- KICTANet - KICTANet

CCK Tariff Comparison
by Alex Gakuru 24 Oct '07

24 Oct '07

[apologies to those on both lists for my cross-posting] The simple most common consumer question faced is, "who is the fairest among the telecommunication providers?" This is often hard to answer without appearing to "endorse" or "criticise" any one provider. Apparently, CCK website now has some spreadsheets which, if dated, simpler to understand(user-friendly) and regularly updated, would also enable independent third parties to publish current,real, and detailed comparative tariffs to assist consumers decide which provider offers best value for money. While appreciating and welcoming this development, we urge the Regulator to prioritise this data provision considering the impact communication costs have on consumers and business for continued health of the entire economy. Alex Gakuru ICAK PS: CCK comparison: http://www.cck.go.ke/tariff_comparison/ Wish-for style: "Internet Connectivity in Uganda-Easy Guide" http://www.isoc.or.ke/docs/Booklet%20Inet.pdf (Newest i-net Uganda edition available on request) Does the CCK have sufficiently compelling reasons to act fast and motivation to regularly update the data? If not, who can help us develop a similar guide regularly updated for Kenyan consumers? AG __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com

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[APC Forum] Call for dialogue: Regulatory frameworks for improving access
by alice 23 Oct '07

23 Oct '07

------------------------------------------------------------------------- Call for dialogue: Regulatory frameworks for improving access ------------------------------------------------------------------------- http://www.apc.org/english/news/index.shtml?x=5252920 What key actions could telecom and ICT regulators undertake to promote access to infrastructure at local, national and regional levels? Send dialogue comment for posting to dialogue(a)regulateonline.org “Regulatory Frameworks for Improving Access” – Workshop presented by APC, IDRC, and LIRNE.NET This dialogue is being undertaken in preparation for the “Regulatory Frameworks for Improving Access” workshop co-hosted by the Canadian International Development Research Centre (IDRC), the Learning Initiatives on Reforms for Network Economies (LIRNE.NET) and the Association for Progressive Communications (APC), at this year’s IGF. The workshop will explore the key regulatory issues and imperatives in promoting equitable deployment and affordable access to internet (communications) infrastructure at local, national, regional and global levels. Background Regulation is how policies are put into practice. However, experience has shown that there is not necessarily a trouble-free transition from the conceptual to the real world. For telecom (and other sectors) despite expectations of market solutions to improve infrastructure development and deployment, there are still substantial access gaps beyond the reach of the market, especially in rural areas. LIRNE.NET and APC invite internet and telecom practitioners, ICT policy and regulation experts, and other stakeholders to submit short (200-500 words) statements on what they identify as the key issues and important factors currently facing regulators concerned with access to infrastructure. Statements can focus on local, national or regional access and can also highlight solutions that have been already implemented to resolve existing issues and challenges. Comments which address the following are particularly welcomed: 1. Whose jurisdiction? The role of regulation in addressing the international gap - international backbone infrastructure deployment and interconnection. 2. Issues and/or challenges in regulating regional (cross-national) communications infrastructure. 3. Trade-off or complementary objectives? Regulating for infrastructure investment and/or regulating for equitable access. 4. Access at the local level – definition of universal access and mechanisms for attainment. Internet Governance Forum (IGF) The Internet Governance Forum (IGF), a medium for multi-stakeholder policy dialogue, was set up in 2006 as a direct response to the deliberations of the World Summit of the Information Society (WSIS). The forum was created to (amongst other things) discuss public policy issues related to key elements of Internet governance in order to foster the sustainability, robustness, security, stability and development of the Internet. The second meeting of the IGF will be held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil from 12 - 15 November 2007. Association for Progressive Communications http://www.apc.org LIRNE.NET http://www.lirne.net IDRC http://www.idrc.org

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Re: [kictanet] [Fibre-for-africa] RE: The tables are turned
by eadera＠idrc.or.ke 23 Oct '07

23 Oct '07

Michael, It would help to hear your side of the story so we can all be informed. We unfortunately do not have other sources of information at this point other than the media. Looking forward, Edith -original message- Subject: [Fibre-for-africa] RE: [kictanet] The tables are turned From: "Michael Joseph" <MJoseph(a)Safaricom.co.ke> Date: 23/10/2007 10:53 am What you have not mentioned whether the complaint had any merit and whether the Parties could not have resolved it between themselves rather than relying on the CCK to mediate every commercial dispute. There is much more to this than just the one-sided view quoted by the media but we have chosen not to try to resolve our disputes through the media. Regards Michael CEO Safaricom Limited ________________________________ From: kictanet-bounces+mjoseph=safaricom.co.ke(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke [mailto:kictanet-bounces+mjoseph=safaricom.co.ke@lists.kictanet.or.ke] On Behalf Of Eric Osiakwan Sent: Sunday, October 21, 2007 12:27 AM To: Michael Joseph Cc: APC - Private list for use by EASSY Workshop Participants; KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions Subject: [kictanet] The tables are turned Dear All, We are really living in interesting times especially in the ICT industry because a few years ago, it was the mobile operators and ISPs who would be knocking on the doors of the regulator complaining and sometimes weeping at the anti-competitive practices of the imcumbent PTT towards them. Today the tables have turned and in Kenya as per the story below, Telkom Kenya is rather asking CCK to put Safaricom in check because they are acting anti-competitively on the SMS platform against their CDMA operation. Five years ago, this would have being an "incorrect prophesy" but it has happen sooner than all would have expected. What is more interesting is the fact that Safaricom is 60% owned by Telkom Kenya which is fully owned by government that means that the mobile operators have become so powerful that the combined years of PTT operation and their political forces cannot turn the tables except the mediation of the regulator. This confirms Russell Southwood's recent story of the emergence of the mobile operators as the new incumbents of our time. May be one good thing is the fact that the mobile incumbents are so powerful that not a combiantion of PTT operation and political forces can impact them except the court of the regulator so the political leadership in some of our countries would now see reason to strengthen their regulators and make them independent enough to be the pivot to balance the weight of the mobile operators against their "cash cow" incumbents. Eric here Telkom Lodges SMS Petition Against Safaricom in Kenya In the fight for control of Kenya's lucrative telecoms industry, competition is becoming a useful weapon in the hands of rival firms -especially those that need to play the catch-up game to remain in the race. This market share war has become so intense that players are breaking all boundaries in the corporate rulebook. Five months ago, mobile phone service provider Celtel took its bigger and only rival Safaricom before the market regulator, accusing it of playing unfairly in the market to the disadvantage of the consumer. Now it is the national operator Telkom's turn to lodge a landmark complaint against its subsidiary -Safaricom. In its letter to Mr John Waweru, the Communications Commission of Kenya director general, Telkom Kenya is accusing Safaricom of practising anti-competitive behaviour in the market -especially in the Short Messages Services (SMS) segment of the business. Telkom says Safaricom has been blocking the exchange of SMSs between the two networks, thereby denying its customers access to key services that the national operator is offering such as the one that enables them to check their voter registration details with the Electoral Commission of Kenya (ECK). "Telkom Kenya is concerned that Safaricom is engaging in anti-competitive behaviour and in essence abusing its dominant market position by introducing barriers to new entrants targeting SMS market segment," Telkom says. Public attention was first drawn to the matter after some Safaricom subscribers complained that Safaricom was charging them for undelivered SMSs to Telkom Kenya's Wireless network. SMSs to Telkom network got an automatic reply indicating that delivery had failed yet the consumers were being billed. Safaricom CEO Michael Joseph acknowledged that some of its subscribers had sent messages to Telkom Kenya during the test period and may have been charged erroneously. He said that although the company was not billing SMSs to Telkom Wireless network between August 13 and August 27, some of its customers may have been billed. Safaricom later agreed to refund the affected subscribers. Telkom says that on August 16, the two interconnectivity negotiating parties met and agreed on interconnection rate and a technical testing schedule. During this period the parties also exchanged SMS test templates to be adopted in the tests. Safaricom has however not cooperated in facilitating the process, making it unable to commercialise the service. The matter seems to have reached fever pitch after Safaricom introduced a voter registry query service similar to the one Telkom Kenya had rolled out after it won an ECK tender. Telkom Kenya is complaining that failure by Safaricom to activate the SMS service is affecting its ability to use an innovative platform that delivers voter registry query services by utilizing the 460 numeric to access the ECK database. Telkom Kenya says Safaricom acted maliciously in delaying to activate the SMS service only to launch a similar service. "We are perturbed that Safaricom, having not been involved in the initial tender process is currently able to provide a similar services using the 460 prefix. This is a totally unacceptable anti-competitive behaviour," Telkom says. Mr Joseph declined to comment on the matter saying it was already before an arbiter. Telkom Kenya is the majority shareholder at Safaricom with a 60 per cent stake. It co-owns the company with the United Kingdom's Vodafone Plc which has a 40 per cent stake in the firm. (Source: Business Daily) 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" The information in this email and any attachments is confidential and may be legally privileged. It is intended only for the use of the named addressee. Emails are susceptible to alteration and their integrity cannot be guaranteed. Safaricom Limited does not accept legal responsibility for the contents of this email if the same is found to have been altered or manipulated. The contents and opinions expressed in this email are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of Safaricom Limited. Safaricom Limited disclaims any liability to the fullest extent permissible by law for any consequences that may arise from the contents of this email including but not limited to personal opinions, malicious and/or defamatory information and data/codes that may compromise or damage the integrity of the recipient's information technology systems. If you are not the intended recipient please notify the sender and immediately delete this email from your system. _______________________________________________ Fibre-for-africa mailing list Fibre-for-africa(a)lists.apc.org http://lists.apc.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/fibre-for-africa -- This message has been scanned for viruses and dangerous content by MailScanner, and is believed to be clean.

