- KICTANet - KICTANet

Changing the Mindset
by CommunicArt | Lusiola 21 Jun '07

21 Jun '07

Have a look at this HYPERLINK "http://wesonga.peupe.net/"http://wesonga.peupe.net/ Lusiola No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.472 / Virus Database: 269.9.1/857 - Release Date: 6/20/2007 2:18 PM ---------------------------------------------- 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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Sh1bn allocated to fibre optic cable project
by Mr President 21 Jun '07

21 Jun '07

Hi Alljust wanted to give my 2 cents on the budget and the 1 Billion for the Optical Fiber cable project,Now Now, what is the cost of the entire cable ?Is the amount allocated not a drop in the ocean ?Would an IPO, Bill Kagai has investment and stock figures, cant money be raised from the stock exchange? Or via Long term bonds?Reason for asking ??We allocate a drop hoping to fill an ocean, the funds have been allocated and put in whose bank? Earning interest for who ?Who will own the cable ? My concern when we last met, was ownership, management, cost to the user, Fatma Bashir was in Rwanda and she has some interesting news, they have a PLAN, do we ??We have some who as Kanja Waruru says, know not what an ipod is, yet we HOPE thet shall allocate funds forn CDF ??Now now , Guys lets get serious about things, what comes first the egg or the chicken ??The allocation of funds or rules, regulations, agreements on ownership etc, Bwana Ps Walu, made an impresive pion about different options, let me recapsulate for allPrivate ownership and fundingGovt owned or TelcosUniverasal access for allThe west african module, which is a scam, or the East African module that is know only by a few ? My humble suggestion would be1: Waive all duty on Optical fiber passive and active components.2: Formulate a PLAN either using KICTANET, as non partisan, none players3: Organise workshops to create second tier awareness- from� Govt Ps 's� down- Bwana� Bitenge can lead by example.4: Prior to Digital Villages and� Submarine, Terrestrial� cabling, form a� PLAN that would harmonise the digitalisation to the benefit of all5: The world bank has given funding for digital villages, yet organisations are being asked to sponsor? Kwani funds from world bank, had not feasibility study done? Even they don't PLAN ??Conclusion ?? If the 1 Billion allocated is 5 % of the total value allocated per annum, when will Kenya get the cable, not to mention the INLAND one, the lowering of costs to consumers, the polytechnics, the BPOs and outsourcing and the much hyped but yet to be realised E Government, Learning, Medicine and everything E apart from the E which in this case stands for Electronic............Point to ponder as you all enjoy and have a blessed week end, and to Kagai Bill i feel you pain about the NSE rules, the according to the MD of Keroche Ms Tabitha, the current rgime seemds to favour foreigners/ Multinationals and sugar Importers who KNEW ther would be a waiver prior to the budget, to the detriment of the local sugar companies..WashindweRegards 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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[Fwd: [AfrICANN-discuss] PRIVACY/SECURITY] Whats in a Laptop?
by alice 20 Jun '07

20 Jun '07

---- What's in a Laptop? Court Ponders Legality of Border Searches Is your laptop a fancy piece of luggage or an extension of your mind? The question, before the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, arose from the prosecution of Michael Timothy Arnold, an American citizen whose laptop was randomly searched in July 2005 at Los Angeles International Airport as he returned from a three-week trip to the Philippines. Agents booted the computer and began opening folders on the desktop, where they found a picture of two naked women, continued searching, then turned up what the government says is child pornography. _http://www.sdnp.undp.org/perl/news/articles.pl?id=9511&do=gpage_ <http://www.sdnp.undp.org/perl/news/articles.pl?id=9511&do=gpage> _______________________________________________ AfrICANN mailing list AfrICANN(a)afrinic.net https://lists.afrinic.net/mailman/listinfo.cgi/africann

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Re: [kictanet] kictanet Digest, Vol 28, Issue 40
by Barrack Otieno 20 Jun '07

