SMSs between the two networks, thereby denying its customers access to key services that the national operator is offering such as the one that enables them to check their voter registration details with the Electoral Commission of Kenya (ECK). "Telkom Kenya is concerned that Safaricom is engaging in anti- competitive behaviour and in essence abusing its dominant market position by introducing barriers to new entrants targeting SMS market segment," Telkom says. Public attention was first drawn to the matter after some Safaricom subscribers complained that Safaricom was charging them for undelivered SMSs to Telkom Kenya's Wireless network. SMSs to Telkom network got an automatic reply indicating that delivery had failed yet the consumers were being billed. Safaricom CEO Michael Joseph acknowledged that some of its subscribers had sent messages to Telkom Kenya during the test period and may have been charged erroneously. He said that although the company was not billing SMSs to Telkom Wireless network between August 13 and August 27, some of its customers may have been billed. Safaricom later agreed to refund the affected subscribers. Telkom says that on August 16, the two interconnectivity negotiating parties met and agreed on interconnection rate and a technical testing schedule. During this period the parties also exchanged SMS test templates to be adopted in the tests. Safaricom has however not cooperated in facilitating the process, making it unable to commercialise the service. The matter seems to have reached fever pitch after Safaricom introduced a voter registry query service similar to the one Telkom Kenya had rolled out after it won an ECK tender. Telkom Kenya is complaining that failure by Safaricom to activate the SMS service is affecting its ability to use an innovative platform that delivers voter registry query services by utilizing the 460 numeric to access the ECK database. Telkom Kenya says Safaricom acted maliciously in delaying to activate the SMS service only to launch a similar service. "We are perturbed that Safaricom, having not been involved in the initial tender process is currently able to provide a similar services using the 460 prefix. This is a totally unacceptable anti- competitive behaviour," Telkom says. Mr Joseph declined to comment on the matter saying it was already before an arbiter. Telkom Kenya is the majority shareholder at Safaricom with a 60 per cent stake. It co-owns the company with the United Kingdom's Vodafone Plc which has a 40 per cent stake in the firm. (Source: Business Daily) Eric M.K Osiakwan Executive Secretary AfrISPA (www.afrispa.org) Tel: + 233.21.258800 ext 2031 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://blogs.law.harvard.edu/eric/ Slang: "Tomorrow Now"

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Day 9-10: Day 7-10:-Available eCommunication Strategies for Regulators
by John Walubengo 22 Oct '07

22 Oct '07

Hey, hpe u had a lovely weekend. Congrats to SA for winning the Worldcup (Rugby)... But looks like we are pretty quiet on this discussion which ends tomorrow...subitems listed below. -What are the possible e-Tools that the Regulator can deploy in their Service Provision? (1Day, Friday 19th, Oct) -How can Regulators use the e-Tools to enable synergies with Consumers, CSO and other players? (1Day, Monday 22nd Oct) -Way Forward and Conclusions (Tue 23rd, Oct) My contribution on point two. I am thinking the Regulators could dedicate part of their website for eDiscussions. Just a forum for stakeholders to discuss issues of the industry. it will then act a sounding board for the Regulators to review before making critical industry decisions... Final comments on any of the previous threads are still welcome before we dissolve the discussion tomorrow. walu. __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com

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It is more interesting in SA
by Eric Osiakwan 22 Oct '07

22 Oct '07

Well, the mobile operators are buying the incumbent in Joburg and the politicians are comfortable with the situation....really interesting times South Africa's Government Backs Telkom Asset Sale to MTN The communications department said it backed discussions between Telkom and MTN over plans by the fixed-line operator to sell some of its infrastructure to MTN. A brief statement by the department removes one of the main hurdles that any deal would face, since the government holds 38,9% of Telkom.. "As government, we are in principle supportive of the current discussions. We will await additional information in this regard prior to commenting further." The government is presumably now more au fait with both parts of Telkom's plan, since the department is working "in an interdepartmental task team to ensure that the interest of the country, all the workers and those of shareholders is protected". Analysts think MTN may combine its business in SA with Telkom's fixed- line unit and spin that off in a publicly traded company. The new company would be worth R55bn, and MTN might give its investors shares in the new company, said Scott Ryall, an analyst for Macquarie Bank. "Although we don't believe there would be significant synergy from combining the two South African businesses, this transaction could still be a positive for MTN," Ryall said. An outright purchase by MTN of Telkom's fixed-line business would be the "worst outcome for MTN and the best for Telkom" as it would dilute MTN's growth and its attraction as an emerging markets company and transfer the risk of owning a fixed-line network, Ryall said. However, Telkom investors would benefit from a share price upside of up to 15%, he estimated. A second option was for Telkom itself to buy MTN's local operations after Telkom sold its shares in Vodacom, Ryall said. MTN's growth in SA had slowed as the market became saturated. Selling its local arm to Telkom may make MTN's operations in 20 other countries look more "appealing to growth investors ," Ryall said. (Source: Business Day) Eric M.K Osiakwan Executive Secretary AfrISPA (www.afrispa.org) Tel: + 233.21.258800 ext 2031 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://blogs.law.harvard.edu/eric/ Slang: "Tomorrow Now"

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[Fwd: Invitation to a Public Launch of Doing Business 2008 Report by Michael Klein, WB Vice President, 30th October 2007 at the Hilton Hotel starting 9.00am]
by alice 22 Oct '07

22 Oct '07

Dear Friend, World Bank and IFC are pleased to invite you to a free public launch of Doing Business 2008 report that ranked Kenya among the top ten reformers. Michael Klein, Vice President Financial and Private Sector Development, World Bank and International Finance Corporation and Chief Economist, IFC will present the report. Discussants will be drawn from the Government and the private sector. The event will take place on Monday, October 30, 2007 at the Hilton Hotel (Tsavo Room) starting at 9.00am. We look forward to hosting you that day. Kindly call Maureen on 3226482/4 or email kmuthembwa(a)worldbank.org to confirm your participation by Thursday, October 25 2007 Regards Keziah Muthembwa World Bank Nairobi Office Tel.: 3226484/2 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The World Bank, the International Finance Corporation (IFC) And the Government of Kenya P R E S E N T S Doing Business 2008 (Embedded image moved to file: pic00479.jpg) A Free Public Lecture by Michael Klein Vice President Financial and Private Sector Development, World Bank and International Finance Corporation and Chief Economist, IFC Tuesday, October 30, 2007 at 9.00 a.m., Hilton Hotel, Tsavo Room The report from the World Bank and IFC compares indicators on business regulations and their enforcement across 178 countries. Published annually, Doing Business reports analyze government regulations that enhance business activity and those that constrain it, ranking countries on their ease of doing business. Top reformers are identified and best practices in how to reform are highlighted. This year?s report, the fourth to be published in the series, presents a new analysis of 50 regulatory reform case studies. Kenya was ranked among top ten reformers globally. Please call Maureen on 3226482/4 or email kmuthembwa(a)worldbank.org to confirm your participation.

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[Business Daily] How Britain lost the plot in Kenya
by Alex Gakuru 22 Oct '07

22 Oct '07

Quite an insightful story: "How Britain lost the plot in Kenya" Written by John Kamau October 22, 2007: Bogged by a fading influence on local politics and business alike and unlike his predecessors, British High Commissioner Adam Wood gets little Press coverage and courts little controversy opting for the quiet life of a diplomat. Mr Wood, who was posted to Kenya from neighbouring Uganda in 2005--and for the second tour of duty in the country--is less controversial and might never match in the public arena his two predecessors: the verbose Edward Clay of they-are-vomiting-on-our-shoes fame and Sir Jeffrey James, who came to Kenya in 1997 at the height of tribal clashes and a looming general-election. Sir Jeffrey --who later became Tony Blairs special envoy to chaotic Nepal-- left a mark and as he departed after four years he was given a tongue-lashing by former President Moi who openly called him a meddler as he, as required by protocol, went to bid the then head of state goodbye. Ever since the UK had been losing its foothold on Kenyan politics and business too - especially after new Labour took power.... http://www.bdafrica.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3797&Item… __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com

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Week42 - Nairobi Stock Exchange
by Bill Kagai 22 Oct '07

22 Oct '07

MediaCorp is now an Agent of Faida Securities. This will give us an opportunity to test our locally developed online trading tools besides the research we provide. ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Stock Detective <stock.detective(a)mediacorp.co.ke> Date: Oct 22, 2007 1:16 AM Subject: Week42 - Nairobi Stock Exchange To: mediacorp.research(a)mediacorp.co.ke (c) *Nairobi** Stock Exchange – Authorised Information Vendor ** Faida Securities - ** Licensed Agent * * 19th October 2007* *Commercial and Services Sector* *1) EQUITIES* The Chairman of NSE, Jimnah Mbaru is convinced that the index graph below will tear to the roof top by next year to the level of 7,000 points. MediaCorp Stock Detectives feel that this statement holds water especially because of the Safaricom IPO effect in the market. Whether it comes this year or next year, the savvy investor should continue preparing for the same. The Attorney General has given the legal green light and Treasury mandarins have rolled up their sleeves and signed the winning bids into contract. Achieving 1,800 index points in the next year is therefore possible as the Chairman projects. The NSE 20-share index was up 5.98% during the week to close at 5175.80points. Capitalization is also picking up now. * MAIN INVESTMENT MARKET SEGMENT (MIMS)* *Agricultural Sector* Nothing much to report in this sector. We were really hoping to see more of branded Sasini tea and coffee retailing in kiosks and supermarkets but it seems it is really not kicking for this sector though supply is poor in the market. Company reports in this sector cited rains and other 'acts' of God in determining profitability but we need to push these companies to show us the money in terms of branded products up for sale. If Kenyan Coffee is used to blend and improve other brands, why is this sector slow and disappointing to investors? We traded 395,000 shares, which accounted for 0.76% of the week's traded volume. Rea-vipingo up 7.90% to shs.19.80 moved 75,000 shares. Sasini Ltd moved 269,000 shares at between shs.14.00 and shs.17.00 * Commercial and Services Sector* Interesting sector this week as all counters had an increase in share price. Scangroup up Kshs 2 after announcing its partnership with Millward Brown. Our detectives went deep into google to rake more information for you. We discovered Milward is internationally recognised in brand, media and communications research. Millward has a presence in 43 countries and works with 70 of the top 100 brands in the world. Its time they helped Sasini out. We had 9.7M shares traded, which accounted for 18.66% of the week's traded volume. CMC Holdings competitively moved 4M shares at between shs.15.00 and shs.16.50. Nation Media Group up ten shillings to shs.290.00 sold 75,000 shares. AccessKenya moved 2.4M shares at between shs.16.50 and shs18.90. * Financial Sector* The latest entry in this sector was in the news again. Parliament cleared Equity Bank of any anomalies in their business and as if to rub salt into the wound, the bank reported a cool after tax profit growing by 126 per cent to Sh1.2 billion to September on double digit growth in income from loans and transaction fees, mainly from increased ATM usage. Financials had 26M shares traded and represented 49.86% of the weeks traded volume. Equity share gained Kshs 16 this week CFC is the other interesting case. Shares here are in demand and the counter closed up Kshs 10 at Kshs 131. The shareholding structure has been complex but the bottom line is that the South Africans want a piece of the financial sector in Kenya. So go ahead and buy low and sell high to them at a tidy profit. KCB was the week's biggest mover, with 9.9M shares changing hands at between shs.24.00 and shs.27.00. NIC Bank was up 18.06% to close the week at shs.170.00 on a volume of 217,000 shares. Kenya Re moved 8.2M shares at between shs.15.25 and shs.16.00. * Industrial and Allied Sector* In this sector, Bamburi Cement announced it will spend kshs 6.7 Billion to expand its subsidiary in Hima Cement in Western Uganda and double the plant's capacity. The economy is indeed growing because we are not satisfying the demand. The Jomo Kenyatta International Airport expansion programme is actually being slowed due to lack of timely cement delivery. The economy is growing and and any company doing cem,ent is making money. You are safe with any of these stocks. This sector had 12.8M shares, which accounted for 24.58% of the week's traded volume. Mumias Sugar was the most heavily traded counter in this sector, with 6.8M shares dealt at between shs.38.50 and shs.45.00. KenGen up 8.82% to shs.27.75 moved 3M shares. A*LTERNATIVE INVESTMENT MARKET SEGMENT (AIMS).* This market segment had 154,000 shares, which accounted for 0.29% of the week's volume. Express Ltd moved 148,000 shares during the week and closed at shs.23.00. A*NNOUNCEMENT Mediacorp is now a licensed agent of Faida Securities Limited. Besides the in-depth analysis of the market, we will also transact your orders with speed and diligence. For more details, please email us. info(a)mediacorp.co.ke * Bildad Kagai MD - MediaCorp Limited Faida Securities Limited - Licensed Agent Nairobi Stock Exchange Authorised Information Vendor Suite B2, Tetu Apartments, State House Avenue P. O. Box 20311 - 00200 Nairobi, Kenya Tel. 254 20 272 8332 Fax. Rendered Obsolete www.mediacorp.co.ke <http://www.mediacorpafrica.com>

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Re: [kictanet] Fwd: Conncet Africa, was Re: [AfrISPA.Discuss] SV: [Fibre-for-africa] Connectivity: What does Africa really need?
by Eric Osiakwan 21 Oct '07

21 Oct '07

CCK Grants Safaricom 3G Licence in Kenya The Communications Commission of Kenya has granted Safaricom the first third generation (3G) licence for $25 million (Sh1.6 billion). Information and Communication minister Mr Mutahi Kagwe said proceeds from the license fee would be used to develop information and communications technology (ICT) infrastructure in the country. The money will foot part of bill for the laying of The East Africa Marine System (Teams) undersea fibre optic cable and the Fibre Optic National Network (Fonn). The licence will allow Safaricom to rollout 3G services that include high-speed data communications such us mobile Internet access, mobile videoconferencing and videophone. (Source: East African Standard) On 19 Oct 2007, at 23:35, Anders Comstedt wrote: > Jabulani is hitting the nail noting that the funds are less of a > problem from now on. The solid growth of the sector in Africa, and > not least the areas not served by fibre optic backbones to the rest > of the world, has now passed the point where a business case could > be made. > > > All of a sudden it is more about the strong first mover advantages > in this new situation. Who will be allowed to move? > > > If the entire sector, not the individual company X or Z, should > continue to grow you cannot have strong new entry barriers holding > back competition and innovation. The first mover advantage on fibre > backbones is just about that. The only way is to find mechanisms to > share assets that will not be replicated and are really not any > differentiator: Fibre backbones. That means finding ways of sharing > risks, building trust between the users of such a facility. > Unfortunately, lots of the process past WSIS has been about the > reverse, how could my company/group/country get on top in > controlling assets to my advantage? > > > True, sharing has shown to be extremely tricky everywhere, but even > so, that is the big trend in many places, prompted and facilitated > by the regulators and policy makers. Structural separation is for > instance debated in several places in the EU, not least by the DG > INFO commissioner Reding. If overbuild of wireline structures, > duplication by several operators, cannot be supported outside metro > cores in EU, well, then it wont happen anywhere else either. > Period. Even in tiny Singapore, a common fibre structure is under way. > > > Ultimately, a few years down the road you will end up either > sharing in a joint separate operation you trust, or one(possibly > two) operator will be regulated to sell at cost related prices. > > > Today, the big remaining process problem is not looking at the > individual company/companies, but on the sector. And looking one > step behind, how the development of the sector will transform into > general development leverage. Or to bend the words of a former US > president: It is about the ICT jobs with the users, stupid! > > > It is easy for policy makers to be trapped to consider one operator > or the other and get lost in the details. User agents are the most > missing in this debate. But in their absence small ISPs and > internet activists will have to do. The most critical thing right > now is creating the political support for sharing and then > lubricating the risk taking mechanisms involving the parties > responsible/involved in the operational implementation. > > > Unfortunately, the ITU system has no track record of driving any > process like this, but is stuck in relations between vertically > integrated, standalone operators, their traditional stakeholders. > Making these ideas stick in Kigali will be tough, nevertheless, > there are only these two ways forward indicated above in the long > run. It took us a decade and a half to do stupid things in EU just > delaying this process after the early 90ies start of the > liberalization. Now we realize that we have to bite the bullet > anyhow as technology has changed from PTSN to layered networks and > modules, and several businesses are competing on various IP based > services. > > > > There is zero reason for Africa to not leap frog this wheel > spinning in a dead end. > > > Governments are not leaving to the civil work contractors to decide > where they like to have the road, or?… > > > All the best > > > Anders Comstedt > > > -----Ursprungligt meddelande----- > Från: Discuss-owner(a)afrispa.org [mailto:Discuss-owner@afrispa.org] > För Jabulani Dhliwayo > Skickat: den 19 oktober 2007 17:04 > Till: Discuss(a)afrispa.org; discuss(a)afrispa.org > Kopia: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions > Ämne: Re: Fwd: Conncet Africa, was Re: [AfrISPA.Discuss] SV: [Fibre- > for-africa] Connectivity: What does Africa really need? > > > It's good to know about the proposals and funds being organized for > high capacity Infrastructure. I am also confident that coming up > with a "how to" component should not be much of a problem. Funding > is only one variable in the equation for sound ICT infrastructure, > policy/regulation remains one significant variable. So at the end > of the day, it does not matter how much money is available and how > solid the plans are, as long as frustrating policies remain in > place, we will continue to have problems. > > > I hope those of you attending Connect-Africa will be able to bring > policy issues to the fore-front - unfortunately I had to cancell my > plans for attending this event because of other travel assignments. > However, I will be attend the Submarine Networks Africa event in > Johannesburg - November 27-28 and I hope to meet some you there and > hopefully together we can push for more sensible regulations. > > > Jabulani Dhliwayo > > http://www.alignafrica.com > > Eric Osiakwan <eric(a)afrispa.org> wrote: > > > > Begin forwarded message: > > > > > From: Shem Ochuodho <shemochuodho(a)yahoo.com> > > Date: 19 October 2007 07:34:09 GMT+03:00 > > To: anriette(a)apc.org, APC - Private list for use by EASSY Workshop > Participants <fibre-for-africa(a)lists.apc.org> > > Subject: Re: Conncet Africa, was Re: SV: [Fibre-for-africa] > Connectivity: What does Africa really need? > > Reply-To: APC - Private list for use by EASSY Workshop Participants > <fibre-for-africa(a)lists.apc.org> > > > Yes, Anders raise very pertinent points (in typical style!). > > > I plan to be there. I was privileged to attend one of the technical > planning meetings in Addis. One of the strong targets being > recommended by the techies is "Broadband Connectivity to all > capitals and other major cities by 2012". The 'how-to' part of it > is still weak, and this is where Anders' proposal for a Broadband > Infrastructure Development fund comes in handy. Just note that > already there are at least: NEPAD Pan-African Infrastructure Devpt > Fund (understandably with billions of US$ already in it - thanks to > SA Pensions Funds) , COMESA Infrastructure Devpt Fund, East Africa > Infrastructure Devpt Fund (proposed), Digital Solidarity Fund, and > am sure there could be several others. Licensing fees, or even > better annual universal service/access contributions could be a > good sustainable entry entry point. > > > Warmest rgrds. > > Shem, Nairobi > > Anriette Esterhuysen <anriette(a)apc.org> wrote: > > Very good arguments. And certainly a position we should > be advocating for at the upcoming Connect Africa > Summit. > > Who on this will will be there? > > Anriette > > > From: "waudo siganga" > > To: "APC - Private list for use by EASSY > Workshop Participants" , > "'APC - Private list for use by EASSY > Workshop Participants'" > Subject: Re: SV: [Fibre-for-africa] Connectivity: What > does Africa really need? > Date sent: Tue, 16 Oct 2007 15:25:05 +0300 > Send reply to: APC - Private list for use by EASSY > Workshop Participants > > request(a)lists.apc.org?subject=unsubscribe> > request(a)lists.apc.org?subject=subscribe> > > > Good arguments from Anders - Waudo > > > > On Tue, 16 Oct 2007 13:26:53 +0200, "Anders Comstedt" > > said: > > > Dear Wakabi and others > > > > > > Isn't it difficult to ask for a Marshall plan and at the same time > > > see how the sector and, above all, its users are financially > > > drained? > > > > > > PROFITABLE TELECOMS > > > Surprisingly there are higher profit margins in most of the > business > > > that the mobile phone operators have in Africa, including or > > > excluding the licence fees, comparing to counterparts in more open > > > and competitive markets. How is that? Why is competition > restricted > > > and prices not coming down, in particular considering the low > > > purchase power of the users? Some people obviously don't want to > > > change the ball game. > > > > > > The combined sector revenues to governments and shareholders > make it > > > a little bit difficult to say that the sector cannot finance > its own > > > investments, expanding footprint and new services. Actually at the > > > same time even reduce user prices quite a bit. How come that the > > > users are not given more choices from several competing providers? > > > Shifting value to much to users, or? > > > > > > The typical licensing regime still seems, in general, to serve no > > > other purpose but to sell operators a hunting licence on users, > > > maximising the government revenues in the process. The scarce > > > spectrum resource is in many ways used as an over inflated bogus > > > argument in lack of any better. True, it is to some extent an > issue > > > and the licensing should focus on it, skipping licensing and all > > > other restrictions on open market, free provision of service. > On the > > > contrary, dominant players should be obliged to interconnect, not > > > being sheltered from competition. > > > > > > Why are operator investments taxed, instead of profits, if you > like > > > to drive investments? > > > > > > > > > SHARING INFRASTRUCTURE > > > Sharing basic, non-differentiating infrastructure at cost related > > > prices turns out to be a good business proposal (like > > > http://www.openreach.co.uk ) as it is always cheaper than > > > do-it-yourself if you have a few service competitors using it. > High > > > utilisation would create a lower cost base for all operators. > But it > > > requires organisational structure that lowers operational and > > > political risks. What is done to lower those risks? > > > > > > Note, the most important thing in shared infrastructure is TRUST. > > > > > > Or, who would like to bet the farm on being depending upon a > flimsy > > > operation controlled by people with no skin in the game? > > > > > > > > > USERS > > > The most appalling absence in the African telecom policy debate is > > > the users and the user agents. True, the telecom sector is > dominated > > > by a producer perspective globally, but in places where strong > user > > > agents are balancing these forces we get a more reasonable > chunk of > > > the value distributed to all parties. How will user agents come > > > forward in the debate? > > > > > > > > > The ITU > > > Wouldn't it be interesting to put half of all the combined licence > > > revenues for the coming two years into an African backbone and > > > global interconnectivity fund? To create an infrastructure open to > > > all providers, new or old, on equal terms. Now that is a task for > > > the ITU! Or is the ITU too dominated by folks who don't want to > > > change the ball game to the advantage of users? > > > > > > > > > The document would benefit from touching the areas above. > > > > > > Sincerely > > > > > > Anders Comstedt > > > > > > > > > -----Ursprungligt meddelande----- > > > Från: fibre-for-africa-bounces(a)lists.apc.org > > > [mailto:fibre-for-africa-bounces@lists.apc.org] För Wairagala > Wakabi > > > Skickat: den 16 oktober 2007 07:17 Till: APC - Private list for > use > > > by EASSY Workshop Participants Ämne: [Fibre-for-africa] > > > Connectivity: What does Africa really need? > > > > > > Netters, > > > > > > The ITU is convening the 'Connects Africa' summit in Kigali, > Rwanda > > > on October 29-30. Its main concerns are that Internet services > > > needed for business, government and consumer applications continue > > > to be either very expensive or not available due to limited > > > broadband network infrastructure; and that rural connectivity and > > > access remain inadequate as does the availability of locally > > > relevant content, applications and services. > > > > > > This paper, by the Collaboration on International ICT Policy for > > > East and Southern Africa (CIPESA), outlines some of the issues > that > > > need to be addressed for the vision of boosting connectivity in > > > Africa to be realised. > > > > > > > > > http://fibreforafrica.net/main.shtml?x=5236108&als[MYALIAS6] > =Joining > > > %20the%2 0dots&als[select]=4051582 > > > > > > > > > Wakabi > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > > > Fibre-for-africa mailing list > > > Fibre-for-africa(a)lists.apc.org > > > http://lists.apc.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/fibre-for-africa > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > > > Fibre-for-africa mailing list > > > Fibre-for-africa(a)lists.apc.org > > > http://lists.apc.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/fibre-for-africa > > -- > > waudo siganga > > emailsignet(a)mailcan.com > > > > _______________________________________________ > > Fibre-for-africa mailing list > > Fibre-for-africa(a)lists.apc.org > > http://lists.apc.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/fibre-for-africa > > > > > > -- > > No virus found in this incoming message. > > Checked by AVG Free Edition. > > Version: 7.5.488 / Virus Database: 269.14.13/1074 - Release Date: > > 10/16/2007 2:14 PM > > > > > > ------------------------------------------------------ > 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 > > > > > Shem J. Ochuodho, MSc (Eng), PhD, LLD (Hon) > Parliamentary Aspirant (2007), Rangwe Constituency, Kenya > Kenya Community Abroad (KCA) 2006/07 Excellence Award Winner > AfricaOnline 2005 Industry Pioneer Award Recipient > Cell: +254-721-269702 (Kenya/roaming), Skype: shem.ochuodho > Please join/be part of our campaign at:http://groups.yahoo.com/ > group/shemochuodhoforparliament2007/ > > __________________________________________________ > Do You Yahoo!? > Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around > http://mail.yahoo.com > > _______________________________________________ > > Fibre-for-africa mailing list > > Fibre-for-africa(a)lists.apc.org > > http://lists.apc.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/fibre-for-africa > > > Eric M.K Osiakwan > > Executive Secretary > > AfrISPA (www.afrispa.org) > > Tel: + 233.21.258800 ext 2031 > > 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://blogs.law.harvard.edu/eric/ > > Slang: "Tomorrow Now" > > > > > > > > > Eric M.K Osiakwan Executive Secretary AfrISPA (www.afrispa.org) Tel: + 233.21.258800 ext 2031 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://blogs.law.harvard.edu/eric/ Slang: "Tomorrow Now"