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Readings on ICANN, IGF, ccTLDs, etc.
by alice 23 Oct '07

23 Oct '07

1. Internet Governance, Global Privacy and IGF-Rio This article looks at governance issues and the upcoming IGF in Rio. The article concludes "As the Internet Governance Forum continues to evolve definitions of the potential UN role in promoting the global debate on the future of the Information Age, stake-holders from small to large are also in the process of defining themselves, their agendas and their participation in the new worlds of cyberspace governance. The November meetings of IGF-Rio could be the place where many conversations and initiatives rise from blog-talk into a world view." http://eco-rama.net/2007/09/18/internet-governance-global-privacy-and-igf-ri o/ 16. gov.uk <http://gov.uk> websites - accessible or offline by end 2008! Accessibility has been a big issue foe me since I worked for a not for profit organisation dealing with disabilities. So it was pleasing for me to see an article in The Register that the British government has given all websites in the gov.uk <http://gov.uk> domain till the end of 2008 to achieve the minimum, Level Double-A of the W3C Guidelines will have its domain withdrawn. http://technewsreview.com.au/article.php?article=3045 19. Have a CERTs - attending GovCert.NL Symposium in the Netherlands by Milton Mueller Milton Mueller attended the GovCert.NL Symposium in the Netherlands. He writes "there were two take-away messages. One is the astounding degree to which Europeans take privacy more seriously than people in the US."The other was "the degree to which CERTs constitute an informal "network form" of global governance, which melds academic, governmental, industry and advocacy stakeholders." Milton also links to what he calls a very interesting discussion on the Whois-privacy problem with ICANN, no doubt largely because it's a paper written by himself titled "The DNS as a Tool for Global Identity Policy: WHOIS, ICANN, and Global Internet Governance". http://blog.internetgovernance.org/blog/_archives/2007/10/20/3304029.html ********************** WESTERN SAHARA ********************** i. Little Progress on Western Sahara As the Fourth (Special Political and Decolonization) Committee of the UN General Assembly holds its meetings in New York, the issue of Western Sahara continues to be one of the key items on its agenda. This thorny issue has resisted any international mediation efforts for decades. The first gleam of hope appeared in June 2007, after negotiations in Manhasset, New York, between the government of Morocco and Western Sahara's Algerian-backed pro-independence movement, the Polisario Front. http://mnweekly.ru/world/20071018/55283532.html ********************** GOVERNANCE ********************** 1. Internet Governance, Global Privacy and IGF-Rio The global debate on Internet governance will once again gather people from all over the world at UN's IGF, this time in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The process was started last year in Athens, when more than 1,200 participants focused on discussion of the overarching issues tied to the future of information and communications technologies, including control over the Internet architecture and numbering and naming system, security, intellectual property, openness, connectivity, cost and multilingualism. http://eco-rama.net/2007/09/18/internet-governance-global-privacy-and-igf-ri o/ 2. Working with civil society at the heart of UNESCO Forum Hubert Védrine, former French Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nitin Desai, President of the Internet Governance Forum and former UN Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs as well as Lindsay Owen-Jones, Chairman of the Board of Directors of L'Oréal, will give keynote speeches during the meeting. http://mediaforfreedom.com/ReadArticle.asp?ArticleID=5152 3. A Consociational Bureau for the Internet Governance Forum The principle that Internet governance "is a joint effort which requires cooperation and partnership among all stakeholders" (Geneva Declaration of Principles, para 20) has become axiomatic since it was first agreed at WSIS, and is fundamental to the IGF as a "new forum for multi-stakeholder policy dialogue" (Tunis Agenda, para 72). However at the same time as this principle has been universally embraced, some of its implications, that would require the four stakeholder groups identified in the Tunis Agenda to collaborate on the development of joint policy recommendations (Tunis Agenda para 72(g)) have met with resistance. http://igfwatch.org/discussion-board/a-consociational-bureau-for-the-interne t-governance-forum 4. Internet Users to Surf Solar System by 2010? Vint Cerf, one of the founding fathers of the internet, in a recent address in South Korea talked about working with NASA JPL to create the standards needed to turn the World Wide Web, to the Solar System Wide Web. http://blog.wired.com/wiredscience/2007/10/internet-users-.html http://www.net4now.com/isp_news/news_article.asp?News_ID=5285 ********************** DOMAIN NAMES ********************** ********************** - ICANN ********************** 5. ICA@ICANN-LA [news release] The upcoming ICANN meeting scheduled for October 29-November 2 in Los Angeles will be a unique opportunity to attend an ICANN meeting in the United States. It has been more than six years since a meeting took place in the USA. This opportunity will not recur this decade and is just too good to miss. The Internet Commerce Association is strongly encouraging all ICA members and other concerned domain name registrants to attend the LA meeting. http://internetcommerce.org/ica_icann_la 6. Single-letter and Single-digit Domain Names available? ICANN is opening a forum on allocation methods for single-letter and single-digit domain names in gTLD registries. Answers should be submitted no later than 15 november 2007. http://domainesinfo.fr/english/123/single-letter-and-single-digit-domain-nam es-available.php http://www.cscprotectsbrands.com/news.asp?newsId=18320018 7. Yes, it is your bubbe's Web address! The Internet is a worldwide phenomenon, and yet the dominant language for online traffic has been English. If you want to navigate around the World Wide Web with a browser, you must have command of the Latin alphabet -- even if you primarily read and write in Chinese, Japanese, Arabic or Hebrew. http://jewishjournal.com/home/preview.php?id=18370 8. It's all Greek, Persian, Tamil and Cyrillic Russian to me! Web users across the planet can now play around with their name in their own language (i.e. not English or other "Western-style" languages that use the same Latin alphabet that I am using to write this blog) thanks to the fact that ICANN has commenced live testing of IDNs. http://community.zdnet.co.uk/blog/0,1000000567,10006213o-2000458459b,00.htm 9. Domain names in Indian languages soon India is all set to join the global bandwagon of local language domain names. Soon you will be able to own domain names in Hindi, Tamil, Sanskrit, Bengali, Punjabi and some other Indian languages. http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/Domain_names_in_Indian_languages_soon/ar ticleshow/2479794.cms http://infotech.indiatimes.com/Domain_names_in_Indian_languages_soon/article show/2479794.cms ********************** - (cc)TLD NEWS ********************** 10. Argentinian com.ar <http://com.ar> domain name heads Latin American names [sub req'd] http://telecom.paper.nl/news/article.aspx?id=188839 11. Prominent Global Brands Adopt .Asia as Sunrise Commences [news release] Building on the momentum of the groundbreaking .Asia Pioneer Domains Program which has attracted global leading brands, DotAsia, the registry operator of the ".Asia" Internet domain, has launched its Sunrise period, a priority registration period for trademark owners and companies. The Sunrise phase will run through to January 15 2008, giving corporations a chance to register domain to protect their brands online before the general public is invited to take part in the "Landrush" registration phase in February 2008. http://pioneer.domains.asia/press/2007-10-17-DotAsia-PR.html 12. Australian political websites ripe for the picking [AAP] Australia's political parties are leaving themselves open to attack from hackers, according to internet security company Symantec. ... He is also concerned that many political parties are leaving themselves open by not registering "typo" domain names, subtle variations on the party's official website address, which could be used to host malicious material. http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2007/10/19/1192301018970.html http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2007/10/19/1192301018970.html http://news.brisbanetimes.com.au/articles/20073619-158v.html http://news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=307345 13. au: Online Regulations - Your Website and the Law The internet is not a lawless territory where anything goes. An online business is subject to the same regulations as any other model, and there are pitfalls particular to this relatively new and constantly changing environment. Michael Sutton sets out regulation guidelines for developing and operating an online site so it won't fall foul of the law. These days, every business seems to be online. From multinational corporations to one-man businesses, the low cost and relative ease of advertising online has lured many traders to create a website to promote their goods and services. Consumers are also attracted to the wealth of purchasing information that these traders are making available on the internet. http://dynamicbusiness.