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Safaricom Points to Porting Anomalies, Seeks Quick Resolution by Regulator
by muriuki mureithi 12 Apr '11

12 Apr '11

@SafaricomLtd: Safaricom Points to Porting Anomalies, Seeks Quick Resolution by Regulator: http://bit.ly/iejzoq Shared via Tweetcaster Muriuki Mureithi Consultant member. Society of telecommunications consultants Summit Strategies ltd Www.summitstrategies.co.ke Sent from my Samsung Mobile

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Re: [kictanet] EMS Services - The Lethargy (Final Update)
by Odhiambo Washington 12 Apr '11

12 Apr '11

On Tue, Apr 12, 2011 at 13:47, Odhiambo Washington <odhiambo(a)gmail.com>wrote: > I hope EMS Kenya <http://www.emskenya.co.ke/> is not part of the Postal > Services Corporation for which Bobby Yawe is pushing to be appointed as > Director General (or is it Postmaster General) because if it is, then > surely, Maj. General (Rtd) should really be deployed elsewhere and let Bobby > take over the running of that corporation. > > Sample this: > > I have this gift I'd like to send to my friend in Oz (Australia). It weighs > only 900g (0.9kg). > I have made several inquiries and found that EMS Kenya have very > competitive rates, so I decided I'd like to use them to deliver this > package. Never mind that my informers tell me the parcels take at least a > month to arrive! > [cut the long story short] As I promised to update, I have just received the magic call from the EMS Operations Centre. The gentleman has informed me that he was unable to locate 2Kg Bumba Box from any of their branches. I wish these guys could do two things: 1. Realize that efficiency in service delivery will make us get out of the "third world" classification into the 2nd or 1st 2. That it's only us (read the service delivery agents) who can make (1) happen. We keep talking about efficient services in the West, yet we see why ours are sluggish and do nothing about it, like this Head of marketing! The gift cost me (so far) KES 10k. DHL will charge me KES 10,511 for 1kg while UPS will charge me KES 8,157. I wouldn't mind EMS charging me KES 4,900+VAT even if the package arrives after 1 month, for it's not medicine, but there you go! DHL and UPS are all non-Kenyan companies. Now you can see why we require International Aid to develop ourselves!! My next stop in this route is to call the Postmaster General to tell me why things are like this, since he's being paid to deliver a service to Kenyans. -- Best regards, Odhiambo WASHINGTON, Nairobi,KE +254733744121/+254722743223 _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Damn!!

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EMS Services - The Lethargy
by Odhiambo Washington 12 Apr '11

12 Apr '11

I hope EMS Kenya <http://www.emskenya.co.ke/> is not part of the Postal Services Corporation for which Bobby Yawe is pushing to be appointed as Director General (or is it Postmaster General) because if it is, then surely, Maj. General (Rtd) should really be deployed elsewhere and let Bobby take over the running of that corporation. Sample this: I have this gift I'd like to send to my friend in Oz (Australia). It weighs only 900g (0.9kg). I have made several inquiries and found that EMS Kenya have very competitive rates, so I decided I'd like to use them to deliver this package. Never mind that my informers tell me the parcels take at least a month to arrive! Now, my process started by wanting to know why EMS Kenya, on their Bumba Box Rates<http://www.emskenya.co.ke/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=33&Item…>service, does not have options for 500g and 1000g like other courier services do. For starters, it was not easy to find the phone contacts for their Nairobi "office" on their website. It's not listed. So I called one of the listed offices (KSM) and was given the contact number for Nairobi branch. I called and sought to know why they don't have the 0.5kg and 1kg boxes and I was referred to the office of the Head of Marketing. She told me that it's just that the Bumba Box Rates were designed like that! She did not appear to take seriously my suggestion that having those two added to the package might lead to more uptake of the service. He suggestion was that I can use their "normal security envelope". If you have looked at the Bumba Box Rates<http://www.emskenya.co.ke/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=33&Item…>, you'll see that my package falls within the 2kg category. This costs KES 4,900+VAT to send to Oz. On the other hand, their "normal security envelop" charges KES 4,015+VAT for 1kg to the same destination. I therefore find it cost effective to find more money to buy additional gifts, so that my package weight can come upto 2kg or thereabouts, and send it using the Bumba Box. However, as it stands now (and as it has been for some time now, based on what the Head of Marketing told me) they DO NOT have the Bumba Boxes at the moment!!!! Reason? The supplier has been promising to deliver the boxes for quite sometime now, but hasn't. When I suggested to her to just tell this supplier to F*** off (sorry for the vulgar language) and get a different one, she informed me that it's only their Procurement Department who can do that. I then remembered the bureaucracy and the accompanying lethargy in the once KPT&C. Kumbe haiishi!!! She (very honestly) knows that they have not had these Bumba Boxes for some time now, and could not give me any time frames (even a week) within which these boxes could arrive. Now, I just wonder, what is she "Head of Marketing" for if she has no power to "push" the Procurement Depart to "deliver". Does she not take the Procurement Department as contributing to her failure?? How could it be acceptable to hire and maintain staff to run a service that has no legs?? EMS Kenya not having the Bumba Boxes is a lame service to me, even though they have the audacity to tell me that I can use their "normal security envelops". At this point in time, I was given the contacts of some staff at the EMS Centre whom I could talk to in order to get "help". Yes, I will still pay the KES 4,900+VAT, but I have to impress upon this fellow to see if he can retrieve some 2Kg Bumba Box that could be lying somewhere within their network (maybe in Kisumu, Mt. Kenya, Coast, Eastern), for I am sure there must be one still remaining somewhere. If the fellow does me this "favor", I am sure to ultimately send my 2Kgs to Oz. I have my fingers crossed for now, hoping he will manage to "mop up" (as he calls it) one such box and then give me a call so that I can head to their EMS Centre and dispatch my package. I promise to send an update on this. Their logo has this caption: "*Going beyond the extra mile*":) I am sure all of us have seen so many meaningless (since the organizations don't even have a semblance of the same) *Mission statements* and *Vision statements*. They're simply fashionable to have, hanging conspicuously at the reception/lobby area. One more vote for Robert Yawe to take over the running of this sleeping giant. I hope Dr. Ndemo is reading this, and listening too... -- Best regards, Odhiambo WASHINGTON, Nairobi,KE +254733744121/+254722743223 _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Damn!!