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social entrepreneurs win!!!
by Jose' 20 Oct '07

20 Oct '07

Dear Collegues, It is time to announce the 100 winners and ta ta ta taaaaah here you go: www.globalknowledge.org/ysef07/index.cfm?&menuid=10&parentid=7 Congratulations to the winners !!! As someone once said : When a social entrepreneur wins, all social entrepreneurs win. The winners were selected based on the aggregate points from the jury evaluation and the referee reports.The regional limitation was dropped, but applied the country limitation that limits the number of winners per country to 7. Enjoy your viewing. Hmmm!!! I wonder if Kimathi Information Centre has made it.......Let me double click the url to conferm. Best Regards, Jose' Njuki-Imwe Ngunjiri || +254 722 336754 || __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com

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Fwd: Conncet Africa, was Re: SV: [Fibre-for-africa] Connectivity: What does Africa really need?
by Eric Osiakwan 19 Oct '07

19 Oct '07

Begin forwarded message: > From: Shem Ochuodho <shemochuodho(a)yahoo.com> > Date: 19 October 2007 07:34:09 GMT+03:00 > To: anriette(a)apc.org, APC - Private list for use by EASSY Workshop > Participants <fibre-for-africa(a)lists.apc.org> > Subject: Re: Conncet Africa, was Re: SV: [Fibre-for-africa] > Connectivity: What does Africa really need? > Reply-To: APC - Private list for use by EASSY Workshop Participants > <fibre-for-africa(a)lists.apc.org> > > Yes, Anders raise very pertinent points (in typical style!). > > I plan to be there. I was privileged to attend one of the technical > planning meetings in Addis. One of the strong targets being > recommended by the techies is "Broadband Connectivity to all > capitals and other major cities by 2012". The 'how-to' part of it > is still weak, and this is where Anders' proposal for a Broadband > Infrastructure Development fund comes in handy. Just note that > already there are at least: NEPAD Pan-African Infrastructure Devpt > Fund (understandably with billions of US$ already in it - thanks to > SA Pensions Funds) , COMESA Infrastructure Devpt Fund, East Africa > Infrastructure Devpt Fund (proposed), Digital Solidarity Fund, and > am sure there could be several others. Licensing fees, or even > better annual universal service/access contributions could be a > good sustainable entry entry point. > > Warmest rgrds. > Shem, Nairobi > > Anriette Esterhuysen <anriette(a)apc.org> wrote: > Very good arguments. And certainly a position we should > be advocating for at the upcoming Connect Africa > Summit. > > Who on this will will be there? > > Anriette > > > From: "waudo siganga" > > To: "APC - Private list for use by EASSY > Workshop Participants" , > "'APC - Private list for use by EASSY > Workshop Participants'" > Subject: Re: SV: [Fibre-for-africa] Connectivity: What > does Africa really need? > Date sent: Tue, 16 Oct 2007 15:25:05 +0300 > Send reply to: APC - Private list for use by EASSY > Workshop Participants > > request(a)lists.apc.org?subject=unsubscribe> > request(a)lists.apc.org?subject=subscribe> > > > Good arguments from Anders - Waudo > > > > On Tue, 16 Oct 2007 13:26:53 +0200, "Anders Comstedt" > > said: > > > Dear Wakabi and others > > > > > > Isn't it difficult to ask for a Marshall plan and at the same time > > > see how the sector and, above all, its users are financially > > > drained? > > > > > > PROFITABLE TELECOMS > > > Surprisingly there are higher profit margins in most of the > business > > > that the mobile phone operators have in Africa, including or > > > excluding the licence fees, comparing to counterparts in more open > > > and competitive markets. How is that? Why is competition > restricted > > > and prices not coming down, in particular considering the low > > > purchase power of the users? Some people obviously don't want to > > > change the ball game. > > > > > > The combined sector revenues to governments and shareholders > make it > > > a little bit difficult to say that the sector cannot finance > its own > > > investments, expanding footprint and new services. Actually at the > > > same time even reduce user prices quite a bit. How come that the > > > users are not given more choices from several competing providers? > > > Shifting value to much to users, or? > > > > > > The typical licensing regime still seems, in general, to serve no > > > other purpose but to sell operators a hunting licence on users, > > > maximising the government revenues in the process. The scarce > > > spectrum resource is in many ways used as an over inflated bogus > > > argument in lack of any better. True, it is to some extent an > issue > > > and the licensing should focus on it, skipping licensing and all > > > other restrictions on open market, free provision of service. > On the > > > contrary, dominant players should be obliged to interconnect, not > > > being sheltered from competition. > > > > > > Why are operator investments taxed, instead of profits, if you > like > > > to drive investments? > > > > > > > > > SHARING INFRASTRUCTURE > > > Sharing basic, non-differentiating infrastructure at cost related > > > prices turns out to be a good business proposal (like > > > http://www.openreach.co.uk ) as it is always cheaper than > > > do-it-yourself if you have a few service competitors using it. > High > > > utilisation would create a lower cost base for all operators. > But it > > > requires organisational structure that lowers operational and > > > political risks. What is done to lower those risks? > > > > > > Note, the most important thing in shared infrastructure is TRUST. > > > > > > Or, who would like to bet the farm on being depending upon a > flimsy > > > operation controlled by people with no skin in the game? > > > > > > > > > USERS > > > The most appalling absence in the African telecom policy debate is > > > the users and the user agents. True, the telecom sector is > dominated > > > by a producer perspective globally, but in places where strong > user > > > agents are balancing these forces we get a more reasonable > chunk of > > > the value distributed to all parties. How will user agents come > > > forward in the debate? > > > > > > > > > The ITU > > > Wouldn't it be interesting to put half of all the combined licence > > > revenues for the coming two years into an African backbone and > > > global interconnectivity fund? To create an infrastructure open to > > > all providers, new or old, on equal terms. Now that is a task for > > > the ITU! Or is the ITU too dominated by folks who don't want to > > > change the ball game to the advantage of users? > > > > > > > > > The document would benefit from touching the areas above. > > > > > > Sincerely > > > > > > Anders Comstedt > > > > > > > > > -----Ursprungligt meddelande----- > > > Från: fibre-for-africa-bounces(a)lists.apc.org > > > [mailto:fibre-for-africa-bounces@lists.apc.org] För Wairagala > Wakabi > > > Skickat: den 16 oktober 2007 07:17 Till: APC - Private list for > use > > > by EASSY Workshop Participants Ämne: [Fibre-for-africa] > > > Connectivity: What does Africa really need? > > > > > > Netters, > > > > > > The ITU is convening the 'Connects Africa' summit in Kigali, > Rwanda > > > on October 29-30. Its main concerns are that Internet services > > > needed for business, government and consumer applications continue > > > to be either very expensive or not available due to limited > > > broadband network infrastructure; and that rural connectivity and > > > access remain inadequate as does the availability of locally > > > relevant content, applications and services. > > > > > > This paper, by the Collaboration on International ICT Policy for > > > East and Southern Africa (CIPESA), outlines some of the issues > that > > > need to be addressed for the vision of boosting connectivity in > > > Africa to be realised. > > > > > > > > > http://fibreforafrica.net/main.shtml?x=5236108&als[MYALIAS6] > =Joining > > > %20the%2 0dots&als[select]=4051582 > > > > > > > > > Wakabi > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > > > Fibre-for-africa mailing list > > > Fibre-for-africa(a)lists.apc.org > > > http://lists.apc.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/fibre-for-africa > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > > > Fibre-for-africa mailing list > > > Fibre-for-africa(a)lists.apc.org > > > http://lists.apc.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/fibre-for-africa > > -- > > waudo siganga > > emailsignet(a)mailcan.com > > > > _______________________________________________ > > Fibre-for-africa mailing list > > Fibre-for-africa(a)lists.apc.org > > http://lists.apc.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/fibre-for-africa > > > > > > -- > > No virus found in this incoming message. > > Checked by AVG Free Edition. > > Version: 7.5.488 / Virus Database: 269.14.13/1074 - Release Date: > > 10/16/2007 2:14 PM > > > > > > ------------------------------------------------------ > 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 > > > Shem J. Ochuodho, MSc (Eng), PhD, LLD (Hon) > Parliamentary Aspirant (2007), Rangwe Constituency, Kenya > Kenya Community Abroad (KCA) 2006/07 Excellence Award Winner > AfricaOnline 2005 Industry Pioneer Award Recipient > Cell: +254-721-269702 (Kenya/roaming), Skype: shem.ochuodho > Please join/be part of our campaign at: http://groups.yahoo.com/ > group/shemochuodhoforparliament2007/ > __________________________________________________ > Do You Yahoo!? > Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around > http://mail.yahoo.com > > _______________________________________________ > Fibre-for-africa mailing list > Fibre-for-africa(a)lists.apc.org > http://lists.apc.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/fibre-for-africa Eric M.K Osiakwan Executive Secretary AfrISPA (www.afrispa.org) Tel: + 233.21.258800 ext 2031 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://blogs.law.harvard.edu/eric/ Slang: "Tomorrow Now"

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Fw: [UgaBYTES] The APC Chris Nicol FOSS Prize,
by Florence Etta 19 Oct '07

19 Oct '07

fyi sorry for crossposting FE On 18/10/2007, Nabil Eid <nabileid21(a)yahoo.com> wrote: Dear colleagues, Kindly read about APC FOSS The APC Chris Nicol FOSS Prize, Person or group doing extraordinary work to make it easy for ordinary computer users to start using free and open source software (FOSS). Two initiatives have been selected by an international jury and awarded The APC Chris Nicol FOSS Prize 2007. Yet another initiative received a honorable mention. Prize winners are initiatives: - Free Geek, USA - NepaLinux, Nepal winning initiatives Free Geek http://www.apc.org/english/news/index.shtml?x=5241758 NepaLinux http://www.apc.org/english/news/index.shtml?x=5241651 Honorable mention was awarded to: - Gleducar, Argentina A ceremony celebrating the prize winners will be held during the APC council meeting in Rio de Janeiro on November 6, 6 pm local time. Source : APC News Best Regards Nabil Eid ICT4D in SNE Salamieh Community Telecentre - Syria Tel:(+963 33) 832360 Fax:(+963 33) 832361 E-mail: nabileid21(a)yahoo.com Website: http://www.caihand.com __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com _______________________________________________ ugabytes mailing list ugabytes(a)lists.ugabytes.org http://lists.ugabytes.org/mailman/listinfo/ugabytes_lists.ugabytes.org -- thank you Ahmed M. M. Eisa Chairman of GDCO - Sudan www.gedarefcity.org www.gedaref.com ___________________________________________________________ Yahoo! Answers - Got a question? Someone out there knows the answer. Try it now. http://uk.answers.yahoo.com/ _______________________________________________ ugabytes mailing list ugabytes(a)lists.ugabytes.org http://lists.ugabytes.org/mailman/listinfo/ugabytes_lists.ugabytes.org

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Invitation to connect on LinkedIn
by Nancy Bosire 18 Oct '07

18 Oct '07

KICTAnet, I'd like to add you to my professional network on LinkedIn. -Nancy Accept Nancy Bosire's invite: https://www.linkedin.com/e/isd/153750284/1SOSR0Vc/ ------------------------------------------ "Increasingly, if you're not LinkedIn, you're left out." --CNN Money ------ (c) 2007, LinkedIn Corporation

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Fw: [Fibre-for-africa] Fwd: Govt Ministers Approve $ 2bn 'Uhurunet' Cable
by Florence Etta 18 Oct '07

18 Oct '07

FYI sorry for crossposting FE ---------------------------- Original Message ---------------------------- Subject: Government Ministers Approve $ 2bn Submarine Cable to Connect Africa From: "Samuel Mikenga" <SMikenga(a)eafricacommission.org> Date: Thu, October 18, 2007 8:03 am -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Government Ministers Approve $ 2bn Submarine Cable to Connect Africa Government Ministers responsible for Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) from eastern and southern African countries endorsed a $ 2 bn submarine cable project to connect Africa, and called for its speedy implementation. This was revealed at a press conference held, 15 October 2007 in Johannesburg, South Africa. With a capacity of 3.84 Terrabits/sec, the 50,000 km cable is designed to provide telecommunications connectivity to Africa and connect the continent to the Americas, India, and Europe. It is expected that completion of this project will greatly contribute to reduction of telecommunications costs that have been a hindrance to doing business in Africa. Recognising the urgent need to have ICT broadband infrastructure to support high-quality, high-speed and reliable electronic communications in Africa and connecting to the rest of the world at affordable prices thus accelerated regional and continental integration; we welcome this initiative and recommit ourselves to ensuring a speedy implementation of this important project, a statement read by the Ugandan Minister for ICT, Dr Ham Mukasa Mulira, who chaired the Ministers meeting, read in part. The Ministers named the submarine segment of the NEPAD network UHURUNET; its terrestrial segment, UMOJANET; and recommended the Holding Company of the Submarine cable, BAHARICOM. Under the arrangement, NEPAD Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) will be the largest single shareholder. We have accordingly directed The NEPAD e-Africa Commission to present on our behalf the proposed submarine cable system to the meeting of African Ministers responsible for Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) and/or Telecommunications, and to the Heads of State and Government Summit, Dr Mulira added. The Government of Rwanda has invited African Ministers to the Connect Africa Summit to be held in Kigali on 29-30th October 2007, under the Patronage of President Paul Kagame of the Republic of Rwanda and President Agyekum Kufour, the President of Ghana and current Chairperson of the African Union, and other invited Heads of State. African Owned Cable South African Minister for communications, Dr Ivy Matsepe-Casaburri said the experiences in South Africa and Mauritius show that private sector-led undersea cable projects, where the private clubs decide the cost of telecommunications, have never been beneficial to countries in urgent need of affordable broadband connectivity. She said that the NEPAD cable would be majority African owned and advised that the best initiatives for Africa were those that were not only geared towards making profits but also putting Africas development concerns under consideration. Many Benefits The collaboration on the construction of a highly capacity submarine cable system initiative to connect Africa to the rest of the world is coordinated by the NEPAD e-African Commission. Says Dr Henry Chasia, the Executive Deputy Chairperson of NEPAD e-Africa Commission, This is a joint collaboration to leverage different submarine cable initiatives for the development of a high capacity African submarine cable as part of the accelerated implementation of the Kigali protocol This submarine cable will have landing points provisions in all coastal and Island countries, provide increased capacity to all destinations, and participants will benefit from economies of scale , added Dr Chasia. To enable all African countries enjoy the benefits of UHURUNET and UMOJANET, the Ministers directed the NEPAD e-Africa Commission to work with the African Union Commission to develop the modalities to enable any African country that may wish to access to the Kigali Protocol, do so. It is expected that the cable will be completed before the FIFA 2010 World Cup scheduled to take place in South Africa. Ends Notes for Editors 1. UHURU is a Kiswahili word meaning freedom. The submarine segment of the NEPAD network was named UHURUNET in recognition of the fiftieth anniversary of the beginning of Sub-Sahara African independence from colonial rule and the importance of the cable for economic freedom in Africa. 2. UMOJA is a kiswahili word meaning togetherness. The Ministers designated the terrestrial segment of the NEPAD network as UMOJANET in recognition of the spirit of unity in action among, and united action by all the stakeholders of the countries of Eastern and Southern Africa involved in the project. 3. BAHARI is a Kiswahili word that means sea. The Ministers recommended that the holding company of the submarine cable be named BAHARICOM because it was operating an under-sea cable. 4. About the Protocol The Protocol on the Policy and Regulatory framework for NEPAD ICT Broadband Infrastructure Network is based on the Constitutive Act of the African Union. Its main objective is to facilitate and commit the Parties to the construction and operation of the NEPAD ICT Broadband Infrastructure Network on Open Access principles of operation, which ensure a level playing field and equal access to the infrastructure. Hosted by the Rwandan Government and African Union (AU), the protocol signing ceremony of ICT Ministers from Eastern and Southern African countries participating in the NEPAD ICT Broadband Infrastructure Network, including the Submarine Cable Segment, took place in Kigali, Rwanda on 28-29 August 2006. The ceremony was presided over by the Rwandan President HE Paul Kagame. The protocol provides for the formation of an Inter-Governmental Assembly (IGA), which is responsible for ensuring the speedy implementation of the NEPAD ICT Broadband Infrastructure Network. Currently, the signatory countries are in the process of ratifying the Kigali protocol to make it operational. Project Run under NEPAD Principles The NEPAD e-Africa Commission is working to ensure the realization of the priority ICT objective for Africa: all African countries getting connected to one another by broadband fibre optic cable systems that will in turn link them to the rest of the world through existing or planned sub-marine cable systems. Since its adoption by Heads of States and Government Implementation Committee (HSGIC) in November 2004 as a NEPAD flagship Project, the ICT Broadband Infrastructure Project, is being run under the auspices, context and principles of NEPAD, which emphasize collaboration among African countries, and specifically African ownership and leadership. For more information, please contact: Samuel Mikenga Manager, Public Communications NEPAD e-Africa Commission Email: SMikenga(a)eafricacommission.org Tel: +27 12 841 4523 (office); Tel: +27 725 296 769 (mobile) Fax: +27 12 841 4094 CSIR Building 43B Meiring Naude Road Pretoria, SOUTH AFRICA Website: www.eafricacommission.org Samuel Mikenga Manager, Public Communications NEPAD e-Africa Commission Email: SMikenga(a)eafricacommission.org Email: s.mikenga(a)paris.com Tel: +27 12 841 4523 (office) Tel: +27 725 296 769 (mobile) Fax: +27 12 841 4094 CSIR Building 43B Meiring Naude Road Pretoria, SOUTH AFRICA Website: www.eafricacommission.org _______________________________________________ Fibre-for-africa mailing list Fibre-for-africa(a)lists.apc.org http://lists.apc.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/fibre-for-africa ___________________________________________________________ Want ideas for reducing your carbon footprint? Visit Yahoo! For Good http://uk.promotions.yahoo.com/forgood/environment.html

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Re: [kictanet] Day 6 of 10: current challenges facing the eRegulator
by John Walubengo 18 Oct '07