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=531&Ite mid=10499 14. Five Domain Name Service Providers exposed by CNNIC The .CN registry has published the name of five domain name service providers that have received the most complaints from consumers but have not taken effective measures to rectify their problems. http://domainesinfo.fr/english/124/five-domain-name-service-providers-expose d-by-cnnic.php 15. sg: Domain names as easy as 123 Businesses and Internet users in Singapore can soon use their favourite numbers as their website addresses. Singapore Network Information Centre (SGNIC), the national internet domain name registry, will release pure numeric domain names for registration from November. http://www.straitstimes.com/Latest+News/Tech+%2526+Science/STIStory_169365.h tml 16. gov.uk <http://gov.uk> websites - accessible or offline by end 2008! Accessibility has been a big issue foe me since I worked for a not for profit organisation dealing with disabilities. So it was pleasing for me to see an article in The Register that the British government has given all websites in the gov.uk <http://gov.uk> domain till the end of 2008 to achieve the minimum, Level Double-A of the W3C Guidelines will have its domain withdrawn. The Register feels this is foolhardy. The Register is wrong and misguided in its view. It is a great incentive for government agencies to get their websites to abide by the W3C guidelines. For too long website designers have ignored or paid lip service to the needs of people with disabilities, and more courageous decisions such as this need to be made to make the web accessible for all. http://technewsreview.com.au/article.php?article=3045 17. UK.gov makes bizarre threat to throw self off internet The UK Government has given itself until the end of next year to get its act together on accessibility, after which any .gov.uk site failing to achieve the minimum, Level Double-A of the W3C Guidelines will have its domain withdrawn. This brave, nay, foolhardy commitment could conceivably result in carnage across national, local government and miscellaneous hanger-on .gov.uk sites - and we can perhaps look forward to a more overtly outsourced future containing sites such as homeoffice.tv <http://homeoffice.tv>, mod.cn <http://mod.cn> and basildon.eu. http://www.theregister.co.uk/2007/10/18/uk_gov_accessibility_suicide_threat/ 18. The Sun is first UK national newspaper to launch a .mobi site [news release] dotMobi announced that Britain's most popular newspaper, The Sun, is the first UK national newspaper to launch a .mobi web site. http://mtld.mobi/node/845 ********************** - DOMAIN SECURITY ********************** 19. Have a CERTs - attending GovCert.NL Symposium in the Netherlands by Milton Mueller This week I attended the GovCert.NL Symposium in the Netherlands. This is the 6th annual gathering of "Computer Emergency Response Teams (CERTs) and other experts in Internet security and privacy. About 50% of the participants were Dutch, I would guess, and maybe 85% from Europe, although there were attendees from as far away as the USA, Japan and Australia. There were some fascinating presentations, including an analysis of the role of money mules in phishing scams, analyhsis of a new "man in the middle"-style attack on banks, attempts by governments to implement digital identity systems, a detailed recounting of the Estonian "cyber riot" that temporarily crippled the Internet in that country, advocacy for Bitfrost, a new operating system platform based on new privacy/security assumptions, and, oh, a very interesting discussion of the Whois-privacy problem in ICANN. There were two take-away messages. One is the astounding degree to which Europeans take privacy more seriously than people in the US. http://blog.internetgovernance.org/blog/_archives/2007/10/20/3304029.html 20. Security experts say Rock Phish widening net A recent surge in phishing — fraudulent e-mail and Web sites designed to "fish" sensitive personal information such as passwords and credit card numbers — is the handiwork of a small, shadowy cybergang, say computer security experts. http://deseretnews.com/dn/view/0,5143,695220241,00.html ********************** - DOMAIN DISPUTES ********************** 21. Trademark Law – What Search Marketers Should Know, Part 1 Since search became monetized, trademarks have been a front-and-center issue for legal debate. In the late 1990s, competitors were buying each other's trademarks as keywords, and hiding those keywords in meta tags. Today, with the proliferation of paid and organic search listings, search and trademarks have become a growing dilemma for search engines and advertisers alike. http://searchenginewatch.com/showPage.html?page=3627333 22. Trademark Law – What Search Marketers Should Know, Part 2 In Search Engine Watch's previous article, they covered the law fundamentals search marketers should know about online trademarks. Here they cover important tips and tactics by online intellectual property attorneys and legal counsels for the search engines, for both protecting your own trademark material and respecting the trademarks of others. http://searchenginewatch.com/showPage.html?page=3627346 23. Cybersquatting – Moving With The times? Cybersquatting – the practice of registering internet domain names that are based on another entity's brands or company name - is as prevalent as ever. As online business models have developed and converged, the cybersquatter's methods have adapted accordingly. Today, businesses routinely need to think about registering domain names simply to prevent others getting hold of them – in the wrong hands, a domain name can be used to divert business, confuse customers, dilute the brand and commit fraud. http://kemplittle.com/SL-Cybersquatting_Oct07.htm 24. Rebranding 'Thelen' And The Problem With A Cybersquatter Thelen Reid Brown Raysman & Steiner had well-laid plans to rechristen itself with the shorter and catchier "Thelen" -- but the branding effort was held hostage by a lone Korean cybersquatter. The marketing move, which launched Monday with a new logo and Web site, was threatened by the distant owner of the "thelen.com <http://thelen.com>" domain name, Thelen lawyers say. http://lawfuel.com/show-article.asp?ID=83892408 25. Pornographers hijack Somerset's Web address Looking for a "nude man club" or "nude mideastern teens?" Try searching for the city of Somerset's Web site, which was hijacked by cyber-criminals last week. http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/metro/stories/MYSA101907.01B.MUNICIPALPORN . 6c7dc9.html 26. Rahul sitting duck for cyber squatters The younger generation of Nehru family has become money-spinning names in cyber space, thanks to cyber squatters whose commercial interest recently got a fillip with the appointment of Rahul Gandhi as AICC General Secretary. Since his appointment, there are many more 'hits' on the websites with the domain name of Rahul Gandhi. http://www.indianexpress.com/story/230853.html ********************** - MISCELLANEOUS ********************** 27. Research and Markets Report: By 2010, Over US$2 Billion Will Be Spent on Social Network Advertising in the US Alone ... Volume 2 of this report provides an insight and analysis into the trends and developments taking place in the revived Internet economy. It includes information and statistics on the Internet industry, beginning with an historical look at Internet growth. Information and statistics on Internet hosts, domain names, the World Wide Web, search engines, websites, the ISP market, Internet users and penetration is also provided. An overview of some of the key online services such as adult entertainment, dating, e-education, online financial services, e-government, mapping and online music is also incorporated. Covered in more detail are the sectors of ehealth, online gambling/gaming and virtual worlds. Also provided is technical information on web development related to Web 2.0. http://tradingmarkets.com/.site/news/Stock%20News/718160/ 28. One Web site, many names: an introduction to domain forwarding by Michael Horowitz When my Defensive Computing blog went live in July, the Web page address (URL is the nerd term) assigned to it was blogs.cnet.com/8300-13554_1-33.html <http://blogs.cnet.com/8300-13554_1-33.html>. Shortly thereafter, CNET assigned the friendlier address blogs.cnet.com/defensive-computing/ <http://blogs.cnet.com/defensive-computing/> http://www.news.com/8301-10784_3-9800302-7.html 29. ARIN to Hold Meetings in Albuquerque [news release] The ARIN XX Public Policy and Members Meetings will take place 17-19 October in Albuquerque, New Mexico, at the Hyatt Regency, directly following the NANOG meeting at the same hotel. About 200 representatives from the technical Internet community, large corporations, governments, academia, and civil society will attend ARIN XX. http://arin.net/media/releases/ABQ_Media_Invitation.pdf ********************** - AFTERMARKET ********************** 30. Network Solutions Releases Whitepaper Combining Ecommerce Solutions and Search Engine Optimization Tips for Online Businesses [news release] Network Solutions offers helpful information for online retailers looking to drive business to their stores during the busy holiday season. This new whitepaper, "Is Your Site Holiday-Ready? 