- KICTANet - KICTANet

Technical Glitches
by Alex Gakuru 03 May '07

03 May '07

I have not received any of the messages attached and I had to dig the kictanet archives to view them. This is about my fourth time to complain about my messages being affected by this glitch. One feels it would be good practice for the technicians responsible to ensure online freedom of information while we collectively front advocacy for the same from government. Should the continued glitches affect only some subscribers, then there would be good grounds to seek alternative kictanet list hosting server, just like we had kiplist in Canada then for fear of government censorship. A thorough reply would be appreciated Regards Alex --------------------------------- Ahhh...imagining that irresistible "new car" smell? Check outnew cars at Yahoo! Autos.

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test 20070502 12.35p.m EAT - ignore
by John Walubengo 03 May '07

03 May '07

testing. walu. __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com

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ICT BILL & PUBLIC CONFIDENCE
by Wainaina Mungai 03 May '07

03 May '07

ICT BILL WILL IMPROVE PUBLIC CONFIDENCE IN TECHNOLOGY Source: http://www.madeinkenya.org/forum_files/forum0507.php A few weeks ago, many Kenyans were amazed to hear that Police had tracked down Matheri, the most wanted criminal in Kenya, by monitoring his mobile phone. This news led many to ask if they were also being watched and if someone was reading their SMS messages and keeping track of their movements. --- Wainaina Mungai http://www.madeinkenya.org SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

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in case of interest.. IP , rootservers, et al
by Rebecca Wanjiku 03 May '07

03 May '07

just in case you have been wondering about the whole jargon of IP, TLD, ccTLD and stuff, here is a simplified version.. its long but makes good reading.... bex The Internet Protocol Journal - Volume 10, No. 1 Geographic Implications of DNS Infrastructure Distribution by Steve Gibbard, Packet Clearing House The past several years have seen significant efforts to keep local Internet communications local in places far from the well-connected core of the Internet. Although considerable work remains to be done, Internet traffic now stays local in many places where it once would have traveled to other continents, lowering costs while improving performance and reliability. Data sent directly between users in those areas no longer leaves the region. Applications and services have become more localized as well, not only lowering costs but keeping those services available at times when the region's connectivity to the outside world has been disrupted. I discussed the need for localization in a previous paper, "Internet Mini-Cores: Local connectivity in the Internet's spur regions." [1] What follows here is a more specific look at a particular application, the Domain Name System (DNS). Most Internet applications depend on the DNS, which maps human-readable domain names to the Internet Protocol (IP) addresses computers understand. Two Internet hosts may have connectivity to each other but be unable to communicate because no DNS server can be reached. This article examines the placement of DNS servers for root and top-level domains and the implications of that placement on the reliability of the services these servers provide in different parts of the world. It is not a "how-to" guide to the construction of DNS infrastructure and does not contain recommendations on DNS policy; it is rather a look at the placement of DNS infrastructure as currently constructed. Although it is possible to access Internet resources without the DNS by entering numeric IP addresses directly, this type of access is not generally done. IP addresses, such as 209.131.36.158, are difficult to remember, are generally unpublished outside the DNS, and often change without notice. Local caching of DNS information can mask temporary problems with DNS data for commonly accessed domain names, but caches are emptied when caching resolvers are restarted, data in caches expires, and nothing is cached until the first time it is accessed by a local user. It should be noted that information about DNS deployment is changing rapidly. Several organizations are working on new DNS deployment. Information in this article can be considered current, to the best of my knowledge, as of May 2006. DNS Hierarchy The DNS is a hierarchy of domains within domains. The levels of the hierarchy are separated by dots. At the top of the hierarchy is the root, usually invisible but sometimes represented as a trailing dot. Using www.yahoo.com as an example, the com domain is contained within the root. Com contains yahoo, and yahoo contains www. Domains in the position com takes in this example are known as Top-Level Domains, or TLDs; they are the first level in the root domain. Domains in the position of yahoo are known as Second-Level Domains. In this example, www occupies the third level, and so forth. The information that makes up the Domain Name System is stored on DNS servers. That information is divided into zones, which for our purposes are synonymous with domains. Each zone is stored on a set of authoritative servers, which are queried when users or applications attempt to access a service on the Internet. In the simplest case, a domain name query works like the following: A caching resolver (so named because it caches information it receives) that has not yet cached any DNS zone data receives a query for www.yahoo.com. Because its cache is empty, it uses the hints distributed with the DNS software to contact one of the root servers and asks, "Where is www.yahoo.com?" The root server replies with a list of servers for .com. The caching server then asks one of the .com servers, "Where is www.yahoo.com?" and gets a response that directs it to servers for yahoo.com. It asks the same question of those servers and finally gets an answer to the question it was asking. Generally several servers can answer questions about any domain, but if all the servers for any single level are broken or unreachable, the query fails and the service the user is looking for is unreachable. It is therefore important that the DNS be reliable, and that the servers for each zone throughout the hierarchy be reachable from anywhere the servers they point at are being used. Root Servers Without root servers, none of the DNS works. As of this writing, 117 root servers exist worldwide, operated by 12 different organ-izations. [2] Root servers are added frequently, so the number may be significantly greater by the time this article is in circulation. Because of protocol limitations, the root servers can use only 13 IP addresses. Each root-server operator is responsible for one or two of those addresses. Using a technique called anycast, which allows servers in separate locations to share a single IP address, six of those operators operate multiple servers using the same IP address [3], meaning that only 13 of them are visible at the same time from any single location, but those 13 should in most cases include the topologically closest one. [4] The distribution of root servers is rather uneven. North America and Europe have similar numbers: 38 in North America and 35 in Europe. The 35 in Europe are distributed fairly evenly, with the largest concentrations (four each) in London and Amsterdam, Europe's two largest Internet hubs. North America has 8 in Washington, D.C., 8 in the San Francisco Bay Area, and 5 in Los Angeles. In the United States, all cities that host root servers are on the coasts except Atlanta and Chicago. All seven of the remaining IP addresses represented by only a single server, known as unicast roots, are in the Washington, D.C., San Francisco, and Los Angeles areas. Australia has two root servers in Brisbane, one in Perth, and one in Sydney. New Zealand has two, one in Wellington and one in Auckland. Singapore and the wealthier parts of East Asia are well-covered, and there are two root servers in Jakarta and one each in Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur. A year ago, there were none in the vast expanse between Bangkok and Dubai, but three have recently been added in India, along with others in Dhaka and Karachi. Mainland China and the former USSR each have two. There are three in Africa: two in Johannesburg and one in Nairobi. Another will be installed in Nairobi shortly, but most of the rest of Africa lacks direct connectivity to Johannesburg or Nairobi and must cross satellite or intercontinental fiber links to reach the nearest root servers. All four of the root servers in South America are in Brazil and Chile, with two in Sao Paulo and one each in Brasilia and Santiago de Chile. With some exceptions, root-server density tends to correlate strongly with per-capita income. This fact is not surprising—it is true for other forms of infrastructure as well—but it means that those with the greatest dependence on external infrastructure are those least able to pay for external connectivity. Root-Server Placement In areas that have local root servers, finding the name servers for a top-level domain should be fairly reliable. In areas without local root servers, the ability to query the root servers is dependent on other long-distance infrastructure. In some places this infrastructure is well-developed, so this problem is not a significant one. Elsewhere long-distance infrastructure is slow, expensive, and unreliable, consisting of satellite links or a single fiber connection that may take several days to fix if it breaks. Sri Lanka, for example, is connected to the rest of the world by a single fiber connection, which was cut in 2004 by a ship that dragged anchor in the Colombo harbor. [5] Although Sri Lanka has an exchange point that should have allowed connectivity to local Internet services, news reports said that Sri Lanka's "Internet and long-distance phone service" had been cut off. I have not received a good account of what Internet connectivity looked like from anyone in Sri Lanka at the time, but it is likely that even local Internet connections would not have worked without a local root server. Sri Lanka is not an isolated case. The dots in Figure 1 show the locations of all root servers. The light grey areas are regions in which multiple fiber paths are available to root servers. The remainder of the world can reach root servers only by a single fiber path or by satellite. Large areas of the world are poorly covered. Figure 1: Root Server Locations and Areas of Redundant Connectivity Root-Server Expansion Four of the 12 root-server operators are presently working to install root servers in areas that lack them. Although the 117 root servers currently in operation are a big improvement over the 13 that were in operation three years ago, many regions still do not have any. Those root-server operators are installing servers wherever they can get the funding to do so. Funding is generally provided either by grants, especially from the Asia Pacific Network Information Centre (APNIC) in the Asia-Pacific region, by local governments or Internet Service Provider (ISP) associations. Because the addition of new anycast copies of root servers is relatively easy given sufficient funding, the main limitation preventing the installation of root servers in new locations is lack of funding. One question probably best addressed in a more central manner is whether it makes sense to have many copies of one or two root-server IP addresses in some regions or whether it would be better to have more of a mix of root-server IP addresses. Currently, only 6 of the 13 root-server addresses are anycasted, only 4 are anycasted in large numbers, and 2 of those focus on specific regions, meaning that in many of the more remote parts of the world the only nearby root servers are Internet Systems Consortium (ISC)'s "F" and Autonomica's "I" roots, and some places have several of one of those closer than the next one of the other. Because some DNS resolvers have their own mechanisms for finding the closest server and for handling failures of types that do not include route withdrawals, having multiple IP addresses nearby seems like a good thing. A more complex question is whether it would be worthwhile to anycast all 13 of them widely, or if there is some smaller number that would be sufficient to have nearby. Previous research on this topic has assumed a limit of 13 root servers, producing conclusions that are not applicable to the modern Internet. [6] This article should not be seen as a criticism of the places with large numbers of root servers. Although the U.S. distribution looks strange, with the San Francisco Bay and D.C. area clusters perhaps excessive, it comes close to following the Internet topology in the United States. Indeed, the U.S. concentration may be appropriate to handle server load. Western Europe's dense but relatively even distribution of root servers through the region appears to be an optimal distribution, because most populated areas have multiple root servers nearby. Likewise, Jakarta is one of the very few cities in the developing world to have more than one, and that provides local redundancy that much of the developing world lacks. If root-server deployment were funded from a single global budget, the distribution across the world's regions would look very unfair. But because Internet infrastructure is mostly funded locally, Jakarta and Western Europe are examples other regions could emulate. TLD Distribution Use of the DNS also requires access to TLD servers. To access something in the .com domain, a user's local DNS resolver must be able to reach the .com servers. This statement is true for any TLD, whether it is a generic TLD (gTLD), such as .com, .net, and .org, or a country code TLD (ccTLD). Unlike the root, it is not necessary that all TLDs be reliable from all locations; if a TLD is not used to name local resources in a region, having local access to that TLD will not help if that the region gets cut off from the rest of the world. gTLD Distribution Of the gTLDs, .com is by far the largest. It is well-connected to the Internet core, the area with well-meshed internal connectivity mainly comprising North America, Western Europe, East Asia, and Singapore. (See Figure 2.) The .com servers are located in Australia, Brazil, Japan, South Korea, the Netherlands, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and the U.S. states of California, Florida, Georgia, Virginia, and Washington. The .com servers are well-connected to areas well-connected to those regions but poorly connected to Africa, South Asia, and parts of South America. Figure 2: Server Locations for .com and .net and Areas of Redundant Connectivity UltraDNS, the operator of .org, .info, .mobi, and .coop among others, is also somewhat well-connected to the Internet core, although not to the extent the .com servers are. It has publicly accessible servers in four metropolitan areas in the United States as well as in London and Hong Kong. It has a couple of noncore locations, in Delhi and Johannesburg. UltraDNS also has servers in other locations, accessible only to the resolvers of certain large ISPs. Because those servers are not available to the general public in their regions, they are omitted from discussion here. (See Figure 3.) Figure 3: Server Locations for .org, .info, and .mobi and Areas of Redundant Connectivity Other gTLDs do not do considerably better. Table 1 shows the locations of all the gTLDs. Table 1: Locations of TLD Servers gTLD Locations by Country or U.S. State .aero Switzerland, Germany, India, Hong Kong, United Kingdom, and the following states in the United States: California, Illinois, and Virginia .biz Australia, Hong Kong, Netherlands, New Zealand, Singapore, United Kingdom, and the following states in the United States: California, Florida, Georgia, New York, Virginia, and Washington .com Australia, Brazil, Canada, Japan, South Korea, Netherlands, Sweden, Singapore, United Kingdom, and the following states in the United States: California, Florida, Georgia, Virginia, and Washington .coop United Kingdom and the following states in the United States: California, Illinois, and Massachusetts .edu Netherlands, Singapore, and the following states in the United States: California, Florida, Georgia, and Virginia .gov Canada, Germany, and the following states in the United States: California, Florida, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Texas .info India, Hong Kong, South Africa, United Kingdom, and the following states in the United States: California, Illinois, and Virginia .int Netherlands, United Kingdom, and California in the United States .jobs Netherlands, Singapore, and the following states in the United States: California, Florida, Georgia, and Virginia .mil The following states in the United States: California, Maryland, Virginia, and other unknown locations .mobi India, Hong Kong, South Africa, United Kingdom, and the following states in the United States: California, Illinois, and Virginia .museum Sweden and California in the United States .name Singapore, United Kingdom, and the following states in the United States: California, Florida, Georgia, Virginia, and Washington .net Australia, Brazil, Canada, Japan, South Korea, Netherlands, Sweden, Singapore, United Kingdom, and the following states in the United States: California, Florida, Georgia, Virginia, and Washington .org India, Hong Kong, South Africa, United Kingdom, and the following states in the United States: California, Illinois, and Virginia .pro Canada and the following states in the United States: Illinois and Texas .travel Australia, Hong Kong, Netherlands, New Zealand, Singapore, United Kingdom, and the following states in the United States: California, Florida, Georgia, New York, Virginia, and Washington Although gTLDs are typically marketed for their applicability to specific types of organization, or in the case of .com because it is the only domain many people have heard of, geography should also be considered in selecting domains. Most of the gTLDs have reasonable coverage throughout the Internet core region, but there are exceptions. The .int and .museum domains are hosted only in North America and Europe, and .pro is hosted only in North America. Outside the Internet core there is little gTLD presence. Only .biz, .travel, .com, and .net are present in Australia and New Zealand. South Africa and India have .aero, .info, .mobi, and .org, making them the only gTLDs hosted in either Africa or the South Asian region. South America hosts only .com and .net, with servers in two cities in Brazil. Taken together, these are the only Southern Hemisphere gTLD locations as of this writing, and no gTLD has any presence in parts of the world without external fiber-optic connectivity, although that may be changing. Where gTLDs should be hosted, and with what scope, are somewhat open questions. Should these domains address resources anywhere, or should their scope be local? This question is really one for the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), or for the gTLD sponsors or registries, and beyond the scope of this article. Verisign, the company that administers .com, and .net, points out that database replication with the amount of changes in the .com zone is a significant problem over slow network links. ccTLD Distribution Questions about where ccTLDs, the top-level domains assigned to individual countries, ought to work seem more straightforward. Working effectively in their own countries seems like the top priority, with connectivity to the Internet core and to other regions with which people in the country communicate regularly being somewhat lower priorities. Just over two-thirds of ccTLDs are hosted in their own countries; refer to Figure 4 for the bigger countries, and the online appendices for the full list. Although the third of ccTLDs not hosted in their own countries include some marketed more for international use than global use—Cocos Island's .cc, Tonga's .to, Turkmenistan's .tm, and Tuvalu's .tv, among others—those are very much the exception. Indonesia has local access to the root and to its ccTLD (.id). Pakistan has a root server, but no local access to its ccTLD (.pk). Let's compare what happens when someone in Indonesia does a lookup on an .id domain name with what happens when someone in Pakistan does a lookup of a name in the .pk domain. In Indonesia, the query goes to a root DNS server at the Indonesian Internet Exchange in Jakarta, where it is answered with the locations of the .id servers, several of which are also in Indonesia. The query then goes to the local .id server and is answered locally, whereupon the user can start sending traffic to the host he or she was trying to connect to, which is presumably also local. The traffic need not leave Indonesia, and if all the parties involved are in Jakarta it need not leave town. The Pakistani case is quite different. Until early 2006, there were no root servers in Pakistan, nor were there local servers for the .pk domain. There is now a root server in Karachi, but lacking servers for any TLDs it is of limited utility. DNS resolvers start out querying the local root server, but the response directs them to servers for the .p domain, all located in the United States, at least 10 time zones away. They then send their lookup packets across the single fiber connection all the way to the United States and wait for the response. At best, this process is slow. If that fiber connection goes down, or if there is any other problem between Pakistan and these U.S. servers, local communications in Pakistan are crippled. The situation with traditional gTLDs (.com, .net, and .org) in Indonesia and Pakistan is somewhat different. In Indonesia, local root servers provide addresses for the .com, .net, and .org servers. The .com and .net, lookups can be handled in Singapore, 18 milliseconds away. Theoretically, .org lookups can be handled in Hong Kong, but traceroutes indicate .org queries being answered in California instead. Thus, in Indonesia, .id is hosted mostly locally, .com and .net are nearby, and .org is considerably farther away. In Pakistan, in contrast, .pk queries and .org queries are answered from the United States, more than 200 milliseconds away, while .com and .net are answered from Singapore, 80 milliseconds away. For Pakistani users of all TLDs, there are single points of failure, but .com and .net do appear to be somewhat better connected than .pk. In Nairobi, Kenya, there are local copies of a root server and the local ccTLD (.ke). All external connectivity is by satellite, and most ISPs have only a single satellite link. Two Internet users in Nairobi wanting to communicate can do a lookup on the local root server to find the servers for .ke and can do a lookup on a local .ke server to find the servers for a subdomain of .ke. Assuming the subdomain being used is served locally, they can do a local lookup for a host within that subdomain and then send data across the local exchange point. Thus the two users in the same town can send data back and forth without having to send any data elsewhere. According to Verisign, Nairobi will soon have servers for .com and .net as well. In contrast, to use the .org domain they can again obtain addresses of the .org server from their local root server, but the lookup of the .org domain must go over a satellite link to Europe in order to be answered by a server in London. If the satellite link is up, this process adds half a second of latency to the query. If the satellite link is down, whatever local resource they are trying to connect to is out of reach. Figure 4: Countries that Host Their Own ccTLDs in Grey; Those that Do Not in Black There is also a concern about ccTLDs not served from the global core; if their region or upstream provider is cut off from the Internet outside their region, the rest of the world is unable to see that ccTLD. (See Table 2.) This situation may or may not be of concern; if all Internet resources within that ccTLD become unreachable in the same outage, the DNS portion of the outage may have no additional effect. However, if there is anything in that ccTLD that is not in the ccTLD's region, or if people or systems outside prefer to get a DNS response for an unreachable IP address rather than no DNS response at all, it may be of concern. Indeed, having servers that are well-connected to "the Internet as a whole" is a recommendation of RFC 2182, though the RFC does not consider the case of large portions of the Internet not being well-connected to each other. Table 2: TLDs Not Served in the "Internet Core" Region TLD Country Location of DNS Servers BB Barbados Barbados BD Bangladesh Bangladesh BH Bahrain Bahrain CN China China EC Ecuador Ecuador GF French Guiana French Guiana and Guadeloupe JM Jamaica Jamaica KG Kyrgyzstan Kazakhstan KW Kuwait Kuwait MP Northern Mariana Islands Guam MQ Martinique Guadeloupe and Martinique PA Panama Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, and Panama PF French Polynesia French Polynesia QA Qatar Qatar SR Suriname Suriname TJ Tajikistan Tajikistan ZM Zambia South Africa and Zambia Lack of Exchange Points and Local Peering In the "Internet Mini-Cores" article [1], I noted that local hosting of critical infrastructure is moot if there is not either a local exchange point or a monopoly transit provider in the region. If data needed in a poorly connected region must leave the area and return to reach the user requesting it, the communication has double the latency, and possibly double the reliability problems, that it would have if it were hosted somewhere in the core. For the specific examples used in this article, I have mostly chosen areas that do have exchange points. I have not analyzed the underlying local infrastructure in all countries. Methodology The addresses of DNS servers for a TLD are available through several means: by looking at the root zone, by doing digs for the name servers, and by looking in the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA) whois data, among others. I did lookups against an anycast root server on my own network, because that seemed easiest to automate. My script then did a lookup for the address of each name server, stripped off the last octet, and produced a list of TLDs hosted in each /24 subnet. There are 635 /24s containing name servers for TLDs; 142 of them host multiple TLDs; the rest host just one. I assumed that all DNS servers in a given /24 were likely to be in the same or nearby locations. This situation appears not to be the case for the UUNet name servers, and there are probably a few other exceptions that will show up as errors in my data. I looked at a few automated geolocation systems to attempt to attach locations to the DNS servers, but none of them appeared to be producing accurate information. Instead, I guessed at the locations of the 600 subnets, using traceroutes from a variety of locations, paying attention to DNS, latency, and the results of whois queries for address space along the way. I also asked lots of questions of DNS operators and others and am particularly grateful to several anycast DNS operators, whose locations would not have all been found by my traceroutes. Some of my guesses are likely incorrect, and corrections are appreciated. I may be missing some information about the UltraDNS TLD servers, because UltraDNS has locations it regards as confidential. This information about UltraDNS servers is from Afilias's .net application, traceroutes from a variety of locations, and UltraDNS. [7] Locations of root servers are easier to find; they are listed at http://www.root-servers.org. Some supplemental information about j.root-servers.net was supplied by Verisign. If there are operational root servers not included on www.root-servers.org other than the J-roots, I did not count them. The full lists of locations of all TLDs and TLD servers are in the appendices to this article, at: http://www.pch.net/resources/papers/infrastructure-distribution/dns-distrib…. References [1] Steve Gibbard, "Internet Mini-Cores: Local connectivity in the Internet's spur regions" (2005). [2] Root Server Technical Operations Association. [3] Joe Abley, "Hierarchical anycast for global service distribution," ISC Tech Notes (2003). [4] Bradley Huffaker, "Two days in the life of three DNS root servers" (2006). [5] Tim Richardson, "Ship's anchor cuts cable to Sri Lanka," The Register, August 24, 2004. [6] Tony Lee, Bradley Huffaker, Marina Fomenkov, and kc claffy, "On the problem of optimization of DNS root servers' placement" (2003). [7] Afilias, ".NET Application Form". STEVE GIBBARD is a Network Architect for the nonprofit organization, Packet Clearing House, based in Berkeley, California. He runs an anycast DNS network that hosts the top-level domains for several countries and several of the "I" root anycast DNS servers, maintains PCH's network of route collectors and route servers at exchange points around the world, and researches the interconnection of Internet networks. In addition, Steve carries out network architecture and peering work as a consultant for several ISPs in the San Francisco Bay Area and elsewhere. Steve is a former Senior Network Engineer at Cable & Wireless, and has held network engineering positions at Digital Island and World Wide Net. E-mail: scg(a)pch.net Contacts & Feedback | Help | Site Map © 1992-2007 Cisco Systems Inc. All rights reserved. Terms & Conditions | Privacy Statement | Cookie Policy | Trademarks of Cisco Systems Inc. Rebecca Wanjiku, journalist, p.o box 33515, Nairobi.00600 Kenya. Tel. 254 720 318 925 blog:http://beckyit.blogspot.com/ __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com

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Week 1 Online Discussion Summaries- CCK Internet Report(Resending)
by John Walubengo 02 May '07

02 May '07

Hi all, I went off-air for a while - actually I travelled upcountry to my parents home in Bungoma -its a remote town from NRB(450Km away) but the 2nd largest town in Western Province and yes, Internet access in those parts of the world is quite a challenge. But that's a story for another day... Today, I thought it would be nice to reflect on last weeks contributions before we move into the this final week's discussion. Tomorrow we start on the theme 'The Statistics on Affordability', but below I have put together what I think was last weeks summary contribution and hope you can go through it and raise final (if any) comments on last weeks themes. These were International Bandwidth, Heirarchy of Providers(ISP/IGO) and the Statistics on Infrastructure. ---Last weeks summary begin----- Week 1 Summary. Day 1:Background Concepts/Overview Mr. J. Walubengo gave an overview of the Internet Study report saying that it aimed to establish the status of Internet Infrastructure, Internet Affordability and Internet Use & Dispersion in Kenya. He reported that the study had various recommendations aimed at improving on the above internet indicators. This included amongst others; getting the government intervention in extending the domestic internet infrastructure, introducing further competition both within the Fixed Line and Mobile subsectors, utilizing the Universal access fund to extend Internet reach, promoting creation and use of local content as well as supporting Consumer Awareness initiatives. Mr. A. Gakuru lauded the study as well as its recommendations but noted that a similar study would be required that focused on the demand-side rather than the Supply-side of the internet market. He was glad that the Regulator was finally making deliberate efforts to support consumer awareness initiatives. He wondered if naming and shaming those ISPs that failed to route traffic through the local internet exchange point (KIXP) would help in enhancing the use of KIXP. Day 2: International & Domestic Bandwidth Usage In his opening remarks, Mr. Walubengo said that the report indicated that the International Internet Traffic was skewed (90%) towards external sources (content). Kenya was a net importer of Internet content and was therefore a consumer rather than a creator of Internet content. Value (economic or otherwise) goes to the creators of Internet Content and Kenya should aim to be a generator rather than just consumers of Internet Content. Mr. M. Michuki observed that most Kenyans visited external sources due to lack of local content. He suggested that ISPs should come up with pricing smodels that encouraged the creation of and access to local content. For example, geo-specific tariffs could be designed that would deliberately make it cheaper to access local (.KE) conent i.e. users could be charged less if and when they accessed or used local services(local websites, emails, etc) as opposed to foreign services. In addition, ISPs could come up with time-based tariffs that took advantage of the traffic models registered on the KIXP i.e. provide even lower rates for local content during evenings and weekends.He however conceded that Online Government Services, eHealth, eBanking, eLearning, etc would have to be in place in order to make such pricing models successful. Mr. J. Ngunjiri added that training or capacity building initiatives must also be supported to further gaurantee the success of the initiative. Day 3: Hierarchy of Internet Service Providers (IGO,ISP) The Internet Study Report recommended that the seperation between Internet Gateway Operators (IGO) and Internet Service Providers be dissolved with expected results being cheaper and higher quality services. In his opening remarks, Mr. Walubengo asked members to react to this recommendation. Lucy Kimani wondered if IGO would be able to cope with the technical and administrative overheads experienced by ISPs such as a larger number of customer accounts, increased need for support services, etc. She added that the cost of services may not come necessarily come down as expected due to the need to cover such overheads. Mr. Walubengo cited the case of TKL (Telkom Kenya) who are currently operating at both the Gateway and the ISP level without significant cost reductions in their Internet Service. Mr. S. Buruchara felt that historically, ISPs have had a rough time in trying to set up their own Internet Gateway Operations - having been forced by regulation to route their traffic through expensive and monopolistic Internet Gateways. He argued that if the upstream providers (IGO) were expensive, it was only natural that these costs would be passed downstream to the consumers. In addition, he noted that even todate the Licensing requirements were still prohibitive (expensive) for ISPs to move into the IGO level and if they did, they may need to recoup their (Licensing & other) investments at the expense of offering cheaper Internet Access rates. Mr. Kai Wulff commented that giving ISPs the IGO facilities may not necessarily reduce prices, citing case of Uganda where internet costs are still high despite many ISPs having IGO facilities. Day 4: Statistics on Infrastructure The report indicated that ISPs (internet services) were only operating in 30% of the districts in Kenya. The leased line services were mainly concentrated in urban centers (NRB & MSA) meaning that Internet Infrastructure was clearly challenged and the Report urges Government to intervene by leading the build-up of Internet/Network infrastructure accross the country. In her reaction, Alice Munyua, said that a comprehensive, multi-pronged approach must be made to avoid having infrastructure that would eventually serve no purpose. Aggressive infrastructure build up without content would be an exercise in futility since the internet pipes would be idle and underutilised most of the time. She added that additional initiatives such as Construction and Supply of Electrical Power, Literacy Initiatives, Local Content and 'Demand-side' Internet Requirements must move side by side with the infrastructure roll-out. Day 5- Statistics on Affordability will be on tomorrow (thrs 3rd May) morning. Today is open for final comments on the Day 1, 2, 3 & 4 Themes. walu. __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com

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Week 1 Online Discussion Summaries- CCK Internet Report
by John Walubengo 02 May '07

02 May '07

Hi all, I went off-air for a while - actually I travelled upcountry to my parents home in Bungoma -its a remote town from NRB(450Km away) but the 2nd largest town in Western Province and yes, Internet access in those parts of the world is quite a challenge. But that's a story for another day... Today, I thought it would be nice to reflect on last weeks contributions before we move into the this final week's discussion. Tomorrow we start on the theme 'The Statistics on Affordability', but below I have put together what I think was last weeks summary contribution and hope you can go through it and raise final (if any) comments on last weeks themes. These were International Bandwidth, Heirarchy of Providers(ISP/IGO) and the Statistics on Infrastructure. ---Last weeks summary begin----- Week 1 Summary. Day 1:Background Concepts/Overview Mr. J. Walubengo gave an overview of the Internet Study report saying that it aimed to establish the status of Internet Infrastructure, Internet Affordability and Internet Use & Dispersion in Kenya. He reported that the study had various recommendations aimed at improving on the above internet indicators. This included amongst others; getting the government intervention in extending the domestic internet infrastructure, introducing further competition both within the Fixed Line and Mobile subsectors, utilizing the Universal access fund to extend Internet reach, promoting creation and use of local content as well as supporting Consumer Awareness initiatives. Mr. A. Gakuru lauded the study as well as its recommendations but noted that a similar study would be required that focused on the demand-side rather than the Supply-side of the internet market. He was glad that the Regulator was finally making deliberate efforts to support consumer awareness initiatives. He wondered if naming and shaming those ISPs that failed to route traffic through the local internet exchange point (KIXP) would help in enhancing the use of KIXP. Day 2: International & Domestic Bandwidth Usage In his opening remarks, Mr. Walubengo said that the report indicated that the International Internet Traffic was skewed (90%) towards external sources (content). Kenya was a net importer of Internet content and was therefore a consumer rather than a creator of Internet content. Value (economic or otherwise) goes to the creators of Internet Content and Kenya should aim to be a generator rather than just consumers of Internet Content. Mr. M. Michuki observed that most Kenyans visited external sources due to lack of local content. He suggested that ISPs should come up with pricing smodels that encouraged the creation of and access to local content. For example, geo-specific tariffs could be designed that would deliberately make it cheaper to access local (.KE) conent i.e. users could be charged less if and when they accessed or used local services(local websites, emails, etc) as opposed to foreign services. In addition, ISPs could come up with time-based tariffs that took advantage of the traffic models registered on the KIXP i.e. provide even lower rates for local content during evenings and weekends.He however conceded that Online Government Services, eHealth, eBanking, eLearning, etc would have to be in place in order to make such pricing models successful. Mr. J. Ngunjiri added that training or capacity building initiatives must also be supported to further gaurantee the success of the initiative. Day 3: Hierarchy of Internet Service Providers (IGO,ISP) The Internet Study Report recommended that the seperation between Internet Gateway Operators (IGO) and Internet Service Providers be dissolved with expected results being cheaper and higher quality services. In his opening remarks, Mr. Walubengo asked members to react to this recommendation. Lucy Kimani wondered if IGO would be able to cope with the technical and administrative overheads experienced by ISPs such as a larger number of customer accounts, increased need for support services, etc. She added that the cost of services may not come necessarily come down as expected due to the need to cover such overheads. Mr. Walubengo cited the case of TKL (Telkom Kenya) who are currently operating at both the Gateway and the ISP level without significant cost reductions in their Internet Service. Mr. S. Buruchara felt that historically, ISPs have had a rough time in trying to set up their own Internet Gateway Operations - having been forced by regulation to route their traffic through expensive and monopolistic Internet Gateways. He argued that if the upstream providers (IGO) were expensive, it was only natural that these costs would be passed downstream to the consumers. In addition, he noted that even todate the Licensing requirements were still prohibitive (expensive) for ISPs to move into the IGO level and if they did, they may need to recoup their (Licensing & other) investments at the expense of offering cheaper Internet Access rates. Mr. Kai Wulff commented that giving ISPs the IGO facilities may not necessarily reduce prices, citing case of Uganda where internet costs are still high despite many ISPs having IGO facilities. Day 4: Statistics on Infrastructure The report indicated that ISPs (internet services) were only operating in 30% of the districts in Kenya. The leased line services were mainly concentrated in urban centers (NRB & MSA) meaning that Internet Infrastructure was clearly challenged and the Report urges Government to intervene by leading the build-up of Internet/Network infrastructure accross the country. In her reaction, Alice Munyua, said that a comprehensive, multi-pronged approach must be made to avoid having infrastructure that would eventually serve no purpose. Aggressive infrastructure build up without content would be an exercise in futility since the internet pipes would be idle and underutilised most of the time. She added that additional initiatives such as Construction and Supply of Electrical Power, Literacy Initiatives, Local Content and 'Demand-side' Internet Requirements must move side by side with the infrastructure roll-out. Day 5- Statistics on Affordability will be on tomorrow (thrs 3rd May) morning. Today is open for final comments on the Day 1, 2, 3 & 4 Themes. walu. __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com

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Fwd: [Idlelo2] FW: dgCommunities Invited to Attend World Bank Global Dialogue Events & Live Webcasts
by Judy Okite 01 May '07

