- KICTANet - KICTANet

NSE Weekly Analytics & MediaCorp Clinic
by Bill Kagai 26 Aug '07

26 Aug '07

Dear Sir/Madam, 1. Please find attached the NSE Weekly Analytics. This week our eye is on the proposed Bamburi/East Africa Portland Cement Merger - The real winners. 2.Next Saturday on 1st September 2007, we will be at Nyali Beach Hotel looking at how ICT can help you trade more efficiently at the inaugural MediaCorp Clinic. Main Plenary * * -Dr. Bitange Ndemo – PS, Ministry of Information and Communication who will speak on the role of ICT in harnessing online trading -Mr. Jimnah Mbaru – Chairman, Nairobi Stock Exchange [NSE] who will speak on transforming the market from a paper to a digital market and the future vision of the NSE. -Mr. Bob Karina – Managing Director, Faida Securities who will speak on demystifying the bond market by taking advantage of online resources in Kenya. Discussant Mr. Fred Mweni, Chief Executive, Tsavo Securities. First Plenary -Financing IPOs from a bank's perspective – K-Rep Bank - Moses Banda -Custodial Services from Barclays Securities Services – John Odhiambo / Gideon Chokah -NSE Real Time Data Demonstration – MediaCorp - Edwin Wambugu -Investor Rights and Redress – Kenya Association of Investor Groups – Patrick Kariuki -Brokers, Unit Trusts and Investment Groups Exhibition Confirmed Exhibitors Dyer & Blair Investment Bank, Faida Securities, Discount Securities, Barclays Securities Service, Bob Mathews, K-Rep Bank, Old Mutual, Tsavo Securities and Apex Africa have already confirmed exhibiting their services at the Clinic. -- Bildad Kagai MD - MediaCorp Limited Nairobi Stock Exchange [NSE] - Authorised Information Vendor Suite B2 Tetu Apartments StateHouse Avenue P. O. Box 20311-00200 Tel. 254 20 272 8332 Fax. Rendered Obsolete URL. www.mediacorpafrica.com --

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WHOIS privacy reform reaches dead end
by Alex Gakuru 25 Aug '07

25 Aug '07

http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20070824-whois-privacy-reform-reaches-… Reforms to the WHOIS database in order to address growing privacy concerns have once again come to a halt, leaving a seven-year-old debate to continue on how much personal information should be displayed to the public. The WHOIS Working Group published its Final Outcomes report (PDF) this week, which detailed nearly three months' worth of talks, negotiations, and disagreements among 70 users, service providers, and law enforcement officials. The group was pulled in two directions: one by those who want increased privacy protections for individuals registering domains and another by those who want easier and quicker access to WHOIS contact information in order to keep an eye on bad apples. Report: http://gnso.icann.org/drafts/icann-whois-wg-report-final-1-9.pdf ------------------- [WWWhatsup NYC, http://pinstand.com,http://punkcast.com http://isoc-ny.org] ------------------- ____________________________________________________________________________________ Be a better Globetrotter. Get better travel answers from someone who knows. Yahoo! Answers - Check it out. http://answers.yahoo.com/dir/?link=list&sid=396545469

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Fwd: [Skunkworks] MEETING - PloneGOV - 28 Aug 2007
by Riyaz Bachani 25 Aug '07

25 Aug '07

this might be useful for members on this forum too. Begin forwarded message: > To: skunkworks <skunkworks(a)my.co.ke> > > > Nicholas Bossut will be speaking about http://www.plonegov.org > > Wananchi Online, 1st Floor Loita Hse > > 6pm, 28 Aug 2007 > > We will probably do dinner after for those wanting more discussions > > > > > > ----- > from Ashok: > > Hello All: > > One of the main creators of PloneGOV project (http:// > www.plonegov.org) [1] is > visiting nairobi during this week, and is interested in meeting > organizations, interested > parties, open source folks.... : > > <quote> > Moreover, I'm truly interested to explore opportunities for PloneGov > project. PloneGov could be a way for african municipalities to fight > the digital divide in saving money. Open source websites as City of > Seneffe website (www.seneffe.be) could be easily copy-paste and help > national administrations in charge of local governments to develop a > presence of public authorities on Internet. Different applications > are independant and interconnectable. In facts, we deployed tools > that aren't useful in Africa but municipalities can choose 'à la > carte' what they need. > </quote> > > Interested parties may drop me an email offline .... > > thanks > > Ashok > > [1] PloneGOV : > ""55 European, African, North and South American Public > organizations participate > in the PloneGov project. In doing so, they aim to gain > independence from large > IT services providers by developing, essentially by themselves and > in a > cooperative manner, applications and websites for their own use as > well as for > their citizens'. > > PloneGov is open and aims to reach more organizations. Initiated by > small towns > in close collaboration with the Plone / Zope Communities, the > project reaches now > cities, regions and 10 parliaments. This collaboration effort > already spans over 3 > continents and 15 countries."" > > > _______________________________________________ > skunkworks mailing list > skunkworks(a)my.co.ke > http://ole.kenic.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/skunkworks > Blog http://skunkworks-ke.blogspot.com

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Teen 'unlocks' iPhone from AT&T network
by Jose' 25 Aug '07

25 Aug '07

I found this really facinating on the new iphone just released in the USA. The 17 year old guru got it "unlocked" from the AT&T network.Now we await on the blackberry :-) http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070825/ap_on_hi_te/iphone_unlocked;_ylt=Al511V… Best Regards, Jose' Njuki-Imwe Ngunjiri || +254 722 336754 || ____________________________________________________________________________________ Be a better Globetrotter. Get better travel answers from someone who knows. Yahoo! Answers - Check it out. http://answers.yahoo.com/dir/?link=list&sid=396545469

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training on Information Security Management Systems
by Rebecca Wanjiku 25 Aug '07

25 Aug '07

in case of interest Course: Information Security Management Systems-ISO 27001:2005 Lead Auditor Course Date: 27th-31st August 2007 (5-days 8am-5pm) Venue:Safaripark Hotel Certification: International Registrar of Certified Auditor (IRCA) Certificate Facilitator: Gerald Kelly ( From Ireland) ( He has hands on expereience in auditing and implementing ISMS so its not theory based) Cost: 69,500 + VAT TARGET GROUP Senior Managers IT Professionals IS Managers Systems Administrators Database Administrators IT Consultants Owner Managers Accountants Quality & Safety Managers Auditors AIMS OF THE COURSE Explain the purpose of Information Security Management Systems(ISMS) Explain the process Involved in establishing,Implementing,Operating,Monitoring,Reviewing,and Improving the ISMS including their significance to auditors. Explain the purpose,content and Inter-relationship between ISO 27001:2005,ISO 17799:2005,and ISO/IEC 13335 To gather evidence through observation,Interview and Sampling of documents and records. Conduct audit follow up to verify the effectiveness of corrective actions. To explain the legislative frame work relevant to ISMS including the inter-relationship with corporate governance. To conduct process based audits in accordance to ISO 27001:2005,ISO 19001:2002,EA7-03,and ISO 17021:2006 Understand the responsibility and competencies of an Auditor Write objective and verifiable audit findings and summary report. BENEFITS OF THE COURSE Accelerate your professional skills and find out what is new in IS auditing and related fields Develop ability to improve audit performance Internationally Accredited Certificate Kindly review and we hope you are going to send participants from your organization. We can also schedule a meeting so that we can discuss the course further and I give you more material. -- Joseph McDonald Ignite Consulting Limited EDEN SQUARE 7th Floor, Chiromo Road, Westlands P. O. Box 15568 00100 GPO Nairobi, Kenya Tel: 254-20-3673250-9 Fax: 254-20-3673231 Email: joseph.mcdonald(a)igniteconsulting.co.ke URL: www.igniteconsulting.co.ke Professional & Life Skills Coaching, Quality Management Systems, Health Safety, Food Safety & Environment Management Systems, Lead Auditor Courses that are Internationally Accredited by IRCA, Training on Conformity and Compliance based on International Standards (ISO), Business Management, Organizational Development, Capacity Building and Strategy Facilitation and Development. IT Solutions:- eDocuments Management, Data Management, Disaster Preparedness and Hosting and Management Services for all your IT needs. Services delivered to you by Ignite Technologies, an Ignite Consulting Division focusing on Systems Integration. Tel. 254 720 318 925 blog:http://beckyit.blogspot.com/ --------------------------------- Sick sense of humor? Visit Yahoo! TV's Comedy with an Edge to see what's on, when.

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Nokia battery recall
by Jose' 25 Aug '07

25 Aug '07

Is your Nokia phone model Nokia 1100, Nokia 1100c, Nokia 1101, Nokia 1108, Nokia 1110, Nokia 1112, Nokia 1255, Nokia 1315, Nokia 1600, Nokia 2112, Nokia 2118, Nokia 2255, Nokia 2272, Nokia 2275, Nokia 2300, Nokia 2300c, Nokia 2310, Nokia 2355, Nokia 2600, Nokia 2610, Nokia 2610b, Nokia 2626, Nokia 3100, Nokia 3105, Nokia 3120, Nokia 3125, Nokia 6030, Nokia 6085, Nokia 6086, Nokia 6108, Nokia 6175i, Nokia 6178i, Nokia 6230, Nokia 6230i, Nokia 6270, Nokia 6600, Nokia 6620, Nokia 6630, Nokia 6631, Nokia 6670, Nokia 6680, Nokia 6681, Nokia 6682, Nokia 6820, Nokia 6822, Nokia 7610, Nokia N70, Nokia N71, Nokia N72, Nokia N91, Nokia E50? then log on to this link and read it for further instructions. http://batteryreplacement.nokia.com/batteryreplacement/en/ There after,please call 0911 NOKIA. You'll get it replaced. Best Regards, Jose' Njuki-Imwe Ngunjiri || +254 722 336754 || ____________________________________________________________________________________ Sick sense of humor? Visit Yahoo! TV's Comedy with an Edge to see what's on, when. http://tv.yahoo.com/collections/222

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KICTANet cocktail at 6.30 pm today
by Rebecca Wanjiku 24 Aug '07

24 Aug '07

just to let you know that the cocktail is today at 6.30 pm at jacaranda, Palm room, hope to see you there, regards becky Tel. 254 720 318 925 blog:http://beckyit.blogspot.com/ --------------------------------- Luggage? GPS? Comic books? Check out fitting gifts for grads at Yahoo! Search.

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cocktail at Jacranda
by Rebecca Wanjiku 23 Aug '07

23 Aug '07

the cocktail is at jacaranda, 6.30 to 8pm friday august 24th Tel. 254 720 318 925 blog:http://beckyit.blogspot.com/ --------------------------------- Yahoo! oneSearch: Finally, mobile search that gives answers, not web links.

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invitation to KICTANet cocktail
by Rebecca Wanjiku 23 Aug '07

23 Aug '07

Re: Introduction of the ICT board Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet) and the Permanent Secretary in Ministry of Information and Communication Dr. Bitange Ndemo wishes to invite you to a cocktail on Friday August 24th 2007. At the cocktail, Dr. Ndemo will introduce the members of the newly formed ICT board and honour other members of in the ICT sectors who have made notable contributions. In line with KICTANet mission to bring together stakeholders in the ICT sector, this event aims at providing a forum which the government will inform and update ICT industry players the recent developments in the policy and regulatory arena. The cocktail starts at 6.30 pm and is expected to end at 8 pm. Yours faithfully, Alice Munyua KICTANet Tel. 254 720 318 925 blog:http://beckyit.blogspot.com/ --------------------------------- Park yourself in front of a world of choices in alternative vehicles. Visit the Yahoo! Auto Green Center.

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] Kagwe pulls back another proposed law]
by alice 23 Aug '07

23 Aug '07

Kagwe pulls back another proposed law Story by NATION Correspondent Publication Date: 8/23/2007 The Government yesterday withdrew the contentious Kenya Communication Amendment Bill 2007 from the floor of Parliament for redrafting. Information and Communications minister Mutahi Kagwe said the Bill had omitted crucial issues that included cyber crime and penalties to be meted on those who damage fibre optic cables. "The Bill has not sufficiently addressed the internet crimes and the issue of fibre optic cable protection. It will be re-introduced after it is properly drafted," the minister said. Mr Kagwe noted that laws governing theft and damage of copper wires were too lenient to deal with the optic cable that was more expensive. "The cable is expensive and we need to know what to do with those who damage and cause inconvenience to others," he said. Mr Kagwe said the issue of cross-media ownership would also be looked at afresh. "We want companies that are listed at Nairobi Stock Exchange (NSE) with 51 per cent shares held by the public and the rule will not necessarily apply," Kagwe said. At the same time, the minister said the government was determined to establish Universal Access Fund to enable the Information Communication Technology (ICT) to reach rural areas that were not economically viable for the operators to set up their operations. He said this would increase the ICT coverage in the country, where only 2.7 million use the internet. The minister was addressing the press after opening the 2nd annual connecting rural communities and Africa forum at Grand Regency hotel. He said some of the issues being raised were in the current law and cited the Kenya Film Censorship. He said the content of some FM stations had raised concerns from religious bodies and that their broadcast time should be reviewed. "There is an outcry by the Christian and Muslim religions and that is why we want the Media Council where such complaints can be directed," Mr Kagwe said. Print this Page Email this Story Save this Story __._,_.___ Messages in this topic <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/DigAfrica/message/6251;_ylc=X3oDMTM0ZW8xa2U0B…> (1) <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/DigAfrica/post;_ylc=X3oDMTJwMHNxNTBoBF9TAzk3M…>

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SILENT DEMO
by Rebecca Wanjiku 23 Aug '07

23 Aug '07

in case yhou support journalists... Hi all. This is to inform you that we have already notified the police that we shall be holding a peaceful procession as indicated in Mbaus email. We have also dispatched a letter to the AG asking him or his representative to wait for our petition on the appointed date. Please send this message to as many journalists as you can. Thank you. _____________________________________________ From: Samuel Mbau Sent: Friday, August 10, 2007 12:23 PM To: Julius Bosire; Owino Opondo; Editorial Cc: Business Daily; Easy FM; eam; NTV News Subject: SILENT DEMO Dear journalist, The contentious clause 38 (4) in the Media Bill states: "When a story includes unnamed parties who are not disclosed and the same becomes the subject of a legal tussle as to who is meant, then the editor shall be obligated to disclose the identity of the party or parties referred to." As members of the Fourth Estate who take it upon ourselves to fight for the rights of others, we simply cannot afford to sit down and do nothing while our own rights and a basic tenets of our profession are at stake. The Silent Demo is on! The Silent Demonstration will take place on Wednesday August 15, with the blessings and the support from the majority of media houses and associations as well as myriads of well wishers. We shall assemble 8:30am at Freedom Corner at Uhuru Park. We will then march to the AGs Chambers (via Kenyatta Ave- Moi Ave- Harambee Ave) where we will present a petition to the chief legal adviser to the Government and ask him to advise the President against signing the proposed law. We shall then proceed to march around Parliament two times before breaking the demo at Freedom corner. The whole programme should take about two hours maximum. The demo is silent for there will be no chanting nor singing. We will actually be quiet through out the march and our mouths gagged with black cloth or duct tape. We can also adorn black scarves, head bands or arm bands. So please bring along a gag, dress in your organisations branded wear [if available], AND remember to put on some comfortable walking shoes. We are looking forward to your participation and your organisations support as we SILENCE this bad law. NB: Watch out for a spectacular media showing on that day. Standing as one, Inter-media committee DISCLAIMER: The information contained in or accompanying this e-mail is intended for the use of the stated recipient only. It may contain confidential, proprietary or legally privileged information. No confidentiality or privilege is waived or lost by any mistransmission. If you receive this message in error, please immediately delete it and all copies of it from your system, destroy any hard copies of it and notify the sender. You must not, directly or indirectly, use, disclose, distribute, print, or copy any part of this message if you are not the intended recipient. Any views or opinions presented herein are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of the Nation Media Group. Tel. 254 720 318 925 blog:http://beckyit.blogspot.com/ --------------------------------- Shape Yahoo! in your own image. Join our Network Research Panel today!

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KICTANET COCKTAIL
by charles nduati 21 Aug '07

21 Aug '07

Hi All, Can someone confirm whether the earlier announced cocktail of 22/08 is till on at jacaranda. Charles CHARLES N. NDUATI BUSINESS MANAGER JKUAT ENTERPRISES LTD JOMO KENYATTA UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURE AND TECHNOLOGY JUJA MAIN CAMPUS, THIKA P. O. BOX 79324-00200 NAIROBI, KENYA TEL: 254-067-52420 OR 254-067-52711 FAX: 254-067-52438 MOBILE:254-722728815 EMIAL:charlesnduati2002@yahoo.co.uk www.jkuat.ac.ke ----- Original Message ---- From: "bitange(a)jambo.co.ke" <bitange(a)jambo.co.ke> To: charlesnduati2002(a)yahoo.co.uk Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> Sent: Monday, 20 August, 2007 7:20:16 PM Subject: Re: [kictanet] The Kenya Communications Amendment Bill Dear Alex, There is no crisis or tension in the ICT legislative process. I was pointing out the opportunities that are available to you in ensuring that the piece of legislation you want is passed. As far as I am concerned all of us have representation in parliament and we should utilize that opportunity instead of blaming the Government. The Safari Park proposals shall be given to the MPs. The Thursday date was set anticipating that parliament will go on recess. Now that they are not going on recess, they have proposed August 30th and 31st. We are looking for resources for a venue in Mombasa and shall revert to you. Regards Bitange. > May I suggest we ask Eng. Rege to help diffuse ICT > tensions now bottling up? Borrow his experince on > dealing with government, stakeholders, steakholders, > and others? Just thinking aloud and welcome comments. > > Alex > > --- Barrack Otieno <otieno.barrack(a)gmail.com> wrote: > >> Thanks Alex i appreciate your response your >> arguments are valid though >> >> On 8/17/07, Alex Gakuru <alex.gakuru(a)yahoo.com> >> wrote: >> > Barrack, >> > >> > My apologies if I appeared to harass the Permanent >> > Secretary. The gist of my, I believe justified, >> > request for information was to know the fate of >> our >> > Safari Park contributions considering that the >> > expected legislators could not come because of >> said >> > Parlimentary Procedures. >> > >> > I needed to know whether we should assume that >> those >> > contributions we made needed to be repeated should >> an >> > opportunity to meet with the Committee present >> itself >> > especially if the ministry could not incorporate >> them. >> > >> > I interpret Dr. Ndemo's advice as "they have them, >> > because we gave them but now lobby hard yourselves >> to >> > ensure your interests are captured" >> > >> > I am sufficiently pleased with his reply, his >> > voluntary additional information, and await >> > confirmation on how the committee sees best fit to >> > receive any outstanding stakeholders' concerns >> on >> > the bill as promised today. >> > >> > Please understand that I consider myself of the >> issue >> > focussed, not the person, nature and I would >> seriously >> > err to substitute any clause, error, commission, >> or >> > omission with "Bitange Ndemo":) >> > >> > Have a laughly day! >> > >> > Alex >> > >> > --- Barrack Otieno <otieno.barrack(a)gmail.com> >> wrote: >> > >> > > Good effort bwana Ndemo, Alex i bet you >> understand >> > > how our legislators >> > > operate take it easy on bwana Ndemo, bwana Ps >> try >> > > your level best to ensure >> > > that Stakeholder expectations are met, so far i >> > > guess you deserve a pat >> > > Regards >> > > >> > > On 8/16/07, Benjamin Makai <benmakai(a)yahoo.com> >> > > wrote: >> > > > >> > > > Dr.Ndemo >> > > > This information is very necessary and >> important. >> > > Kindly could you also >> > > > outline to the level or rather phases >> pertaining >> > > the same sir. >> > > > >> > > > This gives us the the auditable elements of >> the >> > > process for the few whom >> > > > may not be aware of the process and yet they >> may >> > > want to shout loundest.. >> > > > >> > > > >> > > > >> > > > All is about the welfare of our countr >> y(personal >> > > sentiments and not about >> > > > who shouts loundest and in some situations or >> > > least solutions. ICT is all >> > > > bout solutions and world wide tested and >> proven >> > > best practices) >> > > > >> > > > Regards >> > > > >> > > > >> > > > *bitange(a)jambo.co.ke* wrote: >> > > > >> > > > Dear Alex, >> > > > I tried to explain how parliament works >> earlier in >> > > the week. We cannot >> > > > revise the bill here. We have taken the >> proposals >> > > to the committee for >> > > > consideration. >> > > > >> > > > Luckily today the committee sumoned me to >> > > parliament. They want to have a >> > > > stakeholder's meeting either on Tuesady or >> > > Thursday next week in Mombasa. >> > > > I shall confirm this to you tomorrow. Any >> changes >> > > now must go through the >> > > > committee since the bill belongs to >> parliament. >> > > You have this window to >> > > > make the necessary changes. The safari Park >> > > proposals are already with >> > > > them but they may decide that they do not want >> to >> > > include them. This is >> > > > where we need the stakeholders to push. >> > > > >> > > > I hope you do not leave this window of >> opportunity >> > > to pass and blame us >> > > > later. >> > > > >> > > > >> > > > Regards >> > > > >> > > > >> > > > Ndemo. >> > > > >> > > > >> > > > >> > > > >> > > > > Dr. Ndemo, >> > > > > >> > > > > You invited us to Safari Park Hotel and on >> > > information >> > > > > and belief, we were coming to meet the >> > > Parliament >> > > > > Committee. We understood your at the venue >> > > explanation >> > > > > why they could not come. >> > > > > >> > > > > However, >> > > > > >> > > > > Would you be in a position to inform >> > > stakeholders what >> > > > > to expect of our Safari Park contributions >> on >> > > the >> > > > > Kenya Communications Amendment Bill 2007? >> i.e. >> > > does >> > > > > the ministry have an "updated" >> > > version-considerate of >> > > > > expressed concerns? I am made to understand >> that >> > > a >> > > > > Bill's mover (who in this case is the >> Minister) >> > > is >> > > > > allowed to amend it anytime. >> > > > > >> > > > > This also would not only help us know where >> our >> > > > > concerns lay but it would also help us take >> > > informed >> > > > > engagements with the Energy and >> Communications >> > > > > Committee. >> > > > > >> > > > > I request for this information in view of >> your >> > > emailed >> > > > > informative note advising stakeholders on >> the >> > > law >> > > > > making processes, advising on the steps, >> when >> > > and >> > > > > where to engaging parliamentary committees >> in >> > > the >> > > > > process. >> > > > > >> > > > > Hope to hear from you. >> > > > > >> > > > > Sincerely, >> > > > > >> > > > > Alex >> > > > > >> > > > > --- Brian Longwe wrote: >> > > > > >> > > > >> Thank you very much Bw. Ndemo for this >> clear, >> > > > >> concise and very >> > > > >> practical reminder of our legislative >> process >> > === message truncated === > > > > > ____________________________________________________________________________________ > Be a better Globetrotter. Get better travel answers from someone who > knows. Yahoo! Answers - Check it out. > http://answers.yahoo.com/dir/?link=list&sid=396545469 > > _______________________________________________ > kictanet mailing list > kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > > This message was sent to: bitange(a)jambo.co.ke > Unsubscribe or change your options at > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/bitange%40jambo.co.ke > > ---------------------------------------------- > This message has been scanned for viruses and > dangerous content by Jambo MailScanner, and is > believed to be clean. > --------------------------------------------- > "easy access to the world" > > _______________________________________________ kictanet mailing list kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet This message was sent to: charlesnduati2002(a)yahoo.co.uk Unsubscribe or change your options at http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/charlesnduati2002%40ya… ___________________________________________________________ Yahoo! Answers - Got a question? Someone out there knows the answer. Try it now. http://uk.answers.yahoo.com/

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Mobile and Internet OPEN SOURCE Experts, International meeting in LONDON
by Rebecca Wanjiku 20 Aug '07

20 Aug '07

st1\:*{behavior:url(#default#ieooui) } FYI and possible circulation think that access to ICT is not enough and it is the ability to create, to add value that is important then you are invited to participate as speaker at the CTO's most innovative conference to date: Open Source in ICT 2007: Bridging the Digital Divide London , 4 - 6 December 2007 Open Source software presents an opportunity to cut costs, see inside the software, demystify technology and understand the design so that all users can adapt technology to meet their own needs. It is widely seen as the key enabler for developing countries to achieve technological self-determination. Open source can reduce total cost of ownership, enhance security, and create a vendor-independent network based on interoperability and open standards. Open source software also provides the opportunity to break free from the shackles of proprietary systems and expensive upgrades . The Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation is hosting a three-day event in December devoted to Open Source. It is a must-attend event for ICT giants and start-ups alike. The first day of the conference is reserved for ministers and senior representatives from the public sector, the second day will include speakers from the private and public sector to analyse how open source is bridging the digital divide and the last day of the conference will be devoted to open source in mobile. We are now seeking experts like you to deliver presentations at this industry-shaping event aimed at the private and public sector. If you work in the public sector and are using open source software for e-governance, disaster management, e-literacy campaigns etc then we would like to invite you to share your experiences, achievements and difficulties If you are a service provider and have adopted open source to reduce costs, then we would like you to deliver a case study If you are an internet or mobile operator and have harnessed open source to decrease time to market and have used open source for the fast delivery of new services, then we would like you to contribute your expertise at this event CALL FOR PAPERS: If you would like to participate as speaker, please submit 4 sentences describing the main points of your proposed presentation to Conference Producer, Miss Mani Rai at m.kaur-rai(a)cto.int by 10th September. Please note all speakers are entitled to attend the entire forum free of charge. There is also an opportunity for speakers and delegates to take a free trip on the London Eye (UK's most iconic and popular tourist attraction). Open Source in ICT 2007 will bring together world experts on Open Source and you are warmly invited to join our speaker faculty. Please be sure to submit your proposal by 10th September. Confirmed Speakers so far include: Dr. Ekwow Spio-Garbrah, Chief Executive Officer, Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation Mr. Magnus Glantz, Application Specialist, IT Operations OSS, TeliaSonera Mr. Arthur Feather, Senior Manager Mobile Standards and Architecture, Cisco (subject to final confirmation) Mr. Simon Crab, Team Leader, Informal Mr. Jerry Stabile, Senior Vice President, Pingtel (subject to final confirmation) Mr. Rishab Ghosh, Senior Researcher, Maastricht Economic Research Institute on Innovation and Technology If you do not want to participate as speaker, but would like to:- KNOW why One Laptop Per Child chose Open Source CONSIDER open source initial implementation and lifetime costs HEAR FIRST HAND EXPERIENCE of how successfully open source software can work with existing applications ANALYSE what Open Source can offer that proprietary systems cannot UNDERSTAND how easy it is to localise open source software to meet the needs of non-English speaking users LEARN how mobile operators are harnessing open source to deliver superior smartphone features in inexpensive handsets ENHANCE your knowledge on optimising open source in mobile for convergence and next generation networks EXAMINE how, when and where open source might fit into VoIP deployment Save the date: 4 6 December, 2007, London . Draft agenda is available on request, please email me directly at m.kaur-rai(a)cto.int. I look forward to seeing you in London! Yours sincerely, Mani Rai Conference Producer Email: m.kaur-rai(a)cto.int Tel: 0044 20 8834 1565 Fax: 0044 870 034 5626 P.S Please note the trip on the London Eye (subject to a private or public sector organisation sponsoring the conference) will be free for all delegates and speakers. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "DON'T LET SOMEONE BECOME A PRIORITY IN YOUR LIFE...WHEN YOU ARE JUST AN OPTION FOR THEM....." Tel. 254 720 318 925 blog:http://beckyit.blogspot.com/ --------------------------------- Boardwalk for $500? In 2007? Ha! Play Monopoly Here and Now (it's updated for today's economy) at Yahoo! Games.

