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OFC final report
by Rebecca Wanjiku 09 Mar '07

09 Mar '07

here is the OFC final report. i have attached a copy and given the executive summary below, hope it will make good reading and background info.... Executive Summary The East African Coast remains the only seabed that is yet to be covered by International Submarine Optical Fiber Cable (OFC) Connectivity. With over three prospective Submarine Optical Cables in the offing, East Africans are standing at the threshold of new opportunities and are expecting better and more affordable communication services that OFCs have provided in other parts of the globe. But the question remains which model of OFC provisioning, will bring about meaningful and sustainable Socio-economic gains for the majority of citizens in East Africa and its environs? The Online Discussion explored this question by investigating the existing models for providing OFC and evaluating how each model would impact on the Key Stakeholders. The Key Stakeholders identified included the Regulator, the Consumers, the Government, the Development Financial Institutions (DFIs), the Private Operators and Investors. Efforts were made to understand each Stakeholders objectives with a view to ensuring that a model that can closely balanced out most of the conflicting interests could be arrived at. The generic models of Consortium, Open-Access and Privately provisioned OFC were discussed and their requirements and the impacts they (would) have on the various stakeholders were elicited. The role of the Regulator with regard to protecting Consumer interests in whichever of the above models were particularly emphasised and considered fundamental. The Open-Access principles were preferred irrespective of the OFC provisioning methods adopted especially with respect to allowing market-rate access both to existing and future Data Operators. With regard to ownership and financing of the OFC, it was felt that a mixture of Public, Private and DFIs sources of capital maybe the most efficient. In such a case, the owners would then constitute a body (Special Purpose Vehicle, SPV) to operate and maintain the OFC in the interest of the stakeholders. On the other hand, there was also the other alternative that placed less or no emphasis on the construction and ownership of the International OFC. Instead, it suggested that more emphasis should be placed towards developing a comprehensive and national (domestic) OFC. A comprehensive and active domestic infrastructure, coupled with local content would be expected attract Internet Backbone Providers (IBPs) wishing to tap into this new source of domestic traffic. Such Operators would therefore construct and extend their own OFC into the region at their own cost - as long as the local (domestic) Operators can guarantee to purchase an economic capacity of International bandwidth from the IBPs at market rates. Both the Online discussions as well as the Face-to-Face workshop provided a rich source of information that is hoped will provide valuable input in shaping the Policy and Regulatory direction regarding the provisioning of this critical submarine cable that would finally conquer the last frontier the East African Coast. 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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[Fibre-for-africa] Invigorating debate on EASSy and other fibre
by A. Wanjira Munyua 09 Mar '07

09 Mar '07

Dear Listers, > > A short note here to draw your attention to some of the new resources that > have recently been uploaded on the Fibre for Africa website > (www.fibreforafrica.net) which provides information about international > bandwidth in Africa, its costs and the existence of monopoly access to it: > > 1) Question and Answer Interview with Dr Edmund Katiti, Policy and > regulatory Advisor for the NEPAD eAfrica Commission. He speaks about the > plans for forming the Special Purpose Vehicle to develop, own, operate, > and maintain the regional ICT broadband network for Eastern and Southern > Africa; moves toward engaging consultants to attract shareholders in the > network; and how the Commission views cables being planned by countries > such as Kenya and South Africa. > 2) Question and Answer Interview with Mr Edmond Nyakairu, chairman of the > finance committee of the EASSy Memorandum of Understanding signatories: On > the operators current feelings about the NEPAD eAfrica Commission; on the > Commissions continued use of the name EASSy; the impact which building > EASSy would have on proposed Kenyan and South African cables; on whether > EASSy makes commercial sense; and the way forward in delivering cheaper > and more accessible bandwidth to east and southern Africa. > 3) Article on the cables planned for the East Coast of Africa: This > resource lists the various initiatives to build cables that are parallel > to EASSy and questions whether this will not render EASSy less competitive > or even unviable. But how viable will these cables themselves be, and are > they planning on embracing Open Access principles? > 4) Paper on Enabling Open Access through Universal Access: This paper > makes the case for Open Access Infrastructure in addressing Africas > connectivity headaches; it examines flaws that are common in some of the > connectivity (including Universal Access) programmes on the continent; and > concludes that regional infrastructure undertakings like EASSy require > Universal Access to be correctly implemented and to address demand in > order for Open Access principles to prevail. > > EASSy appears to be at crossroads, with operators and the Commission > maintaining major disagreements. It is not clear when the champagne > bottles will be popped for its ground-breaking ceremony, or even who the > investors in it will be. The clock is ticking. Debate on what needs to be > done to secure a win-win situation not just for the NEPAD and the > telcos but importantly as well for the users who endure slow service at > exorbitant prices, needs to be sustained at this time. > > Wakabi > > > > ============== > Wairagala Wakabi > Research Associate > CIPESA > Plot 22 Bukoto Street, Kamwokya > P.O Box 26970 Kampala, Uganda > Tel. +256 41 531899 > Cell: +256 772 406 241 > Email: wakabi(a)cipesa.org > www.cipesa.org > > _______________________________________________ > 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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My Evening in Jail (O.K, next to Jail)
by John Walubengo 08 Mar '07

08 Mar '07

O.K, before the moderator tells me to take this conversation off the list - I wish to promise that it will end with an IT twist... Yesterday evening, I was stopped by the Traffic Police at Madaraka Roundabout (next to Strath University). As a law abiding citizen, I stopped and without being asked, I opened the boot, stepped out and handed over my Driving Licence. After 5minutes (eternity for me!) I realised that the young police officer was struggling with his torch trying to shine the lamp on my annual renewal licences. I moved closer and he seemed happy to have discoverd and even happier to confirm that I had FORGED it (what???). He was alleging that it expired last year and since I was the clever-one, i simply extended the year by overwriting the original deadline and replacing it with next year (i.e from 2006 to 2008 expiry date) I tried to say indeed the overwriting was truly there, but it must have been done by the KRA (Kenya Revenue Officials, they are human and can make mistakes) but he was adamant that I must visit their Police station and be checked in. I tried to say that if I had committed a traffic offence , I would have expected that he would write me a ticket/summons? to appear in court sometime later in the week and stand accused awaiting defence/judgement/penalty..(lawyers could correct me on that). Later on he agreed that he will write the Summons from the Poice Station and so we drove to the nearest police station for this summons to be written. We reached there (Nyayo Stadium Police Station) and he asked me to sit right next to the Cells (which were full of some very mean looking 'Matheri' type of characters). After 5min, he came back to say that his Boss, the Officer in Charge of the Station is not in and so I have to be locked in until tomorrow morning, when he will come and write me the summons (hallooo??- next to THOSE guys?). To cut down the story, my wife new someone, who knew some Senior cop, whom she called and he eventually gave instructions to have me released - on Condition that I apologise for the offense (O.K. now what had I done again?). Here is the IT angle - isn't it time their website www.kenyapolice.go.ke gave the Citizens the correct position regarding Police Procedures for Civil/Criminal offence? I mean I never knew a traffic offence could earn you 1-night accomodation with General Ali's (the Police Commissioner) guests. Further more, when are those so called Tamper-proof Driving Licences going to hit the market? walu. nb: the overwriting was explained to me by KRA this morning - they say that it often happens and all they do is to double-stamp the affected license which they actually done- but I never knew the implication of that double-stamp. Am sure the young Police Officer had seen the double-stamping but was not in a hurry to educate me - he preferred to drag me to next to his cells for whatever (you are allowed to speculate) reasons. ____________________________________________________________________________________ Get your own web address. Have a HUGE year through Yahoo! Small Business. http://smallbusiness.yahoo.com/domains/?p=BESTDEAL

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Fw: [COMO Alliance] Media and Religion
by Florence Etta 08 Mar '07

08 Mar '07

Sorry for cross posting! The Communication and Media Research Institute has great pleasure in announcing the publication of the latest issue of our Open Access Journal Westminster Papers in Communication and Culture. Volume 4 Number 1 is dedicated to the them Media and Religion. You can access this issue and back numbers without charge at: http://www.wmin.ac.uk/mad/page-880. Alternatively, you can click on the links below for direct access to the articles. MEDIA AND RELIGION Anthony McNicholas Editorial Michael Bailey `He Who Has Ears to Hear, Let Him Hear: Christian Pedagogy and Religious Broadcasting During the Inter-War Period Diego Contreras Coverage of Complex Theoretical Content. The Case of Dominus Iesus Timothy J. White Catholicism and Nationalism in Ireland: From Fusion in the 19th Century to Separation in the 21st Century Dominica Dipio Religion in Nigerian Home Video Films Erica Baffelli Mass Media and Religion in Japan: Mediating the Leaders Image Book Reviews Maria Way Religion and Film: An Introduction Religion in a Changing Europe: Between Pluralism and Fundamentalism _______________________________________________ COMO_Alliance mailing list COMO_Alliance(a)lists.asc.upenn.edu http://lists.asc.upenn.edu/mailman/listinfo/como_alliance ___________________________________________________________ Now you can scan emails quickly with a reading pane. Get the new Yahoo! Mail. http://uk.docs.yahoo.com/nowyoucan.html

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AfriNIC Meeting: Abuja, Nigeria 23rd April-4 May 2007
by A. Wanjira Munyua 08 Mar '07

08 Mar '07

Dear Colleagues The next AfriNIC Meeting will be held in Abuja, Nigeria from 23rd April to 4 May 2007, together with AfNOG, INET Africa, AfTLD and AFREN meetings. It is an open forum to discuss issues related to internet number resource management within the AfriNIC service region. This meeting will also host a regional IPv6 conference where network operators will share their experiences on IPv6 deployment. We are looking for presentations and tutorials of relevance from anyone. Tutorials are usually 2 to 4 hour workshops, while presentations may last between 10 and 30 minutes. Presentations / Tutorials may cover the following topics: - IPv6 deployment - Routing Best Practice/Address Space Prefix Filtering - Reverse DNS implemenation - DNSec - Fighting Spam We would like to have as many practical, hands-on presentations as possible and they do not have to be long. Policy proposals are also usually discussed at the meeting, but must pass through the appropriate phases of the Policy Development Process (please see http://www.afrinic.net/pdp.htm) If you would like to make a presentation or tutorial, please send your proposal to meeting(a)afrinic.net Your proposal should contain the following information: - Full Name - Email Address - Affiliation - Short biography - Title of Talk - A detailed abstract or outline describing the presentation - Draft slides for the presentation (if ready/available) - Length of talk (minutes/hours/days) - Need (or not) for sponsorship or assistance to attend the meeting (travel and/or accommodation, etc) The audience at AfriNIC meetings is mainly composed of technical network operators and engineers with a wide range of experience levels from beginners to several years of experience. Presentations that contain any sort of marketing and commercial content are usually not encouraged at such meetings. Best Regards Hisham R. Rojoa Membership Liaison & Communications Officer AfriNIC

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internet news, research papers - international
by Rebecca Wanjiku 07 Mar '07

07 Mar '07

makes good bachground material/.....incase of interest... The rise of technology addiction http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/click_online/6411495.stm Mobile Content Usage is Higher in Developing Countries http://clickz.com/stats/sectors/wireless/article.php/3625143 *************** RESEARCH PAPERS *************** Mobile Commerce consumer issues and policy challenges for a promising market (OECD) Mobile commerce is a promising market both for consumers and businesses. However, consumer troubles and complaints are increasing and can sometimes become serious, including issues for minors. Member countries experiences show that we should ensure that consumers benefit. In particular, countries may review their instruments with regard to a more effective scheme for information disclosure, liability protection over SIM and RFID cards, effective notice to excessive consumption, and the importance of consumer education. Businesses may also consider more effective consumer protection schemes. http://www.oecd.org/dataoecd/22/52/38077227.pdf The 'agreement' that sparked a storm At a recent legal presentation attended by prominent intellectual property lawyers and law professors, a loaded question was posed to the audience: "By a show of hands and be honest, now how many of you read the terms and conditions presented in an end-user license agreement?" Of the nearly 100 people in the auditorium, not a single hand was raised. Shocking? Only if such an admission is unexpected. It really isn't. http://www.abanet.org/buslaw/blt/2007-01-02/kahana.shtml The Net Neutrality Debate: Twenty Five Years After United States v. AT&T and 120 Years After the Act to Regulate Commerce by BRUCE OWEN (Stanford Law and Economics Oline Working Paper) Abstract: Net neutrality policies could only be implemented through detailed price regulation, an approach that has often failed, in the past, to improve consumer welfare relative to what might have been expected under an unregulated monopoly. Regulatory agencies often settle into a well-established pattern of subservience to politically influential economic interests. Consumers, would-be entrants and innovators are not likely to be among these influential groups. History thus counsels against adoption of most versions of net neutrality, at least in the absence of refractory monopoly power and strong evidence of anticompetitive behavior - extreme cases justifying dangerous, long shot remedies. http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=963623 Helping Hands: Design for Member-Maintained Online Communities This thesis studies the design of member-maintained online communities, systems where many members help perform upkeep. A key design challenge is motivating members to contribute toward maintenance. Social science theories help to explain why people contribute to groups. We use these theories to design two general mechanisms for increasing peoples motivation to contribute. http://www-users.cs.umn.edu/~cosley/thesis/final.pdf Where Antitrust Ends and IP Begins by Katarzyna A. Czapracka (Yale Journal of Law and Technology) U.S. antitrust enforcers see little scope for antitrust policy to mitigate the consequences of imperfect IP policies. They are reluctant to intervene in what is perceived to be the sphere of IP policy and take the view that any competitive concerns are better remedied by changes in the IP policy. This trend corresponds with shielding antitrust policy away from fields occupied by other forms of regulation. Exactly the opposite tendencies are present in EU competition law. Both the European Commission and the ECJ seem to see a role for competition law to correct improvidently defined IPRs, even if it entails adjusting competition principles. It may seem reasonable, as unlike competition policy, most issues relating to IP policy within the European Union are still decided at the national level. Yet, there is an inherent danger in this approach. It may lead antitrust authorities to adopt analytically questionable approaches that undermine the coherence of antitrust law. Competition agencies must be particularly cautious in adopting the measures to curb IP laws, as they may discourage private R&D investment. The views of the Commission on application of Article 82 to interoperability information, as expressed in the Microsoft Decision and the Article 82 Paper, confirm that these reservations are valid. http://research.yale.edu/lawmeme/yjolt/files/20062007Issue/fall06-czapracka… The Race Robert Kuttner learns that newspapers have a bright future as print-digital hybrids after all-- but they'd better hurry. http://cjr.org/issues/2007/2/Kuttner.asp Does information beget information? by Dennis S. Karjala (Duke L. & Tech. Rev) Using the language of mathematics, Professor Polk Wagner has recently argued that the impossibility of fully appropriating the value of information in a rightsholder leads to the surprising conclusion that expanding the degree of control of intellectual property rights will, in the long run, increase the sum total of information not subject to ownership claims and therefore available as part of the cultural and technological base on which new growth and development can occur. Indeed, he claims that open information will grow according to the formula for compound interest, where the interest rate is 100% plus or minus a factor z supposedly related to creation incentives. This article demonstrates that Professor Wagner's mathematical analysis is simply wrong and does not lead to any of the conclusions he reaches concerning the growth of open information. It also shows both the difficulties and the dangers of the lay use of the language of mathematics in resolving complex social problems even if one does the math correctly. http://www.law.duke.edu/journals/dltr/articles/2007dltr0001.html Internet 3.0: Identifying Problems and Solutions to the Network Neutrality Debate by ROB FRIEDEN (Pennsylvania State University) This paper examines the network neutrality debate with an eye toward refuting and dismissing the many false and misleading claims and concentrating on the real problems occasioned by the Internet's third evolution. The paper accepts as necessary and proper many types of price and quality of service discrimination. However the paper identifies other types of hidden and harmful discrimination. The paper concludes with an identification of best practices in good discrimination that should satisfy most network neutrality goals without creating disincentives that might dissuade ISPs from building the infrastructure needed for Internet 3.0 services. http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=962181 The Internet and the Project of Communications Law by SUSAN P. CRAWFORD (Cardozo Law School) Abstract: The internet offers the potential for economic growth stemming from online human communications, but recent industry and government actions have disfavored these possibilities by treating the internet like a content-delivery supply chain. I recommend that the internet be at the center of communications policy and that laws affecting internet access be evaluated in terms of whether they further U.S. economic growth by facilitating increased emergent online diversity. The article criticizes the nearly exclusive focus of communications policy on the private economic success of infrastructure and application providers, and suggests that communications policy be focused on facilitating communications themselves. http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=962594 Internet Think by SUSAN P. CRAWFORD (Journal on Telecommunications and High Technology Law) Abstract: This essay suggests that how "the internet" is understood has substantial legal, social, and cultural consequences. Beginning in the 1940s, Netheads adopted an understanding of man-computer symbiosis that continues to be attractive to internet futurists. Later on, in the 1970s, Engineers addressed the architectural needs of the future in a concrete way, seeking to interconnect diverse networks. In recent years, the Telcos have increasingly taken the position that "the Internet" is no more than the sum of their privately-owned pipes and wires. These three different approaches to "the Internet" are now informing a complex and important public policy debate about "network neutrality." http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=962596 Rebooting Cybertort Law by MICHAEL L. RUSTAD & THOMAS KOENIG (Washington Law Review) Abstract: Cyberspace provides an ideal legal environment for tortfeasors and online criminals because Internet Service Providers (ISPs) have no duty to mitigate harms caused by ongoing torts, crimes, and infringing acts. Courts have stretched Congress's express language in Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act from the narrow purpose of immunizing ISPs as publishers to the expanded purpose of shielding them from all tort liability. This Article proposes imposing a limited duty of crae on ISPs to remove or block ongoing tortious activities on their srvices when they have been given actual notice. This reform will harmonize American ISP liability law with the European union's Electronic Commerce Directive, which imposes an affirmative duty on ISPs to take down objectionable materials. It also will unify U.S. law by creating procedures consistent with the takedown policy mandated by the Digital Copyright Act. http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=961885 Authors v. Archivers: The Copyright Infringement Battle Over Web Pages by KINARI PATEL Abstract: Archiving Internet content by storing old versions of Web pages is currently a growing trend because of the educational, cultural, and evidentiary value it provides. Google and the Internet Archive are two examples of Internet archives that provide this service. However, by storing old versions of Web pages without first obtaining the permission of authors, Internet archives infringe on the copyrights of authors. Under the fair use exception to copyright infringement, Internet archives may be legally authorized to archive old versions of Web pages without first obtaining the permission of authors in certain situations. However, this paper argues that, in all cases, the burden should be placed on authors to notify Internet archives that they wish for their Web pages to be excluded from the archive, rather than placing the burden on Internet archives to contact authors before they archive Web pages. By not overburdening Internet archives, the current opt-out policy is more advantageous than an opt-in policy because it allows Internet archives to continue to provide the benefits of archiving old Web pages to the public. http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=965199 Corporate Complicity in Internet Censorship in China: Who Cares for the Global Compact or the Global Online Freedom Act? by SURYA DEVA (George Washington International Law Review) This article critically evaluates the efficacy of two regulatory initiatives - the UN Global Compact and the US Global Online Freedom Act - in dealing with the specific challenges posed by doing business with or within China. In considering how much promise these two initiatives offer in ensuring that corporations take their human rights responsibilities seriously, two specific claims are advanced. First, that the Global Compact has failed not only in convincing US corporations to embrace, support and enact its ten principles, but also in ensuring that participant corporations seriously fulfill their undertaken commitments. Such a US-specific inquiry is especially relevant because many MNCs that have been sued for human rights abuses have a presence in the US. The second claim is that although home state extraterritorial regulation is a potential option to tame MNCs' abusive activities, it is unlikely that the Freedom Act, even if enacted, will achieve its goal of promoting Internet freedom globally by combating censorship by authoritarian foreign governments. http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=964478 The Structure of Search Engine Law by JAMES GRIMMELMANN (Yale Law School Information Society Project) Abstract: This article will provide a road map to the legal issues posed by Internet search engines. It will indicate what questions we must consider when thinking about search engines, and it will detail the interconnections among those questions. It will not endorse any particular normative framework for search. Nor will it recommend who should regulate search. Instead, it will provide the necessary foundation for informed decision-making, by whatever regulator and whatever its normative approach. Part I will explain how modern search engines function and describe the business environment within which they operate. Part II, the heart of the article, will present a descriptive analysis of the legal struggles over search, showing how questions of search policy, many of which have long been latent in different fields of Internet law, are increasingly confronting lawyers, courts, and regulators. Part III will then show, with five examples, how taking a broad view of search yields otherwise unavailable insights into pressing controversies. This is not to say that the end result must be a body of search-specific law, only to note that failing to consider the larger forces at work in search is antithetical to sensible policy-making. http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=963118 Internet Jurisdiction: A Comparative Analysis (Harvard Law Review) The difficult jurisdictional issues raised by the Internet have captured significant attention, prompting one federal judge to comment that, [t]o paraphrase Gertrude Stein, as far as the Internet is concerned, not only is there perhaps no there there, the there is everywhere where there is Internet access. This lack of clear borders creates tension between different interests. The media desire certainty regarding when online content creates a basis for personal jurisdiction so that they can avoid defamation lawsuits in distant places. Sovereign nations want to ensure that the ubiquitous nature of the Internet does not undermine their ability to enforce substantive laws balancing speech and reputation rights. This Parts comparison of U.S. and Commonwealth cases reveals differing approaches to determining when to exercise jurisdiction over media defendants based on Internet content. U.S. courts have adopted a targeting test that requires purposefully directing activity at a forum as opposed to merely providing content accessible there. Courts in Commonwealth countries, including Australia, the United Kingdom, and Canada, have based jurisdiction on foreseeability, exercising jurisdiction over any online media content that could harm a plaintiffs reputation in the forum. Although these inconsistent jurisdictional tests are a matter of procedure, they stem from different substantive laws and from Commonwealth courts underlying unfriendliness to U.S. free speech protections. Media defendants have argued for special jurisdictional rules applicable to the Internet alone; however, any such call for reform must recognize that the procedural divergence results from entrenched substantive differences. Thus, this Part argues that absent an international agreement harmonizing the jurisdictional analysis, courts are not likely to adopt special Internet rules, and media groups will instead be compelled to turn to technological solutions. http://www.harvardlawreview.org/issues/120/feb07/DEVO/DEVO_intro07.pdf *********** CENSORSHIP *********** au: Industry closes anti-coal website THE mining industry has used copyright laws to close an anti-mining website launched by a small protest group in Newcastle. http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2007/03/04/1172943275688.html Egypt's bloggers test state media control (Reuters) Egyptian bloggers have come into the spotlight, on the one hand as an important forum for political debate, on the other as the target of government attempts to limit their freedom of expression. http://uk.reuters.com/article/internetNews/idUKL2870055620070304 Movement to free Kareem looks to UN We've learned all too well by now that many parts of the globe won't tolerate any perceived insult to Islam, however unintentional. Invite cartoonists to draw Muhammad, as Danish newspaper Jyllands-Posten did in 2005, or be one of the dozens of other publications that reprinted the caricatures in solidarity with Jyllands-Posten, and watch the death threats pour in and lethal rioting start as some Muslim organizations try to get the government to levy criminal charges. http://hamiltonspectator.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=hamilton/Layo… Egyptian Blogger Appeals Prison Sentence (AP) Lawyers filed an appeal Monday on behalf of a blogger who was sentenced to four years in prison for insulting Islam and Egypt's president. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/02/27/AR200702270… *************** DIGITAL DIVIDE *************** ca: The Digital Divide: Is There A Solution? Definition of the Digital Divide: The difference in opportunities available to people who have access to modern information technology and those who do not. Traditionally the working poor and homeless have been at a big disadvantage by not having access to the latest technology available. The disadvantages are many. Lack of access to information and being less competitive in the job market are two of the most significant. http://blogcritics.org/archives/2007/03/04/064418.php ie: ComReg report reveals a growing digital divide The latest Trends Series survey, which was conducted by Amarach Consulting during November and December 2006, indicates that 45 percent of home internet users now have broadband subscriptions. This compares to 48 percent of home internet users who still access the web via dial-up. http://www.enn.ie/frontpage/news-9943682.html FastWeb founder turns his attention to Internet television and video-on-demand In seven and a half years, Silvio Scaglia transformed FastWeb from a start-up with a plan to bring fiber-optic cables into houses from Milan to Palermo into a company with 1.3 billion in annual sales and 1.1 million clients. http://iht.com/articles/2007/03/04/business/nettv05.php ***** VoIP ***** us: FCC: Local telephone carriers must connect to VOIP The U.S. Federal Communications Commission has ruled that incumbent local exchange carriers must connect to VoIP services, overruling two state public service commission opinions. http://infoworld.com/article/07/03/02/HNlocalphonevoip_1.html ********************************** ____________________________________________________________________________________ Be a PS3 game guru. Get your game face on with the latest PS3 news and previews at Yahoo! Games. http://videogames.yahoo.com/platform?platform=120121

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EASSy: What's in a Name?
by A. Wanjira Munyua 07 Mar '07

07 Mar '07

----- Original Message ----- From: "Wairagala Wakabi" <wakabi(a)cipesa.org> To: "APC - Private list for use by EASSY Workshop Participants" <fibre-for-africa(a)lists.apc.org> Sent: Monday, March 05, 2007 3:28 PM Subject: [Fibre-for-africa] EASSy: What's in a Name? > Here are the views of CIPESA Senior Policy Associate Anthony Mugeere on > the reported renaming of EASSy. He wonders whether change of name would > achieve anything but that. > -- > > EASSy re-naming is not an EASY option > > By Anthony Mugeere > > So what, as renowned playwright William Shakespeare once asked, is in a > name? Does a rose (flower) by any another name still smell the same? > > The recent pronouncement by South Africas communications minister, > Matsepe-Casaburri that the East African Submarine Cable System (EASSy) had > been renamed the NEPAD Broadband Infrastructure Network (NBIN) was as > astounding as her assertion, during the same function, that the original > model developed for the cable is not what international financial > institutions such as the World Bank would have liked. This was in direct > reference to the closed access model, believed to be widely favoured by > the consortium telecom operators who conceived the EASSy project way back > in 1992. > > Whereas the merits and demerits of closed access have been widely debated > by all and sundry, the assertion gives further credence to what some > analysts have for long asked: What really does the World Bank stand for? > In the early 1990s, the Washington-based financial institution pushed for > the liberalisation and privatisation of the telecom sub-sector in almost > all African countries - with resounding success. By so doing, the World > Bank wanted governments to get out of utility services such as > telecommunications so that the profit-driven and often more efficient > private sector takes centre stage. Countries like Uganda, that implemented > the structural adjustment policies are now role models of accepting the > closed access model of telecom growth and are reaping big dividends. So > has the World Bank changed its thinking on liberalisation when it supports > NEPADa representative of regional governments? That however, is another > story. > > Todays story is entirely about the change of name by NEPAD. On the > outlook, there is nothing to write home about. It is just a change of > name, period! Two glaring facts are however very clear about the > development: First, NEPAD is now the regional initiative that is > implementing the once much-publicised EASSy project. Secondly, that EASSy > thing as it was once labelled by a member of the NEPAD e-Africa > Commission is just a component of what NEPAD is doing now. The > Pretoria-based commission is currently working implementing the overall > broadband infrastructure network. > > Whereas the implementation of the project is only awaiting signing and > ratification of the protocol and perhaps the announcement of the new > landing point for the second undersea cable, the renaming of the project > further shows that the founding fathers of the EASSy cable are being > relegated to a less fancied position in the decision making hierarchy. > Although NEPAD has, on several occasions, denied claims by some consortium > members that it hijacked their thing, the renaming of the project would > lend more sympathy to the club members in the cause than to the regional > body. The situation is akin to constructing a houses internal water and > sewerage systemcomplete with high-density pipes - without working on the > outside system that connects it to the municipality or national grid. > > When will NEPAD, given the bureaucratic protocol issues, pull off the > broadband project all the way from South Africa through Botswana, > Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi, Uganda to Kigali as explained by the > communications minister? Wont individual countries like Uganda who are in > the process of laying their own backbone infrastructure complete theirs > and tap onto the Kenyan link and trigger a tapping wave from its > neighbours especially Rwanda and Burundi? Wont private investors, who > have already smelt a business opportunity cash in on the situation to tap > on the Kenya line to do closed access business before NEPAD opens up its > network? > > NEPAD needs to ponder these and more questions as it embarks on > implementing the regions eagerly awaited infrastructure project. Having > re-named the baby, it is not wise to throw out young EASSys bed just yet. > Implementing the EASSy project, as first conceived in 2002 would have > delivered immediate relief to those in urgent need of affordable bandwidth > and reliable connectivity than implementing a massive broadband project, > subject to bureaucratic and funding bottlenecks under a new name. The > equation is simple: If it sounds like EASSy, it should be easy. Wrapping > rose flowers to be delivered as a Valentines Day gift to your spouse or > lover with inscriptions reading, accept these bougainvillea flowers does > not, in any way negate the fact that they are rose flowers. But then, when > have EASSy matters ever been easy? > -- > > Wakabi > > ============== > Wairagala Wakabi > Research Associate > CIPESA > Plot 22 Bukoto Street, Kamwokya > P.O Box 26970 Kampala, Uganda > Tel. +256 41 531899 > Cell: +256 772 406 241 > Email: wakabi(a)cipesa.org > www.cipesa.org > _______________________________________________ > 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: [TIER] Kenyans to transfer money using cell phones
by Eric Osiakwan 07 Mar '07

07 Mar '07

Begin forwarded message: > From: Omar Bakr <ombakr(a)cs.berkeley.edu> > Date: 7 March 2007 08:10:12 GMT+03:00 > To: tier(a)tier.cs.berkeley.edu > Subject: [TIER] Kenyans to transfer money using cell phones > Reply-To: ombakr(a)cs.berkeley.edu > > http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070306/tc_nm/ > kenya_safaricom_dc;_ylt=Ag4Aze84R.NQ0AijtjDj_24jtBAF > _______________________________________________ > TIER mailing list > TIER(a)tier.cs.berkeley.edu > https://mail.millennium.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/tier 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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Celtel Malawi says fire cuts off network
by Tiwonge Msulira Banda 07 Mar '07

07 Mar '07

Its now 5 days since Celtel Malawi went off as a result of fire. More on the following links: http://za.today.reuters.com/news/newsArticle.aspx?type=businessNews&storyID… http://www.nationmalawi.com/articles.asp?articleID=20927 Regards, Tiwonge -- Tiwonge Msulira Banda ___________ The LORD bless thee, and keep thee:The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace. (Numbers 6:24-26, King James Version)

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Fwd: SANTECemailList Digest, Vol 79, Issue 1
by Judy Okite 05 Mar '07

05 Mar '07

FYI Kind Regards, ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: santecemaillist(a)mailman.unisa.ac.za To: <santecemaillist(a)mailman.unisa.ac.za> Date: Sat, 3 Mar 2007 14:34:52 +0200 Subject: [SANTECemailList] Second Call for Papers - Virtual Reality in Distance Education * Second Call for Papers - Virtual Reality in Distance Education This second Call for Papers is for a theme issue of the International Journal of Social Sciences (IJSS) (http://www.enformatika.org/ijss/) entitled Virtual Reality in Distance Education. The projected publication date is October 2007 (Volume 1, N. 4). The Guest Editor is Gulsun Kurubacak, Ed.D. (gkurubac(a)anadolu.edu.tr) International Journal of Social Sciences (IJSS) is a scholarly open access, peer-reviewed, interdisciplinary, quarterly and fully refereed journal focusing on theories, methods and applications in social sciences. This open access, peer-reviewed journal encourages top-flight social science inquiry and research across all social science disciplines. It also recognizes contributions made by the social science research community to other disciplines, including biological and physical sciences, and promotes connections between all research communities. Welcome are submissions on Virtual Reality communications, pedagogies, technologies, and managements. The aim of this Special Issue is to add to the body of literature and encourage discussions and promote the exchange of ideas and information on Virtual Reality in Distance Education. Our intent is to stimulate critical debate and research, and add to the theoretical foundation used to underline Virtual Reality research, approaches, principles, and applications. Improvements in Virtual Reality have powerful impressions on digital society; therefore concentration will also be paid to communicational, educational, organizational, psychological and also sociological aspects. All submissions will be peer reviewed. Those submissions accepted for publication will be published in the International Journal of Social Sciences (IJSS). DEADLINES: * Submission Proposals: March 30, 2007 * Notification of Acceptance: April 15, 2007 * Papers Due: May 31, 2007 * Peer Reviews Returned: July 15, 2007 * Finalized Papers Due: August 30, 2007 * Publication Date: October 01, 2007 SUBMISSION PROPOSALS Individual or multiple-authors must first submit an abstract-length proposal of approximately 500-750 words to International Journal of Social Sciences (IJSS) Guest Editor, Gulsun Kurubacak, at gkurubac(a)anadolu.edu.tr . Those who have had their abstracts accepted will be formally invited by the Guest Editor to submit a full-length paper of approximately 5000 to 7000 words. For IJSS's submission guidelines, visit: http://www.enformatika.org/ijss/instructions.html All full length papers submitted to IJSS will be subject to multiple blind peer review. All blind peer reviews will be shared with the authors. While influenced by the outcome of the blind peer reviews, the Guest Editor, Gulsun Kurubacak reserves the right to decide on final publication. TOPICS MAY INCLUDE BUT NOT LIMITED: * Virtual Reality as A New Media * Building and Implementing Virtual Reality Strategies in Educational, Medical, etc. Institutions, Corporations and Government * Emerging Hardware and Software for Virtual Reality * Computer Graphics and Real-Time Simulation Technologies for Virtual Reality * Building Interactive and Collaborative Virtual Reality Milieus * Building Knowledge Networks through Virtual Reality * Theoretical Considerations for the Development of Virtual Reality * Media Technology for Virtual Reality * Pedagogy for Virtual Reality * Implementing Virtual Reality * Management of Virtual Reality Processes * Evaluation in Virtual Reality * The Strengths and Limits of Virtual Reality * Informal Learning and Communications Utilizing Virtual Reality * Educational Design for Virtual Reality * Communicational Design for Virtual Reality * Learner Support in Virtual Reality * Learning Objects for Virtual Reality * Multicultural Implications of Virtual Reality * Virtual Reality for Diverse Learners * Establish Virtual Reality Milieus for a Global Community * Building Democratic and Egalitarian Virtual Worlds * Identities in Virtual Reality * Virtual Reality and Culture * Virtual Reality for the Next Generation * Virtual Reality for Mutual Understanding * Quality Insurance in Virtual Reality * Accreditation for Virtual Reality * Case Studies, Qualitative, Qualitative and Mixed Researches in Virtual Reality For more information contact: Gulsun Kurubacak, Ed.D Assistant Professor in Distance Education Anadolu University College of Open Education Distance Education Dept Email: gkurubac(a)anadolu.edu.tr * _______________________________________________ The SANTECemailList mailing list is SANTECemailList(a)mailman.unisa.ac.za http://mailman.unisa.ac.za/mailman/listinfo/santecemaillist -- 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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Global growth in cell phone connections
by Harry Hare 05 Mar '07

05 Mar '07

Dear Colleagues, The cellular market in Africa is expected to grow by 28% this year making it the fastest growing region globally. It is also predicted that there will be an estimated 409 million new connections this year making the total global cellular phone connections to 3 billion..serious numbers if you asked me. You can read more on http://cgap.org/portal/site/portfolio/Feb2007Data/ Harry -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.446 / Virus Database: 268.18.5/707 - Release Date: 3/1/2007 2:43 PM -- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.446 / Virus Database: 268.18.5/707 - Release Date: 3/1/2007 2:43 PM

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KDN’S WULFF EXPRESSES DOUBTS ABOUT EASSY PROJECT
by alice＠apc.org 05 Mar '07

05 Mar '07

INTERNET NEWS FROM BALANCING ACT * KDN’S WULFF EXPRESSES DOUBTS ABOUT EASSY PROJECT Many consumers, African Governments and companies are pinning their hopes on the East African Submarine System (EASSy) to lower international bandwidth costs allowing for cheaper broadband services. But is the project doomed for failure? Speaking at the Institute for International Research Broadband Conference, Dr. Kai Wulff, Managing Director of Kenya Data Networks (KDN), expressed serious doubts over the EASSy project as a whole. Wulff described EASSy as a project which evolved out of the noble need to drive down broadband costs, but is essentially a group of ministers which ‘decided to invest some money, which they don’t have, into a system which they do not know what it should look like.’ While the development of an open access submarine system is a good idea, the project as whole has evolved to a stage where the effectiveness and cost of access on the cable is not guaranteed. Wulff further warned that EASSy is falling increasingly under the control of monopolistic operators like Telkom SA, and this shift is threatening the principle upon which the project was founded which is to bring more affordable broadband services and bandwidth to African consumers. Questions were raised about the rather strange termination point of Djibouti for the EASSy cable, especially since the investors in the cable may then be reliant on the monopolistic Djibouti Telecom for onward bandwidth to the rest of the world. The KDN MD asked whether the Djibouti termination point would have still been selected if Djibouti Telecom was not part of the EASSy consortium. Wulff said that unless investors in EASSy can be offered certain guarantees, like the price of bandwidth on the cable, the price of onward bandwidth from Djibouti and access to the termination points of the cable, it does not make sense to blindly invest in such a system. He pointed out that unless investors have open access to the EASSy termination points, they may have to pay exorbitant fees for onwards bandwidth from Djibouti which will eliminate the advantages of the cable, even if prices on the system itself are very low. Wulff said that before KDN, one of the few potential investors who have their money ready, signs the EASSy agreement, they will need to receive clarity regarding onward bandwidth capacity, pricing of bandwidth on the actual system and access to the cable landing stations. Another issue which was challenged is the concept of ‘Open Access’. While the philosophy behind an open access network is commendable, Wulff questioned how the pricing levels will be set and who will be responsible for these levels. With EASSy being touted as a direct competitor to the current SAT3/SAFE system, a system which Telkom currently profits from, it raises questions concerning Telkom’s dedication to see the new cable become a success story. Currently SAT3/SAFE is serving a large portion of the international bandwidth needs of South Africa, and with exclusivity rights on SAT3, Telkom stands to lose millions in profit if EASSy provides competition on international bandwidth to Southern African countries. A basic South African – Djibouti link may however serve Telkom’s African ISP aspirations, which is significant if one considers their recent R 142.6 Million purchase of Africa Online. This cable can supply Telkom with better control of the East African ISP market, and may explain why consortium members like Telkom may not be too concerned about onwards international bandwidth from Djibouti. When asked whether a 2008 launch date for EASSy is feasible, Wulff made it clear that it will never happen. He said that a minimum of 18 months is needed to roll out the system after the ‘money is ready’, something that may take a very long time in itself to materialize. (SOURCE: MyADSL)

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Eassy renamed The Nepad Broadband Infrastructure Network
by alice＠apc.org 04 Mar '07

04 Mar '07

(Apologies for cross posting) -----Original Message----- From: Raymond Smith (R) Sent: Wednesday, February 21, 2007 2:19 PM To: Johan Meyer (JP); Prince Radebe (PJ); Peet Janse Van Rensburg (HP); Kobus Stoeder (JF) Subject: Eassy renamed The Nepad Broadband Infrastructure Network Cape Town | ITWeb, 20 February 2007 ] - Eassy (The East African Submarine Cable System) has been renamed The Nepad Broadband Infrastructure Network (NBIN), because Kenya has opted out of the South African-led continental fiber optic backbone system, says communications minister Ivy Matsepe-Casaburri. Speaking before the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Communications today, Matsepe-Casaburri gave a rundown on the structure of the network, such as the special purpose vehicles (SPVs) that are being created to manage, maintain, operate and fund the terrestrial and undersea components of the system. According to the minister, the network will be controlled through a "golden share" scheme, whereby African countries would be able retain control of the various entities that are to be created to run the entire network and keep it from falling into foreign hands. Matsepe-Casaburri says the ratification of the inter-governmental treaty should appear before Parliament around June and that 12 out of 23 countries that had initially agreed to it had signed the treaty. The NBIN aims to provide a number of landlocked African countries, mainly on the eastern side of the continent, access to two broadband networks. One will run as backbone from South Africa through Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi and Uganda to terminate in the Rawandan capital of Kigali. The second is an undersea cable that will run up the African east coast and was supposed to land in Kenya. The new landing point has not been announced as yet. Other countries that have signed up are Lesotho, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Mauritius, Namibia and Madagascar. Special vehicles According to Matsepe-Casaburri, three types of special purpose vehicles (SPVs) will be created to maintain, operate and finance the network. The use of SPVs was recommended because they would be able to go and raise the capital needed without having to resort to individual government loan applications to international financial institutions. African governments to operate and maintain the terrestrial networks will own the first type of SPV. The second type of SPV will be a hybrid model that would include African governments and private companies that are licensed to operate telecommunications networks. The third type of SPV will operate and maintain the undersea system and this will allow the participation of foreign-owned telecommunications operators, although they would not be allowed to have controlling stakes. No foreigners Matsepe-Casaburri says the participation of foreign-owned firms in NBIN will be limited to ensure that it remains an African-led project, and to ensure the security of the network. She noted that the model developed is not what international financial institutions such as the World Bank would have liked. However, she says, it is based on an open access model with non-discriminatory pricing meaning that anyone, whether a shareholder or not, would pay the same fees. "We wanted to avoid the club-type situation we have had with the (Telkom) SAT-3 undersea cable, but this did not sit well with a number of other countries and institutions," Matsepe-Casaburri says. She wanted to elaborate on her comment, but then realised that the media were present. South African companies that have already been identified as potential partners in the project are Telkom, Sentech, MTN, Vodacom and Cell C. However, Matsepe-Casaburri says the door is not closed on other potential investors. ________________ Raymond Smith Senior Specialist International Market Development Telkom Market Strategy and Development Phone: +27 12 311 6478 Mobile +27 82 7750558 FAX: +27 12 311 7910

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Re: [kictanet] KIXP History in the making!
by Wainaina Mungai 03 Mar '07

03 Mar '07

hi... please contact Dr. Matunda Nyanchama on matunda(a)hotmail.com He has been active in the Canada chapter of Kenyans abroad. --- 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. > -------Original Message------- > From: Midafrica <media(a)midafricanet.co.ke> > Subject: Re: [kictanet] KIXP History in the making! > Sent: 02 Mar '07 07:41 > > > > Jambo Wote, > > I wish to get in touch with Kenyans living in Canada, and especially in > Torronto. If they have a Kenyan community association, I would like to know > their names and e-mails. > Wagatharia > > > > > -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- > > > > _______________________________________________ > > 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/media%40midafricanet.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/wainaina%40madeinkenya.org >

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U.S. Trade and Development Agency Sub-Saharan Africa Information and Communications Technology Conference San Francisco, California ● March 19-21, 2007
by alice＠apc.org 03 Mar '07

03 Mar '07

Hi all Anyone on the list attebnding this meeting? U.S. Trade and Development Agency Sub-Saharan Africa Information and Communications Technology Conference San Francisco, California ● March 19-21, 2007 PRELIMINARY AGENDA Monday, March 19, 2007 09:00 -19:30 Registration 09:15 - 09:45 Briefing for Project Presenters and Commercial Service Officers (by Invitation) 10:00 - 10:30 Briefing for African Communications Ministers and Dignitaries (by Invitation) 10:30 - 11:00 Briefing for U.S. Company Participants 11:00 - 12:30 Pre-Conference Technology Workshops: Workshop 1: New Service Technologies and Advanced Media Content This workshop will explore new technologies rapidly expanding across Africa, such as VOIP and mobile telephony, and the advanced services that they can provide. Workshop 2: Extending the Grid: Wireless, Rural Rollout, and Last Mile Connectivity Solutions This workshop will examine the role of wireless technologies and other innovations that are extending the grid to reach rural populations. 12:30 – 14:00 Lunch Break 14:00 - 15:00 Opening Plenary and Welcome 15:00 - 16:30 Overview of African ICT Environment This session will bring together prominent industry leaders from the public and private sector to discuss the current African ICT Environment and some of the significant issues that will guide future growth in the sector. 16:30 - 17:00 Press Briefing 19:00 – 20:30 Welcome Reception Tuesday, March 20, 2007 07:30 -18:00 Registration 07:45 - 09:00 Continental Breakfast – Partnership Breakfast African ICT companies will introduce themselves giving U.S. companies the opportunity to learn about potential African partners. 09:00 - 10:00 Creating a Winning ICT Environment This session will focus on African countries that have successfully developed policies that create an enabling environment for ICT businesses and are attracting significant ICT investment. 10:00 - 10:15 Networking Break 10:15 – 12:00 Project and Business Opportunities 1: ICT Infrastructure Development African delegates will present upcoming ICT infrastructure development projects and business opportunities, such as the installation of fiber optic networks, sub-sea cables, and satellite infrastructure. 12:00 – 13:30 Luncheon USTDA Grant Signing 13:30 - 14:30 African IT Workforce: Availability, Development and Training This session will focus on how companies investing in Africa can best employ, empower and expand the existing IT workforce on the Continent. 14:30 - 14:45 Networking Break 14:45 - 16:15 Project and Business Opportunities 2: E-Service Initiatives African delegates will present upcoming E-Service projects and business opportunities, such as E-Government, E-Post, and E-Health initiatives. 16:15 - 18:00 Pre-scheduled One-on-One Meetings 19:00 - 20:30 Reception and Dinner Wednesday, March 21, 2007 08:00 -18:00 Registration 08:15 - 09:00 Continental Breakfast 09:00 - 10:00 Financing ICT Investment This panel discussion will present strategies for financing ICT investment in Africa, and provide case studies of successful transactions. 10:00 - 10:15 Networking Break 10:15 – 12:00 Project and Business Opportunities 3: Telecom Service Sector African delegates will present upcoming telecom service sector projects and business opportunities, such as the issuance of new global licenses, private-sector network expansion strategies, and telecom liberalization. 12:00 - 14:00 Luncheon 14:00 - 15:00 Technology Workshops Workshop 3: Infrastructure Development and Network Expansion This workshop will examine technology solutions for country, regional, and international access. Workshop 4: E-Services This workshop will focus on technology used in the implementation of E-Government, E-Health, and E-Education programs. 15:00 – 15:15 Networking Break 15:15 – 16:15 Government /Business Roundtable The roundtable will highlight observations, lessons learned, and next steps toward project implementation, based on discussions and information gained during the conference. The participants will comprise a cross-section of U.S. and African public and private sector conference participants. 16:15-18:30 Pre-scheduled One-on-One Meetings 19:30 - 21:30 Closing Reception * A Technology Showcase Exhibit Area will be present for the duration of the Conference ** Preliminary Conference Agenda is subject to change. Updated information on the conference agenda, confirmed delegates and projects can be found at www.trademeetings.com

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EUROPEAN SUMMER SCHOOL ON INTERNET GOVERNANCE:
by alice＠apc.org 03 Mar '07

03 Mar '07

EUROPEAN SUMMER SCHOOL ON INTERNET GOVERNANCE: INTERACTIVE LEARNING IN A MULTISTAKEHOLDER ENVIRONMENT Meissen, Germany, July 30 - August 4, 2007 Internet Governance was one of the most controversial issues in the process of the UN sponsored "World Summit on the Information Society" (WSIS). Based on a broad definition of Internet Governance the Tunis phase of WSIS decided in November 2005 to establish an Internet Governance Forum (IGF) for further discussion of the various dimensions of Internet Governance and to launch a process towards enhanced cooperation among involved institutions and organisations like ICANN, ITU and others. The issue of Internet Governance is rather new not only for economic activities, political debate and diplomatic negotiations but it is also new both for scientific research and academic education. The European Summer School on Internet Governance (EURO-SSIG) will help to promote the understanding of the different dimensions of Internet Governance as it was defined in the Final Report of the UN Working Group on Internet Governance (WGIG) in July 2005. It will bring together students from different stakeholder groups to support a practice oriented interactive learning in a multistakeholder environment. The first European Summer School on Internet Governance (EURO-SSIG) will take place in the Evangelian Academy of the former St. Afra Monastir in Meissen/Germany, from Monday, July 30 - Saturday, August 4, 2007. The EURO-SSIG offers 40 hours of lectures and seminars on the different aspects of Internet Governance by leading international experts. The programme covers lectures on the technical, political, legal, socio-economic and cultural dimension of Internet Governance as well as theories on global governance in the information age and multistakeholderism. Faculty members include Prof. Jonathan Zittrain from the Oxford Internet Institute (OII), Dr. David Souter from the London School of Economics (LSE), Dr. Jeanette Hofmann from the Wissenschaftszentrum Berlin and former WGIG Members Dr. Bill Drake and Jovan Kurbilja from the Geneva Institute for Higher International Studies (HEI), Avri Doria from Lulea Technology University (LTU) and Prof. Wolfgang Kleinwächter from the University of Aarhus who will chair the EURO-SSIG Faculty. Additionally to the lectures there will be evening round tables with leading professionals from government, private sector and civil society. EURO-SSIG is open both for students and academic staff members. There is a limited numbers of places for fellows from governmental agencies and the private sector. Fellows will get a signed certificate. The privileged participation fee - which includes accommodation (five nights), all meals, teaching material, the touristic program and the gala dinner - for students and academic staff members is 500.00 EUR (plus 19% VAT) per person. There are special tariffs for governmental and private sector representatives. Application forms can be found unter www.euro-ssig.eu. The dateline for applications is May, 15th, 2007. There is a limited number of fellowships for students which can be obtained on request and availability. The Summer School is organized by a consortium of European universities under the leadership of the Department of Media and Information Studies of the University of Aarhus in close cooperation with the "Global Internet Governance Academic Network" (GIGANET). It is supported by DENIC. Cooperation partners are UNESCO and the Diplo Foundation. To get more information contact the EURO-SSIG secretary Sandra Hoferichter under info(a)hoferichter.eu <mailto:info@hoferichter.e> or go to the EURO-SSIG website http://www.euro-ssig.eu <https://server1.medienkomm.uni-halle.de/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://ww…> which provides also special information with regard to accommodation and transportation.

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Re: [kictanet] KIXP History in the making!
by Wainaina Mungai 03 Mar '07

03 Mar '07

hi... please contact Dr. Matunda Nyanchama on matunda(a)hotmail.com He has been active in the Canada chapter of Kenyans abroad. --- 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. > -------Original Message------- > From: Midafrica <media(a)midafricanet.co.ke> > Subject: Re: [kictanet] KIXP History in the making! > Sent: 02 Mar '07 07:41 > > > > Jambo Wote, > > I wish to get in touch with Kenyans living in Canada, and especially in > Torronto. If they have a Kenyan community association, I would like to know > their names and e-mails. > Wagatharia > > > > > -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- > > > > _______________________________________________ > > 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/media%40midafricanet.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/wainaina%40madeinkenya.org >

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Eassy renamed The Nepad BroadbandInfrastructureNetwork
by alice＠apc.org 02 Mar '07

02 Mar '07

And another question.....remember NEPAD advocated and still advocates for greater participation in the world economy etc etc. So I ask, in view of the recent developments Re; EASSy.....on whose terms? alice > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Alex Gakuru" <alex.gakuru(a)yahoo.com> > To: <alice(a)apc.org> > Cc: "Kenya ICT Policy" <media(a)kictanet.or.ke>; > <civilsociety(a)kictanet.or.ke> > Sent: Thursday, March 01, 2007 5:53 PM > Subject: Re: [kictanet] Eassy renamed The Nepad Broadband > InfrastructureNetwork > > >> Wow! >> Q: So South Africa can unilaterally rename a Pan-African initiative >> alone? >> Q: Was Kenya not to remain in the delay-prone project for redundancy? >> Q: I also believed Kenya had stated we were building a regional TEAMS the >> vast capacity? >> Q: Is South African Freedom of Information really working properly for >> their media? >> >> More questions than answers according to me... >> >> /Alex >> >> alice(a)apc.org wrote: (Apologies for cross posting) >> >> -----Original Message----- >> From: Raymond Smith (R) >> Sent: Wednesday, February 21, 2007 2:19 PM >> To: Johan Meyer (JP); Prince Radebe (PJ); Peet Janse Van Rensburg >> (HP); Kobus Stoeder (JF) >> Subject: Eassy renamed The Nepad Broadband Infrastructure Network >> >> >> Cape Town | ITWeb, 20 February 2007 ] - Eassy (The East African >> Submarine Cable System) has been renamed The Nepad Broadband >> Infrastructure Network (NBIN), because Kenya has opted out of the South >> African-led continental fiber optic backbone system, says communications >> minister Ivy Matsepe-Casaburri. >> >> Speaking before the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Communications >> today, Matsepe-Casaburri gave a rundown on the structure of the network, >> such as the special purpose vehicles (SPVs) that are being created to >> manage, maintain, operate and fund the terrestrial and undersea >> components of the system. >> >> According to the minister, the network will be controlled through a >> "golden share" scheme, whereby African countries would be able retain >> control of the various entities that are to be created to run the entire >> network and keep it from falling into foreign hands. >> >> Matsepe-Casaburri says the ratification of the inter-governmental treaty >> should appear before Parliament around June and that 12 out of 23 >> countries that had initially agreed to it had signed the treaty. >> >> The NBIN aims to provide a number of landlocked African countries, >> mainly on the eastern side of the continent, access to two broadband >> networks. One will run as backbone from South Africa through Botswana, >> Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi and Uganda to terminate in the Rawandan capital >> of Kigali. The second is an undersea cable that will run up the African >> east coast and was supposed to land in Kenya. The new landing point has >> not been announced as yet. Other countries that have signed up are >> Lesotho, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Mauritius, Namibia and >> Madagascar. >> >> Special vehicles >> >> According to Matsepe-Casaburri, three types of special purpose vehicles >> (SPVs) will be created to maintain, operate and finance the network. The >> use of SPVs was recommended because they would be able to go and raise >> the capital needed without having to resort to individual government >> loan applications to international financial institutions. >> >> African governments to operate and maintain the terrestrial networks >> will own the first type of SPV. The second type of SPV will be a hybrid >> model that would include African governments and private companies that >> are licensed to operate telecommunications networks. The third type of >> SPV will operate and maintain the undersea system and this will allow >> the participation of foreign-owned telecommunications operators, >> although they would not be allowed to have controlling stakes. >> >> No foreigners >> >> Matsepe-Casaburri says the participation of foreign-owned firms in NBIN >> will be limited to ensure that it remains an African-led project, and to >> ensure the security of the network. >> >> She noted that the model developed is not what international financial >> institutions such as the World Bank would have liked. However, she says, >> it is based on an open access model with non-discriminatory pricing >> meaning that anyone, whether a shareholder or not, would pay the same >> fees. >> >> "We wanted to avoid the club-type situation we have had with the >> (Telkom) SAT-3 undersea cable, but this did not sit well with a number >> of other countries and institutions," Matsepe-Casaburri says. >> >> She wanted to elaborate on her comment, but then realised that the media >> were present. >> >> South African companies that have already been identified as potential >> partners in the project are Telkom, Sentech, MTN, Vodacom and Cell C. >> However, Matsepe-Casaburri says the door is not closed on other >> potential investors. >> >> ________________ >> Raymond Smith >> Senior Specialist >> International Market Development >> Telkom Market Strategy and Development >> Phone: +27 12 311 6478 >> Mobile +27 82 7750558 >> FAX: +27 12 311 7910 >> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> 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 >> >> >> >> --------------------------------- >> We won't tell. Get more on shows you hate to love >> (and love to hate): Yahoo! TV's Guilty Pleasures list. > > > -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- > > >> _______________________________________________ >> 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/alice%40apc.org > > > _______________________________________________ > media mailing list > media(a)kictanet.or.ke > http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/media > > Please unsubscribe or change your options at > http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/media/alice%40apc.org

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test
by alice＠apc.org 02 Mar '07

02 Mar '07

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KIXP History in the making!
by Michuki Mwangi 02 Mar '07

02 Mar '07

FYI, KIXP hit its highest traffic capacity rates yesterday following the online publication of the KCSE Results 32Mbps. This is clear leadership from the Government in promoting/generating local content. We need a couple more of such. Bravo! -- Michuki Mwangi KENIC

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Needed: Experts for Detailed Feasibility Study for the implementation of asubmarine cable system for the Indian Ocean Commission countries
by Harry Hare 28 Feb '07

28 Feb '07

FYI .apologies for cross-posting. Harry ------- Original Message ------- >From : Jane Møller Larsen[mailto:-jml@ict.danishma-nagement.-dk] Sent : 2/28/2007 2:34:21 PM To : jml(a)ict.danishmanag-ement.dk Cc : Subject : FW: Needed: Experts for Detailed Feasibility Study for the implementation of asubmarine cable system for the Indian Ocean Commission countries Dear Sir/Madam, Please also distribute this to personal contacts and networks where you believe that experts could find interest in this. Thank you in advance. ____________-_________-_________-_________-_________-_________-_________-__ We are presently looking for experts who have an interest in the following position: Project title: Detailed feasibility study (DFS) for the implementation of a submarine cable system for the Indian Ocean Commission (IOC) countries Application deadline: As soon as possible and at the latest 9 March 2007 Contract duration: Short term Company: Danish Management A/S (http://www.-danishmanagement-.dk/) for the RICTSP/COMESA. ____________-_________-_________-_________-_________-_________-_________-__ General information: The objective: The IOC requires a Detailed Feasibility Study (DFS) exploring all options to ensure adequate and sustainable international broadband connection to its member countries (Comoros, Madagascar, Mauritius, Reunion Island and Seychelles). Scope of work: The DFS will cover the technical, commercial and financial feasibility investigations, developing and analyzing detailed configurations, as well as economic and financial analysis for connecting the countries to a submarine cable system. Results to be delivered: i. A complete traffic study for IOC countries over a 10-15 year period; ii. A description of the competitive environment and its impact on the ICT development on the islands; iii. A technical, commercial and financial analysis for each cable option; iv. A review and subsequent recommendation on the optimal financing and ownership structures; v. A desktop study of the base configuration including the potential landing sites in the IOC Mission days/total: The assignment is scheduled to cover 168 man-days in total, with a team of two experts. One economist as Team Leader, and one ICT engineer. Regions/Countries to visit: Zambia, Kenya, South Africa, Comoros, Madagascar, Mauritius, Reunion Island and Seychelles Estimated contract start: As soon as possible. Profiles of the Experts: Economist 15 years working experience with broad experience in the development of models and forecasting scenarios in the telecommunications sector, as well as in assessment of business environment and of technical and competitive commercial options including analysis of cost estimations. Telecommunications engineer Knowledge of submarine cable connectivity configurations, with 10 years of working experience in feasibility studies for international connectivity, including 3 years experience in submarine cable systems. Experience with inter-island connectivity will be an asset. Experience in carrying out feasibility studies in the formulation of telecommunication and international connectivity strategies. Eligibility (who can apply?): EU citizens and citizens from: Angola, Burundi, DR Congo, Malawi, Rwanda, Swaziland, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Comoros, Madagascar, Mauritius, Seychelles, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Somalia, and Sudan AND citizens of the ACP member states: http://www.acpsec.-org/en/acp_-states.htm Languages: The team must be proficient in ENGLISH and FRENCH. Background information: Website of Indian Ocean Commission: http://www.coi--info.org/ http://www.eafricac-ommission.-org/project_-infrastructure.-html http://www.eassy.-org/ http://www.fibrefor-africa.net/ Please find ToR enclosed. If you find the position of interest and your - or one of your proposed expert's - profile complies with the stated criteria, please contact us immediately and send us a short professional presentation of yourself and an updated CV with relevant similar experience (stating your age, nationality, languages spoken, education and exactly in what you are an expert). Send your application to: ictjobs(a)danishmanag-ement.dk Contact person: Jane Moeller Larsen Danish Management A/S Margretheholmsvej 2 1432 Copenhagen, Denmark Phone: +45 70 200 298 Direct: +45 35 250 655 Kind regards, Jane Moller Larsen __._,_.___ -- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.412 / Virus Database: 268.18.4/703 - Release Date: 2/26/2007 -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.412 / Virus Database: 268.18.4/703 - Release Date: 2/26/2007

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Elections take center-stage on the internet
by Bill Kagai 28 Feb '07

28 Feb '07

Hiya, I have received a fone call from an ODM supporter wishing to find out why their website www.odm-kenya.org is pointing to a government website. This poses a serious challenge to us in the 'internet business' with regard to whether we have secure systems in place. However, upon digging a bit deeper, I have realised that possibly, this is a simple blackmail prank since the WHOIS records have not been altered and only the MX record has been changed to point the website to an innocent Govt server. Tracert'ing the address also shows that it is the admin and registrant of the website who have access to the odm website registry. I am sure many ODM supporters might be pointing a finger at Govt just because someone managed to ping the communications website and put the server address on the opposition website to create a furore and possibly make money Pablo Escobar Way. [Plata o plomo] Spanish for [silver or lead] literally meaning pay up the bribe or face assassination. How do we contain these Matheri's of the internet???. Seems the games have just begun??? -- -- With Kind Regards, Bildad Kagai MD - Circuits & Packets Communications Ltd Content & Training Partner - JKUAT E-Government Academy Suite B2, Tetu Apartments, State House Avenue P. O. Box 20311 - 00200 Nairobi, Kenya Tel. 254 20 272 8332 Fax. Rendered Obsolete URL. www.circuitspackets.co.ke URL. www.JKUATEgovAcademy.ac.ke

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Fwd: [ke-internetusers] Wi-fi explained
by Alex Gakuru 27 Feb '07

27 Feb '07

ABC of Wi-Fi Judy Adhiambo <judy.adhiambo(a)gmail.com> wrote: Date: Tue, 27 Feb 2007 17:54:23 +0300 From: "Judy Adhiambo" <judy.adhiambo(a)gmail.com> To: ke-internetusers(a)bdix.net Subject: [ke-internetusers] Wi-fi explained Q&A: Wi-fi explained Wireless hotspots are spreading across the UK, with blanket wi-fi zones now being rolled out in many city centres. Operators are promising wireless surfing at the touch of a button from the park, the bus or the street corner. So what does the wireless future have to offer and will it live up to the hype? What is wi-fi? Wi-fi is the acronym for Wireless Fidelity, essentially a set of standards for transmitting data over a wireless network. Wi-fi allows you to connect to the net at broadband speeds without cables, as long as you have the right equipment and, in most cases, a regular internet service provider and a wi-fi account. To understand the technology behind wi-fi, imagine using a walkie-talkie. Your voice is picked up by a microphone, encoded onto a radio frequency and transmitted with the antenna to another walkie-talkie, which decodes your voice. Wi-fi works in broadly in the same way, but using a better radio that is capable of handling a lot more data per second. HOW DOES WI-FI WORK? 1: Wi-fi uses antennas around which wi-fi "hotspots" are created. The hotspots are outlets equipped to receive the radiowaves that power wireless networking. Until recently, wi-fi has been confined to more than 10,000 hot-spots in cafes, bars and airport lounges. But various projects are under way to set up city-wide zones, where a series of antennas are installed in the streets, on lampposts or street signs. The hotspots around them together create a much wider area of coverage. Norwich has a mesh network which links each lamppost antenna to the next creating a seamless wi-fi hotspot around the centre of the city. 2: The source internet connection is provided by a PC or server to which the antennas are connected either wirelessly or via a cable. 3: Some mobile phones and personal digital assistants (PDA) now have wi-fi chips installed. With mobile phones, this means conventional networks can be bypassed and inexpensive long-distance calls made over the web (using Voice over Internet Protocol, VoIP). 4: Many laptops and handheld computers now come with built-in wi-fi connectivity; it is also possible to add wi-fi to your computer with a special card that plugs into a port on your laptop. How do I use a giant wi-fi zone? In the UK, there are already more than 10,000 wi-fi hotspots in public places such as restaurants, hotels, cafes, libraries and airports. Wi-fi-enabled laptops and phones can be set up to connect to these hotspots automatically; usage is generally paid through a credit card at a login page on a web browser. Frequent users may even have accounts with service providers such as T-Mobile, BT Openzone, O2, SkypeZones and Nintendo wi-fi. Will it catch on? So far, wi-fi has been a service that is most useful for business people who need to work on the move; but operators want to make it available to all. However, some analysts warn that wi-fi could be the "next dotcom crash", mainly because of patchy hotspot coverage, lack of enabled hardware and uncertainty over how to make money. There are still a few big challenges ahead for wi-fi. Finalising interoperability and standards is one, and the concern over security is another. Just because there are more than 10,000 wi-fi hotspots in the UK does not mean that a pass to use one means you can use all of them. Currently wi-fi hotspots are divided by who controls them. In Norwich the local authority and regional development agency are pioneering a free wi-fi service. This model could catch on, if successful. More than 3,000 connections are being made to the city's wi-fi network each week Logging on to the internet via wi-fi in different locations brings the risk (just as it does at home or in the office) of your computer being infected by computer viruses and worms. Experts advise you to install security software and update it regularly. Who stands to profit? Some critics argue that wireless hotspots can be a rip-off - the price of installing a wireless router in, say, a coffee shop, involves a one-off cost of a few hundred pounds but customers may be charged upwards of £5 an hour. Users of the new city-wide wi-fi networks will be required to pay access charges to an account provider, such as BT Openzone or T-Mobile. The revenues will be shared between the owners of the street furniture on which the equipment is installed (usually local councils), wi-fi hotspot suppliers and the internet service providers. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/4758722.stm _______________________________________________ ke-internetusers mailing list ke-internetusers(a)bdix.net http://www.bdix.net/mailman/listinfo/ke-internetusers --------------------------------- Food fight? Enjoy some healthy debate in the Yahoo! Answers Food & Drink Q&A. _______________________________________________ ke-internetusers mailing list ke-internetusers(a)bdix.net http://www.bdix.net/mailman/listinfo/ke-internetusers

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Fwd: [Idlelo2] FW: [ipr] WIPO: Winds of Change
by Judy Okite 27 Feb '07

27 Feb '07

FYI ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Ashraf Patel <AshrafP(a)osisa.org> Date: Feb 27, 2007 4:05 PM Subject: [Idlelo2] FW: [ipr] WIPO: Winds of Change To: idlelo2(a)fossfa.net -----Original Message----- From: owner-ipr(a)mailhost.soros.org [mailto:owner-ipr@mailhost.soros.org] On Behalf Of Vera Franz Sent: Saturday, February 24, 2007 1:38 PM To: ipr(a)mailhost.soros.org Subject: [ipr] WIPO: Winds of Change The reform of WIPO, which many of us had first discussed at the TACD Meeting in October 2003, made important progress here in Geneva yesterday: As part of the Development Agenda process, Member States agreed that WIPO will have to take into account access to knowledge concerns, such as the protection of the public domain and the control of anti-competitive practices. WIPO might finally abonadon its vision of a maximalist IP regime. More below, as well as at eff.org, eifl.net, cptech.org http://www.huffingtonpost.com/james-love/wipo-embraces-reform-on-i_b_419 51.html WIPO Embraces Reform on Intellectual Property Mission <http://www.huffingtonpost.com/james-love/wipo-embraces-reform-on-i_b_41 951.html> by JAMES LOVE Geneva: Today the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) concluded the first of a two-part review of proposals for a reform effort called the "development agenda." In doing so, WIPO and its member states have done something very positive, and surprising -- both because it signals important reforms, and because it happened with very strong support from all of the WIPO members, including the United States and members of Europe, delegations that usually take a hard line in global negotiations on intellectual property issues. <http://ad.doubleclick.net/jump/huffingtonpost/blog/politics;nickname=ja mes-love;entry_id=41951;United+States=1;European+Commission=1;Geneva=1;p tile=2;sz=300x250;abr=!ie4;abr=!ie5;abr=!ie6;ord=123456789?> The negotiations have just broken up. This is our statement on the outcome: Knowledge Ecology International Statement on WIPO Development Agenda negotiation The agreement on dozens of WIPO reforms was broader and more substantive than had been anticipated. Some of the measures signal important changes in this controversial UN body. WIPO members agreed to "consider the preservation of the public domain within WIPO's normative processes and deepen the analysis of the implication and benefits of a rich and accessible public domain." WIPO agreed to "promote measures that will help countries deal with IP related anticompetitive practices." "Norm-setting activities shall . . . take into account different levels of development" and "take into consideration a balance between costs and benefits." WIPO adopted an expanded mandate to undertake studies to assess the economic, social and cultural impact of intellectual property practices and norm setting activities. All of this signals a new tone and approach for WIPO. In a sense, WIPO is finally entering the new century, and responding to the growing demand for reforms, and a more balanced ! approach to intellectual property protection. In some areas, however, the agreement was quite limited. The cluster that included "access to knowledge," was quite thin, for example. In June, WIPO will look at a much more ambitious set of proposals, most of which were opposed by the United States or the European Commission in 2005. The June meeting, which is expected to be much more difficult, will look at topics such as proposed treaty on access to knowledge -- a startling departure from WIPO's longstanding efforts to focus largely on expanding the scope and enforcement of intellectual property rights. This week's negotiation went far better than almost anyone had anticipated, and many share the credit for the excellent outcome. The United States government had greatly moderated its positions and tone, and was credited by many delegates for its constructive and open approach to the negotiations on a topic for which the US is normally considered a hard-liner. Several European States, including for example the UK, Germany and Switzerland had worked hard to find ways to reaching consensus with key developing countries. Indian persistent efforts to engage the US and European negotiators was helpful and effective. Argentina and Brazil were among the countries that had pushed the hardest for the reform agenda. Chile's leadership on the issue of the public domain was key. The contributions from the Africa Group were excellent, including for example countries like South Africa. Very high marks were given to Trevor Clarke, the impressive Chair of the meeting, who hails from Barbado! s. Many non-government organizations (NGOs) and experts have labored long and hard on the development agenda negotiations, not all of which were able to attend this meeting, which comes after at least seven WIPO meetings where this topic has been discussed. The contributions of the (north and south, east and west) development, consumer, free software, library and public interest groups working on technology issues were very important, and it has been a pleasure to work with all of them. It is now time to turn our attentions to the June negotiations on the next group of proposals for the development agenda, which go much further, and present more controversy. It is also important to ensure that WIPO implements the new reforms. The first step is very important, but it is a long journey. Here are some quotes from others who are here: (Indian Delegate) "As a delegation we feel it is a very significant forward movement. The meeting concluded in a spirit of compromise and consensus. This augers well for future deliberation which may lead to the finalization of a development agenda for WIPO. It is imperative that the member states maintain this spirit in the next meeting of the PCDA." (Nigerian Delegate) "It has been a very long and tortuous route but we have at last come out of the tunnel into the brilliant prospects of implementing the Development Agenda in WIPO." Teresa Hackett (EIFL.NET) "The Chairman was breath of fresh air. After two years, it feels like things are moving forward. The public domain received unexpected attention, but it gave us the opportunity to talk about why WIPO should care about a rich and accessible public domain." Miriam M. Nisbet (American Library Association) "Despite some confusing and conflicting statements about the public domain, it has been gratifying to hear lively debates by the WIPO delegates that reinforce the importance of the topic." Ren Buchholz (Electronic Frontier Foundation) "WIPO made a refreshing amount of progress this week. The excellent Chair kept things moving and Member States seemed happy to be hard at work. However, it's critical that the spirit of this session is present at the June meeting. If certain countries obstruct fair consideration of the rest of the proposals -- and there are many -- we should not be surprised if this week's success suffers." David Tannenbaum (Yale Information Society Project) "It is disorienting to see such a breathtakingly good outcome come out of a process that was largely closed. The language is very general and it will be important to use these principles to guide current and future treaty negotiations." Cliffor Guimares (Brazilian Copyright Office) "The final results of the discussions of the Annex A are positive. Group B showed some flexibility in order to reach an agreement. . The African Group devoted a lot of effort to reaching agreement on technical assistance matters. Of course, Annex A comprises only part of the negotiation. Brazil hopes that the spirit of cooperation and goodwill displayed in PCDA3 is extended to PCDA4." Iryna Kuchma (eIFL) "It was my first participation at PCDA and it was a pleasure for me to see the progress in the Development agenda. As an Eastern European the only pity I have is that other East European countries don't realize that Development agenda will be as beneficial for them as for the Friends of Development." Malini Aisola (Knowledge Ecology International) "After many days of negotiations, I am glad that WIPO Member States were able to reach decisions on Annex A proposals. This is surely a favorable first result in the development agenda process. In order for the process to be completed, it is crucial that member states rise to the challenging task of reaching consensus on the remaining proposals in the June meeting. Witnessing the cooperation and collaboration of the nations at the PCDA has been a valuable experience for me." Eddan Katz (Yale Information Society Project) "This is an important moment for the recognition of the role of human development in innovation. agreement on these principles will help us move forward in promoting access to knowledge as a commitment for the whole world." (Senior member of the US delegation) "We sensed a different atmosphere on both sides this time". Vera Franz "With this week's meeting we are a step closer to making WIPO fit for the 21st century. Back in 2003 WIPO had argued that a meeting on open collaborative knowledge projects would fall outside the agency's mandate. With today WIPO has put these issues firmly on its agenda, acknowledging that in a healthy and competitive knowledge economy more IP is not always better. What is next? These changes will have to impact future norm-setting at the agency." Thiru Balasubramaniam (Knowledge Ecology International) "The Chair, Ambassador Trevor Clarke of Barbados, steered the helm of the Development Agenda process with judicious authority rejuvenating hopes that WIPO can mainstream public interest concerns into its core mandate. Kudos to Pakistan, Chile, India, Brazil, South Africa and the United States for their spirit of cooperation and goodwill It was refreshing to hear WIPO Member States laud the value of the public domain. Crunch time begins in June where proposals detailing an elaboration of a Treaty on Access to Knowledge and a Medical R&D Treaty will be discussed." <http://www.huffingtonpost.com/james-love/wipo-embraces-reform-on-i_b_41 951.html> _______________________________________________ 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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Re: [kictanet] Will the new alliance against Celtel last?
by Florence Etta 27 Feb '07

27 Feb '07

CELTEL really ought to go ahead and consolidate a continental position across al the countries where they operate and have a first continental roaming/home rate arrangement to the chagrin of their competitors and the joy of thier customers. They should show us their true capitalist spirit and drive prices down and their banks accounts bursting with one stroke of genius! Imagine the scoop of joining Nigeria to the CELTEL EA network. Thats CAPITALISM right? Or have I missed soemthing? Cheers, FE Florence Etta P.O. Box 14285,00800 Westlands-Nairobi, Kenya Tel: Mobile + 254-733-621851 Terrestrial: + 254-20-7121506 Fax: + 254-20-7125732 Alternative Email:florence.etta@gmail.com ----- Original Message ---- From: "alice(a)apc.org" <alice(a)apc.org> To: feanywhere(a)yahoo.co.uk Sent: Tuesday, 27 February, 2007 9:04:06 AM Subject: [kictanet] Will the new alliance against Celtel last? Will the new alliance against Celtel last? When Celtel unveiled its single EA network there was a lot of trepidation in the communications sector on the implications of such a move. Talking heads and officious spectators immediately began wondering how the other two communications service providers in the Ugandan market, MTN and Uganda Telecom, would react. The decision to embrace East Africa, a first from Celtel, startled its competitors. The genius who came up with the idea deserves every bit of his pay cheque and more. No strategy will possibly have as far reaching results as this first from Celtel - who in Uganda were the pioneer mobile-phone service provider, although they squandered all the advantages of first entry with a premium pricing strategy - but that is a story for another day. The responses have been rapid and varied. MTN immediately commenced negotiations with Vodafone and Safaricom and presto, we have the three musketeers. The challenge posed by Celtel was sorted, or was it? Uganda Telecom, on the other hand, quickly signed a multimillion deal to sell Uganda's international gateway (256) to Gemtel, a Sudanese-based firm whose ownership is still being investigated by parliament. Before entering into an analysis of the merits and demerits of such a course of action, let us utilise the timeless lessons taught to us by our forefathers in Acholi folklore. There once was an able and robust hunter who chanced upon a baby leopard deserted by its mother. Nyaga, fascinated by the beautiful fur, carried the leopard home and commenced looking after it. Elders admonished Nyaga, women cautioned him on the folly of keeping something no human being had ever dared to keep, noting that the creature had long, sharp nails. To all this well-intentioned advice, Nyaga blocked his ears. In consequence, as the leopard grew bigger and bolder, one day in jest it wounded Nyaga. Niccolo Machevelli had nothing but disdain for mercenaries or auxiliaries in the defence of a principality. Similarly, auxiliaries leave the one who calls them in a lurch if they are defeated and in the power of the mercenaries if they win. It is through this prism that I choose to look at the response of the three musketeers to the challenge posed by Celtel. Yet even after painting such a grim scenario, we are yet to address the question of who the tiger in the alliance is or how long it will be sustained. Watmon Mike Kinyera via e-mail http://www.nationmedia.com/eastafrican/current/Opinion/opinion2602073. htm _______________________________________________ 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 ___________________________________________________________ New Yahoo! Mail is the ultimate force in competitive emailing. Find out more at the Yahoo! Mail Championships. Plus: play games and win prizes. http://uk.rd.yahoo.com/evt=44106/*http://mail.yahoo.net/uk

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Fwd: [UgaBYTES] From KTN2 Kenya Network of Telecentres-KENTEL
by chelimo kenneth 27 Feb '07

27 Feb '07

Note: forwarded message attached. --------------------------------- The fish are biting. Get more visitors on your site using Yahoo! Search Marketing.

