- KICTANet - KICTANet

Finland makes fast broadband a legal right
by alice 17 Oct '09

17 Oct '09

Linking to the current discussion on Internet outage, I will use IDRC Outcome mapping lingua and say, what Finland is doing is an "I would Love to see" kind of scenario. best alice ---------------------------------------------------------- http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/broadband/6337698/Finland-makes-fast-… Finland makes fast broadband a legal right The Finnish government has passed a law that entitles every person to a one megabit-per-second internet connection. By Claudine Beaumont, Technology Editor Published: 4:05PM BST 15 Oct 2009 Even the citizens of remote, rural parts of Finland will be legally entitled to a minimum broadband connection speed of one megabit per second, rising to 100 megabits ber second by 2015. Photo: GETTY IMAGES Finland's Ministry of Transport and Communications has committed to ensuring that every person in Finland can access the internet at a minimum speed of one megabit per second from July next year. The Finnish government had already committed to rolling out 100 megabits per second broadband connections across the country by 2015. It's the first country in the world to make universal minimum internet access speeds a legal requirement. The government said the move was aimed at improving broadband provision in rural areas. Telecoms companies across Finland will have to start rolling out high-speed services to all locations. But the Finnish authorities have stressed that this is merely an "intermediary step" ahead of the roll-out of superfast broadband within the next five years. "We think [the internet is] something you cannot live without in modern society," said Laura Vikkonen, a spokesman for the ministry. "Like banking services or water or electricity, you need an internet connection. "Universal service is every citizen's subjective right." Finland, which has a population of around 5.2 million, is already one of the most connected countries in the world, with 95 per cent of citizens already hooked up to some form of internet connection. Although other countries, such as France, have declared the concept of guaranteed web access a "human right", Finland is the first nation to recognise this in law. The British government and internet stakeholders will be keeping a close eye on Finland's plans. In the recent Digital Britain report, the government set a target of universal internet access of speeds of at least two megabits per second by 2012. But it remains unclear whether this target will be achieved, as rural and remote areas may still have to rely on mobile or satellite broadband, rather than fixed-line internet connections, for their web access. The Prince of Wales has added his voice to the debate, calling on the government and internet service providers to stop the countryside becoming a "broadband desert". "Access to the internet is increasingly becoming a necessity," he wrote in The Daily Telegraph at the weekend. "The lack of access to high speed broadband is putting many of those who work in rural communities at a severe disadvantage." BT recently announced that it was doubling the roll-out of its own next-generation, high-speed 100 megabits per second broadband network, making it accessible to 2.5 British households by 2012. However, most of those homes are expected to be concentrated in urban areas. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/broadband/6337698/Finland-makes-fast-…

2 3

Internet Outage Tuesday Oct-13-2009
by Mwangi Wamae 16 Oct '09

16 Oct '09

All: Does anyone know what happened to the Internet service yesterday. We had no service from Telkom or Safaricom here and I have heard that Wananchi and Zain were down. Surely an Internet outage -- especially a generalized one -- should be news. The Internet is not a luxury ... someone somewhere should inform stakeholders. And if the networks, ISPs won't communicate then surely the Government should. -Mw