01 May '07

FYI Kind Regards, ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Fouad Riaz Bajwa <fouadbajwa(a)gmail.com> Date: Tue, 1 May 2007 02:33:20 +0500 Subject: [Idlelo2] FW: dgCommunities Invited to Attend World Bank Global Dialogue Events & Live Webcasts To: idlelo2(a)fossfa.net, openstds(a)ipjustice.org, ugabytes(a)ugabytes.org From: e-government(a)developmentgateway.org [mailto:e-government@developmentgateway.org] Sent: Monday, April 30, 2007 11:47 PM Subject: dgCommunities Invited to Attend World Bank Global Dialogue Events & Live Webcasts Dear Members, For your interest I am writing to alert you to a series of World Bank Global Dialogues on e-government and ICT. The World Bank's e-Development Thematic Group invites all interested dgCommunities members to participate in its upcoming e-government/ICT related Global Dialogues by means of live webcast/online discussion, via videoconference (in several countries which will be connected) or in person (if in Washington DC). The following are details of these sessions: Open Systems for e-Government (May 02, 9:00 - 11.30 am EST) While open source software has achieved growing acceptance in the marketplace, open standards are also increasingly seen as key enablers of the transfer and use of information across organizations, systems, and devices. This seminar focuses on the embrace of open information and communications technology systems by governments and businesses alike in the face of growing demands for the effective, customer-centric delivery of services. What does "open" mean in the context of software, standards, and document formats, and is it relevant to the experience and challenges faced by developing and transition countries? Can open source, open standards, and ODF be leveraged to maximize the impact of ICT investments in public-sector reform and modernization efforts? A panel including experts from the World Bank, IBM, Microsoft, Open Source Institute, and the ODF Alliance will gather to discuss this interesting topic. Please click here for more information: http://go.worldbank.org/OPRW4CL1N0 Prioritizing e-Services - The case of Pakistan (May 09, 9:00 - 11:30 am EST) Many e-Government program initiatives are faced with a myriad of choices for e-Services; hence there is an obvious need to prioritize due to various constraints. There are different methodologies available for identifying and prioritizing these e-services, and all governments implementing such programs have gone through this phase with varying outcomes. The e-Services prioritization process is therefore an essential component of e-Government programs, and selecting and applying the appropriate methodology is fundamental for e-Government program success. The session experts and practitioners will present a general overview of the various methodologies available for prioritization of e-Services and will discuss the experience of Pakistan, one of the latest case studies from the field. More information about this event will be available online shorlty at http://www.worldbank.org/edevelopment. Additional Upcoming Events: e-Government Portals (May 30, 9:00 - 11:30 am EST) Designing e-Government Strategies (June 19, 9:00-11:30 am EST) About the World Bank e-Development Thematic Group The e-Development Thematic Group's mission is to promote the efficient use of ICT in development and World Bank operations by facilitating knowledge sharing on good practices in e-development, and more frequent dialogue among interested parties thus catalyzing specific program and project proposals. The e-Development Thematic Group was created in 2003 in response to the increasing demand from various countries and sectors that are involved in the design and implementation of a variety of e-development and e-government projects, on the basis of the e-Government Thematic Group. The e-Development Thematic Group is open for participation by both World Bank staff and external clients and partners. For more information about the Group and its events, knowledge-base, toolkits and other resources, please visit the website at http://www.worldbank.org/edevelopment. To find out how to participate in these events, join the mailing list or partner with e-TG, please write to edevelopment(a)worldbank.org or contact Oleg Petrov at +1202-473-8861. Best regards, Mike Pereira ___________________________________ Mike Pereira Director, Global Online Communities Development Gateway Foundation 1889 F Street NW Washington DC 20006 202-572-9259 202-572-9290 (fax) http://home.developmentgateway.org/?intcmp=906 http://topics.developmentgateway.org/?intcmp=906 _______________________________________________ Idlelo2 mailing list Idlelo2(a)fossfa.net http://mailman.dst.gov.za/mailman/listinfo/idlelo2 -- 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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ICT Africa 2007 October 1-5 Kenyatta International Conference Centre, Nairobi, Kenya: NEPAD Council
by alice 30 Apr '07

30 Apr '07

nclogo *ICT Africa 2007* <http://ictafrica.nepadcouncil.org>* * *Sponsorship Opportunities * <http://cmpgnr.com/r.html?c=949995&r=949245&t=934038436&l=1&d=88273771&u=htt…>*** * *Conference Registration * <http://cmpgnr.com/r.html?c=949995&r=949245&t=934038436&l=1&d=88273770&u=htt…>*** * *Abstract/Paper Submission * <http://cmpgnr.com/r.html?c=949995&r=949245&t=934038436&l=1&d=88273774&u=htt…>*** * *Conference Committees * <http://cmpgnr.com/r.html?c=949995&r=949245&t=934038436&l=1&d=88273769&u=htt…>*** * <javascript:var win = window.open("http://cmpgnr.com/r.html?c=949995&r=949245&t=934038436&l=1&d=88273775&u=htt…", "openWin", "width=400, height=250, scrollbars=yes")> Supporters nepadkenya kenyagov Preliminary list of sponsors jcb <http://cmpgnr.com/r.html?c=949995&r=949245&t=934038436&l=1&d=88273773&u=htt…> connectworld <http://cmpgnr.com/r.html?c=949995&r=949245&t=934038436&l=1&d=88273772&u=htt…> kdn pic1 ICT Africa 2007 October 1-5 The 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. ICT Africa 2007 is scheduled for October 1 to 5. The conference will feature hundreds of new ideas on ICT development, lessons leant from other regions of the world, many industry’s top minds, discussions on policy, investment, regional projects and research and development. The conference is a venue for agencies working on different projects in different parts of the continent to meet, exchange ideas and form synergies. With technical tutorials, demonstrations, news in the making and the opportunity to talk to experts, this event will be an experience for all attendees. Whether attendees are entrepreneurs, university professors, scientists or engineers, exhibitors or members of the press, the conference program will be tailored to their information needs and interest. *Programming* ICT Africa will consist of a plenary session, conference tracks, technical tutorials and an exhibition. _Plenary session_ ICT Africa 2007 will consist of a plenary session to be addressed by ministers (or their representatives) from all regions of Africa. The plenary session is expected to address infrastructure projects throughout Africa including The East Africa Marine System (TEAMS) and the East Africa Submarine System (EASSy). The Kenyan ministry of information and communications will host the plenary session. _Conference tracks_ The rest of the conference will be divided into two main tracks, a technical/academic track and a policy/business track. The technical/academic track will feature presentations from peer reviewed papers by scientists, engineers, professors and students from Africa and abroad. The policy/business track addresses policy and business challenges of ICT development in Africa. Topics will include, but not limited to; deregulation, monopoly, and ICT investment. _Technical tutorials_ One day will be dedicated to technical tutorials. NEPAD Council experts and other experts from different parts of the world will deliver short courses in next generation networks, fibre optics, and voice over Internet protocol and other topics of interest to attendees. _Exhibition_ The 2007 event will consist of an Industry exhibition running parallel to the conference. The exhibition is organized by Togo consultants. *Venue:* As with ICT Africa 2006, ICT Africa 2007 will be held at the Kenyatta International Conference Center in Nairobi, Kenya. The central position of Kenya in Africa, the easy of flight connections from different parts of the world to Kenya, the commitment of the Kenyan ministry of information and communication to ICT development and to ICT Africa and the commitment of NEPAD Kenya to ICT Africa are some of the considerations for the choice of Kenya as a venue. *Other events* Organized pre and post conference tours Reception Accompanying persons program *General conference contact:* *Riedwaan Jacobs* Global Conferences Gardener Place, 1st Floor Howard Dr. Pinelands, Cape Town, South Africa Phone: +27 21532 6333 Fax +27 21 532 6331 rjacobs(a)globalconf.co.za <mailto:rjacobs@globalconf.co.za> You are subscribed as alice(a)apc.org. To unsubscribe please click here <http://cmpgnr.com/r.html?c=949995&r=949245&t=934038436&l=6&ea=alice@apc.org…>. Web Bug from http://cmpgnr.com/app/campaigner/trk/opn.jsp?cid=949995&rid=949245&ctd=9340…

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Re: [kictanet] MPS SUPPORT E-GOVERNMENT LEGISLATION IN KENYA
by Jose' 30 Apr '07

30 Apr '07

This is so amaizing! During the weekend we were just talking over this issue in the forum.Now the government has gotten an 8 billion grant!! for the commissioning? :-O. Kudus to Dr.Ndemo and his ministry on digital villages initiative. Time to roll it out is now!! Best Regards, Jose' Njuki-Imwe Ngunjiri || +254 722 336754 || ----- Original Message ---- From: Alex Gakuru <alex.gakuru(a)yahoo.com> To: ngunjirijnr(a)yahoo.com Sent: Monday, April 30, 2007 8:06:38 AM Subject: Re: [kictanet] MPS SUPPORT E-GOVERNMENT LEGISLATION IN KENYA [Daily Nation] ‘Digital villages’ to be set up all over Kenya to speed up access to data Story by NATION correspondent Publication Date: 2007/04/30 The Government plans to set up ‘digital villages’ throughout the country, to ease access to information for its citizens. Information assistant minister Mr Koigi Wamwere said during the weekend that the villages to be set up in all the 210 constituencies, will facilitate easy access to information that would trigger economic development in those areas. Commissioning The minister was speaking in Kisumu during the commissioning of the Od Mikayi satellite information centre, where the project by the Government also received a major boost with the approval of a Sh8 billion grant by the World Bank. This will see local communities exposed to new technologies such as the internet and SMS banking. “We intend to roll out the first of these projects in August,” said Mr Wamwere. He added, “The laying of fibre optic cables throughout the country is on course and when completed, Kenyans are going to enjoy the benefits of high speed internet connectivity.” This initiative is intended to double the number of people having access to such services from 2.7 to 6 million, he said. Also targeted will be telephone subscribers, whose numbers are expected to rise significantly from the current 8.5 million to 15 million before the year ends. Learning centres “We also intend to set up E- learning centres in all schools in addition to computerising all Government departments in the country. "This will enhance transparency in the running of Government affairs,” said the minister. http://www.nationmedia.com/dailynation/nmgcontententry.asp?premiumid=0&cate…> ------ Alex Gakuru <alex.gakuru(a)yahoo.com> wrote: Alice, Thanks for this wonderful news. Please send me the link. Alex alice <alice(a)apc.org> wrote: --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From Balancing Act MPS SUPPORT E-GOVERNMENT LEGISLATION IN KENYA Kenya's legislators have surprisingly added their voice in support of the transformation to electronic governance in their operations, both within parliament and in at the constituency level. During a two-day meeting held in Nairobi recently, the members of parliament (MPs) discussed various issues related to Kenya Information Society including e-government and ICT strategies in the country and what should be the role of parliamentarians in the process of implementation and monitoring. The meeting with theme: "Empowering Kenya's MPs and National Assembly staff on Building the country's Knowledge Economy," was organised by the UN's Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) and the Canadian e-Policy Resource Network (ePolNet). e-PolNet aims at supporting the implementation of the African Information Society through the provision of various kinds of expertise. The participants, who included 15 MPs, discussed how ICTs can accelerate the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and various applications like e-health, e-learning, e-commerce and open platform. This is in response to the eighth goal of MDGs, declared during the UN's Millennium Declaration in 2000, which aims to develop a global partnership for development (including a target to make available the benefits of ICTs to all the world's inhabitants). The participants resolved that there is need to take advantage of the on-going restructuring of all parliamentary committees in order to have ICT either accommodated in one of the committees or set up an independent committee on the subject. In his opening address, Mathioya MP, Joseph Kamotho, said that through the use of ICT, governments become less bureaucratic, and more efficient. "With deployment of ICTs, several opportunities that corrupt public officials normally use for their private gain are eliminated or greatly reduced therefore increasing transparency and accountability in the management of public resources," said Kamotho. Kamotho said that governments in Africa must, therefore, invest in ICT so that the public is able to monitor the performance of their representatives through the establishment of websites where citizens can get information about their institution, leaders and the laws made. On electoral processes, participants gave the example of Zambia where the voters register bears the holder's photo to stem vote rigging. (SOURCE: East African Business Week) _______________________________________________ kictanet mailing list kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet Please unsubscribe or change your options at http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/alex.gakuru%40yahoo.com Ahhh...imagining that irresistible "new car" smell? Check out new cars at Yahoo! Autos. Ahhh...imagining that irresistible "new car" smell? Check out new cars at Yahoo! Autos. _______________________________________________ kictanet mailing list kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet Please unsubscribe or change your options at http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/ngunjirijnr%40yahoo.com __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com

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Re: [kictanet] FREEDOM OF INFORMATION BILL
by Mr President 30 Apr '07

30 Apr '07

Hello Bwana PSThakns for the information and i together with others shall be honoured to attend the talks on the freedom of Information bill , that shall go a long way to making Kenya an open democratic government and an example for the rest of Africa .Look foward to meeting you then.Njenga M.Pthose who fear to fail.will never try to succeded,for to fail to plan is to plan to FAIL _______________________________________________ No banners. No pop-ups. No kidding. Make My Way your home on the Web - http://www.myway.com

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Re: [kictanet] MPS SUPPORT E-GOVERNMENT LEGISLATION IN KENYA
by Alex Gakuru 30 Apr '07

30 Apr '07

[Daily Nation] Digital villages to be set up all over Kenya to speed up access to data Story by NATION correspondent Publication Date: 2007/04/30 The Government plans to set up digital villages throughout the country, to ease access to information for its citizens. Information assistant minister Mr Koigi Wamwere said during the weekend that the villages to be set up in all the 210 constituencies, will facilitate easy access to information that would trigger economic development in those areas. Commissioning The minister was speaking in Kisumu during the commissioning of the Od Mikayi satellite information centre, where the project by the Government also received a major boost with the approval of a Sh8 billion grant by the World Bank. This will see local communities exposed to new technologies such as the internet and SMS banking. We intend to roll out the first of these projects in August, said Mr Wamwere. He added, The laying of fibre optic cables throughout the country is on course and when completed, Kenyans are going to enjoy the benefits of high speed internet connectivity. This initiative is intended to double the number of people having access to such services from 2.7 to 6 million, he said. Also targeted will be telephone subscribers, whose numbers are expected to rise significantly from the current 8.5 million to 15 million before the year ends. Learning centres We also intend to set up E- learning centres in all schools in addition to computerising all Government departments in the country. "This will enhance transparency in the running of Government affairs, said the minister. http://www.nationmedia.com/dailynation/nmgcontententry.asp?premiumid=0&cate…> ------ Alex Gakuru <alex.gakuru(a)yahoo.com> wrote: Alice, Thanks for this wonderful news. Please send me the link. Alex alice <alice(a)apc.org> wrote: --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From Balancing Act MPS SUPPORT E-GOVERNMENT LEGISLATION IN KENYA Kenya's legislators have surprisingly added their voice in support of the transformation to electronic governance in their operations, both within parliament and in at the constituency level. During a two-day meeting held in Nairobi recently, the members of parliament (MPs) discussed various issues related to Kenya Information Society including e-government and ICT strategies in the country and what should be the role of parliamentarians in the process of implementation and monitoring. The meeting with theme: "Empowering Kenya's MPs and National Assembly staff on Building the country's Knowledge Economy," was organised by the UN's Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) and the Canadian e-Policy Resource Network (ePolNet). e-PolNet aims at supporting the implementation of the African Information Society through the provision of various kinds of expertise. The participants, who included 15 MPs, discussed how ICTs can accelerate the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and various applications like e-health, e-learning, e-commerce and open platform. This is in response to the eighth goal of MDGs, declared during the UN's Millennium Declaration in 2000, which aims to develop a global partnership for development (including a target to make available the benefits of ICTs to all the world's inhabitants). The participants resolved that there is need to take advantage of the on-going restructuring of all parliamentary committees in order to have ICT either accommodated in one of the committees or set up an independent committee on the subject. In his opening address, Mathioya MP, Joseph Kamotho, said that through the use of ICT, governments become less bureaucratic, and more efficient. "With deployment of ICTs, several opportunities that corrupt public officials normally use for their private gain are eliminated or greatly reduced therefore increasing transparency and accountability in the management of public resources," said Kamotho. Kamotho said that governments in Africa must, therefore, invest in ICT so that the public is able to monitor the performance of their representatives through the establishment of websites where citizens can get information about their institution, leaders and the laws made. On electoral processes, participants gave the example of Zambia where the voters register bears the holder's photo to stem vote rigging. (SOURCE: East African Business Week) _______________________________________________ kictanet mailing list kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet Please unsubscribe or change your options at http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/alex.gakuru%40yahoo.com --------------------------------- Ahhh...imagining that irresistible "new car" smell? Check out new cars at Yahoo! Autos. --------------------------------- Ahhh...imagining that irresistible "new car" smell? Check outnew cars at Yahoo! Autos.

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MPS SUPPORT E-GOVERNMENT LEGISLATION IN KENYA
by alice 30 Apr '07

30 Apr '07

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From Balancing Act MPS SUPPORT E-GOVERNMENT LEGISLATION IN KENYA Kenya's legislators have surprisingly added their voice in support of the transformation to electronic governance in their operations, both within parliament and in at the constituency level. During a two-day meeting held in Nairobi recently, the members of parliament (MPs) discussed various issues related to Kenya Information Society including e-government and ICT strategies in the country and what should be the role of parliamentarians in the process of implementation and monitoring. The meeting with theme: "Empowering Kenya's MPs and National Assembly staff on Building the country's Knowledge Economy," was organised by the UN's Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) and the Canadian e-Policy Resource Network (ePolNet). e-PolNet aims at supporting the implementation of the African Information Society through the provision of various kinds of expertise. The participants, who included 15 MPs, discussed how ICTs can accelerate the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and various applications like e-health, e-learning, e-commerce and open platform. This is in response to the eighth goal of MDGs, declared during the UN's Millennium Declaration in 2000, which aims to develop a global partnership for development (including a target to make available the benefits of ICTs to all the world's inhabitants). The participants resolved that there is need to take advantage of the on-going restructuring of all parliamentary committees in order to have ICT either accommodated in one of the committees or set up an independent committee on the subject. In his opening address, Mathioya MP, Joseph Kamotho, said that through the use of ICT, governments become less bureaucratic, and more efficient. "With deployment of ICTs, several opportunities that corrupt public officials normally use for their private gain are eliminated or greatly reduced therefore increasing transparency and accountability in the management of public resources," said Kamotho. Kamotho said that governments in Africa must, therefore, invest in ICT so that the public is able to monitor the performance of their representatives through the establishment of websites where citizens can get information about their institution, leaders and the laws made. On electoral processes, participants gave the example of Zambia where the voters register bears the holder's photo to stem vote rigging. (SOURCE: East African Business Week)

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FW: Day 3 of 10: Day 3 - Hierarchy of IGO & ISPs
by Fiona Asonga 29 Apr '07

29 Apr '07

Begin forwarded message: From: Sammy Buruchara <HYPERLINK "mailto:buruchara@mac.com"buruchara(a)mac.com> Date: April 27, 2007 5:18:27 PM GMT+03:00 To: Kenya ICT Action Network - KICTANet <HYPERLINK "mailto:kictanet@kictanet.or.ke"kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke> Subject: Re: [kictanet] Day 3 of 10: Day 3 - Hierarchy of IGO & ISPs Dear all, I find the conclusion of this report about the IGO and ISP quite ignorant of historical facts: - The government from the onset of the Internet Industry was reluctant to license ISPs because of TKL. At the time only TKL had International Gateway License. Even 5 years after giving them ISP license, ISPs were still not allowed to setup IG operations. CCK used to visit ISPs premises routinely to check if they have illegal VSAT. State security was usually the excuse. International bandwidth from TKL was then US$8000 per 64kbs half circuit. Naturally this was somehow passed on to the client. - ISPs got the license 5 years later (2000) JamboNet was set up but still ISPs (even GSM operators) had to go through TKL for all International bandwidth whether through JamboNet or dedicated circuit. Dedicated circuit was made prohibitively higher to force ISPs to use Jambonet. - It took Tespok campaigning and even harassment by CCK of Tespok leadership before CCK could concede to actually open up the Telecoms Market in 2004. Tespok went to the Tribunal and won a case with CCK forcing them to allow operators setup International gateways. ISPs paid for this court case which cost millions. Unfortunately the authorities had other ways of permanently preventing ISPs from ever getting an International Gateway facility: Licensing fees. To setup an International gateway license the license fees was and still is Ksh 16 million. Naturally most ISPs could not afford this. In Uganda, it is a paltry US$1000. The beneficiaries of the liberalization victories were therefore not ISP but other investors who previously were not anywhere near the industry play. So came up KDN, Jamii, and all other BOGs. In fact only UUNET recently joined the group after much lobbying. The market may judge what they may about the ISP, but it is good to know that from the beginning, the govt used unusually great energy to make sure they do not succeed because they happened to threaten their favorate baby, TKL. Now if the ISPs do not add value and only increase cost, the reason? Your guess is as good as mine. The rest is history. regards Sammy Buruchara CEO - NairobiNet Online On Apr 25, 2007, at 8:36 AM, John Walubengo wrote: Thanx Alex for your comments on Day 1, for a moment I was bracing myself for a 10 day Online monologue :-(! as opposed to the planned Online dialogue. Incidentally, belated Comments on previous days themes shall remain welcome - just click on the correct subject line and make your appropriate contributions... Anyway back to today's theme- The Question of Internet Gateway Operators (IGO, the Wholesalers of Internet Bandwidth) vs Internet Service Providers (ISPs, the Retailers of Internet Bandwidth). The report recommends that seperation b/w IGO and ISPs be dissolved. This is because the current structure Internet-> IGO -> ISP -> Consumers is considered unnecessarily too long. Apparently the ISP as we know them today are not adding significant value - instead they are adding cost to the service and probably degraging the quality of the Internet eventually delivered to the Customers. Cutting down the middle-man (ISPs) may offset the costs and while increasing the quality of the internet eventually delivered to the Consumer. Is this assumption true? Does allowing IGO to directly deal with Consumer result in cheaper Internet Services while improving on the quality of the internet? 1 day on this theme, at the least, I do hope to get some reactions at from any IGOs and ISPs. walu. __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around HYPERLINK "http://mail.yahoo.com"http://mail.yahoo.com _______________________________________________ kictanet mailing list HYPERLINK "mailto:kictanet@kictanet.or.ke"kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke HYPERLINK "http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet"http://kictanet.or.ke/mailm an/listinfo/kictanet Please unsubscribe or change your options at HYPERLINK "http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/sammy%40opensystems.co.ke"ht tp://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/sammy%40opensystems.co.ke No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.463 / Virus Database: 269.6.1/777 - Release Date: 4/26/2007 3:23 PM No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.463 / Virus Database: 269.6.1/777 - Release Date: 4/26/2007 3:23 PM

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Re: [kictanet] [ke-internetusers] Digital villages the way to go
by bitange＠jambo.co.ke 28 Apr '07

28 Apr '07

The SME debate here has brought out significant findings in the sense that inspite of the many information documents that we give, we have not either read all of them or chosen to ignore the facts and present opinions. If you read for example, the Summary National ICT Master Plan (Issued in February)under ICT Software, the Government has commited to encourage at least 50% of government software procurement is sourced from local software developers. Most local developers are SMEs. The Government from July will support cost of bandwidth for BPOs, Digital Villages and Universities in an effort to stimulate ICT growth. In July the Government will train thousands of ICT entrepreneurs to take advantages of emerging ICT opportunities. In essense, the Government has done its part. My message is to encourage you to emphasize available opportunities. Enable our people to understand these opportunities. The message I am getting from you is that most of us would rather complain permanently. Let us convert the energies for discussions into action. We need yourhelp in executing the digital village initiatives. Asante Bitange Ndemo. ---------------------------------------------- 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 costs set to drop as government rolls out fibre optics plan
by alice 28 Apr '07

28 Apr '07

Written by Kui Kinyanjui The cost of telephony and Internet connections is expected to drop by 80 per cent in 24 months thanks to an ambitious information technology project that aims to position Kenya as one of the most wired countries on the continent. Yesterday, the Government announced that it had set in motion a project that will see the country's 124 districts linked by a fibre optic raising the stakes in what has become the fastest growing sector in the economy. More than 5,000km of fibre optic cable will be laid to all corners of the country to serve as a national backbone that will provide consumers with access to broadband internet. "This infrastructure will serve as the pillar on which services will ride to support the demands of a modern economy," said Bitange Ndemo, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Information. The government has committed to financing the project to the tune of $50 million (Sh3.5bn) hoping to provide high speed connectivity to areas that have thus far been ignored. Upon completion, the National Optic Fibre project is expected to herald the transformation of Kenya into top notch ICT country where consumers will have access to high-end market services such as cable and internet protocol television. Africa Analysis, a South African research firm estimates that Kenya's broadband data services market will grow by nearly 600 per cent between 2006 and 2011. Much of that growth will come from rural and home users as well as increased use of enhanced services such as tele-medicine and e- education as the cost of Internet connectivity drops. It is also expected that the terrestrial fibre network will create new business opportunities for entrepreneur, who can piggy-back on the Government's investment to extend ICT services to the rural folk. "With this infrastructure, we expect to attract service providers to remote and marginal areas at lower costs," said John Waweru, director- general of the Communications Commission of Kenya (CCK) that is overseeing the project. Mr Waweru said the fibre optics project is part of a bigger plan to make the country an Information, Communications and Technology (ICT) hub. It will be hinged on the 600km terrestrial fibre optic cable that Telkom Kenya has laid between the coastal city of Mombasa and Malaba town on the Kenya-Uganda border via Nairobi. "Our aim is to move the country to an infrastructure sharing system to reduce costs," Dr Ndemo said. Kenya Data Networks, a private firm that has invested millions of shillings in a cable connecting Mombasa to Busia via Nairobi yesterday shrugged off fears that it may be a victim of the initiative. "The more infrastructure that is in place, the better for the consumer," said David Owino, the general manger at KDN. Fibre optic cables can carry more data than satellite technology, which to date is the key infrastructure of internet services in Kenya. The government, who will seek to raise the $50 million for the national backbone project through grants, concessions and loans, has already short-listed nine international firms who have been invited to tender for the project. The range of international companies short-listed vying for the project includes Chinese Huawei and ZTE corporations, Sagem, Alcatel- Lucent and Siemens. "Africa is the new hot spot for telecommunications projects," said Sun Jun of ZTE. "The telecommunications market has a lot of potential in this country." NOFBI indicates the executive is giving the nod to the ICT industry to take up its position as an economic driver. As a service sector, the communications industry is contributing increasingly large amounts to the national kitty. Services now contribute to 65 per cent of the country's economy. In 2005, the ICT sector's contribution was pegged at over 10 per cent, up from 9 per cent in 2004. http://bdafrica.com/index2.php? <http://bdafrica.com/index2.php?> option=com_content&task=view&id=690&pop=1&page=0&Itemid=3094 _

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Digital villages the way to go
by Jose' 28 Apr '07

28 Apr '07

SMEs from the communial level need to be exposed to ICT possibilities to save them too much paper work and equiping them to be professional. My take on how to reduce the 16 million people living in abject poverty is for us IT stake holders to invest on DIGITAL VILLAGES thus impacting the communities that are around us with IT skills. I am so challanged with Microsoft south africa.Out of the 15 running digital villages,Microsoft is pertnering with south african communities and the SA Ministry of Communication and they are setting up upto 50 more digital villages this year.To be run by the comminities themselves.The initive of Microsoft to set up these Digital villages in south africa started five years ago. Our vision as we try to partner with the Ministry of commuication is to intergrate university students living near the Digital villages to come and practice by implimenting what they've learnt in the Digital centres. We need to train the Police,Electral commision,City council workers on how to make IT more productive in there perticular departments. I am still puzzled by police Stations when you go report a crime.They remove this big book and you have to explain one sentence at a time as they write on the book.This digital villages can train the police on how to use simple programs like Ms-word and train them on typing skills. Also for the electral commision.For you to see if your name has been registared,a big book will be opened and you have to wait for like 15 minuites before they get your name.This digital villages will train them on how to use Ms-Excell.they just click the search engine and find your name in a flash. The city council lets not even go there.Too much paper work!!You have to leave your requst and come after a week before its found. Lets copy the south Africans on how they are outlaying this Digital centres.Its not in vain.Imagine everybody in your community being computer literate and government workers.its going to be fantastic!! I herby attatch this URL from the btimes in south Africa. http://www.btimes.co.za/99/0926/survey/survey06.htm Best Regards, Jose' Njuki-Imwe Ngunjiri || +254 722 336754 || __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com

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My take on this: 27th April
by Mr President 27 Apr '07

27 Apr '07

Hi AliceThe thoughts you express are mutual to many i have spoken to about the "preparedness" for the anticipated Optical Fiber roll outMy view-together with others- is to compile a ckeck lis of what needs to be done vis what has to be done,Namely personnel to operate.Technical satff to install and later repairWorkshops/ repair shops and tools for the aboveMethods of quality control and licencing for playersCapacity building of the sameThen the secondary issues of;Content wether local or not.The incubation centers for trainingThe facilities currently avilable for the same.Ownership of the same for finance/loan/grasnts to the sameCapacity for student intake�Teachers or trainers database for distribution nationwide.Other issues would be;�Is equipment available locally or notIf to be imported would tax exemption benefit the consumer ?What would be the cost of service per minute Or per hour ? 100/= per day ?For teleworking, E-learning, E-medicine etc online cost is an important factor to be considered as with the recent release, stating income-rural- levels and priorities for spending incomeFor the majority who earn less than a dollar a day a nominal fee would make sense, the list is just but an idea tho not comprehensive, a detailed list can- in FACT -should be made.Have a blessed week endRegards Njenga M.Pthose who fear to fail.will never try to succeded,for to fail to plan is to plan to FAIL _______________________________________________ No banners. No pop-ups. No kidding. Make My Way your home on the Web - http://www.myway.com

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NSE Stock Calculator
by Bill Kagai 27 Apr '07

27 Apr '07

Dear All, The MediaCorp Research Unit is excited to introduce the MediaCorp Stock Calculator. The calculator intelligently analyses 6 key factors over a seven year historical period through market fundamentals to help you beat the odds when investing in the Nairobi Stock Exchange. Please find attached the analysis of the calculator and make your own intelligent choice. Are you investing in the right companies? What do you know about the companies you have put your money in to?? With kind Regards, Bildad Kagai MediaCorp Limited www.mediacorp.co.ke

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Day 4 of 10: CCK Internet Study-The Statistics on (Domestic) Infrastructure � 1day
by John Walubengo 27 Apr '07

27 Apr '07

Morning all, I think today we could take a look at the domestic (internet) infrastructure. The report indicates that even though ISPs were present in all the 8 Provinces, they were hardly present at the districts level covering only 30% of the districts in Kenya. They operate a total of about 3,000 leased lines (mostly concentrated in NRB & MBSA). In addition, there is a total of 400,000 dial-up lines in the country thought the report is silent on whether all these dial-up lines are hooked up on the Internet. Finally, the local internet exchange point (Kenya Internet eXchange Point) continues to register low figures indicating low domestic internet use. In its recommendation, the report urgest the Government to drive the build up exercise of extending the domestic internet infrastructure. Woud this sufficiently address the poor penetration of the domestic internet nfrastructure or could there be other interventions. 1 day + the Weekend on this one, the floor is open. walu. __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com

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Re: [kictanet] Day 2 Internet Study- International & Domestic Bandwidth Usage
by Jose' 27 Apr '07

27 Apr '07

Hi Walu, You ask what can be done to make us be exporters? Answer:-Human resource development is a very fundamnetal way of making us export bandwith.We need to provide individuals(web developers) with skills and access to information,knowledge and traing that will catalyze them to think and explore on grounds of export thus enabling them to perform effectively. Simply,let us all invest our resources to capacity building strategies. Whats your input Alex? Best Regards, Jose' Njuki-Imwe Ngunjiri || +254 722 336754 || ----- Original Message ---- From: John Walubengo <jwalu(a)yahoo.com> To: ngunjirijnr(a)yahoo.com Sent: Tuesday, April 24, 2007 9:13:04 AM Subject: [kictanet] Day 2 Internet Study- International & Domestic Bandwidth Usage Hi all, Yesterday was the most silent deliberation I have ever had - am told it may have been caused by the excitement of the 'Free PC & Cheap Internet' from LK and KDN... Any I do hope today we shall have some response on the above topic which incidentally have a bearing on the long-term success or otherwise of similar 'Free PC & Cheap Internet' initiatives...the question of International vs Domestic Internet Bandwidth. The Internet Study says that of the about 1G International International Bandwidth only 10% is outbound while 90% is inbound. What this mean is that kenya is a net IMPORTER of internet content. In internet economic terms we are therefore consumers rather than generators of internet content - which is a bad thing. Value is always retained by those who generate rather than just consume internet content i.e. the exporters of internet content. Put in another way, all the International bandwidth (KDN, Jamii & others) buys (imports) on our behalf implies that someone in the Northern hemisphere is getting paid for it - wouldn't it be better that KDN, Jamii & others get to sell (export) the same amount of bandwidth to consumers in the North? What can be done to get that to happen? Are the recommendations in the report sufficient to address this imbalance? 1 day discussion on this theme, the floor is open... walu. __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com _______________________________________________ kictanet mailing list kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet Please unsubscribe or change your options at http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/ngunjirijnr%40yahoo.com __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com

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Fw: INTERNATIONAL SUMMIT TO ADDRESS FUTURE OF BROADBAND
by Florence Etta 27 Apr '07