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Ground laid for TEAMS roll out project
by alice＠apc.org 27 Feb '07

27 Feb '07

Ground laid for TEAMS roll out project By JOHN KORIR Plan for the implementation of the multi-billion East African Marine Systems popularly known as TEAMS have been finalised, Information and Communication Permanent Secretary Dr Bitange Ndemo said yesterday. Speaking at a Nairobi hotel during an Information Communication Technology (ICT) industry stakeholders meeting, Dr Ndemo said the new technology will link the East African Coastline to the rest of the world, saying the coastline is the only one in the African continent that remains unconnected by the submarine cable. The PS told participants thatthe preparatory process for laying the framework is in high gear with a special team appointed working round the clock to ensure the detailed plans and other basic elements are put in place before the implementation of the project begins. He said the TEAMS will be laid from Fujairah and Mombasa , linking Kenya to the rest of the world. The PS said the new technology is a major milestone in the economy of the country. "With the shrinking distances round the world, our dreams and aspirations in being part of the rest of the world will only be realzed when our communication infrastructure enables us to undertake business with the rest of the world in real time and cheaply," Ndemo said. Dr Ndemo said the government is keen to stimulate the investments in ICTs and particularly the deployment of high bandwidth fibre-optical backbone newtworks. He further said the government is continuously developing the framework that facilitate the deployment of the telecommunications facilities and services. The PS observed that the country stands to benefit immensely from the connectivity, saying consumers are constantly yearning for high speeds and broadband connectivity that can propel the growth of e-commerce as well as lowering the costs of telecommunication acccess. Dr Ndemo at the same time called on players in the industry to explore ways of adopting the principle of infrastructure sharing so that resources could be optimally used. He said there was need for those in the industry to make efficient use of existing network facilities and save on costs that in most cases become sunk, saying the principle of infrastructure sharing is a global initiative aimed at cutting costs on the part of the players

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Will the new alliance against Celtel last?
by alice＠apc.org 27 Feb '07

27 Feb '07

Will the new alliance against Celtel last? When Celtel unveiled its single EA network there was a lot of trepidation in the communications sector on the implications of such a move. Talking heads and officious spectators immediately began wondering how the other two communications service providers in the Ugandan market, MTN and Uganda Telecom, would react. The decision to embrace East Africa, a first from Celtel, startled its competitors. The genius who came up with the idea deserves every bit of his pay cheque and more. No strategy will possibly have as far reaching results as this first from Celtel - who in Uganda were the pioneer mobile-phone service provider, although they squandered all the advantages of first entry with a premium pricing strategy - but that is a story for another day. The responses have been rapid and varied. MTN immediately commenced negotiations with Vodafone and Safaricom and presto, we have the three musketeers. The challenge posed by Celtel was sorted, or was it? Uganda Telecom, on the other hand, quickly signed a multimillion deal to sell Uganda's international gateway (256) to Gemtel, a Sudanese-based firm whose ownership is still being investigated by parliament. Before entering into an analysis of the merits and demerits of such a course of action, let us utilise the timeless lessons taught to us by our forefathers in Acholi folklore. There once was an able and robust hunter who chanced upon a baby leopard deserted by its mother. Nyaga, fascinated by the beautiful fur, carried the leopard home and commenced looking after it. Elders admonished Nyaga, women cautioned him on the folly of keeping something no human being had ever dared to keep, noting that the creature had long, sharp nails. To all this well-intentioned advice, Nyaga blocked his ears. In consequence, as the leopard grew bigger and bolder, one day in jest it wounded Nyaga. Niccolo Machevelli had nothing but disdain for mercenaries or auxiliaries in the defence of a principality. Similarly, auxiliaries leave the one who calls them in a lurch if they are defeated and in the power of the mercenaries if they win. It is through this prism that I choose to look at the response of the three musketeers to the challenge posed by Celtel. Yet even after painting such a grim scenario, we are yet to address the question of who the tiger in the alliance is or how long it will be sustained. Watmon Mike Kinyera via e-mail http://www.nationmedia.com/eastafrican/current/Opinion/opinion2602073. htm

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Freedom of Information Bill Advances in Nigeria
by joseph kihanya 27 Feb '07

27 Feb '07

Dear All, Looks like we may only be fifth after all. Kihanya --- Justice Initiative <info(a)mail.justiceinitiative.org> wrote: > Date: Thu, 22 Feb 2007 21:08:45 -0500 (EST) > To: kihanyajn(a)yahoo.com > Subject: Freedom of Information Bill Advances in > Nigeria > From: "Justice Initiative" > <info(a)mail.justiceinitiative.org> > > For immediate release > > Contact: Maxwell Kadiri +234 803 304 0558 (Abuja) > David Berry +1 212 548 0385 (New York) > > FREEDOM OF INFORMATION BILL ADVANCES IN NIGERIA > > Following Adoption by Parliament, Bill Awaits > Presidential Signature > > Abuja, February 22, 2007The Open Society Justice > Initiative today > hailed the Nigerian Parliament's final approval of a > harmonized > freedom of information bill and called on President > Olusegun Obasanjo > to sign it into law quickly. > > The bill, if it becomes law, will guarantee > Nigerian citizens the > right to access government-held information. Nigeria > is set to become > just the fourth African nation with a freedom of > information law, > following South Africa, Uganda, and Angola. > > "This is a significant moment in Nigeria's > history," said Maxwell > Kadiri, a staff attorney with the Justice > Initiative's Abuja office. > "With President Obasanjo's signature, this new law > should set Nigeria > on the path to more open and more accountable > government." > > The bill has been pending in Parliament since 1999. > The Nigerian > House of Representatives approved one version of the > bill in 2004, > and the Senate unanimously approved a slightly > different version in > late 2006. The two versions were reconciled and > adopted by the full > Parliament yesterday. Now the bill requires the > assent of President > Obasanjo in order to become law. The Justice > Initiative and other > advocates expressed hope that this step would take > place without > delay. > > The bill's passage is a significant victory for > Nigeria's freedom of > information advocates, who have championed its > passage for over eight > years. It is also an impetus for other African > nations to enact > similar laws and for those nations that already have > freedom of > information laws to enforce them more vigorously. > > "This bill enables the Obasanjo administration to > claim as its > legacy the foundations of open and transparent > government in Nigeria. > President Obasanjo has always said he wants to > change the country for > the better and ensure the people's business is > done," said Kadiri. > "Through this bill, he can realize this ambition. We > look forward to > his signing it into law at the earliest possible > opportunity." > > The URL for this page is: > http://www.justiceinitiative.org/db/resource2?res_id=103632 > {http://www.justiceinitiative.org/db/resource2?res_id=103632} > > > > > -- > To unsubscribe from this list visit > http://www2.soros.org/newsletters/lists/?p=unsubscribe&uid=4e96a0eee7750a1d… > > To update your preferences visit > http://www2.soros.org/newsletters/lists/?p=preferences&uid=4e96a0eee7750a1d… > > > > -- > Powered by PHPlist, www.phplist.com -- > > ____________________________________________________________________________________ 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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Senegal Lesson ( 2004 )
by Alex Gakuru 26 Feb '07

26 Feb '07

[USATODAY] "Outsourcing comes to Africa, bringing jobs and fake Parisian accents" Posted 7/10/2004 DAKAR, Senegal (AP) On the job, she's Dominique Mercier nattering in lilting French, working her headset eight hours a day, and hawking telephone services to Europeans. Come day's end, the accent drops, and Dominique's true identity stands revealed: Fatou Ndiaye, 32-year-old Senegalese college graduate, and one of thousands of operators dialing up the West from booming call centers in West Africa.... <http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/telecom/2004-07-10-outsource_x.htm> ------------------------------------------------------ /Alex --------------------------------- Need a quick answer? Get one in minutes from people who know. Ask your question on Yahoo! Answers.

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FW: PROGRAMME COORDINATOR, SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION INDICATORS PROGRAMME
by alice＠apc.org 26 Feb '07

26 Feb '07

PROGRAMME COORDINATOR, SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION INDICATORS PROGRAMME Location : Pretoria South Africa Country : South Africa Company : NEPAD Description : Responsibilities The New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) is the socio-economic programme of the African Union (AU). NEPAD’s Office of Science and Technology (OST) is the designated technical and administrative secretariat for the implementation of Africa’s Science and Technology Consolidated Plan of Action (CPA). Its mandate is to coordinate the implementation of the CPA and provide technical backstopping to the AU Commission and the African Ministerial Council on Science and Technology (AMCOST). NEPAD OST is launching a new programme to develop African science, technology and innovation indicators. The programme comprises of training workshops, national and regional surveys, establishing an observatory, and the production of an African Science and Innovation Outlook. These will be implemented through inter-governmental processes and activities by a network of carefully selected leading African and international organizations. Financial support for the programme is provided by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida). NEPAD OST seeks to recruit a coordinator for the new programme. Based in Pretoria South Africa, the coordinator will work under the guidance and direction of the Director of NEPAD OST. He or she will be responsible for provision of effective operational management and implementation of the programme. The incumbent’s main functions will include: (a) initiating, supervising and carrying out activities as outlined in the programme proposal agreed upon between NEPAD OST and Sida, and the work-plan to be approved by an inter-governmental committee of AMCOST; (b) Overseeing the preparation of relevant manual(s), training materials and background studies; (c) Developing guidelines and procedures for the organization and conduct of national and regional science, technology and innovation surveys; (d) Coordinating activities of a network of expert institutions, including organizing meetings and tele-conferences for the network; (e) Organizing national and regional training workshop on indicators and surveys; (f) Reviewing national surveys and preparing regional comparative analysis or synthesis of the surveys; (g) Preparing quarterly reports on the implementation of the programme; (h) Participating in international, regional and national meetings and providing expertise and inputs; (i) Ensuring that all members of the AU and international partners are frequently informed of activities of the programme; and (j) Developing new proposals and mobilizing financial resources for the implementation of the programme and related follow-up activities. Qualifications : Qualifications Applicants for the post must have a doctoral degree in natural sciences or science policy studies and proven ability to conduct research on science, technology and innovation policy issues. They must possess skills for extensive inter-agency and inter-governmental networking; proven experience in project formulation and management. They should also have excellent written and verbal communication skills. Ability to plan and delegate responsibility as well as to develop strategies to accomplish objectives and to lead a multidisciplinary team is necessary. The Successful applicant will be issued with a two years contract renewable subject to performance and availability of funds. Internationally competitive salary and benefits are offered. Contact Details Contact Person : NEPAD OST Telephone : Fax : +27128414414 E-mail : Science(a)nrf.ac.za Apply Online : Website : Reference : FJA-NEP-OST1 FORWARD TO A FRIEND "AfricaRecruit one of The New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD) big achievements for just 4 years" The Journey So Far NEPAD Secretariat June 2005 www.findajobinafrica.com www.africarecruit.com www.africadiaspora.com

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Transparency and Silence: A Survey of Access to Information Laws and Practices in 14 Countries
by alice＠apc.org 25 Feb '07

25 Feb '07

Transparency and Silence: A Survey of Access to Information Laws and Practices in 14 Countries by Helen Darbishire and Thomas Carson This report details the results of a study undertaken by the Open Society Justice Initiative and its partners to discover how government offices and agencies in 14 countries respond to specific requests for information. The purpose of the study was to explore the strategy of, and trends in, one specific aspect of transparency: the passage of laws on freedom of information (FOI), or public access to government information and records. This report documents how various countries did - or did not - honour the right of access to information. As part of the study, partners of the Justice Initiative in Latin America, Europe and Africa filed a total of 1,926 requests for information; the Justice Initiative and its partners then evaluated and analysed how the people who made requests were treated, how government offices and agencies responded, and the nature and quality of the responses to the requests. The report concludes with a number of specific suggestions to help countries imp! lement effective FOI laws and regulations. http://www.comminit.com/trends/ctrends2006/trends-321.html

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Blogger jailed for 'insulting' Islam
by Rebecca Wanjiku 24 Feb '07

24 Feb '07

Colleagues, An 'interesting' story here about an Egyptian blogger who has been jailed. Raises those nagging questions about just where we should stop as journalists in the exercise of our freedoms, and when authorities need to control what they term 'harmful' writings. But perhaps this should be of particular concern given that this wasn't a mainstream but an online missive by a blogger, which represents a growing interest by the state in what people do in what bloggers otherwise consider their private spaces in which they would want to freely express themselves with as minimal interference from authorities as possible. Wakabi ===== Blogger jailed for 'insulting' Islam Fri, 23 Feb 2007 An Egyptian blogger was sentenced to four years in jail on Thursday for insulting Islam and defaming President Hosni Mubarak, triggering condemnation from international human rights groups. A court in the Mediterranean costal city of Alexandria sentenced Abdel Karim Suleiman to three years for insulting Islam and to one year for defaming the president. This was the first time a blogger has been sentenced in Egypt for writings published on the Internet. Suleiman has been in custody since November 2006 and his trial started on 25 January. He denied all the charges. The 22-year-old blogger, also known by his pen name Karim Amer, was arrested after posting an entry on his blog lashing out at Cairo's Al-Azhar University the highest seat of learning in Sunni Islam. "I say to Al-Azhar and its university and its professors and preachers who stand against anyone who thinks differently to them: 'You are destined for the rubbish bin of history, where you will find no one to cry for you, and your regime will end like others have," he wrote. Despite worldwide appeals for his release, the court ruled that the young Muslim blogger should be jailed for posting a string of writings insulting Islam. "The Moharram Beik criminal court has sentenced the blogger after he created a website through which he attacked Islam," Judge Ayman Okkaz said. "On his site, he claimed that Islam incited terrorism, hatred and murder." The conviction was based on a series of vaguely worded articles in the penal code that forbid the spreading of false information, insulting Islam or other revealed religions, and "affronting the President of the Republic." Fellow blogger and rights activist Dalia Ziyada told AFP that Suleiman's defence team would lodge an appeal on Saturday. Crackdown on political bloggers Egypt recently launched a crackdown on political bloggers, who rose to prominence by challenging Mubarak's regime during the 2005 elections and more recently by highlighting cases of police brutality. Amnesty International lambasted the Egyptian judiciary for its unprecedented sanction against a blogger. "This sentence is yet another slap in the face of freedom of expression in Egypt," said Hassiba Hadj Sahraoui, Amnesty's Middle East and North Africa Deputy Programme Director, in a statement. "The Egyptian authorities must protect the peaceful exercise of freedom of expression, even if the views expressed might be perceived by some as offensive," she said, adding that Amnesty now considers Suleiman a prisoner of conscience. Sentence is a 'disgrace' The press freedom organisation Reporters without Borders called the sentence a "disgrace," noting that it would have a chilling effect on Egypt's vibrant blogging scene. "Suleiman's conviction and sentence is a message of intimidation to the rest of the Egyptian blogosphere, which had emerged in recent years as an effective bulwark against the regime's authoritarian excesses," a statement said. The sentiment was echoed by the New York-based Human Rights Watch, which saw the sentence as "a chilling precedent in a country where blogs have opened a window for free speech," said Middle East directior Sarah Lee Whitson. RSF also called on the United Nations to reject Egypt's request to host the 'Internet Governance Forum' in 2009. AFP visit our website at www.penplusbytes.net our blog is located at http://penplusbytes.blogspot.com/ --- --You are currently subscribed to penplusbytes as: rebeccawanjiku(a)yahoo.com --To unsubscribe send a blank email to leave-penplusbytes-352938B(a)dgroups.org Penplusbytes online list is hosted on Dgroups- a joint initiative of Bellanet, DFID, Hivos, ICA, IICD, OneWorld, UNAIDS ____________________________________________________________________________________ TV dinner still cooling? Check out "Tonight's Picks" on Yahoo! TV. http://tv.yahoo.com/

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SA government to switch to open source
by Bill Kagai 24 Feb '07

24 Feb '07

SA government to switch to open source http://www.tectonic.co.za/view.php?id=1377&s=news By *Staff Writer* 22 February, 2007 The South African Cabinet today announced that it had approved a free and open source strategy and that government would migrate its current software to free and open source software. At a Cabinet media briefing government said that it had "approved a policy and strategy for the implementation of free and open source software (FOSS) in government. In a statement the cabinet said "all new software developed for or by the government will be based on open standards and government will itself migrate current software to FOSS. This strategy will, among other things, lower administration costs and enhance local IT skills." "All the major IT vendors in the country have both supported the initiative and made contributions to the development of FOSS. Government departments will incorporate FOSS in their planning henceforth." Government plans to set up a FOSS project office by April this year. The office will be established by the department of ccience and technology, the CSIR and the State Information Technology Agency (Sita). Reuters writes that Themba Maseko told reporters the cabinet would use the open source Linux operating system in a bid to lower administration costs and enhance local IT skills. "This is going to be a long process... What this (open source) initiative is basically trying to streamline (is) our use and development of software in the country," Maseko said. Maseko said it was too early to provide timeframes for implementing Linux. South Africa joins governments in other emerging markets like Brazil, China, Spain, India and Malaysia in adopting open source software, with proponents of Linux arguing that the free software could help slash the cost of getting computers into schools, homes and community centres.

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contribution to Fiber discussion
by Michuki Mwangi 23 Feb '07

23 Feb '07

Something to learn from Bangladesh Click on the photos for full-sized versions: http://radio.woodynet.net/pics/index.php?photo=photos/2005/05.02-Dhaka/DSC0… http://radio.woodynet.net/pics/index.php?photo=photos/2005/05.02-Dhaka/DSC0… http://radio.woodynet.net/pics/index.php?photo=photos/2005/05.02-Dhaka/DSC0… http://radio.woodynet.net/pics/index.php?photo=photos/2005/05.02-Dhaka/DSC0… Those were taken in Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh. The good news is that a significant portion of what's being hauled out of the way of that big restaurant stove is fiber, rather than copper, and that there are seven competing fiber providers in the city, with very low prices and aggressive installation schedules. Regards, -- Michuki Mwangi KENIC

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you can lay your own cable.....
by Rebecca Wanjiku 23 Feb '07

23 Feb '07

Twenty years ago, countries in south Asia were faced with similar problems of connectivity that most of Africa faces today. That time, there was no government commitment, whether longsighted or myopic. Then, a group of individuals decided to lay the cable. They got minimal staff and divers to do the work and the connected most of the countries. For them, it was a question of meeting demand and providing it at an affordable cost. That time, no one had looked at issues their way but they knew of a future market. The story, was told by Brian Longwe- a reknowned ICT expert, and as he argued, the southern part of Asia is one of the most connected and has various cables, laid by individuals, companies and government consortia. Internet costs there as well as connectivity to other vital services have been considerably reduced. So what stops me and my friends from laying our own cable and selling it to willing buyers? Longwe asked Dr. Bitange Ndemo, Permanent Secretary at the ministry of Information and communication. Dr. Ndemo replied that there is nothing stopping any group from laying their own cable, provided they do not become a monopoly. There is no law blocking anybody from laying the cable. The government does not want to promote monopolies, he added. The debate took place at the workshop discussing the Optic Fibre Cable and the various models that the country may adopt to bridge the digital divide. The workshop was a conclusion of the two week-long online discussion on OFC. Rebecca Wanjiku, journalist, p.o box 33515, Nairobi.00600 Kenya. Tel. 254 720 318 925 blog:http://beckyit.blogspot.com/ ____________________________________________________________________________________ We won't tell. Get more on shows you hate to love (and love to hate): Yahoo! TV's Guilty Pleasures list. http://tv.yahoo.com/collections/265

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Kai vs Dr. Ndemo
by Rebecca Wanjiku 23 Feb '07

23 Feb '07

SPICING UP THE DEBATE When Kai Wulff, CEO , KDN and PS Ndemo are in one room discussing issues of internet connectivity, you can be assured of fireworks, but the common denominator is that they are concerned about reducing internet connectivity charges. They hold varied opinions on ownership and financing, and discussions are frank and honest, no holding back. It is hard to get bored when discussions start, it can only leave participant more informed of the varied opinions. For instance at the OFC workshop, PS Ndemo says that anybody can lay the cable so long as they are not a monopoly, that is, they must talk to other players in the sector. The PS notes if Kai wants to do it alone, then thats selfish. And Kai answers, I have talked to all of you but for two years no one wants to listen! So one may wonder, what is this heated debate all about? Its about OFC financing, ownership and operations, who allowed and who is not. For Kai, its about the service, let the guys laying the cable do their work, and all we do is promise them capacity that when the service is in Mombasa, they will get the business. In this model, one buys the services at competitive prices just like anywhere else in the world. It is a question of who offers the cheapest reliable service. Kai draws an analogy from supermarket business. If we can have OFC supermarkets in Mombasa, they can advertise their prices and services and if another one opens shop and has a better deal, then we can move there. Kai is simply opposed to Kenya laying the infrastructure, he wants others to come looking for business here. They lay the cable at their own cost, ours is just to give them the capacity. Loyalty is a good party if it serves both parties and will be bad if one is locked in a marriage one cant get out of, Kai said. His contention is that governments should be consumers not competitors to private sector in this field. But the PS has an alternative view, he argues that the government has taken the lead because the private sector is taking long. He told the meeting that one company had promised to lay the cable by 2009 and the government insisted that that would be too long, it should be done in a year. Out of 20 companies, the PS said, only Kai was complaining about the government. Thought the companies were not divulged, Kai just shook his head when the comment was made. The PS agreed that the government should be a consumer mainly but added that there is need for rural connectivity. He said that in many cases, private sector would be driven by profits and most of these rural areas do not have the profits. On the question of Telkom representing the government in TEAMS, Dr. Ndemo said that only happened because proper mechanisms had not been put in place. At the end of it, the PS invited Kai to his office so that they can discuss more issues affecting the sector. Dr. Ndemo argues that Kenya is willing to turn down international banks willing to invest in TEAMS because it is convinced that the Kenyan private sector has the financial might to back the cable investment. Dont let us down! the PS concluded. ____________________________________________________________________________________ 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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Re: [kictanet] government to woo investors
by Jose' 23 Feb '07

23 Feb '07

We need more players in bandwidth provision considering more people are venturing into BPO business. The bandwith we are being offered now are throt cutting for small business who are trying to stay afloat. Kudus to the Ministry of Communications. Best Regards, Jose' Njuki-Imwe Ngunjiri || +254 722 336754 || ----- Original Message ---- From: Rebecca Wanjiku <rebeccawanjiku(a)yahoo.com> To: ngunjirijnr(a)yahoo.com Sent: Friday, February 23, 2007 4:22:45 PM Subject: [kictanet] government to woo investors In April/ May, the government will commence a spirited campaign aimed at wooing investors and maintaining the existing ICT investors by tendering for bandwidth supply from companies. Much of the bandwidth will be subsidized by the World Bank and will be provided to universities and Business Processing Outsourcing (BPO) organizations. The exercise is expected to kick off in July this year. Speaking at the OFC workshop, Permanent Secretary in the ministry of Information and Communication Bitange Ndemo said he had put down mechanisms at the treasury to ensure the process goes smoothly. Rebecca Wanjiku, p.o box 33515, Nairobi.00600 Kenya. Tel. 254 720 318 925 blog:http://beckyit.blogspot.com/ Food fight? Enjoy some healthy debate in the Yahoo! Answers Food & Drink Q&A. _______________________________________________ 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 ____________________________________________________________________________________ Any questions? Get answers on any topic at www.Answers.yahoo.com. Try it now.

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taxes to be slashed
by Rebecca Wanjiku 23 Feb '07

23 Feb '07

Good news to mobile phone campanies! The government is going to waive the excise duty and push connectivity to about 18 million subscribers. But dont hold your breadth! This was a proposal given by PS Ndemo to other arms of government that are concerned with collecting taxes. Ndemo said the government was committed to reducing taxes to ensure universal connectivity. The song about duty and other charges continues, but lets hope something is done soon. ____________________________________________________________________________________ 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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government to woo investors
by Rebecca Wanjiku 23 Feb '07

23 Feb '07

In April/ May, the government will commence a spirited campaign aimed at wooing investors and maintaining the existing ICT investors by tendering for bandwidth supply from companies. Much of the bandwidth will be subsidized by the World Bank and will be provided to universities and Business Processing Outsourcing (BPO) organizations. The exercise is expected to kick off in July this year. Speaking at the OFC workshop, Permanent Secretary in the ministry of Information and Communication Bitange Ndemo said he had put down mechanisms at the treasury to ensure the process goes smoothly. Rebecca Wanjiku, p.o box 33515, Nairobi.00600 Kenya. Tel. 254 720 318 925 blog:http://beckyit.blogspot.com/ ____________________________________________________________________________________ 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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deletion of outdated domains
by Rebecca Wanjiku 23 Feb '07

23 Feb '07

ICANN U-turn over outdated domainsNick Wilsdon According to Cnews, plans by ICANN to delete some of the more ‘outdated’ domain extensions in their index have been derailed. They had opened a public discussion in San Paulo with a view to removing these extensions, which ended last month. Top of their list of their list for deletion was the Russian .su (Soviet Union) extension and the former Yogoslav Republic’s .yu. However the public proceedings have been dogged by protests and threats of legal action from domain owners, less than happy at the prospect of loosing their domain, marketing and branding expenses. ICANN finally agreed to leave the extensions alone. This is not the first time ICANN have deleted an extension, Great Britain’s .gb, was replaced by .uk, East Germany’s .dd and Zaire’s .zr after the country became the Democratic Republic of the Congo. However supporters of the .yu and .su domains have pointed out that these extensions are far from obsolete, they have a healthy number of subscribers. There are currently 7′000 .su domains in circulation, with an additional 250 being sold each month. The .su domain has remained popular in Russia, despite it’s higher cost, because so many valuable one-word phrases and brands remain available. This news will certainly breath new life into these extensions and their continued growth will make it even harder, if not impossible for ICANN to close them in the future. Rebecca Wanjiku, journalist, p.o box 33515, Nairobi.00600 Kenya. Tel. 254 720 318 925 blog:http://beckyit.blogspot.com/ ____________________________________________________________________________________ 8:00? 8:25? 8:40? Find a flick in no time with the Yahoo! Search movie showtime shortcut. http://tools.search.yahoo.com/shortcuts/#news

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IGF- is it more than talk??
by Rebecca Wanjiku 23 Feb '07

23 Feb '07

Internet Governance Forum: Is It More Than Talk? By Monika Ermert for Intellectual Property Watch Multi-stakeholder dynamic coalitions of the UN Internet Governance Forum (IGF) are pushing to have privacy, intellectual property, open standards and freedom of expression on the agenda of the second meeting in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil next autumn. At a 13 February IGF stocktaking meeting in Geneva, several of the coalitions formed at the first IGF (in Athens in October-November 2006) presented short progress reports. Agenda-setting, the role of the coalitions, the IGF as a whole and the IGF output are still to be debated. IGF activists and organisers also look to New York where the new UN Secretary General has yet to make his first comments on Internet governance issues. The dynamic coalitions so far are the most visible and practical outcome of the IGF in preparation for the second IGF meeting in Rio. The 50-member IGF coalition on privacy sponsored by the governments of France, United Kingdom, companies like Microsoft and Cisco Systems, and data protection officials from various countries, met on Sunday before the meeting. According to Ralf Bendrath, expert in privacy policy at the University of Bremen, the Privacy Coalition will publish issue papers shortly on privacy and identity, privacy and development, and privacy and freedom of expression. An Italian government delegate announced a meeting for discussion on an Internet Bill of Rights this summer. The A2K@IGF Coalition, another large dynamic coalition, aims at coordinating participation and awareness of access to knowledge (A2K) activities at the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), including proposals for a Development Agenda and an Access to Knowledge Treaty at WIPO. One focus of the coalition is setting methodologies or best practice norms for the implementation of laws dealing with technological protection measures (TPMs) and digital rights management (DRM) restrictions, which have been shown to present serious impediments to access to knowledge and the free flow of information, said Robin Gross, executive director of IP Justice, which is instrumental in the coalition. Gross said coalition member Franklin Pierce College Law Center was for example checking on the effects of free trade agreements. Strong interest in the issue which was nearly untouched at the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) was shown by the growing partner list of the coalition. Ghana has joined the coalition and I think more countries will follow, said Gross. Key deliverables for Rio, according to Gross statement, are development of best practice norms for DRM technologies and anti-circumvention laws. Nitin Desai, senior UN official and IGF chair selected by former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, said with regard to IGFs role on intellectual property issues: We are very well designed in providing a space for discussion. The IGFs non-negotiating role might help to look for some common ground. Any resolution on a recommendation or official output naturally would have to be taken at the WIPO level, he said. IGF Executive Secretary Markus Kummer said, The IGF is a neutral environment to discuss these issues. Kummer also referred to another aspect of the IP problem that he said would stay with the IGF: the question of open and non-proprietary standards. The IGF was criticised during the stocktaking phase for relying only upon proprietary formats. There are no easy answers, said Kummer. The role of the IGF as a pure discussion forum - a neutral, non-binding and non-duplicative process as the EU presidency put it - was intensively discussed during the stocktaking meeting. While hailed as a liberation of the bounds of classical diplomacy by some, several governments and NGOs asked for a more formalised output. As for the results it is important to have some kind of written conclusion or concluding statement that could be a reference for the meeting, said the head of the Brazilian delegation. In fact, the mandate given to the IGF in paragraph 72 refers to the possibility to make recommendations. Without a more formal role accompanied by more dialogue between governments, we risk entering into a course whose result will be the lack of interest for the IGF process, he warned. Several civil society members as well as government delegates said they did not agree with Desais point of view that formal decisions or votes were made impossible by the non-member nature of the IGF. Ideas like rough consensus", messages from the IGF or other compromises were put on the table beside the recommendations mentioned in the 2005 Tunis WSIS agenda. But US business and many Western governments warn against a mission creep of the IGF. What the final agenda for Rio will look like had to be left very much open. Procedures for next steps still have to be cleared by the new UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon. The future of the IGF Advisory Committee that was tasked with the preparations and programming of the first IGF still is not clear. While he would recommend keeping the advisory group, Desai said, the final decision lies with him. An update on another hot issue, the so-called enhanced cooperation process also had been delayed, said Desai, because of the change in New York. Several governments urgently asked about the outcome of bilateral consultations Desai held over the last month. Enhanced cooperation was agreed upon by the WSIS as a complementary process to the IGF. Its target was - at least as some interpret it - better cooperation between governments and relevant organisations on Internet governance. Whether or not the management of Internet infrastructure resources should be placed more prominently on the IGF agenda was a second issue of debate at the stocktaking meeting. A strong appeal to tackle it came from the non-governmental Third World Network. The issues of root servers, domain name servers and Internet Protocol are among the most important issues in Internet governance, Riaz Tayob urged participants. If they are absent from the agenda, the core issues are absent. Tayob complained that while the IGF was mainly established because these issues had not been resolved, it had been kept off the agenda. Supporters of the current governance model should not try to preclude discussion, and the IGF should not be a party to such censorship, he said. Brazils representative recommended to at least invite Internet governance organisations like the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) or UN International Telecommunication Union to give an update at every IGF session. Patrik Faltstrom, former member of the Internet Architecture Board (IAB), said he personally would reject discussion on issues like root servers at the IGF as long as the questions to be answered were not more specified. While there might be aspects of the technical system that could be discussed at the IGF, so far questions had been very vague. In a way, Gross told Intellectual Property Watch, the infrastructure issue and the IP issue were related as both were facets of US attempts to have a certain control over the Internet. The IGF had to tackle both issues. The IGF should not, said Bendrath, shy away from the most controversial issues and be satisfied with simply being a multistakeholder-model accepted by everybody. Rebecca Wanjiku, journalist, p.o box 33515, Nairobi.00600 Kenya. Tel. 254 720 318 925 blog:http://beckyit.blogspot.com/ ____________________________________________________________________________________ No need to miss a message. Get email on-the-go with Yahoo! Mail for Mobile. Get started. http://mobile.yahoo.com/mail

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quick test - 20070222 3.45p.m -plse ignore
by John Walubengo 22 Feb '07

22 Feb '07

testing, testing... 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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Stakeholder Workshop on Submarine Cable Provisioning: Friday 23rd Feb 2007- Jacaranda hotel
by alice＠apc.org 22 Feb '07

22 Feb '07

Dear all Please see below programme for tomorrows meeting and apologies for cross posting. --------------------------------------------------------------- 8:00-8:30: Registration- 8.30-8:45am: Introductions - Walu 8:45-9:15am: Background Info on Models for Provisioning of OFC (Private, Consortium & Open Access) *Walu 9:15-10:30 a.m: Brainstorming on Private-Sector Provisioned OFC *Walu/All *Critical Success Factors/Requirements expected of Regulator, Govt, consumers *Projected Impact on Stakeholders 10:30-11:00a.m.T/Break 11:00-11:45a.m: Brainstorming on the Consortium Provisioned OFC Walu/-All *Critical Success Factors/Requirements expected of Regulator, Govt, consumers *Projected Impact on Stakeholders 11:45-12:30p.m: Brainstorming on the Open Access Provisioned OFC *Walu/ALL *Critical Success Factors/Requirements expected of Regulator, Govt, Consumers *Projected Impact on Stakeholders 12:30p.m-12:45p.m: Brief by PS on TEAMs/EASsy -PS Ndemo 12:45p.m-1:15p.m: Wrap-up & Way Forward (Rapporteur and Brian Longwe) 1:15pm-Lunch and then Guest leave at their pleasure. Rebecca Wanjiku, journalist, p.o box 33515, Nairobi.00600 Kenya. Tel. 254 720 318 925 blog:http://beckyit.blogspot.com/

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OFC program for tommorrow
by Rebecca Wanjiku 22 Feb '07

22 Feb '07

Stakeholder Workshop on Submarine Cable Provisioning Friday 23rd Feb 2007- Jacaranda Hotel, Programme 8:00-8:30: Registration- 8.30-8:45am: Introductions - Walu 8:45-9:15am: Background Info on Models for Provisioning of OFC (Private, Consortium & Open Access) Walu 9:15-10:30 a.m: Brainstorming on Private-Sector Provisioned OFC Walu/All *Critical Success Factors/Requirements expected of Regulator, Govt, consumers *Projected Impact on Stakeholders 10:30-11:00a.m. T/Break 11:00-11:45a.m: Brainstorming on the Consortium Provisioned OFC Walu/-All *Critical Success Factors/Requirements expected of regulator, Govt, consumers *Projected Impact on Stakeholders 11:45-12:30p.m: Brainstorming on the Open Access Provisioned OFC -Walu/ALL *Critical Success Factors/Requirements expected of Regulator, Govt, Consumers Projected Impact on Stakeholders 12:30p.m-12:45p.m: Brief by PS on TEAMs/EASsy -PS Ndemo 12:45p.m-1:15p.m: Wrap-up & Way Forward (Rapporteur and Brian Longwe) 1:15pm-Lunch and then Guest leave at their pleasure. 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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OFC program
by Rebecca Wanjiku 22 Feb '07

22 Feb '07

Stakeholder Workshop on Submarine Cable Provisioning Friday 23rd Feb 2007- Jacaranda Hotel, Programme 8:00-8:30: Registration- 8.30-8:45am: Introductions - Walu 8:45-9:15am: Background Info on Models for Provisioning of OFC (Private, Consortium & Open Access) Walu 9:15-10:30 a.m: Brainstorming on Private-Sector Provisioned OFC Walu/All *Critical Success Factors/Requirements expected of Regulator, Govt, consumers *Projected Impact on Stakeholders 10:30-11:00a.m. T/Break 11:00-11:45a.m: Brainstorming on the Consortium Provisioned OFC Walu/-All *Critical Success Factors/Requirements expected of regulator, Govt, consumers *Projected Impact on Stakeholders 11:45-12:30p.m: Brainstorming on the Open Access Provisioned OFC -Walu/ALL *Critical Success Factors/Requirements expected of Regulator, Govt, Consumers Projected Impact on Stakeholders 12:30p.m-12:45p.m: Brief by PS on TEAMs/EASsy -PS Ndemo 12:45p.m-1:15p.m: Wrap-up & Way Forward (Rapporteur and Brian Longwe) 1:15pm-Lunch and then Guest leave at their pleasure. Rebecca Wanjiku, journalist, p.o box 33515, Nairobi.00600 Kenya. Tel. 254 720 318 925 blog:http://beckyit.blogspot.com/ ____________________________________________________________________________________ Be a PS3 game guru. Get your game face on with the latest PS3 news and previews at Yahoo! Games. http://videogames.yahoo.com/platform?platform=120121

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training opportunity
by Rebecca Wanjiku 22 Feb '07

22 Feb '07

DATES: 19th March 23rd March or 26th March -30th March VENUE: Safari Park Hotel PRICE: Kshs. 69,500 per person What and Why? With a Quality Management System you demonstrate predictability of your internal operations and ability to meet customer requirements. An effective Quality Management System will help enhance customer satisfaction. Quality management is what organizations practice to ensure that their procedures conform to the customer's requirements. Moving away from ad hoc processes gives you an overview that makes your internal processes easier to manage, measure, and improve. It is the first step on a journey toward continual business improvement. Taking control of your processes for improve bottom-line An implemented and documented Quality Management System enables you to control your different internal processes as defined by your scope: You will increase your efficiency and minimize the risk that obligations to customers are not met. You have a foundation from which to gradually improve your internal processes and strengthen your organization's ability to meet strategic objectives. You can measure your management system against various international and industry standards through third party certification. Putting your customer first A company working according to a Quality Management System is a more efficient and effective company. In addition, you will see that staff responsibility, motivation, and commitment will improve. A certified Quality Management System is also increasingly a condition of contract. The certificate proves to customers that you have the necessary systems in place to fulfill your obligations to them. What standards can you be certified to? To get on the road to certification, you should begin by reading about: The international ISO 9001:2000 quality management standard applicable to any manufacturing or service industry. ISO 9000 Series ISO 9000 Series ISO 9001:2000 An ISO 9001:2000 certificate proves that your Quality Management System has been certified against a best practice standard and found compliant. Issued by a third party certification body/registrar, the certificate lets customers know they can trust that you have implemented the necessary internal processes to meet obligations. The internationally recognized ISO 9001:2000 standard is generic. It is not a product standard, but applicable to any manufacturing or service industry. Created by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), its objective is to set international requirements for Quality Management Systems. Upgraded version ISO 9001:2000 is the latest version of the standard, issued December 15, 2000. The new edition has combined 1994 editions of ISO 9001, ISO 9002, and ISO 9003. What is different? The new standard places more emphasis on continual improvement and customer satisfaction than the 1994 versions. It applies to the processes of an organization that influence quality. The major clauses in the new standard are: Quality Management System Management Responsibility Resource Management Product Realization Measurement, Analysis, and Improvement Where do I go from here? For third party certification, you need to implement an effective Quality Management System complying with the requirements of the standard. The first step is to get on the road to certification. Road to Certification Certification, or registration, to a standard is the outcome of a successful assessment by an independent third party like Ignite Consulting. After having decided on the management system you wish to implement, there are certain steps to get you started. Experience has shown that some simple tips, often seemingly trivial, have proven invaluable to companies seeking certification. As you set out, keep these in mind: Make sure you begin the process with the right attitude. Have a complete understanding of the concept set forth in the standard, and use the standard as a guide template to define your management system. Know what application and implications of the standard will mean to your company. Use the standard as a tool for improvement. Have an understanding of the risks and processes that affect your organization's ability to realize its business strategy. Select your partner (certification body/registrar) carefully. What steps should I follow? Below you will find 10 general steps that will take you down the road to certification: Assemble a team and define your strategy: The adoption of a management system needs to be the strategic decision of the whole organization. It is vital that your senior management is involved in the creation process. They decide the business strategy that an efficient management system should support. In addition, you need a dedicated team to develop and implement your management system. Determine training needs: Your team members responsible for implementing and maintaining the management system(s) will need to know the full details of the applicable standard(s). There is a wide range of courses, workshops, and seminars available designed to meet these needs. We provide a number of public and in-house training courses. Contact Ignite Consulting for more information. Obtain a standard: Obtain and read a copy of the standard to familiarize yourself with the requirements. Then you should decide if certification/registration to this standard makes good sense for your organization. Review literature and software: There is a large amount of published information available that is designed to assist you in understanding and implementing a standard. Review consultant options: Independent consultants will be able to advise you of a workable, realistic, and cost effective strategy plan for implementation. Develop a management systems manual: Your management systems manual should describe the policies and operations of your company. Through the manual, you will provide an accurate description of the organization and the best practice adopted to consistently satisfy customer expectations. Develop procedures: Procedures describe the processes of your organization, and the best practice to achieve success in those processes. These procedures should answer the following questions about each process: why who when where what how Implement your management system: Communication and training are key to a successful implementation. During the implementation phase, your organization will be working according to the procedures that were developed to document and demonstrate the effectiveness of the management system. Consider a pre-assessment: You can choose to have a preliminary evaluation of the implementation of your management system by a certification body/registrar. The purpose of this is to identify areas of non-conformance and allow you to correct these areas before you begin the accredited certification process. Receiving a non-conformance means that a particular area of your management systems is not compliant with the requirements of the standard. Select a certification body/registrar: Your business relationship with the certification body/registrar will be in place for many years, as your certification has to be maintained. In this age of corporate scrutiny, it is imperative to choose a certification body/registrar with a reputation beyond reproach. Why Ignite Consulting? All management system certificates are not equal. Ignite offers more than a ticket to trade. When partnering with us, you begin a journey toward business improvement, and ultimately business excellence. With the following qualities, we are well equipped to satisfy your organization's certification needs: We offer Risk Based Certification as the standard way of conducting all management system certification. With our risk-based approach to certification, you get more than just a certificate. Our auditors will also evaluate how your management system handles risks, i.e. identifying strengths, weaknesses, and improvement opportunities. We provide a "one stop shopping" concept by offering a range of both single and integrated certification services that enhance the effectiveness of the certification process. We have partners all over the world that can provide local service to you. Our consultants and partners speak your language and know your local needs, customs, and market. For more information access www.igniteconsulting.co.ke or call us on 254-20-3673250-9 -- Catherine Murai Ignite Consulting & Investment Limited EDEN SQUARE 7th Floor, Chiromo Road, Westlands P.O. Box 15568 00100 GPO Nairobi, Kenya Tel: 254-20-3673250-9 Fax: 254-20-3673231 Email: njeri.murai(a)igniteconsulting.co.ke URL: www.igniteconsulting.co.ke Professional, Life Skills Coaching, Value Added Training on Conformity and Compliance, Business Management, Organizational Development and Facilitation. Rebecca Wanjiku, journalist, p.o box 33515, Nairobi.00600 Kenya. Tel. 254 720 318 925 blog:http://beckyit.blogspot.com/ ____________________________________________________________________________________ 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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direct contact
by Rebecca Wanjiku 22 Feb '07

22 Feb '07

for those interested in this, please contact them directly, its easier.... Informationen zum Abbestellen des Newsletters finden Sie ganz unten. Press release, February 21, 2007 ************************************************** Berlin, Germany / Nairobi, Kenya - The first African Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Summit "Access and Inclusion for TVET in Africa through new ICT-based solutions" will take place in conjunction with this year's eLearning Africa, the annual pan-African conference on ICT for Development, Education and Training. The Summit will be held on 28 May 2007 in Nairobi. The African TVET Summit will bring together TVET experts, policy makers and practitioners to share experiences, discuss strategies, and implement mechanisms for the promotion and sustainability of best practice. Innovative ICT-based TVET initiatives will be identified by a panel of experts in the field and their developers will have the opportunity to present their work at the Summit. The panel will designate one TVET project as the "African Educational ICT Landmark Project" and it will receive support until the next Summit in 2008, when another landmark initiative will be selected. Discussions and plenaries will investigate how eLearning can be used effectively in technical vocational education and training, how ICT-based training can help bridge the gap between theory and practice, and which best-practice cases from other backgrounds can serve as role models. The event will provide insight into the current status of eLearning in TVET and enable participants to exchange experience. The African TVET Summit is supported by the Kenyan Ministry for Education, the UNESCO International Centre for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (UNESCO-UNEVOC), the UNESCO Regional Office for Education in Africa (UNESCO/BREDA), the Commonwealth of Learning, the German Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training and the organisers of the eLearning Africa conference, ICWE and Hoffmann & Reif Consultants. Regularly updated information on the Summit and the eLearning Africa conference programme can be found at www.eLearning-Africa.com. eLearning Africa 2007 takes place from May 28 to 30, 2007, under the patronage of the Hon. Prof. George Saitoti, Minister for Education, Kenya. It is the largest pan-African conference with a focus on ICT for development, education and training on the Continent. It is organised by ICWE GmbH and Hoffmann & Reif Consultants to establish and link a network and community of decision makers from governments and administrations with universities, schools, governmental and private training providers, industry, and important partners in development cooperation. Each year a different African country will serve as the venue. ***************************************** Notes for editors eLA - eLearning Africa, 2nd International Conference on ICT for Development, Education and Training, May 28 - 30, 2007 Organisers: ICWE GmbH, www.icwe.net, Hoffmann & Reif Consultants, www.hoffmann-reif.com Contact: ICWE GmbH, Tel.: +49-30-327 6140 info(a)elearning-africa.com, www.eLearning-Africa.com Press contact: Beate Kleessen ICWE GmbH Leibnizstraße 32 10625 Berlin, Germany Tel.: +49-30-327 61420 Fax: +49-30-324 9833 press-service(a)icwe.net www.icwe.net ____________________________________________________________________________________ Don't pick lemons. See all the new 2007 cars at Yahoo! Autos. http://autos.yahoo.com/new_cars.html

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Re: [kictanet] eLearning Africa 2007 Launches the TVET Summit
by Jose' 22 Feb '07

22 Feb '07

Wow! This is so great.How do we go about getting identified by the panel of experts? Please send them over to our Kimathi Information Centre.this is a very good opportunity to expose our craving eastlands youth to show case how there lives have been transformed by the centre. My number is desplayed down. "Innovative ICT-based TVET initiatives will be identified by a panel of experts in the field and their developers will have the opportunity to present their work at the Summit." Best Regards, Jose' Njuki-Imwe Ngunjiri || +254 722 336754 || ----- Original Message ---- From: Rebecca Wanjiku <rebeccawanjiku(a)yahoo.com> To: ngunjirijnr(a)yahoo.com Sent: Wednesday, February 21, 2007 10:54:46 PM Subject: [kictanet] eLearning Africa 2007 Launches the TVET Summit Informationen zum Abbestellen des Newsletters finden Sie ganz unten. Press release, February 21, 2007 ************************************************** Berlin, Germany / Nairobi, Kenya - The first African Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Summit "Access and Inclusion for TVET in Africa through new ICT-based solutions" will take place in conjunction with this year's eLearning Africa, the annual pan-African conference on ICT for Development, Education and Training. The Summit will be held on 28 May 2007 in Nairobi. The African TVET Summit will bring together TVET experts, policy makers and practitioners to share experiences, discuss strategies, and implement mechanisms for the promotion and sustainability of best practice. Innovative ICT-based TVET initiatives will be identified by a panel of experts in the field and their developers will have the opportunity to present their work at the Summit. The panel will designate one TVET project as the "African Educational ICT Landmark Project" and it will receive support until the next Summit in 2008, when another landmark initiative will be selected. Discussions and plenaries will investigate how eLearning can be used effectively in technical vocational education and training, how ICT-based training can help bridge the gap between theory and practice, and which best-practice cases from other backgrounds can serve as role models. The event will provide insight into the current status of eLearning in TVET and enable participants to exchange experience. The African TVET Summit is supported by the Kenyan Ministry for Education, the UNESCO International Centre for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (UNESCO-UNEVOC), the UNESCO Regional Office for Education in Africa (UNESCO/BREDA), the Commonwealth of Learning, the German Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training and the organisers of the eLearning Africa conference, ICWE and Hoffmann & Reif Consultants. Regularly updated information on the Summit and the eLearning Africa conference programme can be found at www.eLearning-Africa.com. eLearning Africa 2007 takes place from May 28 to 30, 2007, under the patronage of the Hon. Prof. George Saitoti, Minister for Education, Kenya. It is the largest pan-African conference with a focus on ICT for development, education and training on the Continent. It is organised by ICWE GmbH and Hoffmann & Reif Consultants to establish and link a network and community of decision makers from governments and administrations with universities, schools, governmental and private training providers, industry, and important partners in development cooperation. Each year a different African country will serve as the venue. ***************************************** Notes for editors eLA - eLearning Africa, 2nd International Conference on ICT for Development, Education and Training, May 28 - 30, 2007 Organisers: ICWE GmbH, www.icwe.net, Hoffmann & Reif Consultants, www.hoffmann-reif.com Contact: ICWE GmbH, Tel.: +49-30-327 6140 info(a)elearning-africa.com, www.eLearning-Africa.com Press contact: Beate Kleessen ICWE GmbH Leibnizstraße 32 10625 Berlin, Germany Tel.: +49-30-327 61420 Fax: +49-30-324 9833 press-service(a)icwe.net www.icwe.net Klicken Sie auf die folgende URL, um sich von diesem Newsletter abzumelden oder Ihre Einstellungen zu ändern: http://nl.webmart.de/abo.cfm?K=3122361&E=239643605 _______________________________________________ secretariat mailing list secretariat(a)kictanet.or.ke http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/secretariat This message was sent to: rebeccawanjiku(a)yahoo.com Unsubscribe or change your options at http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/secretariat/rebeccawanjiku%40yahoo.com Need Mail bonding? Go to the Yahoo! Mail Q&A for great tips from Yahoo! Answers users._______________________________________________ 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!? Everyone is raving about the all-new Yahoo! Mail beta. http://new.mail.yahoo.com

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Re: [kictanet] E-Centre in Eastlands-Kimathi Estate
by Jose' 22 Feb '07

22 Feb '07

That will be a great opportunity for exposure for the centre to appear in the magazine. I am not a journalist but I love reading alot of books.I am a mobile phone technician working with a Nokia Authorized dealer shop on Koinange street.I am having the centre run with two other directors,who we all work on part time.The youth we trained run the centre and we get update after every hour on how the centre is doing. Yes its a business venture for the youth and its profitable.Fully self sustaining its self.Fully fledged one stop youth E-centre.Comp Games,newspapers,books and very soon an entertainment game centre fully fledged with X-boxes,Ps-games and TFT 21" television sets.Self funding venture run by the youth,for the youth,in benefit of the who community.We train the older folks on how to send emails and how to use the computers. At the moment,we are partnering with Kenya Police to actually train them in return for security.They guard the centre,and we train them for free.We haven't rolled it out fully but currently,we are having a pilot pro gramme of training two Police men for the next three months.If we succeed,we shall have up to 30 Policemen get trained with us.(We have trained ourselves to see an opportunity out of every adversity with now the current insecurity in our area.) Our plan is to roll it out the E-learning centres,by franchising with having it in every estate in Eastlands run by the youth but owned by Kimathi Information Centre.Whereby,we shall be training the youth,who in turn we shall supply computers to them. "Please call me thank you" I need to tell you more. or again log on to www.kimathiinformationcentre.com if I have left some issues out.My number is just beside my name below. Best Regards, Jose' Njuki-Imwe Ngunjiri || +254 722 336754 || ----- Original Message ---- From: munyiva ritah <rmunyiva(a)yahoo.com> To: ngunjirijnr(a)yahoo.com Sent: Thursday, February 22, 2007 8:34:58 AM Subject: Re: [kictanet] E-Centre in Eastlands-Kimathi Estate Tell me jose' as in more about the centre. Am a journalist, are you one? Can give some mileage on the project in some magazine-Business Post. Is it a business venture for youth...in eastlands what exactly is it? --- Jose' <ngunjirijnr(a)yahoo.com> wrote: > True that Ritah, > we partnering with local organized youth groups in > Easlands to train them and give them a chance to > learn how to run such a centre. > > Jericho Estate popularly know to as "JERII" watch > out for an e-learning centre soon. > > Hope Ya'all shall find time to come. > > Best Regards, > Jose' Njuki-Imwe Ngunjiri || +254 722 336754 || > > ----- Original Message ---- > From: munyiva ritah <rmunyiva(a)yahoo.com> > To: ngunjirijnr(a)yahoo.com > Sent: Wednesday, February 21, 2007 3:20:01 PM > Subject: Re: [kictanet] E-Centre in > Eastlands-Kimathi Estate > > Cool idea on the E-centre, maybe we could get more > of > this in Eastlands. > Ritah > --- Judy Okite <judyokite(a)gmail.com> wrote: > > > This is soo cool...Jose, > > > > I need to link up with you of the > list...please.... > > > > Kind Regards, > > > > On 2/21/07, Jose' <ngunjirijnr(a)yahoo.com> wrote: > > > > > > Checkout, > > > > > > www.kimathiinformationcentre.com > > > > > > some of the pages are still under construction > > like the forum,chat and > > > guest book pages.Oh! also the donation page :-) > > > > > > We reach out to the Easltands community with > free > > ICT lessons > > > also we are a one stop E-centre. > > > > > > We are in the process of organizing a youth > > symposium that will focus on > > > preparing youth in creating business > > proposals,business plans and how to > > > apply for loans and in particular the Youth > loan. > > > > > > All keep y'all posted > > > > > > 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, February 20, 2007 7:45:48 PM > > > Subject: Re: [kictanet] Sasanet not working? > > > > > > well, am not a subscriber to them - i got > jittery > > when > > > their registration form had too many of what I > > thought were > > > personal questions without equivalent > > demonstration of how > > > they would secure my data... > > > > > > Nway, I just checked their website and it is up > > and > > > running...so what do you mean when you say they > > are no > > > longer working? > > > > > > walu. > > > > > > --- Alex Gakuru <alex.gakuru(a)yahoo.com> wrote: > > > > > > > Wouldn't you be curious to find out a very > > popular free > > > > internet-based www.sasanet.co.ke is now no > > longer > > > > working? I wonder why? > > > > > > > > /Alex > > > > > > > > Mike Theuri <mike.theuri(a)gmail.com> wrote: > Alex, > > > > > > > > Thank you for sharing the blog on the > > anti-consumer > > > > setting in the country. The blog has very > useful > > > > information that is not being shared with > Kenyan > > > > consumers and it is key that consumer rights > are > > upheld. > > > > Your blog out to be brought to more attention > of > > key > > > > stakeholders in ICT and to consumers alike. > > > > > > > > Yes, the Ministry and CCK are best placed to > > > > authoritatively comment on such an issue. > > However I > > > > believe that what AT&T is discontinuing is the > > ability to > > > > use a "call back" number from Kenya to the US. > > It is very > > > > likely that the call back numbers which are > 0800 > > numbers > > > > are no longer profitable for AT&T especially > > given that > > > > they cost as high as $3/min. Technically they > > are > > > > supposed to be cheaper to use than if one was > to > > "call > > > > back" the US direct from any other country be > it > > Kenya or > > > > the UK. However with AT&T's rate to call the > US > > from > > > > Kenya as high as it is and with local > providers > > beating > > > > their tariffs they may have opted to drop this > > service. > > > > What this might do, is it might leave AT&T US > > based > > > > customers unable to call the US using their > AT&T > > calling > > > > cards for what would otherwise be exorbitant > > prices. > > > > > > > > The wording of the AT&T notice on the lack of > no > > future > > > > support for calls originating from Kenya > wasn't > > very > > > > clear and after some digging around it appears > > that it > > > > referred to users of AT&T who utilize call > back > > services > > > > while traveling overseas, it might just be due > > to stiff > > > > competition now that VOIP has been deregulated > > and > > > > tariffs have fallen (though not low enough) > and > > that no > > > > one in their right mind would be willing to > pay > > $3+ per > > > > minute for a call to the US when for a > extremely > > small > > > > fraction one could make the same phone call at > a > > lower > > > > rate. > > > > > > > > Even then the tariffs in general are not fair > > enough for > > > > Kenyan consumers and it is an uphill battle to > > enforce > > > > changes when some of the largest tax payers > > happen to be > > > > communication providers. It is unthinkable > that > > the > > > > government would do much to jeopardize a large > > and steady > > > > tax revenue stream to save the honorable > > consumer. > > > > Increasingly huge profits in a formerly > > depressed and now > > > > recovering economy like ours raise the > question > > whether > > > > the consumer is getting a fair deal. It is > akin > > to oil > > > > companies making several times over some > nations > > GDP in > > > > profits and claiming that they are struggling > > themselves > === message truncated ===> _______________________________________________ > 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/rmunyiva%40yahoo.com ____________________________________________________________________________________ Any questions? Get answers on any topic at www.Answers.yahoo.com. 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/ngunjirijnr%40yahoo.com ____________________________________________________________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Everyone is raving about the all-new Yahoo! Mail beta. http://new.mail.yahoo.com

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Executive Summary of comments KICTANet Freedom of Information Discussions
by alice＠apc.org 22 Feb '07

22 Feb '07

Dear all Below is an executive summary of the discusions on the freedom of information policy that took lace last week. Prepared and submitted by J. Kihanya. best regards alice ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------The Freedom of Information Policy as drafted and put out for discussion bythe Ministry of Information and Communications was greeted with approval andlauded as a great step towards achieving one of the most fundamental rightsthat underpins all other rights in Kenya.The discussion was not very high but a consensus emerged from the variouspresenters that the following should guide the policy direction. a.. The right to information is the bedrock of all other human rights. The United Nations recognized this in 1946 when the General Assembly resolved:"Freedom of Information is a fundamental human right and the touchstone forall freedom. In its most basic form, a right to information ensures thepeople of a democracy: they have the right to demand and receive informationfrom their government and place an additional obligation on the governmentto pro-actively disclose key information to the public. It also allowscitizens to secure information from private bodies where it is necessary forthe protection or exercise of their rights. It is an excellent tool in thefight against corruption and provides a mechanism for deepening the public'sengagement in development activities and to meaningfully engage andparticipate in democracy. a.. The right must be considered within a broader human rights framework. a.. The right to know should be indicated as a right that is enforceableby the public. It should be a freedom that should not be derogated from bygovernment which must allow for its full enjoyment. a.. That the legislation that emanates from the debate should seek toprotect the free flow of information through e-government and the creationof accountability. a.. That the costs that may be charged on accessing information frompublic bodies should be minimal if at all. a.. That journalists and hence the media should be exempted from payingthe costs that relate to access to information. a.. That the timelines provided under the policy for the access toinformation viz. 15 days are too long and should be reduced. a.. That the practice and culture of secrecy under the Official SecretsAct should be changed if the policy is to allow for the effective use oflegislation. a.. Those private bodies should be required to protect personal data. a.. That the public and private bodies should be required t=o seek onlysuch personal information that is relevant under the circumstances and thatthat which is unnecessary or may cause discrimination should not be requiredof a citizen. a.. That all public bodies should be subjected to the FOI legislationirrespective of the fact that they are run in partnerships with developmentpartners, or not. a.. That when national security is used as a limitation on FOIlegislation, it must be precisely that and not imagined embarrassment to thegovernment. a.. That pro-active publication must take root and e-government used formost or all public pronouncements within a strict timeframe. a.. That the right should extend to all citizens and should not be viewedas a tool only for the media. a.. That all organizations that have the capacity or are directly involvedwith contact with the public and that affect the rights of the public shouldbe designated as organizations that the FOI legislation can affect. a.. A Data protection policy for social cultural and economic reasons mustbe put in place to cater for development concerns.The discussion underscored that the right to know is one that has beendeemed important and has been given to citizens in over 80 jurisdictionsaround the world and that Kenya should join South Africa and Uganda on thisfront in Africa if only to keep pace with especially Sough Africa ondevelopment paths.

