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BarCamp 2.0 - Conversations
by Riyaz Bachani 23 Nov '07

23 Nov '07

Hi all, I'm sure a lot of you have heard of Skunkworks in Kenya - we're a "band of techies" bringing geeks in Kenya together. You can read more about what we do on the blog. http://skunkworks-ke.blogspot.com One of the things we organize is BarCamp Kenya - a very informal "unconference". BarCamps are held all over the world and bring innovators together to showcase what they're doing, and really give anyone a chance to air their thoughts. Here is the last one we held: http://skunkworks-ke.blogspot.com/2007/03/post-barcamp-nairobi- kenya-31st-march.html Below is the schpiel Over the last few months, we've had discussions with various techies, entrepreneurs, and just kawa guys about why Kenya is still lagging in terms of ICT innovation and entrepreneurship. This BarCamp, we'd just like to have a CONVERSATION with all of you. Moderated by Dr Kamau Gachigi, we would like you all to come and help us brainstorm through issues, and hopefully find the causes & solution to start fostering ICT innovation. Some of the questions we have been asking ourselves: - why don't we have a culture of innovation - what is wrong with the education system - why don't we have enough ICT entrepreneurs eg software & web-app companies (our own facebook ?) - why are we lagging behind in e-commerce ... why don't we have a payment gateway yet Date: 24 November 2007 Venue: Strathmore University, Room 34 Time: 9.30am to 2.00pm Moderator: Dr Kamau Gachigi More information (& Sign Up) is on the wiki http://wiki.my.co.ke/index.php/BarCamp

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Fourth web for development conference UN habitat headquarters Nairobi 28-30 November 2007
by alice 22 Nov '07

22 Nov '07

Since its inception at a conference organized by the World Bank in 2003, the Web for Development meetings are now well established as a forum for the web community of UN agencies, and international development civil society organizations interested in using their expertise to show how the Internet can promote development. The three conferences already held have evolved to include not only the public sector, but the private sector as well. The fourth conference, to be held in Nairobi, Kenya, under the theme Driving economic and social development with the Internet, will focus on helping developing countries bridge the digital divide. As the seat of the UN headquarters in the developing world, the Kenyan capital offers participants a first-hand experience of what is involved in coming up with new ideas and solutions customised for an environment with limited computer skills, inadequate telecommunications and other infrastructure that still lags behind that of wealthier nations... http://www.unhabitat.org/categories.asp?catid=546

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Rwanda Is Removing Work Permits.
by Jose' 22 Nov '07

22 Nov '07

PRESIDENT Paul Kagame of Rwanda has said Rwanda is removing work permits and employment restrictions on East African professionals and others planning to work in the country. In his key note address during the Commonwealth Business Forum (CBF) dinner in Kampala on Tuesday, Mr Kagame said the decision is in the spirit of the East African common market that will formalise free movement of goods, services and people. "The need for professionals to improve public sector and corporate effectiveness remains a challenge to Rwanda, for East Africa and for the continent as a whole," Mr Kagame said. The step taken by Rwanda is unprecedented, as older members of the community, Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda still impose permit restrictions on nationals from partner states. Of the three, permits for East Africans are easier to obtain in Uganda, followed by Kenya and hardest in Tanzania. In a 2001 directive, the then interior minister Eriya Kategaya made permits for Kenyans and Tanzanians applying to work in Uganda 'automatic'. Mr Kagame said the East African region's "comparative strengths can help to build capable public and private sector institutions. Corporate East Africa has a pool of talent that can uplift their private sector counterparts in lesser developed parts of the region." "We in Rwanda are facilitating this by removing work permits and employment restrictions on professionals and others to work in our country," President Kagame announced amid applause. "We lose professionals as soon as we create them, and then resort to borrowing in order to finance expensive international expertise". President Kagame said the region is competing for skills in an increasingly open, global market place. "This reinforces our dependency on aid, because short term consultants add little to our need for critical mass of home grown expertise and talent," he said. "We should not begrudge those of our people looking to improve their lives elsewhere, instead, we must offer better prospects in our countries to ensure they stay with us". President Yoweri Museveni stressed the need for exporting finished goods as opposed to raw materials. Mr Museveni said part of Africa's continuing poverty was due, in part, to the failure to escape being a producer of raw materials instead of finished goods. Mr Museveni said many economies have gone to great lengths to create aggregate demand among ordinary citizens to get them actively engaged in economic activity. Mr Museveni said Uganda needs more companies that can generate income to the economy. "Business can contribute to the transformation of society," he said at the dinner organised by East African Breweries. Addressing a joint press conference, the two presidents said the clashes in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) were not a threat to investment in the region. "These problems you are talking about are residual problems that are no longer major any more. They are peripheral not structural. But in any case, they can not stop investments in Uganda and Rwanda," Mr Museveni said. "These are challenges that cut across the region, but we are handling them," Mr Kagame said. CBF Chairman James Mulwana, said while the East African governments have harmonised policies to attract domestic and direct foreign investment, the region with a market of 120 million, still has a big investment potential that has not been tapped. Mr Mulwana said there was need to implement global partnership in order to increase investment, overcome poverty levels and achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). "While our historical economic role as suppliers of raw materials to the world may have contributed to the economic growth in the past, it is now clear that the role left our countries in deep poverty and underdevelopment," Mr Mulwana said. The CBF being held ahead of the main Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (Chogm) has attracted a big number of delegates from 40 countries. The theme of the conference that ends today is: "The untapped potential. Transforming societies through economic empowerment and building partnerships with east Africa and the Global economy". On trade in the region, President Kagame said Information and Communication Technology (ICT) must be used to make border clearances a rapid one-stop-shop exercise. He said border challenges were part of the reason intra-Africa trade remains negligible in spite of its importance. "A lorry of commercial goods travelling inland to coastal gateways can take anywhere from five days to two weeks depending on good luck. Everyone loses here, the wealth that would otherwise accrue to East Africans fails to materialise," Mr Kagame said. Mr Kagame said congested port facilities, ad hoc and illegal checkpoints, impassable sections of the road network and legal border crossings that are always closed at night are all obstacles to conducting trans-border commercial transactions. "The business that we so badly want to grow are undermined and the state is deprived of revenue. And that is why we remain poor," Mr Kagame said. "It has been indicated for example that trade among African countries accounts for only 10 percent of our total exports and imports, a factor that is due to, among other things, poor regional infrastructure" Source:Ugabytes --------------------------------- Never miss a thing. Make Yahoo your homepage.

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Government Website standadisation and audit
by robert yawe 22 Nov '07

22 Nov '07

Hi all, Today I will end up spending 3,500/- to have someone run to the City Council of Nairobi, County Council of Mavoko and Ministry of Lands offices to find out what I owe in Land Rates and Land Rent. Earlier in the morning I logged onto the Internet hoping to find the information I needed online as I remember KRA putting up a half page advert worth more than 1 million in the dailies indicating that land rent information is available on their web site. As I had not recorded the details I tried getting to the site by using the URL's that I assumed would belong to the various entities, kenyarevenue.go.ke, waweru.go.ke, taxman.go.ke, letapesa.go.tax as you might already know the website is at none of these addresses it is at kra.go.ke. The information is not available at that location http://www.kra.go.ke/landrent/landrent.php yet I am sure if we looked through the KRA payment slips the developer was paid to implement the feature. But that is not as bad as the Ministry of Lands Website for which I tried lands.go.ke, ministryoflands.go.ke, and even not at grabbers.go.ke. Thanks to google I was able to find it at ardhi.go.ke. Would it be so difficult for Dr. Mutua or Dr. Ndemo or Eng. Waweru or Mr. Kokubo or Director of ....., to put up a website that would list all ministry and government agencies websites. I offer to pay for the domain registration and hosting for one year locally. We would then lobby all the newspapers to carry the URL for free on their backpage and on the home page of their websites. Worse still is the lack of a standard layout for the government web sites, each site you visit is a new experience. Would it be so difficult for us to stop wasting money and just have someone design templates to be used for all Ministry Web sites. Yes I hear you but then how do we develop our local developers, let us not punish an entire nation so that we can reward a few mediocre designers. Regards PS. I did not get the information and I will now be out of pocket 3,500/- or more by the end of the day, all because we are waiting for a marine cable to resolve all this issues. Robert Yawe KAY System Technologies Ltd Phoenix House, 6th Floor P O Box 55806 Nairobi, 00200 KEnya Tel: +254722511225 ___________________________________________________________ Want ideas for reducing your carbon footprint? Visit Yahoo! For Good http://uk.promotions.yahoo.com/forgood/environment.html

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In Support of the Marine Cable
by robert yawe 22 Nov '07