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FW: [DigAfrica] Rwanda revokes Rwandatel licence, seeks third mobile phone operator
by Edith Adera 11 Apr '11

11 Apr '11

FYI ________________ Edith Ofwona Adera Senior Program Specialist ICT4D Program and Climate Change & Water Program International Development Research Centre | Centre de recherches pour le développement international Regional Office for Eastern and Southern Africa Tel: +254202713160 | Fax/Téléc: +254202711063 | Skype: edithadera eadera(a)idrc.or.ke<mailto:eadera@idrc.or.ke> | www.idrc.ca<http://www.idrc.ca/> | www.crdi.ca<http://www.crdi.ca/> ________________________________ From: DigAfrica(a)yahoogroups.com [DigAfrica(a)yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of chifu_wa_malindi [chifu2222(a)gmail.com] Sent: 11 April 2011 21:41 To: DigAfrica(a)yahoogroups.com Subject: [DigAfrica] Rwanda revokes Rwandatel licence, seeks third mobile phone operator Rwanda revokes Rwandatel licence, seeks third mobile phone operator By BERNA NAMATA Posted Monday, April 11 2011 at 00:00 Rwanda will issue a new mobile phone operator licence to fill the gap left by Rwandatel whose mobile license was revoked over failure to implement its licence requirements last week. This will be the third time the company is changing ownership since 2005 after Terracom, the American firm that initially took over from the state, also failed to meet its licence obligations. Until last week, the Rwandan telecom industry had three mobile operators — MTN Rwanda, a subsidiary of South African MTN Group; Rwandatel, majority-owned by Libyan consortium LAP Green; and Tigo Rwanda, owned by Millicom International Cellular. Industry analysts say Rwandatel's operations were crippled by mismanagement and the financial difficulties faced by its parent company LAP Green. While LAP committed itself to invest $87 million in the first year, and another $177 million over five years from 2007, industry regulator Rwanda Utilities and Regulatory Agency (Rura) said approximately 40 per cent of this amount was invested in four years. Rwandatel has also been sued by MTN Rwanda over an accumulated interconnection fee estimated at $3 million. Rwandatel's commitments included upgrading the network, but this has not been done for the data and mobile segments, according to Rura. Attempts to reach Rwandatel for a comment were fruitless as the company is neither picking calls nor responding to emails. However, in a recent interview, Rwandatel's communications manager Cleophas Kabasiita told The EastAfrican that the company would appeal against the regulator's notice. "It is a decision the management did not agree with as we felt it was unwarranted and unjust, especially at a time when the quality of our network has improved," she said. But RURA says the decision to revoke Rwandatel's license is final. Though Rwandatel's fixed telephony and Internet services will remain operational, since they are covered by a separate licence, Rura said the tender process for a new mobile operator will begin soon to sustain growth in the industry. "We feel three mobile operators are enough to cover the market but now that we have two, we will have to speed up the process. It should be this year, after consultations with policy makers," Regis Gatarayiha, acting Director General of Rura told The EastAfrican last week. While the country was gearing up for a fourth mobile operator this year, Rura said it has suspended the decision until there is stability in the performance of the market. The country has 32 per cent mobile penetration, the second lowest in the East African Community region after Burundi. Rura said the current mobile phone subscribers is about 3.62 million, out of a population of approximately 9 million people, which is too small to allow the fourth operator. "We think there are things that need to be fixed in this market before we can achieve good penetration rate; we have realised that some companies are not really competing and if competition is not perfect, definitely they are not going to look for the unconnected," Mr Gatarayiha said, adding that the existing telephone companies are fighting over the same market segment in the urban areas. While Rwandatel's exit is expected to have a negative impact on the country's targets of achieving 60 per cent penetration by 2012, Mr Gatarayiha noted that with aggressive competition in the industry, the target can still be achieved. As at September 2010, statistics from Rura showed that Rwandatel had 535,710 subscribers, putting it third behind MTN Rwanda with 2.3 million and Tigo Rwanda, the new market entrant, with 685,000 users. To allow operators to lower prices and deepen mobile penetration, Rura has commissioned a study of the telecommunications industry to propose new interconnection fees. Done by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, the study, financed by the World Bank, is expected to be complete in May. "We see the cost of interconnection as a barrier for operators to be able to price off net tariffs that are affordable to the Rwandan population. Today operators are paying each Rwf40 (less than a dollar) a minute for inter-connection, a figure not based on the actual cost that operators incur," Mr Gatarayiha said. Rura is also considering a framework that will allow operators to share infrastructure in a bid to lower costs. "We think if new entrants were able to access the infrastructures already deployed around the country at a cost, the rollout would move quicker." The regulator has also suspended mobile number portability, a service that was expected to commence this year, to allow operators to consolidate their market share. http://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/business/-/2560/1142008/-/item/1/-/m6406az/… __._,_.___ Reply to sender<mailto:chifu2222@gmail.com?subject=Re%3A%20Rwanda%20revokes%20Rwandatel%20licence%2C%20seeks%20third%20mobile%20phone%20operator%20> | Reply to group<mailto:DigAfrica@yahoogroups.com?subject=Re%3A%20Rwanda%20revokes%20Rwandatel%20licence%2C%20seeks%20third%20mobile%20phone%20operator%20> | Reply via web post<http://groups.yahoo.com/group/DigAfrica/post;_ylc=X3oDMTJwNzhvb2c5BF9TAzk3M…> | Start a New Topic<http://groups.yahoo.com/group/DigAfrica/post;_ylc=X3oDMTJlZ2FtY24yBF9TAzk3M…> Messages in this topic<http://groups.yahoo.com/group/DigAfrica/message/8695;_ylc=X3oDMTM0cXRpYW9nB…> (1) Recent Activity: * New Members<http://groups.yahoo.com/group/DigAfrica/members;_ylc=X3oDMTJmcm1lZThzBF9TAz…> 2 Visit Your Group<http://groups.yahoo.com/group/DigAfrica;_ylc=X3oDMTJlNG1scDFmBF9TAzk3MzU5Nz…> Dig Africa site welcomes you to join us at http://www.yahoogroups.com/group/Digafrica on IT in Africa Feel free to join at our google group digital africa http://groups.google.com/group/digitalafrica Thanks. Chifu Moderator [http://l.yimg.com/a/i/us/yg/logo/us.gif]<http://groups.yahoo.com/;_ylc=X3oDMTJkcmpvMDFrBF9TAzk3MzU5NzE0BGdycElkAzI5M…> Switch to: Text-Only<mailto:DigAfrica-traditional@yahoogroups.com?subject=Change%20Delivery%20Format:%20Traditional>, Daily Digest<mailto:DigAfrica-digest@yahoogroups.com?subject=Email%20Delivery:%20Digest> • Unsubscribe<mailto:DigAfrica-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com?subject=Unsubscribe> • Terms of Use<http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/> . __,_._,___

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Fwd: [Vacancies] Bi-lingual (French-English) webmaster, journalist, operations manager in Accra
by warigia bowman 11 Apr '11

11 Apr '11

Job people might want. ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Africa ICT & Telecom Network <mail(a)ictafrica.ning.com> Date: Mon, Apr 11, 2011 at 6:08 PM Subject: [Vacancies] Bi-lingual (French-English) webmaster, journalist, operations manager in Accra To: "warigia(a)gmail.com" <warigia(a)gmail.com> Africa ICT & Telecom Network <http://ictafrica.ning.com/> An Africa Business Community - www.africabusinesscommunities.com A message to all members of Africa ICT & Telecom Network Africa Business Communities is looking for bi-lingual (French-English): *- webmaster* *- online journalist* *- online operations manager* for the Accra office (Asylum down) Please note that we are looking for people who are *perfect in French* in both *speech* and *writing*. That means that we in fact are looking for: Professionals from Cote d'Ivoire, Benin, Togo, Mali, Senegal or Guinee living in Accra. Applicants must have internet experience. Are you interested? Please send your letter and CV to Isaac Twumasi Quantus - * twumasitq(a)yahoo.com* - CC to *bas(a)africabusinesscommunities.com* *www.africabusinesscommunities.com* Visit Africa ICT & Telecom Network at: http://ictafrica.ning.com/?xg_source=msg_mes_network To control which emails you receive on Africa ICT & Telecom Network, click here<http://ictafrica.ning.com/profiles/profile/emailSettings?xg_source=msg_mes_…>

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Is there an sms blockade by safaricom to Telkom?
by amugambi＠jambo.co.ke 11 Apr '11