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Re: [kictanet] E-Centre in Eastlands-Kimathi Estate
by Jose' 22 Feb '07

22 Feb '07

True that Ritah, we partnering with local organized youth groups in Easlands to train them and give them a chance to learn how to run such a centre. Jericho Estate popularly know to as "JERII" watch out for an e-learning centre soon. Hope Ya'all shall find time to come. Best Regards, Jose' Njuki-Imwe Ngunjiri || +254 722 336754 || ----- Original Message ---- From: munyiva ritah <rmunyiva(a)yahoo.com> To: ngunjirijnr(a)yahoo.com Sent: Wednesday, February 21, 2007 3:20:01 PM Subject: Re: [kictanet] E-Centre in Eastlands-Kimathi Estate Cool idea on the E-centre, maybe we could get more of this in Eastlands. Ritah --- Judy Okite <judyokite(a)gmail.com> wrote: > This is soo cool...Jose, > > I need to link up with you of the list...please.... > > Kind Regards, > > On 2/21/07, Jose' <ngunjirijnr(a)yahoo.com> wrote: > > > > Checkout, > > > > www.kimathiinformationcentre.com > > > > some of the pages are still under construction > like the forum,chat and > > guest book pages.Oh! also the donation page :-) > > > > We reach out to the Easltands community with free > ICT lessons > > also we are a one stop E-centre. > > > > We are in the process of organizing a youth > symposium that will focus on > > preparing youth in creating business > proposals,business plans and how to > > apply for loans and in particular the Youth loan. > > > > All keep y'all posted > > > > 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, February 20, 2007 7:45:48 PM > > Subject: Re: [kictanet] Sasanet not working? > > > > well, am not a subscriber to them - i got jittery > when > > their registration form had too many of what I > thought were > > personal questions without equivalent > demonstration of how > > they would secure my data... > > > > Nway, I just checked their website and it is up > and > > running...so what do you mean when you say they > are no > > longer working? > > > > walu. > > > > --- Alex Gakuru <alex.gakuru(a)yahoo.com> wrote: > > > > > Wouldn't you be curious to find out a very > popular free > > > internet-based www.sasanet.co.ke is now no > longer > > > working? I wonder why? > > > > > > /Alex > > > > > > Mike Theuri <mike.theuri(a)gmail.com> wrote: Alex, > > > > > > Thank you for sharing the blog on the > anti-consumer > > > setting in the country. The blog has very useful > > > information that is not being shared with Kenyan > > > consumers and it is key that consumer rights are > upheld. > > > Your blog out to be brought to more attention of > key > > > stakeholders in ICT and to consumers alike. > > > > > > Yes, the Ministry and CCK are best placed to > > > authoritatively comment on such an issue. > However I > > > believe that what AT&T is discontinuing is the > ability to > > > use a "call back" number from Kenya to the US. > It is very > > > likely that the call back numbers which are 0800 > numbers > > > are no longer profitable for AT&T especially > given that > > > they cost as high as $3/min. Technically they > are > > > supposed to be cheaper to use than if one was to > "call > > > back" the US direct from any other country be it > Kenya or > > > the UK. However with AT&T's rate to call the US > from > > > Kenya as high as it is and with local providers > beating > > > their tariffs they may have opted to drop this > service. > > > What this might do, is it might leave AT&T US > based > > > customers unable to call the US using their AT&T > calling > > > cards for what would otherwise be exorbitant > prices. > > > > > > The wording of the AT&T notice on the lack of no > future > > > support for calls originating from Kenya wasn't > very > > > clear and after some digging around it appears > that it > > > referred to users of AT&T who utilize call back > services > > > while traveling overseas, it might just be due > to stiff > > > competition now that VOIP has been deregulated > and > > > tariffs have fallen (though not low enough) and > that no > > > one in their right mind would be willing to pay > $3+ per > > > minute for a call to the US when for a extremely > small > > > fraction one could make the same phone call at a > lower > > > rate. > > > > > > Even then the tariffs in general are not fair > enough for > > > Kenyan consumers and it is an uphill battle to > enforce > > > changes when some of the largest tax payers > happen to be > > > communication providers. It is unthinkable that > the > > > government would do much to jeopardize a large > and steady > > > tax revenue stream to save the honorable > consumer. > > > Increasingly huge profits in a formerly > depressed and now > > > recovering economy like ours raise the question > whether > > > the consumer is getting a fair deal. It is akin > to oil > > > companies making several times over some nations > GDP in > > > profits and claiming that they are struggling > themselves > > > and offering the best prices possible. Price > regulation > > > in the industry is something that should be > looked into > > > to further to try and strike a fair balance > between > > > consumers needs and investors return on equity. > > > > > > Mike > > > > > > On 2/18/07, Alex Gakuru <alex.gakuru(a)yahoo.com> > wrote: > > > Mike: > > > > > > Although this is a consumer issue, you may > notice we have > > > quite some domestic wars with the prevailing > > > anti-consumer setting, > http://ictconsumer.blogspot.com/ > > > for example. > > > > > > By engaging foreign networks, I am afraid the > ICT > > > Consumers Association of Kenya could be > considered acting > > > ultra vires thus the Ministry of Information and > > > Communications, CCK, and perhaps also Foreign > Affairs are > > > best suited to comment. > > > > > > Would a provocative question, like "why has a > private US > > > telco unilaterally cut-off communication from > Kenya to > > > the US jeopardizing both a basic human right and > the > > > national outsourcing strategy" earn a quick > response from > > > government? > > > > > > rgds, > > > > > > Alex > > > > > > Mike Theuri <mike.theuri(a)gmail.com> wrote: As > an after > > > thought, this may mean calls dialed through > this number > > > which by itself is a very expensive option and > which may > > > reflect the effects of voip and lowered costs of > > > international calls: > === message truncated ===> _______________________________________________ > 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/rmunyiva%40yahoo.com ____________________________________________________________________________________ Cheap talk? Check out Yahoo! Messenger's low PC-to-Phone call rates. http://voice.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 ____________________________________________________________________________________ Don't get soaked. Take a quick peak at the forecast with the Yahoo! Search weather shortcut. http://tools.search.yahoo.com/shortcuts/#loc_weather

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eLearning Africa 2007 Launches the TVET Summit
by Rebecca Wanjiku 21 Feb '07

21 Feb '07

Informationen zum Abbestellen des Newsletters finden Sie ganz unten. Press release, February 21, 2007 ************************************************** Berlin, Germany / Nairobi, Kenya - The first African Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Summit "Access and Inclusion for TVET in Africa through new ICT-based solutions" will take place in conjunction with this year's eLearning Africa, the annual pan-African conference on ICT for Development, Education and Training. The Summit will be held on 28 May 2007 in Nairobi. The African TVET Summit will bring together TVET experts, policy makers and practitioners to share experiences, discuss strategies, and implement mechanisms for the promotion and sustainability of best practice. Innovative ICT-based TVET initiatives will be identified by a panel of experts in the field and their developers will have the opportunity to present their work at the Summit. The panel will designate one TVET project as the "African Educational ICT Landmark Project" and it will receive support until the next Summit in 2008, when another landmark initiative will be selected. Discussions and plenaries will investigate how eLearning can be used effectively in technical vocational education and training, how ICT-based training can help bridge the gap between theory and practice, and which best-practice cases from other backgrounds can serve as role models. The event will provide insight into the current status of eLearning in TVET and enable participants to exchange experience. The African TVET Summit is supported by the Kenyan Ministry for Education, the UNESCO International Centre for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (UNESCO-UNEVOC), the UNESCO Regional Office for Education in Africa (UNESCO/BREDA), the Commonwealth of Learning, the German Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training and the organisers of the eLearning Africa conference, ICWE and Hoffmann & Reif Consultants. Regularly updated information on the Summit and the eLearning Africa conference programme can be found at www.eLearning-Africa.com. eLearning Africa 2007 takes place from May 28 to 30, 2007, under the patronage of the Hon. Prof. George Saitoti, Minister for Education, Kenya. It is the largest pan-African conference with a focus on ICT for development, education and training on the Continent. It is organised by ICWE GmbH and Hoffmann & Reif Consultants to establish and link a network and community of decision makers from governments and administrations with universities, schools, governmental and private training providers, industry, and important partners in development cooperation. Each year a different African country will serve as the venue. ***************************************** Notes for editors eLA - eLearning Africa, 2nd International Conference on ICT for Development, Education and Training, May 28 - 30, 2007 Organisers: ICWE GmbH, www.icwe.net, Hoffmann & Reif Consultants, www.hoffmann-reif.com Contact: ICWE GmbH, Tel.: +49-30-327 6140 info(a)elearning-africa.com, www.eLearning-Africa.com Press contact: Beate Kleessen ICWE GmbH Leibnizstraße 32 10625 Berlin, Germany Tel.: +49-30-327 61420 Fax: +49-30-324 9833 press-service(a)icwe.net www.icwe.net Klicken Sie auf die folgende URL, um sich von diesem Newsletter abzumelden oder Ihre Einstellungen zu ändern: http://nl.webmart.de/abo.cfm?K=3122361&E=239643605 _______________________________________________ secretariat mailing list secretariat(a)kictanet.or.ke http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/secretariat This message was sent to: rebeccawanjiku(a)yahoo.com Unsubscribe or change your options at http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/secretariat/rebeccawanjiku%40yahoo.com ____________________________________________________________________________________ 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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Questions whether open source software can covert the software world?
by alice＠apc.org 21 Feb '07

21 Feb '07

>From Panos ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- For many people in developing countries, commercial software packages are not an option because they are expensive, do not come in local languages and cannot be shared or adapted. Advocates of the Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) movement argue that the tools of information and communication should be in the public domain. But commercial software companies say they spend huge sums of money on research and development, and need to recoup their investments. This latest media briefing on the information society explores how these opposing views can be reconciled in the interests of millions of potential software users in the developing world. Visit: http://www.panos.org.uk/PDF/reports/wsistoolkit5.pdf

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Fw: [DigAfrica] African VoIP Markets: Answers to pressing question
by alice＠apc.org 21 Feb '07

21 Feb '07

>From Balancing Act: ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ African telcos are having to react either to price pressure from the grey market or newly legal VoIP service providers. The impact of VoIP on international prices is only the beginning: in newly legal VoIP markets, the arbitrage opportunity is moving to the national level. Many operators are seeking to remain competitive by simply offering cheaper prices to their customers, either through a specific VoIP service offering or to all customers. But in any price war with the grey market there is only way one for prices to go: downwards. But VoIP is the precursor of much larger changes for operators and they need to create new strategies to remain in the game in more competitive markets: Price cutting cannibalises existing income but also increases volumes: in other words, increased volumes may cover income losses from higher rates. Do you know what has happened to the traffic volumes of those carriers who have lowered prices? A small number of African countries have more or less legalised VoIP for a new generation of VoIP service providers. Further countries are in the queue to do the same and some countries have an anomalous use of VoIP for certain carriers. Do you know which these countries are and how it will affect your business? There has been much talk of NGN networks but for nearly all carriers this is a much more complicated process of transition. Do you know where you are in that transition process and where your competitors have got to? A number of African carriers have convinced themselves that "triple play" is one strategy to combat leakage of customers to the new VoIP service providers. You might think that these carriers have got a clearly defined strategy. But do you know what the rates and market potential is for a service like this that includes VoIP? African VoIP Markets is a 170 page report with 28 tables that looks at all aspects of VoIP in the region. Can you answer the questions facing your business? go to: http://www.balancingact-africa.com/voipmarks.html

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Re: [kictanet] Sasanet not working?
by Jose' 21 Feb '07

21 Feb '07

Hi Walu, What Alex is expressing is the free sms service that sasanet gives.Everything else is up and running except the free sms service thats why we use it. I copied and pasted this from the site FYI "Due to a system upgrade that is currently in progress, the Sasanet Free sms service and purchase of sms credits are temporarily unavailable. Please check back again later." We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience caused, but strive to continually improve our service to you. Best Regards, Njuki-Imwe ----- Original Message ---- From: John Walubengo <jwalu(a)yahoo.com> To: ngunjirijnr(a)yahoo.com Sent: Tuesday, February 20, 2007 7:45:48 PM Subject: Re: [kictanet] Sasanet not working? well, am not a subscriber to them - i got jittery when their registration form had too many of what I thought were personal questions without equivalent demonstration of how they would secure my data... Nway, I just checked their website and it is up and running...so what do you mean when you say they are no longer working? walu. --- Alex Gakuru <alex.gakuru(a)yahoo.com> wrote: > Wouldn't you be curious to find out a very popular free > internet-based www.sasanet.co.ke is now no longer > working? I wonder why? > > /Alex > > Mike Theuri <mike.theuri(a)gmail.com> wrote: Alex, > > Thank you for sharing the blog on the anti-consumer > setting in the country. The blog has very useful > information that is not being shared with Kenyan > consumers and it is key that consumer rights are upheld. > Your blog out to be brought to more attention of key > stakeholders in ICT and to consumers alike. > > Yes, the Ministry and CCK are best placed to > authoritatively comment on such an issue. However I > believe that what AT&T is discontinuing is the ability to > use a "call back" number from Kenya to the US. It is very > likely that the call back numbers which are 0800 numbers > are no longer profitable for AT&T especially given that > they cost as high as $3/min. Technically they are > supposed to be cheaper to use than if one was to "call > back" the US direct from any other country be it Kenya or > the UK. However with AT&T's rate to call the US from > Kenya as high as it is and with local providers beating > their tariffs they may have opted to drop this service. > What this might do, is it might leave AT&T US based > customers unable to call the US using their AT&T calling > cards for what would otherwise be exorbitant prices. > > The wording of the AT&T notice on the lack of no future > support for calls originating from Kenya wasn't very > clear and after some digging around it appears that it > referred to users of AT&T who utilize call back services > while traveling overseas, it might just be due to stiff > competition now that VOIP has been deregulated and > tariffs have fallen (though not low enough) and that no > one in their right mind would be willing to pay $3+ per > minute for a call to the US when for a extremely small > fraction one could make the same phone call at a lower > rate. > > Even then the tariffs in general are not fair enough for > Kenyan consumers and it is an uphill battle to enforce > changes when some of the largest tax payers happen to be > communication providers. It is unthinkable that the > government would do much to jeopardize a large and steady > tax revenue stream to save the honorable consumer. > Increasingly huge profits in a formerly depressed and now > recovering economy like ours raise the question whether > the consumer is getting a fair deal. It is akin to oil > companies making several times over some nations GDP in > profits and claiming that they are struggling themselves > and offering the best prices possible. Price regulation > in the industry is something that should be looked into > to further to try and strike a fair balance between > consumers needs and investors return on equity. > > Mike > > On 2/18/07, Alex Gakuru <alex.gakuru(a)yahoo.com> wrote: > Mike: > > Although this is a consumer issue, you may notice we have > quite some domestic wars with the prevailing > anti-consumer setting, http://ictconsumer.blogspot.com/ > for example. > > By engaging foreign networks, I am afraid the ICT > Consumers Association of Kenya could be considered acting > ultra vires thus the Ministry of Information and > Communications, CCK, and perhaps also Foreign Affairs are > best suited to comment. > > Would a provocative question, like "why has a private US > telco unilaterally cut-off communication from Kenya to > the US jeopardizing both a basic human right and the > national outsourcing strategy" earn a quick response from > government? > > rgds, > > Alex > > Mike Theuri <mike.theuri(a)gmail.com> wrote: As an after > thought, this may mean calls dialed through this number > which by itself is a very expensive option and which may > reflect the effects of voip and lowered costs of > international calls: > > Kenya 0-800-2201-15 (608) > > On 2/18/07, Mike Theuri <mike.theuri(a)gmail.com> wrote: > Does anyone know why the below might be the case ? AT&T > printed this in small print on bills sent to customer in > January. Considering > that AT&T is the largest telco in the US this is a > serious issue : > > International Call Origination: > Effective March 1, 2007, our International Call > Origination service will change. Current access > numbers for calls originating internationally > will change. Please visit att.com/dialing-guide > to print the new dialing-guide for your reference; > or call the number on your bill to order a new > dialing guide. Calls from Kenya to US will > no longer be supported. International to > international calling from St. Martin will no > longer be supported. Also, International > service will be expanded to over 60 additional > countries. To find out rates and countries where > we provide service, please visit > att.com/intl-rates. > > > > > _______________________________________________ > 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 > > > --------------------------------- > The fish are biting. > Get more visitors on your site using Yahoo! Search > Marketing. > > _______________________________________________ > 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/mike.theuri%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/alex.gakuru%40yahoo.com > > > --------------------------------- > Sucker-punch spam with award-winning protection. > Try the free Yahoo! Mail Beta.> _______________________________________________ > 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/jwalu%40yahoo.com ____________________________________________________________________________________ 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 _______________________________________________ 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 ____________________________________________________________________________________ We won't tell. Get more on shows you hate to love (and love to hate): Yahoo! TV's Guilty Pleasures list. http://tv.yahoo.com/collections/265

3 3

Re: [kictanet] E-Centre in Eastlands-Kimathi Estate
by Jose' 21 Feb '07

21 Feb '07

Thanx Judy, Yeah its n awesome centre. How is the website? out of 10?let me know what y'all find it.Is it opening fast at your end?Am being told that in some places it aint opening I wonder why :-( Give me a call we shall organize a mtg.It will be exciting to show what we do through empowering the youth. Best Regards, Jose' Njuki-Imwe Ngunjiri || +254 722 336754 || ----- Original Message ---- From: Judy Okite <judyokite(a)gmail.com> To: ngunjirijnr(a)yahoo.com Sent: Wednesday, February 21, 2007 2:52:08 PM Subject: Re: [kictanet] E-Centre in Eastlands-Kimathi Estate This is soo cool...Jose, I need to link up with you of the list...please.... Kind Regards, On 2/21/07, Jose' <ngunjirijnr(a)yahoo.com> wrote: Checkout, www.kimathiinformationcentre.com some of the pages are still under construction like the forum,chat and guest book pages.Oh! also the donation page :-) We reach out to the Easltands community with free ICT lessons also we are a one stop E-centre. We are in the process of organizing a youth symposium that will focus on preparing youth in creating business proposals,business plans and how to apply for loans and in particular the Youth loan. All keep y'all posted 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, February 20, 2007 7:45:48 PM Subject: Re: [kictanet] Sasanet not working? well, am not a subscriber to them - i got jittery when their registration form had too many of what I thought were personal questions without equivalent demonstration of how they would secure my data... Nway, I just checked their website and it is up and running...so what do you mean when you say they are no longer working? walu. --- Alex Gakuru < alex.gakuru(a)yahoo.com> wrote: > Wouldn't you be curious to find out a very popular free > internet-based www.sasanet.co.ke is now no longer > working? I wonder why? > > /Alex > > Mike Theuri <mike.theuri(a)gmail.com> wrote: Alex, > > Thank you for sharing the blog on the anti-consumer > setting in the country. The blog has very useful > information that is not being shared with Kenyan > consumers and it is key that consumer rights are upheld. > Your blog out to be brought to more attention of key > stakeholders in ICT and to consumers alike. > > Yes, the Ministry and CCK are best placed to > authoritatively comment on such an issue. However I > believe that what AT&T is discontinuing is the ability to > use a "call back" number from Kenya to the US. It is very > likely that the call back numbers which are 0800 numbers > are no longer profitable for AT&T especially given that > they cost as high as $3/min. Technically they are > supposed to be cheaper to use than if one was to "call > back" the US direct from any other country be it Kenya or > the UK. However with AT&T's rate to call the US from > Kenya as high as it is and with local providers beating > their tariffs they may have opted to drop this service. > What this might do, is it might leave AT&T US based > customers unable to call the US using their AT&T calling > cards for what would otherwise be exorbitant prices. > > The wording of the AT&T notice on the lack of no future > support for calls originating from Kenya wasn't very > clear and after some digging around it appears that it > referred to users of AT&T who utilize call back services > while traveling overseas, it might just be due to stiff > competition now that VOIP has been deregulated and > tariffs have fallen (though not low enough) and that no > one in their right mind would be willing to pay $3+ per > minute for a call to the US when for a extremely small > fraction one could make the same phone call at a lower > rate. > > Even then the tariffs in general are not fair enough for > Kenyan consumers and it is an uphill battle to enforce > changes when some of the largest tax payers happen to be > communication providers. It is unthinkable that the > government would do much to jeopardize a large and steady > tax revenue stream to save the honorable consumer. > Increasingly huge profits in a formerly depressed and now > recovering economy like ours raise the question whether > the consumer is getting a fair deal. It is akin to oil > companies making several times over some nations GDP in > profits and claiming that they are struggling themselves > and offering the best prices possible. Price regulation > in the industry is something that should be looked into > to further to try and strike a fair balance between > consumers needs and investors return on equity. > > Mike > > On 2/18/07, Alex Gakuru < alex.gakuru(a)yahoo.com> wrote: > Mike: > > Although this is a consumer issue, you may notice we have > quite some domestic wars with the prevailing > anti-consumer setting, http://ictconsumer.blogspot.com/ > for example. > > By engaging foreign networks, I am afraid the ICT > Consumers Association of Kenya could be considered acting > ultra vires thus the Ministry of Information and > Communications, CCK, and perhaps also Foreign Affairs are > best suited to comment. > > Would a provocative question, like "why has a private US > telco unilaterally cut-off communication from Kenya to > the US jeopardizing both a basic human right and the > national outsourcing strategy" earn a quick response from > government? > > rgds, > > Alex > > Mike Theuri < mike.theuri(a)gmail.com> wrote: As an after > thought, this may mean calls dialed through this number > which by itself is a very expensive option and which may > reflect the effects of voip and lowered costs of > international calls: > > Kenya 0-800-2201-15 (608) > > On 2/18/07, Mike Theuri < mike.theuri(a)gmail.com> wrote: > Does anyone know why the below might be the case ? AT&T > printed this in small print on bills sent to customer in > January. Considering > that AT&T is the largest telco in the US this is a > serious issue : > > International Call Origination: > Effective March 1, 2007, our International Call > Origination service will change. Current access > numbers for calls originating internationally > will change. Please visit att.com/dialing-guide > to print the new dialing-guide for your reference; > or call the number on your bill to order a new > dialing guide. Calls from Kenya to US will > no longer be supported. International to > international calling from St. Martin will no > longer be supported. Also, International > service will be expanded to over 60 additional > countries. To find out rates and countries where > we provide service, please visit > att.com/intl-rates. > > > > > _______________________________________________ > 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 > > > --------------------------------- > The fish are biting. > Get more visitors on your site using Yahoo! Search > Marketing. > > _______________________________________________ > 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/mike.theuri%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/alex.gakuru%40yahoo.com > > > --------------------------------- > Sucker-punch spam with award-winning protection. > Try the free Yahoo! Mail Beta.> _______________________________________________ > 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/jwalu%40yahoo.com ____________________________________________________________________________________ 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 _______________________________________________ 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 It's here! Your new message! Get new email alerts with the free Yahoo! Toolbar. _______________________________________________ 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/judyokite%40gmail.com -- Judy Ann Okite, +254-721237507 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." _______________________________________________ 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 ____________________________________________________________________________________ Want to start your own business? Learn how on Yahoo! Small Business. http://smallbusiness.yahoo.com/r-index

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Re: [kictanet] Sasanet not working?
by Jose' 21 Feb '07

21 Feb '07

I think they are just maintaining there systems.I use the Sasanet not only to send free sms' but also store my names in their address book this is one way of making your mind at ease when Mathira's crew do the "needful" to your "Hallo Moto!" phone. Lets give them a chance.we wait.Patience is a virtue. Best Regards, Jose' Njuki-Imwe Ngunjiri ----- Original Message ---- From: Judy Okite <judyokite(a)gmail.com> To: ngunjirijnr(a)yahoo.com Sent: Wednesday, February 21, 2007 2:46:43 PM Subject: Re: [kictanet] Sasanet not working? In simpler English, Sasanet gives its subscribers an opportunity to send 10 sms's free to the local network(celtel or safcom)a total of 90 characters...then an advert takes up the rest of the characters,to make 160(a norm sms). For this service to be provided..sasanet fully depends on the sposnsors(adverts),like any other business definately you cannot give your clients the real reason as to why the services are not available.........but there are no sponsors...as per now to support the free sms......if any one one has been using this services,frequently,then you can agree that it has been an ON/OFF...kind of service...but since its free why make noise? just keep checking till it works......So there's no need to panic, it has nothing to with AT&T or something fishy,reading between the lines..... Kind Regards, On 2/21/07, Jose' <ngunjirijnr(a)yahoo.com> wrote: Hi Walu, What Alex is expressing is the free sms service that sasanet gives.Everything else is up and running except the free sms service thats why we use it. I copied and pasted this from the site FYI "Due to a system upgrade that is currently in progress, the Sasanet Free sms service and purchase of sms credits are temporarily unavailable. Please check back again later." We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience caused, but strive to continually improve our service to you. Best Regards, Njuki-Imwe ----- Original Message ---- From: John Walubengo <jwalu(a)yahoo.com> To: ngunjirijnr(a)yahoo.com Sent: Tuesday, February 20, 2007 7:45:48 PM Subject: Re: [kictanet] Sasanet not working? well, am not a subscriber to them - i got jittery when their registration form had too many of what I thought were personal questions without equivalent demonstration of how they would secure my data... Nway, I just checked their website and it is up and running...so what do you mean when you say they are no longer working? walu. --- Alex Gakuru <alex.gakuru(a)yahoo.com> wrote: > Wouldn't you be curious to find out a very popular free > internet-based www.sasanet.co.ke is now no longer > working? I wonder why? > > /Alex > > Mike Theuri <mike.theuri(a)gmail.com> wrote: Alex, > > Thank you for sharing the blog on the anti-consumer > setting in the country. The blog has very useful > information that is not being shared with Kenyan > consumers and it is key that consumer rights are upheld. > Your blog out to be brought to more attention of key > stakeholders in ICT and to consumers alike. > > Yes, the Ministry and CCK are best placed to > authoritatively comment on such an issue. However I > believe that what AT&T is discontinuing is the ability to > use a "call back" number from Kenya to the US. It is very > likely that the call back numbers which are 0800 numbers > are no longer profitable for AT&T especially given that > they cost as high as $3/min. Technically they are > supposed to be cheaper to use than if one was to "call > back" the US direct from any other country be it Kenya or > the UK. However with AT&T's rate to call the US from > Kenya as high as it is and with local providers beating > their tariffs they may have opted to drop this service. > What this might do, is it might leave AT&T US based > customers unable to call the US using their AT&T calling > cards for what would otherwise be exorbitant prices. > > The wording of the AT&T notice on the lack of no future > support for calls originating from Kenya wasn't very > clear and after some digging around it appears that it > referred to users of AT&T who utilize call back services > while traveling overseas, it might just be due to stiff > competition now that VOIP has been deregulated and > tariffs have fallen (though not low enough) and that no > one in their right mind would be willing to pay $3+ per > minute for a call to the US when for a extremely small > fraction one could make the same phone call at a lower > rate. > > Even then the tariffs in general are not fair enough for > Kenyan consumers and it is an uphill battle to enforce > changes when some of the largest tax payers happen to be > communication providers. It is unthinkable that the > government would do much to jeopardize a large and steady > tax revenue stream to save the honorable consumer. > Increasingly huge profits in a formerly depressed and now > recovering economy like ours raise the question whether > the consumer is getting a fair deal. It is akin to oil > companies making several times over some nations GDP in > profits and claiming that they are struggling themselves > and offering the best prices possible. Price regulation > in the industry is something that should be looked into > to further to try and strike a fair balance between > consumers needs and investors return on equity. > > Mike > > On 2/18/07, Alex Gakuru <alex.gakuru(a)yahoo.com> wrote: > Mike: > > Although this is a consumer issue, you may notice we have > quite some domestic wars with the prevailing > anti-consumer setting, http://ictconsumer.blogspot.com/ > for example. > > By engaging foreign networks, I am afraid the ICT > Consumers Association of Kenya could be considered acting > ultra vires thus the Ministry of Information and > Communications, CCK, and perhaps also Foreign Affairs are > best suited to comment. > > Would a provocative question, like "why has a private US > telco unilaterally cut-off communication from Kenya to > the US jeopardizing both a basic human right and the > national outsourcing strategy" earn a quick response from > government? > > rgds, > > Alex > > Mike Theuri <mike.theuri(a)gmail.com > wrote: As an after > thought, this may mean calls dialed through this number > which by itself is a very expensive option and which may > reflect the effects of voip and lowered costs of > international calls: > > Kenya 0-800-2201-15 (608) > > On 2/18/07, Mike Theuri <mike.theuri(a)gmail.com > wrote: > Does anyone know why the below might be the case ? AT&T > printed this in small print on bills sent to customer in > January. Considering > that AT&T is the largest telco in the US this is a > serious issue : > > International Call Origination: > Effective March 1, 2007, our International Call > Origination service will change. Current access > numbers for calls originating internationally > will change. Please visit att.com/dialing-guide > to print the new dialing-guide for your reference; > or call the number on your bill to order a new > dialing guide. Calls from Kenya to US will > no longer be supported. International to > international calling from St. Martin will no > longer be supported. Also, International > service will be expanded to over 60 additional > countries. To find out rates and countries where > we provide service, please visit > att.com/intl-rates. > > > > > _______________________________________________ > 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 > > > --------------------------------- > The fish are biting. > Get more visitors on your site using Yahoo! Search > Marketing. > > _______________________________________________ > 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/mike.theuri%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/alex.gakuru%40yahoo.com > > > --------------------------------- > Sucker-punch spam with award-winning protection. > Try the free Yahoo! Mail Beta.> _______________________________________________ > 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/jwalu%40yahoo.com ____________________________________________________________________________________ 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 _______________________________________________ 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 TV dinner still cooling? Check out "Tonight's Picks" on Yahoo! TV. _______________________________________________ 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/judyokite%40gmail.com -- Judy Ann Okite, +254-721237507 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." _______________________________________________ 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 ____________________________________________________________________________________ Don't get soaked. Take a quick peak at the forecast with the Yahoo! Search weather shortcut. http://tools.search.yahoo.com/shortcuts/#loc_weather

1 0

E-Centre in Eastlands-Kimathi Estate
by Jose' 21 Feb '07

21 Feb '07

Checkout, www.kimathiinformationcentre.com some of the pages are still under construction like the forum,chat and guest book pages.Oh! also the donation page :-) We reach out to the Easltands community with free ICT lessons also we are a one stop E-centre. We are in the process of organizing a youth symposium that will focus on preparing youth in creating business proposals,business plans and how to apply for loans and in particular the Youth loan. All keep y'all posted 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, February 20, 2007 7:45:48 PM Subject: Re: [kictanet] Sasanet not working? well, am not a subscriber to them - i got jittery when their registration form had too many of what I thought were personal questions without equivalent demonstration of how they would secure my data... Nway, I just checked their website and it is up and running...so what do you mean when you say they are no longer working? walu. --- Alex Gakuru <alex.gakuru(a)yahoo.com> wrote: > Wouldn't you be curious to find out a very popular free > internet-based www.sasanet.co.ke is now no longer > working? I wonder why? > > /Alex > > Mike Theuri <mike.theuri(a)gmail.com> wrote: Alex, > > Thank you for sharing the blog on the anti-consumer > setting in the country. The blog has very useful > information that is not being shared with Kenyan > consumers and it is key that consumer rights are upheld. > Your blog out to be brought to more attention of key > stakeholders in ICT and to consumers alike. > > Yes, the Ministry and CCK are best placed to > authoritatively comment on such an issue. However I > believe that what AT&T is discontinuing is the ability to > use a "call back" number from Kenya to the US. It is very > likely that the call back numbers which are 0800 numbers > are no longer profitable for AT&T especially given that > they cost as high as $3/min. Technically they are > supposed to be cheaper to use than if one was to "call > back" the US direct from any other country be it Kenya or > the UK. However with AT&T's rate to call the US from > Kenya as high as it is and with local providers beating > their tariffs they may have opted to drop this service. > What this might do, is it might leave AT&T US based > customers unable to call the US using their AT&T calling > cards for what would otherwise be exorbitant prices. > > The wording of the AT&T notice on the lack of no future > support for calls originating from Kenya wasn't very > clear and after some digging around it appears that it > referred to users of AT&T who utilize call back services > while traveling overseas, it might just be due to stiff > competition now that VOIP has been deregulated and > tariffs have fallen (though not low enough) and that no > one in their right mind would be willing to pay $3+ per > minute for a call to the US when for a extremely small > fraction one could make the same phone call at a lower > rate. > > Even then the tariffs in general are not fair enough for > Kenyan consumers and it is an uphill battle to enforce > changes when some of the largest tax payers happen to be > communication providers. It is unthinkable that the > government would do much to jeopardize a large and steady > tax revenue stream to save the honorable consumer. > Increasingly huge profits in a formerly depressed and now > recovering economy like ours raise the question whether > the consumer is getting a fair deal. It is akin to oil > companies making several times over some nations GDP in > profits and claiming that they are struggling themselves > and offering the best prices possible. Price regulation > in the industry is something that should be looked into > to further to try and strike a fair balance between > consumers needs and investors return on equity. > > Mike > > On 2/18/07, Alex Gakuru <alex.gakuru(a)yahoo.com> wrote: > Mike: > > Although this is a consumer issue, you may notice we have > quite some domestic wars with the prevailing > anti-consumer setting, http://ictconsumer.blogspot.com/ > for example. > > By engaging foreign networks, I am afraid the ICT > Consumers Association of Kenya could be considered acting > ultra vires thus the Ministry of Information and > Communications, CCK, and perhaps also Foreign Affairs are > best suited to comment. > > Would a provocative question, like "why has a private US > telco unilaterally cut-off communication from Kenya to > the US jeopardizing both a basic human right and the > national outsourcing strategy" earn a quick response from > government? > > rgds, > > Alex > > Mike Theuri <mike.theuri(a)gmail.com> wrote: As an after > thought, this may mean calls dialed through this number > which by itself is a very expensive option and which may > reflect the effects of voip and lowered costs of > international calls: > > Kenya 0-800-2201-15 (608) > > On 2/18/07, Mike Theuri <mike.theuri(a)gmail.com> wrote: > Does anyone know why the below might be the case ? AT&T > printed this in small print on bills sent to customer in > January. Considering > that AT&T is the largest telco in the US this is a > serious issue : > > International Call Origination: > Effective March 1, 2007, our International Call > Origination service will change. Current access > numbers for calls originating internationally > will change. Please visit att.com/dialing-guide > to print the new dialing-guide for your reference; > or call the number on your bill to order a new > dialing guide. Calls from Kenya to US will > no longer be supported. International to > international calling from St. Martin will no > longer be supported. Also, International > service will be expanded to over 60 additional > countries. To find out rates and countries where > we provide service, please visit > att.com/intl-rates. > > > > > _______________________________________________ > 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 > > > --------------------------------- > The fish are biting. > Get more visitors on your site using Yahoo! Search > Marketing. > > _______________________________________________ > 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/mike.theuri%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/alex.gakuru%40yahoo.com > > > --------------------------------- > Sucker-punch spam with award-winning protection. > Try the free Yahoo! Mail Beta.> _______________________________________________ > 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/jwalu%40yahoo.com ____________________________________________________________________________________ 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 _______________________________________________ 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 ____________________________________________________________________________________ TV dinner still cooling? Check out "Tonight's Picks" on Yahoo! TV. http://tv.yahoo.com/

3 2

AT&T to no longer support calls originating from Kenya
by Mike Theuri 21 Feb '07

21 Feb '07

Does anyone know why the below might be the case ? AT&T printed this in small print on bills sent to customer in January. Considering that AT&T is the largest telco in the US this is a serious issue : International Call Origination: Effective March 1, 2007, our International Call Origination service will change. Current access numbers for calls originating internationally will change. Please visit att.com/dialing-guide to print the new dialing-guide for your reference; or call the number on your bill to order a new dialing guide. Calls from Kenya to US will no longer be supported. International to international calling from St. Martin will no longer be supported. Also, International service will be expanded to over 60 additional countries. To find out rates and countries where we provide service, please visit att.com/intl-rates.

4 6

Accountability Statement
by Wainaina Mungai 21 Feb '07

21 Feb '07

"What Kibaki has doen with your money" http://www.communication.go.ke/development/default.asp ....an interesting read! --- 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.

1 0

Re: [kictanet] Sasanet
by Mike Theuri 21 Feb '07

21 Feb '07

Perhaps there is more than meets the eye considering their site seems to be up and running per a visual inspection ? Is there more behind the scenes that might not be obvious ? On 2/19/07, Alex Gakuru <alex.gakuru(a)yahoo.com> wrote: > > Wouldn't you be curious to find out a very popular free internet-based > www.sasanet.co.ke is now no longer working? I wonder why? > > /Alex > > *Mike Theuri <mike.theuri(a)gmail.com>* wrote: > > Alex, > > Thank you for sharing the blog on the anti-consumer setting in the > country. The blog has very useful information that is not being shared with > Kenyan consumers and it is key that consumer rights are upheld. Your blog > out to be brought to more attention of key stakeholders in ICT and to > consumers alike. > > Yes, the Ministry and CCK are best placed to authoritatively comment on > such an issue. However I believe that what AT&T is discontinuing is the > ability to use a "call back" number from Kenya to the US. It is very likely > that the call back numbers which are 0800 numbers are no longer profitable > for AT&T especially given that they cost as high as $3/min. Technically they > are supposed to be cheaper to use than if one was to "call back" the US > direct from any other country be it Kenya or the UK. However with AT&T's > rate to call the US from Kenya as high as it is and with local providers > beating their tariffs they may have opted to drop this service. What this > might do, is it might leave AT&T US based customers unable to call the US > using their AT&T calling cards for what would otherwise be exorbitant > prices. > > The wording of the AT&T notice on the lack of no future support for calls > originating from Kenya wasn't very clear and after some digging around it > appears that it referred to users of AT&T who utilize call back services > while traveling overseas, it might just be due to stiff competition now that > VOIP has been deregulated and tariffs have fallen (though not low enough) > and that no one in their right mind would be willing to pay $3+ per minute > for a call to the US when for a extremely small fraction one could make the > same phone call at a lower rate. > > Even then the tariffs in general are not fair enough for Kenyan consumers > and it is an uphill battle to enforce changes when some of the largest tax > payers happen to be communication providers. It is unthinkable that the > government would do much to jeopardize a large and steady tax revenue stream > to save the honorable consumer. Increasingly huge profits in a formerly > depressed and now recovering economy like ours raise the question whether > the consumer is getting a fair deal. It is akin to oil companies making > several times over some nations GDP in profits and claiming that they are > struggling themselves and offering the best prices possible. Price > regulation in the industry is something that should be looked into to > further to try and strike a fair balance between consumers needs and > investors return on equity. > > Mike > > On 2/18/07, Alex Gakuru <alex.gakuru(a)yahoo.com> wrote: > > > > Mike: > > > > Although this is a consumer issue, you may notice we have quite some > > domestic wars with the prevailing anti-consumer setting, > > http://ictconsumer.blogspot.com/ for example. > > > > By engaging foreign networks, I am afraid the ICT Consumers Association > > of Kenya could be considered acting ultra vires thus the Ministry of > > Information and Communications, CCK, and perhaps also Foreign Affairs are > > best suited to comment. > > > > Would a provocative question, like "why has a private US telco > > unilaterally cut-off communication from Kenya to the US jeopardizing both a > > basic human right and the national outsourcing strategy" earn a quick > > response from government? > > > > rgds, > > > > Alex > > > > *Mike Theuri <mike.theuri(a)gmail.com>* wrote: > > > > As an after thought, this may mean calls dialed through this number > > which by itself is a very expensive option and which may reflect the effects > > of voip and lowered costs of international calls: > > > > Kenya 0-800-2201-15 (608) > > > > On 2/18/07, Mike Theuri <mike.theuri(a)gmail.com> wrote: > > > > > > Does anyone know why the below might be the case ? AT&T printed this > > > in small print on bills sent to customer in January. Considering > > > that AT&T is the largest telco in the US this is a serious issue : > > > > > > International Call Origination: > > > Effective March 1, 2007, our International Call > > > Origination service will change. Current access > > > numbers for calls originating internationally > > > will change. Please visit att.com/dialing-guide > > > to print the new dialing-guide for your reference; > > > or call the number on your bill to order a new > > > dialing guide. Calls from Kenya to US will > > > no longer be supported. International to > > > international calling from St. Martin will no > > > longer be supported. Also, International > > > service will be expanded to over 60 additional > > > countries. To find out rates and countries where > > > we provide service, please visit > > > att.com/intl-rates. > > > > > > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > > 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 > > > > > > ------------------------------ > > The fish are biting. > > Get more visitors<http://us.rd.yahoo.com/evt=49679/*http://searchmarketing.yahoo.com/arp/spon…>on your site using Yahoo! > > Search Marketing. > > > > _______________________________________________ > > 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/mike.theuri%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/alex.gakuru%40yahoo.com > > > ------------------------------ > Sucker-punch spam with award-winning protection. > Try the free Yahoo! Mail Beta. > > > _______________________________________________ > 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/mike.theuri%40gmail.com >

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advice if I can place my opinion
by Jose' 21 Feb '07

21 Feb '07

please advice if I can post my opinions because I am getting a bounced mail always. Best Regards, Jose' Njuki-Imwe Ngunjiri || +254 722 336754 || ____________________________________________________________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Everyone is raving about the all-new Yahoo! Mail beta. http://new.mail.yahoo.com

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DAY 5... How would users update their data ? and WHAT IS THE WAY FORWARD
by joseph kihanya 21 Feb '07

21 Feb '07

Dear all, Any last views...before we close today's and the entire discussion prior to the meeting on tuesday?... regards Kihanya ____________________________________________________________________________________ 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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Kenya Telecentre Network Workshop
by chelimo kenneth 20 Feb '07

20 Feb '07

Dear All, The First Kenya Telecentre Network workshop takes place from 21-23rd February, 2007 at Busia Trailer Inn Hotel in western Kenya. The workshop is being facilitated jointly by Ugunja Community Resource Centre (www.ugunja.org) a rural based resource centre in Siaya district, Kenya Telecentre Network and Ugabytes Initiative (www.ugabytes.org) . Ugabytes initiative based in Uganda is the telecentre network support organization in East and Central Africa. It is affiliated to the international network support organization www.telecentre.org a project of IDRC based in Canada. The theme of the workshop is using telecentres to bridge the digital divide between rural and urban communities in Kenya. The workshop has received substantive support from other organizations mainly from Microsoft International which has expressed interest in empowering rural communities with ICTs using telecentres as access points to disadvantaged communities in Kenya. The workshop will be a follow up of East Africa and Africa Leaders Telecentre forums held in Uganda (October,2006) and Benin (November) respectively. Among deliberations expected will be on internet connectivity and ISPs in rural areas, sustainability and management of telecentres, women,youth and ICTs,ICT policy and government involvement etc. Participants will be drawn from various models of telecentres (resource and information centres) based in rural and slum communities across the country . Ken Chelimo National Coordinator, Kenya Telecentre Network --------------------------------- Check out the all-new Yahoo! Mail beta - Fire up a more powerful email and get things done faster.

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Reliance to build submarine cable to rival EASSy
by Rebecca Wanjiku 20 Feb '07

20 Feb '07

some food for thought before the friday meeting........ Reliance to build submarine cable to rival EASSy By A CORRESPONDENT The EastAfrican Reliance Corporation, one of India's largest information technology firms, says that it will construct a submarine cable along the eastern Africa seaboard by 2009. The fibre optic cable, the company said recently, will link South Africa and Kenya, and also serve Tanzania, Mauritius, Mozambique and Madagascar as well as some land-locked countries. The cable link will be laid down by Reliance subsidiary, Flag Telecom Last December, Reliance announced that it would invest $1.5 billion to put up the world s most extensive Internet access network through submarine cables covering more than 60 countries. News of the latest plans to lay a cable along the eastern seaboard are likely to cause a certain level of alarm among the partner states involved with the controversy-prone East African Submarine Cable System (EASSy) cable. By last December, only 12 countries out of the targeted 23 stretching from South Africa to the Sudan had pledged support to the project. Proponents of an eastern seaboard fibre optic cable say that it would lower Internet slashing bandwidth costs by as much as a third, and spur the development of outsourcing centres along the eastern coast to compete with similar centres in Asia. Valued at $300 million, EASSy itself is planned to run from Mtunzini in South Africa to Port Sudan in Sudan, with landing points in six countries, and connected to at least five landlocked countries. The thinking is that these countries will subsequently no longer have to rely on expensive satellite systems to carry voice and data services. The project, to be funded largely by the World Bank and the Development Bank of Southern Africa, was initiated on January 2003. Since inception, however, the EASSy project which is now expected to be completed by the end of 2008 has been dogged by disagreements over financing and access among partner states, with Kenya opting to sit the project out. Kenyan officials were reportedly particularly peeved by South African efforts to control the project, reports indicated. Last September, Kenya announced that it would seek funding to finance its own undersea cable running from Mombasa to Fujairah in the Gulf of Oman in a bid to accelerate the emergence of the country a business outsourcing centre. The cable, Nairobi said, would be made available to any interested party along the way. Analysts say that the announcement by Reliance, by introducing a third player, could change the dynamics somewhat, raising the possibility that the Kenyan government may seek a partnership with the Indian multinational to counter-balance the South African-led EAS http://www.nationmedia.com/eastafrican/current/News/News1902078.htm _______________________________________________ secretariat mailing list secretariat(a)kictanet.or.ke http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/secretariat This message was sent to: rebeccawanjiku(a)yahoo.com Unsubscribe or change your options at http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/secretariat/rebeccawanjiku%40yahoo.com ____________________________________________________________________________________ It's here! Your new message! Get new email alerts with the free Yahoo! Toolbar. http://tools.search.yahoo.com/toolbar/features/mail/

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FOI meeting Tuesday feb 20
by Rebecca Wanjiku 19 Feb '07

19 Feb '07

just a reminder that the meeting on FOI at KSMS will take place tommorrow please plan to attend KICTANet will present a report of the just concluded list discussion ____________________________________________________________________________________ Get your own web address. Have a HUGE year through Yahoo! Small Business. http://smallbusiness.yahoo.com/domains/?p=BESTDEAL

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TYCO WINS CONTRACT TO BUILD KENYAN GOVT’S FIBRE CABLE
by Rebecca Wanjiku 19 Feb '07

19 Feb '07

more background info for the friday meeting....... TYCO WINS CONTRACT TO BUILD KENYAN GOVTS FIBRE CABLE Communication in Kenya is to set for a major revolution, following the start of an undersea fibre optic link to the rest of the world through Fujairah in the Gulf of Oman. American company Tyco last week won a contract to undertake a marine survey that should be ready in two months, at a cost of Sh187 million. The Government will invite bids any time from now for a financial arranger who will design a plan to raise money for the project, tentatively expected to be complete by early next year. The contract will be awarded competitively by April this year. The Government, through Telkom Kenya, is working with Dubai-based Etisalat, a telecoms company, to build the cable. The private sector will be invited to either buy shares, or to prove its capacity to raise funds through plans worked out by the financial arranger. Information and Communication minister Mutahi Kagwe says fast-tracking the East African Marine System (Teams) will ensure that Kenya does not lag behind in information and communication technology (ICT). "The East African coast is the only one without a fibre optic cable. We are racing against time," he said. The cost of data transmission would come down, leading to lower cost of communication. The price of a megabyte is expected to plunge from a high of Sh490,000 (US$7,000) to Sh14,000 (US$200). All East Africa countries are part of the project, while Ethiopia wants to join them. The project was conceived by the Kenya Government after it became evident that a similar one from South Africa to Port Sudan, popularly called East Africa Sub-Marine Cable System (EASSY) would not take off. Kenya declined to sign the EASSY project protocol, citing inclusion of the New Partnership for Africa Development (Nepad) into the programme without specifying its mandate. Also, Kenya opposed Nepad's attempts to own the project, saying the group should not be involved as that would negate its noble concepts. The country also took issue with non-involvement of the private sector as it would be difficult to implement the protocol without it, once it was signed. But Kenya will not pull out of EASSY. It will remain a key participant and use it as back-up should there be any breakdown of Teams project. "We decided to work on a parallel project after it became difficult to make decisions on the EASSY one. The latter had too many players, some of whom were coming in every other day. But we will be involved in the project...The more the cables, the better. That will induce competition, which will bring down the prices". (SOURCE: The Nation) _______________________________________________ secretariat mailing list secretariat(a)kictanet.or.ke http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/secretariat This message was sent to: rebeccawanjiku(a)yahoo.com Unsubscribe or change your options at http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/secretariat/rebeccawanjiku%40yahoo.com ____________________________________________________________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Everyone is raving about the all-new Yahoo! Mail beta. http://new.mail.yahoo.com

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NCC DEMANDS US$150M FOR 3G LICENCE IN NIGERIA
by alice＠apc.org 19 Feb '07

19 Feb '07

>From Balancing Act ---------------------------------------------------------------------- NCC DEMANDS US$150M FOR 3G LICENCE IN NIGERIA The Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC) has placed a reserve price of US$150 million on its Third Generation (3G) licence that it plans to issue in seven categories through public auction from April 2, this year. NCC's Head of Public Affairs, Dave Imoko, disclosed in Abuja that the licence to be offered include universal access, digital mobile, fixed wireless access, and metropolitan fibre cable network licenses. Other spectrum on the card were the national carrier and the private network link licenses. He explained that bidders have up to Feb. 16, to submit their letters of interest, but warned that companies applying for the licence must have no link whatsoever. Imoko said the adoption of the auction process in the issuance of the licence was to ensure fairness and promote competition among existing telecommunication operators in the country. The issuance of the 3G licence has been limited to existing GSM operators and is expected to enhance the quality of GSM services and reduce tariffs on subscribers. The spectrum blocks to be made available for auction include the 40MHz of spectrum within the 2GHz band. The Commission, according to him, would offer the spectrum as four paired blocks of 10 MHz. Spectrum pairs, he added, would be separated by a 90MHz duplex spacing. "Blocks will be allocated as follows, Block A:1920-1930MHz paired with 2110-2120 MHz, Block B: 1930-1940MHz, paired with 2120-2130MHz, Block C: 1940-1950, paired with 2130-2140MHz and Block D: 1950-1960MHz paired with 2140-2150MHz." The statement added that "Spectrum will be allocated on a service and technology neutral basis without the specification of guard bands. Licensees will be required to co-ordinate spectrum use to avoid interference. "However, applicants according to the notice will not be required to submit financial or technical plans in the pre-qualification process, except details of company ownership structure and confirmation of compliance with the rules of the auction. "To participate in the auction, a bidder must be a limited liability company incorporated in Nigeria and must not be involved with any other bidder. "A Consortia according to the statement may bid for a licence subject to the requirement that they include a Nigerian telecommunications licensee. Bidders will also be required to lodge a $15million dollars (i.e.10% of Reserve Price) Intention to Bid Deposit with the Commission. The auctioning process will commence on the second of April following the receipt of the expression of interest on February 16, while issue of information memorandum a week later. (SOURCE: This Day)

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Balancing Act Top Story: THE AFRICAN LAKES SALE – QUESTIONS BEGIN TO PILE UP
by alice＠apc.org 19 Feb '07

19 Feb '07

>From Balancing Act TOP STORY: THE AFRICAN LAKES SALE – QUESTIONS BEGIN TO PILE UP _____________________________________________________________________ The sale of African Lakes (the owner of pan-African ISP Africa Online) has had more twists and turns than a Grand Prix race-track. Everyone involved – those selling the company and the two potential buyers – probably only agree on one thing: the sale ought to have been done by now. Russell Southwood looks at the lengthening number of questions emerging from this deal not yet done. On 28 January 2007 in issue 340 we announced erroneously that African Telecoms Company (ATC) had secured 52.66% of African Lakes and increased its offer to £18.50 a share, giving the deal a total value of GBP5.04 million. So in one corner you have African Telecoms Company, a grouping that includes Richard Bell, Kenyan ISP Wananchi, several local Kenyan investors and the US Schneider Media and Holding Group. And in the other corner is South African incumbent telco Telkom that is trying to put together a regional acquisitions strategy that will equip it to face a competitive future. True to form, it refused to say what it was doing: “The reports linking Telkom SA as a bidder for Africa Online are speculative and Telkom will not comment on media speculation”. Telkom had made no public offer at this point despite having been in discussion since an earlier point in 2006. The African Lakes Board did not recommended the ATC offer on the basis that it could obtain more money for shareholders from another bidder, the as-yet-unnamed Telkom. In the third corner is African Lakes that is chaired by David Montgomery, whose main claim to fame has been cutting the cost base of the UK’s Mirror Newspapers after the death of Robert Maxwell. ATC thought it had secured victory because it had acquired an “irrevocable” on the shares of one of the key shareholders, RAB Capital (18.9% of the total shareholding at that point). On 8 February ATC formally issued notice of its increased offer. The offer expires on 23 February. This triggered two things: a frantic scramble by ATC and African Lakes to sign up shareholders to their cause and the need for the somewhat indecisive Telkom to issue a public bid. In its 12 February press release announcing the Telkom bid African Lakes said it had “received strong support for it from shareholders holding more than 60% of the voting rights of the Company. Unfortunately the Panel ruled on Friday that of this number shareholders holding 18.9% of the voting rights cannot have their support counted in favour of the Telkom disposal as their voting rights have passed to ATC as a consequence of them accepting the ATC Offer prior to the Board concluding its negotiations for the Telkom Disposal. Furthermore, attempts by these shareholders to have their acceptances withdrawn were also deemed invalid under the conditions of the ATC Offer”. The Telkom offer was for what was claimed would be £25 per share, valuing the deal at £9.72m. But it emerged on 15 February that as it would only be buying what must be the controlling Africa Online Company – Africa Online (Mauritius) - it would not be dealing with the historic liabilities of African Lakes as a company. These would be dealt with using the cash from the deal and shareholders would be paid on liquidation of the African Lakes Company. Shareholders were assured that the offer figure of £25 a share had been based on a company audit of liabilities. On the same day it issued a correction saying an audit of liabilities had not been completed. Indeed a review of liabilities had only been started. The fight to gain shareholder acceptances was clearly getting tight as on 14 February African Lakes issued a notice saying that it had exercised various share options and issued more share to T Hoare Nominees, Lesley Davey and Paul West: the latter two are both senior Managers of African Lakes and Board members. Furthermore it issued shares to African Lakes employee, George Ezzat. On being rung by a member of the ATC consortium, it is alleged that Ezzat was unaware that the shares had been issued to him. This has been a dense and often complicated struggle for the company and in the interests of comprehension we have sought to summarise events above. But the number of questions that need answering just keeps getting longer: - If there is no audit of African Lakes’ liabilities, how can the company say with any confidence what the final outcome price of the Telkom offer will be to its shareholders? - What were the circumstances in which shares were issued to George Ezzat? Why (as alleged) did Ezzat know nothing about this share option issue when asked about it by an ATC shareholder? Why were additional share options granted during what was clearly an offer period when at least two offers were being publicly discussed? - It is not clear what number of subscribers Africa Online has but it is certain that it has fewer than the figures named in the last publicly available documents. What is the number and what is the Average Revenue Per User? It is one thing for a group of private investors to take a risk of this magnitude but how does a publicly quoted company like Telkom think that it will make a return on the purchase price? What expertise does Telkom have to run a pan-African retail ISP in competitive environments? What has been the success of its existing pan-African connectivity sales operations? Africa Online has the potential to become a pan-African player in the new competitive landscape that includes both voice and data. But it will need determined and experienced management capable of investing more than the purchase price to take it from where it is now to a successful future. Faced with these two potential buyers, who would you choose to carry out this task? ____________________________________________________________________

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Day 4: What Data should be exempted from the Act (access) &
by joseph kihanya 19 Feb '07

19 Feb '07

Dear All, Thank you for all your comments over the last 3 days. Today's theme is veru crucial in that FOI as a right is limited for certain public policy/interest considerations in almost all jurisdictions.The question is how many(how far should they go) of these restrictions should we have and why? The list under the policy are; National security Privacy Confidentiality Public safety Decision making processes Article 19 has under this heading in its Principles of FOI said; PRINCIPLE 4. LIMITED SCOPE OF EXCEPTIONS Exceptions should be clearly and narrowly drawn and subject to strict harm and public interest tests All individual requests for information from public bodies should be met unless the public body can show that the information falls within the scope of the limited regime of exceptions. A refusal to disclose information is not justified unless the public authority can show that the information meets a strict three-part test. The three-part test the information must relate to a legitimate aim listed in the law; disclosure must threaten to cause substantial harm to that aim; and the harm to the aim must be greater than the public interest in having the information. No public bodies should be completely excluded from the ambit of the law, even if the majority of their functions fall within the zone of exceptions. This applies to all branches of government (that is, the executive, legislative and judicial branches) as well as to all A complete list of the legitimate aims which may justify non-disclosure should be provided in the law. This list should include only interests which constitute legitimate grounds for refusing to disclose documents and should be limited to matters such as; law enforcement, privacy, national security, commercial and other confidentiality, public or individual safety, and the effectiveness and integrity of government decision-making processes. Exceptions should be narrowly drawn so as to avoid including material which does not harm the legitimate interest. They should be based on the content, rather than the type, of the document. To meet this standard exceptions should, where relevant, be time-limited. For example, the justification for classifying information on the basis of national security may well disappear after a specific national security threat subsides. Refusals must meet a substantial harm test It is not sufficient that information simply fall within the scope of a legitimate aim listed in the law. The public body must also show that the disclosure of the information would cause substantial harm to that legitimate aim. In some cases, disclosure may benefit as well as harm the aim. For example, the exposure of corruption in the military may at first sight appear to weaken national defence but actually, over time, help to eliminate the corruption and strengthen the armed forces. For non-disclosure to be legitimate in such cases, the net effect of disclosure must be to cause substantial harm to the aim. Overriding public interest Even if it can be shown that disclosure of the information would cause substantial harm to a legitimate aim, the information should still be disclosed if the benefits of disclosure outweigh the harm. For example, certain information may be private in nature but at the same time expose high-level corruption within government. The harm to the legitimate aim must be weighed against the public interest in having the information made public. Where the latter is greater, the law should provide for disclosure of the information. Let us have your views Kihanya ____________________________________________________________________________________ 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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OFC meeting on February 23
by Rebecca Wanjiku 19 Feb '07

19 Feb '07

hi, i am glad that you are planning to come for the OFC meeting at the jacaranda this friday, please fwd your confirmation for logistic purposes, some people have confirmed, so theres no need to reconfirm am waiting for that email. Rebecca Wanjiku, journalist, p.o box 33515, Nairobi.00600 Kenya. Tel. 254 720 318 925 blog:http://beckyit.blogspot.com/ ____________________________________________________________________________________ Cheap talk? Check out Yahoo! Messenger's low PC-to-Phone call rates. http://voice.yahoo.com

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WIRELESS NET NEUTRALITY [Tim Wu]
by Alex Gakuru 17 Feb '07

17 Feb '07

WIRELESS NET NEUTRALITY: CELLULAR CARTERFONE AND CONSUMER CHOICE IN MOBILE BROADBAND [SOURCE: Tim Wu, Professor, Columbia University School of Law] Over the next decade, regulators will spend increasing time on the conflicts between the private interests of the wireless industry and the publics interest in the best uses of its spectrum. This report examines the practices of the wireless industry with an eye toward understanding their influence on innovation and consumer welfare. In many respects, the mobile wireless market is and remains a wonder. Thanks to both policy and technological innovations, devices that were science fiction thirty years ago are now widely available. Over the last decade, wireless mobile has been an infant industry, attempting to achieve economies of scale. That period is over: today, in the United States, there are over 200 million mobile subscribers, and mobile revenues are over $100 billion. As the industry and platform mature, the wireless industry warrants a new look. This report finds a mixed picture. The wireless industry, over the last decade, has succeeded in bringing wireless telephony at competitive prices to the American public. Yet at the same time, we also find the wireless carriers aggressively controlling product design and innovation in the equipment and application markets, to the detriment of consumers. In the wired world, their policies would, in some cases, be considered simply misguided, and in other cases be considered outrageous and perhaps illegal. Four areas warrant particular attention: 1) Network attachments, 2) Product design and feature clipping, 3) Discrimatory broadband services, and 4) Application stall. http://www.newamerica.net/publicati \n \n---------------------------------------------------------- \n WWWhatsup NYC \nhttp://pinstand.com - http://punkcast.com \n---------------------------------------------------------- \n \n \n \n\n \n __._,_.___\n \n \n \n \n Messages in this topic (1)\n \n \n \n Reply (via web post)\n | \n \n Start a new topic \n \n \n \n \n Messages \n | ",1] ); //-->ons/policy/wireless_net_neutrality ---------------------------------------------------------- WWWhatsup NYC http://pinstand.com - http://punkcast.com ---------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------- Need Mail bonding? Go to the Yahoo! Mail Q&A for great tips from Yahoo! Answers users.

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Fw: [COMO Alliance] Oxford Media Law Fellowship
by Florence Etta 16 Feb '07

16 Feb '07

FYI. Sorry for cross posting. Cheers, FE Subject: Oxford Media Law Fellowship Dear Friends, Please see attached and circulate... The time allocated for the process is quite tight! "The closing date is no later than 5.00 pm on the 2nd March. Applications received after this time will not be considered. Please quote reference CX07002 in all correspondence. FAX or e-mail applications will not be accepted. Short-listed candidates will be asked to attend an interview around mid-date." "Mid-date" seems to be mid March! Thanx, Best wishes, David _______________________________________________ COMO_Alliance mailing list COMO_Alliance(a)lists.asc.upenn.edu http://lists.asc.upenn.edu/mailman/listinfo/como_alliance ___________________________________________________________ How much free photo storage do you get? Store your holiday snaps for FREE with Yahoo! Photos http://uk.photos.yahoo.com

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Day 5: How would users update their data ? and WHAT IS THE WAY FORWARD
by joseph kihanya 16 Feb '07

16 Feb '07

Dear All, I am posting this out before Day 5 (tomorrow). It may be that we can take comments on both Day 4 and 5, just as we may take comments on any of the earlier days. No comments are in yet on Day 4. The question of the correction of data held by public bodies and sometimes by private bodies is one that generates interest considering that wrong entries may cause one to suffer hardship or miss on entitlements. Consider the case of retirees and a pension scheme or that of a medical case file.In the latter case, in an emergency, would it be crucial that all your details, including allergies, blood types etc, be absolutely CORRECT? Lets have some views. Kihanya ____________________________________________________________________________________ We won't tell. Get more on shows you hate to love (and love to hate): Yahoo! TV's Guilty Pleasures list. http://tv.yahoo.com/collections/265

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Wirelessweek: It�s All Mobile Now
by Alex Gakuru 16 Feb '07

16 Feb '07

Strange with shillings 1.4 million one WiMAX base station is up and running? ..... Adaptix announced the pricing and availability of its compact mobile base stations and mobile terminals for mobile WiMAX. The companys BX-3000 series of base stations are priced starting at $19,995 for a single-sector configuration, with three-sector configurations starting at $39,995. Adaptix also announced that its BX-3000 base station and San Francisco-300 mobile terminal participated in the recent WiMAX Forum interoperability PlugFest. < http://www.wirelessweek.com/article/CA6379821.html > /Alex --------------------------------- We won't tell. Get more on shows you hate to love (and love to hate): Yahoo! TV's Guilty Pleasures list.

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meetings, please note
by Rebecca Wanjiku 15 Feb '07

15 Feb '07

the ministry is organising FOI workshop on 20th at KSMS registration is thro info(a)information.go.ke the OFC meeting will be held at Jacaranda hotel on 23rd confirmation is thro rebeccawanjiku(a)yahoo.com during this meeting, PS Ndemo will be there to answer questions regarding TEAMS, EASSy, FLAG or any other questions that one may have, starts at 8.30 am to 2pm hope this makes it clear, becky ____________________________________________________________________________________ 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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Re: [kictanet] OFC meeting, friday 23rd
by Jose' 15 Feb '07

15 Feb '07

Where is the venue of the meeting? Best Regards, Jose' Njuki-Imwe Ngunjiri || +254 722 336754 || ----- Original Message ---- From: Rebecca Wanjiku <rebeccawanjiku(a)yahoo.com> To: ngunjirijnr(a)yahoo.com Sent: Thursday, February 15, 2007 8:34:08 AM Subject: [kictanet] OFC meeting, friday 23rd just to let you know that the OFC meeting was changed from the earlier date (22nd) because the PS was not available then, please note in its next friday, 23rd, Rebecca Wanjiku, journalist, p.o box 33515, Nairobi.00600 Kenya. Tel. 254 720 318 925 blog:http://beckyit.blogspot.com/ Have a burning question? Go to Yahoo! Answers and get answers from real people who know._______________________________________________ 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 ____________________________________________________________________________________ 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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FOI--- how good is it??
by Rebecca Wanjiku 15 Feb '07

15 Feb '07

Kihanya, thanks for the background, some thoughts on some of the questions raised, Right to verses freedom I think it should be freedom of information because in legal terms, the two terms are different. Though am not a lawyer, I read about the positive rights (right to) and the negative rights (freedoms) Now, governments are quick to obey the negative rights as opposed to positive rights. For instance, we can all go and demonstrate about our freedom from torture or detention without trial and the government will easily heed to our demands, (I guess so) But what about other recognized rights like the right to water? Can the government be compelled to honour our right to water, i think the main objective of the FOI should be to protect e-government and accountability but the bill talks about charging a minimal fee to those accessing information, what will happen to those people out of town, it talks about photocopying and perusal charges, but what about provision of such information in electronic format, do we still pay?? and will it serve the overall objective?? Thats my take on it Rebecca Wanjiku, journalist, p.o box 33515, Nairobi.00600 Kenya. Tel. 254 720 318 925 blog:http://beckyit.blogspot.com/ ____________________________________________________________________________________ Now that's room service! Choose from over 150,000 hotels in 45,000 destinations on Yahoo! Travel to find your fit. http://farechase.yahoo.com/promo-generic-14795097

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Day 3: What Policies should inform the FOI?
by joseph kihanya 15 Feb '07

15 Feb '07

Dear Rose, Indeed. FOI is all about each and every individual's right.In some countries it even extends to non-citizens. The contextualization is important. Kihanya ____________________________________________________________________________________ Any questions? Get answers on any topic at www.Answers.yahoo.com. Try it now.

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OFC meeting, friday 23rd
by Rebecca Wanjiku 15 Feb '07

15 Feb '07

just to let you know that the OFC meeting was changed from the earlier date (22nd) because the PS was not available then, please note in its next friday, 23rd, Rebecca Wanjiku, journalist, p.o box 33515, Nairobi.00600 Kenya. Tel. 254 720 318 925 blog:http://beckyit.blogspot.com/ ____________________________________________________________________________________ TV dinner still cooling? Check out "Tonight's Picks" on Yahoo! TV. http://tv.yahoo.com/

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Re: [kictanet] Day 3: What Policies should inform the FOI?
by joseph kihanya 15 Feb '07

15 Feb '07

Dear Dorcas, Indeed. The ICT policy does not mention data protection as a key issue at all. The IC Bill 2006 only mention data protection at section 58,62 and 62 but then only making it an offence to "hack" into protected systems. Nothing about.....deliberate disclosures/ sale..etc of data...how long it should be kept etc. Australia has Data protection/Privacy laws on this see ( a bit old but a good summary) http://www.efa.org.au/Issues/Privacy/privacy.html Kenya will soon require to legislate on this. It may be that the FOI policy may only mention this obliquely as it would require that a separate Bill deals with this issue. Kihanya ----- Original Message ---- From: Dorcas Muthoni <dmuthoni(a)gmail.com> To: kihanyajn(a)yahoo.com Sent: Wednesday, February 14, 2007 7:52:31 PM Subject: Re: [kictanet] Day 3: What Policies should inform the FOI? Hi Kihanya, Want to draw a poniter to a related matter as is being dealt in a different country. Please see the link below. http://searchsecurity.techtarget.com/originalContent/0,289142,sid14_gci1242… Walu had mentioned something related: the protection of consumer data by private companies too. It is important that this is captured. Sorry, cannot find the actual mail on the thread but sure he can relate it. Muthoni On 2/14/07, John Walubengo <jwalu(a)yahoo.com> wrote: Thanx Kihanya for your efforts. Indeed this is a fairly un-convential topic in that it has no obvious or immediate financial connotations - hence the slower responses... But back to my contribution. I think the policy informing the Freedom Of Information bill should look towards empowering the citizens through facilitating their access to knowledge/information. We need to think through how our collective data regarding our heritage, history, social and economic transactions can be harnessed and made to serve the common good. I know this bill has tended to create controversy because it has often been looked at in the narrow terms of the Govt vs the Media i.e. Media seeks info visa-vis Govt sits on Info. True, this could be one of the issues but it should not limit our scope because the bill should be a reflection of broader policy issues that touch on different data sitting on various platforms such as (Private) Media Broadcasters, Mobile service providers, ISPs, eBankers, etc. How for example can KTN be asked to share (or sell) their valuable film clips to the Kenya Archives dept? How can the East African Standard avail their 100years+ data to the public? When or Why should Safaricom/Celtel divulge the SMS transcript of a certain subscriber to the Police, to the Media or the Private Investigator? What kind of data security standards and practices should we place for critical and national data stores such as KRA, KPA, Immigration, etc? What of the Certification Authority (CA) providers that are likely to play a cenral role in a future eCommerce environment, how will they collect, protect and avail their data? So I think these are some of the Policy issues that need to be thrashed out in the process of coming up with the final FOI bill. walu. --- joseph kihanya <kihanyajn(a)yahoo.com> wrote: > Dear All, > > I trust we may now move on to day 3. Those with comments > still on day 1 and 2 can still do so. > The themes were... > > Day 1: Why Freedom of Information (FOI) Act? > Day 2: What are the current modalities for accessing data > held by Data Handlers (Govt or Private Sector)? > > > Today's topic really looks as to waht should be the basic > reasoning behind the FOI policy and hence law. > > The principles listed hereunder have been recognized by > Article 19 ( an international organizatioin dealing with > freedomm of te press and related issues) as what should > guide the FOI laws(policy). > > PRINCIPLE 1. Maximum disclosure > > That the law should seek this as its underpinning > philosophy. > > PRINCIPLE 2. Obligation to publish > > That there should be an obligation to publish and > requests should be for non-crucial/ essential / bulky > information. > > PRINCIPLE 3. Promotion of open government > > That the law should promote / recognise the importance > of open government. > > PRINCIPLE 4. Limited scope of exceptions > > That the exceptions should be clear , precise and > allowable in a democratic society/ i,e should not take > away what the law seeks to grant. > > PRINCIPLE 5. Processes to facilitate access > > Clear processes for request should exist. > > PRINCIPLE 6. Costs > > These should be kept at a minimum for the public has > already paid for the creation of the information through > taxation. > > PRINCIPLE 7. Open meetings > > Other than informnation, there should bea promotion of > open dialogue at decsion making level. > > PRINCIPLE 8. Disclosure takes precedence > > The tests that are to be applied by the commssioner and > the appeal tribunal should seek disclosre unless the > exceptions and the public interest demand otherwise. > > PRINCIPLE 9. Protection for whistleblowers > > That those who disclose information that is in the public > interest, inspite of the exceptions should not be > victimised/ should be protected. > > > Lets go! > > Kihanya > > > > ____________________________________________________________________________________ > 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 > > _______________________________________________ > 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/jwalu%40yahoo.com > ____________________________________________________________________________________ Get your own web address. Have a HUGE year through Yahoo! Small Business. http://smallbusiness.yahoo.com/domains/?p=BESTDEAL _______________________________________________ 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/dmuthoni%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/kihanyajn%40yahoo.com ____________________________________________________________________________________ Cheap talk? Check out Yahoo! Messenger's low PC-to-Phone call rates. http://voice.yahoo.com

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Re: [kictanet] Day 3: What Policies should inform the FOI?
by joseph kihanya 15 Feb '07

15 Feb '07

Hi, Thanks Walu. Between my Intro and your post I think that is the summary for the day! Alex, I am making a comment on your post too. Oh well, day 4 approaches. All the three days themes are open to all until friday when I must summarise al comments to present on Tuesday 20th . Kihanya ----- Original Message ---- From: John Walubengo <jwalu(a)yahoo.com> To: kihanyajn(a)yahoo.com Sent: Wednesday, February 14, 2007 3:42:08 PM Subject: Re: [kictanet] Day 3: What Policies should inform the FOI? Thanx Kihanya for your efforts. Indeed this is a fairly un-convential topic in that it has no obvious or immediate financial connotations - hence the slower responses... But back to my contribution. I think the policy informing the Freedom Of Information bill should look towards empowering the citizens through facilitating their access to knowledge/information. We need to think through how our collective data regarding our heritage, history, social and economic transactions can be harnessed and made to serve the common good. I know this bill has tended to create controversy because it has often been looked at in the narrow terms of the Govt vs the Media i.e. Media seeks info visa-vis Govt sits on Info. True, this could be one of the issues but it should not limit our scope because the bill should be a reflection of broader policy issues that touch on different data sitting on various platforms such as (Private) Media Broadcasters, Mobile service providers, ISPs, eBankers, etc. How for example can KTN be asked to share (or sell) their valuable film clips to the Kenya Archives dept? How can the East African Standard avail their 100years+ data to the public? When or Why should Safaricom/Celtel divulge the SMS transcript of a certain subscriber to the Police, to the Media or the Private Investigator? What kind of data security standards and practices should we place for critical and national data stores such as KRA, KPA, Immigration, etc? What of the Certification Authority (CA) providers that are likely to play a cenral role in a future eCommerce environment, how will they collect, protect and avail their data? So I think these are some of the Policy issues that need to be thrashed out in the process of coming up with the final FOI bill. walu. --- joseph kihanya <kihanyajn(a)yahoo.com> wrote: > Dear All, > > I trust we may now move on to day 3. Those with comments > still on day 1 and 2 can still do so. > The themes were... > > Day 1: Why Freedom of Information (FOI) Act? > Day 2: What are the current modalities for accessing data > held by Data Handlers (Govt or Private Sector)? > > > Today's topic really looks as to waht should be the basic > reasoning behind the FOI policy and hence law. > > The principles listed hereunder have been recognized by > Article 19 ( an international organizatioin dealing with > freedomm of te press and related issues) as what should > guide the FOI laws(policy). > > PRINCIPLE 1. Maximum disclosure > > That the law should seek this as its underpinning > philosophy. > > PRINCIPLE 2. Obligation to publish > > That there should be an obligation to publish and > requests should be for non-crucial/ essential / bulky > information. > > PRINCIPLE 3. Promotion of open government > > That the law should promote / recognise the importance > of open government. > > PRINCIPLE 4. Limited scope of exceptions > > That the exceptions should be clear , precise and > allowable in a democratic society/ i,e should not take > away what the law seeks to grant. > > PRINCIPLE 5. Processes to facilitate access > > Clear processes for request should exist. > > PRINCIPLE 6. Costs > > These should be kept at a minimum for the public has > already paid for the creation of the information through > taxation. > > PRINCIPLE 7. Open meetings > > Other than informnation, there should bea promotion of > open dialogue at decsion making level. > > PRINCIPLE 8. Disclosure takes precedence > > The tests that are to be applied by the commssioner and > the appeal tribunal should seek disclosre unless the > exceptions and the public interest demand otherwise. > > PRINCIPLE 9. Protection for whistleblowers > > That those who disclose information that is in the public > interest, inspite of the exceptions should not be > victimised/ should be protected. > > > Lets go! > > Kihanya > > > > ____________________________________________________________________________________ > 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 > > _______________________________________________ > 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/jwalu%40yahoo.com > ____________________________________________________________________________________ Get your own web address. Have a HUGE year through Yahoo! Small Business. http://smallbusiness.yahoo.com/domains/?p=BESTDEAL _______________________________________________ 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/kihanyajn%40yahoo.com ____________________________________________________________________________________ No need to miss a message. Get email on-the-go with Yahoo! Mail for Mobile. Get started. http://mobile.yahoo.com/mail

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Day 3: What Policies should inform the FOI?
by joseph kihanya 14 Feb '07

14 Feb '07

Dear All, I trust we may now move on to day 3. Those with comments still on day 1 and 2 can still do so. The themes were... Day 1: Why Freedom of Information (FOI) Act? Day 2: What are the current modalities for accessing data held by Data Handlers (Govt or Private Sector)? Today's topic really looks as to waht should be the basic reasoning behind the FOI policy and hence law. The principles listed hereunder have been recognized by Article 19 ( an international organizatioin dealing with freedomm of te press and related issues) as what should guide the FOI laws(policy). PRINCIPLE 1. Maximum disclosure That the law should seek this as its underpinning philosophy. PRINCIPLE 2. Obligation to publish That there should be an obligation to publish and requests should be for non-crucial/ essential / bulky information. PRINCIPLE 3. Promotion of open government That the law should promote / recognise the importance of open government. PRINCIPLE 4. Limited scope of exceptions That the exceptions should be clear , precise and allowable in a democratic society/ i,e should not take away what the law seeks to grant. PRINCIPLE 5. Processes to facilitate access Clear processes for request should exist. PRINCIPLE 6. Costs These should be kept at a minimum for the public has already paid for the creation of the information through taxation. PRINCIPLE 7. Open meetings Other than informnation, there should bea promotion of open dialogue at decsion making level. PRINCIPLE 8. Disclosure takes precedence The tests that are to be applied by the commssioner and the appeal tribunal should seek disclosre unless the exceptions and the public interest demand otherwise. PRINCIPLE 9. Protection for whistleblowers That those who disclose information that is in the public interest, inspite of the exceptions should not be victimised/ should be protected. Lets go! Kihanya ____________________________________________________________________________________ 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

4 3

SU: Kenyan Anti-Corruption Campaigner Accepts Canadian Fellowship: International Development Research Centre
by harry＠africanedevelopment.org 14 Feb '07

14 Feb '07

harryhare (harry(a)africanedevelopment.org) has sent you a site! "Kenyan Anti-Corruption Campaigner Accepts Canadian Fellowship" - Kenyan Anti-Corruption Campaigner Accepts Canadian Fellowship: International Development Research Centre http://www.idrc.ca/en/ev-109139-201-1-DO_TOPIC.html You can see my other favorites here: http://harryhare.stumbleupon.com Thanks, harryhare --- StumbleUpon lets you discover great sites with a single click. Give it a try at: http://www.stumbleupon.com/start.php?friend=2292570&emailcode=yr92pmukdexch…

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Day 3: What Policies should inform the FOI?
by joseph kihanya 14 Feb '07

14 Feb '07

Dear All, We are really in need of views.....Any views. Kihanya ____________________________________________________________________________________ We won't tell. Get more on shows you hate to love (and love to hate): Yahoo! TV's Guilty Pleasures list. http://tv.yahoo.com/collections/265

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OFC meeting
by Rebecca Wanjiku 14 Feb '07

14 Feb '07

RE: FACE TO FACE DISCUSSION Pursuant to the successful online discussion on Optic Fibre Cable(s), KICTANET has organised a face to face meeting on February 23, 2007. The meeting will be a follow-up to the online discussion and meant to facilitate discussions on areas that may not have been well covered in the online forum. 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 Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Information and Communication Dr. Bitange Ndemo will be present to answer any lingering questions or clarifications on the issues discussed. The meeting will be held at the Jacaranda Hotel, Westlands from 8.30 am to 2pm Please plan to attend because your opinion counts. Confirm attendance to Rebecca Wanjiku- rebeccawanjiku(a)yahoo.com Rebecca Wanjiku, journalist, p.o box 33515, Nairobi.00600 Kenya. Tel. 254 720 318 925 blog:http://beckyit.blogspot.com/ ____________________________________________________________________________________ Don't get soaked. Take a quick peak at the forecast with the Yahoo! Search weather shortcut. http://tools.search.yahoo.com/shortcuts/#loc_weather

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Re: [kictanet] Day 1: Why Freedom of Information (FOI) Act? AND Day 2: What are the current modalities for accessing data
by Rebecca Wanjiku 14 Feb '07