11 17

Re: [kictanet] Internet Outage Tuesday Oct-13-2009
by Shah, SurajX 16 Oct '09

16 Oct '09

Too true Brian. Fiona you need to actually listen to the complaints of the members of this forum and take investigative action rather than telling us the mandate of the Kenya Internet Exchange Point. The members are not raising this issue simply for the heck of it - everyone was inconvenienced terribly by this outage and when the likes of Safaricom do not come up with a reasonable explanation nor a time estimate when the service will resume in the 6 hours they were out, it is un acceptable. Regards Suraj Shah Corporate Affairs Manager Intel Corporation | Kenya | Office: 7th Floor, Purhsottam Place, Westlands Road next to CfC Stanbic Bank, Nairobi | Tel: +254 20 3601724 / 3601727 | Mobile: +254 722 412277 | Email: surajx.shah(a)intel.com -----Original Message----- From: kictanet-bounces+surajx.shah=intel.com(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke [mailto:kictanet-bounces+surajx.shah=intel.com@lists.kictanet.or.ke] On Behalf Of kictanet-request(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke Sent: 15 October 2009 19:55 To: Shah, SurajX Subject: kictanet Digest, Vol 29, Issue 47 Send kictanet mailing list submissions to kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to kictanet-request(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke You can reach the person managing the list at kictanet-owner(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific than "Re: Contents of kictanet digest..." Today's Topics: 1. Re: Internet Outage Tuesday Oct-13-2009 (Brian Munyao Longwe) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Message: 1 Date: Thu, 15 Oct 2009 19:57:22 +0300 From: Brian Munyao Longwe <blongwe(a)gmail.com> To: waudo siganga <emailsignet(a)mailcan.com> Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> Subject: Re: [kictanet] Internet Outage Tuesday Oct-13-2009 Message-ID: <CE29BA66-92A5-41BA-9065-84495813C91A(a)gmail.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"; Format="flowed"; DelSp="yes" Very true Waudo and I think that most important thing here is for the operators/service providers to COMMUNICATE. As long as customers/users have information, they will generally tend to cool off and give their supplier time to sort out whatever the problem is. Customer service is key! Brian Sent from my iPhone On Oct 15, 2009, at 7:35 PM, "waudo siganga" <emailsignet(a)mailcan.com> wrote: > I think what started this thread was an observation that a number of > disparate users, having disparate services providers, reported > Internet outage at roughly the same time. I for one know that my > service provider Wananchi (Zuku service) was down Tuesday morning, > something they confirmed when we contacted them. When a user is > down, they are down and they are entitled to ask questions without > being deflected because all they want is to be online with a > reliable service, the technicalities notwithstanding. > > Waudo > > > On Thu, 15 Oct 2009 18:17 +0300, "Fiona Asonga" > <tespok(a)tespok.co.ke> wrote: >> Hallo Brian >> >> >> >> Mwangi was not specific about what traffic he was referring to but >> in his remarks below: >> >> >> >> ?Does anyone know what happened to the Internet service yesterday. >> We had no service from Telkom or Safaricom here and I have heard >> that Wananchi and Zain were down. >> >> Surely an Internet outage -- especially a generalized one -- should >> be news. The Internet is not a luxury ... someone somewhere >> should inform stakeholders. And if the networks, ISPs won't >> communicate then surely the Government should.? >> >> >> >> In view of the license established for the KIXP by CCK we don?t ha >> ndle international traffic. However by expecting serious action su >> ch as a statement on there being no internet service while there w >> as be it from other operators just doesn?t add up. Being that I wa >> s out of the office most of Tuesday therefore access internet via >> modem as opposed to the office LAN I didn?t experience such a prob >> lem. That is why I again state; there are many factors that could >> affect connectivity at the last mile that must be considered. Am s >> ure Brian as a someone who has been in the industry a long time yo >> u must be aware of what some of these may be. There are also many >> more operators licensed to provide internet licenses and they can? >> t be ignore either. In other words, a blanket statement such as t >> he one quoted above would do more harm than good. >> >> >> >> I appreciate the comments that Eric gave: ?Are these not >> ?quality of Service Issues? that we should increasingly be >> paying more attention to?? >> >> >> >> The quality of service will improve a lot if we can avoid such >> blanket statement and contacting the specific operator when an >> issue arises so as to be sure where the problem is. Brian as long >> as the traffic is flowing through we assist the operators by >> letting them know so that they can check their other locations/ >> equipment. TESPOK is keen on addressing quality of service issues >> amongst the members and trying to get them to adhere to >> international best practices. Due to working as a team with the >> peering operators most technical teams are honest on where the >> problems are on their networks as they seek assistance is resolving >> some of the issues. However, the support of the end user by being >> clear on the issues affecting their experience is extremely >> important. >> >> >> >> I would propose that Mwangi clarifies what traffic seemed to have a >> problem. >> >> >> >> Fiona Asonga >> >> Chief Executive Officer >> >> Telecommunications Service Providers Association of Kenya/ >> >> Kenya Internet Exchange Point >> >> 14th Floor, Bruce House >> >> Standard Street >> >> >> >> Tel: +254 20 2245 036 >> >> >> >> >> >> ?Industry voice in Telecommunications, Providing Policy and Direct >> ion >> >> within the Industry and Government? >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> From: Brian Munyao Longwe [mailto:blongwe@gmail.com] >> Sent: Thursday, October 15, 2009 5:42 PM >> To: Fiona Asonga >> Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions >> Subject: Re: [kictanet] Internet Outage Tuesday Oct-13-2009 >> >> >> >> Hi Fiona, >> >> While all of what you have said is true, the only uptime that you >> can monitor from KIXP (based on how I originally designed it) is >> uptime for operators/providers/members on their link to KIXP. In >> other words, there is now way of determining if their upstream/ >> international connectivity is working or not. >> >> I believe that the initiator of this thread might have been >> referring to 'external' internet access as opposed to 'local' >> internet access. >> >> Best regards, >> >> Brian >> >> On Thu, Oct 15, 2009 at 5:27 PM, Fiona Asonga <tespok(a)tespok.co.ke> >> wrote: >> >> Hallo Conrad, >> >> >> >> The Telecommunications Service Providers Association of Kenya set >> up, runs and manages the Kenya Internet Exchange Point as one of >> the many services it provides to operators. At the Kenya Internet >> Exchange Point we are able to >> >> ? Monitor the levels of local internet traffic from connec >> ted members, >> >> ? Monitor downtime >> >> ? Can generate reports of how long a particular operator w >> as down and whether the down time is as a result of equipment at t >> he IXP or other operator location (Downtime of an operator at the >> KIXP implies that the local internet traffic is going out as inter >> national traffic then back into the country therefore some delay) >> >> ? Monitor user behavior in terms of what users are doing o >> nline locally and periods when local internet is most used >> >> >> >> We also provide shared value add services to peering members that >> translate to a better experience for the consumer such as >> >> ? Training members? technical staff on new peering standar >> ds and international best practices (We have a hands on training k >> it from one of our partners to facilitate this) >> >> ? We have recently introduced shared online security mon >> itoring tools for all peering members courtesy of a renown global >> online security experts >> >> ? Peering members get global recognition to enable them pe >> er directly to other IXPs such as London and Amsterdam >> >> ? We also house the .ke, .net, .com, J-root, F-root and I- >> root servers or mirror instances >> >> >> >> We currently have 28 operators, government departments running key >> services online that require access by the general public and the >> Academic network are connected at the KIXP. >> >> >> >> You may contact me if you have any specific queries you may need >> answered. >> >> >> >> Kind Regards >> >> >> >> Fiona Asonga >> >> Chief Executive Officer >> >> Telecommunications Service Providers Association of Kenya/ >> >> Kenya Internet Exchange Point >> >> 14th Floor, Bruce House >> >> Standard Street >> >> >> >> Tel: +254 20 2245 036 >> >> >> >> >> >> ?Industry voice in Telecommunications, Providing Policy and Direct >> ion >> >> within the Industry and Government? >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> From: kictanet-bounces+tespok=tespok.co.ke(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke >> [mailto:kictanet-bounces+tespok=tespok.co.ke@lists.kictanet.or.ke] >> On Behalf Of Rad! >> Sent: Thursday, October 15, 2009 3:34 PM >> >> >> To: tespok(a)tespok.co.ke >> Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions >> >> Subject: Re: [kictanet] Internet Outage Tuesday Oct-13-2009 >> >> >> >> Come to think of it, is there some government body or other such >> entity, public or otherwise, that monitors this sort of thing? >> Internet uptime and connectivity is pretty much a national resource >> now -- disrupting the internet or the mobile telephone networks >> will definitely have an impact on the country and economy. Is there >> anyone monitoring this? >> >> On Thu, Oct 15, 2009 at 3:02 PM, Odhiambo Washington <odhiambo(a)gmail.com >> > wrote: >> >> >> >> On Thu, Oct 15, 2009 at 2:12 PM, Fiona Asonga <tespok(a)tespok.co.ke> >> wrote: >> >> Hallo Mwangi, >> >> >> >> I am not sure where you got your information from but based on >> monitoring tools statistics at the Kenya Internet Exchange Point >> none of the service providers you have listed had any problems. >> >> >> >> Hi Fiona, >> >> >> >> Last night, while connected via Safaricom 3G, and working on a >> server hosted at KDN by one of the providers, I lost connection to >> that server at around 10-ish and could not even ping it, though it >> was and still is UP so there's some credibility to the allegation. >> >> >> >> -- >> Best regards, >> Odhiambo WASHINGTON, >> Nairobi,KE >> +254733744121/+254722743223 >> _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ >> "If you have nothing good to say about someone, just shut up!." >> -- Lucky Dube >> >> _______________________________________________ >> kictanet mailing list >> kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke >> http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet >> >> This message was sent to: conradakunga(a)gmail.com >> Unsubscribe or change your options at http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/conradakunga%40gmail.c… >> >> >> >> >> -- >> This message has been scanned for viruses and >> dangerous content by MailScanner, and is >> believed to be clean. >> >> >> >> __________ Information from ESET NOD32 Antivirus, version of virus >> signature database 4509 (20091015) __________ >> >> >> >> The message was checked by ESET NOD32 Antivirus. >> >> >> >> http://www.eset.com >> >> >> >> __________ Information from ESET NOD32 Antivirus, version of virus >> signature database 4510 (20091015) __________ >> >> >> >> The message was checked by ESET NOD32 Antivirus. >> >> >> >> http://www.eset.com >> >> >> >> __________ Information from ESET NOD32 Antivirus, version of virus >> signature database 4510 (20091015) __________ >> >> >> >> The message was checked by ESET NOD32 Antivirus. >> >> http://www.eset.com >> >> >> -- >> This message has been scanned for viruses and >> dangerous content by MailScanner, and is >> believed to be clean. >> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> kictanet mailing list >> kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke >> http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet >> >> This message was sent to: blongwe(a)gmail.com >> Unsubscribe or change your options at http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/blongwe%40gmail.com >> >> >> >> >> -- >> Brian Munyao Longwe >> e-mail: blongwe(a)gmail.com >> cell: + 254 722 518 744 >> blog : http://zinjlog.blogspot.com >> meta-blog: http://mashilingi.blogspot.com >> >> -- >> This message has been scanned for viruses and >> dangerous content by MailScanner, and is >> believed to be clean. >> >> >> >> __________ Information from ESET NOD32 Antivirus, version of virus >> signature database 4510 (20091015) __________ >> >> The message was checked by ESET NOD32 Antivirus. >> >> http://www.eset.com >> >> -- >> This message has been scanned for viruses and >> dangerous content by MailScanner, and is >> believed to be clean. > > > _______________________________________________ > kictanet mailing list > kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > > This message was sent to: blongwe(a)gmail.com > Unsubscribe or change your options at http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/blongwe%40gmail.com

2 1

FCC seeks your view on Berkman Broadband Study
by emko＠internetresearch.com.gh 16 Oct '09

16 Oct '09

Folks, The FCC is calling for your views through http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/index.do?document=293955 on the just completed Berkman Centre study on Next Generation Broadband for the US @ http://www.fcc.gov/stage/pdf/Berkman_Center_Broadband_Study_13Oct09.pdf Eric here Sorry for crossposting

1 0

Kenya¹s Gakuru is Africa's rep in NCUC
by Harry Hare 14 Oct '09

14 Oct '09

FYI http://www.cio.co.ke/index.php/view-all-top-stories/214-kenyas-gakuru-is-afr ican-rep-in-ncuc.html Kindest regards Harry African eDevelopment Resource Centre eDevelopment House : : 604 Limuru Road Old Muthaiga : : P O Box 49475 00100 Nairobi : : Kenya T +254 20 3741646/7 : : C +254 725 650044 Training : : Research: :Consultancy: : Publishing