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FW: Needed: Web-experts for: Web-portal Development, Hosting & Training (IGAD) -COMESA/RICTSP
by Harry Hare 20 Aug '07

20 Aug '07

Dear Colleagues, This posting might be of interest to some of you. Please circulate further, and apologies if youve already seen it. Kindest Regards Harry ________________________________________ From: Jane Møller Larsen [mailto:jml@ict.danishmanagement.dk] Sent: Friday, August 17, 2007 5:58 PM To: Jane Møller Larsen Subject: Needed: Web-experts for: Web-portal Development, Hosting & Training (IGAD) -COMESA/RICTSP Dear ICT experts, We are presently searching for individual web-experts to be included in a team for the following position. Please distribute this to personal contacts and networks where you believe that experts could find interest in this. Thank you in advance. Pls. note that proposed start-date is expected to be in September 2007. ____________________________________________________________________ We are presently looking for experts who have an interest in the following position: Project title: Web-portal Development, Hosting & Training (IGAD) Application deadline: As soon as possible and at the latest Thursday 30 August 2007 Contract duration: Short term Company: Danish Management A/S (http://www.danishmanagement.dk/) for the Intergovernmental Authority for Development (IGAD) under COMESA/RICTSP. _______________________________________________________________ General information: Overall Objectives of the Assignment The main objective is to develop and achieve improved information access at the Intergovernmental Authority for Development org. and in the IGAD and ESA region. Specific Objectives: 1. Collect and analyse the user requirements and information needs of the stakeholders of the Regional IGAD Web Portal; 2. Design and develop a web portal; 3. Collect all information and populate the databases with the information; 4. Define information provision protocol for member states information suppliers to the web portal; 5. Train Technical staff on the web Servers including update to Web portal server software required from time to time; 6. Train Technical staff in the development and management of the Web Portal; 7. Design /provide a Content Management System(CMS) for content management; 8. Train Professional users on updating the portal using the Content Management System; 9. Train Regional Member states Technical staff in Web Portal development; 10. Train Regional Member states professional team in updating their specific information on the Portal. 11. Develop a Portal governance and Security system; 12. Define information for Intranet and develop the intranet system for IGAD; 13. Train staff in using the intranet; 14. Provide feedback and usage statistics. Requested Services The services required involve developing a new WEBPORTAL, over a period of 6 months, maintaining updating and building capacity for content uploading and maintenance, ensuring portal content integrity and security, providing feedback and usage statistics, and providing technical training of IGAD staff to maintain the portal after the termination of the contractual period. Additionally, the team of STEs will be required to provide services of setting up the WEBPORTAL servers and related IT support mechanisms to provide information to both potential and existing partners and the public at large about Intergovernmental Authority for Development. The Portal must be interactive, enabling global partners to make enquiries and requests for more information on-line. Implementation Time Frames: The development of the WEBPORTAL shall occur within a period of twelve (12) months and thereafter the staff of IGAD shall take over the responsibility of updating the Webportal which shall be on monthly basis. If completed sooner the STE will move on to the phase of Webportal enhancement, maintenance and capacity building - training. Expertise Required: Project managers, web development experts, and administrators - including STEs with experience and qualifications in web design, web programming, Microsoft Windows 2003, Microsoft Internet Information Server administration, Linux Mysql and PhP, etc. Indicate the respective roles that you/the STE will play in the team. Language: The webportal should be developed and regularly updated in both English and French languages. Eligibility (who can apply?): EU citizens and citizens from: Angola, Burundi, DR Congo, Malawi, Rwanda, Swaziland, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Comoros, Madagascar, Mauritius, Seychelles, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Somalia, and Sudan AND citizens of the ACP member states: http://www.acpsec.org/en/acp_states.htm Background information: www.igad.org http://www.comesa.int http://comesa.assure.danishictmanagement.dk Please find ToR enclosed If you find the position of interest and your - or one of your proposed expert's - profile complies with the stated criteria, please contact us immediately and send us a short professional presentation of yourself and an updated CV with relevant similar experience (stating your age, nationality, languages spoken, education and exactly in what you are an expert). Send your application to: ictjobs(a)danishmanagement.dk NB: Only shortlisted candidates will receive notice. Contact person: Jane Moeller Larsen Danish Management A/S Margretheholmsvej 2 1432 Copenhagen, Denmark Phone: +45 70 200 298 Direct: +45 35 250 655 Kind regards, Jane Moller Larsen

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FW: CD celebrates 25th anniversary
by Harry Hare 20 Aug '07

20 Aug '07

_____ From: Harry Hare [mailto:harry@africanedevelopment.org] Sent: Friday, August 17, 2007 8:47 PM To: 'kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke'; 'swopnet(a)dgroups.org'; 'ethinktanktz(a)yahoogroups.com' Subject: CD celebrates 25th anniversary Dear Colleagues, Interesting story, 25 year later, what appeared to be an "engineering marvel" is fighting for survival! Read on. Harry +++++++++++++++ CD celebrates 25th anniversary EINDHOVEN, Netherlands (AP) -- It was August 17, 1982, and row upon row of palm-sized plates with a rainbow sheen began rolling off an assembly line near Hanover, Germany. Are CDs burnt out after 25 years? An engineering marvel at the time, today they are instantly recognizable as Compact Discs, a product that turned 25 years old on Friday -- and whose future is increasingly in doubt in an age of iPods and digital downloads. Those first CDs contained Richard Strauss' Alpine Symphony and would sound equally sharp if played today, says Holland's Royal Philips Electronics NV, which jointly developed the CD with Sony Corp. of Japan. The recording industry thrived in the 1990s as music fans replaced their aging cassettes and vinyl LPs with compact discs, eventually making CDs the most popular album format. The CD still accounts for the majority of the music industry's recording revenues, but its sales have been in a freefall since peaking early this decade, in part due to the rise of online file-sharing, but also as consumers spend more of their leisure dollars on other entertainment purchases, such as DVDs and video games. As the music labels slash wholesale prices and experiment with extras to revive the now-aging format, it's hard to imagine there was ever a day without CDs. Yet it had been a risky technical endeavor to attempt to bring digital audio to the masses, said Pieter Kramer, the head of the optical research group at Philips' labs in the Netherlands in the 1970s. "When we started there was nothing in place," he told The Associated Press at Philips' corporate museum in Eindhoven. The proposed semiconductor chips needed for CD players were to be the most advanced ever used in a consumer product. And the lasers were still on the drawing board when the companies teamed up in 1979. In 1980, researchers published what became known as the "Red Book" containing the original CD standards, as well as specifying which patents were held by Philips and which by Sony. Philips had developed the bulk of the disc and laser technology, while Sony contributed the digital encoding that allowed for smooth, error-free playback. Philips still licenses out the Red Book and its later incarnations, notably for the CD-ROM for storing computer software and other data. The CD's design drew inspiration from vinyl records: Like the grooves on a record, CDs are engraved with a spiral of tiny pits that are scanned by a laser -- the equivalent of a record player's needle. The reflected light is encoded into millions of 0s and 1s: a digital file. Because the pits are covered with plastic and the laser's light doesn't wear them down, the CD never loses sound quality. Legends abound about how the size of the CD was chosen: Some said it matched a Dutch beer coaster; others believe a famous conductor or Sony executive wanted it just long enough for Beethoven's 9th Symphony. Kramer said the decision evolved from "long conversations around the table" about which play length made the most sense. The jump into mass production in Germany was a milestone for the CD, and by 1982 the companies announced their product was ready for market. Both began selling players that fall, though the machines only hit U.S. markets the following spring. Sony sold the first player in Japan on October 1, with the CBS label supplying Billy Joel's "52nd Street" as its first album. The CD was a massive hit. Sony sold more players, especially once its "Discman" series was introduced in 1984. But Philips benefited from CD sales, too, thanks to its ownership of Polygram, now part of Vivendi SA's Universal Music Group. The CD player helped Philips maintain its position as Europe's largest maker of consumer electronics until it was eclipsed by Nokia Corp. in the late 1990s. Licensing royalties sustained the company through bad times. "The CD was in itself an easy product to market," said Philips' current marketing chief for consumer electronics, Lucas Covers. It wasn't just the sound quality -- discs looked like jewelry in comparison to LPs. By 1986, CD players were outselling record players, and by 1988 CDs outsold records. "It was a massive turnaround for the whole market," Covers said. Now, the CD may be seeing the end of its days. CD sales have fallen sharply to 553 million sold in the United States last year, a 22 percent drop from its 2001 peak of 712 million, according to Nielsen SoundScan. Napster and later Kazaa and BitTorrent allowed music fans to easily share songs over the Internet, often illegally. More recently, Apple Inc. and other companies began selling legal music downloads, turning the MP3 and other digital audio formats into the medium of choice for many owners of Apple's iPods and other digital players. "The MP3 and all the little things that the boys and girls have in their pockets ... can replace it, absolutely," said Kramer, the retired engineer. CDs won't disappear overnight, but its years may be numbered. Record labels seeking to revive the format have experimented with hybrid CD-DVD combos and packages of traditional CDs with separate DVDs that carry video and multimedia offerings playable on computers. The efforts have been mixed at best, with some attempts, such as the DualDisc that debuted in 2004, not finding lasting success in the marketplace. Kramer said it has been satisfying to witness the CD's long run at the top and know he had a small hand in its creation. "You never know how long a standard will last," he said. "But it was a solid, good standard and still is." E-mail <http://www.cnn.com/2007/TECH/ptech/08/17/cd.anniversary.ap/index.html> to a friend E-mail to a friend

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DOMAIN NAME TASTING
by alice 17 Aug '07

17 Aug '07

Dear All: A Request for Information has been posted by the ad-hoc group formed by the GNSO Council to look at Domain Tasting. The announcement can be found at: http://www.icann.org/announcements/announcement-2-10aug07.htm <http://www.icann.org/announcements/> In particular, an easy-to-use survey of the questions in the Request For Information (RFI) is available in the BigPulse voting/polling system. This makes it quick and easy to register your answers to the RFI. This can be found at: https:// <https:///> www.bigpulse.com/872i <http://www.bigpulse.com/872i> Real-time results from the survey are also publicly available at: http://www.bigpulse.com/pollresults?code=4Rkitd2chD5rD7eyJHJi We hope that many in the community will take the time to register their views and provide any suggestions of additional sources of information to be analysed while the RFI is open - it closes 15th September. DOMAIN NAME TASTING Background info <http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=e68jwbcab.0.rhwdddcab.xrsqb6bab.183&ts=S0263&p=http…> One sure sign of the growing maturity of the domain name system is the speculative market that has grown up around domains. But is this market a sign of health, the result of a loophole that needs to be closed, or somewhere in between? An Issues Report <http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=e68jwbcab.0.uhwdddcab.xrsqb6bab.183&ts=S0263&p=http…> on domain tasting was produced for the San Juan ICANN meeting where it was discussed in a number of sessions - including a tutorial <http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=e68jwbcab.0.whwdddcab.xrsqb6bab.183&ts=S0263&p=http…> on the issue. There is no simple solution however and the GNSO Council declined to launch a formal policy development process (PDP) into it, delaying a decision until September in order to provide time for more research to be carried out. An ad hoc group will draft a focused terms of reference for the possible PDP. A GNSO process isn't the only route however: ICANN staff pointed out that domain tasting may also be tackled through the ICANN Budget process; registry contractual changes; and the approval of new registry services. Each change would be aimed at removing the financial incentive that currently exists for companies to register and then "drop" tens of thousands of domain names every day. Key date: September: GNSO Council discussion on whether to launch domain tasting PDP

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It's official: Mugabe sorts the mail
by Alex Gakuru 17 Aug '07

17 Aug '07

[JURIST] (via africa.rights.apc.org) http://jurist.law.pitt.edu/paperchase/2007/08/zimbabwe-president-approves.p… Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe has signed off on the controversial Interception of Communications Bill, which establishes a government communications surveillance agency and authorizes the government to intercept communications across the telephone, the Internet, and other electronic communication devices. The bill, which has been criticized by opposition lawmakers as an effort to consolidate power and crack down on dissent, will also allow the government to open conventional mail, requires communication services providers to facilitate the interception and storage of private communications at the government's request. The legislation was approved in June by both the Senate and House of Assembly. Mugabe has been criticized for his handling of the economy of Zimbabwe and his increasingly authoritarian rule. In July, Zimbabwean police reports indicated the arrest of at least 1300 shop owners and managers who refused to comply with price controls that halved the prices of all goods and services. Zimbabwe's inflation rate, which is reportedly exceeding 5000 percent, is largely attributed to Mugabe's controversial white-owned farm seizure program as previously productive farms have become barren under inexperienced new owners. In June, the International Commission of Jurists accused the Zimbabwean government of "interfering with the proper functioning of the administration of justice, the role of lawyers and their independence". In May, Zimbabwean police refused to comply with a High Court ruling requiring police officials to vacate a farm seized by police in March, and responded by ordering more police on to the property. In March, opposition leader and presidential hopeful Morgan Tsvangirai was arrested and beaten while in police custody. Police officials have routinely ignored court orders and critics have alleged that Mugabe has given tacit approval to their actions. BBC News has more. ____________________________________________________________________________________ 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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Procedure for appointment?
by bitange＠jambo.co.ke 16 Aug '07

16 Aug '07

I think in future it may prudent to direct questions to the source on issues such as Board Appointment. In the past, it was purely the prerogative of the President and the Minister to appoint even the MD. This has since changed and we want it to change even further to enable stakeholders to nominate potential candidates. If you carefully scrutinize the ICT Board and Management appointment, you will see our rationale. The CEO went through a vetting process by Delloite. The Minister only confirmed the outcome. We needed both the CEO and the Chairperson to be both marketers and have some knowledge of ICT to market our country as an outsource destination. The Board appointments were made in such a way to accomodate most of the stakeholders and also takes into account on such issues as Gender, diversity (age, race, religion, public/private etc). With all these variables, it is not difficult to annoy a few in the process. What needs to be done is to have a legal requirement as we have done with the Film Commission that the stakeholders nominate. But even in this case some stakeholders are not permanent entities or are not recognized by all. In my view Kicktanet is a wonderful organization but it has remained a virtual club. We need to move its agenda a notch higher to create interface between policy making and the citizenry. I have given my views on this to the consultant but we should one day have an holds barred seminar to reform this noble organization. Regards Bitange Ndemo. > I believe the board members have terms and more people will have an > opportunity to serve in future. > > The board is new and it is not necessarily that membership is on reward > basis. Its about work! We shall be definitely challenging. Thats how i see > it. > > Muthoni > > > On 8/13/07, Lizette Kraft <lfkraft(a)gmail.com> wrote: >> >> Hi Walu, >> >> No one ever had the thought that there wasn't other talent out there, >> but >> considering she was a founder of the organisation or whatever it is >> known >> as, should have at least given it some consideration don't you think. As >> I >> said, we don't know how the board was put together, whether through >> nomination or whatever, (some of us didn't see this at all to even >> comment >> on), but besides that what other factors where there that overrode the

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Update on Kenyaś OOXML Vote
by Dorcas Muthoni 15 Aug '07

15 Aug '07

I just made contact with one of the committee members and i am told that the vote went Yes in Kenya last evening. We had a problem in that out of 12 members in the committee, 7 were from Microsoft or were Microsoft dealers/partners and were actually brought into the committe by Microsoft. I am told the vote was: 9 - Yes (Microsoft and dealers/partners, 1 university, I society) 2 - No (Kenya Airways and IBM East Africa) 1 - Abstain (Kenya Bureau of Standards and Committee Secretariat) This committee met only 5 times. Once i get the official copy of this ballot, i will post more information. The committee was not representative of the industry. Most members representing the various organisations were not experts in the subject matter from my analysis. I attended part of the meeting yesterday. Muthoni

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board members
by Rebecca Wanjiku 15 Aug '07

15 Aug '07

in case you were wondering who are the other board members, here the names The other members are: Richard Bell Catherine Adeya Peter Kimacia Kevit Desai Kiptiness from CCK. Getting a board nowadays is very difficult as you must take into account many issues. I hope we got the bast here. Tel. 254 720 318 925 blog:http://beckyit.blogspot.com/ --------------------------------- Fussy? Opinionated? Impossible to please? Perfect. Join Yahoo!'s user panel and lay it on us.

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I Want The Earth Plus 5 per cent
by Alex Gakuru 14 Aug '07

14 Aug '07

Want to know why money-makers aspire to be Fabian? <snip> "Fabian was excited as he once more rehearsed his speech for the crowd certain to turn up tomorrow. He had always wanted prestige and power and now his dreams were going to come true. He was a craftsman working with silver and gold, making jewelry and ornaments, but he became dissatisfied with working for a living. He needed excitement, a challenge, and now his plan was ready to begin...." This meant that for every $100 he held in deposits, it was possible to make 42% profit, most people believing he was only making 2%. The other goldsmiths were doing the same thing. They created money out of nothing at the stroke of a pen, and then charged interest on top of it.... <snip> See http://www.relfe.com/plus_5_.html [Posted by Ashok Hariharan to skunkworks mailing list http://ole.kenic.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/skunkworks] ____________________________________________________________________________________ Need a vacation? Get great deals to amazing places on Yahoo! Travel. http://travel.yahoo.com/

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Say NO to OOXML campaign
by Judy Okite 13 Aug '07

13 Aug '07

Dear Listers, Just to alert you on the ongoing campaign.......this product is substandard,but M$ is determined to launch it. Please do not get caught in between and make a wrong decision.... briefly scrutinize the links below and make a well defined decision. Say NO to this product,sadly M$ has a strong hold in our country,but its within your rights to demand for a worthy product.do not be fooled/coarsed or get caught in marketting gimmick. Please spread this news out and wide. Kind Regards, The campaign to stop Microsoft getting the Office format approved by ISO is on. MS's OOXML has been proved to be long, incomplete, patented,and unsuitable as an ISO standard. There is also an existing standard, ODF, as you know. The FFII has been fighting OOXML in Europe and Latin America, and FTISA has beat it in South Africa. Together with these guys, we should be able to kick OOXML out of the rest of Africa. There are ISO votes in Ghana, Nigeria, Cote-d'Ivoire, Botswana, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Kenya, and Congo. Microsoft have, I heard, gone to Nairobi in force to try to force the vote there. What we need to do is work with the ISO national boards to understand that OOXML is really broken, and we then need to make sure those boards can't be stuffed with Microsoft puppets, as happened in the US, Italy, Azerbaijan, Romania, and elsewhere. We just want national boards to vote "NO" until all the technical problems in the format are fixed. The FFII has collected information on this campaign, see www.noooxml.org. But to start with, I'd like to invite you to join this mailing list: https://lists.ffii.org/mailman/listinfo/noooxml-africa Thanks, - Pieter ph(a)imatix.com -- Judy Ann Okite, +254-721237507,+254-734252336 P.O. BOX 2228 00100, NAIROBI,KENYA. "Even if you are on the right track, you'll still get run over if you just sit there."

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Tanzania: City Launches Own Local Internet Exchange
by Alex Gakuru 13 Aug '07

13 Aug '07

[Guys, I hope am not such a bore to stop your full enjoyment of Freedom of Expression but just for moment look over yonder. Ugandans too are moving very fast. Thanks Cece for this pointer - Alex] Tanzania: City Launches Own Local Internet Exchange Point Arusha Times (Arusha) By Valentine Marc Nkwame 11 August 2007 Arusha <snip> Arusha has just become the first non-capital urban center in East and Central Africa to have its own Internet Exchange Point, a physical infrastructure that allows different Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to connect to each other and exchange local traffic between their networks by means of mutual peering agreements. <snip> http://allafrica.com/stories/200708120056.html ____________________________________________________________________________________ Pinpoint customers who are looking for what you sell. http://searchmarketing.yahoo.com/

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Re: [kictanet] board members - Procedure for appointment?
by John Walubengo 11 Aug '07

11 Aug '07

Fatma, All details for the ICT Board were contained in the corresponding Gazette Notice. A quick browse on the government sites, Parliament http://www.bunge.go.ke/ and Ministry of Info and Comm http://www.information.go.ke/ gave me no reference to the document. So I am compelled to tread carefully and find out if the said Gazette notice is for public consumption and if so, why it is not available in electronic form...I know I sound like the KANU days are back but hey, the environment may have changed but the laws (Secrecy Act and its cousins) are still pretty much the same... walu. --- Fatma Bashir <fbashir(a)cyberschooltech.com> wrote: > Walu > > hi, might you know what the mandate of the ICT board is? > in terms of > hierachy as well, will it be like Rwanda's RITA ? > > Fatma > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "John Walubengo" <jwalu(a)yahoo.com> > To: <fbashir(a)cyberschooltech.com> > Cc: "Kenya ICT Policy - kictanet" > <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> > Sent: Saturday, August 11, 2007 11:31 AM > Subject: Re: [kictanet] board members - Procedure for > appointment? > > > > Lizette, > > > > FE's contribution to ICT in Kenya is quite exceptional > and > > outstanding. However, when it comes to sitting on > > non-elective boards, other factors tend to override. > > > > The legislation (Gazette Notice) for the Kenya ICT > board > > and other similar boards accross the world leaves the > > search and appoint procedures at the pleasure of the > > President and his respective minister. Now, in a market > > with excessive ICT and related talent like Kenya, one > can > > only understand if some qualified members miss out > > (including me maybe? ;-) > > > > Nevertheless, what matters is if the new board can > deliver > > the anticipated benefits within reasonable timeframes. > And > > I believe the six or seven of them will not succeed > without > > the input the likes of FE et al. > > > > walu. > > > > > > > > --- Lizette Kraft <lfkraft(a)gmail.com> wrote: > > > >> Congratulations to all the Board members!! > >> > >> On the other hand, It's amazing how Dr. Florence Etta > was > >> not given the > >> opportunity to be nominated and/or participate on the > >> Board!!! As one of > >> the key founders of KICTANET and the name and having > >> contributed > >> extensively to ICT as a whole in everyway!!!! Have we > >> forgotten so fast!!! > >> With no disrespect intended to anyone, but I must ask > - > >> Is this the Kenyan > >> way of doing things??? I am sure most of you will > agree > >> that at least > >> Florence should have been nominated or asked to > >> participate as a board > >> member. It was then upto her to decide if she was > >> interested to or not, and > >> of course then, the voting or whatever would have been > >> done to determine the > >> members, or so I would think. Is this what everyone > >> agreed to?? would be > >> good to know. > >> > >> Sorry but its always hard for people to be upfront, > >> truthful and bold enough > >> to ask and I think it's only fair to raise this. What > >> method > >> was used to select the board members??? Important for > >> all to be informed. > >> > >> > >> Thanks to all > >> best regards > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> On 8/10/07, Rebecca Wanjiku <rebeccawanjiku(a)yahoo.com> > >> wrote: > >> > > >> > in case you were wondering who are the other board > >> members, here the names > >> > > >> > > >> > > >> > The other members are: > >> > Richard Bell > >> > Catherine Adeya > >> > Peter Kimacia > >> > Kevit Desai > >> > Kiptiness from CCK. > >> > > >> > Getting a board nowadays is very difficult as you > must > >> take into account > >> > many issues. I hope we got the bast here. > >> > > >> > > >> > > >> > > >> > > >> > Tel. 254 720 318 925 > >> > > >> > blog:http://beckyit.blogspot.com/ > >> > > >> > ------------------------------ > >> > Fussy? Opinionated? Impossible to please? Perfect. > Join > >> Yahoo!'s user > >> > > >> > > > panel<http://us.rd.yahoo.com/evt=48516/*http://surveylink.yahoo.com/gmrs/yahoo_pa…>and > >> lay it on us. > >> > > >> > > >> > _______________________________________________ > >> > kictanet mailing list > >> > kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > >> > > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > >> > > >> > This message was sent to: lfkraft(a)gmail.com > >> > Unsubscribe or change your options at > >> > > >> > > > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/lfkraft%40gmail.com > >> > > >> > > >> > >> > >> -- > >> Lizette Kraft > >> P.O. Box 18488, 00500 > >> Nairobi, Kenya > >> Cell: 0722-800362 > >> > _______________________________________________ > >> kictanet mailing list > >> kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > >> http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > >> > >> This message was sent to: jwalu(a)yahoo.com > >> Unsubscribe or change your options at > >> > > > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/jwalu%40yahoo.com > >> > > > > > > > > > > > ____________________________________________________________________________________ > > 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 > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > > kictanet mailing list > > kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > > > > This message was sent to: fbashir(a)cyberschooltech.com > > Unsubscribe or change your options at > > > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/fbashir%40cyberschoolt… > > > > > ---------------------------------------------- > This message has been scanned for viruses and > dangerous content by Jambo MailScanner, and is > believed to be clean. > --------------------------------------------- > "easy access to the world" > > ____________________________________________________________________________________ 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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Thumbs-up ECK - Confirm your Polling Station via SMS
by Alex Gakuru 10 Aug '07

10 Aug '07

List M8s, On behalf of consumers, allow me to declare Mr. Samuel Kivuitu (i.e.ECK) ICT compliant. This morning, I composed an sms - typed only my National ID No and sent that sms to 020-4605872. Within seconds I received a reply sms that read: >From ECK ID No: XXXXXXX(I've masked my ID No) Voters Name: ALEX GAKURU Voters Card No: 005/012/1570733010 Constituency: 005-DAGORETTI Polling Station: 012-JAMHURI PRI. SCH. Status: OK On further inquiry, I found out this sms is charged at normal rate (shs 5/=) and that anyone can query/confirm their polling station from Safaricom, Celtel or Telkom CDMA phone. The service is powered by Telkom Wireless technologies. For delivering the ECK register to consumers' hands and so conveniently we are delighted with ECK's visible electoral transparency. We only hope every public body emulated ECK and offered similar services. We would be happy to do e-government business this transparently. Thank you Alex Gakuru > -- > website: http://www.billowsbpo.co.ke/ > ____________________________________________________________________________________ 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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Fwd: African Telecoms Billing And Revenue Management Forum
by Mike Theuri 09 Aug '07

09 Aug '07

---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: yamanjanl <yamanjanl(a)yahoo.com> Date: Aug 9, 2007 3:49 AM Subject: [Fikara] African Telecoms Billing And Revenue Management Forum To: Fikara(a)yahoogroups.com African Telecoms Billing And Revenue Management Forum Event Registration Register online or Call: Customer Services Tel: +44 (0) 20 7017 7483 Email: registrations(a)iir-telecoms.com Mon 03 Sep 2007 - Fri 07 Sep 2007 Cape Town International Convention Centre, Cape Town, South Africa Building on the resounding success of IIR's 3rd Annual African Telecoms Billing and Revenue Management Forum in September 2006, IIR is delighted to announce the dates and venue for the 2007 event. Join us this September in Cape Town and benefit from an event offering 5 focused days of conference and seminar sessions addressing. The event will bring together leading operators and operators to address commercial address the specific Revenue Management and Billing challenges currently being faced by African Telecoms Operators and Service Providers. The event attracted 120 delegates from across the African continent and Gulf States last year. This forum presents an invaluable opportunity to hear real-world experiences in a series of cutting- edge case studies and workshops led by African and European Operators. The weeklong event offers two back-to-back conferences: the format is fully flexible allowing delegates to attend either the full five days to gain a complete overview of Billing and Revenue Assurance/Management strategies or individual conference days depending on their particular professional interests. Who Will Attend?The conference is specifically designed for: Decision-makers from fixed, mobile, prepaid, post paid, Internet, broadband and convergent Operators from EMEA, with responsibility for: Billing / Prepaid * Customer Care / CRM * IT/MIS/ICT/Mediation * BSS / OSS Implementation * Systems Development * Network Engineering * Finance / Accounting / Audit * Revenue Assurance and Fraud Management * Interconnect / Partner Administration« Business Strategy / Development * Pricing, Rating, Marketing and Sales Regulatory agency executives and senior government officials with oversight for the regulatory framework within the telecom industry Senior banking executives with responsibilities for managing lending and financing activities to the telecom industry Legal practitioners, external auditors, management consultants and risk management experts serving the telecom industry Key PresentationsKey topics to be addressed include: Developing A Successful Billing System Implementation Strategy: Creating A Benchmark For Implementation And Project Management Best Practice Exploiting Prepaid Recharge Mechanisms To Maximise Revenues By Boosting Both Customer Acquisition And Retention Examining How The Increased Convergence Of Telecoms With Other Industry Sectors Will Impact Key Revenue Protection Functions Like Billing, Revenue Assurance And Fraud Management Deploying A Prepaid Charging System To Effectively Deliver Prepaid Content And Next Generation Services Developing Mobile Banking Services To Generate New Revenue Streams Understanding Why It is Essential For African Operators To Move Beyond Revenue Assurance To Revenue Management To Successfully Respond To Emerging Requirements Of A Fast-Paced And Increasingly Convergent Telecoms Market Addressing The People Factor In Revenue Assurance And Billing – Finding, Retaining And Training Staff With The Appropriate Skills Setting Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) To Benchmark And Quantify The Performance Of Your Revenue Assurance Strategy Developing A Successful Revenue Assurance Solution Implementation Strategy: Creating A Benchmark For Implementation Best Practice Understanding How To Structure An RA Team And Where To Position It Within The Company For Maximum Benefit Addressing The Challenges Of Managing Revenue Assurance For Prepaid Services Minimising Cost And Revenue Losses Incurred By African Operators Through Infrastructure Failure, Damage And Theft Key speakers include: Susan Burger, Group Revenue Assurance & Interconnect Manager, MTN Group Albert Salima, Billing Manager, Celtel Zambia Ehtisham Rao, Director Billing, Mobilink Ebele Eghobamien, HOD Wholesale Billing Services, Revenue Management Division, Celtel Nigeria Andreas Krebs, Senior Product Manager, Partnering & Innovation, O2 Germany Bernard Wole Ilori, Manager, Revenue Assurance and Fraud Management, Globacom Mike Nelson, Specialist, Business Analysis, Telkom SA Dennis Baguyo, Senior Billing Manager, Celtel Group Henry Whyte, General Manager/Revenue Assurance, Ghana Telecommunications Johnson Bareyei, Head Billing and Customer Management, Topcom Nigeria Syed Thameen, Revenue Assurance Manager, Celtel Uganda Elliot Mashumba, Service Risk Manager, Econet Wireless Johan de Wet, Senior Manager, Revenue Assurance and Accounting, Group Finance, Telkom SA http://www.iir-events.com/IIR-conf/Telecoms/EventView.aspx? EventID=1082&SearchResult=http%3a%2f%2fwww.iir-events.com%2fIIR-conf% 2fSearchEvents.aspx __._,_.___

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[Fwd: Key CTO Forum in Kenya to examine solutions to African rural connectivity]]
by alice 09 Aug '07