7 Steps to Improve Your Online Holiday Sales" explains what needs to be done today to get ready for the winter holiday shopping season. http://vocuspr.vocus.com/VocusPR30/Newsroom/Query.aspx?SiteName=NetworkSolut ions&Entity=PRAsset&SF_PRAsset_PRAssetID_EQ=212157&XSL=PressRelease&Cache=Tr ue&Merge= 31. Analyst Says $8 Billion Online Advertising Network Will Grow 15%, Domain Channel Advertising by 37% in 2007 [news release] T.R.A.F.F.I.C, the domain industry's premier conference, today announced that Michael Gilmour, a respected industry analyst, projects that the domain name and Internet traffic industry will grow dramatically in 2007. Publicly available corporate reports state that Google and Yahoo!'s total revenue in 2006 from their ad-network channel was $7.88 billion, including $800 million from domain parking. Thus, domain parking represents 10.2% of the companies' total ad-network channel, or 4.7% of Google and Yahoo!'s aggregate revenues. Gilmour, who will present at T.R.A.F.F.I.C.'s show next week, projects that online advertising spending will increase by 15.1% for 2007 while domain channel advertising will grow 37.5%. http://www.domainpulse.com/2007/10/18/analyst-says-8-billion-online-advertis ing-network-will-grow-15-domain-channel-advertising-by-37-in-2007/ 32. Yee-hah! Dallas Cowboys Clueless On Domains Poor Jerry Jones, first his 'Boys get curb-stomped by the Patriots, then it turns out the attorney representing them at a domain name auction has no idea about the starting or ending price. http://www.webpronews.com/topnews/2007/10/18/yee-hah-dallas-cowboys-clueless -on-domains 33. Dallas Cowboys Return Cowboys.com <http://Cowboys.com> Domain Name by Bill Hartzer Last week I spoke about SEO, Search, and Domain Names at the TRAFFIC domain name conference, held in Hollywood, Florida. The highlight of the conference was the live internet domain name auction on Friday, October 12th, at 2pm, hosted by Moniker. One of the domain names that was up for sale was Cowboys.com <http://Cowboys.com>, a great domain name. The Dallas Cowboys apparently was amongst the many bidders for this name and ultimately won the auction for $275,000. Now, about a week later, they want to give it back. http://www.webpronews.com/blogtalk/2007/10/19/dallas-cowboys-return-cowboys- com-domain-name 34. Not the bill the Cowboys were expecting Going once, going twice, sold ... almost. Seeking to increase their online visibility, the Cowboys were bidding on the domain name cowboys.com <http://cowboys.com> at an auction in Hollywood, Fla. But something went amiss – as in the final price. http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/football/cowboys/stories/101 907dnspocowside.92664c.html 35. Cowboys.com <http://Cowboys.com> Sells (Again) for US$370,000 After Dallas Cowboys back out of deal, Cowboys.com <http://Cowboys.com> sells for $95,000 more. http://domainnamewire.com/2007/10/19/cowboyscom-sells-again-for-370000/ 36. The Domain Name Auction Scene is a-Changin' SnapNames to unveil new service, GoDaddy signature auctions (finally) on tap. http://domainnamewire.com/2007/10/18/the-domain-name-auction-scene-is-a-chan gin/ 37. Atomico.com <http://Atomico.com> is The Bomb After $80,000 Sale on the AfternicDLS Every domain on this week's Top 20 sales chart cracked the five-figure mark and the AfternicDLS wielded the heaviest weapon, Atomico.com <http://Atomico.com> at an even $80,000. That was one of five charted domains for that venue, a number exceeded only by Sedo.com <http://Sedo.com>'s nine. Sedo's total included a pair from their GreatDomains site that ranked 2nd and 3rd - Subscription.com <http://Subscription.com> at $74,000 and HOO.com at $47,000. http://dnjournal.com/archive/domainsales/2007/domainsales10-09-07.htm ********************** - NON-ENGLISH NEWS ********************** 38. Gesetzliche Regulierung für Migration zu IPv6 angeregt Bereits ab dem kommenden Jahr könnte es gesetzliche Regelungen zur Migration von IPv4 auf IPv6 geben. Das sagte der Vorsitzende des Kuratoriums der nordamerikanischen IP-Adress-Registry ARIN, John Curran, unmittelbar vor der heute startenden, turnusmäßigen ARIN-Tagung in Albuquerque. Laut US-Medienberichten sieht Curran auch durchaus auch Handlungsbedarf vons Seiten der Regierungen. ARIN hat in den vergangenen Monaten verstärkt auf die Erschöpfung des Pools an IPv4-Adressen hingewiesen http://www.heise.de/newsticker/meldung/97546 39. Deutsche Internetnutzer wünschen einprägsamere Domainnamen für Städte und Regionen [news release] Die Mehrheit privater Internetnutzer wünscht in Zukunft die vermehrte Verwendung lokaler Domainendungen nach dem Muster .stadt oder .region, weil sie aufgrund des einprägsameren Namens wesentlich einfacher und schneller an die von ihnen gesuchten Informationen gelangen können. Das ist ein zentrales Ergebnis der Umfrage*, die der eco Verband der deutschen Internetwirtschaft Anfang Oktober durch das Marktforschungsinstitut eResult hat durchführen lassen. http://www.finanznachrichten.de/nachrichten-2007-10/artikel-9273728.asp 40. Das Internet lernt Jiddisch Schon Ende nächsten Jahres könnte es Internet-Adressen in nicht-lateinischen Schriften geben. Doch bis dahin muss noch ein Test der Internetbehörde ICANN erfolgreich verlaufen. http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,,2827234,00.html 41. Wie gross ist das Internet? Bald einmal werden uns die IP-Adressen ausgehen. US-Forscher haben deshalb eine Volkszählung im Internet gemacht. http://infoweek.ch/news/NW_single.cfm?news_ID=16794 42. Les gTLD à 1 caractère bientôt alloués ? L'ICANN lance jusqu'au 15 novembre 2007 un appel à propositions pour réfléchir à une méthode d'attribution des noms à 1 caractère (alphabet occidental ou chiffre) dans les extensions génériques. http://domainesinfo.fr/actualite/1339/les-gtld-a-1-caractere-bientot-alloues .php 43. L'AFNIC dévoile les interactions entre référencement et noms de domaine Dans un dossier paru la semaine dernière sur son site, le registre français soutient l'étude menée par Olivier Andrieu sur les liens étroits existants entre référencement et noms de domaine. http://domainesinfo.fr/actualite/1338/l-afnic-devoile-les-interactions-entre -referencement-et-noms-de-domaine.php 44. Les gTLD à 1 caractère bientôt alloués ? L'ICANN lance jusqu'au 15 novembre 2007 un appel à propositions pour réfléchir à une méthode d'attribution des noms à 1 caractère (alphabet occidental ou chiffre) dans les extensions génériques. http://domainesinfo.fr/actualite/1339/les-gtld-a-1-caractere-bientot-alloues .php 45. .MOBI: vers les 700 000 enregistrements L'extension dédiée aux téléphones portables s'apprête à franchir le cap des 700 000 noms, doublant en moins d'un an le volume de ses enregistrements. http://domainesinfo.fr/extension/1322/appareils-mobiles-mobi-vers-les-700-00 0-enregistrements.php 46. 5 registars dans la ligne de mire du .CN Le registre chinois publie les noms de 5 registrars vivement critiqués par les internautes pour leur démarche d'intimidation, et promet des sanctions dans les mois venir. http://domainesinfo.fr/extension/1341/chine-5-registars-dans-la-ligne-de-mir e-du-cn.php 47. Le site du .KP ouvert d'ici fin 2007 L'extension nord-coréenne, officiellement déléguée au Korea Computer Center, ouvrira son site officiel d'ici décembre 2007. http://domainesinfo.fr/extension/1340/coree-du-nord-le-site-du-kp-ouvert-d-i ci-fin-2007.php 48. L'IFPI accuse The Pirate Bay de cybersquatting L'industrie phonographique lance une action devant l'OMPI pour récupérer le nom de domaine IFPI.com, passé dans le camp des pirates suédois. http://www.vnunet.fr/fr/news/2007/10/18/l_ifpi_accuse_the_pirate_bay_de_cybe rsquatting 49. L'IFPI porte plainte contre The Pirate Bay Sans grande surprise, l' IFPI a entamé des démarches judiciaires pour tenter de récupérer le nom de domaine ifpi.com <http://ifpi.com> récemment passé sous pavillon pirate. Une reconquête qui ne devrait pas poser de problème. http://www.generation-nt.com/ifpi-pirate-bay-torrent-cybersquatting-actualit e-46385.html 50. L'IFPI va tenter de reprendre IFPI.com à The Pirate Bay On pouvait s'y attendre, la prise (légale) du nom de domaine ifpi.com <http://ifpi.com> par le groupe de pirates The Pirate Bay, afin de donner naissance à l'International Federation of Pirates Interests, n'a pas beaucoup été apprécié par l'IFPI (International Federation of the Phonographic Industry - voir The Pirate Bay parasite l'IFPI avec IFPI.com) http://www.clubic.com/actualite-83292-ifpi-reprendre-ifpi-pirate-bay.html 51. Et l'on reparle des noms de domaine d'un seul caractère L'ICANN va relancer l'idée déjà caressée en 2005, de l'adoption de nom de domaines d'une seule lettre. Un forum est actuellement organisé au sein de l'organisme avec appel à contribution pour définir une méthode d'attribution de ces noms de domaines. Très courts, ils ne représentent pas moins un intérêt important financièrement. Ces domaines à une lettre ou à un chiffre concerneront les gTLD, extensions internet à caractère générique, formées à l'origine de trois lettres et plus. http://www.pcinpact.com/actu/news/39545-icann-un-caractere-une-lettre.htm 52. Adsense à vendre 200.000 euros Le géant de l'Internet Google semble avoir oublié d'enregistrer un nom de domaine. Bilan, un Internaute l'a fait pour lui et demande 200.000 euros. http://www.zataz.com/news/15367/adsense-luxembourg.html 53. Internet em 138 milhões de domínios, diz estudo O número de nomes de domínios registrados globalmente já ultrapassa 138 milhões. A constatação vem de do estudo "Dossiê sobre a Indústria de Domínios na Internet" realizado no segundo trimestre de 2007 pela VeriSign. http://www.latinoamericann.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article &sid=1561 54. Internet Siap Jelajah Luar Angkasa Pertumbuhan jumlah pengguna internet di dunia sungguh mencengangkan. Mereka telah tumbuh sebanyak 20 kali lipat dalam satu dasawarsa ini, yakni menjadi sekitar 1,2 miliar pengguna dengan pertumbuhan server komputer dari 22,5 juta menjadi 489 juta. http://www.detikinet.com/index.php/detik.read/tahun/2007/bulan/10/tgl/18/tim e/091216/idnews/842043/idkanal/398 55. Story from Malaysia mentioning ICANN http://www.kwongwah.com.my/news/2007/10/18/83.html 56. Story in Chinese mentioning Vint Cerf http://www.chubun.com/modules/article/view.article.php/54255/c108 57. Story in Chinese mentioning ICANN http://www.takungpao.com.hk/news/07/10/22/_IN-812475.htm 58. Story in Russian mentioning ICANN http://www.cnews.ru/news/line/index.shtml?2007/10/12/270342 _______________________________________________ AfrICANN mailing list AfrICANN(a)afrinic.net https://lists.afrinic.net/mailman/listinfo.cgi/africann

