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Fw: Duopoly by Mobile Service Providers
by alice＠apc.org 22 Sep '05

22 Sep '05

Hi all FYI ----- Original Message ----- From: "Michael Joseph" <MJoseph(a)Safaricom.co.ke> To: "KIPlist" <kiplist-cl(a)lyris.idrc.ca> Cc: <kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke> Sent: Thursday, September 22, 2005 7:21 PM Subject: Re: Duopoly by Mobile Service Providers Whatever I may say or think, you will probably disagree with me, but the statements contained herein are widely inaccurate, and I am very happy and willing to meet a delegation of this list to clarify and clear up the inaccurate statements. I take strong exception to some of what is said as that is neither our practice as a company nor mine as an individual. Regards Michael -----Original Message----- From: "John Walubengo" <jwalubengo(a)kcct.ac.ke> Sent: 22/09/05 12:11:11 To: "KIPlist" <kiplist-cl(a)lyris.idrc.ca> Cc: "kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke" <kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke> Subject: Re: Duopoly by Mobile Service Providers "On 21 Sep 2005, at 22:06, Brian Longwe wrote: I'm not taking sides here, just asking questions that I think should straighten what is clearly spurios reasoning..." Unlike Brian, I do wish I could take sides on this one...but this issue is too complex and as outsiders, we can only make educated guesses (speculate?). Definately, the 3rd Mobile License Saga is not moving forward as planned. This has created a defacto duopoly that Safaricom and Celtel continue to exploit with impunity (High Calling rates(airtime) for Kenyans when rated Internationally, Lack of Number Portability, poorly implemented EIR (the software that disables stolen phones) system, Unreliable Emergency Service Lines (equivalent to 999 services), Delayed SMS deliveries, Retention of Unused Credit, etc, etc, etc. A 3rd Mobile Service Provider is likely to destroy un-written, cartel agreements that the current service providers are conviniently enjoying. However, the process for inviting the 3rd Operator has been halted in courts and one wonders (and speculates) on whether the delayed processing of resolving issue is not deliberate to perpetuate the status quo... walu. >>> <alice(a)apc.org> 09/22/05 11:39am >>> Brian, I think it was clear that your reference was to the conclusion arrived at by the author of the article. But you do bring into light certain aspects that the author left out which is helpful in understanding the situation. However, I think, it would be even more helpful if journalists could go the extra mile to explain the mechanisms/structures of the industry being reported on and allow readers to make the mental exercise of jumping into conclusions! thanks alice ----- Original Message ----- From: "Brian Longwe" <cto(a)nbi.ispkenya.com> To: "KIPlist" <kiplist-cl(a)lyris.idrc.ca> Cc: "Kenya ICT Policy - kictanet" <kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke>; "KIPlist" <kiplist-cl(a)lyris.idrc.ca> Sent: Thursday, September 22, 2005 9:04 AM Subject: Re: [Kictanet] Fw: [DigAfrica] How broke company won tender > > On 21 Sep 2005, at 22:06, Brian Longwe wrote: > >> I'm not taking sides here, just asking questions that I think should >> straighten what is clearly spurios reasoning... > > I don't normally reply to my own emails - but I just realised that my > mention of spurious reasoning yesterday might have been misconstrued > to be referring to the comments made by my colleagues Alice and > Florence. I would like to make a correction - I was not referring to > them but rather to the conclusion reached in the press article by the > author, which seem to have been based on questionable sources of > information. > > Apologies to all for any misunderstanding :-) > > Brian > > --- > Submitted by: cto(a)nbi.ispkenya.com 2005-09-22 02:06:01 EDT4 > (Please reply to original submitter for private communication) > --- > You are currently subscribed to kiplist-cl as: [alice(a)apc.org] > To unsubscribe, forward this message to > %%email.unsub%% > --- Submitted by: alice(a)apc.org 2005-09-22 04:44:57 EDT4 (Please reply to original submitter for private communication) --- You are currently subscribed to kiplist-cl as: [jwalubengo(a)kcct.ac.ke] To unsubscribe, forward this message to %%email.unsub%% --- Submitted by: John Walubengo <jwalubengo(a)kcct.ac.ke> 2005-09-22 05:13:18 EDT4 (Please reply to original submitter for private communication) --- You are currently subscribed to kiplist-cl as: [MJoseph(a)Safaricom.co.ke] To unsubscribe, forward this message to %%email.unsub%% --- Submitted by: MJoseph(a)Safaricom.co.ke 2005-09-22 12:26:44 EDT4 (Please reply to original submitter for private communication) --- You are currently subscribed to kiplist-cl as: [alice(a)apc.org] To unsubscribe, forward this message to leave-kiplist-cl-100946B(a)lyris.idrc.ca