18 Oct '07

My apologies to David Murray (Celtel) - wrongly referred to by his predecessors name (Gerhard)...my bad. Old habits do indeed die hard ;-) walu. --- John Walubengo <jwalu(a)yahoo.com> wrote: > quite enriching indeed this research by IDRC. > > It seems to have spoken for the Consumer > Societies/Assosciations. I never knew me as a consumer > deserved such 'rights & privilages' as highlighted in > your > summary below. And yes, I do miss the input from > Operators. Other than Jonathan (AccessKenya), it looks > most have opted to watch events as they unfold. Mugambi > (TKL) Kai(KDN) Michael J (Safaricom), Gerhard (Celtel), > Sammy B(TESPOK) any contributions on these discussions? > > walu. > --- eadera(a)idrc.or.ke wrote: > > > Interesting discussions. > > > > I would like to enrich the discussions by sharing the > > results of an > > IDRC Research study aimed at understanding consumer > > issues in the ICT > > sector and practical ways in which they could be > > addressed. It's > > entitled "holding companies to account" - report > > attached, > > recommendations here below for quick reference. Anyone > > interested in > > the published hardcopy report or CD Rom, please let me > > know and we > > will be glad to share these with you (we have several > > copies). > > > > Kenya is one of the case studies with an African > overview > > included. > > Kenyan operators participated in the interim results > > sharing session. > > It was also shared with ARICEA regulators and very well > > received. > > > > However one of the greatest challenges was getting > > complaint data > > from the operators for open analysis - key question - > how > > can > > complaint data be declared public domain information? > > This would open > > a wide range of opportunities for accountability and > > redress. > > > > Beyond making information available (even if you > provide > > it directly > > to mobile phones), what practical avenues exist to > > redress > > complaints? Effective ways? What mechanisms would > provide > > greater > > bargaining power for consumers? > > > > IDRC is currently considering a follow-up > action-oriented > > initiative > > that will engage with regulators and consumer bodies, > > where they > > exist, to explore some practical solutions to these > > issues. The > > demand has come from regulators in 5 countries > following > > the ARICEA > > presentation. > > > > It would be nice to hear contributions from operators > and > > the > > regulator, they are missing in the discussions > > > > Edith Adera > > > > ****** > > Recommendations: > > > > Key issues from a consumer perspective: From all the > > evidence > > gathered for > > this study it is clear that three broad issues affect > > consumers > > adversely: > > price of service, quality of service and access to > > service. > > As operators become more established, regulators need > to > > shift their > > emphasis from the industry part of their mandate to > > addressing the > > consumer > > interest more directly under each of these three > > headings. A > > key area for concern affecting large numbers of > consumers > > is the lack > > of > > price competition in most African > > mobile markets. > > > > A consumer framework law, regulation and codes of > > conduct: Where > > consumer > > and competition law exists, it is important to > encourage > > the > > undertaking of > > test cases to demonstrate that these laws can operate > and > > that the > > successful conclusion of test cases will help > regulators > > support the > > consumer interest in their discussions with industry. > > Where it has > > not > > already occurred, regulators need to encourage > > competition > > (particularly in > > the services layer) to help address the issues of price > > and quality > > of service. > > > > Complaint resolution: Where it does not already occur, > > regulators > > need to > > ensure that a Code of Conduct (covering the rights and > > responsibilities of > > consumers) is a condition of licence for operators, > along > > with the > > obligation to publicise the existence of the Code of > > Conduct. > > > > Regulators need to publicise their own complaints > > procedures > > effectively > > and gather data from complaints made that can influence > > policy and > > regulation. Where it does not already occur, the > Consumer > > function > > within the regulator needs to be: properly resourced, > > managed at a > > senior > > level and have direct access to senior management. > > > > The informed consumer the need for information to help > > choice: > > Serious consideration should be given regulatory > > enforcement of > > compulsory > > disclosure by the operators > > of accurate, comparable statistical information > relating > > to the > > numbers and > > breakdown of customer complaints. While this is likely > to > > be resisted > > by > > the companies concerned, and although careful > formulation > > is necessary to ensure comparability and > > comprehensiveness, it would > > greatly incentivise customer responsiveness on the part > > of the > > companies. > > It would act as a powerful tool to promote consumer > > empowerment and > > freedom > > of choice. > > > > If compulsory disclosure proves impossible to implement > > then > > regulators > > should themselves initiate independent surveys that > > identify levels > > of > > consumer satisfaction. > > > > As with the example from India given in Box 4, > regulators > > need to set > > a > > simple "basket" of performance indicators on which > > operators can be > > judged > > and the results from these studies should be published > at > > least > > on an annual basis. On a slightly broader front, > > regulators need to > > be more > > proactive in educating consumers about market issues > like > === message truncated === __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com

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Fwd: [AfrICANN-discuss] The “Internet of Things,” the Internet and Internet Governance
by Eric Osiakwan 18 Oct '07

18 Oct '07

Begin forwarded message: > From: "Anne-Rachel Inné" <annerachel(a)gmail.com> > Date: 18 October 2007 00:01:57 GMT+03:00 > To: africann(a)afrinic.net > Subject: [AfrICANN-discuss] The “Internet of Things,” the Internet > and Internet Governance > Reply-To: africann(a)afrinic.net > > http://www.circleid.com/posts/ > 7101616_the_internet_of_things_governance/ > > The "Internet of Things," the Internet and Internet Governance > Oct 16, 2007 5:52 PM PST | Comments: 1 > By Brian Cute > > As the second Internet Governance Forum approaches, it is an > appropriate moment to take stock of how the Internet Governance > dialogue has evolved since the conclusion of the WSIS Summit in 2005. > One year after the first IGF in Athens, it is clear that government, > industry and civil society stakeholders are still grappling over the > direction and focus of the IGF. For skeptics who view the IGF as > little more than a talk shop that kicked the Internet Governance "can" > down the road five years, the evolution of this dialogue is of minor > consequence. For those who view the IGF as something more, it is clear > that the IGF dialogue will indeed evolve and, along the way, will > impact the conceptual approach governments take to the Internet > itself. There is little doubt that some governments will choose to > borrow concepts from the IGF when developing law and policy and will > ultimately apply them to the Internet within their respective > jurisdictions. Given the global nature of the Internet, this should be > a fundamental concern. > > While this important dialogue about the Internet continues at the IGF > in Brazil next month, another no less important debate is emerging > with regard to RFID technology and the so-called "Internet of Things." > The Internet of Things is a term coined to describe a future > ubiquitous sensor network that collects commercial and personal data > in public and private settings created, in part, through the rollout > of RFID technology. The Internet of Things, according to some, is > defined by the ability of things or devices to communicate and > interact with each other. An ITU Internet Report from 2005 forecasts > that with the implementation of RFID, "[c]onnections will multiply and > create an entirely new dynamic network of networks—an Internet of > Things." Questions have arisen about what governance principles should > apply to the Internet of Things and analytical reference to IGF > governance concepts will inevitably be made. > > Although RFID is not a new technology, supply chain and consumer-based > implementations remain at a relatively nascent stage. Since RFID > implementations are occurring primarily in the business supply chain > and not yet at consumer points-of-sale, one must ask what the > "Internet of Things" actually is today and what, if any, governance > principles should be applied. More importantly, before applying > governance principles, it is necessary to examine the nature of the > various RFID networks that would constitute the Internet of Things. > Depending on their architecture, security and modes of > interconnection, emerging RFID networks between commercial entities > could be considered "private networks" or "closed user groups," > (Private networks utilizing TCP/IP are addressed in RFC 1918 which > likewise recognizes these distinctions between private and public > networks). Private networks and closed user groups are generally > exempt from traditional telecommunications regulations since they do > not interconnect with the "public telecommunications network" or other > open, public networks like the Internet. In some contexts, the > question of whether a private network is subject to a regulatory > obligation actually turns on the manner in which the private network > interconnects with the public network. Given these important > distinctions, it would be premature to apply less than fully conceived > IGF governance concepts to one constituent network aspect of a yet to > be realized Internet of Things. > > It is important that all stakeholders exercise great care in > addressing questions of governance, policy and regulation as the > Internet evolves. Common agreement on terminology and concepts is > necessary and a sound understanding of the Internet itself by all > stakeholders cannot be assumed. For example, a great deal of focus in > the IGF remains on "critical Internet resources" which, to date, has > meant domain names, root servers and IP address administration. The > Internet is obviously much more than these three important elements > and a holistic view of the Internet within the IGF is necessary before > governance questions can be properly framed. If the IGF dialogue is to > provide analytical building blocks for application of governance > principles to new technologies and evolving networks, there is a > premium on the IGF dialogue getting the conceptual framework right. If > the IGF becomes nothing more than a Chinese menu for governments to > select a preferred "governance point-of-view" to apply to the Internet > of today or tomorrow, then the IGF, like the WSIS before it, will > become another opportunity missed. > > Stay Updated: To receive weekly email updates from CircleID sign up > here or see the list of RSS feeds. > > More Under: infrastructure, internet governance, policy regulation > > Source Credit: This has been a featured post from Brian Cute, > President, Eastham Global Strategies, L.L.C.. To learn more, visit > this participant's full profile page. > > _______________________________________________ > AfrICANN mailing list > AfrICANN(a)afrinic.net > https://lists.afrinic.net/mailman/listinfo.cgi/africann > Eric M.K Osiakwan ICT Integrator Internet Research www.internetresearch.com.gh emko(a)internetresearch.com.gh 42 Ring Road Central, Accra-North Tel: +233.21.258800 ext 2031 Fax: +233.21.258811 Cell: +233.24.4386792 Eric M.K Osiakwan Executive Secretary AfrISPA (www.afrispa.org) Tel: + 233.21.258800 ext 2031 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://blogs.law.harvard.edu/eric/ Slang: "Tomorrow Now"

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Re: [kictanet] [Fibre-for-africa] Connectivity: What does Africa really need?
by Eric Osiakwan 18 Oct '07

18 Oct '07

Anders, I totally agree with your submissions below and yes we must work towards a market approach however sometimes the marshall plan is needed to create the foundation for the market forces to play. As you know i now turn to have a balance on the extremes as i believe thats what would make the full impact, this is not to say your submission is an extreme one but that though it is important for you present this other picture, we must work towards a balance of the two that would make maximum impact at the speed of light. Eric here On 16 Oct 2007, at 14:26, Anders Comstedt wrote: > Dear Wakabi and others > > Isn't it difficult to ask for a Marshall plan and at the same time > see how > the sector and, above all, its users are financially drained? > > PROFITABLE TELECOMS > Surprisingly there are higher profit margins in most of the > business that > the mobile phone operators have in Africa, including or excluding the > licence fees, comparing to counterparts in more open and competitive > markets. How is that? Why is competition restricted and prices not > coming > down, in particular considering the low purchase power of the > users? Some > people obviously don't want to change the ball game. > > The combined sector revenues to governments and shareholders make it a > little bit difficult to say that the sector cannot finance its own > investments, expanding footprint and new services. Actually at the > same time > even reduce user prices quite a bit. How come that the users are > not given > more choices from several competing providers? Shifting value to > much to > users, or? > > The typical licensing regime still seems, in general, to serve no > other > purpose but to sell operators a hunting licence on users, > maximising the > government revenues in the process. The scarce spectrum resource is > in many > ways used as an over inflated bogus argument in lack of any better. > True, it > is to some extent an issue and the licensing should focus on it, > skipping > licensing and all other restrictions on open market, free provision of > service. On the contrary, dominant players should be obliged to > interconnect, not being sheltered from competition. > > Why are operator investments taxed, instead of profits, if you like > to drive > investments? > > > SHARING INFRASTRUCTURE > Sharing basic, non-differentiating infrastructure at cost related > prices > turns out to be a good business proposal (like http:// > www.openreach.co.uk ) > as it is always cheaper than do-it-yourself if you have a few service > competitors using it. High utilisation would create a lower cost > base for > all operators. But it requires organisational structure that lowers > operational and political risks. What is done to lower those risks? > > Note, the most important thing in shared infrastructure is TRUST. > > Or, who would like to bet the farm on being depending upon a flimsy > operation controlled by people with no skin in the game? > > > USERS > The most appalling absence in the African telecom policy debate is > the users > and the user agents. True, the telecom sector is dominated by a > producer > perspective globally, but in places where strong user agents are > balancing > these forces we get a more reasonable chunk of the value > distributed to all > parties. How will user agents come forward in the debate? > > > The ITU > Wouldn't it be interesting to put half of all the combined licence > revenues > for the coming two years into an African backbone and global > interconnectivity fund? To create an infrastructure open to all > providers, > new or old, on equal terms. Now that is a task for the ITU! Or is > the ITU > too dominated by folks who don't want to change the ball game to the > advantage of users? > > > The document would benefit from touching the areas above. > > Sincerely > > Anders Comstedt > > > -----Ursprungligt meddelande----- > Från: fibre-for-africa-bounces(a)lists.apc.org > [mailto:fibre-for-africa-bounces@lists.apc.org] För Wairagala Wakabi > Skickat: den 16 oktober 2007 07:17 > Till: APC - Private list for use by EASSY Workshop Participants > Ämne: [Fibre-for-africa] Connectivity: What does Africa really need? > > Netters, > > The ITU is convening the 'Connects Africa' summit in Kigali, Rwanda on > October 29-30. Its main concerns are that Internet services needed for > business, government and consumer applications continue to be > either very > expensive or not available due to limited broadband network > infrastructure; and that rural connectivity and access remain > inadequate > as does the availability of locally relevant content, applications and > services. > > This paper, by the Collaboration on International ICT Policy for > East and > Southern Africa (CIPESA), outlines some of the issues that need to be > addressed for the vision of boosting connectivity in Africa to be > realised. > > > http://fibreforafrica.net/main.shtml?x=5236108&als[MYALIAS6]=Joining > %20the%2 > 0dots&als[select]=4051582 > > > Wakabi > > _______________________________________________ > Fibre-for-africa mailing list > Fibre-for-africa(a)lists.apc.org > http://lists.apc.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/fibre-for-africa > > _______________________________________________ > Fibre-for-africa mailing list > Fibre-for-africa(a)lists.apc.org > http://lists.apc.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/fibre-for-africa > Eric M.K Osiakwan Executive Secretary AfrISPA (www.afrispa.org) Tel: + 233.21.258800 ext 2031 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://blogs.law.harvard.edu/eric/ Slang: "Tomorrow Now"

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[Fwd: KARA QUARTERLY LUNCHEON - Operators Vs Consumers: Who Does Kenya'sCommunication Policy Favour?
by alice 17 Oct '07

17 Oct '07

*__**Dear KARA Members, Partners & Friends,__* *_KARA QUARTERLY LUNCHEON - 7: A SPECIAL INVITATION:_* *__* We trust that this mail finds you well. In our acclaimed tradition of holding well-attended and best-rated public forums, in the public interest, we are pleased to invite you to our 7^th Quarterly Luncheon with details as follows; Date : Thursday, 15 November 2007 Time : 12.00 pm 2.30 pm Venue : Sarova Panafric Hotel Theme : *_Operators Vs Consumers: Who Does Kenya'sCommunication Policy Favour?_* *__*Guests : Eng. John N. Waweru, Director General, Communications Commission of Kenya (CCK) Entry : Ksh. 1,500 (members) and Ksh. 1,800 (others) Note : Corporate tables of 10 are available K indly fill out the attached form and/or get in touch with my colleague Nancy to confirm your attendance in time as participation at our functions strictly require prior confirmation. We are pleased to announce that mobile telephony market leader *Safaricom Limited * <http://www.safaricom.co.ke>is the Platinum Category Sponsor. We look forward to your continued partnership. Thank you. Yours Sincerely, Stephen Mutoro *_Chief Executive Officer_* The Kenya Alliance of Resident Associations (KARA) Natu Court, Suite E-39, Ngong Rd/Ring Rd Kilimani Junction P.O Box 1411-00100, GPO Tel. 254-020-3873828 or 3874331 Fax: 3862872 Cellphones: 0725983445 or 0733779585 NAIROBI, Kenya E-Mail: info(a)kara.or.ke <mailto:info@kara.or.ke> or kara(a)africaonline.co.ke <mailto:kara@africaonline.co.ke> Web: www.kara.or.ke <http://www.kara.or.ke> KARA - /"Together, We Will"/

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FW: CONSUMER PROJECT FINAL REPORT & RECOMMENDATIONS
by eadera＠idrc.or.ke 17 Oct '07

17 Oct '07

Interesting discussions. I would like to enrich the discussions by sharing the results of an IDRC Research study aimed at understanding consumer issues in the ICT sector and practical ways in which they could be addressed. It's entitled "holding companies to account" - report attached, recommendations here below for quick reference. Anyone interested in the published hardcopy report or CD Rom, please let me know and we will be glad to share these with you (we have several copies). Kenya is one of the case studies with an African overview included. Kenyan operators participated in the interim results sharing session. It was also shared with ARICEA regulators and very well received. However one of the greatest challenges was getting complaint data from the operators for open analysis - key question - how can complaint data be declared public domain information? This would open a wide range of opportunities for accountability and redress. Beyond making information available (even if you provide it directly to mobile phones), what practical avenues exist to redress complaints? Effective ways? What mechanisms would provide greater bargaining power for consumers? IDRC is currently considering a follow-up action-oriented initiative that will engage with regulators and consumer bodies, where they exist, to explore some practical solutions to these issues. The demand has come from regulators in 5 countries following the ARICEA presentation. It would be nice to hear contributions from operators and the regulator, they are missing in the discussions Edith Adera ****** Recommendations: Key issues from a consumer perspective: From all the evidence gathered for this study it is clear that three broad issues affect consumers adversely: price of service, quality of service and access to service. As operators become more established, regulators need to shift their emphasis from the industry part of their mandate to addressing the consumer interest more directly under each of these three headings. A key area for concern affecting large numbers of consumers is the lack of price competition in most African mobile markets. A consumer framework law, regulation and codes of conduct: Where consumer and competition law exists, it is important to encourage the undertaking of test cases to demonstrate that these laws can operate and that the successful conclusion of test cases will help regulators support the consumer interest in their discussions with industry. Where it has not already occurred, regulators need to encourage competition (particularly in the services layer) to help address the issues of price and quality of service. Complaint resolution: Where it does not already occur, regulators need to ensure that a Code of Conduct (covering the rights and responsibilities of consumers) is a condition of licence for operators, along with the obligation to publicise the existence of the Code of Conduct. Regulators need to publicise their own complaints procedures effectively and gather data from complaints made that can influence policy and regulation. Where it does not already occur, the Consumer function within the regulator needs to be: properly resourced, managed at a senior level and have direct access to senior management. The informed consumer the need for information to help choice: Serious consideration should be given regulatory enforcement of compulsory disclosure by the operators of accurate, comparable statistical information relating to the numbers and breakdown of customer complaints. While this is likely to be resisted by the companies concerned, and although careful formulation is necessary to ensure comparability and comprehensiveness, it would greatly incentivise customer responsiveness on the part of the companies. It would act as a powerful tool to promote consumer empowerment and freedom of choice. If compulsory disclosure proves impossible to implement then regulators should themselves initiate independent surveys that identify levels of consumer satisfaction. As with the example from India given in Box 4, regulators need to set a simple "basket" of performance indicators on which operators can be judged and the results from these studies should be published at least on an annual basis. On a slightly broader front, regulators need to be more proactive in educating consumers about market issues like underlying mobile prices and consumer broadband and contention ratios. If information is central to making informed choices, regulators need to develop effective communications strategies to talk directly to consumers and (as is already happening in some countries) these need to take account of the levels of education and literacy amongst consumers. The role of the regulator: Regulators need involve consumers in their work and ensure that their perspective is fed into their work. A number of different approaches are available to help bring this about. Regulators ought to seek to work closely with consumer bodies as a way of strengthening the consumer aspects of their mandates. Depending on the constitutional framework of the regulator, it may be possible to provide direct support for this kind of work. Particular emphasis might be given to supporting those complainants that lack the wealth and education to negotiate existing complaints processes. An independent consumer movement what role in the telecoms and internet sector?: Consumer organisations should be encouraged to respond to consumer complaints in the telecoms and Internet sector and asked to make input into policy processes.

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Fwd: Ghana: Govt to get $500m for Ghana Telecom?
by Mike Theuri 17 Oct '07

17 Oct '07

It will be interesting to see how these two comparable privatisation initiatives conclude: The long drawn-out saga of Telkom Kenya's privatisation appears to be drawing to a conclusion with the news that a consortium led by British Telecom, backed by Libyan financiers, is now the favourite to secure a 40% operating stake in the company, valued at US$84m. http://globaltechforum.eiu.com/index.asp?layout=rich_story&doc_id=11094&tit… ---------- Forwarded message ---------- Govt to get $500m for GT? GT PhoneBooth Singapore Telecom is reportedly in discussions to purchase a stake of between 51% and 66% in Ghana Telecom and is being advised by Merrill Lynch on the buy-in. The sale could reportedly fetch Ghana Telecom more than US$500 million. According to Ghana Telecom, strategic investors are undertaking due diligence as part of the company's privatization to sell a majority interest. Other reported parties interested in Ghana Telecom include Portugal Telecom and France Telecom. SingTel has traditionally mainly invested in cellular operators in south east Asia and Australia. Telekom Malaysia held a 30% interest and management control in Ghana Telecom but was reportedly forced to exit the venture two years ago saying it couldn't manage the business with the government, as majority shareholder, continually overriding its decisions. Telenor also ended its subsequent management contract with Ghana Telecom in 2005 on strained terms. Source:GHP . __,_._,___

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Urgent,but rare request
by Judy Okite 16 Oct '07

16 Oct '07

Dear All,looking for an active ICT person who is physically challenged. Pls get intouch with me off-list. Kind Regards, -- Judy Ann Okite, +254-721237507,+254-734252336 P.O. BOX 2228 00100, NAIROBI,KENYA. "Motivation is the art of getting people to do what you want them to do because they want to do it."