28 37

Zain Blackout
by Shah, SurajX 14 Oct '09

14 Oct '09

Safaricom's data service was completely down today from 10.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m. Customer Service had no idea why or when service would resume. Is this even acceptable in this day and age? Is there no backup strategy? Or are they becoming like the good old KPLC? I agree with Benson Mbugua's suggestion. Regards Suraj Shah Corporate Affairs Manager Intel Corporation | Kenya | Office: 7th Floor, Purhsottam Place, Westlands Road next to CfC Stanbic Bank, Nairobi | Tel: +254 20 3601724 / 3601727 | Mobile: +254 722 412277 | Email: surajx.shah(a)intel.com -----Original Message----- From: kictanet-bounces+surajx.shah=intel.com(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke [mailto:kictanet-bounces+surajx.shah=intel.com@lists.kictanet.or.ke] On Behalf Of kictanet-request(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke Sent: 13 October 2009 17:09 To: Shah, SurajX Subject: kictanet Digest, Vol 29, Issue 38 Send kictanet mailing list submissions to kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to kictanet-request(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke You can reach the person managing the list at kictanet-owner(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific than "Re: Contents of kictanet digest..." Today's Topics: 1. Zain Blackout (Benson Mbugua) 2. Re: Zain Blackout (Gichuki John Chuksjonia) 3. use of freephone numbers in Kenya (waudo siganga) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Message: 1 Date: Tue, 13 Oct 2009 02:03:53 -0700 (PDT) From: Benson Mbugua <mbugz(a)yahoo.com> To: John Kariuki <ngethe.kariuki2007(a)yahoo.co.uk> Cc: kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke Subject: [kictanet] Zain Blackout Message-ID: <218996.4895.qm(a)web82404.mail.mud.yahoo.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8" Yesterday I was not able to go online with my zain post paid modem. After a call to the customer service I was notified that their systems were down. If my memory serves me right, when jambonet was the only internet backbone/provider in the country, they were fined a huge sum of money for a similar incident. Is there any provision or consumer protection that could liase with Zain to credit users for the loss of service for a whole day or at least put a red flag for such an oversight. Ben ________________________________ From: John Kariuki <ngethe.kariuki2007(a)yahoo.co.uk> To: mbugz(a)yahoo.com Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> Sent: Sat, October 10, 2009 8:45:02 PM Subject: Re: [kictanet] Call Drops & Regulatory Action Eric, Call drop is a measurable parameter which is one item in a broad array of measurements in what are often called "QUALITY OF SERVICE" in telecommunications.KCA 1998 has a provision on quality of service and consequently is of regulatory interest in accordance with the law. Just my opinion Eng.J.N.Kariuki --- On Sat, 10/10/09, Eric Aligula <jairah(a)KIPPRA.OR.KE> wrote: >From: Eric Aligula <jairah(a)KIPPRA.OR.KE> >Subject: [kictanet] Call Drops & Regulatory Action >To: ngethe.kariuki2007(a)yahoo.co.uk >Cc: "KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions" <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> >Date: Saturday, 10 October, 2009, 9:47 AM > > > > >Dear All: > >I am looking for any information / studies out there in respect of call drops and regulatory action. Specifically I am looking for information on any studies measuring the economic impact of call drops and regulatory action to deal with the same. > >Look forward to your feedback. > >Kind regards > >Eric Aligula Magolo, PhD >Senior Analyst >Infrastructure and Economic Services Division >Kenya Institute for Public Policy Research and Analysis (KIPPRA) >P.O. Box 56445, 00200 Nairobi, Kenya >Telephone: +254-20-2719933/4 >Fax: +254-20-2719951 >E-mail: jairah(a)kippra.or.ke >URL: www.kippra.org > > >Proudly Kenyan >?In the long history of the world, only a few generations have been granted the role of defending freedom in its hour of maximum danger. I do not shrink from this responsibility???.I welcome it.? >John F. Kennedy >"All that is necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing." >Edmund Burke >"Far better to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even though checkered by failure, than to take rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy much nor suffer much, because they live in the gray twilight that knows not victory, nor defeat." >Theodore Roosevelt >"Ex Africa semper aliquid novi" > >-----Inline Attachment Follows----- > > >_______________________________________________ >kictanet mailing list >kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke >http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > >This message was sent to: ngethe.kariuki2007(a)yahoo.co.uk >Unsubscribe or change your options at http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/ngethe.kariuki2007%40y… >

2 1

Call Drops & Regulatory Action
by Eric Aligula 13 Oct '09

13 Oct '09

Dear All: I am looking for any information / studies out there in respect of call drops and regulatory action. Specifically I am looking for information on any studies measuring the economic impact of call drops and regulatory action to deal with the same. Look forward to your feedback. Kind regards Eric Aligula Magolo, PhD Senior Analyst Infrastructure and Economic Services Division Kenya Institute for Public Policy Research and Analysis (KIPPRA) P.O. Box 56445, 00200 Nairobi, Kenya Telephone: +254-20-2719933/4 Fax: +254-20-2719951 E-mail: jairah(a)kippra.or.ke <mailto:jairah@kippra.or.ke> URL: www.kippra.org <http://www.kippra.org/> Proudly Kenyan "In the long history of the world, only a few generations have been granted the role of defending freedom in its hour of maximum danger. I do not shrink from this responsibility..........I welcome it." John F. Kennedy "All that is necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing." Edmund Burke "Far better to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even though checkered by failure, than to take rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy much nor suffer much, because they live in the gray twilight that knows not victory, nor defeat." Theodore Roosevelt "Ex Africa semper aliquid novi"

6 5

use of freephone numbers in Kenya
by waudo siganga 13 Oct '09

13 Oct '09

Does anyone know if there is a policy in Kenya on the use of freephone numbers (0800 etc) in Kenya? Are these services banned? Freephone numbers allow callers to phone the subscriber free of charge with the subscriber paying the bill. Recently I was on an international conference call where the other participants had been provided with freephone numbers for their countries but none for Kenya. When I enquired I was informed that there is a problem with freephone services in Kenya, "apparently with local telecom services". Waudo

1 0

Safaricom's low dividend payments
by michael Ouma 13 Oct '09

13 Oct '09

Hi all: just wondering: would it make more sense for safaricom to just 'sambaza' airtime amounts equivalent to the dividend payments for those with less than say 2,000 shares (which translates to a dividend of khss 200), as i believe this would save them (shareholders) from having to incur the MPESA transaction fees of Kshs 30? what do others think? thanks. 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.

6 5

TEAMS an open circuit
by robert yawe 11 Oct '09

11 Oct '09

Hi, I finally got a chance to look through the presentation you sent me concerning the marine cable issue, which was comprehensive. My suggestion is that you call all the ISPs and give them this presentation so that they can stop, once and for all, passing the buck for failing the Nation and keeping us in the stone age of connectivity. From the presentation it is clear that the marine cable on its own was not the panacea for high internet charges and slow connectivity, we did not understand that the model for Internet access in the US cannot be applied in countries outside that continent as the bulk of the content is resident in the US. For a long time, over 12 years ago when I wrote an article for an IT magazine that was called Micro Computer Guide, I was called the village madman for advocating about the need to develop local content. I was incensed by the action by the then Karisa Communications (Makatiani & Ngeno) later AfricaOnline to shut down their bulleting board based service to provide us with the so called Internet connection yet we where on the right track as we created local content out of necessity. Today I believe I stand exonerated as ISP’s finally confirm that the marine cable is not going to bring down the cost of Internet access, you wonder why we have wasted the past 3 years singing its praises. I say PS Ndemo, in his personal capacity and on behalf of all the agencies under his ministry (ICT board, e-government, CCK & other), owes the country an apology for taking us on a wild goose chase. PS Ndemo the creation of local content falls smack in your docket and I have said this before all the government has to do is digitize all those reports in their possession beginning with the constitution, sessional papers, census, exam results, list of village polytechnics and the presidents diary then we can all move from their. Again thanks Walubengo. Robert Yawe KAY System Technologies Ltd Phoenix House, 6th Floor P O Box 55806 Nairobi, 00200 Kenya Tel: +254722511225, +254202010696

