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Re: [kictanet] mailing list
by Pius W Walela 01 Dec '09

01 Dec '09

pwalela(a)strathmore.edu __________ Information from ESET NOD32 Antivirus, version of virus signature database 4576 (20091105) __________ The message was checked by ESET NOD32 Antivirus. http://www.eset.com Strathmore University provides all-round education in an atmosphere of freedom and responsibility. This email and any files transmitted with it are intended solely for use by the recipient(s) to whom it is addressed and may contain confidential information. If you have received this email in error please notify the sender immediately and permanently delete this email and/or any files attached to it from your computer. Please note that any views or opinions presented in this email are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of Strathmore University. The University accepts no liability whatsoever for any loss or damages incurred, or suffered, resulting, or arising, from the use of this email and/or its attachments. The University warrants neither the integrity of the e-mail nor its freedom from errors, viruses, interception or any other form of interference. …………………………………………………………………. Website: www.strathmore.edu

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"Blogging Positively": E-Guide, WAD Chat (Dec 3), and Project
by Janet Feldman 01 Dec '09

01 Dec '09

Dear Friends, Rising Voices (http://rising.globalvoicesonline.org) is pleased to announce the release of "Blogging Positively," a collection of case studies, interviews, and best practices about citizen media related to HIV/AIDS. Copies in PDF form can be downloaded here: http://rising.globalvoicesonline.org/guides In this e-guide, you will be introduced to some of the leaders and veterans of the HIV/AIDS-related blogging community, and also to citizen media projects which aim to spread more awareness about the pandemic. The guide contains tips for workshop facilitators and teachers, and points readers to helpful resources for new bloggers just getting started. The project began two years ago when Kenyan blogger, Serina Kalande, volunteered to lead a working group for Rising Voices--the outreach arm of Global Voices Online--to discuss how citizen media can best be implemented in the field of HIV/AIDS. Rising Voices is especially interested in how new media tools can be used most effectively to spread awareness and encourage discussion about HIV/AIDS-related topics. We also wanted to better understand some of the risks and obstacles facing bloggers who are HIV-positive, or who regularly write about HIV/AIDS-related topics. Four online chats brought together people from all over the world, and from a wide range of fields. In addition to this guide, the participants of the chats and others are collaborating on the creation of a map-based directory of people and groups who blog about HIV/AIDS. This is a link to the map: http://is.gd/545x4 If you are an HIV-positive blogger, someone who blogs about HIV/AIDS, or if you have suggestions for links to add to the directory, please contact Global Voices Public Health Editor, Juhie Bhatia (juhiebhatia(a)gmail.com) or the Blogging Positively Guide creator and co-editor, Janet Feldman (kaippg(a)earthlink.net) The importance and impact of this guide depends on our collective ability to get it into the hands of activists, and to encourage their contributions to the worldwide conversation that is taking place daily at the Global Voices website (http://globalvoicesonline.org) Please consider sharing this with your network of friends and blogging about it. If there are HIV/AIDS organizations and support groups in your region, please send them a copy of the guide. World AIDS Day "Blogging Positively" Chat: December 3, 2009 at 11am EST (USA) To join us, please visit: http://www.worknets.org/chat/base Select "English" and press "Next". We will create chat rooms for other languages if the opportunity arises. The chat will begin at 11am EST (Boston-New York). This is 2pm (Buenos Aires), 4pm (London), 6pm (Cape Town, Beirut), 7pm (Nairobi), 9:30pm (New Delhi) 12am (Dec 4) (Beijing, Manila), 1am (Tokyo), 3am (Dec 4) (Sydney). For other WAD coverage at Global Voices Online: http://globalvoicesonline.org Thanks and hope you will join us for one or all of these activities! Janet Feldman ActALIVE (www.actalive.org) KAIPPG International (www.kaippg.org) Creator and Co-Editor, Blogging Positively Guide (Rising Voices) kaippg(a)earthlink.net

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Re: [kictanet] NCA Board member gives its price target as an E1 for US$100-500
by Sam Gatere 30 Nov '09

30 Nov '09

Nice gesture Kai, and If you are serious I'm willing to receive and early Broadband Christmas! But will your pricing go back to normal in January? I guess what we need to hear, are the qualifications of what cheaper really means. Does it mean "more affordable" as it is now with double bandwidth for the same price? or are we talking real shillings? If we say cheaper are we looking at broadband connectivity below Kes 1000 per month or less? SammyG~ On Mon, Nov 30, 2009 at 5:30 PM, kai wulff <kai.wulff(a)kdn.co.ke> wrote: > This is a different debate about the banking system .. If you ask me, > protection of the banks caused and will continue to cause a problem. > > > > Let us stick to simple products like IP …. At least this can’t be borrowed > or bubbled .. > > > > > > As a X-Mas Present .. What would you say if I gave DSL and Butterfly for > free for December? > > > > Kai > > > > > > > > > > *Von:* kictanet-bounces+kai.wulff=kdn.co.ke(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke [mailto: > kictanet-bounces+kai.wulff <kictanet-bounces%2Bkai.wulff>=kdn.co.ke@ > lists.kictanet.or.ke] *Im Auftrag von *Eric M.K Osiakwan > *Gesendet:* Monday, November 30, 2009 16:40 > > *An:* kai.wulff(a)kdn.co.ke > *Cc:* KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions > *Betreff:* Re: [kictanet] NCA Board member gives its price target as an E1 > for US$100-500 > > > > On 30 Nov 2009, at 06:28, Crystal Watley Kigoni wrote: > > > > Regulatory bodies are designed to ensure fair play. In the case of > Internet connectivity and pricing, the demand for services has outpaced the > production. As it stands. more bandwidth is on its way via sea and air which > will naturally make prices fall. With the landing of the cables, we have a > trickle that we are counting as a landslide. It takes time to implement > capacity. Within the next year prices will fall due to market mechanism not > due to regulatory action. > > Sure but dont forget cartels sometimes are formed to keep the status quo in > competition situations. As for the markets, they have moods which are > determinant. ask yourself, why did the global financial situation not fix > itself, afterall there is still demand and supply in play? > > > > > Crystal Kigoni > > Eric here > > > > > > On Mon, Nov 30, 2009 at 5:59 AM, kai wulff <kai.wulff(a)kdn.co.ke> wrote: > > Define “artificial”? > > > > Did you divide the cost of a cable by the “available” capacity or by the > anticipated uptake? > > > > Example: > > > > If an A320 costs 6000 USD per flight hour “wet” and has 120 seats, the cost > per passenger seat is 50 USD > > If an A380 costs 20 000 USD per flight hour “wet” and has 800 seats, the > cost per passenger seat is 25 USD > > > > So do we say that a Tour Operator can only sell a seat for USD 25 plus a > small (and again .. What is small) margin? > > > > What if you only fly at 10% load on your first flight … Isn’t your cost per > passenger now 250 USD … > > > > Kai > > > > *Von:* kictanet-bounces+kai.wulff=kdn.co.ke(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke [mailto: > kictanet-bounces+kai.wulff <kictanet-bounces%2Bkai.wulff>=kdn.co.ke@ > lists.kictanet.or.ke] *Im Auftrag von *Eric M.K Osiakwan > *Gesendet:* Sunday, November 29, 2009 22:27 > > > *An:* kai.wulff(a)kdn.co.ke > *Cc:* KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions > *Betreff:* Re: [kictanet] NCA Board member gives its price target as an E1 > for US$100-500 > > > > > > Kai, > > > > I would observe the sabath by writing my last email on this subject. > > > > I was at the said workshop and indeed have worked on the subject > extensively prior to the announcement by the regulator and in the new story, > "supply bandwidth" is the term, otherwise i wont make an apple and oranges > analysis. At least you should credit my non-distortionist approach to this > subject. > > > > The situation we are dealing with is the artificial high price of bandwidth > to the continent which has held back the industry, those prices MUST come > into the realm of reality and then the forces of demand and supply would > make usage and local content the catalyst. Offcourse, education, > electrification etc are all in the value chain. > > > > Eric here > > > > > > On 29 Nov 2009, at 19:00, kai wulff wrote: > > > > Eric, > > > > Please read carefully what I wrote. > > > > I have no problem with meaningful regulation .. This regulation should > focus on promoting usage .. > > > > Your example of the Central Bank does not fit here .. The rate set by a > Central bank would in our case be the cost for which an Operator (Bank) can > buy capacity (borrows money). The Central Banks don’t regulate the retail > end .. > > > > I mentioned before, the main tools to drive down Broadband prices would be > usage and local content. > > > > More usage can be created by education, electrification and other factors. > > > > Rgds > > > > Kai > > > > *Von:* kictanet-bounces+kai.wulff=kdn.co.ke(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke [mailto: > kictanet-bounces+kai.wulff <kictanet-bounces%2Bkai.wulff>=kdn.co.ke@ > lists.kictanet.or.ke] *Im Auftrag von *Eric M.K Osiakwan > *Gesendet:* Sunday, November 29, 2009 21:34 > *An:* kai.wulff(a)kdn.co.ke > *Cc:* KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions > *Betreff:* Re: [kictanet] NCA Board member gives its price target as an E1 > for US$100-500 > > > > Kai, > > > > The Central Bank as the regulator of the financial sector in every economy > sets prime rates and other industry indicators based on their calculation of > the market forces as they interplay with demand and supply. i dont see why > you sense danger with the regulator of the coms industry setting "prime > rate" based on the commoditized calculation..... > > > > You generate a lot of weight in your submission below on the private sector > factors as a basis to slap the need for regulatory intervention in a market > situation that has held the industry back for a very longtime. Am a private > sector spice like you but if there is any lesson for us to learn from the > current global financial crisis, it is that, we need regulatory > interventions in the market theatre as markets have mood and are by that > extension in perfect. > > > > My comment is, all the factors you have enumerated are great but they dont > negate the need for regulatory intervention to bring artificially high > prices down for the masses to have access, a market expansion mechanism. > > > > Eric here > > > > > > > > On 29 Nov 2009, at 17:59, kai wulff wrote: > > > > Eric, > > > > This is exactly the type of statement that is dangerous. It is a little bit > like deflation … > > > > Because everybody expect cheaper prices nobody moves .. And because of > this, uptake is below the potential, usage of the cable is sub optimal and > prices don’t come down … Result: People will wait longer .. > > > > I still don’t understand why we are so set on the E1 price (actually we > should talk about 2M duplex and not old school) for a BPO .. Quality is what > matters .. > > > > With a good quality compression you can push more than 256 calls at any > given time. So in an 8 hour shift you could have 122880 call minutes with > 256 agents .. Assume 70% load, this makes 86016 minutes. Surely, you will > have to terminate them into a network. Assume 0.02USD per minute. > > > > So my question: What is your staff cost? Let’s argue 700KSH per day and > person? Electricity? KSH 20 per day and person? Rent KSH 50 per day and > person (assuming you work 2 shifts, 7 days a week). > > > > Add software, overheads ….. > > > > So now, what is the cost of communication? > > > > Currently an E1 in Kenya costs 1200 USD (not using the free offer) list > price. So we said 2 shifts, 30 days, 70% load .. > > > > 5160960 call minutes a month > > > > That makes 0,0174 KSH per minute (took a rate of 75 to the USD) for the > submarine portion! > > We add KSH 2 for termination = 2,0174 KSH communications per minute > > > > Salaries: 1,45 KSH per minute (and this includes the idle ones or KSH 2,08 > per minute at 70% > > > > You see the contribution of the pure Submarine portion .. It is NEXT TO > NOTHING. > > > > Any comments? > > > > Kai > > > > > > > > > > > > *Von:* kictanet-bounces+kai.wulff=kdn.co.ke(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke [mailto: > kictanet-bounces+kai.wulff <kictanet-bounces%2Bkai.wulff>=kdn.co.ke > @lists.kictanet.or.ke] *Im Auftrag von *Eric M.K Osiakwan > *Gesendet:* Sunday, November 29, 2009 20:35 > *An:* kai.wulff(a)kdn.co.ke > *Cc:* KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions > *Betreff:* [kictanet] NCA Board member gives its price target as an E1 for > US$100-500 > > > > A two day workshop called “Fiber Optic Undersea (Submarine) cable”, in > collaboration with West Africa Telecommunications Regulators Assembly > (WATRA) <http://98.130.227.12/>, the German Technical Group (GTZ)<http://www.gtz.de/en/> and > also the National Communications Authority (NCA) <http://www.nca.org.gh/> at > the La Palm Royal Hotel. > > The workshop offered WATRA <http://98.130.227.12/> members the guidance > regarding the regulation of access to new undersea cables and also come up > with adoptable guidelines for issuance of undersea cable licenses and > landing rights agreement. This would ensure the transparency in deployment > and pricing of undersea cables. > > A Member of the Board of Directors of NCA <http://www.nca.org.gh/>, > Solomon Quandzie has observed that the availability of international > bandwidth, coupled with NCA’s plans for licensing additional terrestrial > fiber optic cables systems, and also wireless broadband access (through > things like WiMAX) operators would finally set the deployment of broadband > networks throughout the country and further lay the foundation for rapid > economic growth in the ICT sector. > > He said, application of Business Process Outsourcing (BPOs) and > Government’s decentralization program would enhance various e-government > packages which would increase the social-economic development of the > citizenry in a manner never witnessed in this country over the past several > years. > > Quandzie said that the NCA is committed to opening up the market base of > the telecommunication industry by offering an additional fiber optic cable > operator (WACS), which would add more capacity to the existing one, all > within a 24 month period. > > According to Quandzie, the current SAT 3 cable systems provides an > estimated three gigabytes capacity of international bandwidth to the country > at approx systems to become operational, adding that “They will be adding > respectively, for a total of 1,920 gigabytes or 640 fold increase to the > current capacity of international bandwidth in the country”. > > Quandzie said that NCA expectation of a supply bandwidth a price goal of > $100-500 per E1 should be possible within the very near future which would > provide the necessary framework for the attainment of such an outcome. > > He concluded that with the right regulatory framework established, reliable > and affordable broadband networks, coupled with low cost of available > international bandwidth can be provided through undersea fiber optic cables. > (Source: The Ghanaian Chronicle) > > > > > > Eric M.K Osiakwan > > Director > > Internet Research > > www.internetresearch.com.gh > > emko(a)internetresearch.com.gh > > 42 Ring Road Central, Accra-North > > Tel: +233.21.258800 ext 7031 > > Fax: +233.21.258811 > > Cell: +233.24.4386792 > > > > > > > > > > > > Eric M.K Osiakwan > > Director > > Internet Research > > www.internetresearch.com.gh > > emko(a)internetresearch.com.gh > > 42 Ring Road Central, Accra-North > > Tel: +233.21.258800 ext 7031 > > Fax: +233.21.258811 > > Cell: +233.24.4386792 > > > > > > > > > > > Eric M.K Osiakwan > > Director > > Internet Research > > www.internetresearch.com.gh > > emko(a)internetresearch.com.gh > > 42 Ring Road Central, Accra-North > > Tel: +233.21.258800 ext 7031 > > Fax: +233.21.258811 > > Cell: +233.24.4386792 > > > > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > kictanet mailing list > kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > > This message was sent to: crystal(a)voicesofafrica.org > Unsubscribe or change your options at > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/crystal%40voicesofafri… > > > > > -- > Crystal "Naliaka" Watley Kigoni > Voices of Africa for Sustainable Development > crystal(a)voicesofafrica.org > http://www.voicesofafrica.org/ > > "You must be the change you wish to see" - Gandhi > _______________________________________________ > kictanet mailing list > kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > > This message was sent to: emko(a)internetresearch.com.gh > Unsubscribe or change your options at > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/emko%40internetresearc… > > > > Eric M.K Osiakwan > > Director > > Internet Research > > www.internetresearch.com.gh > > emko(a)internetresearch.com.gh > > 42 Ring Road Central, Accra-North > > Tel: +233.21.258800 ext 7031 > > Fax: +233.21.258811 > > Cell: +233.24.4386792 > > > > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > kictanet mailing list > kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > > This message was sent to: sam.gatere(a)gmail.com > Unsubscribe or change your options at > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/sam.gatere%40gmail.com > >