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Day 4 of 10:- eContent Requirements for Regulators
by Rebecca Wanjiku 16 Oct '07

16 Oct '07

Brian, i think CCK can work with radio stations, print media, and ensure that information available on the website and the attendant rights are well communicated otherwise, we will be upholding the fallacy that those who can chat or use email know about the important info regarding ICTs in the country or the rights and obligations for that matter. in short, CCK must REACH OUT to all.... Tel. 254 720 318 925 blog:http://beckyit.blogspot.com/ ----- Original Message ---- From: Brian Longwe <brian(a)isisweb.nl> To: rebeccawanjiku(a)yahoo.com Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> Sent: Tuesday, October 16, 2007 2:24:06 PM Subject: Re: [kictanet] Day 4 of 10:- eContent Requirements for Regulators Hi Alice, On Oct 15, 2007, at 6:07 PM, alice wrote: > >> "My question: besides colorful brochures what concrete actions are >> our regulators taking to ensure that every citizen is aware of >> their rights, privileges and what services are available to them. >> Regards Brian" >> > The CCK recently unveiled the CCK service chatter that sets public > expectations Re: dealing with the Commission and its staff > interchangeably called the "The Customer Service Charter " it > outlines rights and responsibilities and the procedure to follow > if CCK service standards are not met. available at www.cck.go.ke This is excellent - but how will this help my grandma in shags - how does she find out that there's a website? How does she find out that she actually has certain rights as a telecoms consumer? How does she know what avenues to take to set up a rural ISP? Where I'm heading to - and I hoped that this came out of the example I gave of the Indian CMA - is something called OUTREACH. To what extent do our regulatory authorities reach out to the technologically, geographically and financially challenged? I know I'm straying from the e-content discussion but I think it's a good tangent. Maybe we need to think outside the box and come up with creative ways of getting this e-content right into the hands of the consumers. Maybe an E-Book with lots of pictures and sounds to help the layperson come to grips with the often abstract and confusing concepts that plague regulatory authorities? Brian _______________________________________________ kictanet mailing list kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet This message was sent to: rebeccawanjiku(a)yahoo.com Unsubscribe or change your options at http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/rebeccawanjiku%40yahoo… ____________________________________________________________________________________ Be a better Heartthrob. Get better relationship answers from someone who knows. Yahoo! Answers - Check it out. http://answers.yahoo.com/dir/?link=list&sid=396545433

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Fwd: SV: [Fibre-for-africa] Connectivity: What does Africa really need?
by Eric Osiakwan 16 Oct '07

16 Oct '07

Begin forwarded message: > From: "Anders Comstedt" <anders(a)ssvl.kth.se> > Date: 16 October 2007 14:26:53 GMT+03:00 > To: "'APC - Private list for use by EASSY Workshop Participants'" > <fibre-for-africa(a)lists.apc.org> > Subject: SV: [Fibre-for-africa] Connectivity: What does Africa > really need? > Reply-To: APC - Private list for use by EASSY Workshop Participants > <fibre-for-africa(a)lists.apc.org> > > Dear Wakabi and others > > Isn't it difficult to ask for a Marshall plan and at the same time > see how > the sector and, above all, its users are financially drained? > > PROFITABLE TELECOMS > Surprisingly there are higher profit margins in most of the > business that > the mobile phone operators have in Africa, including or excluding the > licence fees, comparing to counterparts in more open and competitive > markets. How is that? Why is competition restricted and prices not > coming > down, in particular considering the low purchase power of the > users? Some > people obviously don't want to change the ball game. > > The combined sector revenues to governments and shareholders make it a > little bit difficult to say that the sector cannot finance its own > investments, expanding footprint and new services. Actually at the > same time > even reduce user prices quite a bit. How come that the users are > not given > more choices from several competing providers? Shifting value to > much to > users, or? > > The typical licensing regime still seems, in general, to serve no > other > purpose but to sell operators a hunting licence on users, > maximising the > government revenues in the process. The scarce spectrum resource is > in many > ways used as an over inflated bogus argument in lack of any better. > True, it > is to some extent an issue and the licensing should focus on it, > skipping > licensing and all other restrictions on open market, free provision of > service. On the contrary, dominant players should be obliged to > interconnect, not being sheltered from competition. > > Why are operator investments taxed, instead of profits, if you like > to drive > investments? > > > SHARING INFRASTRUCTURE > Sharing basic, non-differentiating infrastructure at cost related > prices > turns out to be a good business proposal (like http:// > www.openreach.co.uk ) > as it is always cheaper than do-it-yourself if you have a few service > competitors using it. High utilisation would create a lower cost > base for > all operators. But it requires organisational structure that lowers > operational and political risks. What is done to lower those risks? > > Note, the most important thing in shared infrastructure is TRUST. > > Or, who would like to bet the farm on being depending upon a flimsy > operation controlled by people with no skin in the game? > > > USERS > The most appalling absence in the African telecom policy debate is > the users > and the user agents. True, the telecom sector is dominated by a > producer > perspective globally, but in places where strong user agents are > balancing > these forces we get a more reasonable chunk of the value > distributed to all > parties. How will user agents come forward in the debate? > > > The ITU > Wouldn't it be interesting to put half of all the combined licence > revenues > for the coming two years into an African backbone and global > interconnectivity fund? To create an infrastructure open to all > providers, > new or old, on equal terms. Now that is a task for the ITU! Or is > the ITU > too dominated by folks who don't want to change the ball game to the > advantage of users? > > > The document would benefit from touching the areas above. > > Sincerely > > Anders Comstedt > > > -----Ursprungligt meddelande----- > Från: fibre-for-africa-bounces(a)lists.apc.org > [mailto:fibre-for-africa-bounces@lists.apc.org] För Wairagala Wakabi > Skickat: den 16 oktober 2007 07:17 > Till: APC - Private list for use by EASSY Workshop Participants > Ämne: [Fibre-for-africa] Connectivity: What does Africa really need? > > Netters, > > The ITU is convening the 'Connects Africa' summit in Kigali, Rwanda on > October 29-30. Its main concerns are that Internet services needed for > business, government and consumer applications continue to be > either very > expensive or not available due to limited broadband network > infrastructure; and that rural connectivity and access remain > inadequate > as does the availability of locally relevant content, applications and > services. > > This paper, by the Collaboration on International ICT Policy for > East and > Southern Africa (CIPESA), outlines some of the issues that need to be > addressed for the vision of boosting connectivity in Africa to be > realised. > > > http://fibreforafrica.net/main.shtml?x=5236108&als[MYALIAS6]=Joining > %20the%2 > 0dots&als[select]=4051582 > > > Wakabi > > _______________________________________________ > Fibre-for-africa mailing list > Fibre-for-africa(a)lists.apc.org > http://lists.apc.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/fibre-for-africa > > _______________________________________________ > Fibre-for-africa mailing list > Fibre-for-africa(a)lists.apc.org > http://lists.apc.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/fibre-for-africa > Eric M.K Osiakwan Executive Secretary AfrISPA (www.afrispa.org) Tel: + 233.21.258800 ext 2031 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://blogs.law.harvard.edu/eric/ Slang: "Tomorrow Now"

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[Fwd: [AfrICANN-discuss] My Name, My Language, My Internet]
by alice 15 Oct '07

15 Oct '07

My Name, My Language, My Internet: IDN Test Goes Live ICANN launches global test of Internationalized Domain Names 15 October 2007 <http://www.icann.org/announcements/photos/idn-tshirts-600x430-15oct07.jpg> ICANN is celebrating the ability of people to get "My name, My Language. My Internet" wiki pages with the launch of the IDN evaluation with T-Shirts displaying example.test in the 11 languages. *MARINA DEL REY, Calif.*: Internet users around the globe can now experiment with their name in their language on their Internet with today's launch of the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers live testing of Internationalized Domain Names in 11 languages. "This is one of the most exciting times yet in the development of IDNs," said Dr Paul Twomey, ICANN's President and CEO. "Internet users who speak the 11 languages of the test can play a key role in testing how IDNs operate, and help us move toward full implementation for all the languages of the world." Internet users around the globe can now to access wiki pages with the domain name example.test in the 11 test languages -- Arabic, Persian, Chinese (simplified and traditional), Russian, Hindi, Greek, Korean, Yiddish, Japanese and Tamil. The wikis will allow Internet users to establish their own subpages with their own names in their own language -- one suggestion is: example.test/yourname. ICANN has also put a video explaining the evaluation process on YouTube, and available on the ICANN website. The wiki pages can be accessed by typing example.test in the characters of one of the 11 languages, or by going to http://idn.icann.org <http://idn.icann.org/>. "These wikipages are key to the test. We want to know how the URL displays in the Internet browser, if it works when you cut and paste it into the body of an email to a friend, and how all of this impacts the root zone," Dr Twomey added. The 11 evaluation wikis will remain online until IDNs are fully implemented and the first top-level domain is introduced in the evaluation language. The full introduction of IDNs will mean that people can write the whole of a domain name in the characters used to write their own language. Presently you can only use these characters before the dot, so .com, .net, .org and the like can only be written in characters from basic Latin. IDNs will change this so that literally tens of thousands of characters will be available to the world. The "example.test" labels with the associated scripts, the languages that were used for translation of the two terms "example" and "test", and the A-labels for second and top level that are inserted in the IDN TLD zones and DNS respectively. IDNs Part 2: example.test Evaluation Period (3:05) | also available at dotSUB <http://dotsub.com/films/idnspart_1/> IDNs Part One: An Introduction (4:22) | also available at dotSUB <http://dotsub.com/films/idnspart/index.php> * About ICANN: * ICANN is responsible for the global coordination of the Internet's system of unique identifiers like domain names (like .org, .museum and country codes like .uk) and the addresses used in a variety of Internet protocols that help computers reach each other over the Internet. Careful management of these resources is vital to the Internet's operation, so ICANN's global stakeholders meet regularly to develop policies that ensure the Internet's ongoing security and stability. ICANN is an internationally organized, public benefit non-profit company. For more information please visit: www.icann.org <http://www.icann.org/>. * Media Contacts: * Jason Keenan Media Adviser, ICANN (USA) Ph: +1 310 382 4004 E: jason.keenan(a)icann.org <mailto:%20jason.keenan@icann.org> International: Andrew Robertson Edelman (London) Ph: +44 7921 588 770 E: andrew.robertson(a)edelman.com <mailto:%20andrew.robertson@edelman.com> _______________________________________________ AfrICANN mailing list AfrICANN(a)afrinic.net https://lists.afrinic.net/mailman/listinfo.cgi/africann

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Breaking News- Teams Update
by John Walubengo 12 Oct '07

12 Oct '07

Without wishing to interrupt the discussion on the eRegulators, I thought it is good to know the new anticipated operational date for the TEAMS cable: May 2009. Yes, 2009 and NOT next year 2008. I attended the TEAMS public meeting at KCCT this morning and quite alot of info was shared but since I am yet to get the slides, heres is what I could remember offhead and so will stand corrected. 1. That the cable will be operational in 2009. 2. That the Govt will own 40%, Etillsat 15% and the rest is free for grabs from other Interested stakeholders. 3. That unit investment is USD 5million for a gauranteed capacity of Bandwidth. 4. That the deadline for investment is 30th Nov 2007. 5. That it will be operated by an 'Open' consortium under a company called TEAMS ltd. 6. Consortium members will be free to sell off their shares to new comers at prevailing market price. 7. Teams Ltd will be mandated to negotiate access fee for people wishing to connect and transit fees for the upstream providers in Fujiara. 7. That the objective is to deliver the initial Bandwidth at USD 500 (five hundred) per 1Meg. Maybe our local Regulator, CCK should take the initiative to upload the slides presented on their website and we shall still be talking about eRegulation ;-) walu. ____________________________________________________________________________________ Moody friends. Drama queens. Your life? Nope! - their life, your story. Play Sims Stories at Yahoo! Games. http://sims.yahoo.com/

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Day 3 of 10: What threats would face Regulators as they adopt service provision over the web
by John Walubengo 12 Oct '07

12 Oct '07

....just opening up day 3. hope all the silent participants can say something today, particularly those outside .KE, plse share your experiences... Back to the thread. It is important to say that this thread is not there to dissuade Regulators going online but rather to ensure that they would do so after taking the necessary precautions. I would imagine that once the Regulators put their services onine, they would face the same challenges or threats as any other entity that gets online. Security books would tell you that the threats would revolve around the following: Confidentiality: restricting data to the authorised person/entity Integrity: ensuring that the stored data in not illegally modified Availability: ensuring that online services are operational as required by the customers/stakeholders Non-repudiability: ensuring that e-Transactions can be tracked back to the originator We need to think like hackers here. Assuming you had the time, the motive and the skill, what would you want to lay your hands on from the e-Regulators? 1 -day on this thread. Keep your comments coming and fear not since we are yet to have e-Legislation in this part of world ;-). walu. ____________________________________________________________________________________ Fussy? Opinionated? Impossible to please? Perfect. Join Yahoo!'s user panel and lay it on us. http://surveylink.yahoo.com/gmrs/yahoo_panel_invite.asp?a=7

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Firm to build undersea cable picked
by Dorcas Muthoni 12 Oct '07

12 Oct '07

The winner of a tender to construct an undersea fibre optic cable linking Kenya and the Arabian city of Fujairah will be known today ............... http://www.bdafrica.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3581&Item… -- Muthoni My Blog: http://rugongo.blogspot.com/ -------------------------------------------- Mahatma Gandhi once said:- First they ignore you, Then they laugh at you, Then they fight you, AND THEN YOU WIN!!!

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Re: [kictanet] Day 2 of 10: What are the Internet Opportunities for provisioning Regulatory Services?
by John Walubengo 12 Oct '07

12 Oct '07

mmhh. Not much response on opportunities apart from Nancy B. I would have imagined many of us would have something to say about how the Regulator could serve is better using the web. My thinking follows: 1. Market Penetration: The Regulator could open up an e-forum where stakeholders could openly discuss industry issues. The Regulator can then harvest alot of industry thinking from those discussion-logs and use them appropriately. They would therefore get to 'know' their customers better in order to serve them better (ofcourse some Regulators do feel they need NOT know their customers and so may not consider this a bright idea ;-) 2. Market Development: Most ICT players and consumers are concentrated in urban centers. It would be interesting to see Regulators reaching new players and consumers in the rural centers using the web. Routine services like license applications, renewals and payments could be completed without visiting the capital cities where most Regulators are domesticated. 3. Product Development: New Regulatory e-Services may arise from the web. I am thinking that there could be ways new regulatory functionalities such as monitoring ISP/ASP webographics (e.g. their bandwidth provisioning and utilization, the amount of spamming they generate or simply mapping out the internet traffic patterns in the country) So this thread like the others shall remain open for more contributions as we head towards Day 3 of 10, where we review the threats that may face Regulators adopting internet technologies in their service provision. walu. --- nancy bosire <bozaya(a)gmail.com> wrote: > 1. Market Penetration: how can the Regulator use the > Internet to be closer to you (customer)? - almost the > same as what we have > here, mailing lists and/or forums > > 2. Market Development: how can the Regulator best reach > thier EXCLUDED or ignored customers - decentralization of > their > offices/services. > > > > On 10/11/07, John Walubengo <jwalu(a)yahoo.com> wrote: > > > > Now that we have an idea of the Role of Regulators and > > their target Customers, we can begin to think about the > > Opportunites that the Internet presents for delivering > > their services. > > > > Assuming the Regulator was a business and wanted to > give > > value to their customer using the Internet, how would > they > > do it? Alternatively, you as a customer to the > Regulator > > (Operator, Consumer, Government, etc), how do you think > the > > Regulator can best serve you, using the internet? > > > > Think along these lines. > > > > 1. Market Penetration: how can the Regulator use the > > Internet to be closer to you (customer)? > > 2. Market Development: how can the Regulator best reach > > thier EXCLUDED or ignored customers > > 3. Product Development: are there new ways the > Regulator > > can deliver their old services (functions) over the > web? > > > > We have 1day to hear more contributions from your > various > > perspectives (Consumers, Operators, Individuals, etc). > > > > walu. > > > > > > > > > > > ____________________________________________________________________________________ > > Tonight's top picks. What will you watch tonight? > Preview the hottest > > shows on Yahoo! TV. > > http://tv.yahoo.com/ > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > > kictanet mailing list > > kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > > > > This message was sent to: bozaya(a)gmail.com > > Unsubscribe or change your options at > > > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/bozaya%40gmail.com > > > > > > -- > Sincerely yours, > > > > > Secretariat Manager > Kenya ICT Federation > Tel: 020 4440102 > Mobile: 0721907995 > secretariat(a)kif.or.ke, info(a)kif.or.ke > http://www.kif.or.ke > > > Mahatma Gandhi once said:- > > First they ignore you, > Then they laugh at you, > Then they fight you, > AND THEN YOU WIN!!! > ____________________________________________________________________________________ Moody friends. Drama queens. Your life? Nope! - their life, your story. Play Sims Stories at Yahoo! Games. http://sims.yahoo.com/

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CALL FOR PAPERS - the 3rd annual Digital Broadcasting Switchover Forum 2008, 29 Jan - 1 Feb 2008, Johannesburg, South Africa]
by alice 11 Oct '07

11 Oct '07

Dear Colleague, It is my pleasure to announce the dates for the 3rd annual Digital Broadcasting Switchover Forum 2008, which again will be held in the week of 29 Jan - 1 Feb 2008 in Johannesburg, South Africa. The organisation of the conference has now started and we are currently looking for broadcasting experts to contribute presentations. The key areas for discussion this year include: 1) National switchover frameworks and planning 2) Dual illumination 3) Financing the switchover 4) The digital dividend, spectrum allocation and the results of WRC 07 5) Infrastructure upgrading and its implications 6) Consumer aspects subsidising set top boxes, switchover awareness, the switchover as a means of reducing the digital divide 7) Charting the future of African broadcasting including IPTV, mobile TV, high definition television 8) Overcoming the shortage of broadcasting skilled workforce 9) Digital radio technology evaluation, implications for local and national stations, 10) Protecting cultural and linguistic diversity through local content production 11) Infotainment 12) Encouraging locally produced content 13) How international financing can be increased 14) Broadcasting liberalisation in Africa I would like to encourage you to contribute to this forum by participating as a speaker, therefore please reply to this mail, including the perspective that you would like to cover at the event. I am particularly keen to have case studies as these are excellent ways of spreading information and experiences. Furthermore if you would like to support the event by becoming an official sponsor then I would be delighted to organise a sponsorship package for you, exhibition booths are available for £3000/US$6000/R42000. I look forward to hearing back from you and to building on the huge success of last years forum. Yours sincerely Matthew Matthew Dawes Commonwealth Telecommunication Organisation Direct Tel: 0044 20 8834 1575 Main Tel: 0044 870 7777 697 Fax: 0044 870 0345 626 Email: m.dawes(a)cto.int <http://mailer.eddiction.co.uk/_webscripts/emaillog.php?789c2dcbcd0a80201004…>

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Content - Regulatory, Legal and Jurisdiction issues
by Brian Longwe 11 Oct '07

11 Oct '07

Let me post an interesting case there - both to challenge our thinking as well as highlight various regulatory and legal issues surrounding content. Movie studios to judge: TorrentSpy defies court order CNet.com, October 11, 2007 By Greg Sandoval http://www.news.com/8301-10784_3-9795571-7.html To avoid having to turn over user information to the motion picture industry, BitTorrent indexing service TorrentSpy cut off access to its site in the United States. Apparently, that wasn't enough to satisfy Hollywood. According to documents filed with the court last week and reviewed by CNET News.com on Wednesday, the studios still want to see information about the site's visitors. Lawyers representing the studios--armed with a court order--say TorrentSpy has refused to hand over the data. Because of that, the movie sector wants the judge to throw the book at the company. "(TorrentSpy) took steps to make the Server Log Data unavailable for the express purpose of avoiding compliance with the (court) order," the movie studios said in their filing. "(The) conduct amounts to willfulness and bad faith." The lawsuit, first filed a year ago, accuses TorrentSpy of encouraging copyright violations. On May 29, Jacqueline Chooljian, a federal magistrate judge in Los Angeles, ordered TorrentSpy to hand over information about user activity. Part of what the judge wanted was to identify the BitTorrent files that visitors requested and the dates and times of those requests. TorrentSpy executives told the judge that they never tracked visitors' activity. She responded by telling them to retrieve the information from their servers' random-access memory, or RAM. In an unprecedented decision that drew plenty of media attention, the judge ruled that data found in RAM is a tangible document that can be stored and must be turned over in civil litigation. TorrentSpy argued that RAM is far too ephemeral to be considered "stored data." In August, TorrentSpy appealed the decision but lost. The company then shut down access to U.S. residents. If TorrentSpy had no U.S. users, then there wouldn't be any information stored in the company's RAM under the judge's purview, legal experts said. Only data on International users would be logged and U.S. courts don't have authority over them. But the studios didn't go away. The film companies have asked the judge to impose evidentiary sanctions against TorrentSpy for not complying with the court order, according to the court filings. As part of the sanctions, the studios want the judge to establish for the record that the movies belonging to the studios found on TorrentSpy's site infringed on their copyright, and also find that the site has no "substantial noninfringing uses." Should the judge agree to the sanctions she would effectively label TorrentSpy a pirate site. That would make it very difficult for TorrentSpy to prevail in its civil trial. TorrentSpy executives said in court documents filed late Tuesday that the company's reasons for not turning over information are pegged to a few tweaks made to the site while the company's appeal was being heard. Chief among the changes are that TorrentSpy stopped providing users with cached downloads of BitTorrent files, the technology favored by many for file sharing, according to court documents. This means that searches for BitTorrent files at TorrentSpy would return only links to third-party sites. Clicking on those links would not ping TorrentSpy's servers, and as a result, none of the data that the film companies are after can be found in the company's RAM. To the studios, TorrentSpy is trying to duck the judge's order. "This claim should be seen for what it is: another illegitimate attempt by defendants to evade authority of this court and the May 29 order," the film companies said in their filing with the court. Rothken denied the allegation. "The primary reason for the changes was to protect end-user privacy worldwide," Rothken said. "Web sites are allowed to evolve their technology during litigation especially if they evolve to protect user privacy. The irony here is that studios are blowing hot and cold. On one hand they asked in their lawsuit for TorrentSpy in essence to shut down U.S. traffic. When the company did, the plaintiffs complained that TorrentSpy is in violation for not supplying information under the log file order. They're never satisfied." Just how long it will take for the judge to rule on the studios' application for sanctions is unclear. Rothken said he expects that the judge will call for more briefings.

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Fwd: [AfrICANN-discuss] [Questions on the Introduction of ccTLD Internationalised Domain Names]
by Vincent Ngundi 11 Oct '07