11 Apr '11

Hello listers, >From last Friday, at around 4.pm, i have noticed that sms from Safaricom to telkom 020XXX XXXX are not being delivered, (But being charged for of course!!). However the reverse (from 020XXX XXXX are being delivered, and very promptly) All attempts to get an explanation by calling Safaricom Helpline 100 have been futile. Before making a formal complaint the Regulator, is there anyone on this list who can shed light as to what is happening? Regards, Anthony ---------------------------------------------- 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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Fw: [i-network] RE: Kenya Oyeeeeeeee- Number Portability
by Walubengo J 11 Apr '11

11 Apr '11

apologies for cross-posting -FYI. walu. --- On Mon, 4/11/11, John Walubengo <jwalu(a)yahoo.com> wrote: From: John Walubengo <jwalu(a)yahoo.com> Subject: [i-network] RE: Kenya Oyeeeeeeee- Number Portability To: "I-Network Uganda" <i-network(a)dgroups.org> Date: Monday, April 11, 2011, 11:56 AM Interesting perspective...that low uptake of the number portability shouldnt be a concern since it's just an optional service and should be taken anytime at the customer convenience. However for the Kenyan case, where the lead mobile provider Safaricom has enjoyed close to 80% market share for the last 6-7years, number portability was supposed/designed to break this de-facto 'monopoly'. (Un)fortunately this may not come to pass and so the number portability as a regulatory intervention to market imbalances may therefore be considered a failure. If it had been introduced earlier before consumers were deeply rooted into the incumbent leader (through various services options), maybe the impact would have been better. walu. --- On Sun, 4/10/11, Eddie Kibuuka <ekibuuka(a)hotmail.com> wrote: From: Eddie Kibuuka <ekibuuka(a)hotmail.com> Subject: [i-network] RE: Kenya Oyeeeeeeee- Number Portability To: "I-Network Uganda" <i-network(a)dgroups.org> Date: Sunday, April 10, 2011, 12:58 PM @ Walu, why is it unfortunate that the uptake has been low, maybe not that many people see the need to migrate just on a whim as number portability is available... secondly number portability doesn't need to have a right time for implementation, it's just a service which enables subscribers to now move from one operator to another without losing their number, call it a convenience service... you'll never have to needing to send out a change number message to all your contacts. So simply put number portability is like any other service a benefit to only those that require it! From: jwalu(a)yahoo.com Subject: [i-network] Kenya Oyeeeeeeee- Number Portability To: i-network(a)dgroups.org CC: kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke Date: Wed, 6 Apr 2011 18:08:00 +0200 @ Wire, yes, Kenya made the move to number portability on 1st april 2011 (fools day?). Unfortunately the uptake has been poor (only about 400 users have ported accross to other networks todate - 6days later). I had argued earlier in Kenyan lists that Number portability was needed 5yrs ago - when mobile providers only had more or else a single service -voice service on their networks. Today moving away from say Safcom means leaving behind multiple services - most notably MPESA. Ofcourse every provider has their MPESA equivalent but it just is not as widely available (limited agents across the country) and they lack the '1st mover' advantages enjoyed by the bigger player. So in short, number portably is good - But ONLY when you effect it at the right time. Which for Kenya this was about 5yrs ago - before mobile operators became what they are today - a mixture of a bank, an ISP, a payment geteway amongst others things. walu. --- On Wed, 4/6/11, Gwoke Joachim <jowor2002(a)yahoo.com> wrote: From: Gwoke Joachim <jowor2002(a)yahoo.com> Subject: [i-network] Kenya Oyeeeeeeee- Number Portability To: "I-Network Uganda" <i-network(a)dgroups.org> Date: Wednesday, April 6, 2011, 10:00 AM --- On Tue, 4/5/11, James Wire <lunghabo(a)gmail.com> wrote: From: James Wire <lunghabo(a)gmail.com> Subject: [i-network] Kenya Oyeeeeeeee- Number Portability To: "I-Network Uganda" <i-network(a)dgroups.org> Date: Tuesday, April 5, 2011, 1:16 AM Kenya has the led the way and they deserve a pat on the back. That sets the bar or our local telecoms industry too and I am certain that it is just a matter of time before we follow suit in .ug. As the saying goes ' If you dont change, change will change you'. Wire There is always a way to convince the powers that be about the 'security' angle of number portability. Isn't it easier to peg an individual to a number when there is number portability? regards Joachim ________________________ Visit the I-Network website - www.i-network.or.ug Follow I-Network on Twitter: http://twitter.com/inetwork The I-Network Dgroup is a platform for ICT Knowledge Sharing --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Visit [web site]( http://d2.dgroups.org/iicd/i-network/ ) Click [here]( mailto:leave.i-network@dgroups.org ) to unsubscribe The email is intended only for the recipients. The owners of the Dgroups cannot be held responsible for the contents of the email message. Visit the I-Network website - www.i-network.or.ug Follow I-Network on Twitter: http://twitter.com/inetwork The I-Network Dgroup is a platform for ICT Knowledge Sharing Visit web site Click here to unsubscribe The email is intended only for the recipients. The owners of the Dgroups cannot be held responsible for the contents of the email message. Visit the I-Network website - www.i-network.or.ug Follow I-Network on Twitter: http://twitter.com/inetwork The I-Network Dgroup is a platform for ICT Knowledge Sharing Visit web site Click here to unsubscribe The email is intended only for the recipients. The owners of the Dgroups cannot be held responsible for the contents of the email message. Visit the I-Network website - www.i-network.or.ug Follow I-Network on Twitter: http://twitter.com/inetwork The I-Network Dgroup is a platform for ICT Knowledge Sharing Visit web site Click here to unsubscribe The email is intended only for the recipients. The owners of the Dgroups cannot be held responsible for the contents of the email message.

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Pasha Loans Selection Round 1 Completed
by Paul Kukubo 08 Apr '11

08 Apr '11

Listers The Kenya ICT Board PASHA Project has now completed the selection stage for the first phase during which have finalised selection of 37 candidates for issuance of loans. Family Bank will now proceed to notify and negotiate final terms with successful loan applicants. The Board is optimistic that the first successful loan applicant will be issued a cheque just after Easter. For this first round, the 37 successful loan applicants represent 37 constituencies and 24 counties across Kenya. The Loan applicants will be receiving an average of Kshs 1.8m each towards setting up or improving their centres. The money will be disbursed as a loan by Family Bank on the basis of agreed milestones which were set out in the loanees application. Interest rate charged will be 10.5% per annum repayable in 36 months with a 3 months grace period. Between 24th January 2011 when the call for applications was made and 25thFebruary 2011 at the close, Family Bank received 689 applications out of a total of 800 inquiries made. The successfull applicants have demonstrated various business ideas within their proposed Pasha centres ranging from youth training, e-library services, website development, government services facilitation, teacher training, KCPE and KCSE online registrations software development to name a few. Number of successful applicants is breakdown as as follows: - Less than Kshs 1 M, 13 successful loan applicants - Between Kshs 1 and less than 2M, 16 successful loan applicants - From Kshs 2M – 3 M 8 successful loan applicants The Kenya ICT Board is working with all network operators to ensure all centres have access to reliable internet connectivity and have the ability to offer citizens a suite of relevant and compelling services. This is only the first phase of the Pasha Loan scheme; we eventually want to create a Pasha centre in every constituency, likely by end 2011. The Pasha project falls under the Kenya ICT Board’s digital inclusion pillar which aims to increase access to ICTs by citizens across Kenya. It complements the other Kenya ICT Board agenda to stimulate job and wealth creation in ICT through entrepreneurship and is in line with Kenya’s Vision 2030. Paul Kukubo Chief Executive Officer, Kenya ICT Board PO Box 27150 - 00100 Nairobi, Kenya 12th Floor, Teleposta Towers Koinange Street Tel +254 20 2089061, +254 20 2211960 Fax: +254 20 2211962 website: www.ict.go.ke local content project: www.tandaa.co.ke, www.facebook.com/tandaakenya twitter:@tandaaKENYA BPO Project: www. doitinkenya.co.ke Digital Villages Project: www.pasha.co.ke personal contacts _______________ Cell: + 254 717 180001 skype: kukubopaul googletalk: pkukubo personal blog: www.paulkukubo.co.ke personal twitter: @pkukubo ____________________ Vision: Kenya becomes a top ten global ICT hub Mission: To champion and actively enable Kenya to adopt and exploit ICT, through promotion of partnerships, investments and infrastructure growth for socio economic enrichment

