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A bitter Orange
by robert yawe 29 Sep '10

29 Sep '10

Hi, It is interesting how Orange/Telkom assumes that the reason they are unable to gain market share is because of pricing. They have a superior data connectivity service in the form of EvDo yet they are unable to even explain the difference to their clients, I have even heard from the grape vine that they have an up and running MPLS solution something that none of the other providers do. Their main problem is that they have a non-existent customer service department. They currently have fewer staff than Safaricom yet the disconnect between departments makes dealing with GOK a walk in the garden. They keep coming up with self defeating tariffs and are unable to disseminate information internally to their own front office personnel. The company is constantly upgrading billing systems without transferring information across from the old system, but with only 350,000 subscribers they can actually afford to key in the information afresh. They recently "upgraded" the EvDo portal which resulted in accounts with credit being disabled of which to date many have not been able to get resolved. When you finally get through to their customer service department they start by asking you questions like "who sold you the modem? why did you buy the scratch card? and the most annoying take it to the customer experience centre where you bought it? With the noise about lost assets, read land, my take is that Orange had no intention of reviving Telkom but more to raid its assets and then leave. Robert Yawe KAY System Technologies Ltd Phoenix House, 6th Floor P O Box 55806 Nairobi, 00200 Kenya Tel: +254722511225, +254202010696

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Download a FREE copy of PC Tech Magazine - International Edition
by Albert Mucunguzi 28 Sep '10

28 Sep '10

Dear all, I am pleased to inform you that a copy of the International Edition of PC Tech Magazine, which was launched in Ghana on 24th September has been uploaded. Please follow the link below to download for free. http://pctechmagazine.com/magazine/download-archives/doc_details/25-double-… Thank you for your contributions! Copies of this magazine will be available in Nairobi by the end of the week. Please note that you may need to register to access the download. _______________________ Regards, Albert Mucunguzi Executive Director PC Tech Communications P.O. Box 32180, Tel: +256 712619812 / 700 297031 Kampala, Uganda. Email: ed(a)pctechmagazine.com Website: www.pctechmagazine.com / www.albertmucunguzi.com

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ISPs slap Ndemo
by robert yawe 27 Sep '10

27 Sep '10

Hi, The ISPs have now teamed up and agreed that the cost of "International" Internet access will not be coming down soon because we have less than 2.6% penetration. Dr. Ndemo, this is a slap on you, wield your big stick, or sorry not possible you recently handed it over to Orange. There is only one solution to this issue lets concentrate in developing local content thereby reducing the dependence on the over hyped marine cable. But based on the discussions on the commodity exchange system this will be an up hill task as we question the credibility of everyone he tries to setup a local online application or service. I read an article on how Hon. Kilonzo is planning to setup green houses in all the schools in his constituency while the others are trying to provide computers to children who are not able to get a balanced diet. Again I repeat "I am ashamed to be a member of the ICT fraternity" but like was once said by a disgruntled KANU memebrr "I shall remain the opposition within" 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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4th submarine cable to Kenya: France Telecom & LION-2
by Brian Munyao Longwe 27 Sep '10

27 Sep '10

hmm, interesting..... http://www.fiercetelecom.com/story/france-telecom-lion2-consortium-build-in… -- Brian Munyao Longwe e-mail: blongwe(a)gmail.com cell: + 254 722 518 744 blog : http://zinjlog.blogspot.com meta-blog: http://mashilingi.blogspot.com

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Secure ICT 2010 Discounted Prices
by Evans Kahuthu 27 Sep '10

27 Sep '10

Dear Listers, The Secure ICT 2010 Conference Committee is delighted to inform you that following requests from most of our prospective attendees, we have discounted the registration fee as follows: -1 Day Attendance, ksh. 8,000 inclusive of V.A.T. per person -2 Day Attendance, ksh. 16,000 inclusive of V.A.T. per person -If more than 3 attendees from one organisation, ksh. 15,000 (2 days) or ksh. 7,500 (1 day) inclusive of V.A.T. per person. The Registration prices for SecureICT 2010 includes refreshments, morning tea/coffee, lunches, a certificate of participation and a CD of the presentations.) but NOT Accomodation To register for this conference either: -Go to http://secureict.co.ke/registration.aspx -Email ekahuthu(a)secureict.co.ke -Call +254-202188830,+254-710649304 For the conference Agenda, Keynote speakers and other information, please visit http://secureict.co.ke The conference is scheduled for the 5-6th October 2010 at the Panafric Hotel Nairobi. This year's conference sessions address new and continuing threats to information security as well as responses to the increasing risk of breaches and data exfiltration, identity theft, cyber terrorism and more. The conference will provide information security professionals and managers with the most up-to-date information, tools, trends, legislation, and strategies for addressing information security issues. Plan to meet with your colleagues from around the region, the nation and the world in Nairobi to learn from recognized experts at Secure ICT 2010. We kindly request you to come or nominate your representative for this one of its own kind conference. We look forward to you participating in this conference. Regards, Evans Kahuthu, Secure ICT 2010 Conference Coordinator, phone: +254-710649304,+254-202188830 email: ekahuthu(a)secureict.co.ke

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CHAKULA Issue #20: Pushing for broadband policy in Africa
by Chakula 26 Sep '10