14 Feb '07

there are no laws guarding issues such as chief or police asking for your ID, they say they want to know if one is kenyan or not or if one is a wanted criminal or not... the closest we came to dealing with this as i can recall is the IPPG document which said one does not have to walk with the ID, it was however not made law and therefore no mechanism for enforcement. going to sheria house for info.....hmm that is debatable in regard to confidentiality, i think we have a right to est who owns what, but again this is subject to abuse, the case of logbook information given by times tower suffices, crooks were using the information provided to forge logbooks and sell non existent vehicles, so there need for information that can be supplied, maybe minimal information should be provided and like in the Google/Earthlink case, they should define what is minimal information....to make sure we all secure somehow.. about the speeches being posted on respective websites, that will reduce the amount of requests and make sure all ministries update their websites.... ----- Original Message ---- From: Alex Gakuru <alex.gakuru(a)yahoo.com> To: rebeccawanjiku(a)yahoo.com Sent: Tuesday, February 13, 2007 6:22:19 PM Subject: Re: [kictanet] Day 1: Why Freedom of Information (FOI) Act? AND Day 2: What are the current modalities for accessing data This is slightly long contribution and I hope no information overload again... Q: When the police, Chief, etc ask for one's ID, does it expose the individual to tribal discrimination? Q: When one asks Sheria House for registered companies returns, does it breach corporate confidentiality (along the way "babyteleas") ? Q: Is one entitled to archived/historical data within 30 days, for example, the names of all chiefs that served, say, Makadara since independence? Q: Foreign entities operating in government offices, e.g. Maji House, Research Centres, etc must equally be subjected to disclose research information they are collecting.... - "National Interests" must be better defined to safeguard against past abuses. - All government speeches must be published at their respective ministries 'websites within 24 hrs - Companies must disclose personal information collected, the purposes and the uses made - otherwise discriminatory consumer profiling will defeat the spirit of this policy. -------- sorry in case below overloads------ A recent US example on consumer concerns regarding "Information Society, Users Profiling, Privacy and Individual Freedoms" ACLU slams final San Francisco Wi-Fi contract Civil liberties protection group claims the contract EarthLink and Google signed with the city fails to provide ample protection against data collection By Stephen Lawson, IDG News Service February 07, 2007 The ACLU has turned up the political heat on EarthLink and Google's plan for Wi-Fi in San Francisco, telling the city's Board of Supervisors that the proposed contract doesn't have enough privacy or free speech protections. The ACLU of Northern California said in a letter to the supervisors on Tuesday that both EarthLink's paid service and Google's free offering would fall short of most of the group's recommendations on collection and sharing of personal data and possible tracking of users. Among other things, there are no limits on what kind of information EarthLink can or will collect, and terms for the Google service call for requiring "minimal" information on login without defining "minimal," the letter said. In addition to privacy concerns, the group is worried that knowing information is being collected will cause users to limit what they say and do on the Internet. The city and EarthLink agreed on a contract last month, and EarthLink is confident the closely watched project will get off the ground with deployment of a proof-of-concept network starting in April, said company spokesman Jerry Grasso. But the proposal has been under fire since before the contract was completed, and some members of the board have said a municipally owned system would be better for the city. EarthLink negotiated the deal with the city and would build and operate the network, bringing Google in as a tenant providing the free, slower service. Some critics have warned that San Francisco could be giving a virtual monopoly on citywide Wi-Fi to private companies without ensuring user privacy or complete coverage. The ACLU said a municipal Wi-Fi network should let users opt in or out of any service that collects data on what they look at or search for on the Internet, or their e-mail messages. There are no provisions for that in the paid or free service terms, it said. EarthLink can only save location information for 60 days, but there's no limit to how long it can store personal protected information and no limit to how long Google can store any information, the ACLU said. Users of the EarthLink service can opt out of receiving marketing materials, but EarthLink has free reign to share personal information with partner companies that help it deliver or promote the service. Both service providers can hand over users' personal information for law enforcement or national security reasons without a warrant or notification of the user, though they would require "court-ordered documentation" before doing so. If information is sought for a civil suit, EarthLink or Google would have to tell the user first. EarthLink's Grasso declined to comment on the ACLU's letter, saying EarthLink has not seen it. Google and city representatives could not immediately be reached for comment. http://www.infoworld.com /article/07/02/07/Hnaclusfwifi _1.html?source=rss&url=http:/ /www.infoworld.com/article/07 /02/07/Hnaclusfwifi_1.html joseph kihanya <kihanyajn(a)yahoo.com> wrote: Dear all, These is a Summary of the two days posts. Day 1 That FOI should be framed as a right not a freedom. That FOI should seek to protect e-government/ promote accountability That if FOI is through e-government, should it not be at no cost? That FOI will allow for a flow of information thereby eliminating rumours. That the periods of access under the policy are too longi.e 15 and 30 days, the later being after appeal on refusal Day 2 That the current environment for access to information is dictated byb the Official Secrets Act which is understood in government service? that all information is secret.Case in point ICT policy. Thata policy on access( protection) to data held by the private sector is required. ************************* This has come from the two posts which is greatly appreciated by yours truly. The comments are few. The days are going by and it may be that extensions on these tow important themes would have to be extended to tomorrow with the addition of DAY 3's THEME. Does anyone have an idea as to how debate may be stimulated further.The Policy document understandably is not very sassy.....law most times is not...but there must be a way.... Anybody? Also ,Please somebody comment on the Bolivia story.....public interests group persons? Kihanya P.S.I will introduce theme for day 3 tomorrow. ____________________________________________________________________________________ Sucker-punch spam with award-winning protection. Try the free Yahoo! Mail Beta. http://advision.webevents.yahoo.com/mailbeta/features_spam.html _______________________________________________ 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 Everyone is raving about the all-new Yahoo! Mail beta. _______________________________________________ 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 ____________________________________________________________________________________ Expecting? Get great news right away with email Auto-Check. Try the Yahoo! Mail Beta. http://advision.webevents.yahoo.com/mailbeta/newmail_tools.html

2 1

Day 1: Why Freedom of Information (FOI) Act? AND Day 2: What are the current modalities for accessing data
by joseph kihanya 13 Feb '07

13 Feb '07

Dear all, These is a Summary of the two days posts. Day 1 That FOI should be framed as a right not a freedom. That FOI should seek to protect e-government/ promote accountability That if FOI is through e-government, should it not be at no cost? That FOI will allow for a flow of information thereby eliminating rumours. That the periods of access under the policy are too longi.e 15 and 30 days, the later being after appeal on refusal Day 2 That the current environment for access to information is dictated byb the Official Secrets Act which is understood in government service? that all information is secret.Case in point ICT policy. Thata policy on access( protection) to data held by the private sector is required. ************************* This has come from the two posts which is greatly appreciated by yours truly. The comments are few. The days are going by and it may be that extensions on these tow important themes would have to be extended to tomorrow with the addition of DAY 3's THEME. Does anyone have an idea as to how debate may be stimulated further.The Policy document understandably is not very sassy.....law most times is not...but there must be a way.... Anybody? Also ,Please somebody comment on the Bolivia story.....public interests group persons? Kihanya P.S.I will introduce theme for day 3 tomorrow. ____________________________________________________________________________________ Sucker-punch spam with award-winning protection. Try the free Yahoo! Mail Beta. http://advision.webevents.yahoo.com/mailbeta/features_spam.html

2 1

Summarised THEMES- FOI POLICY DAY 1 AND 2
by joseph kihanya 13 Feb '07

13 Feb '07

Dear all, These are the revised thematic guides for the days courtesy of Walu( Thanks a lot guy!). Day 1 issues/ theme continues today( The background info is included again for ease of reference) and contributions on day 2 are welcome. Day 1: Why Freedom of Information (FOI) Act? Day 2: What are the current modalities for accessing data held by Data Handlers (Govt or Private Sector)? Day 3: What Policies should inform the FOI? Day 4: What Data should be exempted from the Act (access) & Why? Day 5: How would users update their data Day 6: Way Forward. ************************************************************************************************************************************ DAY ONE( 1) Background Info What is FOI? Freedom of information is a fundamental right that the United Nations in a resolution in 1946 declared to be the touchstone of all freedoms. It is generally a right of any individual to access information held by government. Is it a right? Why Access? Why freedom? There are many terms used in relation to this. Freedom of Information Right to Know Right of Access to information Right to information They are referring to the same thing and the important point is that they can be interchanged but require that one be selected for use in a particular jurisdiction for consistency. Which one should Kenya Use? The Moderator will use FOI in this first mail. How would FOI help in a country like Kenya? Arguments exist for and against FOI laws. Arguments for. I. It makes government more accountable. II. Increases public participation. III. Promotes human rights. IV. Allows for good decision making V. Protects privacy VI. Makes private companies more accountable. VII. Promotes health VIII. Strengthens the economy IX. Protects the environment What are the arguments against FOI? What are your views on the principles of FOI Laws? What do they mean essentially? Does the policy agree with these principles? PRINCIPLE 1. Maximum disclosure PRINCIPLE 2. Obligation to publish PRINCIPLE 3. Promotion of open government PRINCIPLE 4. Limited scope of exceptions PRINCIPLE 5. Processes to facilitate access PRINCIPLE 6. Costs PRINCIPLE 7. Open meetings PRINCIPLE 8. Disclosure takes precedence PRINCIPLE 9. Protection for whistleblowers What are / should be the Objectives FOI Legislation? Vision Does this capture the intent of the right/ freedom optimally? Mission Does this optimally capture the implementation/purpose of the right/ freedom? Introduction (Entrenching Openness?) Do the introductions in the following paragraphs reflect this? How should they read? Paragraphs 1.1- 3.2.3 My comments; This is policy and resultant Bill/ Act may be the most important thing to happen to our democracy since independence! I feel honoured to be part of this debate. ************************************************************************************************************** DAY TWO(2) What are your thoughts on the current modalities / Existing Framework for managing information held by public/ private organizations. Is is known? Does it serve a purpose? What purpose should it primarily serve? Should the dat be protected? Accessible? By whom? for what reason? How long should data be held? Lets go. Kihanya ____________________________________________________________________________________ Don't get soaked. Take a quick peak at the forecast with the Yahoo! Search weather shortcut. http://tools.search.yahoo.com/shortcuts/#loc_weather

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Re: [kictanet] calling media
by joseph kihanya 13 Feb '07

13 Feb '07

Dear Becky, I hear you. The FOI is sometimes viewed as an elitist right That only journalists and scientists/researchers are to use it) However, consisder a situation today if you were not allowed to ask questions and get answers BY RIGHT ( as published by government in the daily papers in the last two weeks on the RVF in Kenya)? Remember the controversy on the spread of SARS.....in the Far East...was a lack of info not a key issue? This is how basic this right when enacted would entail..... proactive publication in the public interest. More views please. Kihanya ----- Original Message ---- From: Rebecca Wanjiku <rebeccawanjiku(a)yahoo.com> To: kihanyajn(a)yahoo.com Sent: Monday, February 12, 2007 8:13:58 PM Subject: [kictanet] calling media the FOI bill affects the media sector more than any other, can the media practioners please fwd their contributions....... Kanja?????? it may be important to discuss these issues before going too far (read ICT debate and the whole question of cross ownership) the earlier we raise them, the better, somebodyyyy?????? Rebecca Wanjiku, journalist, p.o box 33515, Nairobi.00600 Kenya. Tel. 254 720 318 925 blog:http://beckyit.blogspot.com/ Finding fabulous fares is fun. Let Yahoo! FareChase search your favorite travel sites to find flight and hotel bargains. _______________________________________________ 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/kihanyajn%40yahoo.com ____________________________________________________________________________________ We won't tell. Get more on shows you hate to love (and love to hate): Yahoo! TV's Guilty Pleasures list. http://tv.yahoo.com/collections/265

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Re: [kictanet] FOI discussion
by Rebecca Wanjiku 13 Feb '07

13 Feb '07

please contribute if you have anything to say about the FOI bill coz even after the one week meetings and imputs to the ICT policy document, the media is opposed to sections of the draft bill that relate to cross ownership, we have all the time to discuss these things online before the meeting, i think thats one thing ICTs give us, to move from the more traditional insistence of face to face meetings, i believe the forum will be an opportunity to present to the PS what the media stakeholders will have discussed in form of a report, those present will have an opportunity to discuss from the floor and those who will not make it can make their presentations online.... ----- Original Message ---- From: Midafrica <media(a)midafricanet.co.ke> To: rebeccawanjiku(a)yahoo.com Sent: Tuesday, February 13, 2007 7:25:16 AM Subject: Re: [kictanet] stakeholders workshop During the preparations/drafting of the ICT policy, there were several stakeholders workshops, with a major one week workshop held in Mombasa. After this major workshop a team later went to Mombasa again to draft and fine tune the ICT policy document, and incorporating suggestions,amendments and inputs from stakeholders. This was one of the most inclusive exercise, that I can recall. Micugu ----- Original Message ----- From: Rebecca Wanjiku To: media(a)midafricanet.co.ke Sent: Tuesday, February 13, 2007 7:06 AM Subject: [kictanet] stakeholders workshop even with the stakeholders workshop, there is need for those online to identify issues for discussion, the one day forum may not give media stakehlders a chance to read the document that day, it will be assumed they have read. i think for the few media practioners online, they can identify such issues on behalf of others, thats what mainly happens in other discussions like the just concluded discussion on OFC, i hope we can discuss it before that day, regards ----- Original Message ---- From: "bitange(a)jambo.co.ke" <bitange(a)jambo.co.ke> To: rebeccawanjiku(a)yahoo.com Sent: Monday, February 12, 2007 8:54:33 PM Subject: Re: [kictanet] calling media For your information, there shall be a stakeholder meeting on February 20, 2007 at the Kenya School of Monetary Studies starting at 8am till 5 pm. You have to register before Feb 16 by at info(a)information.go.ke. Regards Bitange Ndemo. > I suggest a stakeholders' workshop to go through the document. Not all > stakeholders are online,and may not be in a position to participate in > this online discussion. > > Micugu > ----- Original Message ----- > From: Rebecca Wanjiku > To: media(a)midafricanet.co.ke > Sent: Monday, February 12, 2007 8:13 PM > Subject: [kictanet] calling media > > > the FOI bill affects the media sector more than any other, > can the media practioners please fwd their contributions....... > Kanja?????? > it may be important to discuss these issues before going too far (read > ICT debate and the whole question of cross ownership) > the earlier we raise them, the better, > > somebodyyyy?????? > > > > Rebecca Wanjiku, > journalist, > p.o box 33515, > Nairobi.00600 > Kenya. > > Tel. 254 720 318 925 > > blog:http://beckyit.blogspot.com/ > > > > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ > Finding fabulous fares is fun. > Let Yahoo! FareChase search your favorite travel sites to find flight > and hotel bargains. > > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ > > > _______________________________________________ > 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/media%40midafricanet.co.ke > ---------------------------------------------- > This message has been scanned for viruses and > dangerous content by Jambo MailScanner, and is > believed to be clean. > --------------------------------------------- > "easy access to the world" > > _______________________________________________ > kictanet mailing list > kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke > http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > > Please unsubscribe or change your options at > http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/bitange%40jambo.co.ke ---------------------------------------------- This message has been scanned for viruses and dangerous content by Jambo MailScanner, and is believed to be clean. --------------------------------------------- "easy access to the world" _______________________________________________ kictanet mailing list kictanet(a)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 Don't get soaked. Take a quick peak at the forecast with theYahoo! Search weather shortcut. _______________________________________________ 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/media%40midafricanet.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/rebeccawanjiku%40yahoo.com ____________________________________________________________________________________ Need Mail bonding? Go to the Yahoo! Mail Q&A for great tips from Yahoo! Answers users. http://answers.yahoo.com/dir/?link=list&sid=396546091

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stakeholders workshop
by Rebecca Wanjiku 13 Feb '07

13 Feb '07

even with the stakeholders workshop, there is need for those online to identify issues for discussion, the one day forum may not give media stakehlders a chance to read the document that day, it will be assumed they have read. i think for the few media practioners online, they can identify such issues on behalf of others, thats what mainly happens in other discussions like the just concluded discussion on OFC, i hope we can discuss it before that day, regards ----- Original Message ---- From: "bitange(a)jambo.co.ke" <bitange(a)jambo.co.ke> To: rebeccawanjiku(a)yahoo.com Sent: Monday, February 12, 2007 8:54:33 PM Subject: Re: [kictanet] calling media For your information, there shall be a stakeholder meeting on February 20, 2007 at the Kenya School of Monetary Studies starting at 8am till 5 pm. You have to register before Feb 16 by at info(a)information.go.ke. Regards Bitange Ndemo. > I suggest a stakeholders' workshop to go through the document. Not all > stakeholders are online,and may not be in a position to participate in > this online discussion. > > Micugu > ----- Original Message ----- > From: Rebecca Wanjiku > To: media(a)midafricanet.co.ke > Sent: Monday, February 12, 2007 8:13 PM > Subject: [kictanet] calling media > > > the FOI bill affects the media sector more than any other, > can the media practioners please fwd their contributions....... > Kanja?????? > it may be important to discuss these issues before going too far (read > ICT debate and the whole question of cross ownership) > the earlier we raise them, the better, > > somebodyyyy?????? > > > > Rebecca Wanjiku, > journalist, > p.o box 33515, > Nairobi.00600 > Kenya. > > Tel. 254 720 318 925 > > blog:http://beckyit.blogspot.com/ > > > > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ > Finding fabulous fares is fun. > Let Yahoo! FareChase search your favorite travel sites to find flight > and hotel bargains. > > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ > > > _______________________________________________ > 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/media%40midafricanet.co.ke > ---------------------------------------------- > This message has been scanned for viruses and > dangerous content by Jambo MailScanner, and is > believed to be clean. > --------------------------------------------- > "easy access to the world" > > _______________________________________________ > kictanet mailing list > kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke > http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > > Please unsubscribe or change your options at > http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/bitange%40jambo.co.ke ---------------------------------------------- This message has been scanned for viruses and dangerous content by Jambo MailScanner, and is believed to be clean. --------------------------------------------- "easy access to the world" _______________________________________________ kictanet mailing list kictanet(a)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 ____________________________________________________________________________________ Need Mail bonding? Go to the Yahoo! Mail Q&A for great tips from Yahoo! Answers users. http://answers.yahoo.com/dir/?link=list&sid=396546091

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Mobile Satellite Internet Solutions
by Alex Gakuru 13 Feb '07

13 Feb '07

Visit the link at the end to view pictures of the trucks... Press a button on the Magellan MSS and 3 to 7 minutes later your computer(s) will be browsing the Internet at high-speed. The Magellan MSS (Mobile Satellite System) is manufactured by Ground Control as a self-contained, automatic pointing, wireless hotspot, mobile satellite Internet system that requires little or no training to operate. Simply park your Vehicle/Truck/RV/Trailer, touch a button, and the dish will deploy and lock on signal automatically. As long as you have a view of the southern sky, you can connect 1 or all of your computers to the mobile network. Broadband download speeds average between 400 to 2000 Kbps and upload speed between 50 and 500 Kbps.... < http://www.groundcontrol.com/prod_ig2500_001.htm > Thanks /Alex --------------------------------- We won't tell. Get more on shows you hate to love (and love to hate): Yahoo! TV's Guilty Pleasures list.

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calling media
by Rebecca Wanjiku 12 Feb '07

12 Feb '07

the FOI bill affects the media sector more than any other, can the media practioners please fwd their contributions....... Kanja?????? it may be important to discuss these issues before going too far (read ICT debate and the whole question of cross ownership) the earlier we raise them, the better, somebodyyyy?????? Rebecca Wanjiku, journalist, p.o box 33515, Nairobi.00600 Kenya. Tel. 254 720 318 925 blog:http://beckyit.blogspot.com/ ____________________________________________________________________________________ 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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Re: [kictanet] OPEN SOURCE SOFTWARE ALREADY LOADED WITH EMADDO
by charles nduati 12 Feb '07

12 Feb '07

Hi Sang, I thank you for congratulating us on the emaddo, I want to inform you all that being a research institution, by year end certain parts will be really manufactured in kenya. Above all, we already have school management software , library and e- learning open source softwares we can buddle together with maddo for schools. Just place your emaddo order with us and see Charles CHARLES N. NDUATI BUSINESS MANAGER JKUAT ENTERPRISES LTD JOMO KENYATTA UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURE AND TECHNOLOGY JUJA MAIN CAMPUS, THIKA P. O. BOX 79324-00200 NAIROBI, KENYA TEL: 254-067-52420 OR 254-067-52711 FAX: 254-067-52438 MOBILE:254-722728815 EMIAL:charlesnduati2002@yahoo.co.uk www.jkuat.ac.ke ----- Original Message ---- From: Mr. Barnabas Sang <bksang(a)education.go.ke> To: charlesnduati2002(a)yahoo.co.uk Sent: Thursday, 8 February, 2007 1:02:50 PM Subject: Re: [kictanet] adopt a school Alex, I totally agree with you considering that only 35% of secondary schools do not have commercial power, the rest should be e-enabled. Approximately 10% of the Primary Schools do have electricity. Comprehensive Secondary Education ICT Strategy (Sub-set of National ICT Strategy for Education and Training Developed in 2005 under the Kenya Education Sector Support Programme - KESSP) can be developed through multi-stakeholder forum like the one Walu moderated on the OFC (critical for much wanted connectivity for education institutions). Regards B.K.S. ----- Original Message ----- From: Alex Gakuru To: bksang(a)education.go.ke Sent: Thursday, February 08, 2007 11:49 AM Subject: Re: [kictanet] adopt a school I thank and really encourage everyone helping to make the Internet for Everyone a reality in Kenya. Collectively, it appears we may actually make National ICT policy target of all secondary to have access to the internet in 2 years and 10 months (by 2010). Nice job Walu, at least no keyboards or monitors got smashed:-) Alex "Mr. Barnabas Sang" <bksang(a)education.go.ke> wrote: Muthoni, Thanks for the highlights on FOSS/FLOSS, which the education sector have been following for the last three years. During the last one year, we have been evaluating and inquiring for proponents of FOSS/FLOSS to come forth with a concrete proposal that will ensure government get a solution that will provide the features and advantages you have highlighted (perhaps another call made here). By the way, for the 142 Schools to be equipped by March, all bidders are expected (mandatory feature) to have dual boot to both Open Source OS (Ubuntu or equivalent) and Windows OS. The challenge is that we are yet to see bidders with enough capacity to handle this kind of deployment in our schools. There is lots of potential on FOSS/FLOSS. Statistic in Europe and Asia indicate to us the direction education institutions are taking in order to ensure TCO and ROI on ICT in education investments are justified. I got a CD from your stand in the ongoing ICT for Development Expo which is quite informative (productwise). Missing though is the e-learning platforms like moodle, which could interest enterprises and institutions of higher learning. Otherwise, Thanks, will take note of your advice on issues you've touched. Kind regards Sang ----- Original Message ----- From: Dorcas Muthoni To: bksang(a)education.go.ke Sent: Wednesday, February 07, 2007 8:35 PM Subject: Re: [kictanet] adopt a school I believe that Free and Open Source Software (FOSS/FLOSS) can a play significant role on the software acquisition frontier, capacity building, security (no viruses) and CUTTING COSTS. We surely do not need discounts on software to make e-centers/ digital schools a reality. Muthoni On 2/7/07, Mr. Barnabas Sang <bksang(a)education.go.ke> wrote: Numbers are no longer an issue taking into consideration the current momentum of e-leaders in our amidst: Early Childhood Development (ECD) Centers - 29,500 Primary Schools - 19,890 Secondary Schools - 4,125 Tertiary - 3,200 ICT as an means.... The challenge is to increased access to Secondary Education which currently stand at 60% transition (i.e. percentage of class eight graduates to Secondary education). Big question then is, Does ICT provide answers to such an issue? Yes.... Thus need for prioritization of ICTs targeting Secondary Schools and Community Learning Centers to allow youth out of formal schooling to access Secondary Education. Research also indicates that PC presence in schools, especially in Primary, have some influence on grade performance (sciences and mathematics). Primary schools with ICT infrastructure can benefit from huge knowledge-base and variety of digital content (largely Universal) available. For digital villages and e-schools to succeed, the following have to be prioritized: Content: appropriate content which supplements or complement current curriculum. Thanks to Mr. Sammy Kirui (Telkom) for identifying this need in ICT for Development Expo speech. This is the number one case: Without appropriate content, ICT becomes a luxury and hence no school management committees can justify ICT in education investment. Will there be some significant change in school performance after investment? Can school retention of students (against dropouts or transfers) be sustained? Will the syllabi be better delivered than is the case now? Capacity building: yes digital content can be in place and infrastructure and all software we need to have envisaged e-institutions. Without training to manage the resources and utilized them, the investment will be run down within no time. Challenges of security (antivirus: experience we are observing in the NEPAD e-Schools), malfunctioning of hardware (physiological differences of our landscape - dust, heat, wind/ power access and physical security) and social threats of Internet introduced in our schools. Definitely, training is key. follow-up training is critical as well. ICT Integration: This is an activity that involves integration of ICT in each subject area, making ICT a media for instruction, tool for delivery and channel for information access. e.g. if you're a biology teacher, we expect you to take students to a computer lab twice a week to teach some topics which require animation for better comprehension. If one teaches Kiswahili, we expect some lesson in "Ngeli na sentensi..." to be done in the lab... using Swahili version of software... This is what will demystify ICT from being a preserve for tech teachers to being a tool for every teacher every student rather than for computer students. ICT Infrastructure access: the Numbers, yes, 30,000 Schools as indicated would require some resources. For an e-school to be effective, assuming two students will share a PC in our schools, a 45 Student stream class would use 25 PCs per lab. If the school is three streams, then you require a minimum of two labs. To have sharing of materials and resources done effectively and efficiently, a LAN is definitely required. National and Regional ICT Support Centers: to act as institutions where issues are resolved as they arise in our e-institutions. Could it be content? Repair? Training follow-up? Replacement etc. Support centre should provide some helpdesk services. Connectivity comes to add value to all interventions, especially when an e-institutions realize they have content that require others to access or they would require access to shared resources in some portal. In some cases, Internet might be supplementary to the above key points. Yes, we know Internet is a resource where the learner and info-seekers would benefit. It still lies with having content (appropriate content and security), capacity building (on sites, portals) and Sustainable connectivity options. Thanks to Kai and others who're sounding an alarm for provision of this treasured resource to our esteem education institutions (for Free!). With launch of various products by service providers in the recent past, it is expected that connectivity will be available in most parts of our country / continent! (CEO Safaricom and CEO Celtel -> ICT for Dev Expo quotes). I will be more observant to see demos of these products in a few e-institutions. Thanks to PS InfoCom and all of you working to make eMado (Madaraka) PC a reality. I hope we have other players thinking on content (especially for e-education/e-learning) for various target groups; that will indeed make the eMado attractive. Kind regards, B. K. Sang ICT Department Ministry of Education P O Box 30040-00100 Nairobi ----- Original Message ----- From: Alex Gakuru To: bksang(a)education.go.ke Cc: David Owino Sent: Wednesday, February 07, 2007 5:51 PM Subject: Re: [kictanet] adopt a school Whoaa... 30,000 Kenya schools? Gakuru Kai Wulff <kai.wulff(a)kdn.co.ke> wrote: Hello, we are willing to ADOPT the connectivity to all the schools for free! Kai ----- Original Message ----- From: Rebecca Wanjiku To: kai.wulff(a)kdn.co.ke Sent: Wednesday, February 07, 2007 15:09 Subject: [kictanet] adopt a school Adopting Schools It all started with "Adopt a light", an ambitious city lighting project. Now, Manu Chandaria, industrialist cum philanthropist wants to apply the same concept in ICTs. Speaking at the ICT for Development Expo opening ceremony on February 7, Chandaria challenged Kenyans to adopt schools and make sure they can access computers. "You can change the face of your village school. Just go there and donate a computer. You can change the face of Kenya," Chandaria said. He also disclosed that he will finance a digital training centre in Mariakani. The centre will be expected to act as a base to establish digital villages in coastal area. One digital village will cost approximately shs 140,000 (USD 2000). ends 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. _______________________________________________ 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 _______________________________________________ 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 We won't tell. Get more on shows you hate to love (and love to hate): Yahoo! TV's Guilty Pleasures list. _______________________________________________ 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/bksang%40education.go.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/dmuthoni%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/bksang%40education.go.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/alex.gakuru%40yahoo.com TV dinner still cooling? 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FOI--- how good is it??
by joseph kihanya 12 Feb '07

12 Feb '07

Dear Becky, Indeed you are right. The Right/ Freedom debate is one that rages in legal circles.We may not settle it here, unfortunately, save to say that a consensus should emerge on whether it should be stated / and implemented as a right( preferable- and in keeping with its basic tenet- than as a a freedoom.it really sometimes is just sematics as freedoms and rights are subject to exceptions-due to the cometiting nature of other rights/freedomse.g. right to expression versus right to reputation. Civil and political rights also get precedence in most jurisdictions over social and economic rights. Access clauses/ implementation AND Costs are issues too that indeed need to be tackled.See Day 3 / Principle 6 On a serious side of FOI see... http://politics.guardian.co.uk/foi/story/0,,1170196,00.html Any more views...?Anyone? Kihanya ----- Original Message ---- From: Rebecca Wanjiku <rebeccawanjiku(a)yahoo.com> To: kihanyajn(a)yahoo.com Sent: Monday, February 12, 2007 1:16:45 PM Subject: [kictanet] FOI--- how good is it?? Kihanya, thanks for the background, some thoughts on some of the questions raised, Right to verses freedom I think it should be freedom of information because in legal terms, the two terms are different. Though am not a lawyer, I read about the positive rights (right to) and the negative rights (freedoms) Now, governments are quick to obey the negative rights as opposed to positive rights. For instance, we can all go and demonstrate about our freedom from torture or detention without trial and the government will easily heed to our demands, (I guess so) But what about other recognized rights like the right to water? Can the government be compelled to honour our right to water, i think the main objective of the FOI should be to protect e-government and accountability but the bill talks about charging a minimal fee to those accessing information, what will happen to those people out of town, it talks about photocopying and perusal charges, but what about provision of such information in electronic format, do we still pay?? and will it serve the overall objective?? Thats my take on it Rebecca Wanjiku, journalist, p.o box 33515, Nairobi.00600 Kenya. Tel. 254 720 318 925 blog:http://beckyit.blogspot.com/ Don't be flakey. Get Yahoo! Mail for Mobile and always stay connected to friends. _______________________________________________ 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/kihanyajn%40yahoo.com ____________________________________________________________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Everyone is raving about the all-new Yahoo! Mail beta. http://new.mail.yahoo.com

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Re: [kictanet] DDOS attack on Root Servers
by Kagwe James 12 Feb '07

12 Feb '07

Just thought it's not wise to broadcast information about physical location for root servers. May trigger physically attacks. Just a thought......... Regards, James Kagwe -----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 Nick Wambugu Sent: Friday, February 09, 2007 1:09 PM To: Kagwe James Subject: Re: [kictanet] DDOS attack on Root Servers Thanks Mich, the information is quite good as security is one of the major concern nowadays. Also to informs guys that we got these servers hosted at KIXP/TESPOK. Thanks, Nick. On Fri, 2007-02-09 at 10:50 +0300, Michuki Mwangi wrote: > FYI, > > Communiqué from RIPE about massive DDos attack again root servers that > happened on 6th Feb 2007: > > http://www.ripe.net/news/global-root-server.html > > In the press: > > http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/I/INTERNET_ATTACKS?SITE=WIRE&SECTION=H… > > It is worth noting that Kenya is host to two Root Servers namely F-Root > and J-Root in addition to serving .COM,.NET and .KE Root zones locally. > In essence adding resilience to the local Internet infrastructure and > making it independent of the external disruptions. > > Best regards, > -- All what I can is what i can and do..... God give I strength.... _______________________________________________ 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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FOI and journalists
by Rebecca Wanjiku 12 Feb '07

12 Feb '07

It may be presumed that the main object of the FOI was to improve accountability and flow of information as well as answer critics who have complained about govt red tape and lack of information from the govt. Govt spokesperson Alfred Mutua will also tout it as a remedy to those journalists peddling rumours and defending themselves by saying govt officials were not available for comment or could not release the information But a cursory glance at the bill will reveal that it does not make special exemptions for journalists who in many cases need this government information. For instance, the bill provides that requests for information shall be dealt with within 15 days and if 30 days lapse without any response, then it shall be deemed the info was denied. How many newspapers can wait for 15 days before publishing a story or verifying derived from investigative work?? Are there any journalists in the house???? Can you champion your cause??? Rebecca Wanjiku, journalist, p.o box 33515, Nairobi.00600 Kenya. Tel. 254 720 318 925 blog:http://beckyit.blogspot.com/ ____________________________________________________________________________________ Need Mail bonding? Go to the Yahoo! Mail Q&A for great tips from Yahoo! Answers users. http://answers.yahoo.com/dir/?link=list&sid=396546091

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Online Discussion on the Draft Freedom of Information Policy by INFOCOM - JANUARY 2007
by joseph kihanya 12 Feb '07

12 Feb '07

Dear all, I have been requested to moderate the discussion on the above policy document. I have drawn greatly from previous discussions and especially from the OFC provsioning one that ended last week. I trust I will be up to it as we all shall. The ground rules shall remain as those appertaining to the list discussions. Please submit all your views. A draft programme of the 5 day discussion is attached. The second attachment in relation to a case in point makes interesting reading.It is drawn from a course offered by Oxford University. Day one (1) begins hereunder. ************************************************************************************************************************ Draft Freedom of Information (FOI) Policy Review and thematic analysis. Day 1. Background Info What is FOI? Freedom of information is a fundamental right that the United Nations in a resolution in 1946 declared to be the touchstone of all freedoms. It is a right that is not to be found standing on its own under international law. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights 1948 subsumes the right under the right of freedom of expression. Freedom of expression also inclused the right to receive and impart information. The International Covennant on Civil and Political Rights also subsumes the right under the right to freedom of expression. The African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights recognises the right as free standing. Kenya is party to all three (3) of the sited international law documents. The Kenyan Constitution at section 79 also subsumes the right under the right to free expression. The rejected draft Constitution for the first time recognised the right as free standing and would have required that FOI law be passed within six (6)months of the adoption/coming into force of the new constitution. Only THREE (3) countries in Africa have an FOI legislation. South Africa, Uganda and Angola. Nigeria or Kenya may become the FOURTH allowing success of pending parliamentary procedures. African and Commonwealth governments have collectively and separately agreed on principles of FOI laws.See www.humanrightsinitiative.org It is generally a right of any individual to access information held by government. Is it a right? Why Access? Why freedom? There are many terms used in relation to this. Freedom of Information Right to Know Right of Access to information Right to information They are referring to the same thing and the important point is that they can be interchanged but require that one be selected for use in a particular jurisdiction for consistency. Which one should Kenya Use? The Moderator will use FOI in this first mail. How would FOI help in a country like Kenya? Arguments exist for and against FOI laws. Arguments for. I. It makes government more accountable. II. Increases public participation. III. Promotes human rights. IV. Allows for good decision making V. Protects privacy VI. Makes private companies more accountable. VII. Promotes health VIII. Strengthens the economy IX. Protects the environment What are the arguments against FOI? A case in point ? (To be provided by moderator - see attachment) Useful websites on FOI? www.unhcr.ch www.humanrightsinitiative.org www.foiadvocates.net www.freedominfo.org www.cfoi.org.uk What are the principles of FOI Laws? What do they mean essentially? Who has agreed to these principles? Should Kenya agree to these principles? Does the policy agree with these principles? Contributions based on these headings are welcome. PRINCIPLE 1. Maximum disclosure PRINCIPLE 2. Obligation to publish PRINCIPLE 3. Promotion of open government PRINCIPLE 4. Limited scope of exceptions PRINCIPLE 5. Processes to facilitate access PRINCIPLE 6. Costs PRINCIPLE 7. Open meetings PRINCIPLE 8. Disclosure takes precedence PRINCIPLE 9. Protection for whistleblowers What are / should be the Objectives FOI Legislation? Vision Does this capture the intent of the right/ freedom optimally? Mission Does this optimally capture the implementation/purpose of the right/ freedom? Introduction (Entrenching Openness?) Do the introductions in the following paragraphs reflect this? How should they read? Paragraphs 1.1 1.2. 1.3 1.4. 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 1.9 1.10 1.11 3.1.1 3.1.2 3.2.1 3.2.2 3.2.3. ********************************************************************************************************************** LETS GO! Joseph Kihanya ____________________________________________________________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Everyone is raving about the all-new Yahoo! Mail beta. http://new.mail.yahoo.com

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Re: [kictanet] Idlelo2 Digest, Vol 13, Issue 7
by Judy Okite 10 Feb '07

10 Feb '07

Prof. Derek, I do share in your grief!! Bottom line,we cannot afford to despise our "humble begginings"(M$)but that does not mean that we remain there? is it about the money? or the software ? if M$ can afford to pay guys to make noise,then we can change that to reality with action......You get all this with FOSS: the firewalls-free, Webservers-free, databases-free, Openoffice-free, so much FREE and it is more secure operating system not that it is just free and yet,For those who need support,then they can buy Foss Enterprise softwares (much cheaper)and get the support......besides why buy a clone worth Ksh 21,000 and and a licence worth the same amount.....how does this work for a common mwananchi? How do I afford all this? at this rate we will NEVER be able to fight PIRACY. For all the kenyan FOSS user's we may have to setup a forum and air out our experiences and state why guys need to see this REALITY!! and stop using FOSS under the table..................e.g for the locally assembled systems' plse let's insist on Dual boot(M$ & Linux),It could be a start........... A request to the PS : Before the government of Kenya,makes any decision on software's,can both sides of the coin be given an opportunity?? I am not shunning M$,its just that I cannot afford it,I cannot customise it.....etc Kind Regards, On 2/8/07, idlelo2-request(a)fossfa.net <idlelo2-request(a)fossfa.net> wrote: > > Send Idlelo2 mailing list submissions to > idlelo2(a)fossfa.net > > To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit > http://mailman.dst.gov.za/mailman/listinfo/idlelo2 > or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to > idlelo2-request(a)fossfa.net > > You can reach the person managing the list at > idlelo2-owner(a)fossfa.net > > When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific > than "Re: Contents of Idlelo2 digest..." > > > Today's Topics: > > 1. Re: Permanant Secretary of Kenya speaks about negotiating for > cheaper development tools (John Walubengo) > 2. Re: Permanent Secretary of Kenya speaks about negotiating > forcheaper development tools (PROF. HENRY M. THAIRU) > 3. Re: Permanant Secretary of Kenya speaks about negotiating for > cheaper development tools (Jonah Munyua) > 4. Re: Permanant Secretary of Kenya speaks about negotiating for > cheaper development tools (Dorcas Muthoni) > > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > > Message: 1 > Date: Wed, 7 Feb 2007 01:59:30 -0800 (PST) > From: John Walubengo <jwalu(a)yahoo.com> > Subject: Re: [Idlelo2] Permanant Secretary of Kenya speaks about > negotiating for cheaper development tools > To: dkeats(a)uwc.ac.za, Idlelo <idlelo2(a)fossfa.net> > Message-ID: <442956.64301.qm(a)web56604.mail.re3.yahoo.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1 > > Derek, > > my take on this is two-fold: > 1. FOSS does lack the might(economic, political, marketing, > etc) to demonstrate its huge benefit. > 2. FOSS need not mean 'NOT MICROSOFT'. > > I wish to further comment on point 2. in that the current > realities in KE and most of the world really is that the > desk-top is largely M$ and we shouldn't really mourn too > much about that - after all, it does pay the bills for a > large number Kenyans who have created careers around M$. > > A preferred strategy to deal with the omni-present M$ would > be one whereby we are co-existing but with a long-term view > to become omni-present. And this brings us back to FOSS > limitations - point 1 above- we just don't have the dollar > might to pull it off. > > Currently, a lot is happening in .KE regarding ICTs. And > in most cases, including this morning's Grand Opening > Ceremony of the ICT Expo at Kenyatta Int. Conf. Center, M$ > sits on th e high-table. Why? because we in FOSS seem to > lack the might and probably the incentives to pull strings > at high-levels...M$ has the budget to do it. FOSS doesn't > and at the end of the day, it is all about $$. > > Using this might M$ is set to burn their costly OS on every > PC that the Kenya Govt is set to assemble for Computers in > Kenyan schools. Where's Open-source in this long-term > game-plan? I did hint to the Project Manager's about OS on > these computers, but hey, you need more than hints, you > need a sustained, almost full-time job of pushing the > idea/agenda. I believe M$ has a clear budget to pay their > people to sing their tune, on a sustainable basis. We > don't. > > Finally, I would repeat: I prefer FOSS, but if M$ comes > along I can use it as well. At least upto and when FOSS > does wake up in a sustained, coherent way. And I think the > PS Min of Info has to work with what is visible, sustained > and available. M$ in .KE is simply being more visible than > FOSS and we have had to work with it in a co-existent sort > of a way... > > walu. > > --- Derek Keats <dkeats(a)uwc.ac.za> wrote: > > > > > I am writing this from the 1st International Conference > > in Computer > > Science and Informatics (COSCIT 2007), in Nairobi Kenya. > > In the opening > > session, Dr. B. Ndemo, Permanant Secretary in the Kenyan > > Ministry of > > Information & Communication, gave a speech about ICT in > > Kenya. He spent > > quite a bit of time talking about negotiating a deal with > > Microsoft to > > make their software cheaper for Kenyans, including > > developer tools so > > that Kenyans could become software developers. The local > > Microsoft > > representative was in the audience, naturally. Members of > > the Microsoft > > "technical officer" team follow politicians and policy > > makers around > > like flies follow sick dogs. She left when the Permanant > > Secretary left. > > Apparently, a meeting of many of the computer scientists > > in Kenya was > > not important enough for her; certainly not as important > > as being > > visible to the Permanant Secretary. > > > > When the Permanant Secretary made this pronouncement > > about these > > negotiations, completely ignoring all that is happening > > in Kenya with > > respect to FOSS, I was shocked and saddened. I wanted to > > ask why waste > > time removing impediments to creating Kenyan software > > developers, when > > with FOSS we can start immediately. There is nothing to > > negotiate, the > > tools are as good or better than the tools for Windows, > > and there are no > > barriers to innovation. Java, C, C++, C# Python, .NET, > > PHP, BASIC, and > > most other environments are available on GNU/Linux. Why > > do Kenyans need > > to waste their money getting permission from Microsoft to > > use these > > languages for training software developers? This mystery > > that is only > > explainable by the constant lobbying pressure from the > > "technical > > officers" and their like. There is absolutely no rational > > basis for it. > > > > The minister is implicitly saying that it is right for > > Kenya to pay > > money to Microsoft and create a long-term dependence on > > them, thus using > > the Kenyan taxpayer's money to create development > > opportunities in > > Redmond Washington, an area of the world that really > > needs dollars from > > Kenya. It is clear that Dr. Ndemo does not understand > > that innovation > > happens faster when barriers are as few as they can > > reasonably be. With > > Free Software, this is the case. With propriteary tools, > > barriers have > > to be negotiated, and this limits and inhibits > > innovation. > > > > I wanted to show the Permanant Secretary my Ubuntu > > desktop, equipped > > with Free Software development tools for which I need > > neither permission > > nor to pay license fees to use, and which I can use > > immediately, no > > negotiation required. The Permanant Secretary clearly > > just doesn't get > > it. Unfortunately, the session did not have a question > > peroid, and he > > left along with the Microsoft lap dog (er, I mean > > representative) before > > I could use my own keynote space to show him what Free > > Software can do. > > > > So Kenyans active in FOSS, you have a responsibility, > > this man is in > > need of some educating. Please make an appointment, go > > see him. Show him > > what you are accomplishing with software Freedom. We need > > to find a way > > to balance the lobbying power of Microsoft, so that truth > > and logic have > > a reasonable chance of prevailing. > > > > cheers > > Derek > > > > > All Email originating from UWC is covered by disclaimer > > > http://www.uwc.ac.za/portal/uwc2006/content/mail_disclaimer/index.htm > > > > > _______________________________________________ > > Idlelo2 mailing list > > Idlelo2(a)fossfa.net > > http://mailman.dst.gov.za/mailman/listinfo/idlelo2 > > > > > > > > ____________________________________________________________________________________ > Do you Yahoo!? > Everyone is raving about the all-new Yahoo! Mail beta. > http://new.mail.yahoo.com > > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 2 > Date: Wed, 7 Feb 2007 19:00:16 +0300 > From: "PROF. HENRY M. THAIRU" <hmthairu(a)wananchi.com> > Subject: Re: [Idlelo2] Permanent Secretary of Kenya speaks about > negotiating forcheaper development tools > To: <dkeats(a)uwc.ac.za>, "'Idlelo'" <idlelo2(a)fossfa.net> > Message-ID: <003201c74ad1$223b9960$0600010a@prof> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="windows-1250" > > Dear Derek. > It is good to hear your very clear voice again. We are impressing on the > PS > on the importance of FOSS. Nobody needs permission to use these tools. > Thank > you for this letter. > Henry Thairu > > -----Original Message----- > From: idlelo2-bounces+hmthairu=wananchi.com(a)fossfa.net > [mailto:idlelo2-bounces+hmthairu=wananchi.com@fossfa.net] On Behalf Of > Derek > Keats > Sent: Wednesday, February 07, 2007 9:44 AM > To: Idlelo > Subject: [Idlelo2] Permanant Secretary of Kenya speaks about negotiating > forcheaper development tools > > > I am writing this from the 1st International Conference in Computer > Science and Informatics (COSCIT 2007), in Nairobi Kenya. In the opening > session, Dr. B. Ndemo, Permanant Secretary in the Kenyan Ministry of > Information & Communication, gave a speech about ICT in Kenya. He spent > quite a bit of time talking about negotiating a deal with Microsoft to > make their software cheaper for Kenyans, including developer tools so > that Kenyans could become software developers. The local Microsoft > representative was in the audience, naturally. Members of the Microsoft > "technical officer" team follow politicians and policy makers around > like flies follow sick dogs. She left when the Permanant Secretary left. > Apparently, a meeting of many of the computer scientists in Kenya was > not important enough for her; certainly not as important as being > visible to the Permanant Secretary. > > When the Permanant Secretary made this pronouncement about these > negotiations, completely ignoring all that is happening in Kenya with > respect to FOSS, I was shocked and saddened. I wanted to ask why waste > time removing impediments to creating Kenyan software developers, when > with FOSS we can start immediately. There is nothing to negotiate, the > tools are as good or better than the tools for Windows, and there are no > barriers to innovation. Java, C, C++, C# Python, .NET, PHP, BASIC, and > most other environments are available on GNU/Linux. Why do Kenyans need > to waste their money getting permission from Microsoft to use these > languages for training software developers? This mystery that is only > explainable by the constant lobbying pressure from the "technical > officers" and their like. There is absolutely no rational basis for it. > > The minister is implicitly saying that it is right for Kenya to pay > money to Microsoft and create a long-term dependence on them, thus using > the Kenyan taxpayer's money to create development opportunities in > Redmond Washington, an area of the world that really needs dollars from > Kenya. It is clear that Dr. Ndemo does not understand that innovation > happens faster when barriers are as few as they can reasonably be. With > Free Software, this is the case. With propriteary tools, barriers have > to be negotiated, and this limits and inhibits innovation. > > I wanted to show the Permanant Secretary my Ubuntu desktop, equipped > with Free Software development tools for which I need neither permission > nor to pay license fees to use, and which I can use immediately, no > negotiation required. The Permanant Secretary clearly just doesn't get > it. Unfortunately, the session did not have a question peroid, and he > left along with the Microsoft lap dog (er, I mean representative) before > I could use my own keynote space to show him what Free Software can do. > > So Kenyans active in FOSS, you have a responsibility, this man is in > need of some educating. Please make an appointment, go see him. Show him > what you are accomplishing with software Freedom. We need to find a way > to balance the lobbying power of Microsoft, so that truth and logic have > a reasonable chance of prevailing. > > cheers > Derek > > > -- > No virus found in this incoming message. > Checked by AVG Free Edition. > Version: 7.5.432 / Virus Database: 268.17.29/673 - Release Date: 2/6/2007 > 5:52 PM > > > > -- > No virus found in this outgoing message. > Checked by AVG Free Edition. > Version: 7.5.432 / Virus Database: 268.17.29/673 - Release Date: 2/6/2007 > 5:52 PM > > > > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 3 > Date: Wed, 7 Feb 2007 08:30:59 -0800 (PST) > From: Jonah Munyua <jonah_bits(a)yahoo.com> > Subject: Re: [Idlelo2] Permanant Secretary of Kenya speaks about > negotiating for cheaper development tools > To: idlelo2(a)fossfa.net > Message-ID: <946250.46064.qm(a)web35301.mail.mud.yahoo.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" > > Derek, > > I am saddened by the Permanent Secretary's proclamation. It is evident > that Microsoft has been stalking and hijacking all ICT events in Kenya. To > them what matters is not what the stakeholders have to say rather what the > government says and thats why the representative left as soon as the PS made > his speech. > > Being a software developer using FOSS i understand the revolution that it > can bring to this country and the developing world at large. Microsoft > Products require expensive PC's to run them. I thus see no logic in trying > to get Microsoft to lower the cost of their Softwares as there will still be > the inhibiting cost of acquiring the PC's. > > It is unfortunate that even the local universities are not taking FOSS > with the seriousness it requires. Computer literacy courses in Kenya are > geared towards Microsoft products and thus the current scenario where very > few users know that they can use FOSS to achieve what they can on MS > products. > > The government is putting unnecessary effort and collaboration with MS to > fight piracy of MS products. To me these efforts should be geared towards > the promotion of FOSS. > > I wish that these sentiments from the PS will serve as a calling to all > FOSS users and advocates in Kenya to intensify the campaign for FOSS in > Kenya. > > Regards > > > --------------------------------- > Finding fabulous fares is fun. > Let Yahoo! FareChase search your favorite travel sites to find flight and > hotel bargains. >

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adopt a school
by Rebecca Wanjiku 10 Feb '07

10 Feb '07

Adopting Schools It all started with Adopt a light, an ambitious city lighting project. Now, Manu Chandaria, industrialist cum philanthropist wants to apply the same concept in ICTs. Speaking at the ICT for Development Expo opening ceremony on February 7, Chandaria challenged Kenyans to adopt schools and make sure they can access computers. You can change the face of your village school. Just go there and donate a computer. You can change the face of Kenya, Chandaria said. He also disclosed that he will finance a digital training centre in Mariakani. The centre will be expected to act as a base to establish digital villages in coastal area. One digital village will cost approximately shs 140,000 (USD 2000). ends 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.

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Re: [kictanet] DDOS attack on Root Servers
by Michuki Mwangi 09 Feb '07

09 Feb '07

FYI, Communiqué from RIPE about massive DDos attack again root servers that happened on 6th Feb 2007: http://www.ripe.net/news/global-root-server.html In the press: http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/I/INTERNET_ATTACKS?SITE=WIRE&SECTION=H… It is worth noting that Kenya is host to two Root Servers namely F-Root and J-Root in addition to serving .COM,.NET and .KE Root zones locally. In essence adding resilience to the local Internet infrastructure and making it independent of the external disruptions. Best regards, -- Michuki Mwangi KENIC

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African Lakes - Kenyan Investors and Entrepreneurs are gettign screwed by Telkom South Africa and the self seeking Board of African Lakes's Chairman - David Montgomery
by alice＠apc.org 09 Feb '07

09 Feb '07

(Apologies for cross posting) From: Richard Bell <Richard(a)Bell.co.ke> Date: Thu, 8 Feb 2007 20:01:31 +0300 To: <mucheru(a)wananchi.com> Subject: FW: African Lakes - Kenyan Investors and Entrepreneurs are gettign screwed by Telkom South Africa and the self seeking Board of African Lakes's Chairman - David Montgomery You can send it to anyone else as well. We need as much publicity as we can get. First prize would be a statement from some government department indicating that they don't want South African firms simply marching into Kenya. Could Ndemo help? R -------------------------------------- Subject: African Lakes - Kenyan Investors and Entrepreneurs are getting screwed by Telkom South Africa and the self seeking Board of African Lakes's Chairman - David Montgomery Long time. Anyway we're in the process of getting screwed by Telkom South Africa and the Board of African Lakes. I'm attaching copies of the latest two announcements that went out (the juicy bits are in yellow). I'm also attaching a file that contains an exchange of emails that shows just how unreasonable the company are being (although this on can't be released verbatim since its supposed to be confidential). > http://www.londonstockexchange.co.uk/LSECWS/IFSPages/MarketNewsPopup.aspx?id > 1402054&source=RNS > > http://www.londonstockexchange.co.uk/LSECWS/IFSPages/MarketNewsPopup.aspx?id > 1402307&source=RNS > > Basically we are getting screwed and the only way that we can win now is > to > create sufficient bad publicity for Telkom South Africa that is scares > them > off. > > There follows some more background showing what Telkom South Africa have > been up to in other markets. "Does Kenya really want this thousand pound > bully boy taking over Kenya's Internet Industry?" > > Any chance you can get a piece into next week's East African. I am on > Email, can be called on +254 733 617 186 and up till tomorrow on my UK > Mobile + 44 7772 251 772. am ready to go on the record and am happy to be > quoted. > > Kind Regards, > Richard Bell > > PS. If you are in any doubts about whether the African Lakes' Chairman > David Montgomery is a shyster, just put in a call to Private Eye in > London. > They'll give you chapter and verse > > ======================================= > http://www.tag.org.za/tagad.jpg > > ============================== > http://whenrealitybites.blogspot.com/2007/01/telkom-faces-r2bn-bill-after-la > wsuit.html > > ================================== > > Telkom faces R2bn bill after lawsuit > > November 23, 2006By Thabiso Mochiko Johannesburg > > Telkom faces more than R2 billion in damages and legal fees after it lost > a > five-year legal battle against US-based computer software supplier > Telcordia. Telkom's costs, which have been estimated by Telcordia at > between > R2 billion and R2.5 billion, represent more than 20 percent of this > financial year's annual profit of R9.3 billion. > > > Telkom's shares dropped 3.7 percent to close at R130 yesterday. The Top 40 > index gained 0.38 percent. Telcordia's lawyer, Lennard Cowan, said > yesterday > that the two companies would now start negotiating the settlement, which > would amount to about R2.5 billion, including legal costs. He said the > negotiations were unlikely to be finalised before the end of December. > > > The group executive for legal services, Anton Klopper, said Telkom was > studying the judgment and evaluating "options regarding the protection of > its rights". "The consequence of the judgment is, among other things, that > the parties will return to and continue with the arbitration proceedings > as > they were prior to Telkom's review application to the high court," said > Klopper. He said the arbitrator had made an interim award that only > addressed certain aspects of the case. This had been effectively upheld by > the judgment of the supreme court of appeal. > > > The remainder of the matter would be dealt with at the upcoming > arbitration > proceedings. Two years ago Telkom estimated its contingent liabilities > from > the Telcordia matter to be $47 million (R340 million at yesterday's > exchange > rate). Telkom said in this year's annual report that in the 2001 financial > year, it had written off R119 million of this investment. It incurred > expenditure of R594 million up to March 2002. > > > Cowan said it was not clear whether Telcordia would set up shop again in > South Africa as it had opened a local office specifically for the Telkom > contract. The appeal court's judgment upheld a 2002 decision by an > international arbitrator, but overturned a 2003 judgment by the Pretoria > high court. The battle started five years ago when Telkom cancelled a > contract with Telcordia, claiming that the state-of-the-art software > applications ordered had not been delivered. > > > Telcordia then lodged a case with an international arbitrator, claiming > $130 > million plus interest at a rate of 15.5 percent a year for money > outstanding > and damages. Telkom reacted by making counterclaims against Telcordia > worth > about $331 million, including for a refund of money already paid to the US > company. The appeal court did not uphold this claim. Telcordia received a > partial ruling in September 2002 from an international arbitrator chosen > by > the two companies. The arbitrator accepted Telcordia's interpretation of > the > contract. But Telkom refused to accept this and applied to the Pretoria > high > court to review the judgment and set aside the partial award. In 2003 the > court ruled in favour of Telkom. But Telcordia then took the matter to the > appeal court, which said the high court had dealt with the matter as an > appeal and not a review, and therefore upheld the international court > award. > This meant Telcordia could recover damages from Telkom because it had > breached the agreement. > > > In this year's annual report, Telkom claimed that it had been approached > by > Telcordia's representatives to consider certain settlement proposals. - > With > additional reporting by Sapa > > > ========================================= > Press > > Telkom has also attracted attention for improperly conducting itself in > contract dispute with Telcordia resulting in a decision from the Supreme > Court of Appeal against its favour in which the Judge described Telkoms > legal team as conducting "verbal manipulation". [3] > > On the 19th January 2007, a full page advertisement was taken out in The > Mail and Guardian, a national South African newspaper. Money for the ad > was > donated by dissatisfied South African individuals and businesses. The page > is used as a public outcry, detailing some of the things Telkom has done > in > hopes of bringing more attention to the current situation in South > Africa's > telecoms industry. The effort was organised by the Telecoms Action Group, > TAG > > ------ End of Forwarded Message > >

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events and conferences
by Rebecca Wanjiku 08 Feb '07

08 Feb '07

if you have any events left out, please fwd to me, Conferences and events International Outsourcing Conference 28 February - 02 March 2007 Country: Nigeria City: Abuja ICANN meeting, Lisbon, Portugal, March 25-29, 2007 AITEC Uganda Exhibition & Conference 18-20 April 2007 Country: Uganda City: Kampala The African CDMA Forum 23-25 April 2007 Country: South Africa City: Johannesburg AITEC Kenya Exhibition & Conference 08-10 May 2007 Country: Kenya City: Nairobi East African Contact Centre Showcase 24-25 May 2007 Country: Kenya City: Nairobi AITEC Ghana Exhibition & Conference 20-22 June 2007 Country: Ghana City: Accra ICANN Meeting June 26-30, 2007 San Juan, Puerto Rico The African VoIP Forum, East Africa 26-28 June 2007 Country: Kenya City: Nairobi African BPO & Contact Centre Conference, Kenya 24-26 July 2007 Country: Kenya City: Nairobi AITEC Tanzania Exhibition & Conference 08-09 August 2007 Country: Tanzania City: Dar Es Salaam African VoIP Forum, West Africa 22-24 August 2007 Country: Nigeria City: Lagos ACT 8: The African Computing & Telecommunications Summit 04-07 September 2007 Country: South Africa City: Cape Town The African BPO & Contact Centre Conference, Mauritius 26-28 September 2007 Country: Mauritius City: The African Banking Technology Conference 17-19 October 2007 Country: Nigeria City: Lagos The African Satellite & Wireless Broadband Conference, East Africa - 2007 23-25 October 2007 Country: Kenya City: Nairobi The African Satellite & Wireless Broadband Conference, West Africa - 2007 12-14 November 2007 Country: Nigeria City: Lagos The Africa-Europe ICT Summit 16-20 July 2008 Country: United Kingdom City: London Rebecca Wanjiku, journalist, p.o box 33515, Nairobi.00600 Kenya. Tel. 254 720 318 925 blog:http://beckyit.blogspot.com/ ____________________________________________________________________________________ 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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Re: [kictanet] Day 10 of 10: Reconciling Stakeholder Interests
by Eric Osiakwan 08 Feb '07

08 Feb '07

This sounds like a modern day sermon...... If we cant realise this then we loose the opportunity to leverage the last frontier in Societal strength which is the multi-stakeholder power. Eric here ---------- Original Message ---------------------------------- From: <alice(a)apc.org> Reply-To: Kenya ICT Action Network - KICTANet <kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke> Date: Tue, 6 Feb 2007 09:09:30 +0300 >Sounds like utopia but realisable. In this day and age, no one sector can >deliver the complexities of sustainable development alone. Therefore, >partnerships between government, businesses, civil society and media (what >is referred to as multi stakeholder partnerships) have become a growing >feature world wide. Additionally, the interactions of ICTS with development >and poverty reduction goals are so complex that a range of resources and >competencies need to be brought together to create solutions to specific >challenges. One of the reasons that the UN WSIS process adopted multi >stakeholder process and now others like the ITU are following. >Kenya ICt Action network is based on this philosophy and one of the lessons >we have learnt is that diversity is a reality and it is important to >understand different values, encourage dialogue and integrate views into >joint solutions. And I believe that with the amount of discussions, e-mail >reading, listening, etc we are all in a position to understand and reconcile >our various interests to shape/build consensus. > > >alice > > > >----- Original Message ----- >From: "Michael Joseph" <MJoseph(a)Safaricom.co.ke> >To: <alice(a)apc.org> >Sent: Tuesday, February 06, 2007 7:25 AM >Subject: Re: [kictanet] Day 10 of 10: Reconciling Stakeholder Interests > > >>I think you have done a good job in summing up the objectives of the >> various participants and stakeholders. I think all the objectives can >> and should be met if all parties understood each other's key objectives >> and operating environments (including an understanding of the costs to >> achieve them). I think we have progressed a great deal in the last 4 >> years with operators, the regulator and the Government beginning to >> understand and appreciate each other roles. >> >> To improve matters, more honest dialog with each other in an environment >> where no one is superior to the other, where the "big whips" are packed >> away, and hopefully a new framework in terms of the new ICT bill where >> the roles and expectations of each stakeholder is clearly spelt out. >> >> Sounds like Utopia but that that's my opinion. >> >> Regards, >> >> Michael >> >> CEO >> Safaricom Limited >> >> -----Original Message----- >> From: kictanet-bounces+mjoseph=safaricom.co.ke(a)kictanet.or.ke >> [mailto:kictanet-bounces+mjoseph=safaricom.co.ke@kictanet.or.ke] On >> Behalf Of John Walubengo >> Sent: Monday, February 05, 2007 7:03 PM >> To: Michael Joseph >> Subject: [kictanet] Day 10 of 10: Reconciling Stakeholder Interests >> >> <<<I must stay that the previous theme 'Projected Impact of >> OFC on Stakeholders' has been quite turbulent. We did >> recieve about 20 postings on this theme(during 4 calender >> days) and it has been a challenge trying to sieve through >> them in order to create a brief and reasonable account of >> the issues, proposals and predictions. In the interest of >> moving forward, I would wish to introduce the next theme >> and but will provide the summary of issues in the final >> report.>>>. >> >> In general, the Operators have an obligation to maximize >> profit for their shareholders by virtue of having taken a >> risk and committed funds into a particular line of business >> (OFC included). The Consumer on the other hand will always >> want services at the lowest cost possible (including free >> services). The Regulator is mandated - in part - to >> provide a level playing field for the Operators and a >> protection mechanism for Consumers. Finally, the >> Government's main role would be to improve the livelihoods >> of its citizens e.g. providing essential services, >> conducive policy, legislative and regulatory environment >> for all the stakeholders. >> >> Indeed, the above brings out the automatic tensions that >> come to play because each stakeholder wants to pursue their >> interests which in most cases would be in conflict. E.g. >> Private sector would naturally follow the lowest path to >> profit e.g. charge highly, concentrate in high-income zones >> and recoup their investments in the shortest time possible. >> Nothing illegal with that, but if the Government >> intervention is lacking in such a situtation, then certain >> parts of society (citizenry) would be excluded from >> accessing some of the (essential) services provided by the >> Businesses. On the other hand, forcing Business to provide >> these services to low income communities, or forcing them >> to under-price without compensatory schemes (incentives) >> would be the quickest way to run down the business (denying >> Govts Tax Revenues). >> >>>From the previous theme, it was evident that the current >> status and relationships, particularly between Consumers >> and Operators is not too healthy. Similarly, the existing >> relationship between Govt and the Regulator came into >> question and various models and frameworks for improving on >> these was proposed. Infact, if all things remain constant >> and the OFC was delivered tomorrow, I suspect that the >> tensions between the stakeholders may go a notch higher, >> possibly compouded by intense Operator(with OFC access) vs >> Operator(without OFC access) wars. >> >> How then can these wars be pre-empted? What are the top >> three things, each Stakeholder (Operators, Regulators, >> Consumers and Govt) should do in order to provide a win-win >> situation for everybody in the new OFC dispensation? Two >> days on this conclusive phase...start talking along this >> theme keeping in mind some Netiquette as recommended by the >> list administrator. >> >> walu. >> >> >> >> >> ________________________________________________________________________ >> ____________ >> Never Miss an Email >> Stay connected with Yahoo! Mail on your mobile. Get started! >> http://mobile.yahoo.com/services?promote=mail >> >> _______________________________________________ >> 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/mjoseph%40safaricom.co.ke >> The information in this email and any attachments is confidential and may >> be legally privileged. It is intended only for the use of the named >> addressee. >> Emails are susceptible to alteration and their integrity cannot be >> guaranteed. Safaricom Limited does not accept legal responsibility for the >> contents of this email if the same is found to have been altered or >> manipulated. >> The contents and opinions expressed in this email are solely those of the >> author and do not necessarily represent those of Safaricom Limited. >> Safaricom Limited disclaims any liability to the fullest extent >> permissible by law for any consequences that may arise from the contents >> of this email including but not limited to personal opinions, malicious >> and/or defamatory information and data/codes that may compromise or damage >> the integrity of the recipient's information technology systems. >> If you are not the intended recipient please notify the sender and >> immediately delete this email from your system. >> >> _______________________________________________ >> 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/alice%40apc.org > > >_______________________________________________ >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/eric%40afrispa.org > -- Eric M.K Osiakwan Executive Secretary AfrISPA (www.afrispa.org) Tel: + 233.21.258800 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" --

5 5

Fwd: Kenya Telecentre Network Workshop
by chelimo kenneth 08 Feb '07

08 Feb '07

Note: forwarded message attached. --------------------------------- Food fight? Enjoy some healthy debate in the Yahoo! Answers Food & Drink Q&A.

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Fwd: Gorbachev wades into piracy row
by Alex Gakuru 07 Feb '07

07 Feb '07

"Glasnost" open source community. If you anybody would like to have free Ubuntu Desktop installed, see link below http://www.billowsbpo.co.ke/ubuntu.html. Linux has never been this simple and so safe, and it is all free. (so no advertising here) Ubuntu - "Linux for Human Beings" Asante Bw. PS for the freedom of information, I foresee its my uses Gakuru Alex Gakuru <alex.gakuru(a)yahoo.com> wrote: [BBC Online] Gorbachev wades into piracy row Former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev has urged Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates to intercede in a computer piracy case against a Russian headteacher. The plea came in an open letter published on Mr Gorbachev's website. Microsoft representatives in Russia brought the case against Alexander Ponosov, accused of running pirated software on school computers. Russian President Vladimir Putin has also criticised the prosecution of Mr Ponosov, in Perm, east of Moscow. Mr Gorbachev's letter, on the website run by his charitable foundation, said "many people in Russia regard this scandalous case as trumped-up, launched on the initiative of Microsoft corporation to set a precedent". 'Show mercy' "We have great respect for the work of Microsoft's programmers... and are in no way casting doubt on the principle of punishment for intellectual property violations. "However, in this case we ask you to show mercy and withdraw your complaint against Alexander Ponosov," the letter read. Mr Gorbachev said that under Russian criminal law the teacher could face "imprisonment in Siberian camps". The Perm region lies in the Ural Mountains, between Moscow and Siberia. Microsoft accuses the teacher of knowingly using pirated Windows software in the school and causing the company losses put at 266,000 roubles ($10,000; £5,000). Mr Ponosov says he is innocent, that the software had been pre-installed and he did not know it was unlicensed when he obtained the computers. At his news conference on 1 February, President Putin said investigators should "go after the distributors, not the users". "It's ridiculous to just arrest a chap for using computers," he said. < http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/6332441.stm > rgds, Alex Gakuru --------------------------------- Cheap Talk? Check out Yahoo! Messenger's low PC-to-Phone call rates. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] __._,_.___ Messages in this topic (1) Reply (via web post) | Start a new topic Messages | Files | Photos | Links | Database | Polls | Members | Calendar Change settings via the Web (Yahoo! ID required) Change settings via email: Switch delivery to Daily Digest | Switch format to Traditional Visit Your Group | Yahoo! Groups Terms of Use | Unsubscribe Recent Activity 1 New Members Visit Your Group SPONSORED LINKS Kenya safaris Kenya travel Kenya phone card Corporate culture Kenya tanzania safari Yahoo! HotJobs Find the right one Search for jobs across the web Yahoo! Mail Get on board You're invited to try the all-new Mail Beta. Yahoo! Groups Start a group in 3 easy steps. Connect with others. . __,_._,___ --------------------------------- Don't be flakey. Get Yahoo! Mail for Mobile and always stay connected to friends.

2 3

adopt a school
by Rebecca Wanjiku 07 Feb '07

07 Feb '07

Adopting schools It all started with Adopt a light, an ambitious city lighting project. Now, Manu Chandaria, industrialist cum philanthropist wants to apply the same concept in ICTs. Speaking at the ICT for Development opening ceremony, Chandaria challenged Kenyans to adopt schools and make sure they can access computers. You can change the face of your village school. Just go there and donate a computer. You can change the face of Kenya, Chandaria said. He also disclosed that he will finance a digital training centre in Mariakani. The centre will be expected to act as a base to establish digital villages in coastal area. One digital village will cost approximately shs 140,000 (USD 2000). 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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yote yawezekana na ICTs
by Rebecca Wanjiku 07 Feb '07

07 Feb '07

Yote yawezekana na ICT. In 1982, Kenya was holding a major conference seeking to bridge the missing link in telephone connectivity. Twenty five years down the line, another major conference- seeking to bridge the digital divide between the rural and urban areas. The ongoing expo, dubbed ICTs for Development, is bringing together people from all sectors and is geared towards improving connectivity and business prospects in rural areas. Information and Communication minister Mutahi Kagwe presided over the opening ceremony and reiterated the governments commitment to improve connectivity and boost business prospects in both rural and urban areas. To underline the governments commitment, Kagwe pointed at the fast tracking of multiple Optic Fibre Cable (OFC) i.e. TEAMS, EASSy and FLAG. The minister promised to speed up implementation of the ICT policy though the draft bill is yet to be published in the Kenya Gazette. Regarding telephone connectivity, the ministry wants to raise the number of users from the current 7.5 m lines to 23 million and raise the number of internet users from the current 1.5 million to 5 million. He commended the print media for highlighting ICTs issues but argued that the media could even play a bigger role. The ministry is organizing an ICT road show that will visit all major towns in the country, and the 210 constituencies. While the minister was quick to challenge the private sector to demystify e-commerce to ordinary men and women, he forgot to mention lack of proper legislation would hamper e-commerce in the country. As the private sector explains about e-commerce as the vehicle to economic recovery, there is need to explain that the same government that is touting ICTs as the savior to our economy is the same government that is dragging its feet on legislation. Whether it is the Attorney Generals responsibility or the ministrys the public assumes they all sing from the same hymn book and they all appreciate the role of ICTs. Yes, yote yawezekana na ICTs! Ends 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.