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Day 7-10:-Available eCommunication Strategies for Regulators
by Chanuka Wattegama 23 Oct '07

23 Oct '07

Dear All, Extremely sorry to barge in this later stage, but I had no other option because the past few days were exceptionally busy. Let me share some of the useful findings from the study Benchmarking National Telecom Regulatory Authority websites of Asia-Pacific Region For those who are not familiar, This study systematically benchmarked National Telecom Regulator websites in the Asia-Pacific region, evaluating their usefulness to telecom operators, investors, consumers, researchers and even the general public. Each website is awarded marks for the availability of information and features that are useful to the regulator's stakeholders. A total of 27 websites are evaluated from a region that includes 62 economies. (More details: http://www.lirneasia.net/projects/completed-projects/regulatory-web-survey) 1. For the study I have considered 62 independent Asia Pacific economies (Hong Kong could have been the only exception, but that needs to be taken into account because of its independent regulatory environment, which cannot be put in the same category as China.) The definition used for 'Asia' was the broadest that can be thought of because it included Middle East and Central Asia as well. Out of that 62, only 33 NRAs had web sites. (This was in 2004, the situation is a bit better now) Anyway the bottom line is only 60-70% of the NRAs have some sort of websites. This raises the question how far the NRAs have thought about communications. 2. If my memory serves me right I could not benchmark NRA sites (Japan, China, Korea, Thailand, Indonesia and Yemen) because then they did not have English versions. So the number has to be limited to 27. (I do not say ever NRA should have an English version, but this was a practical difficulty that we could not avoid) Even out of that 27, there were many NRAs that had not given any information relevant to end consumers. The limited information gives perhaps the mandate and the top officers at NRA. One NRA website even had a page for foreign tourists. 3. Then there were sites that provided consumer information to levels varying from basic minimum to very good. There was one site that reproduced every customer complaint and monitored the progress. I am not sure whether we expect NRAs to do to that level. There were also some sites (eg. Singapore, Malaysia) that provided a gamut of information including technical details many consumers might not even follow. Anyway, I do not think this is a bad practice. We do not need everybody's grandmother to understand this information, but the fact that they are in public domain implies that all consumers (including grandmothers!) receive a better service. 4. Not many NRAs were worried about presenting the information in a language understandable to the end consumers. (The six countries I have mentioned in No. 2 were exceptions) So even if the information is available it is not sure whether the consumers can take any use of it. We also have to take into account that some of these countries have extremely low Internet penetration levels. So we come to the same problems again. The content is there, but can the consumers realistically access that? These observations raise the important question how far NRAs can use websites as a tool to interact with the end consumers. I do not try to provide an answer right now. May be I can give a better answer at GK3. Then the question how NRAs can improve their communications using e-tools. I have some good new here. After publishing the survey results some NRAs have taken serious efforts to improve their websites. India and Bangladesh are two examples. I know both these countries have benefitted from the survey results at best. I do not see any reason why others could not. Think this is adequate for the moment. I hope I have brought in the Asian dimension to the discussion. Best Rgds, Chanuka Wattegama LIRNEasia www.lirneasia.net

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The tables are turned
by Eric Osiakwan 22 Oct '07

22 Oct '07

Dear All, We are really living in interesting times especially in the ICT industry because a few years ago, it was the mobile operators and ISPs who would be knocking on the doors of the regulator complaining and sometimes weeping at the anti-competitive practices of the imcumbent PTT towards them. Today the tables have turned and in Kenya as per the story below, Telkom Kenya is rather asking CCK to put Safaricom in check because they are acting anti-competitively on the SMS platform against their CDMA operation. Five years ago, this would have being an "incorrect prophesy" but it has happen sooner than all would have expected. What is more interesting is the fact that Safaricom is 60% owned by Telkom Kenya which is fully owned by government that means that the mobile operators have become so powerful that the combined years of PTT operation and their political forces cannot turn the tables except the mediation of the regulator. This confirms Russell Southwood's recent story of the emergence of the mobile operators as the new incumbents of our time. May be one good thing is the fact that the mobile incumbents are so powerful that not a combiantion of PTT operation and political forces can impact them except the court of the regulator so the political leadership in some of our countries would now see reason to strengthen their regulators and make them independent enough to be the pivot to balance the weight of the mobile operators against their "cash cow" incumbents. Eric here Telkom Lodges SMS Petition Against Safaricom in Kenya In the fight for control of Kenya's lucrative telecoms industry, competition is becoming a useful weapon in the hands of rival firms - especially those that need to play the catch-up game to remain in the race. This market share war has become so intense that players are breaking all boundaries in the corporate rulebook. Five months ago, mobile phone service provider Celtel took its bigger and only rival Safaricom before the market regulator, accusing it of playing unfairly in the market to the disadvantage of the consumer. Now it is the national operator Telkom's turn to lodge a landmark complaint against its subsidiary -Safaricom. In its letter to Mr John Waweru, the Communications Commission of Kenya director general, Telkom Kenya is accusing Safaricom of practising anti-competitive behaviour in the market -especially in the Short Messages Services (SMS) segment of the business. Telkom says Safaricom has been blocking the exchange of SMSs between the two networks, thereby denying its customers access to key services that the national operator is offering such as the one that enables them to check their voter registration details with the Electoral Commission of Kenya (ECK). "Telkom Kenya is concerned that Safaricom is engaging in anti- competitive behaviour and in essence abusing its dominant market position by introducing barriers to new entrants targeting SMS market segment," Telkom says. Public attention was first drawn to the matter after some Safaricom subscribers complained that Safaricom was charging them for undelivered SMSs to Telkom Kenya's Wireless network. SMSs to Telkom network got an automatic reply indicating that delivery had failed yet the consumers were being billed. Safaricom CEO Michael Joseph acknowledged that some of its subscribers had sent messages to Telkom Kenya during the test period and may have been charged erroneously. He said that although the company was not billing SMSs to Telkom Wireless network between August 13 and August 27, some of its customers may have been billed. Safaricom later agreed to refund the affected subscribers. Telkom says that on August 16, the two interconnectivity negotiating parties met and agreed on interconnection rate and a technical testing schedule. During this period the parties also exchanged SMS test templates to be adopted in the tests. Safaricom has however not cooperated in facilitating the process, making it unable to commercialise the service. The matter seems to have reached fever pitch after Safaricom introduced a voter registry query service similar to the one Telkom Kenya had rolled out after it won an ECK tender. Telkom Kenya is complaining that failure by Safaricom to activate the SMS service is affecting its ability to use an innovative platform that delivers voter registry query services by utilizing the 460 numeric to access the ECK database. Telkom Kenya says Safaricom acted maliciously in delaying to activate the SMS service only to launch a similar service. "We are perturbed that Safaricom, having not been involved in the initial tender process is currently able to provide a similar services using the 460 prefix. This is a totally unacceptable anti- competitive behaviour," Telkom says. Mr Joseph declined to comment on the matter saying it was already before an arbiter. Telkom Kenya is the majority shareholder at Safaricom with a 60 per cent stake. It co-owns the company with the United Kingdom's Vodafone Plc which has a 40 per cent stake in the firm. (Source: Business Daily) 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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Day 9-10: Day 7-10:-Available eCommunication Strategies for Regulators
by John Walubengo 22 Oct '07

22 Oct '07

Hey, hpe u had a lovely weekend. Congrats to SA for winning the Worldcup (Rugby)... But looks like we are pretty quiet on this discussion which ends tomorrow...subitems listed below. -What are the possible e-Tools that the Regulator can deploy in their Service Provision? (1Day, Friday 19th, Oct) -How can Regulators use the e-Tools to enable synergies with Consumers, CSO and other players? (1Day, Monday 22nd Oct) -Way Forward and Conclusions (Tue 23rd, Oct) My contribution on point two. I am thinking the Regulators could dedicate part of their website for eDiscussions. Just a forum for stakeholders to discuss issues of the industry. it will then act a sounding board for the Regulators to review before making critical industry decisions... Final comments on any of the previous threads are still welcome before we dissolve the discussion tomorrow. walu. __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com

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It is more interesting in SA
by Eric Osiakwan 22 Oct '07

22 Oct '07

Well, the mobile operators are buying the incumbent in Joburg and the politicians are comfortable with the situation....really interesting times South Africa's Government Backs Telkom Asset Sale to MTN The communications department said it backed discussions between Telkom and MTN over plans by the fixed-line operator to sell some of its infrastructure to MTN. A brief statement by the department removes one of the main hurdles that any deal would face, since the government holds 38,9% of Telkom.. "As government, we are in principle supportive of the current discussions. We will await additional information in this regard prior to commenting further." The government is presumably now more au fait with both parts of Telkom's plan, since the department is working "in an interdepartmental task team to ensure that the interest of the country, all the workers and those of shareholders is protected". Analysts think MTN may combine its business in SA with Telkom's fixed- line unit and spin that off in a publicly traded company. The new company would be worth R55bn, and MTN might give its investors shares in the new company, said Scott Ryall, an analyst for Macquarie Bank. "Although we don't believe there would be significant synergy from combining the two South African businesses, this transaction could still be a positive for MTN," Ryall said. An outright purchase by MTN of Telkom's fixed-line business would be the "worst outcome for MTN and the best for Telkom" as it would dilute MTN's growth and its attraction as an emerging markets company and transfer the risk of owning a fixed-line network, Ryall said. However, Telkom investors would benefit from a share price upside of up to 15%, he estimated. A second option was for Telkom itself to buy MTN's local operations after Telkom sold its shares in Vodacom, Ryall said. MTN's growth in SA had slowed as the market became saturated. Selling its local arm to Telkom may make MTN's operations in 20 other countries look more "appealing to growth investors ," Ryall said. (Source: Business Day) 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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[Fwd: Invitation to a Public Launch of Doing Business 2008 Report by Michael Klein, WB Vice President, 30th October 2007 at the Hilton Hotel starting 9.00am]
by alice 22 Oct '07

22 Oct '07

Dear Friend, World Bank and IFC are pleased to invite you to a free public launch of Doing Business 2008 report that ranked Kenya among the top ten reformers. Michael Klein, Vice President Financial and Private Sector Development, World Bank and International Finance Corporation and Chief Economist, IFC will present the report. Discussants will be drawn from the Government and the private sector. The event will take place on Monday, October 30, 2007 at the Hilton Hotel (Tsavo Room) starting at 9.00am. We look forward to hosting you that day. Kindly call Maureen on 3226482/4 or email kmuthembwa(a)worldbank.org to confirm your participation by Thursday, October 25 2007 Regards Keziah Muthembwa World Bank Nairobi Office Tel.: 3226484/2 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The World Bank, the International Finance Corporation (IFC) And the Government of Kenya P R E S E N T S Doing Business 2008 (Embedded image moved to file: pic00479.jpg) A Free Public Lecture by Michael Klein Vice President Financial and Private Sector Development, World Bank and International Finance Corporation and Chief Economist, IFC Tuesday, October 30, 2007 at 9.00 a.m., Hilton Hotel, Tsavo Room The report from the World Bank and IFC compares indicators on business regulations and their enforcement across 178 countries. Published annually, Doing Business reports analyze government regulations that enhance business activity and those that constrain it, ranking countries on their ease of doing business. Top reformers are identified and best practices in how to reform are highlighted. This year?s report, the fourth to be published in the series, presents a new analysis of 50 regulatory reform case studies. Kenya was ranked among top ten reformers globally. Please call Maureen on 3226482/4 or email kmuthembwa(a)worldbank.org to confirm your participation.