26 Sep '10

CHAKULA Issue No. 20, September 2010: Pushing for broadband policy in Africa CONTENTS 1. Broadband for Africa: Launching the cables, launching the campaigns… – e-interview with Willie Currie 2. NIGERIA: Striking when the time is right… – e-interviews with John Dada, Titi Omo-Ettu and Abi Jagun 3. GHANA: Moving the hand of God – e-interviews with Eric Osiakwan and Eva Lokko 4. SOUTH AFRICA: Autopsy of a missed opportunity – Ten things analysts say are absent in the South African broadband policy; and an e- interview with Steve Song //\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\ Broadband for Africa: Launching the cables, launching the campaigns… The rapid roll-out of fibre optic cables in Africa over the past years brought a wave of optimism to the continent – finally, the sentiment went, all those ambitious online business plans and project proposals that couldn’t be realised ten years go – simply because the internet was too slow – could be dusted off and see the light of day. The implications for fast connectivity for the continent – in education, in realising citizen and social rights, in entrepreneurial development, or just for plain gaming fun – suggested the realisation of something of a renaissance for Africa; a quantum leap into the 21st Century, as far as the internet was concerned. But the boom in broadband – the landing and roll-out of cables such as the East African Submarine Cable System (known as EASSy), The East African Marine Systems (TEAMS), and SEACOM – was in many countries met with something of a vague and non-committal response from governments. Some were, it seemed, trapped in a strategic uncertainty, much like the 1990s, when the implications of information and communications technology (ICT) policy on the continent were only just beginning to be grappled with. Few countries had developed coherent broadband policies – if any policy at all – to manage the implications and potential of the new connectivity being dug into the ground before their eyes. It was with this in mind that the Association for Progressive Communications (APC), together with its partners, set about mobilising stakeholders in South Africa, Nigeria and Ghana, to advocate for progressive broadband policies to be developed in those countries. The overall objectives of the project, which was funded by the Partnership for Higher Education in Africa, was to achieve affordable universal broadband. The advocacy initiative kicked off in South Africa in October 2008, with the launch of the South African Broadband Forum, a partnership between APC, South Africa Connect, SANGONeT (Southern African NGO Network), and the Shuttleworth Foundation. The Forum’s interventions included a multi-stakeholder workshop, the drafting of a forward-looking framework for a broadband policy, and an online petition. A face-to-face meeting with the South African government was also held. In Nigeria, a similar multi-stakeholder approach was adopted, with an outside consultant team employed to draft a broadband policy document. This in turn was put open to vigorous public review, a process which included a strong media campaign. In Ghana a stakeholder’s forum held in August 2009 was attended by some 60 participants from across the public, private and civil society sector. This processes resulted in the formation of a broadband policy sub-committee, which was part of the newly formed ministerial advisory committee in that country. The impact of the campaigns has been different in each country. In South Africa, a broadband policy gazetted earlier this year has been met with disbelief from some stakeholders. As the interviews in this Chakula show, campaigners in Nigeria are optimistic about a positive outcome to their efforts. In Ghana, the response is less optimistic, even though the advocacy resulted in the formation of the policy sub- committee – a move which seemed to guarantee government buy-in. With the project now having reached its conclusion, Chakula caught up with Willie Currie, APC’s Communications and Information Policy Programme Manager, to get his take on the success of the initiative… ********************************************************************* "Policy processes are not linear. They have peaks and troughs and can go round in circles…” ********************************************************************* CHAKULA: The broadband initiative in South Africa was the first to get off the ground with the launch of the South African National Broadband Forum. Then Ghana and Nigeria followed. Why broadband and why these countries in particular? Willie Currie [WC]: The context for broadband revolved mainly around the question of what would happen when increased submarine cable capacity reached the east and west coasts of Africa. Were African counties ready for taking advantage of the reduction in costs of international bandwidth to reduce the broadband gap inside their countries? Research at the OECD [Organisation for Economic Co- operation and Development] indicated that countries that adopted broadband strategies increased their levels of broadband penetration while countries like the US and Britain who did not adopt broadband strategies did not. Research from the World Bank indicated that increasing broadband penetration by 10% increased GDP in both developed and developing countries. One of Obama’s tech policies was to have the FCC [Federal Communications Commission] develop a national broadband plan as well as to include broadband as part of his stimulus package. And Britain was going through its Digital Britain process. In South Africa and Ghana there were elections and new ministries and the hope was that they would be willing to support national broadband strategies. Nigeria had a very effective coms regulator and was about to receive additional submarine cables, so it also seemed to be a good opportunity to promote a national broadband strategy. In addition, the project was funded by the Partnership for Higher Education in Africa who was also keen to see progress towards affordable broadband in these countries. CHAKULA: The policy vacuum around broadband in Africa is striking. I suppose there are many sectors where a policy lag exists – energy springs to mind. But why do you think African countries tend to be ‘late adopters’ when it comes to ICT policy? The growth in the ICT sector has hardly been a surprise – and it’s no longer the early 1990s when many were still trying to get to grips with new technologies from a policy perspective. WC: Good question. African countries work closely with the ITU [International Telecommunication Union] and its regulators do attend the ITU's Global Regulators Symposium. ITU has put broadband on the agenda in its events and publications and has organised a Broadband Commission which is to make a policy recommendation on broadband to the UN this month. Governments have certainly been active on policy on the east coast - Kenya, Rwanda, but not so much elsewhere. But one still hopes for more dynamic policy initiatives. CHAKULA: The three campaigns are at different points right now – Nigeria has developed a draft strategy; the process in Ghana seems to have stalled; and in South Africa, there is a sense of the ineffectiveness of the campaign, despite the good work of the people involved. How successful do you think these campaigns have been? WC: Policy processes are not linear. They have peaks and troughs and can go round in circles. What has happened has been some degree of engagement between civil society and governments in the three countries, some awareness raising of the issues and attempts to persuade governments to take action. Perhaps as the cables continue to land we may start to see a more coherent approach emerging from governments. CHAKULA: What have been your key learning experiences across the three countries when it comes to these sorts of advocacy drives? If anything, what has been missing? WC: What is difficult is to sustain advocacy processes over long periods of time, especially when immediate results are not forthcoming. The funding cycles that civil society organisations draw on run over two years at the most and if results are not achieved quickly campaigns can stall. On the other side, governments have their own ways of undertaking policy and these do not always align with those of business or civil society. It is important for the civil society policy entrepreneurs involved to be able to sustain their activities during peaks and troughs so that they are ready when conditions change and policy windows open up to engage with policy- makers. CHAKULA: What are the next steps from your perspective? Do you anticipate another advocacy push in, say, Ghana and Nigeria to bring those processes to fruition? WC: The next steps are really up to the policy entrepreneurs in Ghana and Nigeria to keep the broadband initiatives going if they can. //\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\ NIGERIA: Striking when the time is right… The broadband campaign in Nigeria kicked off in early 2010 with the formation of a multi-stakeholder team to drive the initiative. The strategy in that country had several components, including commissioning the drafting of a broadband policy, hosting a Nigeria National Broadband Forum, and implementing a media strategy. Fittingly, the media strategy included a strong online presence to stimulate awareness and discussion of the broadband strategy and to monitor the progress of the campaign. Chakula spoke to the campaign’s leader, John Dada, Titi Omo-Ettu, who is president of the Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria and also a co-ordinator of the campaign, and Abi Jagun, who represented SMarT Research in the policy development process. ********************************************************************* “[M]edia-savvy individuals and members who know the history of the Nigeria telecom inside out were on the