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Re: Duopoly by Mobile Service Providers
by Michael Joseph 22 Sep '05

22 Sep '05

Whatever I may say or think, you will probably disagree with me, but the statements contained herein are widely inaccurate, and I am very happy and willing to meet a delegation of this list to clarify and clear up the inaccurate statements. I take strong exception to some of what is said as that is neither our practice as a company nor mine as an individual. Regards Michael -----Original Message----- From: "John Walubengo" <jwalubengo(a)kcct.ac.ke> Sent: 22/09/05 12:11:11 To: "KIPlist" <kiplist-cl(a)lyris.idrc.ca> Cc: "kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke" <kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke> Subject: Re: Duopoly by Mobile Service Providers "On 21 Sep 2005, at 22:06, Brian Longwe wrote: I'm not taking sides here, just asking questions that I think should straighten what is clearly spurios reasoning..." Unlike Brian, I do wish I could take sides on this one...but this issue is too complex and as outsiders, we can only make educated guesses (speculate?). Definately, the 3rd Mobile License Saga is not moving forward as planned. This has created a defacto duopoly that Safaricom and Celtel continue to exploit with impunity (High Calling rates(airtime) for Kenyans when rated Internationally, Lack of Number Portability, poorly implemented EIR (the software that disables stolen phones) system, Unreliable Emergency Service Lines (equivalent to 999 services), Delayed SMS deliveries, Retention of Unused Credit, etc, etc, etc. A 3rd Mobile Service Provider is likely to destroy un-written, cartel agreements that the current service providers are conviniently enjoying. However, the process for inviting the 3rd Operator has been halted in courts and one wonders (and speculates) on whether the delayed processing of resolving issue is not deliberate to perpetuate the status quo... walu. >>> <alice(a)apc.org> 09/22/05 11:39am >>> Brian, I think it was clear that your reference was to the conclusion arrived at by the author of the article. But you do bring into light certain aspects that the author left out which is helpful in understanding the situation. However, I think, it would be even more helpful if journalists could go the extra mile to explain the mechanisms/structures of the industry being reported on and allow readers to make the mental exercise of jumping into conclusions! thanks alice ----- Original Message ----- From: "Brian Longwe" <cto(a)nbi.ispkenya.com> To: "KIPlist" <kiplist-cl(a)lyris.idrc.ca> Cc: "Kenya ICT Policy - kictanet" <kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke>; "KIPlist" <kiplist-cl(a)lyris.idrc.ca> Sent: Thursday, September 22, 2005 9:04 AM Subject: Re: [Kictanet] Fw: [DigAfrica] How broke company won tender > > On 21 Sep 2005, at 22:06, Brian Longwe wrote: > >> I'm not taking sides here, just asking questions that I think should >> straighten what is clearly spurios reasoning... > > I don't normally reply to my own emails - but I just realised that my > mention of spurious reasoning yesterday might have been misconstrued > to be referring to the comments made by my colleagues Alice and > Florence. I would like to make a correction - I was not referring to > them but rather to the conclusion reached in the press article by the > author, which seem to have been based on questionable sources of > information. > > Apologies to all for any misunderstanding :-) > > Brian > > --- > Submitted by: cto(a)nbi.ispkenya.com 2005-09-22 02:06:01 EDT4 > (Please reply to original submitter for private communication) > --- > You are currently subscribed to kiplist-cl as: [alice(a)apc.org] > To unsubscribe, forward this message to > %%email.unsub%% > --- Submitted by: alice(a)apc.org 2005-09-22 04:44:57 EDT4 (Please reply to original submitter for private communication) --- You are currently subscribed to kiplist-cl as: [jwalubengo(a)kcct.ac.ke] To unsubscribe, forward this message to leave-kiplist-cl-102682Q(a)lyris.idrc.ca --- Submitted by: John Walubengo <jwalubengo(a)kcct.ac.ke> 2005-09-22 05:13:18 EDT4 (Please reply to original submitter for private communication) --- You are currently subscribed to kiplist-cl as: [MJoseph(a)Safaricom.co.ke] To unsubscribe, forward this message to leave-kiplist-cl-90993H(a)lyris.idrc.ca

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Fw: [APC Forum] Handbook for Bloggers and Cyber-dissidents (+FR)]
by alice＠apc.org 22 Sep '05