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Re: [kictanet] NCA Board member gives its price target as an E1 for US$100-500
by Eric M.K Osiakwan 30 Nov '09

30 Nov '09

On 30 Nov 2009, at 14:30, kai wulff wrote: > This is a different debate about the banking system .. If you ask me, protection of the banks caused and will continue to cause a problem. Okay, lets discuss this in Cape Town over beer later this week, the tab is on me.... > > Let us stick to simple products like IP …. At least this can’t be borrowed or bubbled .. Agreed but can be hijacked. > > > As a X-Mas Present .. What would you say if I gave DSL and Butterfly for free for December? Sure as an experiment to see uptake over the period. Kai, I must confess, your ability to generate business with humour is impeccable.....:-) Okay, let me not miss my flight, see you in Zuma's South Africa. > > Kai Eric here > > > > > Von: kictanet-bounces+kai.wulff=kdn.co.ke(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke [mailto:kictanet-bounces+kai.wulff=kdn.co.ke@lists.kictanet.or.ke] Im Auftrag von Eric M.K Osiakwan > Gesendet: Monday, November 30, 2009 16:40 > An: kai.wulff(a)kdn.co.ke > Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions > Betreff: Re: [kictanet] NCA Board member gives its price target as an E1 for US$100-500 > > On 30 Nov 2009, at 06:28, Crystal Watley Kigoni wrote: > > > Regulatory bodies are designed to ensure fair play. In the case of Internet connectivity and pricing, the demand for services has outpaced the production. As it stands. more bandwidth is on its way via sea and air which will naturally make prices fall. With the landing of the cables, we have a trickle that we are counting as a landslide. It takes time to implement capacity. Within the next year prices will fall due to market mechanism not due to regulatory action. > Sure but dont forget cartels sometimes are formed to keep the status quo in competition situations. As for the markets, they have moods which are determinant. ask yourself, why did the global financial situation not fix itself, afterall there is still demand and supply in play? > > > > Crystal Kigoni > Eric here > > > > On Mon, Nov 30, 2009 at 5:59 AM, kai wulff <kai.wulff(a)kdn.co.ke> wrote: > Define “artificial”? > > Did you divide the cost of a cable by the “available” capacity or by the anticipated uptake? > > Example: > > If an A320 costs 6000 USD per flight hour “wet” and has 120 seats, the cost per passenger seat is 50 USD > If an A380 costs 20 000 USD per flight hour “wet” and has 800 seats, the cost per passenger seat is 25 USD > > So do we say that a Tour Operator can only sell a seat for USD 25 plus a small (and again .. What is small) margin? > > What if you only fly at 10% load on your first flight … Isn’t your cost per passenger now 250 USD … > > Kai > > Von: kictanet-bounces+kai.wulff=kdn.co.ke(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke [mailto:kictanet-bounces+kai.wulff=kdn.co.ke@lists.kictanet.or.ke] Im Auftrag von Eric M.K Osiakwan > Gesendet: Sunday, November 29, 2009 22:27 > > An: kai.wulff(a)kdn.co.ke > Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions > Betreff: Re: [kictanet] NCA Board member gives its price target as an E1 for US$100-500 > > > Kai, > > I would observe the sabath by writing my last email on this subject. > > I was at the said workshop and indeed have worked on the subject extensively prior to the announcement by the regulator and in the new story, "supply bandwidth" is the term, otherwise i wont make an apple and oranges analysis. At least you should credit my non-distortionist approach to this subject. > > The situation we are dealing with is the artificial high price of bandwidth to the continent which has held back the industry, those prices MUST come into the realm of reality and then the forces of demand and supply would make usage and local content the catalyst. Offcourse, education, electrification etc are all in the value chain. > > Eric here > > > On 29 Nov 2009, at 19:00, kai wulff wrote: > > > Eric, > > Please read carefully what I wrote. > > I have no problem with meaningful regulation .. This regulation should focus on promoting usage .. > > Your example of the Central Bank does not fit here .. The rate set by a Central bank would in our case be the cost for which an Operator (Bank) can buy capacity (borrows money). The Central Banks don’t regulate the retail end .. > > I mentioned before, the main tools to drive down Broadband prices would be usage and local content. > > More usage can be created by education, electrification and other factors. > > Rgds > > Kai > > Von: kictanet-bounces+kai.wulff=kdn.co.ke(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke [mailto:kictanet-bounces+kai.wulff=kdn.co.ke@lists.kictanet.or.ke] Im Auftrag von Eric M.K Osiakwan > Gesendet: Sunday, November 29, 2009 21:34 > An: kai.wulff(a)kdn.co.ke > Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions > Betreff: Re: [kictanet] NCA Board member gives its price target as an E1 for US$100-500 > > Kai, > > The Central Bank as the regulator of the financial sector in every economy sets prime rates and other industry indicators based on their calculation of the market forces as they interplay with demand and supply. i dont see why you sense danger with the regulator of the coms industry setting "prime rate" based on the commoditized calculation..... > > You generate a lot of weight in your submission below on the private sector factors as a basis to slap the need for regulatory intervention in a market situation that has held the industry back for a very longtime. Am a private sector spice like you but if there is any lesson for us to learn from the current global financial crisis, it is that, we need regulatory interventions in the market theatre as markets have mood and are by that extension in perfect. > > My comment is, all the factors you have enumerated are great but they dont negate the need for regulatory intervention to bring artificially high prices down for the masses to have access, a market expansion mechanism. > > Eric here > > > > On 29 Nov 2009, at 17:59, kai wulff wrote: > > > > Eric, > > This is exactly the type of statement that is dangerous. It is a little bit like deflation … > > Because everybody expect cheaper prices nobody moves .. And because of this, uptake is below the potential, usage of the cable is sub optimal and prices don’t come down … Result: People will wait longer .. > > I still don’t understand why we are so set on the E1 price (actually we should talk about 2M duplex and not old school) for a BPO .. Quality is what matters .. > > With a good quality compression you can push more than 256 calls at any given time. So in an 8 hour shift you could have 122880 call minutes with 256 agents .. Assume 70% load, this makes 86016 minutes. Surely, you will have to terminate them into a network. Assume 0.02USD per minute. > > So my question: What is your staff cost? Let’s argue 700KSH per day and person? Electricity? KSH 20 per day and person? Rent KSH 50 per day and person (assuming you work 2 shifts, 7 days a week). > > Add software, overheads ….. > > So now, what is the cost of communication? > > Currently an E1 in Kenya costs 1200 USD (not using the free offer) list price. So we said 2 shifts, 30 days, 70% load .. > > 5160960 call minutes a month > > That makes 0,0174 KSH per minute (took a rate of 75 to the USD) for the submarine portion! > We add KSH 2 for termination = 2,0174 KSH communications per minute > > Salaries: 1,45 KSH per minute (and this includes the idle ones or KSH 2,08 per minute at 70% > > You see the contribution of the pure Submarine portion .. It is NEXT TO NOTHING. > > Any comments? > > Kai > > > > > > Von: kictanet-bounces+kai.wulff=kdn.co.ke(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke [mailto:kictanet-bounces+kai.wulff=kdn.co.ke@lists.kictanet.or.ke] Im Auftrag von Eric M.K Osiakwan > Gesendet: Sunday, November 29, 2009 20:35 > An: kai.wulff(a)kdn.co.ke > Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions > Betreff: [kictanet] NCA Board member gives its price target as an E1 for US$100-500 > > A two day workshop called “Fiber Optic Undersea (Submarine) cable”, in collaboration with West Africa Telecommunications Regulators Assembly (WATRA), the German Technical Group (GTZ) and also the National Communications Authority (NCA) at the La Palm Royal Hotel. > The workshop offered WATRA members the guidance regarding the regulation of access to new undersea cables and also come up with adoptable guidelines for issuance of undersea cable licenses and landing rights agreement. This would ensure the transparency in deployment and pricing of undersea cables. > A Member of the Board of Directors of NCA, Solomon Quandzie has observed that the availability of international bandwidth, coupled with NCA’s plans for licensing additional terrestrial fiber optic cables systems, and also wireless broadband access (through things like WiMAX) operators would finally set the deployment of broadband networks throughout the country and further lay the foundation for rapid economic growth in the ICT sector. > He said, application of Business Process Outsourcing (BPOs) and Government’s decentralization program would enhance various e-government packages which would increase the social-economic development of the citizenry in a manner never witnessed in this country over the past several years. > > Quandzie said that the NCA is committed to opening up the market base of the telecommunication industry by offering an additional fiber optic cable operator (WACS), which would add more capacity to the existing one, all within a 24 month period. > > According to Quandzie, the current SAT 3 cable systems provides an estimated three gigabytes capacity of international bandwidth to the country at approx systems to become operational, adding that “They will be adding respectively, for a total of 1,920 gigabytes or 640 fold increase to the current capacity of international bandwidth in the country”. > > Quandzie said that NCA expectation of a supply bandwidth a price goal of $100-500 per E1 should be possible within the very near future which would provide the necessary framework for the attainment of such an outcome. > > He concluded that with the right regulatory framework established, reliable and affordable broadband networks, coupled with low cost of available international bandwidth can be provided through undersea fiber optic cables. > (Source: The Ghanaian Chronicle) > > > Eric M.K Osiakwan > Director > Internet Research > www.internetresearch.com.gh > emko(a)internetresearch.com.gh > 42 Ring Road Central, Accra-North > Tel: +233.21.258800 ext 7031 > Fax: +233.21.258811 > Cell: +233.24.4386792 > > > > > > > > > Eric M.K Osiakwan > Director > Internet Research > www.internetresearch.com.gh > emko(a)internetresearch.com.gh > 42 Ring Road Central, Accra-North > Tel: +233.21.258800 ext 7031 > Fax: +233.21.258811 > Cell: +233.24.4386792 > > > > > > > > Eric M.K Osiakwan > Director > Internet Research > www.internetresearch.com.gh > emko(a)internetresearch.com.gh > 42 Ring Road Central, Accra-North > Tel: +233.21.258800 ext 7031 > Fax: +233.21.258811 > Cell: +233.24.4386792 > > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > kictanet mailing list > kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > > This message was sent to: crystal(a)voicesofafrica.org > Unsubscribe or change your options at http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/crystal%40voicesofafri… > > > > > -- > Crystal "Naliaka" Watley Kigoni > Voices of Africa for Sustainable Development > crystal(a)voicesofafrica.org > http://www.voicesofafrica.org/ > > "You must be the change you wish to see" - Gandhi > _______________________________________________ > kictanet mailing list > kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > > This message was sent to: emko(a)internetresearch.com.gh > Unsubscribe or change your options at http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/emko%40internetresearc… > > Eric M.K Osiakwan > Director > Internet Research > www.internetresearch.com.gh > emko(a)internetresearch.com.gh > 42 Ring Road Central, Accra-North > Tel: +233.21.258800 ext 7031 > Fax: +233.21.258811 > Cell: +233.24.4386792 > > > > > Eric M.K Osiakwan Director Internet Research www.internetresearch.com.gh emko(a)internetresearch.com.gh 42 Ring Road Central, Accra-North Tel: +233.21.258800 ext 7031 Fax: +233.21.258811 Cell: +233.24.4386792