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Data Protection Act
by Thomas Kamire 08 Apr '11

08 Apr '11

Dear All, Why is the Mobile Providers letting their staff be used to get access to client's information namely call logs, MPESA transactions, etc. I have a friend who got wind that his transactions got known by a third party without his consent. Do these people know that they are breaking the law? Kenyans need to know that this is a crime and can cost them their jobs. I thought these people sign some sort of non-disclosure agreements? -- Thomas Kamire Cell: +254 (722) 483 253, +250 78330 2285 All growth is a leap in the dark, a spontaneous, unpremeditated act without benefit of experience

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Stand & be counted
by robert yawe 08 Apr '11

08 Apr '11

Robert Yawe KAY System Technologies Ltd Phoenix House, 6th Floor P O Box 55806 Nairobi, 00200 Kenya Tel: +254722511225, +254202010696 ----- Forwarded Message ---- From: robert yawe <robertyawe(a)yahoo.co.uk> To: Kictanet Mail list <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> Sent: Fri, 8 April, 2011 14:37:38 Subject: Stand & be counted Hi Listers, The issue of the CCK DG is as a result of the players in the industry being partisan and on the other extreme dead as door knobs. Safaricom and Orange are partly government owned therefore CCKs activities will be based on the interests on this organisations. Did you notice the the launch of the number portability service happened on the 1st of April also known as Fools Day? I do not believe this was accidental, it was intentional which would explain the 400 ports so far. CCK can only be independent when those who sit on the board are independent both in mind and function but which of us is willing to put themselves forward for appointment? NONE. 2 weeks ago my nomination for Governor of the ICT sector board at the Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA) was thwarted because my sponsoring organisation, CSK, has been unable to meet its subscription obligations. I know some of you have issues with the current leadership at CSK but they will not be resolved by not paying your dues, with freedom comes responsibilities so we either step up or shut-up. To explain to all of you out there what this means is that our industry cannot participate in making sure that organisations like CCK become independent. The government needs organised groups to deal with which might explain why Dr. Ndemo posts using a none GOK email address. KEPSA through its lobbying and other fora is working to be included in vetting appointments to boards and committees of government agencies and organisations. With a weak or at times lacking sector representations positions like CCK DG, Potal PMG, KICT Board, appointments to parliamentary organisations and legislative discussions will be done in our absence and all we shall be left with is to bemoan the issues online where we have freedom but no responsibility. As of this writing there is an opening for a position on the Executive Board of KEPSA to represent the ICT fraternity and if CCK or any other entity does not recommend someone then we shall remain under-represented and soon unrepresented in shaping the direction of this country. There are 2 posts available for the ICT sector and at this rate both will go to the operators who will then be free to guide the direction of government legislation and the consumer out here will continue to scream in the wilderness where we shall have exiled ourselves. On what platform are we when we raise issues on Kictanet, echoing the PS's sentiments we are nothing more than activists. Robert Yawe KAY System Technologies Ltd Phoenix House, 6th Floor P O Box 55806 Nairobi, 00200 Kenya Tel: +254722511225, +254202010696

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Stand & be counted
by robert yawe 08 Apr '11

08 Apr '11

Hi Listers, The issue of the CCK DG is as a result of the players in the industry being partisan and on the other extreme dead as door knobs. Safaricom and Orange are partly government owned therefore CCKs activities will be based on the interests on this organisations. Did you notice the the launch of the number portability service happened on the 1st of April also known as Fools Day? I do not believe this was accidental, it was intentional which would explain the 400 ports so far. CCK can only be independent when those who sit on the board are independent both in mind and function but which of us is willing to put themselves forward for appointment? NONE. 2 weeks ago my nomination for Governor of the ICT sector board at the Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA) was thwarted because my sponsoring organisation, CSK, has been unable to meet its subscription obligations. I know some of you have issues with the current leadership at CSK but they will not be resolved by not paying your dues, with freedom comes responsibilities so we either step up or shut-up. To explain to all of you out there what this means is that our industry cannot participate in making sure that organisations like CCK become independent. The government needs organised groups to deal with which might explain why Dr. Ndemo posts using a none GOK email address. KEPSA through its lobbying and other fora is working to be included in vetting appointments to boards and committees of government agencies and organisations. With a weak or at times lacking sector representations positions like CCK DG, Potal PMG, KICT Board, appointments to parliamentary organisations and legislative discussions will be done in our absence and all we shall be left with is to bemoan the issues online where we have freedom but no responsibility. As of this writing there is an opening for a position on the Executive Board of KEPSA to represent the ICT fraternity and if CCK or any other entity does not recommend someone then we shall remain under-represented and soon unrepresented in shaping the direction of this country. There are 2 posts available for the ICT sector and at this rate both will go to the operators who will then be free to guide the direction of government legislation and the consumer out here will continue to scream in the wilderness where we shall have exiled ourselves. On what platform are we when we raise issues on Kictanet, echoing the PS's sentiments we are nothing more than activists. Robert Yawe KAY System Technologies Ltd Phoenix House, 6th Floor P O Box 55806 Nairobi, 00200 Kenya Tel: +254722511225, +254202010696

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Where is the fibre
by robert yawe 08 Apr '11

08 Apr '11

Hi, I keep hearing and reading stories about the number of kilometres of fibre optic cable that has been laid in the ground by the various providers, yet every time a look up at the roofs and new and old office blocks all I can see is wireless antennae. From the direction they face 90% point to the same base station which suggests that they are from the same provider. When shall we learn to optimise on our resources as a means of increasing revenue without having to increase charges to our end clients. http://quadrantshift.co.ke/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/wireless-antennaes.jpg Regards PS. Please, no responses mentioning the cutting of fibre by road contractors and vandals Robert Yawe KAY System Technologies Ltd Phoenix House, 6th Floor P O Box 55806 Nairobi, 00200 Kenya Tel: +254722511225, +254202010696

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Re: [kictanet] [ke-internetusers] Re: CCK boss sent on leave as row rages
by Walubengo J 08 Apr '11