team…” ********************************************************************* CHAKULA: You were tasked to set up a broadband forum in Nigeria, with the view of developing a national broadband strategy for the country. With such rapid take up of ICTs in Nigeria, how is it possible that the country didn’t have a framework for broadband development? JOHN DADA [JD]: Nigeria is awash with brilliant attempts at ensuring ICTs are available for national development. However the uncertain political climes have been a major deterrent to continuity and focus. The nation already had a draft ICT4D policy, which was developed after the original IT Policy, but it is still waiting legislative approval. This draft policy is a precursor of the work done on the broadband framework. CHAKULA: Tell me a bit about the process of setting up the forum – how did you go about it, who was involved, and what did you hope to achieve? JD: A core group of volunteer individuals and organisations from civil society, the private sector and academia was identified to initiate discussions on issues related to a broadband strategy, including infrastructure, content, e-governance/e-citizenship and education. CHAKULA: You then contracted Society Markets & Technology (SMarT) Research to develop a draft broadband strategy. How was this strategy received by stakeholders? JD: SMarT Research were commissioned to conduct policy research and produce the draft broadband framework and background documents. After a consultation process, the final version of both documents were prepared and submitted on 18 May, 2010. These were published and widely circulated for inputs in both print and electronic formats in- advance of, and during a stakeholders forum. Drafts of the documents were made available to the public through mailing lists, presentations and interactions at various stakeholder meetings, workshops and conferences. A BB4NG [Broadband for Nigeria] Stakeholders’ Forum was held on 28 July at the National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE) in Abuja. Chaired by a private sector delegate, over one hundred delegates participated in the event and each had a copy of the printed documents. Delegates were from government ministries and institutions; private sector and telecoms industry; civil society groups; the media; the political sector; the military and intelligence community; young adults from the National Youths Service Corps; the academia and the general public. The framework document was considered acceptable, as the issues brought up and discussed by delegates had to do with implementation of the framework. Accordingly, all but three of the delegates in the attendance register also signed their endorsement of the framework during the Stakeholders’ Forum, and both the senior special assistant to the minister of information and communications as well as the chairman of National Information Technology Development (NITDA) regarded the framework as presented to government. CHAKULA: There were a number of strands to your strategy, which attracted a good deal of media coverage. What do you think were the most successful learning experiences, and why do you think they were successful? JD: Composition of the core team of volunteers for developing the strategy was critical; media-savvy individuals and members who know the history of the Nigeria telecom inside out were on the team. They were able to mobilise their formidable network for effective coverage and follow up activities. For example a key member of the BB4NG campaign, Titi Omo-Ettu, is also the president of the high profile Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON). ATCON, is already part of a team that includes the Nigeria telcom regulator that will attend the October ITWeb Broadband 2010 summit in South Africa CHAKULA: Where is the process now, and what are the next steps? JD: Sustained post-forum campaigns are on-going and being monitored. It is delightful that a framework already has a solid “leg in” with the present government, as the objectives are already featuring in speeches delivered by the minister of information and communications. However, the impending commencement of political campaigns and changes of government and functionaries at all levels of governance suggest a strategic delay or toning down of the formal presentation of the framework to government. The Nigeria campaign therefore has to be sustained for a period that will span the inauguration of the next government in May 2011. This is an advantage as the new government is more likely to own a policy presented to it than inherited, especially from the tail-end of a previous one, and will also have the time to commence implementation of the framework. ********************************************************************* "[T]he campaign is coming at this time, which is its time." ********************************************************************* CHAKULA: You are the president of ATCON, and also a member of the broadband forum. First of all, can you tell me more about the Association – what is its role, and does it have a strong membership? TITI OMO-ETTU [TO]: ATCON is the umbrella Association of all Telecommunication Companies in Nigeria. It recognises seven subgroups as well as autonomous subgroup associations such as Association of Licensed Telecom Operators (ALTON), the Internet Service Providers Association (ISPAN) and others. It interfaces with the industry regulator and also with government to protect the interest of its members and also of the entire industry. It is a powerful input provider into policies of the federal government of Nigeria on communication matters. The government hired the association’s president in 2000 to serve as the chief executive of the Nigerian Communication Commission for two terms, which ended a few months ago. Another active member of the Association was recently hired to succeed him. The Association is taking a team of its members and other industry players and entrepreneurs to explore trade relationships with world class players in Johannesburg in a fortnight, there about. It asked for and got the approval of the regulator to lead the trade team for strategic reasons. CHAKULA: What got you interested in the broadband campaign? TO: I am an engineer and I built a career in the telcom industry working for Nigeria's expired monopoly incumbent in the days of monopoly. I have followed the growth and development of Nigeria’s telecommunications since 1987 while I was in the public service and when we first mooted the liberalisation agenda. I opted out of service in 1991 into retirement to pursue a career in telecommunication consultancy and also to play in the political development of the industry. I have done so continuously from then and it is only natural that the broadband campaign is coming at this time, which is its time. CHAKULA: Why do you think Nigeria lacked a broadband strategy? TO: To the extent that something has to start one day, ubiquitous broadband presence is not an old subject anywhere and I would rather see it as current need and not one of previous lack. CHAKULA: What does the Association’s membership make of the campaign? Are they generally supportive? TO: Yes, they are. CHAKULA: There have been suggestions that in Nigeria, perhaps more than in other countries, in order to bring about policy change you have to prove the business model – appeal to the economics of it – rather than appeal, to say, bridging the digital divide, or providing services to the poor. Is this perception correct? TO: This is true. I am an apostle of that philosophy which actually derived from our experiences that we have to situate the fortune of our development in the private-sector focused economy. This needs to be done to amass the kind of seriousness that enables us to meet our social needs using business models for productivity. The other models are unsuitable for our circumstances and ditto for a few other strategies. CHAKULA: Where to now with the campaign, in your view? TO: One way. Up! We are influencing government to open up the industry further. We did just that in the past decade, but now by stimulating SME initiatives to transport traffic and to enhance universal reach in such manners that promise ubiquity of broadband and strategic lowering of the cost of access and services. Government has been responding better and our efforts are counting. For our association and its members, the first is advocacy, then education, then constructive requests for government intervention to reduce stress as we march on. The march is unstoppable. ********************************************************************* “[T]he dominant paradigm regarding [ICT development] dictates that [the government’s] involvement be minimal.” ********************************************************************* CHAKULA: You were asked by Nigerian National Broadband Forum to develop a draft broadband strategy for Nigeria. I have posed this question to the forum – but it intrigues me that many African countries with burgeoning ICT environments, have not yet taken the initiative to develop policy frameworks to guide the development of the ICT sector – which they nevertheless concede is critical to the country’s development. How do you account for the policy lag in Africa around ICTs? ABI JAGUN [AJ]: I wish I had concrete evidence for what I am about to say rather than gut feel or unsubstantiated opinion, but I really do think that whilst some countries do more to integrate developments in ICTs into their national development strategies, and indeed practical/ concrete examples exist of this, other countries merely "talk the talk". I think there are various reasons for this, but a key one links to the perception that technology is a "black box" (for want of a better phrase). It boils down to the way technological innovation is packaged to developing countries and is linked to an out-dated(?) perspective of the way in which developing countries are expected to