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Re: [kictanet] NCA Board member gives its price target as an E1 for US$100-500
by Eric M.K Osiakwan 30 Nov '09

30 Nov '09

On 30 Nov 2009, at 14:17, kai wulff wrote: > There must be a balanced approach … Absolutely..... > > I am against any form of price regulation .. Not because of greed but because it does not work .. Sometimes it is necessary, the US and Europe has records on that and in recent times Asia. > > Even if an E1 was 200 USD … It is still not in the income bracket … But closer to reality thank 4.5k USD > > Currently you get 4M straight without contention for 600USD list (so 300 per E1) … Now show me the uptake and then we see what happens at the consumer end … I should be asking you that, no? > > If 90% becomes local content and we are using all the Submarine Capacity that lands … Maybe we can have unlimited internet for KSH 100,- a month? Agreed > > Going back to my example of the plane … > > > You are better off paying 50 USD for a ticket that will bring you somewhere you can create value than 25 for a trip that is wasted .. I hope you are not suggesting that international traffic is "wasted" - i would say more local traffic but international capacity is a necessary evil > > Kai Eric here > > Von: kictanet-bounces+kai.wulff=kdn.co.ke(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke [mailto:kictanet-bounces+kai.wulff=kdn.co.ke@lists.kictanet.or.ke] Im Auftrag von Eric M.K Osiakwan > Gesendet: Monday, November 30, 2009 16:31 > An: kai.wulff(a)kdn.co.ke > Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions > Betreff: Re: [kictanet] NCA Board member gives its price target as an E1 for US$100-500 > > Kai, > > There is empirical evidence to support the mass update of broadband if the market price is within the disposable income bracket. You and I had access to the TEAMS feasibility study and the pent up demand was incredible. > > The business case that changes the market adoption is "low margin, high volume" as opposed to the current "high margin, low volume". now i tack that to your example below, the A380 can take 800 seats and charge 25USD so more people can fly but because the "corporate greed" is high, we decided to fit the A320 with 120 seats so we can charge 50USD, allowing only few people to fly - that is an artificial element within the marketplace and sometime you need the big stick to bring it down. > > Look SAT3 cost an e1 $30k to the Cameroonian market and the same cable in Ghana cost en e1 $4.5k to the Ghanaian market. The A320 is flying at 10% on the first flight in Cameroun because of the price to the market, not because the market is not anticipatory. > > MainOne has not landed and yet they have gone public with an e1 between $500 and $600, are they not also in business to make money? > > Eric here > > > On 30 Nov 2009, at 02:59, kai wulff wrote: > > > Define “artificial”? > > Did you divide the cost of a cable by the “available” capacity or by the anticipated uptake? > > Example: > > If an A320 costs 6000 USD per flight hour “wet” and has 120 seats, the cost per passenger seat is 50 USD > If an A380 costs 20 000 USD per flight hour “wet” and has 800 seats, the cost per passenger seat is 25 USD > > So do we say that a Tour Operator can only sell a seat for USD 25 plus a small (and again .. What is small) margin? > > What if you only fly at 10% load on your first flight … Isn’t your cost per passenger now 250 USD … > > Kai > > Von: kictanet-bounces+kai.wulff=kdn.co.ke(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke [mailto:kictanet-bounces+kai.wulff=kdn.co.ke@lists.kictanet.or.ke] Im Auftrag von Eric M.K Osiakwan > Gesendet: Sunday, November 29, 2009 22:27 > An: kai.wulff(a)kdn.co.ke > Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions > Betreff: Re: [kictanet] NCA Board member gives its price target as an E1 for US$100-500 > > Kai, > > I would observe the sabath by writing my last email on this subject. > > I was at the said workshop and indeed have worked on the subject extensively prior to the announcement by the regulator and in the new story, "supply bandwidth" is the term, otherwise i wont make an apple and oranges analysis. At least you should credit my non-distortionist approach to this subject. > > The situation we are dealing with is the artificial high price of bandwidth to the continent which has held back the industry, those prices MUST come into the realm of reality and then the forces of demand and supply would make usage and local content the catalyst. Offcourse, education, electrification etc are all in the value chain. > > Eric here > > > On 29 Nov 2009, at 19:00, kai wulff wrote: > > > > Eric, > > Please read carefully what I wrote. > > I have no problem with meaningful regulation .. This regulation should focus on promoting usage .. > > Your example of the Central Bank does not fit here .. The rate set by a Central bank would in our case be the cost for which an Operator (Bank) can buy capacity (borrows money). The Central Banks don’t regulate the retail end .. > > I mentioned before, the main tools to drive down Broadband prices would be usage and local content. > > More usage can be created by education, electrification and other factors. > > Rgds > > Kai > > Von: kictanet-bounces+kai.wulff=kdn.co.ke(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke [mailto:kictanet-bounces+kai.wulff=kdn.co.ke@lists.kictanet.or.ke] Im Auftrag von Eric M.K Osiakwan > Gesendet: Sunday, November 29, 2009 21:34 > An: kai.wulff(a)kdn.co.ke > Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions > Betreff: Re: [kictanet] NCA Board member gives its price target as an E1 for US$100-500 > > Kai, > > The Central Bank as the regulator of the financial sector in every economy sets prime rates and other industry indicators based on their calculation of the market forces as they interplay with demand and supply. i dont see why you sense danger with the regulator of the coms industry setting "prime rate" based on the commoditized calculation..... > > You generate a lot of weight in your submission below on the private sector factors as a basis to slap the need for regulatory intervention in a market situation that has held the industry back for a very longtime. Am a private sector spice like you but if there is any lesson for us to learn from the current global financial crisis, it is that, we need regulatory interventions in the market theatre as markets have mood and are by that extension in perfect. > > My comment is, all the factors you have enumerated are great but they dont negate the need for regulatory intervention to bring artificially high prices down for the masses to have access, a market expansion mechanism. > > Eric here > > > > On 29 Nov 2009, at 17:59, kai wulff wrote: > > > > > Eric, > > This is exactly the type of statement that is dangerous. It is a little bit like deflation … > > Because everybody expect cheaper prices nobody moves .. And because of this, uptake is below the potential, usage of the cable is sub optimal and prices don’t come down … Result: People will wait longer .. > > I still don’t understand why we are so set on the E1 price (actually we should talk about 2M duplex and not old school) for a BPO .. Quality is what matters .. > > With a good quality compression you can push more than 256 calls at any given time. So in an 8 hour shift you could have 122880 call minutes with 256 agents .. Assume 70% load, this makes 86016 minutes. Surely, you will have to terminate them into a network. Assume 0.02USD per minute. > > So my question: What is your staff cost? Let’s argue 700KSH per day and person? Electricity? KSH 20 per day and person? Rent KSH 50 per day and person (assuming you work 2 shifts, 7 days a week). > > Add software, overheads ….. > > So now, what is the cost of communication? > > Currently an E1 in Kenya costs 1200 USD (not using the free offer) list price. So we said 2 shifts, 30 days, 70% load .. > > 5160960 call minutes a month > > That makes 0,0174 KSH per minute (took a rate of 75 to the USD) for the submarine portion! > We add KSH 2 for termination = 2,0174 KSH communications per minute > > Salaries: 1,45 KSH per minute (and this includes the idle ones or KSH 2,08 per minute at 70% > > You see the contribution of the pure Submarine portion .. It is NEXT TO NOTHING. > > Any comments? > > Kai > > > > > > Von: kictanet-bounces+kai.wulff=kdn.co.ke(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke [mailto:kictanet-bounces+kai.wulff=kdn.co.ke@lists.kictanet.or.ke] Im Auftrag von Eric M.K Osiakwan > Gesendet: Sunday, November 29, 2009 20:35 > An: kai.wulff(a)kdn.co.ke > Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions > Betreff: [kictanet] NCA Board member gives its price target as an E1 for US$100-500 > > A two day workshop called “Fiber Optic Undersea (Submarine) cable”, in collaboration with West Africa Telecommunications Regulators Assembly (WATRA), the German Technical Group (GTZ) and also the National Communications Authority (NCA) at the La Palm Royal Hotel. > The workshop offered WATRA members the guidance regarding the regulation of access to new undersea cables and also come up with adoptable guidelines for issuance of undersea cable licenses and landing rights agreement. This would ensure the transparency in deployment and pricing of undersea cables. > A Member of the Board of Directors of NCA, Solomon Quandzie has observed that the availability of international bandwidth, coupled with NCA’s plans for licensing additional terrestrial fiber optic cables systems, and also wireless broadband access (through things like WiMAX) operators would finally set the deployment of broadband networks throughout the country and further lay the foundation for rapid economic growth in the ICT sector. > He said, application of Business Process Outsourcing (BPOs) and Government’s decentralization program would enhance various e-government packages which would increase the social-economic development of the citizenry in a manner never witnessed in this country over the past several years. > > Quandzie said that the NCA is committed to opening up the market base of the telecommunication industry by offering an additional fiber optic cable operator (WACS), which would add more capacity to the existing one, all within a 24 month period. > > According to Quandzie, the current SAT 3 cable systems provides an estimated three gigabytes capacity of international bandwidth to the country at approx systems to become operational, adding that “They will be adding respectively, for a total of 1,920 gigabytes or 640 fold increase to the current capacity of international bandwidth in the country”. > > Quandzie said that NCA expectation of a supply bandwidth a price goal of $100-500 per E1 should be possible within the very near future which would provide the necessary framework for the attainment of such an outcome. > > He concluded that with the right regulatory framework established, reliable and affordable broadband networks, coupled with low cost of available international bandwidth can be provided through undersea fiber optic cables. > (Source: The Ghanaian Chronicle) > > > Eric M.K Osiakwan > Director > Internet Research > www.internetresearch.com.gh > emko(a)internetresearch.com.gh > 42 Ring Road Central, Accra-North > Tel: +233.21.258800 ext 7031 > Fax: +233.21.258811 > Cell: +233.24.4386792 > > > > > > > > > > Eric M.K Osiakwan > Director > Internet Research > www.internetresearch.com.gh > emko(a)internetresearch.com.gh > 42 Ring Road Central, Accra-North > Tel: +233.21.258800 ext 7031 > Fax: +233.21.258811 > Cell: +233.24.4386792 > > > > > > > > > Eric M.K Osiakwan > Director > Internet Research > www.internetresearch.com.gh > emko(a)internetresearch.com.gh > 42 Ring Road Central, Accra-North > Tel: +233.21.258800 ext 7031 > Fax: +233.21.258811 > Cell: +233.24.4386792 > > > > > > > > Eric M.K Osiakwan > Director > Internet Research > www.internetresearch.com.gh > emko(a)internetresearch.com.gh > 42 Ring Road Central, Accra-North > Tel: +233.21.258800 ext 7031 > Fax: +233.21.258811 > Cell: +233.24.4386792 > > > > > Eric M.K Osiakwan Director Internet Research www.internetresearch.com.gh emko(a)internetresearch.com.gh 42 Ring Road Central, Accra-North Tel: +233.21.258800 ext 7031 Fax: +233.21.258811 Cell: +233.24.4386792