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Fwd: [Idlelo2] Permanant Secretary of Kenya speaks about negotiating for cheaper development tools
by Bill Kagai 07 Feb '07

07 Feb '07

---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Derek Keats <dkeats(a)uwc.ac.za> Date: Feb 7, 2007 9:44 AM Subject: [Idlelo2] Permanant Secretary of Kenya speaks about negotiating for cheaper development tools To: Idlelo <idlelo2(a)fossfa.net> I am writing this from the 1st International Conference in Computer Science and Informatics (COSCIT 2007), in Nairobi Kenya. In the opening session, Dr. B. Ndemo, Permanant Secretary in the Kenyan Ministry of Information & Communication, gave a speech about ICT in Kenya. He spent quite a bit of time talking about negotiating a deal with Microsoft to make their software cheaper for Kenyans, including developer tools so that Kenyans could become software developers. The local Microsoft representative was in the audience, naturally. Members of the Microsoft "technical officer" team follow politicians and policy makers around like flies follow sick dogs. She left when the Permanant Secretary left. Apparently, a meeting of many of the computer scientists in Kenya was not important enough for her; certainly not as important as being visible to the Permanant Secretary. When the Permanant Secretary made this pronouncement about these negotiations, completely ignoring all that is happening in Kenya with respect to FOSS, I was shocked and saddened. I wanted to ask why waste time removing impediments to creating Kenyan software developers, when with FOSS we can start immediately. There is nothing to negotiate, the tools are as good or better than the tools for Windows, and there are no barriers to innovation. Java, C, C++, C# Python, .NET, PHP, BASIC, and most other environments are available on GNU/Linux. Why do Kenyans need to waste their money getting permission from Microsoft to use these languages for training software developers? This mystery that is only explainable by the constant lobbying pressure from the "technical officers" and their like. There is absolutely no rational basis for it. The minister is implicitly saying that it is right for Kenya to pay money to Microsoft and create a long-term dependence on them, thus using the Kenyan taxpayer's money to create development opportunities in Redmond Washington, an area of the world that really needs dollars from Kenya. It is clear that Dr. Ndemo does not understand that innovation happens faster when barriers are as few as they can reasonably be. With Free Software, this is the case. With propriteary tools, barriers have to be negotiated, and this limits and inhibits innovation. I wanted to show the Permanant Secretary my Ubuntu desktop, equipped with Free Software development tools for which I need neither permission nor to pay license fees to use, and which I can use immediately, no negotiation required. The Permanant Secretary clearly just doesn't get it. Unfortunately, the session did not have a question peroid, and he left along with the Microsoft lap dog (er, I mean representative) before I could use my own keynote space to show him what Free Software can do. So Kenyans active in FOSS, you have a responsibility, this man is in need of some educating. Please make an appointment, go see him. Show him what you are accomplishing with software Freedom. We need to find a way to balance the lobbying power of Microsoft, so that truth and logic have a reasonable chance of prevailing. cheers Derek All Email originating from UWC is covered by disclaimer http://www.uwc.ac.za/portal/uwc2006/content/mail_disclaimer/index.htm _______________________________________________ Idlelo2 mailing list Idlelo2(a)fossfa.net http://mailman.dst.gov.za/mailman/listinfo/idlelo2

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Re: [kictanet] Day 10 of 10: Reconciling Stakeholder Interests
by Lucy Kimani 06 Feb '07

06 Feb '07

Walu: "What are the top three things, each Stakeholder (Operators, Regulators, Consumers and Govt) should do in order to provide a win-win situation for everybody in the new OFC dispensation?" In my humble opinion and this is of course from a consumer perspective I would list priorities as follows: 1)As was pointed out the Operators, Regulators and Govt have been working closely for the past 4 years, clearly missing was the consumer in this relationship, and this needs to change. I am glad the current discussions have highlighted the need to include the consumer as an important stakeholder in all policy making etc. 2)The consumer association that is yet to be registered for reasons not clear to me needs to be a reality -- The consumer needs a face, so there is an entity to negotiate, partner, and hold the various bodies accountable on behalf of consumers, and the consumers need to know they have an entity that will address their concerns. 3)I am confident I speak for many consumers when I say that we are all looking for quality and affordable telecommunciation services so whatever model the OFC adopts needs to ensure the consumer gets closer to achieving these objectives. LK > <<<I must stay that the previous theme 'Projected Impact of > OFC on Stakeholders' has been quite turbulent. We did > recieve about 20 postings on this theme(during 4 calender > days) and it has been a challenge trying to sieve through > them in order to create a brief and reasonable account of > the issues, proposals and predictions. In the interest of > moving forward, I would wish to introduce the next theme > and but will provide the summary of issues in the final > report.>>>. > > In general, the Operators have an obligation to maximize > profit for their shareholders by virtue of having taken a > risk and committed funds into a particular line of business > (OFC included). The Consumer on the other hand will always > want services at the lowest cost possible (including free > services). The Regulator is mandated - in part - to > provide a level playing field for the Operators and a > protection mechanism for Consumers. Finally, the > Government's main role would be to improve the livelihoods > of its citizens e.g. providing essential services, > conducive policy, legislative and regulatory environment > for all the stakeholders. > > Indeed, the above brings out the automatic tensions that > come to play because each stakeholder wants to pursue their > interests which in most cases would be in conflict. E.g. > Private sector would naturally follow the lowest path to > profit e.g. charge highly, concentrate in high-income zones > and recoup their investments in the shortest time possible. > Nothing illegal with that, but if the Government > intervention is lacking in such a situtation, then certain > parts of society (citizenry) would be excluded from > accessing some of the (essential) services provided by the > Businesses. On the other hand, forcing Business to provide > these services to low income communities, or forcing them > to under-price without compensatory schemes (incentives) > would be the quickest way to run down the business (denying > Govts Tax Revenues). > >>From the previous theme, it was evident that the current > status and relationships, particularly between Consumers > and Operators is not too healthy. Similarly, the existing > relationship between Govt and the Regulator came into > question and various models and frameworks for improving on > these was proposed. Infact, if all things remain constant > and the OFC was delivered tomorrow, I suspect that the > tensions between the stakeholders may go a notch higher, > possibly compouded by intense Operator(with OFC access) vs > Operator(without OFC access) wars. > > How then can these wars be pre-empted? What are the top > three things, each Stakeholder (Operators, Regulators, > Consumers and Govt) should do in order to provide a win-win > situation for everybody in the new OFC dispensation? Two > days on this conclusive phase...start talking along this > theme keeping in mind some Netiquette as recommended by the > list administrator. > > walu. > > > > > ____________________________________________________________________________________ > Never Miss an Email > Stay connected with Yahoo! Mail on your mobile. Get started! > http://mobile.yahoo.com/services?promote=mail

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Internet Society (ISOC) will be forming Regional Policy Advisory Groups
by alice＠apc.org 06 Feb '07

06 Feb '07

If you are interested, please send an email to: rpag-africa(a)isoc.org ar --------------------------------------------------------------------------- http://www.isoc.org/pubpolpillar/RPAG.shtml ISOC to form regional policy advisory groups Call for Expressions of Interest The Internet Society (ISOC) will be forming Regional Policy Advisory Groups (RPAGs) to assist realize one of its key goals, that of further internationalizing its public policy work. An RPAG will be created for each region and will assist ISOC tailor its public policy activities at a regional and global level. The Regional Policy Advisory Groups will comprise a small number of experienced and articulate policy advisor volunteers. The RPAGs' role will be, inter alia, to actively work within ISOC and to provide advice as to the formation of ISOC policy programs and activities in region, identify and engage with influential thinkers and public policy makers as needed, contribute to shaping and supporting the focus and formation of the ISOC Regional Bureaus, and to promote and pursue the policy goals of the Internet Society as per the Strategic Operating Plan (www.isoc.org/isoc/mission/) The Regional Policy Advisory Groups will be managed by ISOC's Policy Director. Each RPAG will comprise individuals selected by the Internet Society from within each region and appointed for a year. The advisory nature of the RPAGs must be emphasized and the RPAGs themselves will have no particular legal standing, etc. The RPAGs will be supported via electronic means, with conference calls and meetings as needed. The RPAGs may be asked to represent ISOC interests’ vis-à-vis policy makers and influencers, and to support, as agreed, Chapter and Bureau activities. Those interested in being considered for a position on a Regional Policy Advisory Group should be recognized policy leaders and be committed to, and comfortable articulating, the principles, values and vision of the Internet Society. The Regional Policy Advisory Groups will be established on a staggered basis. We are currently seeking expressions of interest for two regions, Africa and North America. If you are interested in being considered for either, please respond to the appropriate e-mail address below with CV and cover note: rpag-africa(a)isoc.org rpag-northamerica(a)isoc.org

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Fw: Invitation to a Free Public Lecture on "Global Economic Prospects 2007: Managing the Next Wave of Globalization" on 8th February 2007 at KICC, Aberdares Rm @10.am
by alice＠apc.org 06 Feb '07

06 Feb '07

Global Economic Prospects 2007: Managing the Next Wave of Globalization Presented by the Lead Author Richard Newfarmer Economic Advisor, Trade Department, World Bank Thursday, 8th February, 2007, 10.00am ? 12.00noon Aberdares Room, KICC Imagine a world where developing countries are the key drivers behind global economic growth, where about half or more of the purchasing power of the global economy stems from the developing world, a world where the number of people living on less than $1 a day has fallen from 1.1 billion now to 550 million in 2030. These are the key messages of the Global Economic Prospects 2007: Managing the Next Wave of Globalization?a publication that has a lot of relevance to Kenya?s medium term development strategy, Vision 2030.=

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VRFY TST 1
by Odhiambo WASHINGTON 06 Feb '07

06 Feb '07

VRFY TST. cheers - wash +----------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+ Odhiambo Washington . WANANCHI ONLINE LTD (Nairobi, KE) | wash () WANANCHI ! com . 1ere Etage, Loita Hse, Loita St., | GSM: (+254) 722 743 223 . # 10286, 00100 NAIROBI | GSM: (+254) 733 744 121 . (+254) 020 313 985 - 9 | +---------------------------------+------------------------------------------+ "Oh My God! They killed init! You Bastards!" --from a /. post

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quick test - 20070206 5.15p.m
by John Walubengo 06 Feb '07

06 Feb '07

plse ignore...if O.K. Otherwise I did send a message 30min ago and it hasn't popped up. walu. ____________________________________________________________________________________ Need Mail bonding? Go to the Yahoo! Mail Q&A for great tips from Yahoo! Answers users. http://answers.yahoo.com/dir/?link=list&sid=396546091

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Fwd: REF: CONTRACT: N°410.2 SUPPORT TO ICT SECTOR IN EAST AFRICA - MAURITIUS, MADAGASCAR AND KENYA
by Bill Kagai 06 Feb '07

06 Feb '07

---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Patrice J. Ferriere <pferrier(a)intnet.mu> Date: Feb 6, 2007 3:23 PM Subject: REF: CONTRACT: N°410.2 SUPPORT TO ICT SECTOR IN EAST AFRICA - MAURITIUS, MADAGASCAR AND KENYA To: billkagai(a)gmail.com Sir, Our company has been short-listed by the CDE to carry out the project as referred to above. This project aims at improving the ICT sector of the concerned countries by reinforcing their management capacities, by generalizing the access to freeware use and by creating a flow of partnerships with European companies of the same sector. The project consist selecting in each country from three to five companies of the ICT sector, in analysing them and bringing them some additional training as regards to marketing and sales. Moreover these companies will be able in a second phase to have personalised coaching over a period of one year. This project will offer them the possibility to have access to managerial and technical training and will be able to participate in a program of distribution and utilisation of Open Source applications in the region and also to have the possibility to partner with European companies on the same size. I am actually in Nairobi until the 9th of February 2007, I am at Hotel Heron(2720740<javascript:void(0)>) and will be pleased to meet you any time convenient to you. Best Regards Patrice J. Ferriere Senior Consultant EXS/IBL *( * +230 202-8203 *8 * pferrier(a)intnet.mu *2 * +230 202-8210 *** 10, Dr Ferriere St. Port-Louis ~ Mauritius *) * +230 423-3007 *Disclaimer and confidentiality note:* ------------------------------ This communication is intended solely for the addressee and is confidential. If you are not the intended recipient, any disclosure, copying, distribution or any action taken or omitted to be taken in reliance on it, is prohibited and may be unlawful. If this email contains an attachment, please note the following paragraph: This material has been checked for computer viruses and although none has been found, I cannot guarantee that it is completely free from such problems and do not accept any liability for loss or damage which may be caused. Please therefore check any attachments for viruses before using them on your own equipment. If you do find a computer virus please inform me immediately so that I may take appropriate action. ------------------------------

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Day 10 of 10: Reconciling Stakeholder Interests
by John Walubengo 06 Feb '07

06 Feb '07

<<<I must stay that the previous theme 'Projected Impact of OFC on Stakeholders' has been quite turbulent. We did recieve about 20 postings on this theme(during 4 calender days) and it has been a challenge trying to sieve through them in order to create a brief and reasonable account of the issues, proposals and predictions. In the interest of moving forward, I would wish to introduce the next theme and but will provide the summary of issues in the final report.>>>. In general, the Operators have an obligation to maximize profit for their shareholders by virtue of having taken a risk and committed funds into a particular line of business (OFC included). The Consumer on the other hand will always want services at the lowest cost possible (including free services). The Regulator is mandated - in part - to provide a level playing field for the Operators and a protection mechanism for Consumers. Finally, the Government's main role would be to improve the livelihoods of its citizens e.g. providing essential services, conducive policy, legislative and regulatory environment for all the stakeholders. Indeed, the above brings out the automatic tensions that come to play because each stakeholder wants to pursue their interests which in most cases would be in conflict. E.g. Private sector would naturally follow the lowest path to profit e.g. charge highly, concentrate in high-income zones and recoup their investments in the shortest time possible. Nothing illegal with that, but if the Government intervention is lacking in such a situtation, then certain parts of society (citizenry) would be excluded from accessing some of the (essential) services provided by the Businesses. On the other hand, forcing Business to provide these services to low income communities, or forcing them to under-price without compensatory schemes (incentives) would be the quickest way to run down the business (denying Govts Tax Revenues). >From the previous theme, it was evident that the current status and relationships, particularly between Consumers and Operators is not too healthy. Similarly, the existing relationship between Govt and the Regulator came into question and various models and frameworks for improving on these was proposed. Infact, if all things remain constant and the OFC was delivered tomorrow, I suspect that the tensions between the stakeholders may go a notch higher, possibly compouded by intense Operator(with OFC access) vs Operator(without OFC access) wars. How then can these wars be pre-empted? What are the top three things, each Stakeholder (Operators, Regulators, Consumers and Govt) should do in order to provide a win-win situation for everybody in the new OFC dispensation? Two days on this conclusive phase...start talking along this theme keeping in mind some Netiquette as recommended by the list administrator. walu. ____________________________________________________________________________________ Never Miss an Email Stay connected with Yahoo! Mail on your mobile. Get started! http://mobile.yahoo.com/services?promote=mail

4 3

Re: [Kictanet] Existing/Appropriate Regulatory Models for OFC (2days)
by joseph kihanya 05 Feb '07

05 Feb '07

The regulatory framework I am afraid has to have its background against what is and has become current over the last 15 years or so globally. It can be viewed both at the national level and at the international arena. It is important to note that regulation in telecommunications is a public policy matter for any country. 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. Telecommunications regulation in the transition from a monopolistic and largely anti- market based approaches to supply of services, to a market based approach in a liberalized era, mandated most governments and hence societies to seek regulatory oversight. This was against an anticipated reduction of oversight given that market forces/ competition was to guide, in the long term, the development of this industry as in others. Consensus appears to be that in the short term-as a guide/ facilitator to liberalization, regulatory bodies were and are required. It is indeed even anticipated that it is in this transitional stage that the regulators will be so busy – for the obvious reasons that the new players may gain dominance very quickly and attain the monopolistic tendencies of the historical operators. Why is regulation in telecommunications important? 1. It authorizes new operators. 2. It removes barriers to entry. 3. It mandates interconnection between players. 4. It oversees the penetration of services in areas that commercial imperatives would not allow or pursue. The objectives of transparent telecommunications regulation are mainly the following; Oversee competitive markets by;  Promoting efficient supply of services.  Ensuring good QOS  Promote advances services  Enable the maintenance of efficient pricing.  Prevent abuse of significant market powers.  Protect consumer rights/privacy rights.  Facilitate interconnection thereby efficient use of telecommunication services.  Oversee the optimal use of the finite radio frequency spectrum. From the foregoing, it is clear that, in the short term at least, most countries, Kenya included have an interest to regulate telecommunications services provision. The question therefore only remains as to whether the OFC is within the ambit of what may be regulated in the industry. Deregulation is a theme that is in play in most jurisdictions that have achieved above optimal competitive markets. The case of the UK under the Communications Act 2003 and the role of OFCOM are in point. Given that there is no direct call for deregulation even under the National ICT policy 2006, it would appear that the strategies suggested at 3.3.1 in relation to information technology infrastructure would entail a fair amount of regulation. This is especially given the fact that despite encouragement of the laying of the infrastructure, only so few options will be available, Indeed, in the OFC case, perhaps 2 will be a lucky option for many for the next 5-10 years or more. Do we then need a regulatory framework? My answer is yes and perhaps for tempering, a hesitant qualifier. Competition laws are likely to be the most fundamental “regulatory framework” for the OFC as indeed for any other services. It is particular to note that even in the UK the Office of Fair Trading and OFCOM share equivalent powers in relation to fostering competition. The CCK will have to; in the very short to medium term translate from the “licenser”- facilitator of entry- primarily- to a serious competition oversight body with sound, quick and efficient determinations. If I am not wrong the only recorded competition determination relates to the cyber-café association- common pricing attempt- I stand to be corrected. Interconnection determinations have been one- Kencell vs TKL ? This will be countered and perhaps also enhanced by an independent competition body- the workings of the anti-monopolies commissioner under the Restrictive Trade Practices Act (Chapter 504 Laws of Kenya), are highly opaque. Other countries, such as Australia have also undergone a transformation from maintaining industry specific competition principles and statutes for the telecommunication sector to an all inclusive co- competition oversight regime in the interim and a sustainable sole competition / regulatory framework for all industries. As such therefore, regulation for the OFC may be through the competition framework under the CA 1998 or the KICT BILL 2006. Complete lack of regulation may therefore not be an option at all. Whatever business model is adopted, the Key question is whether as a country in acute need of the OFC, we would facilitate its provisioning of services within the country without any regard to any oversight of any sort for whatever purpose. At the international level. The WTO and the ITU also anticipate regulatory oversight in telecommunications too and Kenya, being party to these organizations would be hard pressed to provision services without oversight (if that were possible), especially since the OFC will be extra-territorial. I would suggest that a reading of this Reference paper at the WTO would elaborate on this aspect. See www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/serv_e/telecom_e/tel23_e.htm The best regulatory models would for me therefore be within the competition framework. It would be difficult to try and regulate any/the OFC, singularly, as it would also perhaps border on the unconstitutional, there being a bar againts discrimination under our Constitution. Sector specific competition regulation under the CA1998 may work in the meantime but in the long run a clear policy that has a generic definition of what significant market power is, would serve the industry best. Kihanya ----- Original Message ---- From: John Walubengo <jwalu(a)yahoo.com> To: kihanyajn(a)yahoo.com Sent: Wednesday, January 31, 2007 5:45:10 PM Subject: Re: [Kictanet] Day 8 of 10 : - Projected Impact of OFC on the Stakeholders Cool! u r on e-record- we expect something Regulatory from you on or before Day 10. thanx, walu. --- joseph kihanya <kihanyajn(a)yahoo.com> wrote: > Thanks Walu for the discussion moderation. > > I am doing something on the regulatory framework and will > post by day 10. > > On operators I would expect that there woulda be a > reciprocation in price and QOS issues. > I would expect that there would be publicly accessible > interconnection agreements under the non-discriminatory > technology-neutral Open Access principles . > I would also expect that there would have to bea busines > realignment to conform with new entrants at the local > lvel who the operators would indeed agree not to want to > "take over" asa soon asa a ROI looks good. > > > On the regulator, the paradigm shift in allowing > competition and enforcing it would be key.Competition > alone despite all that is siad about it is not known to > benefit consumers largely where duopolies or oligopolies > exits. product and price shadowing takes centre stage and > one is not sure that the alternatives are not > exhorbitant. > > The regulator must also enforce QOS. > > The consumer must be ready for a vibrant market and take > up alternatives that make the best "cents".He /She must > be able to walk out..and perhaps to an > ombudsman(regulator) where QOS is not as per SLA or > other "promises.Whining loudly may help(See South > Africans vs Telkom SA in the Daily News recently) > > Kihanya > > > > ----- Original Message ---- > From: John Walubengo <jwalu(a)yahoo.com> > To: kihanyajn(a)yahoo.com > Sent: Wednesday, January 31, 2007 10:11:24 AM > Subject: [Kictanet] Day 8 of 10 : - Projected Impact of > OFC on the Stakeholders > > > I must thank all for your valuable views shared over the > last two days regarding the previous theme :- what are > the > Best Models for Provisioning submarine OFC. > > Three models seem to have persisted throughout the > discussion, namely, Open Access (EASsy), Private-led > (Flag), and our famous Consortium models. Where Mucheru > mentions separation of Cable ownership from Cable > Management fits in 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). 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 came in with a > variant model where the cable is –privately owned but > promises to open access to the Landing points - but aims > to maximise 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) > > Nobody really pushed the Consortium model, but probably > Badru did hint strongly for such a model when he > mentioned > that Commercial interest should be 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 aiming to build, own and operate a > submarine cable with aim of maximising their returns > (profit) in the shortest time possible –social > connotation > notwithstanding. > > And this is where the Consumer has suffered. The > short-terms interests of investors must be balanced > against > the long-term social benefits that would accrue from a > affordable bandwidth provisions. Alex and LK seem to be > voice of the consumer here, urging the Regulator to flex > their muscle – probably now and more in future when the > OFC > is laid-out. > > In all this, the various financing options were not so > pronounced as noted by Michael J. Apart from IPO > recommendation from Kai and Bill, the financing models > (Equity, Debt, etc) has not quite come through and I hope > someone could make comment on that within the remaining > three days as we discuss our next theme:- What is the > likely impact of the above models on the existing > stakeholders (Operators, Regulator and Consumers)? That > is, what do we see as the roles of the above stakeholders > in the new dispensation of the Optical Submarine Cable. > The > efloor is again open and we have two days on this one. > > walu. > Nb: a Face2Face meeting will follow up after this online > discussion where all these issues will be streamlined. > ~~~~~000~~~~~~ > Theme Reminder: > 1) Why OFC (1day) > 2) Existing Business Models for OFC provisioning (2days) > 3) Existing/Appropriate Regulatory Models for OFC (2days) > 4) Best Model (Business+Regulatory) for E. Africans > (2days) > <Ongoing-Open> > 5) Projected Impact on Stakeholders (2days) > <Pending> > 6) Reconciling Stakeholder interests/Conclusions (1day) > <Pending> > > > > > > > ____________________________________________________________________________________ > Looking for earth-friendly autos? > Browse Top Cars by "Green Rating" at Yahoo! Autos' Green > Center. > http://autos.yahoo.com/green_center/ > > _______________________________________________ > 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/kihanyajn%40yahoo.com > > > > ____________________________________________________________________________________ > Looking for earth-friendly autos? > Browse Top Cars by "Green Rating" at Yahoo! Autos' Green > Center. > http://autos.yahoo.com/green_center/ > > _______________________________________________ > 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/jwalu%40yahoo.com > ____________________________________________________________________________________ Have a burning question? Go to www.Answers.yahoo.com and get answers from real people who know. _______________________________________________ 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/kihanyajn%40yahoo.com ____________________________________________________________________________________ Cheap talk? Check out Yahoo! Messenger's low PC-to-Phone call rates. http://voice.yahoo.com

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Re: [kictanet] [Kictanet] Existing/Appropriate Regulatory ModelsforOFC (Day 8 Cont'd)
by Wainaina Mungai 05 Feb '07

05 Feb '07

Apologies... 1. The correct link to the ICT consumer story is: http://www.madeinkenya.org/forum_files/forum0207.php . 2. Some consumer responses (graphs) on the impact of liberalisation/privatisation are available at http://www.madeinkenya.org/forum_files/forum0107.php > -------Original Message------- > From: Wainaina Mungai <wainaina(a)madeinkenya.org> > Subject: Re: [kictanet] [Kictanet] Existing/Appropriate Regulatory ModelsforOFC (Day 8 Cont'd) > Sent: 05 Feb '07 14:49 > > Increased participation by NGOs/not-for-profit would be one way to go for consumer-focused engagement. > > My understanding of the trust issues between consumers and other players is that the private sector rightfully pursue what makes them money. They have also fought for consumers and we are enjoying some of the benefits together. However, there are limits to what we should expect of commercial ventures. On the other hand, the government and the regulator have to delicately balance loyalties to all the players. > > The consumer needs: > 1. Education/information {most consumers do not make informed choices on ICT products/services} > 2. An non-governmental/not-for-profit platform for articulating issues (a consumer association or something in that line). > 3. Greater involvement in all ICT policy and implementation processes throgh both their initiative and deliberate involvement by government, regulator and other players. > > ##By consumer, I mean the mwananchi in a market centre in Bondo aka "Wanjiku" who is usually the final consumer. This definition deliberately leaves out service providers who are at a higher level as "consumers". See http://www.madeinkenya.org/forum0207.php for an example of what a small-scale business consumer thinks of ICTs. > > Regards, > > --- > Wainaina Mungai > http://www.madeinkenya.org/forum.php > > SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. > > > > -------Original Message------- > > From: alice(a)apc.org > > Subject: Re: [kictanet] [Kictanet] Existing/Appropriate Regulatory ModelsforOFC (Day 8 Cont'd) > > Sent: 05 Feb '07 09:38 > > > > Hi Alex and all > > > > (Please note that my views/contributions to this debate are personal and do > > not in any way reflect the official view of the CCK) > > > > There is normally quite a lot of tension between commitment and flexibility > > that all governments face when creating and implementing communications > > polices and rules. Primarily government is responsible for developing > > policy, which by extension establishes regulatory authorities which works to > > a mandate set by the legislation. The role of regulatory authorities is > > primarily facilitative it is not its role to provide detailed management of > > the sector and major policy issues should still be decided by government ( > > in the interest of the public read consumers) with operators themselves > > taking care of commercial and operational matters. > > Therefore the independence of a regulator cannot be absolute but it can and > > should operate with the sustained support of the government with which rests > > the ultimate responsibility for the health of the sector by the policies > > governments adopt and implement. > > > > Back to Walu's question "how can/should the Consumers as one of the > > > Key stakeholders engage with the others namely, Regulator, Operator, Govt, > > > in the future dispensation (when OFC has > > > been provisioned?)" > > > > >From a consumer perspective what would be ideal would be to get involved in > > development of consumer protection policies and regulations which would > > provide users with all the information required to make informed choices > > thus deriving benefits from competitive service provisioning. > > The regulators should also aim at maintaining public confidence through > > 1. Implementation of suitable consultation mechanisms > > 2.encouraging good practice by providers as well as provision of > > universal high quality service, > > 3. Ensure all providers are treated fairly while assuring consumers if > > fairness in tariffs transparency in billing as well as opportunity to > > redress poor performance and/or misconduct > > > > All the above and more should ideally be developed into a set of consumer > > affairs guidelines applying to all service providers in all categories, be > > it infrastructure etc and end users. > > > > best > > alice > > > > > > > > > > > > ----- Original Message ----- > > From: "Alex Gakuru" <alex.gakuru(a)yahoo.com> > > To: <alice(a)apc.org> > > Cc: <ke-intenetusers(a)bdix.net> > > Sent: Monday, February 05, 2007 7:14 AM > > Subject: Re: [kictanet] [Kictanet] Existing/Appropriate Regulatory > > ModelsforOFC (Day 8 Cont'd) > > > > > > > Lucy, > > > > > > >not to mention the fact that "independent" regulator is just but a > > > theory, and government >foot prints are all over the place... > > > > > > It was shocking to hear, in contempt of court, they publicly proclaimed > > > that they were not "independent" but just a part of government (at the > > > World Bank breakfast meeting three weeks ago). As far as I know, this > > > contravenes a recent court ruling to the effect that CCK decisions are not > > > tied to government policy. Thus far, CCK is a not a "regulator", perhaps a > > > vested interests, sound proof glass house where consumer cries cannot > > > reach? > > > > > > But welcome to Kenya, and see how our laws are flouted and court played, > > > but when it comes to LICENSES... it is like "god" speaking to sinners. And > > > all the talk about fresh new laws...? > > > > > > When I learnt the poem "who killed Cock Robin" as a child, I had no idea > > > it would make any sense in my grown life. But with the so many official > > > barriers to affordable communication this robin poem > > > <http://www.garden-birds.co.uk/birds/robin.htm> now makes a lot of sense. > > > > > > Have a laughly day. > > > > > > > > > Alex > > > Lucy Kimani <lkimani(a)comnews.co.ke> wrote: > > > Alex, > > > > > > Just to add to what you say below, my take just by observing the various > > > players in the telecom industry these couple of months, as well as the > > > policy makers and those suppossed to be regulating/implementing these > > > policies is that there is too much "conflict of interest" and no wonder > > > the consumer gets a raw deal! > > > > > > - A regulator that is more concerned with keeping the operators happy > > > rather than looking out for the tax payer paying their salaries not to > > > mention the fact that "independent" regulator is just but a theory, and > > > government foot prints are all over the place... > > > - Operators eager to keep the status quo, but in the meantime trying to > > > out do each other to steal, and or maintain the customer base, fighting > > > dirty comes to mind, or is it capitalism at its best? > > > - A government looking to grow the GDP and hopefully looking to lower the > > > bandwidth price in the process, but being pulled in different directions > > > by the various forces and one can only hope they dont wind up carrying the > > > donkey on their backs!!! > > > > > > LK > > > oops! > > >> > > >> ... but seriously there quite a number of underlying issues. But in > > >> short:- > > >> > > >> 1. Regulator - Should begin by establishing a relationship framework with > > >> consumers and multi-located businesses and facilitate them with their own > > >> fibre rollouts- Remember it is cheap and can pass overhead on electric > > >> poles, riverbeds, hills etc especially where big telcos do not find the > > >> business case to do it. Help change "LICENSE" a facilitative piece of > > >> paper not an intimidating obstacle to consumer - affordable > > >> telecommunication. > > >> > > >> 2. Operators - they assist in the operations/management of > > >> consumer-customer owned last mile fibre and/or mash (2.4 and 5.8 GHz) > > >> networks > > >> > > >> 3 Government - Ministry of Information should ensure the wonderful > > >> consumer protection clauses in the ICT policy (and upcoming Information > > >> laws) do not end as relics. The implementation strategy has to be theirs. > > >> So don't ask me :-) > > >> > > >> 4. Everyone - to be honest. > > >> > > >> Briefest I could get. > > >> > > >> /Alex > > >> > > >> John Walubengo wrote: Alex, > > >> > > >> Plse, to avoid information overload, plse give a preamble > > >> (executive summary) of what your links do elaborate in what > > >> I believe would be much detail. > > >> > > >> It will be much, much more helpful in that you would assist > > >> us in internalising the whole idea/model...so back to > > >> Mucheru's qtn. How can/should the Consumers as one of the > > >> Key stakeholders engage with the others namely, Regulator, > > >> Operator, Govt, in the future dispensation (when OFC has > > >> been provisioned?). > > >> > > >> walu. > > >> NB: we shall start on the Closing phase on Monday. I > > >> remembered Kenyans (and other African users?) are not > > >> active internet users on weekends.. > > >> > > >> --- Alex Gakuru wrote: > > >> > > >>> Glad to: > > >>> > > >>> Loss of internet users affects everyone and economic > > >>> retardation, knowledge society, will be washed away, just > > >>> like we lost fibre cable in 1995 see Vohra Speech < > > >>> http://www.isoc.or.ke/speeches/launch_vohra.pdf> > > >>> > > >>> Thus, read my frustrations in the light of the many > > >>> proposals made officially but nothing has ever been done. > > >>> > > >>> > > >>> Synopsis: > > >>> > > >>> 3 things for now maybe more later (if needed.) > > >>> > > >>> 1. Boost IT confidence for otherwise, there will not be > > >>> any market left for business, no e-government, > > >>> information society.... > > >>> > > >>> > > >>> You can find them on > > >>> http://www.sweden.gov.se/sb/d/2156/a/22411 > > >>> > > >>> The two reports are: > > >>> > > >>> - Policy for the IT society - Recommendations from the > > >>> members of the IT > > >>> Policy Strategy Group > > >>> > > >>> An overall document with recommendations on what the > > >>> government should do. > > >>> It includes information from the 2nd report... > > >>> > > >>> - Broadband for growth, innovation and competitiveness > > >>> > > >>> > In April 2004 the Government´s IT Policy Strategy Group > > >>> set up a > > >>> > working group on IT infrastructure and broadband. The > > >>> primary task of > > >>> > the working group has been to support the Strategy > > >>> Group by working, > > >>> > within the framework of a free market, for futureproof, > > >>> accessible, > > >>> > competitionneutral, technologyneutral and coherent > > >>> electronic > > >>> > communications networks, which are capable of meeting > > >>> the challenges > > >>> > of the future. This report summarises the discussions > > >>> and proposals. > > >>> > > >>> > > >>> > > >>> 2. Because Regulator apparently never catchup, then > > >>> establish consumer complaints portal (something like > > >>> http://spokane.bbb.org/) > > >>> - ICT policy provides for consumers to frequently > > >>> their concern areas ( a pity all our labored official > > >>> documents were pulled down and replace with a template at > > >>> www.information.go.ke documents. > > >>> - Consumers register complaints against businesses at > > >>> this portal. When the company addresses the issue, the > > >>> complaint is struck off. governments not allowed to > > >>> transact with business above certain complaints ratio - > > >>> Promotes business ethics. > > >>> - Register members=>Consumer make responsible > > >>> complaints not malicious to their competitors > > >>> > > >>> 3. Regulation. > > >>> > > >>> What is self regulation? > > >>> - A corporate basement corner "self-regulation" desk > > >>> or acceptance to complaints, criticism and accepting the > > >>> impact of one's action to others > > >>> - Regulator will have a "regulatory" job in this > > >>> environment > > >>> - Currently consumer complaints collected by CCK just > > >>> accumulate dust in their archives and this would be a > > >>> good way to measure their performance contracts. > > >>> (Business disputes area addressed in a flash) record. So > > >>> in a way consumers, will "regulate" the Regulator. > > >>> > > >>> This is just a synopsis let me know if it suffices > > >>> > > >>> Alex > > >>> > > >>> Joseph Mucheru wrote: Alex, > > >>> > > >>> I may have missed you post, but have you proposed an > > >>> appropriate > > >>> Consumer/Business/Regulatory structure that you believe > > >>> will work? It would > > >>> help to have an idea of what you are proposing as a > > >>> structure. > > >>> > > >>> Thank you > > >>> > > >>> -- > > >>> Joseph Mucheru > > >>> Executive Director > > >>> mucheru(a)wananchi.com > > >>> > > >>> > From: Alex Gakuru > > >>> > Reply-To: Kenya ICT Action Network - KICTANet > > >>> > Date: Fri, 2 Feb 2007 00:36:43 -0800 (PST) > > >>> > To: > > >>> > Cc: > > >>> > Subject: Re: [kictanet] [Kictanet] Existing/Appropriate > > >>> Regulatory Models for > > >>> > OFC (2days) > > >>> > > > >>> > Kenya has been profusely bleeding internet users. > > >>> > > > >>> > In 2005, we had 1.5 million internet users but in Sept > > >>> 2006, ITU revised the > > >>> > number to 1 million. CCK then urged some of us who > > >>> raised this concern that > > >>> > they disputed the figure and urgently launched an > > >>> Internet users study-census > > >>> > on 01 Nov 2006 at Mbagathi. We were all promised to > > >>> be called back before > > >>> > end December 2006 for study findings. That never > > >>> happened and January just > > >>> > end. > > >>> > > > >>> > Two week ago at the World Bank RCIP meeting at the > > >>> Jacaranda Hotel, the PS in > > >>> > his presentation stated the number of internet users to > > >>> be 1.25 million. > > >>> > > > >>> > Question, Going by the PS data, what could be causing > > >>> internet loss in Kenya? > > >>> > > > >>> > Eight years after CCK was formed and section 23 and 47 > > >>> of the communications > > >>> > act introduced, The Regulator is yet to show 1 > > >>> practical initiative they have > > >>> > ever implemented to protect consumers. Consumer > > >>> protection, it would appear, > > >>> > is petulant and the law is broken without a blink while > > >>> the Regulator embarks > > >>> > on situation containment-management, and life goes on. > > >>> > > > >>> > Is it time for Civil society to divorce itself from > > >>> over engagement on > > >>> > commercial arrangement discussions between government > > >>> and business and > > >>> > re-dedicate itself to serving the voiceless? > > >>> > > > >>> > 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, but as usual > > >>> > just in the future to keep hope high? > > >>> > > > >>> > In the meantime we continue talk on fibre while a third > > >>> of our internet users > > >>> > are lost. > > >>> > > > >>> > Alex Gakuru > > >>> > > > >>> > > > >>> > Rebecca Wanjiku wrote: the question of regulation > > >>> > is tricky but as Kihanya points out, it is going to > > >>> take a lot of > > >>> > consultations and concessions between government and > > >>> other stakeholders if the > > >>> > OFC is to work and serve the intended purposes, > > >>> > > > >>> > True, other countries have deregulated but what do > > >>> you do in a country like > > >>> > say, Kenya where the anti monopolies commissioner is > > >>> not in the fore front of > > >>> > addressing issues, am sure many people on the streets > > >>> may not know the > > >>> > existence of that office. > > >>> > > > >>> > In the article by Roland Alden that Walu has > > >>> recommended, he argues that > > >>> > many African govts have been resistant to change and > > >>> adds that what is needed > > >>> > is regulation liberalization. Maybe thatâ?Ts what is > > >>> needed. > > >>> > > > >>> > But how do we start talking of deregulation when we > > >>> canâ?Tt agree about the > > >>> > Act that will govern some of these issues. > > >>> > > > >>> > I may not be well versed with the law but am sure > > >>> with the technological > > >>> > development, there will arise disputes that were not > > >>> envisaged in our current > > >>> > laws, how do we deal with that within the judicial > > >>> system, we need an ACT > > >>> > Roland further contends that in some cases, > > >>> regulators may have ordered a > > >>> > party to fulfill its part of the bargain, but when it > > >>> failed, the judicial > > >>> > system "rarely provided any meaningful" compensation to > > >>> the aggrieved party. > > >>> > > > >>> > Regulation, deregulation, appropriate law, and am > > >>> sure > > >> === message truncated ===> > > >> _______________________________________________ > > >>> 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/jwalu%40yahoo.com > > >> > > >> > > >> > > >> > > >> ____________________________________________________________________________________ > > >> Bored stiff? Loosen up... > > >> Download and play hundreds of games for free on Yahoo! Games. > > >> http://games.yahoo.com/games/front > > >> > > >> _______________________________________________ > > >> 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 > > >> > > >> > > >> > > >> --------------------------------- > > >> Access over 1 million songs - Yahoo! Music > > >> Unlimited._______________________________________________ > > >> 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/alex.gakuru%40yahoo.com > > > > > > > > > > > > --------------------------------- > > > Everyone is raving about the all-new Yahoo! Mail beta. > > > > > > -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- > > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > > > 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/alice%40apc.org > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > > 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/wainaina%40madeinkenya.org > > >

1 0

Re: [kictanet] [Kictanet] Existing/Appropriate Regulatory ModelsforOFC (Day 8 Cont'd)
by Wainaina Mungai 05 Feb '07

05 Feb '07

Increased participation by NGOs/not-for-profit would be one way to go for consumer-focused engagement. My understanding of the trust issues between consumers and other players is that the private sector rightfully pursue what makes them money. They have also fought for consumers and we are enjoying some of the benefits together. However, there are limits to what we should expect of commercial ventures. On the other hand, the government and the regulator have to delicately balance loyalties to all the players. The consumer needs: 1. Education/information {most consumers do not make informed choices on ICT products/services} 2. An non-governmental/not-for-profit platform for articulating issues (a consumer association or something in that line). 3. Greater involvement in all ICT policy and implementation processes throgh both their initiative and deliberate involvement by government, regulator and other players. ##By consumer, I mean the mwananchi in a market centre in Bondo aka "Wanjiku" who is usually the final consumer. This definition deliberately leaves out service providers who are at a higher level as "consumers". See http://www.madeinkenya.org/forum0207.php for an example of what a small-scale business consumer thinks of ICTs. Regards, --- Wainaina Mungai http://www.madeinkenya.org/forum.php SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. > -------Original Message------- > From: alice(a)apc.org > Subject: Re: [kictanet] [Kictanet] Existing/Appropriate Regulatory ModelsforOFC (Day 8 Cont'd) > Sent: 05 Feb '07 09:38 > > Hi Alex and all > > (Please note that my views/contributions to this debate are personal and do > not in any way reflect the official view of the CCK) > > There is normally quite a lot of tension between commitment and flexibility > that all governments face when creating and implementing communications > polices and rules. Primarily government is responsible for developing > policy, which by extension establishes regulatory authorities which works to > a mandate set by the legislation. The role of regulatory authorities is > primarily facilitative it is not its role to provide detailed management of > the sector and major policy issues should still be decided by government ( > in the interest of the public read consumers) with operators themselves > taking care of commercial and operational matters. > Therefore the independence of a regulator cannot be absolute but it can and > should operate with the sustained support of the government with which rests > the ultimate responsibility for the health of the sector by the policies > governments adopt and implement. > > Back to Walu's question "how can/should the Consumers as one of the > > Key stakeholders engage with the others namely, Regulator, Operator, Govt, > > in the future dispensation (when OFC has > > been provisioned?)" > > >From a consumer perspective what would be ideal would be to get involved in > development of consumer protection policies and regulations which would > provide users with all the information required to make informed choices > thus deriving benefits from competitive service provisioning. > The regulators should also aim at maintaining public confidence through > 1. Implementation of suitable consultation mechanisms > 2.encouraging good practice by providers as well as provision of > universal high quality service, > 3. Ensure all providers are treated fairly while assuring consumers if > fairness in tariffs transparency in billing as well as opportunity to > redress poor performance and/or misconduct > > All the above and more should ideally be developed into a set of consumer > affairs guidelines applying to all service providers in all categories, be > it infrastructure etc and end users. > > best > alice > > > > > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Alex Gakuru" <alex.gakuru(a)yahoo.com> > To: <alice(a)apc.org> > Cc: <ke-intenetusers(a)bdix.net> > Sent: Monday, February 05, 2007 7:14 AM > Subject: Re: [kictanet] [Kictanet] Existing/Appropriate Regulatory > ModelsforOFC (Day 8 Cont'd) > > > > Lucy, > > > > >not to mention the fact that "independent" regulator is just but a > > theory, and government >foot prints are all over the place... > > > > It was shocking to hear, in contempt of court, they publicly proclaimed > > that they were not "independent" but just a part of government (at the > > World Bank breakfast meeting three weeks ago). As far as I know, this > > contravenes a recent court ruling to the effect that CCK decisions are not > > tied to government policy. Thus far, CCK is a not a "regulator", perhaps a > > vested interests, sound proof glass house where consumer cries cannot > > reach? > > > > But welcome to Kenya, and see how our laws are flouted and court played, > > but when it comes to LICENSES... it is like "god" speaking to sinners. And > > all the talk about fresh new laws...? > > > > When I learnt the poem "who killed Cock Robin" as a child, I had no idea > > it would make any sense in my grown life. But with the so many official > > barriers to affordable communication this robin poem > > <http://www.garden-birds.co.uk/birds/robin.htm> now makes a lot of sense. > > > > Have a laughly day. > > > > > > Alex > > Lucy Kimani <lkimani(a)comnews.co.ke> wrote: > > Alex, > > > > Just to add to what you say below, my take just by observing the various > > players in the telecom industry these couple of months, as well as the > > policy makers and those suppossed to be regulating/implementing these > > policies is that there is too much "conflict of interest" and no wonder > > the consumer gets a raw deal! > > > > - A regulator that is more concerned with keeping the operators happy > > rather than looking out for the tax payer paying their salaries not to > > mention the fact that "independent" regulator is just but a theory, and > > government foot prints are all over the place... > > - Operators eager to keep the status quo, but in the meantime trying to > > out do each other to steal, and or maintain the customer base, fighting > > dirty comes to mind, or is it capitalism at its best? > > - A government looking to grow the GDP and hopefully looking to lower the > > bandwidth price in the process, but being pulled in different directions > > by the various forces and one can only hope they dont wind up carrying the > > donkey on their backs!!! > > > > LK > > oops! > >> > >> ... but seriously there quite a number of underlying issues. But in > >> short:- > >> > >> 1. Regulator - Should begin by establishing a relationship framework with > >> consumers and multi-located businesses and facilitate them with their own > >> fibre rollouts- Remember it is cheap and can pass overhead on electric > >> poles, riverbeds, hills etc especially where big telcos do not find the > >> business case to do it. Help change "LICENSE" a facilitative piece of > >> paper not an intimidating obstacle to consumer - affordable > >> telecommunication. > >> > >> 2. Operators - they assist in the operations/management of > >> consumer-customer owned last mile fibre and/or mash (2.4 and 5.8 GHz) > >> networks > >> > >> 3 Government - Ministry of Information should ensure the wonderful > >> consumer protection clauses in the ICT policy (and upcoming Information > >> laws) do not end as relics. The implementation strategy has to be theirs. > >> So don't ask me :-) > >> > >> 4. Everyone - to be honest. > >> > >> Briefest I could get. > >> > >> /Alex > >> > >> John Walubengo wrote: Alex, > >> > >> Plse, to avoid information overload, plse give a preamble > >> (executive summary) of what your links do elaborate in what > >> I believe would be much detail. > >> > >> It will be much, much more helpful in that you would assist > >> us in internalising the whole idea/model...so back to > >> Mucheru's qtn. How can/should the Consumers as one of the > >> Key stakeholders engage with the others namely, Regulator, > >> Operator, Govt, in the future dispensation (when OFC has > >> been provisioned?). > >> > >> walu. > >> NB: we shall start on the Closing phase on Monday. I > >> remembered Kenyans (and other African users?) are not > >> active internet users on weekends.. > >> > >> --- Alex Gakuru wrote: > >> > >>> Glad to: > >>> > >>> Loss of internet users affects everyone and economic > >>> retardation, knowledge society, will be washed away, just > >>> like we lost fibre cable in 1995 see Vohra Speech < > >>> http://www.isoc.or.ke/speeches/launch_vohra.pdf> > >>> > >>> Thus, read my frustrations in the light of the many > >>> proposals made officially but nothing has ever been done. > >>> > >>> > >>> Synopsis: > >>> > >>> 3 things for now maybe more later (if needed.) > >>> > >>> 1. Boost IT confidence for otherwise, there will not be > >>> any market left for business, no e-government, > >>> information society.... > >>> > >>> > >>> You can find them on > >>> http://www.sweden.gov.se/sb/d/2156/a/22411 > >>> > >>> The two reports are: > >>> > >>> - Policy for the IT society - Recommendations from the > >>> members of the IT > >>> Policy Strategy Group > >>> > >>> An overall document with recommendations on what the > >>> government should do. > >>> It includes information from the 2nd report... > >>> > >>> - Broadband for growth, innovation and competitiveness > >>> > >>> > In April 2004 the Government´s IT Policy Strategy Group > >>> set up a > >>> > working group on IT infrastructure and broadband. The > >>> primary task of > >>> > the working group has been to support the Strategy > >>> Group by working, > >>> > within the framework of a free market, for futureproof, > >>> accessible, > >>> > competitionneutral, technologyneutral and coherent > >>> electronic > >>> > communications networks, which are capable of meeting > >>> the challenges > >>> > of the future. This report summarises the discussions > >>> and proposals. > >>> > >>> > >>> > >>> 2. Because Regulator apparently never catchup, then > >>> establish consumer complaints portal (something like > >>> http://spokane.bbb.org/) > >>> - ICT policy provides for consumers to frequently > >>> their concern areas ( a pity all our labored official > >>> documents were pulled down and replace with a template at > >>> www.information.go.ke documents. > >>> - Consumers register complaints against businesses at > >>> this portal. When the company addresses the issue, the > >>> complaint is struck off. governments not allowed to > >>> transact with business above certain complaints ratio - > >>> Promotes business ethics. > >>> - Register members=>Consumer make responsible > >>> complaints not malicious to their competitors > >>> > >>> 3. Regulation. > >>> > >>> What is self regulation? > >>> - A corporate basement corner "self-regulation" desk > >>> or acceptance to complaints, criticism and accepting the > >>> impact of one's action to others > >>> - Regulator will have a "regulatory" job in this > >>> environment > >>> - Currently consumer complaints collected by CCK just > >>> accumulate dust in their archives and this would be a > >>> good way to measure their performance contracts. > >>> (Business disputes area addressed in a flash) record. So > >>> in a way consumers, will "regulate" the Regulator. > >>> > >>> This is just a synopsis let me know if it suffices > >>> > >>> Alex > >>> > >>> Joseph Mucheru wrote: Alex, > >>> > >>> I may have missed you post, but have you proposed an > >>> appropriate > >>> Consumer/Business/Regulatory structure that you believe > >>> will work? It would > >>> help to have an idea of what you are proposing as a > >>> structure. > >>> > >>> Thank you > >>> > >>> -- > >>> Joseph Mucheru > >>> Executive Director > >>> mucheru(a)wananchi.com > >>> > >>> > From: Alex Gakuru > >>> > Reply-To: Kenya ICT Action Network - KICTANet > >>> > Date: Fri, 2 Feb 2007 00:36:43 -0800 (PST) > >>> > To: > >>> > Cc: > >>> > Subject: Re: [kictanet] [Kictanet] Existing/Appropriate > >>> Regulatory Models for > >>> > OFC (2days) > >>> > > >>> > Kenya has been profusely bleeding internet users. > >>> > > >>> > In 2005, we had 1.5 million internet users but in Sept > >>> 2006, ITU revised the > >>> > number to 1 million. CCK then urged some of us who > >>> raised this concern that > >>> > they disputed the figure and urgently launched an > >>> Internet users study-census > >>> > on 01 Nov 2006 at Mbagathi. We were all promised to > >>> be called back before > >>> > end December 2006 for study findings. That never > >>> happened and January just > >>> > end. > >>> > > >>> > Two week ago at the World Bank RCIP meeting at the > >>> Jacaranda Hotel, the PS in > >>> > his presentation stated the number of internet users to > >>> be 1.25 million. > >>> > > >>> > Question, Going by the PS data, what could be causing > >>> internet loss in Kenya? > >>> > > >>> > Eight years after CCK was formed and section 23 and 47 > >>> of the communications > >>> > act introduced, The Regulator is yet to show 1 > >>> practical initiative they have > >>> > ever implemented to protect consumers. Consumer > >>> protection, it would appear, > >>> > is petulant and the law is broken without a blink while > >>> the Regulator embarks > >>> > on situation containment-management, and life goes on. > >>> > > >>> > Is it time for Civil society to divorce itself from > >>> over engagement on > >>> > commercial arrangement discussions between government > >>> and business and > >>> > re-dedicate itself to serving the voiceless? > >>> > > >>> > 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, but as usual > >>> > just in the future to keep hope high? > >>> > > >>> > In the meantime we continue talk on fibre while a third > >>> of our internet users > >>> > are lost. > >>> > > >>> > Alex Gakuru > >>> > > >>> > > >>> > Rebecca Wanjiku wrote: the question of regulation > >>> > is tricky but as Kihanya points out, it is going to > >>> take a lot of > >>> > consultations and concessions between government and > >>> other stakeholders if the > >>> > OFC is to work and serve the intended purposes, > >>> > > >>> > True, other countries have deregulated but what do > >>> you do in a country like > >>> > say, Kenya where the anti monopolies commissioner is > >>> not in the fore front of > >>> > addressing issues, am sure many people on the streets > >>> may not know the > >>> > existence of that office. > >>> > > >>> > In the article by Roland Alden that Walu has > >>> recommended, he argues that > >>> > many African govts have been resistant to change and > >>> adds that what is needed > >>> > is regulation liberalization. Maybe thatâ?Ts what is > >>> needed. > >>> > > >>> > But how do we start talking of deregulation when we > >>> canâ?Tt agree about the > >>> > Act that will govern some of these issues. > >>> > > >>> > I may not be well versed with the law but am sure > >>> with the technological > >>> > development, there will arise disputes that were not > >>> envisaged in our current > >>> > laws, how do we deal with that within the judicial > >>> system, we need an ACT > >>> > Roland further contends that in some cases, > >>> regulators may have ordered a > >>> > party to fulfill its part of the bargain, but when it > >>> failed, the judicial > >>> > system "rarely provided any meaningful" compensation to > >>> the aggrieved party. > >>> > > >>> > Regulation, deregulation, appropriate law, and am > >>> sure > >> === message truncated ===> > >> _______________________________________________ > >>> 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/jwalu%40yahoo.com > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> ____________________________________________________________________________________ > >> Bored stiff? Loosen up... > >> Download and play hundreds of games for free on Yahoo! Games. > >> http://games.yahoo.com/games/front > >> > >> _______________________________________________ > >> 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 > >> > >> > >> > >> --------------------------------- > >> Access over 1 million songs - Yahoo! Music > >> Unlimited._______________________________________________ > >> 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/alex.gakuru%40yahoo.com > > > > > > > > --------------------------------- > > Everyone is raving about the all-new Yahoo! Mail beta. > > > -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- > > > > _______________________________________________ > > 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/alice%40apc.org > > > _______________________________________________ > 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/wainaina%40madeinkenya.org >

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email courtesy
by Rebecca Wanjiku 05 Feb '07

05 Feb '07

i am glad that the discussions are passionate, they underline a desire to change and move the industry forward, but some of the emails are bordering on insults and this forum is open to everybody, whether they are right wrong, well-connected, not- so- well- connected and the discconected. whether in government, private sector or academia, everyone is free to contribute to the list without feeling like their comments will make them get crucified or hung out to dry, yes, there is freedom of information, expression, which we all uphold, but let us also have the freedom to let others enjoy the space, we welcome all opinions, leftists or rightists, bring them on.....minus the insults... make the point, no name calling, hope this is ok with everybody, regards becky Rebecca Wanjiku, journalist, p.o box 33515, Nairobi.00600 Kenya. Tel. 254 720 318 925 blog:http://beckyit.blogspot.com/ --------------------------------- TV dinner still cooling? Check out "Tonight's Picks" on Yahoo! TV.

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Banking Technology Conference
by Fiona Asonga 05 Feb '07

05 Feb '07

Hi Judy I would like to attend the Banking Conference and get the KICTANET free registration; I hope I am not too late. Fiona Asonga Administrator Telecommunications Service Providers Association of Kenya (TESPOK) P.O Box 27589 – 00506 NAIROBI Tel: +254 20 245036 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------- From: Sean Moroney To: bksang(a)education.go.ke Sent: Thursday, February 01, 2007 5:20 PM Subject: [kictanet] African Banking Technology Conference 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 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 www.aitecafrica.com -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.432 / Virus Database: 268.17.19/663 - Release Date: 2/1/2007 2:28 PM

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Celtel VS Safaricom
by Midafarica 03 Feb '07

03 Feb '07

Hello all, We all noticed that piece of article in the Business Nation on Tuesday. Reading throgh, I asked myeslf how will CCK, deal with this matter, and is this one similar to those old days of ISPs vs Telkom Micugu

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Re: [Kictanet] Day 8 of 10 : - Projected Impact of OFC on the Stakeholders
by joseph kihanya 01 Feb '07

01 Feb '07

Thanks Walu for the discussion moderation. I am doing something on the regulatory framework and will post by day 10. On operators I would expect that there woulda be a reciprocation in price and QOS issues. I would expect that there would be publicly accessible interconnection agreements under the non-discriminatory technology-neutral Open Access principles . I would also expect that there would have to bea busines realignment to conform with new entrants at the local lvel who the operators would indeed agree not to want to "take over" asa soon asa a ROI looks good. On the regulator, the paradigm shift in allowing competition and enforcing it would be key.Competition alone despite all that is siad about it is not known to benefit consumers largely where duopolies or oligopolies exits. product and price shadowing takes centre stage and one is not sure that the alternatives are not exhorbitant. The regulator must also enforce QOS. The consumer must be ready for a vibrant market and take up alternatives that make the best "cents".He /She must be able to walk out..and perhaps to an ombudsman(regulator) where QOS is not as per SLA or other "promises.Whining loudly may help(See South Africans vs Telkom SA in the Daily News recently) Kihanya ----- Original Message ---- From: John Walubengo <jwalu(a)yahoo.com> To: kihanyajn(a)yahoo.com Sent: Wednesday, January 31, 2007 10:11:24 AM Subject: [Kictanet] Day 8 of 10 : - Projected Impact of OFC on the Stakeholders I must thank all for your valuable views shared over the last two days regarding the previous theme :- what are the Best Models for Provisioning submarine OFC. Three models seem to have persisted throughout the discussion, namely, Open Access (EASsy), Private-led (Flag), and our famous Consortium models. Where Mucheru mentions separation of Cable ownership from Cable Management fits in 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). 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 came in with a variant model where the cable is privately owned but promises to open access to the Landing points - but aims to maximise 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) Nobody really pushed the Consortium model, but probably Badru did hint strongly for such a model when he mentioned that Commercial interest should be 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 aiming to build, own and operate a submarine cable with aim of maximising their returns (profit) in the shortest time possible social connotation notwithstanding. And this is where the Consumer has suffered. The short-terms interests of investors must be balanced against the long-term social benefits that would accrue from a affordable bandwidth provisions. Alex and LK seem to be voice of the consumer here, urging the Regulator to flex their muscle probably now and more in future when the OFC is laid-out. In all this, the various financing options were not so pronounced as noted by Michael J. Apart from IPO recommendation from Kai and Bill, the financing models (Equity, Debt, etc) has not quite come through and I hope someone could make comment on that within the remaining three days as we discuss our next theme:- What is the likely impact of the above models on the existing stakeholders (Operators, Regulator and Consumers)? That is, what do we see as the roles of the above stakeholders in the new dispensation of the Optical Submarine Cable. The efloor is again open and we have two days on this one. walu. Nb: a Face2Face meeting will follow up after this online discussion where all these issues will be streamlined. ~~~~~000~~~~~~ Theme Reminder: 1) Why OFC (1day) 2) Existing Business Models for OFC provisioning (2days) 3) Existing/Appropriate Regulatory Models for OFC (2days) 4) Best Model (Business+Regulatory) for E. Africans (2days) <Ongoing-Open> 5) Projected Impact on Stakeholders (2days) <Pending> 6) Reconciling Stakeholder interests/Conclusions (1day) <Pending> ____________________________________________________________________________________ Looking for earth-friendly autos? Browse Top Cars by "Green Rating" at Yahoo! Autos' Green Center. http://autos.yahoo.com/green_center/ _______________________________________________ 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/kihanyajn%40yahoo.com ____________________________________________________________________________________ Looking for earth-friendly autos? Browse Top Cars by "Green Rating" at Yahoo! Autos' Green Center. http://autos.yahoo.com/green_center/

5 7

any negative impact?
by Rebecca Wanjiku 01 Feb '07

01 Feb '07

yes, OFC will be a win win situation, there will be investment challenges, regulatory and other challenges yet to come but are there any negative impact that we should be worried about??? any environmental impact??? somebody??????? 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.

2 1

apologies for lack of posts
by Rebecca Wanjiku 01 Feb '07

01 Feb '07

due to technical problems, the list has been down the better part of the day, but am told its ok now, up and running, sorry about that, if you posted, am sure it will come up regards becky Rebecca Wanjiku, journalist, p.o box 33515, Nairobi.00600 Kenya. Tel. 254 720 318 925 blog:http://beckyit.blogspot.com/ --------------------------------- Everyone is raving about the all-new Yahoo! Mail beta.

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Test 1 @1653
by Odhiambo WASHINGTON 01 Feb '07

01 Feb '07

This a diagnostic test. Please ignore. cheers - wash +----------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+ Odhiambo Washington . WANANCHI ONLINE LTD (Nairobi, KE) | wash () WANANCHI ! com . 1ere Etage, Loita Hse, Loita St., | GSM: (+254) 722 743 223 . # 10286, 00100 NAIROBI | GSM: (+254) 733 744 121 . (+254) 020 313 985 - 9 | +---------------------------------+------------------------------------------+ "Oh My God! They killed init! You Bastards!" --from a /. post

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Testing, testing...plse ignore
by John Walubengo 01 Feb '07

01 Feb '07

123, 123,12..this is another test...looks like we went/are off-air...plse ignore. 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

1 0

TEST
by evelyne ofwona 01 Feb '07

01 Feb '07

--------------------------------- Any questions? Get answers on any topic at Yahoo! Answers. Try it now.

1 0

test - plse ignore
by John Walubengo 01 Feb '07

01 Feb '07

seems my posts are hanging somewhere...this is a test and if it pops thro' just ignore it. walu. ____________________________________________________________________________________ Yahoo! Music Unlimited Access over 1 million songs. http://music.yahoo.com/unlimited

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Fibre-optic project begins
by alice＠apc.org 01 Feb '07

01 Feb '07

Business News Fibre-optic project begins By Washington Gikunju The Government may use subsidies to lower bandwith costs for outsourcing centres in the country, a minister has said. This would help call centre businesses stay competitive until construction of fibre-optic links forced costs down. Information and Communications minister, Mr Mutahi Kagwe, said this on Wednesday at the signing of a $2.7 million (Sh191 million) contract with Tyco Telecommunications to fund a survey on the construction of a fibre-optic link to Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The US-based firm is to undertake a four-month mapping of the Indian Ocean to determine where a fibre-optic cable could be laid. The cable will be known as The East African Marine Systems (Teams). The Kenyan government through Telkom Kenya and the UAE government, through Etisalat, have entered into a memorandum of understanding for the construction of Teams. Kagwe argued that the current cost of bandwith is too high and is driving outsourcing companies in the country out of business. It currently costs Kenyan call centres over 30 times more to transmit data than it costs Indian rivals. "We are talking about real jobs here and that is why this measure has to be taken," said Kagwe. He, however, said that this is only a temporary measure as bandwith costs are expected to come down significantly with the coming of the fiber optic cable expected to be completed by early next year. Bandwith costs are the costs incurred to relay information (voice and data) from one point to the other. The high bandwith costs in Kenya are attributed to the fact that the country relies on satellite linkage, which has a lower capacity, as opposed to fiber optic cables (physical connection), which have a higher capacity. The sub-marine survey is scheduled to start in February and will last for about two months after which tendering process for the undersea cable will commence. Mr Jeffrey Stark, Tyco Telecommunications sales and marketing director for Europe, Middle East and Africa, said that his company was ready to commence work in February. "We have a ship, deep sea boats and divers at the ready," Stark said. "The process is going to involve a detailed survey of the underground terrain and establishing the exact passage for the cable." The successful laying of the cable is expected to reduce telecommunication costs in the country significantly. The information minister called on investors to start positioning themselves to take advantage of the telecommunications boom to follow. Permanent Secretary, Dr Bitange Ndemo, explained that a separate company (a "special purpose vehicle") would be created to manage the cable. The government is expected to own 40 per cent of the project. The tender process for procurement of a financing consultant is ongoing. The financing consultant, who will be known as the `lead arranger', will be responsible for promotion of the project to potential private sector investors. Telkom Kenya will hold the Teams project in trust for the Government until the company that will manage the project is registered. Kenya is also involved in the construction of the African East African Submarine Cable System (Eassy) project.

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Day 8 of 10 : - Projected Impact of OFC on the Stakeholders
by John Walubengo 31 Jan '07

31 Jan '07

I must thank all for your valuable views shared over the last two days regarding the previous theme :- what are the Best Models for Provisioning submarine OFC. Three models seem to have persisted throughout the discussion, namely, Open Access (EASsy), Private-led (Flag), and our famous Consortium models. Where Mucheru mentions separation of Cable ownership from Cable Management fits in 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). 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 came in with a variant model where the cable is privately owned but promises to open access to the Landing points - but aims to maximise 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) Nobody really pushed the Consortium model, but probably Badru did hint strongly for such a model when he mentioned that Commercial interest should be 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 aiming to build, own and operate a submarine cable with aim of maximising their returns (profit) in the shortest time possible social connotation notwithstanding. And this is where the Consumer has suffered. The short-terms interests of investors must be balanced against the long-term social benefits that would accrue from a affordable bandwidth provisions. Alex and LK seem to be voice of the consumer here, urging the Regulator to flex their muscle probably now and more in future when the OFC is laid-out. In all this, the various financing options were not so pronounced as noted by Michael J. Apart from IPO recommendation from Kai and Bill, the financing models (Equity, Debt, etc) has not quite come through and I hope someone could make comment on that within the remaining three days as we discuss our next theme:- What is the likely impact of the above models on the existing stakeholders (Operators, Regulator and Consumers)? That is, what do we see as the roles of the above stakeholders in the new dispensation of the Optical Submarine Cable. The efloor is again open and we have two days on this one. walu. Nb: a Face2Face meeting will follow up after this online discussion where all these issues will be streamlined. ~~~~~000~~~~~~ Theme Reminder: 1) Why OFC (1day) 2) Existing Business Models for OFC provisioning (2days) 3) Existing/Appropriate Regulatory Models for OFC (2days) 4) Best Model (Business+Regulatory) for E. Africans (2days) <Ongoing-Open> 5) Projected Impact on Stakeholders (2days) <Pending> 6) Reconciling Stakeholder interests/Conclusions (1day) <Pending> ____________________________________________________________________________________ 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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Day 6 of 10: Best Business & Regulatory
by A. Wanjira Munyua 31 Jan '07

31 Jan '07

Private sector led ICT infrastructure development/ownership, where they do most of the heavy lifting in terms of investment required is a good staring point. It will lower access costs, etc etc but would this model bring benefits to underseved/unreached rural communities for example??? Given the challenges we have faced and the importance of access to vital public services and locally relevant content, a variety of models must be explored. One that does not give undue favouritism to private sector or government rather one that suits the people of Kenya and subscribes to the principles of open access while ensuring that ICT policy is linked to poverty reduction strategies and development goals. This would also mean creating connections between e.g. universal access measures, initiatives aimed at delivering services, and poverty alleviation enabled by ICTs. Agree with Mucheru, that a management/governance model/vehicle needs to be developed to ensure fair play, accountability and responsiveness to citizen needs and input. alice

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Day 6 of 10: Best Business & Regulatory
by A. Wanjira Munyua 31 Jan '07

31 Jan '07

Yes Kai, you have a point there and indeed government is the largest consumer of ICT services when/if our E-government strategy is implemented. best alice ----- Original Message ----- From: "Kai Wulff" <kai.wulff(a)kdn.co.ke> To: <alice(a)apc.org> Sent: Wednesday, January 31, 2007 6:52 AM Subject: Re: [Kictanet] Day 6 of 10: Best Business & Regulatory > Dear Alice, > > if the Government becvomes a user of private networks then it is easy to > build a business case even to the remote corners of the country! > > Rgds > > Kai > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "A. Wanjira Munyua" <alice(a)apc.org> > To: <kai.wulff(a)kdn.co.ke> > Sent: Tuesday, January 30, 2007 22:57 > Subject: [Kictanet] Day 6 of 10: Best Business & Regulatory > > > > > Private sector led ICT infrastructure development/ownership, where they do > most of the "heavy lifting" in terms of investment required is a good > staring point. It will lower access costs, etc etc but would this model > bring benefits to underseved/unreached rural communities for example??? > > Given the challenges we have faced and the importance of access to vital > public services and locally relevant content, a variety of models must be > explored. One that does not give undue favouritism to private sector or > government rather one that suits the people of Kenya and subscribes to the > principles of open access while ensuring that ICT policy is linked to > poverty reduction strategies and development goals. This would also mean > creating connections between e.g. universal access measures, initiatives > aimed at delivering services, and poverty alleviation enabled by ICTs. > > Agree with Mucheru, that a management/governance model/vehicle needs to be > developed to ensure fair play, accountability and responsiveness to > citizen needs and input. > > alice > > > > > _______________________________________________ > 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 > > > _______________________________________________ > 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/alice%40apc

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Fwd: Re: [Fibre-for-africa] Join KICTAnet's online discuission: What isthe best model for providing the F
by John Walubengo 31 Jan '07

31 Jan '07

Some interesting insights from Badru and Njorohio... walu.

