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more on the cable
by Rebecca Wanjiku 04 Jul '07

04 Jul '07

Private sector begins mapping for seabed cable Lesley Stones http://www.businessday.co.za/articles/technology.aspx?ID=BD4A503649 WHILE progress on a government-backed undersea cable to boost Africa's bandwidth remains embroiled in political bickering, private investors constructing a rival cable have begun mapping out the ocean bed ready to start installation. Work has begun on the Seacom cable connecting SA to Mozambique, Madagascar, Tanzania and Kenya. It will then be linked to global networks in India, the Middle East and Europe. The marine surveying is being carried out by Tyco Telecommunications, a pioneer in undersea communications technology that has designed and installed more than 80 undersea systems. Tyco's survey vessel, the Fugro Gauss, arrived in Durban on June 17 and was due to set off yesterday to begin assessing the 13000km route along the east coast of Africa. The $300m project is being led by Herakles Telecom, but its vice- president, Brian Herlihy, has declined to identify other private investors backing the venture. "The arrival of the Fugro Gauss in the Durban harbour to start the marine survey, which precedes the construction of the Seacom cable, is a reassurance to the African communities which we serve of our commitment to construction deadlines," said Herlihy. Seacom's fibreoptic link is due to go live early in 2009 and promises cheap, high-capacity bandwidth for national carriers, broadcasters, and education and research networks. "East and South African user demand for international bandwidth, whether for business, institution or individual use, has greatly surpassed the existing supply," said Herlihy. "Seacom, as an international submarine cable system, will provide significant supply at affordable prices. "The system will deliver infrastructure support for the growth of the information and communication technology sector, in particular business process outsourcing, call centres, pharmaceutical research industries and education networks." The Indian Ocean's African seabed is the only one in the world without a fibreoptic cable, forcing Africa to rely heavily on expensive satellite links and to route calls between neighbouring countries via Europe. Earlier this year, Associated Press quoted Herlihy as saying: "We think that the high price of satellite communication is creating an artificially low demand market and, because of that, we think there is pent-up demand." Less progress has been made with the East African Submarine System (Eassy), a 9900km fibreoptic line supposed to link SA to Sudan. Last week, Parliament ratified the broadband protocol of the New Partnership for Africa's Development (Nepad), effectively imposing political power over the Eassy project, even though the $300m cable is being funded by the private sector. The Democratic Alliance voted against ratification, with spokeswoman Dene Smuts opposing the move to hijack Eassy and fold it into the Nepad initiative. This will give the government representatives a golden share and veto rights. The Eassy project has been held up since 2002 by wrangling over its funding and ownership, and by political intervention to make sure its bandwidth is not kept artificially expensive by the telecom operators investing in it. -- Tel. 254 720 318 925 blog:http://beckyit.blogspot.com/ --------------------------------- Pinpoint customers who are looking for what you sell.

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Questions??
by Alex Gakuru 03 Jul '07

03 Jul '07

[Huh! More deals when Kenyans have the money to pay twice the value of Telkom's 14 billion worth. Logic would have expected they be given the first option to buy Telkom, sack political appointees that have run it down and return excellent profits using cheap mobile CDMA than Safaricom subsidiary. BTW: How does Safaricom take billions to its ghost shareholders? Curious deals coming at election years, Who knows maybe they privatised the government a long time ago? Perhaps also to expect more bizzareness on "Rural Connectivity" because it sounds "government caring"?] ---- [Business Daily] "BT emerges frontrunner in race to buy Telkom" 03-July-2007: Written by Michael Omondi People close to the matter told the Business Daily that senior officials from BT and Libyan investors on Friday met top Treasury and Ministry of Communication officials to work out the deals finer details. Treasury estimates the stake to be worth Sh5.6 billion meaning that Telkom Kenya is now valued at Sh14 billion. <http://www.bdafrica.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1749&Item…> ----- "Success of KenGen IPO boost to capital markets" By KARIUKI NDUNGU The Ken-Gen initial public offering (IPO) has been oversubscribed by more than Sh18.2 billion, the government said last week. The IPO, which has ignited Kenyas capital markets, will somewhat disappoint thousands of investors who will have their money refunded. The government was expecting to raise Sh7.8 billion, but Kenyans proved that they had what it takes to raise equity and offered the government more than what it bargained for. ...... The response to the IPO was overwhelming, attracting an estimated 280,000 applications representing more than Sh2 billion shares worth an estimated Sh26 billion as per the data processed to date.... http://www.timesnews.co.ke/02may06/business/buns2.html Where is Parliamentary select Committee on telecommunications? Please do not wait to "investigate" years later when it is already too late? ____________________________________________________________________________________ Be a better Globetrotter. Get better travel answers from someone who knows. Yahoo! Answers - Check it out. http://answers.yahoo.com/dir/?link=list&sid=396545469