22 Sep '05

Reporters Without Borders presents the Handbook for Bloggers and Cyber-dissidents Available at www.rsf.org >Reporters Without Borders today publishes a >Handbook for Bloggers and Cyber-Dissidents (in >English, French, Chinese, Arabic and Persian), in >which experts and bloggers from all over the >world advise Internet users, especially those in >repressive countries, how to set up their own >blogs and get them known, while preserving their >personal anonymity. > >Create your own blog, remain anonymous and get round censorship! > >Blogs get people excited. Or else they disturb >and worry them. Some people distrust them. Others >see them as the vanguard of a new information >revolution. Because they allow and encourage >ordinary people to speak up, they're tremendous >tools of freedom of expression. > >Bloggers are often the only real journalists in >countries where the mainstream media is censored >or under pressure. Only they provide independent >news, at the risk of displeasing the government >and sometimes courting arrest. > >Reporters Without Borders has produced this >handbook to help them, with handy tips and >technical advice on how to remain anonymous and >to get round censorship, by choosing the most >suitable method for each situation. It also >explains how to set up and make the most of a >blog, to publicise it (getting it picked up >efficiently by search-engines) and to establish >its credibility through observing basic ethical >and journalistic principles. > >Many Internet experts helped produce this manual, >including US journalist Dan Gillmor, Canadian >specialist in Internet censorship Nart >Villeneuve, US blogger Jay Rosen and other >bloggers from all over the world. > >The Handbook for Bloggers and Cyber-dissidents >will be on sale in bookshops from 22 September >for ¤10. It can also be downloaded in five >languages (English, French, Chinese, Arabic and >Persian) from the Reporters Without Borders >website: www.rsf.org. > >------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ > >Guide pratique du blogger et du cyberdissident > >Disponible intégralement sur www.rsf.org > > >Reporters sans frontières publie aujourd'hui, en >cinq langues (français, anglais, persan, chinois, >arabe), un "guide pratique du blogger et du >cyberdissident". Des spécialistes de l'Internet >et des bloggers des quatre coins du globe ont >participé à ce projet, qui vise à aider les >internautes, en particulier ceux qui vivent dans >des pays répressifs, à créer leur publication en >ligne et à la faire connaître, tout en préservant >leur anonymat. > >Créez votre blog, préservez votre anonymat et contournez la censure ! > >Les blogs passionnent, inquiètent, dérangent, >interpellent. Certains les méprisent, d'autres >les tiennent pour les prophètes d'une nouvelle >révolution de l'information. De fait, parce >qu'ils délient les langues des citoyens >ordinaires, ils sont un formidable outil pour la >liberté d'expression. Dans les pays où la censure >est reine, lorsque les médias traditionnels >vivent à l'ombre du pouvoir, les bloggers sont >souvent les seuls véritables journalistes. Ils >sont les seuls à publier une information >indépendante, quitte à déplaire à leur >gouvernement et pasrfois au risque de leur >liberté. Reporters sans frontières a conçu ce >guide pour les aider, par des conseils pratiques >et des astuces techniques, à préserver leur >anonymat, à contourner la censure - en >identifiant la technique la mieux adaptée à >chaque situation -, mais aussi à lancer un blog >dans de bonnes conditions, à le faire connaître - >en optimisant son référencement sur les moteurs >de recherche -, et à asseoir sa crédibilité via >le respect de quelques règles éthiques et >journalistiques. > >De nombreux experts de l'Internet ont participé à >ce guide, dont le journaliste américain Dan >Gillmor, les journalistes français de >pointblog.com, ainsi que des bloggers des quatre >coins du monde. > >Depuis le 22 septembre, le Guide pratique du >blogger et du cyberdissident est disponible en >librairie (10 euros). Il est également possible >de le télécharger, en cinq langues (français, >anglais, chinois, arabe et persan), sur le site >de Reporters sans frontières : www.rsf.org. > > > >Julien Pain >Bureau Internet et libertés / Internet Freedom desk >___________________________________________ > >Reporters sans frontières / Reporters Without Borders >TEL: ++ 33 (0) 1 44 83 84 71 >FAX: ++ 33 (0) 1 45 23 11 51 >internet(a)rsf.org >www.internet.rsf.org > >Read our annual report on the state of online >freedom in more than 60 countries - The Internet >Under Surveillance : >http://www.rsf.org/rubrique.php3?id_rubrique=433 > >Consultez notre rapport annuel "Internet sous >surveillance", qui détaille la situation de la >liberté d'expression sur le Net dans près de >soixante pays : >http://www.rsf.org/rubrique.php3?id_rubrique=432 > > >-- >Working List of the WSIS Human Rights Caucus >Web site : http://www.iris.sgdg.org/actions/smsi/hr-wsis >Public Archives: http://www.iris.sgdg.org/actions/smsi/hr-wsis/list >To post a message to the list, send an email to: hr-wsis(a)iris.sgdg.org >To subscribe/unsubscribe, send an email to: Meryem.Marzouki(a)iris.sgdg.org ============= 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/mailman/listinfo/apc.forum