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Re: [Kictanet] Day 4 of 10: What are the Existing/Sugested
by Eric Osiakwan 30 Jan '07

30 Jan '07

Alan, The specific context here was "regulation" and am sorry you read my explanation to mean money on the cable. That is not the case, however the cable needs to make enough money to keept itself running otherwise we dont have a cable. Ultimately, the objective is to get cheaper prices than the exhaubitant options we cannot curently afford so the end result of my point from the regulatory side joins into John's point. When there is competition on the infrastructure side, because the first cable is cheap, others would have to be cheaper and more reliable so the proposition is to assume a certain structure and regulatory as well as financial mechanism that makes the first cable as cheap as possible. Eric here ---------- Original Message ---------------------------------- From: "Alan Finlay" <alan(a)openresearch.co.za> Reply-To: Kenya ICT Action Network - KICTANet <kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke> Date: Mon, 29 Jan 2007 16:17:17 +0200 >Hi Eric > >Earlier John said that the Open Access model put forward that access to the >fibre optic should be at cost, and the money made at the service end only. > >Your version says that access to the cable can be competitive - or that >entities that invest in the cable's infrastructure must be allowed to make a >profit out of the cable. > >Is this correct? Can you elaborate a bit on the differences between these >two 'open access' positions as you understand them? > >Thanks >Alan > > >----- Original Message ----- >From: "Eric Osiakwan" <eric(a)afrispa.org> >To: <alan(a)openresearch.co.za> >Sent: Monday, January 29, 2007 11:42 AM >Subject: Re: [Kictanet] Day 4 of 10: What are the Existing/Sugested > > >> Dear All, >> >> The Open Access Model makes two important distinctions which the >regulatory policy >> environment must capture and enforce; >> 1. the distinction between infrastructure and services so that >infrastructure providers are >> NOT allowed to also provide SERVICES and vice versa. >> >> 2. owership of the infrastructure (in layer 1) should not guarantee any >form of fair or unfair >> access to capacity for the provision of service (in layer 2). >> >> 2. that there is no discrimination within and between both camps so that >infrastructure >> providers are able to establish clear and transparent trading >relationships with all service >> providers and vice versa. Within the infrastructure or service layer there >should be no >> restriction on COMPETITION and SERVICE DELIVERY. >> >> This creates an ecosystem of various operators interconnecting seemlessly >and ensuring >> there is interoperability. >> >> Eric here >> >> >> NB: Becuase my preference is for the "first" infrastructure entity to be >owned in a multi- >> stakeholder approach, the financial mechansims that are employed may also >impose some >> regulations from the financial market that can only be detailed on a case >by case basis. >> >> >> ---------- Original Message ---------------------------------- >> From: John Walubengo <jwalu(a)yahoo.com> >> Reply-To: Kenya ICT Action Network - KICTANet <kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke> >> Date: Fri, 26 Jan 2007 23:33:00 -0800 (PST) >> >> >What form/level of regulation would be required? Eric plse >> >on Open Access, plse elaborate maybe in three paragraphs. >> >And maybe also Kai would have a comment on Regulation with >> >regard to a Private sector submarine OFC provisioning....oh >> >yes, Kihanya (the learned one) may have a point too... >> > >> > >> >walu. >> >nb: Govt officials are also encouraged to say something - >> >members are informed to treat their comments as their >> >personal and not official postions ;-). >> > >> >--- Lucy Kimani <lkimani(a)comnews.co.ke> wrote: >> > >> >> Regulation is definately required as even the big boys of >> >> the west are >> >> regulated, in a capitalistic environment (read >> >> cat-throat) self-regulation >> >> has not worked, and is sure a recipe for disaster. >> >> >> >> LK >> >> > OK. Looks like Fridays are still fridays -even online. >> >> Very >> >> > little activity. Heard from only Harry and Alex...is >> >> there >> >> > anyone out there still logged on to give us their views >> >> b/w >> >> > now and 2morrow. >> >> > >> >> > walu. >> >> > --- Harry Hare <harry(a)aitecafrica.com> wrote: >> >> > >> >> >> Dear Walu, >> >> >> >> >> >> Just checked the dictionary definition of "Regulate" >> >> and >> >> >> got these synonyms >> >> >> - rule, govern, manage, order, adjust, arrange, >> >> dispose, >> >> >> conduct, >> >> >> systematize. Al these sound and are good "English" >> >> words >> >> >> cos they give you >> >> >> the sense of stability, odder and continuity. However, >> >> >> these may not be so >> >> >> good "legal" words because law introduces the concept >> >> of >> >> >> constrain. Then >> >> >> these words become a burden that regulation is >> >> >> (especially to the private >> >> >> sector) and that regulatory frameworks prescribe. >> >> >> >> >> >> On the same breath, I would argue that its not a >> >> simple >> >> >> lets have or no, >> >> >> lets not regulate the OFCs. I think we need to >> >> regulate >> >> >> in the sense of >> >> >> providing continuity by systematizing and managing for >> >> >> the benefit of all, >> >> >> so regulation should only be used to facilitate and >> >> not >> >> >> constrain. >> >> >> Non-regulation to me sounds chaotic and not >> >> sustainable >> >> >> in the long run! >> >> >> >> >> >> Lets have a "facilitative regulatory framework" so >> >> that >> >> >> the private sector >> >> >> can do what they do best...invest and get a return on >> >> >> their investment; and >> >> >> the government collects its taxes while we enjoy >> >> >> efficient and affordable >> >> >> the services! >> >> >> >> >> >> Harry >> >> >> >> >> >> -----Original Message----- >> >> >> From: >> >> >> kictanet-bounces+harry=aitecafrica.com(a)kictanet.or.ke >> >> >> >> >> > >> >> >> >[mailto:kictanet-bounces+harry=aitecafrica.com@kictanet.or.ke] >> >> >> On Behalf Of >> >> >> John Walubengo >> >> >> Sent: Friday, January 26, 2007 9:40 AM >> >> >> To: harry(a)aitecafrica.com >> >> >> Subject: [Kictanet] Day 4 of 10: What are the >> >> >> Existing/Sugested legal >> >> >> andregulatory framework for OFC? >> >> >> >> >> >> Thanx Brain, Kai, et al for your contributions on the >> >> >> previous themes, I now wish to introduce today's theme >> >> as >> >> >> shown above. >> >> >> >> >> >> It looks like on the Regulatory theme, there is very >> >> >> little >> >> >> option. The choice is simply between having or NOT >> >> >> having >> >> >> Regulatory environments for the submarine cable. The >> >> >> current practice is simply NO Regulation by virtue of >> >> the >> >> >> fact that most OFC is laid out by Private sector with >> >> >> commercially agreed private contracts. These are kept >> >> >> confidential until or unless a dispute arises in which >> >> >> case >> >> >> it is resolved through existing Company Laws or >> >> >> Competition >> >> >> Laws. None-Regulation has therefore served well in >> >> >> managing >> >> >> Private sector investements. >> >> >> >> >> >> However, in the Case of a Consortium model, where >> >> Public >> >> >> Funds have been committed to build the infrastructure, >> >> >> some >> >> >> argue that Regulation is required to ensure that the >> >> >> Public >> >> >> interest (social benefits) are balanced against the >> >> >> Private (profit) interests. The Consortium operators >> >> >> however find this recommendation not encouraging since >> >> >> they >> >> >> feel that Regulation would tend to frustrate an >> >> otherwise >> >> >> enterprising venture that would excel without >> >> Regulatory >> >> >> constraints. >> >> >> >> >> >> As for the proposed Open Access Model, the Regulatory >> >> >> frameworks suggested seem to range from None, Some, >> >> >> Delayed >> >> >> to Full Regulation. I still don't know how these >> >> >> different >> >> >> variants would apply but would be glad to hear more >> >> from >> >> >> the participants. So lets explore the Pros and Cons >> >> of >> >> >> these options but approaching it in a practical way as >> >> >> follows: >> >> >> >> >> >> What benefits/disadvantages has Non-Regulation brought >> >> to >> >> >> submarine OFC within the the context of the three >> >> models >> >> >> a) Purely Private Provisioning of OFC >> >> >> b) Consortium Provisioning of OFC >> >> >> c) Open Access Provisionig of OFC. >> >> >> >> >> >> 2Days discussion - the eFloor is open to all however. >> >> >> Operators, Lawyers, Regulators, Policy Makers, CSO & >> >> >> Consumers are particularly encouraged to say >> >> something. >> >> >> >> >> >> walu. >> >> >> --- Bill Kagai <billkagai(a)gmail.com> wrote: >> >> >> >> >> >> > Brian... >> >> >> > Signs of a good Cabaret Sauvignon over lunch >> >> today!!! >> >> >> > >> >> >> > Anyway, >> >> >> > We are all converted capitalists hosting the World >> >> >> Social >> >> >> > Forum..so I say..a >> >> >> > good model is the one that makes good money for all >> >> of >> >> >> > us. >> >> >> > >> >> >> > >> >> >> > On 1/25/07, Brian Longwe <brian(a)pure-id.com> wrote: >> >> >> > > >> >> >> > > For once I get to make my comment on the day it is >> >> >> due >> >> >> > (good job, Brian - >> >> >> > > keep it up) ....... {I heard that when you start >> >> >> > talking to yourself you >> >> >> > > should get worried..... how about when you start >> >> >> > sending email to yourself?} >> >> >> > > >> >> >> > > HAHAHAHA! >> >> >> > > >> >> >> > > Anyway on a more serious note, some years ago I >> >> had a >> >> >> > v. interesting >> >> >> > > dialog on this issue of submarine infrastructure. >> >> The >> >> >> > people I was talking >> >> >> > > to (don't remember exactly who) {is loss of >> >> memory a >> >> >> > sign of age, senility, >> >> >> > > insanity or all 3 together} hehehe..... >> >> >> > > >> >> >> > > ---as I was saying, the people I was talking to >> >> >> > mentioned that the perfect >> >> >> > > model has existed for the longest time in the oil >> >> & >> >> >> gas >> >> >> > pipelines in >> >> >> > > different parts of Europe. These cross multiple >> >> >> > jurisdictions, are critical >> >> >> > > to the livelihoods and economies of all the >> >> >> > stakeholders, support the >> >> >> > > existence and stability of a wide spectrum of >> >> >> sectors, >> >> >> > and at the end of day >> >> >> > > provide something that an individual or family >> >> pays >> >> >> > for. >> >> >> > > >> >> >> > > Taking all of the above into consideration - these >> >> >> > projects are >> >> >> > > deliberately designed not to make a profit. (In >> >> fact >> >> >> >=== message truncated === >> > >> > >> > >> > >> >>___________________________________________________________________________ >_________ >> >No need to miss a message. Get email on-the-go >> >with Yahoo! Mail for Mobile. Get started. >> >http://mobile.yahoo.com/mail >> > >> >_______________________________________________ >> >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/eric%40afrispa.org >> > >> >> -- >> Eric M.K Osiakwan >> Executive Secretary >> AfrISPA (www.afrispa.org) >> Tel: + 233.21.258800 >> 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" >> -- >> >> _______________________________________________ >> 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/alan%40openresearch.co.za > > >_______________________________________________ >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/eric%40afrispa.org > -- Eric M.K Osiakwan Executive Secretary AfrISPA (www.afrispa.org) Tel: + 233.21.258800 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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Re: [Kictanet] Day 6 of 10: Best Business & Regulatory Model
by Eric Osiakwan 30 Jan '07

30 Jan '07

Kai, it depends on how you see regulation however without a certain regulatory mechanism we are all not going anywhere. The private sector leadership by KDN on this is commendable but please lets not use that as a case to define what is and what is not. Open Access as we have known it to be has a layout and it is clear @ http://www.infodev.org/en/Publication.10.html If we all stick to the larger principles, all these other elements would fall in place whether it is private and or public sector leadership in the buildout. Eric here ---------- Original Message ---------------------------------- From: "Kai Wulff" <kai.wulff(a)kdn.co.ke> Reply-To: Kenya ICT Action Network - KICTANet <kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke> Date: Mon, 29 Jan 2007 19:51:38 +0300 >Let me add something: > >Open Access does not mean regulated. > >A system like Flag will have invested money to build a fiber around the >globe and will make money with it. Pricing on the cable is determined by >open market and not open access. > >Open Access needs to be provided to the Landing Station and with this to any >other system that might be available. > >TEAMS will go to one Monopoly Operator who will connect the TEAMS capacity >to other systems, what is the price for this service, who knows the price of >those systems? > >Unless we build our own Internet or at least a cable that is jointly owned >and peered at an international Internet Exchange (and even there are >commercial charges) we will never escape the need for some commercial >dealings. > >What is important for a region is that not one Operator/Service Provider has >access to cheaper capacity than the others (see TSA!). > >Like TEAMS, I hope that we can have all equal charges from MSA to the rest >of the world. On Flag, this is guaranteed by the contract KDN has signed! > >Rgds > >Kai > > >----- Original Message ----- >From: "John Walubengo" <jwalu(a)yahoo.com> >To: <kai.wulff(a)kdn.co.ke> >Sent: Monday, January 29, 2007 19:37 >Subject: Re: [Kictanet] Day 6 of 10: Best Business & Regulatory Model >forprovisioning OFC(EASsy, TEAMs, etc) > > >> Alan, >> >> I think what Eric meant was that even though the fiber >> cable infrastructure would be operated at cost - it would >> still be open to competition i.e. the Regulatory framework >> should allow for multiple, complimentary as well as >> competing submarine fiber cable. >> >> In other words, lets have the EASsy, TEAMs and Flag running >> accross E.Africa, as long as each one of them Operates >> their cable at cost and allowing other SERVICE/APPLICATION >> providers equal access... >> >> Unfortunately, this model is not quite easy to execute >> because it demands a total overhaul of the existing Telco >> market strutures. The current regulatory and business >> structures in most of the regional countries allow and >> probably encourage Operators to own the backbone >> (essential) infrastructure and still operate accross all >> the service layers. >> >> For example Telkom Kenya, owns the country-wide Backbone >> infrastructure as well as the International Gateway and is >> licensed to compete in all the Service areas i.e through >> its ISP subsidiary, its Wireless Subsidiary, etc. >> >> Safaricom, Celltel (the 2 mobile operators) have also >> joined into the fray along the same-principles i.e. owning >> the Backbone infrastructures and continuing to compete >> accross the SERVICE/APPLICATION layers or sectors. >> >> And the (good/bad?)news is that the prevailing situations >> seem to have served quite well if seen in terms of >> accelerated growth it has brought to the Industry. So the >> question would be, why try and change all that? Why should >> the provisioning of the submarine OFC disrupt the >> comfortable status quo within the national telecoms market >> structures? I see this as the biggest obstacle towards an >> otherwise good Open Access model... >> >> walu. >> >> >> >> --- Alan Finlay <alan(a)openresearch.co.za> wrote: >> >>> Hi Eric >>> >>> Earlier John said that the Open Access model put forward >>> that access to the >>> fibre optic should be at cost, and the money made at the >>> service end only. >>> >>> Your version says that access to the cable can be >>> competitive - or that >>> entities that invest in the cable's infrastructure must >>> be allowed to make a >>> profit out of the cable. >>> >>> Is this correct? Can you elaborate a bit on the >>> differences between these >>> two 'open access' positions as you understand them? >>> >>> Thanks >>> Alan >>> >>> >>> ----- Original Message ----- >>> From: "Eric Osiakwan" <eric(a)afrispa.org> >>> To: <alan(a)openresearch.co.za> >>> Sent: Monday, January 29, 2007 11:42 AM >>> Subject: Re: [Kictanet] Day 4 of 10: What are the >>> Existing/Sugested >>> >>> >>> > Dear All, >>> > >>> > The Open Access Model makes two important distinctions >>> which the >>> regulatory policy >>> > environment must capture and enforce; >>> > 1. the distinction between infrastructure and services >>> so that >>> infrastructure providers are >>> > NOT allowed to also provide SERVICES and vice versa. >>> > >>> > 2. owership of the infrastructure (in layer 1) should >>> not guarantee any >>> form of fair or unfair >>> > access to capacity for the provision of service (in >>> layer 2). >>> > >>> > 2. that there is no discrimination within and between >>> both camps so that >>> infrastructure >>> > providers are able to establish clear and transparent >>> trading >>> relationships with all service >>> > providers and vice versa. Within the infrastructure or >>> service layer there >>> should be no >>> > restriction on COMPETITION and SERVICE DELIVERY. >>> > >>> > This creates an ecosystem of various operators >>> interconnecting seemlessly >>> and ensuring >>> > there is interoperability. >>> > >>> > Eric here >>> > >>> > >>> > NB: Becuase my preference is for the "first" >>> infrastructure entity to be >>> owned in a multi- >>> > stakeholder approach, the financial mechansims that are >>> employed may also >>> impose some >>> > regulations from the financial market that can only be >>> detailed on a case >>> by case basis. >> >> --- John Walubengo <jwalu(a)yahoo.com> wrote: >> >>> Hi All, following the w/end, it maybe appropriate to >>> recollect and review how far we have gone in this online >>> discussion. >>> >>> Themes Reminder >>> 1) Why OFC (1day) >>> *it is cheaper(than Satellite option), it is faster, more >>> reliable, more secure, has unlimited bandwidth capacity. >>> >>> 2) Existing Business Models for OFC provisioning (2days) >>> *Privately provisioned >>> *Consortium provisioned >>> *Open Access provisioned >>> >>> 3) Existing/Appropriate Regulatory Models for OFC (2days) >>> *No-Regulation >>> *Some Regulation >>> *Full Regulation >>> >>> 4) Best Model (Business+Regulatory) for E. Africans >>> (2days) >>> <Pending> >>> >>> 5) Projected Impact on Stakeholders (2days) >>> <Pending> >>> >>> 6) Reconciling Stakeholder interests/Conclusions (2days) >>> <Pending> >>> >>> So today we start of on Point 4, and wish to hear views >>> on >>> what would be the preferred Business and Regulatory model >>> for provisioning the Optical Fiber Cable on the E.African >>> Coast. Feel free to comment on a previous theme as well. >>> >>> walu. >>> --- Alex Gakuru <alex.gakuru(a)yahoo.com> wrote: >>> >>> > Walu, >>> > >>> > I dug this interesting read off google search a while >>> > back (78 page) >>> > >>> > Open Access Models >>> > Options for Improving Backbone Access in Developing >>> > Countries (with a Focus on Sub-Saharan Africa) >>> > Final Draft >>> > August 2005 >>> > An infoDev Technical Report >>> > prepared by >>> > S P I N T R A C K A B >>> > DROTTNINGGATAN 99, >>> > 113 60 STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN >>> > PHONE: +46-8-528 00 310 FAX: +46-8-528 00 315 >>> > WWW.SPINTRACK.COM INFO(a)SPINTRACK.COM >>> > >>> > < >>> > >>> >> http://www.infodev.org/files/2569_file_OPEN_ACCESS_REPORT.pdf >>> > > >>> > >>> > /Alex >>> > >>> > John Walubengo <jwalu(a)yahoo.com> wrote: Found an answer >>> > to my own question < >>> > talked about emailing instead of talking to oneself?>> >>> - >>> > anyway...The proposed regulatory framework for EASsy >>> > (which >>> > purportedly is going the Open Access way) seems to be >>> > covered here.... >>> > >>> > ~~~~00-copied below--- >>> > >>> > East Africa: EASSy Project Model Approved >>> > Thursday, 22 June 2006 >>> > All countries participating in the development of the >>> > East >>> > African Sub Marine Cable System (EASSy) have now agreed >>> > to >>> > implement the project on an 'open access basis,' >>> > overcoming >>> > a hurdle that had initially threatened to derail the >>> > project. >>> > The Policy and Regulatory Adviser of Nepad e-Africa >>> > Commission, Dr Edmund Katiti said that the South >>> African >>> > government and Nepad's ICT experts had persuaded the >>> > countries that were objecting to the change in the >>> > project >>> > to realise the limitations of the consortium model >>> which >>> > they had preferred. >>> > >>> > The EASSy project involves laying of a fibre optic >>> cable >>> > from Mtunzini north of Durban, through landing stations >>> > along East Africa to Port Sudan. The cable will link >>> with >>> > the countries' national networks at the landing >>> stations. >>> > Others would subsequently be interconnected through the >>> > networks of landlocked countries like Uganda, Rwanda, >>> > Burundi and D.R Congo. >>> > >>> > When the project was first conceived, it was to be >>> > primarily a private sector project. The core investors >>> in >>> > the cable infrastructure would determine the retail >>> > prices >>> > of bandwidth. The project was to be owned and operated >>> by >>> > a >>> > group of companies that would generate financing; an >>> > arrangement known as the consortium model. The South >>> > African government and Nepad have recently argued that >>> > the >>> > consortium model would not achieve the objective of the >>> > project bringing down the costs of >> communication in >>> > the region. They suggested that the model be altered to >>> > "open access", where any operator or institution in the >>> > participating countries would be allowed to acquire >>> > equity >>> > if it can afford the agreed contribution. >>> > >>> > In the open access model, the cable would be owned and >>> > operated by the Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV), a >>> company >>> > created to manage the network and establish the price >>> of >>> > bandwidth. An Intergovernmental Assembly is to be >>> formed >>> > to >>> > regulate the costs that the SPV would charge operators. >>> > Rwanda will host the headquarters of the SPV in part as >>> > recognition of their commitment to the development and >>> > promotion of ICTs in the country. >>> > >>> > After the agreement reached earlier in June, the Nepad >>> > e-Africa Commission is working towards the signing of a >>> > protocol that would form the legal framework of the >>> EASSy >>> > project. The Commission has already prepared a project >>> > plan, which it has sent to the member governments to >>> > review >>> > and comment, a process that take until August, when the >>> > protocol signing is anticipated. Construction is >>> expected >>> > to commence by the end of 2006. >>> > >>> > Katiti said they hope to raise a quarter of the funding >>> > from equity acquisition payments by companies from the >>> > region and then raise the remainder from African >>> > financial >>> > institutions: African Development Bank, Comesa's PTA >>> > Bank, >>> > East African Development Bank and others. >>> > >>> > Source: The Monitor - WDR/Intelecon Regulatory News >>> > >>> >> http://www.regulateonline.org/index.php? option=content&task=view&id=780&Itemid=32&relaItemid=877 >>> > >>> > walu. >>> > >>> > --- John Walubengo wrote: >>> > >>> > > What form/level of regulation would be required? Eric >>> > > plse >>> > > on Open Access, plse elaborate maybe in three >>> > paragraphs. >>> > > And maybe also Kai would have a comment on Regulation >>> > > with >>> > > regard to a Private sector submarine OFC >>> > > provisioning....oh >>> > > yes, Kihanya (the learned one) may have a point >>> too... >>> > > >>> > > >>> > > walu. >>> > > nb: Govt officials are also encouraged to say >>> something >>> > - >>> > > members are informed to treat their comments as their >>> > > personal and not official postions ;-). >>> > > >>> > > --- Lucy Kimani wrote: >>> > > >>> > > > Regulation is definately required as even the big >>> > boys >>> > > of >>> > > > the west are >>> > > > regulated, in a capitalistic environment (read >>> > > > cat-throat) self-regulation >>> > > > has not worked, and is sure a recipe for disaster. >>> > > > >>> > > > LK >>> > > > > OK. Looks like Fridays are still fridays -even >>> > > online. >>> > > > Very >>> > > > > little activity. Heard from only Harry and >>> > Alex...is >>> >> === message truncated === >> >> >> >> >> ____________________________________________________________________________________ >> Don't pick lemons. >> See all the new 2007 cars at Yahoo! Autos. >> http://autos.yahoo.com/new_cars.html >> >> _______________________________________________ >> 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 >> > > >_______________________________________________ >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/eric%40afrispa.org > -- Eric M.K Osiakwan Executive Secretary AfrISPA (www.afrispa.org) Tel: + 233.21.258800 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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Re: [Kictanet] Day 6 of 10: Best Business & Regulatory Model for
by Eric Osiakwan 30 Jan '07

30 Jan '07

John, you are like the Baptist, well said concerning the explaining. However i beg to differ on the last paragraph. The current situation has made communication in Africa, the poorest continent more EXPENSIVE than the rest of the world and this is due to a lot of factors most of which are triggered by your DOMESTIC CAPACITY. Please check how many people have telephones, internet, computer etc against population The question should rather be that if the prevailing situation has not made that much impact over such a longtime, why should we not CHANGE it. Please when you read the Open Access study @ http://www.infodev.org/en/Publication.10.html we made clear some of these. Let me add that Open Access is adaptable to the local conditions in terms of "strategic implementation" however the principles are essentially the same. Also it is important to know that Open Access may not work in certain situations and therefore we do not claim "the ONLY ANSWER" to the problem. Eric here ---------- Original Message ---------------------------------- From: John Walubengo <jwalu(a)yahoo.com> Reply-To: Kenya ICT Action Network - KICTANet <kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke> Date: Mon, 29 Jan 2007 08:37:23 -0800 (PST) >Alan, > >I think what Eric meant was that even though the fiber >cable infrastructure would be operated at cost - it would >still be open to competition i.e. the Regulatory framework >should allow for multiple, complimentary as well as >competing submarine fiber cable. > >In other words, lets have the EASsy, TEAMs and Flag running >accross E.Africa, as long as each one of them Operates >their cable at cost and allowing other SERVICE/APPLICATION >providers equal access... > >Unfortunately, this model is not quite easy to execute >because it demands a total overhaul of the existing Telco >market strutures. The current regulatory and business >structures in most of the regional countries allow and >probably encourage Operators to own the backbone >(essential) infrastructure and still operate accross all >the service layers. > >For example Telkom Kenya, owns the country-wide Backbone >infrastructure as well as the International Gateway and is >licensed to compete in all the Service areas i.e through >its ISP subsidiary, its Wireless Subsidiary, etc. > >Safaricom, Celltel (the 2 mobile operators) have also >joined into the fray along the same-principles i.e. owning >the Backbone infrastructures and continuing to compete >accross the SERVICE/APPLICATION layers or sectors. > >And the (good/bad?)news is that the prevailing situations >seem to have served quite well if seen in terms of >accelerated growth it has brought to the Industry. So the >question would be, why try and change all that? Why should >the provisioning of the submarine OFC disrupt the >comfortable status quo within the national telecoms market >structures? I see this as the biggest obstacle towards an >otherwise good Open Access model... > >walu. > > > >--- Alan Finlay <alan(a)openresearch.co.za> wrote: > >> Hi Eric >> >> Earlier John said that the Open Access model put forward >> that access to the >> fibre optic should be at cost, and the money made at the >> service end only. >> >> Your version says that access to the cable can be >> competitive - or that >> entities that invest in the cable's infrastructure must >> be allowed to make a >> profit out of the cable. >> >> Is this correct? Can you elaborate a bit on the >> differences between these >> two 'open access' positions as you understand them? >> >> Thanks >> Alan >> >> >> ----- Original Message ----- >> From: "Eric Osiakwan" <eric(a)afrispa.org> >> To: <alan(a)openresearch.co.za> >> Sent: Monday, January 29, 2007 11:42 AM >> Subject: Re: [Kictanet] Day 4 of 10: What are the >> Existing/Sugested >> >> >> > Dear All, >> > >> > The Open Access Model makes two important distinctions >> which the >> regulatory policy >> > environment must capture and enforce; >> > 1. the distinction between infrastructure and services >> so that >> infrastructure providers are >> > NOT allowed to also provide SERVICES and vice versa. >> > >> > 2. owership of the infrastructure (in layer 1) should >> not guarantee any >> form of fair or unfair >> > access to capacity for the provision of service (in >> layer 2). >> > >> > 2. that there is no discrimination within and between >> both camps so that >> infrastructure >> > providers are able to establish clear and transparent >> trading >> relationships with all service >> > providers and vice versa. Within the infrastructure or >> service layer there >> should be no >> > restriction on COMPETITION and SERVICE DELIVERY. >> > >> > This creates an ecosystem of various operators >> interconnecting seemlessly >> and ensuring >> > there is interoperability. >> > >> > Eric here >> > >> > >> > NB: Becuase my preference is for the "first" >> infrastructure entity to be >> owned in a multi- >> > stakeholder approach, the financial mechansims that are >> employed may also >> impose some >> > regulations from the financial market that can only be >> detailed on a case >> by case basis. > >--- John Walubengo <jwalu(a)yahoo.com> wrote: > >> Hi All, following the w/end, it maybe appropriate to >> recollect and review how far we have gone in this online >> discussion. >> >> Themes Reminder >> 1) Why OFC (1day) >> *it is cheaper(than Satellite option), it is faster, more >> reliable, more secure, has unlimited bandwidth capacity. >> >> 2) Existing Business Models for OFC provisioning (2days) >> *Privately provisioned >> *Consortium provisioned >> *Open Access provisioned >> >> 3) Existing/Appropriate Regulatory Models for OFC (2days) >> *No-Regulation >> *Some Regulation >> *Full Regulation >> >> 4) Best Model (Business+Regulatory) for E. Africans >> (2days) >> <Pending> >> >> 5) Projected Impact on Stakeholders (2days) >> <Pending> >> >> 6) Reconciling Stakeholder interests/Conclusions (2days) >> <Pending> >> >> So today we start of on Point 4, and wish to hear views >> on >> what would be the preferred Business and Regulatory model >> for provisioning the Optical Fiber Cable on the E.African >> Coast. Feel free to comment on a previous theme as well. >> >> walu. >> --- Alex Gakuru <alex.gakuru(a)yahoo.com> wrote: >> >> > Walu, >> > >> > I dug this interesting read off google search a while >> > back (78 page) >> > >> > Open Access Models >> > Options for Improving Backbone Access in Developing >> > Countries (with a Focus on Sub-Saharan Africa) >> > Final Draft >> > August 2005 >> > An infoDev Technical Report >> > prepared by >> > S P I N T R A C K A B >> > DROTTNINGGATAN 99, >> > 113 60 STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN >> > PHONE: +46-8-528 00 310 FAX: +46-8-528 00 315 >> > WWW.SPINTRACK.COM INFO(a)SPINTRACK.COM >> > >> > < >> > >> >http://www.infodev.org/files/2569_file_OPEN_ACCESS_REPORT.pdf >> > > >> > >> > /Alex >> > >> > John Walubengo <jwalu(a)yahoo.com> wrote: Found an answer >> > to my own question < >> > talked about emailing instead of talking to oneself?>> >> - >> > anyway...The proposed regulatory framework for EASsy >> > (which >> > purportedly is going the Open Access way) seems to be >> > covered here.... >> > >> > ~~~~00-copied below--- >> > >> > East Africa: EASSy Project Model Approved >> > Thursday, 22 June 2006 >> > All countries participating in the development of the >> > East >> > African Sub Marine Cable System (EASSy) have now agreed >> > to >> > implement the project on an 'open access basis,' >> > overcoming >> > a hurdle that had initially threatened to derail the >> > project. >> > The Policy and Regulatory Adviser of Nepad e-Africa >> > Commission, Dr Edmund Katiti said that the South >> African >> > government and Nepad's ICT experts had persuaded the >> > countries that were objecting to the change in the >> > project >> > to realise the limitations of the consortium model >> which >> > they had preferred. >> > >> > The EASSy project involves laying of a fibre optic >> cable >> > from Mtunzini north of Durban, through landing stations >> > along East Africa to Port Sudan. The cable will link >> with >> > the countries' national networks at the landing >> stations. >> > Others would subsequently be interconnected through the >> > networks of landlocked countries like Uganda, Rwanda, >> > Burundi and D.R Congo. >> > >> > When the project was first conceived, it was to be >> > primarily a private sector project. The core investors >> in >> > the cable infrastructure would determine the retail >> > prices >> > of bandwidth. The project was to be owned and operated >> by >> > a >> > group of companies that would generate financing; an >> > arrangement known as the consortium model. The South >> > African government and Nepad have recently argued that >> > the >> > consortium model would not achieve the objective of the >> > project bringing down the costs of >communication in >> > the region. They suggested that the model be altered to >> > "open access", where any operator or institution in the >> > participating countries would be allowed to acquire >> > equity >> > if it can afford the agreed contribution. >> > >> > In the open access model, the cable would be owned and >> > operated by the Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV), a >> company >> > created to manage the network and establish the price >> of >> > bandwidth. An Intergovernmental Assembly is to be >> formed >> > to >> > regulate the costs that the SPV would charge operators. >> > Rwanda will host the headquarters of the SPV in part as >> > recognition of their commitment to the development and >> > promotion of ICTs in the country. >> > >> > After the agreement reached earlier in June, the Nepad >> > e-Africa Commission is working towards the signing of a >> > protocol that would form the legal framework of the >> EASSy >> > project. The Commission has already prepared a project >> > plan, which it has sent to the member governments to >> > review >> > and comment, a process that take until August, when the >> > protocol signing is anticipated. Construction is >> expected >> > to commence by the end of 2006. >> > >> > Katiti said they hope to raise a quarter of the funding >> > from equity acquisition payments by companies from the >> > region and then raise the remainder from African >> > financial >> > institutions: African Development Bank, Comesa's PTA >> > Bank, >> > East African Development Bank and others. >> > >> > Source: The Monitor - WDR/Intelecon Regulatory News >> > >> >http://www.regulateonline.org/index.php? option=content&task=view&id=780&Itemid=32&relaItemid=877 >> > >> > walu. >> > >> > --- John Walubengo wrote: >> > >> > > What form/level of regulation would be required? Eric >> > > plse >> > > on Open Access, plse elaborate maybe in three >> > paragraphs. >> > > And maybe also Kai would have a comment on Regulation >> > > with >> > > regard to a Private sector submarine OFC >> > > provisioning....oh >> > > yes, Kihanya (the learned one) may have a point >> too... >> > > >> > > >> > > walu. >> > > nb: Govt officials are also encouraged to say >> something >> > - >> > > members are informed to treat their comments as their >> > > personal and not official postions ;-). >> > > >> > > --- Lucy Kimani wrote: >> > > >> > > > Regulation is definately required as even the big >> > boys >> > > of >> > > > the west are >> > > > regulated, in a capitalistic environment (read >> > > > cat-throat) self-regulation >> > > > has not worked, and is sure a recipe for disaster. >> > > > >> > > > LK >> > > > > OK. Looks like Fridays are still fridays -even >> > > online. >> > > > Very >> > > > > little activity. Heard from only Harry and >> > Alex...is >> >=== message truncated === > > > > >____________________________________________________________________________________ >Don't pick lemons. >See all the new 2007 cars at Yahoo! Autos. >http://autos.yahoo.com/new_cars.html > >_______________________________________________ >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/eric%40afrispa.org > -- Eric M.K Osiakwan Executive Secretary AfrISPA (www.afrispa.org) Tel: + 233.21.258800 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" --

1 0

Re: [Kictanet] Day 4 of 10: What are the Existing/Sugested
by Eric Osiakwan 29 Jan '07

29 Jan '07

Dear All, The Open Access Model makes two important distinctions which the regulatory policy environment must capture and enforce; 1. the distinction between infrastructure and services so that infrastructure providers are NOT allowed to also provide SERVICES and vice versa. 2. owership of the infrastructure (in layer 1) should not guarantee any form of fair or unfair access to capacity for the provision of service (in layer 2). 2. that there is no discrimination within and between both camps so that infrastructure providers are able to establish clear and transparent trading relationships with all service providers and vice versa. Within the infrastructure or service layer there should be no restriction on COMPETITION and SERVICE DELIVERY. This creates an ecosystem of various operators interconnecting seemlessly and ensuring there is interoperability. Eric here NB: Becuase my preference is for the "first" infrastructure entity to be owned in a multi- stakeholder approach, the financial mechansims that are employed may also impose some regulations from the financial market that can only be detailed on a case by case basis. ---------- Original Message ---------------------------------- From: John Walubengo <jwalu(a)yahoo.com> Reply-To: Kenya ICT Action Network - KICTANet <kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke> Date: Fri, 26 Jan 2007 23:33:00 -0800 (PST) >What form/level of regulation would be required? Eric plse >on Open Access, plse elaborate maybe in three paragraphs. >And maybe also Kai would have a comment on Regulation with >regard to a Private sector submarine OFC provisioning....oh >yes, Kihanya (the learned one) may have a point too... > > >walu. >nb: Govt officials are also encouraged to say something - >members are informed to treat their comments as their >personal and not official postions ;-). > >--- Lucy Kimani <lkimani(a)comnews.co.ke> wrote: > >> Regulation is definately required as even the big boys of >> the west are >> regulated, in a capitalistic environment (read >> cat-throat) self-regulation >> has not worked, and is sure a recipe for disaster. >> >> LK >> > OK. Looks like Fridays are still fridays -even online. >> Very >> > little activity. Heard from only Harry and Alex...is >> there >> > anyone out there still logged on to give us their views >> b/w >> > now and 2morrow. >> > >> > walu. >> > --- Harry Hare <harry(a)aitecafrica.com> wrote: >> > >> >> Dear Walu, >> >> >> >> Just checked the dictionary definition of "Regulate" >> and >> >> got these synonyms >> >> - rule, govern, manage, order, adjust, arrange, >> dispose, >> >> conduct, >> >> systematize. Al these sound and are good "English" >> words >> >> cos they give you >> >> the sense of stability, odder and continuity. However, >> >> these may not be so >> >> good "legal" words because law introduces the concept >> of >> >> constrain. Then >> >> these words become a burden that regulation is >> >> (especially to the private >> >> sector) and that regulatory frameworks prescribe. >> >> >> >> On the same breath, I would argue that its not a >> simple >> >> lets have or no, >> >> lets not regulate the OFCs. I think we need to >> regulate >> >> in the sense of >> >> providing continuity by systematizing and managing for >> >> the benefit of all, >> >> so regulation should only be used to facilitate and >> not >> >> constrain. >> >> Non-regulation to me sounds chaotic and not >> sustainable >> >> in the long run! >> >> >> >> Lets have a "facilitative regulatory framework" so >> that >> >> the private sector >> >> can do what they do best...invest and get a return on >> >> their investment; and >> >> the government collects its taxes while we enjoy >> >> efficient and affordable >> >> the services! >> >> >> >> Harry >> >> >> >> -----Original Message----- >> >> From: >> >> kictanet-bounces+harry=aitecafrica.com(a)kictanet.or.ke >> >> >> > >> >[mailto:kictanet-bounces+harry=aitecafrica.com@kictanet.or.ke] >> >> On Behalf Of >> >> John Walubengo >> >> Sent: Friday, January 26, 2007 9:40 AM >> >> To: harry(a)aitecafrica.com >> >> Subject: [Kictanet] Day 4 of 10: What are the >> >> Existing/Sugested legal >> >> andregulatory framework for OFC? >> >> >> >> Thanx Brain, Kai, et al for your contributions on the >> >> previous themes, I now wish to introduce today's theme >> as >> >> shown above. >> >> >> >> It looks like on the Regulatory theme, there is very >> >> little >> >> option. The choice is simply between having or NOT >> >> having >> >> Regulatory environments for the submarine cable. The >> >> current practice is simply NO Regulation by virtue of >> the >> >> fact that most OFC is laid out by Private sector with >> >> commercially agreed private contracts. These are kept >> >> confidential until or unless a dispute arises in which >> >> case >> >> it is resolved through existing Company Laws or >> >> Competition >> >> Laws. None-Regulation has therefore served well in >> >> managing >> >> Private sector investements. >> >> >> >> However, in the Case of a Consortium model, where >> Public >> >> Funds have been committed to build the infrastructure, >> >> some >> >> argue that Regulation is required to ensure that the >> >> Public >> >> interest (social benefits) are balanced against the >> >> Private (profit) interests. The Consortium operators >> >> however find this recommendation not encouraging since >> >> they >> >> feel that Regulation would tend to frustrate an >> otherwise >> >> enterprising venture that would excel without >> Regulatory >> >> constraints. >> >> >> >> As for the proposed Open Access Model, the Regulatory >> >> frameworks suggested seem to range from None, Some, >> >> Delayed >> >> to Full Regulation. I still don't know how these >> >> different >> >> variants would apply but would be glad to hear more >> from >> >> the participants. So lets explore the Pros and Cons >> of >> >> these options but approaching it in a practical way as >> >> follows: >> >> >> >> What benefits/disadvantages has Non-Regulation brought >> to >> >> submarine OFC within the the context of the three >> models >> >> a) Purely Private Provisioning of OFC >> >> b) Consortium Provisioning of OFC >> >> c) Open Access Provisionig of OFC. >> >> >> >> 2Days discussion - the eFloor is open to all however. >> >> Operators, Lawyers, Regulators, Policy Makers, CSO & >> >> Consumers are particularly encouraged to say >> something. >> >> >> >> walu. >> >> --- Bill Kagai <billkagai(a)gmail.com> wrote: >> >> >> >> > Brian... >> >> > Signs of a good Cabaret Sauvignon over lunch >> today!!! >> >> > >> >> > Anyway, >> >> > We are all converted capitalists hosting the World >> >> Social >> >> > Forum..so I say..a >> >> > good model is the one that makes good money for all >> of >> >> > us. >> >> > >> >> > >> >> > On 1/25/07, Brian Longwe <brian(a)pure-id.com> wrote: >> >> > > >> >> > > For once I get to make my comment on the day it is >> >> due >> >> > (good job, Brian - >> >> > > keep it up) ....... {I heard that when you start >> >> > talking to yourself you >> >> > > should get worried..... how about when you start >> >> > sending email to yourself?} >> >> > > >> >> > > HAHAHAHA! >> >> > > >> >> > > Anyway on a more serious note, some years ago I >> had a >> >> > v. interesting >> >> > > dialog on this issue of submarine infrastructure. >> The >> >> > people I was talking >> >> > > to (don't remember exactly who) {is loss of >> memory a >> >> > sign of age, senility, >> >> > > insanity or all 3 together} hehehe..... >> >> > > >> >> > > ---as I was saying, the people I was talking to >> >> > mentioned that the perfect >> >> > > model has existed for the longest time in the oil >> & >> >> gas >> >> > pipelines in >> >> > > different parts of Europe. These cross multiple >> >> > jurisdictions, are critical >> >> > > to the livelihoods and economies of all the >> >> > stakeholders, support the >> >> > > existence and stability of a wide spectrum of >> >> sectors, >> >> > and at the end of day >> >> > > provide something that an individual or family >> pays >> >> > for. >> >> > > >> >> > > Taking all of the above into consideration - these >> >> > projects are >> >> > > deliberately designed not to make a profit. (In >> fact >> >=== message truncated === > > > > >____________________________________________________________________________________ >No need to miss a message. Get email on-the-go >with Yahoo! Mail for Mobile. Get started. >http://mobile.yahoo.com/mail > >_______________________________________________ >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/eric%40afrispa.org > -- Eric M.K Osiakwan Executive Secretary AfrISPA (www.afrispa.org) Tel: + 233.21.258800 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" --

2 1

FW: http://www.londonstockexchange.com/LSECWS/IFSPages/MarketNewsPopup.aspx?id= 1393039&source=RNS
by Joseph Mucheru 26 Jan '07

26 Jan '07

Many thanks for all your support people. ------ Forwarded Message From: Teresa Miles Walsh <teresa(a)accessmediaadvisory.com> Date: Fri, 26 Jan 2007 14:42:49 -0000 To: 'Richard Bell' <Richard.Bell(a)Wananchi.Com>, 'Mark Schneider' <Mark(a)schneidermedia.net>, 'Joseph Mucheru' <mucheru(a)wananchi.com>, 'Richard Essex' <richard.essex(a)pobox.com> Cc: <tarek(a)accessmediaadvisory.com>, 'James Gachui' <gachui(a)wananchi.com> Subject: RE: http://www.londonstockexchange.com/LSECWS/IFSPages/MarketNewsPopup.aspx?id=1 393039&source=RNS In case anyone has trouble with the link above, here is the text of the announcement Company Africa Telecoms Company Limited TIDM Headline Revised Offer Update Released 14:25 26-Jan-07 Number 2251Q RNS Number:2251Q Africa Telecoms Company Limited 26 January 2007 This announcement is not for release, publication or distribution in or into the United States, Canada, Australia or Japan or any other jurisdiction where it would be unlawful to do so. 26 January 2007 AFRICA TELECOMS COMPANY LIMITED INCREASED CASH OFFER FOR THE AFRICAN LAKES CORPORATION LIMITED Summary The board of Africa Telecoms Company Limited ("ATC") today announces its intention to make an increased cash offer ("the Revised Offer") to acquire the whole of the issued and to be issued ordinary share capital of The African Lakes Corporation Limited ("TALC"). The Revised Offer of £18.50 in cash per TALC Share values the existing issued ordinary share capital of TALC at approximately £5.04 million. Certain TALC shareholders have irrevocably undertaken to accept the Revised Offer in respect of 143,426 TALC Shares in aggregate, representing approximately 52.66 per cent. of the issued ordinary share capital of TALC. Commenting on the Revised Offer, Richard Bell, Director of ATC said, "The revised offer of £18.50 per share in cash represents a significant increase over our original offer and I am delighted that it has won the support of African Lakes' major institutional shareholder. We are looking forward to implementing our exciting plans for building a pan-African ICT infrastructure". This summary should be read in conjunction with the full text of this announcement. Terms used but not defined in this announcement shall have the meanings given to them in the announcement by ATC on 28 December 2006 of an offer for TALC ("the Original Announcement"). Enquiries ATC Richard Bell 07772 251 772 Smith & Williamson Corporate Finance Limited, Adviser to ATC Nicola Horton 020 7131 4000 Access Media Advisory Limited, Adviser to ATC Teresa Miles Walsh 020 7659 5525 REVISED CASH OFFER BY AFRICA TELECOMS COMPANY LIMITED FOR THE AFRICAN LAKES CORPORATION LIMITED 1. Introduction The board of ATC today announces the terms of an increased cash offer ("the Revised Offer"), to be made by ATC, to acquire the whole of the issued and to be issued ordinary share capital of TALC. The Revised Offer will be subject to certain conditions set out or referred to in Appendix I. 2. The Revised Offer ATC will offer to acquire, on the terms and subject to the conditions set out or referred to in Appendix I and to be set out in the document containing the Revised Offer ("the Revised Offer Document") and the related Form of Acceptance, the entire issued and to be issued ordinary share capital of TALC on the following basis: £18.50 in cash for each TALC Share The Revised Offer values the existing issued ordinary share capital of TALC at approximately £5.04 million. The Revised Offer will extend to all TALC Shares unconditionally allotted or issued on the date of the Revised Offer together with any further such shares which are unconditionally allotted or issued while the Revised Offer remains open for acceptance or until such earlier date as, subject to the Code, ATC may determine. The TALC Shares to be acquired by ATC pursuant to the Revised Offer will be acquired fully paid and free from all liens, equities, charges, encumbrances, rights of pre-emption and other third party rights and interests of any nature whatsoever and together with all rights now or hereafter attaching thereto, including the right to receive and retain all dividends and other distributions (if any) declared, paid or made on or after the date of this announcement. 3. Financing The cash payable under the Revised Offer will be provided by ATC from its existing cash resources. Schneider Media & Holding Group LLC and The African Technology Media & Telecommunications Investment Company Limited have irrevocably undertaken to accept the Revised Offer but have also irrevocably undertaken to set off their entitlement to receive cash under the Revised Offer against an existing debt (in relation to subscription monies for their shares in ATC) owed by them to ATC. Smith & Williamson confirms that it is satisfied that resources are available to ATC sufficient to satisfy acceptance of the Revised Offer by all TALC Shareholders other than Schneider Media & Holding Group LLC and The African Technology Media & Telecommunications Investment Company Limited. 4. Information on ATC ATC is a newly incorporated company, which has been formed for the purpose of making the Offer. Since incorporation, it has not traded or entered into any material obligations other than in connection with the Offer, the Revised Offer and the financing thereof. The sole director of ATC is Richard Bell, who was until 10 August 2006 a non-executive director of TALC. ATC is currently owned by the following entities and individuals, in the following shares: Schneider Media & Holding Group LLC, approximately 58.3 per cent. Wananchi Online Limited (a Kenyan Internet Service Provider), approximately 28.5 per cent. The African Technology Media & Telecommunications Investment Company Limited (which is majority owned by Richard Bell and managed by East Africa Capital Partners, a private equity fund manager, of which Richard Bell is the Managing Partner), approximately 11.4 per cent. Philadelphia Investors, Limited (Ltd.), approximately 1.8 per cent. 5. Revised Offer Document A Revised Offer Document making the Revised Offer and containing the full terms and conditions of the Revised Offer will be posted as soon as practicable to TALC Shareholders. 6. Disclosure of interests ATC's shareholders' interests in TALC are as follows: Schneider Media & Holding Group LLC holds 39,080 TALC Shares, representing approximately 14.35 per cent. of the Company's issued share capital. The African Technology Media & Telecommunications Investment Company Limited (which is majority owned by Richard Bell and managed by East Africa Capital Partners, a private equity fund manager, of which Richard Bell is the Managing Partner), holds 35,000 TALC Shares, representing approximately 12.85 per cent. of the Company's issued share capital. Smith & Williamson Investment Management Limited, a 100 per cent. subsidiary of Smith & Williamson Holdings Limited, Smith & Williamson's parent company, manages funds on a discretionary basis on behalf of 5 clients who hold, in aggregate, 16 TALC Shares and on a non-discretionary basis on behalf of 6 clients who hold, in aggregate, 113 TALC Shares. Save for these interests, neither ATC, nor the ATC Director, nor any party acting in concert with ATC owns or controls any TALC Shares or holds any options or rights to acquire or subscribe for any TALC Shares or any derivative referenced to TALC Shares. 7. Undertakings in relation to the Revised Offer Schneider Media & Holding Group LLC, The African Technology Media & Telecommunications Investment Company Limited and Credit Suisse Client Nominees (UK) Limited have given irrevocable undertakings to ATC to accept, or procure the acceptance of, the Revised Offer in respect of, in aggregate, 143,426 TALC Shares, representing approximately 52.66 per cent. of TALC's issued ordinary share capital. These irrevocable undertakings will continue to be binding even in the event of a competing offer being made for TALC. Each of the irrevocable undertakings will cease to be binding if the Revised Offer is not made, is withdrawn or lapses. Save for these irrevocable undertakings, neither ATC nor any persons acting in concert with ATC has any arrangement in relation to TALC Shares, or any securities convertible or exchangeable into TALC Shares or options (including traded options) in respect of, or derivatives referenced to, TALC Shares. For these purposes "arrangement" includes an indemnity or option arrangement, any agreement or understanding, formal or informal, of whatever nature, relating to relevant securities which is, or may be, an inducement to deal or refrain from dealing in such securities. 8. TALC Share Option Scheme The Revised Offer extends to any shares unconditionally allotted or issued fully paid (or credited as fully paid) pursuant to the exercise of options under the TALC Share Option Scheme prior to the date on which the Revised Offer closes (or such earlier date as ATC, subject to the Code, may determine). ATC will make appropriate proposals to participants in the TALC Share Option Scheme in due course which would take effect after the Revised Offer has become or has been declared wholly unconditional, to the extent that their options have not been exercised. 9. Settlement and compulsory acquisition The consideration will, in relation to TALC Shareholders who validly accept the Revised Offer up to the time the Revised Offer becomes or is declared unconditional in all respects, be despatched not later than 14 days after the Revised Offer becomes or is declared unconditional in all respects, or thereafter within 14 days of receipt of acceptance of the Revised Offer. If ATC receives acceptances under the Revised Offer in respect of, and/or otherwise acquires 90 per cent. or more of the TALC Shares to which the Revised Offer relates and assuming all other conditions of the Revised Offer have been satisfied or waived (if they are capable of being waived), ATC will exercise its rights pursuant to the provisions of sections 428 to 430F (inclusive) of the Companies Act 1985 to acquire compulsorily the remaining TALC Shares to which the Revised Offer relates. 10. General This announcement does not constitute, or form part of, any offer for, or any solicitation of any offer for, securities. Any acceptance or other response to the Revised Offer should be made only on the basis of information referred to in the Revised Offer Document and the Form of Acceptance. The Revised Offer is not being made, directly or indirectly, in or into the United States, Canada, Australia or Japan or any other jurisdiction where it would be unlawful to do so. The Revised Offer will be on the terms and will be subject to the conditions which are set out or referred to in Appendix I hereto and in addition to those terms which will be set out in the formal Revised Offer Document and the Form of Acceptance in respect thereof. Smith & Williamson, which is authorised and regulated in the United Kingdom by the Financial Services Authority, is acting exclusively for ATC and for no one else in connection with the Revised Offer and the matters described herein and will not be responsible to anyone other than ATC for providing the protections afforded to its customers or for giving advice in relation to the Revised Offer or any other matter referred to herein. The ATC Director accepts responsibility for the information contained in this announcement save that the sole responsibility accepted by the ATC Director in respect of information relating to TALC, the directors of TALC and persons connected with them has been to ensure that it has been correctly compiled from published resources and is fairly reproduced and presented. Subject as aforesaid, to the best of the knowledge and belief of the ATC Director (who has taken all reasonable care to ensure that such is the case) the information contained in this announcement for which he accepts responsibility is in accordance with the facts and does not omit anything likely to affect the import of such information. This announcement may contain certain forward-looking statements concerning the Revised Offer, ATC and TALC. These forward-looking statements can be identified by the fact that they do not relate only to historical or current facts. Forward-looking statements often use words such as "anticipate", "target", "expect", "estimate", "intend", "plan", "goal", "believe", "will", "may", "should", "would", "could" or other words of similar meaning. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve risk and uncertainty, and the factors described in the context of such forward-looking statements in this announcement could cause actual results and developments to differ materially from those expressed in or implied by such forward-looking statements. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialise, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described in this document. ATC assumes no obligation to update or correct the information contained in this announcement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except to the extent legally required. 11. Dealing disclosure requirements Under the provisions of rule 8.3 of the City Code on Takeovers and Mergers (the "Code"), if any person is, or becomes, ''interested'' (directly or indirectly) in one per cent. or more of any class of ''relevant securities'' of TALC, all ''dealings'' in any ''relevant securities'' of TALC (including by means of an option in respect of, or a derivative referenced to, any such ''relevant securities'') must be publicly disclosed by no later than 3.30 p.m. (London time) on the London business day following the date of the relevant transaction. This requirement will continue until the date on which the Revised Offer becomes, or is declared, unconditional as to acceptances, lapses or is otherwise withdrawn or on which the ''offer period'' otherwise ends. If two or more persons act together pursuant to an agreement or understanding, whether formal or informal, to acquire an ''interest'' in ''relevant securities'' of TALC, they will be deemed to be a single person for the purpose of rule 8.3. Under the provisions of rule 8.1 of the Code, all ''dealings'' in ''relevant securities'' of TALC by ATC or TALC, or by any of their respective ''associates'', must be disclosed by no later than 12.00 noon (London time) on the London business day following the date of the relevant transaction. A disclosure table giving details of the companies in whose ''relevant securities'' ''dealings'' should be disclosed and the number of such securities in issue can be found on the Panel's website at www.thetakeoverpanel.org.uk. ''Interests in securities'' arise, in summary, when a person has long economic exposure, whether conditional or absolute, to changes in the price of securities. In particular, a person will be treated as having an ''interest'' by virtue of the ownership or control of securities, or by virtue of any option in respect of, or derivative referenced to, securities. Terms in quotation marks are defined in the Code, which can also be found on the Panel's website. If you are in any doubt as to whether or not you are required to disclose a ''dealing'' under rule 8, you should consult the Panel. Terms used but not defined in this announcement shall have the meanings given to them in the announcement by ATC on 28 December 2006 of an offer for TALC. APPENDIX I CONDITIONS OF THE REVISED OFFER The Revised Offer will be subject to the same conditions as set out or referred to in the Original Announcement other than a reduction in the minimum acceptance level in condition (a) as set out below: (a) valid acceptances of the Revised Offer being received (and not, where permit ted, withdrawn) by 1.00 p.m. on the first closing date of the Revised Offer (or such later times and/or dates as ATC may, subject to the rules of the Code, decide) in respect of not less than 50 per cent. in nominal value of the TALC Shares to which the Revised Offer relates plus one TALC Share, provided that this condition will not be satisfied unless ATC and/or any of its associates shall have acquired or agreed to acquire, whether pursuant to the Revised Offer or otherwise, TALC Shares carrying in aggregate more than 50 per cent. of the voting rights then exercisable at a general meeting of TALC including, to the extent (if any) required by the Panel, any voting rights attaching to any TALC Shares which are unconditionally allotted before the Revised Offer becomes or is declared unconditional as to acceptances pursuant to the exercise of any outstanding conversion or subscription rights or otherwise. For the purposes of this condition: (i) TALC Shares which have been unconditionally allotted shall be deemed to carry the voting rights which they will carry upon issue; and (ii) the expression "TALC Shares to which the Revised Offer relates" and "associates" shall be construed in accordance with sections 428 to 430F of the Companies Act 1985. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange END -----Original Message----- From: Teresa Miles Walsh [mailto:teresa@accessmediaadvisory.com] Sent: 26 January 2007 14:42 To: 'Richard Bell (Richard.Bell(a)Wananchi.Com)'; 'Mark Schneider'; 'Joseph Mucheru'; 'Richard Essex' Cc: 'tarek(a)accessmediaadvisory.com'; 'James Gachui (gachui(a)wananchi.com)' Subject: http://www.londonstockexchange.com/LSECWS/IFSPages/MarketNewsPopup.aspx?id=1 393039&source=RNS Congrats! See attached revised offer announcement declaring you have received 52.66% of the votes T ------ End of Forwarded Message

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Fw: [Fibre-for-africa] Join KICTAnet's online discuission: What isthe best model for providing the Fiber Optic Submarine Cableto East Africans?
by alice＠apc.org 25 Jan '07

25 Jan '07

Badru, i could pay a dollar for that if you had some resonance on the other side of the coin where the private sector due to a lot of the factors we know cannot do this ALONE? Eric here On 24 Jan 2007, at 19:16, Badru Ntege wrote: > I think we all know "who shot EASSY". it was politics and egos > which have never been good bed fellows. The guilty parties that > pulled the trigger are kenya and South Africa though the jury is > still out on this. Then along the way came some other characters > who used the impasse to get some free publicity (we all know who > they are ). when time to pay up came they all disappeared and guess > who is suffering. > > If government's and Nepad want to be in please consult the > community, lay the law and rules of engagement and stay away. then > next should be those who have the pockets to come in and build the > fiber. > > I mean at the end of the day business rules will kick in and > eventually the price will come down. If government wants to > intervene to bring costs down then give the businesses an incentive > to offer good pricing, maybe tax waivers etc. > > Lets forget the nice world in the clouds where everyone has access > and buys at the same price etc. Some things need to be given time > to develop naturaly. > > Many things and services in all our walks of life are built by > private entities some are closed clubs and others are open. that is > a business decision. > > Forget open access and all that baloony, all those consultants who > were singing all this nice to the ears stuff are back sitting > behind there 10mB links costing them a few dollars while we are > sitting on our 16k 32k links moaning EASSY. > > Bottom line allow the operators to build the cable > Set operating criteria and acceptable pricing levels > Government concentrates on facilitating internal networks to Rural > communities > Encourage the production of local content > Put in measures that will create demand and thus market forces to > bring the prices down. > > my 2 cents > > > gathuri njorohio wrote: >> Hi All >> The EASSY cable implementation seems to be stalling due to >> disagreement on financing and the way to operate and manage it. >> The Eastern african countries will continue being overcharged for >> their international traffic when they pass through satellite due >> to lack of this cheap way of carrying traffic through the >> submarine cable. >> We are aware of the regional economic bodies that are mandated to >> promote trade between the countries and I suggest that they should >> also invest in ICT .COMESA and SADC are the bodies catering for >> trade in south and eastern Africa.Why can't they take the >> opportunity to invest in this cable so that it can benefit the >> countries they are serving. >> A company can be formed answerable to these two bodies for the >> installation , maintenance and operation of this cable. >> The western africa and central africa can do the same for the >> western cable link. >> The existing cables can continue to give redundancy for the new >> cables. >> The e commission of the NEPAD could facilitate these intiatives as >> a neutral body for the development of Africa. >> Eng. Njorohio >> */alice(a)apc.org/* wrote: >> >> (Apologies for Cross positing) >> >> >> >> Attn: Telco Operators, Regulators, Academia, Media, Civil >> Society, >> Consumers >> >> The Last Frontier: The East African Coast remains the last region >> in the >> world that is yet to connect to the cheaper and more reliable >> Global >> Submarine Optical Fiber Network. EASSy, TEAMS and others promise >> to change >> that by providing this crucial link. >> >> EASSy, TEAMS, etc,: What is the best model for providing the >> Fiber >> Optic >> Submarine Cable to East Africans? >> >> Join the Online Discussion: Starting Monday Jan 22nd – Sat Feb >> 3rd >> 2007 and >> make your views be known regarding this historic development. >> >> to subscribe: http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet >> Please send your details to jkimiti(a)email.kictanet.or.ke >> >> >> >> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> Fibre-for-africa mailing list >> Fibre-for-africa(a)lists.apc.org >> http://lists.apc.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/fibre-for-africa >> >> >> --------------------------------------------------------------------- >> --- >> Never Miss an Email >> Stay connected with Yahoo! Mail on your mobile. Get started! >> <http://us.rd.yahoo.com/evt=43909/*http://mobile.yahoo.com/ >> services?promote=mail> >> --------------------------------------------------------------------- >> --- >> >> _______________________________________________ >> Fibre-for-africa mailing list >> Fibre-for-africa(a)lists.apc.org >> http://lists.apc.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/fibre-for-africa >> > > _______________________________________________ > Fibre-for-africa mailing list > Fibre-for-africa(a)lists.apc.org > http://lists.apc.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/fibre-for-africa > Eric M.K Osiakwan ICT Consultant and Journalist 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" -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- > _______________________________________________ > 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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Re: [Kictanet] Safaricom must improve or lose to a better option
by joseph kihanya 25 Jan '07

25 Jan '07

I have sent mail on the agreement/, disclaimer...to evelyne/ smail address? kihanya ----- Original Message ---- From: Judy kimiti <jkimiti01(a)yahoo.co.uk> To: kihanyajn(a)yahoo.com Sent: Tuesday, January 16, 2007 10:11:12 AM Subject: [Kictanet] Safaricom must improve or lose to a better option Safaricom must improve or lose to a better option By Andrew Odete Dear Mr Michael Joseph, I tried calling you for a chat, but the network was down, so I fell back to the old ink and pen. It never lets you down, which is more than I can say for the postal service. That is why I have taken the liberty to write to you through the media, for which I beg your understanding and forgiveness. It is not because I am a cheapskate. Greetings from many readers who have asked me to relay their heartfelt congratulations to you for dragging Safaricom, biting and kicking, into the Sh12 billion-profit mark. The readers are also your subscribers and they have exhorted me to relay their concerns relating on your service to your doorstep. You are top in business First, your customers appreciate that achieving such an unprecedented subscription as you have in the proverbial blink of an eye is worthy of accolades. Many say, and rightly so, that you have come top of the business stakes in the region for listening to and understanding your customers. What is more impressive is that you achieved this in the hitherto unexplored terrain of mobile telephony in Kenya. However, your customers hope that this year, the company will outdo itself and improve on last year's performance. Oh yes, sir, they seem to believe that there is room for improvement on your part. Some even reckon that it is pretty easy to be the "Better Option" in a field where there are not too many service providers to challenge you on the quality of the product. Cheap but clogged While they appreciate that you have increased coverage in the country, they wish you could also increase the quality of telephone service. Clarity of phone calls and reliability of the service is all they want. For instance, when you so very kindly offered cheap calling rates during the festive season, the relentless crush of callers ensured that nobody could get through the network at various times of the day. Your network crashed, as happened increasingly often in the course of last year. Moreover, sir, you know we have such diverse accents and dialects that it helps to have a clear line; otherwise, we could as well be insulting one another over the phone. That would be uncivilised and, if I may say so, unChristmas! When Kananu calls from Imenti, Muli from Masinga or Jaoko from Mbita next to the lake, I want to hear the phonetic innocence of their respective dialects and interpret them accordingly. No reason to toast And when Akinyi jets back to Kenya, and tries out her full-on Texan- cum-Siaya drawl on my ears, it would help to, at least, hear some of her words. This year, Safaricom may need to ratchet it up a notch higher if your subscribers are to see the sense of continuing to top up so that you, in turn, may continue to top the profit league. I am sure you have the savoir-faire to remain the toast of East Africa. Already, your subscribers cannot stop thanking you for the reduced call charges. But I fear that unless you give your customers a new year present in the way of better quality services, an even better option might come along and make toast of you. And now that I cannot get through to you on the phone, sir, I take this opportunity to wish you a happy New Year and to request that you please call me back when the network is back to normal. Thank you. odeteac(a)yahoo.com http://www.eastandard.net/hm_news/news.php?articleid=1143963704 Yahoo! Messenger - with free PC-PC calling and photo sharing. _______________________________________________ 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/kihanyajn%40yahoo.com ____________________________________________________________________________________ Have a burning question? Go to www.Answers.yahoo.com and get answers from real people who know.

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Agreement
by joseph kihanya 25 Jan '07

25 Jan '07

Judy/Evelyne Whereas the (winner_______________ ) of the logo cretaion competition (___________) (name)of the competition is not in a contract of service with KICTANET and was commissioned to create the logo, and hereby confirms receipt of the sum of Kshs--------in full and final settlement of that commission, the winner_____________ does hereby confirm that all copyright vests with KICTANET as per section 31(1)(a) of The Copyright Act 2001, (No 12 of 2001, Laws of Kenya ),and hereby confirms that he/ she is the author of the logo and agrees to indemnify KICTANET againts all claims that may arise in future in relation to the logo and this agreement. I hope this helps. Kihanya ----- Original Message ---- From: evelyne ofwona <evelyneofwona(a)yahoo.com> To: kihanyajn(a)yahoo.com Sent: Thursday, October 5, 2006 7:56:54 AM Subject: [Kictanet] MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE TRUST FUND COMMITTEE Good morning all, Attached, please find minutes of the above and the Trust Deed Document. Evelyne Talk is cheap. Use Yahoo! Messenger to make PC-to-Phone calls. Great rates starting at 1¢/min. _______________________________________________ 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/kihanyajn%40yahoo.com ____________________________________________________________________________________ Food fight? Enjoy some healthy debate in the Yahoo! Answers Food & Drink Q&A. http://answers.yahoo.com/dir/?link=list&sid=396545367

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Re: [Kictanet] Why do we need International Optical Fiber Connectivity?- 1 Day Discussion
by joseph kihanya 25 Jan '07

25 Jan '07

Walu. If you can sell a good thing in few words it is a good thing. here goes... Fibre is simply demonstrably an economically and environmentally "good" thing! Capacity- wise and futuristic use is guaranteed. Lets just say,its very hard to argue against, given the options. QED Kihanya ----- Original Message ---- From: John Walubengo <jwalu(a)yahoo.com> To: kihanyajn(a)yahoo.com Sent: Tuesday, January 23, 2007 2:57:00 PM Subject: Re: [Kictanet] Why do we need International Optical Fiber Connectivity?- 1 Day Discussion Also, Satellites will remain around because they do have their unique applications mainly in intelligence gathering (e.g for Weather Predictions, Geographical Mappings, Space Research, Military intellegence, etc). These things, Bill, you will agree cannot be done by optical fiber and that is why the rich nations shall continue investing in satellite technologies. However on the communication side of things, the satellite route is a distant 2nd to Optical fiber. walu. --- Kanja Waruru <kanjawaruru(a)yahoo.com> wrote: > on a light note, satellites pollute the atmosphere > since they are junked in outer space after their short > and unreliable life span. someone ought to report > satellite owners to nema. > cheers > Kanja > > --- John Walubengo <jwalu(a)yahoo.com> wrote: > > > Hey! > > > > 12hrs are ending without an input on the 1st and > > easier > > theme! The silence is too loud! to reduce it, here > > is why I > > think we need international optical submarine > > connectivity > > (as opposed to Satellite). > > > > 1. It is more reliable than satellite connectivity > > 2. It is much more faster (i.e) delay time from one > > continent to the other is less. > > 3. It has unlimited bandwidth capabilities and by > > extension > > 4. It tends (should) be cheaper to buy per Megabit. > > > > Anything I may have left out? Brian, Mucheru and > > others? > > Plse clarify, object or add. > > > > walu. > > > > --- John Walubengo <jwalu(a)yahoo.com> wrote: > > > > > Greetings All, > > > > > > As announced the previous week(s) on this list, we > > wish > > > to > > > kick-off the discussion on this important > > submarine cable > > > developments. > > > > > > The general program is listed below and I would > > like us > > > to > > > get started. But 2 ground rules. > > > > > > ***Keep your contributions brief and to the point. > > (2-3 > > > paragraphs, otherwise members may not have time to > > read > > > through, if you have lengthy additions, just give > > us the > > > url) > > > ***Summary contributions shall be provided at the > > end of > > > each discussion theme. Leading contributions shall > > be > > > acknowledged and rewarded by sponsorship to a > > subsequent > > > face-2-face meeting on the same topic. > > > > > > So the floor is open and the question for the next > > 12hrs > > > is:Why do we need International Optical Fiber > > > Connectivity?- > > > Plse contributed by showing the advantages, > > > opportunities, > > > etc of undersea fiber cable... > > > > > > ~~~~~000~~~~~ > > > The other Questions/Issues that will follow. > > > > > > 1) Why do we need International Optical Fiber > > > Connectivity? > > > (1day) > > > 2) What are the existing (and possible) > > > Business/Financial > > > models for Optical Fiber Submarine Cables?(2days) > > > 3) What are the existing (and possible) Regulatory > > models > > > for Optical Fiber Submarine Cables?(2days) > > > 4) What would be the ideal model for East > > Africans? > > > (2days) > > > 5) How will this (ideal) model impact on the > > existing > > > stakeholders(Consumers, Operators, > > Regulators,etc)(2days) > > > 6) How can conflicting stakeholder interest be > > > resolved?(2days) > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > ____________________________________________________________________________________ > > > The fish are biting. > > > Get more visitors on your site using Yahoo! Search > > > Marketing. > > > > > > http://searchmarketing.yahoo.com/arp/sponsoredsearch_v2.php > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > > > 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/jwalu%40yahoo.com > > > > > > > > > > > > > > ____________________________________________________________________________________ > > Don't pick lemons. > > See all the new 2007 cars at Yahoo! Autos. > > http://autos.yahoo.com/new_cars.html > > > > _______________________________________________ > > 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/kanjawaruru%40yahoo.com > > > > > > > ____________________________________________________________________________________ > The fish are biting. > Get more visitors on your site using Yahoo! Search > Marketing. > http://searchmarketing.yahoo.com/arp/sponsoredsearch_v2.php > > _______________________________________________ > 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/jwalu%40yahoo.com > ____________________________________________________________________________________ Cheap talk? Check out Yahoo! Messenger's low PC-to-Phone call rates. http://voice.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/kihanyajn%40yahoo.com ____________________________________________________________________________________ We won't tell. Get more on shows you hate to love (and love to hate): Yahoo! TV's Guilty Pleasures list. http://tv.yahoo.com/collections/265

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Day 3 of 10: What are the existing Business Models for OFC provisioning
by John Walubengo 25 Jan '07

25 Jan '07

Haven't heard much much from the Consumers...but here is what Consumers in S.A are doing with regard to Telkom S.A and their high communications charges. walu. btw. Telkom SA is a leading sharholder in the SAT3 Consortium model. We hope, that Telkom Kenya will not force similar reactions - 5yrs after implementing EASsy. --- Ashraf Patel <AshrafP(a)osisa.org> wrote: > Date: Mon, 22 Jan 2007 12:48:06 +0200 > From: "Ashraf Patel" <AshrafP(a)osisa.org> > To: <idlelo2(a)fossfa.net> > Subject: [Idlelo2] Telecoms Action Group (TAG) lambasts > Telkom SA on high > Internet prices in full page ad in M&G > > Consumer group fires salvo at Telkom > LESLEY STONES > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ > -------- > E-Mail article Print-Friendly > > > > STINGING criticism from the world-renowned Reuters news > agency, evidence > from numerous analysts and a verbal lashing by President > Thabo Mbeki himself have failed to penetrate Telkom's impervious skin and force it > to cut its prices. > > So what impact will come from 200 despondent consumers > moaning about the > high cost of a phone call? > > Probably very little, but a full-page advert they placed > in the Mail & > Guardian this week is a piece of public activism that > just may make > Telkom's price-fixing executives squirm in momentary > discomfort. > > The advert placed by the Telecoms Action Group (Tag) was > funded by > individual consumers including a sprinkling of lawyers, > journalists and > representatives of a couple of hi-tech companies. > > It is big, bold and aims straight for the jugular. Under > the headline, > "The more of this you read, the more infuriated you'll > become", the > advert says: "Last year, Telkom recorded a staggering > R9,3bn in profit. > At your expense. Don't expect the government to step in. > They couldn't > give a hoot. They've got a 38% shareholding." > > It points out that South Africans pay five times more for > a local call > now than in 1996, and that our internet access is among > the most > expensive in the world. Telkom has laid off 35000 staff > in seven years, > so its profits sky-rocket while consumers wait up to six > months to get a > line, it says. > > The action group was set up by journalists Richard Frank > and Alastair > Otter, who run the tectonic.co.za newsletter. > > Frank admits that Telkom is unlikely to react. "We are > not naive enough > to think our one advert is going to make Telkom slash its > prices by 50% > and neither is government or the regulator going to do > much," he says. > "The main purpose is to show that consumers have a voice > in SA." > > > > In reply, Telkom issued a statement on Friday saying it > was committed to > adjusting its pricing model consistently in order to make > telecommunications more affordable and accessible to > business as well as > the broader public. > > Its last price revision saw an overall cut of 2,1% on a > basket of > products, while high-speed internet access line rental > fell an average > of 24%, it said. > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Sponsored links > > Software > > Treasury services > > Trading > > Unit Trusts > > Residential Property > > Commerical Property > > Business Directory > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ > -------- > > BDFM Publishers (Pty) Ltd disclaims all liability for any > loss, damage, > injury or expense however caused, > arising from the use of or reliance upon, in any manner, > the information > provided through this service > and does not warrant the truth, accuracy or completeness > of the > information provided. > > Copyright (c) 2005 BDFM Publishers (Pty) Ltd. All Rights > Reserved > Site Feedback | Privacy Policy > > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ > -------- > > > > _______________________________________________ > Idlelo2 mailing list > Idlelo2(a)fossfa.net > http://mailman.dst.gov.za/mailman/listinfo/idlelo2 > ____________________________________________________________________________________ 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 _______________________________________________ Idlelo2 mailing list Idlelo2(a)fossfa.net http://mailman.dst.gov.za/mailman/listinfo/idlelo2

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Day 2 of 10: What are the existing Business Models for Optical Fiber Provision?
by John Walubengo 24 Jan '07

24 Jan '07

I want to thank all those who contributed (in writing and in silence) during yesterdays 1st day of discussions. Becky will be giving us the summaries in due course. Indeed it was a warm-up to what I believe is going to be a lot more of a complex issue and hence the following long and necessary background information on the Business Models for Provisioning submarine Optical Fiber Cables (OFCs plse not the abbreviation, we shall use it frequently). I stand to be corrected but from what I gather, there seems to be two distinct Business Models for providing OFC, namely, Purely Commercial and Partly Commercial. A third approach, which is yet to be tried (implemented) but is highly acclaimed in Donor and Academic communities, is known as the Open Access approach. Now, in a Purley Commercial Setup, Private Data Communications Companies, usually the top level IBPs Internet Backbone Providers such as Cable&Wireless, BT, France Telecom, MCI, would establish a business need to build an OFC b/w continents in order to exchange traffic between their (ISP) customers that exists on both ends of the OFC. Please note that IBPs are not ideally selling bandwidth directly to the regular you and me, but rather to the ISPs Internet Service Providers who will eventually resale this Internet Access (bandwidth) to you and me. Option I: Purely commercial Model Basically, the IBPs use their own money to put up (down?) the cable and they independently decide who connects to the cables landing (exchange) points and at what rate per month. These private companies are run on a purely commercial basis with the aim of maximising profit at the shortest times possible. Indeed ISPs would not mind the potentially high-prices arising from these model as long as you and me can meet this cost when it is eventually slapped on us. This is the prevailing model for OFCs between America/Europe as well as America/Asia-Pacific but with the advantage that the OFCs in these two realms are abundant to point of having driven the costs extremely down. Option II: Partly Commercial Model. This is what has occurred with the OFC running from Portugal, across the Western Coast of Africa through to S.Africa. The so called SAT3 Cable has been provisioned through a (currently) contentious model that has given the term Consortium a suspicious connotation. At its simplest level, a group of mainly government owned (Public) Telco companies across the affected coast-line get together to form a consortium with a view to seek funds and build the OFC. Thereafter, they retain the privilege of independently deciding who connects to the cable and at what rate per month. From the SAT3 experience, the OFCs monthly rates charged are nowhere near the ones enjoyed currently being enjoyed in the developed economies for various reasons. Their high costs of OFC bandwidth has attracted pressure from Civil Society, Academia and other groups who argue that since (largely) Public Funds were used to build the cable, the Consortium Profit-motive should be moderated (regulated?) to strike a balance with the Public interest (read very cheap rates). The Consortium has ofcourse resisted this thinking arguing that their bandwidth charges are dictated by market forces specifically, Africa has over the years generated little internet traffic volumes that would have made it possible for them to drastically drop down the charges. Circumstances have therefore forced them into a High-cost, Low Volume business model. Furthermore, their Bandwidth charges are incidentally 5-10 times lower than Satellite Bandwidth costs and that should be appreciated. Option III: Open Access Model. And so, in comes the proponents of Open Access Model. In the simplest terms, they argue that Africas socio-economic renaissance hangs on the availability of cheap bandwidth or communication costs. As such, the OFC presents a historic opportunity that should not be left to prevail under short-term, commercial arrangements either within the Private or Consortium models. Open Access Models proposes radical changes at all levels (Political, Legal, Regulatory, Economical, etc) in order to provision international OFC with an alleged bias towards socio-economic development. In particular, they claim that the OFC should be co-owned by both Government and Private sector but should NOT be operated for profit; that is, it should be run at Cost by a body agreed upon. Further, access or connection to the cable should be Open to current and future stakeholders wishing to connect to it AT COST not profit. The fundamental point is that money should NOT be made out of the cable, money and lots of it, should be made out of services (BPO, eCommerce, etc) that would arise from the presence of the cable. Open Access model, foresees a Low-Cost, High Volume Business Model for the Cable. Its biggest limitation is the fact that it remains a fairly academic topic that is yet to be tested particularly in an environment whose political, regulatory and legal structures are not entirely matured. It chances of successful implementations are deemed low. Furthermore, even if it was to succeed, the sceptics are wondering:- of what use is cheap international bandwidth without African (local) Content and an equally developed domestic digital network? Might this not be just another avenue of opening up the emerging African e-markets to be exploited by the developed economies? The Question. So back to the question:- What are the existing Models for provisioning OFC? Plse voice your support, objection, correction or comments on any of the above Models giving reasons why. In addition, feel free to suggest other existing models out there or still under construction. We have only 2days on this theme so let the views start flowing. References/Acknowledgements http://www.fibreforafrica.net/ http://www.africafocus.org/docs06/apc0612.php http://www.fibreforafrica.net/ http://www.diplofoundation.org/poolbin.asp?IDPool=127 ____________________________________________________________________________________ Need a quick answer? Get one in minutes from people who know. Ask your question on www.Answers.yahoo.com

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Re: [Kictanet] Day 2 of 10: What are the existing Business Modelsfor Optical Fiber Provision?
by jmunsaka 24 Jan '07

24 Jan '07

Hello John Maybe what we should be addressing here are the issues of Technology to be deployed or Economic models What lessons have we learnt from other similar projects that have taken place on the continent such that we do not fall into the same traps or problems experienced What are the good practices to follow on this prject Maybe this will start the roll of infor Thanks John ---- Original Message ---- From: jwalu(a)yahoo.com To: jmunsaka(a)zamnet.zm Subject: Re: [Kictanet] Day 2 of 10: What are the existing Business Modelsfor Optical Fiber Provision? Date: Wed, 24 Jan 2007 04:15:09 -0800 (PST) >Aih! this Day 2 is too quiet. I have copied the the last >paragraph hoping it will kickstart this thread... > >>> > >The Question. >So back to the question:- What are the existing Models >for provisioning OFC? Plse voice your support, objection, >correction or comments on any of the Models below giving >reasons why. In addition, feel free to suggest other >existing models out there or still under construction. >We have only 2days on this theme so let the views start >flowing... > >walu. > >>> >--- John Walubengo <jwalu(a)yahoo.com> wrote: > >> I want to thank all those who contributed (in writing and >> in silence) during yesterdays 1st day of discussions. >> Becky will be giving us the summaries in due course. >> Indeed >> it was a warm-up to what I believe is going to be a lot >> more of a complex issue and hence the following long and >> necessary background information on the Business Models >> for >> Provisioning submarine Optical Fiber Cables (OFCs plse >> not the abbreviation, we shall use it frequently). >> >> I stand to be corrected but from what I gather, there >> seems >> to be two distinct Business Models for providing OFC, >> namely, Purely Commercial and Partly Commercial. A third >> approach, which is yet to be tried (implemented) but is >> highly acclaimed in Donor and Academic communities, is >> known as the Open Access approach. >> >> Now, in a Purley Commercial Setup, Private Data >> Communications Companies, usually the top level IBPs >> Internet Backbone Providers such as Cable&Wireless, BT, >> France Telecom, MCI, would establish a business need to >> build an OFC b/w continents in order to exchange traffic >> between their (ISP) customers that exists on both ends of >> the OFC. Please note that IBPs are not ideally selling >> bandwidth directly to the regular you and me, but rather >> to >> the ISPs Internet Service Providers who will eventually >> resale this Internet Access (bandwidth) to you and me. >> >> Option I: Purely commercial Model >> Basically, the IBPs use their own money to put up (down?) >> the cable and they independently decide who connects to >> the >> cables landing (exchange) points and at what rate per >> month. These private companies are run on a purely >> commercial basis with the aim of maximising profit at the >> shortest times possible. Indeed ISPs would not mind the >> potentially high-prices arising from these model as long >> as >> you and me can meet this cost when it is eventually >> slapped >> on us. This is the prevailing model for OFCs between >> America/Europe as well as America/Asia-Pacific but with >> the advantage that the OFCs in these two realms are >> abundant to point of having driven the costs extremely >> down. >> >> Option II: Partly Commercial Model. >> This is what has occurred with the OFC running from >> Portugal, across the Western Coast of Africa through to >> S.Africa. The so called SAT3 Cable has been provisioned >> through a (currently) contentious model that has given >> the >> term Consortium a suspicious connotation. At its >> simplest level, a group of mainly government owned >> (Public) >> Telco companies across the affected coast-line get >> together >> to form a consortium with a view to seek funds and build >> the OFC. Thereafter, they retain the privilege of >> independently deciding who connects to the cable and at >> what rate per month. From the SAT3 experience, the OFCs >> monthly rates charged are nowhere near the ones enjoyed >> currently being enjoyed in the developed economies for >> various reasons. >> >> Their high costs of OFC bandwidth has attracted pressure >> from Civil Society, Academia and other groups who argue >> that since (largely) Public Funds were used to build the >> cable, the Consortium Profit-motive should be moderated >> (regulated?) to strike a balance with the Public interest >> (read very cheap rates). The Consortium has ofcourse >> resisted this thinking arguing that their bandwidth >> charges >> are dictated by market forces specifically, Africa has >> over the years generated little internet traffic volumes >> that would have made it possible for them to drastically >> drop down the charges. Circumstances have therefore >> forced >> them into a High-cost, Low Volume business model. >> Furthermore, their Bandwidth charges are incidentally >> 5-10 >> times lower than Satellite Bandwidth costs and that >> should >> be appreciated. >> >> Option III: Open Access Model. >> And so, in comes the proponents of Open Access Model. In >> the simplest terms, they argue that Africas >> socio-economic >> renaissance hangs on the availability of cheap bandwidth >> or >> communication costs. As such, the OFC presents a >> historic >> opportunity that should not be left to prevail under >> short-term, commercial arrangements either within the >> Private or Consortium models. Open Access Models >> proposes >> radical changes at all levels (Political, Legal, >> Regulatory, Economical, etc) in order to provision >> international OFC with an alleged bias towards >> socio-economic development. >> >> In particular, they claim that the OFC should be co-owned >> by both Government and Private sector but should NOT be >> operated for profit; that is, it should be run at Cost by >> a >> body agreed upon. Further, access or connection to the >> cable should be Open to current and future stakeholders >> wishing to connect to it AT COST not profit. The >> fundamental point is that money should NOT be made out of >> the cable, money and lots of it, should be made out of >> services (BPO, eCommerce, etc) that would arise from the >> presence of the cable. Open Access model, foresees a >> Low-Cost, High Volume Business Model for the Cable. Its >> biggest limitation is the fact that it remains a fairly >> academic topic that is yet to be tested particularly in >> an environment whose political, regulatory and legal >> structures are not entirely matured. It chances of >> successful implementations are deemed low. Furthermore, >> even if it was to succeed, the sceptics are wondering:- >> of >> what use is cheap international bandwidth without African >> (local) Content and an equally developed domestic digital >> network? Might this not be just another avenue of >> opening >> up the emerging African e-markets to be exploited by the >> developed economies? >> >> The Question. >> So back to the question:- What are the existing Models >> for >> provisioning OFC? Plse voice your support, objection, >> correction or comments on any of the above Models giving >> reasons why. In addition, feel free to suggest other >> existing models out there or still under construction. >> We >> have only 2days on this theme so let the views start >> flowing. >> >> References/Acknowledgements >> http://www.fibreforafrica.net/ >> http://www.africafocus.org/docs06/apc0612.php >> http://www.fibreforafrica.net/ >> http://www.diplofoundation.org/poolbin.asp?IDPool=127 >> >> >> >> >> >> >_____________________________________________________________________ >_______________ >> Need a quick answer? Get one in minutes from people who >> know. >> Ask your question on www.Answers.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/jwalu%40yahoo.com >> > > > > >_____________________________________________________________________ >_______________ >Looking for earth-friendly autos? >Browse Top Cars by "Green Rating" at Yahoo! Autos' Green Center. >http://autos.yahoo.com/green_center/ > >_______________________________________________ >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/ma >ilman/options/kictanet/jmunsaka%40zamnet.zm

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ITWeb comment on AfricaOnline deal
by Brian Longwe 23 Jan '07

23 Jan '07

All of a sudden it seems everyone wants a piece of AfricaOnline - this telco gets some criticism about their ambitions.... .....although the Uganda Telecom deal provokes some interest - would Telkom SA really add value? Regards, Brian ------------------ Telkom mum on Africa move By Damaria Senne and Nicola Mawson Posted: 22 January 2007 Telkom has refused to say whether it has bid for Kenya-based pan- African Internet company Africa Online, owned by African Lakes Corporation (ALC), a London-based group. “The reports linking Telkom SA as a bidder for Africa Online are speculative and Telkom will not comment on media speculation,” says the fixed-line operator. Media reports indicate that, two weeks ago, Kenyan-based group Africa Telecoms announced plans to offer £15.50 a share in cash for all African Lakes' shares, valuing the ordinary shares held by Africa Online's parent at £4.2 million, Balancing Act reports. However, soon after the cash offer was reportedly made, ALC confirmed that it was in discussion with interested parties for the sale of the ALC group or of Africa Online separately. Other media reports indicate Telkom is one of the interested parties bidding for the shareholding of Africa Online. Strange move An analyst, who asked that his name be withheld, says a move by Telkom to bid for an Internet service provider (ISP) would be “strange”. He says he cannot understand why the fixed-line operator would buy into an ISP rather than other, more lucrative, operations such as mobile or fixed-line communications. “If Telkom does move into Africa, adding IT to a telecoms portfolio would be the way to go, but, I'm not sure that it would add any significant value to their business,” he says. Instead, the analyst argues, the addition of an ISP may subtract value from Telkom because of low penetration rates and a lack of sophisticated technology on the continent. “Telkom has far more serious issues to sort out at this stage,” he says, referring to impending competition as Neotel enters the market and Telkom's bid for Business Connexion comes before the Competition Tribunal. Back door entry BMI-TechKnowledge senior analyst Tertia Smit says buying into an ISP would be another way for Telkom to enter the African market, with the idea of establishing a presence in African countries where Africa Online has operations, before making a bid for larger players like fixed-line and mobile operators. The ISP has operations in Cote D'Ivoire, Ghana, Kenya, Namibia, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda and Zimbabwe. Telkom, however, would not discuss whether it has put such a strategy in place. The group, which has previously expressed its intention to explore investment opportunities internationally, has unsuccessfully bid on a number of telecoms companies, including Nitel in Nigeria. CEO Papi Molotsane also previously said the fixed-line operator plans to explore joint opportunities in Africa with Vodacom, of which Telkom holds 50%. Last year, Telkom confirmed its interest in buying into Ugandan Telecom.