4 5

Re: [kictanet] TEAMS and Open ended circuit
by Walubengo J 10 Oct '09

10 Oct '09

Robert, I am glad you liked the predictions I made last year about internet service costs. I am sure you might also like my suggested price-reduction mechanisms I am making this year @ http://www.strathmore.edu/pdf/ict09/affordable_ict.pdf Unfortunately nobody listens to Academicians in these parts of the world - no wonder most lecturers abandon classroom to become politicians...so that someone can listen to them ;-). What's more I get worried when I look at some of the approaches and strategies the regulator CCK has proposed as a way of containing Tariffs (including internet pricing?) from Operators (Licensees). But since I am not an Operator, I will leave it for the Operators to present their case...but they will be hard-pressed to explain whey they should not be considered biased...cant wait for that stakeholders meeting. As for the PS to apologise...he is of age to decide for himself. But he could learn from that Politician who had promised us a Constitution in 100days. He didnt deny it - he just clarified that the days were not consecutive days ;-). And so it is the same with the internet costs. Prices will indeed come down as promised. But obviously not tomorrow. regards. walu. --- On Thu, 10/8/09, robert yawe <robertyawe(a)yahoo.co.uk> wrote: From: robert yawe <robertyawe(a)yahoo.co.uk> Subject: Re: [kictanet] TEAMS and Open ended circuit To: "Walubengo J" <jwalu(a)yahoo.com> Cc: "KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions" <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> Date: Thursday, October 8, 2009, 12:27 PM Hi, I finally got a chance to look through the presentation you sent me concerning the marine cable issue, which was comprehensive. My suggestion is that you call all the ISPs and give them this presentation so that they can stop, once and for all, passing the buck for failing the Nation and keeping us in the stone age of connectivity. From the presentation it is clear that the marine cable on its own was not the panacea for high internet charges and slow connectivity, we did not understand that the model for Internet access in the US cannot be applied in countries outside that continent as the bulk of the content is resident in the US . For a long time, over 12 years ago when I wrote an article for an IT magazine that was called Micro Computer Guide, I was called the village madman for advocating about the need to develop local content. I was incensed by the action by the then Karisa Communications (Makatiani & Ngeno) later AfricaOnline to shut down their bulleting board based service to provide us with the so called Internet connection yet we where on the right track as we created local content out of necessity. Today I believe I stand exonerated as ISP’s finally confirm that the marine cable is not going to bring down the cost of Internet access, you wonder why we have wasted the past 3 years singing its praises. I say PS Ndemo, in his personal capacity and on behalf of all the agencies under his ministry (ICT board, e-government, CCK & other), owes the country an apology for taking us on a wild goose chase. PS Ndemo the creation of local content falls smack in your docket and I have said this before all the government has to do is digitize all those reports in their possession beginning with the constitution, sessional papers, census, exam results, list of village polytechnics and the presidents diary then we can all move from their. Again thanks Walubengo. Robert Yawe KAY System Technologies Ltd Phoenix House, 6th Floor P O Box 55806 Nairobi, 00200 Kenya Tel: +254722511225, +254202010696 --- On Fri, 2/10/09, Walubengo J <jwalu(a)yahoo.com> wrote: From: Walubengo J <jwalu(a)yahoo.com> Subject: Re: [kictanet] TEAMS and Open ended circuit To: robertyawe(a)yahoo.co.uk Cc: "KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions" <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> Date: Friday, 2 October, 2009, 8:32 AM McTim, Kai, I can bet you have confused more than shedding light on this issue. But I cant blame you. It's not something one can explain in two or three emails. Typcially its a full-semester course issue... but here could be some highlights. http://www.strathmore.edu/pdf/ictc-08/internet-interconnection-model.pdf walu. --- On Fri, 10/2/09, McTim <dogwallah(a)gmail.com> wrote: > From: McTim <dogwallah(a)gmail.com> > Subject: Re: [kictanet] TEAMS and Open ended circuit > To: jwalu(a)yahoo.com > Cc: "KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions" <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> > Date: Friday, October 2, 2009, 10:28 AM > Hi Robert, > > On Fri, Oct 2, 2009 at 8:48 AM, robert yawe <robertyawe(a)yahoo.co.uk> > wrote: > > > > For a while I wondered why the TEAMS cable has not > gone hot yet it landed over 2 weeks ago, yesterday I got the > answer. > > > > The headline in the newpaper story indicated that > Jamii, a partner in the TEAMS project had finally connected > to Europe from Fujaira, which sounded a little strange. > Where did the fibre cable terminate to when it got to > Fujaira? > > > > SEA-ME-WE-3 and SEA-ME-WE-4 and FLAG all land in > Fujiarah. I assume > there is a central landing station, with links to EMIX at > that > physical location. > > > > > > What this statement would suggest is that the > termination in Fujaira does not actually connect into the > Internet backbone but is actually an "open end" from where > the providers must find a carrier, read IPOP, to get them > onto the Internet. > > > > That's what I got from the newspaper articles as well. > > > > > > Maybe I do not understand this Internet connectivity > issue, but taking an analogy that if Kenya Power connect > electricity to my house (before which hopefully I had > already wired the inside of the house for lights, sockets > and cookers) the minute then the minute I flick a switch a > light will come on (subject to power rationing schedule and > having bought and installed an energy saving bulb). > > The analogy is flawed. The power company is a service > provider, the > submarine cables are not providing Internet connectivity as > such. > > Power flows down a power line to your house,that's what you > consume. > > light flows down glass (Layer 1 and 2). Internet > Packets (Layer 3 and > higher) are encoded in this light. > > > > > Can someone out there familiar with fibre optic cable > termination shade some light on this issue for my benefit > and also many others out there. > > TEAMS cable carries light waves. The investors in > TEAMS have the > right to this capacity. ISPs have to buy transit > (their Internet > access) from other providers(or peer with lots of other > players). As > an ISP on TEAMS, one has to either buy transit at some > location > (London, Amsterdam, New York, Hong Kong, wherever) and haul > it to > Fujairah, OR buy it in the UAE. > > Have no coffee in the house, so this might be confusing, > sorry. > > -- > Cheers, > > McTim > "A name indicates what we seek. An address indicates where > it is. A > route indicates how we get there." Jon Postel > > _______________________________________________ > kictanet mailing list > kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > > This message was sent to: jwalu(a)yahoo.com > Unsubscribe or change your options at http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/jwalu%40yahoo.com > _______________________________________________ kictanet mailing list kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet This message was sent to: robertyawe(a)yahoo.co.uk Unsubscribe or change your options at http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/robertyawe%40yahoo.co.…

5 11

Re: [kictanet] Consumer Protection - Safaricom
by alice＠apc.org 10 Oct '09

10 Oct '09

I agree with P.S Ndemo. We need to not only make reference to the draft/proposed regulations but also in this case the specific consumer provisions. But while, the draft regulations have specific consumer provisions, technological developments and convergence provide some challenges that may not necessarily be fully addressed by the specific consumer provision, so would offer to suggest that we look at all of the regulations including e-transactions, etc. I also think we may need to think about additional laws and regulations that are focused on consumer protection matters generally and not only the in the ICT sector. Best alice p.s: views expressed are personal and not a reflection of any of the institutions/organisations I am affiliated with. > Mr. Mwangi, > The Government has published consumer regulations and sort comments from > consumers. How comes that you are not making reference to those > regulations with respect to this case? The Government can only deal with > broad policy reforms not case by case. We need your comments on the way > forward. > > > Regards > > Ndemo. > > > > > >> Wamuyu et al >> >> I've been reading this email trail and I too am surprised that we don't >> have >> anyone from the government making any comments. From the CCK, Ministry of >> Information, CBK nor or esteem lawyers. >> Last time I checked there was a division in the CCK that was created for >> consumer protect the interests of consumers of communications services in >> Kenya will be better protected, following the creation of a Consumer >> Affairs >> Division at CCK. The new division will be responsible for strengthening >> the >> Commission's capacity to discharge its consumer protection roles. The >> creation of the division has been necessitated by the increase in the >> number >> of players in the communications sector, incidences of non-compliance to >> licence conditions and violation of the rights of consumers. " >> here is what there say on thier site >> http://www.cck.go.ke/consumer_center/ >> >> "The Commission also comes to the aid of consumers by helping them resolve >> long-standing complaints or disputes with their service providers. The >> Commission does this on those instances where the consumers have made >> several attempts to have them resolved, but have either received no >> response >> or have not received a satisfactory response. The Commission is exploring >> ways of assisting consumers that opt for litigation. You can get more >> information, including the procedure for filing complaints, through the >> useful links provided below." >> >> Cheers >> Steve >> On Tue, Oct 6, 2009 at 10:40 PM, Sam Gatere <sam.gatere(a)gmail.com> wrote: >> >>> Wamuyu, >>> >>> Very interesting Consumer issue you bring up. It brings to mind when >>> Zain >>> started off as KenCell they would charge you for topping up! remember >>> the >>> 40bob that you would have to part with when you load a Kes 300 voucher? >>> That >>> small problem was corrected by the market! It appears this "loan" >>> facility >>> as Nyaki puts it may be corrected by competition. Once another provider >>> offers something similar at no Charge then you will see that Charge >>> disappear! However I think a your question needs an answer that I would >>> love >>> to hear.... where does one really complain for this type of customer >>> related >>> issue.... >>> >>> >>> SammyG. >>> >>> On Sun, Oct 4, 2009 at 3:50 PM, Wamuyu Gatheru >>> <wamuyulearn(a)yahoo.co.uk>wrote: >>> >>>> Dear Listers, >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> Am a Consultant in Public Sector Governance who finds this list a most >>>> informative one ...a good example of how to dialogue for policy making. >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> I have a question. Where do I complain about Safaricom charging a Kshs >>>> 5 >>>> fee for their Kshs 50 credit advance service. Is this common in >>>> pricing? - >>>> For a company to charge a fee on a payment made to them? >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> regards, Wamuyu >>>> >>>> >>>> _______________________________________________ >>>> 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 >>>> >>>> >>> _______________________________________________ >>> kictanet mailing list >>> kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke >>> http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet >>> >>> This message was sent to: smwngi(a)gmail.com >>> Unsubscribe or change your options at >>> http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/smwngi%40gmail.com >>> >>> >> ---------------------------------------------- >> This message has been scanned for viruses and >> dangerous content by Jambo MailScanner, and is >> believed to be clean. >> --------------------------------------------- >> "easy access to the world" >> >> _______________________________________________ >> kictanet mailing list >> kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke >> http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet >> >> This message was sent to: bitange(a)jambo.co.ke >> Unsubscribe or change your options at >> http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/bitange%40jambo.co.ke >> > > > > ---------------------------------------------- > This message has been scanned for viruses and > dangerous content by Jambo MailScanner, and is > believed to be clean. > --------------------------------------------- > "easy access to the world" > > > _______________________________________________ > kictanet mailing list > kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > > This message was sent to: alice(a)apc.org > Unsubscribe or change your options at http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/alice%40apc.org >