20 Jun '07

Interesting idea bill, Michuki what does it take to have .ea? Regards On 6/20/07, kictanet-request(a)kictanet.or.ke <kictanet-request(a)kictanet.or.ke> wrote: > > 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: www.east-africa.ea (Bill Kagai) > 2. OpenSource society (judy okite) > 3. Re: www.east-africa.ea (Badru Ntege) > > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > > Message: 1 > Date: Wed, 20 Jun 2007 10:00:25 +0300 > From: "Bill Kagai" <mediacorp.research(a)mediacorp.co.ke> > Subject: Re: [kictanet] www.east-africa.ea > To: "Kenya ICT Action Network - KICTANet" <kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke> > Message-ID: > <5c0c81830706200000t53f6ef9cy5321d20ffe743f2(a)mail.gmail.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed > > Perhaps what is important is to ensure we do not get tangled in > logistics and endless debate over the [.ea] domain with Melila and > Ceuta. An alternative can be an ISO 3166-1 alpha-3 extension [.eac] > for [.EastAfricaCommunity] which I have checked is still unclaimed. > > I do not hold any copyright to the [.eac] or [.ea] idea so if KICTANET > or any of its members can run with it, it will be beneficial to > me...because I will reach a bigger market for my stock information > subscription without the public fret that [.ke] is taking all the > business in East Africa. > > Michuki...I therefore see [.eac] as an aggressive business strategy > complimenting [.ke], [.tz] etc and not as competition. > > Alice...If KICTANET knows some influential people at the East Africa > Community Secretariat in Arusha, maybe they can help get things into > second gear with ICANN?? > > Bill > > On 6/20/07, Michuki Mwangi <michuki(a)kenic.or.ke> wrote: > > Dear All, > > > > It has taken the .EU over 4 years to have it in place. Its taken > > similary .ASIA the equivalent to have theirs in place. > > .EA is entered into the IS0-3166-1 standards table and reserved as the > > country code for Ceuta and Melilla. > > > > Hence for ICANN to issue a two letter code, it has to be in the > > ISO-3166-1 table. > > > > There are other requirements that also have to be met for the process to > > be completed. It requires intense collaboration amongst members of the > > community to see the application approved by ICANN. > > > > For whats it worth its some discussions that we have been having amongst > > ourselves and there are challenges to this effect. > > > > First line of thought is are we at a point ready to thrown in > > competition to our national ccTLDs?. > > > > If to compare with the EU, most ccTLD's within the region are well > > established with over 100,000 domain names - hence very financially > > stable. In our region, none of the 3 ccTLDs are above 10,000 domains. > > Can the ccTLDs compete with the .EA or its equivalent?. > > > > Or is the thinking line that we may eventually move to a political > > federation and hence no need of the .KE, .TZ, .UG, .RW, .BI et al. > > > > Regards, > > > > > > Kagwe James wrote: > > > Anything can change I guess and with the current waves of regional > > > integrations ICANN may have to reconsider its hard stance on this and > > > create another classification of regional top level domains (RTLD) > just > > > like the CCTLD's, or something like that. > > > > > > -----Original Message----- > > > From: kictanet-bounces+jkagwe=aforbes.co.ke(a)kictanet.or.ke > > > [mailto:kictanet-bounces+jkagwe=aforbes.co.ke@kictanet.or.ke] On > Behalf > > > Of Kai Wulff > > > Sent: Wednesday, June 20, 2007 6:58 AM > > > To: Kagwe James > > > Subject: Re: [kictanet] www.east-africa.ea > > > > > > Well, > > > > > > there is .EU .. And take it from me, they are not very organized .. > > > > > > Kai > > > ----- Original Message ----- > > > From: <jmanthi(a)gmail.com> > > > To: <kai.wulff(a)kdn.co.ke> > > > Sent: Tuesday, June 19, 2007 23:00 > > > Subject: Re: [kictanet] www.east-africa.ea > > > > > > > > >> This would be a very good thing and would