- KICTANet - KICTANet

Lessons from Loon:
by Adam Lane 01 Feb '21

01 Feb '21

My thoughts for those who might be interested... https://blog.huawei.com/2021/02/01/lessons-from-loon-connecting-unnconnecte… [cid:image002.png@01D6F87F.3BEDBEE0] Lessons from Loon & Connecting the Unnconnected ByAdam Lane February 1, 2021 Source of main image: Loon<https://loon.com/press/> News that Loon was winding down operations because "we haven't found a way to get the costs low enough to build a long-term, sustainable business<https://medium.com/loon-for-all/loon-draft-c3fcebc11f3f>" came as a disappointment to many, and rightly so. It is hugely difficult to provide connectivity in very remote areas, and any new technological innovations that could do so would be welcomed particularly in Kenya and Mozambique where operations were quite advanced. What may we be able to learn from this announcement? There are lessons around costs, and more importantly, around revenues. The first lesson is around costs. A typical base station can cost anywhere from US $20,000 to US $80,000 depending on factors like how it gets backhauled to the Internet (e.g., via satellite, microwave, fiber or LTE relay), the size of the actual tower itself (the taller a tower the easier it is to provide wider coverage), power costs (e.g., solar-powered with batteries if grid electricity is not available and can lower long-term operating costs), and the equipment on the tower. The balloons that Loon used also incurred costs, including the balloon itself, 4G equipment, and the use of lasers for backhaul. These lasers transmitted the Internet from the ground to a single balloon and then between different balloons - innovative technology which is still being used in other projects outside of Loon. For Loon, one challenge was that each balloon only lasts a few months and thus needs to be recovered and then relaunched, adding a great deal to the cost even if the technology on the balloon can be re-used. Consider, for example, balloons that are currently launched only from Puerto Rico and Nevada and then spend weeks travelling across to Africa. In the industry we talk a lot about Capital Expenditure (CAPEX) and Operating Expenditure (OPEX). For a base station, CAPEX is buying the equipment and building the base station, which is a one-time cost and may last a decade or more. The tower itself can last multiple decades, even if equipment on it may need to be replaced. OPEX for a rural site may be quite low if the tower has no power costs and uses solar panels with batteries and the site rental is low. In this case the main operating cost is backhaul costs, which partly varies by demand. A telecom company thus faces significant up-front costs and then hopes to reclaim the revenue over years, ideally around 2 to 3, sometimes around 7. But some sites may never recover the costs, and thus those sites rarely get built without subsidies. Loon seems like it has quite significant CAPEX and OPEX if the balloons have to continually be replaced to refill the helium, and that may be one of the reasons the costs are not as low as desired. Maybe with time the balloons could be improved to last longer, or maybe with greater scale, more manufacturing, launch (and helium refill) sites could be built closer to where they are needed, which would reduce costs. As the balloons move around, there is a large minimum number of balloons necessary to ensure good coverage of any particular location which is a large cost, even with Loon's impressive algorithms managing the balloon's movements. It seems that Loon has decided it might not be able to get the costs low enough, or is not willing to keep investing any longer to reach the point at which it can get them low enough. The second lesson is around revenue. As well as costs, perhaps the bigger challenge is revenue. Enabling Internet use is the key, not just providing Internet coverage. But in rural areas revenues are typically very low due to few users, the low income of those users, and thus the low average revenue per user (ARPU) for service providers. Loon was supposed to help overcome this by covering a very wide area, which could have many more users per balloon than a typical base station (200 times more, according to Loon). However, providing wider network coverage does not mean there will be more users, or that they will spend money on telecommunications. In a remote area that previously did not have coverage, very few people will have a phone or smartphone. Why would they, if there was previously no coverage? They need to be able to afford one, as well as the electricity to recharge the phone on a daily basis and the Internet service fee for voice, the Internet, mobile money, or other value-added services such as agricultural information services or education content that might not be free. Few actual services may be useful for that person-in other words there may not be a website or app that meets that person's day-to-day needs in a language they understand, because they are likely to represent a minority market. As a result, they may not spend much money once they are online. On top of that, they may not know how to use a smartphone or the Internet in general. To overcome all of these issues would require a tremendous ground operation: making the people on the ground aware there is Internet, explaining why and how it would be useful to them, helping them get a device and power, which might require donations or loans, showing them how to use that device, and so on. Then there is still the challenge of those users being on a low income. Thus even if there was an incredible use case, they might struggle to pay for it at least in the short-term. Maybe if such an operation took place, it would have generated more revenue, and thus made Loon worth it. On the other hand, such an operation may just increase costs even more (especially an operation in very remote and sparsely populated areas) that the business model is even harder to be viable. Providing network coverage is not enough without these complementary activities; many mobile network operators are increasingly investing in such initiatives to enhance their business case, but these may not have happened with Loon's partners-or they may not have shown results quick enough. So, the lesson is not just about costs, it is about understanding the complexities of the revenue side of the equation as well. These cost challenges are similar for traditional base stations, though they may be easier: when someone builds a tower you see it and know it is there; the telco staff who build the tower could also market and sell the benefits of the Internet or devices, or provide skills training for a few days after building a tower, or they could license an agent in the village who would sell internet services. This requires people on the ground who would not be there if there is just a balloon floating overhead. Finally, for those who invest in base stations, and design them with low operating costs, they can afford to wait several years until they recoup their costs, and then begin to make profits, since the infrastructure will stay there for a long time. It also makes it easier for governments to offer subsidies to build that infrastructure, as a one-time subsidy, than a recurring subsidy. Loon has announced a package of US$10 million to help support various related efforts in Kenya to support those in Kenya who might be affected by the loss of Loon's service. This could make a real difference. As could the many programs that Google, a sister company to Loon, has been running for many years to provide digital skills, one of the barriers identified above. So the lessons from Loon are not just about the needs for innovative technology that might reduce costs of providing Internet coverage, though that is still true, but about the needs for more investments in increasing revenues-providing devices, power, relevant content, awareness of that content, and skills to use the devices amongst many others. Loon's efforts were welcome and some of their technologies no doubt will be re-used in other ways, whilst the lessons learned may well help others working on similar initiatives. Their willingness to take risks, invest, and innovate is commendable and hugely necessary if we are try to solve the problems of rural Internet use (not just coverage). There are many efforts underway around the world in this area, but it is not enough. Let's work together to do more!