08 Apr '11

my comments... 1. It's unfortunate this incident (conflict at ministerial, board and management @ CCK) is happening when Kenya is set to host the Global IGF event (with the Regulator really as the leading convenor). If we can clean our house before this impacts negatively on the IGF the better for everyone. 2. The roles of the Minister, the Board and Mngt are clearly spelt out in the Communication Act 1998, 2009. Yes, the Minister appoints and can renew the mandate of the Director General. But this is "expected" to be from the Advice of the Board, whose Chairman is appointed by the President. So in terms of Governance structures there is some sense of cross-checking of each others powers. 3. Though not explicit in the two communication Acts of 1998 and 2009, the current practice in most Kenyan State corporations assume that the Board will shortlist 3candidates and ask the Minister to chose one qualifying candidate for appointment. Indeed this is how the current and the previous DGs of CCK have been hired (maybe guided by another law e.g. State Corporation Act? Some legal mind could confirm). 4. Can the Minister appoint a DG without the Boards input - legally, due to the non-explicit statement in the act on the same, it looks like yes he can. But then it begs the question, why then has the Board been interviewing candidates for the Job? Why then have performance evaluations. 5. Finally, but without the benefit of the board proceedings, I would imagine the ruling by the Board not to renew the DGs contract as being quite exceptional rather than the norm. We all know many "under performing" public officers still enjoying their offices...from purely an observers view, am not quite convinced the DGs performance really warrants the sack. And neither am I convinced that the Minister's intervention does solve the problem and we shall therefore all live happily there after. walu. --- On Thu, 4/7/11, Eng. Wainaina Mungai <wainaina.mungai(a)gmail.com> wrote: From: Eng. Wainaina Mungai <wainaina.mungai(a)gmail.com> Subject: Re: [kictanet] [ke-internetusers] Re: CCK boss sent on leave as row rages To: jwalu(a)yahoo.com Cc: "KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions" <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> Date: Thursday, April 7, 2011, 7:25 PM The rain started beating us at *Performance Appraisal* so..... Was the appraisal fairly done or was the Board biased all-along? re; "Reports have been rife that Mr Poghisio had threatened to dissolve the board should a review from SCAC show that due process was not followed in evaluating the Director General’s performance and hence the hasty move by the Okundi-led team." Eng. Wainaina On Thu, Apr 7, 2011 at 6:56 PM, James Muendo <timrick(a)gmail.com> wrote: > A Segment on the captial FM news site > > On 7 April 2011 18:36, McTim <dogwallah(a)gmail.com> wrote: >> >> On Thu, Apr 7, 2011 at 3:30 PM, Grace Mutung'u (Bomu) >> <nmutungu(a)gmail.com> wrote: >> > >> > I agree there should be independence. At the moment, one always wonders >> > how >> > the board was constituted? how they came to their decision? how they >> > decision can be defended? who protects public interest in the Board? if >> > consumers (or anyone for that matter) is unhappy with the board >> > decision, >> > who can they turn to? Is that why there was Ministerial >> > intervention?.....It >> > would help if there was clarity on these matters. > > Alice seats on the board.Maybe some light on how the board is formed? > > >> >> Indeed, not sure we will get that though! >> >> I find it ironic that when I read the Nation, there is an >> advertising supplement in it, touting CCKs new Charter, ISO >> certification and all the fabulous things it did in 2010, then I sit >> down at my PC and find that the DG of the CCK has either: >> >> A: gone on leave >> B: gone for good >> C: will be keeping his job > > "I am informed that following an altercation that occurred during a > technical committee meeting of the board this week pitting the DG and of the > board members, the chairman of the board unilaterally and without > consultation with my office decided to order Mr Njoroge to proceed on > leave," explained the minister and declared the decision null and void. > >> >> depending on whom one chooses to believe. I suggest we let the dust >> settle so we can see clearly before we make any judgements. >> >> One thing is clear however, independence and greater transparency >> (i.e. publicly available transcripts of Board meetings) would be a >> start. >> >> >> -- >> Cheers, >> >> McTim >> "A name indicates what we seek. An address indicates where it is. A >> route indicates how we get there." Jon Postel >> >> _______________________________________________ >> kictanet mailing list >> kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke >> http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet >> >> Unsubscribe or change your options at >> http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/timrick%40gmail.com >> >> The Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet) is a multi-stakeholder platform >> for people and institutions interested and involved in ICT policy and >> regulation. The network aims to act as a catalyst for reform in the ICT >> sector in support of the national aim of ICT enabled growth and development. >> >> KICTANetiquette : Adhere to the same standards of acceptable behaviors >> online that you follow in real life: respect people's times and bandwidth, >> share knowledge, don't flame or abuse or personalize, respect privacy, do >> not spam, do not market your wares or qualifications. > > > > -- > James M. Muendo > > P.O Box 28016 - 00200, > Nairobi. > Mobile: +254725567508 > skype:tim.rick | Twitter: Mmuendo | gtalk: timrick > > _______________________________________________ > kictanet mailing list > kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > > Unsubscribe or change your options at > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/wainaina.mungai%40gmai… > > The Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet) is a multi-stakeholder platform for > people and institutions interested and involved in ICT policy and > regulation. The network aims to act as a catalyst for reform in the ICT > sector in support of the national aim of ICT enabled growth and development. > > KICTANetiquette : Adhere to the same standards of acceptable behaviors > online that you follow in real life: respect people's times and bandwidth, > share knowledge, don't flame or abuse or personalize, respect privacy, do > not spam, do not market your wares or qualifications. > -----Inline Attachment Follows----- _______________________________________________ kictanet mailing list kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet Unsubscribe or change your options at http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/jwalu%40yahoo.com The Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet) is a multi-stakeholder platform for people and institutions interested and involved in ICT policy and regulation. The network aims to act as a catalyst for reform in the ICT sector in support of the national aim of ICT enabled growth and development. KICTANetiquette : Adhere to the same standards of acceptable behaviors online that you follow in real life: respect people's times and bandwidth, share knowledge, don't flame or abuse or personalize, respect privacy, do not spam, do not market your wares or qualifications.

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Re: [kictanet] [ke-internetusers] Re: CCK boss sent on leave as row rages
by Eng. Wainaina Mungai 07 Apr '11