11 Oct '07

Dear Colleagues, FYI. In line with the Internet's bottom-up policy development process (PDP), please send in your comments on the fast-track/interim approach to delegating some IDN ccTLD's (see more on this below). KENIC can then collate the input (from the local Internet community) and send to the ccNSO. Regards, Vincent Ngundi KENIC Begin forwarded message: > -----Original Message----- > From: "Mohammed EL Bashir" <admin(a)isoc.sd> > To: "africann(a)afrinic.net" <africann(a)afrinic.net> > Sent: 08/10/07 01:02 > Subject: [AfrICANN-discuss] [Fwd: Questions on the Introduction of > ccTLD Internationalised Domain Names] > > Dear All, > > FYI ccNSO is asking for input from ccTLD Registries on considering > Fast Track/Interim approach for the launch of IDNs on Global DNS, > this could happen while IDNs policy development process continue . > > Can you please encourage your ccTLD Registries to respond and > comment on the issue . > > Regards, > Mohamed EL Bashir > .SD Registry - ccNSO Council > > -------- Original Message -------- > Subject: Questions on the Introduction of ccTLD > Internationalised Domain Names > Date: Fri, 5 Oct 2007 16:12:30 +0200 > From: Gabriella Schittek <gabriella.schittek(a)icann.org> > <mailto:gabriella.schittek@icann.org> > Reply-To: <gabriella.schittek(a)icann.org> > <mailto:gabriella.schittek@icann.org> > To: <admin(a)isoc.sd> <mailto:admin@isoc.sd> , <tech(a)isoc.sd> > <mailto:tech@isoc.sd> > > > Dear ccTLD Manager, > > Below you will find a letter from the ccNSO Chair Chris Disspain. > > Please, reply to ccnsosecretariat(a)icann.org or directly to Chris at > ceo(a)auda.org.au. > > Kind regards, > > Gabriella Schittek / ccNSO Secretariat > > --- > > > Dear ccTLD Manager, > > I am writing to you, in my capacity as Chairman of the Country Code > Names > Supporting Organisation (ccNSO), about the introduction of ccTLD > Internationalised Domain Names (IDN ccTLDs). The input I am > requesting from > you is very important and your response will be much appreciated. > > At the end of this email is a Background and References section that > provides some background information and links to various documents. > > Based on work done by the ccNSO and discussions amongst ccTLD > managers in > all regions the ccNSO has taken the first step to launching a Policy > Development Process to set the overall policy for IDN ccTLDs. > > At this stage, the ccNSO is also discussing whether or not to > recommend that > the ICANN Board consider a fast track/interim approach under which > some IDN > ccTLDs could be delegated while the overall policy is being > developed. To > help with those discussions we need to find out the level of > interest in > your territory and that is why I am writing to you. > > While community feedback has encouraged the ccNSO to explore levels of > interest in a fast-track/interim approach to IDN ccTLDs, this is > the first > of many steps that would have to be carefully and successfully > taken towards > that end and it is generally accepted that any implementation would > have to > be in compliance with current policies and procedures. Some of > these that > may be relevant are set out in the Background and References > section below. > > I would be grateful if you would answer the following questions: > > 1. Do you believe that the local community in your territory has a > pressing > need for an IDN ccTLD? > 2. If so, is there yet agreement in your territory on the scripts > and the > string within the script(s) for which delegation of an IDN ccTLD > would be > sought, and could you indicate which strings and scripts are of > interest? > 3. Do you believe the delegation of an IDN ccTLD under a fast track/ > interim > approach would be of interest to your community? > > The fast track/interim approach will be discussed by ccTLD managers > at the > ICANN meeting in Los Angeles. So, it would be most helpful if you > could > respond by 26 October 2007. > > > Background and References > > In the Domain Name System, a ccTLD string (like .jp, .uk) has been > defined > to represent the name of a country, territory or area of geographical > interest, and its subdivisions as identified in ISO 3166-1, and is > represented by 2 US-ASCII characters > (http://www.iso.org/iso/country_codes/iso_3166_code_lists/ > english_country_na > mes_and_code_elements.htm). > This method of identification was adopted for use in the Internet > through > RFC 920, dated October 1984, and reaffirmed through RFC 1591, dated > March > 1994. All ccTLDs in use today are taken directly from the ISO > 3166-1 list or > from the list of exceptionally reserved code elements defined by > the ISO > 3166 Maintenance Agency. > > The implementation of IDN ccTLDs introduces the (apparent) use of > characters > outside the US-ASCII character set (for example characters in > Cyrillic, > Chinese, Arabic, and other scripts) for domain name strings. > > In initial discussions by the ccNSO members, other ccTLD managers and > ICANN's Governmental Advisory Committee (GAC) a number of policy > questions > were identified and a "Questions and Issues Paper" was submitted to > the > ICANN Board of Directors > (http://www.icann.org/topics/idn/ccnso-gac-issues-report-on- > idn-09jul07.pdf) > . > It became clear that the development of the required policy for IDN > ccTLDs > to resolve the issues raised was likely to take a minimum of 2 > years. It > also became clear that such a time frame was a major concern for a > number of > ccTLD managers who have expressed there is a pressing need for an > IDN ccTLD > in their territory. Because of this, the concept of a fast track/ > interim > approach began to be discussed. In those discussions it was thought > that it > might be possible to find a method to allow the introduction of a > limited > number of IDN ccTLDs while the overall policy was being developed. > > Policies and procedures that may be relevant to the delegation of > an IDN > ccTLD under a fast track/interim approach include: > > the IDNA protocol standards > (http://icann.org/announcements/announcement-2-11may07.htm) > RFC 3454 (http://www.ietf.org/rfc/rfc3454.txt) > RFC 3490 (http://www.ietf.org/rfc/rfc3490) > RFC 3491 (http://www.ietf.org/rfc/rfc3491.txt) > RFC 3492 (http://www.ietf.org/rfc/rfc3492.txt) > RFC 1591 and associated procedures for delegation of a country code > top > level domain (http://www.isi.edu/in-notes/rfc1591.txt) > The GAC principles http://gac.icann.org/web/home/ccTLD_Principles.rtf. > > Following consideration of the "Questions and Issues Paper", and > statements > of the GAC and ccTLD managers on a fast track/interim approach the > ICANN > Board has requested the ccNSO to explore both an interim and an > overall > approach to IDN ccTLDs associated with the ISO 3166-1 two-letter > codes and > to recommend a course of action to the Board taking the technical > limitations and requirements into consideration > http://www.icann.org/minutes/resolutions-29jun07.htm#m. > > At its meeting on 2 October 2007, the ccNSO Council launched a Policy > Development Process (ccPDP) by requesting a PDP Issues Report and > appointing > an Issues Manager. This ccPDP has been launched to develop an overall > approach, which includes finding solutions for the matters raised > in the > "Questions and Issues Paper". > > > > -- > > > Best Regards, > > > > > Mohamed El Bashir > > President, Sudan Internet Society > > .SD Domain Name Registry > > > > > Vice President, Communications & Out-Reach "African Top Level > Domains Organization-AfTLD" > > ICANN ccNSO Council Member > > > > > Personal Web : www.mbash.net > > > > > ""Life lies not in never falling, but in rising when you fall." > Nelson Mandela 1995, Easten Cape. > > -- KeNIC - The Kenya Network Information Center http://www.kenic.or.ke

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On Its Way: One of the Biggest Changes to the Internet] Internet users have key role in testing the operation of example.test in 11 languages
by alice 11 Oct '07

11 Oct '07

On Its Way: One of the Biggest Changes to the Internet Internet users have key role in testing the operation of example.test in 11 languages 9 October 2007 * MARINA DEL REY, Calif.*: The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers will launch an evaluation of Internationalized Domain Names next week that will allow Internet users to test top-level domains in 11 languages. "This evaluation represents ICANN's most important step so far towards the full implementation of Internationalized Domain Names. This will be one of the biggest changes to the Internet since it was created," said Dr Paul Twomey, ICANN's President and CEO. "ICANN needs the assistance of users and application developers to make this evaluation a success. When the evaluation pages come online next week, we need everyone to get in there and see how the addresses display and see how links to IDNs work in their programs. In short, we need them to get in and push it to its limits." The evaluation is made possible by today's insertion into the root of the 11 versions of .test, which means they are alongside other top-level domains like .net, .com, .info, .uk, and .de at the core of the Internet. Next Monday, 15 October 2007, Internet users around the globe will be able to access wiki pages with the domain name example.test in 11 test languages — Arabic, Persian, Chinese (simplified and traditional), Russian, Hindi, Greek, Korean, Yiddish, Japanese and Tamil. The wikis will allow Internet users to establish their own subpages with their own names in their own language. The evaluation is being done in the 11 languages of the Internet communities that have shown the most interest in moving IDNs from concept to reality. The full introduction of IDNs will mean that people can write the whole of a domain name in the characters used to write their own language. Presently you can only use these characters before the dot, so .com, .net, .org and the like can only be written in characters from basic Latin. IDNs will change this so that literally tens of thousands of characters will be available to the world. "Right now only the ASCII characters a through z are available for use in top level labels — the part of the address after the dot," Dr Twomey added. "Users will be able to have their name in their language for their Internet when full IDN implementation makes available tens of thousands of characters from the languages of world." More information on the IDN program is available at: http://icann.org/topics/idn/ <http://www.icann.org/topics/idn/> Links to the wikis will be available on ICANN's website starting 15 October 2007. * About ICANN: * ICANN is responsible for the global coordination of the Internet's system of unique identifiers like domain names (like .org, .museum and country codes like .uk) and the addresses used in a variety of Internet protocols that help computers reach each other over the Internet. Careful management of these resources is vital to the Internet's operation, so ICANN's global stakeholders meet regularly to develop policies that ensure the Internet's ongoing security and stability. ICANN is an internationally organized, public benefit non-profit company. For more information please visit: www.icann.org <http://www.icann.org/>. *Media Contacts: * Jason Keenan Media Adviser, ICANN (USA) Ph: +1 310 382 4004 E: jason.keenan(a)icann.org <mailto:jason.keenan@icann.org> International: Andrew Robertson Edelman (London) Ph: +44 7921 588 770 E: andrew.robertson(a)edelman.com <mailto:andrew.robertson@edelman.com> _______________________________________________ AfrICANN mailing list AfrICANN(a)afrinic.net https://lists.afrinic.net/mailman/listinfo.cgi/africann

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Consolidation in Kenyan ISP sector
by Eric Osiakwan 10 Oct '07

10 Oct '07

Consolidation in Kenyan ISP sector The Kenyan ISP sector is consolidating, with many companies buying up their competitors and new foreign owners entering the market. Pressure on margins from the switch to DSL broadband has been one of the key drivers of consolidation. Gateway Online, ISP Kenya, Nairobinet and Net2000 were a few of the casualties of the consolidation movement taking place in the market, with most of them either running out of steam in the rapidly competitive market or being bought by larger Kenyan operations. And then, late last year, the buying started again. This time, the bigger boys who managed to survive the rout of the earlier buying spree were the target, and the buyers were not Kenyan. In 2006, a South African firm acquired a controlling stake in Interconnect, a local Internet service provider. As part of the deal, IS injected Sh300 million in fresh capital in to the ISP. "There was no way we could have continued on our own. For many Kenyan grown ISPs, getting access to cheap bandwith and financing makes it harder to survive in the market," said Tejpal Bedi, Managing Director of IS Kenya. Much of the investment, Sh100 million, was set aside to upgrade systems. The company planned to roll-out new technologies and services, hoping to maintain its share of the corporate market by offering cost effective virtual private networks to organisations. "The only way we could maintain our market was by partnering with the South Africans and diversifying our product line, which costs money," said Mr Bedi. The acquisition was touted as part of the South African company's growth strategy to gain a footprint in the local and the greater Eastern and Central African market. "We will ensure the product mix is right for the Kenyan market, by deploying our proven services in Kenya," said IS business development director Ermano Quartero, at a function to announce the deal. The company that bought Bedi's company is one of the leading converged communications service providers in South Africa, boasting a client base at the time of the Interconnect aquisition that included 80 per cent of South Africa's top 250 listed companies. A few months later, the industry was abuzz with the biggest acquisition yet. The target was Africa Online, one of the largest ISPs in sub-Saharan Africa - and the South Africans were after it again. Telkom South Africa eventually won what was an acrimonious battle for the Kenyan-born company. "With the decline of the voice market we are extending and defending our core profitable services. This acquisition fits that objective," said Africa Online's new Chief Executive Officer John Joseph. Telkom SA has plans to invest Sh300 billion over the next five years in projects aimed at gaining the company a foothold in key African markets. Formerly the giant of the Kenyan ISP industry, the South Africans took on a company that was cash-strapped and had struggled with periods of losses over the last few years under it ownership by London firm African Lakes. The situation may get worse for the few small ISPs still fighting for market share. Smaller ISPs have traditionally been dial-up providers, an industry currently being affected by a shift in consumer preference. Although over 50 per cent of users still use dial-up access, use of the service is estimated to be decreasing by 30 per cent while mobile and wireless Internet access is increasing by 40 per cent annually. Up from just under 4,000 users in 1996, Kenya's Internet market grew by its largest margins last year, and now includes 200,000 users. The cost of international bandwidth, still expensive and accounting for most of ISPs' operating costs, has largely limited more rapid growth. (source: Business Daily) Eric M.K Osiakwan Executive Secretary AfrISPA (www.afrispa.org) Tel: + 233.21.258800 ext 2031 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://blogs.law.harvard.edu/eric/ Slang: "Tomorrow Now"

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.asia regional internet domain has officially opened for business
by Dorcas Muthoni 09 Oct '07

09 Oct '07

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/7033924.stm i remember someone talking of .eac regional internet domain a while back, not a bad idea -- Muthoni -------------------------------------------- Mahatma Gandhi once said:- First they ignore you, Then they laugh at you, Then they fight you, AND THEN YOU WIN!!!

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AFNOG 2008 ANNOUNCEMENT & WORKSHOP APPLICATION
by Dorcas Muthoni 08 Oct '07

08 Oct '07

AFNOG & AFRINIC JOINT ANNOUNCEMENT, MAY/JUNE 2008 9th AfNOG MEETING AfriNIC-8 MEETING The African Network Operators' Group (AfNOG) and the African Network Information Centre (AfriNIC) are pleased to announce that the 9th AfNOG Meeting and the AfriNIC-8 Meeting will be held Rabat, Morocco, in May /June 2008. ABOUT THE ENTIRE EVENT AfNOG and AfriNIC are jointly organising a two-week event that includes the AfNOG Workshop on Network Technology (offering advanced training in a week-long hands-on workshop), several full-day Advanced Tutorials, a one-day AfNOG Meeting, and a two-day AfriNIC Public Policy Meeting and Annual General Meeting. In addition, several side meetings and workshops will be hosted in collaboration with other organizations such as the AAU and ISOC. Further information about the event may be found at < http://www.afnog.org/afnog2008/> and <http://www.afrinic.net/meeting/>. TIMETABLE Unix Boot Camp 24 - 25 May 2008 (Saturday - Sunday) AfNOG Workshop 26 - 30 May 2008 (Monday - Friday) AfriNIC IPV6 W/shop 31 May - 1 June 2008 (Saturday - Sunday) AfREN Meeting 31 May - 1 June 2008 (Saturday - Sunday) AfNOG Tutorials 1 - 2 June 2008 (Sunday - Monday) AfriNIC LIR W/shop 2 June 2008 (Monday) AfNOG Meeting 3 June 2008 (Tuesday) AfriNIC-8 Meeting 4 - 5 June 2008 (Wednesday - Thursday) Africa INET Day 6 June 2008 (Friday) VENUE The Workshop, Tutorials, AfREN Forum, IPv6, LIR (24 May - 2nd June 2008) will be held at Mohammadia Engineering Institute, Rabat. All Conferences (3 - 6 June 2008) will be held at the Golden Tulip Farah, Rabat, Morocco. ABOUT AfNOG AfNOG (see <http://www.afnog.org/>) is a forum for cooperation and the exchange of technical information between operators of Internet-connected networks in Africa. AfNOG has organised an event like this one every year since 2000. ABOUT AFRINIC AfriNIC (see < http://www.afrinic.net/>) is a Regional Internet Registry (RIR), responsible for Internet resources Mangement in Africa region. AfriNIc organises two Public Policy meetings every year (see <http://www.afrinic.net/meeting/>). AfNOG WORKSHOP ON NETWORK TECHNOLOGY The AfNOG Workshop on Network Technology aims to offer advanced training to people who are in the process of developing and enhancing an Internet-connected network with regional and international connectivity. The target audience includes senior and mid-level technical staff of commercial Internet service providers (ISPs), academic networks, government networks, or NGO networks. This workshop builds on the experience of previous AfNOG workshops held annually from 2000 to 2007 in eight different African countries, and also the Internet Society's INET workshops, held annually from 1993 to 2000 at eight locations around the world. The workshop's instructors are an international team with many years of experience operating large networks and teaching about network operations. The workshop is divided into four parallel tracks: SA-E - Unix System Administration (in English), focused on using a Unix-like operating system as a platform for delivery of Internet services. SS-E - Scalable Internet Services (in English), focused on the design and operation of email, web, and other Internet services, in ways that can scale to handle large numbers of end users. SI-E - Scalable Network Infrastructure (in English), focused on the design and operation of networks using routers and switches, in ways that can scale to handle large numbers of interconnected sites. SI-F - Infrastructure Reseaux IP (en francais), similar to SI-E, but given in French. Further information and online application form for the workshop can be found at <http://www.afnog.org/afnog2008/workshop/online_application.html> AfREN MEETING The Africa Research and Education Networking community will be holding a two-day meeting on 31 May and 1 June 2008. The meeting will discuss issues of interest to the NREN community such as coordination on activites in the region, advocacy, bandwidth consortia, regional RENs etc AfNOG TUTORIALS AfNOG will offer 1 to 2 full-day(s) tutorials on advanced topics. Tutorials take place in a classroom-style environment, and may include a hands-on practical component. Tutorials are non-commercial in nature, and most are technically oriented. They are intended to offer advanced training on technology already deployed or soon to be deployed on networking and related services provisioning for ISP operations. 9th AfNOG MEETING The 9th AfNOG meeting will be held in Rabat, Morocco, on 3 June 2008. AfNOG conferences provide a forum for the coordination and dissemination of technical information related to backbone/enterprise networking technologies and operational practices. The meetings are informal, with an emphasis on relevance to current and future African backbone engineering practices. The AfNOG 2007 conference in Abuja, Nigeria, drew over 165 participants, mainly consisting of network engineering staff from national service providers, and members of the research and education community. People interested in making a presentation or chairing a panel discussion at the AfNOG meeting are invited to to submit a proposal, following the instructions at <http://www.afnog.org/afnog2008/conference/ > AfRINIC-8 MEETING The AfriNIC-8 meeting will be held in Rabat, Morocco, on 4 and 5 June 2008. AfriNIC Meetings are open to everyone and provide an excellent opportunity to take part in Internet policy discussions. These policies, which describe how Internet Number Resources should be managed and distributed, are developed by the community. The meeting will include tutorials, presentations, update on the various working groups and the AfriNIC Public Policy Meeting. The two day meeting will be preceeded by a two-day IPv6 training. The meeting will focus on the IPv6 protocol and its deployment, especially in Africa and the issue of the exhaustion of the IPv4 pool of address space. There will be an opportunity to discuss the challenges which our region will be facing with the exhaustion. Further information is available at < http://www.afrinic.net/meeting/>. ISOC - INET AfRICA MEETING The Internet Society will be organizing an INET Africa Conference on 6 June 2008 in conjunction with the AfriNIC 8 and AfNOG 9 meetings in Rabat, Morocco. This meeting will focus on technical as well as policy aspects surrounding Internet standards development and applications, with special attention on localisation and education initiatives, and efforts to further internationalise the Internet. The meeting is also expected to open discussion on Internet governance issues of importance to the continent. Issued jointly by AfNOG and AfriNIC ------ AfNOG 2008 WORKSHOP ON NETWORK TECHNOLOGY - APPLICATION FOR ADMISSION Please see < http://www.afnog.org/afnog2008/workshop/> for information about the AfNOG 2008 Workshop on Network Technology. If you have questions regarding this announcement and application, they may be addressed to: < workshopinfo08(a)afnog.org <http://mail.openworld.co.ke/src/compose.php?send_to=workshopinfo08%40afnog.…>> WHERE TO APPLY - You can fill in an application on line, at < http://www.afnog.org/afnog2008/workshop/online_application.html> - You can download a copy of the application form from < http://www.afnog.org/afnog2008/workshop/application-form.txt>, or request a copy via email to <applications08(a)afnog.org <http://mail.openworld.co.ke/src/compose.php?send_to=applications08%40afnog.…>>. Then fill it in off-line, and email it to <workshop-apply08(a)afnog.org <http://mail.openworld.co.ke/src/compose.php?send_to=workshop-apply08%40afno…>>. The "Subject" line of the message should contain your surname or family name in the following format: Subject: AfNOG Workshop Application: <your-family-name> WHEN TO APPLY Application forms must be submitted no later than 7 December 2007. Applicants will be notified of their acceptance to the program and the amount of financial aid available (if any) on or about 31st January 2008. INFORMATION TO BE INCLUDED ON YOUR APPLICATION Please ensure that all of the contact information you submit is and accurate, or we will not be able to contact you. Please give detailed answers to the questions about your work and your experience. If your are applying for financial assistance from AfNOG, please do not forget to answer the questions about other funding sources available to you. A. PERSONAL DATA FAMILY NAME (LAST NAME, SURNAME) ONLY: Full Name: Employer/Organization Position/Title: Business Address: Business Telephone: Alternate Telephone: E-mail address: Fax: Date of birth: Nationality: Name as it appears on passport or other travel document: Passport number: Country issuing passport: Date passport was issued: Date of passport expiration: Knowledge of English /French: Please rate your knowledge in these categories: Listening/comprehension: minimal / fair / good / excellent Reading: minimal / fair / good / excellent Speaking: minimal / fair / good / excellent Writing: minimal / fair / good / excellent Please indicate with an asterisk (*) the most reliable addresses and telephone/fax numbers above which can be used to reach you. B. COURSE OF INSTRUCTION Instructional track applied for (Please select only one track; the tracks will run concurrently): [ ] SA-E - UNIX SYSTEM ADMINISTRATION [ ] SS-E- SCALABLE INTERNET SERVICES [ ] SI-E - SCALABLE NETWORK INFRASTRUCTURE [ ] SI-F - INFRASTRUCTURE RESEAUX (French Track - equivanent to SI-E) Please indicate your specific interests within the area you have chosen: C. TECHNICAL SKILLS 1. Are you a UNIX user? How much have you used it? 2. Have you been a UNIX system administrator? Describe your experience (length of time, versions, etc.). 3 Have you used/administered TCP/IP networks? Describe. 4. Have you set up and/or administered any of the following? Please give details. - bind or any other nameservers - sendmail/smail/exim/postfix - majordomo/mailman or other list manager - apache/IIS web systems 5. Have you configured or otherwise managed any of the following? Details, please. - routers - switches - network monitoring - noc D. DESCRIPTION OF ROLE IN NATIONAL NETWORKING ACTIVITIES Bearing in mind that this information will be used to determine whether to admit you to the workshop, please provide in the format of your choice the following information about yourself. Please be sure that it is sufficiently clear, well organized and adequate for this purpose. 1. A description of your current employer, your position, your duties and responsibilities, and how they relate to current and future data networking activities in your country. 2. A brief description of your computing and networking environment (operating systems, networking software, modems, etc.), including the connectivity of your organization to the Internet and your country's connectivity to the international Internet. 3a. Scope of your institution (check all categories that apply): [ ] Commercial Network Provider [ ] Academic Network Provider [ ] NGO Network Provider [ ] Other (Specify)______________ 3b. Approximate number of full time staff at your institution:________ 4. How your training and current work prepare and qualify you for the track you wish to attend. 5. How you expect to use the knowledge you gain at the workshop after you return to your country. 6. If you have previously attended AfNOG/INET Workshops for Developing Countries, a. Year and track you attended: b. A precise description of how you have used the training you have received in the past: c. The significant advances in networking which have occurred in your country specifically because of your knowledge and effort: E. FINANCIAL INFORMATION Your application must contain the following complete information if you wish to be considered for financial support to attend the workshop. The Workshop fee is US$1,600. This includes accommodation and meals. Applicants are usually expected to provide their own funding (from whatever sources). However AfNOG or its sponsors may make a limited financial assistance available to deserving candidates. Even if you request financial assistance you might not receive any, and your acceptance into the Workshop will be conditional on your ability to provide all or most of the funding yourself. Although you may be well qualified and in great need of financial assistance, the maximum funds AfNOG or its sponsors may provide is US$1,000 in financial assistance for BOTH WORKSHOP FEES AND AIRFARE. Payment for the workshop may be made by funds transfer, bank / certified cheque or in cash. Further details will be provided in the admission letter to successful candidates. NOTE : YOUR ACCEPTANCE INTO THE WORKSHOP MAY BEPEND ON YOUR ABILITY TO PROVIDE SOME OR ALL THE WORKSHOP FEES. 1. Are you are requesting financial aid from the AfNOG Workshop for attending the workshop and meetings? [ ] Yes [ ] No 2. If you are requesting financial aid to cover the workshop fee, please provide a complete list of funding sources in the following form. The list should contain all sources of funds that are available to you for payment of the workshop fee. The amounts should total U.S.$1,600. 1. Your Institution -- U.S.$ __________ 2. Your Government -- U.S.$ __________ 3. From international organizations -- U.S.$ __________ 4. Your personal contribution -- U.S.$ __________ 5. Amount you ask from AfNOG -- U.S.$ __________ (less than $1,000) _________________________________ TOTAL Income = U.S.$1,600.00 (PLEASE SELECT ONLY ONE - WORKSHOP FEES OR AIRFARE) 3. Will you need financial assistance for airfare? If so, how much will you or your institution be contributing? [ ] No, assistance for airfare not needed. [ ] Yes, assistance needed. (less than $1,000) Amount of your contribution: U.S.$_________ 4. If you are requesting financial support for airfare, please provide a good estimate of round trip, lowest economy excursion airfare between your place of residence and Cassablanca, Morocco, in May 2008. (Flights from Africa terminate at Cassablanca, connection to Rabat can be made by bus or train). 1. Airfare: 2. Airline: 3. Type of fare: 4. City of departure: 5. Source of your estimate: Signature (your name as you would sign it): __________________________ Date:___________________ _______________________________________________ afnog mailing list http://afnog.org/mailman/listinfo/afnog

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WiMAX vs. 3G cellular showdown
by Dorcas Muthoni 08 Oct '07

08 Oct '07

Will WiMAX be a 3G killer, or is it vice versa? Take a look at this nice article: http://blogs.techrepublic.com.com/hiner/?p=556&tag=nl.e101 -- Muthoni -------------------------------------------- Mahatma Gandhi once said:- First they ignore you, Then they laugh at you, Then they fight you, AND THEN YOU WIN!!!