5 4

Re: [kictanet] Why Kenya is NOT ready to deploy 5G technologies
by SAMUEL O. 29 Jan '21

29 Jan '21

The telcos in kenya are very innovative so sooner you will find them in the 5G space On Mon, Jan 25, 2021 at 7:56 PM Adam Lane via kictanet < kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> wrote: > Check out the comments on the KICTAnet LinkedIn post > > https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:6756955985018920960 > > > > > -------------------------------------------------- > M: +254-790985886 > Deputy CEO, Government Affairs > Huawei Kenya > *From:*Odhiambo Washington <odhiambo(a)gmail.com> > *To:*Adam Lane <adam.lane(a)huawei.com> > *Cc:*KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> > *Date:*2021-01-25 18:37:39 > *Subject:*Re: [kictanet] Why Kenya is NOT ready to deploy 5G technologies > > > > On Mon, 25 Jan 2021 at 18:32, Adam Lane < adam.lane(a)huawei.com> wrote: > >> Odhiambo >> The launch of 5G services is dependent on spectrum... Once an operator >> gets enough of it, and agrees a fair price, operators in Kenya will launch. >> >> The problem is the lack of a strategy that would define "enough" and >> "fair price"... >> >> Then there are all the other aspects mentioned in the kictanet report, >> such as industry and academic collaboration, various use case pilots etc. >> which would then maximize the impact of 5G if done well and help speed up >> that impact. >> >>> > Thanks Adam. > > This reminds me that I needed to read that report to see the "use case" - > because for me, I am happy with 4G :-) > > -- > Best regards, > Odhiambo WASHINGTON, > Nairobi,KE > +254 7 3200 0004/+254 7 2274 3223 > " Oh, the cruft. ", grep ^[^#] :-) > > _______________________________________________ > kictanet mailing list > kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > Twitter: http://twitter.com/kictanet > Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KICTANet/ > > Unsubscribe or change your options at > https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/ochiengsoja%40gmail.c… > > The Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet) is a multi-stakeholder platform > for people and institutions interested and involved in ICT policy and > regulation. The network aims to act as a catalyst for reform in the ICT > sector in support of the national aim of ICT enabled growth and development. > > KICTANetiquette : Adhere to the same standards of acceptable behaviors > online that you follow in real life: respect people's times and bandwidth, > share knowledge, don't flame or abuse or personalize, respect privacy, do > not spam, do not market your wares or qualifications. >