1 0

Re: [kictanet] NCA Board member gives its price target as an E1 for US$100-500
by Crystal Watley Kigoni 30 Nov '09

30 Nov '09

Regulatory bodies are designed to ensure fair play. In the case of Internet connectivity and pricing, the demand for services has outpaced the production. As it stands. more bandwidth is on its way via sea and air which will naturally make prices fall. With the landing of the cables, we have a trickle that we are counting as a landslide. It takes time to implement capacity. Within the next year prices will fall due to market mechanism not due to regulatory action. Crystal Kigoni On Mon, Nov 30, 2009 at 5:59 AM, kai wulff <kai.wulff(a)kdn.co.ke> wrote: > Define “artificial”? > > > > Did you divide the cost of a cable by the “available” capacity or by the > anticipated uptake? > > > > Example: > > > > If an A320 costs 6000 USD per flight hour “wet” and has 120 seats, the cost > per passenger seat is 50 USD > > If an A380 costs 20 000 USD per flight hour “wet” and has 800 seats, the > cost per passenger seat is 25 USD > > > > So do we say that a Tour Operator can only sell a seat for USD 25 plus a > small (and again .. What is small) margin? > > > > What if you only fly at 10% load on your first flight … Isn’t your cost per > passenger now 250 USD … > > > > Kai > > > > *Von:* kictanet-bounces+kai.wulff=kdn.co.ke(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke [mailto: > kictanet-bounces+kai.wulff <kictanet-bounces%2Bkai.wulff>=kdn.co.ke@ > lists.kictanet.or.ke] *Im Auftrag von *Eric M.K Osiakwan > *Gesendet:* Sunday, November 29, 2009 22:27 > > *An:* kai.wulff(a)kdn.co.ke > *Cc:* KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions > *Betreff:* Re: [kictanet] NCA Board member gives its price target as an E1 > for US$100-500 > > > > Kai, > > > > I would observe the sabath by writing my last email on this subject. > > > > I was at the said workshop and indeed have worked on the subject > extensively prior to the announcement by the regulator and in the new story, > "supply bandwidth" is the term, otherwise i wont make an apple and oranges > analysis. At least you should credit my non-distortionist approach to this > subject. > > > > The situation we are dealing with is the artificial high price of bandwidth > to the continent which has held back the industry, those prices MUST come > into the realm of reality and then the forces of demand and supply would > make usage and local content the catalyst. Offcourse, education, > electrification etc are all in the value chain. > > > > Eric here > > > > > > On 29 Nov 2009, at 19:00, kai wulff wrote: > > > > Eric, > > > > Please read carefully what I wrote. > > > > I have no problem with meaningful regulation .. This regulation should > focus on promoting usage .. > > > > Your example of the Central Bank does not fit here .. The rate set by a > Central bank would in our case be the cost for which an Operator (Bank) can > buy capacity (borrows money). The Central Banks don’t regulate the retail > end .. > > > > I mentioned before, the main tools to drive down Broadband prices would be > usage and local content. > > > > More usage can be created by education, electrification and other factors. > > > > Rgds > > > > Kai > > > > *Von:* kictanet-bounces+kai.wulff=kdn.co.ke(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke [mailto: > kictanet-bounces+kai.wulff <kictanet-bounces%2Bkai.wulff>=kdn.co.ke@ > lists.kictanet.or.ke] *Im Auftrag von *Eric M.K Osiakwan > *Gesendet:* Sunday, November 29, 2009 21:34 > *An:* kai.wulff(a)kdn.co.ke > *Cc:* KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions > *Betreff:* Re: [kictanet] NCA Board member gives its price target as an E1 > for US$100-500 > > > > Kai, > > > > The Central Bank as the regulator of the financial sector in every economy > sets prime rates and other industry indicators based on their calculation of > the market forces as they interplay with demand and supply. i dont see why > you sense danger with the regulator of the coms industry setting "prime > rate" based on the commoditized calculation..... > > > > You generate a lot of weight in your submission below on the private sector > factors as a basis to slap the need for regulatory intervention in a market > situation that has held the industry back for a very longtime. Am a private > sector spice like you but if there is any lesson for us to learn from the > current global financial crisis, it is that, we need regulatory > interventions in the market theatre as markets have mood and are by that > extension in perfect. > > > > My comment is, all the factors you have enumerated are great but they dont > negate the need for regulatory intervention to bring artificially high > prices down for the masses to have access, a market expansion mechanism. > > > > Eric here > > > > > > > > On 29 Nov 2009, at 17:59, kai wulff wrote: > > > > > Eric, > > > > This is exactly the type of statement that is dangerous. It is a little bit > like deflation … > > > > Because everybody expect cheaper prices nobody moves .. And because of > this, uptake is below the potential, usage of the cable is sub optimal and > prices don’t come down … Result: People will wait longer .. > > > > I still don’t understand why we are so set on the E1 price (actually we > should talk about 2M duplex and not old school) for a BPO .. Quality is what > matters .. > > > > With a good quality compression you can push more than 256 calls at any > given time. So in an 8 hour shift you could have 122880 call minutes with > 256 agents .. Assume 70% load, this makes 86016 minutes. Surely, you will > have to terminate them into a network. Assume 0.02USD per minute. > > > > So my question: What is your staff cost? Let’s argue 700KSH per day and > person? Electricity? KSH 20 per day and person? Rent KSH 50 per day and > person (assuming you work 2 shifts, 7 days a week). > > > > Add software, overheads ….. > > > > So now, what is the cost of communication? > > > > Currently an E1 in Kenya costs 1200 USD (not using the free offer) list > price. So we said 2 shifts, 30 days, 70% load .. > > > > 5160960 call minutes a month > > > > That makes 0,0174 KSH per minute (took a rate of 75 to the USD) for the > submarine portion! > > We add KSH 2 for termination = 2,0174 KSH communications per minute > > > > Salaries: 1,45 KSH per minute (and this includes the idle ones or KSH 2,08 > per minute at 70% > > > > You see the contribution of the pure Submarine portion .. It is NEXT TO > NOTHING. > > > > Any comments? > > > > Kai > > > > > > > > > > > > *Von:* kictanet-bounces+kai.wulff=kdn.co.ke(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke [mailto: > kictanet-bounces+kai.wulff <kictanet-bounces%2Bkai.wulff>=kdn.co.ke > @lists.kictanet.or.ke] *Im Auftrag von *Eric M.K Osiakwan > *Gesendet:* Sunday, November 29, 2009 20:35 > *An:* kai.wulff(a)kdn.co.ke > *Cc:* KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions > *Betreff:* [kictanet] NCA Board member gives its price target as an E1 for > US$100-500 > > > > A two day workshop called “Fiber Optic Undersea (Submarine) cable”, in > collaboration with West Africa Telecommunications Regulators Assembly > (WATRA) <http://98.130.227.12/>, the German Technical Group (GTZ)<http://www.gtz.de/en/> and > also the National Communications Authority (NCA) <http://www.nca.org.gh/> at > the La Palm Royal Hotel. > > The workshop offered WATRA <http://98.130.227.12/> members the guidance > regarding the regulation of access to new undersea cables and also come up > with adoptable guidelines for issuance of undersea cable licenses and > landing rights agreement. This would ensure the transparency in deployment > and pricing of undersea cables. > > A Member of the Board of Directors of NCA <http://www.nca.org.gh/>, > Solomon Quandzie has observed that the availability of international > bandwidth, coupled with NCA’s plans for licensing additional terrestrial > fiber optic cables systems, and also wireless broadband access (through > things like WiMAX) operators would finally set the deployment of broadband > networks throughout the country and further lay the foundation for rapid > economic growth in the ICT sector. > > He said, application of Business Process Outsourcing (BPOs) and > Government’s decentralization program would enhance various e-government > packages which would increase the social-economic development of the > citizenry in a manner never witnessed in this country over the past several > years. > > Quandzie said that the NCA is committed to opening up the market base of > the telecommunication industry by offering an additional fiber optic cable > operator (WACS), which would add more capacity to the existing one, all > within a 24 month period. > > According to Quandzie, the current SAT 3 cable systems provides an > estimated three gigabytes capacity of international bandwidth to the country > at approx systems to become operational, adding that “They will be adding > respectively, for a total of 1,920 gigabytes or 640 fold increase to the > current capacity of international bandwidth in the country”. > > Quandzie said that NCA expectation of a supply bandwidth a price goal of > $100-500 per E1 should be possible within the very near future which would > provide the necessary framework for the attainment of such an outcome. > > He concluded that with the right regulatory framework established, reliable > and affordable broadband networks, coupled with low cost of available > international bandwidth can be provided through undersea fiber optic cables. > (Source: The Ghanaian Chronicle) > > > > > > Eric M.K Osiakwan > > Director > > Internet Research > > www.internetresearch.com.gh > > emko(a)internetresearch.com.gh > > 42 Ring Road Central, Accra-North > > Tel: +233.21.258800 ext 7031 > > Fax: +233.21.258811 > > Cell: +233.24.4386792 > > > > > > > > > > > > > Eric M.K Osiakwan > > Director > > Internet Research > > www.internetresearch.com.gh > > emko(a)internetresearch.com.gh > > 42 Ring Road Central, Accra-North > > Tel: +233.21.258800 ext 7031 > > Fax: +233.21.258811 > > Cell: +233.24.4386792 > > > > > > > > > > > > Eric M.K Osiakwan > > Director > > Internet Research > > www.internetresearch.com.gh > > emko(a)internetresearch.com.gh > > 42 Ring Road Central, Accra-North > > Tel: +233.21.258800 ext 7031 > > Fax: +233.21.258811 > > Cell: +233.24.4386792 > > > > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > kictanet mailing list > kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > > This message was sent to: crystal(a)voicesofafrica.org > Unsubscribe or change your options at > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/crystal%40voicesofafri… > > -- Crystal "Naliaka" Watley Kigoni Voices of Africa for Sustainable Development crystal(a)voicesofafrica.org http://www.voicesofafrica.org/ "You must be the change you wish to see" - Gandhi

3 2

Re: [kictanet] NCA Board member gives its price target as an E1 for US$100-500
by Eric M.K Osiakwan 30 Nov '09