07 Apr '11

Hi, It may be obvious to you by now that this is one of the issues that seems to create a "great rift valley" between the ICT Consumers Association on one hand and the "Consumers Federation of Kenya" (CofeK) - re; http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/InsidePage.php?id=2000032337&cid=15 . It may explain why the two cannot to working together in the "interest of the consumer" assuming they have the same "ICT consumer?" in mind. That said, are the Minister's actions in tandem with the law? Our PS, Bitange Ndemo sits on the Board that made a recommendation which the Minister is said to have squashed. Maybe Dr. Bitange Ndemo can tell us both sides of the story. Is it true (as some have insinuated elsewhere) that members of the CCK Board may have been induced by an unhappy ICT service provider who was unhappy with the DG's pro-consumer efforts? The CCK Board Members in question would be 1. Philip Okundi (Chairman), 2. PS Joseph Kinyua (Finance), 3. PS Bitange Ndemo (Information), 4. PS Francis Kimemia (Internal Security), 5. Alice Munyua, 6. Eunice Ombati, 7. Joe Kamau, 8. Kiriithi Njogu, 9. Matei Ndeti, 10. John Omo (CCK legal officer) and Mr Charles Njoroge (CCK Director-General). From the composition of the Board, it would be interesting to see how far such an argument would go. ***Apologies for cross-posting BUT the topic has the two sides (CofeK & ICT Consumers) giving opposing views on the two lists….NOTE: Both groups speak for "the consumer". Something is clearly amiss here. On Thu, Apr 7, 2011 at 2:20 PM, Alex Gakuru <gakuru(a)gmail.com> wrote: > > Tom, > > If you cam organise with whoever else may be interested, then we can > have, say, a 2 hour face-to-face discussion where I can list and fully > elaborate my basis of my grounds and every statement that I have made. > But the organising must be up to you. > > But in regard to "sharing the others' views" I am sorry I do not know > what they are nor would I wish to (later) be accused of misreprensting > anyone. You have to ask whomever "others" that you mean their view. > Would this not be appropriate? > > regards, > > Alex > > On Thu, Apr 7, 2011 at 2:13 PM, Tom Kwanya <tkwanya(a)yahoo.com> wrote: > > Alex, > > > > Thanks for this but please, help me understand why I should celebrate. Is it > > because the minister has overturned the decision of the board or is it that > > Mr Njoroge's contract has been renewed? You seem to be sharing with us only > > your own views about the whole issue. Why are you not sharing with us the > > other views as well so that we can make our own decisions? By the way, if it > > is true, is what the minister is reported to have done in order? > > > > Regards. > > > > Tom Kwanya > > > > ________________________________ > > From: Alex Gakuru <gakuru(a)gmail.com> > > To: ke-users <ke-internetusers(a)bdix.net> > > Sent: Thu, April 7, 2011 1:41:27 PM > > Subject: [ke-internetusers] Re: CCK boss sent on leave as row rages > > > > Great News to consumers! > > > > News just in indicate that the Minister for Information has directed > > that the Director General is in office and has gone ahead and renewed > > his contract! > > > > Asante sana waziri - consumers rejoice:-) > > > > > > > > On Thu, Apr 7, 2011 at 12:45 PM, Alex Gakuru <gakuru(a)gmail.com> wrote: > >> [Capital FM] > >> BY EVELYN NJOROGE > >> > >> NAIROBI, Kenya, Apr 7 - The rift between the Communications Commission > >> of Kenya (CCK) board and the management continues to widen with > >> reports that the Director General Charles Njoroge has been sent on > >> compulsory leave two months to the expiry of his contract. > >> > >> The board’s chairman Philip Okundi however said the action taken was > >> not personal but part of the responsibility of the board. > >> > >> But as they let go of Mr Njoroge, there seems to be division even > >> within the board itself after the representative of the Broadcasting > >> Content Advisory Council Alex Gakuru said they were not consulted on > >> the issue to either renew or reject the DG’s contract. > >> > >> Mr Gakuru added that his views were not sought when the board > >> conducted an appraisal of Mr Njoroge who was said to have performed > >> below par despite previous reviews stating the contrary. > >> > >> Speaking to Capital Business, he questioned why the board was quick to > >> fire the DG while Information Minister Samuel Poghisio had referred > >> the matter to the State Corporation Advisory Committee (SCAC) for > >> direction. > >> > >> “Why are they behaving like a rebel board that does not follow what > >> the minister says? He (the minister) is the appointing authority and > >> has the final word and as the Broadcasting Content Advisory Council, > >> we will wait for him to give the direction on this matter,” Mr Gakuru > >> said. > >> > >> Reports have been rife that Mr Poghisio had threatened to dissolve the > >> board should a review from SCAC show that due process was not followed > >> in evaluating the Director General’s performance and hence the hasty > >> move by the Okundi-led team. > >> ... > >> > >> http://www.capitalfm.co.ke/business/Kenyabusiness/CCK-boss-sent-on-leave-as… > >> > >

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The Unfortunate Drama at CCK over DG's Fate: Your Take?
by Stephen Mutoro 07 Apr '11

07 Apr '11

Dear all, Good afternoon. May I seek your kind indulgence to divert your attention from the very nice exchanges on this forum so far. I am sure most of you subscribed to 411 and 6667 have by now received this SMS message "Government overturns decision by Communications Commission of Kenya (CCK) Chairman Philip Okundi to sack Director General Charles Njoroge. Minister Samuel Poghisio says his contract to be renewed". The issue of governance at any institution especially CCK is critical. Let us not gloss and keep mum over it. Of course our position is public knowledge. We have always long sided with the Board decision before they even firmed up the same. The Minister has disregarded his Board's advice, however biased they may have been. He cannot fire the Chairman as he is appointed by the Chairman. By the way, I must insist that this is not anything personal with my good friend Eng. Njoroge but we feel it is time he gracefully left the CCK renewal of contract notwithstanding. Kindly be polite even if you sharply disagree with our position. Thank you. Kind regards, Stephen Stephen Mutoro Secretary General Consumers Federation of Kenya (COFEK) Natu Court, Block F-45 Ngong Road/Ring Rd Kilimani Junction P.O Box 2733-00200, City Square, NAIROBI, Kenya Tel. 254-20-3861718, 3861719, 2300859 Fax. 254-20-3861719 Cellphones: 0715555550, 0736965590, 0770700007 E-mail: <mailto:hotline@cofek.co.ke> hotline(a)cofek.co.ke Website: <http://www.cofek.co.ke/> www.cofek.co.ke ************************* Restoring Consumer Pride and Confidence!

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Poll - Whose DNS Server do you use?
by Michuki Mwangi 07 Apr '11

07 Apr '11

Hi Lister, <Apologies for cross posting.> Am interested to see whose DNS Servers (caching resolvers) most users in Kenya use. If you have a spare minute (dont have to give your full names/etc) i would like to do this poll and results will be posted here for further discussions. Please poll here. http://www.doodle.com/bhths656kvkanfwk Note: you can only give one Answer its less likely that one uses both at the same time. If you do, list the primary one. Thanks and regards, Michuki.

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Georgian woman cuts off web access to whole of Armenia
by Michuki Mwangi 07 Apr '11

07 Apr '11

Not only in Kenya ... http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/apr/06/georgian-woman-cuts-web-access Regards, Michuki.

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Re: [kictanet] [i-network] Kenya Oyeeeeeeee- Number Portability
by Walubengo J 07 Apr '11

07 Apr '11

@ Wire, yes, Kenya made the move to number portability on 1st april 2011 (fools day?). Unfortunately the uptake has been poor (only about 400 users have ported accross to other networks todate - 6days later). I had argued earlier in Kenyan lists that Number portability was needed 5yrs ago - when mobile providers only had more or else a single service -voice service on their networks. Today moving away from say Safcom means leaving behind multiple services - most notably MPESA. Ofcourse every provider has their MPESA equivalent but it just is not as widely available (limited agents across the country) and they lack the '1st mover' advantages enjoyed by the bigger player. So in short, number portably is good - But ONLY when you effect it at the right time. Which for Kenya this was about 5yrs ago - before mobile operators became what they are today - a mixture of a bank, an ISP, a payment geteway amongst others things. walu. --- On Wed, 4/6/11, Gwoke Joachim <jowor2002(a)yahoo.com> wrote: From: Gwoke Joachim <jowor2002(a)yahoo.com> Subject: [i-network] Kenya Oyeeeeeeee- Number Portability To: "I-Network Uganda" <i-network(a)dgroups.org> Date: Wednesday, April 6, 2011, 10:00 AM --- On Tue, 4/5/11, James Wire <lunghabo(a)gmail.com> wrote: From: James Wire <lunghabo(a)gmail.com> Subject: [i-network] Kenya Oyeeeeeeee- Number Portability To: "I-Network Uganda" <i-network(a)dgroups.org> Date: Tuesday, April 5, 2011, 1:16 AM Kenya has the led the way and they deserve a pat on the back. That sets the bar or our local telecoms industry too and I am certain that it is just a matter of time before we follow suit in .ug. As the saying goes ' If you dont change, change will change you'. Wire There is always a way to convince the powers that be about the 'security' angle of number portability. Isn't it easier to peg an individual to a number when there is number portability? regards Joachim ________________________ Visit the I-Network website - www.i-network.or.ug Follow I-Network on Twitter: http://twitter.com/inetwork The I-Network Dgroup is a platform for ICT Knowledge Sharing --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Visit [web site]( http://d2.dgroups.org/iicd/i-network/ ) Click [here]( mailto:leave.i-network@dgroups.org ) to unsubscribe The email is intended only for the recipients. The owners of the Dgroups cannot be held responsible for the contents of the email message.