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Re: Duopoly by Mobile Service Providers
by Mike Jensen 22 Sep '05

22 Sep '05

On Thu, 2005-09-22 at 08:40 +0300, John Walubengo wrote: > A 3rd Mobile Service Provider is likely to destroy un-written, cartel agreements that the current service providers are conviniently enjoying. Not necessarily - the entrance of the 3rd mobile operator in South Africa did nothing to change prices or service levels...perhaps a 4th might help:-/ mike

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Fw: Fw: [Kictanet] Fw: [DigAfrica] How broke company won tender
by alice＠apc.org 22 Sep '05

22 Sep '05

I believe some of you on this list are not subscribed to KIP ----- Original Message ----- From: "Florence Etta" <Fetta(a)idrc.or.ke> To: "KIPlist" <kiplist-cl(a)lyris.idrc.ca> Sent: Thursday, September 22, 2005 12:47 PM Subject: Re: Fw: [Kictanet] Fw: [DigAfrica] How broke company won tender > Re Media, > Maybe this list ought to consider launching a FAQ session or education > sessions/page. Something to think about how to deal with this on the move? > So perhaps it may not exactly be a response from the media as a response > from this network that may be called for? > Cheers, > FE > At 12:28 PM 9/22/2005 +0300, you wrote: >>Media! >> > We recently heard Mr. Kiboro state "the challenge of reporting on >> > issues >> > you >> > do not fully understand" at the recent international conference. Is >> > this >> > your wake up call to submerge yourself in ICT multi-stakeholder >> > processes >> > taking place in Kenya to enable you report more fully and accurately >> > when >> > you choose to report on ICTs? >> > >> > We don't mind the "Shock and Awe" headlines BUT in this sector, logic >> > rules. >> > Ours is Boolean world and we tend to go a bit deeper. >> > >> > Any journalist out there who could respond? >> > >> > Regards, >> > >> > Alex >> > >> > >> > ----- Original Message ----- >> > From: <alice(a)apc.org> >> > To: "KIPlist" <kiplist-cl(a)lyris.idrc.ca> >> > Cc: "Kenya ICT Policy - kictanet" <kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke> >> > Sent: Thursday, September 22, 2005 11:39 AM >> > Subject: Re: [Kictanet] Fw: [DigAfrica] How broke company won tender >> > >> > >> >> Brian, I think it was clear that your reference was to the conclusion >> >> arrived at by the author of the article. >> >> But you do bring into light certain aspects that the author left out >> >> which >> >> is helpful in understanding the situation. >> >> However, I think, it would be even more helpful if journalists could >> >> go >> > the >> >> extra mile to explain the mechanisms/structures of the industry being >> >> reported on and allow readers to make the mental exercise of jumping >> >> into >> >> conclusions! >> >> >> >> >> >> thanks >> >> alice >> >> >> >> ----- Original Message ----- >> >> From: "Brian Longwe" <cto(a)nbi.ispkenya.com> >> >> To: "KIPlist" <kiplist-cl(a)lyris.idrc.ca> >> >> Cc: "Kenya ICT Policy - kictanet" <kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke>; "KIPlist" >> >> <kiplist-cl(a)lyris.idrc.ca> >> >> Sent: Thursday, September 22, 2005 9:04 AM >> >> Subject: Re: [Kictanet] Fw: [DigAfrica] How broke company won tender >> >> >> >> >> >> > >> >> > On 21 Sep 2005, at 22:06, Brian Longwe wrote: >> >> > >> >> >> I'm not taking sides here, just asking questions that I think >> >> >> should >> >> >> straighten what is clearly spurios reasoning... >> >> > >> >> > I don't normally reply to my own emails - but I just realised that >> >> > my >> >> > mention of spurious reasoning yesterday might have been misconstrued >> >> > to be referring to the comments made by my colleagues Alice and >> >> > Florence. I would like to make a correction - I was not referring to >> >> > them but rather to the conclusion reached in the press article by >> >> > the >> >> > author, which seem to have been based on questionable sources of >> >> > information. >> >> > >> >> > Apologies to all for any misunderstanding :-) >> >> > >> >> > Brian >> >> > >> >> > --- >> >> > Submitted by: cto(a)nbi.ispkenya.com 2005-09-22 02:06:01 EDT4 >> >> > (Please reply to original submitter for private communication) >> >> > --- >> >> > You are currently subscribed to kiplist-cl as: [alice(a)apc.org] >> >> > To unsubscribe, forward this message to >> >> > %%email.unsub%% >> >> > >> >> >> >> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> >> kictanet mailing list >> >> kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke >> >> http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet >> >> >> > >> > >> > _______________________________________________ >> > kictanet mailing list >> > kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke >> > http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet >> > >> >> >>--- >>Submitted by: alice(a)apc.org 2005-09-22 05:33:04 EDT4 >>(Please reply to original submitter for private communication) >>--- >>You are currently subscribed to kiplist-cl as: [fetta(a)idrc.or.ke] >>To unsubscribe, forward this message to %%email.unsub%% > > > --- > Submitted by: Florence Etta <Fetta(a)idrc.or.ke> 2005-09-22 05:54:42 EDT4 > (Please reply to original submitter for private communication) > --- > You are currently subscribed to kiplist-cl as: [alice(a)apc.org] > To unsubscribe, forward this message to > leave-kiplist-cl-100946B(a)lyris.idrc.ca >