acquire technology. Technology is not something that developing countries "develop"; rather it is "transferred" to them, and as such there is little expectation that governments/the recipient nation should be too involved in the "technicalities" nor in innovation. Given an acceptance of this, it is not surprising that not much by way of developing the ICT sector features in meaningful/practical ways in the national priorities. Reinforcing this is the success with which the theory of liberalisation has influenced development interventions. A competitive private sector can deliver the promises of technology and governments need only *react* to their needs - articulated either by the sector itself or agencies that directly of indirectly represent their needs. Also influential are the very expansive and effective 'advertising' that has been done by private sector communications operators looking for new markets and who, on the one hand, are looking for favourable investment/trade conditions in developing and emerging countries and on the other see the opportunity to score corporate social responsibility points/quick-wins with their customers/ public in more industrialised countries. In summary, we do not see more government involvement in the way/manner in which ICT development occurs in (most) African countries because the dominant paradigm regarding such developments dictates that their involvement be minimal. CHAKULA: The draft framework suggests that the broadband strategy should aim to bring “broadband, with speed of at least 4Mbps, that is accessible, affordable and dependable to citizens and consumers in Nigeria.” How do you define issues of accessibility and affordability? AJ: Accessibility and affordability are defined in practical terms and much the same way as would be defined with respect to other (tele)communications products/services. A large proportion of the population (if not all members of the public that wish to access the product/service) should be able to access the product/service conveniently and at a price that is commensurate with the income of the majority of the population. CHAKULA: Amongst the objectives, you talk about the use of broadband for economic activities, because of the entrepreneurial nature of the population. In your experience, is broadband more about making money in Nigeria than elsewhere on the continent? In other countries, such as South Africa, an advocacy campaign might make more of bridging the digital divide, and serving underserved communities. In Nigeria, how do you see the balance between business and development, as the spark for an advocacy campaign – what gets you more leverage if you want to bring about change? AJ: There was intense discussion with respect to this in developing the broadband strategy. Whilst I cannot speak for other African countries, the truth is that the main driver of broadband deployment/ diffusion in Nigeria will be businesses. When businesses believe that they will be able to make money in rolling out broadband and when businesses believe that they will make money by adopting it we will see infrastructure being built and applications and/or content being developed. Personal use of broadband and its spread to underserved areas and/or mariginalised groups will come about/increase as a result of this. There is therefore a need to acknowledge and create the space for the business aspect of broadband in order to attain more public- interest oriented objectives. Key links: Draft policy documents: www.forum.org.ng/BB4NG Essentials of the media strategy is summarized at http://docs.google.com/Doc?docid=0AUg1mzUdzt_SZGZ6anRqaDJfMjY5ZnNwcTJnZ20&h… Stakeholder mapping is summarized at http://docs.google.com/Doc?docid=0AS4Cn2nENwLzZGZkMmtrMmJfMmZ0OG05d2Zi&hl=en Results of the media campaign: “Nigerians demand broadband access from FG,” Available at http://compassnewspaper.com/NG/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id… “Nigeria: New Broadband Capacity Underway, Says FG,” Available at http://allafrica.com/stories/201008100128.html “Stakeholders to dialogue on broadband for Nigerians,” Available at http://www.allvoices.com/contributed-news/6361408-stakeholders-to-dialogue-… “Broadband for Nigeria holds in Abuja,” Available at http://www.vanguardngr.com/2010/07/20/broadband-for-nigeria-holds-in-abuja/ //\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\ GHANA: Moving the hand of God The campaign in Ghana was launched in August 2009 with a stakeholder workshop in Dodowa. One of the key purposes of the campaign was to push for “immediate steps” to lower the cost of bandwidth in Ghana – the vehicle to do this would be the development of a national broadband strategy in consultation with stakeholders. Chakula spoke to Eric Osiakwan from Internet Research, who was tasked to lead the campaign, and Eva Lokko from Ghana Information Network for Knowledge Sharing. ********************************************************************* “Unfortunately the political elite has higher priorities…” ********************************************************************* CHAKULA: The goal of your broadband campaign was to push for lower bandwidth cost. Why are broadband prices so high in Ghana? Eric Osiakwan [EO]: The business model of operators nurtured by the environment is a "high margin, low volume" one, but our effort is to move them towards a "low margin, high volume" approach which is fundamentally responsible for the mobile revolution we have experienced on the continent. CHAKULA: It seems strange to me that governments in this day and age don't recognise the need for policy and strategy frameworks when it comes to ICTs. Why does this broadband strategy vacuum exist in Ghana? EO: There is an existing ICT for Accelerated Development Policy which calls for a Broadband Strategy, hence our effort. But unfortunately the political elite has higher priorities even when the sub-committee was set-up to advance the cause. CHAKULA: You intervention began in 2009 with a multi-stakeholder workshop in August of that year. It looks like government and business were very responsive to your aims? EO: Very. Our process was to gather the relevant stakeholders, and at the level of the vice president we had buy-in. But when the button was handed over to government to take leadership on the development of the strategy, which is within their remit, other competing priorities took over. CHAKULA: You have now been asked to serve on a newly-formed Broadband Policy Sub-committee of the Ministerial Advisory Committee. The task of the sub-committee has been to develop the broadband strategy. But I understand this has also been a frustrating process – where does everything stand right now? And what are your next steps? EO: Various members of the committee were tasked to write various elements of the policy input paper, but it is yet to be integrated, polished and tabled for a multi-stakeholder submission and input. CHAKULA: What are your learning experiences from this intervention, in terms of making policy interventions of this sort work? EO: We have learned that you can only move the "hand of God" that much.......maybe it would move at its own time and pace. ********************************************************************* “Stakeholders from all sides get to the practical acceptance of the fact that they need each other to survive…” ********************************************************************* CHAKULA: You were one of the conveners of the broadband strategy in Ghana, representing the Ghana Information Network and Knowledge Sharing (GINKS). First of all, tell me a bit about GINKS? EVA LOKKO [EL]: GINKS provides the platform for individuals and institutions to share experiences, best practices, lessons learnt as well as common ground for networking and dialogue with each other in order to harness all aspects of ICT for the development of Ghana. GINKS brings together institutions including government, CSOs, ICT infrastructure/service providers and users. CHAKULA: Why did the broadband initiative interest you? EL: I believe that the internet has become a “human right” in this era of knowledge economy. Consequently broadband is the blood that carries all the knowledge and information through the physical and virtual pipes to us. It will therefore be a disaster if Ghana does not put in place the necessary strategy to ensure standards, availability, affordability, reliability and sustainability of broadband services and support to facilitate ICT4D for all Ghanaians. I could therefore not stay out of such an important ICT initiative. A broadband strategy will: * Promote competition between and within communication service providers * Promote the provision of reliable and high-quality electronic services and content at affordable prices * Stimulate individual and business demand for broadband services to ensure viability of ICT businesses * Expand infrastructure, services and support to areas that do not yet have access. CHAKULA: Why do you think Ghana lacked a broadband strategy up until this point? EL: Unfortunately, strategies and policies seem to always lag behind implementation where ICT is concerned. I think the lack of a broadband strategy for Ghana was primarily due to the difficulty of accepting that ICTs cut across all sectors (education, health, agriculture, business, etc.) and that implementing ICT solutions across board would solve faster (and in some cases solve better) some of the same problems that we are aiming to solve with “brick-and-mortar”. The perception was that after we have solved the difficult problems in health, education etc. then we can look at ICTs. There was also the perception that ICTs are solely for ICT professionals and enthusiasts and therefore issues pertaining to ICTs were always reserved for last. The impact of broadband as a key economic indicator had also not been appreciated fully until now. CHAKULA: In your view, has the strategy been successful? EL: I think it has, even though not to the extent and at the speed that one would have wished. It was successful because stakeholders found it challenging and important enough to send high-powered delegates and decision-makers to the forum (government, users, providers, public, CSOs, etc.). The strategy forum sparked off a lot of interest from all quarters via the internet when it was going on and was taken up by parliament, the National Communications Authority and the ministry of communications (all of them participants) after it concluded. A committee has also been set up to review it for adoption. It will however be fully successful if implemented in good time after the review. CHAKULA: What has been your learning experience in engaging in this kind of strategy initiative? EL: Such initiatives are always very challenging experiences fraught with the usual tug-of-war on almost all suggestions made on the floor. The most important thing, though, is that there is always consensus at the end of such initiatives, since stakeholders from all sides get to the practical acceptance of the fact that they need each other to survive. You also learn new things and get a better picture of what is actually on the ground, what has been planned and where the gaps are. It always brings you back to the reality that there is always the need for a champion to ensure the move from a strategy to review and adoption, and finally to implementation. Key links: ICT for Accelerated Development Policy in Ghana: http://www.ict.gov.gh/ //\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\ SOUTH AFRICA: Autopsy of a missed opportunity What got left out… Ten things analysts say the South African broadband policy, gazetted earlier this year, does not do: 1. State the problem/challenge/opportunity which requires a policy intervention, and relate this to wider national policy objectives. 2. Establish the present position in relation to that problem (through e.g. statistical summary, technological and market analysis, research into user behaviour). 3. Consider international and national trends relevant to the policy area concerned. 4. Establish objectives for national broadband policy. 5. Set out alternative approaches which could be taken by government (and other actors), and consider the pros and cons of these different alternatives in light of objectives and resources. 6. In a consultation process, identify choices and questions which need to be addressed and on which opinion is consulted (but may indicate an initial policy preference) 7. In a final policy document, choose a particular policy approach and give reasons why this particular approach has been chosen. 8. Address questions of resourcing, including both finance and human resources. 9. Identify and consider other policy areas, outside the policy area in question, in which action or interventions are required (e.g. In supply-side areas such as capacity-building, in demand-side areas such as enabling legislation for e-commerce). 10. Establish a plan of action with clear goals, allocation of responsibilities and timetable. ********************************************************************** Criticism of South Africa’s broadband policy has been hard-hitting. Stakeholders – including activists, policy advisors and academics – have called it a “lost opportunity”, an “aspirational document with no clear plan of action”, unambitious, and the result of a government consultative process that was not sincere. Analysts have pointed out that there are few differences between the draft document published in 2009 – which was roundly criticised - and the final policy document which was gazetted. In a response to the draft policy document released by the department, Alison Gillwald, executive director of Research ICT Africa, pointed to the lack of clarity in the “roles of the state, state- owned entities, authorities and private sector in broadband infrastructure development”. These included the roles of the state broadband company Infraco, the Department of Public Enterprises, which is the sole shareholder of Infraco, and the Department of Communications, which has been “responsible for the to-date weak ‘managed liberalisation’ policy of the last decade”. “Critical issues of the co-ordination of rights of way and of complementary spectrum usage, which have plagued the roll-out of new entrants, are not raised,” she wrote, adding that the strategy lacked the vision seen in Britain, Australia, Mauritius and the US. In particular, the draft policy lacked insight into the crucial role of broadband in economic growth and job creation. Many have now warned that South Africa is likely to fall even further behind other African countries in its economic development because of a lack of strategic insight into the transformative power of communications technologies. Chakula spoke to the Shuttleworth Foundation’s Steve Song to get his sense of what can be salvaged from the aftermath… ********************************************************************* “[N]o one within government gets it or is prepared to stand up and fight for it.” ********************************************************************* CHAKULA: When we last spoke there was a sense of a policy window opening – an opportunity for policy influence given the change in government. It was in this moment that the South African National Broadband Forum (SANBF) launched its campaign for a progressive broadband strategy in this country. But the final policy as it emerged appears to lack substance, despite the efforts of many. What do you think are the key failings of the policy? STEVE SONG [SS]: I think the key failings of the policy are: a) To have set broadband penetration goals that are so weak as to be comparatively meaningless (15% broadband penetration - 256kbps – by 2019 for example). b) To have no resources linked to the policy. Without strong backing from economic planning, this policy is unlikely to attract the investment it needs to be meaningful. CHAKULA: The campaign was proactive, and, probably with limited resources, had a number of components – a workshop, a media drive (you yourself were interviewed on radio), a meeting with the Department of Communications, and a written response to the first draft of the broadband policy. Would you do anything differently if you had to launch a campaign like this again? SS: From a public perspective, I would simplify the message. We asked people to support a framework which was a set of recommendations for government policy. As a public campaign, we should have just focused on the targets, namely: By 2014, South Africa will: * Have broadband access in every town and village; * Have the cheapest broadband access on the continent; and, * Be number one in terms of broadband penetration on the continent. We should have just hammered those targets into the public consciousness so that even politicians would have those targets on their mind. Secondly, I would have focused on finding a point of leverage within the economic planning centres of power. As mentioned above, a broadband policy without some strong budget commitment is unlikely to have much impact. CHAKULA: What is your sense of the South African policy environment – do you think there is real willingness to engage with stakeholders on the government’s side; or do you think that much is made of this engagement, yet when it comes to the crunch, government goes its own way? Sometimes there is a feeling that when stakeholders are ready, government isn’t really on the same page, so efforts at advocacy can come to very little. Has this process left you disempowered, as stakeholders working outside of government? SS: There is no real champion within the South African government for broadband as an accelerator of social and economic development. My learning from this process is that no one within government gets it or is prepared to stand up and fight for it. We took a calculated risk that the South African election was a point of malleability in terms of policy and that politicians might seize on affordable broadband as policy issue. Strategically this was the right thing to do but tactically we failed to find the right points of engagement within the government. I don't feel disempowered by the process. It was a learning experience. CHAKULA: An assessment of the gazetted broadband policy document and the process is now underway. Are there still avenues open for policy advocacy around broadband? Where to now? SS: The problem of affordable access to broadband is not going to go away. Other countries are expanding their broadband infrastructure at an accelerated rate and the impact of this is showing itself in economic growth, in education, in nearly every aspect of life. Sooner or later it will dawn on someone in the South African government that we have been shooting ourselves in the telecommunications foot for nearly 10 years and it is damaging South Africa's prospects of being a competitive player in the global knowledge economy. Our job is to see bring that dawn about as quickly as possible. Key campaign links: Website for the online campaign: http://www.broadband4africa.org.za/ Participants' comments on the strategy framework: http://www.apc.org/en/system/files/Broadband+strategy+framework_compiled_in… Willie Currie’s blog on the campaign: http://www.southafricaconnect.org.za/ Broadband Forum’s workshop on video: http://www.southafricaconnect.org.za/?p=265 //\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\// CHAKULA is a newsletter produced by the Association for Progressive Communications (APC). It aims to mobilise African civil society around ICT policy for sustainable development and social justice issues. We welcome your opinions about this newsletter. Send your comments, feedback or contributions to chakula(a)apc.org. To subscribe or unsubscribe e-mail chakula(a)apc.org or go to: http://lists.apc.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/chakula