22 Nov '07

Hi All, It was quite interesting to read the comments by the UUNet managing director concerning the $500/- per month for 1 MB of as he rightfully put it IP service. Two issues stick out from his statement 1. This price will only be achievable on the last mile What is the last mile? It is the connection from your office, home or mobile device to your provider. Therefore even today, without the marine cable, if I log onto Telkom.co.ke or UUNet.co.ke I should pay not more than US$ 500/- per megabyte but how much do I pay US$ 4,300/-. In the US the internet is within the last mile thus the lower cost of Internet access there. Even Safaricom has realised that localisation of tariffs is essential and they will soon be launching a service that charges less for calls between a set of BTS's. What this means is that when you are at Kisumu airport and you call your cousin who is in Kisumu CBD, so he can collect you, you will pay less than when you call your wife in Nairobi to tell her that you have arrived safely. Can we pickup on the same and provide similar charge differentials. I was once active in an organisation called Junior Chamber International and they had a very interesting slogan for one of the International conventions "Think global, act local" With the creation of local content, 80% of us will have no need to connect beyond the boundaries of east africa. By looking at yahoo and facebook once you have the numbers the rest just falls into place. With high number of connected users the yahoos and googles of the world will have no choice but to either place servers within the region (our last mile) or pay for the marine cable. 2. "The charges would only fall marginally with the landing of the first submarine fibre optic cable in Mombasa", he said. (UUNet Managing Director) Dr.Ndemo is not going to be selling bandwidth to the end user and CCK has clearly said that only registered opeartors read ISP i.e. UUNet & Wananchi. SO who do we believe on the expected price of Internet access costs once the marine cable lands. The wholesaler or the retailer? In closing when do we expect the fiber to the district project to begin? Regards Robert Yawe KAY System Technologies Ltd Phoenix House, 6th Floor P O Box 55806 Nairobi, 00200 KEnya Tel: +254722511225 ----- Original Message ---- From: Alex Gakuru <gakuru(a)gmail.com> To: bitange(a)jambo.co.ke Cc: robert yawe <robertyawe(a)yahoo.co.uk>; Jose Ngunjiri <ngunjirijnr(a)gmail.com>; ke-internetusers(a)bdix.net Sent: Wednesday, 21 November, 2007 9:10:18 AM Subject: Re: [ke-internetusers] Re: In Support of the Marine Cable We shall be pleased to have your contribution upon your return to office. Thank you. Meanwhile, discussants may wish to read a relevant story appearing on today's Business Daily "State projections on Internet costs queried by players" http://www.bdafrica.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=4419&Item… On Nov 20, 2007 10:01 PM, <bitange(a)jambo.co.ke> wrote: > These are good questions but unfortunately I need more time to make my > contribution. I hope to do this when I am back in the office possibly on > Friday. > > Asante Sana. > > > > > > > > On Nov 20, 2007 5:47 PM, robert yawe <robertyawe(a)yahoo.co.uk> wrote: > >> > >> I ask do we really need the marine cable? > >> > > I wonder? Do we need Pentium or Penicillin? Marine cable Fibre or > > remain on satellite but HR skills re-orientation first? Local content > > or websites development and SEO optimisation education? Do we need the > > government to lead us to connectivity Canaan or a watching, listening > > and supportive one facilitating innovation for an organic ICT > > development enabling environment? Oh, how I wonder? > > > > With so many competing needs choosing the priority undoubtedly is a > > challenge BUT this is also an opportunity for "puzzle solvers" to map > > a winning strategy that taps into all available resources, human and > > material, to optimize on the results. Unfortunately not a single > > entity, business, person (even the government) holds the key to the > > answer. > > > > I beleive the password to success is honestly and openness in > > multi-stakeholder collaboration despite the conflicting diverse > > stakeholders interests. Certainly, the government must work for the > > common good of the citizens because that is what they take oath of > > office to protect. Citizens' concerns, businesses, welfare, etc. > > > > Adhoc projects Yawe is concerned about would not help much in this > > scenario because citizens end up burdened with future loan repayment > > burdens for unrealised project aspirations. All such projects must be > > subjected to rigorous scrutiny by everyone and therefore government > > should neither feel "harassed" or "untrusted" when someone questions > > any public project. ( Note that I am not suggesting that this has > > happened) > > > > Do we really need the marine cable? YES we do and a lot more. Internet > > use education. I am talking teaching beyond how to send and receive a > > couple of emails, visit friends' websites printed on business cards > > (that never show up on Google index!) and "hard-wired" URLs > > references. > > > > But since this kind of education is nobody specific obligation, then > > nobody will do it and the danger is that in the end, the government's > > marine cable risks ending up an attempted diagonal JOHARI window > > transformation. i.e. trying to move "people who don't know and they do > > not know that they do not know" TO "they know and they know that they > > know" http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johari_window > > > > In short, Free Flow of Information, readily available is prerequisite > > to transforming Kenya into a knowledge society, prosperous economy > > where everyone realises fruits of their innovation and work of their > > hands. Opaqueness only breeds mistrust the sum total being mark-timing > > development and globally uncompetitive countries. > > > > my two cents to this very interesting debate... > > _______________________________________________ > > ke-internetusers mailing list > > ke-internetusers(a)bdix.net > > http://www.bdix.net/mailman/listinfo/ke-internetusers > > > > ---------------------------------------------- > > This message has been scanned for viruses and > > dangerous content by Jambo MailScanner, and is > > believed to be clean. > > --------------------------------------------- > > "easy access to the world" > > > > > > > ___________________________________________________________ Want ideas for reducing your carbon footprint? Visit Yahoo! For Good http://uk.promotions.yahoo.com/forgood/environment.html

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3G lauch to spark battle in data services mart
by Wanjira, Alice Munyua 21 Nov '07

21 Nov '07

3G lauch to spark battle in data services mart Written by Kui Kinyanjui: Buisness Daily 3G enabled services will help facilitate various modern e-applications such as remote medical diagnosis, remote education, as well as a variety of business-to-business and business-to-government applications. November 5, 2007: Kenyas telecoms scene is set for a major revolution following the recent launch by service provider Safaricom of a new technology. The technology -- commonly known as 3G -- is expected to change the way consumers use their phones besides bringing home the long held consumer dream of accessing the Internet and television from their mobile phones. The network differs from the current in its ability to deliver high quality media-rich content -- including audio and video to a mobile phone handset. It comes at a time when consumers are beginning to enjoy Telkom Wireless price cuts on similar offers through its CDMA platform -- setting the stage for a battle for data shillings on the new breed of networks. While Safaricoms may be the first commercial 3G service in Kenya, Telkom maintains that its CDMA platform offers more of the same features and at a more competitive price. This potential by Telkom, which is Safaricoms parent company, poses a looming threat to the mobile firms aspirations to become the leader in the provision of value-added services in the telecoms market. With 3G enabled phones, consumers will be able to use the telephone to access Internet services and transmit data. The mobile industry is counting on the arrival of 3G to boost the sale of data enabled handsets such as camera phones and to raise earnings through sale of high-end services such as mobile e-mail access. 3G enabled services will help facilitate various modern e-applications such as remote medical diagnosis, remote education, as well as a variety of business-to-business and business-to-government applications, said John Waweru, the director-general of the Communications Commission of Kenya (CCK). Most Kenyan users will, however, be keen to use their phones to surf the internet. Third generation networks allow for faster download speeds for web pages, with prices dropping to less than Sh10 per megabyte downloaded. Having paid $25 million, nearly half what it paid for the original mobile operator licence, Safaricom is banking on the new service to drive revenue growth from users accessing more data heavy applications. Kenyas mobile phone sector is slated to grow by 87 per cent in the next five years, exceeding the 72 per cent forecast for the African continent, according to the GSM Association. Safaricoms entry into this service platform came as a surprise to many given that its CEO Michael Joseph indicated that the company would only implement the service if the cost-benefits were commensurate with the projected number of users. Rival mobile telephone service provider Celtel is said to be weighing the prospect of acquiring the pricey licence at this time. With the majority of new mobile subscribers expected to come from the countryside, it remains to be seen whether the projected levels of growth with translate into increased demand for valued added services. The race for rural subscribers has seen Safaricom commission a Sh500 million switching centre targeting the rural folk in western Kenya. Industry observers however say that Safaricom may have to wait a while to reap the benefits of the latest network upgrade. Japans NTT DoCoMo launched the worlds first official 3G system based on WCDMA in 2001 but only managed to fully migrate its users to the service by 2006. Two years after its launch in the UK, a 2005 survey by Harris Interactive revealed that the uptake of the new service was sluggish. The poll indicated that only nine per cent of the entire mobile phone market had upgraded to a 3G enabled mobile phone two years after the services launch, with 41 per cent of 3G users using their powerful gadgets for just for talking and texting. The silver lining in the Harris poll was however that 3G users were twice as likely to use their mobile phone for more than talking and texting. There is a danger in 3G being given away without effectively marketing 3G services to consumers. Service providers are seeding the market with the product and then relying on above and below the line marketing to generate momentum for key 3G services, said Derek Eccleston, technology research director at Harris Interactive. If 3G consumers do not begin to utilize the full range of 3G services, the return on general operator investment in 3G may not be realizedand this can have a negative impact on their profitability. But as with any new service, Safaricom will roll out its latest network addition with tremendous spend on advertising to highlight its offering. The firm is said to be in talks to enter into data services partnerships with interested companies. Besides, phone companies are maneuvering to strengthen their offerings in the high end gadget market, with some banking on the quick adoption rate of to drive sales of the relatively more expensive devices. Phone company LG recently launched YouTube enabled handsets in the local market that will allow users to interface to access and upload video content. This new service will connect people like never before. For the first time, LG customers will be able to film, upload and view videos on YouTube using their mobile phone just as they would from their home computers, said K.W. Kim, LG Middle East and Africa President.

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[Fwd: [AfrICANN-discuss] REMINDER -- Fellowships for India - deadline is 26 NOVEMBER - Paris Open]
by alice 21 Nov '07

21 Nov '07

http://www.icann.org/fellowships/ 31st International Public ICANN meeting New Delhi, India February 10-15 Application round open: 24 October Application round close: 26 November AND FOR THE 32nd International Public ICANN meeting in Paris, France June 22-27 Application round open: December 2007 Application round close: January 2008 Cheers ar _______________________________________________ AfrICANN mailing list AfrICANN(a)afrinic.net https://lists.afrinic.net/mailman/listinfo.cgi/africann

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Fwd: [TIER] UN agreement on freeing spectrum for wireless
by Eric Osiakwan 21 Nov '07

21 Nov '07

fyi Begin forwarded message: > From: Jennifer Bussell <jbussell(a)berkeley.edu> > Date: 19 November 2007 19:54:38 GMT+03:00 > To: TIER <tier(a)tier.cs.berkeley.edu> > Subject: [TIER] UN agreement on freeing spectrum for wireless > > > http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/2ece0dd2-962c-11dc-b7ec-0000779fd2ac.html > Radio spectrum freed for mobiles > By Frances Williams in Geneva > Published: November 19 2007 01:23 | Last updated: November 19 2007 > 01:23 > Valuable radio spectrum now used mainly by broadcasters is to be > opened up to broadband services offered by mobile phone operators > under a United Nations agreement endorsed on Friday by governments > from over 160 countries. > > For the first time, the decision will provide a common chunk of > spectrum for mobile broadband services globally, boosting the > market for new wireless technologies. It is also expected to reduce > significantly the cost of expanding mobile networks in poor or > predominantly rural nations. > > The accord follows a month-long diplomatic conference that pitted > traditional broadcasters against mobile phone operators in a battle > over who should benefit from the “digital dividend” provided by the > continuing switch from analogue to digital television. > > Digital signals require much less bandwidth, freeing space in the > coveted ultra-high frequency (UHF) band, which has been the almost > exclusive preserve of broadcasters. > > Mobile phone companies have pushed for access to the UHF band for > two reasons. One is that the quality signals support high-speed > mobile broadband connections, enabling faster downloads of data and > video to mobile devices and encouraging the development of new > internet-based services. > > The other is that UHF signals can penetrate buildings and travel > long distances, so fewer base stations are required for coverage of > large areas, cheapening the cost of rolling out wireless broadband > networks. > > Under the deal, the Americas and much of Asia, including China and > India, will open up the 698-806 Megahertz band to mobile wireless > broadband services between now and 2015 as the transition from > analogue to digital television proceeds. > > In Europe, Africa and the Middle East, where broadcasters have > retained a bigger share of UHF spectrum, only the 790-862 Megahertz > band will be available for mobile wireless broadband and not before > 2015. > > Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2007 > > _______________________________________________ > TIER mailing list > Website: http://tier.cs.berkeley.edu > TIER(a)tier.cs.berkeley.edu > https://www.millennium.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/tier Eric M.K Osiakwan Executive Secretary AfrISPA (www.afrispa.org) Tel: + 233.21.258800 ext 2031 Fax: + 233.21.258811 Cell: + 233.244.386792 Handle: eosiakwan Snail Mail: Pmb 208, Accra-North Office: BusyInternet - 42 Ring Road Central, Accra-North Blog: http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/eric/ Slang: "Tomorrow Now"