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Re: [Kictanet] Fw: [DigAfrica] How broke company won tender
by alice＠apc.org 22 Sep '05

22 Sep '05

Brian, I think it was clear that your reference was to the conclusion arrived at by the author of the article. But you do bring into light certain aspects that the author left out which is helpful in understanding the situation. However, I think, it would be even more helpful if journalists could go the extra mile to explain the mechanisms/structures of the industry being reported on and allow readers to make the mental exercise of jumping into conclusions! thanks alice ----- Original Message ----- From: "Brian Longwe" <cto(a)nbi.ispkenya.com> To: "KIPlist" <kiplist-cl(a)lyris.idrc.ca> Cc: "Kenya ICT Policy - kictanet" <kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke>; "KIPlist" <kiplist-cl(a)lyris.idrc.ca> Sent: Thursday, September 22, 2005 9:04 AM Subject: Re: [Kictanet] Fw: [DigAfrica] How broke company won tender > > On 21 Sep 2005, at 22:06, Brian Longwe wrote: > >> I'm not taking sides here, just asking questions that I think should >> straighten what is clearly spurios reasoning... > > I don't normally reply to my own emails - but I just realised that my > mention of spurious reasoning yesterday might have been misconstrued > to be referring to the comments made by my colleagues Alice and > Florence. I would like to make a correction - I was not referring to > them but rather to the conclusion reached in the press article by the > author, which seem to have been based on questionable sources of > information. > > Apologies to all for any misunderstanding :-) > > Brian > > --- > Submitted by: cto(a)nbi.ispkenya.com 2005-09-22 02:06:01 EDT4 > (Please reply to original submitter for private communication) > --- > You are currently subscribed to kiplist-cl as: [alice(a)apc.org] > To unsubscribe, forward this message to > leave-kiplist-cl-100946B(a)lyris.idrc.ca >

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Mobile Help-line for Women Tops Gender and ICT Awards 2005
by alice＠apc.org 22 Sep '05