30 Nov '09

Kai, There is empirical evidence to support the mass update of broadband if the market price is within the disposable income bracket. You and I had access to the TEAMS feasibility study and the pent up demand was incredible. The business case that changes the market adoption is "low margin, high volume" as opposed to the current "high margin, low volume". now i tack that to your example below, the A380 can take 800 seats and charge 25USD so more people can fly but because the "corporate greed" is high, we decided to fit the A320 with 120 seats so we can charge 50USD, allowing only few people to fly - that is an artificial element within the marketplace and sometime you need the big stick to bring it down. Look SAT3 cost an e1 $30k to the Cameroonian market and the same cable in Ghana cost en e1 $4.5k to the Ghanaian market. The A320 is flying at 10% on the first flight in Cameroun because of the price to the market, not because the market is not anticipatory. MainOne has not landed and yet they have gone public with an e1 between $500 and $600, are they not also in business to make money? Eric here On 30 Nov 2009, at 02:59, kai wulff wrote: > Define “artificial”? > > Did you divide the cost of a cable by the “available” capacity or by the anticipated uptake? > > Example: > > If an A320 costs 6000 USD per flight hour “wet” and has 120 seats, the cost per passenger seat is 50 USD > If an A380 costs 20 000 USD per flight hour “wet” and has 800 seats, the cost per passenger seat is 25 USD > > So do we say that a Tour Operator can only sell a seat for USD 25 plus a small (and again .. What is small) margin? > > What if you only fly at 10% load on your first flight … Isn’t your cost per passenger now 250 USD … > > Kai > > Von: kictanet-bounces+kai.wulff=kdn.co.ke(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke [mailto:kictanet-bounces+kai.wulff=kdn.co.ke@lists.kictanet.or.ke] Im Auftrag von Eric M.K Osiakwan > Gesendet: Sunday, November 29, 2009 22:27 > An: kai.wulff(a)kdn.co.ke > Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions > Betreff: Re: [kictanet] NCA Board member gives its price target as an E1 for US$100-500 > > Kai, > > I would observe the sabath by writing my last email on this subject. > > I was at the said workshop and indeed have worked on the subject extensively prior to the announcement by the regulator and in the new story, "supply bandwidth" is the term, otherwise i wont make an apple and oranges analysis. At least you should credit my non-distortionist approach to this subject. > > The situation we are dealing with is the artificial high price of bandwidth to the continent which has held back the industry, those prices MUST come into the realm of reality and then the forces of demand and supply would make usage and local content the catalyst. Offcourse, education, electrification etc are all in the value chain. > > Eric here > > > On 29 Nov 2009, at 19:00, kai wulff wrote: > > > Eric, > > Please read carefully what I wrote. > > I have no problem with meaningful regulation .. This regulation should focus on promoting usage .. > > Your example of the Central Bank does not fit here .. The rate set by a Central bank would in our case be the cost for which an Operator (Bank) can buy capacity (borrows money). The Central Banks don’t regulate the retail end .. > > I mentioned before, the main tools to drive down Broadband prices would be usage and local content. > > More usage can be created by education, electrification and other factors. > > Rgds > > Kai > > Von: kictanet-bounces+kai.wulff=kdn.co.ke(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke [mailto:kictanet-bounces+kai.wulff=kdn.co.ke@lists.kictanet.or.ke] Im Auftrag von Eric M.K Osiakwan > Gesendet: Sunday, November 29, 2009 21:34 > An: kai.wulff(a)kdn.co.ke > Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions > Betreff: Re: [kictanet] NCA Board member gives its price target as an E1 for US$100-500 > > Kai, > > The Central Bank as the regulator of the financial sector in every economy sets prime rates and other industry indicators based on their calculation of the market forces as they interplay with demand and supply. i dont see why you sense danger with the regulator of the coms industry setting "prime rate" based on the commoditized calculation..... > > You generate a lot of weight in your submission below on the private sector factors as a basis to slap the need for regulatory intervention in a market situation that has held the industry back for a very longtime. Am a private sector spice like you but if there is any lesson for us to learn from the current global financial crisis, it is that, we need regulatory interventions in the market theatre as markets have mood and are by that extension in perfect. > > My comment is, all the factors you have enumerated are great but they dont negate the need for regulatory intervention to bring artificially high prices down for the masses to have access, a market expansion mechanism. > > Eric here > > > > On 29 Nov 2009, at 17:59, kai wulff wrote: > > > > Eric, > > This is exactly the type of statement that is dangerous. It is a little bit like deflation … > > Because everybody expect cheaper prices nobody moves .. And because of this, uptake is below the potential, usage of the cable is sub optimal and prices don’t come down … Result: People will wait longer .. > > I still don’t understand why we are so set on the E1 price (actually we should talk about 2M duplex and not old school) for a BPO .. Quality is what matters .. > > With a good quality compression you can push more than 256 calls at any given time. So in an 8 hour shift you could have 122880 call minutes with 256 agents .. Assume 70% load, this makes 86016 minutes. Surely, you will have to terminate them into a network. Assume 0.02USD per minute. > > So my question: What is your staff cost? Let’s argue 700KSH per day and person? Electricity? KSH 20 per day and person? Rent KSH 50 per day and person (assuming you work 2 shifts, 7 days a week). > > Add software, overheads ….. > > So now, what is the cost of communication? > > Currently an E1 in Kenya costs 1200 USD (not using the free offer) list price. So we said 2 shifts, 30 days, 70% load .. > > 5160960 call minutes a month > > That makes 0,0174 KSH per minute (took a rate of 75 to the USD) for the submarine portion! > We add KSH 2 for termination = 2,0174 KSH communications per minute > > Salaries: 1,45 KSH per minute (and this includes the idle ones or KSH 2,08 per minute at 70% > > You see the contribution of the pure Submarine portion .. It is NEXT TO NOTHING. > > Any comments? > > Kai > > > > > > Von: kictanet-bounces+kai.wulff=kdn.co.ke(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke [mailto:kictanet-bounces+kai.wulff=kdn.co.ke@lists.kictanet.or.ke] Im Auftrag von Eric M.K Osiakwan > Gesendet: Sunday, November 29, 2009 20:35 > An: kai.wulff(a)kdn.co.ke > Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions > Betreff: [kictanet] NCA Board member gives its price target as an E1 for US$100-500 > > A two day workshop called “Fiber Optic Undersea (Submarine) cable”, in collaboration with West Africa Telecommunications Regulators Assembly (WATRA), the German Technical Group (GTZ) and also the National Communications Authority (NCA) at the La Palm Royal Hotel. > The workshop offered WATRA members the guidance regarding the regulation of access to new undersea cables and also come up with adoptable guidelines for issuance of undersea cable licenses and landing rights agreement. This would ensure the transparency in deployment and pricing of undersea cables. > A Member of the Board of Directors of NCA, Solomon Quandzie has observed that the availability of international bandwidth, coupled with NCA’s plans for licensing additional terrestrial fiber optic cables systems, and also wireless broadband access (through things like WiMAX) operators would finally set the deployment of broadband networks throughout the country and further lay the foundation for rapid economic growth in the ICT sector. > He said, application of Business Process Outsourcing (BPOs) and Government’s decentralization program would enhance various e-government packages which would increase the social-economic development of the citizenry in a manner never witnessed in this country over the past several years. > > Quandzie said that the NCA is committed to opening up the market base of the telecommunication industry by offering an additional fiber optic cable operator (WACS), which would add more capacity to the existing one, all within a 24 month period. > > According to Quandzie, the current SAT 3 cable systems provides an estimated three gigabytes capacity of international bandwidth to the country at approx systems to become operational, adding that “They will be adding respectively, for a total of 1,920 gigabytes or 640 fold increase to the current capacity of international bandwidth in the country”. > > Quandzie said that NCA expectation of a supply bandwidth a price goal of $100-500 per E1 should be possible within the very near future which would provide the necessary framework for the attainment of such an outcome. > > He concluded that with the right regulatory framework established, reliable and affordable broadband networks, coupled with low cost of available international bandwidth can be provided through undersea fiber optic cables. > (Source: The Ghanaian Chronicle) > > > Eric M.K Osiakwan > Director > Internet Research > www.internetresearch.com.gh > emko(a)internetresearch.com.gh > 42 Ring Road Central, Accra-North > Tel: +233.21.258800 ext 7031 > Fax: +233.21.258811 > Cell: +233.24.4386792 > > > > > > > > > Eric M.K Osiakwan > Director > Internet Research > www.internetresearch.com.gh > emko(a)internetresearch.com.gh > 42 Ring Road Central, Accra-North > Tel: +233.21.258800 ext 7031 > Fax: +233.21.258811 > Cell: +233.24.4386792 > > > > > > > > Eric M.K Osiakwan > Director > Internet Research > www.internetresearch.com.gh > emko(a)internetresearch.com.gh > 42 Ring Road Central, Accra-North > Tel: +233.21.258800 ext 7031 > Fax: +233.21.258811 > Cell: +233.24.4386792 > > > > > Eric M.K Osiakwan Director Internet Research www.internetresearch.com.gh emko(a)internetresearch.com.gh 42 Ring Road Central, Accra-North Tel: +233.21.258800 ext 7031 Fax: +233.21.258811 Cell: +233.24.4386792

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ICDL Directive a slap in the face
by robert yawe 30 Nov '09

30 Nov '09

It was with shock and disbelieve when I read an article in the dailies indicating that the government has decided to use the Microsoft certification ICDL (International Computer Driving License) as the approved application compliance qualification. This is definitely a slap in the faces of all those associations and government agencies that have over the years developed generic curriculum for applications certification. How does the government frustrate all this efforts for years just to wake up one morning and literally cripple our institutions because a "donor" as offered "free" services. It is a fact that in 90% of cases the first sniff of cocaine that an addict took was given to them for free, due to its highly addictive properties the dealer knows that it will only be a matter of time before that free sampler becomes a hooked client. The Kenya National Examination Council (KNEC), University of Nairobi, Computer Society of Kenya and even Pitmans have tried and tested curriculum for computer applications competency training. What makes this more practical that the ICDL is that they are generic and not product specific. In addition they are cheaper to administer and examine all most of them require is just an upgrade so that exams can be administered online further reducing costs. The cost of examinations for ICDL is Ksh. 24,000/- at an exchange rate of 78/- to the dollar, this is equivalent to 1 year tuition for a University degree program. Are we really serious about encouraging ICT education and effective utilization? "When they came for my neighbour I said nothing, when they came for my brother I said nothing and when they came for me there was no one to say anything" We said nothing when Cisco moved in a set up so called Cisco Academies yet we all knew that this was wrong as Cisco teaches a product specific routing implementation based on their operating system which denies the graduand an open mind when it comes to providing solutions. Microsoft was stopped from providing software and their certification programs to schools in the same way that depo provera was withdrawn from public health facilities in the US & Europe yet like a herd of sheep we adopt all blindly. Can we please stop this madness! 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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Re: [kictanet] NCA Board member gives its price target as an E1 for US$100-500
by Evans Ikua 30 Nov '09