6 6

Re: [kictanet] Consumer Protection - Safaricom
by alice＠apc.org 10 Oct '09

10 Oct '09

Hello Rad, Great observations and suggestions. Urging all to please look at the regulation and not just the specific consumer provisions but all to ensure we take into consideration all the consumer issues. thank you best alice p.s views expressed are personal and not a reflection of any of the institutions/organisations I am affiliated with. --------------- > In this era of real time cheque clearing, electronic payment and broadband internet such a token attempt at customer service boggles the mind. > > It is in everyone's best interests, including the CCK to completely automate this procedure. This should be something done completely online Users would then: > > 1. Browse to the complaint section > 2. Enter their information (In my dream world one day all goverment databases will be integrated so I can just provide my PIN) > 3. Select from a list of providers (Currently I have to do extra work to find out the provider's details) > 4. Select from the type of complaints > 5. Provide commentary and upload supporting documents > 6. Be assigned a case number that they can use as a reference to track status online > 7. Be able to browse providers by complaints -- suitably anonymized, perhaps just the complaint types and unsettled issues and make informed decisions > 8. Providers can even be granted logins to the portal or the data can be sent to them via email or RSS for action > 9. Be able to get some metrics (both from CCK as well as end user perspectives) as to > 1. How quickly providers close issues > 2. Which providers are complained about the most > 3. What are the most common complaints across providers > 4. Which sector raises the most issues > > > > > On Fri, Oct 9, 2009 at 11:46 AM, Solomon Mburu <solo.mburu(a)gmail.com> wrote: > > I also have the same query regarding the complaints. As we wait for > the regulations to be passed and be part of the existing laws, where > will the suffering subscribers really take their complaints? > If CCK could offer a clear 'ad hoc' place where such complaints could > be sent and acted upon, it would be grateful as there is nothing right > when people complain and there is no place to take a complaint. > > Maybe Dr. Ndemo can shed some light on this. > > My little thoughts > > > > > _______________________________________________ > kictanet mailing list > kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > > This message was sent to: alice(a)apc.org > Unsubscribe or change your options at http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/alice%40apc.org

2 1

Re: [kictanet] [ke-internetusers] Anyone lost their Orange bundle?(been sorted)
by Judy Okite 09 Oct '09

09 Oct '09

Hi All, just to let you know that I have just been sorted(6.15pm)....it is indeed very sad if it has to take the 'big guy' to cough for issues to be sorted...what of those who do not have any way of reaching him? in the recently concluded EA-IGF.... consumer issues were numerous...from wrong biling, to skewed marketing to lack of well informed CC.... however two things stood out; consumers are ignorant(barely know their rights) and service providers DO NOT share their complaints data....hence making it very difficult for anyone to know the type of complaints and whether they have been attended to. for things to change we all have a role to play....find yours and play it... thanx to all who felt me :-) and those who made phone calls behind the scene,coz someone surely did. Kind Regards, On Thu, Oct 8, 2009 at 8:30 PM, Alex Gakuru <gakuru(a)gmail.com> wrote: > Hi Judy, I'll send you their MD's email, off-list. regards. > > On Thu, Oct 8, 2009 at 8:18 PM, Judy Okite <judyokite(a)gmail.com> wrote: > > Dear All, > > I thought to share this and stop suffering alone, coz someone may be on > the > > same boat....... > > on friday night, I had 157MB of bundle on internet everywhere > > modem......33minutes of processing email, it disconnects...checking my > > balance,i have 7.17MB of bundle... and of course the same story...were > > looking into it....were looking into it....we will call you....... > > so by Sunday nigh....I got to do some stuff so I load with 870 to buy 250 > > bundles and I had 16.50 ksh remaining.....this was at 11.03pm. at 11.15pm > it > > disconnects and what happens I have 6.75MB. > > so on monday am to call........talked to everyone.....some supervisor by > the > > name Lou...very rude guy........besides the point...by Monday evening > > nothing had been done,no phone call....nothing! > > > > Tuesday, I was at GPO 2nd floor at 11am...left at 3pm.......what did I > leave > > with there? > > Some Manager by the name of Mark...assuring me that it will be sorted > before > > 5'oclock...there system had a problem between friday night and sunday > > night....so they are rebating as guys report......so I took his number > and > > left. > > Wednesday, I call Mark at 10am..".what is happening"? "I am not in the > > office let me call you when I get there".................so I call him at > > 3pm...24hrs later after I was in his office...... > > "I have forwarded your complain,with the others.....so I will call > > you...when I get a response".......Sir youre talking like am in your > > office....its 24hrs later....you have forwarded? > > so I call Mark 5mins to 5...he does not pick his phone...for obvious > > reasons.....the whole day thursday...he is not answering his phone....I > do > > not have my bundles................what a frustration! > > > > I havent seen this on the media.......which is > > very unfortunate.........because I was hoping that they could have > > apologised to their consumers.....our systems were down.so if you lost > > bundles,then get in touch. nothing ! > > my conclusions; either someone is completely incompetent or this is the > way > > to thiefery....hoping that you will be exhausted calling and following > > up...and they call it a day! > > Does anyone have a contact of someone I should visit tomorrow....to get > this > > sorted? > > Kind Regards, > > > > -- > > "When you feel like giving up, remember why you held on for so long in > the > > first place." > > > > _______________________________________________ > > ke-internetusers mailing list > > ke-internetusers(a)bdix.net > > http://www.bdix.net/mailman/listinfo/ke-internetusers > > > > > -- "When you feel like giving up, remember why you held on for so long in the first place."

1 0

Off Topic: water company contacts (was Re: Consumer Protection - Safaricom
by McTim 09 Oct '09

09 Oct '09

On Fri, Oct 9, 2009 at 1:34 PM, <bitange(a)jambo.co.ke> >irresponsibility all around us. That is why employee theft is a >major threat to our progress. Speaking of ...does anyone have the email address of the CFO or CEO at Nairobi Water? I had a guy come to my house today with the dodgiest looking water bill in history, methinks it's an employee scam. Their website is badly broken and info@ gives me no love. -- Cheers, McTim "A name indicates what we seek. An address indicates where it is. A route indicates how we get there." Jon Postel

1 0

Call for Nominations "Breaking Borders Award"
by alice＠apc.org 09 Oct '09

09 Oct '09

Call for Nominations "Breaking Borders Award" On November 3rd 2009, Google and Reporters without Borders will hold an event entitled "Breaking Borders" to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall. We'd like to take this opportunity to highlight the importance of free expression around the world and send a clear message to repressive regimes that censor content both online and offline by honoring outstanding individuals or groups, who have shown courage, energy and resourcefulness in using the internet to promote freedom of expression, ensure that diverse political viewpoints are heard and stand up to those who censor information. Therefore Google and Reporters without Borders invite you to nominate candidates for the Breaking Borders Award. We encourage you to share this Call for Nominations with others who might wish to submit a nomination. Nomination & Selection Procedure Please send your nominations until the 20th of October to breakingborders(a)google.com. As part of your nomination please send us the name (contact if possible), references (URLs or attachments), as well as at least one other person who can assess the nominee's work. Nominations will be forwarded to the designated Award Committee consisting of selected experts from Reporters without Borders and Google. Background Information Breaking Borders Event Twenty years ago, the fall of the Berlin Wall became a striking symbol for freedom and self-determination far beyond the borders of Germany. But in many places around the world today, people are still struggling take hold of the right to express their thoughts and beliefs freely and openly. Dissidents and journalists remain under severe pressure, and their voices are all too often silenced by force. Google and Reporters without Borders have partnered to celebrate and advocate for the importance of freedom of expression and the role the internet plays in allowing each and everyone to freely participate in our global discourse. Today, the Internet continues to be an increasingly populous and powerful medium for spreading opinions across the spectrum throughout the globe. The estimated number of blogs has grown to 110 million last year from fewer than two million in 2004. Expression through online video has become so popular that 20 hours of videos are uploaded to YouTube every minute, and hundreds of millions of videos are watched on the site everyday. Even in countries where governments engage in heavy censorship, the Internet has nevertheless proven to be an effective tool for sharing information and promoting political change. --------------------------------------- Dr. Max Senges Multistakeholder Cooperations Unter den Linden 21 10117 Berlin mobile: +49 1622122755 office: + 49 30303986362 www.maxsenges.com (google internal http://go/maxsenges) AG Hamburg, HRB 86891 Sitz der Gesellschaft: Hamburg Geschäftsführer: Nikesh Arora, John Herlihy, Graham Law, Lloyd Martin, Kent Walker