1 0

Contact Request...
by Michael Bullut 27 Jan '21

27 Jan '21

Greetings Team, I am looking for professionals who work in the I.T. department of the following organizations to run an Azure Sentinel P.O.C.: 1. *Kenya Civil Aviation Authority. * 2. *Kenya Ports Authority.* 3. *NCBA Group.* *Apologies for any inconvenience caused! * Warm regards, Michael Bullut. --- *Cell:* *+254 723 393 114.**Skype Name:* *Michael Bullut.* *Blog: http://www.kipsang.com/ <http://www.kipsang.com/>* *E-mail:* *main(a)kipsang.com <main(a)kipsang.com>* *---* <https://www.avast.com/sig-email?utm_medium=email&utm_source=link&utm_campai…> Virus-free. www.avast.com <https://www.avast.com/sig-email?utm_medium=email&utm_source=link&utm_campai…> <#DAB4FAD8-2DD7-40BB-A1B8-4E2AA1F9FDF2>

1 0

Data Privacy Quiz Night
by Linda Bonyo 27 Jan '21

27 Jan '21

Dear Listers, PALU Conference kicks off this afternoon! (2pm Nairobi, 12 noon Lagos) You can’t afford to miss the power packed Pan-African Conference with themes that will get you kickstarting your year in Knowledge and innovation. Don’t miss the Data Privacy Quiz Night with Prizes to be won, come test your knowledge on Data Privacy Laws. Sign up here: Bit.ly/PALU2021 -- *__________________________________________________________________* *Linda Bonyo* (Ms.) | CEO, *Lawyers Hub * *Tech for Justice* Web <http://www.lawyershub.org> | LinkedIn <https://www.linkedin.com/in/lawyers-hub-kenya-1bb021161/> | Twitter <http://www.twitter.com/lawyershubkenya> | Calendar <http://www.calendly.com/bonyo> | *_**__________________________________________________________* *DISCLAIMER: The information contained in or accompanying this e-mail is intended for the use of the stated recipient only. It may contain confidential, proprietary or legally privileged information. No confidentiality or privilege is waived or lost by any mistransmission. If you receive this message in error, please immediately delete it and all copies of it from your system, destroy any hard copies of it and notify the sender. You must not, directly or indirectly, use, disclose, distribute, print, or copy any part of this message if you are not the intended recipient. Any views or opinions presented herein are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of the Lawyers Hub.*

1 0

Fwd: [chr] Invitation: Data Protection Day 2021 in Africa
by ALLAN OCHOLA 26 Jan '21

26 Jan '21

Perhaps maybe of interest to members of this community. Best wishes, Allan ---------- Forwarded message --------- From: Yolanda Booyzen <yolanda.booyzen(a)up.ac.za> Date: Mon, Jan 25, 2021, 16:06 Subject: [chr] Invitation: Data Protection Day 2021 in Africa To: The Centre for Human Rights in collaboration with the Council of Europe, cordially invite you to an event to commemorate Data Protection Day 2021. <https://www.chr.up.ac.za/latest-news/2370-invitation-data-protection-day-20…> <https://www.coe.int/en/web/data-protection/dpd2021-african-region-event> Data Protection Day 2021 in Africa The Centre for Human Rights, University of Pretoria, in collaboration with the Council of Europe, cordially invite you to an online event <https://www.coe.int/en/web/data-protection/dpd2021-african-region-event> to commemorate Data Protection Day 2021. Click here to join <https://primetime.bluejeans.com/a2m/live-event/ghrrvpfy> On 28 January 2021, we are celebrating the 40th Anniversary of the Data Protection Convention 108 with African privacy and data protection stakeholders. African regulators and civil society representatives will inform the participants on latest developments at national, regional and international level and will touch upon the advantages of Convention 108 for African countries. The evolution of Convention 108 into the ‘modernised’ Convention 108+ adds a new dimension to international data flows and cooperation between data protection authorities, and will also be addressed. View the invitation <https://www.chr.up.ac.za/latest-news/2370-invitation-data-protection-day-20…> Data Protection Day 2021 in Africa *Thursday 28 January 2021* *Online (Bluejeans)* *11:00 GMT / 12:00 WAT / 13:00 SAST / 14:00 EAT * Click here to join <https://primetime.bluejeans.com/a2m/live-event/ghrrvpfy> *No registration required / just follow this link to connect on Bluejeans* *Opening remarks* - *Sophie Kwasny * *Head, Data Protection Unit, Council of Europe* - *Frans Viljoen * *Professor of International Human Rights Law and Director, Centre for Human Rights, University of Pretoria* *Moderators* - *Hlengiwe Dube* *Manager, Expression Information and Digital Rights Unit, Centre for Human Rights, University of Pretoria* - *Pat Walshe * *Executive Director, Privacy Matters* *Speakers* - *Patricia Adusei Poku* *Ghana, Executive Director of the Data Protection Commission* - *Immaculate Kassait* *Kenya, Data Protection Commissioner* - *Drudeisha Madhub* *Mauritius, Privacy Commissioner* - *Omar Seghrouchni * *Morocco, Data Protection and Access to Information Commissioner Secretary General, African Network of Data Protection Authorities* - *Sizwe Snail * *South Africa, Commissioner of the Information Regulator* Click here to join <https://primetime.bluejeans.com/a2m/live-event/ghrrvpfy> [image: Facebook] <http://www.facebook.com/centreforhumanrights> [image: Twitter] <http://www.twitter.com/chr_humanrights> [image: Link] <http://www.instagram.com/centreforhumanrights> [image: Website] <http://www.chr.up.ac.za> [image: LinkedIn] <https://www.linkedin.com/company/centreforhumanrights> [image: YouTube] <http://www.youtube.com/centreforhumanrights> *Copyright © 2021 Centre for Human Rights, All rights reserved.* You are receiving this email because you have been in contact with the Centre for Human Rights at the University of Pretoria. *Our mailing address is:* Centre for Human Rights, Faculty of Law, University of Pretoria Pretoria, Gauteng 0002 South Africa Want to change how you receive these emails? You can unsubscribe from this list <webmaster.chr@up.ac.za?subject=Unsubscribe%20me%20please&body=Please%20unsubscribe%20me%20from%20the%20Centre%20for%20Human%20Rights%20Newsletter> [image: Email Marketing Powered by Mailchimp] <http://www.mailchimp.com/email-referral/?utm_source=freemium_newsletter&utm…>