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lunch is free
by Rebecca Wanjiku 08 Oct '07

08 Oct '07

just to be clear, lunch is on KICTANet, you dont have to worry about costs, but you must confirm with me if planning to come, regards Tel. 254 720 318 925 blog:http://beckyit.blogspot.com/ ____________________________________________________________________________________ Pinpoint customers who are looking for what you sell. http://searchmarketing.yahoo.com/

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lunch today
by Rebecca Wanjiku 08 Oct '07

08 Oct '07

hi, just to remind you about the lunch today, Jacaranda at 12.30, it will be served at the Gazebo banda regards Tel. 254 720 318 925 blog:http://beckyit.blogspot.com/ ____________________________________________________________________________________ Pinpoint customers who are looking for what you sell. http://searchmarketing.yahoo.com/

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Fwd: Invitation to the World Bank Public Forum
by Edith Adera 05 Oct '07

05 Oct '07

FYI >X-SBRS: None >X-IronPort-AV: E=Sophos;i="4.21,236,1188792000"; > d="jpg'145?scan'145,208,145";a="249671832" >Subject: Invitation to the World Bank Public Forum >X-Mailer: Lotus Notes Release 6.5.4 CCH5 September 12, 2005 >From: kmuthembwa(a)worldbank.org >Date: Fri, 5 Oct 2007 16:29:17 +0300 >Disposition-Notification-To: kmuthembwa(a)worldbank.org >X-MIMETrack: Serialize by Router on WBLN0014/Facility/World Bank(Release >7.0.2 HF82|November > 07, 2006) at 10/05/2007 09:31:11 AM >Bcc: eadera(a)idrc.or.ke > > >Apologies for cross posting > > (Embedded image moved to file: pic13694.jpg) > >

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FW: [fyi] infoDev Releases Survey of ICT Use in Education in Africa
by Edith Adera 05 Oct '07

05 Oct '07

>You may find this of interest > >FYI > > infoDev Releases 'Survey of ICT Use in Education in Africa' > http://www.infodev.org/en/Article.136.html > > (more information below) > >Regards, > -Mike Trucano, infoDev > > > >[ http://www.infodev.org/en/Article.136.html ] > >==================== >Highlight >==================== > >infoDev Releases Survey of ICT Use in Education in Africa >Results from 53-country research project highlight 'new phase' of >activity, from >pilot projects to government policy development > >1 October 2007 | Washington, DC, United States > >Landmark research project documents technology use in the education sector all >53 African countries, identifies new trends and old challenges. > >infoDev has released initial results from a landmark Survey of ICT and >Education >in Africa, which seeks to gather together in a single resource the most >relevant >and useful information on ICT in education activities in Africa. > >During the first half of 2007, a research team supported by infoDev and >coordinated by the Commonwealth of Learning (COL) sought to document the major >developments in each African country related to technology use in education in >order to create the first consolidated look at this fast-changing sector >and provide preliminary answers to three broad questions: > 1. How are ICTs currently being used in the education sector in Africa, >and what are the strategies and policies related to this use? > 2. What are the common challenges and constraints faced by African >countries in this area? > 3. What is actually happening on the ground, and to what extent are > donors >involved? > >infoDev and its partners hope that this publication is a first step in a >larger, >on-going, systematic, coordinated initiative to track developments in >technology >use in the education sector to help inform a wide variety of stakeholders >interested in the topic as they seek solutions to larger, more fundamental >educational and development challenges in the years ahead. > >==================== >Report Highlights >==================== > >The Summary Report from this research initiative notes that "The process of >adoption and diffusion of ICT in education in Africa is in transition", >finding >that: > > "There appears to be the beginnings of a marked shift from a decade of > experimentation in the form of donor-supported, NGO-led, small-scale, > pilot > projects towards a new phase of systemic integration informed by national > government policies and multi-stakeholder-led implementation > processes," remarking that "this shift from projects to policies, and the > more systematic development that that implies, would not be possible > without > the growing commitment to ICT in education on the part of government > leaders > across the continent". > >While implementation varies widely throughout the continent, and with a >country >like South Africa, with its extant infrastructure and more mature economy a >clear outlier in terms of being able to implement its ICT in education agenda, >the report finds that "all but a handful of countries surveyed already have a >national ICT policy in place or under development", concluding that a "new >phase >of ICT for education in Africa is occurring within national, and emerging >regional, policy frameworks that are providing the basis for partnerships and >donor participation." Over three hundred notable ICT in education >initiatives on >the continent are included in the survey. > >======================================== >ICT and Education in Africa: > Some notable "macro trends" >======================================== > > *Public-private partnerships* are important mechanisms enabling the > implementation of ICT in national education systems in > Africa. These PPPs > take many forms: from complex partnerships between companies (Typcially > involved in IT), goverment ministries, development agencies, > schools and > civil society organizations more straight forward bilaterla > partnerships > between IT companies and national ministries of education. > The need for *digital content development* relevant to local > curricula is > becoming more urgent as ICT use becomes more widespread. > Interest in *open source software* and operating systems is growing > rapidly in Africa, but this growth is constrained by a lack of > sufficient > human resource capacity to support such systems and applications. > A number of prominent *regional initiatives* have emerged (with varying > degrees of success) explicitly focused on ICT use in education, > including > NEPAD e-Schools, SchoolNet Africa, and the African Virtual University, > complemented by increasing African participation in global ICT in > education programmes. > *National Research and Education Networks (NRENs)* are slowly emerging, > especially in North, East and Southern Africa, to enable collaboration > between universities. > *Internet connectivity* remains a major challenge, both within > countries, > and between Africa and the rest of the world, and several major > initiatives are emerging to help address this issue. > *Wireless networks* are developing rapidly throughout the > continent, and > of increasing relevance to the education sector. > >======================================== >Coming Soon: 53 Country Reports >======================================== > >infoDev will also be releasing the working versions of 53 individual Country >Reports developed as a result of this survey process. These reports should be >seen as ?snapshots? that were current at the time they were taken during the >first half of 2007. It is expected that certain facts and figures presented in >some of the Country Reports may become dated very quickly; ICT use in >education >is at a particularly dynamic stage in Africa, and there are new >developments and >announcements happening on a daily basis somewhere on the continent. > >The country reports pay particular attention to the following themes: > ICT Policies for Education > ICT Infrastructure for Education > ICT Activities and Initiatives in Higher Education > ICT Activities and Initiatives in Primary and Secondary Schools > ICT Activities and Initiatives in Non-formal Education > Gender Equity and ICT in Education > Factors Enabling and Constraining ICT Use in Education > >It is anticipated that these reports will serve as the building block for an >on-line database (in a wiki format) that will be updated collaboratively over >time, to be released later in the year. As such, all individual country >reports >are considered to be evolving "works-in-progress". > >======================================== >For more information >======================================== > > The full version of the Survey of ICT and Education in Africa: A Summary > Report Based on 53 Country Surveys, is available at > infodev.org/en/Publication.353.html. > The working versions of the Survey of ICT and Education in Africa: 53 > Country > Reports will be available in one consolidated document at > infodev.org/en/Publication.354.html. Individual versions of the country > reports will appear in wiki format later this year on the infoDev web > site. > infoDev and COL recently released The NEPAD e-Schools Demonstration > Project: > A Work in Progress (A Public Report), which highlights lessons learned to > date from the pan-African, public-private partnership to introduce ICTs in > education and is available for download at > infodev.org/en/Publication.355.html > infoDev is completing a similar survey of ICT use in education in > the Caribbean; background information on this project can be found at > infodev.org/ict4edu-Caribbean. > > Survey of ICT and Education in Africa > A Summary Report, Based on 53 Country Surveys

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Safaricom share sale on as court case flops
by alice 05 Oct '07

05 Oct '07

Safaricom share sale on as court case flops Published on October 4, 2007, 12:00 am By Evelyn Kwamboka The public sale of Sh30 billion worth of Safaricom shares is on after a judge dismissed a case seeking to block it. Three MPs allied to the Orange Democratic Movement had sought to stop the initial public offer (IPO) of the leading mobile telephone provider until the Privatisation Act 2005 is enforced. The MPs also wanted the court to allow them to file an application seeking to compel Finance minister, Mr Amos Kimunya, to appoint a date for coming into force the Privatisation Act. But on Wednesday, the judge said the case was incompetent after it failed to enjoin Telkom-Kenya, which owns 60 per cent stake in the company, and Treasury Permanent Secretary, Mr Joseph Kinyua, as parties in the suit. "Even if I were to toss a coin, it would be improper to exercise the court's discretion in favour of granting a temporary stay (stoppage)," High Court judge, Mr Justice Joseph Nyamu, said. The judge indicated that just like in the referendum case of 2005, the court would not restrain the public participation in the largest public offer. "The case before me has no legs and it cannot lift itself from the threshold stage and crawl to the next stage for the above reasons," the judge ruled. The MPs are Prof Anyang' Nyong'o (Kisumu Rural), Mr Omingo Magara (South Mugirango) and Mr Mwandawiro Mghanga (Wundanyi). But immediately after the ruling was delivered, the MPs' advocate, Mr James Orengo, told the court he would appeal the decision. MPs did not disclose material facts The Safaricom IPO is expected to be the largest in local history. The Government has said it would sell it next month to raise about Sh30 billion to help plug a Sh110 billion budget deficit for the current financial year. "It is not therefore in dispute that the IPO has serious financial implications for the country," the court said. The MPs had sought orders quashing the Government's decision, through the Finance ministry, to offer to the public 25 per cent of Safaricom shares, through an IPO at the Nairobi Stock Exchange until the Privatisation Act 2005 is enforced. They also wanted the court to allow them to file an application seeking to compel Finance minister, Mr Amos Kimunya, to appoint a date for the coming into force of the Privatisation Act. The Government, through Telkom — where it owns 100 per cent stake — has 60 per cent shares in Safaricom. The court upheld that Safaricom was not a public entity only as regards the Procurement and Disposal of Assets, but a corporate body. Justice Nyamu said he could not grant the MPs any orders because they were guilty of delaying the commencement of the proceedings against Kimunya without explanation. This, he said, was because the Privatisation Act 2005 was assented to on October 13, 2005, yet the MPs were commencing the suit only two months to the sale. "Courts of law are not involved in policy and governance issues and cannot hold to ransom public authorities and other bodies who must be allowed to undertake their duties of good public administration without undue delay," the judge said. The case was also dismissed on the grounds that the MPs did not disclose material facts despite the fact that one source of the undisclosed information was available in Parliament. The information touches on Kimunya's request to Parliament for the approval of the list of the Privatisation Commission directors. "There was nothing to stop the applicants from seeking an order for the information to be provided at the threshold stage," said the judge. No foul play Justice Nyamu took issue with the MPs, saying some of them served in parliamentary committees that must have taken part in the passage of the Privatisation Act 2005. "In a rigid separation of powers regime, they should not be allowed to again have a second bite at the sherry," he said in a 69-page ruling. He said it was absurd for the MPs to suggest that public companies be restrained from selling their shares. He saw no problem with this provided the sale complied with the Memorandum of Articles of Association and other provisions of the Companies Act. On the issue of the minister refusing to appoint a date when the Act would be enforced, the court said Parliament gave Kimunya the discretion to determine or appoint a commencement date. "What the minister has done or is in the process of doing cannot be said to be unreasonable and in my finding, it is well within his discretion," said Justice Nyamu. By way of an affidavit, Kimunya demonstrated to the court that he was trying to put in place the necessary structures before commencement of the Act. The court said since the Act had not commenced, its provisions would not regulate the sale of Safaricom shares. "The minister is only concerned with policy and the necessary on the issues of policy is done by Parliament," he said. The court observed that as per the evidence before it, the issue of accountability and transparency was well taken care of by the Procurement Act and Regulations. The court said there was no evidence of any foul play in the share sale or undervaluation, and that the intention to offload the stock at the bourse would be managed by experts. Through its advocate, Prof Githu Muigai, Safaricom had argued that the decision to list the shares was a policy decision with merit and the court had no jurisdiction to intervene. He said there was no connection between the alleged failure by Kimunya to appoint a commencement date for the Privatisation Act 2005 and the Safaricom IPO. Muigai said there was also no legal basis for stopping the sale of shares. "The applicants, as MPs, helped in incorporating transitional provisions and having made their bed, they must lie on it," he argued. On the State's part, Deputy-Solicitor General, Ms Muthoni Kimani, told the court that Kimunya had not disregarded the law in disposal of public assets. http://www.eastandard.net/news/?id=1143975467 <http://www.eastandard.net/news/?id=1143975467>

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African Connectivity Statistics update]
by alice 04 Oct '07

04 Oct '07

some interesting statistics - follow the link > > Interesting updated list of African Internet user figures for 2007. > > http://www.internetworldstats.com/stats1.htm#africa > > Note it shows South Africa has the slowest growth in > number of internet users of all countries in Africa except > Liberia! (barring a couple of tiny countries/territories > for which there is no data).. > > >

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further info about EA telecoms
by Rebecca Wanjiku 04 Oct '07

04 Oct '07

The East African Community, in its current form, was established as a partnership between Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda in 2001. Burundi and Rwanda joined the Community in 2007. The purpose of the Community is "to widen and deepen economic, political, social and cultural integration in order to improve the quality of life of the people of East Africa through increased competitiveness, value added production, trade and investment." This includes a process of integration beginning with customs union (established in 2005), moving through the creation of a common/single market, then to monetary union and finally to political federation. Harmonisation is crucial to this process. Harmonisation does not necessarily mean that arrangements in all three countries must be the same, but that they must work together in a way which promotes cooperation and cross-border trade, and which does not favour one country or its businesses/citizens over another. The EAC Strategic Plan proposes harmonisation in many areas of economic and other activity - from fiscal and trade policy to legal and judicial processes. Harmonisation of policies and regulations relating to communications is also proposed within the EAC. Harmonisation was an important part of the development of a single market in communications within the European Union - in which communications businesses from any one country can compete on equal terms with those in any other country within the Union. The regulatory frameworks associated with harmonisation have been very important in liberalisation within the EU. The study which I am presently working on focuses on options for harmonisation of communications policy and regulation within the EAC. It is primarily (but not exclusively) concerned with telecommunications and with services that depend on telecommunications. At this stage, it is also primarily concerned with the three founder members of the EAC (Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda). Important questions raised by harmonisation include the following: 1. What differences are there at present between the communications markets in the different EAC countries? What effect do these have? What would be the effect of removing them? 2. What are the main problems with current policy and regulatory arrangements in each country - particularly where business development and consumer services are concerned? 3. What effect would the development of a single market in the EAC region have on communications businesses and on consumers? For example: a. What would businesses be able to do that they cannot do at present? b. What difference would it make to consumers? c. Would it facilitate more transactions across national borders - in ICT and other sectors? d. Would it lead to the development of more EAC-wide ICT businesses? 4. What are the main (economic, social, political) drivers for harmonisation of communications policy and regulation? What are the main constraints? 5. What priority issues need to be addressed in the first stage of harmonisation? (In other words, what major problems faced by businesses or consumers should be addressed first on a cross-border basis?) 6. Should arrangements for market structure and regulation eventually be the same in all EAC countries? If so, over what timescale? If not, why not? 7. What institutional arrangements would be appropriate for harmonising communications policy and regulation in the region? What would be the right timescale for doing this? Tel. 254 720 318 925 blog:http://beckyit.blogspot.com/ ____________________________________________________________________________________ Check out the hottest 2008 models today at Yahoo! Autos. http://autos.yahoo.com/new_cars.html

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Telkom seeks mobile licence
by alice 03 Oct '07

03 Oct '07

Telkom seeks mobile licence Published on October 1, 2007, 12:00 am By Alari Alare and Agencies Any party opposed to the granting of a mobile cellular operator licence to Telkom Kenya has less than 60 days to lodge objections to the Communications Commission of Kenya (CCK). In a Kenya Gazette notice issued on Friday, CCK Director-General, Mr John Waweru, said that Telkom had made application to the regulator for the licence. "Any public or local authority, company, person or body of persons desirous of making any representation on or objection to the grant of such licence must do so by a letter addressed to the commission on or before the expiry of 60 days, effective from September 21 this year", said Waweru, in the gazette notice. Telkom Kenya has rolled out a CDMA-based network that has drawn criticism from GSM operators. Competitors argue the Telkom network works in the same way as theirs and should therefore be subject to the $55 million licence fee they paid. Telkom did not have to pay for the CDMA service as the regulator considered it a landline service, since it was originally designed to roll out fixed services in remote areas, which are cheaper to reach with wireless infrastructure. But it aggressively entered the mobile market earlier this year with cheap rates, shaking up the competition and creating a potentially lucrative business Telkom executives say make it more attractive to outside investors. "The reason for granting the licence is to enable the applicant to provide and operate mobile cellular services," said Waweru. There are about 9.5 million mobile subscribers with Safaricom laying claim to 6.3 million customers while Celtel Kenya, has about three million. The third GSM operator, Econet Wireless is yet to roll out, after being licensed and allocated frequencies. http://www.eastandard.net/news/?id=114397529 <http://www.eastandard.net/news/?id=1143975293>

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Telecoms harmonisation lunch at 12.30
by Rebecca Wanjiku 03 Oct '07

03 Oct '07

hi lunch starts at 12.30 to 2pm, jacaranda on monday oct. 8th----please confirm attendance, email me directly The main focus of this working lunch will be the harmonization of communications regulation which is envisaged in the East African Community strategic plan. What are your views on the issues surrounding harmonization of regulation in East Africa region? Regional harmonization is particularly concerned with increasing trade within the EAC, so What are the perceptions of this within the Kenyan telecoms business community? What are the best ways in which harmonization might be effected in practice. Rebecca Wanjiku wrote: > hi, > > KICTANet invites you to a working lunch to meet with David Souter, who > is in kenya to discuss various ways of Telecoms harmonisation in East > Africa. > > lunch will be at Jacaranda on October 8. > > the meeting will be ideal for representatives from private sector, > government, civil society, and academia, to interrogate all attendant > issues, > > please confirm directly with me.....off list, > > regards > > becky > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ > Yahoo! oneSearch: Finally, mobile search that gives answers > <http://us.rd.yahoo.com/evt=48252/*http://mobile.yahoo.com/mobileweb/onesear…>, > not web links. _______________________________________________ kictanet mailing list kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet This message was sent to: rebeccawanjiku(a)yahoo.com Unsubscribe or change your options at http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/rebeccawanjiku%40yahoo… ____________________________________________________________________________________ Check out the hottest 2008 models today at Yahoo! Autos. http://autos.yahoo.com/new_cars.html

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Small Internet firms struggle not to fall to the big players... and what about KDN????
by alice 03 Oct '07

03 Oct '07

Small Internet firms struggle not to fall to the big players Written by Kui Kinyanjui October 03 2007: Broke A$$?" asked an aging billboard along Nairobi's Argwings-Kodhek Road. Get connected to the cheapest ISP." Apart from its corny use of language, the billboard was fairly nondescript. It's symbolism as a monument to the evolving Internet industry was more apparent. The ancient billboard belonged to Bidii.com, an up-start of an Internet Service Provider (ISP) that challenged the both the norms of advertising and the ISP business. In its short-lived existence in 2001, the ISP managed to gain a notable share of the lower-end Internet market. It was later swallowed up by Africa Online, a much larger ISP, in a tale that is familiar to many of the service providers who existed during the heady years when acquisitions and mergers were the catch-words of the Kenyan ISP market. Gateway Online, ISP Kenya, Nairobinet and Net2000 were a few of the casualties of the consolidation movement taking place in the market, with most of them either running out of steam in the rapidly competitive market or being bought by larger Kenyan operations. And then, late last year, the buying started again. This time, the bigger boys who managed to survive the rout of the earlier buying spree were the target, and the buyers were not Kenyan. In 2006, a South African firm acquired a controlling stake in Interconnect, a local Internet service provider. As part of the deal, IS injected Sh300 million in fresh capital in to the ISP. "There was no way we could have continued on our own. For many Kenyan grown ISPs, getting access to cheap bandwith and financing makes it harder to survive in the market," said Mr Tejpal Bedi, Managing Director of IS Kenya. Much of the investment, Sh100 million, was set aside to upgrade systems. The company planned to roll-out new technologies and services, hoping to maintain its share of the corporate market by offering cost effective virtual private networks to organisations. "The only way we could maintain our market was by partnering with the South Africans and diversifying our product line, which costs money," said Mr Bedi. The acquisition was touted as part of the South African company's growth strategy to gain a footprint in the local and the greater Eastern and Central African market. "We will ensure the product mix is right for the Kenyan market, by deploying our proven services in Kenya," said IS business development director Ermano Quartero, at a function to announce the deal. The company that bought Bedi's company is one of the leading converged communications service providers in South Africa, boasting a client base at the time of the Interconnect aquisition that included 80 per cent of South Africa's top 250 listed companies. A few months later, the industry was abuzz with the biggest acquisition yet. The target was Africa Online, one of the largest ISPs in sub-Saharan Africa – and the South Africans were after it again. Telkom South Africa eventually won what was an acrimonious battle for the Kenyan-born company. "With the decline of the voice market we are extending and defending our core profitable services. This acquisition fits that objective," said Africa Online's new Chief Executive Officer John Joseph. Telkom SA has plans to invest Sh300 billion over the next five years in projects aimed at gaining the company a foothold in key African markets. Formerly the giant of the Kenyan ISP industry, the South Africans took on a company that was cash-strapped and had struggled with periods of losses over the last few years under it ownership by London firm African Lakes. The situation may get worse for the few small ISPs still fighting for market share. Smaller ISPs have traditionally been dial-up providers, an industry currently being affected by a shift in consumer preference. Although over 50 per cent of users still use dial-up access, use of the service is estimated to be decreasing by 30 per cent while mobile and wireless Internet access is increasing by 40 per cent annually. Up from just under 4,000 users in 1996, Kenya's Internet market grew by its largest margins last year, and now includes 200,000 users. The cost of international bandwidth, still expensive and accounting for most of ISPs' operating costs, has largely limited more rapid growth. Still, Kenya's Internet industry is set to grow more rapidly than ever in the next five years according to new research from Frost and Sullivan. In order to tap into that growth, Frost predicts small companies will fall to larger Internet firms. "Consolidation is likely to increase on the market between the smaller market players in order to gain market competitiveness as the Internet markets are currently dominated by a few major players," says the report. A large number of African ISPs are now controlled by large international organisations, with a few "for Africa, by Africa" ISPs. This is attributed to the high operating costs associated with ISPs in the market. "It is true that many of the ISPs are foreign owned however other major firms are still Kenyan owned. By market share it is probably 50/50," said Mr David Somen, of Access Kenya. His firm broke with tradition and sought local investment funds through a listing on the Nairobi Stock Exchange earlier this year – raising Sh800 million to fund its growth. Access has since bought two Kenyan IT firms and is said to be on a major spending spree. "We believe that with the correct incentives there is no reason why large ISPs should not remain Kenyan. There are great opportunities in the ISP industry and Kenyans continue to invest in this business," said Mr Somen. ISPs in Kenya still face three major challenges. They have limited access to investment and venture capital; there is still a shortage of skilled ICT personnel especially at management level; and Kenyans themselves need to see more local content on the net to for demand for Internet services to go up. But allowing more foreign investment is often the only recourse many ISPs have to keep their businesses running. As a result, the industry regulator, the Communications Commssion of Kenya (CCK) is said to be revising its rules to allow for Kenyan ISPs to have more foreign ownership. Also looming on most providers' radar screens is the increasingly urgent need to own their infrastructure. "My prediction is that East Africa will become a global top ten ICT hub within 10 years – we're betting the farm on the fact that this will be the case," said Richard Bell, whose largely locally owned venture capital firm, East Africa Capital Partners, took on Telkom SA in the recent Africa Online buyout saga. "The ISP industry is a "non industry". Any ISPs that aren't dead already will die – it's just a matter of time. The only business model with any legs on it is that of being an Infrastructure provider," said Mr Bell, who firm has already made three Kenyan acquisitions and one Tanzanian in that line. Infrastructure ownership issues have also driven the latest purchase by a South African firm of a Kenyan business. Technology company Altech is said to be willing to pay nearly Sh5 billion for a 51 per cent stake in the Sameer Group's ICT division. http://www.bdafrica.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3383&Item… <http://www.bdafrica.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3383&Item…>