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Lighter bread now 150 per cent of pre-NARC prices
by Alex Gakuru 02 Jul '07

02 Jul '07

Jeez! It's worse that I thought about bread. "Price of bread goes up as its weight falls" <http://www.nationmedia.com/dailynation/nmgcontententry.asp?category_id=3&ne…> Making one ask why "The State will in addition use Sh70 million to spur the growth of business processing and outsourcing (BPO) and another Sh140 million to set up an ICT advisory board." This Board is twice as important at the work that will be done (by the usual suspects?) <http://www.eastandard.net/archives/index.php?mnu=details&id=1143970432&cati…> Internet cost will not drop much even after the cable connect Kenya. Private interest will ensure high prices remain. Brace yourselves for expensive internet for the next 20 years (lifespan of fibre cable) Despite Kimunya's 600 billion annual budget, government cannot afford TEAMS US$ 100 million (shs 7 billion) and they are looking for private investors under "PPP". GoK can/should construct the whole cable and ask CCK to determine "Open Access" tariffs to save 20-year price Kenyans will pay to these private entities. It does not add up! But you see, Kimunya can afford a paltry 1 billion to the project 1 billion to the youth and 2 billion to women? (with UN's, total package for women 7 billion and thanks all now men also want an equal 5 billion to maintain gender parity) TEAMS could end up "the long cable lie" and costly to future commissions of inquiry. Have I provoked why consumer protection threatens National(s) interests? Rattling mean anti-consumer protection "over-dogs" is serious business deserving innovative advocacy. Haki Kenya kuna matata mingi. ____________________________________________________________________________________ Shape Yahoo! in your own image. Join our Network Research Panel today! http://surveylink.yahoo.com/gmrs/yahoo_panel_invite.asp?a=7

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Noam Chomsky and the Struggle Against Neoliberalism
by Alex Gakuru 30 Jun '07

30 Jun '07

Taking a break from ICT websites.... http://www.chomsky.info/onchomsky/19990401.htm Neoliberalism is the defining political economic paradigm of our time - it refers to the policies and processes whereby a relative handful of private interests are permitted to control as much as possible of social life in order to maximize their personal profit. Associated initially with Reagan and Thatcher, neoliberalism has for the past two decades been the dominant global political economic trend adopted by political parties of the center, much of the traditional left, and the right. These parties and the policies they enact represent the immediate interests of extremely wealthy investors and less than one thousand large corporations. Aside from some academics and members of the business community, the term neoliberalism is largely unknown and unused by the public at large, especially in the United States. There, to the contrary, neoliberal initiatives are characterized as free market policies that encourage private enterprise and consumer choice, reward personal responsibility and entrepreneurial initiative, and undermine the dead hand of the incompetent, bureaucratic, and parasitic government, which can never do good (even when well intentioned, which it rarely is). A generation of corporate-financed public relations efforts has given these terms and ideas a near-sacred aura. As a result, these phrases and the claims they imply rarely require empirical defense, and are invoked to rationalize anything from lowering taxes on the wealthy and scrapping environmental regulations to dismantling public education and social welfare programs. Indeed, any activity that might interfere with corporate domination of society is automatically suspect because it would impede the workings of the free market, which is advanced as the only rational, fair, and democratic allocator of goods and services. At their most eloquent, proponents of neoliberalism sound as if they are doing poor people, the environment, and everybody else a tremendous service as they enact policies on behalf of the wealthy few. The economic consequences of these policies have been the same just about everywhere, and exactly what one would expect: a massive increase in social and economic inequality, a marked increase in severe deprivation for the poorest nations and peoples of the world, a disastrous global environment, an unstable global economy, and an unprecedented bonanza for the wealthy. Confronted with these facts, defenders of the neoliberal order claim that the spoils of the good life will invariably spread to the broad mass of the population - as long as the neoliberal policies that exacerbated these problems are not interfered with by anyone! In the end, proponents of neoliberalism cannot and do not offer an empirical defense for the world they are making. To the contrary, they offer - no, demand - a religious faith in the infallibility of the unregulated market, drawing upon nineteenth century theories that have little connection to the actual world. The ultimate trump card for the defenders of neoliberalism, however, is that there is no alternative. Communist societies, social democracies, and even modest social welfare states like the United States have all failed, the neoliberals proclaim, and their citizens have accepted neoliberalism as the only feasible course. It may well be imperfect, but it is the only economic system possible. Earlier in the twentieth century some critics called fascism "capitalism with the gloves off," meaning that fascism was pure capitalism without democratic rights and organizations. In fact, we know that fascism is vastly more complex than that. Neoliberalism, on the other hand, is indeed "capitalism with the gloves off." It represents an era in which business forces are stronger and more aggressive, and face less organized opposition than ever before. In this political climate they attempt to codify their political power and enact their vision on every possible front. As a result, business is increasingly difficult to challenge, and civil society (nonmarket, noncommercial, and democratic forces) barely exists at all...... ____________________________________________________________________________________ Sick sense of humor? Visit Yahoo! TV's Comedy with an Edge to see what's on, when. http://tv.yahoo.com/collections/222