1 0

Re: [kictanet] TEAMS and Open ended circuit
by Akich Kwach 09 Oct '09

09 Oct '09

Kai, That was and remains a smart strategy. The truth is we can never get rid of satelite technology, we can only reduce its reliance as it will stil continue to serve the maginalised areas where it might take ages to roll out fibre. So my question is; What would have motivated some operators to sign contract with satelite companies for such a long duration, taking into account the fast changing glogal trends? I may be wrong, but such arrangements could have been intentional and personalised, hence should be scrutinised by the regulator. Akich Kwach ----- Original Message ----- From: kai wulff To: kwach(a)archway-productions.com Cc: 'KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions' Sent: Friday, October 09, 2009 5:48 AM Subject: Re: [kictanet] TEAMS and Open ended circuit KDN had about 1000Mbps on Sat with contracts that were month to month. We retained approx. 250Mbps for redundancy (we could have dropped it but decided we need a plan B just in case). I don’t think that anybody can hold us hostage … 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 S.Murigi Muraya Gesendet: Friday, October 09, 2009 00:02 An: kai.wulff(a)kdn.co.ke Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions Betreff: Re: [kictanet] TEAMS and Open ended circuit Why has KDN been able to lower their Internet prices by 90%? Is it that they do not have 25 year contracts with the satellite companies that are holding us hostage? Walubengo J wrote: Robert, I am glad you liked the predictions I made last year about internet service costs. I am sure you might also like my suggested price-reduction mechanisms I am making this year @ http://www.strathmore.edu/pdf/ict09/affordable_ict.pdf Unfortunately nobody listens to Academicians in these parts of the world - no wonder most lecturers abandon classroom to become politicians...so that someone can listen to them ;-). What's more I get worried when I look at some of the approaches and strategies the regulator CCK has proposed as a way of containing Tariffs (including internet pricing?) from Operators (Licensees). But since I am not an Operator, I will leave it for the Operators to present their case...but they will be hard-pressed to explain whey they should not be considered biased...cant wait for that stakeholders meeting. As for the PS to apologise...he is of age to decide for himself. But he could learn from that Politician who had promised us a Constitution in 100days. He didnt deny it - he just clarified that the days were not consecutive days ;-). And so it is the same with the internet costs. Prices will indeed come down as promised. But obviously not tomorrow. regards. walu. --- On Thu, 10/8/09, robert yawe <robertyawe(a)yahoo.co.uk> wrote: From: robert yawe <robertyawe(a)yahoo.co.uk> Subject: Re: [kictanet] TEAMS and Open ended circuit To: "Walubengo J" <jwalu(a)yahoo.com> Cc: "KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions" <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> Date: Thursday, October 8, 2009, 12:27 PM Hi, I finally got a chance to look through the presentation you sent me concerning the marine cable issue, which was comprehensive. My suggestion is that you call all the ISPs and give them this presentation so that they can stop, once and for all, passing the buck for failing the Nation and keeping us in the stone age of connectivity. From the presentation it is clear that the marine cable on its own was not the panacea for high internet charges and slow connectivity, we did not understand that the model for Internet access in the US cannot be applied in countries outside that continent as the bulk of the content is resident in the US . For a long time, over 12 years ago when I wrote an article for an IT magazine that was called Micro Computer Guide, I was called the village madman for advocating about the need to develop local content. I was incensed by the action by the then Karisa Communications (Makatiani & Ngeno) later AfricaOnline to shut down their bulleting board based service to provide us with the so called Internet connection yet we where on the right track as we created local content out of necessity. Today I believe I stand exonerated as ISP’s finally confirm that the marine cable is not going to bring down the cost of Internet access, you wonder why we have wasted the past 3 years singing its praises. I say PS Ndemo, in his personal capacity and on behalf of all the agencies under his ministry (ICT board, e-government, CCK & other), owes the country an apology for taking us on a wild goose chase. PS Ndemo the creation of local content falls smack in your docket and I have said this before all the government has to do is digitize all those reports in their possession beginning with the constitution, sessional papers, census, exam results, list of village polytechnics and the presidents diary then we can all move from their. Again thanks Walubengo. Robert Yawe KAY System Technologies Ltd Phoenix House, 6th Floor P O Box 55806 Nairobi, 00200 Kenya Tel: +254722511225, +254202010696 --- On Fri, 2/10/09, Walubengo J <jwalu(a)yahoo.com> wrote: From: Walubengo J <jwalu(a)yahoo.com> Subject: Re: [kictanet] TEAMS and Open ended circuit To: robertyawe(a)yahoo.co.uk Cc: "KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions" <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> Date: Friday, 2 October, 2009, 8:32 AM McTim, Kai, I can bet you have confused more than shedding light on this issue. But I cant blame you. It's not something one can explain in two or three emails. Typcially its a full-semester course issue... but here could be some highlights. http://www.strathmore.edu/pdf/ictc-08/internet-interconnection-model.pdf walu. --- On Fri, 10/2/09, McTim <dogwallah(a)gmail.com> wrote: > From: McTim <dogwallah(a)gmail.com> > Subject: Re: [kictanet] TEAMS and Open ended circuit > To: jwalu(a)yahoo.com > Cc: "KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions" <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> > Date: Friday, October 2, 2009, 10:28 AM > Hi Robert, > > On Fri, Oct 2, 2009 at 8:48 AM, robert yawe <robertyawe(a)yahoo.co.uk> > wrote: > > > > For a while I wondered why the TEAMS cable has not > gone hot yet it landed over 2 weeks ago, yesterday I got the > answer. > > > > The headline in the newpaper story indicated that > Jamii, a partner in the TEAMS project had finally connected > to Europe from Fujaira, which sounded a little strange. > Where did the fibre cable terminate to when it got to > Fujaira? > > > > SEA-ME-WE-3 and SEA-ME-WE-4 and FLAG all land in > Fujiarah. I assume > there is a central landing station, with links to EMIX at > that > physical location. > > > > > > What this statement would suggest is that the > termination in Fujaira does not actually connect into the > Internet backbone but is actually an "open end" from where > the providers must find a carrier, read IPOP, to get them > onto the Internet. > > > > That's what I got from the newspaper articles as well. > > > > > > Maybe I do not understand this Internet connectivity > issue, but taking an analogy that if Kenya Power connect > electricity to my house (before which hopefully I had > already wired the inside of the house for lights, sockets > and cookers) the minute then the minute I flick a switch a > light will come on (subject to power rationing schedule and > having bought and installed an energy saving bulb). > > The analogy is flawed. The power company is a service > provider, the > submarine cables are not providing Internet connectivity as > such. > > Power flows down a power line to your house,that's what you > consume. > > light flows down glass (Layer 1 and 2). Internet > Packets (Layer 3 and > higher) are encoded in this light. > > > > > Can someone out there familiar with fibre optic cable > termination shade some light on this issue for my benefit > and also many others out there. > > TEAMS cable carries light waves. The investors in > TEAMS have the > right to this capacity. ISPs have to buy transit > (their Internet > access) from other providers(or peer with lots of other > players). As > an ISP on TEAMS, one has to either buy transit at some > location > (London, Amsterdam, New York, Hong Kong, wherever) and haul > it to > Fujairah, OR buy it in the UAE. > > Have no coffee in the house, so this might be confusing, > sorry. > > -- > Cheers, > > McTim > "A name indicates what we seek. An address indicates where > it is. A > route indicates how we get there." Jon Postel > > _______________________________________________ > kictanet mailing list > kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > > This message was sent to: jwalu(a)yahoo.com > Unsubscribe or change your options at http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/jwalu%40yahoo.com > _______________________________________________ kictanet mailing list kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet This message was sent to: robertyawe(a)yahoo.co.uk Unsubscribe or change your options at http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/robertyawe%40yahoo.co.… ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ _______________________________________________kictanet mailing listkictanet@lists.kictanet.or.kehttp://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet This message was sent to: murigi.muraya(a)gmail.comUnsubscribe or change your options at http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/murigi.muraya%40gmail.… ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ _______________________________________________ kictanet mailing list kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet This message was sent to: kwach(a)archway-productions.com Unsubscribe or change your options at http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/kwach%40archway-produc…

2 1

Anyone lost their Orange bundle?
by Judy Okite 08 Oct '09

08 Oct '09

Dear All, I thought to share this and stop suffering alone, coz someone may be on the same boat....... on friday night, I had 157MB of bundle on internet everywhere modem......33minutes of processing email, it disconnects...checking my balance,i have 7.17MB of bundle... and of course the same story...were looking into it....were looking into it....we will call you....... so by Sunday nigh....I got to do some stuff so I load with 870 to buy 250 bundles and I had 16.50 ksh remaining.....this was at 11.03pm. at 11.15pm it disconnects and what happens I have 6.75MB. so on monday am to call........talked to everyone.....some supervisor by the name Lou...very rude guy........besides the point...by Monday evening nothing had been done,no phone call....nothing! Tuesday, I was at GPO 2nd floor at 11am...left at 3pm.......what did I leave with there? Some Manager by the name of Mark...assuring me that it will be sorted before 5'oclock...there system had a problem between friday night and sunday night....so they are rebating as guys report......so I took his number and left. Wednesday, I call Mark at 10am..".what is happening"? "I am not in the office let me call you when I get there".................so I call him at 3pm...24hrs later after I was in his office...... "I have forwarded your complain,with the others.....so I will call you...when I get a response".......Sir youre talking like am in your office....its 24hrs later....you have forwarded? so I call Mark 5mins to 5...he does not pick his phone...for obvious reasons.....the whole day thursday...he is not answering his phone....I do not have my bundles................what a frustration! I havent seen this on the media.......which is very unfortunate.........because I was hoping that they could have apologised to their consumers.....our systems were down.so if you lost bundles,then get in touch. nothing ! my conclusions; either someone is completely incompetent or this is the way to thiefery....hoping that you will be exhausted calling and following up...and they call it a day! Does anyone have a contact of someone I should visit tomorrow....to get this sorted? Kind Regards, -- "When you feel like giving up, remember why you held on for so long in the first place."