27 Apr '07

FYI sorry for cross poting. FE -----Original Message----- From: cu-wireless-announce-bounces(a)lists.cuwireless.net [mailto:cu-wireless-announce-bounces@lists.cuwireless.net] On Behalf Of Sascha Meinrath Sent: Monday, April 23, 2007 3:24 PM To: cu-wireless-announce(a)cuwin.net Subject: [CUWiN Press Release] Community Wireless Summit May 18-20,2007 -- Washington, DC. Contact: Sascha Meinrath Executive Director CUWiN Foundation summit(a)cuwin.net 217-278-3933 x31 INTERNATIONAL SUMMIT TO ADDRESS FUTURE OF BROADBAND -- Community Technology Leaders from Six Continents to Participate -- Champaign-Urbana, I.L., April 18 -- The CUWiN Foundation and the Center for Community Informatics (CCI) will host the International Summit for Community Wireless Networks (http://WirelessSummit.org) from May 18-20, 2007 at Loyola College in Columbia, Maryland. The summit is the largest gathering of wireless network developers, technology and policy experts, and community organizers working to build universal, low-cost broadband networks around the world. "We are proud to host an event that brings together technologists and activists committed to universal access to informatics," said Marco Figueiredo, CCI Director. "The International Summit for Community Wireless Networks explores the opportunities and challenges facing the growing movement to build community and municipal broadband networks," said Sascha Meinrath, co-founder and Executive Director of CUWiN. "This event showcases cutting-edge technologies and develops political strategies to increase digital inclusion." Since the first National Summit for Community Wireless Networks in 2004, over 300 Community Internet and municipal broadband projects have sprung up in the United States alone. The Summit will focus on how these networks can better serve their target populations, the policies needed to support broader deployment of community wireless systems, and the latest technological and software innovations. Presenters at previous summits have included FCC Commissioner Jonathan Adelstein, Jim Baller of the Baller Herbst Law Group, Annie Collins of Fiber for Our Future, Mark Cooper of the Consumer Federation of America, Harold Feld of Media Access Project, Robert W. McChesney of Free Press, Matt Rantanen of Tribal Digital Village, Greg Richardson of Civitium LLC, Paul Smith of the Center for Neighborhood Technologies, Jim Snider of the New America Foundation, Dana Spiegel of NYCwireless, Esme Vos of Muniwireless.com and many other luminaries. "High-speed broadband access is the electricity of the 21st century, yet many rural and poorer urban communities are being left off the grid," said Ben Scott, policy director of Free Press, the DC-based policy think-tank. "The innovators and organizers at the International Summit for Community Wireless Networks are blazing the trail to make broadband affordable and available to everyone." About CUWiN (http://www.cuwin.net) The CUWiN Foundation is a world-renowned coalition of wireless developers and community volunteers committed to providing low-cost, do-it-yourself, community-controlled alternatives to contemporary broadband models. CUWiN is fiscally sponsored by Grassroots.org, a non-profit 501c3. CUWiN's mission is to develop decentralized, community-owned networks that foster democratic cultures and local content. Through advocacy and through our commitment to open source technology, CUWiN supports organic networks that grow to meet the needs of their communities. About CCI (http://cci.cs.loyola.edu) The Center for Community Informatics engages Loyola College's students, faculty and staff in supporting the creation and deployment of informatics tools for community empowerment. CCI develops the Community Telecenter Free Software Toolset; promotes awareness events for the Loyola College community; offer courses in Community Informatics; promotes Digital Inclusion Conferences; researches and develops human-friendly technologies to facilitate inclusion in the New Society of Knowledge; and, evaluates, documents and develops sustainable models for Universal Access to Informatics. # # # _______________________________________________ CU-Wireless-Announce mailing list CU-Wireless-Announce(a)lists.cuwireless.net http://lists.chambana.net/cgi-bin/listinfo/cu-wireless-announce ___________________________________________________________ Yahoo! Mail is the world's favourite email. Don't settle for less, sign up for your free account today http://uk.rd.yahoo.com/evt=44106/*http://uk.docs.yahoo.com/mail/winter07.ht…

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Fwd: WiMax bypasses the Bells
by Alex Gakuru 27 Apr '07

27 Apr '07

Alex Gakuru <alex.gakuru(a)yahoo.com> wrote: Date: Thu, 26 Apr 2007 21:29:30 -0700 (PDT) From: Alex Gakuru <alex.gakuru(a)yahoo.com> Subject: WiMax bypasses the Bells To: ke-internetusers(a)bdix.net [Excellent technology eliminating many bandwidth middlemen resulting in reduced consumer costs. ("Bells" broadly refers cable monopoly telcos] [INFOWORLD] WiMax bypasses the Bells Posted by Jill Terry on April 26, 2007 03:00 AM Are Towerstream's metro meshes harbingers of freedom from Internet tiering? Internet tiering, the practice of assigning smaller subscribers reduced qualities of service, bugs the hell out of me. It's a move to reapportion bandwidth in oversold markets without lowering the price of service for those whose quality is reduced. Why, some wonder, can't we work around this? Entrepreneurs could buy enough telco bandwidth to qualify for top tier status, then chop up that bandwidth and resell it with the governors removed. The catch is that bandwidth resellers are stuck using the copper and fiber networks owned by the telcos against which they compete. They have to place their equipment in telcos' central offices in order to distribute their services. When tiering kicks in, telcos can stick bandwidth resellers, and therefore their subscribers, into whatever tier they like based on criteria fabricated by telcos. There is a way around this scam, or rather, above it. Towerstream is succeeding where a lot of would-be wireless Internet players have failed. It supplies scalable Internet connectivity to businesses in metropolitan areas through a web of WiMax transceivers. My interest is less in WiMax technology than in what Towerstream does with it. Its business model is almost impossibly simple and practically impervious to telco interference. It works like this: Towerstream leases small plots of space on the rooftops of office buildings. You'd never know it, but that's hot real estate up there, and most of Towerstream's early development hinged on snagging enough rooftop space to blanket the cities it serves. When Towerstream wins a spot on a roof, many of the buildings have telephony facilities and hosting providers on or near the top floors. Towerstream grabs a gigabit link from each of them, and through the magic of the WiMax mesh, adds to its total available bandwidth and eliminates the risk that subscribers face when they buy their bandwidth from a single carrier. This isn�t a tale of a telecommunications Robin Hood. At $500/month, its lowest-tier T-1 service (1.5 Mbps upstream and downstream) hovers around or slightly above average pricing for markets it serves. However, Towerstream gives its customers three extras that can make its service priceless. First, that T-1 includes DSL-like 3 Mbps "best effort" service; you get up to twice as much bandwidth when the network's not crowded. Towerstream offers a service level agreement (SLA) that's incomparably sweet for smaller subscribers: 99.99 percent guaranteed availability, a maximum of 75 ms round trip to the backbone and a max of 1 percent packet loss. And lastly, Towerstream's network assigns high QOS (quality of service) priority to VoIP traffic, so it's practical for a business to use its WiMax Internet service to offset its wired telephony costs. Did I say three extras? I missed the one that's the point of the whole story. You might recall that Towerstream buys its bandwidth in multiples of a gigabit, which puts it in the top tier in even the craftiest telco's book. Towerstream chops up that bandwidth and resells it, but there's no copper, no fiber, and no telco-owned infrastructure in the picture. Unless Towerstream loosens the 75 ms round trip delay and 1 percent packet loss provisions, it's promising that even its bottom end, T-1 customers won't be tiered. Neither wired nor wireless bandwidth can be free because the infrastructure costs too much to build and maintain, but Towerstream shows telcos for the carpetbaggers they are and presents a model for escaping their clutches. It's not perfect: Only residents of metro areas including New York, Chicago, Boston, and San Francisco are reached by Towerstream, and Towerstream has no plans to reach out to or beyond the 'burbs. But Towerstream counsels would-be WiMax players aiming for smaller markets. Telcos, the future of the Internet is way over your head. <http://weblog.infoworld.com/yager/archives/2007/04/wimax_bypasses.html?sour…> --------------------------------- Ahhh...imagining that irresistible "new car" smell? Check out new cars at Yahoo! Autos. --------------------------------- Ahhh...imagining that irresistible "new car" smell? Check outnew cars at Yahoo! Autos.

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[Fwd: [APC Forum] Job vacancy at GreenNet]
by alice 26 Apr '07

26 Apr '07

-------- Original Message -------- Hi All, As GreenNet looks to put more energy into engaging and supporting our user community, an exciting opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic and technically skilled person to join our user-support team. Please circulate to anyone you think might be interested. Unfortunately we can't pay relocation costs for applicants from outside the UK, but we can offer support and advice on any necessary immigration requirements and accommodation arrangements. Anna ------------------------------------------------------ *GreenNet Logo Part-Time User Support Position at GreenNet* * Location: Central London / Old Street * Start Date: June 2007 * Salary: £25,680 per annum pro rata * Leave: 28 days per annum pro rata * Part-time (2-3 days a week): 9.30am-5.30pm * Deadline for Applications: 14th May 2007 *General Background:* GreenNet is a workers' collective, with a horizontal management structure. All staff are involved in decision making and strategic planning, and contribute to a friendly and supportive working environment. We provide networking support to social justice organisations and activists, and take an active role in campaigns for the promotion of communication rights. For more on GreenNet, see http://www.gn.apc.org *Duties:* * Answering user support queries by email, phone, and occasionally in person * Giving advice on configuration of a variety of email programs, web browsers, FTP clients and dial-up connections on most versions of Windows and Mac OS * Troubleshooting user website, email and connection problems * Basic mail, web and DNS server systems administration on Linux * Providing a link between users' online needs and service development at GreenNet * Promoting and offering advice on GreenNet services * Developing improved systems and processes for support and administration * Maintaining the support section of the GreenNet web site and developing support materials * Keeping abreast of ICT products and services & monitoring markets and competitors * Liaison with suppliers to provide best connectivity and services for users * Liaising with the technical team to contribute to software and technical developments * Outreach to the user community, overseeing printed materials, content and advertising exchanges * Overseeing volunteers where necessary * General contributions to the work of the collective (e.g. minute taking, planning, representing GreenNet in public, maintaining ethical policies, training) *Essential Skills:* * Good knowledge of the internet, email and related technologies * Good troubleshooting skills * Knowledge of most commonly-used email client programs (Outlook Express, Thunderbird, Eudora) and web browsers (Internet Explorer, Firefox) * Good knowledge of PC operating systems (Windows 95 – Vista, including NT) and Macs (Mac OS 8.5 to X) * Knowledge of at least one programming language * Interest and capacity for rapidly acquiring new technical skills * A willingness to participate and contribute to the collective management of GreenNet * A good service-orientated attitude and good telephone manner – patience essential! * Ability to explain complex technical information in a jargon-free way to people of wide-ranging abilities * Understanding of the voluntary sector working environment *Desirable skills:* * Interest in communication rights, Open Source software, social justice and environmental issues * Creativity and imagination in support, service development and skill sharing * Linux systems administration skills * Knowledge of networking (LAN, WAN, ADSL) and network troubleshooting * Interest or experience in website development and programming * Campaigning or project management experience *Application Requirements* Please send your CV and covering letter by E-mail to jobs(a)gn.apc.org, with *User Support Vacancy* in the subject line ____________________________________________ Anna Feldman GreenNet Web Projects Developer APC Wireless Connectivity Project Coordinator anna(a)gn.apc.org | http://www.gn.apc.org | http://www.apc.org/ T: +44 (0)20 7065 0940 +44 (0)20 8986 2893 F: +44 (0)20 7065 0936 ____________________________________________ ======================================= APC Forum is a meeting place for the APC community - people and institutions who are or have been involved in collaboration with APC, and share the APC vision - a world in which all people have easy, equal and affordable access to the creative potential of information and communication technologies (ICTs) to improve their lives and create more democratic and egalitarian societies. _______________________________________________ apc.forum mailing list apc.forum(a)lists.apc.org http://lists.apc.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/apc.forum

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Day 3 of 10: Day 3 - Hierarchy of IGO & ISPs
by John Walubengo 26 Apr '07

26 Apr '07

Thanx Alex for your comments on Day 1, for a moment I was bracing myself for a 10 day Online monologue :-(! as opposed to the planned Online dialogue. Incidentally, belated Comments on previous days themes shall remain welcome - just click on the correct subject line and make your appropriate contributions... Anyway back to today's theme- The Question of Internet Gateway Operators (IGO, the Wholesalers of Internet Bandwidth) vs Internet Service Providers (ISPs, the Retailers of Internet Bandwidth). The report recommends that seperation b/w IGO and ISPs be dissolved. This is because the current structure Internet-> IGO -> ISP -> Consumers is considered unnecessarily too long. Apparently the ISP as we know them today are not adding significant value - instead they are adding cost to the service and probably degraging the quality of the Internet eventually delivered to the Customers. Cutting down the middle-man (ISPs) may offset the costs and while increasing the quality of the internet eventually delivered to the Consumer. Is this assumption true? Does allowing IGO to directly deal with Consumer result in cheaper Internet Services while improving on the quality of the internet? 1 day on this theme, at the least, I do hope to get some reactions at from any IGOs and ISPs. walu. __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com

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successful journalists workshop
by Rebecca Wanjiku 26 Apr '07

26 Apr '07

hi, KICTANet together with ICT media network held a successful workshop this morning brought together more than 30 journalists was addressed by PS Ndemo and DG Waweru we are having the monthly forum this afternoon at 3pm..... dont miss the forum at Jacaranda... becky Rebecca Wanjiku, journalist, p.o box 33515, Nairobi.00600 Kenya. Tel. 254 720 318 925 blog:http://beckyit.blogspot.com/ --------------------------------- Ahhh...imagining that irresistible "new car" smell? Check outnew cars at Yahoo! Autos.

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Fw: [COMO Alliance] Public Interest Media Activism and Advocacy as a Social Movement: A Review of the Literature
by Florence Etta 26 Apr '07

26 Apr '07

FYI Public Interest Media Activism and Advocacy as a Social Movement: A Review of the Literature Abstract This report examines the academic literature focused on public interest media and communications activism and advocacy within the U.S. and abroad (labeled, in the name of brevity, the “media reform” movement throughout this report). This report first seeks to outline the parameters of the movement under consideration, in terms of the primary conceptual frames employed, outcomes pursued, and strategic approaches. As this section illustrates, the media reform movement is characterized by a diverse array of conceptual frames (ranging from “media reform” to “media justice” to “communication rights” to “media democracy”), and a hesitancy at this point to coalesce around a single unifying frame. The movement is similarly diverse in terms of its outcome priorities and in terms of the strategic approaches employed by its various member organizations. The second section of the report charts the origins and evolution of the research in this field. As this section illustrates, over time the analytical approach that scholars have brought to the topic increasingly has adopted a social movement theory perspective. The third section considers the media reform movement as a social movement, identifying key recurring themes in the literature related to the interaction between media reform and other social movements, to the relationship between social movements and the media, and to the organization and performance of the organizations driving the media reform movement. As this section illustrates, media reform is unique in the extent to which its goals can facilitate the success of other social movements, but also is uniquely hampered by the extent to which traditional mainstream media are motivated to deny press coverage to media reform. This section also highlights some of the most common critiques leveled at the media reform movement, ranging from a lack of coordination and collaboration between groups, to a lack of a strong nation-wide constituency, to a primarily reactive orientation toward policy issues. The concluding section summarizes the key findings of the report and offers a series of recommendations related to strategic approaches for the movement and to avenues for future research. Key Findings n The academic literature on the media reform movement is much more extensive than has previously been suggested, due in large part to tremendous growth in the literature in recent years, as well as due to the diverse terminology used to describe the movement (which can confound efforts to assemble an appropriately inclusive body of literature). n A significant proportion of the literature is internally generated (i.e., produced by individuals involved in the movement). n The tendency among scholars to conceptualize media reform as a social movement has become more common in recent years. n The media reform movement frequently has been characterized as unique due to the extent to which the ends of the movement support key means by which other social movements achieve their goals. n The media reform movement frequently has been characterized as subservient to broader social movements, given its tight linkages throughout its history to social movements such as civil rights, yet evidence of strong and systematic linkages between media reform and other social movements has been lacking. n The media reform movement frequently has been characterized as highly fragmented, lacking substantial inter-group coordination, and lacking a sufficiently large constituency. n The media reform movement frequently has been characterized as reaching its peak in the late 1960s and early 1970s, but also becoming highly rejuvenated within the past decade, in terms of public interest organization activity, citizen interest, and funding support. _______________________________________________ COMO_Alliance mailing list COMO_Alliance(a)lists.asc.upenn.edu http://lists.asc.upenn.edu/mailman/listinfo/como_alliance ___________________________________________________________ Yahoo! Answers - Got a question? Someone out there knows the answer. Try it now. http://uk.answers.yahoo.com/

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Day 4 of 10:- Standby
by John Walubengo 26 Apr '07

26 Apr '07

Hi all, Its encouraging to see comments finally beginning to emerge. I feel it necessary to postpone Day 4 (The Statistics on Infrastructure) to tomorrow so that we can have more time to dwell particularly on the Day 2 'International & Domestic Bandwidth Usage' & Day 3 'Hierarchy of Providers (IBP,ISP)' themes. Kudos in particular to Alex, Michuki & LK for your insights so far. I can't believe we have not heard from Kai - hope he is not on a (butter?)-flight somewhere (;-) walu. __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com

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members meeting today
by Rebecca Wanjiku 26 Apr '07

26 Apr '07

just to remind you of the meeting today at 3pm the theme will be e-learning, please plan to attend... Kictanet counts on you, you are Kictanet.... regards becky __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com

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Day 2 Internet Study- International & Domestic Bandwidth Usage
by John Walubengo 25 Apr '07

25 Apr '07

Hi all, Yesterday was the most silent deliberation I have ever had - am told it may have been caused by the excitement of the 'Free PC & Cheap Internet' from LK and KDN... Any I do hope today we shall have some response on the above topic which incidentally have a bearing on the long-term success or otherwise of similar 'Free PC & Cheap Internet' initiatives...the question of International vs Domestic Internet Bandwidth. The Internet Study says that of the about 1G International International Bandwidth only 10% is outbound while 90% is inbound. What this mean is that kenya is a net IMPORTER of internet content. In internet economic terms we are therefore consumers rather than generators of internet content - which is a bad thing. Value is always retained by those who generate rather than just consume internet content i.e. the exporters of internet content. Put in another way, all the International bandwidth (KDN, Jamii & others) buys (imports) on our behalf implies that someone in the Northern hemisphere is getting paid for it - wouldn't it be better that KDN, Jamii & others get to sell (export) the same amount of bandwidth to consumers in the North? What can be done to get that to happen? Are the recommendations in the report sufficient to address this imbalance? 1 day discussion on this theme, the floor is open... walu. __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com

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close debate on free PC's
by Rebecca Wanjiku 25 Apr '07

25 Apr '07

just to let you know that we have closed the debate on free PC's et al please focus the debate on the ongoing discussion on interconnectivity, local content.. et al here is the latest comment by Michuki have your say.... ----- Original Message ---- From: Michuki Mwangi <michuki(a)kenic.or.ke> To: rebeccawanjiku(a)yahoo.com Sent: Wednesday, April 25, 2007 1:44:39 PM Subject: Re: [kictanet] Day 2 Internet Study- International & Domestic Bandwidth Usage Hi Walu, John Walubengo wrote: > The Internet Study says that of the about 1G International > International Bandwidth only 10% is outbound while 90% is > inbound. What this mean is that kenya is a net IMPORTER of > internet content. In internet economic terms we are > therefore consumers rather than generators of internet > content - which is a bad thing. Value is always retained > by those who generate rather than just consume internet > content i.e. the exporters of internet content. > Less than 50% of the International content is relevant to us yet it makes up 90% of our inbound traffic. That means that there is a potential of more than 50% percent of local content yet to be realised and monetized. >What can be done to get that to happen? IMHO, i see the following as key catalysts to the growth of local content in order to change the status quo. Before we think of exporting content, we need to have sufficient & relevant local content to the users. 1) ISPs & Service providers need to introduce creative products that focus more on local content. For instance an unlimited Internet connection for kshs 1,000 giving one unlimited local access per month. By local access means - can access any locally hosted website and send emails off a local web-based mail system. With affordability but lack of sufficient local content will spur; o creation of local user generated content o Better information on local corporate websites o Introduction of local online Gaming & entertainment o Introduction of online Services i.e banking, shopping, e-gov 2) Looking at the graphs availed (KIXP stats). The stats (picks and drops) are replayed across the International circuits at night and weekends for all operators. Thus the service providers need to monetize their services in Megabit per Second. This will mean that they can offer lower traffic rates i.e kshs 1,000 per month for unlimited Internet from 7pm to 7am and full weekends and national holidays. Looking at points 1 & 2 above it would be feasible (please note the values are just hypothetical) to have unlimited local and international night access for Kshs 2,000 per month for x Kbps of capacity. As the enterprising citizens of Kenya have found ways of monetizing SMS's - the same would apply to web content, email etc. Of course this would spawn off issues of net-neutrality but then we would be more conversant with the issues. 3) As a first step towards e-learning, if the academic sector would (initially the colleges and universities) have all student assignments, essays, reports etc submited online with the internally graded results being posted & accessed online. In essence it will trigger a demand for both computing and Internet resources. Being local content the above products 1 & 2 can serve the day-scholars and the boarders probably paying a flat rate of Kshs 500 per month for unlimited access to the university online resources and local Internet. As a result this will spur; o Academic/Scientific research content & traffic o enhance e-learning products and services o User generated content o Local social online networks. In summary, the infrastructure providers will keep investing as long as there's a business case. So far, there is immense Internet infrastructure capacity on the ground and more being laid out. But quite honestly its highly underutilized. The situation may not change significantly if special focus and emphasis is given to availability of local and RELEVANT content. Kenya is amongst the only two countries in Africa that have the core elements of the Internet locally namely the DNS Root Servers (F and J), the main TLD Root Servers (.KE, .COM and .NET) and a Gigabit capacity Exchange point. We need to take advantage of these resources and infrastructure sooner rather than later. > 1 day discussion on this theme, the floor is open... > Pole this comes more later than the set time. my 2 cents, -- Michuki Mwangi KENIC _______________________________________________ kictanet mailing list kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet Please unsubscribe or change your options at http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/rebeccawanjiku%40yahoo.com __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com

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forum and workshop
by Rebecca Wanjiku 25 Apr '07

25 Apr '07

please note that the workshop program starts at 8.30 am to 1pm the monthly forum starts at 3pm to 5.15pm i hope to see you there........ regards becky __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com

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forum prog.
by Rebecca Wanjiku 25 Apr '07

25 Apr '07

KICTANet MONTHLY FORUM THURSDAY APRIL 26, 2007 PROGRAMME TIME ACTIVITY 3.00- 3.15pm introduction 3.15-3.35pm E-learning initiatives by Ministry of Education- Andrew Gakiria 3:45-3.50pm Q&A 3.50-4.20pm e-learning- the e-picture- Fatma Bashir 4.20-4.25pm Q&A 4.25- 4.50pm Reviving village polytechnics E-learning initiatives by Ministry of Youth 4.50- 5:15pm Q&A 5.15 pm Tea GUESTS LEAVE AT THEIR PLEASURE __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com

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Free Internet on KDN's Butterfly
by Vincent Wang'ombe 25 Apr '07

25 Apr '07

Dear Listers, We are in the process of testing some new features on our metropolitan Wi-Fi network, Butterfly. We will be providing free internet access on the Butterfly network over this weekend (28th and 29th) in Nairobi, Mombasa and Kisumu. We would like to request KICTANET Listers who have Wi-Fi capable computers or PDAs to please try out the service and provide us with feedback on the experience. For those who would like to try and don't have Wi-Fi Kit, we'll be happy to "hook you up". Please help us in our endeavor to make Nairobi, Mombasa and Kisumu the first seamless Wi-Fi Cities in Africa. Your support will be highly appreciated. Regards, Vincent Wang'ombe Kenya Data Networks Tel: +254 20 556755, 828271 Fax: +254 20 828685 URL: www.kdn.co.ke <file:///\\fileserver\OpenArea\UserShares\stanley.nganga\E-mail%20Signature\ www.kdn.co.ke> Visit us on www.Butterfly.co.ke for more information.

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workshop prog
by Rebecca Wanjiku 25 Apr '07

25 Apr '07

The topic of the inaugural workshop is: FIBRE OPTIC CABLE: Financing models, ownership, business models and regulations. DATE: THURSDAY 26 APRIL 2007 VENUE: JACARANDA HOTEL KEYNOTE ADDRESS: CCK DIRECTOR-GENERAL, ENG. JOHN WAWERU OFFICIAL OPENING: PS, MIN. OF INFORMATION & COMMUNICATION, DR. BITANGE NDEMO Find enclosed a copy of the programme. PROGRAMME FOR FIRST ICT MEDIA NETWORK WORKSHOP ON THURSDAY APRIL 26, 20007 AT JACARANDA HOTEL ON: FIBRE OPTIC CABLE: Financing models, ownership, business models and regulations TIME ACTIVITY 8:30-9:00 Registration 9:00-9.45 Opening Remarks by CCK Director-General, Eng. John Waweru 9:45-10:15 Official opening by PS in the Ministry of Information and Communication, Dr. Bitange Ndemo 10:15-10:30 Q&A 10.30-10:45 Tea Break 10:45-11:30 John Walubengo, Lecturer, KCCT 11:30- 12:15 Alex Gakuru, CEO, Consumer Association of Kenya 12:15-12:30 Q&A Vote of thanks Eric Ombok 12:30- 1:30 Lunch GUESTS LEAVE AT THEIR PLEASURE __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com

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Re: [kictanet] Free PC and cheap Internet for SMEs/Home Users
by judy okite 25 Apr '07

25 Apr '07

Hi, Just one Q: The connection cost comes to approximately 72k,is this per PC? Kind Regards, --- kictanet-bounces+judyokite=yahoo.com(a)kictanet.or.ke <lkimani(a)comnews.co.ke> wrote: > Alex, Joan, Florence and Njorohio, and all our well wishers: > > On behalf of Alunite, let me thank you very much for the kudos. > > Njorohio, if you already have a standalone PC and just need connection > call us, and we will review your requirements, and come up with an offer > you can not resist. > > Alunite is extremely serious about being the ISP for the "People by the > People" > > There will be something for everybody in the Alunite DSL "Kiondo" > > > Lucy Kimani > on behalf of > Alunite Communications, Ltd. > 020-273-7155 > > > Hi All > > This is great and will assist the SMES > > However I think the SMEs and even homeworkers can afford the PC but the > > hindrance has been the cost of the Bandwidth. > > Can the company consider as an alternative the charge for the link only. > > This may persuade those firms with standalone computers to subscribe to > > the service. > > Cheers > > > > Njorohio > > > > > > Florence Etta <feanywhere(a)yahoo.co.uk> wrote: Brilliant!! > > > > > > Florence Etta > > > > > > ----- Original Message ---- > > From: Joan Walumbe <jwalumbe(a)globalnetcorps.org> > > To: feanywhere(a)yahoo.co.uk > > Sent: Monday, 23 April, 2007 4:16:18 PM > > Subject: Re: [kictanet] Fwd: [ke-internetusers] Free PC and cheap Internet > > forSMEs and Home Users > > > > Thanks Alex for the info, > > > > This is actually a great idea. Would you have a contact number or email > > address for Alunite? > > > > Joan Walumbe > > ----- Original Message ----- > > From: Alex Gakuru > > To: Kictanet > > Sent: Monday, April 23, 2007 8:57 AM > > Subject: [kictanet] Fwd: [ke-internetusers] Free PC and cheap > > Internet forSMEs and Home Users > > > > > > > > > > Alex Gakuru <gakuru(a)gmail.com> wrote: Date: Mon, 23 Apr 2007 > > 08:51:01 +0300 > > From: "Alex Gakuru" <gakuru(a)gmail.com> > > To: ke-internetusers(a)bdix.net > > Subject: [ke-internetusers] Free PC and cheap Internet for SMEs and > > Home > > Users > > > > [This brightens a new dawn for Kenya's connectivity. I have often > > argued that lesser city traffic jams and higher national productivity > > can be achieved by taking internet outside the city centre, Nairobi > > currently having 80% of Kenya's internet. Many are bound to choose > > working from home to save on expensive city office rent overheads and > > "outsourcing" will definitely benefit considering the time > > differences > > become less of a problem, security is also a consideration. > > > > Forecasting on this possibility at a stakeholders workshop on 22 > > March > > 2007, I warned that it would only take "one clever ISP" to realise === Message Truncated === __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com

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Re: [kictanet] Free PC and cheap Internet for SMEs/Home Users
by Lucy Kimani 24 Apr '07

24 Apr '07

Janet: Great seeing you in this forum too, and yes the two events are definately on my radar. Reachout is already on my list, and anywhere that KDN has a presence is a possiblity, but please share the addresses for all the centers via private email and I will request for a survey. Lucy > Hello Dear Lucy and All, > > We meet in another setting (where you're being given the same royal > treatment you deserve everywhere), and am thrilled to hear abt this > invaluable endeavor. Bravo!!!! > > I am wondering abt your presence in W Kenya now? Am thinking abt Mumias, > Kisumu, and Mbita (KAIPPG, Reachout, Lake Fellowship, Deaf Impact > Ministry, and others). > > Also, are you attending the e-learning conference in May, and/or the > telecentre meeting in June? Both would be great places for a "plug" > (advertising being connecting by other means), and I'd like to do some > networking re linking you up with folks I know who will be there. > > Thanks again so much (esp for being the "non-retiring" kind!), and "Kudos > to Kimani" (for uniting us "al", haha!), Janet (Feldman, > kaippg(a)earthlink.net) > > -----Original Message----- >>From: Lucy Kimani <lkimani(a)comnews.co.ke> >>Sent: Apr 23, 2007 1:45 PM >>To: Janet Feldman <kaippg(a)earthlink.net> >>Subject: [kictanet] Free PC and cheap Internet for SMEs/Home Users >> >>Alex, Joan, Florence and Njorohio, and all our well wishers: >> >>On behalf of Alunite, let me thank you very much for the kudos. >> >>Njorohio, if you already have a standalone PC and just need connection >>call us, and we will review your requirements, and come up with an offer >>you can not resist. >> >>Alunite is extremely serious about being the ISP for the "People by the >>People" >> >>There will be something for everybody in the Alunite DSL "Kiondo" >> >> >>Lucy Kimani >>on behalf of >>Alunite Communications, Ltd. >> >>> Hi All >>> This is great and will assist the SMES >>> However I think the SMEs and even homeworkers can afford the PC but >>> the >>> hindrance has been the cost of the Bandwidth. >>> Can the company consider as an alternative the charge for the link >>> only. >>> This may persuade those firms with standalone computers to subscribe >>> to >>> the service. >>> Cheers >>> >>> Njorohio >>> >>> >>> Florence Etta <feanywhere(a)yahoo.co.uk> wrote: Brilliant!! >>> >>> >>> Florence Etta >>> >>> >>> ----- Original Message ---- >>> From: Joan Walumbe <jwalumbe(a)globalnetcorps.org> >>> To: feanywhere(a)yahoo.co.uk >>> Sent: Monday, 23 April, 2007 4:16:18 PM >>> Subject: Re: [kictanet] Fwd: [ke-internetusers] Free PC and cheap >>> Internet >>> forSMEs and Home Users >>> >>> Thanks Alex for the info, >>> >>> This is actually a great idea. Would you have a contact number or >>> email >>> address for Alunite? >>> >>> Joan Walumbe >>> ----- Original Message ----- >>> From: Alex Gakuru >>> To: Kictanet >>> Sent: Monday, April 23, 2007 8:57 AM >>> Subject: [kictanet] Fwd: [ke-internetusers] Free PC and cheap >>> Internet forSMEs and Home Users >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> Alex Gakuru <gakuru(a)gmail.com> wrote: Date: Mon, 23 Apr 2007 >>> 08:51:01 +0300 >>> From: "Alex Gakuru" <gakuru(a)gmail.com> >>> To: ke-internetusers(a)bdix.net >>> Subject: [ke-internetusers] Free PC and cheap Internet for SMEs >>> and >>> Home >>> Users >>> >>> [This brightens a new dawn for Kenya's connectivity. I have often >>> argued that lesser city traffic jams and higher national >>> productivity >>> can be achieved by taking internet outside the city centre, >>> Nairobi >>> currently having 80% of Kenya's internet. Many are bound to choose >>> working from home to save on expensive city office rent overheads >>> and >>> "outsourcing" will definitely benefit considering the time >>> differences >>> become less of a problem, security is also a consideration. >>> >>> Forecasting on this possibility at a stakeholders workshop on 22 >>> March >>> 2007, I warned that it would only take "one clever ISP" to realise >>> this enormous small business and home user waiting market away >>> from >>> the current "corporates-only" internet (used between 8am to 5 pm >>> and >>> half-days on Saturdays which drops at lunch-time. (see the first >>> graph >>> at http://www.isoc.or.ke/connectivity.html - website under >>> development)] >>> ----------------------- >>> [Business Daily] >>> >>> ISP targets home users with free PC's >>> Written by Okkutah Mark >>> Monday, 23 April 2007 [NAIROBI] >>> >>> While most Internet Service Providers (ISPs) target corporate >>> users, >>> one new entrant into the online market is banking on capturing >>> residential, small and home business users with a unique offer: a >>> free >>> computer. >>> >>> The company, Alunite, says most Kenyans would love to be connected >>> to >>> a high-speed DSL Internet connection from home, but the lack of >>> affordable personal computers, and high bandwidth costs have kept >>> most >>> out of the loop. >>> >>> Lucy Kimani, the ISPs executive director said Alunite was >>> partnering >>> with Kenya Data Networks (KDN) and Keysde, a local company >>> involved >>> in >>> computer assembly in which Keysde will provide PCs, under a >>> guarantee >>> that the ISP settles the bill within 90 days. >>> >>> KDN will provide the DSL linkage to it's Metro optical fibre. >>> >>> "As an ISP we are linking the home subscribers to the KDN's link >>> which >>> will provide them with a high-speed connection," said Ms Kimani. >>> "We >>> also realised that a majority of people don't own computers, and >>> that's why we looked how we could solve this problem." >>> >>> The deal does come with a catch though. In exchange for a free >>> computer, subscribers must sign a one-year agreement to subscribe >>> to >>> Alunite's Internet sevices, which cost 5,945 per month. >>> >>> The computerÂan Intel Pentium 1.2 Ghz PCÂretails for Sh10,300 in >>> local shops. >>> >>> But Ms Kimani said it was more than just a freebie. >>> >>> "We eliminate the hassle of dealing with a separate connectivity >>> provider and provide attentive customer service," she said. "Our >>> company coordinates all aspects of the installation of the service >>> including site inspection." >>> >>> >>> >>> _______________________________________________ >>> ke-internetusers mailing list >>> ke-internetusers(a)bdix.net >>> http://www.bdix.net/mailman/listinfo/ke-internetusers >>> >>> >>> >>> --------------------------------- >>> Ahhh...imagining that irresistible "new car" smell? >>> Check out new cars at Yahoo! Autos. >>> _______________________________________________ >>> kictanet mailing list >>> kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke >>> http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet >>> >>> Please unsubscribe or change your options at >>> http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/feanywhere%40yahoo.co.uk >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> --------------------------------- >>> Yahoo! Answers - Got a question? Someone out there knows the answer. >>> Try >>> it now._______________________________________________ >>> kictanet mailing list >>> kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke >>> http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet >>> >>> Please unsubscribe or change your options at >>> http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/gathuri_njorohio%40yahoo.com >>> >>> >>> --------------------------------- >>> Ahhh...imagining that irresistible "new car" smell? >>> Check outnew cars at Yahoo! >>> Autos._______________________________________________ >>> kictanet mailing list >>> kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke >>> http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet >>> >>> Please unsubscribe or change your options at >>> http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/lkimani%40comnews.co.ke >> >> >> >>----------------------------------------- >>This email was sent using Communicatons Solutions LTD WebMail. >> " " >>http://www.accesskenya.com/ >> >>_______________________________________________ >>kictanet mailing list >>kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke >>http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet >> >>Please unsubscribe or change your options at >> http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/kaippg%40earthlink.net > > > _______________________________________________ > kictanet mailing list > kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke > http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > > Please unsubscribe or change your options at > http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/lkimani%40comnews.co.ke ----------------------------------------- This email was sent using Communicatons Solutions LTD WebMail. " " http://www.accesskenya.com/