22 Sep '05

Apologies for cross posting! NO EMBARGO ========= Press Release ========= GENDER AND ICT AWARDS 2005 ========================================= MOBILE HELP-LINE FOR WOMEN TOPS GENDER AND ICT AWARDS 2005 ========================================= Manila, Philippines, September 22, 2005--Pallitathya, an innovative Mobile Help-Line programme via cell phones for underprivileged women in rural Bangladesh beat thirty other entries from all over the Asia-Pacific to win this year's Gender and Information & Communication Technology (GICT) Awards sponsored by the Association for Progressive Communications Women's Networking Support Programme (APC WNSP) and the Global Knowledge Partnership (GKP). Two other projects were selected as runners up: Putting ICTs in the Hands of the Poor, an interactive community ICT centre in India; and eHomemakers, an online network for home-based business from Malaysia. The GICT Awards 2005 ceremony will be held during the 10th AWID International Forum on Women's Rights in Development on October 27 to 30, 2005 in Bangkok, Thailand. A knowledge-sharing session will also be organised in conjunction with the award ceremony. The 2005 GICT Awards focused on information and communication technology initiatives which promote women's economic empowerment and development in Asia Pacific. Economic empowerment was defined as the ability to overcome marginalisation and oppressive social norms, provide choices and opportunities for women, provide strong encouragement for women to fulfil their potential, and enable women to acquire the voice and capability to counter their lack of socio-economic-political power in the community. Emphasising this focus are three major criteria: the use of ICTs to promote women's economic empowerment and gender equality; upscaling of initiatives and community-centred technologies; and the promotion of cooperation and social networking. GICT AWARDS WINNER: HELPING WOMEN HELP THEMSELVES The winning project, the Pallitathya Help-Line Centre (Call Centre for the Poor and Underprivileged), was conceived by the Development through Access to Network Resources (D.Net) <http://www.dnet-bangladesh.org> organisation in 2003. It was based on assessment findings which showed that lack of timely and relevant information was a major bottleneck to rural development, and a leading factor in the exploitation of the underprivileged, particularly women. The Help-Line deployed women in the community as "Mobile Operator Ladies" who move from door-to-door to enable other women ---mostly housewives--- to ask questions related to livelihood, agriculture, health, and legal rights via a mobile phone, while Help-Desk operators respond to the women's queries with the use of a database-driven software application and the internet. To expand the information database, resource persons from government, non-government organisations, health groups and human rights organisations partnered with D.Net to provide a steady stream of responses to frequently asked questions. With women's economic empowerment as its centrepiece, the Pallitathya Help-Line Centre directly addressed the community's information needs on health, education, livelihood, employment and agriculture, while keeping the beneficiaries' anonymity intact. As mobile operator ladies, women were consciously given a crucial role as "infomediaries," increasing their self-worth, their potential to earn, and their knowledge about various issues. Women help-desk operators also enhanced their knowledge of issues and considerably improved their communication skills. Women who availed of the Help-Line service professed a higher self-assessment and realisation of their potential and worth in society, increased incomes, and increased authority over spending decisions. Dr Ananya Raihan, Executive Director of D. Net said in describing his organisation's reaction to the award, " I saw the light of inspiration in their eyes. He added, "We would like to go a long way. At this early stage this recognition will facilitate us to work more and achieve the ultimate target". For its efforts, D.Net's Pallitathya Help-Line Center will receive a cash prize of US$8,000, while the two runners-up will each receive US$3,000. Representatives of each project will also be supported to attend the AWID Forum, where more than 2,000 women's rights activists, academics, policy makers and students from all other the world are expected to converge. GICT AWARDS RUNNERS-UP: BUILDING BUSINESS THROUGH ICTS IN INDIA AND MALAYSIA "Putting ICTs in the Hands of the Poor", <http://www.datamationfoundation.org/economic.htm> a theme project of the Seelampur Community ICT Centre project, is a tripartite alliance among Datamation Foundation Charitable Trust, the UNESCO, and the Babul-Uloom-Madrasa, an orthodox Muslim religious school in India. Seelampur is a Muslim minority ghetto marked by extreme poverty. A modern ICT centre was set up within the Babul-Uloom-Madrasa to provide a venue for Muslim women to learn from interactive multimedia packages on vocational skills, small businesses, and human and legal rights. The ICT Centre also established support mechanisms in the form of capacity-building, marketing and financial networking for the women to engage in income-generating opportunities. Skills and vocational modules in CDs made available to the women of Seelampur ranged from tailoring, embroidery, candle making and liquid soap making to management of courier and tiffin centres, basic literacy, confidence-building and personality development. The Centre also established a local community website called eNRICH <http://enrich.nic.in/>, where women get basic computer training and record their concerns on health, education, livelihood, and other matters related to the community's needs. The eHomemakers of Malaysia, was founded in 1988 as the "Mothers for Mothers" network which empowered home workers, teleworkers, home business owners and those who wanted home-based careers to improve their socio-economic status. Through the eHomemakers website <http://www.ehomemakers.net/en/index.php>, community members are able to network with each other via the Xchange section, print newsletters, organise activities to advertise their products and services for free, teletrade, barter exchange, and find teleworking assignments, while working within their homes. Sections such as Homebiz Management, Home-based Profiles, and IT Tips and Tricks enable women to efficiently work from home, pursue entrepreneurial ventures, and sustain home businesses. A Forum Board facilitates networking and exchange of ideas and actual experiences, while experts in business development and entrepreneurship respond to frequently asked questions. The eHomemakers network targets women in the low-income group, including unemployed single mothers with young/disabled children, the disabled and chronically ill to work at home, through the strategic use of ICTs. GENDER AND ICT AWARDS 2005 The GICT Awards 2005 <http://www.genderawards.net/> was open to civil society organisations, community-based groups, networks and social movements in Asia Pacific, with women, particularly, girls, as target beneficiaries. The Awards were founded in 2003. Sponsors The Association for Progressive Communications Women's Networking Support Programme (APC WNSP) is a global network of women who support women networking for social change and women's empowerment through the use of ICTs <http://www.apcwomen.org/>. The Global Knowledge Partnership (GKP) is the leading international multi-stakeholder network committed to harnessing the potential of information and communication technologies (ICT) for sustainable and equitable development. Ranging from grassroots practitioners to policy-makers, GKP members and partners are innovators in the practical use of ICT for development <http://www.globalknowledge.org/>. The Gender and ICT Awards is supported by the the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) <http://www.sdc.admin.ch/> and the Department for International Development (DfID), United Kingdom <http://www.dfid.gov.uk/>. For more information about the Awards, please write to: Mylene Soto Coordinator mylene(a)apcwomen.org ================================================ ============= 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/mailman/listinfo/apc.forum