09 Aug '07

Any members interested in attending this forum? Please let me know off line. Thank you best alice -------- Original Message -------- Subject: [kictanet] Key CTO Forum in Kenya to examine solutions to African rural connectivity] Date: Wed, 08 Aug 2007 12:15:02 +0300 From: alice <alice(a)apc.org> Organization: Association for Progressive Communications (APC) To: alice(a)apc.org CC: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> CTO Forum in Kenya to examine solutions to African rural connectivity Africas search for real solutions that will lead to the early connection of the nearly 80% of the Continent that is still without telephone and internet access will take a giant leap forward when ministers, regulators, operating company executives and high-level officials from various development partner agencies converge in Nairobi for the Connecting Rural Communities Africa Forum 2007, and is preceded on the 20th August by a meeting of the Commonwealth Connects programme. The Forum is taking place at the Grand Regency hotel in Nairobi, Kenya from the 21st to the 24th August. This key event, organised by the Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation (CTO) and hosted by the Communications Commission of Kenya (CCK), will provide a forum for discussion of research findings, policy options, regulatory strategies, business models, financing and investment facilities, available technologies and public-private-people-partnerships that could enable improvement in African rural connectivity. The Conference proceedings are expected to contribute to a major study to be launched by the CTO on Africas Rural Connectivity within the context of the Commonwealth Connects programme, and recommendations from the Conference will go a long way to outline the agenda for subsequent meetings, workshops, programmes and projects in the sector. The advances in information and communication technologies (ICTs) in developing nations are facilitating socio-economic development, as well as the general progress and well-being of individuals and communities. ICT has been identified as playing a leading role in enabling countries to attain their Millennium Development Goals, such as the elimination of poverty, combating of serious disease, improving access to education and providing equal opportunities to women. This conference will discuss each of these issues and highlight the work of African governments, regulators and the private sector in providing universal access. For ICTs to be sustainable and provide widespread ubiquitous access to all citizens, it is generally considered imperative that governments, regulators and the private sector work together to provide solutions and enhance connectivity. As part of its commitment to bridging the digital divide, the CTO has produced this knowledge-sharing event, designed to bring together the giants of the ICT sector, from both the public sector, private companies, the development and academic community and civil society, especially non-governmental and community-based organisations. CTOs CEO, Dr Ekwow Spio-Garbrah, states: We are delighted to be able to assemble such a high faculty of speakers and delegates from all over Africa, and also from many other regions of the world. Participants in this Conference are those who have come to acknowledge that of all the challenges the global community faces in the ICT sector, that of connecting Africas rural populations must be the epi-centre. All who are committed to the use of ICTs to advance the development process should be interested in this fundamental challenge. We look forward to seeing and meeting with as many of Africas development and investment partners as possible. The CTO Conference will significantly contribute to the development of universal access to ICT in the African region. Based on the success of last years CTO event on Connecting Rural Communities in Abuja, Nigeria, the CTO has decided to increase the duration of this years forum to three days to incorporate a Focus day which will cover amongst other things, telemedicine and improving the accessibility of education. The Conference be preceded by a half-day workshop on the use of satellites to connect rural communities in the afternoon 21st August; a half-day meeting between the CTO and heads of Universal Service Funding agencies in Africa, on the morning of 21st August, and by another all-day meeting on 20th August of representatives of African Commonwealth countries whose Points of Contact will discuss various issues involved in the Commonwealth Connects programme, that has been mandated by Commonwealth Heads of State and Government. According to an official of one of the several companies that has agreed to sponsor the event, Connecting Rural Communities Africa is a timely opportunity for all stakeholders who are spearheading rural connectivity to network, discuss best practices for harnessing ICT to deliver socio-economic benefits, share strategies for connecting rural Africa and consider different solutions for bridging the digital divide through sustainable ICT connectivity. For more information and to register to attend, or for opportunities to support this event, contact: Toby Davies Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation Tel.: +44 870 777 7697 t.davies(a)cto.int <http://mailer.eddiction.co.uk/_webscripts/emaillog.php?789c35cbcd0a80201004…> *** About the CTO - The Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation (CTO) is an international development partnership between Commonwealth and non-Commonwealth governments, business and civil society organisations. It provides the international community with effective means to help bridge the digital divide and achieve social and economic development, by delivering to developing countries unique knowledge-sharing programmes in the use of information and communication technologies (ICT) in the specific areas of telecommunications, IT, broadcasting and the Internet. _______________________________________________ kictanet mailing list kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet This message was sent to: alice(a)apc.org Unsubscribe or change your options at http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/alice%40apc.org

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[Fwd: Support A Digital Village (Centre, School, or Kiosk) In Kenya]
by alice 09 Aug '07

09 Aug '07

Dear Friend, To assist the Government of Kenya to rapidly and successfully implement the Digital Village Project in all 210 constituencies, ICTvillage.com is coordinating a public private partnership (PPP) to take ICTs to the rural and peri-urban areas all over Kenya. If you would like to support a youth or womens group, faith-based or community-based organization, primary or secondary school to set-up and run a digital village in the rural or peri-urban areas of Kenya then click on www.ictvillage.com/dvn_dve_3a.asp to apply online on their behalf. As a digital mentor, you will assist your chosen beneficiary to participate in a Digital Village Network that adopts and transforms existing computer facilities (cybercafe, computer lab, training centre, etc.) into world-class branded digital villages. Constituency development is not reserved for politicians. All Kenyans have an obligation to assist the less fortunate in our midst. ICT initiatives like the Digital Village Project presents us with a golden opportunity to stimulate economic and social development for all Kenyans. Let us work together to fulfill this noble and innovative vision. You can change lives by supporting rural communities via digital villages. Please visit our website, www.ICTvillage.com, for more information on digital villages and how to participate. Best Regards, Anne Mutugi, General Manager. -------------------------------------------- ICTvillage.com, Idea Factory Limited, The Office Park, Riverside Drive. Tel: 254-020-444-9277 254-020-444-7655 Fax: 254-020-444-9210 PO Box 12 - 00606, Sarit Centre, Nairobi, Kenya.

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ISOC Fellowship to the IETF - seeking applicants for IETF 70 and IETF 71
by Brian Longwe 09 Aug '07

09 Aug '07

> > Dear Colleagues, > > The Internet Society has announced that it is seeking applications > for the next round of the ISOC Fellowship to the IETF program. The > program offers engineers from developing countries fellowships that > fund the cost of attending an Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) > meeting. > > As you know, the IETF is the Internet's premier standards-making > body, responsible for the development of protocols used in IP-based > networks. IETF participants represent an international community of > network designers, operators, vendors, and researchers involved in > the technical operation of the Internet and the continuing evolution > of Internet architecture. > > Fellowships will be awarded through a competitive application > process. The Internet Society is currently accepting fellowship > applications for the next two IETF meetings: > > * IETF 70 being held in Vancouver, Canada on December 2-7 2007, > and > * IETF 71 being held in Philadelphia, USA on March 9-14, 2008 > > Up to five fellowships will be awarded for each IETF meeting. > > Full details on the ISOC Fellowship to the IETF, including how to > apply, are located on the ISOC website at : > > http://www.isoc.org/educpillar/fellowship > > Fellowship applications for both IETF meetings are due by 7 September > 2007. > > The Internet Society formally launched the ISOC Fellowship to the > IETF program in January 2007 after successfully piloting the program > during 2006 at IETF 66 in Montreal and IETF 67 in San Diego. Fifteen > individuals from 12 countries have participated in the program since > its inception. > > I encourage you to pass information about this program to individuals > involved in your regional operators' groups that have a keen interest > in the Internet standardisation activities of the IETF. You also may > consider being a reference for the applicant. > > If you have questions, please do not hesiate to contact Karen Rose > <rose(a)isoc.org> or Mirjam Kuehne <mir(a)isoc.org>. > > Kind Regards, > Mirjam Kuehne > ISOC >

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NOMINATE YOUR ACHIEVER TODAY
by Fiona Asonga 09 Aug '07

09 Aug '07

Dear All, The African ICT Achievers program has been launched in all the five regions, the goal is to have each region run its own leg of the Awards - handling the nominations and judging process and ultimately appointing a winner for that region in each of the categories. All the winners in the various categories from the regions will then be the finalists who will compete in the overall African ICT Achievers Awards for the coveted title as top achiever in each of the respective categories. The Winners will be announced at the African ICT Achievers Awards Banquet, to be held in Johannesburg, South Africa at the end of November. To nominate a candidate (individual or organization) for the ICT Achievers Award kindly go to: http://www.forgeahead.co.za/achievers/categories.htm With the pass at which the ICT sector is developing in this country, I think there are Kenyans who stand a good chance. Regards Fiona Asonga Administrator Telecommunications Service Providers Association of Kenya (TESPOK) P.O Box 27589 - 00506 NAIROBI Tel: +254 20 245036 -----Original Message----- From: godera(a)skyweb.co.ke [mailto:godera@skyweb.co.ke] Sent: Wednesday, August 08, 2007 5:34 PM To: tespok(a)tespok.co.ke Subject: Fwd: NOMINATE YOUR ACHIEVER TODAY Fiona, This is what I have been wanting to broadcast on kiplist to the industry. Can you please forward it, we need to see Kenyans winning. Please ensure everyone gets this so they nominate people who deserve to be recognized in Africa. ----- Forwarded message from Shirley <shirley(a)forgeahead.co.za> ----- Date: Wed, 8 Aug 2007 16:03:10 +0200 From: Shirley <shirley(a)forgeahead.co.za> Reply-To: Shirley <shirley(a)forgeahead.co.za> Subject: NOMINATE YOUR ACHIEVER TODAY To: Godera <godera(a)skyweb.co.ke> Trouble viewing this mail, please read it online NOMINATE YOUR ACHIEVER TODAY The African ICT Achievers Programme has built a strong foundation of recognition and reward for those ICT individuals and organisations who have made a difference to the ICT industry in Africa. They must have proven achievement in business excellence , innovation, entrepreneurship or through having touched the lives of others less fortunate. They must also have proven that their interaction continues to leverage ICTs to make a difference across our continent. ----- End forwarded message ----- ------------------------------------------------- This mail sent through IMP: http://horde.org/imp/ No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.476 / Virus Database: 269.11.8/941 - Release Date: 8/7/2007 4:06 PM No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.476 / Virus Database: 269.11.8/941 - Release Date: 8/7/2007 4:06 PM -- This message has been scanned for viruses and dangerous content by MailScanner, and is believed to be clean.

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Of journalists, and corruption�.
by Rebecca Wanjiku 08 Aug '07

08 Aug '07

Of journalists, and corruption. When a friend of mine sent a scathing SMS castigating a fellow journalist, I was offended. He had advised me to urge my colleague to go to hell. I was offended because I expected more from a lawyer I had grown to respect, I thought he had better skills to deal with it than to splash mud on everyone. He complained of bad faith and malice, demonstrated by a cartoon in the newspaper. But the core of my friends complaint was what he described as chronic corruption within journalism. He felt that the journalists who write or publish negative things are the same ones who queue for handouts. This is an old saying, has been told over generations. Even the meanest of characters, who cant even afford to buy a drink for anybody, shout themselves dead when speaking about corrupt journalists. I am not overly impartial in this, because my opinion has always been- it takes two to be corrupt. Can anyone who gives money or other favors to journalists claim to be righteous? The main question: do the journalists hold a gun to anyone demanding money? This question was underscored by the Members of Parliament who claimed the only reason for passing the media bill is because the journalists are corrupt and survive on hand outs. It was argued that it is fair to pass the controversial media bill that will force journalists to reveal sources, because journalists are corrupt. It was even said that journalists are always seen walking to parliament. How right! The question of corruption is controversial, because the journalists threaten to publish malicious details. But there are other mechanisms for redress can sue or officially complain. Tel. 254 720 318 925 blog:http://beckyit.blogspot.com/ --------------------------------- Building a website is a piece of cake. Yahoo! Small Business gives you all the tools to get online.

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"Call for Participation: Trust and the Future of the Internet
by alice 08 Aug '07

08 Aug '07

From: Lucy Lynch <lynch(a)isoc.org> Date: 8 augusti 2007 20.06.17 GMT+02:00 To: isoc-members-discuss(a)elists.isoc.org Subject: [isoc-members-discuss] A Call for Subject Experts Greetings - Your help in disseminating this announce would be greatly appreciated: "Call for Participation: Trust and the Future of the Internet The Internet Society (ISOC) Board of Trustees is currently engaged in a discovery process to define a long term Major Strategic Initiative to ensure that the Internet of the future remains accessible to everyone. The Board believes that Trust is an essential component of all successful relationships and that an erosion of Trust: in individuals, networks, or computing platforms, will undermine the continued health and success of the Internet. The Board will meet in special session the first week October of 2007 for intensive study focused on the subject of trust within the context of network enabled relationships. As part of this process, the Board is hereby issuing a call for subject experts who can participate in the two day discussion. Topics of interest include: the changing nature of trust, security, privacy, control and protection of personal data, methods for establishing authenticity and providing assurance, management of threats, and dealing with unwanted traffic. Participants will be selected based on a short paper summarizing individual interests and qualifications as well as availability. The retreat will be held in Toronto, Ontario (CA) . Travel and accommodation costs will be covered by ISOC and participants should expect to arrive October 4th and depart on the 6th or 7th. Expressions of interest may be emailed to: Oct07-retreat @ elists.isoc.org and papers should not exceed three pages. Papers must received by August 24th, 2007 and the Program Committee will make their selections on or before September 7th, 2007. Subject experts will be allotted one hour for presentation on October 5th and will be included in the days round-table discussions. In order to facilitate open discussion, final presentation materials should be forwarded to ISOC no later than September 21st, 2007. We look forward to a lively and informative meeting on this important topic and encourage you to share this announcement with your communities of interest." Lucy Lynch Director of Technical Projects Internet Society (ISOC)

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ICANN Releases Draft IDN Evaluation Plans
by alice 08 Aug '07

08 Aug '07

Procedures for IDN TLD Evaluation Deployment in the Root Zone 6 August 2007 ICANN has finalized the procedures describing how IANA will manage the insertion, administration and removal of internationalized top- level domains in the root zone for the upcoming evaluation. The procedures were posted previously for public comments. That comment, as well as advice from the technical community (including RSSAC), was taken into consideration in editing the final versions. The two procedures guiding this effort are: 1. IANA Root Zone Procedures for Test IDN Deployment <http://www.icann.org/topics/idn/test-deployment-procedures-06aug07.htm> The final procedure was approved by the ICANN Board on 29 June 2007 (see http://icann.org/minutes/resolutions-29jun07.htm <http://www.icann.org/minutes/resolutions-29jun07.htm>) after some clarifications were provided in response to public comment (see http://forum.icann.org/lists/iana-idn-process/) These procedures are being implemented by IANA in preparation for the insertion of IDN evaluation TLDs. 2. Root Server Operator Procedures for Emergency Revocation of Evaluation-purpose IDN TLDs <http://www.icann.org/topics/idn/operator-emergency-procedures-06aug07.htm> The purpose of this procedure is to provide a method of quickly removing IDN TLDs from the root zone in the very unlikely event that insertion of these evaluation strings negatively impact DNS or root server operations. After consultation with the RSSAC, the procedure has been modified to focus on a communication protocol that root server operators will employ in the identification and mitigation of any problems that might arise for root server operations as a consequence of the proposed testing of IDN strings . Root server operators will monitor and identify deteriorated service potentially caused by IDNs in the root. If such a result is detected, ICANN will be notified and in turn activate the procedure. IDN Program -- looking forward: The next milestones in the IDN Program Plan requires obtaining necessary approvals to insert the eleven suggested evaluation top-level domains (the term <.test> translated into eleven languages). (See the IDN .test Evaluation Plan at http:// icann.org/announcements/announcement-2-19jun07.htm <http://www.icann.org/announcements/announcement-2-19jun07.htm>). An additional announcement will be made once the approvals have been received. It is anticipated that these evaluation TLDs will be launched in late September 2007. ------------------------------------ Updated IDN .test Evaluation Plan ICANN updates the IDN .test Evaluation Plan based on comment to the previously posted version of the plan for the insertion of evaluation IDN TLDs in the root zone 19 July 2007 Update ICANN has amended the draft plan for insertion of evaluation IDN TDs into the root zone based on comments received on the public forum established for that purpose (see, http://forum.icann.org/lists/idn-tld-test/) Specifically, an amended version of the proposed label for the Persian TLD, has been posted (see, http://www.icann.org/topics/idn/idn-evaluation-plan-v2.9.1.pdf [PDF, 241K]). The changes that have been made: (i) replaces the previously suggested Persian .test TLD with an alternate TLD label that more clearly reveals the Persian YEH, and (ii) changes of the reference to the name of the language from Farsi to Persian. Comments on this or other aspects of the evaluation plan can be made to idn-tld-test(a)icann.org <mailto:idn-tld-test@icann.org> and viewed at http://forum.icann.org/lists/idn-tld-test/. For more details please see: http://forum.icann.org/lists/idn-tld-test/msg00002.html and http://forum.icann.org/lists/idn-tld-test/msg00003.html. --------------------------------------------------- ICANN Releases Draft IDN Evaluation Plans 19 June 2007 As announced previously in the IDN program status report, in the draft IANA Root Zone Procedures for Test IDN Deployment, and the draft IDN TLD Root Server Performance / Tolerance, ICANN has developed a plan for insertion of IDN TLDs in the root zone for evaluation. The .test plan contains two separate evaluation facilities where the feasibility and usability of fully localized domain names can be evaluated and tested in a live environment. Implementation of this plan is one of the core elements in ICANN’s IDN Program. The draft .test plan is posted here for public comment <http://www.icann.org/topics/idn/idn-evaluation-plan-v2%209.pdf>. The draft contains a preliminary list of scripts for the example.test evaluation strings. Recommendations for changes or additions to this list of strings will be reviewed carefully to ensure broad public participation in the evaluations. During the public comment period, the plan will be discussed during several sessions of the ICANN meeting in San Juan (June 2007) and at the RSSAC / IETF meeting in Chicago (July 2007). Subject to these and other consultations, a final version of the plan will be provided for ICANN Board consideration at its 14 August 2007 meeting. ICANN Board approval will be sought for the plan, including approval of the insertion of the suggested evaluations strings (<.test> translated into a number of different languages), in the root zone. According to the plan the evaluation facilities will be launched in late September 2007. Comments to the draft .test plan can be submitted idn-tld-test(a)icann.org <mailto:idn-tld-test@icann.org> and viewed here http://forum.icann.org/lists/idn-tld-test/. For other questions or inquiries regarding ICANN’s IDN Program please contact Tina Dam, ICANN’s Director for the IDN Program, at tina.dam(a)icann.org <mailto:tina.dam@icann.org>. Translation of the .test plan into Arabic, French, Spanish, Russian, and Chinese is currently underway and will be released shortly.

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Journalists are THE Source of Corruption!
by Alex Gakuru 08 Aug '07

08 Aug '07

Welcome to despots utopia land where corruption must be legitimized by all legal means available. "Journalism is said to be a profession. But journalists are employed by media owners. The way journalists are treated is shameful. We know them and they are up there in the Press Gallery. I have never seen one driving a car. They live on handouts. That is what brings in a lot of corruption." http://www.eastandard.net/hm_news/news.php?articleid=1143972553&catid=4 1. "is said to be a profession" depicts a resentment of despicable work 2. "But journalists are employed by media owners" according to him no professionals earnestly be employed. 3. "The way journalists are treated is shameful" Now the hero liberator comes to the rescue of mistreated journalists. 4. "We know them and they are up there in the Press Gallery." - We vs Them and we shall fix sort them out today 5. "I have never seen one driving a car." materiality concept is what is worship in the House? So when this MP see Kenyans walking, he has so little, if at at all any for them. Maybe he forgot to say "Please let us pass that other law quickly and tripple our 60 million retirement package. I need two new cars" 6."They live on handouts." Earlier had said "we know them" and now they live on handouts, so pass laws to make us richer and we feed them on our leftovers. 7."That is what brings in a lot of corruption." Thus passing this law is their noble respected legal responsibility in the fight against corruption. Why has not Guinness Book of Records awarded them with a medal recognizing their success at fighting graft? one asks. ---- Hello.. Hello.. awaken to the reality: http://www.nationmedia.com/dailynation/nmgcontententry.asp?category_id=25&n… Will the President endorse this Bill? Nop! I highly doubt it. Will the MP get re-elected? Maybe, if voters are not aware of this Hansard Extact. WE WANT EVERY HANSARD AVAILED ONLINE! ____________________________________________________________________________________ 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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Key CTO Forum in Kenya to examine solutions to African rural connectivity]
by alice 08 Aug '07

08 Aug '07

CTO Forum in Kenya to examine solutions to African rural connectivity Africas search for real solutions that will lead to the early connection of the nearly 80% of the Continent that is still without telephone and internet access will take a giant leap forward when ministers, regulators, operating company executives and high-level officials from various development partner agencies converge in Nairobi for the Connecting Rural Communities Africa Forum 2007, and is preceded on the 20th August by a meeting of the Commonwealth Connects programme. The Forum is taking place at the Grand Regency hotel in Nairobi, Kenya from the 21st to the 24th August. This key event, organised by the Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation (CTO) and hosted by the Communications Commission of Kenya (CCK), will provide a forum for discussion of research findings, policy options, regulatory strategies, business models, financing and investment facilities, available technologies and public-private-people-partnerships that could enable improvement in African rural connectivity. The Conference proceedings are expected to contribute to a major study to be launched by the CTO on Africas Rural Connectivity within the context of the Commonwealth Connects programme, and recommendations from the Conference will go a long way to outline the agenda for subsequent meetings, workshops, programmes and projects in the sector. The advances in information and communication technologies (ICTs) in developing nations are facilitating socio-economic development, as well as the general progress and well-being of individuals and communities. ICT has been identified as playing a leading role in enabling countries to attain their Millennium Development Goals, such as the elimination of poverty, combating of serious disease, improving access to education and providing equal opportunities to women. This conference will discuss each of these issues and highlight the work of African governments, regulators and the private sector in providing universal access. For ICTs to be sustainable and provide widespread ubiquitous access to all citizens, it is generally considered imperative that governments, regulators and the private sector work together to provide solutions and enhance connectivity. As part of its commitment to bridging the digital divide, the CTO has produced this knowledge-sharing event, designed to bring together the giants of the ICT sector, from both the public sector, private companies, the development and academic community and civil society, especially non-governmental and community-based organisations. CTOs CEO, Dr Ekwow Spio-Garbrah, states: We are delighted to be able to assemble such a high faculty of speakers and delegates from all over Africa, and also from many other regions of the world. Participants in this Conference are those who have come to acknowledge that of all the challenges the global community faces in the ICT sector, that of connecting Africas rural populations must be the epi-centre. All who are committed to the use of ICTs to advance the development process should be interested in this fundamental challenge. We look forward to seeing and meeting with as many of Africas development and investment partners as possible. The CTO Conference will significantly contribute to the development of universal access to ICT in the African region. Based on the success of last years CTO event on Connecting Rural Communities in Abuja, Nigeria, the CTO has decided to increase the duration of this years forum to three days to incorporate a Focus day which will cover amongst other things, telemedicine and improving the accessibility of education. The Conference be preceded by a half-day workshop on the use of satellites to connect rural communities in the afternoon 21st August; a half-day meeting between the CTO and heads of Universal Service Funding agencies in Africa, on the morning of 21st August, and by another all-day meeting on 20th August of representatives of African Commonwealth countries whose Points of Contact will discuss various issues involved in the Commonwealth Connects programme, that has been mandated by Commonwealth Heads of State and Government. According to an official of one of the several companies that has agreed to sponsor the event, Connecting Rural Communities Africa is a timely opportunity for all stakeholders who are spearheading rural connectivity to network, discuss best practices for harnessing ICT to deliver socio-economic benefits, share strategies for connecting rural Africa and consider different solutions for bridging the digital divide through sustainable ICT connectivity. For more information and to register to attend, or for opportunities to support this event, contact: Toby Davies Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation Tel.: +44 870 777 7697 t.davies(a)cto.int <http://mailer.eddiction.co.uk/_webscripts/emaillog.php?789c35cbcd0a80201004…> *** About the CTO - The Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation (CTO) is an international development partnership between Commonwealth and non-Commonwealth governments, business and civil society organisations. It provides the international community with effective means to help bridge the digital divide and achieve social and economic development, by delivering to developing countries unique knowledge-sharing programmes in the use of information and communication technologies (ICT) in the specific areas of telecommunications, IT, broadcasting and the Internet.

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Telkom's new licence, Sh69b debt and layoffs
by Mike Theuri 08 Aug '07

08 Aug '07

The Standard reports the following excerpts in part: http://www.eastandard.net/hm_news/news.php?articleid=1143972525&catid=14 ++++++++ *Telkom Kenya plans major debt and project swaps to rid it of liabilities amounting to Sh68.8 billion as part of restructuring before privatisation. *======== The debt burden itself is astounding given the sum of US$1bn. The government's promise to hand over TKL with a clean balance sheet ought to invite offers far in excess of the said $50m that was said to have been offered by some bidders. While debt swap is a novel idea, the tax payer should not inadvertently become the party to whom the debt is swapped to, directly or indirectly. *++++++++ Mr Solomon Kitungu, Director of Reforms in the Ministry of Finance, said the Government has already factored the funding initiatives in the current budget, with Sh41 billion made available towards the process.* ======= It appears that the Kenyan taxpayer is bound to be saddled with heavy debt obligations far more than the previously thought Ksh 20bn. The government would do well to inform Kenyans at large just as it did for the potential bidders as to what is in it for them and the country were the sale of TKL to be successful considering it is our hard earned taxes that are paying for this privitization +++++++ *This in addition to Safaricom interconnection interest of Sh1.3 billion, Paris Club and other loans paid by Government amounting to Sh3.8 billion. There is also the Government debt on telephone and data lines amounting to Sh3.4 billion, new mobile license (US$55m), which requires Sh3.9 billion and liquidity and investment support of Sh3.5 billion. *======= It now appears that TKL is set to transition from a fixed wireless provider for which it was already licensed, to a fully fledged mobile provider at par with Safaricom and Celtel. Whether the complaints against TKL generated more than the providers bargained for (ie the mere payment of excise and VAT taxes vs a new mobile operator on equal operational footing) remains to be seen. Clearly TKL with its basket of licences will be a formidable provider once privatized considering it will be able to offer competitive and bundled services (wireless + wireline + internet + IPTV etc etc). The $55m mobile licence fee presumably will again be footed by the taxpayer. Is the government in effect throwing this arena wide open to any RWA operator by licencing TKL as a mobile operator? This would be a big plus for the consumer and other entrants eager to tap the market. Hopefully the Kenyan taxpayer who is likely to be bearing this $1 billion+ burden will not be short changed when it comes to the offer amount. TKL's management had reportedly asked for 5 years to run TKL, 5 years might be too long but atleast 2-3 years ought to have been fair. I believe TKL if given a chance would alleviate the debt burden to be passed on to taxpayers by leveraging its new services and restructured organization so as not to unfairly burden the Kenyan taxpayer and unduely reward foreign entities coming on board. Hopefully we will get to see consortiums that include local partners bidding for the sale. The government should be willing to reject bids that do not reflect the true value of TKL after the Ksh 69 billion debt offload. With a clean balance sheet, TKL ought to be worth in excess of the range Rothschilds once valued it at: $800m - $1.3bn. Why the Government did not seek to ask the bidders to assume part of the debt remains to be seen, though it does make the sale very attractive. Also to be seen is whether the government intends to undertake measures to ensure that the Nation's national security is not compromised as a result of the sale. Mike Theuri

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Echelon (Spy Network).
by Michael Kipsang Bullut 07 Aug '07

07 Aug '07

Guys, Big brother is watching: 1. Echelon <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ECHELON> - Wikipedia Article. 2. The Echelon Project & Evidence of Anglo Leasing that even Ringera won't bear to ignore<http://kumekucha.blogspot.com/2007/03/echelon-project-and-evidence-of-anglo…> - Kumekucha Article. Kind regards, Michael. -- "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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[KBC Poll] Internet Users: 90.4 per cent oppose revealing sources
by Alex Gakuru 07 Aug '07

07 Aug '07

According to the ongoing KBC (http://www.kbc.co.ke/) Poll (image attached), Internet Users resoundingly object to journalists revealing their sources of information. Guess we are mostly OK with the 4th Estate continuing to broadcast and publish their goofs on their front pages, when they do-it's better than government info black-outs. Hope our Safari Park Hotel request that the ICT Bill incorporates a Blogger Protection clause is incorporated. ____________________________________________________________________________________ Looking for a deal? Find great prices on flights and hotels with Yahoo! FareChase. http://farechase.yahoo.com/

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Security Tips.
by Michael Kipsang Bullut 06 Aug '07

06 Aug '07

Guys, Forewarned is forearmed. I didn't want to bypass an opportunity to disseminate this information. Don't forget to check out this great page on e-mail hoaxes to boost your awareness: Urban Legends & Folklore.<http://urbanlegends.about.com/> Kind regards, Michael. -- "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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Re: [kictanet] It's a new twist for Econet Wireless
by bitange＠jambo.co.ke 06 Aug '07

06 Aug '07

Dear Mr. Theuri, Thank you for supplying more details. You raise many issues here and more importantly is the fact that you understand the difference between regulatory and policy. For smooth running of the industry, the regulator must be independent. The current Government at least wants an indepedent regulator. We must leave regulatory issues to the regulator. The Econet matter is regulatory. The Government has extricated itself from mixing regolatory and policy issues. This is simple and straight forward. Your problem is the fact that you are a party to the issues sorrounding Econet and you are not disclosing that to your audiences. At some point I am told you did not want KNFC to have access to the licence. Now you are advocating issuance of the same licence to KNFC. I deceided to engage with you in this discussion because I thought you were a sincere Kenyan interested in seeing justice. I now know that you cannot in any way see issues in this matter objectively. You will therefore excuse met from further discussion on this issue. I HAVE RESTED MY CASE. Regards Ndemo. > Dear Dr. Bitange, > > Thank you for your candid response and dialogue. I disagree that I am > in effect spilling any beans. The information being shared is in > possession of the Government, the regulator, KACC, courts in various > jurisdictions and covered in numerous publications across the world. > These are public domain sources and some of these documents have been > provided in many different courts by none other than Econet and the > regulator. In case my liberal sharing has been misunderstood, the > information I have shared revolves around the infamous litigant, > Econet, any information that touches on the Government is a result of > being willingly or unwillingly mired in the scandal and highlights the > danger of the Government crossing the line of being an impartial party > and becoming complicit by extension in the actions of the foreign > entity. > > The documents and facts speak for themselves and I believe there is a > pending matter in court against the regulator over the failure to > respond appropriately to an objection to the licence as required by > law. Such are the endless consequences that will potentially continue > to haunt the government if the right decision is not carried out. > > My humble opinion is that for the sake of integrity and faith in > future tendering and so as to attract companies that will not > disappoint, that the regulator seek to conduct proper and thorough due > diligence so that Kenyans and the GoK are not in essence defrauded or >%2 ---------------------------------------------- This message has been scanned for viruses and dangerous content by Jambo MailScanner, and is believed to be clean. --------------------------------------------- "easy access to the world"