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Day 1 of 10: CCK Internet Study-Background Concepts/Overview
by John Walubengo 24 Apr '07

24 Apr '07

Morning all, Today is Day 1 of our deliberation and would like to give a general overview that would constitute our working document for the rest of the deliberations. Please go through it and I welcome general reactions, comments, clarifications or objections as we set the background for the rest of the workshop. We have 24hrs on this before tomorrow when we shall go deeper into the issues of International and Domestic bandwidth. My (personal) summary of the report based on the official copy @ http://www.cck.go.ke/internet_market_study/ follows:- ~~~~00000~~~~~~~~~~ CCK commissioned Netcomm Information Systems (the Consultant) to undertake a study to establish amongst others, the following Internet indicators within the Kenyan Market: 1. The Internet service diffusion and usage patterns in different sectors of the Kenyan economy 2. The general Internet service costing mechanisms employed by operators and service providers 3. The key factors that hinder Internet market development 4. The vertical and horizontal relationships of the Internet market in the country In carrying out its terms of reference, the Consultant held several roundtable meetings with key stakeholders selected from the Government, Telco-operators, Internet Service providers and Consumers. The Consultant administered questionnaires which revealed the following key findings -categorised under Network Infrastructure, Internet Affordability and Dispersion as described below: Network Infrastructure: This indicator establishes the structure and quality of the International and National (domestic) internet backbone across the country. It was found that following the liberation of the telecom sector to allow more players at the International Internet Gateway Operator (IGO) level, there has been a steady increase in the International Bandwidth capacity-currently at 1G and representing over 10% growth since 2004. However, the domestic Internet capacity continued to register limited growth, despite the availability of the local Internet Exchange Point (KIXP). Internet Tariffs & Affordability: This indicator establishes the capacity of consumers to afford the Internet Services. It is taken as a factor of the gross national income, in other words, the average cost of 1 month Internet access measured against the average monthly salaries. It was found that internet service via mobile phone was much more affordable (costing 8% of average monthly incomes) as compared to via fixed lines (costing 200% of the average monthly incomes). This was despite the falling rates of International Internet Bandwidth occasioned by competition at that level. Dispersion: This indicator establishes geographic reach and sectoral absorption of the Intenet Service. In essence it describes the e-Readiness status of the economy or for the Country. It was found that even though ISPs were present in all the 8 Provinces, they were hardly present at the districts level covering only 30% of the districts in Kenya. In addition, of the three key stakeholders, Government, Educational and Commercial, the Commercial sector had the bulk of the existing Internet Connectivity (80%) while the Education Sector had the lowest (less than 2%). Finally, of the estimated 2.8 Million Internet users in the country, 80% are in the capital city Nairobi, 9% in Mombasa and the rest (11%) are spread across the country. In attempting to improve the above bleak indicators, the Consultant made the following key recommendations: Network Infrastructure: That the Government and the Operators make a deliberate effort to extend the domestic Internet backbone through out the country. In addition, that the current license separation between the Internet Gateway Operators (IGOs) and Internet Service Providers (ISPs) be dissolved by combining their services into one license-the Data Communication Network Operator (DCNO) license. Finally, that the Regulator should publish and enforce quality standards in the provision of the Internet Services. Internet Tariffs & Affordability: That the Regulator, introduces competition in the Fixed Telephone line service and a flat-rate tariff or volume-based model for dial-up internet services. Also, that despite the relatively cheaper Mobile internet services, further competition be introduce within the sub-sector to further drive down the rates. Dispersion: That the Regulator reviews and implements the Universal Access strategy, enabling Operators to extend Internet Broadband services to non-economical rural areas in order to serve in particular educational and health institutions. That the Universal Access fund be utilised in promoting and creating local content in order to stimulate demand and usage. Finally, that the Regulator promotes Consumer Awareness programmes while the Government concludes and enacts the necessary legislative framework for supporting eCommerce uptake. -summary ends--- Plse, the floor is open for your reactions and a copy of the 10 day program is copied here as a reminder. Internet Study-Background Concepts/Overview 1day Internet Study-International & Domestic Bandwidth Usage 1day Internet Study-Hierarchy of Providers (IBP,ISP) 1day Internet Study-The Statistics on Infrastructure 1day Internet Study-The Statistics on Affordability 1day Internet Study-The Statistics on Dispersion 1day Internet Study-The Impact of the Recommendations-3days What is the way forward/Conclusions 1day walu. __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com

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Re: [kictanet] Free PC and cheap Internet for SMEs/Home Users
by Janet Feldman 23 Apr '07

23 Apr '07

Hello Dear Lucy and All, We meet in another setting (where you're being given the same royal treatment you deserve everywhere), and am thrilled to hear abt this invaluable endeavor. Bravo!!!! I am wondering abt your presence in W Kenya now? Am thinking abt Mumias, Kisumu, and Mbita (KAIPPG, Reachout, Lake Fellowship, Deaf Impact Ministry, and others). Also, are you attending the e-learning conference in May, and/or the telecentre meeting in June? Both would be great places for a "plug" (advertising being connecting by other means), and I'd like to do some networking re linking you up with folks I know who will be there. Thanks again so much (esp for being the "non-retiring" kind!), and "Kudos to Kimani" (for uniting us "al", haha!), Janet (Feldman, kaippg(a)earthlink.net) -----Original Message----- >From: Lucy Kimani <lkimani(a)comnews.co.ke> >Sent: Apr 23, 2007 1:45 PM >To: Janet Feldman <kaippg(a)earthlink.net> >Subject: [kictanet] Free PC and cheap Internet for SMEs/Home Users > >Alex, Joan, Florence and Njorohio, and all our well wishers: > >On behalf of Alunite, let me thank you very much for the kudos. > >Njorohio, if you already have a standalone PC and just need connection >call us, and we will review your requirements, and come up with an offer >you can not resist. > >Alunite is extremely serious about being the ISP for the "People by the >People" > >There will be something for everybody in the Alunite DSL "Kiondo" > > >Lucy Kimani >on behalf of >Alunite Communications, Ltd. > >> Hi All >> This is great and will assist the SMES >> However I think the SMEs and even homeworkers can afford the PC but the >> hindrance has been the cost of the Bandwidth. >> Can the company consider as an alternative the charge for the link only. >> This may persuade those firms with standalone computers to subscribe to >> the service. >> Cheers >> >> Njorohio >> >> >> Florence Etta <feanywhere(a)yahoo.co.uk> wrote: Brilliant!! >> >> >> Florence Etta >> >> >> ----- Original Message ---- >> From: Joan Walumbe <jwalumbe(a)globalnetcorps.org> >> To: feanywhere(a)yahoo.co.uk >> Sent: Monday, 23 April, 2007 4:16:18 PM >> Subject: Re: [kictanet] Fwd: [ke-internetusers] Free PC and cheap Internet >> forSMEs and Home Users >> >> Thanks Alex for the info, >> >> This is actually a great idea. Would you have a contact number or email >> address for Alunite? >> >> Joan Walumbe >> ----- Original Message ----- >> From: Alex Gakuru >> To: Kictanet >> Sent: Monday, April 23, 2007 8:57 AM >> Subject: [kictanet] Fwd: [ke-internetusers] Free PC and cheap >> Internet forSMEs and Home Users >> >> >> >> >> Alex Gakuru <gakuru(a)gmail.com> wrote: Date: Mon, 23 Apr 2007 >> 08:51:01 +0300 >> From: "Alex Gakuru" <gakuru(a)gmail.com> >> To: ke-internetusers(a)bdix.net >> Subject: [ke-internetusers] Free PC and cheap Internet for SMEs and >> Home >> Users >> >> [This brightens a new dawn for Kenya's connectivity. I have often >> argued that lesser city traffic jams and higher national productivity >> can be achieved by taking internet outside the city centre, Nairobi >> currently having 80% of Kenya's internet. Many are bound to choose >> working from home to save on expensive city office rent overheads and >> "outsourcing" will definitely benefit considering the time >> differences >> become less of a problem, security is also a consideration. >> >> Forecasting on this possibility at a stakeholders workshop on 22 >> March >> 2007, I warned that it would only take "one clever ISP" to realise >> this enormous small business and home user waiting market away from >> the current "corporates-only" internet (used between 8am to 5 pm and >> half-days on Saturdays which drops at lunch-time. (see the first >> graph >> at http://www.isoc.or.ke/connectivity.html - website under >> development)] >> ----------------------- >> [Business Daily] >> >> ISP targets home users with free PC's >> Written by Okkutah Mark >> Monday, 23 April 2007 [NAIROBI] >> >> While most Internet Service Providers (ISPs) target corporate users, >> one new entrant into the online market is banking on capturing >> residential, small and home business users with a unique offer: a >> free >> computer. >> >> The company, Alunite, says most Kenyans would love to be connected to >> a high-speed DSL Internet connection from home, but the lack of >> affordable personal computers, and high bandwidth costs have kept >> most >> out of the loop. >> >> Lucy Kimani, the ISPs executive director said Alunite was partnering >> with Kenya Data Networks (KDN) and Keysde, a local company involved >> in >> computer assembly in which Keysde will provide PCs, under a guarantee >> that the ISP settles the bill within 90 days. >> >> KDN will provide the DSL linkage to it's Metro optical fibre. >> >> "As an ISP we are linking the home subscribers to the KDN's link >> which >> will provide them with a high-speed connection," said Ms Kimani. "We >> also realised that a majority of people don't own computers, and >> that's why we looked how we could solve this problem." >> >> The deal does come with a catch though. In exchange for a free >> computer, subscribers must sign a one-year agreement to subscribe to >> Alunite's Internet sevices, which cost 5,945 per month. >> >> The computeran Intel Pentium 1.2 Ghz PCretails for Sh10,300 in >> local shops. >> >> But Ms Kimani said it was more than just a freebie. >> >> "We eliminate the hassle of dealing with a separate connectivity >> provider and provide attentive customer service," she said. "Our >> company coordinates all aspects of the installation of the service >> including site inspection." >> >> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> ke-internetusers mailing list >> ke-internetusers(a)bdix.net >> http://www.bdix.net/mailman/listinfo/ke-internetusers >> >> >> >> --------------------------------- >> Ahhh...imagining that irresistible "new car" smell? >> Check out new cars at Yahoo! Autos. >> _______________________________________________ >> kictanet mailing list >> kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke >> http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet >> >> Please unsubscribe or change your options at >> http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/feanywhere%40yahoo.co.uk >> >> >> >> >> >> >> --------------------------------- >> Yahoo! Answers - Got a question? Someone out there knows the answer. Try >> it now._______________________________________________ >> kictanet mailing list >> kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke >> http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet >> >> Please unsubscribe or change your options at >> http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/gathuri_njorohio%40yahoo.com >> >> >> --------------------------------- >> Ahhh...imagining that irresistible "new car" smell? >> Check outnew cars at Yahoo! >> Autos._______________________________________________ >> kictanet mailing list >> kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke >> http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet >> >> Please unsubscribe or change your options at >> http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/lkimani%40comnews.co.ke > > > >----------------------------------------- >This email was sent using Communicatons Solutions LTD WebMail. > " " >http://www.accesskenya.com/ > >_______________________________________________ >kictanet mailing list >kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke >http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > >Please unsubscribe or change your options at http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/kaippg%40earthlink.net

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Re: [kictanet] Fwd: [ke-internetusers] Free PC and cheap Internet forSMEs and Home Users
by Florence Etta 23 Apr '07

23 Apr '07

Brilliant!! Florence Etta ----- Original Message ---- From: Joan Walumbe <jwalumbe(a)globalnetcorps.org> To: feanywhere(a)yahoo.co.uk Sent: Monday, 23 April, 2007 4:16:18 PM Subject: Re: [kictanet] Fwd: [ke-internetusers] Free PC and cheap Internet forSMEs and Home Users Thanks Alex for the info, This is actually a great idea. Would you have a contact number or email address for Alunite? Joan Walumbe ----- Original Message ----- From: Alex Gakuru To: Kictanet Sent: Monday, April 23, 2007 8:57 AM Subject: [kictanet] Fwd: [ke-internetusers] Free PC and cheap Internet forSMEs and Home Users Alex Gakuru <gakuru(a)gmail.com> wrote: Date: Mon, 23 Apr 2007 08:51:01 +0300 From: "Alex Gakuru" <gakuru(a)gmail.com> To: ke-internetusers(a)bdix.net Subject: [ke-internetusers] Free PC and cheap Internet for SMEs and Home Users [This brightens a new dawn for Kenya's connectivity. I have often argued that lesser city traffic jams and higher national productivity can be achieved by taking internet outside the city centre, Nairobi currently having 80% of Kenya's internet. Many are bound to choose working from home to save on expensive city office rent overheads and "outsourcing" will definitely benefit considering the time differences become less of a problem, security is also a consideration. Forecasting on this possibility at a stakeholders workshop on 22 March 2007, I warned that it would only take "one clever ISP" to realise this enormous small business and home user waiting market away from the current "corporates-only" internet (used between 8am to 5 pm and half-days on Saturdays which drops at lunch-time. (see the first graph at http://www.isoc.or.ke/connectivity.html - website under development)] ----------------------- [Business Daily] ISP targets home users with free PC's Written by Okkutah Mark Monday, 23 April 2007 [NAIROBI] While most Internet Service Providers (ISPs) target corporate users, one new entrant into the online market is banking on capturing residential, small and home business users with a unique offer: a free computer. The company, Alunite, says most Kenyans would love to be connected to a high-speed DSL Internet connection from home, but the lack of affordable personal computers, and high bandwidth costs have kept most out of the loop. Lucy Kimani, the ISPs executive director said Alunite was partnering with Kenya Data Networks (KDN) and Keysde, a local company involved in computer assembly in which Keysde will provide PCs, under a guarantee that the ISP settles the bill within 90 days. KDN will provide the DSL linkage to it's Metro optical fibre. "As an ISP we are linking the home subscribers to the KDN's link which will provide them with a high-speed connection," said Ms Kimani. "We also realised that a majority of people don't own computers, and that's why we looked how we could solve this problem." The deal does come with a catch though. In exchange for a free computer, subscribers must sign a one-year agreement to subscribe to Alunite's Internet sevices, which cost 5,945 per month. The computer—an Intel Pentium 1.2 Ghz PC—retails for Sh10,300 in local shops. But Ms Kimani said it was more than just a freebie. "We eliminate the hassle of dealing with a separate connectivity provider and provide attentive customer service," she said. "Our company coordinates all aspects of the installation of the service including site inspection." _______________________________________________ ke-internetusers mailing list ke-internetusers(a)bdix.net http://www.bdix.net/mailman/listinfo/ke-internetusers Ahhh...imagining that irresistible "new car" smell? Check out new cars at Yahoo! Autos. _______________________________________________ kictanet mailing list kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet Please unsubscribe or change your options at http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/feanywhere%40yahoo.co.uk ___________________________________________________________ Yahoo! Answers - Got a question? Someone out there knows the answer. Try it now. http://uk.answers.yahoo.com/

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Free PC and cheap InternetforSMEs and Home Users
by Lucy Kimani 23 Apr '07

23 Apr '07

Alex, Joan, Florence and Njorohio, and all our well wishers: On behalf of Alunite, let me thank you very much for the kudos. Njorohio, if you already have a standalone PC and just need connection call us, and we will review your requirements, and come up with an offer you can not resist. Alunite is extremely serious about being the ISP for the "People by the People" There will be something for everybody in the Alunite DSL "Kiondo" Lucy Kimani on behalf of Alunite Communications, Ltd. 020-273-7155 > Hi All > This is great and will assist the SMES > However I think the SMEs and even homeworkers can afford the PC but the > hindrance has been the cost of the Bandwidth. > Can the company consider as an alternative the charge for the link only. > This may persuade those firms with standalone computers to subscribe to > the service. > Cheers > > Njorohio > > > Florence Etta <feanywhere(a)yahoo.co.uk> wrote: Brilliant!! > > > Florence Etta > > > ----- Original Message ---- > From: Joan Walumbe <jwalumbe(a)globalnetcorps.org> > To: feanywhere(a)yahoo.co.uk > Sent: Monday, 23 April, 2007 4:16:18 PM > Subject: Re: [kictanet] Fwd: [ke-internetusers] Free PC and cheap Internet > forSMEs and Home Users > > Thanks Alex for the info, > > This is actually a great idea. Would you have a contact number or email > address for Alunite? > > Joan Walumbe > ----- Original Message ----- > From: Alex Gakuru > To: Kictanet > Sent: Monday, April 23, 2007 8:57 AM > Subject: [kictanet] Fwd: [ke-internetusers] Free PC and cheap > Internet forSMEs and Home Users > > > > > Alex Gakuru <gakuru(a)gmail.com> wrote: Date: Mon, 23 Apr 2007 > 08:51:01 +0300 > From: "Alex Gakuru" <gakuru(a)gmail.com> > To: ke-internetusers(a)bdix.net > Subject: [ke-internetusers] Free PC and cheap Internet for SMEs and > Home > Users > > [This brightens a new dawn for Kenya's connectivity. I have often > argued that lesser city traffic jams and higher national productivity > can be achieved by taking internet outside the city centre, Nairobi > currently having 80% of Kenya's internet. Many are bound to choose > working from home to save on expensive city office rent overheads and > "outsourcing" will definitely benefit considering the time > differences > become less of a problem, security is also a consideration. > > Forecasting on this possibility at a stakeholders workshop on 22 > March > 2007, I warned that it would only take "one clever ISP" to realise > this enormous small business and home user waiting market away from > the current "corporates-only" internet (used between 8am to 5 pm and > half-days on Saturdays which drops at lunch-time. (see the first > graph > at http://www.isoc.or.ke/connectivity.html - website under > development)] > ----------------------- > [Business Daily] > > ISP targets home users with free PC's > Written by Okkutah Mark > Monday, 23 April 2007 [NAIROBI] > > While most Internet Service Providers (ISPs) target corporate users, > one new entrant into the online market is banking on capturing > residential, small and home business users with a unique offer: a > free > computer. > > The company, Alunite, says most Kenyans would love to be connected to > a high-speed DSL Internet connection from home, but the lack of > affordable personal computers, and high bandwidth costs have kept > most > out of the loop. > > Lucy Kimani, the ISPs executive director said Alunite was partnering > with Kenya Data Networks (KDN) and Keysde, a local company involved > in > computer assembly in which Keysde will provide PCs, under a guarantee > that the ISP settles the bill within 90 days. > > KDN will provide the DSL linkage to it's Metro optical fibre. > > "As an ISP we are linking the home subscribers to the KDN's link > which > will provide them with a high-speed connection," said Ms Kimani. "We > also realised that a majority of people don't own computers, and > that's why we looked how we could solve this problem." > > The deal does come with a catch though. In exchange for a free > computer, subscribers must sign a one-year agreement to subscribe to > Alunite's Internet sevices, which cost 5,945 per month. > > The computeran Intel Pentium 1.2 Ghz PCretails for Sh10,300 in > local shops. > > But Ms Kimani said it was more than just a freebie. > > "We eliminate the hassle of dealing with a separate connectivity > provider and provide attentive customer service," she said. "Our > company coordinates all aspects of the installation of the service > including site inspection." > > > > _______________________________________________ > ke-internetusers mailing list > ke-internetusers(a)bdix.net > http://www.bdix.net/mailman/listinfo/ke-internetusers > > > > --------------------------------- > Ahhh...imagining that irresistible "new car" smell? > Check out new cars at Yahoo! Autos. > _______________________________________________ > kictanet mailing list > kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke > http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > > Please unsubscribe or change your options at > http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/feanywhere%40yahoo.co.uk > > > > > > > --------------------------------- > Yahoo! Answers - Got a question? Someone out there knows the answer. Try > it now._______________________________________________ > kictanet mailing list > kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke > http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > > Please unsubscribe or change your options at > http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/gathuri_njorohio%40yahoo.com > > > --------------------------------- > Ahhh...imagining that irresistible "new car" smell? > Check outnew cars at Yahoo! > Autos._______________________________________________ > kictanet mailing list > kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke > http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > > Please unsubscribe or change your options at > http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/lkimani%40comnews.co.ke ----------------------------------------- This email was sent using Communicatons Solutions LTD WebMail. " " http://www.accesskenya.com/

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workshop and forum...... no charges
by Rebecca Wanjiku 23 Apr '07

23 Apr '07

just a reminder that on thursday this week, we have a workshop for journalists on OFC, FOI and ICT bill updates, Dr. Ndemo and Eng. Waweru will give the opening address, its open to members interested in more information on the topics , its at Jacaranda from 8.30 to 1pm and the forum starts at 3 pm as usual, no charges...... that afternoon, KICTANet members will hold the monthly forum dedicated to e-learning, as you may be aware, the e-learning conference is taking place in nairobi next month, the forum will bring out some of the issues expected to come out of the conference next month, KICTANet is counting on your participation, you are the members, so you must come, regards becky __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com

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Re: [kictanet] Fwd: [ke-internetusers] Free PC and cheap Internet for SMEs and Home Users
by Florence Etta 23 Apr '07

23 Apr '07

This is the Egyptian model! ----- Original Message ---- From: Alex Gakuru <alex.gakuru(a)yahoo.com> To: feanywhere(a)yahoo.co.uk Sent: Monday, 23 April, 2007 8:57:56 AM Subject: [kictanet] Fwd: [ke-internetusers] Free PC and cheap Internet for SMEs and Home Users Alex Gakuru <gakuru(a)gmail.com> wrote: Date: Mon, 23 Apr 2007 08:51:01 +0300 From: "Alex Gakuru" <gakuru(a)gmail.com> To: ke-internetusers(a)bdix.net Subject: [ke-internetusers] Free PC and cheap Internet for SMEs and Home Users [This brightens a new dawn for Kenya's connectivity. I have often argued that lesser city traffic jams and higher national productivity can be achieved by taking internet outside the city centre, Nairobi currently having 80% of Kenya's internet. Many are bound to choose working from home to save on expensive city office rent overheads and "outsourcing" will definitely benefit considering the time differences become less of a problem, security is also a consideration. Forecasting on this possibility at a stakeholders workshop on 22 March 2007, I warned that it would only take "one clever ISP" to realise this enormous small business and home user waiting market away from the current "corporates-only" internet (used between 8am to 5 pm and half-days on Saturdays which drops at lunch-time. (see the first graph at http://www.isoc.or.ke/connectivity.html - website under development)] ----------------------- [Business Daily] ISP targets home users with free PC's Written by Okkutah Mark Monday, 23 April 2007 [NAIROBI] While most Internet Service Providers (ISPs) target corporate users, one new entrant into the online market is banking on capturing residential, small and home business users with a unique offer: a free computer. The company, Alunite, says most Kenyans would love to be connected to a high-speed DSL Internet connection from home, but the lack of affordable personal computers, and high bandwidth costs have kept most out of the loop. Lucy Kimani, the ISPs executive director said Alunite was partnering with Kenya Data Networks (KDN) and Keysde, a local company involved in computer assembly in which Keysde will provide PCs, under a guarantee that the ISP settles the bill within 90 days. KDN will provide the DSL linkage to it's Metro optical fibre. "As an ISP we are linking the home subscribers to the KDN's link which will provide them with a high-speed connection," said Ms Kimani. "We also realised that a majority of people don't own computers, and that's why we looked how we could solve this problem." The deal does come with a catch though. In exchange for a free computer, subscribers must sign a one-year agreement to subscribe to Alunite's Internet sevices, which cost 5,945 per month. The computer—an Intel Pentium 1.2 Ghz PC—retails for Sh10,300 in local shops. But Ms Kimani said it was more than just a freebie. "We eliminate the hassle of dealing with a separate connectivity provider and provide attentive customer service," she said. "Our company coordinates all aspects of the installation of the service including site inspection." _______________________________________________ ke-internetusers mailing list ke-internetusers(a)bdix.net http://www.bdix.net/mailman/listinfo/ke-internetusers Ahhh...imagining that irresistible "new car" smell? Check out new cars at Yahoo! Autos. _______________________________________________ kictanet mailing list kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet Please unsubscribe or change your options at http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/feanywhere%40yahoo.co.uk ___________________________________________________________ Yahoo! Mail is the world's favourite email. Don't settle for less, sign up for your free account today http://uk.rd.yahoo.com/evt=44106/*http://uk.docs.yahoo.com/mail/winter07.ht…

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reflecting on the internet
by Rebecca Wanjiku 23 Apr '07

23 Apr '07

Founding father of the Internet surveys his domainBy CLINT SWETT Wednesday, April 18, 2007 When the man known as a "founding father of the Internet" looks back on its 30-plus years of existence, Vinton Cerf sees a reflection of our best and worst instincts. What has most surprised and pleased the renowned Internet pioneer has been the continuing avalanche of free information that's become available since the advent of the worldwide Web in the mid-1990s. "I see an enormous desire for people to put information online with no compensation," said Cerf, speaking Monday night to a gathering of TechCoire, a group of technology entrepreneurs, in Davis, Calif. That information, he said, ranges from technical papers related to the human genome project to user-written entries on the Wikipedia online encyclopedia. "It's created the most democratic access to information we have ever seen," said Cerf, who in the 1970s helped develop software that became the basis for transmitting everything from e-mail to movies over the Internet. These days, in addition to staying busy with various Internet projects, Cerf serves as Google Inc.'s "chief Internet evangelist." In his talk, he also noted the number of less benign impulses that also flourish online. "We get spam, viruses, worms ... fraud and worthless content," Cerf said. "But we've already dealt with these problems in another context," noting that fraud has occurred for decades via the telephone and the Postal Service. Clad in his trademark three-piece suit set off with a crimson handkerchief, Cerf predicted that much of the Internet's future growth will be tied to mobile devices such as BlackBerry-style gadgets. He recalled being on a boat in southern India several months ago. "I was in the middle of this big lake and thinking I couldn't possibly get any service," said Cerf. "I turned on my BlackBerry and got 300 e-mails." That reinforced the notion that the Net's reach can far exceed the expensive telephone lines and cables that are now standard for getting online. That could be especially powerful in places like Africa where only about 35 million of that continent's estimated 1 billion inhabitants have Internet access, he said. He also predicted that scores of Internet-connected devices will someday be linked in a seamless way. For example, Cerf said, different foods sitting in a Net-connected refrigerator might contain radio frequency tags identifying them by type and date purchased. The fridge could inventory the food, compile recipes and even alert you to shortages while you're shopping. "You'll get a message from your refrigerator saying, 'Don't forget the marinara sauce,'" he said. In addition to his position with Google, Cerf is chairman of ICANN, the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers that oversees Internet naming issues, and is working with NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory on ways to efficiently transmit data in outer space. Cerf's job with Google, a part-time position he's held since 2005, includes talking with college students about the Internet's technical challenges. "Even though the Internet has been around for 35 years, there's lots of problems that need to be solved," he said, including beefing up security and finding more efficient ways to transmit data. And the 63-year-old Cerf apparently has no plans to ease into retirement. "I consider it a successful day," he said, "when I wear out two 26-year-olds." __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com

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Fwd: [ke-internetusers] Free PC and cheap Internet for SMEs and Home Users
by Alex Gakuru 23 Apr '07

23 Apr '07

Alex Gakuru <gakuru(a)gmail.com> wrote: Date: Mon, 23 Apr 2007 08:51:01 +0300 From: "Alex Gakuru" <gakuru(a)gmail.com> To: ke-internetusers(a)bdix.net Subject: [ke-internetusers] Free PC and cheap Internet for SMEs and Home Users [This brightens a new dawn for Kenya's connectivity. I have often argued that lesser city traffic jams and higher national productivity can be achieved by taking internet outside the city centre, Nairobi currently having 80% of Kenya's internet. Many are bound to choose working from home to save on expensive city office rent overheads and "outsourcing" will definitely benefit considering the time differences become less of a problem, security is also a consideration. Forecasting on this possibility at a stakeholders workshop on 22 March 2007, I warned that it would only take "one clever ISP" to realise this enormous small business and home user waiting market away from the current "corporates-only" internet (used between 8am to 5 pm and half-days on Saturdays which drops at lunch-time. (see the first graph at http://www.isoc.or.ke/connectivity.html - website under development)] ----------------------- [Business Daily] ISP targets home users with free PC's Written by Okkutah Mark Monday, 23 April 2007 [NAIROBI] While most Internet Service Providers (ISPs) target corporate users, one new entrant into the online market is banking on capturing residential, small and home business users with a unique offer: a free computer. The company, Alunite, says most Kenyans would love to be connected to a high-speed DSL Internet connection from home, but the lack of affordable personal computers, and high bandwidth costs have kept most out of the loop. Lucy Kimani, the ISPs executive director said Alunite was partnering with Kenya Data Networks (KDN) and Keysde, a local company involved in computer assembly in which Keysde will provide PCs, under a guarantee that the ISP settles the bill within 90 days. KDN will provide the DSL linkage to it's Metro optical fibre. "As an ISP we are linking the home subscribers to the KDN's link which will provide them with a high-speed connection," said Ms Kimani. "We also realised that a majority of people don't own computers, and that's why we looked how we could solve this problem." The deal does come with a catch though. In exchange for a free computer, subscribers must sign a one-year agreement to subscribe to Alunite's Internet sevices, which cost 5,945 per month. The computeran Intel Pentium 1.2 Ghz PCretails for Sh10,300 in local shops. But Ms Kimani said it was more than just a freebie. "We eliminate the hassle of dealing with a separate connectivity provider and provide attentive customer service," she said. "Our company coordinates all aspects of the installation of the service including site inspection." _______________________________________________ ke-internetusers mailing list ke-internetusers(a)bdix.net http://www.bdix.net/mailman/listinfo/ke-internetusers --------------------------------- Ahhh...imagining that irresistible "new car" smell? Check outnew cars at Yahoo! Autos.

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* YOUNG COMPUTER EXPERT MAKES AFRICAN VIDEO GAME IN KENYA
by alice 22 Apr '07

22 Apr '07

From Balancing Act * YOUNG COMPUTER EXPERT MAKES AFRICAN VIDEO GAME IN KENYA A young Kenyan computer programmer has produced an adventure video game he says is first of its kind in Africa. Wesley Kirinya, aged 23, developed the 3-dimensional action game in his Gwimgrafx Studios in Nairobi. It is called 'The Adventures of Nyangi.' The game is about a character named Nyangi who has to find some rare African artifacts. Each artifact has an interesting and mysterious story behind it, Kirinya says. "I want to bring the entertainment from reading a book or watching a film on African stories into video games." He said the task took him about three years to accomplish. "Since there are no video game development schools in Africa, I taught myself the skill," he said. "I developed this game on a tiny budget. I'm impressed with the outcome, considering that it costs millions of dollars to develop games using the latest technology." The game can be purchased electronically as a digital download from the website: www.gwimgrafxstudios.com (SOURCE: Catholic Information Service for Africa )

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BARBARIANS at the GATES of KENYA: ATC’s moves to consolidate Wins from Africa Online Deal by Investing KSh 2 billion in Wananchi Online and sends signal that Private Equity Industry has its eyes firmly set on Kenya”
by alice 21 Apr '07

21 Apr '07

*BARBARIANS at the GATES of KENYA* *“ATC’s moves to consolidate Wins from Africa Online Deal by Investing KSh 2 billion in Wananchi Online and sends signal that Private Equity Industry has its eyes firmly set on Kenya”* Like the famous KKR acquisition of RJR Nabisco that put the Private Equity industry center stage in America in the 80’s, industry sources are seeing the Africa Telecom Company Ltd’s (ATC) KSh 2 billion investment plans for Wananchi Online as a signal that the Private Equity Industry in Kenya is set to explode. ATC shot to prominence last year when they purchased 30% of Africa Lakes/Africa Online at Stg 10 per share and then got into a bitter and hostile takeover battle with Telekom South Africa. They successfully extracted a heavy price from Telkom South Africa by eventually selling their shares for Stg 25 per share plus another US$ 1.5m of costs. Telkom South Africa’s share price fell significantly at the news and their CEO has subsequently been forced to resign. The deal was a classic private equity play. Africa Online’s revenues have been shrinking for 5 years at a time when the Internet industry in Africa as a whole was growing at record speeds. The cause was typical of many public companies in the UK: bloated head office costs, overpaid and inept senior executive management and a board that could not deliver change. Richard Bell a seasoned ICT entrepreneur turned Private Equity Manager saw the latent value in the business and realized that the only way to release the value was through change – with or without the permission of the board. Leveraging of this experience Bell/East Africa Capital Partners teamed up with Mark Schneider a US Media Entrepreneur and brought in local support through James Gachui (Chairman of Transcentury) & Jimnah Mbaru (Chairman of Dyer & Blair) both well known local financial investors, to use ATC to invest in Wananchi Online and create Wananchi Telecom. It therefore came as no surprise to the Industry when Wananchi Online announced to its shareholders this week that there would be an EGM on Friday 20^th April at which shareholders would be asked to approve a capital investment and infrastructure rollout costing KSh 7 billion over 5 years with the first two years accounting for nearly KSh 2 billion of capital. Commenting on the investment Richard Bell said that the funds would be used to rollout a country-wide broadband Wi-Max network delivering Internet and Fixed Line Voice services “…Wananchi Online’s roots were in making the Internet affordable to Kenyas now *Wananchi Telecom* will do the same by delivering the most inexpensive and affordable consumer broadband service in Africa – and that will be GUARANTEED. It’s a very exciting time in this industry and we believe that Kenyans are crying out for a true broadband service in their homes and our Wi-Max product will deliver this……”. The network will be ready in greater Nairobi by the middle of the year and in all major towns by the end of the year. Joseph Mucheru another local ICT guru and Deputy CEO of the new group went on to commend the Government for their efforts in developing the ICT sector and committed that Wananchi Telecom would support all of these initiatives including the governments plans for Schools, Universities and ICT Villages “…by the time TEAMS, SEACOM and EASSY maritime cables get to Mombassa our network will be ready and all Kenyans will have broadband available. We Kenyans (and some operators) tend to spend a lot of time complaining about the government without recognizing the government’s achievements. The Hon Mutahi Kagwe and PS Ndemo have in my view set the seeds of a great future for Kenyans in ICT……..” The sheer scale and audacity of their plans (3 times larger than Access Kenya’s IPO, with 5 times more base stations) for Wananchi Telecom have taken even industry insiders by surprise, but that’s typical of Private Equity. Whether you like them or hate them the one certainty is that the power, speed and agility *these Private Equity Barbarians *is going to be a big force in Kenya over the next 5 years.