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Why do we need International Optical Fiber Connectivity?- 1 Day Discussion
by John Walubengo 23 Jan '07

23 Jan '07

Greetings All, As announced the previous week(s) on this list, we wish to kick-off the discussion on this important submarine cable developments. The general program is listed below and I would like us to get started. But 2 ground rules. ***Keep your contributions brief and to the point. (2-3 paragraphs, otherwise members may not have time to read through, if you have lengthy additions, just give us the url) ***Summary contributions shall be provided at the end of each discussion theme. Leading contributions shall be acknowledged and rewarded by sponsorship to a subsequent face-2-face meeting on the same topic. So the floor is open and the question for the next 12hrs is:Why do we need International Optical Fiber Connectivity?- Plse contributed by showing the advantages, opportunities, etc of undersea fiber cable... ~~~~~000~~~~~ The other Questions/Issues that will follow. 1) Why do we need International Optical Fiber Connectivity? (1day) 2) What are the existing (and possible) Business/Financial models for Optical Fiber Submarine Cables?(2days) 3) What are the existing (and possible) Regulatory models for Optical Fiber Submarine Cables?(2days) 4) What would be the ideal model for East Africans? (2days) 5) How will this (ideal) model impact on the existing stakeholders(Consumers, Operators, Regulators,etc)(2days) 6) How can conflicting stakeholder interest be resolved?(2days) ____________________________________________________________________________________ The fish are biting. Get more visitors on your site using Yahoo! Search Marketing. http://searchmarketing.yahoo.com/arp/sponsoredsearch_v2.php

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Re: [Kictanet] Why do we need International OpticalFiberConnectivity?- 1 Day Discussion
by jmunsaka 23 Jan '07

23 Jan '07

Dear All The opportunities that exist in rollling our fibre in the region should not be underestimated. Here is one chance we have to have reliable service in the region whose impact will make the satellite people rethink their pricing to the region as they will have competition..ie we shall have a choice at least unlike the case now Nice day John ---- Original Message ---- From: mleonardo(a)yahoo.com To: jmunsaka(a)zamnet.zm Subject: Re: [Kictanet] Why do we need International OpticalFiberConnectivity?- 1 Day Discussion Date: Tue, 23 Jan 2007 01:54:23 -0800 (PST) >The long lifespan of optic fibres viz a viz satellite, should be a >good for cost/benefit in the long run for our country so long as >ownership is right and to our advantage. > > Second, we don't have satellite up 'there' so this gives us another >opportunity to 'kujivunia kuwa wakenya' -)) > > > > > >charles nduati <charlesnduati2002(a)yahoo.co.uk> wrote: > Hi Walu, > >The fact that we are the only ones in the whole world >who are not connected is enough justification. Unless >we want to continue to be refered to as the darkest >part of the globe. > >Charles Nduati > >--- Kagwe James wrote: > >> 1.Based on fiber optic cables which are harder to >> tap or eavesdrop thus >> more secure. >> 2. Possible to have voice, data and video ride on >> without significant >> quality deterioration. >> >> >> -----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 John Walubengo >> Sent: Tuesday, January 23, 2007 8:27 AM >> To: Kagwe James >> Subject: Re: [Kictanet] Why do we need International >> Optical >> FiberConnectivity?- 1 Day Discussion >> >> Hey! >> >> 12hrs are ending without an input on the 1st and >> easier >> theme! The silence is too loud! to reduce it, here >> is why I >> think we need international optical submarine >> connectivity >> (as opposed to Satellite). >> >> 1. It is more reliable than satellite connectivity >> 2. It is much more faster (i.e) delay time from one >> continent to the other is less. >> 3. It has unlimited bandwidth capabilities and by >> extension >> 4. It tends (should) be cheaper to buy per Megabit. >> >> Anything I may have left out? Brian, Mucheru and >> others? >> Plse clarify, object or add. >> >> walu. >> >> --- John Walubengo wrote: >> >> > Greetings All, >> > >> > As announced the previous week(s) on this list, we >> wish >> > to >> > kick-off the discussion on this important >> submarine cable >> > developments. >> > >> > The general program is listed below and I would >> like us >> > to >> > get started. But 2 ground rules. >> > >> > ***Keep your contributions brief and to the point. >> (2-3 >> > paragraphs, otherwise members may not have time to >> read >> > through, if you have lengthy additions, just give >> us the >> > url) >> > ***Summary contributions shall be provided at the >> end of >> > each discussion theme. Leading contributions shall >> be >> > acknowledged and rewarded by sponsorship to a >> subsequent >> > face-2-face meeting on the same topic. >> > >> > So the floor is open and the question for the next >> 12hrs >> > is:Why do we need International Optical Fiber >> > Connectivity?- >> > Plse contributed by showing the advantages, >> > opportunities, >> > etc of undersea fiber cable... >> > >> > ~~~~~000~~~~~ >> > The other Questions/Issues that will follow. >> > >> > 1) Why do we need International Optical Fiber >> > Connectivity? >> > (1day) >> > 2) What are the existing (and possible) >> > Business/Financial >> > models for Optical Fiber Submarine Cables?(2days) >> > 3) What are the existing (and possible) Regulatory >> models >> > for Optical Fiber Submarine Cables?(2days) >> > 4) What would be the ideal model for East >> Africans? >> > (2days) >> > 5) How will this (ideal) model impact on the >> existing >> > stakeholders(Consumers, Operators, >> Regulators,etc)(2days) >> > 6) How can conflicting stakeholder interest be >> > resolved?(2days) >> > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> >_____________________________________________________________________ >___ >> ____________ >> > The fish are biting. >> > Get more visitors on your site using Yahoo! Search >> > Marketing. >> > >> >http://searchmarketing.yahoo.com/arp/sponsoredsearch_v2.php >> > >> > _______________________________________________ >> > 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/jwalu%40yahoo.com >> > >> >> >> >> >> >_____________________________________________________________________ >___ >> ____________ >> Don't pick lemons. >> See all the new 2007 cars at Yahoo! Autos. >> http://autos.yahoo.com/new_cars.html >> >> _______________________________________________ >> 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 >> >> _______________________________________________ >> 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/charlesnduati2002%40ya >hoo.co.uk >> > > >CHARLES N. NDUATI >BUSINESS MANAGER >JKUAT ENTERPRISES LTD >JOMO KENYATTA UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURE AND TECHNOLOGY >JUJA MAIN CAMPUS, THIKA >P. O. BOX 79324-00200 >NAIROBI, KENYA >TEL: 254-067-52420 OR 254-067-52711 FAX: 254-067-52438 >MOBILE:254-722728815 >EMIAL:charlesnduati2002@yahoo.co.uk >www.jkuat.ac.ke > > > >___________________________________________________________ >Now you can scan emails quickly with a reading pane. Get the new >Yahoo! Mail. http://uk.docs.yahoo.com/nowyoucan.html > >_______________________________________________ >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/mleonardo%40yahoo.com > > > > > > > > > > > >--------------------------------- >Check out the all-new Yahoo! Mail beta - Fire up a more powerful >email and get things done faster.

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Re: [Kictanet] Why do we need International Optical FiberConnectivity?- 1 Day Discussion
by Kagwe James 23 Jan '07

23 Jan '07

1.Based on fiber optic cables which are harder to tap or eavesdrop thus more secure. 2. Possible to have voice, data and video ride on without significant quality deterioration. -----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 John Walubengo Sent: Tuesday, January 23, 2007 8:27 AM To: Kagwe James Subject: Re: [Kictanet] Why do we need International Optical FiberConnectivity?- 1 Day Discussion Hey! 12hrs are ending without an input on the 1st and easier theme! The silence is too loud! to reduce it, here is why I think we need international optical submarine connectivity (as opposed to Satellite). 1. It is more reliable than satellite connectivity 2. It is much more faster (i.e) delay time from one continent to the other is less. 3. It has unlimited bandwidth capabilities and by extension 4. It tends (should) be cheaper to buy per Megabit. Anything I may have left out? Brian, Mucheru and others? Plse clarify, object or add. walu. --- John Walubengo <jwalu(a)yahoo.com> wrote: > Greetings All, > > As announced the previous week(s) on this list, we wish > to > kick-off the discussion on this important submarine cable > developments. > > The general program is listed below and I would like us > to > get started. But 2 ground rules. > > ***Keep your contributions brief and to the point. (2-3 > paragraphs, otherwise members may not have time to read > through, if you have lengthy additions, just give us the > url) > ***Summary contributions shall be provided at the end of > each discussion theme. Leading contributions shall be > acknowledged and rewarded by sponsorship to a subsequent > face-2-face meeting on the same topic. > > So the floor is open and the question for the next 12hrs > is:Why do we need International Optical Fiber > Connectivity?- > Plse contributed by showing the advantages, > opportunities, > etc of undersea fiber cable... > > ~~~~~000~~~~~ > The other Questions/Issues that will follow. > > 1) Why do we need International Optical Fiber > Connectivity? > (1day) > 2) What are the existing (and possible) > Business/Financial > models for Optical Fiber Submarine Cables?(2days) > 3) What are the existing (and possible) Regulatory models > for Optical Fiber Submarine Cables?(2days) > 4) What would be the ideal model for East Africans? > (2days) > 5) How will this (ideal) model impact on the existing > stakeholders(Consumers, Operators, Regulators,etc)(2days) > 6) How can conflicting stakeholder interest be > resolved?(2days) > > > > > ________________________________________________________________________ ____________ > The fish are biting. > Get more visitors on your site using Yahoo! Search > Marketing. > http://searchmarketing.yahoo.com/arp/sponsoredsearch_v2.php > > _______________________________________________ > 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/jwalu%40yahoo.com > ________________________________________________________________________ ____________ Don't pick lemons. See all the new 2007 cars at Yahoo! Autos. http://autos.yahoo.com/new_cars.html _______________________________________________ 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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JKUAT CERTIFICATE IN IT SECURITY
by Bill Kagai 23 Jan '07

23 Jan '07

JKUAT CERTIFICATE IN IT SECURITY - [NOW INCORPORATING PERSPECTIVES FROM THE INDUSTRY] DATES - 12 - 16 February 2007 [Full-Time - 8.30am to 5.00pm] VENUE JKUAT e-Government Academy- Juja Campus http://www.jkuategovacademy.ac.ke/ COURSE CONTENT This is a pioneer industry driven executive course with real life experiences in the Kenya ICT Industry. In this executive course, Mr. Edwin Wambugu will deliver lectures on how KREP Bank, Celtel and PacketStream have managed to overcome security issues in launching the SokoTele system that allows transfer of money through the Celtel network. Over and above the industry perspectives, this is a unique, authoritative, high-value, hands-on practical course which will provide participants with essential understanding of the tools, methodologies and vulnerabilities that hackers/intruders could employ to exploit the IT systems of their organisations. Most organisations now realise that in order to defend themselves against the threat of attack by hackers, crackers, and indeed any individual intent on causing disruption to their IT systems, IT staff must have an informed and current understanding of the present-day methodologies, tools, and vulnerabilities which allow these exploits to happen. During this course, participants will learn about the hacker mindset and become familiar with the tools and methodologies that are used to attack systems. Using state-of-the-art classroom setups, delegates work with LINUX/UNIX and Windows systems, and associated server software. A wide range of hacking tools and security auditing tools are used during the course. COURSE OBJECTIVES This course fulfills two vital objectives for anyone working in IT systems administration, IT security or IT support roles: 1.The course builds a strong awareness of the wide range of risks and threats now faced even by organisations which believe they have strong security solutions in place. 2.The course provides delegates with a solid understanding of the control measures that need to be put in place in order to limit an organisation's vulnerabilities and risk of attack. By the end of this course, the participant will have learnt about: -The tools, techniques and methodologies employed by hackers in a dedicated lab environment. -How hackers can collect and assimilate information about an organisation's infrastructure whilst avoiding detection. -How information may be used to assess your IT systems' weaknesses and subsequently launch an attack against target systems. -The techniques that are typically used to gain access into a system. -The types of tools that are used to elevate access on a system. -The techniques used by hackers to conceal their tracks and the methods via which access to a target system may be maintained. -The limitations of security firewall systems and the tools used to bypass them. -How hackers bypass Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS). -Measures that you can employ to secure and protect information against hacker attacks. COURSE SPECIAL FEATURES -Targeted Tracks: You will benefit from the expertise of industry front-runners, learn from real-world case studies and leave with everything you need to know to safeguard your wireless networks and devices -Tangible Take-Aways will be given to you including useful documents, guidelines and checklists that you can use as a springboard to your own initiatives. -Optimum networking opportunities are available through breaks, receptions, and luncheons. You will have the opportunity to talk shop with information security professionals and you will return to the office with new ideas and fresh contacts. -Obtain materials in 2 easy ways: -At the Training you will receive bound volumes of the conference materials -After the Training: download the materials you want from the web with a special access code and burn on your CDs WHO SHOULD ATTEND Information Security Officers, Directors and Managers; Information Technology Auditors, Managers and Staff Network Security Managers and Administrators; Local Area Network Administrators Technical Support Staff; System Administrators; Others charged with mobile and wireless security responsibilities COST – Kshs 45,000 inclusive of Transport, Lunch and Teas TRANSPORT - JKUAT e-Government Academy will avail transport from KICC at 7.20am and from the JKUAT e-Government Academy at 5.20pm. HOW TO REGISTER - Please register by 2nd February 2007. Application forms can be obtained from the contacts provided below. Joel Kimilu Training Manager JKUAT e-Government Academy Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology P. O. Box 62000-00200, Nairobi Tel: 067-52420 /0736 524200/ 0724 256 696 Email. jkuates(a)jkuates.jkuat.ac.ke Edith Mbaya Circuits & Packets Communications Ltd P. O. Box 20311-00200, Nairobi Tel: 20-2728332 Email. info(a)circuitspackets.co.ke

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Re: [Kictanet] Broadband over power
by m 22 Jan '07

22 Jan '07

Is KPLC aware of it's potential of being a leading internet access provider using it's national grid of powerlines with this technology-broadband over power? -----Original Message----- From: kictanet-bounces+emutua=ngocouncil.org(a)kictanet.or.ke [mailto:kictanet-bounces+emutua=ngocouncil.org@kictanet.or.ke] On Behalf Of kictanet-request(a)kictanet.or.ke Sent: Sunday, January 21, 2007 12:00 PM To: mutua Subject: kictanet Digest, Vol 23, Issue 19 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: Consumers Again Left Out (alice(a)apc.org) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Message: 1 Date: Sat, 20 Jan 2007 15:40:57 +0300 From: <alice(a)apc.org> Subject: Re: [Kictanet] Consumers Again Left Out To: "Kenya ICT Policy - kictanet" <kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke> Message-ID: <00cb01c73c90$3d6ba350$adb3fea9@AliceViaio> Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1"; reply-type=original Dear Alex Greetings. The invitation that was sent out to the KICTAnet mailing list was addressed to ALL stakeholders. Our assumption is that if you are still on the mailing list you should have received it. best regards alice ----- Original Message ----- From: <bitange(a)jambo.co.ke> To: <alice(a)apc.org> Sent: Saturday, January 20, 2007 9:38 AM Subject: [Kictanet] Consumers Again Left Out > > > Dear Alex, > It is not our intention to leave out anyone in all our functions. If you > read the materials I sent out carefully, everybody was invited including > media whom we presume will pass the message to Kenyans. The invitations > were done jointly with the World Bank. > > I need addresses of consumer groups such that in future we do not make > such errors. I also trust that you could help in such occassions to point > out those who have not been invited. I was certain that you will have > access to the invitation being a member of kictanet and buy extension you > should have sent the same mail to as many consumers as possible. I always > have an open door policy and with that you should have pointed this to > either me or the World Bank. > > Nevertheless, we still have time to invite everybody. Thank you and I > hope to see you at the meeting. > > > 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" > > > _______________________________________________ > 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/alice%40apc.org ------------------------------ _______________________________________________ kictanet mailing list kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet End of kictanet Digest, Vol 23, Issue 19 ****************************************

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Consumers Again Left Out
by bitange＠jambo.co.ke 20 Jan '07

20 Jan '07

Dear Alex, It is not our intention to leave out anyone in all our functions. If you read the materials I sent out carefully, everybody was invited including media whom we presume will pass the message to Kenyans. The invitations were done jointly with the World Bank. I need addresses of consumer groups such that in future we do not make such errors. I also trust that you could help in such occassions to point out those who have not been invited. I was certain that you will have access to the invitation being a member of kictanet and buy extension you should have sent the same mail to as many consumers as possible. I always have an open door policy and with that you should have pointed this to either me or the World Bank. Nevertheless, we still have time to invite everybody. Thank you and I hope to see you at the meeting. 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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Press Release (Senior U.S. Diplomat Helps Open New Joint Venture in Kakamega) US Embassy]
by bitange＠jambo.co.ke 20 Jan '07

20 Jan '07

Attached please find the US Ambassador's speach at Masinde Muliro University at the officiallaunch of the a new joint venture between G7 Systems of Tampa, Florida and the Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology in Kakamega. This innovative new business, called G7 Systems Kenya Ltd., has hired 30 Kenyan engineers to provide Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) services to G7's global clients, which include a number of Fortune 500 corporations in the United States. G7 Kenya's engineers will provide customized computer programming services to customers over the internet using a satellite uplink in the University's Science and Technology Park. If the company succeeds and expands, it could eventually employ up to 800 Kenyan staff, providing a major boost to the local economy in Kakamega. As Ms. Slutz pointed out in her remarks, delivered on behalf of U.S. Ambassador Michael E. Ranneberger, the venture also proves that Kenya can use the advantages of its well-educated, English-speaking citizenry to compete and prosper in the global economy. "Far from fearing globalization, Kenya can and should embrace it...by tapping into the vast potential of its educated workforce and by linking that talent to the rest of the world through digital technologies." She praised Kenyan Government plans to improve the infrastructure and the regulatory environment in the information and communications sectors. These efforts, she said, are pivotal to the success of companies like G7 Systems and to catalyzing economic development and reducing poverty in Kenya. ---------------------------------------------- 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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APC at the World Social Forum
by alice＠apc.org 19 Jan '07

19 Jan '07

The most impressive gathering of civil society and social movements is roaring. It starts tomorrow in Nairobi, Kenya and as many of you know, it's called the World Social Forum. Follow the event, read the interviews, articles and to-the-minute updates direct from East Africa. APC members Alternatives (Canada), Arid Lands Information Network (Kenya), Enda Tiers Monde (Senegal), Instituto del Tercer Mundo (Uruguay), Japan Computer Access and VOICE (Bangladesh) are attending. Expect the news straight from the horse's mouth, as our pool of writers is set at the starting line. They will report on technology for social change, fair trade and progressive communications as well as on the general flavour of this year's WSF. Check: http://www.apc.org AND http://blog.apc.org World Social Forum (WSF) Nairobi, Kenya Jan 20-25, 2007 http://wsf2007.org/

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Introducing Becky Wanjiku
by alice＠apc.org 18 Jan '07

18 Jan '07

Dear All Becky Wanjiku, a journalist with Highway Africa, will be working with the KICTAnet to produce our monthly E-bulletins as well as working on other communication and events related tasks. These projects are supported by the Open Society Institute Eastern Africa (OSIEA), Wananchi online, KENET and the Embassy of Finland in Kenya. Thank you and best regards alice

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Invitation and Registration Form -RCIP
by Judy kimiti 18 Jan '07

18 Jan '07

Dear Member, Aplologies for cross posting. ----- Forwarded Message ---- From: Judy kimiti <jkimiti01(a)yahoo.co.uk> To: kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke Sent: Thursday, 18 January, 2007 4:05:31 PM Subject: Fw: [Kictanet] Monday forum please attend - Invitation and Registration Form Dear Member, Please find attached the Invite Letter, Agenda and Registration Form for the Regional Communications Infrastructure Program Workshop. Interested members are requested to return the completed registration form to rcip(a)worldbank.org or faxed on 315147 by Friday, 19 January 2007. Please submit one registration form for each person attending. Thank you. Yours Faithfully, Judy Kimiti KICTANet ----- Forwarded Message ---- From: Rebecca Wanjiku rebeccawanjiku(a)yahoo.com To: jkimiti01@yah oo.co.uk Sent: Thursday, 18 January, 2007 1:59:00 PM Subject: [Kictanet] Monday forum please attend PROPOSED REGIONAL COMMUNICATIONS INFRASTRUCTURE PROGRAM (RCIP) STAKEHOLDER CONSULTATION WORKSHOP Hope you are planning to attend the stakeholder workshop on the proposed regional Communication Infrastructure Program (RCIP) on Monday. The consultation workshop organized jointly by the ministry of Information and Communication and the World Bank. The forum will address issues relating to connectivity, lowering costs and the environmental implications of the infrastructure. The World Bank claims that Economic development in Eastern and Southern Africa (E&SA) is held back by prohibitive telecommunications and ICT costs due to incomplete liberalization and lack of infrastructure. The proposed Regional Communications Infrastructure Program (RCIP) is a joint World Bank Group effort to leverage private sector participation along side efforts by eight other development partners (AfDB, AFD, DBSA, DFID, EIB, EU, KfW and SIDA). It will be a chance for you to interrogate the project and find out what it will cost the country in terms of WB demands. The minister, the PS and other senior WB officials will be present to answer any questions regarding the project. It will also be a forum where stakeholders in the ICT industry can find out more about the position of the ICT bill and whether the priority should be making the process transparent or putting in place an Act that can safeguard against any excesses by procuring entities. The PS has forwarded the registration and background documents but if you require any assistance, just email me. alice(a)apc.org wrote: Dear All Becky Wanjiku, a journalist with Highway Africa, will be working with the KICTAnet to produce our monthly E-bulletins as well as working on other communication and events related tasks. These projects are supported by the Open Society Institute Eastern Africa (OSIEA), Wananchi online, KENET and the Embassy of Finland in Kenya. Thank you and best regards alice _______________________________________________ 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 Rebecca Wanjiku, journalist, p.o box 33515, Nairobi.00600 Kenya. Tel. 254 720 318 925 blog:http://beckyit.blogspot.com/ The fish are biting. Get more visitors on your site using Yahoo! Search Marketing. _______________________________________________ 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/jkimiti01%40yahoo.co.uk What kind of emailer are you? Find out today - get a free analysis of your email personality. Take the quiz at the Yahoo! Mail Championship. ___________________________________________________________ What kind of emailer are you? Find out today - get a free analysis of your email personality. Take the quiz at the Yahoo! Mail Championship. http://uk.rd.yahoo.com/evt=44106/*http://mail.yahoo.net/uk

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Fw: Monday forum please attend - Invitation and Registration Form
by Judy kimiti 18 Jan '07

18 Jan '07

Dear Member, Please find attached the Invite Letter, Agenda and Registration Form for the Regional Communications Infrastructure Program Workshop. Interested members are requested to return the completed registration form to rcip(a)worldbank.org or faxed on 315147 by Friday, 19 January 2007. Please submit one registration form for each person attending. Thank you. Yours Faithfully, Judy Kimiti KICTANet ----- Forwarded Message ---- From: Rebecca Wanjiku rebeccawanjiku(a)yahoo.com To: jkimiti01@yah oo.co.uk Sent: Thursday, 18 January, 2007 1:59:00 PM Subject: [Kictanet] Monday forum please attend PROPOSED REGIONAL COMMUNICATIONS INFRASTRUCTURE PROGRAM (RCIP) STAKEHOLDER CONSULTATION WORKSHOP Hope you are planning to attend the stakeholder workshop on the proposed regional Communication Infrastructure Program (RCIP) on Monday. The consultation workshop organized jointly by the ministry of Information and Communication and the World Bank. The forum will address issues relating to connectivity, lowering costs and the environmental implications of the infrastructure. The World Bank claims that Economic development in Eastern and Southern Africa (E&SA) is held back by prohibitive telecommunications and ICT costs due to incomplete liberalization and lack of infrastructure. The proposed Regional Communications Infrastructure Program (RCIP) is a joint World Bank Group effort to leverage private sector participation along side efforts by eight other development partners (AfDB, AFD, DBSA, DFID, EIB, EU, KfW and SIDA). It will be a chance for you to interrogate the project and find out what it will cost the country in terms of WB demands. The minister, the PS and other senior WB officials will be present to answer any questions regarding the project. It will also be a forum where stakeholders in the ICT industry can find out more about the position of the ICT bill and whether the priority should be making the process transparent or putting in place an Act that can safeguard against any excesses by procuring entities. The PS has forwarded the registration and background documents but if you require any assistance, just email me. alice(a)apc.org wrote: Dear All Becky Wanjiku, a journalist with Highway Africa, will be working with the KICTAnet to produce our monthly E-bulletins as well as working on other communication and events related tasks. These projects are supported by the Open Society Institute Eastern Africa (OSIEA), Wananchi online, KENET and the Embassy of Finland in Kenya. Thank you and best regards alice _______________________________________________ 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 Rebecca Wanjiku, journalist, p.o box 33515, Nairobi.00600 Kenya. Tel. 254 720 318 925 blog:http://beckyit.blogspot.com/ The fish are biting. Get more visitors on your site using Yahoo! Search Marketing. _______________________________________________ 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/jkimiti01%40yahoo.co.uk ___________________________________________________________ To help you stay safe and secure online, we've developed the all new Yahoo! Security Centre. http://uk.security.yahoo.com

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PROPOSED REGIONAL COMMUNICATIONS INFRASTRUCTURE PROGRAM (RCIP) STAKEHOLDER CONSULTATION WORKSHOP
by alice＠apc.org 18 Jan '07

18 Jan '07

Dear all For those who did not recive docs for the Ministry InfoCom and World Bank meeting, pelase find them attached. best alice ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- PROPOSED REGIONAL COMMUNICATIONS INFRASTRUCTURE PROGRAM (RCIP) STAKEHOLDER CONSULTATION WORKSHOP Hope you are planning to attend the stakeholder workshop on the proposed regional Communication Infrastructure Program (RCIP) on Monday. The consultation workshop organized jointly by the ministry of Information and Communication and the World Bank. The forum will address issues relating to connectivity, lowering costs and the environmental implications of the infrastructure. The World Bank claims that Economic development in Eastern and Southern Africa (E&SA) is held back by prohibitive telecommunications and ICT costs due to incomplete liberalization and lack of infrastructure. The proposed Regional Communications Infrastructure Program (RCIP) is a joint World Bank Group effort to leverage private sector participation along side efforts by eight other development partners (AfDB, AFD, DBSA, DFID, EIB, EU, KfW and SIDA). It will be a chance for you to interrogate the project and find out what it will cost the country in terms of WB demands. The minister, the PS and other senior WB officials will be present to answer any questions regarding the project. It will also be a forum where stakeholders in the ICT industry can find out more about the position of the ICT bill and whether the priority should be making the process transparent or putting in place an Act that can safeguard against any excesses by procuring entities. The PS has forwarded the registration and background documents but if you require any assistance, just email me. _______________________________________________ kictanet mailing list kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet Rebecca Wanjiku, journalist, p.o box 33515, Nairobi.00600 Kenya. Tel. 254 720 318 925 ----- Original Message ----- From: <bitange(a)jambo.co.ke> To: <alice(a)apc.org> Sent: Friday, January 12, 2007 2:19 PM Subject: [Kictanet] World Bank/MOIC > > > > > > > Dear All, > Attached please find an invitation to a consultative breakfast meeting to > be held at the Jacaranda Hotel, Westlands. The meeting is to explore how > World Bank-financed Regional Communication Infrastructure Program > (RCIP)would fit into our existing programs. In a nut shell, they are > considering providing bandwidth subsidy to public institutions. We need > your participation. > > The Stakeholder consultation is open to civil society organizations, > private sector, academia, parliamentarians, Government and Local > Authorities. Registration Details can be found in the attached documents. > > > Regards > > > 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" > > -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- > _______________________________________________ > 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/alice%40apc.org

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Econet fails to stop new rival
by alice＠apc.org 18 Jan '07

18 Jan '07

Econet fails to stop new rival By Judy Ogutu ECONET Wireless Kenya Limited has lost an attempt to block Communications Commission of Kenya (CCK) from issuing Vtel Consortium with a Second National Operator licence. The company had gone to court last December, asking for an injunction restraining CCK from issuing the licence to Vtel that won the SNO bid last October. Vtel won the bid at $169 million (about Sh11.8 billion). On Wednesday, High Court Judge, Justice Alnashir Visram said granting "would cause considerable harm to CCK, the Kenyan economy, consumer and people of Kenya." He added: "We would possibly lose $169m in immediate revenue from Vtel, we would send a dangerous signal to future investors that we do not believe in market economy and the freedom to make investment decisions without being stunted and stifled, and we would deny the Kenyan consumer the opportunity to benefit from competition in a free market economy." Econet had rushed to court saying CCK's intended to issue Vtel with the license this month. In its application, Econet argued that despite being licensed by CCK as the third mobile phone operator in October 2003, it had not been provided with frequencies to enable it roll out its network. Through lawyer Mr Paul Ogunde, Econet accused CCK of preventing it from entering the market. Ogunde told Justice Visram that it was unjust to have Vtel licensed. The company said it would continue to suffer huge losses because of CCK's unwillingness to provide it the means to enter the market, while at the same time issuing a license to another operator to do the same business. But CCK's lawyer, Prof Githu Muigai defended the commission, saying Econet had been unable to meet requirements for the award of the licence to operate as the third mobile service provider. Muigai argued Econet had not participated in the tender for the issue of the SNO licence and, therefore, had no locus standi. The judge ruled Econet's argument was not tenable in law. "Econet did not even bid for that licence. It is a total stranger to it, and whether it has the locus or ability to attack another person's successful bid is a huge question mark." The Judge said it was not fair for the company to ask CCK not to deal with any other party instead of demanding specific performance of its contract.

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Re: [Kictanet] Monday forum please attend
by joseph kihanya 18 Jan '07

18 Jan '07

Dear Rebecca, I am yet to receive the documents in question. At what location and time is the meeting? J. Kihanya ----- Original Message ---- From: Rebecca Wanjiku <rebeccawanjiku(a)yahoo.com> To: kihanyajn(a)yahoo.com Sent: Thursday, January 18, 2007 1:59:00 PM Subject: [Kictanet] Monday forum please attend PROPOSED REGIONAL COMMUNICATIONS INFRASTRUCTURE PROGRAM (RCIP) STAKEHOLDER CONSULTATION WORKSHOP Hope you are planning to attend the stakeholder workshop on the proposed regional Communication Infrastructure Program (RCIP) on Monday. The consultation workshop organized jointly by the ministry of Information and Communication and the World Bank. The forum will address issues relating to connectivity, lowering costs and the environmental implications of the infrastructure. The World Bank claims that Economic development in Eastern and Southern Africa (E&SA) is held back by prohibitive telecommunications and ICT costs due to incomplete liberalization and lack of infrastructure. The proposed Regional Communications Infrastructure Program (RCIP) is a joint World Bank Group effort to leverage private sector participation along side efforts by eight other development partners (AfDB, AFD, DBSA, DFID, EIB, EU, KfW and SIDA). It will be a chance for you to interrogate the project and find out what it will cost the country in terms of WB demands. The minister, the PS and other senior WB officials will be present to answer any questions regarding the project. It will also be a forum where stakeholders in the ICT industry can find out more about the position of the ICT bill and whether the priority should be making the process transparent or putting in place an Act that can safeguard against any excesses by procuring entities. The PS has forwarded the registration and background documents but if you require any assistance, just email me. alice(a)apc.org wrote: Dear All Becky Wanjiku, a journalist with Highway Africa, will be working with the KICTAnet to produce our monthly E-bulletins as well as working on other communication and events related tasks. These projects are supported by the Open Society Institute Eastern Africa (OSIEA), Wananchi online, KENET and the Embassy of Finland in Kenya. Thank you and best regards alice _______________________________________________ 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 Rebecca Wanjiku, journalist, p.o box 33515, Nairobi.00600 Kenya. Tel. 254 720 318 925 blog:http://beckyit.blogspot.com/ The fish are biting. Get more visitors on your site using Yahoo! Search Marketing. _______________________________________________ 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/kihanyajn%40yahoo.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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Safaricom must improve or lose to a better option
by Judy kimiti 16 Jan '07

16 Jan '07

Safaricom must improve or lose to a better option By Andrew Odete Dear Mr Michael Joseph, I tried calling you for a chat, but the network was down, so I fell back to the old ink and pen. It never lets you down, which is more than I can say for the postal service. That is why I have taken the liberty to write to you through the media, for which I beg your understanding and forgiveness. It is not because I am a cheapskate. Greetings from many readers who have asked me to relay their heartfelt congratulations to you for dragging Safaricom, biting and kicking, into the Sh12 billion-profit mark. The readers are also your subscribers and they have exhorted me to relay their concerns relating on your service to your doorstep. You are top in business First, your customers appreciate that achieving such an unprecedented subscription as you have in the proverbial blink of an eye is worthy of accolades. Many say, and rightly so, that you have come top of the business stakes in the region for listening to and understanding your customers. What is more impressive is that you achieved this in the hitherto unexplored terrain of mobile telephony in Kenya. However, your customers hope that this year, the company will outdo itself and improve on last year's performance. Oh yes, sir, they seem to believe that there is room for improvement on your part. Some even reckon that it is pretty easy to be the "Better Option" in a field where there are not too many service providers to challenge you on the quality of the product. Cheap but clogged While they appreciate that you have increased coverage in the country, they wish you could also increase the quality of telephone service. Clarity of phone calls and reliability of the service is all they want. For instance, when you so very kindly offered cheap calling rates during the festive season, the relentless crush of callers ensured that nobody could get through the network at various times of the day. Your network crashed, as happened increasingly often in the course of last year. Moreover, sir, you know we have such diverse accents and dialects that it helps to have a clear line; otherwise, we could as well be insulting one another over the phone. That would be uncivilised and, if I may say so, unChristmas! When Kananu calls from Imenti, Muli from Masinga or Jaoko from Mbita next to the lake, I want to hear the phonetic innocence of their respective dialects and interpret them accordingly. No reason to toast And when Akinyi jets back to Kenya, and tries out her full-on Texan- cum-Siaya drawl on my ears, it would help to, at least, hear some of her words. This year, Safaricom may need to ratchet it up a notch higher if your subscribers are to see the sense of continuing to top up so that you, in turn, may continue to top the profit league. I am sure you have the savoir-faire to remain the toast of East Africa. Already, your subscribers cannot stop thanking you for the reduced call charges. But I fear that unless you give your customers a new year present in the way of better quality services, an even better option might come along and make toast of you. And now that I cannot get through to you on the phone, sir, I take this opportunity to wish you a happy New Year and to request that you please call me back when the network is back to normal. Thank you. odeteac(a)yahoo.com http://www.eastandard.net/hm_news/news.php?articleid=1143963704 ___________________________________________________________ To help you stay safe and secure online, we've developed the all new Yahoo! Security Centre. http://uk.security.yahoo.com

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Interesting trend with African-led ICT investments
by Brian Longwe 15 Jan '07

15 Jan '07

I am extremely impressed and encouraged to see Wananchi online's bid to takeover African Lakes and all their holdings which include all of Africa Online's branches as well as a number of infrastructure and internet licenses across the continent. Could this be the emergence of a truly African Mega-ISP? Considering the attrition that the ISP industry is facing continent- wide, which was very aptly commented on by Russell Southwood in his article "The African ISP is dead - Long live the African ISP" where he spoke of the encroachment of the mobile operators into internet services and the threat that this posed to the ISP as we know it today. In this article he clearly indicated some of the survival strategies that ISPs would have to consider, including consolidation, divestiture into other revenue generating areas e.g. content production and regional expansion. It is interesting to note that Wananchi seem to have taken the prescription wholesale and are aiming to act on almost all of these areas. For me on a personal basis I am very happy to see an indigenous African-led transaction of such magnitude in the ICT sector - which has in the past been dominated by "foreigners" who didn't really understand african markets. I can't wait to see what else Wananchi have up their sleeves! Regards, Brian Begin forwarded message: > From: Joseph Mucheru <mucheru(a)wananchi.com> > Date: January 15, 2007 9:23:47 AM GMT+03:00 > To: "brian(a)inhand.co.ke" <brian(a)inhand.co.ke> > Subject: FW: Press Announcement > > From: Wananchi Online Ltd <announcements(a)wananchi.com> > Date: Mon, 15 Jan 2007 00:42:06 +0300 > To: <All_Wananchi_Online_Ltd_Customers(a)wananchi.com> > Subject: Press Announcement > > > Wananchi Online creates a new Group Structure > > On 28th December 2006, Wananchi Online together with a group of > Kenyan, > British and American investors announced its intention to acquire the > entire issued and to be issued share capital of the African Lakes > Corporation (TALC). TALC is the holding company of Africa Online > Limited > and UUNET Africa. The success of the acquisition will see the creation > of Africa's largest consumer broadband company and goes a long way in > achieving Wananchi's vision of being "Africa's leading Internet > Communications Provider". The bid is being made through a special > purpose vehicle registered for this purpose in the UK, The African > Telecoms Company Limited. > > The full text of the announcement can be found at this url: > > Short Url: > http://urlx.org/londonstockexchange.co.uk/fd1e5 > > Long URL: > http://www.londonstockexchange.co.uk/LSECWS/IFSPages/ > MarketNewsPopup.aspx?id > =1372930&source=RNS > > The conclusion of the transaction will see the creation of a group > holding company of which I shall become Chairman and Joseph Mucheru > will become Deputy CEO. We will be joined on the board by amongst > others Mark Schneider, a seasoned American Media Entrepreneur who will > become Vice Chairman and Richard Bell, a seasoned East African ICT > Entrepreneur who will become Chief Executive Officer. Going forward > the company will implement a strategy to create the largest wireless > ADSL broadband network in Africa delivering consumer broadband > services > to Wananchi across the continent. > > As part of this process and in order to allow Joseph to focus on this > ambitious project, we are restructuring elements of the existing > Wananchi > Online operations to align them with this strategy. To this end I am > pleased to announce that with immediate effect Sandeep Mangat will be > taking over the day to day operations of Wananchi Online and Hamish > Govani > will be assisting him as Chief Financial Officer. > > I am also pleased to inform you that Richard Bell has been > appointed to > the board of Wananchi Online to assist in making sure that the > companies > strategies are aligned with the bigger picture which I have already > outlined. Richard is a former director of TALC, founder of Swift > Global > Kenya and Uganda, founder of Kenya Data Networks, founding Chairman of > TESPOK, KIXP and KENIC. He is currently the Managing Partner of > East Africa > Capital Partners a private equity firm which specializes in > Technology, > Media and Telecoms investments. He became a Sloan Fellow of the London > Business School in 2005. > > We are please to tell you that limited broadband coverage is already > available in parts of Nairobi and Mombassa and we will be providing > special > offers and a limited amount of free equipment to existing customers > when > the full rollout begins. So I do encourage you to renew your dial- > up and/or > email subscriptions now so that you can take advantage of these > offers when > the time comes. Those whose subscriptions have lapsed or who fail to > become WOL customers in time will be time barred from these special > customer > loyalty offers. > > We will continue to keep you informed as our plans develop. For > further > information you can contact Sandeep Mangat on 020 329 2000 or email > sunny.mangat(a)wananchi.com > > -- > > James Gachui, > Chairman > Wananchi Online Limited > >

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Postponed to Next Mon 22nd: Re: What Model for EASsy, TEAMS, et al?-(2weeks Online Discussion)
by John Walubengo 15 Jan '07

15 Jan '07

Apologies to all, This session has had to be postponed and will commence next week...any inconviniences highly regreted but we shall be on air next monday 22nd starting from 12:00GMT. walu. --- John Walubengo <jwalu(a)yahoo.com> wrote: > Greetings all, > > I have been given the un-enviable task by KICTAnet to > lead > an online discussion on the type of model we in East > Africa > would prefer for our long awaited submarine fiber > cable(s). > > The task is un-enviable because it is not only regional > and > complicated and but probably belated as well. However, > it > is worth reviewing for purposes of bringing everyone upto > speed with the importance and the issues surrounding > fiber-optic connectivity to the global super-highway > (internet). > > I will basically be taking us through what I gather are > the > issues as per the questions/themes below: > > The Questions/Issues > 1) Why do we need International Optical Fiber > Connectivity? > (1day) > 2) What are the existing (and possible) > Business/Financial > models for Optical Fiber Submarine Cables?(2days) > 3) What are the existing (and possible) Regulatory models > for Optical Fiber Submarine Cables?(2days) > 4) What would be the ideal model for East Africans? > (2days) > 5) How will this (ideal) model impact on the existing > stakeholders(Consumers, Operators, Regulators,etc)(2days) > 6) How can conflicting stakeholder interest be > resolved?(2days) > > And hope that you guys can interject with your comments, > objections and clarifications. Your comments would be > highly appreciated because you are the operators, the > regulators, the private sector investors, the Govt, etc. > I > shall only set the tone, you shall give the views. > > So get ready, starting next Monday 15th Jan - Sat 27th > Jan > to participate in this very important discussion. > > walu. > > > > > ____________________________________________________________________________________ > Need a quick answer? Get one in minutes from people who > know. > Ask your question on www.Answers.yahoo.com > ____________________________________________________________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Everyone is raving about the all-new Yahoo! Mail beta. http://new.mail.yahoo.com

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Fw: EASSy Project Dispute Takes New Twist
by alice＠apc.org 12 Jan '07

12 Jan '07

----- Original Message ----- From: "Binaifer Nowrojee" <bnowrojee(a)osiea.org> Eassy Project Dispute Takes New Twist by Elias Biryabarema 729 words Kampala, Jan 09, 2007 (The Monitor/All Africa Global Media via COMTEX) -- THE protracted wrangle between the NEPAD's e-Africa Commission and a consortium of companies that initially conceived the Eastern Africa Submarine Cable System (EASSy) project now looks set to result in the construction of two competing submarine cables, Daily Monitor has learnt. What is still unclear is to what extent this new development will affect the pace of development of the cable project and how it will impact its ability to meet its overriding objectives, mainly bringing down the costs of communication and spurring the Information, Communication and Information (ICT) industry in the region. EASSy is an ambitious initiative to connect countries of eastern Africa via a high bandwidth fibre optic cable system to the rest of the world. It was first mooted by a group of about 15 telecom companies meeting in Nairobi, Kenya in 2003. They included Uganda's MTN and UTL, Telecom S. Africa, Kenya Telecom and others. They planned to lay a fibre optic cable along the East African coast that would offer a direct connection to the world's information superhighway. It was to enable the region have access to a broadband network which would permit ultra-fast transmission of digital traffic and at cheaper prices. Mr Donald Nyakairu, UTL's Legal Counsel and Chairman of EASSy Finance committee asserted in a recent interview that the e-Africa Commission's hijacking of the cable was unfair and opportunistic and that its actions were being totally disregarded. The consortium has repeatedly rebuffed entreaties from the commission to stop their plans and join in the NEPAD project. "While the e-Commission is busy making everybody believe that they're in charge of the project, for us we are advancing pretty fast and real construction is starting soon," Mr Nyakairu said. He said the original companies that conceived the idea later signed an understanding and constituted themselves into a consortium that was supposed to develop, own and operate the cable. The e-Commission was invited in the subsequent meetings, as an observer but to the astonishment of the consortium, it soon started to show deep interest in the project's details and even demanded active involvement. "We thought they were attending to see the progress, but all of a sudden they started to make demands which shocked us," Nyakairu said. Right now, the e-Commission is pursuing its own project in concert with the World Bank, the African Development Bank and the governments of South Africa, Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia, DR Congo, Rwanda and others which are also signatories to the EASSy protocol. The conflict between the two sides principally stems from the mode of the project implementation. NEPAD e-Africa Commission insists that a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) develops, owns, and operates the cable while the consortium wants companies to take charge exclusively. Mr Nyakairu said if the commission wants to construct a parallel cable, then it must find its own name and stop encroaching on the intellectual property of the consortium (EASSy). However, the Commission's regulatory advisor, Dr Edmund Katiti dismissed claims that it was hijacking the EASSy name. "The regional network is currently referred to as the NEPAD ICT Broadband Infrastructure Network" he said, adding that it consists of two interconnected segments - a submarine cable and a terrestrial network (intra-country cable). He said the shareholders in the SPVs are the ones who will decide what name(s) to give to the network and its segments. As a way of attempting to defuse the differences and accommodate the concerns of the Commission, Mr Nyakairu said the Consortium members had decided to also have an SPV that would act as a collective investment vehicle for all smaller telecom concerns in the region. This SPV will then buy shares in the cable as a single investor. "We really think we have done everything to address all these accusations," he said. Even then, the two sides seem to be far from striking any agreement. Dr Katiti said the Nepad ICT Broadband Infrastructure Network Protocol is scheduled to go into effect in the first quarter of 2007, which would also mark the commencement of construction. On the other hand, the consortium has already awarded the construction contract to Alcatel and work is beginning early this year.

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Apple "reinvents the phone," unveils iPhone
by Brian Longwe 12 Jan '07

12 Jan '07

Talk about convergence! This phone is a real handheld computer! View this article at: http://www.macnn.com/articles/07/01/09/ apple.unveils.iphone/ Tuesday, January 9,2007 @ 12:55pm Apple "reinvents the phone," unveils iPhone [u] Apple today unveiled the iPhone (site not updated), a wide-screen iPod with touch controls that also functions as a mobile phone and an internet communication device. The company chief Steve Jobs revealed the new device during his keynote speech at the Macworld Conference & Expo in San Francisco. "This is a day I've been looking forward to for two and a half years," Jobs said on stage in front of the keynote attendees. "Every once in a while a product comes along to change the industry. Apple has been fortunate to introduce a few of these: the Mac in 1984; the iPod in 2001. Apple will introduce three revolutionary products of this class. Wide-screen iPod with touch controls. The second is a mobile phone. The third is a break-through internet communication device. All of those in a single device. Not separate devices, but a single device called iPhone. Apple reinvents the phone." [updated] iPhone development began with a revolutionary user interface that leverages hardware as well as software, overcoming the problem of fixed controls that cannot change as applications change. The iPhone utilizes a touch sensitive screen with "multi-touch" technology that does not require a stylus pen to operate, and is far more accurate than other touch displays, according to Jobs. The touch pad allows multi-finger gestures that Jobs says is "at least five years ahead of any other." The iPhone runs Mac OS X with power management, networking, security, applications, Core Animation, and audio/video support. Users can also create desktop-class applications, according to Apple's chief. The iPhone includes a 3.5-inch screen with 160 pixels per inch, as well as a single "home" button. The phone is thinner than any other phone at 11.6mm, and offers volume controls alongside a two megapixel camera built-in on the back. The phone also features a 3.5mm headphone jack, a sleep/wake button on top, a speaker microphone, and an iPod connector on the bottom. A proximity sensor turns off the screen as well as the touch sensor when the phone passes close to the head, and an ambient light sensor turns down the screen brightness as necessary. An accelerometer determines whether to capture a landscape or portrait orientation when taking photos, and the phone includes coverflow technology similar to that used in the company's iTunes software. Apple's iPhone has a dashboard- like interface to each module and function, allowing users to scroll using a finger. The home button returns users back to the dashboard, and the coveflow technology supports scrolling through album art with the touch of a finger. Jobs demonstrated the iPhone's video capability by playing "The Office" TV show, and began playing a wide- screen movie using on-screen controls. The iPhone -- which includes more than 200 patents for inventions used in the device -- offers visual voicemail that allows random access voicemail for direct access, and functions as a quad-band GSM/Edge phone. iPhone includes WiFi and Bluetooth 2.0 connectivity, providing users with SMS functionality alongside various applications such as a calendar, contacts, and more. An iChat-like interface enables users to send as well as receive SMS messages, and the iPhone supports error correction via a visual keyboard that allows users to type messages. The phone includes built-in photo management that can scroll through photos with the touch of a finger, and a 'pinch' motion zooms in or out while viewing images. Further iPhone features include rich HTML email capability that works with any POP/IMAP email service, and a fully usable copy of Apple's Safari Web browser with support for Google Maps. The phone includes widgets for weather and stocks, and automatically locates WiFi networks when they are available -- switching to the network to maintain internet connectivity. Additionally, Yahoo is offering all iPhone users free push IMAP email service with inline photos and rich text email support. Apple's iPhone also automatically parses out phone numbers with a simple touch-to-call option. Finger gestures navigate Web pages in Safari when browsing the Web, and pinching gestures zoom in on a particular area of a page. Double tapping on a page zooms to that area, while a Cingular menubar displays an AirPort-like signal indicator for WiFi strength. Users can also quickly move to portions of a Web page before it is finished downloading. Steve Jobs introduced Cingular Wireless CEO, saying that features like visual voicemail required help from the carrier. Cingular entered into a multiyear exclusive contract with Apple without ever having seen the phone. Jobs said Apple hopes to grab 1 percent market share (10 million units) in 2008 following the iPhone's introduction into the existing mobile phone market, which consists of nearly 1 billion phones. iPhone accessories include standard headphones that feature a button to answer calls, as well as a new Bluetooth headset with a single button that automatically goes to sleep. Jobs promises five hours of battery life for talking time or video playback, as well as 16 hours of audio playback time. The iPhone will ship in June for $499 (4GB model) and $599 (8GB model), both with a 2 year contract. Copyright ©1995-2005 Macintosh News Network, Inc. All rights reserved.

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FW: [Idlelo2] Fw: ADVERT: PROJECT COORDINATOR - LINUXCHIX AFRICA
by Harry Hare 08 Jan '07

08 Jan '07

Apologies for cross posting. Harry -----Original Message----- From: idlelo2-bounces+harry=aitecafrica.com(a)fossfa.net [mailto:idlelo2-bounces+harry=aitecafrica.com@fossfa.net] On Behalf Of Anna Sent: Sunday, January 07, 2007 7:49 PM To: idlelo2(a)fossfa.net Subject: [Idlelo2] Fw: ADVERT: PROJECT COORDINATOR - LINUXCHIX AFRICA ---------- Forwarded Message ----------- From: "Anna" <anna(a)cs.wits.ac.za> To: africasource2-l(a)lists.tacticaltech.org, africasource-l(a)lists.tacticaltech.org Sent: Sun, 7 Jan 2007 18:44:17 +0200 Subject: Fw: ADVERT: PROJECT COORDINATOR - LINUXCHIX AFRICA LinuxChix Africa (LCA) Programme Coordination LinuxChix Africa seeks to appoint a Project Coordinator. The Project Coordinator will be based at the LinuxChix Africa offices in Johannesburg, South Africa. This position includes both administrative responsibilities and programme management responsibilities, and an opportunity to make a substantive contribution to the growth of LCA. LinuxChix Africa is an African continental organisation that aims to build technical GNU/Linux and Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) skills among African women. We have a presence in over 26 African countries and we are one of the fastest growing networks. We actively encourage and facilitate the active participation of African women in FOSS software development projects. Key areas of responsibility are: 1. Coordinate the following projects: - Capacity Development for LCA in Open Source Software, Production of Training Kits and LCA e-Learning initiatives. - Advocacy and Policy recommendations. - Awareness, Publicity and Software Freedom Day celebration planning and activities. - Communications and Newsletters. - Marketing and Public Relations Strategies. - Conference Planning and Logistics - Policies and Governance coordination. - Develop strategic partnerships with key regional, continental and local organizations. 2. Coordinate LCA website enhancements, lists and newsletters. Manage the online communication with Council, Board, and the membership lists (chix and femme). 3.Convene key meetings with core regional and continental educational institutions and related organizations. 4. Manage the project budget according the objectives and plans agreed to with the Board. 5. Report to the Board meetings and prepare reports as requested by the Board, Council and Funders. 6. Manage Office Staff 7. Any other duties as assigned. Requirements: - Postgraduate qualification. A postgraduate qualification in ICT will be an advantage, - Experience in women and ICTs issues and a passion for women's development in ICT and FOSS - Excellent written and oral presentation skills in English - Demonstrated ability to carry out independent research and project management - Willingness to travel in Africa and occasionally outside the continent, as required - Strong computer and organisational skills, attention to detail, ability to prioritize, and resourcefulness in problem-solving - Ability to listen and communicate clearly and effectively with people from diverse cultures - Ability to work independently but also as a team member (with staff of LCA, the Board, Council and the general membership). The job is offered on a one-year contract. Interested and qualified candidates who match the profile are invited to submit their CV and a letter of interest to: The Chairperson LinuxChix Africa The School of Computer Science University of the Witwatersrand Private Bag 3 Wits 2050 Email: anna(a)cs.wits.ac.za Closing Date for applications is 10th January 2007. Only short-listed candidates will receive a response from LinuxChix Africa. Althouhg LinuxChix Africa does not discriminate on the basis of race, gender or creed, preference will be given to a female candidate. ------- End of Forwarded Message ------- Anna _______________________________________________ Idlelo2 mailing list Idlelo2(a)fossfa.net http://mailman.dst.gov.za/mailman/listinfo/idlelo2 -- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.410 / Virus Database: 268.16.5/616 - Release Date: 1/4/2007 -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.410 / Virus Database: 268.16.7/619 - Release Date: 1/7/2007 ---------------------------------------------- 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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E-COMMERCE THE WAY FORWARD FOR KENYA and other articles on Kenya from Balancing Act
by alice＠apc.org 07 Jan '07

07 Jan '07

* E-COMMERCE THE WAY FORWARD FOR KENYA (from Balancing Act) > > The way we do things has changed in the last few years mobile phones > became more affordable. > > Take, for example, the short message service, or SMS as it is popularly > known. It is now the medium of interaction in popular radio and TV > programmes or season's greetings and invitations. There is an addition to > our vocabulary - smsing. > > Our lives have been tremendously changed by technology. This is a perfect > illustration of the magnitude of change. > > A local beer company once held a competition that required participants to > send entries of bottle tops by post. A story is told of a gentleman who > went ballistic when he woke up one morning from a night of heavy drinking > to find his little son scattering his treasured collection of > "prize-wining" tops. > > Today such a humiliating quarrel over bottle tops would not arise since > all the old fellow needs to do is instantly SMS the details of entry to > the company server, and he will be notified of the outcome by SMS. > > And if this is what the simple SMS can do, what revolution would computers > and the internet cause if they were made accessible to more people? > > Advertisements along the road from a country's major airport to the city > centre is said to reflect its core economic activity. > > And what do we see from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport to Kenyatta > Avenue in Nairobi? An array of what the world calls ICT (information and > communication technology) messages are lined up to entice us - from mobile > phone handsets and wireless service providers, computers, TVs and so on to > radio stations. > > They are the gadgets and services that matter, and what George Gilder > calls "the vectors of growth, the sweet spots of finance" (Telescom: The > World After Bandwidth Abundance, Touchstone, 2002). So if the information > age is where the money is, who does not want to be there? > > One sector that is going to drive the next phase of the internet boom, or > Web 2.0, is e-commerce, which is doing business electronically without the > seller and the buyer being in physical contact. > > Lower communication costs is enabling people to reach wider markets and > making it possible for goods and services to be traded in a whole new way. > > For example, some women's groups in Tabaka, Gucha district, now sell their > soapstone artifacts to the world by simply taking digital pictures of > their new products and posting offers on their Web ite, > www.soapstoneafrica.com > > A firm in Eldoret that spins yarn and makes woollen products cannot > imagine business without the e-mail, which has made it easy for them to > reach the sophisticated western market at the click of the mouse. > > There are many more Kenyans making innovative efforts in the e-business, > especially in the service industries of consultancy and outsourcing. > People used to believe in duty-free shops as real bargains, but they now > say they are as cheap as the internet. > > Although e-commerce is the future of enterprise, consumer protection, > intellectual property rights, privacy and security are issues of grave > concern. For instance, on the internet you do not know whom you are > dealing with; it could be a robber or a con man. > > Thus, for e-business to grow, people must trust the technology. People are > not only buying and selling cars, computers and kiondos and other "brick > and mortar" goods online, but they are also dealing in information, music > and software, which are now categorised as products. There is an urgent > need to enact e-commerce laws. The law shoulddeal with if electronic > evidence is admissible in the court. > > Kenyans would do more business if there was legislation and the right > infrastructure for electronic transactions, and more tourists would be > happy to come and see the new wonder of the world at the Maasai Mara and > make payments online. > > Although it may be difficult to tame the Internet because of its > cross-border nature, all is not lost as there are tools of control. Recent > efforts by the Government and development partners to tackle reforms in > e-transaction and e-commerce laws are commendable, but more needs to be > done. > (SOURCE: The Nation) * KENYA GOVT MAY LET VTEL OFF 30% LOCAL STAKE AS IT CONSIDERS RULE CHANGE > > The government of Kenya is considering abolishing the rule that stipulates > that foreign companies investing in the telecommunication sector must > allocate at least 30 per cent shares to nationals. > > It is the government's response to the perennial disputes between local > and foreign investors that have frustrated the conclusion of major > telecommunications projects in the country, especially of late. > > The East African has learnt that the Ministry of Information and > Communication has already drafted a document with proposals for a more > liberal regime for foreign investors. The developments come in the wake of > a major falling out between the shareholders Vtel Holding Ltd - the > company that only recently won the bid for a major telecommunications > licence combining mobile and landline services - that has now plunged what > was regarded as the most promising deal in the telecommunications sector > in recent years into uncertainty. > > V-tel won the highly contested licence, for which it bid an impressive > Ksh12 billion ($169 million) - the single largest foreign direct > investment in Kenya in decades. Well-placed sources told The East African > that the government wants an arrangement where the 30 per cent local > shareholding rule will be made optional, on the understanding that foreign > investors have to sell the 30 per cent stake to the public through an IPO > after a stipulated period. > > Before the Dubai firm won the bid, the licensing of the second national > operator to compete with the lacklustre Telkom Kenya - the country's sole > fixed-line operator - had proved to be a messy affair mired in court cases > leading to several postponements. > > But hopes that the Vtel will hit the ground running seem to be fading > after it turned out that its local partners are unable to raise their > portion of the financial commitment. > In a development that is eerily reminiscent of the woes plaguing Kenya's > third operator Econet Wireless, the dispute between Vtel and its Kenyan > partners seems destined for the courts, where it is likely to take years > to resolve. > > Legal experts who spoke off the record to The East African trace the > origins of the problem to a policy statement made by the government in > 1997. In November of that year, the government published the "postal > telecommunications sector policy statement," spelling out a new structure > for the industry. It was this document that introduced the threshold for > equity participation by local investors in privatised telecommunications > companies. > > Specifically, the document stipulated that "any company licensed to > provide telecommunications services in the liberalised market should have > at least 70 per cent of its equity owned by Kenyans." In subsequent years, > to make the regime more friendly to foreign investors, the rule was > revised to 60 per cent for foreigners and 40 for locals. > > In the year 2002, then Minister for Information and Telecommunications > Musalia Mudavadi published a gazette notice in which he changed the local > equity threshold to 70 per cent for foreign investors and a minimum of 30 > per cent for locals. > > Another condition that has come to affect the process and which Vtel will > have to deal with is the requirement that the shareholding structure of > the winning bid's tender cannot be changed before the licence is issued. > This, say experts, is what has seen the South African-based Econet > Wireless Ltd locked in one case after another. > > Sources tell The East African that Vtel was facing a crisis that emerged > barely a fortnight after it won the tender, when it failed to formally > submit its licence application. > > It is believed that Vtel, a $1 billion holding company registered in the > United Arab Emirates, which serves as the investment arm of the > Palestinian Telecommunications Company (Paltel) in the Middle East, North > Africa and Asia, could easily pay its share of the licence fees, but was > being held back by its local partners. > > Sources say the firm stated as much in a letter to the Communications > Commission of Kenya (CCK) in which it sought an extension of the December > 8, 2006 deadline for formally applying for the licence. > > Subsequently, one of the local partners, Unitel, denied in a press > statement that they were unable to raise their share of the licence fee. > > Unitel's managing director Francis Makanga, insisted that the firm has the > required funds. He said the company's documents were completed on time and > are filed with the CCK and that it will have all financing ready for its > shares by the time the licence fee is to be paid. > > Vtel Holdings, the consortium's bid leader for the second national > operator, had written to the Communications Commission of Kenya notifying > their intention to drop its local partner owing to its inability to meet > its share of financial obligations. > > A profile of Vtel's local partners makes for intriguing reading. They > comprise Kirinyaga Construction, a leading road builder in Kenya > associated with tycoon Ephraim Maina; Unitel, which is said to be owned by > the family of former District Commissioner Ben Makanga; Kusco, the > umbrella body of more than 3,000 co-operatives; and businessman Michael > Kirui, Nairobi lawyer Fred Ngatia and Fairacres Ltd coming in as minority > shareholders. Loita Capital Partners International is the lead transaction > advisor. > > Sources say Vtel, in its letter to the CCK, was seeking the nod to drop > its partners on the grounds that they were facing difficulties coming up > with their share of the licence fees. The firm says it will not be able to > submit its application with Unitel as its partner, raising fears that the > matter could be headed for the courts. > > Econet, has been involved in damaging feud with its local partners, the > Federation of Co-operatives of Kenya and Corporate Africa after the two > failed to raise their share of the licence fees, which saw the matter end > up in court, where it is still stuck. > > Vtel's imminent falling out with its partners has put paid to a > declaration by its Chief Executive Officer Nour Atout that the consortium > will roll out both fixed line and mobile telephony networks at the same > time, making a record of sorts. > > The pledge saw Telkom, Vtel's principal competitor as a national operator, > declare it will also venture into the highly profitable cellphones sector, > drawing immediate protests from its partner Safaricom, the region's most > successful cellular phone company. > (SOURCE: The East African) > > > WEB AND MOBILE DATA NEWS > _____________________________________________________________________ > * KENYAN PUPILS GET SCHOOL RESULTS THROUGH THE INTERNET AND MOBILE PHONES > > For the first time in KCPE history, candidates and their parents yesterday > received details of their results directly on their cellphones and through > the Internet. The results were accessible through the Kenya National > Examination Council (Knec) website www.examscouncil.org.ke or on the > cellphone after sending a prescribed short text message (sms) to 7070. > > Last February, Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education candidates were > able to access their results by logging on to the council website, but > yesterday was the first time the short text message was used to relay > examination results. This year's top candidate David Wamugi got a > breakdown of his results on the sms service. > > His father, James Wamugi, sat for his primary school examination 27 years > ago at Gathathiini primary school in Nyeri. But it took him a day to > receive his results from the school, unlike the instant services his son's > generation is enjoying. Last week, the senior Wamugi told the Nation: "I > didn't know that they had received the breakdown until I saw it on the > mobile phone. "In our days, it took a day to receive the results and then > one had to see the result slip to get a breakdown." > > The website appears to have been inundated with visitors and it often > failed to download the results, unlike the first instance in February this > year when KCSE candidates used it. The public also expressed concern that > strangers could access the results of any candidate whose index number > they held and suggested that a security measure be put in place to protect > the candidates. > > The tradition has been that provincial directors of education attend the > news conference where the Education minister was releasing examinations. > They were then expected to physically transport the results to their > respective offices where their juniors from the districts and head > teachers would collect them. Students in Nairobi would receive their > results the same day while those in other parts of the country would have > to wait for a day or more, depending on how far the school was from > Nairobi. > > > In Mombasa, hundreds of parents jammed cyber cafes trying to know how > their children had performed but left frustrated as the Knec website was > yet to be updated. > Boniface Otieno, who wanted to know how his sister had performed, said: "I > have spent three hours trying to refresh this website but there are no > KCPE results." > (SOURCE: The Nation) . > To see a copy of our new rate card for 2006, e-mail a request to: > (info(a)balancingact-africa.com) Don't get left behind. Be seen and known > through advertising in our e-letter and on our web-site. > ____________________________________________________________________________ > All material printed in Balancing Act's News Update is subject to > copyright. Reproduction in whole or in part is prohibited without the > express permission of the publisher. > ____________________________________________________________________________ > > > > > >

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Kictanets Planning minutes
by Judy kimiti 06 Jan '07