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Should the ICT Bill pasing follow The Media Bill...
by Alex Gakuru 05 Aug '07

05 Aug '07

On second thought, I recall the President said "Kama mtu yeyote [serikali-ni] ana kukasirisha sema..hapana ogopa! basi..." thus Bill Kagai,no-one should succumb to online intimidations and if I am wrong they should just say so. I am fully aware that some providers are afraid of "license implications" if they speak out... Now, given the secrecy, contradictions and last-minute maneuvers in Kenya's law-making processes consumers may be forced to pro-actively go to court to challenged the ICT Bill on constitutional illegality, certainly if the "storming clause" is not deleted. Other transparent legislators committed to consumers accessing affordable telecommunications even publish their Bills online(e.g. PDF bill, Section 5 Excemptions (2) "during an emergency declared by the President") http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20070803-community-broadband-act-would… ____________________________________________________________________________________ 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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Register your free offical Postal Email Address at PostKenya.com
by Michael Kipsang Bullut 04 Aug '07

04 Aug '07

Can you say: "Najivunia kuwa Mkenya?" ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: TelePosta Communications <postmaster(a)postkenya.com> Date: 04-Aug-2007 22:51 Subject: Register your free offical Postal Email Address at PostKenya.com To: kipsangb(a)gmail.com Dear Kenyan, As a proud Kenyan or a person with interest in Kenya, we are glad to announce to you that a new Email hosting PostOffice platform for Kenyans has been launched at http://www.postkenya.com Here, you can get your own FREE official email address and start to communicating officially with both local and international clients as well as get insightful business tips. Register now for free at PostKenya.com to get your own *email(a)postkenya.com*and have an official address that you can use to communicate freely. Please forward this message to friends and help get Kenyans on the web officialy. TeleP0sta Communications, PostKenya.com <http://www.postkenya.com> -- "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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New law forces media to reveal sources
by Alex Gakuru 03 Aug '07

03 Aug '07

>From now on, would you trust Kenya media with any confidential corruption story, especially if you were in the civil service? or expect Editors to even touch let alone fearlessly publish corruption reports when they will have to name their sources. Who will now dare accuse a minister of graft? In short, "You Kenyans shut up and let us eat". Loss of business for local media houses and we revive your old shortwave radio. You will need it henceforth to tune in to BBC, VOA, etc for breaking news on Kenya? But then again, one can always publish in foreign newspapers that protect their sources and on websites. At least for the time being before another internet censorship and PCs confiscation law is passed. Don't you love Kenya? Have fun with whistle blower protection program joke... ____________________________________________________________________________________ Sick sense of humor? Visit Yahoo! TV's Comedy with an Edge to see what's on, when. http://tv.yahoo.com/collections/222

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Fellowships to Ensure Global Voices Heard at ICANN
by alice 03 Aug '07

03 Aug '07

see <http://www.icann.org/announcements/announcement-02aug07.htm> Fellowships to Ensure Global Voices Heard at ICANN Program builds on the successful pilot program run at San Juan meeting 2 August 2007 MARINA DEL REY, Calif.: More voices from across the globe will be heard at ICANN's 30th International Public Meeting in Los Angeles later this year thanks to the global fellowships program being launched today. "ICANN has a global mandate and it's important that we do what we can to support participation from every corner of the world. This program makes sure we have involvement from individuals from developing and least developed nations who otherwise may be unable to attend," said Theresa Swinehart, ICANN's Vice President, Global and Strategic Partnerships. "The pilot of the fellowship program at our San Juan meeting was a success and has helped us refine the program for the upcoming ICANN meeting in Los Angeles." The 33 fellows from 24 countries who played an active role at the San Juan meeting were chosen from 125 applications received -- and 65 per cent of the fellows and 68 per cent of applicants had never attended an ICANN meeting. Priority will be given to applicants who are current residents of developing and least developed nations who are interested in participating in ICANN and its supporting organizations, such as the Governmental Advisory Committee, the Country Code Names Supporting Organization, and the Generic Names Supporting Organization. The fellowship will assist in covering airfare, hotel and a stipend. Recipients will be expected to actively participate in and contribute to ICANN processes. As always, registration for ICANN's meetings is free for anyone wanting to attend. The Los Angeles meeting will be held from 29 October to 2 November 2007. "ICANN is working on major efforts with internationalized domain names and new top-level domains -- efforts that represent some of the biggest changes to the Internet since it was invented," Swinehart added. "ICANN wants as much input and global engagement as possible on issues like IDNs and top-level domains -- and the fellowship program has a key role in helping us accomplish that goal." Applications will be accepted from now until 1200 PDT (UTC -7) on Friday 24 August 2007. More information, as well as a link to the application for a fellowship, is available online at: http://www.icann.org/fellowships/ etc etc about ICANN. ____________________________________________________________

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[Fwd: AfriNIC position on the future of IP number resources]
by Michuki Mwangi 03 Aug '07

03 Aug '07

PLEASE READ - Very IMPORTANT! -------- Original Message -------- Subject: AfriNIC position on the future of IP number resources Date: Wed, 01 Aug 2007 17:13:29 +0400 From: Adiel A. Akplogan <ceo(a)afrinic.net> To: members-contact(a)afrinic.net Dear Members, After considering the situation of the IPv4 central pool exhaustion and the analysis paper published by AfriNIC staff in April 2007 [1], The AfriNIC Board approved in its last meeting an action plan for the staff to intensify its awareness campaign on the issue and advise network operators in the region to make their network infrastructure IPv6 ready as soon as possible. Resolution [#200707.01]: "Noting the imminent exhaustion of the IPv4 address central pool, the AfriNIC Board resolves that efforts to draw the public's attention to the problem and potential solutions such as IPv6 be intensified, and instructs the staff to take appropriate action in this regard" In line with this resolution, we have released the attached message to draw your attention to the situation. This direct communication will be followed by different other measures/activities to continue to promote the adoption of IPv6 in the Africa region. Among other activities, AfriNIC will have a press conference to reach out to a larger audience including the media and intensify its IPv6 training activity across the continent. We will also soon launch a specific area on our web site dedicated to IPv6, from where policy, training materials, papers and other useful information related to IPv6 will be available. Do not hesitate to contact our team, should you have any further questions or need more clarification. Sincerely, [1] http://www.afrinic.net/news/ipv4_exhaustion.htm ______________________________________________________________________ Adiel A. AKPLOGAN Tel. +230 466 66 16 Chief Executive Officer, AfriNIC Fax: +230 466 67 58 adiel(a)afrinic.net www.afrinic.net <http://www.afrinic.net/>================ See you at AfriNIC-7 - Durban, South Africa 23-28 September 2007, www.afrinic.net/meeting/afrinic-7 <http://www.afrinic.net/meeting/afrinic-7> -- Michuki Mwangi KENIC _______________________________________________ members mailing list members(a)afrinic.net https://lists.afrinic.net/mailman/listinfo.cgi/members

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ICT & Investment
by Bill Kagai 03 Aug '07

03 Aug '07

*MEDIACORP INVESTOR CLINIC – NYALI BEACH HOTEL, MOMBASA Saturday, 1st September 2007 – 9.00am – 4.00pm* MediaCorp Limited is a Licensed Information Vendor of the Nairobi Stock Exchange [NSE]. In our efforts to promote awareness and as a result of overwhelming interest from our subscribers and the investing community in Mombasa, we will be hosting the above mentioned clinic at the coastal city. The main panel will consist of the following speakers: - *Dr. Bitange Ndemo* – PS, Ministry of Information and communication who will speak on the role of ICT in harnessing online trading. - *Mr. Jimnah Mbaru* – Chairman, Nairobi Stock Exchange [NSE] who will speak on transforming the market from a paper to a digital market and the future vision of the NSE. - *Mr. Bob Karina* – Managing Director, Faida Securities who will speak on demystifying the bond market by taking advantage of ICT in Kenya. Other key themes of the Clinic will feature; - NSE Real Time Data Demonstration by MediaCorp - Investor Rights and Redress - Brokers, Unit Trusts and Investment Groups Exhibition - Upcoming Safaricom IPO - Facts and Figures - Presentations by Exhibitors - Plenary with Mombasa Investors *EXHIBITION* A parallel exhibition will run at the conference venue and interested players are invited to participate so as to take advantage of interacting with the Mombasa investing community. Branded booths will be available for Kshs 46,400 (VAT Inclusive). This includes free access for two to the Clinic and exhibition area. *PARTICIPATION FEE* Kshs 2,500 per person inclusive of VAT. Patrick Kahugi, the event coordinator is available on Tel. 254 20 272 8332 or Mobile 0722 374 393 to confirm your attendance. -- Bildad Kagai MD - MediaCorp Limited Nairobi Stock Exchange [NSE] - Authorised Information Vendor Suite B2 Tetu Apartments StateHouse Avenue P. O. Box 20311-00200 Tel. 254 20 272 8332 Fax. Rendered Obsolete URL. www.mediacorpafrica.com --

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[Fwd: CTO and Kenya Work Together to Prepare for Post 3G Era]
by alice 02 Aug '07

02 Aug '07

Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation INFORMATION FOR THE PRESS For immediate release 2nd August 2007 CTO Telephone: +44 870 777 7697 Fax: +44 870 034 5626 E-mail: j.manuel(a)cto.int <http://mailer.eddiction.co.uk/_webscripts/emaillog.php?789c35cbcd0a80201004…> www.cto.int <http://mailer.eddiction.co.uk/_webscripts/emaillog.php?789c4b49ca4cb135b254…> CTO and Kenya Work Together to Prepare for Post 3G Era The CTO is to run a multi-stakeholder workshop on mobile technologies beyond 3G in Nairobi, Kenya from the 6th to the 10th August. The workshop is organised as part of a CTO-CCK programme to help telecom professionals in Kenya gain a thorough understanding of the opportunities future mobile network generations hold for access to mobile services and ICTs. Like most Commonwealth countries, Kenya embraced the potential of new technologies as an opportunity to extend public services and improve trade through new applications such as e-commerce and m-commerce. And with todays ever increasing data processing and the transmission capabilities of handsets and networks and their relative lower cost compared with traditional PCs, mobile telephony is proving the most likely means for the unconnected masses in developing countries, not only to experience and use the Internet on a regular basis, but to fully integrate the information economy. For this to become a nation-wide reality, these new applications require trained engineers and business managers, and also networks to migrate to more spectrum-efficient transmission systems and standards. The workshop will give telecoms professionals in Kenya a detailed understanding of both the evolution from 2G to 3G and the network elements and air interface of the original UMTS system. Furthermore, the course will be covering other broadband services such as WLAN, Wimax and MWBA, whilst also looking at LTE (Long Term Evolution) and how the latest developments in UMTS will push the technology very close to 4G requirements. In fact, the aim in the end is for participants to be able to understand and leverage the UMTS and IEEE standards. CTO is intensifying its programmes on new technologies for greater access. Earlier this year, three Kenyans from CCK were sent by CTO to a high-level workshop in Yaoundé, Cameroon on frequency planning and spectrum management for NGN. And to spur member countries interest on the potential of NGN, the CTO is holding a major conference on NGN and convergence. Organised within CTO's Programme for Development and Training (PDT) in partnership with CCK and Nokia Siemens Networks, the Nairobi workshop will last five days. As the Commonwealth capacity building programme for ICTs, the PDT is a unique corporate membership programme for sharing of industry best practices in a uniquely fast-moving and global industry. Hundreds of ICT professionals from public and private sector organisations around the world benefit from its professional development programmes each year, built around a mix of high-quality training, networking and consulting in four main areas: ICT policy development, regulation, technology and business management. For more information and to register to attend, contact: Juliet Manuel Programme Management Officer Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation Tel.: +44 870 777 7697 j.manuel(a)cto.int <http://mailer.eddiction.co.uk/_webscripts/emaillog.php?789c35cbcd0a80201004…> *** About the CTO - The Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation (CTO) is an international development partnership between Commonwealth and non-Commonwealth governments, business and civil society organisations. It provides the international community with effective means to help bridge the digital divide and achieve social and economic development, by delivering to developing countries unique knowledge-sharing programmes in the use of information and communication technologies (ICT) in the specific areas of telecommunications, IT, broadcasting and the Internet.Click here to unsubscribe <http://mailer.eddiction.co.uk/_webscripts/emaillog.php?789c1d8a3b0ac4300c05…>

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

01 Aug '07

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

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

01 Aug '07

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

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

01 Aug '07

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

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

01 Aug '07

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

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

31 Jul '07

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

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

31 Jul '07

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

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

31 Jul '07

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

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

30 Jul '07

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

29 Jul '07

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

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

29 Jul '07

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

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Fwd: [ke-internetusers] ALERT! Storm Worm:Worst Virus Attack In 2 Years
by Alex Gakuru 28 Jul '07

28 Jul '07

[Last week I got quite a number of these messages and I got quite suspicious having read, 3 days earlier, how the FBI planted bugs by tricking users to compromised site.YOU MAY AVOID CLICKING FUNNY ENTICING EMAIL LINKS] [WIRED] http://www.wired.com/politics/law/news/2007/07/fbi_spyware FBI's Secret Spyware Tracks Down Teen Who Made Bomb Threats --Excerpts-- FBI agents trying to track the source of e-mailed bomb threats against a Washington high school last month sent the suspect a secret surveillance program designed to surreptitiously monitor him and report back to a government server, according to an FBI affidavit obtained by Wired News. The court filing offers the first public glimpse into the bureau's long-suspected spyware capability, in which the FBI adopts techniques more common to online criminals. The software was sent to the owner of an anonymous MySpace profile linked to bomb threats against Timberline High School near Seattle... ..the spyware program gathers a wide range of information, including the computer's IP address; MAC address; open ports; a list of running programs; the operating system type, version and serial number; preferred internet browser and version; the computer's registered owner and registered company name; the current logged-in user name and the last-visited URL. The CIPAV then settles into a silent "pen register" mode, in which it lurks on the target computer and monitors its internet use, logging the IP address of every computer to which the machine connects for up to 60 days. ---- [WWWhatsup NYC] http://www.informationweek.com/security/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=2012008… Storm Worm Erupts Into Worst Virus Attack In 2 Years Storm worm authors are blasting the Internet with two types of attacks, and both are aimed at building up their botnet. By Sharon Gaudin InformationWeek July 24, 2007 04:19 PM The Storm worm authors are waging a multi-pronged attack and generating the largest virus attack some researchers say they've seen in two years. "We are basically in the midst of an incredibly large attack," said Adam Swidler, a senior manager with security company Postini. "It's the most sustained attack that we've seen. There's been nine to 10 days straight days of attack at this level." Swidler said in an interview with InformationWeek that the attack started a little more than a week ago, and Postini since then has recorded 200 million spam e-mails luring users to malicious Web sites. Before this attack, an average day sees about 1 million virus-laden e-mails, according to Postini. Last Thursday, however, the company tracked 42 million Storm-related messages in that day alone. As of Tuesday afternoon, Postini researchers were predicting they would see that day between 4 million and 6 million virus e-mails -- 99% of them associated with the Storm worm. While the number of spam e-mails has dropped significantly, it's still far above normal levels, so Swidler isn't ready to say the attack is over. The viruses are not embedded in the e-mails or in attachments. The e-mails, many of them otherwise empty, contain a link to a compromised Web site where machines are infected with a generic downloader. This helps pull the computers into the malware authors' growing botnet, while also leaving them open for further infection at a later date. "This is designed to add computers to the botnet," said Swidler. "That's first and foremost their goal." But the Storm worm authors aren't contenting themselves with this one attack vector. Paul Henry, VP of technologies with Secure Computing, said in an interview that the electronic greeting card spam scam that the Storm worm authors launched early in July is stronger than ever. He noted that a friend of his has a company with 100 users and they're being hit with about 300 e-card spams every day. "Back in December, we saw a huge spike in e-card spams because of the holiday," he added. "We are at the levels we were seeing back in December right now Most security professionals thought it would show up for Independence Day and then fade immediately, but it's been escalating for the last few weeks. It's definitely a pain point." Again, the e-card spam message, which install rootkits in the infected computers, are working to build a botnet. Henry could not say if it's the same botnet as the other messages are building. "I have seen thousands of these e-mails since Independence Day. It's got to be working for them or they wouldn't keep doing it," said Henry. Just a few weeks ago, the Storm worm authors began trying to trick users with fraudulent e-mails warning unsuspecting users about virus or spyware infections. Users around the world were receiving spam messages claiming that viruses or spyware had been detected on the users' systems. It was another attempt to lure users to malicious sites where their computers could be infected. ____________________________________________________________________________________ Park yourself in front of a world of choices in alternative vehicles. Visit the Yahoo! Auto Green Center. http://autos.yahoo.com/green_center/

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Re: [kictanet] [Skunkworks] It's a new twist for Econet Wireless
by Mike Theuri 27 Jul '07

27 Jul '07

Joram, Your intuition is right, there are heavily vested interests, though I believe not in the sense that Econet is coming in late but in the sense that Econet is coming in now. It is apparent that there may be multiple vested and opposing interests gunning for control of the licence, whether true or not, it can be concluded that where there is smoke the likelihood of finding a fire is high: === SPECIAL REPORT | Page 9 SUNDAY STANDARD MARCH 19 2006 No end in sight to Econet intrigues "In April last year, our officers investigating the case were told to stop with immediate effect." says a senior Kacc official. Kacc spokesman Nicholas Simani however declined to comment on the matter." ==== There is a plethora of hundreds perhaps thousands of pages of documents (some attached) on these matters available from courts in Nairobi, London, Lagos, Papua New Guinea, Botswana and Johannesburg including affidavits by the foreign entity's executives that tell a shockingly different story from the often one sided pompous story told in the media. KNFC has a valid case, Econet too had to raise money (there is evidence supporting how this was done and why Econet took their former top level executive (also after he refused to co-operate in disenfranchising KNFC) to court in Johannesburg in a bid to gag him from spilling the beans, beans which a VP of the telecom vendor at the center of the unorthodox financing arrangement feared would rile Vodafone/Safaricom, Celtel, MTN etc). Why would anyone touch KNFC with a long pole when there are vested interests intent on derailing KNFC at every turn and corner while a PR machine touts the other party as the credible and righteous party with stories of "success and triumph" in other countries citing billions of profits in Zimbabwean dollars Z$ ambigiously as touted as $ "US dollars" yet it is no secret that Zimbabwe is a nation of poor millionaires where the average price of a home starts in the billions http://www.fingaz.co.zw/fingaz/2005/February/February24/7816.shtml If you were a financier who would you work with? The hapless KNFC you read about in the press or the over "glorified" entity (minus its unknown mishaps) that you read about in the press? Even then according to the attached advertisement that was published in the Nation on April 12 2004 by KNFC's lead financier, the regulator is said to have refused to accept the replacement bid bond from KNFC and further to that KNFC's financier confirms in the ad as having raised the requisite licence fee but the regulator was not willing to issue the licence to them. The Econet PR machine that has its team of dedicated journalists in various newsrooms went to work to tout KNFC as having no funds or in the alternate of having failed to raise funds for the licence. Those in doubt do not need to look very far, the Co-operative bank is one such example of success from the co-operative sector. As always the PR machinery works overtime to paint KNFC as the impoverished villians and Econet as the righteous party with money overflowing from its pockets. Unfortunately the truth should be told, contrary to what the Kenyan media reports, Econet has not won any of its huge and highly publicized endlessly filed legal battles. Where it was not likely to win it settled. Econet Wireless Nigeria is no more, it is now Celtel and NOT because Econet sold it to Celtel but because the Nigerian shareholders choose to do so. Econet simply got a taste of its own medicine when it was bundled out of Econet Wireless Nigeria and when it seemed Econet could retain its 5% shareholding + more, it was unable to match Celtel's superior offer for the shares at stake. As Business Day in South Africa and other Nigerian media reported on and around 30 June 2006 regarding the saga (contrary to Kenyan media reports indicating the opposite). Thus there is no West African battle that Econet has won except through its disinformation campaign: ---------------- http://mybroadband.co.za/nephp/?m=show&id=3368 ECONET's battle for control of Nigeria's cellular network, V Mobile, has been massively undermined by a court verdict damning Econet for misleading a judge and failing to admit it was $90m short of the cash needed to buy the business. The Nigerian court will be presented with the UK verdict showing that Econet had withheld evidence and failed to raise the cash. Econet CEO Strive Masiyiwa claimed to have raised $1,5bn to buy V-Mobile entirely, but accused the Nigerians of refusing to hand over the documents to conclude the deal. The court found that was not true. When Econet sought an order to block V-Mobile's sale to Celtel, it told the court it had more than enough funds to make the payment. "That was not the true position," Judge Morison said in his ruling. "There was serious nondisclosure or misrepresentation of the true position as to Econet's access to funds." The court was "seriously misled by evidence as to Econet's access to funds," Morison said. He ended the injunction so Celtel could buy V Mobile as Econet lacked cash. Celtel CEO Marten Pieters said the ruling confirmed Celtel's purchase of V- Mobile was a professional and transparent process. ------------------ http://www.pacificmagazine.net/issue/2005/02/01/business-briefs The Papua New Guinea government has terminated the proposed sale of 51 percent of Telikom (PNG) Ltd to African telecommunications giant Econet Wireless Group. Bowing to criticism in Parliament and public outcry, Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare announced the PNG Cabinet's decision and said the sale process would be looked at again this year. "Given the debate from various sectors of the community and the parliamentary resolution not to proceed with the sale under its current structure, the Cabinet has decided the most logical step is to cancel current attempts to sell this important State asset," Sir Michael said. ------------------- Anywhere Econet goes, there are problems, the modus operandi is the same, when they are exposed turn around and sue Governments and their partners for the favored value of $1bn or issue legal threats only later to settle after having succeeded in intimidating the intended victims to agree to their demands or in the event they loose, their PR machine goes to work touting their "victory" or the fact that the matter is far from over. It is a pity that the Kenyan media is far from professionally telling the truth that is already in the public domain in such enormous and overwhelming terms. On 7/25/07, Joram Mwinamo <joram.mwinamo(a)gmail.com > wrote: > > I also have a feeling there could be vested interests in Econet not coming > in as the 4th mobile operator in this country as competition will seriously > harm the mega profits being made right now. Im not saying anything but for > people who couldnt raise the money,i dont see why their case was being heard > even when econet offered to put up the capital. There is definitely more > than meets the eye here and I dont see why things go in favour of the > Cooperative that doesnt have cash.We want competition so that i can call > at 2 bob a minute > > However econet has had a few victories to similar battles in west africa > where they were clearly the underdogs,im holding my breath > > On 7/25/07, David Kiania | Asentric Consulting Ltd < kianiadee(a)gmail.com> > wrote: > > > > > > Herein lies poignant lessons for anyone looking to partner for whatever > > reason. First avoid Farmers and amorphous bodies their interests are as > > diverse as their membership. KNFC nees to tell us since EWK will be > > settling the legal costs of the suits that they have terminated, what % > > of the legal bills will they foot. Secondly can they or can't they raise > > > > their portion of license fee which was a point of contention ab initial. > > > > >From what I gather, they are broke and are not in a position to so of > > the US$ 27m license fee, Econet International has already paid $12M > > being the majority shareholder can KNFC raise $15M or are they seeking > > to auction their shareholding and have and pocket the surplus. Me thinks > > they want to cash out and pocket something. > > > > Last but not least, the outcome will also be influenced by their > > shareholders' agreement on liquidation and ownership transfer. Herein > > lies the other lesson, during incorporation get a good lawyer, not a pal > > because they will cost you nothing. From my experience get a lawyer (in > > their personal capacity) with one of the big firms (K&S, HHM, etc) they > > have great incorporation templates and are thorough not to mention they > > know how to get things done right. > > > > I have a feeling that EW Kenya may carry the day, after all the govt > > needs to fund the Kshs 400 billion budget deficit and are in not > > position to refund the $12M already paid, it's an election year :) Watch > > what happens carefully . > > > > Kiania D. > > > > > > > > Mike Theuri wrote: > > > It's a new twist for Econet Wireless as it prepares to roll out its > > > services > > > Written By:Emmanuel Toili , Posted: Tue, Jul 24, 2007 > > > > > > It's a new twist for the third mobile service provider Econet Wireless > > > > > International after the Kenya National Federation of Co-operatives > > > limited- > > > KNFC > > > threatened to take a court injunction to stop the rolling out of the > > > mobile > > > services. > > > > > > Interim Chairman Stanley Muchiri said the Federation had neither > > > withdrawn > > > two > > > court cases that prevented Econet Wireless International from > > > providing the > > > mobile services. > > > > > > The government and Econet Wireless International had last week signed > > a > > > settlement agreement and agreed to settle the contentious issues out > > of > > > court. > > > > > > KNFC who are allegedly the majority shareholders of Econet Wireless > > > Consortium, > > > want the Communications Commission of Kenya - CCK, to issue them a > > > license > > > as a > > > partner. > > > > > > http://www.kbc.co.ke/story.asp?ID=43974 > > > > > > > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > > > skunkworks mailing list > > > skunkworks(a)my.co.ke > > > http://ole.kenic.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/skunkworks > > > Blog http://skunkworks-ke.blogspot.com > > > > _______________________________________________ > > skunkworks mailing list > > skunkworks(a)my.co.ke > > http://ole.kenic.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/skunkworks > > Blog http://skunkworks-ke.blogspot.com > > > > > > -- > Our greatest fear is not that we are inadequate,but that we are powerful > beyond measure.It is our light, not our darkness, that frightens us.Thereis nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel > insecure around you.As we let our own light shine, we consciously give > other people permission to do the same. > As we are liberated from our fear,our presence automatically liberates > others.

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KICTANet Institutional Assessment
by Rebecca Wanjiku 26 Jul '07

26 Jul '07

The Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet) is a multi-stakeholder network with members from the private sector, civil society, media, academia and government. It is a network of committed volunteers from organizations, networks and groups, who believe in collaborative policy advocacy activities and the sharing of resources and skills. The advocacy activities are focused on the development and use of ICT to support poverty reduction and the transformation of livelihoods. Recognizing this important role of ICT in our society, KICTANet is conducting two studies. One to assess the network as an institution (institutional assessment) to establish ways to engage the stakeholders more, how it can build on successes and incorporate other issues and methods, the other is a case study of the network , which is being conducted by Muriuki Mureithi. In this respect, the lead consultant for the institutional assessment will be conducting interviews expected to last about 30 minutes. While, Muriuki Mureithi has already sent questionnaires to a number of network members. Because KICTANet is committed to ensuring information-sharing as well as cooperative and collaborative advocacy to maximize outreach and impact, it is hoped that all members in the mailing list will actively participate in the interviews, and will attend the validation of data collected as well as dissemination workshops. The main objective of the assessment is to establish KICTANets organizational strengths and weaknesses, and to develop specific recommendations of areas that will require institutional strengthening, while the case study will assist in collection of lessons learnt in MSP. The lead consultant for the institutional assessment will be meeting with a number of the members for a one on one interview after as well as a questionnaire, which will assist in getting the findings and backing them up with required scientific explanations. The secretariat therefore kindly requests all members to assist the two consultants with the data collection phase. regards Tel. 254 720 318 925 blog:http://beckyit.blogspot.com/ --------------------------------- Need a vacation? Get great deals to amazing places on Yahoo! Travel.

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FW: Your Complimentary Report from Gartner
by Kagwe James 26 Jul '07

26 Jul '07

Good afternoon all. I think you will find the attached interesting reading, enjoy. Best Regards, James Kagwe ************************************************************************ ********** Alexander Forbes Financial Services (EA) Ltd 10th floor, Landmark Plaza Argwings Kodhek Road Opposite Nairobi Hospital P. O. Box 52439 - 00200 Nairobi, Kenya Tel: (254) 20 - 2710722, 2710775, 2710779, 2710782, 2710751, 2710725 Fax: (254) 20 - 2710721 Confidentiality Warning ======================= The contents of this e-mail and any accompanying documentation are confidential and any use thereof, in what ever form, by anyone other than the addressee is strictly prohibited. If you have received this e-mail in error, please notify actuaries(a)aforbes.co.ke or benefits(a)aforbes.co.ke and delete it immediately from your system.. Alexander Forbes Financial Services (EA) Limited from whom this e-mail originates accepts no responsibility for losses or damage as a result of any viruses and it is your responsibility to check attachments (if any) for viruses.