1 0

Call for Proposal for the Amy Mahan Research Fellowship Program
by alice＠apc.org 08 Oct '09

08 Oct '09

Please find attached a Call for Proposal for the Amy Mahan Research Fellowship Program. Website: http://www.upf.edu/amymahan Up to 12 Research Fellowships will be awarded, each providing a grant of up to 22,000 and specialized guidance to enable emerging scholars to carry out their own new and original study examining the impact of public access to information and communication technologies (ICT). Emerging developing country researchers from Africa, the Middle East, the Asia Pacific region and Latin America and the Caribbean are invited to apply for the Fellowship. The deadline for applying is Midnight Eastern Standard Time, 31 December 2009. Applications may be submitted in English, French, Portuguese or Spanish. Please disseminate this announcement to other researchers and scholars who might be interested. Thank you Abi Jagun

1 0

FW: GUN IN CELLPHONE DECOY - BE CAREFUL
by Edith Adera 07 Oct '09

07 Oct '09

We are living in a dangerous world - converged world! Mobile and guns! Read more below... Subject: GUN IN CELLPHONE DECOY - BE CAREFUL Most of us see airport security as a pain. Some of us even feel violated. When you see the below pictures, you'll understand why they want our cell phones through the x-ray machine. If you get asked to test your cell phone at the airport, this is the reason. Cell phone guns have arrived. <http://www.funfunky.com/viewforum.php?f=40> AND they are real. <http://www.funfunky.com/viewforum.php?f=40> <http://www.funfunky.com/viewforum.php?f=40> Beneath the digital phone face is a .22 caliber handgun capable of firing four rounds in rapid succession using the standard telephone keypad. European law enforcement officials are stunned by the discovery of these deadly decoys. They say phone guns are changing the rules of engagement in Europe. Only when you have one in your hand do you realize that they are heavier than a regular cell phone.<http://www.funfunky.com/viewforum.php?f=40> <http://www.funfunky.com/viewforum.php?f=40> Be patient if security asks to look at your cell phone or turn it on to show that it works. They have a good reason! Wake up to our NEW WORLD!! We shouldn't complain about airport security 'invading your privacy. <http://www.funfunky.com/viewforum.php?f=40> <http://www.funfunky.com/viewforum.php?f=40> [cid:1.1698115242@web111003.mail.gq1.yahoo.com] <http://www.funfunky.com/viewforum.php?f=40> At first sight you will think the piece below is a mobile phone, but you will discover that you are wrong by taking a critical look at it the second time. This is a real, functional and deadly gun. Pls disseminate this information to all people in your area. Pls sensitise all the security guards on this latest development.. ________________________________ Note: The information in this email and any attachments is confidential and may be legally privileged. It is intended only for the use of the named addressee. Emails are susceptible to alteration and their integrity cannot be guaranteed. Safaricom Limited does not accept legal responsibility for the contents of this email if the same is found to have been altered or manipulated. The contents and opinions expressed in this email are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of Safaricom Limited. Safaricom Limited disclaims any liability to the fullest extent permissible by law for any consequences that may arise from the contents of this email including but not limited to personal opinions, malicious and/or defamatory information and data/codes that may compromise or damage the integrity of the recipient’s information technology systems.. If you are not the intended recipient please notify the sender and immediately delete this email from your system.Unless expressly stated by a duly authorised officer of Safaricom Limited nothing contained in this email message may be construed as being an offer to contract or an acceptance of an offer capable of constituting a contract between Safaricom Limited and any recipient(s) of this email. ________________________________

2 1

World War III could be fought on Internet, says ITU head
by Harry Hare 06 Oct '09

06 Oct '09

FYI... http://www.cio.co.ke/index.php/view-all-main-stories/231-world-war-iii-could -be-fought-on-internet-says-itu-head.html Kindest Regards Harry African eDevelopment Resource Centre eDevelopment House : : 604 Limuru Road Old Muthaiga : : P O Box 49475 00100 Nairobi : : Kenya T +254 20 3741646/7 : : C +254 725 650044 Training : : Research: :Consultancy: : Publishing

4 3

Re: [kictanet] Kenya?s Gakuru is Africa's rep in NCUC
by Shah, SurajX 06 Oct '09

06 Oct '09

Alex Congratulations on this position. Let me know if Intel can support in any way; we have a host of information on the subject. Regards Suraj Shah Corporate Affairs Manager Intel Corporation | Kenya | Office: 7th Floor, Purhsottam Place, Westlands Road next to CfC Stanbic Bank, Nairobi | Tel: +254 20 3601724 / 3601727 | Mobile: +254 722 412277 | Email: surajx.shah(a)intel.com -----Original Message----- From: kictanet-bounces+surajx.shah=intel.com(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke [mailto:kictanet-bounces+surajx.shah=intel.com@lists.kictanet.or.ke] On Behalf Of kictanet-request(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke Sent: 06 October 2009 11:42 To: Shah, SurajX Subject: kictanet Digest, Vol 29, Issue 15 Send kictanet mailing list submissions to kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to kictanet-request(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke You can reach the person managing the list at kictanet-owner(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific than "Re: Contents of kictanet digest..." Today's Topics: 1. Re: Kenya?s Gakuru is Africa's rep in NCUC (Brian Munyao Longwe) 2. Re: Kenya?s Gakuru is Africa's rep in NCUC (Milton Aineruhanga) 3. The great debate: Who should regulate M-Pesa and ZAP? (Zachary Ochieng) 4. Re: Consumer Protection - Safaricom (Catherine Adeya) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Message: 1 Date: Tue, 6 Oct 2009 08:23:10 +0300 From: Brian Munyao Longwe <blongwe(a)gmail.com> To: Alex Gakuru <gakuru(a)gmail.com> Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> Subject: Re: [kictanet] Kenya?s Gakuru is Africa's rep in NCUC Message-ID: <fbcfc1d0910052223o4e1a0a31xac92120b57575442(a)mail.gmail.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Hi Alex, Congratulations on this position. It will definitely give you much insight into the dynamics of global internet governance issues, the power plays that occur at that level and I can promise you that your personality skills will definitely grow! Best regards, Brian On Mon, Oct 5, 2009 at 10:21 PM, Jotham Kilimo Mwale <jokilimo(a)yahoo.com>wrote: > Alex, congrats!! > > Jotham > > --- On *Sat, 10/3/09, Walubengo J <jwalu(a)yahoo.com>* wrote: > > > From: Walubengo J <jwalu(a)yahoo.com> > Subject: Re: [kictanet] Kenya?s Gakuru is Africa's rep in NCUC > To: jokilimo(a)yahoo.com > Cc: "KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions" <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> > Date: Saturday, October 3, 2009, 9:28 AM > > > Congrats Alex. > > Finally your Consumer-focus is getting international recognition. Prophets > are rarely recognized at home ;-) > > walu. > > --- On *Fri, 10/2/09, Harry Hare <harry(a)africanedevelopment.org>* wrote: > > > From: Harry Hare <harry(a)africanedevelopment.org> > Subject: [kictanet] Kenya?s Gakuru is Africa's rep in NCUC > To: jwalu(a)yahoo.com > Cc: "KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions" <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> > Date: Friday, October 2, 2009, 10:04 PM > > FYI > > > http://www.cio.co.ke/index.php/view-all-top-stories/214-kenyas-gakuru-is-afr > ican-rep-in-ncuc.html > > > Kindest regards > Harry > > African eDevelopment Resource Centre > eDevelopment House : : 604 Limuru Road > Old Muthaiga : : P O Box 49475 00100 > Nairobi : : Kenya > T +254 20 3741646/7 : : C +254 725 650044 > > Training : : Research: :Consultancy: : Publishing > > > > > _______________________________________________ > kictanet mailing list > kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > > This message was sent to: jwalu(a)yahoo.com > Unsubscribe or change your options at > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/jwalu%40yahoo.com > > > > -----Inline Attachment Follows----- > > _______________________________________________ > kictanet mailing list > kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke<http://us.mc366.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=kictanet@lists.kictanet.or.ke> > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > > This message was sent to: jokilimo(a)yahoo.com<http://us.mc366.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=jokilimo@yahoo.com> > Unsubscribe or change your options at > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/jokilimo%40yahoo.com > > > > _______________________________________________ > kictanet mailing list > kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > > This message was sent to: blongwe(a)gmail.com > Unsubscribe or change your options at > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/blongwe%40gmail.com > > -- Brian Munyao Longwe e-mail: blongwe(a)gmail.com cell: + 254 722 518 744 blog : http://zinjlog.blogspot.com meta-blog: http://mashilingi.blogspot.com