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Ubuntu 'Feisty Fawn' released, hit by traffic
by Alex Gakuru 21 Apr '07

21 Apr '07

Ubuntu 'Feisty Fawn' released, hit by traffic By Stephen Shankland, CNET News.com Published on ZDNet News: April 19, 2007, 11:41 AM PT Canonical on Thursday released version 7.04 of Ubuntu Linux, nicknamed Feisty Fawn, but the company's Web site was unable to keep up with the demand for the software. The up-and-coming Ubuntu has yet to attain the commercially blessed status of Red Hat Enterprise Linux and Novell's Suse Linux Enterprise, which have been in the marketplace years longer and are certified to work with many software and hardware products. But Canonical's software has built a significant fan base with its twice-yearly updates, user-friendly values and cutesy naming scheme. Feisty Fawn held up better than the protagonist in the animation Bambi Meets Godzilla: Canonical put up a bare-bones home page with just a single logo and a list of "mirror" sites from which the software can be downloaded. Still, the site was unavailable for more than half of the day, according to site availability monitoring company Pingdom. "We have been absolutely swamped with hits to the Web site and the mirrors," Canonical Chief Executive Mark Shuttleworth said in a conference call. "Fortunately there are 160 mirrors out there, all rapidly updating to include Feisty Fawn. We hope the logjam won't last much longer." Feisty Fawn features virtualization support and a new crash-reporting tool to aid debugging, but not the glitzy 3D interface Shuttleworth initially wanted. Ubuntu got an unsolicited endorsement from Michael Dell, chairman and CEO of Dell, a computer maker that's been wrestling with how to meet demand for desktop Linux. On Wednesday, the company announced on its Direct2Dell blog that Michael Dell got a new notebook with Feisty Fawn installed. Shuttleworth said he didn't talk to Dell's CEO about the move and wouldn't comment on whether he was in discussions with the computer maker for some sort of partnership. But Dell's move "does suggest that the company is forward-looking and perhaps considering Ubuntu," Shuttleworth said. Ubuntu is chiefly popular on PCs today, but Canonical is following the well-worn path to the server as it builds its Linux business. On servers, the open-source operating system is a stronger rival to Microsoft Windows and functionally very similar to versions of Unix that many administrators are familiar with. Red Hat and Novell's Linux business comes chiefly from selling support subscriptions to server customers. Also on Thursday, Canonical announced a partnership with Sun Microsystems to bolster its server push. The company has integrated Sun's Java software with Feisty Fawn, making it available through the "multiverse" collection of preconfigured, downloadable software packages. Sun has begun making its core Java Standard Edition software open source and will finish during the first half of 2007, said Jeet Kaul, Sun's vice president of developer products and programs. Other components already are open-source software, including the Glassfish project for Java Enterprise Edition, a collection of extensions for running Java on servers, and NetBeans, a Java programming environment. Java SE, Glassfish and NetBeans all are available for Feisty Fawn, Shuttleworth said. "This is the first time the Java platform technology has been fully integrated into a Linux distribution to this extent," said Ian Murdock, Sun's newly appointed chief operating systems officer and founder of the Debian version of Linux on which Ubuntu is based. Though NetBeans is his own "preferred Java development environment," Shuttleworth said that its main rival, Eclipse, already is integrated into Ubuntu. The next version of Ubuntu, Gutsy Gibbon, is due in October. Neither it nor Feisty Fawn features the long-term support of version 6.06, called Dapper Drake. A version with long-term support, which lasts five years, likely won't arrive until the release of Gutsy Gibbon's successor, Shuttleworth said. --------------------------------- Ahhh...imagining that irresistible "new car" smell? Check outnew cars at Yahoo! Autos.

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Re: [kictanet] media workshop
by Frances Angalia 20 Apr '07

20 Apr '07

Hi Becky, Would be interested to attend. how much is it? Jane Angalia FEMNET COMMUNICATION <communication(a)femnet.or.ke> wrote: v\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);} o\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);} w\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);} .shape {behavior:url(#default#VML);} st1\:*{behavior:url(#default#ieooui) } Dear Becky, Greetings from the African Womens Development and Communication Network (FEMNET). Thank you for your invitation to attend the workshop for journalists to be held on 26 April 2007. I will be pleased to attend on behalf of FEMNET. Best regards Magdalene Wanjugu For Communications Programme African Women's Development and Communication Network (FEMNET) Reseau de Developpement et de Communications des Femmes Africaines P.O. Box 54562, 00200 Nairobi, Kenya Tel: +254 20 3741301/20 Fax: +254 20 3742927 Email: admin(a)femnet.or.ke Website: http://www.femnet.or.ke FEMNET aims to strengthen the role and contribution of African NGOs focusing on women's development, equality and other human rights through communications, networking, training and advocacy. FEMNET est un reseau qui soutient le renforcement des capacites des femmes dans les domaines du plaidoyer et de la communication a travers le travail en reseau. Il facilite egalement les echanges d'informations, d'experiences, et de strategies entre les organisations feminines en vue d'une veritable promotion des droits humains et particulierement des droits de la femme. --------------------------------- From: kictanet-bounces+communication=femnet.or.ke(a)kictanet.or.ke [mailto:kictanet-bounces+communication=femnet.or.ke@kictanet.or.ke] On Behalf Of Rebecca Wanjiku Sent: Wednesday, April 18, 2007 9:36 AM To: communication(a)femnet.or.ke Subject: [kictanet] media workshop Kictanet and Kenya ICT journalists network will be holding a workshop for journalists on April 26 at Jacaranda from 9 am to 1 pm, the workshop, addressing OFC, FOI and ICT bill the workshop is basic and we expect to hold further training in a month or two, if you are interested in attending, please confirm with me directly, regards becky --------------------------------- Ahhh...imagining that irresistible "new car" smell? Check out new cars at Yahoo! Autos. _______________________________________________ kictanet mailing list kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet Please unsubscribe or change your options at http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/jfrances02%40yahoo.com --------------------------------- Ahhh...imagining that irresistible "new car" smell? Check outnew cars at Yahoo! Autos.

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in the news
by Rebecca Wanjiku 20 Apr '07

20 Apr '07

ICT lobby group to educate users on their rights Written by Okuttah Mark Friday, 20 April 2007 [NAIROBI] Formation of an information and communication technologies (ICTs) consumer lobby group in Kenya, and a tender by the communications regulator for partners to educate Kenyan ICT consumers on their rights point to a shift towards reducing the vulnerability of users. As more people rely on ICTs in their daily lives, the more they open themselves up to financial and other abuses. According to Alex Gakuru, chairman of Kenya ICT Consumer Association, as the Internet, mobile telephony and other technologies take centre stage in Kenyan life, consumers must be made aware of their rights. "Consumers have a right to be informed about services they are getting," Mr Gakuru said. "Informed people always make informed decisions." According to Mr Gakuru, while ICT users remain ill-informed of their rights and have little legal protection against abuses, this is in contrast to corporate clients who often sign service level agreements with ICT service providers. The association alludes to complaints over services from Internet service providers (ISPs) as well as fixed and mobile telephone operators. According to Mr Gakuru, telephony users contend with costly local land-line calls, mobile network congestion and poor coverage in some areas, as well as too many failed calls. Some customers, the group adds, have lost pre-paid credit after buying it, or been charged for SMS messages that were never sent. <snip> <http://bdafrica.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=679&Itemid=30…> __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com

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Fwd: [UgaBYTES] Invitations to the 3rd EA-TLF
by chelimo kenneth 19 Apr '07

19 Apr '07

Dear All, Kindly go through the forwarded document. Iam sure it might be of interest to some of you. Thanks Ken Chelimo Note: forwarded message attached. --------------------------------- Ahhh...imagining that irresistible "new car" smell? Check outnew cars at Yahoo! Autos.

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[Fwd: [Aftld-discuss] AfTLD - Administrative Manager Post Announcement ..]
by Michuki Mwangi 19 Apr '07

19 Apr '07

FYI -------- Original Message -------- Dear Colleagues African Top Level Domains Organization ("AFTLD") was incorporated as a non-profit organization on December 19th 2002 in Mauritius. AFTLD acts as a focal point for all the African TLDs Managers, to discuss matters of policy that affect ccTLDs regionally and globally. Further, AFTLD presents the African region members position on global matters relating to the DNS and ccTLDs, and is a regional body of ccNSO (country code Name Supporting Organization), one of ICANN’s supporting organization. To achieve these objectives, AFTLD is seeking a suitable candidate to run its day-to-day operations (primarily based in Mauritius) in the position of AFTLD Administrative Manager. More information on the post visit www.aftld.org . Best Regards, Mohamed EL Bashir Vice President, Communications & Out-Reach African Top Level Domains Orgnization "AfTLD" - Home of Africa National TLD Registries ------------------------------------ Chers Collègues L'organisation africaine de domaines de niveau supérieur ("AFTLD") a été incorporée comme organisation à but non lucratif le 2002 19 décembre en îles Maurice. AFTLD agit en tant que point focal pour tous les directeurs africains de TLDs, pour discuter des points de la politique qui affectent des ccTLDs régionalement et globalement. De plus, AFTLD présente aux membres africains de région la position sur les sujets globaux concernant le DNS et les ccTLDs, et est un corps régional de ccNSO (organisation de support nommée de code de pays), une de l'organisation de support d'ICANN's. Pour atteindre ces objectifs, AFTLD cherche un candidat approprié pour courir ses opérations de jour en jour (principalement basées en îles Maurice) en position de directeur administratif d'AFTLD. Plus d'informtion sur la visite www.aftld.org de poteau. Les meilleurs souvenirs, Mohamed EL Bashir le vice-président de communications AfTLD.org -- Michuki Mwangi KENIC _______________________________________________ Aftld-discuss mailing list Aftld-discuss(a)aftld.org http://lists.aftld.org/mailman/listinfo/aftld-discuss

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Re: [kictanet] Sluggish Internet? This works fast for me
by Jose' 19 Apr '07

19 Apr '07

You sure off topic but its all good.I believe your new discovery will surely work in our R & D (Cyber Cafe') department at Kimathi Information centre.I have to try with one computer tho and see the aftermath and repercussions. Thank you Alex. Best Regards, Jose' Njuki-Imwe Ngunjiri || +254 722 336754 || ----- Original Message ---- From: Alex Gakuru <alex.gakuru(a)yahoo.com> To: ngunjirijnr(a)yahoo.com Sent: Thursday, April 19, 2007 2:17:19 PM Subject: [kictanet] Sluggish Internet? This works fast for me Hi all, I know I am a little off-topic here but I could not resist to share this. For a while now, I changed my DNS server settings resulting in remarkable internet speed increase. Just this morning, one cyber cafe user asked "How come your internet is much faster" so I thought you should all know why, and also try it out if you like. Do not try this (at home or office:-) if you don't know how to change DNS Server settings on your internet connetion card. You know, that one with an IP address, subnet mask then DNS Server, alternate DNS (for windows). Remember to write down your current settings before changing so that you can revert to them whenever you wish, if your not on Linux-based systems which can take more than 2 DNS servers [>>FF>> <http://www.opendns.com/ (DNS 1 208.67.222.222 and DNS2 208.67.220.220 Would appreciate if you let me know (off-list) you if it helps.] They are saying: "OpenDNS helps you navigate the Internet in a safer, faster, smarter and more reliable way. Our service is free and requires nothing to download. OpenDNS doesn't replace your existing Internet connection, it just makes it better." "The only thing worse than a slow DNS service is an unreliable DNS service. When DNS isn't working it appears as if the entire Internet isn't working. Our service is built on our own high-performance network that is connected in multiple cities and to many different networks. We know reliability is important, and we stand behind ours." <http://www.opendns.com/what/> Simply put, when one types a website address on to their browser, your ISP's DNS Server resolve the characters into an IP address where and the browser is then directed to that IP address. What does DNS do? DNS, the Domain Name System, translates the human addresses of websites and servers (like wikipedia.org) to the numerical address used by computers (207.142.131.203). Do I use DNS? Every time you send an email or visit a web page, you are using DNS services. We estimate most people make at least 100 DNS requests every day. If you are unsure, readup some more from their site before making changes. Thxs Ahhh...imagining that irresistible "new car" smell? Check out new cars at Yahoo! Autos. _______________________________________________ kictanet mailing list kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet Please unsubscribe or change your options at http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/ngunjirijnr%40yahoo.com __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com

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Sluggish Internet? This works fast for me
by Alex Gakuru 19 Apr '07

19 Apr '07

Hi all, I know I am a little off-topic here but I could not resist to share this. For a while now, I changed my DNS server settings resulting in remarkable internet speed increase. Just this morning, one cyber cafe user asked "How come your internet is much faster" so I thought you should all know why, and also try it out if you like. Do not try this (at home or office:-) if you don't know how to change DNS Server settings on your internet connetion card. You know, that one with an IP address, subnet mask then DNS Server, alternate DNS (for windows). Remember to write down your current settings before changing so that you can revert to them whenever you wish, if your not on Linux-based systems which can take more than 2 DNS servers [>>FF>> <http://www.opendns.com/ (DNS 1 208.67.222.222 and DNS2 208.67.220.220 Would appreciate if you let me know (off-list) you if it helps.] They are saying: "OpenDNS helps you navigate the Internet in a safer, faster, smarter and more reliable way. Our service is free and requires nothing to download. OpenDNS doesn't replace your existing Internet connection, it just makes it better." "The only thing worse than a slow DNS service is an unreliable DNS service. When DNS isn't working it appears as if the entire Internet isn't working. Our service is built on our own high-performance network that is connected in multiple cities and to many different networks. We know reliability is important, and we stand behind ours." <http://www.opendns.com/what/> Simply put, when one types a website address on to their browser, your ISP's DNS Server resolve the characters into an IP address where and the browser is then directed to that IP address. What does DNS do? DNS, the Domain Name System, translates the human addresses of websites and servers (like wikipedia.org) to the numerical address used by computers (207.142.131.203). Do I use DNS? Every time you send an email or visit a web page, you are using DNS services. We estimate most people make at least 100 DNS requests every day. If you are unsure, readup some more from their site before making changes. Thxs --------------------------------- Ahhh...imagining that irresistible "new car" smell? Check outnew cars at Yahoo! Autos.

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Nurturing Future Enterprenuers....
by Fatma Bashir 19 Apr '07

19 Apr '07

NURTURING FUTURE ENTREPRENUERS. By Fatma Bashir When I got a call confirming that I would have a chance to make a presentation before ICT stakeholders, I was delighted. I somewhat expected more Industry representation, perhaps from the Information and Communication Ministry and a cross section of players from the industry such as communication, hardware and software providers. However, the attendance was good and presentations were excellent. Kictanet Monthly Forum is a good forum to meet and exchange ideas and I am sure that our views will reach the right tables. The media bit was tricky because I missed most of Gakuru's presentation when I was being interviewed. Being on the KICTANet mail list is a revelation, once again THANK YOU! I am getting to know more and more and soon will start to add my voice on a lot of things that are being sent around. My interest is in education...not only because I am a teacher by profession but because without our building understanding of the use of ICT in education and maximizing of this emergent market in schools we will have chosen to be rained on instead of walking in the rain. Needless to say, tomorrow's entrepreneurs, policy makers, presidents, business owners, employees, mums and dads are in school right now. I look forward to the next forum you can count on my attendance and contribution. Fatma A Bashir Chief Marketing Officer Cyber School Technology Solutions Ltd. P.O. Box 14636-00100 Nairobi, Kenya. T: 4452870/1 ; 0726/0734 880864 F: 4452873 M: 0722 5070 50 www.cyberschooltech.com ---------------------------------------------- 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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International telecommunications blackout looms
by Rebecca Wanjiku 19 Apr '07

19 Apr '07

17 April 2007 International telecommunications blackout looms In a move that threatens to cause a blackout in the telecommunications sector, Zimbabwe’s mobile phone operators, Econet, Net*One and Telecel have said they will start billing all outgoing international calls in foreign currency. The move will also see Tel*One, the sole fixed telephone network provider charging all outgoing calls in United States Dollars. Mobile phone companies, which have been engaged in a rate wrangle with the Posts and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (POTRAZ), maintain that they are unable to pay the termination rates charged in United States dollars, and have accumulated many debts. Chair of the Telecommunications Operators Association of Zimbabwe Douglas Mboweni is quoted as having stated that currently it costs ten times cheaper to make an international call from Zimbabwe than anywhere else in the world and as a result most international calls now emanate from Zimbabwe . Consequently, these companies have to pay more termination rates than the corresponding countries. POTRAZ has set the tariffs using the official exchange rate of Z$250 against each US $ a rate which has become unsustainable for most exporters and service providers. Zimbabwe is currently facing a foreign currency shortage, making it virtually impossible for subscribers to pay their telephone bills in foreign currency. Nyasha Nyakunu Research and Information Officer Media Institute of Southern Africa - Zimbabwe 84 McChlery Ave Eastlea P.O Box HR 8113 Harare Zimbabwe Tel: 263 4 776165 / 746838 misa(a)mweb.co.zw www.misazim.co.zw __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com

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My day with journalists……By Jose Ngunjiri
by Jose' 19 Apr '07

19 Apr '07

It was the first time for Kimathi Information Centre (KIC) to do a presentation at a panel of ICT stakeholders. I was still getting to know how things work around the meeting until the journalists sought to interview me. Working around journalists has made me become more cautious with what I say. I was interviewed by KBC and the first time is always shaky, you don’t know what to say or what not to. It went on well and we got valuable coverage. Thanks to Kictanet. After the forum, KDN (Kenya Data Networks) Pledged that they will help us network the six E-learning centres that we are planning to open. The big question is where are the resources to sustain all these? We are a group operating at the community level and we are under so much pressure from the neighboring communities to set up e-learning centres. Our growth is narrowed down by lack of resources. in as much as we have no money, we are approaching local banks for loans but the only collateral we have are computers and we have not made progress in securing loans. We are not afraid to get loans because we believe in what we are doing. Countries like Malaysia succeeded on commercial loans and through hard work they have reaped benefits. We will too. On March 24th, we organized a financing symposium that mainly addressed areas that require financing and how to approach financing institutions. Small Medium enterprise Solution centre (SSC) a World Bank affiliate attended the symposium and emphasized on starting small enterprises and on ways to access funds as the youth and the importance of building business capacity. More than 134 youth delegates were inspired to see Edith Adera from IDRC. Adera is KIC’s mentor and greatest supporter. Thanks for your support! Best Regards, Jose' Njuki-Imwe Ngunjiri || +254 722 336754 || __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com

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setting digital pace in Eastlands
by Rebecca Wanjiku 19 Apr '07

19 Apr '07

SETTING DIGITAL PACE IN EASTLANDS When Dr Bitange Ndemo, Information and Communication Permanent Secretary asked Collin Bruce and his team to visit Eastlands, everybody was eager. Eager because the PS had sang praises about Kimathi Information Centre (KIC) and how it had used Information Communication Technologies (ICTs) to uplift the lives of the youth in the area. As the PS and his team snaked through the streets of Maringo, Jerusalem, Bahati and Uhuru, the team of youth at KIC were putting final touches to the presentation. The KIC team is comprised of Catherine Atieno Agallo {21}, Jose Njuki-Imwe Ngunjiri {26} and Lillian Gloria Okumu {28). Before welcoming the visitors, the KIC team and the volunteers had to ensure that all the work due to the local schools has been delivered and any other pending jobs are finalized. This is their day to show what the youth can do. The PS has been so impressed by KIC’s digital innovation and integration to the community that every visitor to Ndemo’s office is referred to the centre for examples of how Kenya has embraced ICTs. Bruce, the World Bank country director was not disappointed at what he saw. He witnessed how the area youth had worked with meager resources to improve living conditions in the area. “We have received tremendous support from Dr. Ndemo. It has motivated us to keep exploring our potential,” said Ngunjiri. He was speaking at the Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet) monthly forum, where innovators in ICTs showcase their achievements to other industry players as well as the public. So why was KIC started? According to Ngunjiri, they teamed up in December 2005 and decided to come up with innovative practical solutions to the problems of unemployed youth in the area. KIC serves Eastland’s community in Kimathi, Bahati, Jerusalem, Maringo and Uhuru. Apart from unemployment, the youth in the area lack of proper skills to search for jobs, lack job interview skills and some have been unable to secure attachment opportunities after university. Armed with their findings and suggested solutions, the trio approached Computer for Schools Kenya and the International Development Research Council (IDRC) seeking assistance. Impressed by the innovation, the two organizations donated 13 computers and agreed that the trio would train and equip the youth and the whole communities in the area. “I think they have done an excellent job that can be shared with others,” said Edith Adera from IDRC. Ngunjiri told KICTANet members how that partnership has improved ICT knowledge, reduced crime rate, unemployment and ignorance among the youth. “We have tried to ensure that the community owns the project, they give collective security and our equipment has never been stolen. The youth who would have been out mugging people is now working behind computers,” Ngunjiri added. KIC works with neighbouring schools to provide computer services if needed. For instance, at the end of the term, the teachers forward the scores for tallying and grading instead of doing it manually. “It is now easier and time saving for teachers to grade the students. Once they mark the exams, we send one volunteer to get the data, organise according to instructions then send back to the school. A minimal cost is charged,” said Ngunjiri. KIC has tried to integrate everybody into the project provided they show interest in learning. Those with skills they can share with others are encouraged to visit the centre and benefit the others. Working with university graduates, KIC goes beyond ICTs skills and teaches accounting and small business management skills to those aspiring to start businesses. Other services offered include- research and study centre, library centre through e-learning, data base centre for small business entrepreneurs, security pay point for Kimathi estate, networking centre, web design training for teenagers under the Mtandao Africa initiative. Out of the activities, the centre raises money to sustain itself and pay minimal wages to the workers. The priority now is to ensure the community fully embraces ICTs before they can pursue profits. To fulfill their social responsibility, Ngunjiri told KICTANet forum how KIC supports Shelter of Hope Centre- the local children’s home. The home houses sixty orphans in the neighboring Kiambiu slum. Because the space at KIC is limited, two trainers from the children’s home have been trained with the expectation that they will impart the orphans with ICT knowledge. Every Sunday, have a volunteer from KIC teaches 5 students from the children’s centre on computer packages and any advanced skills needed. The progress of KIC has not gone unnoticed by the corporate sector, Popote wireless gave thirty volunteers a chance market the company’s products. The library and research centre expects to train many students and enter competition for international awards including the Bill and Melinda gate Foundation Program. Ends Rebecca Wanjiku, journalist, p.o box 33515, Nairobi.00600 Kenya. Tel. 254 720 318 925 blog:http://beckyit.blogspot.com/ __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com

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media workshop
by Rebecca Wanjiku 19 Apr '07

19 Apr '07

Kictanet and Kenya ICT journalists network will be holding a workshop for journalists on April 26 at Jacaranda from 9 am to 1 pm, the workshop, addressing OFC, FOI and ICT bill the workshop is basic and we expect to hold further training in a month or two, if you are interested in attending, please confirm with me directly, regards becky __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com

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IT in rural schools
by Rebecca Wanjiku 19 Apr '07

19 Apr '07

TAKING IT TO RURAL SCHOOLS At the heart of Meru district, a dusty road leads to Ruiga girls’ school. It is a typical village school with no power and vehicles to the shopping centre operate only on market days. To access it, one needs prior information, if it rained; don’t bother visiting because the road is impassable. The school is two kilometers from the road with no public transport. Imagine this: the school has an integrated system that allows teachers to teach mathematics, chemistry, biology and physics using animated computer graphics and has an integrated system that allows parents to monitor students’ academic and disciplinary progress from the internet. The imagination can roll on to the classroom where the teachers use LCD projectors in place of black boards and exam past papers are available online. The assignments are forwarded via email and teachers, parents and students are in constant communication. Well, this is the dream that the headmistress of the school has dared to dream. The school is typical of many village schools but wants to be the pioneer of computer technology in the area. This school imposes itself as the testimony of the determination by Cyber School Technology Solutions (CSTS) of providing quality educational services to schools in Kenya- whether rural or urban. With no power and coming from a place where computers are still perceived as myths, CSTS is proving that all students can enjoy world-class teaching aids that enhance the learning environment. Fatma Bashir, chief marketing officer at CSTS narrated to ICT stakeholders gathered for the KICTANet forum how she has had to teach communities about benefits of computers before embarking on her mission to promote educational packages. “One time a headmistress of another school blocked us from entering the school because we were introducing ‘bad pictures through the internet’ to the students. I took time to explain to the teachers the benefits of computers in schools, and that we had good intentions,” Bashir told the forum. CSTS develops teaching resources, aligned to specific syllabi, featuring 3D animations. Each Unit within a Chapter apart from 3D animations contains 2D animations, visuals, charts, experiments and other reference materials required by teachers in a classroom environment. Today, Ruiga girls’ school has 220 students and 12 teachers. Granted the challenges, the school was ranked 18 out of 79 schools in 2006, up from 33rd position in the district in 2005, and according to Bashir, the students have demonstrated positive index improvement in sciences subjects after using the Digital Science products for barely 6 weeks before the final exams. This school epitomizes the desire by CSTS to bridge the infrastructure and digital divide and ensure that rural schools enjoy similar opportunities as those enjoyed by urban schools. Through the electronic teaching aids offered to schools, CSTS hopes to bridge the digital divide between rural and urban schools. This, Bashir argued, will lead to early familiarization with ICT for teachers and students alike. According to Bashir, CSTS hopes to qualitatively improve learning by conceptualizing more creatively and digitizing learning resources to help educators build better learning interventions. For the tough science subjects, CSTS hopes to make them fun by introducing new teaching aides in the subjects of Mathematics, Biology, Physics and Chemistry that animate and turn the subjects to life, making it easier to learn and recall. Standardizing the learning process thereby creating an equal opportunity for success for every student sitting the examination across the board. Digital Science is a revolutionary teaching aid because by using animated visuals, that brings to life the abstract concepts learning science has been made easier thus more interesting and readily understood by the students. “The interactivity built into these modules also gives students a feeling of hands-on experience. At the same time, it gives control to the teachers and students as the lessons follow syllabi of specific subjects while pace and explanations can match the level of the student,” said Bashir. In Physics, interactivity allows students to tweak parameters in situations and literally see how the system responds to the change. In short, the limitations of a school laboratory are overcome. For example, no school lab can show a nuclear reaction, but this is also shown in our modules. In Chemistry, using the virtual lab, students can conduct potentially hazardous experiments safely and without the expenditure of chemicals. Even dangerous experiments dealing with poisonous gases, etc. can be performed (students are warned adequately in such cases to prevent them from replicating it in reality). They can also repeat experiments over and over until they are familiar with the process in preparation for practical examinations, all this at the click of a button. In Biology, through animation of complex concepts students get to understand what they are being taught and can thus apply this not only in their lives but also while responding to examination questions. For example a process such as importance of diffusion in the human body, cell division during reproduction etc are visually depicted aiding the understanding and retention process required in the teaching and learning environment. CSTS has introduced a new technique of teaching mathematics. In Mathematics, when teaching about shapes, the animation shows the shapes in 3 dimension, thus attracting the students to get into the concept and learn it better and with self-interest. CSTS recognizes the necessity for educating students about HIV / AIDS appropriately and effectively, using the power of multimedia. The organization has developed innovative, original multimedia teaching tools, on CD ROM for HIV / AIDS education for children between the ages of 6 and 18. The content sophistication increases for higher age groups, covering the nature of viral infections and causes and effects of HIV / AIDS. Because this is a global problem with many mature themes, it is treated in a sensitive and flexible, non-judgmental manner to appeal to persons from different backgrounds. The lessons are created in a visually attractive style with cartoon characters giving the message in a manner which is easy to understand. This is followed by interactive exercises, quizzes, etc. to reinforce the learning process, evaluate what they have learnt, and show them how this knowledge can be applied in safe behavior to avoid HIV / AIDS. By Advocating the use of relevant ICT software in education CSTS hopes to improve learning processes of all students in Kenya as well as improve living standards. Ends Rebecca Wanjiku, journalist, p.o box 33515, Nairobi.00600 Kenya. Tel. 254 720 318 925 blog:http://beckyit.blogspot.com/ __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com

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kictanet monthly forum
by Rebecca Wanjiku 18 Apr '07

18 Apr '07

Kictanet will be holding the monthly forum on thursday next week (april 26) at 3pm Jacaranda, the forum will address e-learning issues to coincide with the e-learning conference to be held in Nairobi next month, there will be presentations from government on e-learning intiatives, we expect presentations about all the elements needed to complete the eLearning picture, there will be presentations from organisations working in software development as well as rural awareness, please plan to attend, regards becky __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com

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Time to rebuild the internet]
by alice 17 Apr '07

17 Apr '07

Others explore scrapping Internet By ANICK JESDANUN, AP Internet Writer Fri Apr 13, 11:04 PM ET NEW YORK - Although it has already taken nearly four decades to get this far in building the Internet, some university researchers with the federal government's blessing want to scrap all that and start over. The idea may seem unthinkable, even absurd, but many believe a "clean slate" approach is the only way to truly address security, mobility and other challenges that have cropped up since UCLA professor Leonard Kleinrock helped supervise the first exchange of meaningless test data between two machines on Sept. 2, 1969. The Internet "works well in many situations but was designed for completely different assumptions," said Dipankar Raychaudhuri, a Rutgers University professor overseeing three clean-slate projects. "It's sort of a miracle that it continues to work well today." No longer constrained by slow connections and computer processors and high costs for storage, researchers say the time has come to rethink the Internet's underlying architecture, a move that could mean replacing networking equipment and rewriting software on computers to better channel future traffic over the existing pipes. Even Vinton Cerf, one of the Internet's founding fathers as co- developer of the key communications techniques, said the exercise was "generally healthy" because the current technology "does not satisfy all needs." One challenge in any reconstruction, though, will be balancing the interests of various constituencies. The first time around, researchers were able to toil away in their labs quietly. Industry is playing a bigger role this time, and law enforcement is bound to make its needs for wiretapping known. There's no evidence they are meddling yet, but once any research looks promising, "a number of people (will) want to be in the drawing room," said Jonathan Zittrain, a law professor affiliated with Oxford and Harvard universities. "They'll be wearing coats and ties and spilling out of the venue." The National Science Foundation wants to build an experimental research network known as the Global Environment for Network Innovations, or GENI, and is funding several projects at universities and elsewhere through Future Internet Network Design, or FIND. Rutgers, Stanford, Princeton, Carnegie Mellon and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology are among the universities pursuing individual projects. Other government agencies, including the Defense Department, have also been exploring the concept. The European Union has also backed research on such initiatives, through a program known as Future Internet Research and Experimentation, or FIRE. Government officials and researchers met last month in Zurich to discuss early findings and goals. A new network could run parallel with the current Internet and eventually replace it, or perhaps aspects of the research could go into a major overhaul of the existing architecture. These clean-slate efforts are still in their early stages, though, and aren't expected to bear fruit for another 10 or 15 years assuming Congress comes through with funding. Guru Parulkar, who will become executive director of Stanford's initiative after heading NSF's clean-slate programs, estimated that GENI alone could cost $350 million, while government, university and industry spending on the individual projects could collectively reach $300 million. Spending so far has been in the tens of millions of dollars. And it could take billions of dollars to replace all the software and hardware deep in the legacy systems. Clean-slate advocates say the cozy world of researchers in the 1970s and 1980s doesn't necessarily mesh with the realities and needs of the commercial Internet. "The network is now mission critical for too many people, when in the (early days) it was just experimental," Zittrain said. The Internet's early architects built the system on the principle of trust. Researchers largely knew one another, so they kept the shared network open and flexible qualities that proved key to its rapid growth. But spammers and hackers arrived as the network expanded and could roam freely because the Internet doesn't have built-in mechanisms for knowing with certainty who sent what. The network's designers also assumed that computers are in fixed locations and always connected. That's no longer the case with the proliferation of laptops, personal digital assistants and other mobile devices, all hopping from one wireless access point to another, losing their signals here and there. Engineers tacked on improvements to support mobility and improved security, but researchers say all that adds complexity, reduces performance and, in the case of security, amounts at most to bandages in a high-stakes game of cat and mouse. Workarounds for mobile devices "can work quite well if a small fraction of the traffic is of that type," but could overwhelm computer processors and create security holes when 90 percent or more of the traffic is mobile, said Nick McKeown, co-director of Stanford's clean-slate program. The Internet will continue to face new challenges as applications require guaranteed transmissions not the "best effort" approach that works better for e-mail and other tasks with less time sensitivity. Think of a doctor using teleconferencing to perform a surgery remotely, or a customer of an Internet-based phone service needing to make an emergency call. In such cases, even small delays in relaying data can be deadly. And one day, sensors of all sorts will likely be Internet capable. Rather than create workarounds each time, clean-slate researchers want to redesign the system to easily accommodate any future technologies, said Larry Peterson, chairman of computer science at Princeton and head of the planning group for the NSF's GENI. Even if the original designers had the benefit of hindsight, they might not have been able to incorporate these features from the get- go. Computers, for instance, were much slower then, possibly too weak for the computations needed for robust authentication. "We made decisions based on a very different technical landscape," said Bruce Davie, a fellow with network-equipment maker Cisco Systems Inc., which stands to gain from selling new products and incorporating research findings into its existing line. "Now, we have the ability to do all sorts of things at very high speeds," he said. "Why don't we start thinking about how we take advantage of those things and not be constrained by the current legacy we have?" Of course, a key question is how to make any transition and researchers are largely punting for now. "Let's try to define where we think we should end up, what we think the Internet should look like in 15 years' time, and only then would we decide the path," McKeown said. "We acknowledge it's going to be really hard but I think it will be a mistake to be deterred by that." Kleinrock, the Internet pioneer at UCLA, questioned the need for a transition at all, but said such efforts are useful for their out-of- the-box thinking. "A thing called GENI will almost surely not become the Internet, but pieces of it might fold into the Internet as it advances," he said. Think evolution, not revolution. Princeton already runs a smaller experimental network called PlanetLab, while Carnegie Mellon has a clean-slate project called 100 x 100. These days, Carnegie Mellon professor Hui Zhang said he no longer feels like "the outcast of the community" as a champion of clean- slate designs. Construction on GENI could start by 2010 and take about five years to complete. Once operational, it should have a decade-long lifespan. FIND, meanwhile, funded about two dozen projects last year and is evaluating a second round of grants for research that could ultimately be tested on GENI. These go beyond projects like Internet2 and National LambdaRail, both of which focus on next-generation needs for speed. Any redesign may incorporate mechanisms, known as virtualization, for multiple networks to operate over the same pipes, making further transitions much easier. Also possible are new structures for data packets and a replacement of Cerf's TCP/IP communications protocols. "Almost every assumption going into the current design of the Internet is open to reconsideration and challenge," said Parulkar, the NSF official heading to Stanford. 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East Africa Broadband Connectivity Workshop
by alice 17 Apr '07