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workshop at Gazebo
by Rebecca Wanjiku 20 Nov '07

20 Nov '07

just to let you know that the workshop will be at the Gazebo Banda, Jacaranda hotel E-WASTE PROJECT KENYA - INTRODUCTION MEETING WEDNESDAY November 21st , 2007 PROGRAMME - TIME ACTIVITY 9.00- 9.15am Welcome and Introduction – Harry Hare 9.15-10.00am Regional perspective - Alan Finlay – Open Research 10:00-10.30am Tea Break 10.30-11.30pm Global perspective – Cisse Khan - Digital Solidarity Fund (DSF) & Mathias Schluep – EMPA National perspective – Alice Munyua 11.30 – 12.30 General discussions, comments, input from stakeholders, vote of thanks Close Facilitated by Africa e-Development Resource Centre Tel. 254 720 318 925 blog:http://beckyit.blogspot.com/ Get easy, one-click access to your favorites. Make Yahoo! your homepage. ____________________________________________________________________________________ Be a better sports nut! Let your teams follow you with Yahoo Mobile. Try it now. http://mobile.yahoo.com/sports;_ylt=At9_qDKvtAbMuh1G1SQtBI7ntAcJ

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workshop programme
by Rebecca Wanjiku 20 Nov '07

20 Nov '07

E-WASTE PROJECT KENYA - INTRODUCTION MEETING WEDNESDAY November 21st , 2007 PROGRAMME - TIME ACTIVITY 9.00- 9.15am Welcome and Introduction – Harry Hare 9.15-10.00am Regional perspective - Alan Finlay – Open Research 10:00-10.30am Tea Break 10.30-11.30pm Global perspective – Cisse Khan - Digital Solidarity Fund (DSF) & Mathias Schluep – EMPA National perspective – Alice Munyua 11.30 – 12.30 General discussions, comments, input from stakeholders, vote of thanks Close Facilitated by Africa e-Development Resource Centre Tel. 254 720 318 925 blog:http://beckyit.blogspot.com/ ____________________________________________________________________________________ Never miss a thing. Make Yahoo your home page. http://www.yahoo.com/r/hs

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An ITWeb article from brian@isisweb.nl
by brian＠isisweb.nl 20 Nov '07

20 Nov '07

This article has been sent to you from brian(a)isisweb.nl as a courtesy of ITWeb. Comment: FYI Mblayo African achievement recognised The winners of the ninth annual African ICT Achievers Awards were announced at a gala banquet, held at the Sandton Convention Centre, on Saturday.Kenya dominated in the individual award section, taking home three of the eight awards. Brian Longwe Munyao, from InHand, was awarded top businessman of the year; Jyoti Mukherjee, of Software Technologies, was recognised as top businesswoman; and Mwende Gatabaki, from the Kenya Tea Development Agency, scooped the top public sector CIO award.Rwandan president Paul Kagame received the lifetime achievement award.SA was strongest in the organisational categories. Dimension Data was recognised as top ICT company in Africa. Accenture was awarded the most transformed company. IBM SA and Integr8 IT were judged the top ICT workplace provider and most innovative company, respectively.ForgeAhead, in partnership with the Department of Communications, presented the annual awards, which recognise individuals and organisations that have made a difference in the lives of the less fortunate.These individuals and organisations support the challenge that countries in Africa face in leveraging ICT to make a difference around the continent, organisers said. This year's awards took on the same theme as last year: "Make the African Century a Reality".[PICTURE]Jane Mosebi, MD of ForgeAhead, explained the origin of the awards: "What started as a programme to encourage black people to enter the ICT industry in SA has grown beyond our borders and has spread to the rest of Africa."Mosebi highlighted the corporate social investment focus of the awards, saying: "We want to ensure we do not just recognise achievement. We must harness it and channel it back into the communities that are the hearts and future of our continent."Xhead = Make a differenceAlbert Butare, minister of state in charge of energy and communications, at the Ministry of Infrastructure of Rwanda, spoke on behalf of Kagame, delivering a keynote address.He said to realise an African century, countries need to build the foundations of science and technology to ensure Africa could move ahead with the rest of the world. "The future of Africa depends on being able to compete effectively with a highly globalised world community."[PICTURE]Africa is poorly connected, both within the continent and to the rest of the world, he said. "The gaps in IT infrastructure in Africa continue to hinder investment, economic growth and employment in this critical sector."Speaking on behalf of Vodacom, governance director at Vodafone SA Bob Collymore highlighted the economic impact connectivity can make for Africa. "ICT has already changed lives forever."He said Vodacom implemented a base-station project on the borders of the Kruger National Park to connect and educate farmers on the best uses of cellular technology. "Some of those farmers have already quadrupled their income."The award for top private sector CIO was not presented this year. "The finalists in this category did not reflect the status of the award, especially in the context of Africa. As such, the judges declined to present a winner," explained Mosebi.[PICTURE]Related stories: <a href="http://www.itweb.co.za/sections/business/2007/0711061501.asp" target="_newAchiever finalists announced <a href="http://www.itweb.co.za/sections/business/2007/0710311400.asp" target="_newNepad backs Achievers programme <a href="http://www.itweb.co.za/sections/computing/2007/0708101420.asp" target="_newSummit to discuss African ICT <a href="http://www.itweb.co.za/sections/business/2007/0707201333.asp" target="_newICT Achievers nominations open Posted: 11/19/2007 10:40:43 AM --------------------------------------------------- ITWeb - First with IT news. Every day. For more topical IT industry news, views and analysis, visit us at http://www.itweb.co.za ---------------------------------------------------

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An ITWeb article from brian@isisweb.nl
by brian＠isisweb.nl 20 Nov '07

20 Nov '07

This article has been sent to you from brian(a)isisweb.nl as a courtesy of ITWeb. Comment: FYI Mblayo African achievement recognised The winners of the ninth annual African ICT Achievers Awards were announced at a gala banquet, held at the Sandton Convention Centre, on Saturday.Kenya dominated in the individual award section, taking home three of the eight awards. Brian Longwe Munyao, from InHand, was awarded top businessman of the year; Jyoti Mukherjee, of Software Technologies, was recognised as top businesswoman; and Mwende Gatabaki, from the Kenya Tea Development Agency, scooped the top public sector CIO award.Rwandan president Paul Kagame received the lifetime achievement award.SA was strongest in the organisational categories. Dimension Data was recognised as top ICT company in Africa. Accenture was awarded the most transformed company. IBM SA and Integr8 IT were judged the top ICT workplace provider and most innovative company, respectively.ForgeAhead, in partnership with the Department of Communications, presented the annual awards, which recognise individuals and organisations that have made a difference in the lives of the less fortunate.These individuals and organisations support the challenge that countries in Africa face in leveraging ICT to make a difference around the continent, organisers said. This year's awards took on the same theme as last year: "Make the African Century a Reality".[PICTURE]Jane Mosebi, MD of ForgeAhead, explained the origin of the awards: "What started as a programme to encourage black people to enter the ICT industry in SA has grown beyond our borders and has spread to the rest of Africa."Mosebi highlighted the corporate social investment focus of the awards, saying: "We want to ensure we do not just recognise achievement. We must harness it and channel it back into the communities that are the hearts and future of our continent."Xhead = Make a differenceAlbert Butare, minister of state in charge of energy and communications, at the Ministry of Infrastructure of Rwanda, spoke on behalf of Kagame, delivering a keynote address.He said to realise an African century, countries need to build the foundations of science and technology to ensure Africa could move ahead with the rest of the world. "The future of Africa depends on being able to compete effectively with a highly globalised world community."[PICTURE]Africa is poorly connected, both within the continent and to the rest of the world, he said. "The gaps in IT infrastructure in Africa continue to hinder investment, economic growth and employment in this critical sector."Speaking on behalf of Vodacom, governance director at Vodafone SA Bob Collymore highlighted the economic impact connectivity can make for Africa. "ICT has already changed lives forever."He said Vodacom implemented a base-station project on the borders of the Kruger National Park to connect and educate farmers on the best uses of cellular technology. "Some of those farmers have already quadrupled their income."The award for top private sector CIO was not presented this year. "The finalists in this category did not reflect the status of the award, especially in the context of Africa. As such, the judges declined to present a winner," explained Mosebi.[PICTURE]Related stories: <a href="http://www.itweb.co.za/sections/business/2007/0711061501.asp" target="_newAchiever finalists announced <a href="http://www.itweb.co.za/sections/business/2007/0710311400.asp" target="_newNepad backs Achievers programme <a href="http://www.itweb.co.za/sections/computing/2007/0708101420.asp" target="_newSummit to discuss African ICT <a href="http://www.itweb.co.za/sections/business/2007/0707201333.asp" target="_newICT Achievers nominations open Posted: 11/19/2007 10:40:43 AM --------------------------------------------------- ITWeb - First with IT news. Every day. For more topical IT industry news, views and analysis, visit us at http://www.itweb.co.za ---------------------------------------------------

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Online resources from regulators
by A.K. Mahan 19 Nov '07

19 Nov '07

LIRNE maintains a set of tables with links to regulatory authority websites around the world. These tables of regulators' annual reports, sector reports and statistical resources can be accessed from the WDR page on LIRNE.NET (http://lirne.net/wdr/) or directly from the links below. *Latin America and the Caribbean * http://lirne.net/resources/lac-resources/ *Africa* http://lirne.net/resources/online-resources-from-african-nras/ *Asia* http://lirne.net/resources/online-resources-from-asian-nras/ -- _______________________________________________ Amy Mahan, LIRNE.NET Coordinator Montevideo, Uruguay Tel: +598.2.410 2979 Fax: +44.870.759 8283 Skype ID: amahan (GMT -3) ________________________________________________

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Mobile Government: The New Frontier in Transforming Public Services - 29th November 2007
by Harry Hare 19 Nov '07