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Re: [kictanet] [Kictanet] Call for Participation: AITEC's Wireless BroadbandAfrica conference 29Nov-1Dec 2006 Hilton Hotel
by Sean Moroney 03 Oct '07

03 Oct '07

Dear Colleagues, I'm sorry there is low Kenyan attendance here at our Outsourcing & Contact Centre Conference here in Mauritius, opeing today. But as you can see from my Welcome Speech, attached, I'm doing my best to fly the Kenyan flag. Brian Longwe is also here to support me, so I hope we can attract participation in the East African Outsourcing & Contact centre Conference in Nairobi over 21-22 November. Regards, Sean Sean Moroney Chairman AITEC Africa seanm(a)aitecafrica.com UK Tel: +44(0)1480-880774 UK Fax: +44(0)1480-880765 UK Mobile: +44(0)7973-499224 Kenya Mobile: +254(0)721-845674 Nigeria Mobile: +234(0)802-0571766 SA Mobile: +27(0)72-610-7153 Skype: seanmoroney www.aitecafrica.com Registered as:AITEC Conferences Ltd at Companies House, No. 4698475. Address: Cromer House, Caxton Way, Stevenage, Herts SG1 2DF, UK

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Fwd: ITS CREATORS CALL INTERNET OUTDATED, OFFER REMEDIES
by Alex Gakuru 02 Oct '07

02 Oct '07

> --- Alex Gakuru wrote: > See also: > Van Jacobson's talk:"A New Way to look at > Networking" > http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-6972678839686672840&q=engeduthis > > > > "The Internet wasn't designed for people to watch > television," he says. "I know because I designed > it." > (Larry Roberts on below article) > > > ---------- Forwarded message ---------- > > From: WWWhatsup <joly(a)punkcast.com> > > Date: Oct 2, 2007 5:31 PM > > Subject: [isoc-ny] ITS CREATORS CALL INTERNET > > OUTDATED, OFFER REMEDIES > > To: isoc-ny(a)yahoogroups.com, discuss(a)isoc-ny.org > > > > > > ITS CREATORS CALL INTERNET OUTDATED, OFFER > REMEDIES > > [SOURCE: Wall Street Journal, AUTHOR: Bobby White > > bobby.white(a)wsj.com<bobby.white%40wsj.com> > > ] > > There's a growing debate over whether the > Internet's > > current infrastructure > > is sufficient to handle the explosion of > > bandwidth-hungry services such as > > Internet telephony and video. In a recent report, > > Cisco calculated that > > monthly Internet traffic in North America will > > increase 264% by 2011 to more > > than 7.8 million terabytes, or the equivalent of > 40 > > trillion email messages. > > If such Internet traffic continues increasing, > many > > believe networks could > > crash or at least slow to a crawl. Today, > > information travels the Web by > > being broken into tiny bits called packets, which > > are routed through the > > least congested pipes to their destination. Once > the > > packets arrive, they > > are reassembled into their original form. The > > problem is that the increasing > > size of files, such as video, has begun > overwhelming > > some equipment handling > > the traffic, resulting in errant or lost packets. > To > > tackle the problem, a > > slew of start-ups are producing gear and software > to > > accelerate Internet > > traffic or to increase the network's capacity. > > > http://online.wsj.com/article/SB119128309597345795.html?mod=todays_us_marke… > > (requires subscription) > > * Our fraying Internet infrastructure (Commentary) > > > http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2007/10/01/EDGBSAN5C.DTL > > > > > ---------------------------------------------------------- > > WWWhatsup NYC > > http://pinstand.com - http://punkcast.com > > > ---------------------------------------------------------- > > > > __._,_.___ Messages in this topic > > > <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/isoc-ny/message/1778;_ylc=X3oDMTM0YzZnYnJrBF9…>( > > 1) Reply (via web post) > > > <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/isoc-ny/post;_ylc=X3oDMTJwZTJiY2g1BF9TAzk3MzU…>| > > Start > > a new topic > > > <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/isoc-ny/post;_ylc=X3oDMTJlN2VoczA3BF9TAzk3MzU…> > > > > > Messages<http://groups.yahoo.com/group/isoc-ny/messages;_ylc=X3oDMTJlYWRldTBjBF9TAzk…>| > > > Files<http://groups.yahoo.com/group/isoc-ny/files;_ylc=X3oDMTJmcjk1aG5oBF9TAzk3Mz…>| > > > Photos<http://groups.yahoo.com/group/isoc-ny/photos;_ylc=X3oDMTJlaTVjdm1xBF9TAzk3M…>| > > > Links<http://groups.yahoo.com/group/isoc-ny/links;_ylc=X3oDMTJmY2poZDI5BF9TAzk3Mz…>| > > > Calendar<http://groups.yahoo.com/group/isoc-ny/calendar;_ylc=X3oDMTJkNGx2ZmNtBF9TAzk…> > > ---------------------------------------------- > > http://isoc-ny.org > > "The Internet is for Everyone!" -- Vint Cerf > > ---------------------------------------------- > > [image: Yahoo! > > > Groups]<http://groups.yahoo.com/;_ylc=X3oDMTJkNXJhNHI2BF9TAzk3MzU5NzE0BGdycElkAzIxN…> > > Change settings via the > > > Web<http://groups.yahoo.com/group/isoc-ny/join;_ylc=X3oDMTJmdjltc2dvBF9TAzk3MzU…>(Yahoo! > > ID required) > > Change settings via email: Switch delivery to > Daily > > > Digest<isoc-ny-digest@yahoogroups.com?subject=Email+Delivery:+Digest>| > > Switch > > format to > > > Traditional<isoc-ny-traditional@yahoogroups.com?subject=Change+Delivery+Format:+Traditional> > > Visit Your Group > > > <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/isoc-ny;_ylc=X3oDMTJkZzQzcGN2BF9TAzk3MzU5NzE0…>| > > Yahoo! > > Groups Terms of Use > > <http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/> | Unsubscribe > > <isoc-ny-unsubscribe(a)yahoogroups.com?subject=> > > Visit Your Group > > > <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/isoc-ny;_ylc=X3oDMTJlaG5pZmgwBF9TAzk3MzU5NzE0…> > > Search Ads > > > > Get new > > > customers.<http://us.ard.yahoo.com/SIG=12jlkpmgp/M=493064.10729656.11333347.8674578/D=…> > > > > List your web site > > > > in Yahoo! Search. > > Y! Messenger > > > > Instant > > > hello<http://us.ard.yahoo.com/SIG=12jfd4ook/M=493064.10729668.11333359.8674578/D=…> > > > > Chat over IM with > > > > group members. > > Food Lovers > > > > Real Food > > > Group<http://us.ard.yahoo.com/SIG=12jkqnc86/M=493064.11036139.11614791.8674578/D=…> > > > > on Yahoo! Groups > > > > find out more. > > . > > > > __,_._,___ > > > > > > > ____________________________________________________________________________________ > Building a website is a piece of cake. Yahoo! Small > Business gives you all the tools to get online. > http://smallbusiness.yahoo.com/webhosting > ____________________________________________________________________________________ Shape Yahoo! in your own image. Join our Network Research Panel today! http://surveylink.yahoo.com/gmrs/yahoo_panel_invite.asp?a=7

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Internet Statistics
by Alex Gakuru 02 Oct '07

02 Oct '07

Despite internet users increasing from 1 million (2005) to 2,770,300 (2007) end user prices have hardly reduced and in some instances actually they went high up. Obviously this has something to do with the 540 per cent mark up on local bandwidth prices by ISPs (CCK Internet Market Study) Well, notwithstanding the price pain penetration now compares well with Egypt's Enjoy http://www.internetworldstats.com/stats1.htm#africa (Update 30 Sept 2007) ____________________________________________________________________________________ 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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Telecoms harmonisation in East Africa
by Rebecca Wanjiku 02 Oct '07

02 Oct '07

hi, KICTANet invites you to a working lunch to meet with David Souter, who is in kenya to discuss various ways of Telecoms harmonisation in East Africa. lunch will be at Jacaranda on October 8. the meeting will be ideal for representatives from private sector, government, civil society, and academia, to interrogate all attendant issues, please confirm directly with me.....off list, regards becky ____________________________________________________________________________________ Building a website is a piece of cake. Yahoo! Small Business gives you all the tools to get online. http://smallbusiness.yahoo.com/webhosting

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Re: [kictanet] KDN
by Kai Wulff 01 Oct '07

01 Oct '07

Brian, KDN's aim is to run infrastructure to EVERY corner of the region and later the continent! Since I am constantly spending money (though operational very profitable) for this, I would be ill advised to chase people before they can give us an idea of what they want to do! If Altech or ANY other investor wants to participate by INJECTING (I am not talking about a sale of shares, I don't think this is in the interest of anybody at KDN or Sameer) substantial amounts of money to fasttrack this goal, I will listen VERY carefully! Rgds Kai ----- Original Message ----- From: "Brian Longwe" <brian(a)isisweb.nl> To: "Kai Wulff" <kai.wulff(a)kdn.co.ke> Cc: "KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions" <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> Sent: Monday, October 01, 2007 14:48 Subject: Re: [kictanet] KDN hmmm - I seem to recall that the big man over there has a requtation for pulling v. surprising deals at the last minute - might this be one of them? Regards, Brian On Oct 1, 2007, at 11:08 AM, Kai Wulff wrote: > Morning! > > Isn't it interesting what the media can do? > > We have not even received an offer (although it is true that Altech is > interested to come into the East African Market and is looking around), > so > how can we be sold? > > If this was true, CCK would know about .. > > More updates (if anything happens) on this channel! > > Rgds > > Kai > > P.S. Buying Kai would be difficult .... > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: <bitange(a)jambo.co.ke> > To: <kai.wulff(a)kdn.co.ke> > Cc: "KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions" <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> > Sent: Monday, October 01, 2007 08:02 > Subject: [kictanet] KDN > > > Kai, > SA Group buys Kai. See below. > > > > Business Report > Altech's R500m Kenyan buy should give it access to new submarine cable > Thabiso Mochiko > 411 words > 28 September 2007 > The Star > e1 > 3 > English > © Copyright 2007 Independent Newspapers (UK) Limited. All rights > reserved. > > Johannesburg - Allied Technologies (Altech) will pay more than R500 > million for a 51 percent stake in a division of Kenya's Sameer Group, > which should give the telecommunications technology company access to an > undersea cable. > Altech, which has a war chest of R1.2 billion, has agreed to buy a > majority shareholding in Sameer's information and communication > technology > (ICT) division, which houses Kenya Data Networks (KDN), Swift Global and > Infocom. > KDN operates an extensive fibreoptic cable network and plans to expand > into Tanzania and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Swift Global is an > internet service provider with operations in Kenya and Tanzania. Infocom > provides broadband internet services in Uganda. > KDN is expected to participate in the African east coast submarine link, > which will support Altech's aggressive expansion into the telecoms arena. > Altech chief executive Craig Venter said growth opportunities in Kenya > were helped by its stable political environment. > The acquisition formed part of Altech's strategy to become a global > company, he added. > Venter noted that the ever-changing technology environment required > "equal > measures of prudence and agility". > Altech is still on the prowl for acquisitions, but says it will not buy > an > existing cellular network operator because its cellphone service > provider, > Autopage, continues to grow. The firm, which resells products of Cell C, > MTN and Vodacom, now boasts 850 000 subscribers. > Altech operates in India through its satellite television decoder > manufacturer, Altech UEC. Its vehicle tracking firm, Altech Netstar, has > opened shop in Malaysia and will expand to Brazil. > In the rest of Africa, Altech operates in Rwanda, where it has been > licensed to roll out a high-speed WiMax internet network. It has > profitable operations in Nigeria through NamITech, which manufactures 60 > million prepaid airtime vouchers a month for the country's five cellular > operators. > Altech will spend R30 million to expand capacity to make credit cards for > banks and SIM cards for cellular operators. > Another R90 million acquisition, of fleet management firm ComTech, is > subject to competition commission approval. > This week Altech, which is majority-owned by JSE-listed Allied > Electronics, posted a 20 percent rise in revenue to R4 billion for the > six > months to August. Interim operating profit increased by 6 percent to R306 > million from a year earlier. > Altech's shares gained 25c to R61.75 yesterday. The all share index added > 0.44 percent. > > > > > _______________________________________________ > kictanet mailing list > kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > > This message was sent to: kai.wulff(a)kdn.co.ke > Unsubscribe or change your options at > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/kai.wulff% > 40kdn.co.ke > > -- > This message has been scanned for viruses and > dangerous content by MailScanner, and is > believed to be clean. > > > > > -- > This message has been scanned for viruses and > dangerous content by MailScanner, and is > believed to be clean. > > > _______________________________________________ > kictanet mailing list > kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > > This message was sent to: brian(a)isisweb.nl > Unsubscribe or change your options at http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/ > mailman/options/kictanet/brian%40isisweb.nl -- This message has been scanned for viruses and dangerous content by MailScanner, and is believed to be clean. -- This message has been scanned for viruses and dangerous content by MailScanner, and is believed to be clean.

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Who put me in the wananchi mailing list
by Alex Gakuru 01 Oct '07

01 Oct '07

(Sent on 1 October 2007 10:00 am) I only recall requesting to be on kictanet list but I get two list subscriptions reminders: http://mail.wananchi.com/mailman/options/kictanet/ http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/ Could it be the reason some of my posts take 5 days to get bounced? Could moderators Walu and Alice explain plse Alex ____________________________________________________________________________________ Looking for a deal? Find great prices on flights and hotels with Yahoo! FareChase. http://farechase.yahoo.com/

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[Fwd: [AfriNIC-rpd] Fw: Global Policy for the Allocation of the Remaining IPv4 Address Space]
by alice 01 Oct '07

01 Oct '07

Egypt has submitted this proposal for allocation for remaining IPv4 addresses space... ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Name: Hytham Zakaria EL Nakhal Organisation: National Telecom Regulatory Authority, Egypt Version: Draft Date: 07 July 2007 Status: Open for discussion Authors: Roque Gagliano (ANTEL), Francisco Obispo (CENIT), Hytham EL Nakhal (MCIT), Didier Allain Kla (ISOC Cote d'Ivoire) Policy Affected: The current on-demand global policy for the distribution of IPv4 address space to the Regional Internet Registry (RIR) system. Incentive: In order to assure the equal distribution of the IPv4 address space across RIR regions, this policy proposal describes a process for the allocation of the remaining IPv4 space from IANA to the existing RIRs Policy Proposal Name: Global Policy for the Allocation of the Remaining IPv4 Address Space. Proposal: -------------- Policy Statement: This policy describes the process for the allocation of the remaining IPv4 space from IANA to RIRs. When a minimum amount of available space is reached, an identical number of IPv4 allocation units (/8s) will be allocated from IANA to each RIR, replacing the current IPv4 allocation policy. In order to fulfill the requirements of this policy, at the time of its adoption, an identical number of IPv4 allocation units (N) will be reserved by IANA for each RIR. The number N is defined as 5. The reserved units will no longer be part of the available space at IANA pool. The process for the allocation of the remaining IPv4 space is divided in two consecutives phases: 1. Existing Policy Phase: During this phase IANA will continue allocating IPv4 addresses to the RIRs using the existing allocation policy. This phase will continue until a request for IPv4 address space from any RIR to IANA can not be fulfilled with the remaining IPv4 space available in the IANA pool. This will be the last IPv4 address space request that IANA will accept from any RIR. At this point the next phase of the process will be initiated. 2. Exhaustion Phase: IANA will automatically allocate the reserved IPv4 allocation units to each RIR (N units to each one) and respond to the last request with the remaining available allocation units in IANA pool (M units). 2.1. Size of the final IPv4 allocations: During this phase IANA will automatically allocate N allocation units to each RIR from the reserved space defined in this policy. IANA will also allocate M allocation units to the RIR that submitted the last request for IPv4 addresses. 2.2. Allocation of the remaining IPv4 Address space: After the completion of the evaluation of the final request for IPv4 addresses, IANA must: A) Immediately notify the NRO about the activation of the second phase of this policy. B) Proceed to allocate M allocation units to the RIR that submitted the last request for IPv4 address space. C) Proceed to allocate N allocation units to each RIR from the reserved space. Rational: --------------- The IANA pool of allocation units of IPv4 addresses (/8s) is decreasing rapidly. A new policy is proposed to replace the current "on demand" policy in order to bring certainty on how the remaining space will be allocated. This policy eliminates the pressure on the remaining central pool of addresses by allocating equal amount of allocation units (N) to each RIR. RIR may be studying slow-landing policies or the possibility to reserve specific address spaces for "critical infrastructure" or new companies in order to comply with anti-trust regulations in its region. This policy allows each RIR to adopt those policies through its PDP, which is simpler than a global policy discussion process. Each RIR will have the exact information on the amount of address spaces that they will be receiving as a last allocation from the IANA. The policy is written in such a way that the discussion could be split in two sections: first do we agree on the concept of the policy and second what is the appropriate value for the last allocation units N. Thanks & Best Regards Mostafa Ali NOL , Cairo Office Senior P&D Engineer Tel. : +202 760 6677 ext. 560 Mobile: +20 10 5151 189 Fax. : +202 760 7656 E-mail - mmostafa(a)nile-online.net _______________________________________________ rpd mailing list rpd(a)afrinic.net https://lists.afrinic.net/mailman/listinfo.cgi/rpd

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South African Minister claims several consortiums interested in NEPAD international fibre project
by Eric Osiakwan 01 Oct '07

01 Oct '07

There were "several" consortiums that had shown interest in getting involved with the proposed information and communication technology broadband infrastructure for the New Partnership for Africa's Development (Nepad), Ivy Matsepe-Casaburri, the minister of communications, said last week. Matsepe-Casaburri said the government was not delaying the process by insisting on an African majority shareholding for the under-sea cable. The minister did not identify the consortiums. Insiders say that the South African Government will probably end up financing the consortium if it goes ahead. (source: Myadsl) Eric M.K Osiakwan Executive Secretary AfrISPA (www.afrispa.org) Tel: + 233.21.258800 ext 2031 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://blogs.law.harvard.edu/eric/ Slang: "Tomorrow Now"

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Ubuntu Platform Training
by Alex Gakuru 29 Sep '07

29 Sep '07

sent on 29 Sept 2007 2:10 pm Hi all, I am pleased to update you on our earlier announced Ubuntu platform training program. We have received a lot of diverse and encouraging interest on this introductory course. (Also pleased to have reclaimed some earlier users:) We have decided to start off with Saturdays 9:00 am - 12:00 noon for lecture-type classes with students undertaking 2-hours practical work thereafter every class. Sorry *nix* gurus:) our angle is NOT kernel-dev or terminal oriented,rather a gentle Open users introduction easy Ubuntu desktop. ( can't wait for GNONE 2.20 in "Gutsy Gibbon". Obviously spicy IBM's Lotus Symphony will be our Open Office package (http://blog.wired.com/monkeybites/2007/09/gnome-update-po.html and http://www.howtoforge.com/ibm_lotus_symphony_ubuntu_7.04 resp) The venue remains our near Nairobi Club, along 4th Ngong Avenue offices, opposite George Williamson House (off Ngong Road) Nairobi. Unfortunately this course is not free because we are not funded by anybody. Full Cost is Kshs 10,000 and YES! One can pay in two installments @ Kshs 5,000/=. will update you in due course on other scheduled discussions on Open Source Training if something concrete is agreed upon. Finally, thanks all for your interest and Josiah Mugambi for Lotus download pointer and YOU for forwarding our training course to your various mailing lists. Remember we are always "send button" away - feel free to ask me anything related through gakuru(a)gmail.com. Thanks Alex "The Future is Open" ____________________________________________________________________________________ Take the Internet to Go: Yahoo!Go puts the Internet in your pocket: mail, news, photos & more. http://mobile.yahoo.com/go?refer=1GNXIC

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Cell operators key for African Internet penetration
by alice 27 Sep '07

27 Sep '07

Cell operators key for African Internet penetration Tuesday, 25 September 2007, 11:49 In a continent where restrictive regulations, high operating costs and widespread poverty makes Internet services unaffordable, low literacy among its population limits demand, and poor telecoms infrastructure hinders penetration, Africa's cellular operators have a key role to play in boosting Internet usage. Frost & Sullivan research analyst, Spiwe Chireka, says that while Africa is experiencing double-digit growth of Internet usage, ISPs can significantly enhance this by aligning themselves with cellular operators. "Moving forward, ISPs will need to consolidate their efforts and create strategic relationships with cellular operators," says Chireka. "The further development and increasing penetration of cellular networks would allow ISPs to offer mobile internet access and boost penetration of their services, thus reducing the high initial investment costs involved." At the same time, mobile handset operators need to partner with ISPs to provide affordable tools for mobile internet access. To develop a sound market share in the limited market base characteristic of Africa, there is a need for product differentiation to increase consumer's switching costs. "In addition, ISPs need to target markets outside the major urban areas, since these areas are currently saturated in terms of operators," says Chireka. "Accordingly, partnerships with cellular operators would go a long way to address this challenge. Besides, low cost and high speed access will also be crucial to ensuring market growth." Chireka says that the current double-digit growth is predicted on a narrow base, with the overall number of Internet users remaining limited. In some cases, ISPs, with the help of governments, are gradually designing coping strategies around restrictive licensing regimes, poor telecoms infrastructure and low affordability of services. Promisingly, both governments and private telecoms operators are making significant investments in infrastructure. Such initiatives are setting the stage to leverage the exciting growth potential of the African Internet market. "Most governments have embarked on ICT-led development strategies, aimed at developing e-governance and subsequently internet penetration," Chireka says. Markets such as Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Senegal, Angola and Mozambique are set to enjoy high growth levels, given their technology neutral licensing regimes, independent regulators, high levels of FDI and highly liberalised markets. Ghana and Nigeria have high growth potential, but this is hindered by poor economic performance and poor licensing regimes, which have limited foreign investment into these markets. By partnering with highly successful cellular operators in regions such as these, ISPs could quickly negate some of these barriers. OEM Division - Novell Garry Hodgson (IP:62.200.56.xxx) 2007-09-25 05:32:38 __._,_.___