very popular with those > > >> businesses that need to do businesses within EA. > > >> > > >> But at those time I think it would be very impossible because ICANN > > > rules > > >> basicaaly say that country extensions (EA) can only be given to > > >> politically organized countries. > > >> > > >> My 2 cents. > > >> > > >> Joe > > >> Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry > > >> > > >> -----Original Message----- > > >> From: "Bill Kagai" <mediacorp.research(a)mediacorp.co.ke> > > >> > > >> Date: Tue, 19 Jun 2007 22:03:29 > > >> To:Joseph Manthi <jmanthi(a)gmail.com> > > >> Subject: [kictanet] www.east-africa.ea > > >> > > >> > > >> For those in the know, how feasible is introducing a dot [EA] domain. > > >> With a lucrative market population of 109 million after adding Rwanda > > >> and Burundi into East Africa Community...is it possible to have one > > >> website with a [.ea] domain instead of having 5 websites for [.ke], > > >> [.ug], [.tz], [.rw] and [.bi]?? And may be soon [.southsudan]?? > > >> > > >> -- > > >> With Kind Regards, > > >> Bildad Kagai > > >> MD - MediaCorp Limited > > >> Suite B2, Tetu Apartments > > >> StateHouse Avenue > > >> P. O. Box 20311-00200 > > >> Tel. 254 20 272 8332 > > >> URL. www.mediacorp.co.ke > > >> -- > > >> > > >> _______________________________________________ > > >> 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/jmanthi%40gmail.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/kai.wulff%40kdn.co.ke > > >> > > >> -- > > >> This message has been scanned for viruses and > > >> dangerous content by MailScanner, and is > > >> believed to be clean. > > >> > > >> > > > > > > > > > > -- > > 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/mediacorp.research%40mediaco… > > > > > -- > -- > With Kind Regards, > Bildad Kagai > MD - MediaCorp Limited > Suite B2, Tetu Apartments > StateHouse Avenue > P. O. Box 20311-00200 > Tel. 254 20 272 8332 > URL. www.mediacorp.co.ke > -- > > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 2 > Date: Wed, 20 Jun 2007 01:05:26 -0700 (PDT) > From: judy okite <judyokite(a)yahoo.com> > Subject: [kictanet] OpenSource society > To: kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke > Message-ID: <20070620080526.64393.qmail(a)web53907.mail.re2.yahoo.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1 > > Listers, for those in the opensource society and may > wish to showcase their expertise and network with > other experts worlwide .....www.linux.conf.au is where > its all happening. Kind Regards, > > > > > > ____________________________________________________________________________________ > Don't pick lemons. > See all the new 2007 cars at Yahoo! Autos. > http://autos.yahoo.com/new_cars.html > > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 3 > Date: Wed, 20 Jun 2007 11:08:55 +0300 > From: Badru Ntege <ntegeb(a)one2net.co.ug> > Subject: Re: [kictanet] www.east-africa.ea > To: Kenya ICT Action Network - KICTANet <kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke> > Message-ID: <4678E097.90008(a)one2net.co.ug> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed > > Michuki Mwangi wrote: > > > > Or is the thinking line that we may eventually move to a political > > federation and hence no need of the .KE, .TZ, .UG, .RW, .BI et al. > > > > Regards, > > > > > Michuki I think that's the idea I also do believe that we are in the > early days for all the cctld's and looking at the low penetration > accross the board i do think they will be able to co-exist. > > > > > > ------------------------------ > > _______________________________________________ > kictanet mailing list > kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke > http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > > > End of kictanet Digest, Vol 28, Issue 40 > **************************************** > -- Barrack O. Otieno Project Manager Project Discovery P.o. Box 21386 Nairobi 00100 Tel:+254721325277 www.projectdiscovery.or.ke