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Country Business Manager - South Africa
by Michael Kipsang Bullut 25 Jul '07

25 Jul '07

A great opportunity not to be missed! ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Robert Alai <alai.robert(a)gmail.com> Date: 15-Jul-2007 00:19 Subject: Country Business Manager - South Africa To: kaziafrica(a)googlegroups.com *Country Business Manager - South Africa* *Position available in Cape Town or Johannesburg, South Africa* Google is looking for a seasoned professional to lead Google's sales and operations within South Africa. The ideal candidate will have deep sales experience, demonstrated general management capability, and a proven ability to build a team. The country business manager is responsible for developing and executing on the overall market strategy within the country. This responsibility includes determining the appropriate channel strategy, support model, staffing requirements, target advertisers, and coordinating with functional teams to achieve desired goals. The primary focus will be on top tier client and agency opportunities, as well as regional business development. This position will report to the Regional Director. Responsibilities: - General management of South Africa operations including the development and execution of the overall country strategy. - Build a sales organization to call upon leading advertisers within South Africa. - Build a regionalized advertising sales operations capability to provide premium service to Google's top advertisers. - Build and maintain relations with key agencies and Search Engine Marketers (SEMs). - Drive revenue growth across all verticals. - Define the appropriate sales channel for all advertisers. - Build and develop partnerships that will grow the marketplace in South Africa and the Southern Africa region as a whole. - Coordinate closely with centralized sales operations to ensure the needs of the market are being met. - Contribute strategically to the growth and direction of Google products and services. - Ensure new product launches are successfully communicated to the local market. - Collaborate with other Country Business Managers to provide broad support to EMEA sales as a whole. - Provide support to the Regional Director as required. Requirements: - BA/BS or equivalent; MBA preferred. - Minimum 8+ years advertising sales and general management experience. - Proven record of strategic development of Fortune 1000 client base. - 5+ years of Internet sales. - 5+ years sales management experience in a technology related field. - Strong relationships within the advertising and technology spaces in the region. - Experience in building strategic partnerships and track record of growing a market is preferred - Fluency in English required For immediate consideration, please send a text (ASCII) or HTML version of your resume in English to jobs(a)google.com. Important: The subject field of your email must include *Country Business Manager - South Africa.*. -- -------------------------------------------------------------------- Life's most urgent question is: What are you doing for others? .........Martin Luther King, Jr. -------------------------------------------------------------------- --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "KAZI-AFRICA" group. Email to kaziafrica(a)googlegroups.com Subscribe , send email to kaziafrica-subscribe(a)googlegroups.com Unsubscribe, send email to kaziafrica-unsubscribe(a)googlegroups.com Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/kaziafrica?hl=en www.kazi-africa.com kazi-africa.blogspot.com biashara-africa.blogspot.com -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~--- -- "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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new/please post/forward: Oxford Internet Institute (University of Oxford) Civil Society Practitioners Programme (information society)
by Wanjira, Alice Munyua 25 Jul '07

25 Jul '07

Civil Society Practitioners Programme http://www.oii.ox.ac.uk/microsites/cspp/ Invitation to apply The Oxford Internet Institute (University of Oxford) invites applications from the global South to fill two places in its Civil Society Practitioners Programme. This visitor programme is intended for Civil Society Practitioners of distinction or outstanding promise who wish to visit the Institute for a period of six weeks between February and December 2008, to undertake research concerning the social impact of the Internet and related ICTs. Visitors are expected to reside in Oxford during their stay, and to participate fully in the intellectual life of the Institute. The successful applicants will receive: * A subsistence allowance of 3800 GBP (7500 USD) to cover research expenses and living costs during their stay in Oxford * A travel grant of up to 1000 GBP (2000 USD) for travel to and from the UK Applications will ideally be submitted by Civil Society Practitioners in or from the global South, active in the areas of freedom of expression, media reform, media justice, and communications and information policy in the globalized context of the Internet. You may also request to have this information emailed to you in plain text form. The deadline for completed applications to reach the OII Academic and Student Affairs Officer (by post or email: contact details below) is 26 September 2007. Please note that incomplete applications cannot be considered. Final notification of an award will occur in November 2007. Successful candidates will be expected to take up their six week residency in Oxford at any time between February and December 2008. Contact Laura Taylor Academic and Student Affairs Officer Oxford Internet Institute University of Oxford 1 St Giles, Oxford OX1 3JS United Kingdom Tel: +44 (0)1865 287222 Fax: +44 (0)1865 287211 Email: recruit(a)oii.ox.ac.uk This programme has been made possible by funding from the electronic media policy portfolio in the Media, Arts and Culture unit of the Knowledge, Creativity and Freedom Program of the Ford Foundation.

5 5

BROADBAND BALONEY
by Alex Gakuru 25 Jul '07

25 Jul '07

[Congratulations Skunkworks for the ongoing visible work "Skunkworks gets African roots as techies bond" http://www.bdafrica.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2110&Item…] ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: WWWhatsup <joly(a)punkcast.com> Date: Jul 25, 2007 5:21 AM Subject: [isoc-ny] BROADBAND BALONEY To: isoc-ny(a)yahoogroups.com, discuss(a)isoc-ny.org BROADBAND BALONEY [SOURCE: Wall Street Journal, AUTHOR: Robert McDowell] [Commentary] Federal Communications Commission Commissioner Robert McDowell writes that American consumers are poised to reap a windfall of benefits from a new wave of broadband deployment. But you would never know it by the rhetoric of those who would have us believe that the nation is falling behind, indeed in free fall. Looming over the horizon are heavy-handed government mandates setting arbitrary standards, speeds and build-out requirements that could favor some technologies over others, raise prices and degrade service. This would be a mistaken road to take -- although it would hardly be the first time in history that alarmists have ignored cold, hard facts in pursuit of bad policy. When it comes to broadband policy, let's put aside flawed studies and rankings, and reject the road of regulatory stagnation. In the next few years, we will witness a tremendous explosion of entrepreneurial brilliance in the broadband market, if the government doesn't micromanage. Belief in entrepreneurs and a light regulatory touch is the right broadband policy for America. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB118524094434875755.html?mod=todays_us_opini… (requires subscription) * Are the numbers flawed? See http://www.freepress.net/docs/shooting_the_messenger.pdf ---------------------------------------------------------- WWWhatsup NYC http://pinstand.com - http://punkcast.com http://isoc-ny.org "The Internet is for Everyone!" -- Vint Cerf ____________________________________________________________________________________ Choose the right car based on your needs. Check out Yahoo! Autos new Car Finder tool. http://autos.yahoo.com/carfinder/

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It's a new twist for Econet Wireless
by Mike Theuri 25 Jul '07

25 Jul '07

It's a new twist for Econet Wireless as it prepares to roll out its services Written By:Emmanuel Toili , Posted: Tue, Jul 24, 2007 It's a new twist for the third mobile service provider Econet Wireless International after the Kenya National Federation of Co-operatives limited- KNFC threatened to take a court injunction to stop the rolling out of the mobile services. Interim Chairman Stanley Muchiri said the Federation had neither withdrawn two court cases that prevented Econet Wireless International from providing the mobile services. The government and Econet Wireless International had last week signed a settlement agreement and agreed to settle the contentious issues out of court. KNFC who are allegedly the majority shareholders of Econet Wireless Consortium, want the Communications Commission of Kenya - CCK, to issue them a license as a partner. http://www.kbc.co.ke/story.asp?ID=43974

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kenyan techies headed to jail
by Rebecca Wanjiku 23 Jul '07

23 Jul '07

Kenyan techies headed to jail... By Rebecca Wanjiku If the new Kenya Communications Amendment bill becomes law, all Kenyan techies and computer owners with pay a fine of shs 1 million, or risk a jail term or both. Why? Section 86 of the KCA bill states that... No person shall Operate an electronic Certification system Update a repository Administer a sub-domain in the ccTLD To do the above one requires a license, or face the penalties. Michuki Mwangi, the chief executive officer of KENIC, reckons that there are many Kenyan techies who have been infringing on this rule and will face the full force of the law once its assented. In interrogating these issues, Michuki asks, what is a repository? He argues that a repository could constitute a computer hard disk, mainly because the bill has not defined what a repository is. I have a self signed certificate, I create sub-domains and so many other Kenyans do. The government will have to give 32million potential sub-domain users. Thats a whole load of licenses to issue, said Michuki. Section 87 and 88 provides that: The dot KE registry and the Digital Certificate Registry need a license Michuki reckons that .KE model is globally recognized and in deed South Africa wants to follow up but adds that the new law will open room for subdivision of the registry, provided one can pay the license. For instance in south Africa, the .CO.ZA , .AC.ZA and other domains were operated by different entities and this is the time they are trying to integrate registry operations under one registry. It has the right intentions but just needs a bit of tweaking and rewording. The bill could have captured other areas of IT like local content matters were not well addressed, said Michuki. Ends Tel. 254 720 318 925 blog:http://beckyit.blogspot.com/ --------------------------------- Choose the right car based on your needs. Check out Yahoo! Autos new Car Finder tool.

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Police excuse angry computer user for outburst
by Alex Gakuru 23 Jul '07

23 Jul '07

Humor a cold quiet afternoon! http://today.reuters.com/news/articlenews.aspx?type=oddlyEnoughNews&storyid… BERLIN (Reuters) - A German man who startled his neighbors when he hurled his computer out of the window in the middle of the night, was let off for disturbing the peace by police who sympathized with his technical frustrations. Police in the northern city of Hanover said they would not press charges after responding to calls made by residents in an apartment block who were woken by a loud crash in the early hours of Saturday. Officers found the street and pavement covered in electronic parts and discovered who the culprit was. Asked what had driven him to the night-time outburst, the 51-year-old man said he had simply got annoyed with his computer. "Who hasn't felt like doing that?" said a police spokesman. While escaping any official sanction the man was made to clear up the debris. © Reuters 2007. All Rights Reserved. ____________________________________________________________________________________ Boardwalk for $500? In 2007? Ha! Play Monopoly Here and Now (it's updated for today's economy) at Yahoo! Games. http://get.games.yahoo.com/proddesc?gamekey=monopolyherenow

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Fwd: [ke-internetusers] CCK Preaching Wine & Drinking Water
by Alex Gakuru 23 Jul '07

23 Jul '07

--- robert yawe <robertyawe(a)yahoo.co.uk> wrote: > Date: Thu, 5 Jul 2007 06:37:41 +0100 (BST) > From: robert yawe <robertyawe(a)yahoo.co.uk> > To: Internet user group <ke-internetusers(a)bdix.net> > Subject: [ke-internetusers] CCK Preaching Wine & > Drinking Water > > Hi All, > > Here is a trick question, where is the > Communications Commission of Kenya's (CCK) web site > is hosted? > > Wrong it is not at Telkom or at their headquarters, > it seats in a foreign land, from the routing seems > like the UK. Evidence provided below. > > C:\>tracert www.cck.go.ke > > Tracing route to meru1.africaonline.co.ke > [216.251.32.98] > over a maximum of 30 hops: > > 1 <1 ms <1 ms <1 ms 192.168.0.1 > 2 36 ms 37 ms 42 ms 212.49.74.1 > 3 37 ms 36 ms 34 ms 196.202.200.193 > 4 37 ms 37 ms 36 ms 62.24.96.131 > 5 37 ms 37 ms 38 ms 192.168.2.2 > 6 636 ms 607 ms 637 ms > t3a2-h12-0-0.uk-goo.eu.bt.net [166.49.213.137] > 7 602 ms 698 ms 612 ms > t2c1-p3-2.uk-lon2.eu.bt.net [166.49.163.21] > 8 619 ms 699 ms 638 ms > t2c2-ge6-2.uk-lon2.eu.bt.net [166.49.164.170] > 9 1188 ms 1271 ms 706 ms > t2c1-ge5-1.uk-lon1.eu.bt.net [166.49.208.242] > 10 1106 ms 1137 ms 675 ms > t2a5-ge2-1.uk-lon1.eu.bt.net [166.49.135.115] > 11 * 651 ms 648 ms > 166-49-214-130.eu.bt.net [166.49.214.130] > 12 690 ms * 721 ms 217.239.40.78 > > > > So when the regulator has no faith in the > infrastructure he is meant to regulate and monitor > how are the mortals like us supposed to have faith > in the infrastructure. > > > > Robert Yawe > KAY System Technologies Ltd > Phoenix House, 6th Floor > P O Box 55806 Nairobi, 00200 > KEnya > > Tel: +254722511225 > > --------------------------------- > Inbox full of unwanted email? Get leading > protection and 1GB storage with All New Yahoo! Mail.> _______________________________________________ > ke-internetusers mailing list > ke-internetusers(a)bdix.net > http://www.bdix.net/mailman/listinfo/ke-internetusers > ____________________________________________________________________________________ Yahoo! oneSearch: Finally, mobile search that gives answers, not web links. http://mobile.yahoo.com/mobileweb/onesearch?refer=1ONXIC _______________________________________________ ke-internetusers mailing list ke-internetusers(a)bdix.net http://www.bdix.net/mailman/listinfo/ke-internetusers

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eGovernment for Development
by Alex Gakuru 22 Jul '07

22 Jul '07

http://www.egov4dev.org/indonesiatender.htm eTransparency Case Study No.8 More Transparent Tendering for Infrastructure Development in Indonesia More Transparent Tendering for Infrastructure Development in Indonesia Case Study Authors Anonymous Application In 2001, the Department of Settlement and Regional Infrastructure in Indonesia introduced an online information system to support the process of tendering. Application Description The Department of Settlement and Regional Infrastructure is responsible for public infrastructure in Indonesia (particularly transport, water and housing infrastructure), with a budget of more than US$100m annually, much of which is dispersed through a system of tenders, bids and contracts. The new information system provides information about all aspects of the procurement process: · Details of projects to be tendered, including their content, duration and budget allocation. · Tendering process details including dates, value, details of the pre-qualification process and information regarding the tender winner. · Contact details for the relevant procurement officer that enable queries or inputs into the process. Armed with this information, citizens and citizen groups could then identify cases where tendering procedures have not been followed properly, or where contractors with close relations to government have received many contracts, or where infrastructural deliverables have not been constructed. Contractors themselves can also benefit from the information provided by the system. It helps them to know what to bid for. They can also use e-tendering components within the system in order to submit their bids online. However, full e-procurement is not yet possible because electronic documents are yet to be given legal status in the Indonesian courts. Thus all key documents must still be handled in the conventional manner. There are no specific technical standards or benchmarks for the transparency of tendering in Indonesia, nor is there any law regarding freedom of information. Normal government regulations apply to the actual tendering/procurement processes. Role of ICT The e-tendering system is Web-based, and made available to citizens and businesses via the Internet in Bahasa Indonesia (the national language). The system uses ASP for scripting, with My-SQL for the underlying database. Application Drivers/Purpose President Suharto ruled Indonesia from 1965 until his resignation in 1998. His rule is typically seen as autocratic and as fostering corruption. The e-tendering application was introduced as part of post-Suharto reform in Indonesia. One main focus of this reform has been good governance, including an attempt to address widespread corruption and to reduce the costs of government. Another has been more balanced regional development, which has sought to redress earlier distortions between the disadvantaged Eastern and better-developed Western parts of the country, and to devolve decision-making powers away from a small Jakarta-based clique. All elements came together in the development of the e-tendering/procurement system, which aims to improve the transparency and efficiency and costs of tendering/procurement. A key driving force for the application in practice is seen to be external pressure from international donor organisations. Stakeholders Senior officials and staff of the Department of Settlement and Regional Infrastructure are key internal stakeholders for this new system. Consultants and businesses are stakeholders since their approach to bidding has been affected. Finally, citizens and NGOs are stakeholders since they have a general interest in improvements in both the efficiency and effectiveness of government infrastructural contracting. Transparency and the Poor There has been no direct support for transparency to the poor, since the service is primarily targeted at government-to-business links. There is also little or no ICT infrastructure in most poor communities, especially outside Jakarta. Impact: Costs and Benefits Project costs are unknown. The main system benefits seem to be: a) Increased awareness about tendering processes among some citizens. There have been a few queries about tenders from members of the public and NGOs. This may have a knock-on impact to make contractors and government officials feel they are under greater scrutiny than previously. It may help to create some groundswell of demand for more freedom of information and greater transparency. b) Benefits of reduced costs for contractors who wish to participate in the bidding process. Although this has no direct transparency benefit, it may help broaden the range of contractors who participate. In general, contractors have been supportive of the system. There is a perception that, before the system's introduction, most tender winners had a close relationship with government officials, whereas perhaps 25% fewer do after system introduction. What is not clear is the extent to which this can be attributed to the e-tendering system, or to broader changes in the post-Suharto era. Other benefits are, at present, more a potential than a reality. For example, there is still confusion about the way in which evidence derived from the Web site could be used in a legal context. Thus, there are no actual cases of the system having been used to seek redress against possible wrongdoing in procurement, and so there is as yet no clear way in which this system can be used to move beyond mere reporting to actual accountability and control of the procurement process. Government officials perceive that the system thus far has had no significant impact on levels of corruption. It is still the norm that contractors would find themselves paying 20-40% of the overall tender value to members of the tender committee and, in some cases, to higher-level officials who have oversight of the committee's work. Some of this corruption can be attributed to greed, but much can be attributed to need: the need to recover money paid out to get project budgets agreed in the first place (see below), and the need to supplement low public sector wages. Breaking this cycle of need, and institutionalised processes of corruption set in place during the Suharto era, is not going to be easy. The system ought to make the tendering process easier and quicker for government officials (indeed, this benefit is identified by the Department's own evaluation). However, informal feedback from government officials is not particularly positive. Those procurement officials who have computer expertise feel that the e-tendering system is creating additional work for them, yet for no additional income. They prefer to use their computing skills and what should be their government work time to earn money undertaking unofficial outside consultancy work; they then pay a small amount to more junior government staff to do the tendering data entry for them. Procurement officials without computer expertise, despite their training, feel the e-tendering system is something they do not understand. In both cases the result coupled with general absence of a culture of transparency has meant officials have little to do with the system, getting more junior staff to actually interact with it. This has tended to undermine both the perceived value and usage of the system. Evaluation: Failure or Success? The system won first prize in 2002 in the e-government category of a competition held by the Indonesian magazine "Warta Ekonomi". A formal evaluation of the project has been conducted by the Department of Settlement and Regional Infrastructure. On the technical side, the main concerns arising from the evaluation were access difficulties, particularly caused by ICT infrastructural constraints. On the non-technical side, contractors supported the system but wanted full e-procurement to be introduced. Issues identified by independent evaluations are described above in the Impact section and below in the Challenges section. Overall, the e-tendering system at present can be given the category of partial success/partial failure overall and as largely unsuccessful so far in addressing corruption, though the Department does appear committed to trying to improve the system. One additional concern remains the fact that, by turning the spotlight on tendering, the system may be reducing the attention paid to a major source of corruption: the budgeting process. In order to get local projects agreed for funding, money passes upwards to bribe both executive and legislative officials at first provincial and then national level. That money has then somehow to be recouped at the local level, which may explain the lack of progress to date against corruption in tendering and procurement. Enablers/Critical Success Factors 1. Political support. Although this e-transparency system has met with indifference or resistance from a number of middle-level officials, it has been pushed along by support from a number of key groups senior officials in the Department of Settlement and Regional Infrastructure who needed to show support for the good governance agenda; public groups who lobby for greater transparency; and some fraction of contractors who felt their business opportunities would be enhanced by a more transparent system. 2. ICT awareness. It only needed a small cadre of staff in the Department to be aware of the potential role of ICTs in supporting transparency to help get the ball rolling on this type of e-transparency project. Constraints/Challenges 1. Lack of legal infrastructure. This e-transparency system is limited in a number of ways by legal constraints. The operation of the e-tendering system is constrained by the absence of "cyber-laws" that would recognise the legitimacy of electronic documents and electronic transactions. The transparency aspects of the system are constrained by the lack of freedom of information and transparency laws that could give legal 'teeth' to attempts to use the system to hold government officials to account. 2. Staff resistance. This arises from a variety of causes. Some officials are resentful or fearful about the potential loss of bribe income the system could entail; they tend to manipulate what data goes into the system to their own advantage. Others lack the skills to use the system and so tend to ignore it. Others still are resentful of what they see as an additional workload without any commensurate additional reward; as noted above, they pay juniors to do that work for them. 3. Lack of broader engagement/awareness. Even as it currently stands, the e-tendering system could be used by citizen groups and other NGOs to maintain pressure on government to deliver on infrastructural commitments, and to reduce corruption in the tendering process. NGOs and academic groups could also help spread awareness about the system, and disseminate information drawn from the system. As yet, though, few NGOs or academic groups are engaged or involved with the e-tendering system. Recommendations 1. Involve citizen groups. Although citizens as individuals can play a role in transparency, that role is better taken on by representative groups such as NGOs or academic organisations. Such groups should be involved in both the design and implementation of e-transparency systems if those systems are credibly to affect the accountability of government officials. 2. Don't just focus on technical skills. Lack of technical skills is still an issue for this e-transparency system, both inside and outside government. However, the 'transparency' aspects of the system are more important than that 'e' aspects, and training and change management should thus also focus on introducing more transparent procedures, systems and culture into government. 3. Don't just focus on digital ICTs. Digital ICTs only penetrate so far. To really reach out to a developing country's citizens, e-transparency systems must either a) make use of more pervasive technologies such as radio or television, and/or b) make active use of ICT-owning intermediaries who can then trickle-down information and services by non-ICT means. Further Information http://www.kimpraswil.go.id/publik/proyek/semieproc/index.asp Case Details Case Editor: Richard Heeks. Author Data Sources/Role: Web Site, Documents and Interviews; No Direct Role. Centrality of Transparency: Mixed. Type: Transaction. Audience: External. Content: Contractual. Sector: Economic Services. Outcome: Largely Unsuccessful. Region: South-East Asia. Start Date: 2001. Submission Date: December 2003. The "eGovernment for Development Information Exchange" project is coordinated by the University of Manchester's Institute for Development Policy and Management. The project is funded and managed by the Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation as part of the UK Department for International Development's "Building Digital Opportunities" programme. ____________________________________________________________________________________ Get the free Yahoo! toolbar and rest assured with the added security of spyware protection. http://new.toolbar.yahoo.com/toolbar/features/norton/index.php

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Re: [kictanet] [Skunkworks] Kenya's state-owned telecoms operator goes mobile
by Mike Theuri 21 Jul '07

21 Jul '07

Telkom is a licenced operator using fixed wireless technology. The key word here is fixed. On the same argument if the 'true mobile' operators want to obtain 3G and 3.5G frequencies the regulator has a duty to ensure that the government is not deprived of much needed revenue by holding a competitive tender or auction for the 3G frequencies which have fetched hundreds of millions of dollars in other African countries. ---------- https://www.ntra.gov.eg/english/News_NewsDetails.asp?PID=36&ID=94 Vodafone Egypt have agreed to pay LE3.34bn (US$584m) + 2.4% of total revenues as a licence fee for 3G spectrum. Vodafone Egypt recently declared an annual turnover of LE6.8bn and revealed that approximately 22% (LE1.5bn) of this will be Free Cash Flow. However, it is not as much as the third player, Etisalat, agreed to pay LE16.7bn (US$2.9bn) for a 2G/3G licence which was equivalent to 3.4% of Egypt GDP. ---------- It is indicative that at least one mobile provider has indicated that it is already using such technology, which per their original GSM license (Annex A) is not catered for. What payment if any has been received by the commission on behalf of the government for these frequencies by the mobile operator and for the issuance of a new 3G licence? I am certain that TKL has met its licence obligations and thus is a bonafide operator, secondly TKL holds a licence that allows it to provide these services nationwide in addition to its basket of licences. If the TKL's competitors want to demand that TKL pay fees for a licence (which it already has) then they should similarly be prepared to pay licence fees after competing in a tender to be able to operate 3G networks. Mike On 7/20/07, Joseph Okech <okechukwu(a)gmail.com> wrote: > > I don't think Telkom goes mobile is a problem & its never about > competition, > the problem is with the regulatory infrastructure in place to be honored, > that is if all mobile operators have to pay a mobile license, then all > have > to pay a mobile license without any exceptions. If all mobile service > providers are to pay VAT and exercise duty, then this has to be across the > board. > > rgds, > Okech > > > > On Thursday July 19 2007 21:38:48 Mike Theuri wrote: > > "Competition is healthy. If other people complain, they should know that > > Kenyans > > now have a choice," Telkom Kenya Chief Market Officer Bernard Rubia told > > Reuters > > in an interview. > > > > Rubia says it was "debatable" whether partnering with an outside > investor > > was > > necessary for Telkom to turn a profit. Job cuts that will downsize > Telkom > > to > > > > 4,000 employees from 18,000 by September are already realising savings > of > > 250 > > million shillings ($3.7 million) a month against 1.2 billion in > billings. > > "We should be given a five-year window to prove ourselves," he said, > adding > > shares should be sold to the public in the meantime. > > > > ================ > > > > http://africa.reuters.com/wire/news/usnL19935122.html > > > > Kenya's state-owned telecoms operator goes mobile > > Thu 19 Jul 2007, 13:40 GMT > > > > By C. Bryson Hull > > > > NAIROBI, July 19 (Reuters) - State-owned Telkom Kenya is making an > > aggressive > > foray into the east African country's wireless mobile and data markets, > > aiming > > for rebirth as a sleek operator before privatisation due to start later > > this > > > > year. > > > > The loss-making state company, which has a monopoly on landlines, > earlier > > this > > month rolled out the lowest mobile phone tariff in Kenya and stepped up > > advertising to bring in customers to its brand-new wireless network. > > > > That has sparked complaints from the other two mobile operators in > Kenya, > > market > > leader Safaricom and Celtel Kenya, who say the state company has an > unfair > > regulatory advantage. > > > > "Competition is healthy. If other people complain, they should know that > > Kenyans > > now have a choice," Telkom Kenya Chief Market Officer Bernard Rubia told > > Reuters > > in an interview. > > > > "And they will choose based on reliability, consistency and > affordability." > > > > Telkom may seem an unlikely choice -- customers have long complained > that > > inefficiency, corruption and monopoly control of landlines have kept > > Telkom's > > prices high and service poor, but it is now in the middle of a major > > restructuring. > > > > And Kenyans are quick to go for the best deal. It is not uncommon for > > someone to > > have multiple phone lines to take advantage of the cheapest rate or to > > avoid the > > steep expense of calling from one network to the other. > > > > On a trial run since September, the company's mobile subsidiary Telkom > > Wireless > > so far has 150,000 subscribers and is adding an average of 1,000 per > day, > > Rubia > > said. > > > > "Our target is by the end of June next year we will have hit our 1 > million > > mark," he said adding the average customers spends 800 Kenya shillings > > ($11.92) > > a month. > > > > That is dwarfed by the 6.8 million Safaricom has out of an estimated 8-9 > > million > > users in the nation of 36 million people. > > > > > > BANKING ON CDMA > > > > Telkom has rolled out a CDMA network to about 70 percent of the country > to > > compete with Safaricom and Celtel, which operate a GSM network like most > > mobile > > companies in Africa. > > > > Rubia says the choice of CDMA was to lure Kenyan customers who get > > irritated by > > congestion on the GSM networks. > > > > "One of our towers is equivalent to four of theirs in terms of > capacity," > > he > > > > said. > > > > A second benefit is to cash in on its data capabilities, which are > faster > > than > > GSM. By September, Rubia says Telkom will offer EVDO, a mobile broadband > > data > > technology. > > > > But like other Internet data providers in Kenya, they will not be able > to > > use > > the maximum capacity until the country gets a fibre optic connection to > the > > Internet backbone. > > > > Currently it gets it via expensive satellite links that limit bandwidth > and > > market growth. Rubia says he expects at least one of two projects to > give > > Kenya > > a wired link to the outside world to be ready by "the back end of next > > year." > > > > Telkom Wireless customers will be able to access EVDO via mobile > handsets > > and > > also wireless desktop phones. > > > > The latter often serve as Internet links in rural areas where there is > > little or > > no infrastructure -- and where mobile operators say there are still huge > > untapped profits in Africa. > > > > The government wants to sell a 51 percent stake in Telkom to a strategic > > partner, with an eye on an IPO that would eventually sell 30 percent to > the > > public. Proposals are due to be opened by early November. > > > > Rubia says it was "debatable" whether partnering with an outside > investor > > was > > necessary for Telkom to turn a profit. Job cuts that will downsize > Telkom > > to > > > > 4,000 employees from 18,000 by September are already realising savings > of > > 250 > > million shillings ($3.7 million) a month against 1.2 billion in > billings. > > > > "We should be given a five-year window to prove ourselves," he said, > adding > > shares should be sold to the public in the meantime. > > >

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Re: [kictanet] [Skunkworks] Kenya's state-owned telecoms operator goes mobile
by Mike Theuri 21 Jul '07