30 Nov '09

To a large extent, I don't believe so much in regulation. I would rather free market economics. But this is only to a certain extent. With the situation we are faced with, I think its close to what we hear from KENIC. That they cant sell their .ke TLDs at a low enough price because they don't have the numbers to sustain their operations. How about they lower the prices and get the numbers? Same thing for the Bandwidth. Lower the prices, get the numbers and the money and content will follow. Haven't we learned anything from the mobile sector? -- Evans Ikua Linux Professional Association of Kenya Tel: +254-20-2250381, Cell: +254-722 955 831 Eagle House, 2nd Floor Kimathi Street, Opp. Corner House www.lpakenya.org Quoting kai wulff <kai.wulff(a)kdn.co.ke>: > Define "artificial"? > > > > Did you divide the cost of a cable by the "available" capacity or by the > anticipated uptake? > > > > Example: > > > > If an A320 costs 6000 USD per flight hour "wet" and has 120 seats, the cost > per passenger seat is 50 USD > > If an A380 costs 20 000 USD per flight hour "wet" and has 800 seats, the > cost per passenger seat is 25 USD > > > > So do we say that a Tour Operator can only sell a seat for USD 25 plus a > small (and again .. What is small) margin? > > > > What if you only fly at 10% load on your first flight . Isn't your cost per > passenger now 250 USD . > > > > Kai > > > > Von: kictanet-bounces+kai.wulff=kdn.co.ke(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > [mailto:kictanet-bounces+kai.wulff=kdn.co.ke@lists.kictanet.or.ke] Im > Auftrag von Eric M.K Osiakwan > Gesendet: Sunday, November 29, 2009 22:27 > An: kai.wulff(a)kdn.co.ke > Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions > Betreff: Re: [kictanet] NCA Board member gives its price target as an E1 for > US$100-500 > > > > Kai, > > > > I would observe the sabath by writing my last email on this subject. > > > > I was at the said workshop and indeed have worked on the subject extensively > prior to the announcement by the regulator and in the new story, "supply > bandwidth" is the term, otherwise i wont make an apple and oranges analysis. > At least you should credit my non-distortionist approach to this subject. > > > > The situation we are dealing with is the artificial high price of bandwidth > to the continent which has held back the industry, those prices MUST come > into the realm of reality and then the forces of demand and supply would > make usage and local content the catalyst. Offcourse, education, > electrification etc are all in the value chain. > > > > Eric here > > > > > > On 29 Nov 2009, at 19:00, kai wulff wrote: > > > > > > Eric, > > > > Please read carefully what I wrote. > > > > I have no problem with meaningful regulation .. This regulation should focus > on promoting usage .. > > > > Your example of the Central Bank does not fit here .. The rate set by a > Central bank would in our case be the cost for which an Operator (Bank) can > buy capacity (borrows money). The Central Banks don't regulate the retail > end .. > > > > I mentioned before, the main tools to drive down Broadband prices would be > usage and local content. > > > > More usage can be created by education, electrification and other factors. > > > > Rgds > > > > Kai > > > > Von: kictanet-bounces+kai.wulff=kdn.co.ke(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > [mailto:kictanet-bounces+kai.wulff=kdn.co.ke@lists.kictanet.or.ke] Im > Auftrag von Eric M.K Osiakwan > Gesendet: Sunday, November 29, 2009 21:34 > An: kai.wulff(a)kdn.co.ke > Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions > Betreff: Re: [kictanet] NCA Board member gives its price target as an E1 for > US$100-500 > > > > Kai, > > > > The Central Bank as the regulator of the financial sector in every economy > sets prime rates and other industry indicators based on their calculation of > the market forces as they interplay with demand and supply. i dont see why > you sense danger with the regulator of the coms industry setting "prime > rate" based on the commoditized calculation..... > > > > You generate a lot of weight in your submission below on the private sector > factors as a basis to slap the need for regulatory intervention in a market > situation that has held the industry back for a very longtime. Am a private > sector spice like you but if there is any lesson for us to learn from the > current global financial crisis, it is that, we need regulatory > interventions in the market theatre as markets have mood and are by that > extension in perfect. > > > > My comment is, all the factors you have enumerated are great but they dont > negate the need for regulatory intervention to bring artificially high > prices down for the masses to have access, a market expansion mechanism. > > > > Eric here > > > > > > > > On 29 Nov 2009, at 17:59, kai wulff wrote: > > > > > > > Eric, > > > > This is exactly the type of statement that is dangerous. It is a little bit > like deflation . > > > > Because everybody expect cheaper prices nobody moves .. And because of this, > uptake is below the potential, usage of the cable is sub optimal and prices > don't come down . Result: People will wait longer .. > > > > I still don't understand why we are so set on the E1 price (actually we > should talk about 2M duplex and not old school) for a BPO .. Quality is what > matters .. > > > > With a good quality compression you can push more than 256 calls at any > given time. So in an 8 hour shift you could have 122880 call minutes with > 256 agents .. Assume 70% load, this makes 86016 minutes. Surely, you will > have to terminate them into a network. Assume 0.02USD per minute. > > > > So my question: What is your staff cost? Let's argue 700KSH per day and > person? Electricity? KSH 20 per day and person? Rent KSH 50 per day and > person (assuming you work 2 shifts, 7 days a week). > > > > Add software, overheads ... > > > > So now, what is the cost of communication? > > > > Currently an E1 in Kenya costs 1200 USD (not using the free offer) list > price. So we said 2 shifts, 30 days, 70% load .. > > > > 5160960 call minutes a month > > > > That makes 0,0174 KSH per minute (took a rate of 75 to the USD) for the > submarine portion! > > We add KSH 2 for termination = 2,0174 KSH communications per minute > > > > Salaries: 1,45 KSH per minute (and this includes the idle ones or KSH 2,08 > per minute at 70% > > > > You see the contribution of the pure Submarine portion .. It is NEXT TO > NOTHING. > > > > Any comments? > > > > Kai > > > > > > > > > > > > Von: kictanet-bounces+kai.wulff=kdn.co.ke(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > [mailto:kictanet-bounces+kai.wulff=kdn.co.ke@lists.kictanet.or.ke] Im > Auftrag von Eric M.K Osiakwan > Gesendet: Sunday, November 29, 2009 20:35 > An: kai.wulff(a)kdn.co.ke > Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions > Betreff: [kictanet] NCA Board member gives its price target as an E1 for > US$100-500 > > > > A two day workshop called "Fiber Optic Undersea (Submarine) cable", in > collaboration with <http://98.130.227.12/> West Africa Telecommunications > Regulators Assembly (WATRA), the <http://www.gtz.de/en/> German Technical > Group (GTZ) and also the <http://www.nca.org.gh/> National Communications > Authority (NCA) at the La Palm Royal Hotel. > > The workshop offered <http://98.130.227.12/> WATRA members the guidance > regarding the regulation of access to new undersea cables and also come up > with adoptable guidelines for issuance of undersea cable licenses and > landing rights agreement. This would ensure the transparency in deployment > and pricing of undersea cables. > > A Member of the Board of Directors of <http://www.nca.org.gh/> NCA, Solomon > Quandzie has observed that the availability of international bandwidth, > coupled with NCA's plans for licensing additional terrestrial fiber optic > cables systems, and also wireless broadband access (through things like > WiMAX) operators would finally set the deployment of broadband networks > throughout the country and further lay the foundation for rapid economic > growth in the ICT sector. > > He said, application of Business Process Outsourcing (BPOs) and Government's > decentralization program would enhance various e-government packages which > would increase the social-economic development of the citizenry in a manner > never witnessed in this country over the past several years. > > Quandzie said that the NCA is committed to opening up the market base of the > telecommunication industry by offering an additional fiber optic cable > operator (WACS), which would add more capacity to the existing one, all > within a 24 month period. > > According to Quandzie, the current SAT 3 cable systems provides an estimated > three gigabytes capacity of international bandwidth to the country at approx > systems to become operational, adding that "They will be adding > respectively, for a total of 1,920 gigabytes or 640 fold increase to the > current capacity of international bandwidth in the country". > > Quandzie said that NCA expectation of a supply bandwidth a price goal of > $100-500 per E1 should be possible within the very near future which would > provide the necessary framework for the attainment of such an outcome. > > He concluded that with the right regulatory framework established, reliable > and affordable broadband networks, coupled with low cost of available > international bandwidth can be provided through undersea fiber optic cables. > (Source: The Ghanaian Chronicle) > > > > > > Eric M.K Osiakwan > > Director > > Internet Research > > www.internetresearch.com.gh > > emko(a)internetresearch.com.gh > > 42 Ring Road Central, Accra-North > > Tel: +233.21.258800 ext 7031 > > Fax: +233.21.258811 > > Cell: +233.24.4386792 > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Eric M.K Osiakwan > > Director > > Internet Research > > www.internetresearch.com.gh > > emko(a)internetresearch.com.gh > > 42 Ring Road Central, Accra-North > > Tel: +233.21.258800 ext 7031 > > Fax: +233.21.258811 > > Cell: +233.24.4386792 > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Eric M.K Osiakwan > > Director > > Internet Research > > www.internetresearch.com.gh > > emko(a)internetresearch.com.gh > > 42 Ring Road Central, Accra-North > > Tel: +233.21.258800 ext 7031 > > Fax: +233.21.258811 > > Cell: +233.24.4386792 > > > > > > > > > > >

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Re: [kictanet] NCA Board member gives its price target as an E1 for US$100-500
by Eric M.K Osiakwan 30 Nov '09

30 Nov '09

Kai, I would observe the sabath by writing my last email on this subject. I was at the said workshop and indeed have worked on the subject extensively prior to the announcement by the regulator and in the new story, "supply bandwidth" is the term, otherwise i wont make an apple and oranges analysis. At least you should credit my non-distortionist approach to this subject. The situation we are dealing with is the artificial high price of bandwidth to the continent which has held back the industry, those prices MUST come into the realm of reality and then the forces of demand and supply would make usage and local content the catalyst. Offcourse, education, electrification etc are all in the value chain. Eric here On 29 Nov 2009, at 19:00, kai wulff wrote: > Eric, > > Please read carefully what I wrote. > > I have no problem with meaningful regulation .. This regulation should focus on promoting usage .. > > Your example of the Central Bank does not fit here .. The rate set by a Central bank would in our case be the cost for which an Operator (Bank) can buy capacity (borrows money). The Central Banks don’t regulate the retail end .. > > I mentioned before, the main tools to drive down Broadband prices would be usage and local content. > > More usage can be created by education, electrification and other factors. > > Rgds > > Kai > > Von: kictanet-bounces+kai.wulff=kdn.co.ke(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke [mailto:kictanet-bounces+kai.wulff=kdn.co.ke@lists.kictanet.or.ke] Im Auftrag von Eric M.K Osiakwan > Gesendet: Sunday, November 29, 2009 21:34 > An: kai.wulff(a)kdn.co.ke > Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions > Betreff: Re: [kictanet] NCA Board member gives its price target as an E1 for US$100-500 > > Kai, > > The Central Bank as the regulator of the financial sector in every economy sets prime rates and other industry indicators based on their calculation of the market forces as they interplay with demand and supply. i dont see why you sense danger with the regulator of the coms industry setting "prime rate" based on the commoditized calculation..... > > You generate a lot of weight in your submission below on the private sector factors as a basis to slap the need for regulatory intervention in a market situation that has held the industry back for a very longtime. Am a private sector spice like you but if there is any lesson for us to learn from the current global financial crisis, it is that, we need regulatory interventions in the market theatre as markets have mood and are by that extension in perfect. > > My comment is, all the factors you have enumerated are great but they dont negate the need for regulatory intervention to bring artificially high prices down for the masses to have access, a market expansion mechanism. > > Eric here > > > > On 29 Nov 2009, at 17:59, kai wulff wrote: > > > Eric, > > This is exactly the type of statement that is dangerous. It is a little bit like deflation … > > Because everybody expect cheaper prices nobody moves .. And because of this, uptake is below the potential, usage of the cable is sub optimal and prices don’t come down … Result: People will wait longer .. > > I still don’t understand why we are so set on the E1 price (actually we should talk about 2M duplex and not old school) for a BPO .. Quality is what matters .. > > With a good quality compression you can push more than 256 calls at any given time. So in an 8 hour shift you could have 122880 call minutes with 256 agents .. Assume 70% load, this makes 86016 minutes. Surely, you will have to terminate them into a network. Assume 0.02USD per minute. > > So my question: What is your staff cost? Let’s argue 700KSH per day and person? Electricity? KSH 20 per day and person? Rent KSH 50 per day and person (assuming you work 2 shifts, 7 days a week). > > Add software, overheads ….. > > So now, what is the cost of communication? > > Currently an E1 in Kenya costs 1200 USD (not using the free offer) list price. So we said 2 shifts, 30 days, 70% load .. > > 5160960 call minutes a month > > That makes 0,0174 KSH per minute (took a rate of 75 to the USD) for the submarine portion! > We add KSH 2 for termination = 2,0174 KSH communications per minute > > Salaries: 1,45 KSH per minute (and this includes the idle ones or KSH 2,08 per minute at 70% > > You see the contribution of the pure Submarine portion .. It is NEXT TO NOTHING. > > Any comments? > > Kai > > > > > > Von: kictanet-bounces+kai.wulff=kdn.co.ke(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke [mailto:kictanet-bounces+kai.wulff=kdn.co.ke@lists.kictanet.or.ke] Im Auftrag von Eric M.K Osiakwan > Gesendet: Sunday, November 29, 2009 20:35 > An: kai.wulff(a)kdn.co.ke > Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions > Betreff: [kictanet] NCA Board member gives its price target as an E1 for US$100-500 > > A two day workshop called “Fiber Optic Undersea (Submarine) cable”, in collaboration with West Africa Telecommunications Regulators Assembly (WATRA), the German Technical Group (GTZ) and also the National Communications Authority (NCA) at the La Palm Royal Hotel. > The workshop offered WATRA members the guidance regarding the regulation of access to new undersea cables and also come up with adoptable guidelines for issuance of undersea cable licenses and landing rights agreement. This would ensure the transparency in deployment and pricing of undersea cables. > A Member of the Board of Directors of NCA, Solomon Quandzie has observed that the availability of international bandwidth, coupled with NCA’s plans for licensing additional terrestrial fiber optic cables systems, and also wireless broadband access (through things like WiMAX) operators would finally set the deployment of broadband networks throughout the country and further lay the foundation for rapid economic growth in the ICT sector. > He said, application of Business Process Outsourcing (BPOs) and Government’s decentralization program would enhance various e-government packages which would increase the social-economic development of the citizenry in a manner never witnessed in this country over the past several years. > > Quandzie said that the NCA is committed to opening up the market base of the telecommunication industry by offering an additional fiber optic cable operator (WACS), which would add more capacity to the existing one, all within a 24 month period. > > According to Quandzie, the current SAT 3 cable systems provides an estimated three gigabytes capacity of international bandwidth to the country at approx systems to become operational, adding that “They will be adding respectively, for a total of 1,920 gigabytes or 640 fold increase to the current capacity of international bandwidth in the country”. > > Quandzie said that NCA expectation of a supply bandwidth a price goal of $100-500 per E1 should be possible within the very near future which would provide the necessary framework for the attainment of such an outcome. > > He concluded that with the right regulatory framework established, reliable and affordable broadband networks, coupled with low cost of available international bandwidth can be provided through undersea fiber optic cables. > (Source: The Ghanaian Chronicle) > > > Eric M.K Osiakwan > Director > Internet Research > www.internetresearch.com.gh > emko(a)internetresearch.com.gh > 42 Ring Road Central, Accra-North > Tel: +233.21.258800 ext 7031 > Fax: +233.21.258811 > Cell: +233.24.4386792 > > > > > > > > Eric M.K Osiakwan > Director > Internet Research > www.internetresearch.com.gh > emko(a)internetresearch.com.gh > 42 Ring Road Central, Accra-North > Tel: +233.21.258800 ext 7031 > Fax: +233.21.258811 > Cell: +233.24.4386792 > > > > > Eric M.K Osiakwan Director Internet Research www.internetresearch.com.gh emko(a)internetresearch.com.gh 42 Ring Road Central, Accra-North Tel: +233.21.258800 ext 7031 Fax: +233.21.258811 Cell: +233.24.4386792