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Nomination period for the NRO-NC election from the AfriNIC region now open
by McTim 25 Sep '10

25 Sep '10

Apologies for extensive cross-posting: Dear Colleagues of the AfriNIC Community, It is with great pleasure that the AfriNIC NomCom2010 announces the opening of the nomination period for NRO-NC elections. Nominations will be accepted until 20:00 UTC on 16 October 2010. Appointing representatives from the AfriNIC service region to the NRO-NC (Number Resource Organisation's Number Council) is an important role played by the AfriNIC community. The community will elect individuals through an open and transparent election process in Johannesburg South Africa in November 2010. The NRO-NC election will take place during the second Public Policy Meeting of AfriNIC, which normally takes place during the last week of November of each year. For more details, please see: http://meeting.afrinic.net/afrinic-13/index.php/nro-ncaso-ac-election The appointed candidates will also serve, according to the ASO MoU, on the ASO-AC (Address Supporting Organisation Advisory Council). The Open seat for election will be based on the terms of the elected NRONC/ASO-AC representatives as published on: http://www.nro.net/about/number-council.html and http://aso.icann.org/people/address-council/address-council-members/ The election procedures for the AfriNIC NRO-NC/ASO-AC representatives are as follows: Who can be elected: Every year one member of the community is elected for a term of THREE (3) years to the NRO-NC. The candidate must be a natural person residing in a country within the AfriNIC service region. A person may only nominate ONE candidate. In case of multiple nominations by the same person, only the LAST nomination will be considered valid, and the Nomination Committee will consider the previous nomination(s) as invalid. AfriNIC staff or staff of other RIRs cannot nominate candidates nor be nominated. Self-nominations will be allowed but in such case the nomination must be formally supported by at least two AfriNIC members in good standing. Who can vote: AfriNIC members and any participants from the AfriNIC community present at the face-to-face meeting who meets the following criteria: ‐ have registered for the meeting (Meeting Badge as proof) ‐ resides in a country within AfriNIC service region and ‐ is not an employee of AfriNIC. Ballots for the vote will be distributed at the registration desk prior to the election. Proxy voting: Proxies are not allowed for the NRO-NC election The NomCom looks forward to your active participation. Best Regards, Tim McGinnis Chair NomCom2010

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Re: [kictanet] Wireless, a high or low density solution
by robert yawe 24 Sep '10

24 Sep '10

Hi, We have an infrastructure already existing beneath the city that was put up using tax payers funds which would mean it was not sold to Orange, see attached image. This ducting which still exists and what is required is for it to be handed over to CCK to manage thus allowing a new entrant to lay fibre in the fasted way possible without needing to dig up half the city. It is not for the consumers to pay the ISPs for making uneconomical decisions when laying their fibre cable, if this was done we can role out a fibre optic metro network, including areas like Buru Buru, Eastleigh and South C/B within 3 months. Peculiar Kenyans, we know the problem, we know the solution but we refuse to implement. So Liko, join me in the fight to wrestle this infrastructure that the tax payer paid for from the East Africa Post & Telecommunications/Kenya Posts and Telecommunications/Telkom Kenya. It was done in the US with MaBell (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bell_System) which was split up. If Dr. Ndemo is truthful about not handing over NoFbi to Orange, then lets make sure that he cuts out the existing underground ducting from its control. Most of the copper in those ducts is redundant as Telkom installed an SDH fibre ring to interconnect its exchanges. The writing is on the wall, any policy fellows out there who can guide us on how to effect to takeover? Regards Regards Robert Yawe KAY System Technologies Ltd Phoenix House, 6th Floor P O Box 55806 Nairobi, 00200 Kenya Tel: +254722511225, +254202010696 ________________________________ From: Dennis Kioko <dmbuvi(a)gmail.com> To: robert yawe <robertyawe(a)yahoo.co.uk> Cc: Dennis Kioko Mbuvi <dmbuvi+kictanet(a)gmail.com>; KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> Sent: Fri, 24 September, 2010 10:36:52 Subject: Re: [kictanet] Wireless, a high or low density solution I think the situation is compounded by lack of a Neutral infrastructure provider. ISPs are afraid to utilize infrastructure from KDN, Telkom and Jamii as all this operate their own ISPs. As for KDN leaving the retail market, am wondering how they expect us to beileve them when they have a sister company downstairs. So, will this be the situation until some Indian from Bharti or Reliance arrives and rolls out city wide infrastructure. Google has also announce plans to roll out wireless infrastructure for lease. Shall we be waiting for outsiders to come wipe our behinds, then fall over to foreign vs Kenyan to protect ourselves.

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Wireless, a high or low density solution
by robert yawe 24 Sep '10

24 Sep '10

Hi, I am sure some of you read my posting on my waiting to receive reliable Internet when at home and more recently my issues with safaricom on installation of a Wimax connection. In the same breath I have been questioning the rational of using wireless solutions in Nairobi where we have such a density of consumers which could explain the issues being raised by ISPs about lowering Internet charges due to unfactored costs in landing the fibre optic cable. I grew up in buru buru estate and now that I think about it there where very few overhead power lines and the ones that where there feed directly to the substations and transformer rooms. Where I currently live today in South C the situation is the same. But when you visit estates like Umoja innercore, Runda, Karen there is a lot of overhead power lines in the case of Umoja it is because of bad planning while in the other 2 it due to the sparseness of the units. Therefore as an analogy the over head lines is wireless connectivity and the underground cabling your fibre & copper solutions. When CCK raise issues about BTS sharing and NEMA keep screaming about radiation the ISPs continue to increase the amount of radio traffic in our airwaves one antennae at a time. As I write this I am seated in the office at Phoenix house and can see 5 wireless devices, across at Standard House there are over 13 of them three quarters of which are facing the same direction indicating that are connecting to the same base station. I do not envy the person responsible for customer service of that network and also the upgrades that will soon be required as one sector gets congested yet another is underutilised. Even as I wait for the finally commissioning of my Wimax installation by Safaricom at home I wonder would it not have been more cost effective to deliver a fibre optic cable to the estate (which for you information is fully ducted for low voltage services from the cab into each house) and provide all the 150 houses with a wired solution. If we think through some of the solutions we implement we can do more with what we have, the hire customer density on a fibre node will reduce per unit cost and increase profitability for the provider thus allowing him to offer wireless solutions for the more spreadout locations with lower densities. Our fear of Telkom's history where a land line would be out of service for months on end with excuses such cable has been cut or we have no drop wire. Today even Telkom is offering those with landlines an automatic wireless line fail-over in the event of the cable getting cut. Using Wimax to cover less than 4 kilometre distances is like killing a fly with a sledge hammer. 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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Commodity Exchange System
by robert yawe 23 Sep '10

23 Sep '10

Hi, The National Cereals and Produce Board together with the East African Grain Council are working towards the creation of a commodity exchange to trade futures. This process is at an advanced stage which begun with a process called warehouse receipting and currently Equity Bank offers credit against the receipts. What does this have to do with us in the IT field? When the Nairobi Stock Exchange tendered for the automated trading system (ATS) and more recently for the Broker Back-office System no local IT company made it past the 1st round. The fact that companies like Virtual City are winning international awards for systems development and others like PesaPal are receiving large direct foreign investments means that we do have the skills to develop world class solutions. This is an appeal to all ICT experts in the country to prepare ourselves to make sure that the grain exchange system is locally developed and we stop being spectators in our own country. I know it is said that a prophet is never recognised in his own town, it is time we made this phrase redundant. NCPB and others are already shopping overseas for a solution so be warned that time is not in our hands and if we are to have an impact we need to move quickly. The proposed system is supposed to provide a trading platform, depository system, GIS for land information, settlement system, warehouse management, weather monitoring and seed planting information system (acreage, seed type, fertiliser, etc). Lets get off our high horses and put a together a world class solution for a local problem. No tears after the horse has bolted. Useful links http://dn.nationmedia.com/DN/DN/2010/09/03/ArticleHtmls/03_09_2010_030_014.… http://allafrica.com/stories/200904271171.html http://www.ratin.net/mainfeature.asp?id=40 http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Smart%20Money/-/688614/899436/-/bypmdxz/-… http://www.unctad.info/upload/SUC/LusakaWorkshop/WarehouseServicesKenya.pdf Robert Yawe KAY System Technologies Ltd Phoenix House, 6th Floor P O Box 55806 Nairobi, 00200 Kenya Tel: +254722511225, +254202010696