21 Jul '07

As much as I would want to, I cannot tell you when or how Telkom paid the license fees, what I can tell you instead is that upon meeting the requisite requirements, one can seek a license from CCK employing the use of various fixed wireless technologies, however unlike Telkom, coverage would be limited as the applicant would not be licensed as a national operator. Additionally Telkom Kenya is duty bound to pay a revenue based annual license fee to CCK for its licenses. In Kenya there are certain licenses available only through the auction process and several others available 'over the counter'. Telkom licenses are mostly 25 year licenses dated from 1999 and renewable for another 15 years after that period. The most accurate answers to your questions can be best obtained from the regulator or in the alternate the Ministry. Other key references would be the Kenya Communications Act of 1998 which set up the legal framework for the establishment of Telkom Kenya. Regards, Mike On 7/21/07, Joseph Okech <okechukwu(a)gmail.com> wrote: > > Please I beg tell me when Telkom paid the license fees and how the bidding > was > done? Simply because their former MD was appointed into CCK does not give > them the right to ALL telco licenses in the country, every single license > has > to be auctioned or awarded openly with full license fees paid. > > rgds, > Okech > > > > On Saturday July 21 2007 02:45:20 Mike Theuri wrote: > > Telkom is a licenced operator using fixed wireless technology. The key > word > > here is fixed. On the same argument if the 'true mobile' operators want > to > > obtain 3G and 3.5G frequencies the regulator has a duty to ensure that > the > > government is not deprived of much needed revenue by holding a > competitive > > tender or auction for the 3G frequencies which have fetched hundreds of > > millions of dollars in other African countries. > > > > ---------- > > https://www.ntra.gov.eg/english/News_NewsDetails.asp?PID=36&ID=94 > > > > Vodafone Egypt have agreed to pay LE3.34bn (US$584m) + 2.4% of total > > revenues as a licence fee for 3G spectrum. Vodafone Egypt recently > declared > > an annual turnover of LE6.8bn and revealed that approximately 22% ( > LE1.5bn) > > of this will be Free Cash Flow. > > > > However, it is not as much as the third player, Etisalat, agreed to pay > > LE16.7bn (US$2.9bn) for a 2G/3G licence which was equivalent to 3.4% of > > Egypt GDP. > > ---------- > > > > It is indicative that at least one mobile provider has indicated that it > is > > already using such technology, which per their original GSM license > (Annex > > A) is not catered for. What payment if any has been received by the > > commission on behalf of the government for these frequencies by the > mobile > > operator and for the issuance of a new 3G licence? I am certain that TKL > > has met its licence obligations and thus is a bonafide operator, > secondly > > TKL holds a licence that allows it to provide these services nationwide > in > > addition to its basket of licences. If the TKL's competitors want to > demand > > that TKL pay fees for a licence (which it already has) then they should > > similarly be prepared to pay licence fees after competing in a tender to > be > > able to operate 3G networks. > > > > Mike > > > > On 7/20/07, Joseph Okech <okechukwu(a)gmail.com> wrote: > > > I don't think Telkom goes mobile is a problem & its never about > > > competition, > > > the problem is with the regulatory infrastructure in place to be > honored, > > > that is if all mobile operators have to pay a mobile license, then all > > > have > > > to pay a mobile license without any exceptions. If all mobile service > > > providers are to pay VAT and exercise duty, then this has to be across > > > the board. > > > > > > rgds, > > > Okech > > > > > > On Thursday July 19 2007 21:38:48 Mike Theuri wrote: > > > > "Competition is healthy. If other people complain, they should know > > > > that Kenyans > > > > now have a choice," Telkom Kenya Chief Market Officer Bernard Rubia > > > > told Reuters > > > > in an interview. > > > > > > > > Rubia says it was "debatable" whether partnering with an outside > > > > > > investor > > > > > > > was > > > > necessary for Telkom to turn a profit. Job cuts that will downsize > > > > > > Telkom > > > > > > > to > > > > > > > > 4,000 employees from 18,000 by September are already realising > savings > > > > > > of > > > > > > > 250 > > > > million shillings ($3.7 million) a month against 1.2 billion in > > > > > > billings. > > > > > > > "We should be given a five-year window to prove ourselves," he said, > > > > > > adding > > > > > > > shares should be sold to the public in the meantime. > > > > > > > > ================ > > > > > > > > http://africa.reuters.com/wire/news/usnL19935122.html > > > > > > > > Kenya's state-owned telecoms operator goes mobile > > > > Thu 19 Jul 2007, 13:40 GMT > > > > > > > > By C. Bryson Hull > > > > > > > > NAIROBI, July 19 (Reuters) - State-owned Telkom Kenya is making an > > > > aggressive > > > > foray into the east African country's wireless mobile and data > markets, > > > > aiming > > > > for rebirth as a sleek operator before privatisation due to start > later > > > > this > > > > > > > > year. > > > > > > > > The loss-making state company, which has a monopoly on landlines, > > > > > > earlier > > > > > > > this > > > > month rolled out the lowest mobile phone tariff in Kenya and stepped > up > > > > advertising to bring in customers to its brand-new wireless network. > > > > > > > > That has sparked complaints from the other two mobile operators in > > > > > > Kenya, > > > > > > > market > > > > leader Safaricom and Celtel Kenya, who say the state company has an > > > > > > unfair > > > > > > > regulatory advantage. > > > > > > > > "Competition is healthy. If other people complain, they should know > > > > that Kenyans > > > > now have a choice," Telkom Kenya Chief Market Officer Bernard Rubia > > > > told Reuters > > > > in an interview. > > > > > > > > "And they will choose based on reliability, consistency and > > > > > > affordability." > > > > > > > Telkom may seem an unlikely choice -- customers have long complained > > > > > > that > > > > > > > inefficiency, corruption and monopoly control of landlines have kept > > > > Telkom's > > > > prices high and service poor, but it is now in the middle of a major > > > > restructuring. > > > > > > > > And Kenyans are quick to go for the best deal. It is not uncommon > for > > > > someone to > > > > have multiple phone lines to take advantage of the cheapest rate or > to > > > > avoid the > > > > steep expense of calling from one network to the other. > > > > > > > > On a trial run since September, the company's mobile subsidiary > Telkom > > > > Wireless > > > > so far has 150,000 subscribers and is adding an average of 1,000 per > > > > > > day, > > > > > > > Rubia > > > > said. > > > > > > > > "Our target is by the end of June next year we will have hit our 1 > > > > > > million > > > > > > > mark," he said adding the average customers spends 800 Kenya > shillings > > > > ($11.92) > > > > a month. > > > > > > > > That is dwarfed by the 6.8 million Safaricom has out of an estimated > > > > 8-9 million > > > > users in the nation of 36 million people. > > > > > > > > > > > > BANKING ON CDMA > > > > > > > > Telkom has rolled out a CDMA network to about 70 percent of the > country > > > > > > to > > > > > > > compete with Safaricom and Celtel, which operate a GSM network like > > > > most mobile > > > > companies in Africa. > > > > > > > > Rubia says the choice of CDMA was to lure Kenyan customers who get > > > > irritated by > > > > congestion on the GSM networks. > > > > > > > > "One of our towers is equivalent to four of theirs in terms of > > > > > > capacity," > > > > > > > he > > > > > > > > said. > > > > > > > > A second benefit is to cash in on its data capabilities, which are > > > > > > faster > > > > > > > than > > > > GSM. By September, Rubia says Telkom will offer EVDO, a mobile > > > > broadband data > > > > technology. > > > > > > > > But like other Internet data providers in Kenya, they will not be > able > > > > > > to > > > > > > > use > > > > the maximum capacity until the country gets a fibre optic connection > to > > > > > > the > > > > > > > Internet backbone. > > > > > > > > Currently it gets it via expensive satellite links that limit > bandwidth > > > > > > and > > > > > > > market growth. Rubia says he expects at least one of two projects to > > > > > > give > > > > > > > Kenya > > > > a wired link to the outside world to be ready by "the back end of > next > > > > year." > > > > > > > > Telkom Wireless customers will be able to access EVDO via mobile > > > > > > handsets > > > > > > > and > > > > also wireless desktop phones. > > > > > > > > The latter often serve as Internet links in rural areas where there > is > > > > little or > > > > no infrastructure -- and where mobile operators say there are still > > > > huge untapped profits in Africa. > > > > > > > > The government wants to sell a 51 percent stake in Telkom to a > > > > strategic partner, with an eye on an IPO that would eventually sell > 30 > > > > percent to > > > > > > the > > > > > > > public. Proposals are due to be opened by early November. > > > > > > > > Rubia says it was "debatable" whether partnering with an outside > > > > > > investor > > > > > > > was > > > > necessary for Telkom to turn a profit. Job cuts that will downsize > > > > > > Telkom > > > > > > > to > > > > > > > > 4,000 employees from 18,000 by September are already realising > savings > > > > > > of > > > > > > > 250 > > > > million shillings ($3.7 million) a month against 1.2 billion in > > > > > > billings. > > > > > > > "We should be given a five-year window to prove ourselves," he said, > > > > > > adding > > > > > > > shares should be sold to the public in the meantime. > > >

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Re: [kictanet] Fwd: [Fwd: Safaricom intimidating media...]
by Alex Gakuru 21 Jul '07

21 Jul '07

Further Walubengo, Unlike "political" politicians who regularly complain of being mis-quoted by the media, now telcos intimidate the media, the government will "regulate" the media, consumers love the media for encouraging us that we are not alone in telcos exploitaion. Mexicans are faced by the same problem see attached "Billion Dollar Baby" story. The media respond even to a child's cry but politicians... unless there are votes at stake? The real losers of media gagging by government and corporate intimidation will be consumers. I state that add was totally and properly quoted here http://www.bdafrica.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=363&Itemi… Which is why the ICT Bill must facilitate widespread Community Telcos in the WiFi range to legally reinforce and strengthen this most welcome CCK intervention. It a sure way out of the current high communication costs misery and consumer lock in that affects everybody else except these telcos. Follow the ICT Bill and note anti-media, anti-consumer, anti-expression MPs and "revenge" in December elections. They will know the tariffs pain we suffer as soon as they lose those Parliamentary allowances. ____________________________________________________________________________________Ready for the edge of your seat? Check out tonight's top picks on Yahoo! TV. http://tv.yahoo.com/

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Re: [kictanet] Fwd: [Fwd: Safaricom intimidating media...]
by bitange＠jambo.co.ke 21 Jul '07

21 Jul '07

Dear Mr. Theuri, Your allegations: "That foreign entity is again in the news as a mysterious deal has been worked out with the regulator and the government disregarding a court ruling" These are sereous allegations implying irregularity on our part when the facts are that it was prudent to extricate the Government out of the many legal battles by Econet that could potentially cost the Kenyan tax payer an enormous amount. There cannot be a court rulling baring the Government from making prudent decisions. In my view you are mixing issues of Econet vs KNFC and Econet vs CCK. FYI there is no matter in court yet this issue continue to hurt our image as an investment destination. What we dealt with yesterday were two cases instituted by Econet against the Government and the then Minister for Communications. If you read carefully the Times story you are referring to, it has nothing to do with the actions we took. Econet still has to contend with the shareholding issue and meet CCK conditions. Whatever the background of Econet, we must follow the law and it cannot be right that we see that law through your lenses. Have a nice day. Regards Bitange Ndemo. which one can > read about > below. > Walu, > > Actually the story came from the Media Institute and was shared on various > Kenyan > discussion groups and I was only passing it on. I'm not related to Alex > Gakuru but > its likely we may find ourselves working on the same or similar issues or > we > may > even have differing views. > > Some of these corporates have been harassing members of the media. It was > only a > year or two ago where a corporate entity was noted by a Minister for > passing > brown > envelopes in return for favorable stories or wielding influence in such a > way that a journalist > who had exposed the entity's activities was summarily dismissed by his > boss > via sms when > he was away on leave. Fortunately the journalist was vindicated when his > boss got the boot > and he was reinstated. > > That foreign entity is again in the news as a mysterious deal has been > worked out with > the regulator and the government disregarding a court ruling which one can > read about > below. It was the ---------------------------------------------- This message has been scanned for viruses and dangerous content by Jambo MailScanner, and is believed to be clean. --------------------------------------------- "easy access to the world"

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Vodafone Greece:Death muddies Greek spy probe
by Alex Gakuru 21 Jul '07

21 Jul '07

[In case you missed it last year, below illustrates Privacy dangers underscoring the need for Legal and Privacy Protection to consumers--read everyone! Dr. Ndemo at least assure us the government is safe] "Death muddies Greek spy probe" <http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4838552.stm> [BBC] By Richard Galpin BBC News, Athens A senior aide to the Greek prime minister is expected to be the next person to testify before a parliamentary committee investigating what is believed to be the worst espionage scandal in the country's history. Last month, the government admitted that the mobile phones of the prime minister, the most senior members of the cabinet and top security officials had all been tapped in 2004 - the year Athens hosted the Olympic Games. The committee in Athens has been questioning executives from two of the world's leading mobile phone companies, Vodafone and Ericsson, about the scandal. But attention is also increasingly focusing on the alleged suicide of a senior Vodafone manager just after the phone-tapping operation was discovered on the Vodafone network last year. In a serene but cramped graveyard in the western suburbs of Athens, lies the body of Costas Tsalikidis, a network manager for Vodafone Greece. He is buried with other members of his family. But his gravestone shows he died aged just 38. He was found hanged in his apartment on the morning of 9 March last year. The next day, the head of Vodafone Greece walked into the office of one of the prime minister's top aides to inform the government that its phones had been bugged for at least eight months. The official verdict was that Mr Tsalikidis had committed suicide. Suspicions In a statement issued last month, just after the story about the phone-tapping operation first broke, Vodafone categorically denied there was any connection between his death and the scandal. "Any attempt to connect these two is, to say the least, irrelevant," it said. But his family believe his death is suspicious and are calling for his body to be exhumed so a second post-mortem can be carried out by one of the world's leading forensic pathologists, Dr Michael Baden of the United States. "They believe they will find new evidence," says the family lawyer, Themis Sofos. Dr Sofos adds that other parts of the original investigation were weak. "No one went to the house of Costas, no one took photos and to see the circumstances of his death... no one took fingerprints." Official inquiry Mr Tsalikidis' family recently took matters into their own hands, filing a lawsuit against "persons unknown" for complicity in his murder or suicide. They allege that even if he was not murdered, he may have faced threats which left him with no choice but to take his own life. Meanwhile, their lawyer has been handing evidence to a prosecutor in Athens, who is now carrying out an official inquiry into the death of Mr Tsalikidis. The prosecutor is expected to announce his conclusion within the next few weeks. Family and friends of Costas Tsalikidis believe there are strong indications he was the person who first discovered that highly sophisticated software had been secretly inserted into the Vodafone network in 2004, enabling at least 100 phone lines to be constantly tapped. "The end of January or early February (2005) I think is the time Costas had access or took knowledge of the interception system and he (re)searched about its function and origin," says lawyer Themis Sofos. "He was not the kind of man to keep secret about something. He would not have co-operated with criminals or criminal acts." Text messages According to Dr Sofos, Mr Tsalikidis told his fiancee at this time that it was a "matter of life and death" that he leave his job. The lawyer also says they have looked at text messages he received on his mobile from colleagues in early February 2005, including one which apparently urges him to keep working and offers him support. But there is another theory about Costas Tsalikidis: that he was allegedly the person who actually inserted the software setting up the phone-tapping operation. "It is possible," says Themis Sofos. "I cannot exclude anything." The theory is put forward by John Brady Kiesling a former American diplomat who worked at the US embassy in Athens until resigning in 2003 over the US-led invasion of Iraq. He is convinced American intelligence agents were behind the whole bugging operation and he says it is possible they used Mr Tsalikidis to install the software. "I believe he committed suicide to protect his professional honour," says Mr Kiesling. As for why the Americans would tap the phones of the political and security elite of a country regarded as an ally, Mr Kiesling says there is a simple answer. Trust He argues American intelligence agencies would not have trusted the Greeks with the massive security operation surrounding the Athens Olympics in August 2004 set up to counter any potential terrorist threat. "They believe you cannot trust foreigners, that foreigners are incompetent and of dubious trustworthiness," he says. "You owe it to yourself if you have the capability, to have an independent ear listening to them and I think that is what this was." This might also explain why the Greek government kept silent about the scandal for almost a year from March 2005 when it was informed about it, until last month when it finally held a news conference detailing what had happened. The news conference took place shortly after a Greek newspaper had broken the story. Despite repeated requests, no-one from the government was willing to give an interview to the BBC about the scandal. The US embassy also refused to comment and the Vodafone Greece press office would only refer us to statements on its website. ---ends--- ____________________________________________________________________________________ Choose the right car based on your needs. Check out Yahoo! Autos new Car Finder tool. http://autos.yahoo.com/carfinder/

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Fwd: [Fwd: Safaricom intimidating media...]
by Mike Theuri 20 Jul '07

20 Jul '07

---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: The Media Institute <mediainst(a)wananchi.com> Date: Jul 18, 2007 2:12 PM Subject: [africa-oped] [Fwd: Safaricom intimidating media...] To: africa-oped(a)yahoogroups.com ---------------------------- Original Message ---------------------------- Subject: [Fwd: Safaricom intimidating media...] From: "Editor" <info(a)eastafricapress.com <info%40eastafricapress.com>> Date: Wed, July 18, 2007 7:02 pm To: kodi(a)kodibarth.com <kodi%40kodibarth.com> ---------------------------------------------------------- We thought you might want to read this... Safaricom intimidating media ahead of IPO http://eastafricapress.net/f.php?sp=81 Also: The price the Aga Khan paid to have NTV back on air http://eastafricapress.net/f.php?sp=85 What Monitor journalist Andrew Mwenda thinks about the Aga Khan and The Monitor http://eastafricapress.net/f.php?s=63 Dar newspaper infuriates government with defense expose http://eastafricapress.net/f.php?s=66 Special Report: Who owns the media in East Africa? http://eastafricapress.net/f.php?sp=88 And many more on the state of East African media and freedom of expression. ___________________ The Media Institute PO Box 46356 00100 Nairobi Kenya Tel: +254 20 253 372 Fax: +254 20 252 373 Cell: +254 720 103 693 Director: +254 722 517 540 ———————— "If I had the choice of knowing the truth or searching for the truth, I'd take the search." — Walker Percy, Writer __._,_.___ Messages in this topic <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/africa-oped/message/24804;_ylc=X3oDMTM2ZnA0dm…> (1) Reply (via web post) <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/africa-oped/post;_ylc=X3oDMTJxa3FxczNwBF9TAzk…>| Start a new topic <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/africa-oped/post;_ylc=X3oDMTJlbTd1N2llBF9TAzk…> Messages<http://groups.yahoo.com/group/africa-oped/messages;_ylc=X3oDMTJlZ2s0YTI1BF9…>| Files<http://groups.yahoo.com/group/africa-oped/files;_ylc=X3oDMTJmamZvbXMwBF9TAz…>| Photos<http://groups.yahoo.com/group/africa-oped/photos;_ylc=X3oDMTJlMWkzb2ZjBF9TA…>| Links<http://groups.yahoo.com/group/africa-oped/links;_ylc=X3oDMTJmdGQ4MTJqBF9TAz…>| Calendar<http://groups.yahoo.com/group/africa-oped/calendar;_ylc=X3oDMTJkYnFnZ280BF9…> Africa-oped welcomes opinions & analysis on African issues. A short essay of 400-1500 words is preferable: Africa-oped is world readable at http://www.egroups.com/group/africa-oped. Coming soon: www.africa-oped.org that will carry the "best of Africa-Oped" Share and obtain business information: http://www.aganoconsulting.com. Contribute Africa-related business articles and get paid; send your articles to: info(a)aganoconsulting.com. - [image: Yahoo! Groups]<http://groups.yahoo.com/;_ylc=X3oDMTJkNDhqbmMxBF9TAzk3MzU5NzE0BGdycElkAzc4N…> Change settings via the Web<http://groups.yahoo.com/group/africa-oped/join;_ylc=X3oDMTJmbW1sOXRmBF9TAzk…>(Yahoo! ID required) Change settings via email: Switch delivery to Daily Digest<africa-oped-digest@yahoogroups.com?subject=Email+Delivery:+Digest>| Switch format to Traditional<africa-oped-traditional@yahoogroups.com?subject=Change+Delivery+Format:+Traditional> Visit Your Group <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/africa-oped;_ylc=X3oDMTJkcDg1NjkyBF9TAzk3MzU5…>| Yahoo! Groups Terms of Use <http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/>| Unsubscribe <africa-oped-unsubscribe(a)yahoogroups.com?subject=> Recent Activity - 1 New Members<http://groups.yahoo.com/group/africa-oped/members;_ylc=X3oDMTJmczJmdmtwBF9T…> Visit Your Group <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/africa-oped;_ylc=X3oDMTJlcXJ2ZjhjBF9TAzk3MzU5…> SPONSORED LINKS - African<http://groups.yahoo.com/gads;_ylc=X3oDMTJjZWFiNmlrBF9TAzk3MzU5NzE0BF9wAzEEZ…> - African american christian dating<http://groups.yahoo.com/gads;_ylc=X3oDMTJjMXAxNDFnBF9TAzk3MzU5NzE0BF9wAzIEZ…> - African american christian dating single<http://groups.yahoo.com/gads;_ylc=X3oDMTJjaHAwNjNkBF9TAzk3MzU5NzE0BF9wAzMEZ…> - African american christian single<http://groups.yahoo.com/gads;_ylc=X3oDMTJjc2pva2MwBF9TAzk3MzU5NzE0BF9wAzQEZ…> - African safari<http://groups.yahoo.com/gads;_ylc=X3oDMTJjNzV1b2pzBF9TAzk3MzU5NzE0BF9wAzUEZ…> Yahoo! Music Check Who's Next<http://us.ard.yahoo.com/SIG=12jej1j0e/M=493064.10729670.11333360.8674578/D=…> Discover new bands before anyone else Y! Messenger Group get-together<http://us.ard.yahoo.com/SIG=12jovcf3c/M=493064.10729668.11333359.8674578/D=…> Host a free online conference on IM. Yahoo! Mail You're invited!<http://us.ard.yahoo.com/SIG=12jj6vslp/M=493064.10729665.11333356.8674578/D=…> Try the all-new Yahoo! Mail Beta . __,_._,___

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Re: [kictanet] Fwd: [Fwd: Safaricom intimidating media...]
by Mike Theuri 20 Jul '07

20 Jul '07

Dear Bwana Ndemo, Thank you for your and the Ministry's attention to the issue. I hope that it will be resolved soon. A free and responsible media is important to ensure that Kenyans are kept informed and aware of matters affecting the nation. Regards, Mike Theuri On 7/19/07, bitange(a)jambo.co.ke <bitange(a)jambo.co.ke> wrote: > > Dear Mr. Theuri, > Thank you for your concern. The Ministry had already taken up this matter > and hopefully we shall have it sorted out. > > > Regards > > > Bitange Ndemo. > > > > > > > ---------- Forwarded message ---------- > > From: The Media Institute <mediainst(a)wananchi.com> > > Date: Jul 18, 2007 2:12 PM > > Subject: [africa-oped] [Fwd: Safaricom intimidating media...] > > To: africa-oped(a)yahoogroups.com > > > > > > > > ---------------------------- Original Message > ---------------------------- > > Subject: [Fwd: Safaricom intimidating media...] > > From: "Editor" <info(a)eastafricapress.com <info%40eastafricapress.com>> > > Date: Wed, July 18, 2007 7:02 pm > > To: kodi(a)kodibarth.com <kodi%40kodibarth.com> > > > > ---------------------------------------------------------- > > > > We thought you might want to read this... > > > > Safaricom intimidating media ahead of IPO > > http://eastafricapress.net/f.php?sp=81 > > > > Also: > > > > The price the Aga Khan paid to have NTV back on air > > http://eastafricapress.net/f.php?sp=85 > > > > What Monitor journalist Andrew Mwenda thinks about the Aga Khan and The > > Monitor > > http://eastafricapress.net/f.php?s=63 > > > > Dar newspaper infuriates government with defense expose > > http://eastafricapress.net/f.php?s=66 > > > > Special Report: > > Who owns the media in East Africa? > > http://eastafricapress.net/f.php?sp=88 > > > > And many more on the state of East African media and freedom of > > expression. > > > > ___________________ > > The Media Institute > > PO Box 46356 > > 00100 Nairobi > > Kenya > > Tel: +254 20 253 372 > > Fax: +254 20 252 373 > > Cell: +254 720 103 693 > > Director: +254 722 517 540 > > ———————— > > > > "If I had the choice of knowing the truth or searching for the truth, > I'd > > take the search." — Walker Percy, Writer > > > > __._,_.___ Messages in this topic > > < > http://groups.yahoo.com/group/africa-oped/message/24804;_ylc=X3oDMTM2ZnA0dm… > > > > (1) Reply (via web post) > > < > http://groups.yahoo.com/group/africa-oped/post;_ylc=X3oDMTJxa3FxczNwBF9TAzk… > >| > > Start a new topic > > < > http://groups.yahoo.com/group/africa-oped/post;_ylc=X3oDMTJlbTd1N2llBF9TAzk… > > > > Messages< > http://groups.yahoo.com/group/africa-oped/messages;_ylc=X3oDMTJlZ2s0YTI1BF9… > >| > > Files< > http://groups.yahoo.com/group/africa-oped/files;_ylc=X3oDMTJmamZvbXMwBF9TAz… > >| > > Photos< > http://groups.yahoo.com/group/africa-oped/photos;_ylc=X3oDMTJlMWkzb2ZjBF9TA… > >| > > Links< > http://groups.yahoo.com/group/africa-oped/links;_ylc=X3oDMTJmdGQ4MTJqBF9TAz… > >| > > Calendar< > http://groups.yahoo.com/group/africa-oped/calendar;_ylc=X3oDMTJkYnFnZ280BF9… > > > > Africa-oped welcomes opinions & analysis on African issues. A short > essay > > of > > 400-1500 words is preferable: Africa-oped is world readable at > > http://www.egroups.com/group/africa-oped. > > > > Coming soon: www.africa-oped.org that will carry the "best of > Africa-Oped" > > > > Share and obtain business information: http://www.aganoconsulting.com. > > Contribute Africa-related business articles and get paid; send your > > articles > > to: info(a)aganoconsulting.com. > > - > > [image: Yahoo! > > Groups]< > http://groups.yahoo.com/;_ylc=X3oDMTJkNDhqbmMxBF9TAzk3MzU5NzE0BGdycElkAzc4N… > > > > Change settings via the > > Web< > http://groups.yahoo.com/group/africa-oped/join;_ylc=X3oDMTJmbW1sOXRmBF9TAzk… > >(Yahoo! > > ID required) > > Change settings via email: Switch delivery to Daily > > Digest<africa-oped-digest@yahoogroups.com?subject=Email+Delivery:+Digest > >| > > Switch > > format to > > Traditional< > africa-oped-traditional@yahoogroups.com?subject=Change+Delivery+Format:+Traditional > > > > Visit Your Group > > < > http://groups.yahoo.com/group/africa-oped;_ylc=X3oDMTJkcDg1NjkyBF9TAzk3MzU5… > >| > > Yahoo! Groups Terms of Use <http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/>| > > Unsubscribe > > <africa-oped-unsubscribe(a)yahoogroups.com?subject=> > > Recent Activity > > > > - 1 > > New > > Members< > http://groups.yahoo.com/group/africa-oped/members;_ylc=X3oDMTJmczJmdmtwBF9T… > > > > > > Visit Your Group > > < > http://groups.yahoo.com/group/africa-oped;_ylc=X3oDMTJlcXJ2ZjhjBF9TAzk3MzU5… > > > > SPONSORED LINKS > > > > - > > African< > http://groups.yahoo.com/gads;_ylc=X3oDMTJjZWFiNmlrBF9TAzk3MzU5NzE0BF9wAzEEZ… > > > > - African american christian > > dating< > http://groups.yahoo.com/gads;_ylc=X3oDMTJjMXAxNDFnBF9TAzk3MzU5NzE0BF9wAzIEZ… > > > > - African american christian dating > > single< > http://groups.yahoo.com/gads;_ylc=X3oDMTJjaHAwNjNkBF9TAzk3MzU5NzE0BF9wAzMEZ… > > > > - African american christian > > single< > http://groups.yahoo.com/gads;_ylc=X3oDMTJjc2pva2MwBF9TAzk3MzU5NzE0BF9wAzQEZ… > > > > - African > > safari< > http://groups.yahoo.com/gads;_ylc=X3oDMTJjNzV1b2pzBF9TAzk3MzU5NzE0BF9wAzUEZ… > > > > > > Yahoo! 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Cable Watch
by Alex Gakuru 20 Jul '07

20 Jul '07

[Business Daily] "Battle for optic fibre cable tender starts next week Written by Okuttah Mark 20-July-2007 "The Communications Commission of Kenya (CCK), the telecoms sector regulator that is managing the process.." "The East Africa Marine system (TEAMS) is a joint venture of the Kenya government and the government of the United Arab Emirates." "The $110 million project is owned by Kenya government has formed a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) TEAMs Limited through Telkom Kenya Limited, which has a 40 per cent stake while UEA government holds a 20 per cent stake through a telecom company known as Etisalat. The remaining 40 per cent shares have been reserved for private investors in East Africa. Standard Chartered Bank, the lead financial arranger, is working on the modalities of bringing private investors on board." "The team is composed of experts from the Ministry of Finance, the Attorney Generals Office and the Ministry of Information." <http://www.bdafrica.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2028&Item…> ____________________________________________________________________________________ Pinpoint customers who are looking for what you sell. http://searchmarketing.yahoo.com/

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NSE Real-Time Data
by Bill Kagai 20 Jul '07

20 Jul '07

Just to inform you that we are now authorised to stream NSE real-time trading data. Beta tests going on here; http://www.mediacorpafrica.com/live/ If you click on the [+] sign next to the listed stock you should get the bids/asks and settled trades on both the normal and prompt boards. -- -- Bildad Kagai MD - MediaCorp Limited Nairobi Stock Exchange [NSE] - Authorised Information Vendor Suite B2 Tetu Apartments StateHouse Avenue P. O. Box 20311-00200 Tel. 254 20 272 8332 Fax. Rendered Obsolete URL. www.mediacorp.co.ke --

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Kenya's state-owned telecoms operator goes mobile
by Mike Theuri 19 Jul '07

19 Jul '07

"Competition is healthy. If other people complain, they should know that Kenyans now have a choice," Telkom Kenya Chief Market Officer Bernard Rubia told Reuters in an interview. Rubia says it was "debatable" whether partnering with an outside investor was necessary for Telkom to turn a profit. Job cuts that will downsize Telkom to 4,000 employees from 18,000 by September are already realising savings of 250 million shillings ($3.7 million) a month against 1.2 billion in billings. "We should be given a five-year window to prove ourselves," he said, adding shares should be sold to the public in the meantime. ================ http://africa.reuters.com/wire/news/usnL19935122.html Kenya's state-owned telecoms operator goes mobile Thu 19 Jul 2007, 13:40 GMT By C. Bryson Hull NAIROBI, July 19 (Reuters) - State-owned Telkom Kenya is making an aggressive foray into the east African country's wireless mobile and data markets, aiming for rebirth as a sleek operator before privatisation due to start later this year. The loss-making state company, which has a monopoly on landlines, earlier this month rolled out the lowest mobile phone tariff in Kenya and stepped up advertising to bring in customers to its brand-new wireless network. That has sparked complaints from the other two mobile operators in Kenya, market leader Safaricom and Celtel Kenya, who say the state company has an unfair regulatory advantage. "Competition is healthy. If other people complain, they should know that Kenyans now have a choice," Telkom Kenya Chief Market Officer Bernard Rubia told Reuters in an interview. "And they will choose based on reliability, consistency and affordability." Telkom may seem an unlikely choice -- customers have long complained that inefficiency, corruption and monopoly control of landlines have kept Telkom's prices high and service poor, but it is now in the middle of a major restructuring. And Kenyans are quick to go for the best deal. It is not uncommon for someone to have multiple phone lines to take advantage of the cheapest rate or to avoid the steep expense of calling from one network to the other. On a trial run since September, the company's mobile subsidiary Telkom Wireless so far has 150,000 subscribers and is adding an average of 1,000 per day, Rubia said. "Our target is by the end of June next year we will have hit our 1 million mark," he said adding the average customers spends 800 Kenya shillings ($11.92) a month. That is dwarfed by the 6.8 million Safaricom has out of an estimated 8-9 million users in the nation of 36 million people. BANKING ON CDMA Telkom has rolled out a CDMA network to about 70 percent of the country to compete with Safaricom and Celtel, which operate a GSM network like most mobile companies in Africa. Rubia says the choice of CDMA was to lure Kenyan customers who get irritated by congestion on the GSM networks. "One of our towers is equivalent to four of theirs in terms of capacity," he said. A second benefit is to cash in on its data capabilities, which are faster than GSM. By September, Rubia says Telkom will offer EVDO, a mobile broadband data technology. But like other Internet data providers in Kenya, they will not be able to use the maximum capacity until the country gets a fibre optic connection to the Internet backbone. Currently it gets it via expensive satellite links that limit bandwidth and market growth. Rubia says he expects at least one of two projects to give Kenya a wired link to the outside world to be ready by "the back end of next year." Telkom Wireless customers will be able to access EVDO via mobile handsets and also wireless desktop phones. The latter often serve as Internet links in rural areas where there is little or no infrastructure -- and where mobile operators say there are still huge untapped profits in Africa. The government wants to sell a 51 percent stake in Telkom to a strategic partner, with an eye on an IPO that would eventually sell 30 percent to the public. Proposals are due to be opened by early November. Rubia says it was "debatable" whether partnering with an outside investor was necessary for Telkom to turn a profit. Job cuts that will downsize Telkom to 4,000 employees from 18,000 by September are already realising savings of 250 million shillings ($3.7 million) a month against 1.2 billion in billings. "We should be given a five-year window to prove ourselves," he said, adding shares should be sold to the public in the meantime.