2 1

The great debate: Who should regulate M-Pesa and ZAP?
by Zachary Ochieng 06 Oct '09

06 Oct '09

Dear all, Kindly follow this link for the above debate. Sample how CBK, CCK and industry players are arguing about who shold regulate mobile banking and m-money services. http://www.cio.co.ke/index.php/view-all-main-stories/237-banking-at-your-fi… Thanks. Zachary. --- Be the change you want to see in the world.

1 0

International Computer Games Association Events 2010
by waudo siganga 05 Oct '09

05 Oct '09

----- Original message ----- From: "J.W. Hellemons" <J.W.Hellemons(a)uvt.nl> To: "'J.W. Hellemons'" <J.W.Hellemons(a)uvt.nl> Date: Mon, 5 Oct 2009 13:50:22 +0200 Subject: Announcement ICGA Events 2010 18th World Computer Chess Championship World Chess Software Championship World Computer Chess Blitz Championship JAIST Computer Olympiad International Conference on Computers and Games 2010 Kanazawa, Japan : September 24th to October 2nd 2010 The ICGA is delighted to announce that our events for 2010 will be held in Kanazawa, Japan, hosted by the Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (JAIST). The contract for hosting this event was signed on October 5th in Kanazawa by ICGA President David Levy and JAIST President Takuya Katayama. The provisional dates are September 24th to October 2nd 2010. 2010 is the 20th anniversary of the founding of JAIST and our events will form an important role in their anniversary celebrations. Kanazawa is a city with a strong cultural identity. One of the most important sights in the city is Kenroku-en Garden, which is one of the three most beautiful gardens in Japan. JAIST have generously made available funding to enable us to provide financial support of 1,000 Euro for 10 of the participating teams in the World Computer Chess Championship, in order to defray their travel and accommodation costs. Full details will be made available in due course. This announcement serves also as a call for papers for the International Conference on Computer Games (2010). Full details of the conference will be available in due course.

1 0

Fwd: ICANN Announces Important Milestones in Making the Internet More Accessible to All
by waudo siganga 05 Oct '09

05 Oct '09

Apologies for any cross-posting IDNs DAG3 IRT http://www.icann.org/en/announcements/announcement-04oct09-en.htm العربية 中文 English Français Español Русский 日本語 Deutsch Português 한국어 Italiano ICANN Announces Important Milestones in Making the Internet More Accessible to All 4 October 2009 In the past several days, ICANN has announced recent milestones regarding changes in how the Internet community will use the Internet in the near future. These important developments include the plan for deployment of Internationalized Domain Names (IDNs) in the next few months and significant progress in developing the model for delegating new generic top-level domains (gTLDs). Proposed Final Implementation Plan: IDN ccTLD Fast Track Process http://www.icann.org/en/topics/idn/fast-track/idn-cctld-implement ation-plan-30sep09-en.pdf ICANN is pleased to announce the public posting of the Proposed Final Implementation Plan for the IDN ccTLD Fast Track Process. The IDN ccTLD Fast Track Process is an important step at making the Internet equally accessible for everyone. It will enable the introduction of a limited number of internationalized country-code top level domain names (IDN ccTLDs). As noted by ICANN CEO Rod Beckstrom, once implemented, this will be the first time that users can obtain a domain name with the entire string in characters other than ASCII (or Latin) characters, "this is one of the most exciting developments for the users of the Internet globally in years. IDNs will enable the people the world over to use domain name addresses in their own language." The process will be available to all countries and territories where the official language is based on scripts other than the Latin (extended) script. IDNs, like the Affirmation of Commitments announced last week (www.icann.org ) are another step towards making the Internet more truly global to achieve our goal of "one world, one Internet, everyone connected." The proposed final plan is scheduled for ICANN Board consideration at the ICANN meeting in Seoul, Korea, 26-30 October 2009. The proposed launch date for the IDN ccTLD Fast Track Process is 16 November 2009. ICANN is looking forward to feedback on the final plan in the public comment forum designated for that purpose. The proposed final plan has been developed based on responses to community comments and discussions. See the latest status update at: http://www.icann.org/en/announcements/announcement-2-09sep09-en.h tm. Responding to Public Comment: Version 3 of New gTLD Applicant Guidebook A Work In Progress http://www.icann.org/en/topics/new-gtlds/comments-3-en.htm The latest draft of the Applicant Guidebook that describes the process of applying for new generic top-level domains (gTLDs) was released today. New gTLDs are expected to bring innovative services and greater choice to Internet users through increased competition and engender broad participation through the introduction of IDNs and community-based TLDs into the Domain Name System. In the last three months, the community has joined in extensive collaborative efforts on technical, intellectual property, potential for malicious conduct, and other matters, with global consultations in New York, Sydney, London, Hong Kong and Abu Dhabi. The Guidebook has been changed significantly. As indicated by ICANN Chief Operating Officer, Doug Brent, "this third version of draft guidebook represents months of outstanding effort by many in the ICANN community - working to resolve the few, challenging remaining issues. This version is being released with materials that describe how public comment has influenced the changes presented in it." In all, there are over 50 areas of change, clearly indicated in the "redline" version of the Guidebook. In addition to specific trademark protections (described below) the new Guidebook includes: •Measures to prevent or mitigate potential for malicious conduct including a proposal to create high-security zones; •Enhanced stability / security measures, requiring DNSSEC deployment and prohibiting use of wildcards; •Protecting registrants by taking step to ensure registry viability: defining a financial instrument that will ensure ongoing registry operations in the event of failure, and specifying certain pre-delegation registry tests; and •Enhanced contractual tools through the development of post-delegation dispute procedures including one to ensure that community-based TLDs adhere to their self-described purpose. Like all previous versions, this draft is posted for public comment. It has been released prior to the ICANN meeting to be held in Seoul from October 25-30. During the Seoul meeting ICANN will conduct several sessions to facilitate discussion of this version of the Applicant Guidebook and finding solutions to the outstanding issues. Information about additional events will be available on the Seoul Meeting schedule at: http://sel.icann.org/full-sched. Trademark Protection Measures – Where to next? http://www.icann.org/en/topics/new-gtlds/gnso-consultations-repor ts-en.htm Specific trademark protection mechanisms are still to be decided upon by the Board. After receiving trademark protection recommendations from the Implementation Recommendation Team and others, taking extensive comment and conducting consultation with the broad community, ICANN has drafted a set of implementation recommendations related to intellectual property protections for the new gTLD program. Additional rights protection included in the Guidebook are the: •requirement to maintain a "thick" Whois database, and •specification of a post-delegation dispute procedure so that trademark holders can lodge complaints of abusive behavior against registries when merited. For other proposed rights protection mechanisms, the Board is providing the Generic Names Supporting Organization (the policy organization that developed the new gTLDs policy) with the opportunity to offer focused input on this specific area of the proposed implementation plan that is being published now. Those proposed rights protection mechanisms are: •The creation of an IP Clearinghouse, which is a database of validated trademarks to be utilized by new gTLD registry operators in implementing either an IP Claims service or Sunrise process during TLD launch; and •The creation of a Uniform Rapid Suspension process for use in clear-cut, blatant cases of trademark infringement. The community at-large may also comment on these specific issues, and of course, any other new gTLD issues through comment fora found on the new gTLD pages. The public comment period on these trademark protection solutions will be open until 22 November 2009. Please continue checking the New gTLD program webpage for updates. Prior to implementation, ICANN will work with the community to address remaining issues including: competition, consumer protection, security, stability and resiliency, malicious abuse issues, sovereignty concerns, and rights protection. Related links New gTLD program webpage: http://www.icann.org/en/topics/new-gtld-program.htm Seoul meeting: http://sel.icann.org/ Media Contact: Michele Jourdan Corporate Affairs ICANN Ph: +1-310-301-5831 E: michele.jourdan(a)icann.org

1 0