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Masaku to Ndemo, "You are Doing a Great Job with Artists"
by Grace (Bomu) 23 Sep '10

23 Sep '10

On Churhill Live, shown on Thursday at 7.30pm, veteran actor "Masaku" of Vitimbi fame ackowlegded the great work being by Information PS in supporting training of upcoming artists in the "mitaas". Congrats on your good work! -- Grace L.N. Mutung'u (Bomu) Kenya Skype: gracebomu Twitter: GraceMutung'u (Bomu)

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IGF Book, report on Sharm El Sheikh Meeting
by Barrack Otieno 23 Sep '10

23 Sep '10

Dear Colleagues, This might be an interesting resource for those who did not make it for the meeting in Vilnius. http://www.intgovforum.org/cms/images/2010/book/igf.sharm.book.final.pdf Best Regards -- Barrack O. Otieno +41767892272 Skype: barrack.otieno

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Fwd: [ISOC] Reminder: Deadline approaching [Internet Society Community Grants programme]
by Adam Peake 23 Sep '10

23 Sep '10

Any ISOC member can apply. Adam >From: Connie Kendig <kendig(a)isoc.org> >To: isoc-members-announce(a)elists.isoc.org >Date: Thu, 23 Sep 2010 09:36:55 -0400 >Subject: [ISOC] Reminder: Deadline approaching [Internet Society Community > Grants programme] > >Just a friendly reminder that the ISOC grants programme application >round is closing in one week: 30 September. > >Feel free to contact me with any questions. > >Warm regards, >Connie > > >Begin forwarded message: > >>From: Connie Kendig <kendig(a)isoc.org> >>Date: September 1, 2010 8:59:10 AM EDT >>To: isoc-members-announce(a)elists.isoc.org >>Subject: [ISOC] Internet Society Community Grants programme now open! >> >>Dear ISOC members: >> >>The Internet Society is now accepting applications for its >>Community Grants Programme. The application cycle will be open >>until 30 September. Decisions will be announced in mid-November. >> >>Please note, as mentioned before, two new eligibility criteria: >> >>1. Current Chapter applicants who are previous Community Grants >>award recipients and currently have a project underway must have >>met all financial and reporting requirements for that past award. >>Otherwise, the current Chapter application will not be considered. >> >>2. Previous Community Grants recipients awarded as Individual >>Members (instead of a Chapter award) may not have more than one >>ISOC-funded project open at one time. In order for a current >>application from an Individual Member to be considered, any >>previous non-Chapter projects must be completed in full with >>appropriate reporting submitted. >> >>To learn more about the programme, and to apply, please visit our >>website at http://www.isoc.org/isoc/chapters/projects/. >> >>Any questions may be sent to projects [at] isoc [dot] org. >> >>Best, >> >>Connie J Kendig >>Sponsored Programs & Grants Manager >> >>Internet Society >>www.isoc.org >> >>Kendig(a)isoc.org >>Phone: +1 (703) 439-2136 > >

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Mobile Monday- September 27th @iHub 6pm-7.30pm Invitation
by John Wesonga 23 Sep '10

23 Sep '10

Hi, I just wanted to send out an invitation to the KICTANET list for *Mobile Monday-KENYA *which will be happening on the 27th of September at the iHub from 6:00pm to 7:30pm. For those not familiar with Mobile Monday (MoMo) is an open community platform of mobile industry visionaries, developers and influential individuals fostering brand neutral cooperation and cross-border P2P business opportunities through live networking events to demo products, share ideas and discuss trends from both local and global markets. This will be our 7th meet up since the Kenya chapter was launched Previous organizations/companies that have presented include Google Kenya,MXit plus several local startups. Register at http://mobilemondaykenya.eventbrite.com/ -- John Wesonga

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KICTB Pasha"Digital Villages" Status
by Edwin Onchari 22 Sep '10

22 Sep '10

Hello Paul, What is the progress on this project, and how does one tap into its capacity to roll out services to disadvantages locations in Kenya, to benefit the marginalized groups in our society? There is not much on your site to this effect Edwin

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Unavailable Safaricom offer
by robert yawe 22 Sep '10

22 Sep '10

Hi, On Sunday I came across a full page advertisement by Safaricom offering home broadband service for 3,990/-, they also where offering a free PSP for the 1st 10 signups. This was an offer that my kids where not going to let pass them, so we sent a message to the number and promptly received a reply at 9:35 am on Sunday 19th September 2010 that they will revert to us within 12 hours. It has been over 24 hours and no response from Safaricom, is this a sign of things to come where marketing are moving forward without consulting other departments? Its not a pretty sight. 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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[Fwd: call for participants for the first regional LPI Training of Trainers]
by Joe Murithi Njeru 21 Sep '10

21 Sep '10

Hello All, Please see the above communication from Evans Ikua on the 1st Regional LPI Training of Trainers. -- Regards, Joe Murithi Njeru Zilojo Ltd. P.O. Box 39501-00623 Nairobi Kenya. T: +254-722-787725 E: joe.njeru(a)zilojo.com W: http://www.zilojo.com M: http://www.mobility.co.ke/zilojo Web . Retail . Travel

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IDC's Storage, Virtualisation and Datacentres Roadshow 14th October 2010
by Francis.Hook＠gmail.com 21 Sep '10

21 Sep '10

Dear Listers, IDC is pleased to announce its Storage, Virtualisation and Datacentres Roadshow scheduled for the 14th October 2010 at the Hilton Hotel. This event will feature presentations on cloud computing, data centres, managed services and smart infrastructure consolidation. This half day event is FREE to eligible end users and only requires registration at the link provided below. To view details of this event, please visit : www.idc-cema.com/events/storage10ken To register for the event (end users), please visit: http://www.idc-cema.com/?formid=eventreg&prd_id=1822467&content_lang=ENG For any other information, please contact fhook(a)idc.com Thanks and kind regards Francis -

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FW: Consumers: ZICTA (Zambia) introduces fixed telecommunication charges
by Edith Adera 20 Sep '10