19 Nov '07

Dear Colleagues, Mobile services are quickly emerging as the new frontier in transforming government and making it even more accessible and citizen-centric by extending the benefits of remote delivery of government services and information to those who are unable or unwilling to access public services through the Internet or simply prefer to use mobile devices. In theory, many government services can be now made available on a 24x7x365 basis at any place in the country covered by mobile networks, which today means almost everywhere! Michael, correct me if Im wrong. It is from this background that the World Bank in partnership with eGovWorld 2007 (www.egovworld.com <http://www.egovworld.com/> ) and African eDevelopment Resource Centre presents a dialogue on Mobile Government (mGovernment) on 29th November 2007, 4.30pm -7.00pm at the World Bank offices, Nairobi. The dialogue is live Video Conference and an integral part of the eGovWorld 2007 conference taking place in India 29-30 November 2007. According to the ITU, the total number of mobile users worldwide as of late 2006 was about 2.7 billion and the number of internet users was just above 1.1 billion. This means that there is 33.6% of world population (and 22.2% of developing countries population) who already have mobile phones but are not yet using the Internet. * Does this provide a strong case for leveraging the mobile channel to dramatically improve access to public services, including electronic government services to those who can afford to use a personal or shared mobile phone? * Does this create an opportunity to connect in the near future the next two billion people to some of the benefits of e-government, e-health, e-education, e-banking and e-commerce? * How exactly can Mobile Government change the lives of common people in developing countries? What are best examples of such impact? * What are the key constraints to making this vision a reality? * How should governments change the way they do business to take advantage of mobile technologies? * What is the role of the private sector? Are there successful business models (e.g. PPP) for private sector companies to deliver value-added m-government services? These are some of the questions that will be addressed. Participation to the event is free; however, one needs to register to get access to the venue. If you are interested in participating send an email directly to susan(a)africanedevelopment.org for a registration form. Space is limited at the venue, only 20 places are available and will be given out on a first-come-first-served basis. Deadline for registration is Wednesday 22nd November. Program: +++++ Welcome & Introduction Samia Melhem, Senior Operations Officer, Global ICT, World Bank; and Chair, e-Development Thematic Group Vikas Kanungo, Chairman, The Society for Promotion of e-Governance, India & Convener, eGovWorld 2007 Opening Remarks/Keynote address R. Chandrashekhar, Additional Secretary (e-Governance), DIT, Government of India Speakers Ibrahim Kushchu, Associate Professor and Director, Mobile Government Consortium International & Author, "m-Government: An Emerging Direction in e-Government", UK Hannes Astok, Member of Parliament & former Deputy Mayor, City of Tartu, Estonia Kindest Regards Harry Hare Executive Director African eDevelopment Resource Centre 3rd Floor, Nelleon Place, Raphta Road, Westlands PO Box 49475 00100, Nairobi Tel +254 20 4453445 Cel +254 725 650044

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e-Waste
by Harry Hare 19 Nov '07

19 Nov '07

Some background info for those planning to attend the e-Waste event on Wednesday. http://www.elearning-africa.com/newsportal/english/news90.php Harry

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Fw: [UgaBYTES] 80 Percent of Computer Products Fake in East Africa
by Florence Etta 19 Nov '07

19 Nov '07

fyi sorry for cross posting Florence Etta PhD P.O. Box 14285,00800 Westlands-Nairobi, Kenya Tel: Mobile + 254-733-621851 Terrestrial: + 254-20-7121506 Fax/Phone: + 254-20-7125723 Alternative Email:florence.etta@gmail.com ----- Forwarded Message ---- From: Yahya Sseremba <yahya(a)ugabytes.org> To: ugabytes(a)lists.ugabytes.org Sent: Monday, 19 November, 2007 10:16:53 AM Subject: [UgaBYTES] 80 Percent of Computer Products Fake in East Africa Up to 80 per cent of computer consumable products on sale in East Africa could be fake, a major regional distributor with branches in four countries has claimed. Among the most affected are the HP brand of toners and cartridges, according to Red Dot Kenya country manager Asif Saroya. Red Dot is a distributor of computers and related accessories with offices in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and Ethiopia. He attributed the proliferation of counterfeits to the exponential growth witnessed in the ICT sector over the past five years, which has created a rising demand that unscrupulous traders are exploiting by offering cheap substandard products - mostly from the Far East. There is a growing controversy around the world over the safety and efficacy of goods made in China, the world's fastest growing economy, which has been dogged by massive counterfeit claims. Worried that counterfeits could drive genuine products dealers out of the market, the company has come up with a series of strategies to beat the fakes. Since that fake products are usually cheaper, the company is revising its pricing to make its products more competitive and forge a closer partnership with its dealers through loyalty programmes to encourage them to stick to its brands. A massive consumer education programme has also been mounted by the company and its distributors to inform users on how to avoid fake products. (Source: The East African) ___________________________________________________________ Want ideas for reducing your carbon footprint? Visit Yahoo! For Good http://uk.promotions.yahoo.com/forgood/environment.html _______________________________________________ ugabytes mailing list ugabytes(a)lists.ugabytes.org http://lists.ugabytes.org/mailman/listinfo/ugabytes_lists.ugabytes.org

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invitation to E-waste discussions
by Rebecca Wanjiku 19 Nov '07

19 Nov '07

just to remind you of this function on wednesday please confirm attendance for logistics purposes. regards becky RE: INVITATION TO KICTANETs INTRODUCTION OF THE E-WASTE PROJECT IN KENYA KICTANet is working with the Hewlett Packard, EMPA (Swiss Materials Science & Research Technology), the Global Digital solidarity Fund (DSF) on their new programme on the “Recycling of electronic waste” in Kenya . The project will assess the current conditions for electronic recycling in communities in Kenya. It also aims to explore how additional local jobs can be created in this sector as well as the development of a blueprint for a sustainable e-waste management system in Kenya in collaboration with other existing local recycling projects. Pursuant to this KICTANet is therefore inviting you an introduction meeting to be held on Wednesday November 21 at Jacaranda Hotel from 9.00a.m. to 12.30 p.m. The meeting is an opportunity for the international team from DSF, EMPA and the Kenya research team to introduce the project to a few relevant stakeholders involved and interested in E-waste in Kenya . Please confirm your attendance to Rebecca Wanjiku Evelyn Majale on 4453671/2 or email: rebeccawanjiku(a)yahoo.com or evelyne(a)kictanet.or.ke Tel. 254 720 318 925 blog:http://beckyit.blogspot.com/ __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com -----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: rebeccawanjiku(a)yahoo.com Unsubscribe or change your options at http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/rebeccawanjiku%40yahoo… ____________________________________________________________________________________ Get easy, one-click access to your favorites. Make Yahoo! your homepage. http://www.yahoo.com/r/hs _______________________________________________ kictanet mailing list kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet This message was sent to: rebeccawanjiku(a)yahoo.com Unsubscribe or change your options at http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/rebeccawanjiku%40yahoo…

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U.N. conference ponders Internet's future
by alice 17 Nov '07

17 Nov '07

U.N. conference ponders Internet's future Jack Chang | McClatchy Newspapers http://www.mcclatchydc.com/homepage/v-print/story/21582.html RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil - When more than 1,700 technology experts from around the world envision the Internet's future, they see cars and household appliances that are online, wireless Internet networks in remote African villages and astronauts e-mailing one another from different corners of outer space. Such visions of the future were trumpeted at a landmark U.N. Internet Governance Forum to plan the next stages of one of the most revolutionary communication tools in history. Participants can't make binding decisions, but can lay the groundwork for future policy. Many of the government officials, technology experts and other trendsetters at the conference, which ended Thursday, said the Internet has only now hit its stride. Key to its future, many said, will be bringing online the four-fifths of the globe that still lacks Internet access, as well as combating cybercrime and other malicious uses of the network. The next generation of technology is on its way and will make the Internet an even more integral part of people's lives, said Vinton Cerf, a U.S. computer engineer and one of the fathers of the Internet. He's now chief Internet evangelist to technology giant Google and remains a pioneer. One of his side projects is helping the National Aeronautics and Space Administration build an interplanetary network that would let astronauts e-mail each other without routing their messages through Earth. "Wherever you are, you'll have the potential to get all this information, really all of the world's knowledge," Cerf said. "If you don't take advantage of this information available to you and others do, you'll have a hard time competing." Holding up his BlackBerry, Cerf said that such mobile devices would soon become the main portal to the network, with global positioning systems that tell users where they are and what's around them, no matter where they are on the planet. He also said that molecular-scale computing would become the norm as conventional technology bumps into the laws of physics that limit how quickly processors run and how compact they can be. Molecular computing means harnessing the computing power of DNA and other biological material to run computers tens of thousands of times faster than those with today's conventional processors. For billions of people in the developing world, however, just getting online would be an improvement, said John Dada, the program director of a nonprofit Nigerian anti-poverty agency. More than 4 billion people aren't online, and many of them have never sent an e-mail or accessed a Web site, he said. Only 4 percent of Africans are online, compared with about four-fifths of U.S. residents. "There is absolute awareness of the Internet in the world," Dada said. "The hardware is the problem." -- ================================================================ Mark Graham SVP of Technology, iVillage Inc., an NBC Universal company General Manager, Astrology.com http://www.ivillage.com Office: (415) 447-6193 Ext. 830 * Cell: (917) 697-0110 ================================================================ ======================================= APC Forum is a meeting place for the APC community - people and institutions who are or have been involved in collaboration with APC, and share the APC vision - a world in which all people have easy, equal and affordable access to the creative potential of information and communication technologies (ICTs) to improve their lives and create more democratic and egalitarian societies. _______________________________________________ apc.forum mailing list apc.forum(a)lists.apc.org http://lists.apc.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/apc.forum

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Fwd: [Fibre-for-africa] Fwd: [APC-IGF] Notes on Access Plenary
by Eric Osiakwan 16 Nov '07