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FW: 12th International Business Forum & Global E-discussion
by Harry Hare 26 Sep '07

26 Sep '07

Some of you might find this interesting. Harry -----Original Message----- From: csrwbi(a)worldbank.org [mailto:csrwbi@worldbank.org] Sent: Friday, September 21, 2007 11:18 PM Subject: 12th International Business Forum & Global E-discussion The World Bank Institute, in cooperation with InWEnt Capacity Building International, is pleased to invite you to the 12th International Business Forum -- Business Engagement for Governance: Business and the Rules of the Game October 9-10, 2007 World Bank Headquarters, Washington D.C. More information and registration at: http://www.businessandmdgs.net/ Operating in today's globalized economy is risky business. The private sector has identified a need to take the initiative in addressing global challenges that impact their business as much as the societies in which they operate. Often they are doing so in the absence of clear legislation or clear and functioning global frameworks. This conference will pinpoint the role private business can and should play in shaping tomorrow's global governance structures, and suggest corresponding adjustments required by the public sector. Forum topics include: Business Action on Climate Change: The Impact on Corporate Strategy Private Sector Roles in Combating Corruption: Setting One's Own Standards Business Contributions to achieving the Millennium Development Goals As a lead up to the Forum, a Global E-discussion for young leaders will take place from September 24 to October 5, 2007. Register NOW at: http://info.worldbank.org/etools/BusinessMDGs/eDiscussion.htm The e-discussion will bring together young leaders from around the world to discuss youth opinions on the role business should play in dealing with two of today's global challenges: Climate Change and Good Governance. The recommendations from the e-discussion will be presented to senior business and development leaders at the 12th International Business Forum on October 9-10, 2007. For more information about the e-discussion and to register, please see the attached flyer and visit the e-discussion webpage: http://info.worldbank.org/etools/BusinessMDGs/eDiscussion.htm. We look forward to your participation in both events. Djordjija Petkoski Head of Business, Competitiveness and Development Team World Bank Institute (See attached file: World Bank Announcement.pdf)(See attached file: World Bank Announcement.pdf) *Register Now for the Global E-discussion: Free registration at http://info.worldbank.org/etools/BusinessMDGs/eDiscussion.htm or visit www.businessandmdgs.net and go to the Youth Consultations page.*

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Papers Due: ICT Africa 2008 (Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Feb 13-15)
by Janet Feldman 26 Sep '07

26 Sep '07

http://ictafrica.nepadcouncil.org Last call for papers: Submission of papers for ICT Africa will now close on September 30. If you are still yet to submit your paper, please do so on or before September 30, at midnight US Eastern time (GMT/UTC-4). With two highly regarded conferences, ICT Africa and NOVATECH, being hosted at the same location - you are guaranteed one of the largest ICT events in Africa. Manuscript due date: September 30, 2007 Acceptance date: November 16, 2007 Camera ready manuscript due date December 15, 2007 ICT Africa 2008 conference and tutorial program will bring together engineers, scientists, developers, government leaders, corporate managers, educators, financiers and project representatives from all over Africa and abroad. Suggested topics include: Paper and tutorial titles will include, but not limited to: Track 1 Networks There have been concerted efforts to develop ICT infrastructure in Africa including submarine fibre links, terrestrial long haul fibre and microwave links, metropolitan and access networks including wireless mesh networks, Wi-Max, ADSL, 3G wireless, broadband over power line and fiber to the premises (deployed in Kigali, Rwanda for example). This track will address technologies appropriate for these developments will include but not limited to: Fiber optic networks Submarine cable systems Digital subscriber line (ADSL) Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) Wireless broadband access: including WI-MAX Wireless LANS: including Wi-Fi Broadband over power line Satellite Broadband Fiber to the premises Internet exchange points Track 2 Data Management Issues in Internet-Based Applications: The availability of high-speed networks and high-performance microprocessors is making networks of computers an appealing vehicle for cost-effective internet and business computing. Clusters of computers built using commodity hardware and software are playing a major role in web server design with several applications in E- Commerce, E-learning, E-government, etc. Although applications are flourishing, some challenges remains in the Peer-to-Peer and Internet- based applications. Peer-to-Peer (P2P) refers to a network of equals (peers), where by design two or more peers are able to collaborate spontaneously or share resources without the need for central coordination. We invite contributions from a broad spectrum of disciplines including economics, information systems, information management, and computer sciences. We would also like to involve practitioners whose experiences applications of P2P could certainly enrich the discussions. The track focuses on but is not limited to: Information storage, retrieval and update in a distributed system High performance and reliable mass storage Intrusion prevention, detection and tolerance Formation of supply chains, coalitions, and virtual enterprises Agent technology Public records archives (electronic documents accessibility, authenticity) Trust and privacy e-Voting systems solutions Mobile applications e-government solutions e-learning solutions e-commerce solutions e-health solutions e-labs and distance learning Tutorial Titles Fiber optics Next generation broadband networks VoIP Instructions: PAPERS: Technical papers describing original, previously unpublished research, not currently under review by another conference or journal, are solicited. The conference is interested in contributions addressing all the areas associated with the title above. All paper submissions will be handled electronically at http://www.nepadcouncil.org/ocs . Authors should prepare the full paper following the IEEE paper format. Papers including text, figures and references must not exceed 10 pages. The abstracts should be submitted with the following information: Author's name Co-author(s) Address Company/organization Telephone number email address Title of the paper or presentation Relevant topic (from the areas listed above) One or Two keywords (relating to the subject of the abstract) TUTORIALS: Proposals submission should be in plain text or PDF format and should include a cover sheet and an extended abstract. The cover sheet should specify: The title of the tutorial The length : a half day (3 hours plus breaks) or full day (6 hours plus breaks) The intended audience (introductory, intermediate, advanced) The complete contact information for the contact person and other presenters A brief biography (max. 2 paragraphs) for each presenter The audio/visual equipment needed for the presentation. The extended abstract should be 4 to 6 pages, and should include an outline of the tutorial, along with descriptions of the course objectives and course materials. Paper submission site: http://www.nepadcouncil.org/ocs/ Conference site: http://ictafrica.nepadcouncil.org Contacts Clarissa Dhliwayo cdhliwayo(a)nepadcouncil.org Pamela Odero podero(a)nepadcouncil.org submitted by Janet Feldman (kaippg(a)earthlink.net)

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MPs move to court to block Safaricom IPO, while in Rwanda MTN needs competitor that matches their profile
by alice 25 Sep '07

25 Sep '07

Kenya MPs move to court to block Safaricom IPO Published on September 25, 2007, 12:00 am By Evelyn Kwamboka The battle to stop the sale of shares in Safaricom Limited to the public has moved to court. Three members of Parliament filed a notice at the High Court in Nairobi saying they want to stop a planned initial public offer until the Privatisation Act 2005 comes into force. Their move will also block other planned privatisations as well as secondary offers of partially privatised firms. The IPO, expected before Christmas, will see the sale of a 25 per cent stake held by the Government through the Nairobi Stock Exchange. President Kibaki has already assented to the Act, but its coming into force was on hold until recently when Parliament forced the Finance minister, Mr Amos Kimunya, to move on it. The MPs — Prof Peter Anyang' Nyong'o (Kisumu Rural), Mr Omingo Magara (South Mugirango) and Mr Mwandawiro Mghanga (Wundanyi) — claim the intended sale is illegal and undermines Parliament. They want the court to direct Kimunya to set a date when the Act will come into force. They also want an order barring the Government from any further sale of public corporations and State-held shares until when the Act comes into force. In the papers filed in court through Katwa and Kemboy Advocates, Nyong'o says Kimunya has no legal power to sell the 25 per cent stake in Safaricom or any shares in the company. "It also raises suspicion on the real motive and overall objective of the hurried privatisation exercise done within a legal vacuum, particularly when the overall effect appears likely to be detrimental to the common good against the greater national interest," he says. Another ground the MPs are relying on is that the minister has no authority to form a Privatisation Steering Committee to implement and co-ordinate the process or ignore the collective will of Parliament as expressed in the Privatisation Act 2005. "The decision of the minister is in breach of the order given by the Speaker of the National Assembly on August 23 to the minister to operationalise the Act within seven days from the said date," adds Nyong'o. Kimunya is alleged to have refused to appoint a date on which the said Act will come into force. The Act provides for the formation of a specialised privatisation commission to manage and implement the privatisation programme. Nyong'o says the Act regulates and limits the powers of the Government as well as the minister with respect to the privatisation process. The MP avers that records concerning Safaricom and Vodafone Kenya Ltd have been missing from the Registrar of Companies and Parliament cannot access them. As a result of the shares owned by the Government in Safaricom, the MP says the public has a right to know whom the company does business with. He claims that given the number of Safaricom subscribers and profit the company makes, the proposed privatisation is critical. The company this year announced a pre-tax profit of Sh17.2 billion off a turnover of Sh47 billion. It has close to seven million subscribers. Its actual shareholding structure has previously been cause for controversy. Source: http://www.eastandard.net/news/?id=1143975045 <http://www.eastandard.net/news/?id=1143975045> ************ ************* Uganda Celtel parent firm rebrands Monday, 24th September, 2007 E-mail article Print article By Vision Reporter MTC Group, the parent company of Celtel International, has re-branded to Zain which becomes the group's corporate master brand immediately. In Africa, the Zain Group will continue to trade under the Celtel brand. "Zain will bring together all our operations under a single, strong and unique identity. We believe it is the optimal platform upon which we can build a global brand with the ultimate goal of better serving our customers," Saad Al Barrak Zain Group's chief executive said. "It will propel the group towards becoming one of the top 10 global mobile telecommunications companies in the next four years." The Zain brand's theme is: "A Wonderful World." Brand architect Tito Alai, the group's chief commercial officer who also developed the Zain Group's successful Celtel brand in Africa, said: "The name Zain was selected from a list of over 400 after extensive research across many countries and cultures validated its broad global appeal." http://www.newvision.co.ug/D/8/220/588294 <http://www.newvision.co.ug/D/8/220/588294> ******************** Rwanda Tuesday, 25th September 2007 MTN needs competitor that matches their profile BY DAVID KEZIO MUSOKE SEVENTY per cent of Rwandatel shares are up for grabs. By the end of October, Rwanda's telecom market could be having a new player. Is this good or bad news for MTN Rwanda? What about the subscribers, what are they going to expect? There are six bidders including two telecom giants: the Vodacom Group of South Africa and Celtel, Africa's third-largest cell phone firm. The others include V-Tel Holdings of Jordan, Bit Map Ltd of Singapore and two little known companies: LapGreen Network of Uganda and Rwanda's R-Com. Rwandatel and its branded products, including Terracom and recently introduced Karame, have always played the fiddle to the already existing and powerful brand of MTN Rwandcell. The edgy relationship between both premier telecommunication companies has not really played a pivotal role in the development of the market and its infrastructure since 1998. According to the International Development Research Center (IDRC), MTN Rwanda grew a subscriber base four times the number of subscribers of Rwandatel, and the rate for telephone calls from mobile to fixed lines grew prohibitive. This discouraged most of Rwanda's users from calling mobile to fixed telephones. IDRC says they estimate 90 per cent of interconnection calls are initiated from the Rwandatel network and terminate on the MTN Rwandacell network (fixed to mobile). This means Rwandatel has to pay a tremendous amount of money to MTN Rwandacell for termination charges to use the MTN Rwandacell network, a business venture found to be unfair. MTN has since then operated in a monopolistic manner, controlling a market share of 95 per cent to a population of over 8 million Rwandans. The company boasts over 500,000 subscribers. Looking at MTN Rwanda closely, it belongs to the MTN family that set fort in South Africa. From the global footprint, the MTN group operates in 21 countries, serving a combined population of over 500 million people worldwide. But the gold is not that glittering for MTN Rwanda. According to the MTN Group Limited Integrated business report for last year, MTN Rwanda contributed only 2 per cent of subscribers to the South and East Africa (SEA) region of the MTN Group. It also supplied just 1 per cent of the total revenue the MTN Group collects from SEA, a region that includes South Africa, Botswana, Swaziland, Zambia, and Uganda. So what kind of competitor does MTN Rwanda need? What kind of market does Rwanda's population need? Skeptics say telecommunications is very crucial, if not one of the most important tools to eradicate the many socio-economic problems plaguing any third world country. The Rwandan government has made it very clear it is interested in a new owner of Rwandatel who will have to meet certain objectives underlined in the country's Vision 2020. The Grameen Foundation argues Rwanda has a relatively low rural tele- density (the number of telephone lines per 100 people) which is quoted at 5 per cent. Research done by the Research ICT Africa also shows Rwanda has the second highest mobile call tariffs in Africa, trailing Ethiopia. Rwanda has recently joined the East African Community (EAC). All the members states in this bloc (with the exception of Burund) have telecom markets which are quite superior to that of Rwanda. Safaricom of Kenya has a subscriber base of 7.6 million out of the estimated 10 million subscribers in the country. Tanzania boasts four GSM operators, while Uganda's subscribers with the recent registration of Warid and Hits telecommunications have an option of choosing between five operators by the end of this year. All three East African countries are connected to Celtel's `One Network coverage', a borderless network that allows subscribers to make calls at local rates and receive free incoming calls. This network is the first of its kind in the world and has won the company international recognition within the GSM association, a telecom club that harbors over 300 telecommunication companies worldwide. Rwanda would therefore need an alternative telecommunications company that can fully integrate subscribers into the EAC bloc – one which doesn't only concentrate on the transmission of voice, but also on transmission of data. One who will adopt third-generation (3G) mobile services in the country. In a recent statement, Rwandatel said: "We are looking for a strategic investor with capacity to develop the sector by improving the quality of services and meeting the ever increasing expectations of telecommunications market in Rwanda." Of all six bidders, there are only three which have profiles that match those of the telecoms mentioned above. The eventual winner of the bid would provide a highly competitive market for MTN Rwanda. V-Tel Holdings of Jordan and Bit Map Ltd of Singapore have hardly had any operations in Africa. Therefore, they have no experience working in an African setting and definitely don't know the market. Libya Africa Investments Portfolio for Africa (Lap Green) is a Libyan consortium reorganising the interests of investments owned by the Libyan government. The group, which has invested US$4 billion in cash and owns US$3 billion in assets, also owns Lap Green Networks Ltd who bought 69 per cent of shares in Uganda's national telecom operator, Uganda Telecom Limited (UTL). LapGreen Networks also owns Mali's Sahelcom and together with UTL's 700,000 subscribers, it would boast of about 900,000 fixed line and mobile subscribers in Africa. Vodacom and Celtel have both been identified as pan-African with regional interests in sub-Saharan Africa. Vodacom provides 3G GSM services to millions of customers in South Africa, Tanzania, Lesotho, Mozambique and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The Vodacom brand is also a 50 per cent joint venture investment with the United Kingdom's mobile firm, Vodafone Group Plc. The same telecommunication company has a 40 per cent stake in Safaricom of Kenya. Celtel which is owned by Kuwaiti-based Mobile Telecommunication Company (MTC), operates in 15 African nations. The company which recently announced a re-branding rollout from MTC Kuwait to Zain International has also established a strong hold across the West African region. Celtel's Fayaz King told telecom regulators by the end of 2007, all 15 countries would be part of its One Network plan recently, at the 1st Mobile Roaming Conference in West Africa. Sources within the telecom circles say MTN Rwanda is planning to forge a regional free-roaming zone with Safaricom. According to sources, MTN Rwanda's chief executive, Themba Khumalo and his Safaricom counterpart, Michael Joseph, met at the sidelines of the annual GSM Conference in Nairobi recently and discussed the prospects. The other advantage Celtel and Vodacom would have over all the other four bidders, is the fact that both companies are subscribers to a US$ 235m project to build a fiber-optic submarine cable. This project would fulfill what the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) calls the `missing link' to 21 eastern and southern African countries by 2009. The project is meant to reduce international connectivity costs by two-thirds. With `Connect Africa,' an ITU sponsored communications summit set to be held in Rwanda next month, the bidding process of the new player in Rwanda telecom market has to be done in line with the interests of ITU. At this summit, different heads of state will have to make key decisions in the regulatory environment in order to approach the market and attract the business leaders, some of which will include these bidders. Rwanda could use this summit to show case its ability to do away with unfair monopolies that might hinder growth in her telecommunications industry. dkmusoke(a)newtimes.co.rw <mailto:dkmusoke%40newtimes.co.rw> http://www.newtimes.co.rw/index.php?issue=1298&article=1147 <http://www.newtimes.co.rw/index.php?issue=1298&article=1147> ***********************

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Econet finally connected after paying $12m fee
by alice 25 Sep '07

25 Sep '07

Econet finally connected after paying $12m fee By A STAFF WRITER The EastAfrican South African-based mobile telephone operator Econet Wireless has finally found an entry into Kenya's highly lucrative market after it was allocated frequencies by the Communication Commission of Kenya (CCK), ending a bruising three-year battle for a licence. Its local subsidiary, Econet Wireless Kenya Ltd, announced last week that it had received the frequencies after it paid the $12 million (Ksh840 million) balance of its licence fee earlier this month. The company said it was now preparing for rollout of it services, effectively becoming Kenya's third mobile telephone operator. The balance is part of the $27 million the company was required to pay before it could be licensed and allocated frequencies. But the company is entering a market dominated by Safaricom Ltd and Celtel International — more or less a duopoly where the two players dictate terms. In a David and Goliath situation — Safaricom Ltd is the most profitable company posting Ksh17 billion ($253.7 million) in profits while Celtel has established a name for itself — Econet can hope that the CCK finds favour with its appeal and enforces a provision in its licence that commits regulatory authorities compel its competitions to provide a level playing field. But this will only be feasible if the competition allows number portability and the sharing of basic physical infrastructure, including base stations. Number portability allows consumers to retain the same number regardless of the network they are on at any one particular moment, but there is no indication that the CCK will introduce and enforce the requirement and even less hope that the other better entrenched companies will be willing to give in. But Econet's ability to roll out its network almost immediately it receives its licence and frequencies as it had promised remains to be seen. Its entry comes in at a time when the sector is undergoing rapid growth. It has recently witnessed the introduction of CDMA technology by Telkom Kenya, Popote Wireless and Flashcom. Econet's hopes of making an impact and quick profits for its principal shareholders will depend heavily on CCK's ability to negotiate complex interconnect agreements between multiple players and set the price for shared infrastructure. The telecommunications sector is characterised by a large mobile- phone segment, that has experienced sustained growth, with the number of subscribers surging at a phenomenal rate. For the period 2000 to 2005, growth in this sector was a remarkable 105 per cent. It is estimated that total subscriber numbers hit a new peak of eight million in December 2006, implying a penetration rate of 23 per cent. The number of fixed lines remains comparatively low, falling from a peak of 320,000 in 2002 to 280,000 in 2006. With ongoing deregulation and a sustained commitment from the government to support the sector, the business environment is seen as being extremely robust http://www.nationmedia.com/eastafrican/current/News/News24090714.htm <http://www.nationmedia.com/eastafrican/current/News/News24090714.htm> __._, <http://www.yahoogroups.com/group/kenyainternational>

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ICANN, TWNIC Host "Toward the New Era of Internet"
by Alex Gakuru 25 Sep '07

25 Sep '07

http://www.icann.org/announcements/announcement-20sep07.htm ICANN, TWNIC Host Toward the New Era of Internet in Taipei Internationalized domain names, Internet security key topics at three-day meeting 20 September 2007 MARINA DEL REY, Calif.: The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers is joining forces with the Taiwan Network Information Centre (TWNIC) to host a special regional meeting Toward the New Era of Internet in Taipei 19-21 October 2007. ICANN, TWNIC, and the global Internet community are tackling some of the most important issues impacting the Internet since its creation, said Dr Paul Twomey, ICANNs President and CEO. This meeting is an opportunity for technical communities, Internet businesses, and policy makers from the Asia-Pacific to come together and share thoughts and ideas on how we can move forward together. Some of the meeting highlights include: * Internet security and the challenges it presents to governments, service providers, and end-users * The need for a migration to IPv6, with its 340 trillion trillion trillion Internet Protocol addresses, because of the depletion of the widely-used IPv4 space * One of the last official ICANN functions for Board Chair Vint Cerf, whose term ends at the Los Angeles International Public Meeting at the end of October. * ICANNs progress on implementing internationalized domain names (IDNs), which have the goal of adding to the 37 characters presently available for domain names to tens of thousands of characters from many of the languages of the world. IDNs are going to change the face of the Internet when they arrive it will give people the chance to register domain names with their names in their languages, Dr Twomey added. ICANN is about to launch a technical evaluation of the impact IDNs will have, and if all goes well internationalized domain names could be available sometime in 2008. Links to the agenda and registration for the Taipei meeting are online at: http://taipei2007.icann.org/. -- Glen de Saint Géry GNSO Secretariat - ICANN gnso.secretariat[at]gnso.icann.org http://gnso.icann.org ____________________________________________________________________________________ Looking for a deal? Find great prices on flights and hotels with Yahoo! FareChase. http://farechase.yahoo.com/

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NY Times FREE AGAIN!!!
by Alex Gakuru 24 Sep '07

24 Sep '07

["Now, everyone is entitled to our opinions. Effective September 19, 2007, TimesSelect has ended. Content previously published for TimesSelect is available free to all NYTimes.com visitors." http://www.nytimes.com/marketing/ts/] ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: WWWhatsup <joly(a)punkcast.com> Date: Sep 22, 2007 10:14 PM Subject: [isoc-ny] NY Times FREE AGAIN!!! To: isoc-ny(a)yahoogroups.com, discuss(a)isoc-ny.org [Finally, the old grey lady digs the bullet out of it's foot] http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/ A note to our readers: We have ended TimesSelect. All of our Op-Ed and news columns are now available free of charge. Additionally, The New York Times Archive is available free back to 1987 ---------------------------------------------------------- WWWhatsup NYC http://pinstand.com - http://punkcast.com ---------------------------------------------------------- ____________________________________________________________________________________ Don't let your dream ride pass you by. Make it a reality with Yahoo! Autos. http://autos.yahoo.com/index.html

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