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[Business Daily] How Britain lost the plot in Kenya
by Alex Gakuru 22 Oct '07

22 Oct '07

Quite an insightful story: "How Britain lost the plot in Kenya" Written by John Kamau October 22, 2007: Bogged by a fading influence on local politics and business alike and unlike his predecessors, British High Commissioner Adam Wood gets little Press coverage and courts little controversy opting for the quiet life of a diplomat. Mr Wood, who was posted to Kenya from neighbouring Uganda in 2005--and for the second tour of duty in the country--is less controversial and might never match in the public arena his two predecessors: the verbose Edward Clay of they-are-vomiting-on-our-shoes fame and Sir Jeffrey James, who came to Kenya in 1997 at the height of tribal clashes and a looming general-election. Sir Jeffrey --who later became Tony Blairs special envoy to chaotic Nepal-- left a mark and as he departed after four years he was given a tongue-lashing by former President Moi who openly called him a meddler as he, as required by protocol, went to bid the then head of state goodbye. Ever since the UK had been losing its foothold on Kenyan politics and business too - especially after new Labour took power.... http://www.bdafrica.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3797&Item… __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com

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Week42 - Nairobi Stock Exchange
by Bill Kagai 22 Oct '07

22 Oct '07

MediaCorp is now an Agent of Faida Securities. This will give us an opportunity to test our locally developed online trading tools besides the research we provide. ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Stock Detective <stock.detective(a)mediacorp.co.ke> Date: Oct 22, 2007 1:16 AM Subject: Week42 - Nairobi Stock Exchange To: mediacorp.research(a)mediacorp.co.ke (c) *Nairobi** Stock Exchange – Authorised Information Vendor ** Faida Securities - ** Licensed Agent * * 19th October 2007* *Commercial and Services Sector* *1) EQUITIES* The Chairman of NSE, Jimnah Mbaru is convinced that the index graph below will tear to the roof top by next year to the level of 7,000 points. MediaCorp Stock Detectives feel that this statement holds water especially because of the Safaricom IPO effect in the market. Whether it comes this year or next year, the savvy investor should continue preparing for the same. The Attorney General has given the legal green light and Treasury mandarins have rolled up their sleeves and signed the winning bids into contract. Achieving 1,800 index points in the next year is therefore possible as the Chairman projects. The NSE 20-share index was up 5.98% during the week to close at 5175.80points. Capitalization is also picking up now. * MAIN INVESTMENT MARKET SEGMENT (MIMS)* *Agricultural Sector* Nothing much to report in this sector. We were really hoping to see more of branded Sasini tea and coffee retailing in kiosks and supermarkets but it seems it is really not kicking for this sector though supply is poor in the market. Company reports in this sector cited rains and other 'acts' of God in determining profitability but we need to push these companies to show us the money in terms of branded products up for sale. If Kenyan Coffee is used to blend and improve other brands, why is this sector slow and disappointing to investors? We traded 395,000 shares, which accounted for 0.76% of the week's traded volume. Rea-vipingo up 7.90% to shs.19.80 moved 75,000 shares. Sasini Ltd moved 269,000 shares at between shs.14.00 and shs.17.00 * Commercial and Services Sector* Interesting sector this week as all counters had an increase in share price. Scangroup up Kshs 2 after announcing its partnership with Millward Brown. Our detectives went deep into google to rake more information for you. We discovered Milward is internationally recognised in brand, media and communications research. Millward has a presence in 43 countries and works with 70 of the top 100 brands in the world. Its time they helped Sasini out. We had 9.7M shares traded, which accounted for 18.66% of the week's traded volume. CMC Holdings competitively moved 4M shares at between shs.15.00 and shs.16.50. Nation Media Group up ten shillings to shs.290.00 sold 75,000 shares. AccessKenya moved 2.4M shares at between shs.16.50 and shs18.90. * Financial Sector* The latest entry in this sector was in the news again. Parliament cleared Equity Bank of any anomalies in their business and as if to rub salt into the wound, the bank reported a cool after tax profit growing by 126 per cent to Sh1.2 billion to September on double digit growth in income from loans and transaction fees, mainly from increased ATM usage. Financials had 26M shares traded and represented 49.86% of the weeks traded volume. Equity share gained Kshs 16 this week CFC is the other interesting case. Shares here are in demand and the counter closed up Kshs 10 at Kshs 131. The shareholding structure has been complex but the bottom line is that the South Africans want a piece of the financial sector in Kenya. So go ahead and buy low and sell high to them at a tidy profit. KCB was the week's biggest mover, with 9.9M shares changing hands at between shs.24.00 and shs.27.00. NIC Bank was up 18.06% to close the week at shs.170.00 on a volume of 217,000 shares. Kenya Re moved 8.2M shares at between shs.15.25 and shs.16.00. * Industrial and Allied Sector* In this sector, Bamburi Cement announced it will spend kshs 6.7 Billion to expand its subsidiary in Hima Cement in Western Uganda and double the plant's capacity. The economy is indeed growing because we are not satisfying the demand. The Jomo Kenyatta International Airport expansion programme is actually being slowed due to lack of timely cement delivery. The economy is growing and and any company doing cem,ent is making money. You are safe with any of these stocks. This sector had 12.8M shares, which accounted for 24.58% of the week's traded volume. Mumias Sugar was the most heavily traded counter in this sector, with 6.8M shares dealt at between shs.38.50 and shs.45.00. KenGen up 8.82% to shs.27.75 moved 3M shares. A*LTERNATIVE INVESTMENT MARKET SEGMENT (AIMS).* This market segment had 154,000 shares, which accounted for 0.29% of the week's volume. Express Ltd moved 148,000 shares during the week and closed at shs.23.00. A*NNOUNCEMENT Mediacorp is now a licensed agent of Faida Securities Limited. Besides the in-depth analysis of the market, we will also transact your orders with speed and diligence. For more details, please email us. info(a)mediacorp.co.ke * Bildad Kagai MD - MediaCorp Limited Faida Securities Limited - Licensed Agent Nairobi Stock Exchange Authorised Information Vendor Suite B2, Tetu Apartments, State House Avenue P. O. Box 20311 - 00200 Nairobi, Kenya Tel. 254 20 272 8332 Fax. Rendered Obsolete www.mediacorp.co.ke <http://www.mediacorpafrica.com>

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Re: [kictanet] Fwd: Conncet Africa, was Re: [AfrISPA.Discuss] SV: [Fibre-for-africa] Connectivity: What does Africa really need?
by Eric Osiakwan 21 Oct '07