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Tunis WSISGC Debate Announcement
by Florence Etta 22 Sep '05

22 Sep '05

DEBATE ANNOUNCEMENT Topic: ICTs and Human Rights (Women's & Men's) The WSIS Gender Caucus will hold a debate on Tuesday November 15th in Tunis as part of its programme of activities for this second phase of WSIS. This is our invitation to you to join in this activity in the following ways: As a debater, judge or e-volunteer. The debate will bring 6 intergenerational debaters from Africa, Latin America, the Caribbean, US & Canada, Europe, and Asia to debate how information and communication technologies have advanced or undermined gender equality. The debate will also suggest how sustained change in the service of gender equality might be achieved through the agency of ICTs in the future Information Society. The WSIS Gender Caucus is seeking your help to identify the best debaters, judges and e-volunteers. We need to find 6 debaters, one each (the best) from Africa, Latin America, the Caribbean, US and Canada, Europe, and Asia/Pacific 4 judges and 30 e-volunteers The E-volunteers will help the debaters to put the debate together so the debaters will have help from around the world with the help of the e-volunteers. Whether you choose to join the activity or not please make a nomination. Using the short form below to make your nomination, please send your nominations to: Susana Fernandes< sfernandez(a)genderwsis.org> OR Florence Etta <fetta(a)idrc.or.ke> = = = = = = = = = = = = Name & Sex of nominee: Country or Region of nominee: Task for Nominee: Debater/Judge/E-volunteer Age of Nominee in decades 20's 30's etc: (Required to balance debaters' age) Contact for Nominee: (Email address preferred) _______________________________________________

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Fwd: [DigAfrica] Econet buys back Sh6b stake from partner
by Brian Longwe 22 Sep '05

22 Sep '05

This is the company that allegedly can't get overdraft facilities ..... paying 6billion in a single transaction - business is about value, not about cash - cash follows value.... Brian Begin forwarded message: > From: "Chifu" <chifu2222(a)msn.com> > Date: 22 September 2005 05:37:29 GMT+03:00 > To: DigAfrica(a)yahoogroups.com > Subject: [DigAfrica] Econet buys back Sh6b stake from partner > Reply-To: DigAfrica(a)yahoogroups.com > > > Econet buys back Sh6b stake from partner > By Bryan Mbugua > > Econet Wireless Group (EWG) yesterday paid Allied Technologies Group > (Altech) over Sh6 billion to acquire back 50 per cent shareholding in > Botswana-incorporated Econet Wireless Global. > > The buyout was made ahead of the payment deadline that was due on > October. > > In a statement, Econet Group Chief Executive Officer Strive Masiyiwa > said the group had decided to make full payment in advance to enable > the business function normally and to begin implementing its expansion > programmes. > > Masiyiwa said following the payment, Econet will reconstitute its > board of directors to focus on a number of projects of projects in the > pipeline. > > Econonet Wireless Kenya, a subsidiary of Zimbabwean Econet Wireless > Group, won the bid to roll out the third mobile network in Kenya, but > its launch has been locked in wrangles between shareholders. > > Altech, a South African company also listed on Johannesburg Stock > Exchange, bought half ownership of Econonet Wireless Group last > November for about Sh5 billion. > > However, fallout among the shareholders led Econet to opt for an > out-of-court settlement over the disputed Botswana operations. > > Earlier, Altech had applied to the High Court in Botswana to wind up > the Econonet Wireless Group. > > In the application, Altech had sought to either buy out original > Econet shareholders, including the family of CEO Strive Masiyiwa, or > sell its stake to them for about Sh7.5 billion, incase its winding up > application failed. > > "Although the settlement agreement between the parties only required > Econet to come up with a bank guarantee by September 20, and make > final payment by the end of October, the company decided to make full > payment in advance," Masiyiwa said. Econet Wireless Global would > continue to operate as a Botswana-based wholly-owned subsidiary of the > group. > > "Econet Wireless Group today completed its payment to Altech for its > 50 per cent stake in Econet Wireless Global. > > "This will enable the business to function normally and begin to > implement its own expansion programmes. > > An early settlement also allows us to reconstitute the board and also > complete some of the projects in the pipeline. Now that we have paid > Altech, their directors on our board have also resigned and we can now > replace them which is important for our corporate governance," he > said. > > Masiyiwa said the group would continue with its expansion programme in > the telecommunications sector and with the arbitration process in > Nigeria to increase its stake in Vee Mobile, formerly Econet Wireless > Nigeria. > > Source: http://www.eastandard.net/hm_news/news.php?articleid=29262 > > > > > > ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor -------------------- > ~--> > Get fast access to your favorite Yahoo! Groups. Make Yahoo! your > home page > http://us.click.yahoo.com/dpRU5A/wUILAA/yQLSAA/DKgolB/TM > -------------------------------------------------------------------- > ~-> > > Dig Africa site welcomes you to join us at > http://www.yahoogroups.com/group/Digafrica > > Also if you are interested to join a Swahili/English discussion > group click > http://www.yahoogroups.com/group/kiswahili > > > Yahoo! Groups Links > > <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: > http://groups.yahoo.com/group/DigAfrica/ > > <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: > DigAfrica-unsubscribe(a)yahoogroups.com > > <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: > http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ > > > > >