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Re: [kictanet] Safaricom Business Support - Frustrations
by Odhiambo Washington 07 Apr '11

07 Apr '11

@Terry, Someone from Safaricom has called me to inform me that they are having problems with Fiber links from JTL ... like all of them. I wonder what that has to do with calls to 2222 not being answered, and are directed to their IVR - telling me about data access using my phone, when I have problems with WiMAX. Safaricom know how to send me Invoices for my WiMAX links via e-mail, and even to call me regarding the same, but cannot notify me by mail/sms about outages. Then they go ahead to direct support calls to IVR! It's a shame for a company that boasts the largest profits in this country of a few millionaires and millions of beggars. On Thu, Apr 7, 2011 at 09:42, <terry(a)tealictafrica.com> wrote: > > Second this. (VENT!!!!) > > Frustration!!! not even their landlines are being answered... been trying > since Tuesday they've all gone unanswered. > > > > > > On Thu, 7 Apr 2011 09:15:48 +0300, Odhiambo Washington <odhiambo(a)gmail.com> > wrote: > >> This company called Safaricom - I wonder where it is headed. >> >> More often than not, calling Safaricom Business Support number - 0722 >> 002222 - ends up on the Safaricom IVR, which plays to you one message >> over and over, like it is doing now! >> >> More often than not, M-Pesa service always experiences delays. >> >> Who will save us from the claws of this tiger? >> >> Maybe I should record all this and send it to CCK. >> > > -- Best regards, Odhiambo WASHINGTON, Nairobi,KE +254733744121/+254722743223 _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Damn!!

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Safaricom Business Support - Frustrations
by Odhiambo Washington 07 Apr '11

07 Apr '11

<Vent> This company called Safaricom - I wonder where it is headed. More often than not, calling Safaricom Business Support number - 0722 002222 - ends up on the Safaricom IVR, which plays to you one message over and over, like it is doing now! More often than not, M-Pesa service always experiences delays. Who will save us from the claws of this tiger? Maybe I should record all this and send it to CCK. </Vent> -- Best regards, Odhiambo WASHINGTON, Nairobi,KE +254733744121/+254722743223 _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Damn!!

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Local hosting - Universities
by robert yawe 07 Apr '11

07 Apr '11

Hi, For some strange reason yesterday I decided to check where the web site for University of Nairobi was was being hosted and shock off all shocks I traced its home to somewhere in the State of Columbia in the US of A. (http://whatismyipaddress.com/ip/207.58.152.134) Our institutions of higher learning such as the universities especially when they are offering advanced degrees in ICTs should at the least be able to host their websites. This is a very concerning issue as it now becomes clear why we are producing graduates who are out of touch with the real world. My beer my Country, my website not in my country. Regards C:\>tracert uonbi.ac.ke Tracing route to uonbi.ac.ke [207.58.152.134] over a maximum of 30 hops: 1 * * * Request timed out. 2 * * * Request timed out. 3 290 ms 91 ms 725 ms 10.1.5.1 4 886 ms 185 ms 544 ms ge-3-3-0-core-as12455.orange.co.ke [62.24.98.201 ] 5 560 ms 53 ms 31 ms g-3-3-0-core-as12455.telkom.co.ke [62.24.96.22] 6 112 ms 159 ms 211 ms g-3-3-0-core-as12455.telkom.co.ke [62.24.96.17] 7 642 ms 1079 ms 241 ms 81.52.179.53 8 1207 ms 1520 ms 595 ms tengige1-0-0-1.pastr1.Paris.opentransit.net [193 .251.132.122] 9 1007 ms 570 ms 202 ms te3-3.parse1.Paris.opentransit.net [193.251.128. 78] 10 1364 ms 1651 ms 1704 ms ge-11-2-3.mpr1.cdg11.fr.above.net [64.125.12.201 ] 11 288 ms 235 ms 363 ms xe-3-1-0.mpr1.lhr2.uk.above.net [64.125.24.1] 12 365 ms 287 ms 285 ms so-0-1-0.mpr1.dca2.us.above.net [64.125.27.57] 13 287 ms 287 ms 286 ms xe-1-3-0.cr1.dca2.us.above.net [64.125.29.21] 14 363 ms 386 ms 373 ms xe-0-0-0.cr2.dca2.us.above.net [64.125.28.242] 15 355 ms 355 ms 352 ms xe-1-1-0.er2.dca2.us.above.net [64.125.26.178] 16 357 ms 358 ms 352 ms 64.125.195.222.t00883-02.above.net [64.125.195.2 22] 17 297 ms 296 ms 295 ms sc-smv2950.servint.net [216.22.28.30] 18 295 ms 296 ms 293 ms vps.bongoafrika.com [207.58.152.134] Trace complete. Robert Yawe KAY System Technologies Ltd Phoenix House, 6th Floor P O Box 55806 Nairobi, 00200 Kenya Tel: +254722511225, +254202010696

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Re: [kictanet] Digital Villages - F2F with Ndemo
by eonchari＠lynxbits.com 06 Apr '11

06 Apr '11

Hi Yawe, I needed clarifications on the following:. How sustainable is this project? Are there plans for government to outsource some work to the DVs, and how is this going to work? is there a continuous training program for the DVs to keep abreast with technology changes? Edwin ----- Original Message ----- From: robertyawe(a)yahoo.co.ukTo: eonchari(a)lynxbits.com Cc: kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke Sent: 3/31/11 8:29 AM Subject: [kictanet] Digital Villages - F2F with Ndemo Hi All, Know that the heat has cooled down on the issue of who will be attending the session on the 6th of April with the PS Dr. Ndemo we need to move forward. To make sure that we have a fruitful interaction I would to request all those who confirmed their attendance and any other listers to send me a list of issues they would like discussed with the PS. The main agenda for the meeting will be to get a presentation by the PS on the digital village project and then to come up with a strategy on how we can provide our input to the project. We shall also need to have a volunteer for repertoire to capture the discussions and produce a report that can be shared with the larger membership. Regards Robert Yawe KAY System Technologies Ltd Phoenix House, 6th Floor P O Box 55806 Nairobi, 00200 Kenya Tel: +254722511225, +254202010696

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Africa banking on mobile to be first post-PC continent
by alice＠apc.org 06 Apr '11