16 Nov '07

Begin forwarded message: > From: "Wairagala Wakabi" <wakabi(a)cipesa.org> > Date: 15 November 2007 12:17:57 GMT+03:00 > To: fibre-for-africa(a)lists.apc.org > Subject: [Fibre-for-africa] Fwd: [APC-IGF] Notes on Access Plenary > Reply-To: APC - Private list for use by EASSY Workshop Participants > <fibre-for-africa(a)lists.apc.org> > > --------------------------- Original Message > ---------------------------- > Subject: [APC-IGF] Notes on Access Plenary > From: "Abi Jagun" <abi(a)apc.org> > Date: Wed, November 14, 2007 9:46 pm > To: "Private work space for APC members, staff and partners > participating in the IGF" <apc-igf(a)lists.apc.org> > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > ---- > > The panel was chaired by Helio Costa [Minister of Communications, > Brazil] and Markus Kummer [Executive Coordinator, IGF]; and was > moderated by Richard Sambrook [Director of the BBC's Global News > division]. > > Panellists were: Mike Jensen [Independent consultant/APC], Roque > Gagliano [ANTEL/NAPLA/ALAC], Valerie D'Costa [InfoDev], Sylvia Cadena > [WILAC.net] Mouhamet Diop [Next.sn], Anita Gurumurthy [ITforChange], > and Jacquelynn Ruff [Verizon]. > > Discussants were: Maui Sanford, Rajesh Bansal, Hökmark Gunnar, Sam > Paltridge, and Radhika Lal [UNDP]. > > > The moderator asked that the discussions of the panel be framed in > light of the following two considerations: (i) the characteristics of > the next billion people to be connected to the Internet - "How do they > differ from those who are already connected … Who are they and what is > needed in order to bring them online?; and (ii) issue emanating from > the demand side as well as from the traditional supply side. Issues > arising from the supply perspective include - regulation, law, policy, > competition, capacity building etc. Whilst demand side considerations > include issues of cost, ease of use, relevance of content, access for > the elderly and those with disabilities, questions of language, and > the crucial link between access and development. > > > Key issues and/or suggestions that emerged from the Access Panel > are as > follows: > > 1. There was recognition that availability of Internet infrastructure > must be considered hand-in-hand with the affordability of the > infrastructure. > > 2. There was recognition that more concrete efforts at building demand > for the Internet are required and an important aspect of this is the > availability of content and affordability of access. To facilitate > this, it was suggested that local content and traffic should be "kept" > (in terms of hosting and transmission) at the local level. This is > because "Internet transit cost[a] is one of the main problems for > developing countries" (Gagliano) and are usually borne (100%) by > service providers/operators in the developing countries. With this in > mind, it was suggested that greater support (in terms of regulation > and backbone infrastructure) be given to the establishment and > sustainability of Internet Exchange Points (IXPs) at both national and > regional levels. > > 3. With respect to high transit costs, the need for developing > countries/regions to take advantage of the "savings" that can be made > by adopting a regional policy of interconnected IXPs and thereby > "break through the transit model and … [usher in a] … peering model" > (Diop). > > 4. It was also recognised that for affordable and universal access to > be achieved, the competitive environment in developing nations needs > to be developed. This requires that regulatory and policy regimes be > improved – in particular the "long-term monopolies, duopolies or cosy > cartels" (Jensen) that exist in the key areas of international > gateways, backhaul/terrestrial networks and mobile sector need to be > addressed. Other regulatory and policy areas that need to be looked > into are interconnection, number portability, and the expansion and/or > increase in diversity of organisations that are able to > deliver/provide telecom services – these include community operators, > municipal authorities, cooperatives etc. > > 5. There was recognition that improvements in international and > national fibre optic network require new models for deployment. It > was suggested that backhaul networks be viewed as a public good (in > much the same way as roads are) and that in this respect their > deployment be coordinated with other infrastructure projects – such as > new road, rail, electricity, gas pipelines etc. The position can also > be taken that "…development finance for these types of infrastructure > projects should be conditional on including fibre in their > deployment." (Jensen) > > 6. In considering the suggested need for greater coordination in the > deployment of fibre in new infrastructure projects; it was highlighted > that priority should be given to energy infrastructure and in > particular electrification projects. > > 7. Reviewing regulatory and policy regimes, and achieving greater > coordination in the deployment of infrastructure (amongst others) > requires that the capacity of regulators be built up significantly ... > > 8. In order to improve and achieve more informed policy- and > decision-making, the need to rethink indicators used for measuring > progress/performance was highlighted. Those that are currently > collated and used are often characterised by a significant time lag > (sometimes of up to two to three years) which negatively impacts on > the reliability and realism of decisions on which they are based. It > was therefore suggested that more up-to-date Internet metrics - such > as autonomous system numbers, domain names, Internet protocol > addresses etc. – be incorporated into the repertoire of (global) > telecom/Internet metrics. > > 9. There was recognition of the tremendous strides that have been made > by mobile and wireless technologies in enabling developing country > populations to gain access communication services. It was recognised > that the mobile phone has been instrumental in this success and > suggested that this technology, and the many initiatives that have > adapted its use at the local/"grass root" level be considered for > inclusion in future connectivity/access plans. This would suggest > that such "community-based" initiatives be considered at par with > telco-led roll-out plans – especially with reference to rural areas > and marginalised/under-served communities; and where funding provision > exists for universal service. > > 10. It was recognised that adopting a more "demand side" perspective > to the access problem/issue calls for a better understanding of the > needs of users – and in particular the needs of "the next billion" to > be connected. It was felt that an understanding and articulation of > "what the critical Internet use issues[b] are in underserved > communities" (D'Costa) will help to better identify the relevance of > telecoms and ICT to development, and in initiating access solutions > that better serve these communities. > > 11. Recognising the needs of users – especially those in rural > communities, highlights the importance of translating and promoting > local languages and local customs as this facilitates the use of > communications networks by these communities. An appreciation of the > culture and incorporation of local languages also helps to promote and > develop the skills of the members of the community in using the > networks and in adapting them to their needs. This can significantly > improve the sustainability and continuity of the network (Cadena). > > 12. In developing countries; rural areas can no longer be treated as > the exception: "when in truth [in cited specific instance] more than > 70% of the population lives in rural areas" (Cadena). It was > therefore recognised that some reform/modification of regulation and > policy is required to facilitate the implementation of access > solutions in these areas. Specific areas highlighted include the > removal of charges and/or duties applied to new technologies that are > particularly suited to such areas. > > 13. Also with respect to rural and remote areas, it was suggested that > certain services - such as communication during emergencies and > disasters, should be provided as a public good (and considered more > important than any economic interest). > > 14. There was the recognition that access is more than connectivity > and that the tools used in connecting to the Internet – in particular > their adaptation and adequacy of use –are also important. The need > for capacity building around technological development and adaptation > that would ensure that connectivity tools are "fit for use". > > 15. It was highlighted that when it comes to providing access to poor > communities: "the most meaningful ICT models … are not just about > creating demand loops for individual users to pay, but models that > address systemic and institutional change through ICTs" (Gurumurthy). > It was suggested that Telecoms/ICTs can and should therefore be > embedded within social development initiatives and in these > circumstances be delivered as a public good. It was emphasised that a > "public goods approach to ICT" does not negate the need and relevance > of market-orientated approaches to Internet access; rather each > approach has its own area of application. > > 16. It was noted that access, from the perspective of the deployment > of infrastructure, is capital intensive and that capital available for > investments in infrastructure is international in nature. This > emphasises the capacity developing countries must have in attracting > investment/capital. Areas that facilitate attractiveness for > investment were identified as including transparent and stable > regulatory environment; respect for the rule of law; openness to > foreign investment; a commitment to encouraging competition; good > licensing and spectrum allocation procedures, a flexibility for > innovative services etc. > > > [a] This relates to the cost of accessing Internet ports that are > generally located outside developing countries and also the cost of > transmission to and from these ports all of which are borne (100%) by > the service provider in the developing country. > > [b] Examples of these include how such use substitutes for a two or > three day journey to the nearest town. How it can help a citizen > better engage more effectively with a local or their municipal > authority. How it can help a small business to expand its market > reach, or its distribution network. How it can help new entertainment > and information possibilities open up to those citizens. (D'Costa) > _______________________________________________ > Apc-igf mailing list > Apc-igf(a)lists.apc.org > http://mailman-new.greennet.org.uk/mailman/listinfo/apc-igf > > > > _______________________________________________ > Fibre-for-africa mailing list > Fibre-for-africa(a)lists.apc.org > http://lists.apc.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/fibre-for-africa > Eric M.K Osiakwan Executive Secretary AfrISPA (www.afrispa.org) Tel: + 233.21.258800 ext 2031 Fax: + 233.21.258811 Cell: + 233.244.386792 Handle: eosiakwan Snail Mail: Pmb 208, Accra-North Office: BusyInternet - 42 Ring Road Central, Accra-North Blog: http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/eric/ Slang: "Tomorrow Now"

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AFNOG 2008 ANNOUNCEMENT & WORKSHOP APPLICATION
by Badru Ntege 15 Nov '07