17 Apr '07

*East Africa** Broadband Connectivity Workshop* The Global Digital Freedom Institute (GDFI), inveneo, and balancing act in cooperation with the United States’ Digital Freedom Initiative (DFI), are pleased to invite you to join colleagues from telecommunications ministries, the information and communications technology (ICT) industries and non-profit communities, to participate in a roundtable discussion about ways of accelerating deployment of high-speed broadband networks in Eastern Africa. The discussion will take place on Thursday, May 10 at the Hotel des Mille Collines, in Kigali, Rwanda beginning at 8:00 am and ending at 5:00pm. It will immediately follow a two day *East Africa Regional Broadband Workshop** **that** *the U.S. Digital Freedom Initiative, under the leadership of Ambassador David A. Gross, will be holding on May 8-9 with Telecommunications Ministers and private/academic sector leaders from Rwanda, Burundi, Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania. The ministerial-level DFI Workshop will examine potential models and produce a road map for expanding broadband connectivity in East Africa. The follow-up, roundtable discussion on May 10 will delve more deeply into the issues and further refine policy and infrastructure build-out options identified during the preceding two-day DFI workshop. These will include but not necessarily be limited to the following three tasks: · Examining specific steps that ICT businesses and governments in East Africa could take to remove or relax impediments to broadband deployment. · Discussing the feasibility of implementing the policy and infrastructure options developed during the two-day workshop and suggesting enhancements where necessary. · Focusing on connecting universities in the region and building on the work that has already been accomplished. We hope you will view this meeting as an opportunity to positively influence the deployment of broadband networks and applications throughout East Africa, and we very much hope that you will join us in this effort. *Please RSVP by May 1 by e-mail to gmccoy(a)gdfi.org <mailto:gmccoy@gdfi.org>. *

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Freedom of Information Policy
by bitange＠jambo.co.ke 17 Apr '07

17 Apr '07

Dear Joee, Teams shall be partly owned by the GOK. We are now ready to talk to investors who will take up to 40% equity. Our partners, Etisalat will take up 20%. We welcome seacom as redudancy and possibly buy some capacity from them to Europe. Our model is drastically different from Seacom in the sense that ours is a means to an end. Our cost to the consumer will depend on what our competitors, that is, India and the Philipines charge their consumers. If they charge $200 per MB, that is what we shall charge our consumers. We will still have a good return on investment. I do not know who "Heracles" is although I have met Brian Hilehy several times in his capacity as Blackstone Group's represantative. Regards Ndemo. ---------------------------------------------- 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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African Banking Technology Conference
by Sean Moroney 17 Apr '07

17 Apr '07

Dear Colleagues, I wanted to invite Kictanet members to participate in our Banking Technology Conference by taking advantage of the 20 free delegate spaces we allocate for members at each of our Kenya events. The full programme is available on our web site. Please notify Judy if you would like to apply for a free registration. I look forward to seeing Kictanet members there - and to having your active participation in the discussions. Best regards, Sean Sean Moroney Chairman AITEC Africa <mailto:seanm@aitecafrica.com> seanm(a)aitecafrica.com UK Tel: +44-(0)1480-880774 UK Fax: +44-(0)1480-880765 UK Mobile: +44(0)7973-499224 Kenya Mobile: +254(0)721-845674 Nigeria Mobile: +234(0)802--0571766 SA Mobile: +27(0)72-610-7153 Skype: seanmoroney <http://www.aitecafrica.com/> www.aitecafrica.com

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flashback.... OFC debate
by Rebecca Wanjiku 17 Apr '07

17 Apr '07

hi, here are some issues raised during the OFC discussion, a full report will be uploaded once the site becomes fully operational.... KICTANET facilitates OFC debate “The government is only facilitating, the owners of the Optic Fibre Cable (OFC) will be the private sector,” said Bitange Ndemo, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information and Communication. “Governments must design and implement regulation based on the needs of a particular country and its peculiar historical or other circumstances, of course tending towards best practices,” said Joseph Kihanya, a lawyer. “Will all this fibre talk translate to real consumer cost savings or are they just the usual public marketing of the wonderful world to come?” asked Alex Gakuru These are some of the comments that came out of the two week online discussion on the OFC facilitated by KICTANET. The online forum was calculated to encourage stakeholder input to the OFC debate, analyze the advantages and the concerns of the various sectors. There were contributions from government, private sector as well as academia. The discussions were divided into five themes; Why OFC?, existing business models for OFC provisioning, existing/appropriate regulatory models for OFC, best model (business and regulatory) for East African, projected impact on stakeholders, reconciling stakeholder Why OFC? OFC has been described as the solution to high cost of international Bandwidth. According to Information and Communication minister, Kenya will be in a position to attract ICT business and compete with countries like India, once the cable is in place. Once the whole country is linked via a backbone, then rural areas can conduct business online locally and internationally. For instance, the coffee societies licensed to market their coffee can easily sell their coffee directly without coming to Nairobi or other major towns. In the region, OFC will make easier and cheaper to communicate and share information. Uganda and Ethiopia have already laid their cable, expected to connect through Kenya to the world. With the backbone, the banks and other regional businesses can use the same network for transactions. Existing Business Models Three models persisted throughout the discussion, namely, Open Access (EASSy), Private-led (Flag), and the Consortium models. There was lively discussion about separation of Cable ownership from Cable Management which fits squarely with the Open Access thinking, whereby, the investors in the cable (Govt, Public, Private Companies) appoint an independent management agent (at a fee) to operate the cable on their behalf on a cost-recovery, open access basis. I.e. open to current and future operators wishing to connect to the landing points or invest further in the cable on equal basis. In this case, the cable becomes an essential service or public good, from where operators can compete to offer (other) services at a Profit. Flag- a Private Investment initiative has a variant model where the cable is –privately owned but promises to open access to the landing points - but aims to maximize returns on the investments made on the cable infrastructure by reselling capacity at market rates. They also aim to play only at the infrastructure level, rather than at all levels, namely Infrastructure (cable) and services (network and application), opting to leave that to ISPs and ASP (Application Service Providers). The consortium model was not heavily advocated for but there were suggestions that it can operate if commercial interest are let loose to play dynamically with the market forces. The consortium model is where a group of operators get into a private, closed,Commercial agreement to build, own and operate a submarine cable with aim of maximizing their returns (profit) in the shortest time possible. The question of short term investors has been a bone of contention with arguments that in the end, consumers suffer once investors get their profits and pull out. The short-term interests of investors must be balanced against the long-term social benefits that would accrue from an affordable bandwidth provisions. Discussants asked for the regulator should flex their muscle once the OFC is laid-out. The major financing option was by way Initial Public Offer (IPO) other financing models (Equity, Debt, etc) were not thoroughly discussed. Existing/appropriate regulatory models The overriding argument was that the government should relax its oversight role to allow business to operate with some elasticity. In this relaxed role, the government would maintain the role of regulator e.g. the way governments of other fledging economies such as South Africa, Singapore and Malaysia maintain a subtle oversight role. However, the role of government as the regulatory authority was underscored as the balance between investor interests and the consumers. Why is regulation in telecommunications important?It authorizes new operators, removes barriers to entry, mandates interconnection between players, and oversees the penetration of services in areas that commercial imperatives would not allow or pursue because of minimal profits. Transparent telecommunications will regulate mainly by promoting efficient supply of services, providing an enabling environment for the maintenance of efficient pricing, Protect consumer rights/privacy rights and facilitate interconnection thereby efficient use of communication services. Deregulation was discussed as a theme that is in play in most countries that have achieved above optimal competitive markets. The case of the UK under the Communications Act 2003 was given as an example. Though there is no direct call for deregulation in the draft ICT bill CCK was suggested as a proper authority that could maintaining industry specific competition principles and statutes for the telecommunication sector. Regulation for the OFC may be through the competition framework under the CA (1998) or the ICT bill (2006). Complete lack of regulation may therefore not be an option given the circumstances.The WTO and the ITU also anticipate regulatory oversight given the various international documents that Kenya is signatory to. Projected impact of OFC It was unanimous the OFC will boost connectivity and lower the cost of bandwidth. With faster internet, it will be easier to carry voice, data and images via internet protocol. The issue of local content raised great concern with arguments that Kenya imports 99 % of the content. The implication will mean that people will have to develop content that suits them instead of copying what is already available elsewhere. With local content, the internet industry will employ more people to keep updating the content as well as offer services and goods via the internet. It was felt that regardless of the OFC that will be adopted, benefits might not be maximized due to prevailing market structures. Roland Alden (2006) argues that our current market (regulatory) structures have not adapted to the realities of a converged market and therefore continue to constrain the potential benefits that OFC may bring about. In his extensive writing on telecommunications, Roland contends that networks require capital investment, customers who can support that investment, and a clear regulatory environment that is not disruptive or counterproductive. In Kenya, all three inputs have been in short supply. __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com

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four players in the cable
by Rebecca Wanjiku 17 Apr '07

17 Apr '07

FOUR PLAYERS IN THE CABLE Its now official, another company- Harakles Telecom LLC has commissioned Tyco to survey the 13,000km East and South African coast. Herakles awarded the SEACOM marine survey to Tyco Telecommunications of USA. The survey commences the development of the undersea fiber optic network which will provide high capacity bandwidth connectivity between South Africa, Madagascar, Mozambique, Tanzania, Kenya, India and Europe. SEACOM becomes the fourth entrant to the scene with questions being raised on whether the costs will come down and the time its likely to take before we get the cable. In February, the government said the cost of international broadband is set to drastically reduce within 18 months after it confirmed it is ready to adopt three different under sea cables provided through various routes. Bitange Ndemo, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Information and Communication said that Kenya was taking a three pronged approach calculated to reduce the cost of international connectivity. Priority is given to the East African Marine System (Teams) the fibre optic cable link to Fujairah in the UAE. “The lead arranger will take over the private/public TEAMS project and will be in charge of financial sourcing. We expect to be done within 18 months,” said Ndemo. Under the Teams agreement, the Kenya Government will have a 40 per cent holding in the project, Etisalat of UAE will hold 20% and the remaining 40% will go to investors in the East African region. The Government has said it will organise an Initial Public Offer (IPO) on the Kenyan Stock Exchange. According to John Waweru, Director General at the Communication Commission of Kenya, the Teams project is expected to recover the costs within three years. Kenya is still pursuing the controversial East African Submarine Cable System (EASSy) an initiative aimed at constructing and operating a submarine fiber optic cable along the East African Coast. EASSy will connect nine coastal countries and island nations and to the rest of the world. The route will be from South Africa to Port Sudan, covering over 9,000 km, connecting Djibouti, Kenya, Madagascar, Mozambique, Somalia, South Africa, Sudan and Tanzania (including Zanzibar). Thirty-two leading telecommunications operators from East and Southern Africa signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in December 2003 to carry out the construction and maintenance of EASSy. But the project was dogged by controversy over whether NEPAD should take the overall leadership or the leadership should be led by the private sector. Terrestrial backbone networks are also being built in separate developments to link all capitals and major cities in Eastern and Southern Africa to the EASSy cable and the international backbone system. The third international fibre project is fronted by Kenya Data Network (KDN) and which has now signed its contract with Flag Telecom. KDN will link from Mombasa and terminate in an undersea junction in international waters off of the Yemen. KDN says the link will be fully operational in the first quarter of 2008, just 15 months away. KDN also stresses that its landing station at Mombasa will allow other carriers to co-locate therefore charging only electricity and services at cost. According to the PS, the three options are meant to make Kenya competitive in provision of international broadband. Ndemo underscored the need for the country to compete internationally and attract international businesses. He argued that the broadband purchased by international businessmen at a cost of USD 200 costs USD 7,500 in Kenya, therefore ruling the country out as an internet investment destination. SEACOM now gives industry players a chance to evaluate whether any of the operators will lay the cable, then the debate can start over its efficacy. Ends __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com

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ICT law or none???
by Rebecca Wanjiku 16 Apr '07

16 Apr '07

STILL WAITING FOR ICT LAW It has been a long wait for an ICT Act, and there is no immediate sign that the wait is over. Though the draft policy was presented to the cabinet by Attorney General Amos Wako, it is yet to be published in the Kenya gazette. If the draft is published in the gazette, then there can be a chance it will be presented to parliament for debate before end of this year. Though the AG’s office claims to be attending to the bill together with others pending, the challenge is how to harmonize the draft bill to be in tandem with the Communications Act (1998). Wako’s office is debating whether to come up with a separate ICT Act or to repeal the communications Act to incorporate the draft bill. Lawyer Paul Mwangi, who has been following developments of the draft policy, says that the AG can come up with a new Act so long as it does not contradict the Communications Act. “The draft bill can be published and presented to parliament then they can decide whether to enact an ICT Act or to come up with a more comprehensive Act by repealing the Communications Act and,” says Mwangi. Mwangi argues that the excuses by the AG are about convenience, and nothing substantial. He adds that it is just a matter of codifying the law, and that can come up with another Act and they will still be applicable. Lawyer Joseph Kihanya agrees that Bills can be debated and passed to repeal Acts in force. “Why this cannot be done with the Communications Act (1998) I can not tell,” says Kihanya. Kihanya adds that Telecommunications law demands that the laws be consolidated into one statute. He illustrates this by quoting the UK Communications Act 2003 which was consolidated into one statute that deals with every aspect of ICTs. The UK Communications Act (2003) deals with issues ranging from regulations, media ownership and control, internet, ecommerce to the relationship between the ministry and the British Broadcasting Corporation. The UK CA (2003) is divided into parts that exhaust legislation relation to the field for instance, part 5 deals with competition in communications market. Under this part, there are chapters guiding on functions of the ministry according to the law, and media mergers, detailing how they should be carried out. The Kenya ICT draft bill is a product of the Economic Recovery Strategy for Wealth and Employment Creation (2003-2007) and was developed by the Ministry of Information & Communications in January 2006. According to the ministry of Information and Communication website, the ICT draft bill is seeking to encourage sustained economic growth and poverty reduction, promote social justice and equity, mainstream gender in national development, empower youth and disadvantaged groups, stimulate investment and innovation in ICT, and achieve universal access. The draft bill addresses market structure, policy objectives and targets, implementation strategies, universal access, and the institutional framework of information technology (IT), broadcasting, telecommunications, radio frequency spectrum, and postal services. But some stakeholders in the ICT industry feel that some amendments should be made to the draft before it is presented for debate. Media owners feel that the draft has not adequately addressed their concerns and instead has come up with draconian measures regarding media ownership. Ends __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com

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Kictanet events
by Rebecca Wanjiku 16 Apr '07

16 Apr '07

April 26: One day workshop for journalists, April 26: Kictanet monthly furum May 17: KICTANet monthly forum June 14: KICTANet Monthly forum July12: KICTANet Monthly forum August 9: KICTANet monthly forum August (TBC) KICTANet launch Strategic plan, website, Institutional Assessment report and Positioning for the future study September 13: KICTANet Monthly forum October 11: KICTANet monthly forum November 8: KICTANet monthly forum December 20: KICTANet Monthly forum __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com

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newsletter articles
by Rebecca Wanjiku 16 Apr '07

16 Apr '07

Editor’s note Welcome to the first issue of the KICTANET newsletter. The newsletter will be a forum for members to share views and get updates on the happenings in the ICT industry. This month, the focus is on the Optic Fibre Cable (OFC), a summary of the online discussion and some background information on the three cables that Kenya is pursuing. The articles give some of the suggestions made relating to the regulation as well as legal aspects in the OFC business. Focusing on the ICT draft bill, there are opposing views on how the Attorney General should react- a separate ICT Act or to repeal the Communications Act (1998) and replace it with a more detailed and exhaustive Act. It is proving to be a convoluted debate which KICTANET hopes to keep updating. Remember to update your calendar on all ICT related events, the newsletter will feature upcoming events but members can also contribute to this by writing to KICTANET. Because it is the inaugural issue, KICTANET is counting on you to read and give feedback on the newsletter. Members are invited to forward suggestions on what should be the title of the newsletter. Write to: alice(a)apc.org __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com

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Fwd: [Idlelo2] Google and East african Universities
by Judy Okite 16 Apr '07

16 Apr '07

This really looks good ! ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Dapo Ladimeji <dapo(a)ladimeji.co.uk> Date: Mon, 09 Apr 2007 16:04:08 +0100 Subject: [Idlelo2] Google and East african Universities To: idlelo2(a)fossfa.net East African universities to gain from web tools deal The deal will give more students access to communication technologies Kimani Chege 26 March 2007 Source: SciDev.Net [NAIROBI] A software deal signed between universities in East Africa and the US-based internet giant Google will improve access to web-based communications for staff and students. Under the deal, Rwanda's government ministries and three Rwandan universities — the National University of Rwanda, the Kigali Institute for Education and the Kigali Institute for Science and Technology — as well as Kenya's University of Nairobi (UoN) will have free access to Google Apps. The applications include email, shared calendars, instant messaging and word processing software, along with the associated support services provided by the corporation. The deal, signed last week (19 March), looks set to improve internal communications at UoN and facilitate research, particularly for studies undertaken in remote areas. The head of information and communication technology at UoN, Elijah Omwenga, says the email application Gmail will be particularly useful in reducing the bandwidth required for internal communications by its 50,000 students and staff. He told SciDev.Net that the institution was facing major challenges in acquiring enough bandwidth. "This means our students and staff can access mail from the campuses as well as from outside. This will facilitate communicating all research, even when it is being done in remote areas," said Omwenga. However, he called for Google to come up with specific details of the offer, so that Google and the UoN can develop research schemes geared towards Africa's needs — such as developing software in local languages and making it more relevant to the local audience. About 20,000 users in Rwanda will have access to Google Apps in the first phase. This will be followed by a broader countrywide introduction. Students at UoN will be the first to use Google Apps in Kenya. Software access will then be extended to 150,000 Kenyan students at universities across the country. A Google spokesperson told the International Data Group News Service, "We are exploring other opportunities in both countries, and throughout the region as well." *Related SciDev.Net articles:* Zambia announces ICT training centre for scientists <http://www.scidev.net/News/index.cfm?fuseaction=readNews&itemid=3453&langua…> Web 2.0 can benefit the world's poor <http://www.scidev.net/Opinions/index.cfm?fuseaction=readOpinions&itemid=572…> ICT for development: hope or hype? <http://www.scidev.net/Opinions/index.cfm?fuseaction=readOpinions&itemid=537…> *Related links:* University of Nairobi <http://www.uonbi.ac.ke> National University of Rwanda <http://www.nur.ac.rw/> *Photo Credit:* SciDev.Net/Tonks *Dossiers:* Technology Transfer <http://www.scidev.net/dossiers/index.cfm?fuseaction=dossierItem&Dossier=12> Back to news <http://www.scidev.net/news/> To the top <http://www.scidev.net/News/index.cfm?fuseaction=readNews&itemid=3508&langua…> Print Format <http://www.scidev.net/news/index.cfm?fuseaction=printarticle&itemid=3508&la…> Email Article <javascript:emaillink()> Comment <javascript:comments()> Regional Gateways World Map * Latin America <http://www.scidev.net/latinamerica/> * Sub-saharan Africa <http://www.scidev.net/africa/> * Middle-East & North Africa <http://www.scidev.net/middleeast/> * South Asia <http://www.scidev.net/sasia/> * China <http://www.scidev.net/china/> * South-East Asia <http://www.scidev.net/seasia/> Dossiers * Agri-Biotech <http://www.scidev.net/agribiotech/> * Biodiversity <http://www.scidev.net/biodiversity/> * Bird Flu <http://www.scidev.net/birdflu/> * Brain Drain <http://www.scidev.net/braindrain/> * Climate Change <http://www.scidev.net/climate/> * Desert Science <http://www.scidev.net/desertscience/> * Ethics of Research <http://www.scidev.net/ethics/> * HIV/AIDS <http://www.scidev.net/hiv/> * Indigenous Knowledge <http://www.scidev.net/indigenous/> * Intellectual Property <http://www.scidev.net/ipr/> * Malaria <http://www.scidev.net/malaria/> * Research and Development <http://www.scidev.net/randd/> * Technology Transfer <http://www.scidev.net/techtransfer/> Quick Guides * Genomics <http://www.scidev.net/genomics/> * Nanotechnology <http://www.scidev.net/nanotechnology/> * Science Publishing <http://www.scidev.net/sciencepublishing/> FREE SciDev.Net Newsfeed *Would you like to carry SciDev.Net stories on your website? We offer a constantly-updated 'newsfeed' featuring our top three news items. To find out more, click **here* <http://www.scidev.net/index.cfm?fuseaction=subpages&root=aboutthissite&page…> Book Reviews Read SciDev.Net's selection of book reviews <http://www.scidev.net/bookreviews/> ------------------------------------------------------------------------ -- CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE This e-mail including any attachments may contain confidential and/or privileged information. If you are not the intended recipient you should not use the contents or disclose them to any other person. Unauthorised recipients are requested to preserve this confidentiality and to advise the sender immediately of any error in transmission. Ladimeji & Co, Chartered Accountants & Chartered Tax Advisers, Springfield House, 23 Oatlands Drive Weybridge KT13 9LZ TEL; +44-207-096-1811 FAX: +44 207-900-3574 -- 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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CCK Internet Market Study - Looking for PDF copy.
by John Walubengo 13 Apr '07

13 Apr '07

I note the above has now been uploaded at http://www.cck.go.ke/internet_market_study/ However, am looking for a PDF copy for the same. I realise that my mind is hard-wired to read 'offline' rather than 'online' when i get into serious analysis. walu. nb: maybe CCK could upload a PDF version as well? ____________________________________________________________________________________ Get your own web address. Have a HUGE year through Yahoo! Small Business. http://smallbusiness.yahoo.com/domains/?p=BESTDEAL

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Re: [kictanet] kictanet Digest, Vol 26, Issue 24
by Joan Walumbe 13 Apr '07

13 Apr '07

Thanks Simret. Joan ----- Original Message ----- From: <kictanet-request(a)kictanet.or.ke> To: "Joan" <jwalumbe(a)globalnetcorps.org> Sent: Friday, April 13, 2007 11:19 AM Subject: kictanet Digest, Vol 26, Issue 24 > Send kictanet mailing list submissions to > kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke > > To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit > http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to > kictanet-request(a)kictanet.or.ke > > You can reach the person managing the list at > kictanet-owner(a)kictanet.or.ke > > When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific > than "Re: Contents of kictanet digest..." > ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---- > Today's Topics: > > 1. Re: CCK Internet Market Study - Looking for PDF copy. > (Alex Gakuru) > 2. Re: CCK Internet Market Study - Looking for PDF copy. > (Odhiambo WASHINGTON) > 3. Fwd: [ke-internetusers] User Privacy (deliberately?) > Compromised (Alex Gakuru) > 4. Fwd: [ke-internetusers] User Privacy (deliberately?) > Compromised (Alex Gakuru) > ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---- > _______________________________________________ > kictanet mailing list > kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke > http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet >

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Fwd: [ke-internetusers] User Privacy (deliberately?) Compromised
by Alex Gakuru 13 Apr '07

13 Apr '07

I need user opinion on this issue. Could you kindly spare some time and comment either on or off line? TIA Alex Gakuru <gakuru(a)gmail.com> wrote: Date: Fri, 13 Apr 2007 09:27:47 +0300 From: "Alex Gakuru" <gakuru(a)gmail.com> To: ke-internetusers(a)bdix.net Subject: [ke-internetusers] User Privacy (deliberately?) Compromised *** Any comments*** Identity Management Systems invade individual's privacy. Interception of communication, lawful or otherwise, is primarily used to gain "informed advantage" and fore-warn law enforcement agencies to protect everyone, commercial espionage, Intellectual property thefts, or sheer mischief, such as embarrassing an online user, among others. "Private censorship" is a far bigger and real problem that government censorship considering technology users served by state-owned Telkom. Privacy has never been a bigger issue that it is today. For example, with 8 million subscribers but only 2.7 million internet users in Kenya, how, if, when, and where did 7 million pre-paid subscribers ever read website-posted terms of service? These terms are repeated in broadcast advertisements as "terms and conditions apply" Celtel appears not to bother posting their terms of service but several interesting clauses can be read at Safaricom's pre-paid "contract" at . [Safaricom Pre-paid users "contract"] f) Please note that the confidentiality of your communications via our Network is not guaranteed. You are advised that for reasons beyond our control, there is a risk that your communications may be unlawfully intercepted or accessed by those other than the intended recipient. We cannot accept any liability for any loss, injury or damage whether direct or consequential arising out of any such compromise of confidentiality; g) You accept that we may disclose and/or receive and/or record any details of your use of the Services including but not limited to your calls, emails, SMS's, data, your personal information or documents obtained from you for the purposes below: i. Fraud prevention and law enforcement; ii. For reasonable commercial purposes connected to your use of the mobile service, such as marketing and research related activities; iii. Use in our telephone directory enquiry service in printed or electronic format; iv. To comply with any legal, governmental or regulatory requirement; v. Our lawyers in connection with any legal proceedings; vi. In business practices including but not limited to quality control, training and ensuring effective systems operation. h) You must comply with any instructions that we may give you from time to time about the use of the Services; i) The maximum call duration for any one single call made using the Services is approximately sixty (60) minutes. j) With the exception of calls made to our Customer Service Hotline numbers and to any other designated toll free numbers, a variable minimum network access credit requirement shall be applied and shall depend on the Tariff used by the Customer. 2 . 3. ACCEPTANCE AND COMMENCEMENT OF CONDITIONS OF USE You are deemed to have accepted these Conditions of Use as amended from time to time and which take effect:- (a) Upon the Re-charge of your account at any time with any amount using the designated recharge voucher or using any other approved means of Re-charge ; or (b) Upon your use of our Services or upon you accessing our Network at any time; or (c) Upon the initial activation of your SIM Card.3 The EU has perhaps more protection for privacy than in the U.S. The Data Protection Directive of 1995 prohibits sharing of information with any nation that does provide adequate protection for personal data. In 1999 the U.S. Dept. of Commerce worked out a safe harbor regulation that has so far satisfied the EU. FTC (US) has led govt. action to protect consumer privacy. FTC thinks that web sites should adhere to the Five Fair Information Principles: 1. Notice/Awarenessright to be notified if someone is collecting information about you 2. Choice/Consentright to opt out of having information about you collected 3. Access/Participationright to see files collected about you and right to offer corrections 4. Integrity/Securityright to have personal files collected about you be secure 5. Enforcement/Redressright to sue if any of the first four FIPs are violated ------- [How Stuff Works] by Jeff Tyson Carnivorous Evolution Carnivore was the third generation of online-detection software used by the FBI. While information about the first version has never been disclosed, many believe that it was actually a readily available commercial program called Etherpeek. In 1997, the FBI deployed the second generation program, Omnivore. According to information released by the FBI, Omnivore was designed to look through e-mail traffic travelling over a specific Internet service provider (ISP) and capture the e-mail from a targeted source, saving it to a tape-backup drive or printing it in real-time. Omnivore was retired in late 1999 in favor of a more comprehensive system, the DragonWare Suite, which allowed the FBI to reconstruct e-mail messages, downloaded files or even Web pages. DragonWare contained three parts: * Carnivore - A Windows NT/2000-based system that captures the information * Packeteer - No official information released, but presumably an application for reassembling packets into cohesive messages or Web pages * Coolminer - No official information released, but presumably an application for extrapolating and analyzing data found in the messages As you can see, officials never released much information about the DragonWare Suite, nothing about Packeteer and Coolminer and very little detailed information about Carnivore. But we do know that Carnivore was basically a packet sniffer, a technology that is quite common and has been around for a while. Packet Sniffing Computer network administrators have used packet sniffers for years to monitor their networks and perform diagnostic tests or troubleshoot problems. Essentially, a packet sniffer is a program that can see all of the information passing over the network it is connected to. As data streams back and forth on the network, the program looks at, or "sniffs," each packet. Normally, a computer only looks at packets addressed to it and ignores the rest of the traffic on the network. When a packet sniffer is set up on a computer, the sniffer's network interface is set to promiscuous mode. This means that it is looking at everything that comes through. The amount of traffic largely depends on the location of the computer in the network. A client system out on an isolated branch of the network sees only a small segment of the network traffic, while the main domain server sees almost all of it. A packet sniffer can usually be set up in one of two ways: * Unfiltered - Captures all of the packets * Filtered - Captures only those packets containing specific data elements Packets that contain targeted data are copied as they pass through. The program stores the copies in memory or on a hard drive, depending on the program's configuration. These copies can then be analyzed carefully for specific information or patterns. When you connect to the Internet, you are joining a network maintained by your ISP. The ISP's network communicates with other networks maintained by other ISPs to form the foundation of the Internet. A packet sniffer located at one of the servers of your ISP would potentially be able to monitor all of your online activities, such as: * Which Web sites you visit * What you look at on the site * Whom you send e-mail to * What's in the e-mail you send * What you download from a site * What streaming events you use, such as audio, video and Internet telephony * Who visits your site (if you have a Web site) In fact, many ISPs use packet sniffers as diagnostic tools. Also, a lot of ISPs maintain copies of data, such as e-mail, as part of their back-up systems. Carnivore and its sister programs were a controversial step forward for the FBI, but they were not new technology. ---- Alex Gakuru _______________________________________________ ke-internetusers mailing list ke-internetusers(a)bdix.net http://www.bdix.net/mailman/listinfo/ke-internetusers --------------------------------- Ahhh...imagining that irresistible "new car" smell? Check outnew cars at Yahoo! Autos.