21 Oct '07

CCK Grants Safaricom 3G Licence in Kenya The Communications Commission of Kenya has granted Safaricom the first third generation (3G) licence for $25 million (Sh1.6 billion). Information and Communication minister Mr Mutahi Kagwe said proceeds from the license fee would be used to develop information and communications technology (ICT) infrastructure in the country. The money will foot part of bill for the laying of The East Africa Marine System (Teams) undersea fibre optic cable and the Fibre Optic National Network (Fonn). The licence will allow Safaricom to rollout 3G services that include high-speed data communications such us mobile Internet access, mobile videoconferencing and videophone. (Source: East African Standard) On 19 Oct 2007, at 23:35, Anders Comstedt wrote: > Jabulani is hitting the nail noting that the funds are less of a > problem from now on. The solid growth of the sector in Africa, and > not least the areas not served by fibre optic backbones to the rest > of the world, has now passed the point where a business case could > be made. > > > All of a sudden it is more about the strong first mover advantages > in this new situation. Who will be allowed to move? > > > If the entire sector, not the individual company X or Z, should > continue to grow you cannot have strong new entry barriers holding > back competition and innovation. The first mover advantage on fibre > backbones is just about that. The only way is to find mechanisms to > share assets that will not be replicated and are really not any > differentiator: Fibre backbones. That means finding ways of sharing > risks, building trust between the users of such a facility. > Unfortunately, lots of the process past WSIS has been about the > reverse, how could my company/group/country get on top in > controlling assets to my advantage? > > > True, sharing has shown to be extremely tricky everywhere, but even > so, that is the big trend in many places, prompted and facilitated > by the regulators and policy makers. Structural separation is for > instance debated in several places in the EU, not least by the DG > INFO commissioner Reding. If overbuild of wireline structures, > duplication by several operators, cannot be supported outside metro > cores in EU, well, then it wont happen anywhere else either. > Period. Even in tiny Singapore, a common fibre structure is under way. > > > Ultimately, a few years down the road you will end up either > sharing in a joint separate operation you trust, or one(possibly > two) operator will be regulated to sell at cost related prices. > > > Today, the big remaining process problem is not looking at the > individual company/companies, but on the sector. And looking one > step behind, how the development of the sector will transform into > general development leverage. Or to bend the words of a former US > president: It is about the ICT jobs with the users, stupid! > > > It is easy for policy makers to be trapped to consider one operator > or the other and get lost in the details. User agents are the most > missing in this debate. But in their absence small ISPs and > internet activists will have to do. The most critical thing right > now is creating the political support for sharing and then > lubricating the risk taking mechanisms involving the parties > responsible/involved in the operational implementation. > > > Unfortunately, the ITU system has no track record of driving any > process like this, but is stuck in relations between vertically > integrated, standalone operators, their traditional stakeholders. > Making these ideas stick in Kigali will be tough, nevertheless, > there are only these two ways forward indicated above in the long > run. It took us a decade and a half to do stupid things in EU just > delaying this process after the early 90ies start of the > liberalization. Now we realize that we have to bite the bullet > anyhow as technology has changed from PTSN to layered networks and > modules, and several businesses are competing on various IP based > services. > > > > There is zero reason for Africa to not leap frog this wheel > spinning in a dead end. > > > Governments are not leaving to the civil work contractors to decide > where they like to have the road, or?… > > > All the best > > > Anders Comstedt > > > -----Ursprungligt meddelande----- > Från: Discuss-owner(a)afrispa.org [mailto:Discuss-owner@afrispa.org] > För Jabulani Dhliwayo > Skickat: den 19 oktober 2007 17:04 > Till: Discuss(a)afrispa.org; discuss(a)afrispa.org > Kopia: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions > Ämne: Re: Fwd: Conncet Africa, was Re: [AfrISPA.Discuss] SV: [Fibre- > for-africa] Connectivity: What does Africa really need? > > > It's good to know about the proposals and funds being organized for > high capacity Infrastructure. I am also confident that coming up > with a "how to" component should not be much of a problem. Funding > is only one variable in the equation for sound ICT infrastructure, > policy/regulation remains one significant variable. So at the end > of the day, it does not matter how much money is available and how > solid the plans are, as long as frustrating policies remain in > place, we will continue to have problems. > > > I hope those of you attending Connect-Africa will be able to bring > policy issues to the fore-front - unfortunately I had to cancell my > plans for attending this event because of other travel assignments. > However, I will be attend the Submarine Networks Africa event in > Johannesburg - November 27-28 and I hope to meet some you there and > hopefully together we can push for more sensible regulations. > > > Jabulani Dhliwayo > > http://www.alignafrica.com > > Eric Osiakwan <eric(a)afrispa.org> wrote: > > > > Begin forwarded message: > > > > > From: Shem Ochuodho <shemochuodho(a)yahoo.com> > > Date: 19 October 2007 07:34:09 GMT+03:00 > > To: anriette(a)apc.org, APC - Private list for use by EASSY Workshop > Participants <fibre-for-africa(a)lists.apc.org> > > Subject: Re: Conncet Africa, was Re: SV: [Fibre-for-africa] > Connectivity: What does Africa really need? > > Reply-To: APC - Private list for use by EASSY Workshop Participants > <fibre-for-africa(a)lists.apc.org> > > > Yes, Anders raise very pertinent points (in typical style!). > > > I plan to be there. I was privileged to attend one of the technical > planning meetings in Addis. One of the strong targets being > recommended by the techies is "Broadband Connectivity to all > capitals and other major cities by 2012". The 'how-to' part of it > is still weak, and this is where Anders' proposal for a Broadband > Infrastructure Development fund comes in handy. Just note that > already there are at least: NEPAD Pan-African Infrastructure Devpt > Fund (understandably with billions of US$ already in it - thanks to > SA Pensions Funds) , COMESA Infrastructure Devpt Fund, East Africa > Infrastructure Devpt Fund (proposed), Digital Solidarity Fund, and > am sure there could be several others. Licensing fees, or even > better annual universal service/access contributions could be a > good sustainable entry entry point. > > > Warmest rgrds. > > Shem, Nairobi > > Anriette Esterhuysen <anriette(a)apc.org> wrote: > > Very good arguments. And certainly a position we should > be advocating for at the upcoming Connect Africa > Summit. > > Who on this will will be there? > > Anriette > > > From: "waudo siganga" > > To: "APC - Private list for use by EASSY > Workshop Participants" , > "'APC - Private list for use by EASSY > Workshop Participants'" > Subject: Re: SV: [Fibre-for-africa] Connectivity: What > does Africa really need? > Date sent: Tue, 16 Oct 2007 15:25:05 +0300 > Send reply to: APC - Private list for use by EASSY > Workshop Participants > > request(a)lists.apc.org?subject=unsubscribe> > request(a)lists.apc.org?subject=subscribe> > > > Good arguments from Anders - Waudo > > > > On Tue, 16 Oct 2007 13:26:53 +0200, "Anders Comstedt" > > said: > > > Dear Wakabi and others > > > > > > Isn't it difficult to ask for a Marshall plan and at the same time > > > see how the sector and, above all, its users are financially > > > drained? > > > > > > PROFITABLE TELECOMS > > > Surprisingly there are higher profit margins in most of the > business > > > that the mobile phone operators have in Africa, including or > > > excluding the licence fees, comparing to counterparts in more open > > > and competitive markets. How is that? Why is competition > restricted > > > and prices not coming down, in particular considering the low > > > purchase power of the users? Some people obviously don't want to > > > change the ball game. > > > > > > The combined sector revenues to governments and shareholders > make it > > > a little bit difficult to say that the sector cannot finance > its own > > > investments, expanding footprint and new services. Actually at the > > > same time even reduce user prices quite a bit. How come that the > > > users are not given more choices from several competing providers? > > > Shifting value to much to users, or? > > > > > > The typical licensing regime still seems, in general, to serve no > > > other purpose but to sell operators a hunting licence on users, > > > maximising the government revenues in the process. The scarce > > > spectrum resource is in many ways used as an over inflated bogus > > > argument in lack of any better. True, it is to some extent an > issue > > > and the licensing should focus on it, skipping licensing and all > > > other restrictions on open market, free provision of service. > On the > > > contrary, dominant players should be obliged to interconnect, not > > > being sheltered from competition. > > > > > > Why are operator investments taxed, instead of profits, if you > like > > > to drive investments? > > > > > > > > > SHARING INFRASTRUCTURE > > > Sharing basic, non-differentiating infrastructure at cost related > > > prices turns out to be a good business proposal (like > > > http://www.openreach.co.uk ) as it is always cheaper than > > > do-it-yourself if you have a few service competitors using it. > High > > > utilisation would create a lower cost base for all operators. > But it > > > requires organisational structure that lowers operational and > > > political risks. What is done to lower those risks? > > > > > > Note, the most important thing in shared infrastructure is TRUST. > > > > > > Or, who would like to bet the farm on being depending upon a > flimsy > > > operation controlled by people with no skin in the game? > > > > > > > > > USERS > > > The most appalling absence in the African telecom policy debate is > > > the users and the user agents. True, the telecom sector is > dominated > > > by a producer perspective globally, but in places where strong > user > > > agents are balancing these forces we get a more reasonable > chunk of > > > the value distributed to all parties. How will user agents come > > > forward in the debate? > > > > > > > > > The ITU > > > Wouldn't it be interesting to put half of all the combined licence > > > revenues for the coming two years into an African backbone and > > > global interconnectivity fund? To create an infrastructure open to > > > all providers, new or old, on equal terms. Now that is a task for > > > the ITU! Or is the ITU too dominated by folks who don't want to > > > change the ball game to the advantage of users? > > > > > > > > > The document would benefit from touching the areas above. > > > > > > Sincerely > > > > > > Anders Comstedt > > > > > > > > > -----Ursprungligt meddelande----- > > > Från: fibre-for-africa-bounces(a)lists.apc.org > > > [mailto:fibre-for-africa-bounces@lists.apc.org] För Wairagala > Wakabi > > > Skickat: den 16 oktober 2007 07:17 Till: APC - Private list for > use > > > by EASSY Workshop Participants Ämne: [Fibre-for-africa] > > > Connectivity: What does Africa really need? > > > > > > Netters, > > > > > > The ITU is convening the 'Connects Africa' summit in Kigali, > Rwanda > > > on October 29-30. Its main concerns are that Internet services > > > needed for business, government and consumer applications continue > > > to be either very expensive or not available due to limited > > > broadband network infrastructure; and that rural connectivity and > > > access remain inadequate as does the availability of locally > > > relevant content, applications and services. > > > > > > This paper, by the Collaboration on International ICT Policy for > > > East and Southern Africa (CIPESA), outlines some of the issues > that > > > need to be addressed for the vision of boosting connectivity in > > > Africa to be realised. > > > > > > > > > http://fibreforafrica.net/main.shtml?x=5236108&als[MYALIAS6] > =Joining > > > %20the%2 0dots&als[select]=4051582 > > > > > > > > > Wakabi > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > > > Fibre-for-africa mailing list > > > Fibre-for-africa(a)lists.apc.org > > > http://lists.apc.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/fibre-for-africa > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > > > Fibre-for-africa mailing list > > > Fibre-for-africa(a)lists.apc.org > > > http://lists.apc.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/fibre-for-africa > > -- > > waudo siganga > > emailsignet(a)mailcan.com > > > > _______________________________________________ > > Fibre-for-africa mailing list > > Fibre-for-africa(a)lists.apc.org > > http://lists.apc.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/fibre-for-africa > > > > > > -- > > No virus found in this incoming message. > > Checked by AVG Free Edition. > > Version: 7.5.488 / Virus Database: 269.14.13/1074 - Release Date: > > 10/16/2007 2:14 PM > > > > > > ------------------------------------------------------ > Anriette Esterhuysen, Executive Director > Association for Progressive Communications > anriette(a)apc.org > http://www.apc.org > PO Box 29755, Melville, South Africa. 2109 > Tel. 27 11 726 1692 > Fax 27 11 726 1692 > > > > > Shem J. Ochuodho, MSc (Eng), PhD, LLD (Hon) > Parliamentary Aspirant (2007), Rangwe Constituency, Kenya > Kenya Community Abroad (KCA) 2006/07 Excellence Award Winner > AfricaOnline 2005 Industry Pioneer Award Recipient > Cell: +254-721-269702 (Kenya/roaming), Skype: shem.ochuodho > Please join/be part of our campaign at:http://groups.yahoo.com/ > group/shemochuodhoforparliament2007/ > > __________________________________________________ > Do You Yahoo!? > Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around > http://mail.yahoo.com > > _______________________________________________ > > 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" > > > > > > > > > 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"