15 Nov '07

AFNOG & AFRINIC JOINT ANNOUNCEMENT, MAY/JUNE 2008 9th AfNOG MEETING AfriNIC-8 MEETING The African Network Operators' Group (AfNOG) and the African Network Information Centre (AfriNIC) are pleased to announce that the 9th AfNOG Meeting and the AfriNIC-8 Meeting will be held Rabat, Morocco, in May /June 2008. ABOUT THE ENTIRE EVENT AfNOG and AfriNIC are jointly organising a two-week event that includes the AfNOG Workshop on Network Technology (offering advanced training in a week-long hands-on workshop), several full-day Advanced Tutorials, a one-day AfNOG Meeting, and a two-day AfriNIC Public Policy Meeting and Annual General Meeting. In addition, several side meetings and workshops will be hosted in collaboration with other organizations such as the AAU and ISOC. Further information about the event may be found at <http://www.afnog.org/afnog2008/> and <http://www.afrinic.net/meeting/>. TIMETABLE Unix Boot Camp 24 - 25 May 2008 (Saturday - Sunday) AfNOG Workshop 26 - 30 May 2008 (Monday - Friday) AfriNIC IPV6 W/shop 31 May - 1 June 2008 (Saturday - Sunday) AfREN Meeting 31 May - 1 June 2008 (Saturday - Sunday) AfNOG Tutorials 1 - 2 June 2008 (Sunday - Monday) AfriNIC LIR W/shop 2 June 2008 (Monday) AfNOG Meeting 3 June 2008 (Tuesday) AfriNIC-8 Meeting 4 - 5 June 2008 (Wednesday - Thursday) Africa INET Day 6 June 2008 (Friday) VENUE The Workshop, Tutorials, AfREN Forum, IPv6, LIR (24 May - 2nd June 2008) will be held at Mohammadia Engineering Institute, Rabat. All Conferences (3 - 6 June 2008) will be held at the Golden Tulip Farah, Rabat, Morocco. ABOUT AfNOG AfNOG (see <http://www.afnog.org/>) is a forum for cooperation and the exchange of technical information between operators of Internet-connected networks in Africa. AfNOG has organised an event like this one every year since 2000. ABOUT AFRINIC AfriNIC (see <http://www.afrinic.net/>) is a Regional Internet Registry (RIR), responsible for Internet resources Mangement in Africa region. AfriNIc organises two Public Policy meetings every year (see <http://www.afrinic.net/meeting/>). AfNOG WORKSHOP ON NETWORK TECHNOLOGY The AfNOG Workshop on Network Technology aims to offer advanced training to people who are in the process of developing and enhancing an Internet-connected network with regional and international connectivity. The target audience includes senior and mid-level technical staff of commercial Internet service providers (ISPs), academic networks, government networks, or NGO networks. This workshop builds on the experience of previous AfNOG workshops held annually from 2000 to 2007 in eight different African countries, and also the Internet Society's INET workshops, held annually from 1993 to 2000 at eight locations around the world. The workshop's instructors are an international team with many years of experience operating large networks and teaching about network operations. The workshop is divided into four parallel tracks: SA-E - Unix System Administration (in English), focused on using a Unix-like operating system as a platform for delivery of Internet services. SS-E - Scalable Internet Services (in English), focused on the design and operation of email, web, and other Internet services, in ways that can scale to handle large numbers of end users. SI-E - Scalable Network Infrastructure (in English), focused on the design and operation of networks using routers and switches, in ways that can scale to handle large numbers of interconnected sites. SI-F - Infrastructure Reseaux IP (en francais), similar to SI-E, but given in French. Further information and online application form for the workshop can be found at <http://www.afnog.org/afnog2008/workshop/online_application.html> AfREN MEETING The Africa Research and Education Networking community will be holding a two-day meeting on 31 May and 1 June 2008. The meeting will discuss issues of interest to the NREN community such as coordination on activites in the region, advocacy, bandwidth consortia, regional RENs etc AfNOG TUTORIALS AfNOG will offer 1 to 2 full-day(s) tutorials on advanced topics. Tutorials take place in a classroom-style environment, and may include a hands-on practical component. Tutorials are non-commercial in nature, and most are technically oriented. They are intended to offer advanced training on technology already deployed or soon to be deployed on networking and related services provisioning for ISP operations. 9th AfNOG MEETING The 9th AfNOG meeting will be held in Rabat, Morocco, on 3 June 2008. AfNOG conferences provide a forum for the coordination and dissemination of technical information related to backbone/enterprise networking technologies and operational practices. The meetings are informal, with an emphasis on relevance to current and future African backbone engineering practices. The AfNOG 2007 conference in Abuja, Nigeria, drew over 165 participants, mainly consisting of network engineering staff from national service providers, and members of the research and education community. People interested in making a presentation or chairing a panel discussion at the AfNOG meeting are invited to to submit a proposal, following the instructions at <http://www.afnog.org/afnog2008/conference/> AfRINIC-8 MEETING The AfriNIC-8 meeting will be held in Rabat, Morocco, on 4 and 5 June 2008. AfriNIC Meetings are open to everyone and provide an excellent opportunity to take part in Internet policy discussions. These policies, which describe how Internet Number Resources should be managed and distributed, are developed by the community. The meeting will include tutorials, presentations, update on the various working groups and the AfriNIC Public Policy Meeting. The two day meeting will be preceeded by a two-day IPv6 training. The meeting will focus on the IPv6 protocol and its deployment, especially in Africa and the issue of the exhaustion of the IPv4 pool of address space. There will be an opportunity to discuss the challenges which our region will be facing with the exhaustion. Further information is available at <http://www.afrinic.net/meeting/>. ISOC - INET AfRICA MEETING The Internet Society will be organizing an INET Africa Conference on 6 June 2008 in conjunction with the AfriNIC 8 and AfNOG 9 meetings in Rabat, Morocco. This meeting will focus on technical as well as policy aspects surrounding Internet standards development and applications, with special attention on localisation and education initiatives, and efforts to further internationalise the Internet. The meeting is also expected to open discussion on Internet governance issues of importance to the continent. Issued jointly by AfNOG and AfriNIC ------ AfNOG 2008 WORKSHOP ON NETWORK TECHNOLOGY - APPLICATION FOR ADMISSION Please see <http://www.afnog.org/afnog2008/workshop/> for information about the AfNOG 2008 Workshop on Network Technology. If you have questions regarding this announcement and application, they may be addressed to: <workshopinfo08(a)afnog.org> WHERE TO APPLY - You can fill in an application on line, at <http://www.afnog.org/afnog2008/workshop/online_application.html> - You can download a copy of the application form from <http://www.afnog.org/afnog2008/workshop/application-form.txt>, or request a copy via email to <applications08(a)afnog.org>. Then fill it in off-line, and email it to <workshop-apply08(a)afnog.org>. The "Subject" line of the message should contain your surname or family name in the following format: Subject: AfNOG Workshop Application: <your-family-name> WHEN TO APPLY Application forms must be submitted no later than 7 December 2007. Applicants will be notified of their acceptance to the program and the amount of financial aid available (if any) on or about 31st January 2008. INFORMATION TO BE INCLUDED ON YOUR APPLICATION Please ensure that all of the contact information you submit is and accurate, or we will not be able to contact you. Please give detailed answers to the questions about your work and your experience. If your are applying for financial assistance from AfNOG, please do not forget to answer the questions about other funding sources available to you. A. PERSONAL DATA FAMILY NAME (LAST NAME, SURNAME) ONLY: Full Name: Employer/Organization Position/Title: Business Address: Business Telephone: Alternate Telephone: E-mail address: Fax: Date of birth: Nationality: Name as it appears on passport or other travel document: Passport number: Country issuing passport: Date passport was issued: Date of passport expiration: Knowledge of English /French: Please rate your knowledge in these categories: Listening/comprehension: minimal / fair / good / excellent Reading: minimal / fair / good / excellent Speaking: minimal / fair / good / excellent Writing: minimal / fair / good / excellent Please indicate with an asterisk (*) the most reliable addresses and telephone/fax numbers above which can be used to reach you. B. COURSE OF INSTRUCTION Instructional track applied for (Please select only one track; the tracks will run concurrently): [ ] SA-E - UNIX SYSTEM ADMINISTRATION [ ] SS-E- SCALABLE INTERNET SERVICES [ ] SI-E - SCALABLE NETWORK INFRASTRUCTURE [ ] SI-F - INFRASTRUCTURE RESEAUX (French Track - equivanent to SI-E) Please indicate your specific interests within the area you have chosen: C. TECHNICAL SKILLS 1. Are you a UNIX user? How much have you used it? 2. Have you been a UNIX system administrator? Describe your experience (length of time, versions, etc.). 3 Have you used/administered TCP/IP networks? Describe. 4. Have you set up and/or administered any of the following? Please give details. - bind or any other nameservers - sendmail/smail/exim/postfix - majordomo/mailman or other list manager - apache/IIS web systems 5. Have you configured or otherwise managed any of the following? Details, please. - routers - switches - network monitoring - noc D. DESCRIPTION OF ROLE IN NATIONAL NETWORKING ACTIVITIES Bearing in mind that this information will be used to determine whether to admit you to the workshop, please provide in the format of your choice the following information about yourself. Please be sure that it is sufficiently clear, well organized and adequate for this purpose. 1. A description of your current employer, your position, your duties and responsibilities, and how they relate to current and future data networking activities in your country. 2. A brief description of your computing and networking environment (operating systems, networking software, modems, etc.), including the connectivity of your organization to the Internet and your country's connectivity to the international Internet. 3a. Scope of your institution (check all categories that apply): [ ] Commercial Network Provider [ ] Academic Network Provider [ ] NGO Network Provider [ ] Other (Specify)______________ 3b. Approximate number of full time staff at your institution:________ 4. How your training and current work prepare and qualify you for the track you wish to attend. 5. How you expect to use the knowledge you gain at the workshop after you return to your country. 6. If you have previously attended AfNOG/INET Workshops for Developing Countries, a. Year and track you attended: b. A precise description of how you have used the training you have received in the past: c. The significant advances in networking which have occurred in your country specifically because of your knowledge and effort: E. FINANCIAL INFORMATION Your application must contain the following complete information if you wish to be considered for financial support to attend the workshop. The Workshop fee is US$1,600. This includes accommodation and meals. Applicants are usually expected to provide their own funding (from whatever sources). However AfNOG or its sponsors may make a limited financial assistance available to deserving candidates. Even if you request financial assistance you might not receive any, and your acceptance into the Workshop will be conditional on your ability to provide all or most of the funding yourself. Although you may be well qualified and in great need of financial assistance, the maximum funds AfNOG or its sponsors may provide is US$1,000 in financial assistance for BOTH WORKSHOP FEES AND AIRFARE. Payment for the workshop may be made by funds transfer, bank / certified cheque or in cash. Further details will be provided in the admission letter to successful candidates. NOTE : YOUR ACCEPTANCE INTO THE WORKSHOP MAY BEPEND ON YOUR ABILITY TO PROVIDE SOME OR ALL THE WORKSHOP FEES. 1. Are you are requesting financial aid from the AfNOG Workshop for attending the workshop and meetings? [ ] Yes [ ] No 2. If you are requesting financial aid to cover the workshop fee, please provide a complete list of funding sources in the following form. The list should contain all sources of funds that are available to you for payment of the workshop fee. The amounts should total U.S.$1,600. 1. Your Institution -- U.S.$ __________ 2. Your Government -- U.S.$ __________ 3. From international organizations -- U.S.$ __________ 4. Your personal contribution -- U.S.$ __________ 5. Amount you ask from AfNOG -- U.S.$ __________ (less than $1,000) _________________________________ TOTAL Income = U.S.$1,600.00 (PLEASE SELECT ONLY ONE - WORKSHOP FEES OR AIRFARE) 3. Will you need financial assistance for airfare? If so, how much will you or your institution be contributing? [ ] No, assistance for airfare not needed. [ ] Yes, assistance needed. (less than $1,000) Amount of your contribution: U.S.$_________ 4. If you are requesting financial support for airfare, please provide a good estimate of round trip, lowest economy excursion airfare between your place of residence and Cassablanca, Morocco, in May 2008. (Flights from Africa terminate at Cassablanca, connection to Rabat can be made by bus or train). 1. Airfare: 2. Airline: 3. Type of fare: 4. City of departure: 5. Source of your estimate: Signature (your name as you would sign it): __________________________ Date:___________________ _______________________________________________ afnog mailing list http://afnog.org/mailman/listinfo/afnog

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FW: [ke-internetusers] ICT Board's accreditation of BPO Society
by Harry Hare 15 Nov '07

15 Nov '07

Apologies for cross-posting. Harry _____ From: ke-internetusers-bounces(a)bdix.net [mailto:ke-internetusers-bounces@bdix.net] On Behalf Of robert yawe Sent: Monday, November 12, 2007 11:37 PM To: Internet user group Subject: [ke-internetusers] ICT Board's accreditation of BPO Society This morning I attended a breakfast meeting hosted by the newly appointed ICT Board but which turned out to be a flag waving event for some private club called the BPO Society. It is interesting what happens when you pick private sector people and give them the mandate to run a public institution. Last time I checked single sourcing for government services can only be done after requesting exemption from the Ministry of Finance, but I stand corrected. The ICT Board has unilaterally appointed the BPO Society as the only bona fide forwarder of licensing applications for any BPO business, under which gazette notice was this status issued? It is interesting how a state agency can send me to pay a private club (Kes. 35,000/-) for them to forward my application to set up a business. Even at the height of bureaucracy institutions like the Chamber of Commerce never had such powers, so where does the ICT Board get the authority to single source for a vetting agency? The answer to the whole issue came out in a subtle manner on one of the slides US$ 11.4 Million (Kes. 0.75 Billion) for capacity building of the BPO industry. Somebody seriously needs to monitor this new private sector dream teams. This are the acts that stifle young industries, I think to grow the BPO business in this country we need to have the government look the other way to let entrepreneurs do what they have to do like the council did with the issue of private garbage collectors and CCK with courier service providers. Let legislation follow ingenuity & creativity, the other way just doesn't work. Robert Yawe _____ Yahoo! Answers - Get better answers from someone who knows. Try <http://uk.answers.yahoo.com/;_ylc=X3oDMTEydmViNG02BF9TAzIxMTQ3MTcxOTAEc2VjA 21haWwEc2xrA3RhZ2xpbmU> it now.