1 0

Fwd: [ke-internetusers] User Privacy (deliberately?) Compromised
by Alex Gakuru 13 Apr '07

13 Apr '07

I need user opinion on this issue. Could you kindly spare some time and comment either on or off line? TIA Alex Gakuru <gakuru(a)gmail.com> wrote: Date: Fri, 13 Apr 2007 09:27:47 +0300 From: "Alex Gakuru" <gakuru(a)gmail.com> To: ke-internetusers(a)bdix.net Subject: [ke-internetusers] User Privacy (deliberately?) Compromised *** Any comments*** Identity Management Systems invade individual's privacy. Interception of communication, lawful or otherwise, is primarily used to gain "informed advantage" and fore-warn law enforcement agencies to protect everyone, commercial espionage, Intellectual property thefts, or sheer mischief, such as embarrassing an online user, among others. "Private censorship" is a far bigger and real problem that government censorship considering technology users served by state-owned Telkom. Privacy has never been a bigger issue that it is today. For example, with 8 million subscribers but only 2.7 million internet users in Kenya, how, if, when, and where did 7 million pre-paid subscribers ever read website-posted terms of service? These terms are repeated in broadcast advertisements as "terms and conditions apply" Celtel appears not to bother posting their terms of service but several interesting clauses can be read at Safaricom's pre-paid "contract" at . [Safaricom Pre-paid users "contract"] f) Please note that the confidentiality of your communications via our Network is not guaranteed. You are advised that for reasons beyond our control, there is a risk that your communications may be unlawfully intercepted or accessed by those other than the intended recipient. We cannot accept any liability for any loss, injury or damage whether direct or consequential arising out of any such compromise of confidentiality; g) You accept that we may disclose and/or receive and/or record any details of your use of the Services including but not limited to your calls, emails, SMS's, data, your personal information or documents obtained from you for the purposes below: i. Fraud prevention and law enforcement; ii. For reasonable commercial purposes connected to your use of the mobile service, such as marketing and research related activities; iii. Use in our telephone directory enquiry service in printed or electronic format; iv. To comply with any legal, governmental or regulatory requirement; v. Our lawyers in connection with any legal proceedings; vi. In business practices including but not limited to quality control, training and ensuring effective systems operation. h) You must comply with any instructions that we may give you from time to time about the use of the Services; i) The maximum call duration for any one single call made using the Services is approximately sixty (60) minutes. j) With the exception of calls made to our Customer Service Hotline numbers and to any other designated toll free numbers, a variable minimum network access credit requirement shall be applied and shall depend on the Tariff used by the Customer. 2 . 3. ACCEPTANCE AND COMMENCEMENT OF CONDITIONS OF USE You are deemed to have accepted these Conditions of Use as amended from time to time and which take effect:- (a) Upon the Re-charge of your account at any time with any amount using the designated recharge voucher or using any other approved means of Re-charge ; or (b) Upon your use of our Services or upon you accessing our Network at any time; or (c) Upon the initial activation of your SIM Card.3 The EU has perhaps more protection for privacy than in the U.S. The Data Protection Directive of 1995 prohibits sharing of information with any nation that does provide adequate protection for personal data. In 1999 the U.S. Dept. of Commerce worked out a safe harbor regulation that has so far satisfied the EU. FTC (US) has led govt. action to protect consumer privacy. FTC thinks that web sites should adhere to the Five Fair Information Principles: 1. Notice/Awarenessright to be notified if someone is collecting information about you 2. Choice/Consentright to opt out of having information about you collected 3. Access/Participationright to see files collected about you and right to offer corrections 4. Integrity/Securityright to have personal files collected about you be secure 5. Enforcement/Redressright to sue if any of the first four FIPs are violated ------- [How Stuff Works] by Jeff Tyson Carnivorous Evolution Carnivore was the third generation of online-detection software used by the FBI. While information about the first version has never been disclosed, many believe that it was actually a readily available commercial program called Etherpeek. In 1997, the FBI deployed the second generation program, Omnivore. According to information released by the FBI, Omnivore was designed to look through e-mail traffic travelling over a specific Internet service provider (ISP) and capture the e-mail from a targeted source, saving it to a tape-backup drive or printing it in real-time. Omnivore was retired in late 1999 in favor of a more comprehensive system, the DragonWare Suite, which allowed the FBI to reconstruct e-mail messages, downloaded files or even Web pages. DragonWare contained three parts: * Carnivore - A Windows NT/2000-based system that captures the information * Packeteer - No official information released, but presumably an application for reassembling packets into cohesive messages or Web pages * Coolminer - No official information released, but presumably an application for extrapolating and analyzing data found in the messages As you can see, officials never released much information about the DragonWare Suite, nothing about Packeteer and Coolminer and very little detailed information about Carnivore. But we do know that Carnivore was basically a packet sniffer, a technology that is quite common and has been around for a while. Packet Sniffing Computer network administrators have used packet sniffers for years to monitor their networks and perform diagnostic tests or troubleshoot problems. Essentially, a packet sniffer is a program that can see all of the information passing over the network it is connected to. As data streams back and forth on the network, the program looks at, or "sniffs," each packet. Normally, a computer only looks at packets addressed to it and ignores the rest of the traffic on the network. When a packet sniffer is set up on a computer, the sniffer's network interface is set to promiscuous mode. This means that it is looking at everything that comes through. The amount of traffic largely depends on the location of the computer in the network. A client system out on an isolated branch of the network sees only a small segment of the network traffic, while the main domain server sees almost all of it. A packet sniffer can usually be set up in one of two ways: * Unfiltered - Captures all of the packets * Filtered - Captures only those packets containing specific data elements Packets that contain targeted data are copied as they pass through. The program stores the copies in memory or on a hard drive, depending on the program's configuration. These copies can then be analyzed carefully for specific information or patterns. When you connect to the Internet, you are joining a network maintained by your ISP. The ISP's network communicates with other networks maintained by other ISPs to form the foundation of the Internet. A packet sniffer located at one of the servers of your ISP would potentially be able to monitor all of your online activities, such as: * Which Web sites you visit * What you look at on the site * Whom you send e-mail to * What's in the e-mail you send * What you download from a site * What streaming events you use, such as audio, video and Internet telephony * Who visits your site (if you have a Web site) In fact, many ISPs use packet sniffers as diagnostic tools. Also, a lot of ISPs maintain copies of data, such as e-mail, as part of their back-up systems. Carnivore and its sister programs were a controversial step forward for the FBI, but they were not new technology. ---- Alex Gakuru _______________________________________________ ke-internetusers mailing list ke-internetusers(a)bdix.net http://www.bdix.net/mailman/listinfo/ke-internetusers --------------------------------- Ahhh...imagining that irresistible "new car" smell? Check outnew cars at Yahoo! Autos.

1 0

Anita Borg Award for Social Impact: Call for Nominations
by alice 11 Apr '07

11 Apr '07

Anita Borg Award for Social Impact Call for Nominations - Submission deadline: April 16, 2007 *Submission Guidelines - ONLINE SUBMISSIONS <https://ssl.linklings.net/organizations/abi/>NOW BEING ACCEPTED * The third Anita Borg Social Impact Award <http://www.anitaborg.org/about/history.php#anita>, an international prize, will honor an individual or team who has caused technology to have a positive impact on the lives of women and society or who has caused women to have a significant impact on the design and use of technology. The recipient of the 2006 Anita Borg Social Impact Award will receive a $10,000 award and will be honored at the 2007 Grace Hopper Celebration of Women in Computing <http://www.anitaborg.org/programs/ghc/> conference Awards Banquet to be held in Orlando, Florida, October 18, 2007. The inaugural Social Impact Award was presented to Karen Banks <http://www.anitaborg.org/programs/awards/kbanks.php>, Global Coordinator, APC Women's Networking Support Programme, located in London, England. Working with programs in Africa, Asia and Latin America for 15 years, she brought information and communication technologies (ICTs -eg. internet, radio, video, cell phones) to underserved women and communities as a vital tool for empowerment and positive social change. Their network numbers over 100 women from more than 35 countries. Their network includes individual women and women's groups and organizations working in the field of gender and ICT and actively supporting women's networking. Their members have formed themselves into regional networks in Africa, Asia-Pacific, and Africa and they are building an emerging network in Europe. In 2006, the award was given to Dr. Carol Muller <http://www.anitaborg.org/programs/awards/cmuller.php>, the Founder and CEO of MentorNet, The E-Mentoring Network for Diversity in Engineering and Science. MentorNet (www.MentorNet.net <http://www.mentornet.net/>) is a nonprofit organization headquartered in San Jose, CA. Founded in 1997, its mission is to further the progress of women and others underrepresented in scientific and technical fields through the use of a dynamic, technology-supported mentoring program; and to advance individuals and society, and enhance engineering and related sciences, by promoting a diversified, expanded and talented global workforce. Mentornet began by matching 539 mentoring pairs representing students at 27 universities and 261 individuals at companies in 1999. In 2006 Mentornet matched over 2,500 pairs at 111 universities and 1045 companies. In 2006 students from 97 countries and mentors from 67 countries were represented in the program. *Selection Criteria* * Impact will be measured by 1) the degree and type of social change, 2) the amount of women's increased empowerment through the technology or increased influence over technology and 3) its sustainability and scalability. * The award recipient may have developed the technology, motivated social change and empowerment through that technology, or increased women's influence over and decision-making about technology. * The award recipient must be available to participate in the 2007 Grace Hopper Celebration of Women in Computing Conference"s Awards Banquet on October 18, 2007 in Orlando, Florida. Your nomination may be for a colleague or you may nominate yourself. Only completed submissions will be considered by the jury. *Required Materials* (Online Submission Only) <https://ssl.linklings.net/organizations/abi/> 1. Title of nominated achievement* 2. Name(s) of nominee(s)* 3. 30 word (maximum) summary of the person and project, for the selection committee to use for identification purposes* 4. Expanded statement of merit with examples (2-3pages). This must include short bio(s) of the nominated person(s) and address the following issues: Describe the impact and how it was measured. Was the action taken with respect to a specific situation? What motivated the nominee(s) to take action? Did he/she/they encounter any significant challenges?** 5. Resume or curriculum vitae** 6. Letters of reference (2-3)** 7. Nominator's name, e-mail address, phone number and relationship to nominee* *You will submit the nomination title, nominee(s) name(s), summary statement and your contact information via web forms at https://ssl.linklings.net/organizations/abi/. For more information about the Awards, please visit: http://anitaborg.org/programs/awards/ <http://www.anitaborg.org/programs/awards/>. **The expanded statement of merit, resume or curriculum vitae, and letters of reference must be in separate Microsoft Word or text documents. Additional information about this award may be found at http://anitaborg.org/programs/awards/ <http://www.anitaborg.org/programs/awards/>.Questions may be emailed to the Chair of the Anita Borg Social Impact Award Committee, Amy Pearl at socialaward_2007(a)anitaborg.org <mailto:socialaward_2007@anitaborg.org> *Schedule* Nomination packages due April 16, 2007 Finalists selected May 14, 2007 Award recipient notified July 9, 2007 Awards ceremony in Orlando, Florida October 18, 2007 Selection Committee The 2007 Anita Borg Award for Social Impact is chaired by Amy Pearl.

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[Fwd: [At-Large] NomCom: seeking candidates for ICANN leadership positions]
by alice 11 Apr '07

11 Apr '07

Hi, ICANN's NomCom is recruiting candidates, we are selecting: * 3 seats on the ICANN Board of Directors. * 3 members of the At-Large Advisory Committee (ALAC), from Africa, Latin America and Caribbean and Asia/Australia/Pacific regions. * 2 members to Generic Names Supporting Organization Council (GNSO). * 1 Country Code Names Support Organization Council (ccNSO) member. NomCom website <http://nomcom.icann.org> has information about the process and more information about the positions. You can nominate yourself. You can suggest someone you think would be a good candidate (details of how to do that here <http://nomcom.icann.org/formal-call-2007.html#H>). Or just send me the names of anyone you think would be a good candidate for any of the positions. Please pass on this information to your ALS or any other groups and individuals you think may be interested. I would be happy to help anyone with questions, please forward my email address <ajp(a)glocom.ac.jp>. Deadline for applications in 1 May 2007. I should have asked this list long ago for advice, ALAC --the RALOs and ALS-- is the strongest link to the ICANN user community and potential source of candidates. Apologies. Many thanks, Adam (2007 NomCom Associate Chair) _______________________________________________ ALAC mailing list ALAC(a)atlarge-lists.icann.org http://atlarge-lists.icann.org/mailman/listinfo/alac_atlarge-lists.icann.org www.alac.icann.org www.icannalac.org

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[Fwd: [DigAfrica] High Phone Charges Hamper Region's Growth, Says W Bank]
by alice 10 Apr '07

10 Apr '07

Our never ending connectivity problems and the prices we pay..... The East African Standard (Nairobi) NEWS April 10, 2007 Posted to the web April 10, 2007 By Benson Kathuri and Robert Nyasato Nairobi International phone call and high-speed Internet connection charges are beyond the reach of average classes in 25 East and Southern African countries. A report by the World Bank says the region is the only one not connected to the global optical fibre broadband infrastructure. "The 'missing link' explains why the region accounts for less than one per cent of the world's international bandwidth capacity," says the report released in Washington last week. These countries lack direct terrestrial access to global information and communications infrastructure, relying on expensive satellite connectivity to link up with the rest of the world. As a result, telecommunication users face some of the highest costs in the world, says the study: African Region Communications Infrastructure Programme Report. The countries are Angola, Botswana, Burundi, Comoros, Democratic Republic of Congo, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia and Kenya. The rest are Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, Seychelles, Somalia, South Africa, Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. "International wholesale bandwidth prices are 20 to 40 times higher than in the United States, and international calls are on average 10 to 20 times more than in other developing countries," says the report. This, according to the report, has limited regional and international trade, job creation, use of information and communication technology in learning, good governance, and transparency. "The region's growth and development is being held back by this lack of access to low price and high quality telecommunications services." However, the World Bank has initiated a multi-billion shilling project, the Africa Regional Communications Infrastructure Programme (RCIP) to address the 'missing link'. By the end of the programme, it is expected that all capitals and major cities in East and Southern Africa would be linked to competitively priced high-bandwidth connectivity. "To put 25 agents on the phone, it will cost us close to US$17,000 (Sh1.2 million) a month while elsewhere, it will only cost US$600-900 (Sh42, 000 -Sh56, 000) a month," said Nicholas Nesbitt, CEO of KenCall. Meanwhile, in Kisii town, Internet service charges have doubled in the past two months due to power failure. Many cyber cafes now charge Sh2 a minute up from one shilling. "Whenever there is a power outage, we have to increase the cost of browsing because we use a generator, which is more expensive," said Ms Josephine Kerubo, a worker at one of the Internet shops in the town. Other sops have closed down due to the unreliable supply. 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[Fwd: Kenya and EASSy?]
by alice 10 Apr '07

10 Apr '07

I'm confused: I was under the impression, not the least from Bitange Ndemo's* *comments on the KICTANeT list, that Kenya had pulled out of EASSy? Any clarifications welcome. Alan EASSY winner of fibre-optic cable race By A STAFF WRITER The EastAfrican, April 9 2007 Which of the upcoming submarine cable projects out of Mombasa will rollout first? That is the big question in Kenya where the government is investing in two parallel projects at the same time — namely. The East African Marine System (TEAMS) and the East Africa SubMarine Cable System (EASSy). Although the government has justified the investment in TEAMS on the grounds that the EASSy project will take too long to roll out, the indications so far is that EASSy which has already received the support and commitment of 22 telecom operators representing 20 countries, — 90 per cent of which are African operators, both private and public — is likely to move much faster. So far, the project has secured all its funding targets and committed leading development financial institutions to the project. Its funding arrangement is structured to allow equity partners to either participate through a special purpose vehicle (SPV) or come in as direct investors. The SPV, consisting mainly of regional operators, has already been incorporated in Mauritius under the name West Indian Ocean Cable Company Ltd. Financial instruments for the SPV are in process and have been finalised in partnership with the development funding institutions comprising the World Bank, IFC Group, European Investment Bank, KFW of Germany, AFD Prop Arco of France, the African Development Bank and the Development Bank of South Africa. On March 9, nine EASSy members formally signed the supply contract with Alcatel-Lucent, who will be implementing the EASSy fibre-optic cable project on a full turnkey basis. The process of manufacturing the necessary equipment is going on and the approximation is that the project will be concluded by the end of 2008. The overall project cost will be in excess of $200 million. In compliance with international and national regulatory requirements, all operators having been conducting environment and social impact analyses studies which are expected to conclude this month. The EASSy submarine network will span nearly 10,000km linking eight countries from Sudan to South Africa via Djibouti, Somalia, Kenya, Tanzania, Madagascar and Mozambique. The initial capacity will be 20 gigabits per second with ultimate capacity of 320 gbits/s per fibre pair. Last week, the EASSY project received a major boost when the World Bank announced that it has approved $164.5 million for high speed connectivity for Kenya, Burundi and Madagascar. East and Southern Africa is the only region in the world that is not connected to the global broadband infrastructure and accounts for less than one per cent of the world’s international bandwidth capacity. As a result of this “missing link,” the region relies on satellite connectivity, with costs among the highest in the world. One Kenyan call-centre entrepreneur told the World Bank board of directors that the region simply cannot compete with others. “To put 25 agents on the phone will cost us close to $17,000 a month. Elsewhere, it will only cost $600-$900 a month,” said Nicholas Nesbitt, chief executive of KenCall. “It is absolutely imperative that something be done right now to make bandwidth affordable. Otherwise, we’re going to miss a huge opportunity and people are simply going to say that Africa is not ready for these kinds of jobs, is not ready for business.” By the end of the programme, it is expected that all capitals and major cities in East and Southern Africa will be linked to competitively priced high-bandwidth connectivity

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[Fwd: [Fibre-for-africa] SA considering second, cheaper undersea cable]
by alice 10 Apr '07

10 Apr '07

SA considering second, cheaper undersea cable By Lesley Stones, Financial Mail, April 4 2007 ARGUMENTS about the cost of bandwidth on a telecommunications cable to be laid around Africas east coast could see more money pumped into a duplicate cable laid in direct competition to the original R300m project. A second multimillion-dollar cable to replicate the planned East Africa Submarine System (EASSy) may be laid because of a clash between private investors wanting to profiteer and governments demanding cheaper bandwidth to reduce the cost of doing business and stimulate economic growth. Partners in the long-awaited EASSy cable include Telkom, which is 38% government owned. But yesterday the communications departments director-general, Lyndall Shope-Mafole, confirmed that SA might lead a rival cable-building project because of the EASSy consortiums intransigence. Ideally, the EASSy cable will be a key component in a project to increase Africas bandwidth launched by the New Partnership for Africas Development (Nepad). But private investors in the EASSy consortium were more interested in profits than in providing affordable bandwidth, Shope-Mafole said. Telkom CEO Papi Molotsane has repeatedly said Telkom will only invest in EASSy if it can make a decent return on its investment. The EASSy consortium members have complained that African governments are trying to hijack the project, with its finance committee chairman, Donald Nyakairu, recently telling the Ugandan newspaper The Monitor that the politicians are making unreasonable demands. If a compromise is not reached, Nepad will lay a rival undersea connection. We hope it will be the same cable. There is no cable right now but we could absolutely build another one, he said. Twelve African governments have signed an agreement pledging that access to a cable linking SA to Sudan must not be monopolised by a private cabal. International bandwidth is so crucial that Africa can no longer be held to ransom by private companies looking to profiteer, the governments believe. Their policy for international connectivity is dubbed the Nepad Network, based on a submarine cable and a terrestrial network covering landlocked countries. The policy insists that all telecoms operators, internet service providers and other bandwidth-hungry businesses will be able to use the cable for the same price as the companies that invested in the infrastructure. That is a direct attempt to prevent companies from capitalising on Africas lack of bandwidth by charging exorbitant fees, much as Telkom charges punishing fees for access to bandwidth on the Sat-3 cable around Africas west coast. In an interview with the Financial Times this week, President Thabo Mbeki blasted Telkom for charging absolutely phenomenal rates for access to Sat-3 and said the government was applying pressure on Telkom to cut its fees. About 10 companies in SA will be invited to invest up to $2m each to fund the Nepad Network, whether it is based on the EASSy cable or on a rival venture. Technology and telecommunications companies, internet service providers and bandwidth-intensive banks and other businesses would be asked to invest, Shope-Mafole said. Another investor could be InfraCo, a new state-owned entity created with a budget of R647m to supply wholesale bandwidth. Shope-Mafole also said the department would give Mbeki the telecoms price cuts he was demanding when Communications Minister Ivy Matsepe-Casaburri made some policy announcements on May 24. _______________________________________________ Fibre-for-africa mailing list Fibre-for-africa(a)lists.apc.org http://lists.apc.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/fibre-for-africa

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[Fwd: [Fibre-for-africa] Will EASSy will the war of the cables?]
by alice 10 Apr '07

10 Apr '07

EASSY winner of fibre-optic cable race By A STAFF WRITER The EastAfrican, April 9 2007 Which of the upcoming submarine cable projects out of Mombasa will rollout first? That is the big question in Kenya where the government is investing in two parallel projects at the same time namely. The East African Marine System (TEAMS) and the East Africa SubMarine Cable System (EASSy). Although the government has justified the investment in TEAMS on the grounds that the EASSy project will take too long to roll out, the indications so far is that EASSy which has already received the support and commitment of 22 telecom operators representing 20 countries, 90 per cent of which are African operators, both private and public is likely to move much faster. So far, the project has secured all its funding targets and committed leading development financial institutions to the project. Its funding arrangement is structured to allow equity partners to either participate through a special purpose vehicle (SPV) or come in as direct investors. The SPV, consisting mainly of regional operators, has already been incorporated in Mauritius under the name West Indian Ocean Cable Company Ltd. Financial instruments for the SPV are in process and have been finalised in partnership with the development funding institutions comprising the World Bank, IFC Group, European Investment Bank, KFW of Germany, AFD Prop Arco of France, the African Development Bank and the Development Bank of South Africa. On March 9, nine EASSy members formally signed the supply contract with Alcatel-Lucent, who will be implementing the EASSy fibre-optic cable project on a full turnkey basis. The process of manufacturing the necessary equipment is going on and the approximation is that the project will be concluded by the end of 2008. The overall project cost will be in excess of $200 million. In compliance with international and national regulatory requirements, all operators having been conducting environment and social impact analyses studies which are expected to conclude this month. The EASSy submarine network will span nearly 10,000km linking eight countries from Sudan to South Africa via Djibouti, Somalia, Kenya, Tanzania, Madagascar and Mozambique. The initial capacity will be 20 gigabits per second with ultimate capacity of 320 gbits/s per fibre pair. Last week, the EASSY project received a major boost when the World Bank announced that it has approved $164.5 million for high speed connectivity for Kenya, Burundi and Madagascar. East and Southern Africa is the only region in the world that is not connected to the global broadband infrastructure and accounts for less than one per cent of the worlds international bandwidth capacity. As a result of this missing link, the region relies on satellite connectivity, with costs among the highest in the world. One Kenyan call-centre entrepreneur told the World Bank board of directors that the region simply cannot compete with others. To put 25 agents on the phone will cost us close to $17,000 a month. Elsewhere, it will only cost $600-$900 a month, said Nicholas Nesbitt, chief executive of KenCall. It is absolutely imperative that something be done right now to make bandwidth affordable. Otherwise, were going to miss a huge opportunity and people are simply going to say that Africa is not ready for these kinds of jobs, is not ready for business. By the end of the programme, it is expected that all capitals and major cities in East and Southern Africa will be linked to competitively priced high-bandwidth connectivity _______________________________________________ Fibre-for-africa mailing list Fibre-for-africa(a)lists.apc.org http://lists.apc.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/fibre-for-africa

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why i voted fo .xxx- by susan crawford
by Rebecca Wanjiku 10 Apr '07

10 Apr '07

i thought we should expect reasons/explanations like this from ICANN representatives on the board, just a thought, read on Why I Voted for .XXX By Susan Crawford The ICANN Board voted today 9-5, with Paul Twomey abstaining, to reject a proposal to open .xxx. This is my statement in connection with that vote. I found the resolution adopted by the Board (rejecting xxx) both weak and unprincipled. I am troubled by the path the Board has followed on this issue since I joined the Board in December of 2005. I would like to make two points. First, ICANN only creates problems for itself when it acts in an ad hoc fashion in response to political pressures. Second, ICANN should take itself seriously as a private governance institution with a limited mandate and should resist efforts by governments to veto what it does. Role of the Board This decision, whether to admit a particular non-confusing, legal string into the root, is put before the ICANN Board because (1) we purport to speak on behalf of the global internet community and (2) the U.S. Department of Commerce defers to the judgments of that community when deciding what to tell its contractor to add to the authoritative root zone file. As a Board, we cannot speak as *elected* representatives of the global internet community because we have not allowed elections for Board members. This application does not present any difficult technical questions, and even if it did we do not as a group claim to have special technical expertise. So this is not a technical stability and security question. It seems to me that the only plausible basis on which the Board can answer the question in the negative ("a group of people may *not* operate and use a lawful string of letters as a top level domain") is to say that the people affected by this decision have a broadly shared agreement that the admission of this string to the root would amount to unjustifiable wrongdoing. Otherwise, in the absence of technical considerations, the Board has no basis for rejecting this application. Let me explain. The most fundamental value of the global internet community is that people who propose to use the internet protocols and infrastructures for otherwise lawful purposes, without threatening the operational stability or security of the internet, should be presumed to be entitled to do so. In a nutshell, “everything not prohibited is permitted.” This understanding, this value, has led directly to the striking success of the internet around the world. ICANN’s role in gTLD policy development is to seek to assess and articulate the broadly shared values of the internet community. We have very limited authority and we can only speak on behalf of that community. I am personally not aware that any global consensus against the creation of an .xxx domain exists. In the absence of such a prohibition, and given our mandate to create TLD competition, we have no authority to block the addition of this TLD to the root. It is very clear that we do not have a global shared set of values about content online, save for the global norm against child pornography. But the global internet community clearly *does* share the core value that no centralized authority should set itself up as the arbiter of what people may do together online, absent a demonstration that most of those affected by the proposed activity agree that it should be banned. Process More than three years ago, before I joined the Board, ICANN began a process for new sponsored top level domains. As I have said on many occasions, I think the idea of “sponsorship” is an empty one. *All* generic TLDs should be considered “sponsored” in that they should be able to create policies for themselves that are not dictated by ICANN. The only exceptions to this freedom for every TLD should be, of course, the (very few) global consensus policies that are created through the ICANN forum. This freedom is shared by the country code TLDs. Notwithstanding my personal views on the vacuity of the “sponsorship” idea, the fact is that ICANN evaluated the strength of the sponsorship of xxx (the relationship between the applicant and the “community” behind the TLD) and, in my view, concluded that this criteria had been met as of June 2005; ICANN then went on to negotiate specific contractual terms with the applicant. Since then, real and “astroturf” comments (filed comments claiming to be grassroots opposition that have actually been generated by organized campaigns) have come in to ICANN that reflect opposition to this application. I do not find these recent comments sufficient to warrant re-visiting the question of the “sponsorship” strength of this TLD which I personally believe to be closed. No applicant for any “sponsored” TLD could ever demonstrate unanimous, cheering approval for its application. We have no metric against which to measure this opposition, and thus we have no idea how significant it is. We should not be in the business of judging the level of market or community support for a new TLD before the fact. We will only get in the way of useful innovation if we take the view that every new TLD must prove itself to us before it can be added to the root. It seems to me that what is meant by “sponsorship” (a notion that I hope we abandon) is to show that there is enough interest in a particular TLD that it will be viable. We also have the idea that registrants should participate in (and be bound by) the creation of policies for a particular string. Both of these requirements have been met by this applicant. There is clearly enough interest (including more than 70,000 pre-registrations from 1,000 or more unique registrants who are members of the adult industry), and the applicant has undertaken to us that it will require adherence to its self-regulatory policies by all of its registrants. To the extent some of my colleagues on the board believe that ICANN should be in the business of deciding whether a particular TLD makes a valuable contribution to the namespace, I differ with them. I do not think ICANN is capable of making such a determination. Indeed, this argument is very much like those made by the pre-divestiture AT&T when it claimed that no “foreign attachments” to its network (like answering machines) should be allowed, in part because AT&T asserted there was no public demand for them. The rise of the internet was arguably made possible by allowing many “foreign attachments” to the network - called modems. We established a process for sTLDs some time ago. We have taken this applicant through this process. We now appear to be changing the process. We should not act in this fashion. Politics Discomfort with this application may have been sparked anew by (1) the letter from individual GAC members Janis Karklins and Sharil Tarmizi (to which Amb. Karklins has told us the GAC acceded as a whole by its silence), and (2) the letter from the Australian government. I am not at all opposed to receiving advice from the Government Advisory Committee. But the entire point of ICANN’s creation was to avoid the operation of chokepoint content control over the domain name system by individual or collective governments. The idea was that the US would serve as a good steward for other governmental concerns by staying in the background and overseeing ICANN’s activities, but not engaging in content-related control. Australia’s letter, and concerns expressed in the past by Brazil and other countries about xxx, are explicitly content-based and thus inappropriate, in my view. If, after creation of an xxx TLD, certain governments of the world want to ensure that their citizens do not see xxx content, it is within their prerogative as sovereigns to instruct internet access providers physically located within their territory to block such content. Also, if certain governments want to ensure that *all* adult content providers with a physical presence in their country register exclusively within xxx, that is their prerogative as well. (I note that such a requirement in the U.S. would violate the First Amendment to our Constitution.) But this content-related censorship should not be ICANN’s concern, and ICANN should not allow itself to be used as a private lever for government chokepoint content control by making up reasons to avoid the creation of such a TLD in the first place. To the extent there are public policy concerns with this TLD, they can be dealt with through local law. Registration in (or visitation of) domains in this TLD is purely voluntary. If ICANN were to base its decisions on the views of the Australian (or US, or Brazilian) government, ICANN would have compromised away its very reason for existence as a private non-governmental governance institution. Conclusion I continue to be dissatisfied with elements of the proposed xxx contract, including but not limited to the “rapid takedown” provision of Appendix S,1 which is manifestly designed to placate trademark owners and ignores the many due process concerns that have been expressed about the existing UDRP. I am confident that if I had a staff or enough time I could find many things to carp about in this draft contract. But I am certain that if I complained about these terms my concerns would be used to justify derailing this application for political reasons. I plan, therefore, to turn my attention to the new gTLD process that was promised for January 2007 (a promise that has not been kept) in hopes that we will someday have a standard contract and objective process that can help ICANN avoid engaging in unjustifiable ad hoc actions. We should be examining generic TLD applicants on the basis of their technical and financial strength, and we should avoid dealing with “content” concerns to the maximum extent possible. We should be opening up new TLDs. I hope we will find a way to achieve such a sound process in short order. Rebecca Wanjiku, journalist, p.o box 33515, Nairobi.00600 Kenya. Tel. 254 720 318 925 blog:http://beckyit.blogspot.com/ ____________________________________________________________________________________ Never miss an email again! Yahoo! Toolbar alerts you the instant new Mail arrives. http://tools.search.yahoo.com/toolbar/features/mail/

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Fwd: Mobile phone ICE Information
by Judy Okite 10 Apr '07

10 Apr '07

Thought of the day! ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: "Mureithi [KoRANDU]" <mureithi(a)gmail.com> Date: Tue, 10 Apr 2007 09:37:38 +0300 Subject: Mobile phone ICE Information To: Hello All, if u know anyone who can pass this on to the right person at Safcom and/or Celtel and make a nation wide campaign in close coordination with the Emergency Care Medical Fraternity, I think it would be very useful. I know a friend who was shot and it would have been a great help if we had the ICE markers. right now the only way to figure out who to call (In Case of Emergency) is to read the SMSes and hope a loved one SMSed recently, and this is also highly inefficient as "the loved one who SMSed" may not be the right person to call In Case of Emergency. read on * * *We all carry our mobile phones with hundreds of names/ numbers stored in its memory but yet nobody, other than ourselves, know which of these numbers belong to our near and dear ones? * * In case we are involved in an accident or had a heart attack and the people attending us get hold of our mobile phone but don't know which number to call to inform our family members. Yes, there are many numbers stored but which one is the contact person in case of an emergency? * * For this reason, we must have one or more telephone numbers stored under the name ICE (In case of Emergency) in our mobile phones. * * Recently, the concept of "ICE" is catching up quickly. It is simple, an important method of contact during emergency situations. * * As cell phones are carried by majority of the population, just store the number of a contact person or person who should be contacted at during emergency as ICE" (meaning In Case of Emergency). * * The idea was thought up by a paramedic who found that when they went to the scenes of accidents, there were always mobile phones with patients, but they didn't know which number to call. * * He therefore thought that it would be a good idea if there was a nationally recognized name for this purpose. * * Following a disaster in London, the East Anglican Ambulance Service has launched a national "In case of Emergency (ICE)" campaign. * * In an emergency situation, Emergency Service personnel and hospital staff would then be able to quickly contact your next of kin, by simply dialing the number stored as "ICE". * * **It really could save your life, or put a loved one's mind at rest. * * For more than one contact name simply enter ICE1, ICE2 and ICE3 etc. A great idea that will make a difference! * * Let's spread the concept of ICE by storing an ICE number in our mobile phones today! Please forward to your all nearest and dearest * -- KoRANDU Ltd. mureithi(a)korandu.com {Yahoo/MSN/Skype} ID: kamisenki Hotline: +254 (0)722 371340 Office: +254 (0)20 2731477/4 -- 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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Conversation around African Internet Infrastructure
by Eric Osiakwan 09 Apr '07

09 Apr '07

Dear All, I would like to invite you either physically or through second life to join our conversation on African Internet Infrastructure at the Berkman Centre tomorrow - http://cyber.law.harvard.edu/home/ Eric here Eric M.K Osiakwan Executive Secretary AfrISPA (www.afrispa.org) Tel: + 233.21.258800 ext 2031 Fax: + 233.21.258811 Cell: + 233.244.386792 Handle: eosiakwan Snail Mail: Pmb 208, Accra-North Office: BusyInternet - 42 Ring Road Central, Accra-North Blog: http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/eric/ Slang: "Tomorrow Now"

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Conversation around African Internet Infrastructure
by Eric Osiakwan 09 Apr '07

09 Apr '07

Dear All, I would like to invite you either physically or through second life to join our conversation on African Internet Infrastructure at the Berkman Centre tomorrow - http://cyber.law.harvard.edu/home/ Eric here Eric M.K Osiakwan Executive Secretary AfrISPA (www.afrispa.org) Tel: + 233.21.258800 ext 2031 Fax: + 233.21.258811 Cell: + 233.244.386792 Handle: eosiakwan Snail Mail: Pmb 208, Accra-North Office: BusyInternet - 42 Ring Road Central, Accra-North Blog: http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/eric/ Slang: "Tomorrow Now"

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Conversation around African Internet Infrastructure
by Eric Osiakwan 09 Apr '07

09 Apr '07

Dear All, I would like to invite you either physically or through second life to join our conversation on African Internet Infrastructure at the Berkman Centre tomorrow - http://cyber.law.harvard.edu/home/ Eric here Eric M.K Osiakwan Executive Secretary AfrISPA (www.afrispa.org) Tel: + 233.21.258800 ext 2031 Fax: + 233.21.258811 Cell: + 233.244.386792 Handle: eosiakwan Snail Mail: Pmb 208, Accra-North Office: BusyInternet - 42 Ring Road Central, Accra-North Blog: http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/eric/ Slang: "Tomorrow Now"

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CCK: Internet Tariffs Affordability
by Alex Gakuru 09 Apr '07

09 Apr '07

"Although the average price of 1 Mbps leased line bandwidth of Ksh 364,317 to the customers appears to be lower than the Ksh 403,032 that ISPs pay to the IBGOs, data shows that for every 1 Mb/s purchased from the IBGO, the ISPs connect about 6 customers using 1 Mb/s links. That is, there is a ratio of at least 1 to 6 between bandwidth purchased and bandwidth sold." <http://www.cck.go.ke/internet_tariffs_affordability/> At these figures, rural internet cannot "make a business case" therefore there exists a serious need to re-think rural connectivity. Alex --------------------------------- Sucker-punch spam with award-winning protection. Try the free Yahoo! Mail Beta.