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Re: Duopoly by Mobile Service Providers
by John Walubengo 22 Sep '05

22 Sep '05

"On 21 Sep 2005, at 22:06, Brian Longwe wrote: I'm not taking sides here, just asking questions that I think should straighten what is clearly spurios reasoning..." Unlike Brian, I do wish I could take sides on this one...but this issue is too complex and as outsiders, we can only make educated guesses (speculate?). Definately, the 3rd Mobile License Saga is not moving forward as planned. This has created a defacto duopoly that Safaricom and Celtel continue to exploit with impunity (High Calling rates(airtime) for Kenyans when rated Internationally, Lack of Number Portability, poorly implemented EIR (the software that disables stolen phones) system, Unreliable Emergency Service Lines (equivalent to 999 services), Delayed SMS deliveries, Retention of Unused Credit, etc, etc, etc. A 3rd Mobile Service Provider is likely to destroy un-written, cartel agreements that the current service providers are conviniently enjoying. However, the process for inviting the 3rd Operator has been halted in courts and one wonders (and speculates) on whether the delayed processing of resolving issue is not deliberate to perpetuate the status quo... walu. >>> <alice(a)apc.org> 09/22/05 11:39am >>> Brian, I think it was clear that your reference was to the conclusion arrived at by the author of the article. But you do bring into light certain aspects that the author left out which is helpful in understanding the situation. However, I think, it would be even more helpful if journalists could go the extra mile to explain the mechanisms/structures of the industry being reported on and allow readers to make the mental exercise of jumping into conclusions! thanks alice ----- Original Message ----- From: "Brian Longwe" <cto(a)nbi.ispkenya.com> To: "KIPlist" <kiplist-cl(a)lyris.idrc.ca> Cc: "Kenya ICT Policy - kictanet" <kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke>; "KIPlist" <kiplist-cl(a)lyris.idrc.ca> Sent: Thursday, September 22, 2005 9:04 AM Subject: Re: [Kictanet] Fw: [DigAfrica] How broke company won tender > > On 21 Sep 2005, at 22:06, Brian Longwe wrote: > >> I'm not taking sides here, just asking questions that I think should >> straighten what is clearly spurios reasoning... > > I don't normally reply to my own emails - but I just realised that my > mention of spurious reasoning yesterday might have been misconstrued > to be referring to the comments made by my colleagues Alice and > Florence. I would like to make a correction - I was not referring to > them but rather to the conclusion reached in the press article by the > author, which seem to have been based on questionable sources of > information. > > Apologies to all for any misunderstanding :-) > > Brian > > --- > Submitted by: cto(a)nbi.ispkenya.com 2005-09-22 02:06:01 EDT4 > (Please reply to original submitter for private communication) > --- > You are currently subscribed to kiplist-cl as: [alice(a)apc.org] > To unsubscribe, forward this message to > %%email.unsub%% > --- Submitted by: alice(a)apc.org 2005-09-22 04:44:57 EDT4 (Please reply to original submitter for private communication) --- You are currently subscribed to kiplist-cl as: [jwalubengo(a)kcct.ac.ke] To unsubscribe, forward this message to leave-kiplist-cl-102682Q(a)lyris.idrc.ca

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