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Re: [kictanet] www.east-africa.ea
by Kagwe James 20 Jun '07

20 Jun '07

Anything can change I guess and with the current waves of regional integrations ICANN may have to reconsider its hard stance on this and create another classification of regional top level domains (RTLD) just like the CCTLD's, or something like that. -----Original Message----- From: kictanet-bounces+jkagwe=aforbes.co.ke(a)kictanet.or.ke [mailto:kictanet-bounces+jkagwe=aforbes.co.ke@kictanet.or.ke] On Behalf Of Kai Wulff Sent: Wednesday, June 20, 2007 6:58 AM To: Kagwe James Subject: Re: [kictanet] www.east-africa.ea Well, there is .EU .. And take it from me, they are not very organized .. Kai ----- Original Message ----- From: <jmanthi(a)gmail.com> To: <kai.wulff(a)kdn.co.ke> Sent: Tuesday, June 19, 2007 23:00 Subject: Re: [kictanet] www.east-africa.ea > This would be a very good thing and would very popular with those > businesses that need to do businesses within EA. > > But at those time I think it would be very impossible because ICANN rules > basicaaly say that country extensions (EA) can only be given to > politically organized countries. > > My 2 cents. > > Joe > Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry > > -----Original Message----- > From: "Bill Kagai" <mediacorp.research(a)mediacorp.co.ke> > > Date: Tue, 19 Jun 2007 22:03:29 > To:Joseph Manthi <jmanthi(a)gmail.com> > Subject: [kictanet] www.east-africa.ea > > > For those in the know, how feasible is introducing a dot [EA] domain. > With a lucrative market population of 109 million after adding Rwanda > and Burundi into East Africa Community...is it possible to have one > website with a [.ea] domain instead of having 5 websites for [.ke], > [.ug], [.tz], [.rw] and [.bi]?? And may be soon [.southsudan]?? > > -- > With Kind Regards, > Bildad Kagai > MD - MediaCorp Limited > Suite B2, Tetu Apartments > StateHouse Avenue > P. O. Box 20311-00200 > Tel. 254 20 272 8332 > URL. www.mediacorp.co.ke > -- > > _______________________________________________ > 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/jmanthi%40gmail.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/kai.wulff%40kdn.co.ke > > -- > This message has been scanned for viruses and > dangerous content by MailScanner, and is > believed to be clean. > > -- This message has been scanned for viruses and dangerous content by MailScanner, and is believed to be clean. _______________________________________________ kictanet mailing list kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet Please unsubscribe or change your options at http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/jkagwe%40aforbes.co.ke

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OpenSource society
by judy okite 20 Jun '07

20 Jun '07

Listers, for those in the opensource society and may wish to showcase their expertise and network with other experts worlwide .....www.linux.conf.au is where its all happening. Kind Regards, ____________________________________________________________________________________ Don't pick lemons. See all the new 2007 cars at Yahoo! Autos. http://autos.yahoo.com/new_cars.html

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www.east-africa.ea
by Bill Kagai 20 Jun '07

20 Jun '07

For those in the know, how feasible is introducing a dot [EA] domain. With a lucrative market population of 109 million after adding Rwanda and Burundi into East Africa Community...is it possible to have one website with a [.ea] domain instead of having 5 websites for [.ke], [.ug], [.tz], [.rw] and [.bi]?? And may be soon [.southsudan]?? -- With Kind Regards, Bildad Kagai MD - MediaCorp Limited Suite B2, Tetu Apartments StateHouse Avenue P. O. Box 20311-00200 Tel. 254 20 272 8332 URL. www.mediacorp.co.ke --

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CCK Internet Study- Online Deliberation Week1 Summaries
by John Walubengo 19 Jun '07

19 Jun '07

Dear Listers, We are now concluding the report on the previously held online discussions. Plse go through the summarised comments and we welcome and corrections, modifications or additions before end of day Wed 20th June 2007. Below Week 1 Summaries. 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 ecommendations 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. ==Ends==== walu. ____________________________________________________________________________________ Expecting? Get great news right away with email Auto-Check. Try the Yahoo! Mail Beta. http://advision.webevents.yahoo.com/mailbeta/newmail_tools.html

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Yahoo! News Story - Google' s breakneck changes stoke privacy fears - Yahoo! News
by John Walubengo 19 Jun '07

19 Jun '07

John Walubengo (jwalu(a)yahoo.com) has sent you a news article. (Email address has not been verified.) ------------------------------------------------------------ Personal message: mmmmHhhh.... looks like Mucheru has truly jumped into the deep-end of the information society. walu. Google's breakneck changes stoke privacy fears - Yahoo! News http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070618/wr_nm/privacy_google_dc_4 ============================================================ Yahoo! News http://news.yahoo.com/

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Safaricom lowers call charges]
by alice 19 Jun '07