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Internet growth calls for address migration
by Alex Gakuru 15 Nov '07

15 Nov '07

[Folks, incidentally migration to IPv6 from IPv4 is much emphasized at the internet Governance Forum (or IGF) meetings ending today here at Rio de Janeiro, Brazil - and I have taken very good note of the consequences of NOT migrating. Various Kenyans here assembled a team put up quite an impressive "Best Practices on multi-stakeholders participation". GoK, CCK, KENET, KIXP, KICTAnet presentations received accolades:) Thanks KeNIC for excellent read below-- AlexG] --- <http://www.bdafrica.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=4286&Item…> [Business Daily] Internet growth calls for address migration Written by Beatrice Gachenge November 14, 2007: <snip> With the advent of more dynamic technology gadgets, more hosts are encroaching into the Internet, leading to the fast depletion of Internet protocol addresses commonly known as IP address. It was bound to happen, but not as expected. Who would have thought in the early 1980s that a mobile phone or a camera phone would be connected to the Internet ? How about refrigerators, and motor vehicles? Now, one of the latest gizmos connected to the net is an umbrella, that has Google Earth navigation on it. And the experiments are getting weirder and wilder by the day! The current protocol in utility today is known as IPV4 that has run the Internet for more than 20 years. Over the years it has started showing its limit mainly with the running out of number identifiers associated to it, known as IP addresses. IP addresses are used to route traffic on the Internet and can be seen as the backbone of the Internet and they are used to identify hosts that are connected to the Internet. Vincent Ngundi, acting administrative manager of Kenya Network Information Centre, says that with the Internet becoming part of everyday life, more people are aggressively using it and most business processes have now been converted into online applications.... <snip>

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Digital Community Villages with social Enterprise.
by Jose' 15 Nov '07

15 Nov '07

The 4th telecentres leaders forum organized by Ugabytes initiative in Uganda saw up to six countries being represented across the board being Uganda, Kenya Tanania,Rwanda,Burundi and Sudan. We were privileged on the last day to have the presence of the minister for Communication in Uganda Honorable Alintuma Nsambu. The workshop being facilitated by Mr.Loic who is an expert on Social Entrepreneurship from an organization called Nesst brought out the topic of social enterprise more practical than said. What was noted all through the forum was that Digital Villages(telecentres) need to adopt new strategies and innovativeness for self reliance that reaches out to the community yet at the same time catalyze development through social enterprise within the community members. Before telecentres embark into social entrepreneurship, what is encouraged is to carry out a need assessment so that the project can be embraced by the community. To make a digital village be self reliant and non dependent on donars,the following needs to be carried out to ensure success. 1) The Digital Village(Telecentre) needs to have a clear Mission 2) Have a healthy relation with the key players being the community running up the ladder to its partners and friends of the organization. 3) Have committed constituents. 4) Ability to adopt new trends and be flexible 5) Have a strong leadership. 6) Enable legal political and social environment 7) Accountability is key 8) Have sufficient financial resources 9) Have valuable and useful results or impact 10) Have effective high quality or work program. The Honorable Minister Nsambu pointed out that his government is behind every effort to support digital Villages as he introduced a new computer that is being produced that uses Solar energy. This is Jose' Njuki-Imwe Ngunjiri Reporting. --------------------------------- Get easy, one-click access to your favorites. Make Yahoo! your homepage.

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Fwd: [aisi-l] SEACOM gets funding boost
by Eric Osiakwan 14 Nov '07

14 Nov '07

Begin forwarded message: > From: "Wairagala Wakabi" <wakabi(a)cipesa.org> > Date: 14 November 2007 10:56:10 GMT+03:00 > To: "African Information Society Initiative - Discussion Forum" > <aisi-l(a)lyris.bellanet.org> > Cc: discuss(a)afrispa.org, "Eric Osiakwan" <eric(a)afrispa.org>, > gispa(a)yahoogroups.com, africann(a)afrinic.net, "African Information > Society Initiative - Discussion Forum" <aisi-l(a)lyris.bellanet.org>, > "Ghana Information Networking and Knowledge Sharing" > <ginks(a)dgroups.org>, afnog(a)afnog.org, "KICTAnet ICT Policy > Discussions" <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke>, afrinic- > discuss(a)afrinic.net > Subject: [aisi-l] SEACOM gets funding boost > Reply-To: "African Information Society Initiative - Discussion > Forum" <aisi-l(a)lyris.bellanet.org> > > Netters, > Its backers are saying SEACOM will be the only new cable completed > in time > to give South Africa the bandwidth needed for the 2010 WC, with > "actual > production of the fibreoptic cable and undersea facilities" > starting next > week. SA's SNO, NEOTEL, has helped marshal capital from local > financial > heavyweights, enabling NEOTEL to be owned 50% by South Africans. > > Tut Tut... > > Wakabi > > > Sea cable venture lands big investors > > By Lesley Stones, Business Day, November 14 2007 > > AN UNDERSEA cable promising cheap bandwidth for Africa yesterday > finally > named its backers, signing up enough well-connected local investors to > guarantee its landing rights in SA. > > Investment heavyweight Venfin is sinking $75m into the project, > taking a > 25% stake in the 15000km cable linking SA to India and Europe. > > Cyril Ramaphosa’s black investment house Shanduka is taking 12,5%, > worth > $37,5m. Another 12,5% goes to Convergence Partners, a group of black > investors led by Andile Ngcaba, the chairman of Dimension Data > Africa and > a former director-general of the communications department. Nedbank > Capital and Investec will provide financing for the $650m project. > > SA’s second network operator, Neotel, is pumping in a far more modest > R20m, and using its telecoms licence to guarantee that the cable > can dock > in SA. > > The local ownership is sufficient to ensure that Seacom meets > controversial new conditions being drawn up by Communications > Minister Ivy > Matsepe-Casaburri, dictating who can land a cable in SA. The > minister is > insisting that any cable must be majority owned by African > investors to > come ashore. > > South Africans hold 50% of Seacom, and that rises to 75% African > ownership > thanks to 25% held by the Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development’s > Industrial Promotion Services, a development agency based in Kenya. > > The remaining 25% lies with New York’s Herakles Telecom, a development > group that has invested $4bn in Africa. > > Neotel is investing only in the local landing station, but its > licence to > operate in SA conferred on it the right to land a cable, said MD Ajay > Pandey. > > “Our understanding is that the country needs international > capacity, and > the way international cable landing protocols have been defined > means we > have the opportunity here.” > > Venfin CEO Jannie Durand said Neotel’s licence to land a cable in > SA meant > everything had been done “legally and correctly”. Venfin was backing > Seacom for two reasons, he said: “We are hopefully going to make a > lot of > money out of it and SA needs more bandwidth. We want to bring SA > affordable bandwidth to the rest of the world.” > > Although the cable will cost $650m, it would be partly funded by > loans as > well as equity, allowing Venfin to take 25% for less than the book > value > of the project, Durand said. > > Pandey believes Seacom will be the onlyThe actual production of the > fibreoptic cable and undersea facilities will start next week. > > The consortium has already invested more than $10m in a marine > survey and > engineering of the cable. The actual production of the fibreoptic > cable > and undersea facilities will start next week. > > Seacom will connect Mtunzini in SA to Mumbai in India and > Marseilles in > France via Mozambique, Madagascar, Kenya and Tanzania by June 2009. > > Terrestrial links will be built to take its bandwidth to numerous > other > inland countries. Its capacity of 1,28 terabytes per second is 10 > times > the capacity on the existing Sat-3 cable around Africa’s west coast. > > The consortium has promised that it will charge other voice and data > carriers significantly less for its bandwidth than they pay to use > Sat-3 > or satellite services, which should trigger a massive decrease in > the cost > of phone calls, internet access and data transmissions for African > consumers and businesses. > > “Improved access for business and individuals in Africa to > communications, > broadband services and new technology offerings can improve lives > and help > grow the economies of our countries,” said Ngcaba, the chairman of > Convergence Partners. “The linking of southern and east Africa with > India > and Europe is crucial for enhancing development and trade between > these > key regions.” > > gies that will deliver affordable broadband >> services open to all. Leveraging existing internet access point as >> hubs could be a very good starting point to build license-free >> point-to-point, point-to-multipoint, mesh or even cellular networks >> that will reach the masses in the villages. It will be nice when >> someone leaves the town to visit relatives in the village and not >> lost >> connectivity to the wireless space because their provider does not >> offer services yet in that area. Think of a cell phone with WIFI >> capabilities that accesses paid networks in towns and free WIFI >> access >> at the village sector. So in town, you will use your paid >> services, in >> the village you will use the free WIFI access...how nice will that >> be? >> >> Wilfred >> >> >> ----- Message from eric(a)afrispa.org --------- >> Date: Thu, 1 Nov 2007 09:33:30 +0300 >> From: Eric Osiakwan <eric(a)afrispa.org> >> Reply-To: Discuss(a)afrispa.org >> Subject: [AfrISPA.Discuss] Five Goals of Connect Africa >> To: discuss(a)afrispa.org, KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions >> <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke>, gispa(a)yahoogroups.com, Ghana >> Information Networking and Knowledge Sharing <ginks(a)dgroups.org>, APC >> - Private list for use by EASSY Workshop Participants >> <Fibre-for-africa(a)lists.apc.org>, africann(a)afrinic.net, >> afrinic-discuss(a)afrinic.net, afnog(a)afnog.org, African Information >> Society Initiative - Discussion Forum <aisi-l(a)lyris.bellanet.org> >> >> >>> Dear All, >>> >>> The Connect Africa Summit justed ended in Kigali with the following >>> five major goals; >>> >>> Goal 1. Interconnect all African capitals with ICT Broadband >>> infrastructure and strengthen connectivity to the rest of the >>> world by >>> 2012 as well as interconnect major African cities by 2015. >>> Goal 2. Connect all African villages to broadband ICT services >>> by 2012 >>> and implement shared access initiatives such as community tele- >>> centres >>> and village phones. >>> Goal 3. Adopt key regulatory measures that promote affordable, >>> widespread access to a full range of bradband ICT services, >>> including >>> technology and service neutral licensing/authorisation practises, >>> allocating spectrum for multiple, competitive broadband wireless >>> service providers, creating national internext exchange points >>> (IXPs) >>> and implementing competition in the provision of international >>> internet connectivity. >>> Goal 4. Support the development of a critical mass of ICT Skills >>> required by the knowledge economy, notably through the >>> estamishment of >>> ICT Centres of Excellence network in each sub-region of Africa >>> and ICT >>> capacity-building and training centres in each country, with the >>> aim >>> of achieving a borad network of inter-linked physical and virtual >>> centres, whiles ensuring coordination between academia and >>> industry by >>> 2015. >>> Goal 5. Adopt a national e-strategy, including a cyber-security >>> framework, and deploy at least one flagship e-government service as >>> well as e-education, e-commerce and e-health services using >>> accessible >>> technologies in each country in Africa by 2012, with the aim of >>> making >>> multiple e-government and other e-services widely available by >>> 2015. >>> >>> The African ICT Ministers have also shortlisted some projects under >>> ARAPKE which would be implenented through Connect Africa @ http:// >>> www.itu.int/ITU-D/connect/africa/2007/bgdmaterial/flagship-11.html >>> >>> It is important that we all engage and ensure that these ICT >>> goals are >>> met by 2012 and the larger MDGS by 2015. >>> >>> Thank you and sorry for cross-posting. >>> >>> Eric M.K Osiakwan >>> Executive Secretary >>> AfrISPA (www.afrispa.org) >>> Tel: + 233.21.258800 ext 2031 >>> Fax: + 233.21.258811 >>> Cell: + 233.244.386792 >>> Handle: eosiakwan >>> Snail Mail: Pmb 208, Accra-North >>> Office: BusyInternet - 42 Ring Road Central, Accra-North >>> Blog: http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/eric/ >>> Slang: "Tomorrow Now" >> >> >> ----- End message from eric(a)afrispa.org ----- >> >> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> Fibre-for-africa mailing list >> Fibre-for-africa(a)lists.apc.org >> http://lists.apc.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/fibre-for-africa >> > > > > --- > You are currently subscribed to aisi-l as: [eric.osiakwan(a)netplux.com] > To unsubscribe, forward this message to leave-aisi- > l-40669L(a)lyris.bellanet.org > Eric M.K Osiakwan Executive Secretary AfrISPA (www.afrispa.org) Tel: + 233.21.258800 ext 2031 Fax: + 233.21.258811 Cell: + 233.244.386792 Handle: eosiakwan Snail Mail: Pmb 208, Accra-North Office: BusyInternet - 42 Ring Road Central, Accra-North Blog: http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/eric/ Slang: "Tomorrow Now"