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Looking for Vision 2030..??
by Bill Kagai 29 Jun '07

29 Jun '07

If you have been searching for this document on the net, then look no further, it is now available in Nigeria and they are discussing it in blogs. Scroll down to the bottom where the duscussion is posted after the Nairobi fotos we take for granted!!! http://www.nairaland.com/nigeria/topic-51356.0.html -- -- Bildad Kagai MD - MediaCorp Limited Nairobi Stock Exchange [NSE] - Authorised Information Vendor Suite B2 Tetu Apartments StateHouse Avenue P. O. Box 20311-00200 Tel. 254 20 272 8332 Fax. Rendered Obsolete URL. www.mediacorp.co.ke --

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report, re-sent
by Rebecca Wanjiku 29 Jun '07

29 Jun '07

i have re sent the report just incase it did not open first time regards becky 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.

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Fw: [gu-new] (06/26/07) ICT-Learn2007 Conference in Cairo, Egypt and our final paper
by Florence Etta 29 Jun '07

29 Jun '07

fyi sorry for crossposting. 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 ___________________________________________________________ Copy addresses and emails from any email account to Yahoo! Mail - quick, easy and free. http://uk.docs.yahoo.com/trueswitch2.html

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Communication Tariffs
by Alex Gakuru 29 Jun '07

29 Jun '07

> --- Barrack Otieno <otieno.barrack(a)gmail.com> wrote: > >its in order to give CCK and the rest of the Mobile >Sector players a pat on the back the tariffs have >reduced considerably in the last months. there is >increased competition due to Introduction of new Value >added Services, so far i guess CCK is doing fine [not quite so and beware of telcos' reinvigorated PR campaigns and advertisement assault. Only comparative, data based (NOT perception oriented) regulatory intervention can ensure "fair play". Remember the absence of war does not mean "prevailing peace and harmony". Thank though the democratic space lending consumer complaints an ear. The more consumers complain the less hilly and more flat the world gets.] [EASTANDARD] "Mobile telephone charges likely to fall again, PS says" By Tom Mogusu [snip] The Government has commissioned a study on mobile telephone industrys tariff and taxation levels in what is hoped would trigger a decline in the cost of calling. Permanent Secretary for Information and Communication, Dr Bitange Ndemo said this was response to public demand that taxes on use of mobile telephones be lowered. He said Treasury is under pressure to lower tariff levels for mobile calls. "We are expecting more changes in this sector over the coming year because Government will launch a taskforce to investigate the costs of mobile calls." "There is an expectation that the tariff levels will drop further," he said. http://eastandard.net/hm_news/news.php?articleid=1143970580&catid=14 [snip] ------------ [DAILY NATION] Cutting edge Story by Watchman Publication Date: 6/27/2007 One report says Kenyans are becoming poorer. Another says the economy is booming, and companies are announcing profits in billions of shillings, notes Morrison Muleri. But ironically, he says, the banks, oil companies, Safaricom and others serve a wide spectrum of Kenyans, millions of whom survive on less than Sh100 a day. His biggest grouse is that Kenyan firms charge more than what is paid for similar services in wealthy America. He poses: Is it morally right to make huge profits from the poor who have no choice? <http://www.nationmedia.com/dailynation/nmgcontententry.asp?premiumid=0&cate…> --------- LETTERS Safaricom can do more for the poor Publication Date: 6/27/2007 Safaricoms huge Sh17 billion profit for last year is good news to the owners but ordinary subscribers have nothing to smile about. The profit should have been ploughed back into the economy for citizens to benefit. CEO Michael Joseph should not boast of hefty profits when the firm is not doing enough to uplift the lives of Kenyans. Safaricom must come up with initiatives to help the Government eradicate poverty and boost health and education projects. It should launch programmes to spur development. Small reductions in call and SMS rates are not enough. DENNIS ODHIAMBO, Kisumu. <http://www.nationmedia.com/dailynation/nmgcontententry.asp?premiumid=0&cate…> ____________________________________________________________________________________Ready for the edge of your seat? Check out tonight's top picks on Yahoo! TV. http://tv.yahoo.com/