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[Fwd: Vacancy at BRIDGE - Senior Gender Officer]
by alice 08 Apr '07

08 Apr '07

Senior Gender Officer (ref 196) BRIDGE gender and development programme BRIDGE (http://www.bridge.ids.ac.uk/) is an innovative gender and development unit within the Information Department of the Institute of Development Studies (IDS). It supports policymakers and practitioners with accessible research reports and disseminating information on gender equality. BRIDGE seeks a committed gender and development specialist who is enthusiastic about the role that information can play in furthering the goals of gender equality and realising women's rights. You will have the skills and drive to push the BRIDGE team to increase the impact of its written work and ensure we respond to the needs of our Southern and Northern constituencies. To ensure the quality of our written resources you will have a significant editing role, as well as undertaking selected research and writing tasks. Your management duties will include overseeing staff, managing ad hoc projects, and deputising for the BRIDGE Manager. You will require a postgraduate qualification in gender and development or proven specialist knowledge, excellent editing, research, writing and communications skills, and significant project management experience. You will draw on your extensive writing and editing of gender-focused resources and of working in the global South on these issues. The Senior Gender Officer reports directly to the BRIDGE Manager. We offer an attractive salary, favourable holiday allowance, a flexible working ethos and membership of the Universities Superannuation Scheme. The post is based in Brighton, Sussex. It is a permanent position. Salary: £29,055 - £38,448 per annum, subject to experience Closing Date: 15th May 2007 (11:00 am UK time) Interview Date: week commencing 28th May 2007 OFFICIAL APPLICATION FORMS ONLY, CVs are not accepted For further information and to download an application form please log on to: http://www.ids.ac.uk/ids/recruit/196_SGO_Bridge_Ad.html Alternatively to receive an electronic or hard copy please email Human Resources, hr(a)ids.ac.uk or call our confidential answerphone on: 01273-678682 [Int +44 1273] Please ensure that you quote the correct reference number We strongly encourage applications from all sections of the community regardless of sex, race, religion or religious beliefs, disability, sexual orientation and age.

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[Fwd: An educational event to transform your organisation]
by alice 07 Apr '07

07 Apr '07

*Diary Notification* * * *Event: *The African Satellite & Wireless Broadband Conference (SatWiBB Africa) & African VoIP Forum * * *Location: *Safari Park Hotel, Nairobi** *Dates: * 1-8 June 2007 (Exhibition 5-7 June) * * *Description: * Satellites still provide a communications lifeline for a large proportion of Africa’s internal and external traffic. And wireless broadband technologies are increasingly providing the continent’s intermediate and last mile links. SatWiBB Africa is the first conference to cover both ends of this increasingly integrated and converging communications paradigm. Satellite and wireless communications and VoIP are not just IT topics – they go to the heart of every organisation’s culture, processes and productivity. This convergence event brings together the latest in wireless network and mobile device applications that can help enterprises reduce costs and improve business practices. And a three-day specialised exhibition that is part of the event will showcase the latest and demonstrate the best ways to cost, plan and deploy technologies such as Wi-Fi, WiMAX, 3G, and VoIP. * Wireless Cities Masterclass, by Paul Munnery, head of Wireless Digital Cities in the UK; * Wireless Security Strategies, by Maiendra Moodley, Technical Security Advisor at the South African Reserve Bank; * An interactive workshop for corporate users, will provide a detailed introduction to VoIP, by a leading expert from Nigeria, Sunday Folayan, MD of Skannet Nigeria; * Survival strategies for Telcos, ISPs & Cyber Cafes, by Russell Southwood, CEO of Balancing Act, UK. The wide-ranging event programme will be as follows: *Friday * *1 June* *Monday * *4 June* *Tuesday * *5 June* *Wednesday * *6 June* *Thursday * *7 June* *Friday * *8 June* *Morning* Masterclass: Wireless Security Strategies African CDMA Showcase SatWiBB Conference SatWiBB Conference VoIP Forum Workshop: VoIP for Corporate Users *Afternoon* Masterclass: Wireless Cities Workshop: Survival Strategies for Telcos & ISPs EXHIBITION (9am – 6pm) Top-level executives from equipment suppliers, telecom operators and ISPs will share knowledge with delegates as they debate strategy, policies and implementation techniques.** * * *Delegate fees:* SatWiBB Conference $540 CDMA Showcase: Free by invitation Wireless Security Masterclass $350 Wireless Cities Masterclass: $240 VoIP Forum: $450 VoIP for Corporate Users Workshop: $240 Survival Strategies for Telcos & ISPs Workshop: $240 *To register as a delegate, log on to www.aitecafrica.com <http://www.aitecafrica.com/>* I hope you can attend the event and look forward to seeing you there. Sean Moroney Chairman AITEC Africa seanm(a)aitecafrica.com <mailto:seanm@aitecafrica.com> UK Tel: +44-(0)1480-880774 UK Fax: +44-(0)1480-880765 UK Mobile: +44(0)7973-499224 Kenya Mobile: +254(0)721-845674 Nigeria Mobile: +234(0)802--0571766 SA Mobile: +27(0)72-610-7153 Skype: seanmoroney www.aitecafrica.com <http://www.aitecafrica.com/>

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[Fwd: [governance] VeriSign Raises: .com & .net Registry Fees]
by alice 06 Apr '07

06 Apr '07

When VeriSign renegotiated its domain contacts for .com and .net, many feared the company would begin raising rates. It appears as if some of those fears are being realized. The company said later Thursday that it would raise the fees for .com domains to $6.42 from $6, a 7 percent increase, and from $3.50 to $3.85 for .net domains, a 10 percent increase. The changes would take effect on October 15. ... [News Report: http://www.betanews.com/article/VeriSign_Raises_com_net_Registry_Fees/11758… 6 ] -- ____________________________________________________________ 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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Autoreply: Re: Tom Friedman
by kfourati＠idrc.ca 06 Apr '07

06 Apr '07

I am currently traveling. I will not have access to emails between the 9th and 15th of april and will have limited access to emails after that. It may take me sometime to reply. I will be back to the office on the 30th. Je suis actuellement en déplacement et je n'aurais pas accès à mon courriel entre le 9 et le 15 avril. je ne pourrais pas consulter mon courriel fréquemment après le 15. Il se peut que je ne puisse pas vous répondre rapidement. Je serais de retour au bureau le 30 avril

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2007 Economic Report on Africa
by Rebecca Wanjiku 05 Apr '07

05 Apr '07

Dear Sir/Madam, I am pleased to forward you an electronic copy of the newhttp://www.uneca.org/era2007/ , along with some updated information. The report was officially launched on 3rd April 2007 at the headquarters of the UN Economic Commission for Africa in Addis Ababa , Ethiopia . If you have any questions please contact me. Regards J.Max Bankole Jarrett OIC, Information and Communication Service Office of the Executive Secretary Economic Commission for Africa 00 2511 1 5 516294 ____________________________________________________________________________________ Finding fabulous fares is fun. Let Yahoo! FareChase search your favorite travel sites to find flight and hotel bargains. http://farechase.yahoo.com/promo-generic-14795097

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of ICANN and acronyms
by Rebecca Wanjiku 05 Apr '07

05 Apr '07

this is for all those who dont speak the foreign language of ICANN and the acronymsread on... Domains Explained, Part 1: Registrants, Registries, Registrars and Resellersby Joey deVilla on Fri 30 Mar 2007 03:49 PM EDT | Permanent Link In Monday's article -- Questions to Ask Before You Pick Your Domain Name Registrar -- Elliot covered a lot of ground in his list of things you should know about when picking a domain name registrar. In this series of articles, I'll expand on what he wrote and explain some of the finer points of domain names that you might not be aware of. Registrants, Registries, Registrars and ResellersThe last question in Elliot's list was Are you a registrar or a reseller? If these terms, along with registry and registrant are unfamiliar to you, read on -- I'm going to explain what each one means. Let me begin with the diagram below. It provides a brief description of each of these terms... RegistrantRegistryRegistrarReseller...and also illustrates the relationships among them. I'll explain each of these terms in greater detail after the diagram: RegistrantThe registrant is the easiest one to explain. The registrant for a domain name is the person or organization who registered and owns the domain name. If you've ever registered a domain name, you're its registrant. RegistryBefore I can talk about registries, I need to talk about top-level domains first. A top-level domain -- often shortened to TLD -- is the last part of any domain name. You're probably familiar with the generic TLDs .com, .org and .net and country code TLDs such as .ca, .de, .eu and .jp. Each top-level domain is managed by an organization called a registry, which is responsible for: Managing the domain names within its assigned top-level domain.Maintaining the WHOIS database for that domain, which stores information on each domain name in the top-level domain, such as the domain's registrant, registrar and expiry date.Maintaining the root servers for that top-level domain, which act as an "address book" for all nameservers responsible for the top-level domain. I'll cover root servers and other parts of the domain name system in a later article.RegistrarIn order to keep the domain name system working and stable, only organizations accredited by ICANN (the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers, one of whose jobs is to manage the assignment of domain names and IP addresses) can register domain names. If you're curious about what sort of process an organization has to go through to become an accredited registrar, ICANN has a page that describes it in detail. There are a few hundred ICANN-accredited registrars worldwide; Tucows is just of them. One way for you to register a domain name is to select one of these registrars, who will electronically make the appropriate arrangements with the registry and activate your domain name. There's another way for you to register a domain name: through a reseller. ResellerIn the previous section, I mentioned that Tucows is a registrar. However, we're a little unusual. We don't directly register domain names on behalf of registrants. Instead, we sell our capability to register domain names to other companies, who then resell this capability to registrants. Hence the name reseller. You're probably wondering why you'd want to go through a reseller rather than a registrar. Two very important reasons are: Most of the time, you don't buy just a domain name by itself. You also buy services that the domain name points to, such as a website, a blog, email mailboxes and so on. A good reseller will often offer package deals or bundles comprising what they feel are the best services, just as a good retail store will carry a selection of what they feel are the best brands.Customer service. By reselling our domain name registration service, a reseller can spend less time worrying about the technical and regulatory issues that registrars face and spend more time on what's really important: their customers.One thing to keep in mind when registering domain names through a reseller: they're bound by the policies of the registrar whose services they resell. Make sure you know which registrar your reseller uses and what their domain name policies are. Rebecca Wanjiku, journalist, p.o box 33515, Nairobi.00600 Kenya. Tel. 254 720 318 925 blog:http://beckyit.blogspot.com/ ____________________________________________________________________________________ Get your own web address. Have a HUGE year through Yahoo! Small Business. http://smallbusiness.yahoo.com/domains/?p=BESTDEAL

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Business Daily - Kenya edges into open source software
by Bill Kagai 05 Apr '07

05 Apr '07

Kenyan companies have been slow to warm to open source software – the free software built by boffins who believe the world's software knowledge should be a free resource. http://bdafrica.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=498&Itemid=27…

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Africa joins thousand voices at ICANN
by Rebecca Wanjiku 05 Apr '07

05 Apr '07

Thousands of Voices Get Direct Say At ICANN 29 March 2007 Internet users from three of ICANN's five global regions will now have direct input to the organization thanks to the creation of three Regional At-Large Organisations (RALOs). Memorandums of Understanding creating RALOs for Africa and Europe were signed today by ICANN and member groups of the RALOs in a special ceremony at ICANN's 28th Public Meeting in Lisbon. The third RALO — Asia-Australia-Pacific — was announced and will be formally signed at the 30th Public Meeting to be held later this year. “This is a fantastic day for Internet users in Africa, in Europe, and in the Asia-Australia-Pacific region. The creation of RALOs gives average Internet users the chance to influence decisions that shape the security and stability of the Internet,” said Dr Paul Twomey, President and CEO of ICANN. The At-Large Advisory Committee (ALAC) of ICANN represents Internet users in ICANN. "ICANN deals with issues that are technical but hugely important to Internet users. At-Large is the place to be if you want to participate — and RALOs provide direct input to us," said Jacqueline Morris, ALAC Chair from Trinidad and Tobago. The first RALO, the Latin America - Caribbean Regional At-Large Organization was created at the 27th ICANN public meeting held in São Paulo in December 2006. Today's announcement means four of ICANN's five global regions have RALOs. The people who RALOs represent are incredibly diverse. For example, groups from Africa taking part in today include a network of journalists based in Tanzania reporting on Internet issues (JUSTA-AFRICA), and Internet Society chapters from countries as diverse as Mali, Benin, South Africa, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. European user groups participating include Internet Society chapters throughout Eastern and Western Europe, a network of science and Information and Communications Technology professionals in Germany, and academic professionals. More information on the creation of RALOs is available at http://alac.icann.org/applications/ Rebecca Wanjiku, journalist, p.o box 33515, Nairobi.00600 Kenya. Tel. 254 720 318 925 blog:http://beckyit.blogspot.com/ ____________________________________________________________________________________ Looking for earth-friendly autos? Browse Top Cars by "Green Rating" at Yahoo! Autos' Green Center. http://autos.yahoo.com/green_center/

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spanish IDN update
by Rebecca Wanjiku 05 Apr '07

05 Apr '07

Spanish .ORG IDNs Registrations Available March 3rdFeb 21, 2007 | Inside: IndustryBy PIRPrint | Email As part of its ongoing efforts to improve the Internet and ensure access for users worldwide, Public Interest Registry (PIR), the .ORG registry, will make available Spanish Internationalized Domain Names (IDNs) on 03 March 2007. The Domain Name System originally was limited largely to the characters used in English and the ASCII character set. Technical standards will now enable the registration of Spanish IDNs that use specific characters (e.g., á, é, í, ñ, ó). These characters are created using Punycode, a simple and efficient way to translate non-ASCII characters into a string of characters allowed in host name labels (ASCII letters, digits and hyphens) and back again. Spanish .ORG IDN registrations will be handled on a first-come, first-served basis. Spanish IDNs registered during the first 30 days of operation—specifically between 19:00 UTC, 03 March 2007 and 19:00 UTC, 02 April 2007—will be placed on Server Delete Prohibited, Server Transfer Prohibited, Server Update Prohibited, Server Renew Prohibited and Server Hold. These statuses will remain in effect until 02 May 2007 to allow intellectual property interests to file dispute resolution actions, if warranted. “With more than 100 million Spanish-speaking Internet users in Latin America, enabling IDNs in Spanish will bring .ORG and the power of the Internet to a significant population, especially to the civil sector, that may not have had adequate access before,” says Erick Iriarte Ahon, director of Alfa-Redi and a .ORG Advisory Council member. In addition to Spanish IDNs, PIR allows IDN registrations in several other scripts, including Danish, German, Hungarian, Icelandic, Korean (Hangul), Latvian, Lithuanian, Polish and Swedish. See PIR’s Web site for more information on IDNs and to see the list of .ORG registrars that offer IDN registration. The latest copy of Public Interest Registry’s (PIR) newsletter, “The World of .ORG” and free subscription form is available online. Rebecca Wanjiku, journalist, p.o box 33515, Nairobi.00600 Kenya. Tel. 254 720 318 925 blog:http://beckyit.blogspot.com/ ____________________________________________________________________________________ Looking for earth-friendly autos? Browse Top Cars by "Green Rating" at Yahoo! Autos' Green Center. http://autos.yahoo.com/green_center/

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Internet Market Study -where is it?
by John Walubengo 04 Apr '07

04 Apr '07

The DG (CCK) promised that the above study that was launched last week would be uploaded on the CCK website (www.cck.go.ke) by yesterday. I have looked hard on their site but I am not seeing it. Could someone share an advanced copy with list? We want to start 'hacking' this report ;-) walu. ____________________________________________________________________________________ Don't pick lemons. See all the new 2007 cars at Yahoo! Autos. http://autos.yahoo.com/new_cars.html

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[Fwd: [Fibre-for-africa] Fwd: World Bank Approves US$164.5 Million for Connectivity...]
by alice 03 Apr '07

03 Apr '07

fyi... -Steve ----------------------------------- World Bank Approves US$164.5 Million for Connectivity to Make Kenya, Burundi and Madagascar More Competitive Up to 25 countries in East and Southern Africa could benefit from the broader US$424 million Regional Communications Infrastructure Program (RCIP) -------------------------------------- WASHINGTON, D.C., April 2, 2007 ¡ª The World Bank Board of Directors approved on March 29, an International Development Association (IDA) financing package of US$164.5 million for Kenya, Burundi and Madagascar as the first tranche of the US$424 million Regional Communications Infrastructure Program (RCIP) for high-speed connectivity in East and Southern Africa. The region is being held back by the prohibitive costs of international connectivity. Businesses are unable to compete in the global economy; university students suffer because they cannot access the Internet; and Government agencies cannot communicate effectively with each other and their citizens because they are not connected. East and Southern Africa is the only region in the world that is not connected to the global broadband infrastructure and accounts for less than one percent of the world¡¯s international bandwidth capacity. Asa result of this ¡®missing link¡¯, the region relies on satellite connectivity, with costs amongst the highest in the world. One Kenyan call-center entrepreneur told the World Bank Board of Directors the region simply cannot compete. ¡°To put 25 agents on the phone, it will cost us close to US$17,000 a month. Elsewhere, it will only cost US$600-900 a month¡± said Nicholas Nesbitt, CEO of KenCall. ¡°It is absolutely imperative that something be done right now to make bandwidth affordable. Otherwise, we¡¯re going to miss a huge opportunity and people are simply going to say that Africa is not ready for these kinds of jobs, is not ready for business.¡± The Board of Directors responded to the appeal and Governments¡¯ requests for assistance by unanimously endorsing RCIP, which will bring affordable high speed connectivity to as many as 25 countries1 in East and Southern Africa. The US$164.5 million first tranche of funding consists of IDA credits in the amount of US$114.4 million to Kenya and US$30 million to Madagascar, and an IDA grant in the amount of US$20.1 million to Burundi. RCIP is an innovative example of the emphasis on regional integration, which accounts for more than 10% of total World Bank support to Africa. ¡°Improving broadband connectivity will add tremendous public value for Africa. Low cost, high quality communications is essential for economic competitiveness¡± said Paul Wolfowitz, President of the World Bank Group. ¡°Africa is becoming more plugged in - this is very encouraging for the continent. Our partner countries are sending a strong signal to the world that they are open for business and ready to leap into the information age.¡± RCIP financing of terrestrial networks will be a catalyst to attract and maximize private sector investment in telecommunications infrastructure. RCIP complements regional undersea cable initiatives, such as the Eastern Africa Submarine Cable System (EASSy) developed by telecommunications operators with support from the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and other development partners. By the end of the Program, it is expected that all capitals and major cities in East and Southern Africa would be linked to competitively priced high-bandwidth connectivity. This will equip Africa to trade on a level playing field, extend education beyond the classrooms, and accelerate good governance. ### To watch the RCIP video presented to the World Bank Board of Directors, visit www.worldbank.org/rcip/video <http://www.worldbank.org/rcip/video> For information on the Africa Regional Communications Infrastructure Program, visit www.worldbank.org/rcip <http://www.worldbank.org/rcip> For more information on the World Bank in Africa, visit www.worldbank.org/africa <http://www.worldbank.org/africa> Background Information The World Bank Group¡¯s Work on Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) The World Bank RCIP initiative to leverage private sector investment in terrestrial networks and the IFC support to the private sector-led EASSy submarine cable are part of a broader joint World Bank/IFC effort to address connectivity issues and promote private sector participation in Africa. For the past decade, the World Bank has focused on partnering with Governments to deepen reforms and improve the investment climate for private sector participation in the telecommunications sector. The World Bank endorses private competition in a level playing field environment, and is currently partnering with 30 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa in this area. The IFC is an early financier and investor in Africa-based telecommunications private sector operators who have now become regional leaders. The IFC is currently a direct or indirect financier for private sector telecommunications operators in 25 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa and has in the recent years mobilized close to US$1 billion for the sector. These efforts have played a role in creatinga demonstration effect, which, coupled with positive changes in the investment environment, has contributed to changing the perception of investors towards Africa, who are now attempting to replicate this success in other infrastructure and business areas. *** NO LONGER INTERESTED IN RECEIVING THESE UPDATES? *** Please reply to this message with 'unsubscribe' in the subject line to be removed from this distribution list. -- Steve Song <ssong(a)idrc.ca> Manager ICT4D Africa Programs http://www.connectivityafrica.org http://www.idrc.ca/acacia International Development Research Centre Tel. +1 613 236 6163 x2268 Mobile: +1 613 302 8233 Skype: steve_l_song _______________________________________________ Fibre-for-africa mailing list Fibre-for-africa(a)lists.apc.org http://lists.apc.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/fibre-for-africa

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[Fwd: Re: [governance] ICANN Board Vote Signals Era of Censorship in Domain Names]
by alice 03 Apr '07

03 Apr '07

-------- Original Message -------- Subject: Re: [governance] ICANN Board Vote Signals Era of Censorship in Domain Names Date: Tue, 03 Apr 2007 12:14:03 -0400 From: Lee McKnight <LMcKnigh(a)syr.edu> Reply-To: governance(a)lists.cpsr.org, "Lee McKnight" <LMcKnigh(a)syr.edu> To: <expression(a)ipjustice.org>, <governance(a)lists.cpsr.org>, <NCUC-DISCUSS(a)LISTSERV.SYR.EDU>, "Milton Mueller" <Mueller(a)syr.edu>, <goldstein_david(a)yahoo.com.au> As to 'what does this decision say ICANN is becoming?' - um, well, it looks and acts like an industry self-regulatory body, right? So, it is an industry regulator. Is anyone shocked? No, didn't think so. Some regulatory decisions are made on technical grounds, others on economic, process, and some yes for reasons of policy, which may reflect more or less community including political input. And affect speech on the Internet, free or otherwise. What is still lacking is an 'Administrative Procedures Act' for the Internet, in partidular to guide ICANN on how it should go about and what it may or may not consider in its decisionmaking, whether for gtld's or anything else. Lee Prof. Lee W. McKnight School of Information Studies Syracuse University +1-315-443-6891office +1-315-278-4392 mobile >>> Mueller(a)syr.edu 4/3/2007 10:59 AM >>> David: I was at the ICANN meeting and have been carefully following the .xxx controversy since the US government intervened in August 2005. Robin is correct that the .xxx rejection is fundamentally about ICANN trying to avoid, or actively discourage, controversial top level domain names. This was evident from the many conversations and comments at the meeting, especially among governments. No one familiar with the facts of this case can deny that there are free expression issues. You also ignore the broader context -- this rejection happened at the same time as a new TLD approval process is being proposed that would openly and explicitly veto any proposals that generate opposition. Take a look at the transcripts of the public forum discussion, in which the Chair of the GNSO admits that objections from the Catholic church would have to be taken seriously if a TLD that mentioned "abortion" was proposed. You speak of "community support." ICM had 77,000 advance registrations, which exceed by a factor of 10-20 the number of hostile comments. That shows that it was viable economically and would be used. Of course there are adult online sites whose interests were threatened by a .xxx, and they opposed it. But any domain name proposal might generate opposition from someone in the world, for some reason. If ICANN turns TLD approval into a popularity contest then it is, de facto, a massive restriction of freedom of expression. Do you need community support to start a newspaper or a web site? You shouldn't need "community support" to be able to speak on the Internet. Whether .xxx would in fact "protect children" or uses a "Western" concept of porn are fankly silly arguments that people grab at to rationalize their opposition. How does it "protect children" to continue the status quo in .com, which is full of easily accessible porn sites, some of it misleadingly labeled? How can any effort to identify and label porn avoid embodying a specific culture? These kids of arguments are simply rationalizations. --MM >>> goldstein_david(a)yahoo.com.au 4/2/2007 10:43 PM >>> Robin, I strongly disagree with your comments Robin. First, one prerequisite is for applicants for a TLD to have community support. There was no community support from the adult/porn industry. ICM claimed there was but never showed it. My contacts in the adult industry cannot find anyone in the industry who has supported the creation of this TLD. The opposition of religious groups should have been inconsequential, but as subscribers to my news will have seen, they're crowing about their input into the rejection. I would have thought the lack of community support was reason enough to not approve the proposed TLD. Second, I have major reservations about the role ICANN may be forced to play in content regulation should problems eventuate with ICM. In addition, the creation of such a TLD should never have got off the ground. It does nothing to protect children unless there is enforced registrations of adult content in this field. It also uses a western concept on what is adult content. You could easily argue that it is all about western, and mostly American, views about protecting children. Further, those voting against the resolution put forward at the meeting only voted against supporting the resolution. They did not necessarily vote in favour of the creation of a .xxx TLD. To call this censorship is plain wrong. Cheers David ____________________________________________________________ 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 ____________________________________________________________ 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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Re: [kictanet] .xxx rejected
by alice 03 Apr '07

03 Apr '07

John Walubengo wrote: > Long Live SUSAN CRAWFORD! > > She articulated it exactltly the way I always thought. If > the guys want .XXX give them .XXX and more. Don't get me > wrong - i happen to be the religious type and don't support > porn (adult or otherwise). > > However, i find it a very clever way to 'controlling' porn. > Give them one ID (domain name) so that it becomes > technically easier to 'Block' them off. Technically it is > easier to issue one single command against 'XXX' and the > whole country is 'DENIED' access to XXX (porn) than it is > to try and search millions of domains for porn content in > order to block them (the current solutions against porn). > > In security terms it is known as the 'Honey-Pot' syndrome. > If you want to trap all the flies, create a single point of > attraction (e.g. XXX) and then 'Zap' them right in there. > And this zapping (Blocking) can be done at Country, > District and Local(organisational) Level. So give them > their damn 'XXX', it becomes easier to control porn that > way. > > walu. > > karenb(a)gn.apc.org > --- "A. Wanjira Munyua" <alice(a)apc.org> wrote: > > >> Hi all >> >> Today the ICANN board rejected the .XXX proposal >> The board votes were: >> >> 9 votes against >> 5 votes in favor >> 1 abstention >> >> >> >> Below some excerpts of the discussions from the ICANN >> ALAC list but entire >> discussion can be accessed online. >> >> >> > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ > >> SUSAN CRAWFORD: As a board, we cannot speak as elected >> representatives >> of the global Internet community because we have not >> allowed elections >> for board members. This application does not present any >> difficult >> technical questions, and even if it did, we do not, as a >> group, claim to >> have special technical expertise. ... >> >> >>JOICHI ITO: I vote no against the resolution, and I >> would like to >> comment briefly. I think Peter, Susan and David have >> articulated most of >> the points. I would also like to point out that the >> discussions and >> arguments about how we would end up by default becoming >> entangled in the >> content aspect of this is not sufficient reason for me to >> vote in favor >> of this resolution. It is a reason to look at again, as >> Susan says, the >> whole process of gTLDs but maybe even at a higher level >> the raison >> d'etre and the existence of ICANN and how it should >> progress. >> >> Susan's full statement is worth reading, so I've >> reproduced it below. >> >> --Wendy >> >> SUSAN CRAWFORD: I must dissent from this resolution, >> which is not only >> weak but unprincipled. I'm troubled by the path the board >> has followed >> on this issue since I joined the board in December of >> 2005. I'd like to >> make two points. >> >> First, ICANN only creates problems for itself when it >> acts in an ad hoc >> fashion in response to political pressures. Second, ICANN >> should take >> itself seriously, as a private governanced institution >> with a limited >> mandate and should resist efforts by governments to veto >> what it does. >> >> I'd like to talk about the role of the board. >> >> This decision whether to admit a particular non-confusing >> legal string >> into the root is put before the ICANN board because, >> first, we purport >> to speak on behalf of the global Internet community. And >> second, the >> U.S. Department of Commerce defers to the judgments of >> that community >> when deciding what to tell its contractor to add to the >> authoritative >> root zone file. >> >> As a board, we cannot speak as elected representatives of >> the global >> Internet community because we have not allowed elections >> for board >> members. This application does not present any difficult >> technical >> questions, and even if it did, we do not, as a group, >> claim to have >> special technical expertise. >> >> So this is not a technical stability and security >> question. >> >> It seems to me that the only plausible basis on which the >> board can >> answer the question in the negative -- so could say a >> group of people >> may not operate and use a lawful string of letters as a >> top-level domain >> -- is to say that the people affected by this decision >> have a >> broadly-shared agreement that the admission of this >> string to the root >> would amount to unjustifiable wrongdoing. >> >> Otherwise, in the absence of technical considerations, >> the board has no >> basis for rejecting this application. >> >> Let me explain. >> >> The most fundamental value of the global Internet >> community is that >> people who propose to use the Internet protocols and >> infrastructures for >> otherwise lawful purposes, without threatening the >> operational stability >> or security of the Internet, should be presumed to be >> entitled to do so. >> In a nutshell, everything not prohibited is permitted. >> >> This understanding, this value, has led directly to the >> striking success >> of the Internet around the world. >> >> ICANN's role in gTLD policy development is to seek to >> assess and >> articulate the broadly-shared values of the Internet >> community. We have >> very limited authority. And we can only speak on behalf >> of that >> community. I am personally not aware that any global >> consensus against >> the creation of a triple X domain exists. >> >> In the absence of such a prohibition, and given our >> mandate to create >> TLD competition, we have no authority to block the >> addition of this TLD >> to the root. It is very clear that we do not have a >> global shared set of >> values about content on-line, save for the global norm >> against child >> pornography. But the global Internet community clearly >> does share the >> core value that no centralized authority should set >> itself up as the >> arbiter of what people may do together on line, absent a >> demonstration >> that most of those affected by the proposed activity >> agree that it >> should be banned. >> >> I'd like to speak about the process of this application. >> >> More than three years ago, before I joined the board, >> ICANN began a >> process for new sponsored top-level domains. As I've said >> on many >> occasions, I think the idea of sponsorship is an empty >> one. All generic >> TLDs should be considered sponsored, in that they should >> be able to >> create policies for themselves that are not dictated by >> ICANN. The only >> exceptions to this freedom for every TLD should be, of >> course, the very >> few global consensus policies that are created through >> the ICANN forum. >> This freedom is shared by the country code TLDs. >> >> Notwithstanding my personal views on the vacuity of the >> sponsorship >> idea, the fact is that ICANN evaluated the strength of >> the sponsorship >> of triple X, the relationship between the applicant and >> the community >> behind the TLD, and, in my personal view, concluded that >> this criteria >> had been met as of June 2005. ICANN then went on to >> negotiate specific >> contractual terms with the applicant. >> >> Since then, real and AstroTurf comments -- that's an >> Americanism meaning >> filed comments claiming to be grass-roots opposition that >> have actually >> been generated by organized campaigns -- have come into >> ICANN that >> reflect opposition to this application. >> >> I do not find these recent comments sufficient to warrant >> revisiting the >> question of the sponsorship strength of this TLD, which I >> personally >> believe to be closed. >> >> No applicant for any sponsored TLD could ever demonstrate >> unanimous, >> cheering approval for its application. We have no metric >> against which >> >> > === message truncated === > > > > > ____________________________________________________________________________________ > Sucker-punch spam with award-winning protection. > Try the free Yahoo! Mail Beta. > http://advision.webevents.yahoo.com/mailbeta/features_spam.html > >

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[Fwd: [Fibre-for-africa] Ex-Africa One Honcho bringing Optical Fibre to East Africa in another project]
by alice 02 Apr '07

02 Apr '07

from Brian Longwe: Fibre for Africa mailing list: Interesting to note that the former top gun at Africa One - the failed "fibre necklace for Africa" - is spearheading this initiative. One more piece of evidence that Africa holds the key to the future of the global telecoms business. OUTSIDER EAST COAST FIBRE PROJECT COMES IN FROM THE COLD – SEACOM GOES PUBLIC (From Russell Southwood's Balancing Act) There are four projects to build an international fibre cable to connect the east coast of Africa. There’s EASSy, the Kenyan Government’s TEAMS, Flag Telecom…and the fourth project? Sithe’s SEACOM has been working quietly on the fringes to put together a privately funded “carriers’ carrier” project. News has been filtering out about it but Sithe’s Brian Herlihy made his first public presentation of the project at a United Stated Trade Development Agency Africa conference ten days ago in San Francisco. Russell Southwood spoke to him about what SEACOM will be and how it will work. The new cable follows the same route as the EASSy cable down the eastern seaboard but it will either connect internationally directly into Italy or India via VNSL. The latter is important because the total cost of international fibre transit will include any second leg beyond the point where the cable lands. Brian Herlihy is a veteran of Africa One who has learned the lessons of that over-ambitious project. Sithe is owned by venture capital company Blackstone but is raising private equity to complete the cable which will be called SEACOM. It wants to become a carriers’ carrier for what it sees as an “underserved” market. Thus far, it has raised money from the following sources: American funding from an African infrastructure fund, an Africa and Middle East Fund based in Europe and two private equity groups in Africa. At the conference presentation, Herlihy told delegates that “50% of the shareholders are African.” In order to act as a “carriers’ carrier”, it will outsource day-to- day operations and is currently in discussions with an internationally reputable carrier. It will either invest in terrestrial backhaul directly or buy it from others. It has excess funding targeted at inland backhaul. It is talking to ISPs and carriers about Capacity Purchase Agreements. In effect, it is selling IRUs where the purchaser will put 5% of the price down by an agreed date and make the final 95% contribution at the start of operations. One of the current obstacles the project has overcome is that the South African Government will not allow it to land the cable in that country itself. Therefore it will make a commercial agreement with an existing carrier (Neotel) and transfer the operation of the landing station to it. Under the ECA Act, it will make sure that the fibre offers open and fair access to all operators and allows co-location of other POPs. By contrast, in Tanzania it will obtain its own licence and build its own landing station and a large co-location centre and put a large ICT park alongside if it proves to be feasible. It will follow the same licensing and operating route in Kenya and also build a co- location centre there. It is currently talking to the Kenyan utility companies about obtaining terrestrial backhaul. A factor that will affect all four East African fibre projects is the tightening market for optic fibre cable and build capacity. Having been in the doldrums for a number of years, the two main international submarine cable-laying companies are believed to be both short of fibre optic cable and ships over the next three years. There are now a large number of new fibre projects, particularly in the Pacific. EASSy has chosen Alcatel Lucent as its contractor and we understand that it also bid for the TEAMS project. The Kenyan Government chose Tyco as its contractor. Neither Flag nor SEACOM has appointed contractors although Herlihy says it will do so this month (April 2007). On pricing, Herlihy told delegates”We have lowered expected pricing twice to unlock pent-up demand.” He said that the company would act as a wholesaler and that it expected that a reseller market would develop for bandwidth in much the same way as already operated in the satellite market. On pricing, he was coy about starting prices but expected prices to drop to US$91 per mbps per month in ten years time. He noted that the price of bandwidth was “killing more business cases (in Africa) than other factor”. Asked whether his company would be interested in building a competitive alternative to SAT3, he replied that there was already interest in Guinea (where it was involved in an aluminium smelting project) and several groups had already approached it. It is interesting to note that the countries with more competitive markets like Kenya and Tanzania are attracting new operator interest, whilst South Africa is not really open for business in quite the same way. _______________________________________________ Fibre-for-africa mailing list Fibre-for-africa(a)lists.apc.org http://lists.apc.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/fibre-for-africa

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