06 Apr '11

Africa banking on mobile to be first post-PC continent Projects driving online penetration are focused more on mobile devices than on PCs Rebecca Wanjiku 06 April, 2011 02:13 A convergence of historical circumstance and an increase in innovative mobile applications may make Africa the first post-PC continent. Low investment in wired telecommunication infrastructure has driven increased mobile penetration, creating a user base that supports a rise in mobile innovation and increased interest in content development, according to observers. Meanwhile, as global tech giants such as Intel, Nokia, Samsung, Google and Microsoft work on projects that aim to bring more people online, their focus is more on mobile devices and less on PC-based access to the Internet. Poor telecoms infrastructure to homes and rural areas has meant that many people access PCs in their offices and use mobile handsets at home. Improved battery power has also allowed people to access resources that they would normally access on PC. "Most African countries are haunted by poor network infrastructure, which makes fixed line communication extremely unreliable (in the few places where it's actually available); this gave rise to vast and rapid adoption of mobile handsets on the continent," said Pieter Kok, Research Manager for Software and IT Services at IDC South Africa. IDC projects that the number of PC shipment to the region will rise, but not as quickly as smartphones and tablets, which are expected to experience steady growth. IDC estimates that in South Africa, 800,000 PCs were shipped in 2010 and the number is expected to decline by about four percent annually to reach 650,000 by 2015. Meanwhile, 1.3 million handsets were shipped in 2010 and that rate is expected to increase at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of nine percent to reach 2 million annually by 2015. In the rest of Africa, prospects are brighter for PCs. IDC estimates that 3.7 million PCs were shipped in 2010 and annual shipments will rise to 6.9 million 2015 -- a 13 percent CAGR. Still, the number of smartphones shipped is expected to rise at a higher rate. In Nigeria, IDC projections show that 1.5 million smartphones and 17.2 million feature phones will be shipped in 2011. By 2015, both markets are expected to grow, reaching, respectively, 3.2 million and 21.3 million units shipped. For smartphones, that's a CAGR of 21.7 percent. Nigeria is Africa's largest mobile market, after recently overtaking South Africa. Considering the lack of legacy infrastructure, more companies are now demanding innovation around mobile phones, because they are considered more accessible by consumers in the mass market. Businesses are now starting to take advantage of mobile growth, while the informal sector is also growing and providing services enabled by mobile technology. "In a region where micro-entrepreneurship is a massive phenomenon, covering 90 percent of the employment base and 65 percent of the continental GDP, increased use of the mobile phone and services is fast becoming critical for development of African economies. Research indicates that in a typical sub-Saharan African country, a 10 percent increase in mobile penetration results to a corresponding 0.8 percent GDP growth," said Woon Peng, Nokia Head of Services in Middle East and Africa, speaking at the Innovation Africa Digital Summit in Mombasa two weeks ago. Nokia is already working with developers in several African countries and Peng feels that Nokia's next big growth opportunity is to go beyond bringing affordable voice and SMS to delivering affordable web and applications. "Rural populations live their lives largely outside of the reach of high quality services; through solutions like Nokia Data Gathering, we are already supporting field workers to collect, send and receive information quickly and securely via a mobile phone helping circumvent infrastructural challenges and speed up data collections needs in sectors such as health, agriculture, environmental conservation, population census and emergency services," added Peng, in a press release sent after her speech. According to a study released last week by TNS RMS research, a higher percentage of residents in East Africa use mobile handsets than PCs to access the Internet, listen to music, play games, download content and engage with social networks. "In Kenya, 64 percent of users listen to digital music via mobile phones while 24 percent access via PCs, 45 percent prefer to chat via mobile and 25 percent use PCs; in Uganda, 48 percent listen to music via mobile while 26 percent use PCs and 40 percent chat via mobile compared to 23 percent who prefer PC," said Melissa Baker, CEO of TNS RMS East Africa. While the cost of mobile handsets has fallen over the years, the cost of tablets is still considered high, even though manufacturers such as Samsung are partnering with governments to provide educational content via tablets. "The secondary school curriculum digitalization process is about 70 percent complete; Form 1 and 2 curricula and part of form 3, are already done and available to teachers on DVD for the 11 subjects taught," said Patricia King'ori, Samsung East Africa General Manager. Teachers and students are expected to use Samsung tablets, which retail for $570 but are likely to be subsidized for the education sector. The project is part of Samsung's research and development efforts. While tablets are considered attractive because of the bigger screen and high battery capability, they are still considered too expensive for most users. http://www.techworld.com.au/article/382234/africa_banking_mobile_first_post…

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FW: Article airing concerns over content aired by FM Radio stations
by Edith Adera 04 Apr '11

04 Apr '11

Listers, This article - see attached - was sent my way and I thought I should share it in this forum as it touches on Content regulation. CCK is challenged in the article - not sure if anything by CCK or the media council is being done. What happened with Content regulation? I heard Dr Ndemo being mentioned on radio over content regulation this weekend, but note sure how far implementation has gone. Edith

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Re: [kictanet] Number Portability - Baptism of fire
by eonchari＠lynxbits.com 04 Apr '11

04 Apr '11

..or it could be that Kenyans are just smart ----- Original Message ----- From: robertyawe(a)yahoo.co.ukTo: eonchari(a)lynxbits.com Cc: kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke Sent: 4/4/11 1:30 AM Subject: [kictanet] Number Portability - Baptism of fire On the 1st of April when number portability became active I expected to see long lines at various providers customer service centres but shockingly there where none, at least not in the Nairobi CBD. We expected that there would be huge full and double page advertisements in the newspapers and scantily dressed girls and over dressed boys shoving fliers down our throats, so why hasn't it happened? Some of the offers made no sense and others might have had a negative effect, for example, Orange had a half page advertisement on a postpay offer yet when I called the listed number it went unanswered I then send an email to the address shown, it is 3 days later and I have had no response. The mistake Orange keep making is assuming that they are competing with the rest, they need to acknowledge that they are the underdog and behave accordingly. Safaricom can have a policy not to sell dual SIM phones but Orange do not have the luxury, they objective should be cannibalism. On Sunday I passed by Orange's new customer service centre at the Sarit Centre and was received with the usual cold reception, after spending a minutes working round the very small shop I walked over to talk to a staff member who was seated at a desk "texting" away on a phone oblivious to her surrounding to ask about the new postpay advert that was in the paper. As expected she had absolutely no clue of the advert or even the offer. So why is it that organisations have e-mail and intranets if information from the ivory tower is sent to the branches and floors below using Postal Mail (postive for PMG)? That is the problem with Orange and we do not really expect much better from them, but Safaricom needs to find its footing afresh as their product offerings and customer service is quickly becoming wanting. There reaction to the number portability issue seems to have missed the mark, they are concentrating on attracting new subscribers instead of trying to retain the existing ones. An associate of mine saw the N8 on offer and dragged me along as he applied for the new service, he is an existing postpay customer but because the offer is not available to existing postpay customers he had to cancel his existing contract to take up a new one so as to enjoy the phone offer.. I hope the exception report will be tabled at their Monday management meeting so that they can rethink the strategy. I was tempted to do the same but realised it was actually easier to just apply afresh which will resulting in Safaricom making the mistake of thinking that the offer had brought in a new subscriber yet it the the existing ones who are taking additional lines. Safcom will realise this when my bill next month for my main line drops by 90% and the difference in usage moves to the new number. Well as is confirmed yet again, Kenyans are peculiar. Regards Robert Yawe KAY System Technologies Ltd Phoenix House, 6th Floor P O Box 55806 Nairobi, 00200 Kenya Tel: +254722511225, +254202010696

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