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Re: [kictanet] NCA Board member gives its price target as an E1 for US$100-500
by Eric M.K Osiakwan 29 Nov '09

29 Nov '09

Kai, The Central Bank as the regulator of the financial sector in every economy sets prime rates and other industry indicators based on their calculation of the market forces as they interplay with demand and supply. i dont see why you sense danger with the regulator of the coms industry setting "prime rate" based on the commoditized calculation..... You generate a lot of weight in your submission below on the private sector factors as a basis to slap the need for regulatory intervention in a market situation that has held the industry back for a very longtime. Am a private sector spice like you but if there is any lesson for us to learn from the current global financial crisis, it is that, we need regulatory interventions in the market theatre as markets have mood and are by that extension in perfect. My comment is, all the factors you have enumerated are great but they dont negate the need for regulatory intervention to bring artificially high prices down for the masses to have access, a market expansion mechanism. Eric here On 29 Nov 2009, at 17:59, kai wulff wrote: > Eric, > > This is exactly the type of statement that is dangerous. It is a little bit like deflation … > > Because everybody expect cheaper prices nobody moves .. And because of this, uptake is below the potential, usage of the cable is sub optimal and prices don’t come down … Result: People will wait longer .. > > I still don’t understand why we are so set on the E1 price (actually we should talk about 2M duplex and not old school) for a BPO .. Quality is what matters .. > > With a good quality compression you can push more than 256 calls at any given time. So in an 8 hour shift you could have 122880 call minutes with 256 agents .. Assume 70% load, this makes 86016 minutes. Surely, you will have to terminate them into a network. Assume 0.02USD per minute. > > So my question: What is your staff cost? Let’s argue 700KSH per day and person? Electricity? KSH 20 per day and person? Rent KSH 50 per day and person (assuming you work 2 shifts, 7 days a week). > > Add software, overheads ….. > > So now, what is the cost of communication? > > Currently an E1 in Kenya costs 1200 USD (not using the free offer) list price. So we said 2 shifts, 30 days, 70% load .. > > 5160960 call minutes a month > > That makes 0,0174 KSH per minute (took a rate of 75 to the USD) for the submarine portion! > We add KSH 2 for termination = 2,0174 KSH communications per minute > > Salaries: 1,45 KSH per minute (and this includes the idle ones or KSH 2,08 per minute at 70% > > You see the contribution of the pure Submarine portion .. It is NEXT TO NOTHING. > > Any comments? > > Kai > > > > > > Von: kictanet-bounces+kai.wulff=kdn.co.ke(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke [mailto:kictanet-bounces+kai.wulff=kdn.co.ke@lists.kictanet.or.ke] Im Auftrag von Eric M.K Osiakwan > Gesendet: Sunday, November 29, 2009 20:35 > An: kai.wulff(a)kdn.co.ke > Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions > Betreff: [kictanet] NCA Board member gives its price target as an E1 for US$100-500 > > A two day workshop called “Fiber Optic Undersea (Submarine) cable”, in collaboration with West Africa Telecommunications Regulators Assembly (WATRA), the German Technical Group (GTZ) and also the National Communications Authority (NCA) at the La Palm Royal Hotel. > The workshop offered WATRA members the guidance regarding the regulation of access to new undersea cables and also come up with adoptable guidelines for issuance of undersea cable licenses and landing rights agreement. This would ensure the transparency in deployment and pricing of undersea cables. > A Member of the Board of Directors of NCA, Solomon Quandzie has observed that the availability of international bandwidth, coupled with NCA’s plans for licensing additional terrestrial fiber optic cables systems, and also wireless broadband access (through things like WiMAX) operators would finally set the deployment of broadband networks throughout the country and further lay the foundation for rapid economic growth in the ICT sector. > He said, application of Business Process Outsourcing (BPOs) and Government’s decentralization program would enhance various e-government packages which would increase the social-economic development of the citizenry in a manner never witnessed in this country over the past several years. > > Quandzie said that the NCA is committed to opening up the market base of the telecommunication industry by offering an additional fiber optic cable operator (WACS), which would add more capacity to the existing one, all within a 24 month period. > > According to Quandzie, the current SAT 3 cable systems provides an estimated three gigabytes capacity of international bandwidth to the country at approx systems to become operational, adding that “They will be adding respectively, for a total of 1,920 gigabytes or 640 fold increase to the current capacity of international bandwidth in the country”. > > Quandzie said that NCA expectation of a supply bandwidth a price goal of $100-500 per E1 should be possible within the very near future which would provide the necessary framework for the attainment of such an outcome. > > He concluded that with the right regulatory framework established, reliable and affordable broadband networks, coupled with low cost of available international bandwidth can be provided through undersea fiber optic cables. > (Source: The Ghanaian Chronicle) > > > Eric M.K Osiakwan > Director > Internet Research > www.internetresearch.com.gh > emko(a)internetresearch.com.gh > 42 Ring Road Central, Accra-North > Tel: +233.21.258800 ext 7031 > Fax: +233.21.258811 > Cell: +233.24.4386792 > > > > > Eric M.K Osiakwan Director Internet Research www.internetresearch.com.gh emko(a)internetresearch.com.gh 42 Ring Road Central, Accra-North Tel: +233.21.258800 ext 7031 Fax: +233.21.258811 Cell: +233.24.4386792

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NCA Board member gives its price target as an E1 for US$100-500
by Eric M.K Osiakwan 29 Nov '09

29 Nov '09

A two day workshop called “Fiber Optic Undersea (Submarine) cable”, in collaboration with West Africa Telecommunications Regulators Assembly (WATRA), the German Technical Group (GTZ) and also the National Communications Authority (NCA) at the La Palm Royal Hotel. The workshop offered WATRA members the guidance regarding the regulation of access to new undersea cables and also come up with adoptable guidelines for issuance of undersea cable licenses and landing rights agreement. This would ensure the transparency in deployment and pricing of undersea cables. A Member of the Board of Directors of NCA, Solomon Quandzie has observed that the availability of international bandwidth, coupled with NCA’s plans for licensing additional terrestrial fiber optic cables systems, and also wireless broadband access (through things like WiMAX) operators would finally set the deployment of broadband networks throughout the country and further lay the foundation for rapid economic growth in the ICT sector. He said, application of Business Process Outsourcing (BPOs) and Government’s decentralization program would enhance various e-government packages which would increase the social-economic development of the citizenry in a manner never witnessed in this country over the past several years. Quandzie said that the NCA is committed to opening up the market base of the telecommunication industry by offering an additional fiber optic cable operator (WACS), which would add more capacity to the existing one, all within a 24 month period. According to Quandzie, the current SAT 3 cable systems provides an estimated three gigabytes capacity of international bandwidth to the country at approx systems to become operational, adding that “They will be adding respectively, for a total of 1,920 gigabytes or 640 fold increase to the current capacity of international bandwidth in the country”. Quandzie said that NCA expectation of a supply bandwidth a price goal of $100-500 per E1 should be possible within the very near future which would provide the necessary framework for the attainment of such an outcome. He concluded that with the right regulatory framework established, reliable and affordable broadband networks, coupled with low cost of available international bandwidth can be provided through undersea fiber optic cables. (Source: The Ghanaian Chronicle) Eric M.K Osiakwan Director Internet Research www.internetresearch.com.gh emko(a)internetresearch.com.gh 42 Ring Road Central, Accra-North Tel: +233.21.258800 ext 7031 Fax: +233.21.258811 Cell: +233.24.4386792

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4th IGF 2009 Egypt: Diplo
by mwende njiraini 29 Nov '09

29 Nov '09

Dear all, At the recently concluded 4th IGF held in Sharm El Sheikh Egypt, the importance of capacity building, national and regional IGFs were recognized. "Short retrospective view of Diplo activities related to the Internet Governance Forum 2009. Everything begins a day after IGF2008 in India and ends at Sharm el Sheikh this November. It's a short review of Diplo efforts and also a perspective for the future.” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mKgc8KQh_4E Regards Mwende *Disclaimer: Views expressed here (except those quoted or referenced) are the author’s own*

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Sir Tim Berners-lee web inventor on K24 Capital Talk on Monday 30th
by muriuki mureithi 27 Nov '09

27 Nov '09

Hi all stakeholders of the web Sir Tim Berners-Lee, the www inventor in 1989 and Time magazine member of 100 Most Important People of the 20th century honoured Kenya by a visit last week facilitated by KICTAnet. On the conclusion of the trip, he gave a wide ranging one-on-one interview to K24's Jeff Koinange Capital Talk to be aired on Monday 30th at 2000 hrs and 2200hrs. Make a date to hear first hand the inventor of the www. In his itinerary, he met and interacted with the cross-section of Kenyan web stakeholders - government, parliament, academia, techies, industry and civil society. This was a fact finding mission to understand how his invention is being exploited. He also profiled Web Foundation (www.webfoundation.org ) that he launched in Sharm el Sheikh IGF on 15th Nov, Web Science Research Initiative (www.wsri.org) and clarified some of the outputs of www consortium (w3c) in standard setting especially for the virtually impaired. He met government officials led by Vice President Hon Kalonzo Musyoka, Permanent Secretary Dr Bitange Ndemo and CCK DG Mr Charles Njoroge among others over lunch, had an interactive session with Parliamentary committee responsible for ICT led by Hon Eng James Rege. He also gave a one hour lecture to the academic community (view the video lecture at www.kenet.or.ke) and met Skunkworks at Strathmore University as well as TESPOK. A recurring theme was the opportunity provided by the www but can only be fully exploited by the development of content - just do it, put data on a web page and contribute to the growth of the web now estimated at 10 raised to power 18 pages and growing rapidly. >From the high and mighty, Sir Tim went to the grassroots. First stop was first hand interaction with the virtually impaired at the Kenya Society of the Blind. Yes, the blind who constitute up to 3% of the Kenyan population need to access the web and software to help them is available both for the computer and the cell phones. According to the virtually impaired ,the cost was a barrier, good pc software cost about $500 while for the cell phone cost $300, and open source was not as good. Equally, most of the Kenyan web developers do not incorporate features for virtually impaired. In addition, Sir Tim saw applications of the web as a social intervention to create jobs, reduce crime and organise a neighbourhood by the excellent work by Kimathi Information Centre, and the power of the community radio to extend the power of the web to those in the slums as ably illustrated by the SIDAREC radio - Ghetto 99.9. To crown the visit to SIDAREC, he talked live on Ghetto 99.9 FM and praised the efforts of the SIDAREC to empower the poor with information. His visit comes at time when Kenya has just plugged into submarine optic fibres cables and a repealed Kenya Communication Act chaperoning Kenya to the information society era. From the many interactions in his itinerary it was clear that all sectors of the society are highly sensitised on the opportunities created by www and ways to exploit the web. The only way to honour Sir Tim's visit is to ACT now. Cheers Muriuki Mureithi ---------------------------------- Summit Strategies Ltd ICT consulting and research Land mark Plaza 13th floor P O Box 62454 - 00200 Nairobi Kenya tel + 254-20- 3673925 Cell +254 722 520090 email - mureithi(a)summitstrategies.co.ke www.summitstrategies.co.ke

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Mobile Boot Camp - Kenya Edition
by Jessica Colaço 25 Nov '09