06 Jan '07

Dear Member, We at the secretariate would like to begin by wishing you a Happy and Prosperous New Year. Attached are the minutes and presentation of the last Kictanet meeting on December 21st 2006. Should you require any further information please do not hesitate to contact the undersigned. Thank you Judy Kimiti KICTANet Tel: 4453671 / 2 Send instant messages to your online friends http://uk.messenger.yahoo.com

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[Fwd: Present from the ITU]
by Michuki Mwangi 03 Jan '07

03 Jan '07

FYI -------- Original Message -------- http://www.dailypayload.com/2006/1221.html ITU to Distribute Standards Free of Charge December 21, 2006 Many people in the telecommunication industry have pressed for the ITU to make its standards documents available free of charge. Well, the long wait is over. Starting January 2, 2007 the ITU will make its standards documents available to the public free of charge. The same kind of change in policy took place at ETSI several years ago. Reportedly, making its standards available for free did not have a negative impact on ETSI's bottom line. Rather, the free standards helped to drive participation in the standards-making body, thus compensating for any loss in revenue.This move came after a very long trial wherein the ITU allowed a person to register an e-mail address and download three documents free. This trial demonstrated conclusively that there was a strong desire to receive standards at no cost. Since the ITU publishes some documents jointly with ISO, special consideration will be given to those "common" texts, since ISO still charges for its standards and is apparently heavily dependent on the revenue from the sales of its standards. For such "common" texts for which ISO charges a fee, the ITU will not release documents free of charge until they are at least one year old. Documents will be made available in PDF format, downloadable directly from the ITU web site. _______________________________________________ Ietf mailing list Ietf(a)ietf.org https://www1.ietf.org/mailman/listinfo/ietf

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Fw: KICTANET CLOSING DATES
by Judy kimiti 21 Dec '06

21 Dec '06

Dear Members, Please Note Opening Date will be Monday 8th January 2007 and not Thursday as earlier indicated. Thank you and have Merry Christmas. Judy Kimiti ----- Forwarded Message ---- From: Judy kimiti <jkimiti01(a)yahoo.co.uk> To: kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke Sent: Thursday, 21 December, 2006 10:14:32 AM Subject: KICTANET CLOSING DATES Dear members, partners, colleagues and friends Greetings. Please note that the KICTANet secretariat will be closed for the christmas holidays from Thursday 21st, 2006 to Thursday 8th, January 2007. We thank you all for your support this year and look foward to continued collaboration in the years to come. We wish you a Merry Christmas and a fabulous 2007. Best wishes Alice Munyua Evelyne Majale Judy Kimiti Send instant messages to your online friends http://uk.messenger.yahoo.com ___________________________________________________________ All New Yahoo! Mail – Tired of Vi@gr@! come-ons? Let our SpamGuard protect you. http://uk.docs.yahoo.com/nowyoucan.html

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KICTANET CLOSING DATES
by Judy kimiti 21 Dec '06

21 Dec '06

Dear members, partners, colleagues and friends Greetings. Please note that the KICTANet secretariat will be closed for the christmas holidays from Thursday 21st, 2006 to Thursday 8th, January 2007. We thank you all for your support this year and look foward to continued collaboration in the years to come. We wish you a Merry Christmas and a fabulous 2007. Best wishes Alice Munyua Evelyne Majale Judy Kimiti Send instant messages to your online friends http://uk.messenger.yahoo.com

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Brain drain is a myth so don�t shed tears for it
by Wainaina Mungai 19 Dec '06

19 Dec '06

Brain drain is a myth so dont shed tears for it By Angeyo Kalambuka ( SOURCE: http://www.eastandard.net ) It has become fashionable to lament the brain drain. On the surface, the loss of professionals to the West or other progressive countries looks gloomy. In academic and research circles, there is a concerted raid by overseas groups on our scientific talent. There is an overall feeling of gloom and despair in medicine and engineering about our ability to recruit and retain talented professionals. But the brain drain concept is misleading if not plain wrong. It is a myth. It is bogus to debate it in modern times. Some economists have even calculated how many billions Africa has lost and the West gained from brain drain. That if it costs $5,000 (Sh350,000) to train an engineer in Africa and $100,000 (Sh7 million) in America, there is a drain of $95,000 (Sh6.65 million) when an engineer moves from Africa to the US. This logic makes no sense. First, it assumes that the true value of goods or services is the cost of producing it in the importing country, not the exporting country. The West supplies aeroplanes and weapons that we do not make. So, does it make sense to say there is a huge aeroplane and weapons drain from the West to Africa? Does it matter if highly skilled Africans leave? The genuine answer is No. There is no reason for anyone to agonise over the loss of our best and brightest. There is probably more brain drain from Europe to America, and from elsewhere to Africa, than there is from Africa to the rest of the world combined. But Europeans and Americans are not anxious because they know that economics usually prevails over protectionist sentiments. I celebrate the success of a Kenyan engineer in the Silicon Valley. The global labour market and entrepreneurial capital is just as competitive as any other business. Most talented people go where there is opportunity for growth, meritocracy, peaceful life, order in political and public life and a reasonable chance of prosperity. Even conservative societies such as Japan and Germany have acknowledged the need for qualified foreign work force, and they issue thousands of green cards. It is easy to note that skilled talent is the scarcest commodity in the world and competition for it is stiff. Realism should be the crying need. We are not desperate for quality work force and entrepreneurial talent. Why do we agonise losing our best and at the same time passionately pretend to believe in free trade? Why should we demur when it comes to globalisation of labour? Western experts have provided technology to Africa for generations. Does it follow, therefore, that there is an infinitely large technology drain from abroad to Africa? When a foreign technical expert comes to Kenya, we pay for his services. But when an African doctor migrates to the West, Africa gets no payment. Is that a drain? It is not because huge flows of brainpower in the reverse direction are free too. The overwhelming bulk of brainpower used in our universities is from research done in the West. No Kenyan pays for Albert Einstens knowledge or the huge flow of knowledge in scientific journals. Let us concede that much of the flow of free knowledge is from the rich to poor countries. Yes, we lose brainpower in form of engineers and academics among others. And, yes, we enjoy a huge import of free brainpower in a multitude of forms. But on balance, we get far more than we supply. We should stop being fixated with the brain drain for there are flows of global brainpower, ideas and creativity. The biggest flow is of brainpower in goods and services made with the latest technology. On balance, such technology constitutes a massive net flow of brainpower from rich to poor countries. The reverse in the so-called brain drain is tiny compared to the huge flow of goods and services. Most research development and academic is done in rich countries. Research budgets in the West for producing entertainment, books and other products are huge. Much of it results in not just superior, but also cheaper goods. The low cost of production reflects enormous brainpower that went into cost reduction. Innovation in technology is extremely expensive. To progress, rich countries spend enormous resources on research and development. But poor and extremely disorganized countries such as Kenya leapfrog from traditional, craft technology to modern technologies quickly and at little cost, with little research effort of their own. This gives us a huge advantage: Catching up with technology leaders is easier and faster than developing it. Rapid catch up possibilities have enabled developing countries to grow much faster than rich ones. China or the South-East Asian tigers now register eight to 10 per cent economic growth for using Western technical and managerial input. But the main sources of innovation, including the US, cannot average more than three per cent annual growth. We ought to also bear in mind that not only are our best and brightest going overseas, but the mediocre and the average, too, and earn money in low skill jobs such as sales, building and cleaning. Further, the majority of the so-called talented Africans who go to the West do not engage in any work that requires the best of their brains per se. Finally, the brain drain we waste locally constitutes a far bigger loss than we are ready to admit. Africa gets a net inflow of brainpower. The question is whether our gain would be greater if we did not lose many skilled people to the West. It is a difficult one to answer. --- The writer is a lecturer at the University of Nairobi ---

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Fw: [AU-Monitor] Fahamu conference on mobile technology
by alice＠apc.org 19 Dec '06

19 Dec '06

----- Original Message ----- From: "Binaifer Nowrojee" <bnowrojee(a)osiea.org> To: "Kevin Ombajo" <kombajo(a)yahoo.com>; "A. Wanjira Munyua" <alice(a)apc.org> Cc: "Juliana Osodo" <josodo(a)osiea.org>; "Mugambi Kiai" <mkiai(a)osiea.org> Sent: Monday, December 18, 2006 10:54 PM Subject: FW: [AU-Monitor] Fahamu conference on mobile technology FYI -----Original Message----- From: au-monitor-bounces(a)fahamu.org [mailto:au-monitor-bounces@fahamu.org] On Behalf Of Patrick Burnett Sent: Monday, December 11, 2006 8:57 AM To: au-monitor(a)fahamu.org Subject: [AU-Monitor] Fahamu conference on mobile technology Dear All, I thought you might be interested in this workshop/conference that Fahamu is developing on the use of mobile technology in Africa. Please let us know if you are interested, feel free to pass the information on to your networks and do let us know if you know of any interesting mobile technology initiatives in your country or region. Please reply to fahamumobile(a)gmail.com and not to the list. Best, Patrick Patrick Burnett Contributing Editor Fahamu www.fahamu.org >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Pambazuka News www.pambazuka.org >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Mobile phones for social justice: Calls for expressions of interest Fahamu www.fahamu.org Mobile phone technologies have taken Africa by storm. The technology has raised new possibilities for activism by human rights and social justice organisations and for service delivery in fields such as health care, banking and agricultural information. In 2007, Fahamu and Tactical Tech will hold a conference in Nairobi, Kenya, that will aim to enable those using mobile phone technologies in activism or service delivery work to exchange their experiences of using the technology in the African context and plan strategies to support their work. The conference will explore areas related to the use of mobile technology in the African context, future trends, best practice and available tools and resources. The conference will establish an African regional network of those who use mobile phone technologies and facilitate an ongoing support network. The meeting will also lead to the development of a toolkit on mobile phones put together by an international team of practitioners with relevant expertise. As part of the development of this initiative, Fahamu is conducting research to consult widely and involve as many interested parties as possible in the network and 2007 conference. Fahamu would like to hear from you if you have: - Used, are currently using, or planning to use, mobile phone technology in human rights and social justice work in Africa; - Used or are currently using mobile phones in service delivery work in Africa; - Developed or are in the process of developing technologies related to mobile phones; - Plan to use mobile phone technologies in the future in Africa. Interested individuals and organisations are asked to send an expression of interest not longer than one page to fahamumobile(a)gmail.com with the following information: - Name of organisation or individual - Contact Details - Country - Nature of past, existing or planned work involving mobile technology, including a description of the project, the problem it sought to address and its successes or failures. Alternatively, we would welcome seeing any reports you may have produced (any such information will be treated confidentially if that is your preference). If you would like to discuss this on the phone (preferably using something like Skype) please let us know. It is envisaged that the conference will be held in May 2007. Funds will be available for travel, accommodation and limited expenses of invited participants. Further information about Fahamu can be found at www.fahamu.org and www.pambazuka.org _______________________________________________ Au-monitor mailing list Au-monitor(a)fahamu.org http://lists.fahamu.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/au-monitor African Union Monitor list managed by Fahamu - Networks for Social Justice (http://www.fahamu.org) Subscribe to Pambazuka News (http://www.pambazuka.org)

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VISION 2030 Meeting Agenda
by Judy kimiti 18 Dec '06

18 Dec '06

Dear Member, Please find attached the Agenda for the Vision 2030 Meeting on 21st December 2006 at the Jacaranda Hotel , 3:00pm. For logistics purposes, please RSVP to the undersigned your attendance. Thank You Yours Faithfully Judy Kimiti KICTANet ___________________________________________________________ The all-new Yahoo! Mail goes wherever you go - free your email address from your Internet provider. http://uk.docs.yahoo.com/nowyoucan.html

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Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Access to learning Award: applications 2007
by alice＠apc.org 18 Dec '06

18 Dec '06

See attached the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Access to Learning Award (ATLA) 2007 Award. >The Award recognizes excellence in providing >public access to information through computers, >at no cost to the user. The focus is on >libraries and other information centers. The >recipient will receive an award of up to US $1 >million. Have to stress that the award for work >already completed or in progress, it is not a >grant. > >Application form attached. More >information at ><http://www.inasp.info/ldp/awards/> . >Closing date is 31 December 2006, short notice. >Applications must be emailed or postmarked no >later than December 31. > >Best, > >Adam

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CTO Funding
by alice＠apc.org 18 Dec '06

18 Dec '06

Dear Members, The Commonwealth Secretariat is inviting governments, NGOs and academic institutions to submit project proposals that can help bridge the digital divide. For details and application form, please see: http://www.commonwealthfoundation.com/news/news/detail.cfm?id=277 The deadline is Jan 05, 2007

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Autoreply: Job opening at APC: Africa ICT policy advocacy coordinator
by eadera＠idrc.or.ke 16 Dec '06

16 Dec '06

I am on Leave from 18th December 2006 to 7th January 2007. For any urgent matters, please contact Gladys Githaiga ggithaiga(a)idrc.or.ke) or Nancy Ndungu (nndungu(a)idrc.or.ke)

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Job opening at APC: Africa ICT policy advocacy coordinator
by alice＠apc.org 16 Dec '06

16 Dec '06

Job opening at APC: Africa ICT policy advocacy coordinator BERLIN, Germany -- Job opening at APC: Africa ICT policy advocacy coordinator APC has played a role with other stakeholders in advocacy for the reduction of the cost of international connectivity in Africa. This regional strategy has focused on the East and Southern African Submarine Cable System (EASSy) and the SAT3/SAFE/WASC cable for West Africa. The advocacy work focuses on bringing a civil society perspective to bear on the policy and regulatory structure of these initiatives. It requires tracking the issues, engaging regional policy institutions and stakeholders in government, NEPAD, international institutions, regulators, the private sector, civil society, research centres and the media. It also involves disseminating research and information on the issues at stake as well as scanning the horizon for emerging issues related to information and communications for development and internet governance in Africa, and making connections with global policy forums like the Global Alliance for ICT and Development (GAID) and the Internet Governance Forum (IGF). The Africa information and communication technology (ICT) policy advocacy coordinator is responsible for the coordination and tracking of all ICT advocacy issues within the region and engaging all stakeholders. Application deadline: Tuesday, 31 January 2007, 15:00 UTC Start date: As soon as possible. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES . Develop and implement the APC regional ICT policy advocacy strategy with regard to information and communication technology and development, and internet governance . Work closely with the Africa ICT policy monitor coordinator and the Africa ICT policy researcher to jointly develop research and information dissemination strategies . Network and participate in regional ICT policy processes and with key regional policy institutions and stakeholders in government, NEPAD, international institutions, the private sector, civil society, research centres, regulators and the media in Africa . Report and document regional advocacy initiatives . Participate in the global APC policy programme strategy regarding the Internet Governance Forum (IGF) and the Global Alliance on ICT and Development (GAID) JOB REQUIREMENTS . Excellent project management skills . Knowledge of ICT policy advocacy issues in the region, as well as globally . Experience of working in networks and managing partnerships . Experience in information management and dissemination . Work experience in an international context . Online work experience . Good presentation skills . Ability to work as part of a team . Ability to communicate in English and French (written and verbal) . Live in Africa Additional desirable qualities include: . Familiarity with ICT-based civil society networks like the APC ORGANISATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS The Africa ICT policy advocacy coordinator reports to the communication and information policy programme manager and works closely with other members of the team. Most of the work will take place in online discussion spaces, email groups and mailing lists. LOCATION AND WORK CONDITIONS The successful applicant is expected to provide his/her own computer, have access to the internet and a fax machine and work during normal office hours. While much of the work will take place online, some travel to meetings, conferences and workshops, within Africa and internationally, is expected. REMUNERATION This is a full time, one year fixed term/renewable contract. Remuneration is based on APC's salary scale for the position and includes an adjustment that will reflect the cost of living of the successful applicant's country of residence. For more information on the salary range, contact jobs(a)apc.org. ABOUT APC The Association for Progressive Communications (APC) is an international network of civil society organisations dedicated to empowering and supporting groups and individuals working for peace, human rights, development and protection of the environment, through the strategic use of information and communication technologies (ICTs), including the internet. For more information about APC, visit: http://www.apc.org HOW TO APPLY Send a covering letter and detailed CV (as an attachment) which include the following information: . A description of your interest in working with APC in this position . Your experience related to the job requirements listed above . Where you live . A rating of the languages you speak and write . A description of your computer skills . Experience of working in networks and managing partnerships . Work experience in an international context . Online work experience . Other information you think might be of importance to our assessment of your application . Three (3) references: names, relationship and their contact details. Please send this information via email to jobs(a)apc.org with the subject line: "Africa ICT policy advocacy coordinator". Application deadline: Tuesday, 31 January 2007, 15:00 UTC Please note that only short listed candidates will be contacted. Any applications received with viruses will be disqualified automatically. http://www.apc.org/english/news/index.shtml?x=5047031

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IP - the Future of Intellectual Property
by John Walubengo 13 Dec '06

13 Dec '06

For those who may want to move from IP (Internet Protocols) into Intellectual Property (another IP), check this out... http://www.re-public.gr/en/?p=93 walu. ____________________________________________________________________________________ Have a burning question? Go to www.Answers.yahoo.com and get answers from real people who know.

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Vision 2030 Discussion - Date Correction
by Judy kimiti 13 Dec '06

13 Dec '06

Dear Member, Please Note this meeting will be on 21st December, 3:00pm Jacaranda Hotel and not 21st November as earlier indicated. My apologies for this and hope to see you on the said date. Thank you Yours Faithfully Judy Kimiti ----- Forwarded Message ---- From: Judy kimiti <jkimiti01(a)yahoo.co.uk> To: kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke Sent: Monday, 11 December, 2006 12:47:50 PM Subject: Vision 2030 Discussion Dear Member, We wish to invite you for a discussion and broader understanding on how we can work together and contribute to the development of the Vision 2030. The discussion will be VISION 2030 : Catalyzing the Vision through ICT by Mr. Francis Mwaura, E-gov Directorate and will take place on 21st November 2006, 3:00pm, Jacaranda Hotel at the KICTANET Monthly meeting. The presentation is meant to give members first hand information and provide a platform for members to give input. We look forward having you join us at for this presentaion and also request that you please RSVP your attendance to the undersigned for logistics purpose. Thank You Yours Faithfully, Judy Kimiti KICTANET Tel: 4453671 / 2 Send instant messages to your online friends http://uk.messenger.yahoo.com Send instant messages to your online friends http://uk.messenger.yahoo.com

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Re: [Kictanet] Vision 2030 Discussion
by Judy kimiti 13 Dec '06

13 Dec '06

Greetings Mucheru, My apologies for that, yes it is 21st Dec, see you then Thanks and best regards Judy ----- Original Message ---- From: Joseph Mucheru <mucheru(a)wananchi.com> To: jkimiti01(a)yahoo.co.uk Sent: Tuesday, 12 December, 2006 6:19:16 AM Subject: Re: [Kictanet] Vision 2030 Discussion See you then! I take it it is 21st December and not November? -- Joseph Mucheru Chief Executive mucheru(a)wananchi.com Wananchi Online Ltd Voted ISP of the Year 2006 Computer Society of Kenya Annual Awards 30th November 2006 Panari Hotel, Nairobi Are you hosting your domain name with the leaders??: See http://webhosting.info/webhosts/tophosts/Country/KE > From: Judy kimiti <jkimiti01(a)yahoo.co.uk> > Reply-To: Kenya ICT Policy - kictanet <kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke> > Date: Mon, 11 Dec 2006 09:47:50 +0000 (GMT) > To: <mucheru(a)wananchi.com> > Subject: [Kictanet] Vision 2030 Discussion > > Dear Member, > > We wish to invite you for a discussion and broader understanding on how we can > work together and contribute to the development of the Vision 2030. The > discussion will be VISION 2030 : Catalyzing the Vision through ICT by Mr. > Francis Mwaura, E-gov Directorate and will take place on 21st November 2006, > 3:00pm, Jacaranda Hotel at the KICTANET Monthly meeting. The presentation is > meant to give members first hand information and provide a platform for > members to give input. > > We look forward having you join us at for this presentaion and also request > that you please RSVP your attendance to the undersigned for logistics purpose. > > Thank You > > Yours Faithfully, > Judy Kimiti > KICTANET > Tel: 4453671 / 2 > > Send instant messages to your online friends http://uk.messenger.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/mucheru%40wananchi.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/jkimiti01%40yahoo.co.uk ___________________________________________________________ All new Yahoo! Mail "The new Interface is stunning in its simplicity and ease of use." - PC Magazine http://uk.docs.yahoo.com/nowyoucan.html

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Vision 2030 Discussion
by Judy kimiti 12 Dec '06

12 Dec '06

Dear Member, We wish to invite you for a discussion and broader understanding on how we can work together and contribute to the development of the Vision 2030. The discussion will be VISION 2030 : Catalyzing the Vision through ICT by Mr. Francis Mwaura, E-gov Directorate and will take place on 21st November 2006, 3:00pm, Jacaranda Hotel at the KICTANET Monthly meeting. The presentation is meant to give members first hand information and provide a platform for members to give input. We look forward having you join us at for this presentaion and also request that you please RSVP your attendance to the undersigned for logistics purpose. Thank You Yours Faithfully, Judy Kimiti KICTANET Tel: 4453671 / 2 Send instant messages to your online friends http://uk.messenger.yahoo.com

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ICT bill .....does it fit the bill?
by frank＠ace-media.net 11 Dec '06

11 Dec '06

I'd like to support Rebecca's point of view. A while back one lister asked to know what are the actual contents of the draft presented to the AG. Are listers in agreement with the version hosted on www.information.go.ke? Dated Feb 2006? Has the bill incorporated the recommendations by KIF and do we know that for a fact? Unless I have overlooked something, the version on information.go.ke, dated feb 06, does not expressly or comprehensively cover data protection, copyright and intellectual property issues - issues which I think are to e-commerce (and BPO and IT Outsourcing) what spark plugs and fuel are to an automobile engine. I hear that media owners are not in agreement with the proposed restrictions on cross-ownership and ownership of newspapers by radio and TV licence holders (Ahead of an election year, coupled with an anti-media stance from various quarters in government, perhaps some more questions should be raised to this as well). Thus, to expect a bill to be passed in record time may not necessarily be an indicator of parliament's competence. The debate envisaged on issues of broadcasting will only serve to delay its enactment, to the detriment of the ICT sector. Francis Hook From: Rebecca Wanjiku <rebeccawanjiku(a)yahoo.com> Subject: [Kictanet] eCommerce Legislation, so near and yet so far. To: Kenya ICT Policy - kictanet <kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke> Message-ID: <291576.79333.qm(a)web57710.mail.re3.yahoo.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Walu, strong as it maybe, it has taken ten years, i may have used strong words but in my opinion, the government hasnt shown much commitment apart from singing how ICTs can improve our lives and you are right, some bills have been passed in record time, yet one maybe tempted to think the government is very committed, but to what extent, thats just the way i see it!! Rebecca John Walubengo <jwalu(a)yahoo.com> wrote: Rebecca, Your comment ''...Kenya has no ICT law, doesn?t seem to care much about e-commerce whether in country or between Kenya and other countries''...may be abit on the stronger side. I believe the relevant Kenyan agencies both in Govt, Private Sector and Civil society do care and have made and continue to make effort towards a legalised eCommerce environment. The current Kenyan ICT policy does take cognisance of the significance that eCommerce has and the draft ICT Bill (2006) does make attempts to legalise this e-environment. What could be lacking is a mechanism for fast-tracking the issues i.e. escalating the time frame between Policy, Bill and Law. Indeed, the last bit - enacting law is the trickiest since it lies at the mercy of Parliamenterians (MPs)... Nevertheless, there could be interventions tailored to gain Parliamentary 'buy-in'. After all, they have been known to pass some Bills in record-time, why not the e-Bills? walu. -------------------------------------------------------------------- mail2web - Check your email from the web at http://mail2web.com/ .

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Fwd: [Stock-Detective News] Research Unit Launched
by Bill Kagai 09 Dec '06

09 Dec '06

---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: info(a)circuitspackets.co.ke <info(a)circuitspackets.co.ke> Date: Dec 7, 2006 12:29 PM Subject: [Stock-Detective News] Research Unit Launched To: news(a)stock-detective.co.ke Following numerous requests by our readers for detailed analysis of various listed companies, stock-detective will now be offering our subscribers a customised package comprising price movement alerts as well as detailed analysis of the companies' performance, strategy and new products. We have now launched a Research Unit headed by Mr. Kingori Choto, a lawyer/researcher by profession and previously with Market Intelligence. To subscribe to this new service, please visit: www.stock-detective.co.ke/research With Kind Regards, Bildad Kagai MD - Circuits & Packets Communications Ltd Content & Training Partner - JKUAT E-Government Academy Suite B2, Tetu Apartments, State House Avenue P. O. Box 20311 - 00200 Nairobi, Kenya Tel. 254 20 2728332 Fax. 254 20 2726965 URL. www.circuitspackets.co.ke URL. www.JKUATEgovAcademy.ac.ke URL. www.stock-detective.co.ke _______________________________________________ News mailing list News(a)stock-detective.co.ke http://www.stock-detective.co.ke:8080/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/news

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Re: [Kictanet] IS ICANN IMPORTANT?
by Florence Etta 07 Dec '06

07 Dec '06

Thanks Becky for this valuable and insightful piece. I would ask what can KICTANEt and or similar networks do about this. This is for me ois the bigger question. Cheers, FE Florence Etta P.O. Box 14285,00800 Westlands-Nairobi, Kenya Tel: Mobile + 254-733-621851 Terrestrial: + 254-20-7121506 Fax: + 254-20-7125732 Alternative Email:florence.etta@gmail.com ----- Original Message ---- From: Rebecca Wanjiku <rebeccawanjiku(a)yahoo.com> To: feanywhere(a)yahoo.co.uk Sent: Tuesday, 5 December, 2006 9:36:41 PM Subject: [Kictanet] IS ICANN IMPORTANT? PLAYING THE CATCH UP GAME- AFRICAN STYLE By Rebecca Wanjiku Paul Odhiambo is an ICT officer at the Ministry of Education in Kenya . He is used to the technical jargon and all issues relating to the information society. But attending the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) meeting is not that easy for Odhiambo. In some of the sessions, he finds himself in unfarmiliar territory. Why ? afterall he is a techie ! Because at the meetings, participants discuss about ICT laws and how they can be made responsive to people´s demands and privacies. For instance, during discussions on WHOIS, participants discuss issues on how much information should be available to the public and whether such information should be shared accross the sectors. Then there are other issues on the menu like security concerns and the usual business aspect of e-commerce. Legal issues are also discussed regarding applicable laws in case of cross country trade. For example, if importing a car from Dubai , if it’s damaged at sea and you bought it online, which courts can you seek redress? Kenyan court or Dubai . Odhiambo may find himself in unfamiliar territory because Kenya has no ICT law, doesn’t seem to care much about e-commerce whether in country or between Kenya and other countries. Odhiambo´s story is probably the story of many African participants at ICANN meetings. Latin America, North America, Europe and Asia seem to be operating on a different level compared to Africa . While the rest are discussing progressive issues, African delegates can only watch and say, we have our issues- access, and policy formulation. But for how long will Africa cling on to the problems as an excuse? Take for example the issue of access, those who were in the ICT industry will maybe confirm that some African heads have sang this song of the digital divide, lack of access and lack of money. But the leaders have gyrated and swung their hips at the prospect of development that ICT holds. Whilst the question of infrastructure and finance maybe understood, what about policy formulation, can that be understood too? Many of us stay home and wonder why ICANN meetings are important. Some may view it as a travel club or a playground for techies. While you wonder what label to give them, these guys are making policies that could affect you. What are you doing about it? Ends Rebecca Wanjiku, journalist, p.o box 33515, Nairobi.00600 Kenya. Tel. 254 720 318 925 blog:http://beckyit.blogspot.com/ Want to start your own business? Learn how on Yahoo! Small Business._______________________________________________ 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 Send instant messages to your online friends http://uk.messenger.yahoo.com

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KICTANets Monthly Minutes and KDN Presentation
by Judy kimiti 07 Dec '06

07 Dec '06

Dear Member, Please find attached the minutes of the Planning Meeting that took place on 9th November 2006 and the KDN Presentation by Kai Wulff . Thank You. Yours Faithfully Judy Kimiti KICTANet Send instant messages to your online friends http://uk.messenger.yahoo.com Send instant messages to your online friends http://uk.messenger.yahoo.com Send instant messages to your online friends http://uk.messenger.yahoo.com ___________________________________________________________ All new Yahoo! Mail "The new Interface is stunning in its simplicity and ease of use." - PC Magazine http://uk.docs.yahoo.com/nowyoucan.html

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Women in ICTs in South Africa - final reports released
by A. Wanjira Munyua 04 Dec '06

04 Dec '06

A comprehensive study on the status of women in high-level ICTs in South Africa has recently been completed. A separate Manual of Possible Interventions has been produced alongside the status report - this maps out six possible programmes with a breakdown of activities and possible role players to take these actions forward. A third report shares international experiences, with particular emphasis on Finland. This has provided useful insights for consideration in addressing South Africa's needs. The three documents can be accessed at: http://women-in-ict.meraka.csir.co.za <http://women-in-ict.meraka.csir.co.za/> The report looks at how girls and women are progressing (or not) in the education system and the workplace. It presents gender-disaggregated data on the current situation and reflects on the perceptions of women in ICTs, including those in leadership positions. There has been some improvement in the participation of women in the sector, but the numbers are still low and increasing the levels of participation requires urgent attention. Various support mechanisms are in place to help women in the ICT sector but they are fragmented and uncoordinated. Recommendations for addressing these needs have been expanded in the Manual of Interventions. The work was the result of a South African-Finnish partnership between the Meraka Institute (CSIR), icteum consulting and the University of Oulu, Finland (Kajaani Consortium). Other South African collaborators include the Human Sciences Research Council, WomensNet and the Tshwane University of Technology. The study was funded by the Embassy of Finland, South Africa. For further details contact: Tina James (project leader) icteum consulting tjames(a)intekom.co.za Tel: +27 12 346-8264 Ronel Smith Meraka Institute Rsmith2(a)csir.co.za -- A. Wanjira Munyua National Coordinator, Catalysing Access to ICTs in Africa (CATIA) Association for Progressive Communications (APC) alice(a)apc.org http://www.apc.org http://www.catia.ws Cell: +254 733 731074

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TAKE BACK THE TECH! Reclaiming ICTs to End Violence Against Women
by A. Wanjira Munyua 04 Dec '06

04 Dec '06

Please help disseminate. Apologies for crossposting *********************************************************** TAKE BACK THE TECH! Reclaiming ICTs to End Violence Against Women www.takebackthetech.net 25 November - 10 December *********************************************************** Day 8: Digital Storytelling be heard - tell your story --------------------------- Listen to survivors of violence against women take up multimedia technology, and tell their own powerful and transformative stories. Digital storytelling by Silence Speaks [www.silencespeaks.org] is an initiative that makes it possible for survivors and witnesses of violence to come together in small groups, reflect on their gender training and experiences of abuse, and tell their stories in their own words, sounds and images. Few opportunities exist for survivors to tell their stories in their own words. Silence Speaks fills this gap by connecting survivors and witness of abuse with their creativity and making their voices the centerpiece of violence prevention and social justice efforts. Bearing witness to these stories moves the issue from the individual to the collective, and offers hope for ending the violence. Twelve powerful stories are showcased on Take Back The Tech!, in partnership between Silence Speaks and APC Women's Programme. Listen deeply. [www.takebackthetech.net/actions/storytelling.htm] ************* Action Day 8 ************* A study [http://www.stopvaw.org/Prevalence_of_Domestic_Violence.html] based on 50 surveys from around the world shows that at least 1 in every 3 women has been beaten, coerced into sex, or abused in her lifetime. Depressing statistics. But at the same time, think of all the women that you know. Grrls and women that you have chatted with on the bus, at some party, waiting for the elevator, at a work function, distant relatives, their partners.. There are so many survivors amongst us. 1 in every 3 women whom we come across has experienced targeted and senseless violence; and they are just. fine. We walk amongst unnamed sheroes; with stories of tenacity, courage and everyday survival. Action begins from reality. Tell your story. Use technology to amplify your voice. If the rabble is loud in its protest, if 1 in 3 women speak their case, then reality might start to look a little less ridiculous. . Go to "Talk Tech & VAW" [http://www.takebackthetech.net/talktech.htm] . Click on "Share Your Story" . Start telling yours! -- Take Back The Tech Day 8: Digital Storytelling be heard - tell your story www.takebackthetech.net _______________________________________________ Grace mailing list Grace(a)lists.apcwomen.org http://lists.apcwomen.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/grace

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Re: [Kictanet] [Fibre-for-africa] Whats i have being talking of as a public private partnership in ownership of the critical infrastructur
by Eric Osiakwan 04 Dec '06

04 Dec '06

Dear All, In my rush to attend to some emergency yesterday i did not read over so ended up with french (not good enough french for Bill to read.....:-) instead of english so please allow me to come again. Also this is being monitored on the KICTANET list so i have made an extension to them as well as to the AfrISPA list on which this is taking space. Anriette, The principle is the same however since EASSy was spanning multiple jurisdictions, it waranted multiple platforms for the stock market activity but the Kenyan one (TEAMS) is a single domain so in my mind the question should be "would it make sense for it to trade on one exchange or the multiple approach would generate much scale in terms of the financial lifting that is expected and the activities thereoff?" In someway Brian seems to suggest a multiple approach but i have a knowledge deficit of the East African Stock markets co- operatin and how this may work. Am aware that SWOPNET in Tanzania is similar to KICTANET and iNETWORK in Uganda also has the same semblance so if KICTANET liases with those camps we could get some country info on the dynamics at play or someone from the lists could feed us with some knowledge (at least am interested in knowing.....:-) YES, it looks like a race (NOT A RAT RACE...:-) but the precedent of very low cost bandwidth and non-discriminatory practise must be a guiding light. Eric here NB: Bill, thanks for the heads up. For those who are seeing this for the first time, below is MY french version of the english rendition above so if you dont understand the french dont worry, just stick to the english and you would not have missed anything at all.....:-) On 27 Nov 2006, at 20:06, Eric M.K Osiakwan wrote: > Anriette, > > The principle is the same however since EASSy was spanning multiple > jurisdictions then it warantted multiple platforms for the stock > market activity but the Kenyan one is a single domain so in my mind > should be that would is make sense for it to trade on one exchange > or the multiple approach would generate much scale in terms of the > financial lifting the expected activities? > > YES, it looks like arade but the precedent of very low cost and non- > discriminatory practise must be a guiding light. > > Eric here > > > On 27 Nov 2006, at 22:19, Anriette Esterhuysen wrote: > >> Dear Eric >> >> A group of us APC people actually discussed your idea quite >> intensively a >> while ago. >> >> The one difference between what is happening here, and what you >> propose, >> is that the Kenyan initiative will involve only one stock >> exchange.... so, if the >> IPO continues, it will be listed in Kenya... as far as I know. >> >> Your proposal would have involved the 'entity' listing on multiple >> stock >> exchanges.... that would have been much more complicated. >> >> Seeing these new financial models emerge is very interesting. And >> it does >> feel a bit like a race... whose cable will light up first? Who >> will sell the >> cheapest bandwidth? Any bets? >> >> Anriette >> >> >>> Folks, >>> >>> Below is exactly what i have being chanting as a way forward in the >>> ownership of the infrastructure; The Kenya Government will have a 40 >>> per cent holding in the project, Etisalat 20% and the remaining 40% >>> will go to investors in the East African region. The Government has >>> said it will organise an IPO on the Kenyan Stock Exchange. Several >>> Kenyan companies have expressed interest and one said that the >>> Government had told them it would "guarantee their loan". The >>> details of the finance package have not yet been settled but it is >>> unclear where the Kenyan Government will raise its 40% from. Will >>> the >>> World Bank simply shift a portion of its EASSy funding to the new >>> project as many think likely? >>> >>> NB; From this week's Balancing Act, full story below for your >>> pleasure. >>> >>> Thank God the Kenya are experimenting with this approach where >>> government owns part, private sector owns part, educational >>> institutions should also own part, CSO owns part through IPO on the >>> stock market. >>> >>> The Kenya government can actually raise the 40% from government >>> bonds >>> and am not an expert on the stock market discipline of shares or >>> bonds but this is where the financial experts need to come out with >>> innovative solutions that can help raise much of this money locally >>> and it is possible. >>> >>> In the attached paper which is an output of the great work Rahul >>> Tongia did with some colleagues and little input from me, it is >>> clear >>> that we could actually wire Africa up with fiber to the most >>> population densed centres for a billion dollars whcih means if every >>> African put a dollar on the table we could wire Africa up with fiber >>> and 50 percent of that dark fiber already exist - what does that >>> mean >>> to you as an African? >>> >>> >>> You Kenyans are showing the way and even it it does not work you >>> would be know for showing us how this model is not workable and then >>> we can try another. We Africans must try new ways of doing these >>> things and make our own mistakes and find our own solutions to our >>> problems but learn to avoid the mistakes of the Americans, Europeans >>> and Asians. Thank God for this BOLD move, it is commendable. >>> >>> >>> TOP STORY: KENYA BEGINS THE COUNTDOWN TO CHEAP INTERNATIONAL FIBRE >>> ____________________________________________________________________ >>> _ >>> >>> It´s like waiting for a matatu. You wait for ages and none come >>> along. But just when you´re about to give up hope, three come along >>> at the same time, all trying to come to a screaming halt in front of >>> you. Kenya now has three (or more) potential international fibre >>> projects that could be complete within 12 months. Each one is loudly >>> proclaiming that it will deliver cheap international bandwidth. >>> Russell Southwood took the temperature in the market last week about >>> what the impact of this bandwidth will be upon the market. >>> >>> The Kenya Government has signed an MOU to build a fibre link to >>> Fujairah >>> in the UAE currently costed at Ksh5.7 billion. The construction and >>> supply contract will be awarded early next year and the project, >>> dubbed The East African Marine System (Teams), will be ready by >>> November, according to a joint statement issued by both parties from >>> Dubai. Many in the sector believe that it will be more like 19 >>> months >>> or more before completion. >>> >>> The Kenya Government will have a 40 per cent holding in the project, >>> Etisalat 20% and the remaining 40% will go to investors in the East >>> African region. The Government has said it will organise an IPO >>> on the >>> Kenyan Stock Exchange. Several Kenyan companies have expressed >>> interest and one said that the Government had told them it would >>> "guarantee their loan". The details of the finance package have >>> not yet been settled but it is unclear where the Kenyan Government >>> will raise its 40% from. Will the World Bank simply shift a >>> portion of >>> its EASSy funding to the new project as many think likely? >>> >>> The Government´s commitment to a 12 month schedule is a bold move >>> but one that must lay them open to a certain amount of >>> scepticism. The >>> tender for expressions of interest was only issued 2 weeks ago and >>> Government timetabling is notoriously slow compared to the private >>> sector. Apparently the Private Secretary has been telling interested >>> parties that the Government wants prices comparable to those to be >>> found in India in 12 months time. This benchmark has been set in >>> order >>> that Kenya will be able to compete in the international outsourcing >>> market. >>> >>> Apparently a number of interested parties said that they would >>> put up >>> all the money to build it if they could have a monopoly and he sent >>> them away disappointed. But more worryingly one interested party >>> told >>> us that it could only get involved if it also allowed Telkom >>> Kenya to >>> be a shareholder. >>> >>> The next international fibre project is KDN´s and it has now signed >>> its contract with Flag Telecom. Its link from Mombasa will terminate >>> in an undersea junction in international waters off of the Yemen. It >>> says the link will be fully operational in the first quarter of >>> 2008, >>> just 15 months away. The company believes that it will come to >>> market >>> with capacity at $500 per mbps pm but that the price of bandwidth >>> will >>> go up to those wanting to invest as time passes. In other words, for >>> those who commit early prices will be lowest and for those who >>> come in >>> late, prices will go higher. It also stresses that its landing >>> station >>> at Mombasa will allow other carriers to co-locate there charging >>> only >>> electricity and services at cost. >>> >>> So this leaves the third project EASSy looking as if it will be the >>> third runner. NEPAD appears to have made little more progress on >>> persuading more African Governments to sign its political protocol. >>> And whilst the members of the EASSy consortium (that still includes >>> KDN and Telkom Kenya) are still moving things forward, there >>> remains a >>> disconnect between the political and commercial ends of the project. >>> If both of the above projects go ahead, there is clearly much less >>> need to build the Mombasa-Djibouti section of the route and it >>> has to >>> be said that both of the above projects have better international >>> connection points. >>> >>> As if three were not enough, Ethiopia´s ETC has now had its >>> international fibre connection working effectively for two months >>> via >>> Port Sudan and Saudi Arabia. But because it is landlocked and it had >>> endless fruitless arguments with Djibouti Telecom over control of a >>> possible fibre link, it wants to find a second international fibre >>> connection. Therefore it is in serious conversations with both of >>> Kenya´s fibre network operators about connecting to the Mombasa >>> links when they are ready. If this goes ahead, both it and Kenya >>> will >>> then have two international fibre links. >>> >>> Because the process of getting the international fibre to Kenya has >>> been both confusing and "on-off", everyone in the market >>> (including customers) have understandably not really grasped the >>> impact of its arrival on their businesses. Until now ISPs and >>> satellite resellers have largely been in the businesses of living on >>> the margin they make between buying and selling bandwidth. >>> >>> These margins have been kept high as they have concentrated on >>> selling >>> to comparatively few customers. Ironically it has been a high-price, >>> low volume business where their primary commodity - bandwidth - >>> has always been in short supply, not least because some of them >>> increased their margin by contending it as much as possible. This >>> has >>> meant that bandwidth quality is often variable at best for those not >>> paying "top dollar" for a premium service. >>> >>> If you argue that international fibre prices should be low price, >>> high >>> volume, then the national business model changes: what´s sauce for >>> the goose is sauce for the gander. Bandwidth becomes cheap and >>> plentiful at a sub $1000 threshold. The margins that can then be >>> charged make it difficult for those who are not operating at >>> volume to >>> stay in business. >>> >>> However it does now open up opportunities for new services, content >>> and applications that can be sold to customers who should now be >>> paying European prices for real broadband connections (1-2 meg >>> upwards) rather than the paltry 64 kbps they are currently >>> receiving. >>> There are at least 500,000 households in Kenya that are at an income >>> level that make them potential targets for broadband. It would take >>> only half of those households to sign up for there to be the >>> beginnings of a very different market. >>> >>> The real sign that the market has not "got it" is that some key >>> ISPs are not passing on the information about these soon-to-be cheap >>> prices but are seeking to protect their high margins by telling >>> customers higher prices. A heads-up, guys. The sector is a >>> village and >>> news will get round quickly and we´ll encourage the circulation of >>> this price information. The market´s about to change, get ready to >>> change with it. >>> >>> At the national level, there is now a third source of fibre >>> capacity. >>> Jamii Telecommunications has signed an agreement with the Kenya >>> Light >>> and Power Company (KPLC) to sell an STM1´s worth of its fibre >>> capacity in Nairobi and Mombasa, with KPLC saying that it will >>> triple >>> its capacity shortly. Two other companies - CTN and Cable Vision - >>> have been granted a licence to sell KPLC´s capacity and it is >>> telling (in terms of the argument above) that both are in the video >>> download and pay-TV business. Not so far afield, Tanzanian power >>> utility TANESCO is currently building out fibre capacity and has >>> invited bids to sell this capacity. Again KDN is poised to make a >>> fibre connection to Tanzania. >>> >>> However a recent ping on the Kampala-Nairobi route shows that >>> neither >>> KDN nor Telkom Kenya has got its fibre route operational. KDN is >>> promising it will be operational by the end of first quarter 2007 >>> and >>> that prices will be 20% cheaper. >>> >>> Elsewhere in the market, the new VoIP operators are finding it >>> difficult >>> to get interconnection agreements and to get proper service from >>> interconnect service providers. Telkom Kenya is charging absurdly >>> high >>> prices but has at least reached interconnect agreements. >>> Nevertheless >>> the new fixed wireless operators - Flashcom and Popote - are >>> having difficulties: customers are unable to receive or make >>> calls to >>> certain countries. Apparently anyone who calls a customer number of >>> these fixed wireless operators from Germany gets a number >>> unobtainable. >>> >>> Access Kenya´s Yello VoIP service has been aimed at corporates and >>> has attracted 250 customers who generate 120,000 minutes a month. >>> But >>> it has had difficulty getting interconnection agreements with the >>> mobile operators. It made a complaint to regulator CCK in April and >>> became so frustrated that it said it would run an advertisement >>> publicising the position. Safaricom came back to the table but >>> Celtel >>> refuses to enter discussions, saying that it will do so in its own >>> time. >>> >>> Kenyan ISPs are under heavy pressure from all the new operators. >>> Flashcom and Popote are taking more money from data than voice at >>> the >>> moment as customers are primarily signing up for cheaper Internet >>> access. Also the introduction of EDGE services by Safaricom is >>> eating >>> into their high-end customers: one ISP´s CEO admitted privately that >>> he was losing hundreds of customers a month to these new >>> competitors. >>> The challenge for everyone in the market will be whether they can >>> take >>> the soon-to-arrive cheaper international bandwidth and use it to >>> transform the market. >>> >>> >>> Eric M.K Osiakwan >>> Executive Secretary >>> AfrISPA (www.afrispa.org) >>> Tel: + 233.21.258800 >>> 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" >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >> >> >> >> ------------------------------------------------------ >> Anriette Esterhuysen, Executive Director >> Association for Progressive Communications >> anriette(a)apc.org >> http://www.apc.org >> PO Box 29755, Melville, South Africa. 2109 >> Tel. 27 11 726 1692 >> Fax 27 11 726 1692 >> >> _______________________________________________ >> Fibre-for-africa mailing list >> Fibre-for-africa(a)lists.apc.org >> http://lists.apc.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/fibre-for-africa >> > > Eric M.K Osiakwan > ICT Consultant and Journalist > Tel: + 233.21.258800 > 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" > > > _______________________________________________ > Fibre-for-africa mailing list > Fibre-for-africa(a)lists.apc.org > http://lists.apc.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/fibre-for-africa Eric M.K Osiakwan Executive Secretary AfrISPA (www.afrispa.org) Tel: + 233.21.258800 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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Infrastructure Financing for TEAMS through the Capital Markets
by Bill Kagai 30 Nov '06

30 Nov '06

[Summary of TEAMS financing discussion on www.stock-detective.co.ke] At a recent seminar hosted by the Nairobi Stock Exchange, options for infrastructure financing through the capital markets were comprehensively discussed by various financial experts. It is worthwhile to consider various financing options for the East African Marine System or Teams project, a fiber optic line linking Mombasa to Fujaira, in the context of various options for infrastructure financing through the capital markets discussed at the seminar. A strong case was put forward for funding for infrastructure projects in Kenya through the NSE. Among the experts who made a pitch for the idea were NSE chairman Jimnah Mbaru, NSE CEO Chris Mwebesa, Suntra Investment Bank chairman James Murigu, and IFC Operations Officer for Financial Markets, Ndiritu Muriithi. Infrastructure financing through the capital markets is still in its infancy stages in Kenya. Yet there is a huge opportunity for companies and government agencies to raise money cheaply to build roads and power dams through bonds and shares at the Nairobi Stock Exchange given that the current government development budget stands at around Ksh. 70 billion. The cost of completing the Machakos-Limuru dual carriage section of the Mombasa-Busia highway alone is estimated to cost Ksh. 108 billion. This means that the government has to find alternative sources of funding (other than donor funding) to meet the massive shortfall in funding for infrastructure projects. The government has indicated that it will consider raising money through an IPO to finance the Teams project. It recently signed an MOU with Etisalat of Dubai to implement the Ksh. 5.7 billion project. The government will hold a 40 per cent stake in the project, Etisalat 20 per cent and the remaining 40 per cent will be offered to investors in the East African region. The government has set an ambitious date for the completion of the project by November next year. If the government proceeds with the IPO as indicated, the project is certain to generate considerable interest among investors given the potentially high returns and profits from the link once activated. But the question still begs an answer: why has infrastructure financing through the capital markets been slow to develop in Kenya even with the recent expansion of the stock market? In other words, why haven't institutions like Kenya Airports Authority, Kenya Pipeline, National Housing Corporation, to mention just a few, been issuing to the public? Experts cite bureaucracy and lack of concise policy as the main bottlenecks to infrastructure financing through the domestic capital market. Mr. Muriithi is of the view that although the demand for infrastructure financing is huge, policy questions on issues like the role of the capital market in the process are not fully settled. He added that discussions are still on-going and that technical issues such as the financing structure, type of instruments and so on, were yet to be refined. He further noted that state owned enterprise have to obtain approval from Treasury to borrow money from the capital. Where such approval is not forthcoming especially considering red-tape and other internal bottlenecks, the opportunity to source funds cheaply from the investing public is squandered. Mr. Mbaru gave the example of East African Portland Cement which wanted to raise Ksh 2 billion through the capital markets to extend its line to Western Kenya and Uganda but shelved the plan after it failed to get Treasury approval. Mr. Murigu on his part argued that many SOEs went shopping abroad for financing while they could raise funds for infrastructure projects locally and at a cheaper cost. If the government is to successfully push through an IPO by mid-2007, Treasury approval will then have to come fast. Otherwise, the project could end up in the bog of red-tape as Treasury mandarins dillydally over approval. In seeking to raise financing for the project through the capital market, the government has a variety of options to consider. And critical here will be the manner in which the government structures the deal for investors. Mr. Mwebesa said of the market's ability to absorb infrastructure-backed instruments, that "if properly conceptualized and structured with detailed information on the specific infrastructure project, the capital markets will absorb the same". If the government chooses the IPO way, then it will have to create a special purpose vehicle whose shares it will then offer to the public. According to Mr. Mwebesa once such government-driven SPVs are listed in the NSE, bonds for specific infrastructure projects can then be issued by the SPV. Kenyans can then invest in such bonds through various vehicles such as pension funds, co-operative societies, insurance companies and collective investment schemes (companies or trusts created to mobilize investment funds from individuals). Pension funds are a good way of mobilizing investment in infrastructure bonds since the long-term financing needs of infrastructure projects match the long-term liability profiles of pension/retirement benefit schemes. Infrastructure or asset-backed bonds can provide income for retirees a few years down the line and are thus a viable investment option for pension fund managers. However, the law needs to be changed to facilitate such initiatives. In addition certain policy and tax incentives are needed to boost private sector participation. Mr. Mbaru proposes that income derived by investors from infrastructure-backed instruments be exempted from withholding tax to make them more attractive. He also proposes a 2-3 year grace period before interest payments to investors or alternatively the issue of zero-coupon bonds (bonds issued at a discount to the price and principal and interest paid lump-sum upon maturity) to finance such deals. There is no doubt that the Teams project can be financed through the NSE. It is up to the government to speed up the creation of an SPV as well as Treasury approval and also give investors an attractive value proposition. This is not to mention that public awareness of the viability of the Teams project and its importance to Kenya's ICT sector and the economy as a whole is very vital and a condition precedent to the success of the project. The government may also want to consider a cross-listing of the SPV once put in motion now that integration of the three stock exchanges is well under way. -- With Kind Regards, Bildad Kagai MD - Circuits & Packets Communications Ltd Content & Training Partner - JKUAT E-Government Academy Suite B2, Tetu Apartments, State House Avenue P. O. Box 20311 - 00200 Nairobi, Kenya Tel. 254 20 2728332 Fax. 254 20 2726965 Cell. 254 724 226600 URL. www.circuitspackets.co.ke URL. www.JKUATEgovAcademy.ac.ke

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Fwd: [Stock-Detective News] Investing in the Teams Project
by Bill Kagai 29 Nov '06

29 Nov '06

---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: info(a)circuitspackets.co.ke <info(a)circuitspackets.co.ke> Date: Nov 29, 2006 12:01 PM Subject: [Stock-Detective News] Investing in the Teams Project To: news(a)stock-detective.co.ke Posted by Admin on www.stock-detective.co.ke Investing in the Teams Project On 6th November, 2006, the Government of Kenya through the Communications Commission of Kenya (CCK) advertised an 'Expression of Interest' (EOI) for a 'Lead Financial Arranger' for the 'East Africa Marine System' (TEAMS) project. The EOI further read that ICT sector growth is limited by inadequate international connectivity and over-reliance on expensive satellite connectivity. After exploring other international connectivity alternatives with no tangible results realized to date, the situation compelled the Government to consider facilitating the construction of a submarine cable system with a landing port in Mombasa to be established through a special purpose vehicle (SPV). The 'Lead Financial Arranger' is thus required to facilitate an elaborate financing mechanism for this project. On 18th November 2006, the Government announced that Telkom Kenya had signed a Sh5.7 billion pact with Etisalat of Dubai paving the way for the construction of an undersea cable linking Mombasa to Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates. The construction and supply contract will be awarded early next year and the project, dubbed The East African Marine System (Teams), will be ready by November, according to a joint statement issued by both parties from Dubai. Kenya will have a 40 per cent holding in the project, Etisalat 20 and the remaining will go to investors in the East African region. There is no doubt that this will be a good investment with good returns for those who invest in the Teams project. The project will also open up opportunities such as business process outsourcing and electronic commerce for other sectors such as tourism. A significant chunk of the financing is expected to be realized through the stock market making it a first where capital to finance a project is generated from the investing public. As part of our 'Intelligent Investor Series' we invite you to submit your comments by clicking on the comment button on the home page of www.stock-detective.co.ke . We would like to know your opinion on the project and the fundamentals that might compel you to put in funds in this kind of a venture. The Stock-Detective will then develop a comprehensive report that will be shared on this website. www.stock-detective.co.ke _______________________________________________ News mailing list News(a)stock-detective.co.ke http://www.stock-detective.co.ke:8080/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/news -- -- With Kind Regards, Bildad Kagai MD - Circuits & Packets Communications Ltd Content & Training Partner - JKUAT E-Government Academy Suite B2, Tetu Apartments, State House Avenue P. O. Box 20311 - 00200 Nairobi, Kenya Tel. 254 20 2728332 Fax. 254 20 2726965 Cell. 254 724 226600 URL. www.circuitspackets.co.ke URL. www.JKUATEgovAcademy.ac.ke

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Re: [Kictanet] [Fibre-for-africa] Whats i have being talking of as a public private partnership in ownership of the critical infrastructur
by Eric Osiakwan 29 Nov '06

29 Nov '06

Thanks for the feed-in, Bill. You raise a very genuine and important concern, which is how would the populace react to an IT stock which they are not familiar with given the track record of similar stocks? Was African Lakes on NSE as well or only on LSE? Eric here On 28 Nov 2006, at 15:38, Bill Kagai wrote: > > Trading in one stock exchange does not complicate matters because > institutional/foreign investors can still buy shares through the > NSE. One good thing is that the NSE is the dominat exchange in EA > with 51 listed companies and 3 or so cross listed in Dar and Kampala. > > Kampala has only 8 quoted companies and about a similar number in > Dar which will soon be trading under one exchange in a couple opf > years. > > The other interesting challenge will be how the stock is embraced > considering that the only IT stock ever listed (African Lakes) > collapsed after a while, whilst the anticipated Wananchi IPO has > not taken off yet. Basically, we are yet to see how the market will > react to IT related stocks. See the following links on the pilot > stock-detective.co.ke website we have been developing. > > http://www.stock-detective.co.ke > > and also on a discussion posted regarding Telkom upcoming listing.. > > http://www.stock-detective.co.ke/public-discussion-forum/public- > discussion-forum/post200609202612783179 > > > -- > -- > With Kind Regards, > Bildad Kagai > MD - Circuits & Packets Communications Ltd > Content & Training Partner - JKUAT E-Government Academy > Suite B2, Tetu Apartments, State House Avenue > P. O. Box 20311 - 00200 > Nairobi, Kenya > Tel. 254 20 2728332 > Fax. 254 20 2726965 > Cell. 254 724 226600 > URL. www.circuitspackets.co.ke > URL. www.JKUATEgovAcademy.ac.ke > _______________________________________________ > Fibre-for-africa mailing list > Fibre-for-africa(a)lists.apc.org > http://lists.apc.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/fibre-for-africa Eric M.K Osiakwan Executive Secretary AfrISPA (www.afrispa.org) Tel: + 233.21.258800 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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DOT Capacity Building Training in Nairobi
by Joseph Maruti 28 Nov '06

28 Nov '06

DOT is running a youth and ICT capacity building program. See attached flyer. Those that have young friends/relatives that fit this profile and are available for the January intake should have them apply. Regards Maruti -- Joseph Maruti Country Director Digital Opportunity Trust (DOT) Kenya <http://www.kenya.globalnetcorps.org> www.kenya.globalnetcorps.org <http://www.dotrust.org> www.dotrust.org p: +254 20 6751385 m: +254 725 153971 e: <mailto:jmaruti@globalnetcorps.org> jmaruti(a)globalnetcorps.org Cause, Measure, Share

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CALL FOR PROPOSALS FOR ICT PROJECTS FOR FUNDING BY THE DIGITAL SOLIDARITY FUND
by alice＠apc.org 28 Nov '06

28 Nov '06

Dear All, This was advertised on the papers, but for those who did not see it, here goes! best regards alice -------------------------------------- CALL FOR PROPOSALS FOR ICT PROJECTS FOR FUNDING BY THE DIGITAL SOLIDARITY FUND The Global Digital Solidarity Fund (DSF) is a financing foundation based in Geneva, Switzerland. The objective of the fund is to transform the digital divide into digital opportunities to promote peace, sustainable development, democracy, transparency and good governance. The Government of Kenya, through the Communications Commission of Kenya (CCK), is one of DSF’s founding members. .DSF PROJECTS: As a financing foundation, DSF does not establish large infrastructure, but subsidizes community-based projects, within the framework of a given national policy with a view to creating new activities, new jobs and, in the long term, new markets. The DSF works in partnership with institutions and programmes, thus capitalizing on their networks and know how in responding to local development needs pertaining to the ICT sector. Based on clearly defined criteria, the DSF supports three main areas of activity: i. Education, professional training and health ii. ICT support services to local administration iii. Creation of new activities, new employment, new revenue and new markets The DSF, through the CCK, is inviting interested organizations to submit ICT related project proposals, for funding consideration. To be eligible for DSF funding, the projects must: i. aim at developing good use of ICTs within local communities excluded from information and communication networks; ii. be a community development project making use of information technology, amounting to less than 500,000 euros, over one or several years, in the framework of Kenya’s national policy and addressing the insolvent demand; iii. be adapted to the real needs of the population and conditions in the field, respectful to local know-how and readily replicable in other communities. iv. be based on public sector/private sector/civil society partnerships, ensure traceability of its financial backing and benefit from at least one other source of financing. v. Target in priority women’s associations or groups with groups with specific needs (youth, people with disabilities, etc) ; vi. involve south-south cooperation; vii. Not entail the acquisition or creation of large and expensive infrastructures; viii. Operate and be supervised by recognized organizations in the field of development management; ix. Already have been subject to a feasibility study evaluating the project’s risks and opportunities; x. Develop local content to meet the needs of local populations; xi. Make use, when possible, of micro-credit strategies in order to promote local entrepreneurial spirit; Interested organizations with projects that meet the specified requirements are invited to download the DSF application forms from the CCK website www.cck.go.ke or collect the forms from the Competition, Tariffs and Market Analysis (CTMA) Division of the Commission on weekdays during official working hours. . Duly completed forms should be submitted together with the relevant documents in a plain sealed envelope, clearly marked – ‘ICT Project Proposal for DSF Funding’ – through the address below or placed in the Tender Box situated on the ground floor of the CCK Headquarter building so as to reach on or before 30th November 2006. The Commission will subsequently forward the proposals to the Digital Solidarity Fund for consideration. DSF will contact the selected firms directly. The Director-General Communications Commission of Kenya P.O. Box 14448 Nairobi 00800 Tel: +254 20 4242000 Fax: +254 20 4451866 Email: info(a)cck.go.ke For more details about DSF please visit their website: www.digital-solidarity.org A. Wanjira Munyua National Coordinator, Catalysing Access to ICTs in Africa (CATIA) Association for Progressive Communications (APC) alice(a)apc.org http://www.apc.org http://www.catia.ws

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Re: [Kictanet] [Fibre-for-africa] Whats i have being talking of as a public private partnership in ownership of the critical infrastructur
by Bill Kagai 28 Nov '06

28 Nov '06

Trading in one stock exchange does not complicate matters because institutional/foreign investors can still buy shares through the NSE. One good thing is that the NSE is the dominant exchange in EA with 51 listed companies and 3 or so cross listed in Dar and Kampala. Kampala has only 8 quoted companies and about a similar number in Dar which will soon be trading under one exchange in a couple of years. The other interesting challenge will be how the stock is embraced considering that the only IT stock ever listed (African Lakes) collapsed after a while, whilst the anticipated Wananchi IPO has not taken off yet. Basically, we are yet to see how the market will react to IT related stocks. See the following links on the pilot stock-detective.co.ke website we have been developing. http://www.stock-detective.co.ke and also on a discussion posted regarding Telkom upcoming listing.. http://www.stock-detective.co.ke/public-discussion-forum/public-discussion-… -- -- With Kind Regards, Bildad Kagai MD - Circuits & Packets Communications Ltd Content & Training Partner - JKUAT E-Government Academy Suite B2, Tetu Apartments, State House Avenue P. O. Box 20311 - 00200 Nairobi, Kenya Tel. 254 20 2728332 Fax. 254 20 2726965 Cell. 254 724 226600 URL. www.circuitspackets.co.ke URL. www.JKUATEgovAcademy.ac.ke <http://www.jkuategovacademy.ac.ke/>

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Fw: [Fibre-for-africa] Whats i have being talking of as a publicprivate partnership in ownership of the critical infrastructur
by alice＠apc.org 27 Nov '06

27 Nov '06

Hi all, Interesting discussions on the APC EASSY list see below. For those not subscribed to this list and would like to participate in the ongoing discussions please let me know best regards alice ----- Original Message ----- From: "Anriette Esterhuysen" <anriette(a)apc.org> To: "APC - Private list for use by EASSY Workshop Participants" <fibre-for-africa(a)lists.apc.org> Sent: Monday, November 27, 2006 10:19 PM Subject: Re: [Fibre-for-africa] Whats i have being talking of as a publicprivate partnership in ownership of the critical infrastructur Dear Eric A group of us APC people actually discussed your idea quite intensively a while ago. The one difference between what is happening here, and what you propose, is that the Kenyan initiative will involve only one stock exchange.... so, if the IPO continues, it will be listed in Kenya... as far as I know. Your proposal would have involved the 'entity' listing on multiple stock exchanges.... that would have been much more complicated. Seeing these new financial models emerge is very interesting. And it does feel a bit like a race... whose cable will light up first? Who will sell the cheapest bandwidth? Any bets? Anriette > Folks, > > Below is exactly what i have being chanting as a way forward in the > ownership of the infrastructure; The Kenya Government will have a 40 > per cent holding in the project, Etisalat 20% and the remaining 40% > will go to investors in the East African region. The Government has > said it will organise an IPO on the Kenyan Stock Exchange. Several > Kenyan companies have expressed interest and one said that the > Government had told them it would "guarantee their loan". The > details of the finance package have not yet been settled but it is > unclear where the Kenyan Government will raise its 40% from. Will the > World Bank simply shift a portion of its EASSy funding to the new > project as many think likely? > > NB; From this week's Balancing Act, full story below for your > pleasure. > > Thank God the Kenya are experimenting with this approach where > government owns part, private sector owns part, educational > institutions should also own part, CSO owns part through IPO on the > stock market. > > The Kenya government can actually raise the 40% from government bonds > and am not an expert on the stock market discipline of shares or > bonds but this is where the financial experts need to come out with > innovative solutions that can help raise much of this money locally > and it is possible. > > In the attached paper which is an output of the great work Rahul > Tongia did with some colleagues and little input from me, it is clear > that we could actually wire Africa up with fiber to the most > population densed centres for a billion dollars whcih means if every > African put a dollar on the table we could wire Africa up with fiber > and 50 percent of that dark fiber already exist - what does that mean > to you as an African? > > > You Kenyans are showing the way and even it it does not work you > would be know for showing us how this model is not workable and then > we can try another. We Africans must try new ways of doing these > things and make our own mistakes and find our own solutions to our > problems but learn to avoid the mistakes of the Americans, Europeans > and Asians. Thank God for this BOLD move, it is commendable. > > > TOP STORY: KENYA BEGINS THE COUNTDOWN TO CHEAP INTERNATIONAL FIBRE > _____________________________________________________________________ > > It´s like waiting for a matatu. You wait for ages and none come > along. But just when you´re about to give up hope, three come along > at the same time, all trying to come to a screaming halt in front of > you. Kenya now has three (or more) potential international fibre > projects that could be complete within 12 months. Each one is loudly > proclaiming that it will deliver cheap international bandwidth. > Russell Southwood took the temperature in the market last week about > what the impact of this bandwidth will be upon the market. > > The Kenya Government has signed an MOU to build a fibre link to > Fujairah > in the UAE currently costed at Ksh5.7 billion. The construction and > supply contract will be awarded early next year and the project, > dubbed The East African Marine System (Teams), will be ready by > November, according to a joint statement issued by both parties from > Dubai. Many in the sector believe that it will be more like 19 months > or more before completion. > > The Kenya Government will have a 40 per cent holding in the project, > Etisalat 20% and the remaining 40% will go to investors in the East > African region. The Government has said it will organise an IPO on the > Kenyan Stock Exchange. Several Kenyan companies have expressed > interest and one said that the Government had told them it would > "guarantee their loan". The details of the finance package have > not yet been settled but it is unclear where the Kenyan Government > will raise its 40% from. Will the World Bank simply shift a portion of > its EASSy funding to the new project as many think likely? > > The Government´s commitment to a 12 month schedule is a bold move > but one that must lay them open to a certain amount of scepticism. The > tender for expressions of interest was only issued 2 weeks ago and > Government timetabling is notoriously slow compared to the private > sector. Apparently the Private Secretary has been telling interested > parties that the Government wants prices comparable to those to be > found in India in 12 months time. This benchmark has been set in order > that Kenya will be able to compete in the international outsourcing > market. > > Apparently a number of interested parties said that they would put up > all the money to build it if they could have a monopoly and he sent > them away disappointed. But more worryingly one interested party told > us that it could only get involved if it also allowed Telkom Kenya to > be a shareholder. > > The next international fibre project is KDN´s and it has now signed > its contract with Flag Telecom. Its link from Mombasa will terminate > in an undersea junction in international waters off of the Yemen. It > says the link will be fully operational in the first quarter of 2008, > just 15 months away. The company believes that it will come to market > with capacity at $500 per mbps pm but that the price of bandwidth will > go up to those wanting to invest as time passes. In other words, for > those who commit early prices will be lowest and for those who come in > late, prices will go higher. It also stresses that its landing station > at Mombasa will allow other carriers to co-locate there charging only > electricity and services at cost. > > So this leaves the third project EASSy looking as if it will be the > third runner. NEPAD appears to have made little more progress on > persuading more African Governments to sign its political protocol. > And whilst the members of the EASSy consortium (that still includes > KDN and Telkom Kenya) are still moving things forward, there remains a > disconnect between the political and commercial ends of the project. > If both of the above projects go ahead, there is clearly much less > need to build the Mombasa-Djibouti section of the route and it has to > be said that both of the above projects have better international > connection points. > > As if three were not enough, Ethiopia´s ETC has now had its > international fibre connection working effectively for two months via > Port Sudan and Saudi Arabia. But because it is landlocked and it had > endless fruitless arguments with Djibouti Telecom over control of a > possible fibre link, it wants to find a second international fibre > connection. Therefore it is in serious conversations with both of > Kenya´s fibre network operators about connecting to the Mombasa > links when they are ready. If this goes ahead, both it and Kenya will > then have two international fibre links. > > Because the process of getting the international fibre to Kenya has > been both confusing and "on-off", everyone in the market > (including customers) have understandably not really grasped the > impact of its arrival on their businesses. Until now ISPs and > satellite resellers have largely been in the businesses of living on > the margin they make between buying and selling bandwidth. > > These margins have been kept high as they have concentrated on selling > to comparatively few customers. Ironically it has been a high-price, > low volume business where their primary commodity - bandwidth - > has always been in short supply, not least because some of them > increased their margin by contending it as much as possible. This has > meant that bandwidth quality is often variable at best for those not > paying "top dollar" for a premium service. > > If you argue that international fibre prices should be low price, high > volume, then the national business model changes: what´s sauce for > the goose is sauce for the gander. Bandwidth becomes cheap and > plentiful at a sub $1000 threshold. The margins that can then be > charged make it difficult for those who are not operating at volume to > stay in business. > > However it does now open up opportunities for new services, content > and applications that can be sold to customers who should now be > paying European prices for real broadband connections (1-2 meg > upwards) rather than the paltry 64 kbps they are currently receiving. > There are at least 500,000 households in Kenya that are at an income > level that make them potential targets for broadband. It would take > only half of those households to sign up for there to be the > beginnings of a very different market. > > The real sign that the market has not "got it" is that some key > ISPs are not passing on the information about these soon-to-be cheap > prices but are seeking to protect their high margins by telling > customers higher prices. A heads-up, guys. The sector is a village and > news will get round quickly and we´ll encourage the circulation of > this price information. The market´s about to change, get ready to > change with it. > > At the national level, there is now a third source of fibre capacity. > Jamii Telecommunications has signed an agreement with the Kenya Light > and Power Company (KPLC) to sell an STM1´s worth of its fibre > capacity in Nairobi and Mombasa, with KPLC saying that it will triple > its capacity shortly. Two other companies - CTN and Cable Vision - > have been granted a licence to sell KPLC´s capacity and it is > telling (in terms of the argument above) that both are in the video > download and pay-TV business. Not so far afield, Tanzanian power > utility TANESCO is currently building out fibre capacity and has > invited bids to sell this capacity. Again KDN is poised to make a > fibre connection to Tanzania. > > However a recent ping on the Kampala-Nairobi route shows that neither > KDN nor Telkom Kenya has got its fibre route operational. KDN is > promising it will be operational by the end of first quarter 2007 and > that prices will be 20% cheaper. > > Elsewhere in the market, the new VoIP operators are finding it > difficult > to get interconnection agreements and to get proper service from > interconnect service providers. Telkom Kenya is charging absurdly high > prices but has at least reached interconnect agreements. Nevertheless > the new fixed wireless operators - Flashcom and Popote - are > having difficulties: customers are unable to receive or make calls to > certain countries. Apparently anyone who calls a customer number of > these fixed wireless operators from Germany gets a number > unobtainable. > > Access Kenya´s Yello VoIP service has been aimed at corporates and > has attracted 250 customers who generate 120,000 minutes a month. But > it has had difficulty getting interconnection agreements with the > mobile operators. It made a complaint to regulator CCK in April and > became so frustrated that it said it would run an advertisement > publicising the position. Safaricom came back to the table but Celtel > refuses to enter discussions, saying that it will do so in its own > time. > > Kenyan ISPs are under heavy pressure from all the new operators. > Flashcom and Popote are taking more money from data than voice at the > moment as customers are primarily signing up for cheaper Internet > access. Also the introduction of EDGE services by Safaricom is eating > into their high-end customers: one ISP´s CEO admitted privately that > he was losing hundreds of customers a month to these new competitors. > The challenge for everyone in the market will be whether they can take > the soon-to-arrive cheaper international bandwidth and use it to > transform the market. > > > Eric M.K Osiakwan > Executive Secretary > AfrISPA (www.afrispa.org) > Tel: + 233.21.258800 > 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" > > > > > ------------------------------------------------------ Anriette Esterhuysen, Executive Director Association for Progressive Communications anriette(a)apc.org http://www.apc.org PO Box 29755, Melville, South Africa. 2109 Tel. 27 11 726 1692 Fax 27 11 726 1692 _______________________________________________ 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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Call for Participation: AITEC's Wireless Broadband Africa conference 29Nov-1Dec 2006 Hilton Hotel
by alice＠apc.org 27 Nov '06

27 Nov '06

Dear KICTAnet members KICTAnet member, AITEC Kenya has made available some spaces for KICTAnet's participation at the wireless broadband conference taking place at the Hilton Hotel in Nairobi from 29th November to 1st December 2006. The theme of the conference is "Technologies and strategies to evolve optimised networks" and brings together world leading experts on wireless technologies to share their knowledge and expertise with ICT professionals. . The conference aims at updating knowledge on wireless systems, planning and deployment. Please visit AITEC's website for more information and the programme. www.aitecafrica.com KICTAnet is therefore inviting participation from broad civil society, media, and private sector particularly SME's Please send an offlist message to Evelyne Majale by tomorrow, Tuesday 28th 2006. evelyneofwona(a)yahoo.com Tel: +254 020 4453671/2 best regards alice

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