20 Sep '10

Are we joining the era of price controls? Isn't this stiffling competition, creativity and free choice? http://postzambia.com/post-read_article.php?articleId=13821 Edith ________________________________ ZICTA introduces fixed telecommunication charges for all operators By Mutale Kapekele Fri 17 Sep. 2010, 14:00 CAT [http://postzambia.com/pics/icons/uparrow.gif]<http://postzambia.com/post-read_article.php?articleId=13821#text_size> [http://postzambia.com/pics/icons/downarrow.gif] <http://postzambia.com/post-read_article.php?articleId=13821#text_size> Text size [http://postzambia.com/pics/icons/printer.png] <http://postzambia.com/post-print_article.php?articleId=13821> Print<http://postzambia.com/post-print_article.php?articleId=13821> [http://postzambia.com/includes/thumbs/thumbs.php?w=350&id=13821]<http://postzambia.com/article_image.php?image_type=article&id=13821> File Picture: Zamtel mast THE Zambia Information and Communication Technology Authority (ZICTA) has introduced fixed telecommunication charges for all operators expected to come into effect on November 1, 2010. This follows the Authority's recent cost of service study that was undertaken by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PWC) of the United Kingdom that recommended the relaxation of tariffs. Announcing the development yesterday, ZICTA director general Margaret Kunda-Chalwe said all voice calls would be charged at 5.9 US cents (K300) per minute and reduce to 5.3 US cents on January 1, 2011 with a further reduction to 5 US cents at the beginning of 2012. She also announced that Short Message Sending (SMS) charges would with effect from November 1 be pegged at K295 reducing to K132.50 and K125 in 2011 and 2012 respectively. Chalwe said the rates for interconnection would be dominated in Zambian kwacha in conformity with the law and given the low inflation rate in the country. She also disclosed that ZICTA would implement all recommendations from PWC which included the control of telecommunication charges, the elimination of wholesale tariff discrimination and the stimulation of effective communication, among other issues. Chalwe also announced that ZICTA had made funds available for building towers in un-serviced areas where telecommunication companies could mount their transmitters. ZICTA introduces fixed telecommunication charges for all operators <http://postzambia.com/post-read_article.php?articleId=13821#text_size> <http://postzambia.com/post-read_article.php?articleId=13821#text_size> <http://postzambia.com/post-print_article.php?articleId=13821> <http://postzambia.com/post-print_article.php?articleId=13821> <http://postzambia.com/article_image.php?image_type=article&id=13821>

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Re: [kictanet] KPLC should embrace technology and save kenyans millions
by John Kariuki 17 Sep '10

17 Sep '10

I wish life was that simple.However,I am pursuaded that it is not. What should be of concern is the issue of national infrastructure and the extent of private sector participation and whether even after privatisation the Government(read Citizens) still carry very substantial risks. Remember, the recent financial crisis in the West, in particular US, where large sums of taxpayers money were used to bail out private companies whose top executives were at the same time paying themselves huge bonuses. Conclusion: Even when you privatize, the tax payer still carries some risk! Just some little food for thought. --- On Fri, 17/9/10, Dennis Kioko <dmbuvi(a)gmail.com> wrote: From: Dennis Kioko <dmbuvi(a)gmail.com> Subject: Re: [kictanet] KPLC should embrace technology and save kenyans millions To: "John Kariuki" <ngethe.kariuki2007(a)yahoo.co.uk> Cc: "Dennis Kioko Mbuvi" <dmbuvi+kictanet(a)gmail.com>, "KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions" <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> Date: Friday, 17 September, 2010, 12:01 I suggest we invite the Indians to form a second distribution company. However, am sure the suggestion will raise a lot of dust around about support for Kenyan investors. It is my opinion that we need to review a lot of things starting with what we pay for power, and cost of commodities such as sugar. As long as the cost of Pakistan Cement in Nairobi is lower tha factory price of local cement and sugar costs twice what it costs in the region , we are in danger of the more efficient producers upsetting us one day.

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Local (Kenya, later Africa) Call termination to VoIP rates
by Edwin Onchari 17 Sep '10

17 Sep '10

Listers, Could anyone with information on the most competitive call termination to VoIP (local) please contact me urgently! Not sure as yet, on how many calls I will be handling (but will be significant) Kind regards, Edwin M Onchari Founder & CEO - LynxBits Global +254-0720-755-951 eonchari(a)lynxbits.com www.lynxbits.com

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Bharti and IBM extend partnership into Africa
by Harry Hare 17 Sep '10

17 Sep '10

http://tinyurl.com/3876xjj Harry African eDevelopment Resource Centre eDevelopment House : : 604 Limuru Road Old Muthaiga : : P O Box 49475 00100 Nairobi : : Kenya T +254 20 3741646/7 : : C +254 725 650044 Training : : Research: :Consultancy: : Publishing

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Call Completion Rate on Safaricom
by Edith Adera 17 Sep '10

17 Sep '10

What is going on with the network today? I made several calls today and ended up "crossing lines" with other subscribers and listening in on third party conversations rather than getting the subscriber dialed. Could Safaricom inform their consumers what is going on? network upgrade? technical glitch? Are call completion rates a regulatory performance target? Edith

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Re: [kictanet] [Skunkworks] IBM President in the Country
by Brian Munyao Longwe 17 Sep '10

17 Sep '10

This is a bold move and a clear statement of how serious Bharti is taking the intervention in Africa. As James Murua points out in his blog post ( http://bit.ly/avQeUT) Bharti is working with IBM so that they (Bharti) can focus on their core strengths and hit the market hard through partnerships. In the words of a speaker at AITEC's EA ICT conference, Bharti outsources "everything" which allows them to minimize on capital and operating expenses - but more importantly - to hit their target markets hard and square. Can't wait to see what else they have up their sleeve! Regards, Brian On Fri, Sep 17, 2010 at 3:16 PM, Glenn Sequeira <gsequeira(a)gmail.com> wrote: > On Fri, Sep 17, 2010 at 3:59 PM, Dennis Kioko <dmbuvi(a)gmail.com> wrote: > > > For those who missed it, IBMs Samuel Palmisano was in the country this > > morning, physically, not virtually via Hologram . He was here for the > > announcement about Bharti's partnership with IBM. > > Here's the press release from IBM: > > http://www-03.ibm.com/press/us/en/pressrelease/32505.wss > > ~glenn > _______________________________________________ > Skunkworks mailing list > Skunkworks(a)lists.my.co.ke > http://orion.my.co.ke/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/skunkworks > ------------ > Skunkworks Server donations spreadsheet > > http://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=0AopdHkqSqKL-dHlQVTMxU1VBdU1BSWJxdy1… > ------------ > Skunkworks Rules > http://my.co.ke/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=94 > ------------ > Other services @ http://my.co.ke > -- Brian Munyao Longwe e-mail: blongwe(a)gmail.com cell: + 254 722 518 744 blog : http://zinjlog.blogspot.com meta-blog: http://mashilingi.blogspot.com

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KPLC should embrace technology and save kenyans millions
by Edwin Onchari 17 Sep '10

17 Sep '10

Dear KPLC, Here is a brief picture(example from what I have experienced in last 1 year) that is disturbing and unfortunately resonates with millions of Kenyans privileged to have power in their houses/offices: Month Bill Meter reading 1-5 Average 1000 KES Estimate 6 - 8 Average 1100 KES Estimate 9 17000 KES Meter reading Now: If KPLC invested in locally developed and available technology, customers can actually monitor their electricity usage, versus the readings on their meters and what is shown on the invoices. The sad story about these fluctuations is that KPLC insists that you must pay the higher amounts, then go to their ever unending queue at electricity house (good luck if you have a car because parking in Nairobi is another nightmare), where a customer care agent (with no etiquette) will tell you to produce all receipts for the year to sort out your problem. Now, I work along Mombasa road, which means that I have to halt my income generating engagements to navigate through unending traffic so that I can go queue for hours and face a customer care agent that will rudely handle my case, to no conclusion and brace myself for another such session in less than a year later! Any affordable solar solutions out there for apartment duelers? Because I terribly need one. Edwin

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