1 0

Re: [kictanet] Why Kenya is NOT ready to deploy 5G technologies
by Odhiambo Washington 25 Jan '21

25 Jan '21

On Mon, 25 Jan 2021 at 18:32, Adam Lane <adam.lane(a)huawei.com> wrote: > Odhiambo > The launch of 5G services is dependent on spectrum... Once an operator > gets enough of it, and agrees a fair price, operators in Kenya will launch. > > The problem is the lack of a strategy that would define "enough" and "fair > price"... > > Then there are all the other aspects mentioned in the kictanet report, > such as industry and academic collaboration, various use case pilots etc. > which would then maximize the impact of 5G if done well and help speed up > that impact. > >> Thanks Adam. This reminds me that I needed to read that report to see the "use case" - because for me, I am happy with 4G :-) -- Best regards, Odhiambo WASHINGTON, Nairobi,KE +254 7 3200 0004/+254 7 2274 3223 "Oh, the cruft.", grep ^[^#] :-)

2 1

Why Kenya is NOT ready to deploy 5G technologies
by David Indeje 25 Jan '21

25 Jan '21

Listers, Mr John Walubengo and Mr Barrack Otieno spend some time establishing Kenya’s preparedness to deploy fifth-generation wireless networks (5G). The study reviews the historical progression of mobile networks through to the current 5G mobile technologies. It then highlights the technical properties and use-cases that 5G technologies. In addition, they reviewed the global 5G state of play and contrasts that with a situational analysis for Kenya. It finds that whereas the Kenyan legal, policy, and regulatory frameworks are quite advanced, there is no specific, national 5G Strategy in place. For more of their findings in the policy brief, https://bit.ly/2XVMdit *Kind Regards,* *David Indeje *

6 5

Connectivity vs Sound investments : Loon Project is Shutting Down
by David Indeje 24 Jan '21

24 Jan '21

Alphabet’s Internet Loon Project is Shutting Down, Blow to Telkom Kenya. **Loon launched a pilot project in Kenya in 2020 1. https://medium.com/loon-for-all/loon-draft-c3fcebc11f3f *Kind Regards,* *David Indeje *

6 6

Are you a BBI Supporter and you do not know? IEBC asks
by David Indeje 21 Jan '21

21 Jan '21

Listers, If you are a Kenyan citizen, this is for you. Were you ever approached to put your signature on a document in support for the Building Bridges Initiative? I know most of you will say 'naaa' IEBC says you might have endorsed that document that politicians claim will take you to Canaan faster from your current state. IEBC asks Kenyans to verify if listed as BBI supporters without consent https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/kenya/article/2001400835/ iebc-asks-kenyans-to-verify-if-listed-as-bbi-supporters-without-consent Where is our lovely Data Commissioner in this mix though?

6 6

Scaling Africa’s tech ventures to exit this decade
by Eric M K Osiakwan 21 Jan '21

21 Jan '21

https://blogs.harvard.edu/eric/2021/01/18/scaling-africas-tech-ventures-to-… Eric here Eric M K Osiakwan +233244386792 www.ericosiakwan.com

2 1