25 Nov '09

Hi All, You are cordially invited to - Mobile Boot Camp - Kenya Edition. More details at: http://mobilebootcamp.srcc.co.ke Regards, -- Jessica Colaço Blog: www.jessicacolaco.wordpress.com Skype ID: jessica.colaco Twitter ID: JessicaColaco

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New Registrar Agreement Covers Most Registrations...over 88% of domain names covvered by new protections
by alice 25 Nov '09

25 Nov '09

News Alert http://www.icann.org/en/announcements/announcement-24nov09-en.htm ------------------------------------------------------------------------ New Registrar Agreement Covers Most Registrations Over 88 percent of domain names covered by new protections 24 November 2009 Less than six months after new registrant protections were approved by the ICANN Board, over 88 percent of all generic domain names are now covered. The protections include improved ways of storing data that require registration companies to submit to more stringent rules. These are included in a revised contract between ICANN and registrars, called the Registrar Accreditation Agreement (RAA). Since the revised RAA was approved on 21 May 2009, 650 registrars have voluntarily agreed to be bound by the new agreement; collectively they represent 88 percent of all generic top-level domains registered. In return, those that have signed the new agreement are recognized by ICANN on its listing of accredited companies. Under their existing contract, registrars are not required to sign up to the new RAA until their existing agreement ends, but they can voluntarily sign up early. The high level of coverage achieved to date is due primarily to these voluntary early adopters. ICANN CEO and President Rod Beckstrom said of the high sign-up rate: “The fact that the vast majority of generic domain names are now covered by these protections is a clear sign of the industry’s goodwill and its commitment to effective self-regulation - especially since some of these protections come at a cost to the companies themselves. It is an extraordinary achievement in a very short time.” Some of the additional protections afforded registrants under the new contract include: * Enhanced enforcement tools to assure registrar compliance with ICANN policies * Enhanced data escrow requirements to protect registrants that use privacy or proxy services * A Registrant Rights & Responsibilities document * New requirements placed on resellers * Improved contact information requirements * Registrar required training program “Registrars and the ICANN community successfully collaborated to make sure consumers are well protected while respecting the competitive marketplace ICANN has made part of its mandate,” said Mason Cole, Vice President of Oversee.net and chair of the Registrar Stakeholder Group. “It’s encouraging to see how quickly and assertively registrars have adopted the terms of the new agreement.” As an aid to potential registrants, ICANN has added an indicator on each of our public lists of registrars to show which registrars have adopted the 2009 RAA. See: * http://www.internic.net/regist.html * http://www.icann.org/en/registrars/accreditation-qualified-list.html * http://www.icann.org/en/registrars/accredited-list.html ------------------------------------------------------------------------ *Sign up for ICANN's Monthly Magazine <http://www.icann.org/magazine/>* _______________________________________________ AfrICANN mailing list AfrICANN(a)afrinic.net https://lists.afrinic.net/mailman/listinfo.cgi/africann

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Invitation to connect on LinkedIn
by Peter K Kenduiywo 25 Nov '09

25 Nov '09

LinkedIn ------------ Peter K Kenduiywo requested to add you as a connection on LinkedIn: ------------------------------------------ Benjamin, I'd like to add you to my professional network on LinkedIn. - Peter K Accept invitation from Peter K Kenduiywo http://www.linkedin.com/e/4_n5t6X_WQjXh2Z5g_n5tTYK1bLMphUgsD_gUY8QrOaX/blk/… View invitation from Peter K Kenduiywo http://www.linkedin.com/e/4_n5t6X_WQjXh2Z5g_n5tTYK1bLMphUgsD_gUY8QrOaX/blk/… ------------------------------------------ DID YOU KNOW LinkedIn can help you find the right service providers using recommendations from your trusted network? Using LinkedIn Services, you can take the risky guesswork out of selecting service providers by reading the recommendations of credible, trustworthy members of your network. http://www.linkedin.com/e/svp/inv-25/ ------ (c) 2009, LinkedIn Corporation

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safaricom dividend payment's via MPesa?
by michael Ouma 25 Nov '09

25 Nov '09

Hi all: has any list member received his/her safaricom dividend payment via mpesa? i'm still waiting for mine even tho' we're promised during registration that they'd be processed and sent before month end. thanks. Michael Ouma Journalist Kenya Tel:+254-725-537823 "There are risks and costs to a program of action, but they are far less than the long-range risks and costs of comfortable inaction," - JF Kennedy.

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FW: LINK CENTRE: Reminder - Master of Management in ICT Policy & Regulation - Applications close soon!
by Edith Adera 24 Nov '09

24 Nov '09

This might be of interest. ________________________________ From: link-info-bounces(a)lists.wits.ac.za [mailto:link-info-bounces@lists.wits.ac.za] On Behalf Of Charley Lewis Sent: Tuesday, November 24, 2009 12:41 PM To: link-info(a)lists.wits.ac.za Subject: LINK CENTRE: Reminder - Master of Management in ICT Policy & Regulation - Applications close soon! Hungry to interconnect with policy and regulation in the ICT sector? Can the general really bring mobile prices down? Need to boost up your knowledge and analytical skills in this fast changing arena? Enrol for the degree of Master of Management in ICT Policy & Regulation, offered by the University of the Witwatersrand. [image001.jpg] The deadline for applications is now only a few days away! Get yours in soon! Or forward this e-mail to someone who may be interested in applying. =============================== Master of Management in ICT Policy & Regulation =============================== Empowering you for policy and regulation in the ICT sector! The Graduate School of Public & Development and the LINK Centre at the University of the Witwatersrand invites applications for the January 2010 intake into its CHE-accredited Master of Management in ICT Policy and Regulation degree programme. What is the MM(ICTPR)? The MM(ICTPR) aims to provide a formal post-graduate academic qualification for senior staff engaged in policy formulation, policy analysis and regulation of information communications technologies (ICTs), a sector which is currently undergoing rapid change and experiencing continued expansion. Who should attend? This Master's degree is designed for middle to senior level managers and practitioners working in the broad ICT sector across Africa - telecommunications industry; IT industry; broadcasting; trade unions; regulatory associations; government policy departments including communications, trade and industry, science and technology; science councils; university teaching departments; public sector ICT organisations, consumer advocates and the development sector. How do I find out more? The degree comprises 10 week-long course-work modules and a substantial (50%) applied research report. It can be completed over 3 years part-time or 1 year full-time. Information on courses, scheduling, fees and more can be found at http://link.wits.ac.za/training/training4.html. For a copy of the course brochure, go to http://link.wits.ac.za/training/MM-ICTPR-brochure.pdf. How do I apply? Contact the P&DM Admissions Office, Tozi.Zeka(a)wits.ac.za, tel: + 27 11 + 717-3783, for more information. This communication is intended for the addressee only. It is confidential. If you have received this communication in error, please notify us immediately and destroy the original message. You may not copy or disseminate this communication without the permission of the University. Only authorized signatories are competent to enter into agreements on behalf of the University and recipients are thus advised that the content of this message may not be legally binding on the University and may contain the personal views and opinions of the author, which are not necessarily the views and opinions of The University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg. All agreements between the University and outsiders are subject to South African Law unless the University agrees in writing to the contrary.

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Taking stock and way forward session @ IGF2009- Sharm-El-Sheikh
by Judy Okite 21 Nov '09

21 Nov '09

here is an extract from Hon. Poghisio's speech during the taking stock and way forward.... you can follow on the links below on what happened, especially concerning the desirability of IGF continuation... I have my favorite extracts from the speeches......but will keep them that way...'my favorites'..for now :-). >>SAMUEL POGHISIO: Ladies and gentlemen, after four years of IGF, it's now time to reflect on what we have achieved so far and the future of this forum. As we deliberate on the five-year life span, whether it's adequate or not, it's important for us to think of the need for continuation of this coordinated mechanism to harness contributions from all Internet stakeholders. Kenya has established the process -- this process at a national level and has also pioneered the same at the subregional and regional level, and we've found the following. A, that with inspiration of the national IGFs, we are able to identify local level Internet governance issues that then form the building blocks for the regional level. The East African Internet governance forum, which is now on its second year. And B, the following, that the level of sensitization of various Internet governance issues is now high. We are now very much aware of the governance issues from management of critical Internet resources, more specifically strengthening our country's code top level domain, ccTLDs, to develop the strategies for handling cybercrime and creating universal, affordable access to ICTs. This has been an important lesson for us, and we see an even better opportunity in the future. We support the extension of the IGF and particularly the multistakeholder processes underpinning it, and we believe it is important for us to continue the constructive discussions and the debates and open exchange of ideas. However, there are a number of things that we may want to see changed. One, allocation of adequate resources to IGF Secretariat and its ability to function. Two, the support for regional and national IGFs, with clear mechanisms of inclusion and integration of the global IGF. The EA IGF which is the East African IGF wishes to contribute and impact on how the IGF could achieve more practical and useful outcomes growing from local and regional lessons. Provisions of deep analysis of discussions on thematic areas to provide a framework. This will not -- this will not only allow for broad and structured discussions but also harness the potential for all to get value out of our process. Lastly, Kenya is proud to be hosting the ICANN 2010 Africa meeting in Nairobi in March 7th through 12th and we look forward to hosting you all at the 2011 IGF. I thank you. http://www.intgovforum.org/cms/2009/sharm_el_Sheikh/Transcripts/Sharm%20El%… <http://www.intgovforum.org/cms/2009/sharm_el_Sheikh/Transcripts/Sharm%20El%…> http://www.intgovforum.org/cms/2009/sharm_el_Sheikh/Transcripts/Sharm%20El%… <http://www.intgovforum.org/cms/2009/sharm_el_Sheikh/Transcripts/Sharm%20El%…>Kind Regards, -- "It is time,Africans moved from a knowledge based society to a wise society" Dr. Nii Quaynor

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Africa's Absence From The Table
by Rad! 18 Nov '09

18 Nov '09

I was reading this article http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2009/11/and-google-code-jam-2009-champion-is… I found the following bit very disturbing Last week, we hosted the the final round of Google Code Jam 2009<http://code.google.com/codejam/>, > the sixth iteration of our annual global programming competition. From > almost 23,000 registrants in the beginning, we winnowed down the > contestants<http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2009/08/google-code-jam-returns.html>to the fastest and most fervent coders. On Friday, we brought the top 23 > competitors to our Mountain View headquarters for four concentrated hours of > thinking, testing and trouble-shooting. The competition platform, built as a > 20% project by a group of Google engineers, was powered by Google App > Engine <http://code.google.com/appengine> and allowed the contestants to > use the programming language of their choice. These diverse finalists > represented 15 different countries across Europe, Asia and the Americas. > Notice Africa is not mentioned there. Why is this the case? Why aren't our students participating in such initiatives?

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kenya at IGF
by mureithi 17 Nov '09

17 Nov '09

As mentioned last week kictanet invites all kenyans at IGF for a cup of tea at room v11 at 1800. Plse inform that colleague who may not get this message. ____________ Muriuki Mureithi Summit Strategies Ltd sent from cellphone

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Embrace quality, budding Kenyan sofware developers told - article in "The EastAfrican"
by michael Ouma 17 Nov '09

17 Nov '09

here: some insights from an industry veteran. http://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/business/-/2560/686368/-/5flx85z/-/index.ht… reagrds. Michael Ouma Journalist Nairobi,Kenya Tel: +254-725-537823 / +254-0731-201729 Email: benomnta(a)yahoo.com "There are risks and costs to a program of action, but they are far less than the long-range risks and costs of comfortable inaction," - JF Kennedy.

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Why .ke performs dismally
by Solomon Mburu Kamau 16 Nov '09

16 Nov '09

Apologies for cross-posting I was reading this blog and, it has now emerged that while we are ready to promote the .ke as patriotic citizens, it is a mere mirage. Read on this link: http://wanjiku.co.ke/eng/articles/main/imz1258362470/ -- Solomon Mburu Kamau P.O. Box 19343 - 00202 Nairobi Cell: (+254-0) 735 431041 Man is a gregarious animal and enjoys agreement as cows will graze all the same way to the side of a hill! AND It is better to die in dignity than in the ignomity of ambiguous generosity! http://dawn-in-kenya.blogspot.com http://smiley2.wordpress.com http://mburu.sikika.co.ke Sent from Nairobi, Kenya

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4th IGF live reporting
by mwende njiraini 16 Nov '09

16 Nov '09

Dear all, If you would like to follow live reporting of the 4th IGF in Sharm el Sheikh through various new media: twitter, flicker, blip.tv, IGF session transcripts. Available at; http://www.netvibes.com/igf09#Welcome Kind regards Mwende

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