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Gear up to being nominated or nominate yourself for ICANN constituencies!!
by Rebecca Wanjiku 13 Nov '07

13 Nov '07

Please apply! The Nom Com's 2008 website will be available soon, and candidate recruitment is anticipated to begin in mid-December 2007. Here is the breakdown of representatives from the region now: Board: Njeri Rionge (June 2003 - November 2008) GNSO: NONE as you can see here: http://gnso.icann.org/council/members.shtml CCNSO: Victor Ciza - Burundi - Term ends Mar-09 Paulos B. Nyirenda – Malawi – T erm ends Mar-10 Mohamed El Bashir - Sudan - Term ends Mar-08 Nashwa Abdelbaki - Egyot Term ends 2010 ALAC: Africa Mohamed El Bashir 4 (Sudan) Hawa Diakite4 (Mali) Alice Wanjira-Munyua2 (Kenya) 2008 ICANN Nominating Committee Convenes in Los Angeles 7 November 2007 The 2008 ICANN Nominating Committee (Nom Com) has been convened and met for the first time on 2-3 November, immediately following the 30th International ICANN Public Meeting in Los Angeles, California. Prior to the Los Angeles meeting, on 11 September 2007, the ICANN Board appointed Hagen Hultzsch as Nom Com Chair. Hagen has selected Wolfgang Kleinwaechter as Associate Chair. Due to the bylaws, George Sadowsky, the previous Nom Com Chair will serve as an advisor to the current Nom Com. 2008 Nom Com will select: Two members of the ICANN Board of Directors One member of the Council of the Generic Names Supporting Organization (GNSO) One member of the Council of the Country-Code Names Supporting Organization (ccNSO) Two members of the At Large Advisory Committee (ALAC) (European and North American regions) Those selected by the Nom Com will take their seats at the end of the 2008 ICANN Annual Meeting, 7 November 2008. First tasks of the Committee were to begin work on procedures and a timeline for activities during 2007-2008. The Nom Com's 2008 website will be available soon, and candidate recruitment is anticipated to begin in mid-December 2007. The Nom Com intends to hold a workshop during the ICANN meeting in Delhi, India to provide information about progress and process and answer questions. The workshop will be webcast and remote access provided. The date of the workshop will be confirmed once the Delhi meeting schedule is finalized. The following individuals have been appointed to the 2008 Nominating Committee: Hagen Hultzsch - Chair Wolfgang Kleinwaechter - Associate Chair George Sadowsky - Advisor to the Chair (as previous Chair of the Nom Com) Karen Banks - GNSO, Non-Commercial Users Constituency Phil Davidson - Technical Liaison Group Ute Decker - GNSO, Intellectual Property Constituency Grant Forsyth - GNSO, Business Constituency (Large) Matias Altamira Gigena - ALAC, Latin American and Caribbean Hartmut Glaser - Address Supporting Organization Caroline Greer - GNSO, Registry Constituency Ole Jacobsen - Internet Engineering Task Force Khaled Koubaa - ALAC, Africa Bill Manning - Root Server System Advisory Committee (non-voting liaison) Desiree Miloshevic - ALAC, Europe Ram Mohan - Security and Stability Advisory Committee (non-voting liaison) Ross Rader - ALAC, North America Jose Luiz Rebeiro-Filho, Higher Education Representative Greg Ruth - GNSO, Internet Service Providers Constituency Waudo Siganga - GNSO, Business Constituency (Small) Paul Stahura - GNSO, Registrars Constituency Karaitiana Taiuru - ALAC, Asia Pacific Christopher To - Country Code Names Supporting Organization The Nominating Committee Review was published on 24 October 2007. The review and 2008 Nom Com are independent activities. The Nom Com website can be found at http://nomcom.icann.org. Further information on the invitation for statements of interests in ICANN leadership positions will be posted in the near future. _______________________________________________ AfrICANN mailing list AfrICANN(a)afrinic.net https://lists.afrinic.net/mailman/listinfo.cgi/africann -- becky beckyit.blogspot.com __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Anne-Rachel Inné <annerachel(a)gmail.com> Date: Nov 8, 2007 12:54 PM Subject: [AfrICANN-discuss] Gear up to being nominated or nominate yourself for ICANN constituencies!! To: africann(a)afrinic.net Please apply! The Nom Com's 2008 website will be available soon, and candidate recruitment is anticipated to begin in mid-December 2007. Here is the breakdown of representatives from the region now: Board: Njeri Rionge (June 2003 - November 2008) GNSO: NONE as you can see here: http://gnso.icann.org/council/members.shtml CCNSO: Victor Ciza - Burundi - Term ends Mar-09 Paulos B. Nyirenda – Malawi – T erm ends Mar-10 Mohamed El Bashir - Sudan - Term ends Mar-08 Nashwa Abdelbaki - Egyot Term ends 2010 ALAC: Africa Mohamed El Bashir 4 (Sudan) Hawa Diakite4 (Mali) Alice Wanjira-Munyua2 (Kenya) 2008 ICANN Nominating Committee Convenes in Los Angeles 7 November 2007 The 2008 ICANN Nominating Committee (Nom Com) has been convened and met for the first time on 2-3 November, immediately following the 30th International ICANN Public Meeting in Los Angeles, California. Prior to the Los Angeles meeting, on 11 September 2007, the ICANN Board appointed Hagen Hultzsch as Nom Com Chair. Hagen has selected Wolfgang Kleinwaechter as Associate Chair. Due to the bylaws, George Sadowsky, the previous Nom Com Chair will serve as an advisor to the current Nom Com. 2008 Nom Com will select: Two members of the ICANN Board of Directors One member of the Council of the Generic Names Supporting Organization (GNSO) One member of the Council of the Country-Code Names Supporting Organization (ccNSO) Two members of the At Large Advisory Committee (ALAC) (European and North American regions) Those selected by the Nom Com will take their seats at the end of the 2008 ICANN Annual Meeting, 7 November 2008. First tasks of the Committee were to begin work on procedures and a timeline for activities during 2007-2008. The Nom Com's 2008 website will be available soon, and candidate recruitment is anticipated to begin in mid-December 2007. The Nom Com intends to hold a workshop during the ICANN meeting in Delhi, India to provide information about progress and process and answer questions. The workshop will be webcast and remote access provided. The date of the workshop will be confirmed once the Delhi meeting schedule is finalized. The following individuals have been appointed to the 2008 Nominating Committee: Hagen Hultzsch - Chair Wolfgang Kleinwaechter - Associate Chair George Sadowsky - Advisor to the Chair (as previous Chair of the Nom Com) Karen Banks - GNSO, Non-Commercial Users Constituency Phil Davidson - Technical Liaison Group Ute Decker - GNSO, Intellectual Property Constituency Grant Forsyth - GNSO, Business Constituency (Large) Matias Altamira Gigena - ALAC, Latin American and Caribbean Hartmut Glaser - Address Supporting Organization Caroline Greer - GNSO, Registry Constituency Ole Jacobsen - Internet Engineering Task Force Khaled Koubaa - ALAC, Africa Bill Manning - Root Server System Advisory Committee (non-voting liaison) Desiree Miloshevic - ALAC, Europe Ram Mohan - Security and Stability Advisory Committee (non-voting liaison) Ross Rader - ALAC, North America Jose Luiz Rebeiro-Filho, Higher Education Representative Greg Ruth - GNSO, Internet Service Providers Constituency Waudo Siganga - GNSO, Business Constituency (Small) Paul Stahura - GNSO, Registrars Constituency Karaitiana Taiuru - ALAC, Asia Pacific Christopher To - Country Code Names Supporting Organization The Nominating Committee Review was published on 24 October 2007. The review and 2008 Nom Com are independent activities. The Nom Com website can be found at http://nomcom.icann.org. Further information on the invitation for statements of interests in ICANN leadership positions will be posted in the near future. _______________________________________________ AfrICANN mailing list AfrICANN(a)afrinic.net https://lists.afrinic.net/mailman/listinfo.cgi/africann -- becky beckyit.blogspot.com

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