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Useful information on your response to earthquakes
by Fatma Bashir 19 Jul '07

19 Jul '07

You may find this useful. <<TRIANGLE OF LIFE.doc>> ---------------------------------------------- This message has been scanned for viruses and dangerous content by Jambo MailScanner, and is believed to be clean. --------------------------------------------- "easy access to the world"

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forum today
by Rebecca Wanjiku 19 Jul '07

19 Jul '07

KICTANet monthly forum takes place today at the Jacaranda at 3pm please plan to attend, see you then, regards Tel. 254 720 318 925 blog:http://beckyit.blogspot.com/ --------------------------------- Luggage? GPS? Comic books? Check out fitting gifts for grads at Yahoo! Search.

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prog.
by Rebecca Wanjiku 18 Jul '07

18 Jul '07

just to remind you of the meeting this thursday at 3pm, jacaranda will be discussing and collecting views on the KCA bill, to fwd just before the second reading, please plan to attend, here is the program on the issues to be discussed, KICTANet MONTHLY FORUM THURSDAY July 19th , 2007 PROGRAMME TIME ACTIVITY 3.00- 3.15pm introduction 3.15-3.45pm consumer issues- Alex Gakuru 3:45-3.50pm Q&A 3.50-4.20pm technical aspects- Michuki Mwangi 4.20-4.25pm Q&A 4.25- 4.50pm legal aspects- Nyokabi Kanyua 4.50- 5:15pm Q&A 5.15 pm Tea GUESTS LEAVE AT THEIR PLEASURE Tel. 254 720 318 925 blog:http://beckyit.blogspot.com/ --------------------------------- Take the Internet to Go: Yahoo!Go puts the Internet in your pocket: mail, news, photos & more.

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Fwd: [isoc-ny] NEW YORK MUST ENCOURAGE INVESTMENT IN BROADBAND
by Alex Gakuru 18 Jul '07

18 Jul '07

My motivation/FYI --- Alex Gakuru <gakuru(a)gmail.com> wrote: > Date: Wed, 18 Jul 2007 07:22:02 +0300 > From: "Alex Gakuru" <gakuru(a)gmail.com> > To: alex.gakuru(a)yahoo.com > Subject: Fwd: [isoc-ny] NEW YORK MUST ENCOURAGE > INVESTMENT IN BROADBAND > > ---------- Forwarded message ---------- > From: WWWhatsup <joly(a)punkcast.com> > Date: Jul 17, 2007 10:57 PM > Subject: [isoc-ny] NEW YORK MUST ENCOURAGE > INVESTMENT IN BROADBAND > To: isoc-ny(a)yahoogroups.com, discuss(a)isoc-ny.org > > > > NEW YORK MUST ENCOURAGE INVESTMENT IN BROADBAND > [SOURCE: The Buffalo News, AUTHOR: Mitchell L. Moss, > New York University] > [Commentary] The Internet has emerged into an > essential and ubiquitous > part of life. Yet, in New York, communications > companies are still > being regulated by laws written in another era. > While other states > have adopted policies that spur investment and > expansion of their > broadband infrastructure, New York has yet to face > the future. It's > time for New York to move ahead or its economy will > lag. Albany can > help by fostering private investment in a > next-generation broadband. A > fully operational broadband network is worth > hundreds of millions of > dollars a year to the state's economy. That > translates into more jobs, > better schools, a cleaner environment through > telecommuting and > improved communications for law enforcement and > first responders. It's > time that legislators and policymakers act in > concert with > communications companies to accelerate deployment of > high-speed > broadband technology. Anything less will drive New > Yorkers from the > information highway to the service road. > http://www.buffalonews.com/149/story/118524.html > > > --------------------------------------------------------------- > WWWhatsup NYC > http://pinstand.com - http://punkcast.com > --------------------------------------------------------------- > > > > ---------------------------------------------- > http://isoc-ny.org > "The Internet is for Everyone!" -- Vint Cerf > ---------------------------------------------- > Yahoo! Groups Links > > <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: > http://groups.yahoo.com/group/isoc-ny/ > > <*> Your email settings: > Individual Email | Traditional > > <*> To change settings online go to: > http://groups.yahoo.com/group/isoc-ny/join > (Yahoo! ID required) > > <*> To change settings via email: > mailto:isoc-ny-digest@yahoogroups.com > mailto:isoc-ny-fullfeatured@yahoogroups.com > > <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email > to: > isoc-ny-unsubscribe(a)yahoogroups.com > > <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: > http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ > > > > -- > website: http://www.billowsbpo.co.ke/ > ____________________________________________________________________________________ Yahoo! oneSearch: Finally, mobile search that gives answers, not web links. http://mobile.yahoo.com/mobileweb/onesearch?refer=1ONXIC

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is stakeholder forum necessary?
by Rebecca Wanjiku 18 Jul '07

18 Jul '07

Stakeholder forum is ok, but does it work? At Safari park hotel, many stakeholders gathered to give their views. From Safaricom, Celtel to the consumer association, they all had something to say about the KCA bill. ICJ described the bill as unprecedented and the PS Bitange Ndemo assured participants that their views would be incorporated. But if the past process is anything to go by, is there any assurance that the views will be taken on board. Stakeholders wanted an expansion of the constituencies expected to be consulted, and an assurance that the views would be considered no one seemed to answer the question categorically, it was only said that the views would be compiled and forwarded. Others wanted the bill to protect them from any perceived crime because they are carriers while others wanted the bill to conform to other established principles in the commonwealth. It was a productive forum. Those with contentions about the wording of the clauses were also encouraged to help by bringing in the clauses worded in their favourable way. But is this a chance for people to meet, take the tea and lunch or is it going to bear any fruits. I guess the fruits will be manifested by the inclusion of substantial contributions from the cross section of constituencies. Tel. 254 720 318 925 blog:http://beckyit.blogspot.com/ --------------------------------- Get the free Yahoo! toolbar and rest assured with the added security of spyware protection.

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Re: [kictanet] Telkom Kenya is not this cheap sign petition.........
by Mike Theuri 18 Jul '07

18 Jul '07

Kyai, If Telkom Kenya is a 'junk corporation', why is there an uproar over its new services by its competitors? What do they have to fear? How has Telkom Kenya managed to sign over 70,000 subscribers for its new fixed wireless service if it has indeed gone to the dogs ? Shouldn't sleeping dogs be left where they lie? Why wake a sleeping dog if TKL couldn't hope to compete against these titans that mint millions of dollars from Kenyans? Surely we didn't expend billions of taxpayer funds so that we could hand taxpayer owned corporations to foreign entities on silver platters, or did we? TKL did not make profits for reasons attributed to fraud, pilferage of funds, gross mismanagement and the list that could go on and on. Do you have an argument supporting or endorsing the non prosecution of these actions as well as the negation of the need to attempt to recover and return these funds to where they rightfully belong? Can we at least locate where the missing Ksh 7bn is before we rush to sell this corporation? An extra 7bn or more in TKL's balance sheet would certainly up the price that ought to be offered. ----- *Daily Nation * *Friday, March 30, 2007 * *Page 38 * *Business * Financial figures for Telkom Kenya do not add up for the year ending June 30, 2005, the Controller and Auditor General has said. More than Sh7 billion has not be accounted for, said Ms P.N. Komora in a report tabled in Parliament yesterday. According to her, the accuracy of bank balances amounting to Sh58 million could not be verified. It was also not possible to verify how overdraft balances of Sh73 million, letters of credit and bills of acceptances amounting to Sh432 million have been accounted for in the absence of adequate records and documentation.[...] -------- We know why there is no infrastructure on the ground, but could we focus on what TKL is doing currently in determining TKL's potential ? The reason there is no infrastructure on the ground is the aforementioned reasons in addition to a bloated workforce. That workforce has recently been trimmed down at considerable tax payer expense, TKL is making strides in turning around and additional tax payer funds have been provided for in the budget for this purpose. Is it too much to ask that TKL be given an opportunity given the recent progressive strides? Wouldn't TKL be more valuable if it were allowed to accumulate the gains of its new strategies and technologies? " In short, the private sector's sweat, speed and effort (and the tax payer) are required to keep the institution alive " Well said and rather accurate, indeed if these are the parties responsible for keeping TKL alive, shouldn't they have the preferential shot at gaining ownership of TKL ? Jaindi Kisero recently wrote in an editorial: -- "As it prepares for privatisation, Telkom Kenya will gobble billions of the tax payers money. Under the budget of the ministry of finance is an allocation of massive Sh 15 billion for Telkoms' tax arrears and Sh 2 billion for preparing the parastatal for privatisation." -- It is ridiculous that Ksh 17bn or US$ 255m will be pumped into TKL at tax payer expense only for foreigners (including a pariah foreign government) to walk in and buy the corporation for a song with taxpayers getting minimal shareholding in the corporation while bearing the burden of debt offloaded on them for generations to come. The belief that taxpayers will be alleviated of the misery of dragging an iron ball is a fallacy. Instead of the new foreign investors dragging the iron ball, the average Kenyan will be paying for generations to come to ensure that a foreign entity reaps a quick profit in the shortest amount of time possible at tax payer expense. It is only equitable that those condemned to dragging the iron ball have the opportunity to have something to show for their tax burden. You cited results of the past 30 years, but didn't in fairness mention what TKL is doing today. --- The national operators' new service, known as Telkom Wireless, will be launched using a CDMA 2000 platform purchased from Chinese company Huawei at a cost of US$22.6 million. The new investment is in a fibre and microwave backbone and has been rolled out across the country. --- How could a brand new national fibre and microwave backbone be worthless or junk? This is in addition to several other infrastructure investments including a $50m fiber optic cable between Nairobi and Mombasa. You may have misunderstood the point on national security. For illustrative purposes, the next time Kenya has a serious diplomatic dispute with Libya (and it has in the past), Libya, if handed TKL on a silver platter, could potentially add pressure to the situation by disabling key telecommunication services which would have an adverse impact on the nation's national security. There are several issues of national security, that cannot be simply expounded on in a concise message but which are the basis world wide for limiting foreign ownership of national telephony entities. There are many types of investors, there are long term investors who are in for the long haul. A short term investor for instance in Kenya Airways would have been very disappointed if they were looking for a quick gain at the time. TKL needs long term investors. Naturally such investors would be informed through a prospectus prior to an IPO. Anyone who jumps into an IPO without reading a prospectus is basically leaving all to chance and market hype. Nobody disputes the fact that TKL's services are far from excellent let alone satisfactory. At least that is something all can agree on. Neither is anyone against the fact that TKL needs to be privatised or turned around, we just want it done correctly, equitably and transparently, the issues at hand just to reiterate are: - TKL should be privatised using a model that allows maximum equity participation by the average Kenyan. The KQ model was cited purely to illustrate possible percentages that are equitable to all parties with a stake in the process. - TKL should be sold at price that reflects an accurate and up to date independent valuation. The government should disclose without further delay the valuation it has arrived at of TKL and how it was arrived at. This is not a private asset for sale but rather a public asset so there is no need to have this shrouded in secrecy. - Judicial action to rectify the pilferage of TKL's coffers needs to be undertaken. This might be wishful thinking considering no major prosecution of corruption cases in the country has taken place to date. - Which independent parties with the requisite expertise and experience are advising the government on this transaction? - Has the government considered a BOT arrangement ie Build - Operate - Transfer ? This would ensure that the investor gets a return on investment but ultimately TKL remains Kenyan owned in the long run ? These processes including the Safaricom IPO should not be rushed purely on the sole basis that an election is looming in the coming months. Mike PS You cited the following examples to name a few which on checking the facts turned out to mismatch the situation they were cited for : ===== Alitalia - A public notification was announced on January 2007. The buyer must acquire at least 30.1% of Alitalia, must guarantee the airline's 18,000 jobs, domestic routes, and the Italian identity of the Alitalia brand, according to the tender document published on the Treasury Web site. Italy has invited bids for at least 30.1% of Alitalia's shares, to be submitted by Jan. 29, 2007. [It is not evident that Alitalia is being sold for a song, neither is a controlling percentage being sold either, it is premature to make a comparison where a process has not concluded ] Telkom SA - Telkom is a semi-privatised, 39% state-owned company. Government sold 30 per cent of Telkom to a US-Malaysian consortium. As part of the service agreement, government required Telkom to roll out 1,9 million new phones to disadvantaged areas. In the three years since then, the price of local calls, which the poor use, has risen by 35 per cent in real terms, while international calls (used by businesses and the rich) have fallen by 40 per cent in real terms. The local call increases have led to disconnections that have almost matched the roll out of new lines. After accounting for disconnections, the reality is that there was a bigger roll out of new lines before Telkom was privatised than after. South Africa privatized it's state utility Telkom by selling a 30% stake to a consortium from the United States and Malaysia for $1.261 billion. [It is not evident that Telekom SA was sold for a song, neither is a significant percentage being sold either to single investor, in addition it underwent a successful IPO that allowed the general public a stake in the company even then the average South African did not benefit in regards to better access to services] Kenya Railways - Kenya Railways was not sold, rather it was concessioned, why don't we concession TKL if service provision and development of the infrastructure is the main objective ? Eurotunnel - Privatisation did not save Eurotunnel from going virtually bankrupt. Amtrak - Has never been privatised. Amtrak is a quasi-governmental agency; all of its preferred stock is owned by the federal government. The members of its board of directors are appointed by the President of the United States, and are subject to confirmation by the United States Senate. Some common stock is held by the private railroads that transferred their passenger service to Amtrak in 1971. Though Amtrak stock does not pay dividends and is not routinely traded, a small number of private investors have purchased Amtrak stock from its original owners. The United States obviously recognizes the national interest in the ownership of this critical service. ==== On 7/17/07, Kyai Mullei <mullei(a)gmail.com> wrote: > > Mike - some good points. > > I have a few comments on the issues of national security as a reason why > Telkom shouldn't be sold for pennies. Frankly, I find the argument slightly > myopic. As you reiterated, Telkom Kenya (like most parastatals including > national banks) are technically insolvent. These are dead corporations that > depend on sutained periodic government (tax payer) bailouts to continue > providing sub standard and expensive services. > > The current situation is that (thirty years on) there is no infrastructure > on the ground to speak of. 98% of the country is not covered by our > 'national' provider. A few digital exchanges in the Nairobi and Mombasa > environs just doesn't cut it. And we all know that the only reason Telkom > Kenya has any cash to roll out any of these new services is through bank > loans the collateral of which are govt. shares in Safaricom. In short, the > private sector's sweat, speed and effort (and the tax payer) are required to > keep the institution alive. > > In my view, the faster we sell these insutitutions off, the cheaper it > will be for us in the long run. I would hope that any Kenyan investor > willing to buy Telkom Kenya shares would be doing it purely on speculation > grounds - in the hope that the liscences etc. could be sold to a serious > provider for more money in the future (In fact, this is exactly what the > foreign investors are doing). The privatization of Telkom Kenya and Kenya > Airways cannot be compared. The latter had working planes and landing rights > that could be turned profit-making. For the average Kenyan investor, Telkom > Kenya has nothing worth buying. > > > The world over, the notion that national firms - telecommunications, > aviation, etc. (relics of the 70s when economists and national > planners wrongly thought centralized economies were key for development) - > are key to national security, and therefore should belong to the public, has > been turned on its head. Just look at Alitalia, Vargas, SA Telkom, Amtrack, > Kenya Railways, Eurotunnel. All considered critical to national > security, all of which are nothing more loss-making iron balls dragged along > by the exchequers (taxpayers) in their respective countries. > > I can't see how an institution that is a consistent drain on the exchequer > would be critical to national security. Lets admit it. If sound > communication provision is critical to national security, mobile providers > have given me that - more extensively (see safaricom/celtel network > coverage) and faster (in the last 6 years) and cheaper (the wireless rates i > pay while high do not come close to the price of repeated bailouts in my > name) than the Telkom Kenya has ever been able to. > > If someone else has the money and patience to by the piece of telephony > junk in my back yard and turn it into something, please do so fast, and i'll > sell it for exactly what its worth...pennies. The longer I wait, the less my > junk will be worth. In the meantime, i'll save my money to invest in more > sound privatizations the future - perhaps the Safaricom IPO. > > Regards > > Kyai > >

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forum reminder
by Rebecca Wanjiku 17 Jul '07

17 Jul '07

just to remind you of the monthly forum reminder.. this thursday at Jacaranda at 3pm topic will be contributions on the KCA bill, Alex Gakuru, Michuki Mwangi and Nyokabi Kanyua from ICJ will be there to share with up, please plan to attend, regards Tel. 254 720 318 925 blog:http://beckyit.blogspot.com/ --------------------------------- Shape Yahoo! in your own image. Join our Network Research Panel today!

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Diasporan Investors Team Up to Buy Ghana Telecom
by Mike Theuri 17 Jul '07

17 Jul '07

It is noteworthy to see the GoK rush to sell a controlling stake in Telkom Kenya to foreigners while indigenous Ghanians battle to secure a stake in Ghana Telecom: http://allafrica.com/stories/200707161541.html Diasporan Investors Team Up to Buy GT Public Agenda (Accra) NEWS 16 July 2007 Posted to the web 16 July 2007 Accra A Ghanaian Diaspora professional group, called the Ghana Leadership Union (GLU) has announced plans to pool resources to buy a controlling stake in one of the country's biggest assets, Ghana Telecom. GLU, a non-partisan NGO with membership based in the U.S.A, U.K., the E.U., Australia and Asia, says Ghanaian professionals based aboard have been shut out of the process of participating in the investment and management of divested State Owned Enterprises for too long; hence the decision to join the race for GT. In furtherance of that, GLU has created a novel investment framework to attract financial and human capital to formally express interest in the acquisition of a controlling stake in Ghana Telecom Ltd. In a statement copied to Public Agenda, the President of GLU, Dr. Kwaku A. Danso, stated, "the founders of our nation Ghana did not use taxpayers' funds to set up State-owned enterprises (SOEs) only to be sold to foreigners, or to insiders of the government who use proxies to buy these SoE's and leave the real stakeholders with the debts. This practice must be stopped, by any means necessary". The statement said the GLU members are seasoned professionals with more than 20 years of telecommunications and information systems management and will bring investment capital in excess of US$500M to this venture. This unprecedented investment approach facilitated by the GLU will also enable the participation of accredited investors within Ghana and abroad with as little as $1,000 per unit. Asked about the investment strategy, the initiative's lead promoter in the UK, lawyer George Asomaning responded, "It is our intention to ensure that as much of the actual investment received gets channeled into the infrastructural development of Ghana Telecom, so as to position the company to deliver on its promise and to return a sizeable profit for the shareholders, the citizens of Ghana". Nifa Bankroh, the organizer of the "Lets buy Ghana Telecom" initiative stated, "If Ghanaians do not get involved in the acquisition, ownership and management of significant state owned enterprises that are being divested, the likelihood of Ghanaian nationals being able to control the factors that affect their economic future will be marginal at best, and probably negligible. Many Ghanaian businessmen and professional groups are of the opinion that conditions imposed by so-called development partners or financiers, opening Ghana's markets to so-called globalization, has not proven economically beneficial over the last three decades. Professor Mintzberg of Canada has described globalization with respect to development as "a sham". Whilst foreign investors and competition are necessary and welcome tools in Ghana, this global inequity, coupled with a comparative lack of openness and transparency has led to an unequal playing field in the world of business dealings and negotiations. The result is the massive brain drain, high accumulated debt burden, and high unemployment and underemployment in Ghana, which call for new development strategies. Commenting on the sale of state-owned enterprises and the ongoing telecoms divestiture process, Michel Bowman-Amuah, an ICT entrepreneur resident in the United States,Stated that; "there are certain strategic national assets that must be safeguarded and placed above the drive for investment capital and chief among those is our national information and communications infrastructure. There has to be more regulatory oversight into corporate takeovers, mergers or acquisitions of these strategic national assets, if we are to maintain our sovereignty and protect our security interests". Industry watchers say, Ghana's wireless phone networks are dominated by foreign- owned and controlled entities that were granted these franchises at a fraction of prevailing market rates, creating a very lopsided playing field which places the fixed network carriers at a significant competitive disadvantage. Recently, the largest operator (by subscriber base), Spacefon™ /Scancom™ was acquired in a multi-billion dollar transaction by Areeba™, another foreign concern without as much as public hearings into the process and we the general public are yet to be briefed about the details or benefits that the citizens of Ghana have realized in this sale. The above transaction has been clouded by a shareholder proxy battle between the Lebanese operators of Scancom™ and the Ghanaian founder of Spacefon™, who was allegedly forced out with political support of the previous administration. Though the matter is pending in the courts, the government administration and regulatory agency, the National Communication Agency (NCA), has been eerily silent on the matter which begs the question about what investment protections exist for indigenous investors within Ghana's corporate regulatory system. Also recently, the Government of Ghana settled a shareholder dispute with the former minority shareholder in Ghana Telecom, Telecom Malaysia, who had purchased the rights to increase their shareholding to a controlling stake, but were unceremoniously expelled when the current administration assumed power in 2001. This dispute has shaken foreign investor confidence in the long term viability of the divestiture process and its stability. Investors need to be certain that their multi million dollar investments are secure regardless of ruling regime. It must be noted that a Ghanaian-owned and controlled investor group is no different and would require that specific safeguards are in place to protect the interests of their shareholders. It is envisioned that this investment framework created by the GLU shall be reused by other industry sector professionals as other State owned enterprises are divested by the Government of Ghana in the near future. "It is our intent to safeguard the national interest by facilitating the participation of Ghanaians everywhere in the Nation-building process." Mama Brenya Twumasi, a legal scholar and interested investor with many years of stock ownership experience writing from San Antonio, Texas, warned that "our nation cannot continue to ignore the views of the people, and that in essence, governmental transparency and accountability is a must in all present and future dealings if we, as a Nation State, wish to beviewed as credible by our allies and other Sovereign States." It is the general agreement of most Ghanaians surveyed on the issue that Ghana has too many skilled, experienced and competent Ghanaian professionals, educated as part of the initial plan of Ghana's first President, who are willing and able to own and manage our strategic assets. It is therefore unconscionable to simply stand by while foreign corporate raiders are ushered in on the red carpet and given the keys to our National treasure troves.

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why amend instead of a new Act??
by Rebecca Wanjiku 16 Jul '07

16 Jul '07

Am sure people are expecting a convoluted reason as to why the AG decided amend KCA (98) instead of coming up with a brand new Act. Well, dont wait for a huge explanation, its simple- the AG just thought it was easier to amend instead of coming up with a new Act that may be changed or be altered by insertion of new issues including typing errors. At least that is what we were told at the stakeholders meeting. For George Kegoro, ICJ-K head, the present bill is terribly confusing for lawyers and parliamentarians. Kegoro felt that it would have been procedurally easier in terms of practice to bring a brand new statute (through an original Act). He added that the government can be accused of lack of good faith in this case because it could have been done better. Tel. 254 720 318 925 blog:http://beckyit.blogspot.com/ --------------------------------- Be a better Globetrotter. Get better travel answers from someone who knows. Yahoo! Answers - Check it out.

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at the stakeholder workshop
by Rebecca Wanjiku 16 Jul '07

16 Jul '07

faced with growing criticism, the ministry of information and communication is meeting stakeholders at Safaripark hotel to get their views on the proposed bill. here are some highlights of the bill.... a general overview of what ICJ elaborated. One, as drafted the Bill seeks to converge all sectors of communication (broadcasting, telecommunications and information technologies/internet) under one regulatory body i.e. the Communications Commission of Kenya (CCK) and thus, purportedly, streamline the licensing procedures and management of frequency spectrum, through numerous fundamental amendments to an existing principal Act and other incidental laws. At a glance, this style of law making is clumsy, without precedent in Kenya and indeed the whole Commonwealth. It is the form of law making process that will most likely convolute issues and end up with bad law. Would it not have been tidier to come up with a new law that retains all the required provisions and repeals the existing law? Since the principal Act, the Kenya Communications Act, 1998, is merely a skeletal legislation that only establishes the CCK, provides for licensing and regulation of telecommunications services, radio communications and postal Services, it is difficult to comprehend the wisdom of using it as the building block towards a law that will incorporate all aspects of broadcasting and information technology. Again whether having a converged regulatory regime is the most ideal situation or having separate regulatory frameworks for the various communication sectors is to be preferred is a big question and one not easy to resolve without elaborate and structured consultations with all stakeholders and consumers of information i.e. the general population. Tel. 254 720 318 925 blog:http://beckyit.blogspot.com/ --------------------------------- Looking for a deal? Find great prices on flights and hotels with Yahoo! FareChase.