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Another 'IGADD' plans bringing broadband to everyone
by Alex Gakuru 28 Jun '07

28 Jun '07

Investor Group Against Digital Divide (IGADD) is conceived as a global coalition of investor institutions, now in formation, whose purpose is to close the Digital Divide. It aims to recruit onto its advisory board the chairmen of the worlds major global technology corporations operating in emerging markets. On top of its agenda is high-speed internet: to reduce the alarming disparity in broadband penetration. Some countries give their citizens full access to the powerful learning experiences made possible by fast internet. Other countries isolate themselves and their citizens by making the internet unavailable, too expensive and unreliable. Broadband, increasingly, is the precondition of anyones empowerment in todays global age. It could be called a fundamental human right for the 21st Century. http://www.digitaldivide.org/dd/igadd.html ____________________________________________________________________________________ Shape Yahoo! in your own image. Join our Network Research Panel today! http://surveylink.yahoo.com/gmrs/yahoo_panel_invite.asp?a=7

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Re: [kictanet] Is 999 a local BPO opp?-beyond the BPO
by John Walubengo 28 Jun '07

28 Jun '07

Actually am for the idea...and understand perfectly well the front-end (customer-focus) capability the local BPO (call center) would offer these utilities. However, the moral of my story was that an efficient front-end would be quickly be frustrated by an in-efficient and sometimes non-existent back-end (supplier of services). In other words, all our BPO strategies must recognise our inadequacies precisely in some of the services u mention (the value chain) and ugrade them accordingly...preferably before the famous fiber-cables hit our shores. I think it was KenCall or another local BPO that said how their Operational Expenditure is increased simply because they have to meet the extra cost of security(guards), transport(taxi) and power (generators) - thinks that investors in other economies rarely bother to think about. walu. --- Michuki Mwangi <michuki(a)kenic.or.ke> wrote: > Walu, > > > In addition, its not just about reporting crime. How > about domestic > accidents and incidents that require either ambulances, > directions on > first aid/CPR to save a life, fire brigade services etc. > > In essence, i dont think all functions of the 'emergency > services' > should be crippled based on the 'non-responsive' nature > of one > supporting element (i.e police). > > Just an opinion. > > Regards, > > John Walubengo wrote: > > Michuki, > > > > the problem with our 999 is complex. Apart from the > fact > > that it rarely works (goes thro), i suspect that if it > did > > go thro' it may not make a difference. > > > > Imagine u r being attacked by Mungikis at your > residence, u > > pick up your phone, dial 999 or 911 and the local BPO > > provider efficiently links to your nearest police > station. > > > > Its only early evening (8.30pm) and you feel lucky as > the > > Policeman at the other end picks up the phone...but > then > > you realise your luck is out because he says, he has no > > fuel and/or a car to bring his 'mboys' to your > rescue...u > > suddenly realise your problem was much bigger than the > BPO > > - local or otherwise. > > > > walu. > > > > --- Michuki Mwangi <michuki(a)kenic.or.ke> wrote: > > > >> There has always been complains and concerns raised on > >> the emergency > >> service numbers 999. As a result, the enterprising > >> Kenyan's amongst us > >> have opted to provide similar emergency numbers that > come > >> at a fee to > >> its subscribers i.e the 911 service. > >> > >> On the other hand, we are seeking to provide BPO for > >> multi-nationals and > >> others at significant investment costs. While i > support > >> the initiative > >> and its opportunities, i believe we also need to > review > >> the local > >> opportunities for outsourcing that may come with a > less > >> 'investment > >> price tag'. With this in mind is the 999 service which > is > >> a national > >> service to 32M plus Kenyans ... that would probably be > >> the largest call > >> center. > >> > >> If this was to work am would be certain most of the > other > >> call center > >> requiring service providers would follow suit. > >> > >> Regards, > >> > >> -- > >> Michuki Mwangi > >> KENIC > >> > >> _______________________________________________ > >> kictanet mailing list > >> kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > >> http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > >> > >> This message was sent to: jwalu(a)yahoo.com > >> Unsubscribe or change your options at > >> > > > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/jwalu%40yahoo.com > > > > > > > > > > > ____________________________________________________________________________________ > > Building a website is a piece of cake. Yahoo! Small > Business gives you all the tools to get online. > > http://smallbusiness.yahoo.com/webhosting > > > > > > -- > Michuki Mwangi > KENIC > ____________________________________________________________________________________ Choose the right car based on your needs. Check out Yahoo! Autos new Car Finder tool. http://autos.yahoo.com/carfinder/

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