19 Jun '07

Safaricom lowers call charges ------------------------------------------------------------------------ By Brian Adero Just days after the Government ignored calls to lower excise tax on mobile airtime, Safaricom has announced major reductions in its calling rates. The changes, which take effect immediately, affect all of the mobile firm's tariffs and include cuts for calls to other networks. They come two weeks before a Communications Commission of Kenya (CCK) deadline for telecommunications firms to lower their base charges for calls across networks (interconnect charges). Subscribers using prepaid services will now save up to 38 per cent, while those on post-paid plans will spend 20 per cent less for calls to other Safaricom subscribers. Charges for calls to other networks are down up to 50 per cent. The changes are the single most significant step in lowering calling rates since rival network Celtel Kenya introduced a tariff offering a flat rate of Sh16 to all networks. Chief Executive Officer, Mr Michael Joseph, said the lower rates were introduced in response to customers' demands. "We want to make sure that everybody can afford to use a mobile phone," Joseph said. Safaricom said it has reduced the cost of calls to rival networks from a high of Sh50 per minute on one tariff, to Sh25 during off peak periods and Sh30 during peak periods. The company has also reduced the cost of text messages within the network from Sh5 per message to Sh3.50 during peak periods and Sh2.50 during off peak periods. Call set up fees and daily access fees have also been scrapped as the firm shoots for "simpler and more affordable tariffs". * No effect on revenue * A Celtel Kenya communications officer says the firm is also planning further cuts. "Safaricom has just reacted to the deadline given by CCK directing them to reduce the interconnect charges by June 30," he said. "We are working on our study and strategy and will unveil them to our customers soon." Joseph said the reductions would not affect Safaricom's revenue because the company expects an increase in its subscriber base, which was 5.5 million as at February 1. The six-year-old mobile operator last year reported a 45 per cent increase in pre-tax profits to Sh12.2 billion, making it the region's most profitable company. The profits were made off 3.9 million subscribers, about 1.5 million fewer than the company has today. Joseph attributes Safaricom's growth to a significantly increased network rollout in rural areas as well as the popularity of its low-denomination airtime credit voucher, 'Bamba 50'. On June 5, Safaricom and its sole competitor, Celtel Kenya, asked the Government to remove or cut a 10 per cent excise duty charged on airtime for mobile phones in the annual budget presented by Finance minister, Mr Amos Kimunya, on June 14. Kimunya neither reduced nor abolished the tax. "We are still going to continue lobbying for reduction in excise tax because as both our competitor and ourselves have said, taxes on airtime are very high," Joseph said. In addition to the excise duty, the Government levies a value added tax of 16 per cent on the cost of mobile phone calls. Analysts say mobile airtime is a relatively 'price inelastic' good (demand remains the same for a range of prices), so Government can raise taxes off it without significantly hindering growth. Vodafone effectively owns 35 per cent of Safaricom, while the Government holds 60 per cent through Telkom Kenya. A five per cent stake is held by Mobitelea Ventures, a Guernsey-registered company whose ownership is unknown. Kimunya last week said he expected to offer shares in Safaricom to the public within the next 12 months. -- -------------------------------------------------------------------- Life's most urgent question is: What are you doing for others? .........Martin Luther King, Jr. -------------------------------------------------------------------- __._,_.___ Messages in this topic <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/DigAfrica/message/6033;_ylc=X3oDMTM0NWljcnM0B…> (1) Reply (via web post) <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/DigAfrica/post;_ylc=X3oDMTJwaDdlOXZoBF9TAzk3M…> | Start a new topic <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/DigAfrica/post;_ylc=X3oDMTJlMWRoaG5sBF9TAzk3M…> Messages <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/DigAfrica/messages;_ylc=X3oDMTJlaGtoMWQ0BF9TA…> | Links <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/DigAfrica/links;_ylc=X3oDMTJmMWVlZG80BF9TAzk3…> | Polls <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/DigAfrica/polls;_ylc=X3oDMTJmNmh0azJvBF9TAzk3…> Dig Africa site welcomes you to join us at http://www.yahoogroups.com/group/Digafrica on IT in Africa Aids-Africa is a forum for communication and information on AIDS related issues in Africa and all are welcome to join us at http://www.yahoogroups.com/group/aids-africa Join us on hiv/aids forum on Kenya at http://www.yahoogroups.com/group/kenya-aids Join us at a Kenyan networking forum and NGOS at http://www.yahoogroups.com/group/kenyainternational Yahoo! 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