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Re: [kictanet] [SPAM] [Skunkworks] Telkom Kenya is not this cheap sign petition.........
by Mike Theuri 16 Jul '07

16 Jul '07

Jean, I appreciate your response. I would hope that more Kenyans would participate in constructive debates over matters of national importance particularly those that affect them and future generations of Kenyans. It does not take rocket science to figuratively determine why TKL which in the past charged some of the highest tariffs in the world has not made a profit. To date no one has been prosecuted and ultimately convicted for pilfering public funds generated by this very viable corporation. TKL represents a classic example of gross mismanagement, attempts to turn around the corporation have encountered several avoidable obstacles and the status quo has remained. In contrast other publicly owned corporations such as KCB have been turned around and turned into very profitable entities without being sold to alien companies while transitioning to minimal governmental ownership and ensuring maximum equity participation by the Kenyan public. One must wonder if this cheap sale is intended to clean the slate of the years of pilferage and mismanagement while conducting a well though out public relations exercise to show that the current administration is engaged in doing something "good for the country" as opposed to doing something good for foreigners. TKL has turned around a corner and has revamped its infrastructure at great expense. Several exchanges have been upgraded and digitized and so has its domestic digital network. It has retrenched the unnecessary and redundant workers who were a drag on its ability to be profitable (again paid for by the Kenyan taxpayer). Just when TKL is on its home stretch to launching several new and revolutionary services, there is a sudden and urgent need to dispose of it to foreigners or combat it by companies that have been making millions of dollars from Kenyans (read foreign companies). Can these companies explain how they may have acquired 3G frequencies from the regulator without paying a cent when similar frequencies have been sold in other African countries for hundreds of millions of dollars? Can the Exchequer let the Kenyan public know the amount that it received from the companies that are now complaining about TKL's new services in return for this finite 3G public resource that should not be handed out for free ? When were licenses for 3G technology publicly tendered for in Kenya ? Is it a good thing for Kenya that the exchequer be deprived of much needed revenue? If TKL is not viable why are these competitors complaining? Indeed it was patriotism that was the foundation of my comments but not the single one driving factor. The government is by the people for the people. The people here happen to be Kenyan taxpayers and voters. What is unpatriotic or misguided about asking for accountability as to why a corporation that is publicly owned is being sold for pennies on the dollar ? or asking that prosecutions be undertaken for those guilty of the prior pilferage of public funds from the same corporation? There is nothing absolutely misguided about questioning why the government appears to have disregarded national security and the public's interest in attempting to sell TKL. I'm certain that if the decision to sell TKL under the current status quo to foreigners were put to a public referendum, that it would be soundly defeated. Below is an article that sums up the concerns of many Kenyans who have come to know about the illusionary effect of corporations that are Kenyan by name but foreign in all other aspects. Contrary to what many belief, Kenya's wealth is in the hands of foreigners and the attempt to sell TKL is another step in the same direction. The best that could happen would be to follow the KQ model of privitisation which some are advocating and which has ensured that the ordinary Kenyan has an opportunity to benefit, no matter how small from the millions of dollars in profits generated in profits and without forgetting to correct the harm cause by those guilty of the pilferage of public funds and revenue. The government's intentions may be noble but those in Government must not forget that they are in the government for and on behalf of Kenyans who have entrusted them with the public's wealth. Thus Kenyans must come first before foreigners, after all it is their country and their corporation that is at stake. Mike http://www.eastandard.net/archives/sunday/hm_news/news.php?articleid=18216 Kenya's wealth in foreign hands By Kamau Ngotho The bulk of Kenya's wealth is in foreign hands, according to statistics obtained exclusively by The Sunday Standard. If Kenya were a cake to be shared out, Kenyans would only lay claim to 31 per cent of the country's total wealth. The rest would go to foreigners. Agriculture, tourism and banking, which combined bring in the country's largest earnings, are in foreign hands. Last year, tea, tourism, flowers and coffee earned the country Sh140 billion, nearly half of the annual national budget. Of this money, only 31 per cent ended up in the country — as tax and real earnings to the nationals. And shareholding in the richest 20 companies that trade at the Nairobi Stock Exchange is foreign. The skewed distribution of wealth between foreigners and Kenyans puts paid to all efforts since independence to hand control of the country to its citizens. Tea growing, which earned the country Sh43.5 billion last year, is concentrated in the hands of six leading agricultural companies whose shareholding is largely foreign. Up to 78 per cent of earnings from tea went, therefore, to foreigners — leaving the balance for Kenyans. The Big Six in the tea sector are Unilever Tea Kenya, Kakuzi Ltd, Williamson Tea Company, Kapchorua Tea, Limuru Tea Company and Sasini Coffee and Tea. The British-owned Brooke Bond Group holds 43.1 million shares of the total 48.8 million shares issued in Univeler Tea Kenya. The same group owns 54 per cent of the total 3.9 million shares issued in Limuru Tea Company. In Kakuzi Ltd, foreigners have a total shareholding of 68.3 per cent of the total 19.6 million shares issued. They hold the shares through Bordure Ltd and Lintak Investment Ltd, with 35.1 and 33.2 per cent shareholding, respectively. Britain's Williamson family has a controlling majority shareholding in both Williamson Tea and Kapchorua Tea companies. In Williamson Tea, it holds 67.2per cent of the total 8.8 million shares issued through their company, Ngong Tea Holding PLC. In Kapchorua tea, they hold 40 per cent of the 3.9 million shares issued. Sasini Tea and Coffee Ltd is 87.3 per cent owned by business magnate Naushad Merali, a Kenyan. Merali's companies hold his shares in these businesses: Legend Investments Ltd (51.7 per cent), East African Batteries (18.7 per cent), Yana Towers (15.9 per cent) and Swan Estates (1.04 per cent). The reinvigorated tourism sector, which earned Sh42 billion last year, is also foreign-owned. And just as the Sh43.5 billion earnings from tea sector ended up in foreign pockets, so did the Sh42 billion that came from tourism. Tourism earnings went into three directions: Hotels, airlines, and travel/booking agents, in that order. Of Kenya's 290,000-plus tourist hotel bed spaces, foreign hoteliers own 74.3 per cent of it. Tour flights to Kenya are entirely in the hands of foreign airlines. It is all the more foreign-dominated in the traditional tourist peak periods of Easter and Christmas, when there are no scheduled flights to Kenya's tourist hub of Mombasa. During the two seasons, tourists arrive in Mombasa in chartered jets arranged by European tour operators. Foreign companies stationed in European and American capitals also entirely control hotel bookings and transfers. Where internal travel is concerned, foreigners too, dominate by owning 7 of the 11 leading local tour travel firms. At the end of the day, tourism in Kenya remains a foreigners' enclave with indigenous Kenyans left to scratch the surface on petty trades like selling curios and prostitution. After years of lobbying, last year the European Union set aside Sh250 million to economically empower indigenous Kenyans to get a fair share of the lucrative industry. Seven projects were targeted to tilt the balance in a programme called Tourism Diversification and Empowerment Project. But a spokesman at the Nairobi EU office said the money is yet to be released as project proposals submitted are still under evaluation. The only hotel chain listed on the Nairobi Stock Exchange is the TPS Serena. The Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development holds the company's majority shareholding through its company, TPS Holdings Limited. Horticulture, which earned Kenya Sh28.2 billion last year, is the country's third largest foreign exchange earner. It, too, is a foreigners' affair. Indigenous Kenyans mainly come in as casual labourers on the flower farms. Of the 44 certified companies dealing with horticulture products, 26 are foreign-owned. But an even bigger irony is that the leading 10 players in the industry — all foreign-owned — bag 83 per cent of the total income from the sector. Flower farming (floriculture) is the key plank in Kenya's agriculture sector. Seventy six per cent of Kenya's total flower production is concentrated in foreign-owned flowers farms around the Naivasha area. The big three are Homegrown, Sulmac and Oserian. Late last year, Kenya overtook Israel and Columbia as leading exporters of cut flowers. But you would not know that from the world's leading flower auctions in Amsterdam and London. Why? Foreign flower exporters in Kenya have registered their companies abroad — mainly in Amsterdam — and sell flowers they have grown in Kenya under a foreign label. In that case, while flowers from a local company are sold in Amsterdam as flowers from Kenya, Dutch companies growing their flowers in Naivasha sell theirs as flowers from Holland. The consequence of it is that flowers owned by Dutch companies receive preferential treatment at the auction, including exemption from the strict EU- imposed export rules. Flower auctions in Amsterdam and London account for 65 and 25 per cent of Kenya flower sales respectively. Of the approximate 60,000 tonnes of flowers exported from Kenya last year, 37,000 tonnes were sold in Amsterdam and London auctions as flowers from Holland. The statistics can make it look like the entire flower industry in Kenya is one big conspiracy against indigenous people. Foreign air charters, the only ones used in flower transport, charge the highest rates in Nairobi. Freight charges on flowers from Kenya are twice those in the capitals of Kenya's nearest competitors Israel, Columbia and Costa Rica. There are also 40 to 45 per cent higher than in Egypt and South Africa, Kenya's two biggest competitors on the continent. At $400 a day, inspection and storage charges at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport are the highest in the world. So is the freight charge of $1.85-$2.2 per stem. Flowers sold in Kenya's name are inspected stem by stem at the JKIA at the cost of 12 Euro cents a stem. Those grown in Kenya but marketed by overseas- accredited companies are only inspected in bulk. On average, it costs upwards of $1 million to set up a typical flower farm on a half acre spread , which in turn brings in a $50,000 a year. Kenya's fourth leading export earner, coffee, is equally depressing on the ownership scale. The majority of small-scale coffee growers in Kenya sell coffee raw from the farm, earning less than 10 per cent of what the finished end product earns in foreign markets and in a foreign label. Though touted as an agricultural country, the other large-scale agricultural activities in Kenya are also foreign-owned. Rea-Vipingo Plantations, which deals mainly in sisal and dairy farming is 77 per cent owned by the Robinson family of England. They hold the shares through REA Holdings PLC, Unibuckle Holdings Ltd and REA Trading Ltd. Del Monte, world famous for pineapple products, is entirely a French affair and sells its products with the label "Made-in-France". The question of who owns Kenya's wealth sticks out like a sore thumb in the banking sector. The leading two banks with a combined market share of 71.4per cent are Barclays Bank of Kenya and the Standard Chartered. They are foreign-owned. Barclays Bank plc of London owns 68 per cent stake in Barclays Bank of Kenya. Standard Bank Africa, a London outfit, in turn owns 81 per cent shareholding in Standard Chartered Bank. To avoid domination by foreign banks, Nigeria and South Africa enacted laws on percentages of shareholding a foreign bank could own. Foreign ownership is also the same cord that runs through key blue chip companies listed on the Nairobi Stock Exchange. At the East African Breweries, British-owned Guinness plc holds 63.5 per cent of the total equity, leaving Kenyans to scramble for the rest. Guinness shares are held in the names of Diageo Kenya Ltd and Diageo Netherlands B.V. In the Nation Media Group, the Aga Khan holds 28.2 million shares of the 35.6 million shares issued. The Aga Khan's shares are held in the names of the Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development and Amin Nanji Juma. In Kenya Airways, Dutch company, KLM, holds 40.6 per cent equity. In Total Kenya Ltd, French companies Total Outre-mer and Elf Oil Kenya Ltd, own 77 per cent of the total shareholding, while in BAT Kenya Ltd, Molensteegh Investment BV of London, holds 68 per cent of the total shareholding. The question of who owns Kenya's wealth generated a national debate in 1968 when the National Council of Churches of Kenya published a paper entitled: "Who Owns Kenya's Industry?" In the paper, the late Anglican Bishop, the Rev Henry Okullu, regretted that five years into independence, "the compass needle had not moved in the direction of indigenous ownership of Kenya's wealth." Thirty-seven years later, the Rev Okullu would turn in his grave to note that the needle has drifted even further away. On 7/11/07, Jean-Antoine BORD <ja_bord(a)yahoo.fr > wrote: > > Hi, > > > > With due respect, I am not convinced that you asked all the good > questions. > > > > To what I have heard so far, Telekom has succeeded neither commercially > nor technically in the few past years. A significant part of its > infrastructure is considered obsolete if not out of order. I heard many > times that the service was quite poor and that one should wait several years > to get a land line. Telkom seems to have given up long ago its leadership in > Kenya to cell phone operator and successful ISP like Access Kenya, KDN, etc. > So, in a certain way, because of possible debts or potential expenses which > do not appear in the asset sheet, the valuation of Telkom might be less than > its licences. > > > > When you consider the status of Telecom national historical operators in > other countries, you should first ask the government why Telekom Kenya has > so poorly achieved in the last 5 years. > > > > When a company decide to go for an IPO (particularly when this is a > government-owned company), the non-professional investors should have a > minimum insurance that the price is fair and the company is sustainable. > Here is a second question. > > > > Another issue is the transparency of the process. In many countries, > private companies backed by Venture Capital Funds ran in parallel an IPO and > a trade sale. For instance, Kelkoo, Skype, etc, have been acquired > respectively by Yahoo and eBay instead of going public, because it was more > interesting for the existing shareholders. So, an IPO is not always the best > way (many companies experienced a crash of their stock a short time after > their IPO; investors who could sell some stock where considered as thieves). > > > > > Last but not least, the service level in Kenya is still poor and to turn > Telkom Kenya into a company leading the progress of this industry (instead > of trying to slow down the competition) would probably have a better impact > on the economy (and what you call Telkom's shareholders) than the loss > inducted by the sale of 40% at a price you consider too low. > > > > Finally, Kenyan Government has demonstrated with the Safaricom deal (and > probably many others) that it is able to defend the best interest of all > Kenyans, so that one should not consider it is guilty without an equitable > judgement. > > > > I could have developed some more arguments, concerning the role paid by > Safaricom, Celtel (which are partially owned by foreigners) and many other > foreign owned companies which create wealth in Kenya, concerning > protectionism and its consequences, etc. > > > > In conclusion, the mail written by Mike seems biased by a misplaced > patriotism and many issues have not been considered. > > > > With Kind Regards, > > > > Jean > > > ------------------------------ > > *De :* skunkworks-bounces(a)my.co.ke [mailto: skunkworks-bounces(a)my.co.ke] *De > **la part de *Dorcas Muthoni > *Envoyé :* 10 July 2007 20:21 > *À : *skunkworks(a)my.co.ke > *Objet :* [SPAM] [Skunkworks] Telkom Kenya is not this cheap sign > petition......... > > > > http://www.petitionspot.com/signature/TELKOMKENYA > > ---------- Forwarded message ---------- >

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Updates on ICT Bill workshop?
by John Walubengo 16 Jul '07

16 Jul '07

anybody willing to blog about what transpired at the above workshop? or must we wait until tomorrow for probably some biased view of the events... walu. ____________________________________________________________________________________ Park yourself in front of a world of choices in alternative vehicles. Visit the Yahoo! Auto Green Center. http://autos.yahoo.com/green_center/

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Memorandum of Views ::attached::
by Alex Gakuru 15 Jul '07

15 Jul '07

[Following our meetings with Human Rights groups find attached views on the ICT Bill. -- AlexG] <excerpts> I hereby circulate the memorandum of views and initial draft critique in as far as the Bill as drafted threatens free expression and introduces really novel legal issues that have the potential of taking away constitutional rights. We had an urgent media stakeholders meeting on 12th July in which we discussed the Bill and were shocked by its implications. The ICT Bill comes in as the Kenya Communications (Amendment) Bill, 2007 - also a rather novel way of enacting a new law completely different from the original version. This particular amendment bill is very ambitious as it even amends other laws (including some constitutional issues!). This Bill has already been tabled in Parliament for 1st reading on 4th July and is speculated to go for second reading the week of 23rd - 27th July! Clearly there is need for more time for consultation on the Bill and the issues - kindly go through the Bills and raise more issues. Please read the critique and react ASAP - from the rooftops if possible! We need all pairs of eyes reading this Bill. (The Bill is also available on www.kenyalawreports.or.ke) There is a stakeholders forum to discuss the ICT Bill on Monday 16th July 2007 at the Safari Park Hotel convene by the PS and Ministry of Information. Kindly purpose to attend and raise issues of concern. Section 149 in the 2006 (repeated in Section 134 of published Bill 2007) is anti-FOI!!!! In relation to offences is there a jurisprudential reason to treat ICT offences differently and have them outside the penal code - forgery is forgery, fraud is fraud, theft is theft even with new technology. Are e-commerce offences different? The issues of recognition of electronic evidence are proposed to be addressed in the Evidence Act by the Bill - Offences should probably be addressed in the same way by amending the Penal code not writing ICT Offences part VIA. So far we have only been able to look at the provisions that relate to the regulator (CCK) media, broadcasting, free expression and free flow of information together with the legislative drafting issues. The Bill is largely concerned with licensing and regulations and it puts all issues of information and communication under one regulator. In our view this may not achieve the objectives of the Bill as far as enabling devt of ICT in Kenya and making as an ICT hub is concerned. One of the participants, Dr. Mary Muiruri also shared that the e-transactions law should be separate as is the case in countries that we need to compete with e.g. Singapore. The ICT Bill as is will not help us attract investors, BPOs - create jobs etc yet it seriously threatens broadcasters and freedom of media and expression for the people. (See FYI separate communications on this issue - so we don't appear to be fighting ICT devt in Kenya) Regulation of broadcasting media is allowed as the frequencies are a rare public good to be shared and broadcasting media is also more pervasive than print media - TVs and radios are in our sitting rooms but be that as it may and we support the regulation as should happen in a democratic society as per international standards the punishments and penalties for any breach must be proportional and not draconian - Loss of Broadcasting License and Seizure of equipment punishments and others in the Bill are far too much especially as the legal safeguards are weak and the independence of the all powerful CCK is questionable. A quasi judicial body like CCK cannot have as wide powers as the courts of law in meting out hefty punishments prescribed by the Bill. The Bill is really intent on creating crimes - is broadcasting uncomfortable content criminal? Putting together so many varied issues in one law not only makes the law hard to read but it mixes up principles and underpinning democratic ideals and international standards. In the case of the broadcasting there maybe need to have a separate broadcasting law and an amendment of the KBC Act to make it a proper public broadcaster with an independent board and editorial independence. We still need advise on other provisions of the Bill, so please help in this. Further if you are aware of any other critiques that have been done please share them. Something we also found interesting is the change of the Bill from the Original Version of the Communications Bill and The published Bill which has various far reaching provisions that are not found in the earlier Bill raising the question - why the draconian sections were introduced especially 129, 130 and 131. It is interesting and worrying that Minister in the Bill is very powerful and busy - as busy as the regulator. The Bill as we note in the memo threatens to bring back sedition law days. <ends> ____________________________________________________________________________________ Boardwalk for $500? In 2007? Ha! Play Monopoly Here and Now (it's updated for today's economy) at Yahoo! Games. http://get.games.yahoo.com/proddesc?gamekey=monopolyherenow

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[Fwd: [DigAfrica] Telkom Kenya’s wireless service is really ‘mobile service’ for tax purposes]
by alice 15 Jul '07

15 Jul '07

Mobile companies complain that Telkom Kenya's wireless service is really `mobile service' for tax purposes The reverberations of Telkom's official launch of its wireless service last week has resurrected a growing dispute within the telecommunications industry. The war of words between telephone operators intensified this week as Celtel once again appealed for clarification on the role of the national operator, saying Telkom's recently launched wireless service is acting in direct competition with its own. "All we ask for is fair play," said David Murray, Celtel's CEO. "Telkom Wireless is a mobile service and should be treated as such." The launch of Telkom Wireless has brewed dissent amongst mobile telephone players who are protesting against what they term unfair business practice. Both Safaricom and Celtel have appealed to the industry regulator, the Communications Commission of Kenya (CCK), to clarify Telkom's status. The firms say the national fixed line operator is now acting like a mobile service provider and has not paid for a license to operate. "It is a clear contravention of the regulations. They have a competitive advantage over us," said Michael Joseph, Safaricom's CEO. Celtel has now asked that Telkom either pay for a license to offer wireless services or be charged taxes like other mobile operators. Currently, mobile operators are taxed 16 per cent VAT and 10 per cent excise while Telkom just pays VAT. Mobile companies say they would be able to pass on lower calling costs to consumers if the taxes were lowered. But a fierce lobbying campaign started late last year by both providers failed to induce the government to reduce or remove the excise tax in this year's budget. The mobile players hope to meet the Minister of Finance to revisit the tax issue and to ask for definitive action to be taken on Telkom's status. The industry regulator has said that Telkom is merely leveraging existing technology to launch its wireless service, which it maintains is still a `fixed' telephony product. CCK's Director-General has maintained Telkom Wireless is the natural evolution of the national operator's fixed line service and is the result of the operator upgrading its equipment. "CDMA will fuel the growth of this industry. Telkom is merely upgrading its Instafon service, which was fixed line service, to the CDMA platform, which is wireless product," said CCK's John Waweru. 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Top 10 mobile Markets in Mid-East and Africa: Kenya knocks out Tunisia
by alice 15 Jul '07

15 Jul '07

Top 10 mobile Markets in Mid-East and Africa: Kenya knocks out Tunisia Tunisia has been in and out of the ranking of the top 10 MEA markets by customer base over the past year. It was pushed out by Iraq in Q2 2006, only to be reinstated three months later as Kenya failed to register any growth as a result of mass disconnections by Celtel. Having held its tenth place in December, a resurgent Kenya has once again ousted Tunisia, which falls to 11th place in the ranking for March 2007. In so doing, Kenya also bumps Israel down to tenth, a place which we expect Tunisia to take once more in the near future - in fact it is possible that it has already has with the end of Q2 2007 just over a week ago. For Q1 2007, at least, Israel's 7.8m customers marked the barrier for entry into the top 10. Kenya was a little way ahead with 8.4m and Iraq the same distance in front of Kenya with 9.0m customers. From eighth placed Iraq up to first placed South Africa the ranking remains as it was three months ago in the review for the fourth quarter of 2006, although the relative positioning of the occupants of the places has changed. At the head of the table, Nigeria is catching South Africa, reducing a deficit of 5.4m at the end of 2006 to only 3.4m customers at the end of Q1 2007. We expect Nigeria to become the Middle East & Africa's largest market by connections before the third quarter is out, although this does not necessarily signify that the number of real mobile users is higher. In fourth place, Saudi Arabia got to within 350k customers of Algeria and may well already have taken its third place, whilst fifth placed Egypt closed the gap on both of them. Morocco's sixth place is also under threat from Iran, which cut the gap by 80% from 1.68m to just 0.33m during Q1 2007. Three months ago, Mobile World looked at the size of the mobile markets in the ten largest countries in the MEA region, since four of this list are not in the current top ten ranking by customers shown in the chart above. The most likely member of this group to claim its rightful place is Tanzania, which lay in 12th place with 6.2m customers at the end of Q1 2007 but is in fact the continent's eighth most populous country. The most likely casualty will once again be Tunisia, which is likely to have taken back tenth place from Israel in the meantime. Next to enter the top ten could be either Sudan or the Democratic Republic of Congo. The Democratic Republic of Congo is the larger country, with a population of 64.1m to Sudan's 42m, but it was Sudan which stood further ahead in the ranking by customer numbers, with a base of 5.6m to Congo's 5.1m at the end of Q1 2007. The fourth rightful member of the top 10 is Ethiopia, MEA's third largest country by population, although it will most likely be several years before this market enters the top 10, finishing Q1 2007 as it did with a customer base of 1.4m. In the long run, by implication, Algeria, Saudi Arabia and Iraq should all lose their top 10 places (in addition to the aforementioned Israel) although if penetration rates follow the European model - and there is no reason to believe they won't - the situation is unlikely to prove to be this simple. (Source: Mobile World) Balancing Act

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Fwd: ICT Bill - wish list, Day 4 of 4.
by Alex Gakuru 15 Jul '07

15 Jul '07

[For some reason mail sent to <kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke> now appears not to get through. Could others be having my problem?, change your kictanet list email address to <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke>] --- Alex Gakuru <alex.gakuru(a)yahoo.com> wrote: > Date: Sun, 15 Jul 2007 03:29:38 -0700 (PDT) > From: Alex Gakuru <alex.gakuru(a)yahoo.com> > Subject: ICT Bill - wish list, Day 4 of 4. > To: Kictanet <kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke> > > [eICT Bill download pointer courtesy of the Freedom > of > Information Network run by International Commission > of > Jurists - Kenya Chapter -- AlexG] > > http://www.kenyalaw.org/Downloads/Bills/communications_bill_2007.PDF > > see other eBills: > http://www.kenyalaw.org/Bills/ > > eKenyaGazette: > http://www.kenyalaw.org/KenyaGazette/ > > Alex > > > > ____________________________________________________________________________________ > 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 > > > ____________________________________________________________________________________Ready for the edge of your seat? Check out tonight's top picks on Yahoo! TV. http://tv.yahoo.com/

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ICT Bill - wish list, Day 4 of 4.
by Alex Gakuru 15 Jul '07

15 Jul '07

[eICT Bill download pointer courtesy of the Freedom of Information Network run by International Commission of Jurists - Kenya Chapter -- AlexG] http://www.kenyalaw.org/Downloads/Bills/communications_bill_2007.PDF see other eBills: http://www.kenyalaw.org/Bills/ eKenyaGazette: http://www.kenyalaw.org/KenyaGazette/ Alex ____________________________________________________________________________________ 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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Draft recommendations of the national task force on transition to digital broadcasting call for comments/input
by alice 15 Jul '07

15 Jul '07

(Apologies for cross posting) Not sure how many of you have seen/saw the public notice call for comments on the draft recommendations of the national task force on transition to digital broadcasting? see: http://www.cck.go.ke/html/publicnotices.asp?newsid=222&area=&type= the notice is calling for comments/input on the draft report on or before the 24th of July 2007 The switch to digital broadcasting systems will allow us to enjoy multiple broadcasting services, improved video and audio quality as well as greater spectrum efficiency, the notice says in part. For those interested especially media sector, please have a look and ensure that our views/comments and input are submitted. best alice

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ICT Bill - wish list, Day 4 of 4
by Alex Gakuru 13 Jul '07

13 Jul '07

Dear Listers and Listeners, Thank you for stating a wish or two, online or off line and your unending passion of technology, communication, and information. We are concluding this matter today to compile our Monday's presentation. Unless there is a burning wish still unsaid, permit Walu and I to compile the Wish List. Sincerely, Alex & Walubengo(shortly logging out off the Wish Listing session) ____________________________________________________________________________________ Food fight? Enjoy some healthy debate in the Yahoo! Answers Food & Drink Q&A. http://answers.yahoo.com/dir/?link=list&sid=396545367

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ICT Bill - wish list, Day 4 of 4.
by John Walubengo 13 Jul '07

13 Jul '07

here's another gem from the past on the ICT bill...a summary of proceedings. KICTANET ICT BILL ANALYSIS WORKSHOP HELD ON FRIDAY, 16TH JUNE 2006 AT THE JACARANDA HOTEL walu. ...and with that I have officially ran down on ICT wishes. Probably not, one more, I finally wish that wishes were horses then we could all fly {-by the way I have never understood what the Englishman had in mind with this phrase, but i like the way it sounds ;-)} ____________________________________________________________________________________ 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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link to KC amendment bill
by Rebecca Wanjiku 13 Jul '07

13 Jul '07

here is the link to the documents and a critique follows below http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=he_1&x=5077882 Communications ( Amendment ) Bill 2007 This section changes the name of the Act, introduces new definitions, ICT policy development and promulgation , governance of the sector and constitution of the regulator , fines for contravention of the act Some areas that warrant attention are - policy formulation in the ICT sector . ICT stakeholders participated in the ICT formulation process for the first time in 2006 and now have a sense of ownership to that policy. This is as should be because the government strategy is to use the private sector to drive growth . The proposed clause 5 fails to take into account the lessons learned from the policy formulation process and locks out all other stakeholders in policy formulation - governance - Minister can appoint unlimited number of the board members to the CCK board because the operative language for all appointments in clause 6 is .. at least one --- . No advantage can be demonstrated. All other regulators have an upper limit on the board members who range from 5 to 9 members. Secondly , almost all others have no government officers to avoid conflict of interest where government has shareholding in operators and in any case the regulator implements policy promulgated by the government thirdly all the board appointments are heavily tilted to the supply side and only one appointee will represent the consumer side These concerns were pointed out by KICTANET but have not taken on board Muriuki Mureithi Colleagues As you are aware the Kenya Government has at last published the Kenya Communications (Amendment) Bill 2007 . The purpose of the Bill published on May 17th , 2007 ( world telecommunications day) is to amend Kenya Communications Act 1998 . The structure of the bill as a follows; Clause 1 - 14 - change of name, new definitions, ICT policy development and promulgation , governance of the sector and constitution of the regulator , fines for contravention of the act Clause 15 - introduces part IVA on broadcasting services - regulation , licensing and revocation , and promotion of local content Clause 16 -29 - enhances penalties of the contravention of the Act, reduce the duration of notice of a grant of licence, refusal to grant or modification, exclude certain classes in the notice of grant of licence Clause 30 . introduces part VIA on information technology - legal recognition of electronic communications, electronic records and electronic transactions , offences . introduces part VIB universal service fund - establishment and operationalisation . introduces part VIC Fair competition and equal treatment - definition of dominant operator , investigation of unfair treatment clause 31 introduces miscellaneous provisions on National communications secretariat, establishment of the advisory councils ( content and universal service), action in the occurrence of an emergency, use of information by an operator, service to CCK etc clause 33 introduces two schedules . fourth schedule - operation of advisory councils - content and advisory . fifth schedule - transitional provisions and proposes to repeal other acts - Kenya broadcasting act, penal code, evidence act , part VII electronic records To understand the implication of the Bill , you need to study the Kenya Communications Act 1998 which is being repealed and the Bill itself . Once enacted the governing law will be information and Communications Act and will have far reaching implications in the sector for the next decade or so. it is therefore important for stakeholders to study the document. KICTAnet facilitated a review of the Kenya Communications Act 1998 last year using the a draft bill prepared by the Ministry of Infocom and developed a report supported by the stakeholders. This document made a number of proposals which were presented to the Permanent Secretary Dr Bitange Ndemo. Some of the proposals have been included in the Bill As this Bill awaits discussion in parliament , KICTANet wants to facilitate an informed debate on the Bill , these comments are intended to support the evolution of a law to make Kenya effective user of ICT for development .I invite you to read the Kenya Communications Act 1998, the Kenya Communications ( Amendment) Bill 2007 and the proposals by KICTANET as a resource for your comments . The Act and the Bill are available at the government printer and meanwhile we are making arrangements to scan have all documents hosted in a website for ease of access by end of Wednesday . We start the online discussion on Thursday 7th and will start with Clause 1-14 and follow the sequence . In the meantime , we welcome any comments on the structure and the process of online discussion between today and Wednesday 6th Regards Muriuki Mureithi From: Harry Hare [mailto:harry@africanedevelopment.org] Sent: 12 June 2007 12:09 To: mureithi(a)summitstrategies.co.ke Cc: 'KICTanet Committee' Subject: RE: [committee] KC amendment bill Dear MM, You know how we operate in terms of reading documents! I would propose that you pick out the contentious clauses and sections of the bill and invite debate on the same. This way you would probably generate interest. Some of these clauses were outlined in Mucherus email of last weekdefinition of broadcasting, licensing of domain names etc. My interest however is in section 89-98 of the bill is was partly *borrowed* from the UNCITRAL Model Law on eCommerce of 1998. There are significant changes in the text that the said law has undergone through the various UNCITRAL Conventions and the UNCITRAL Model Law on eSignatures of 2001. It would be interesting to benchmark that section with the available text. I notice that they have left out some sections of the 1998 model law and this could pose danger in terms of interpretation of the law if it was a quick cut and paste job. One of the notable omissions (as far im concerned) for instance is the definition of electronic signatures which is found in the model law. The draft bill does recognize electronic signatures but is silent on what they are, this could cause serious interpretation problems. In the model law, the electronic signatures are defines and goes ahead to specify the validity of electronic signatureswhat I dont understand is why the drafters left out this crucial section of the law. Kindest regards Harry Tel. 254 720 318 925 blog:http://beckyit.blogspot.com/ --------------------------------- Take the Internet to Go: Yahoo!Go puts the Internet in your pocket: mail, news, photos & more. _______________________________________________ committee mailing list committee(a)kictanet.or.ke http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/committee Tel. 254 720 318 925 blog:http://beckyit.blogspot.com/ --------------------------------- Choose the right car based on your needs. Check out Yahoo! Autos new Car Finder tool. _______________________________________________ committee mailing list committee(a)kictanet.or.ke http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/committee

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