1 0

social entrepreneurs win!!!
by Jose' 20 Oct '07

20 Oct '07

Dear Collegues, It is time to announce the 100 winners and ta ta ta taaaaah here you go: www.globalknowledge.org/ysef07/index.cfm?&menuid=10&parentid=7 Congratulations to the winners !!! As someone once said : When a social entrepreneur wins, all social entrepreneurs win. The winners were selected based on the aggregate points from the jury evaluation and the referee reports.The regional limitation was dropped, but applied the country limitation that limits the number of winners per country to 7. Enjoy your viewing. Hmmm!!! I wonder if Kimathi Information Centre has made it.......Let me double click the url to conferm. Best Regards, Jose' Njuki-Imwe Ngunjiri || +254 722 336754 || __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com

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Fwd: Conncet Africa, was Re: SV: [Fibre-for-africa] Connectivity: What does Africa really need?
by Eric Osiakwan 19 Oct '07

19 Oct '07

Begin forwarded message: > From: Shem Ochuodho <shemochuodho(a)yahoo.com> > Date: 19 October 2007 07:34:09 GMT+03:00 > To: anriette(a)apc.org, APC - Private list for use by EASSY Workshop > Participants <fibre-for-africa(a)lists.apc.org> > Subject: Re: Conncet Africa, was Re: SV: [Fibre-for-africa] > Connectivity: What does Africa really need? > Reply-To: APC - Private list for use by EASSY Workshop Participants > <fibre-for-africa(a)lists.apc.org> > > Yes, Anders raise very pertinent points (in typical style!). > > I plan to be there. I was privileged to attend one of the technical > planning meetings in Addis. One of the strong targets being > recommended by the techies is "Broadband Connectivity to all > capitals and other major cities by 2012". The 'how-to' part of it > is still weak, and this is where Anders' proposal for a Broadband > Infrastructure Development fund comes in handy. Just note that > already there are at least: NEPAD Pan-African Infrastructure Devpt > Fund (understandably with billions of US$ already in it - thanks to > SA Pensions Funds) , COMESA Infrastructure Devpt Fund, East Africa > Infrastructure Devpt Fund (proposed), Digital Solidarity Fund, and > am sure there could be several others. Licensing fees, or even > better annual universal service/access contributions could be a > good sustainable entry entry point. > > Warmest rgrds. > Shem, Nairobi > > Anriette Esterhuysen <anriette(a)apc.org> wrote: > Very good arguments. And certainly a position we should > be advocating for at the upcoming Connect Africa > Summit. > > Who on this will will be there? > > Anriette > > > From: "waudo siganga" > > To: "APC - Private list for use by EASSY > Workshop Participants" , > "'APC - Private list for use by EASSY > Workshop Participants'" > Subject: Re: SV: [Fibre-for-africa] Connectivity: What > does Africa really need? > Date sent: Tue, 16 Oct 2007 15:25:05 +0300 > Send reply to: APC - Private list for use by EASSY > Workshop Participants > > request(a)lists.apc.org?subject=unsubscribe> > request(a)lists.apc.org?subject=subscribe> > > > Good arguments from Anders - Waudo > > > > On Tue, 16 Oct 2007 13:26:53 +0200, "Anders Comstedt" > > said: > > > Dear Wakabi and others > > > > > > Isn't it difficult to ask for a Marshall plan and at the same time > > > see how the sector and, above all, its users are financially > > > drained? > > > > > > PROFITABLE TELECOMS > > > Surprisingly there are higher profit margins in most of the > business > > > that the mobile phone operators have in Africa, including or > > > excluding the licence fees, comparing to counterparts in more open > > > and competitive markets. How is that? Why is competition > restricted > > > and prices not coming down, in particular considering the low > > > purchase power of the users? Some people obviously don't want to > > > change the ball game. > > > > > > The combined sector revenues to governments and shareholders > make it > > > a little bit difficult to say that the sector cannot finance > its own > > > investments, expanding footprint and new services. Actually at the > > > same time even reduce user prices quite a bit. How come that the > > > users are not given more choices from several competing providers? > > > Shifting value to much to users, or? > > > > > > The typical licensing regime still seems, in general, to serve no > > > other purpose but to sell operators a hunting licence on users, > > > maximising the government revenues in the process. The scarce > > > spectrum resource is in many ways used as an over inflated bogus > > > argument in lack of any better. True, it is to some extent an > issue > > > and the licensing should focus on it, skipping licensing and all > > > other restrictions on open market, free provision of service. > On the > > > contrary, dominant players should be obliged to interconnect, not > > > being sheltered from competition. > > > > > > Why are operator investments taxed, instead of profits, if you > like > > > to drive investments? > > > > > > > > > SHARING INFRASTRUCTURE > > > Sharing basic, non-differentiating infrastructure at cost related > > > prices turns out to be a good business proposal (like > > > http://www.openreach.co.uk ) as it is always cheaper than > > > do-it-yourself if you have a few service competitors using it. > High > > > utilisation would create a lower cost base for all operators. > But it > > > requires organisational structure that lowers operational and > > > political risks. What is done to lower those risks? > > > > > > Note, the most important thing in shared infrastructure is TRUST. > > > > > > Or, who would like to bet the farm on being depending upon a > flimsy > > > operation controlled by people with no skin in the game? > > > > > > > > > USERS > > > The most appalling absence in the African telecom policy debate is > > > the users and the user agents. True, the telecom sector is > dominated > > > by a producer perspective globally, but in places where strong > user > > > agents are balancing these forces we get a more reasonable > chunk of > > > the value distributed to all parties. How will user agents come > > > forward in the debate? > > > > > > > > > The ITU > > > Wouldn't it be interesting to put half of all the combined licence > > > revenues for the coming two years into an African backbone and > > > global interconnectivity fund? To create an infrastructure open to > > > all providers, new or old, on equal terms. Now that is a task for > > > the ITU! Or is the ITU too dominated by folks who don't want to > > > change the ball game to the advantage of users? > > > > > > > > > The document would benefit from touching the areas above. > > > > > > Sincerely > > > > > > Anders Comstedt > > > > > > > > > -----Ursprungligt meddelande----- > > > Från: fibre-for-africa-bounces(a)lists.apc.org > > > [mailto:fibre-for-africa-bounces@lists.apc.org] För Wairagala > Wakabi > > > Skickat: den 16 oktober 2007 07:17 Till: APC - Private list for > use > > > by EASSY Workshop Participants Ämne: [Fibre-for-africa] > > > Connectivity: What does Africa really need? > > > > > > Netters, > > > > > > The ITU is convening the 'Connects Africa' summit in Kigali, > Rwanda > > > on October 29-30. Its main concerns are that Internet services > > > needed for business, government and consumer applications continue > > > to be either very expensive or not available due to limited > > > broadband network infrastructure; and that rural connectivity and > > > access remain inadequate as does the availability of locally > > > relevant content, applications and services. > > > > > > This paper, by the Collaboration on International ICT Policy for > > > East and Southern Africa (CIPESA), outlines some of the issues > that > > > need to be addressed for the vision of boosting connectivity in > > > Africa to be realised. > > > > > > > > > http://fibreforafrica.net/main.shtml?x=5236108&als[MYALIAS6] > =Joining > > > %20the%2 0dots&als[select]=4051582 > > > > > > > > > Wakabi > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > > > Fibre-for-africa mailing list > > > Fibre-for-africa(a)lists.apc.org > > > http://lists.apc.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/fibre-for-africa > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > > > Fibre-for-africa mailing list > > > Fibre-for-africa(a)lists.apc.org > > > http://lists.apc.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/fibre-for-africa > > -- > > waudo siganga > > emailsignet(a)mailcan.com > > > > _______________________________________________ > > Fibre-for-africa mailing list > > Fibre-for-africa(a)lists.apc.org > > http://lists.apc.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/fibre-for-africa > > > > > > -- > > No virus found in this incoming message. > > Checked by AVG Free Edition. > > Version: 7.5.488 / Virus Database: 269.14.13/1074 - Release Date: > > 10/16/2007 2:14 PM > > > > > > ------------------------------------------------------ > Anriette Esterhuysen, Executive Director > Association for Progressive Communications > anriette(a)apc.org > http://www.apc.org > PO Box 29755, Melville, South Africa. 2109 > Tel. 27 11 726 1692 > Fax 27 11 726 1692 > > > Shem J. Ochuodho, MSc (Eng), PhD, LLD (Hon) > Parliamentary Aspirant (2007), Rangwe Constituency, Kenya > Kenya Community Abroad (KCA) 2006/07 Excellence Award Winner > AfricaOnline 2005 Industry Pioneer Award Recipient > Cell: +254-721-269702 (Kenya/roaming), Skype: shem.ochuodho > Please join/be part of our campaign at: http://groups.yahoo.com/ > group/shemochuodhoforparliament2007/ > __________________________________________________ > Do You Yahoo!? > Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around > http://mail.yahoo.com > > _______________________________________________ > 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"

1 0

Fw: [UgaBYTES] The APC Chris Nicol FOSS Prize,
by Florence Etta 19 Oct '07

19 Oct '07

fyi sorry for crossposting FE On 18/10/2007, Nabil Eid <nabileid21(a)yahoo.com> wrote: Dear colleagues, Kindly read about APC FOSS The APC Chris Nicol FOSS Prize, Person or group doing extraordinary work to make it easy for ordinary computer users to start using free and open source software (FOSS). Two initiatives have been selected by an international jury and awarded The APC Chris Nicol FOSS Prize 2007. Yet another initiative received a honorable mention. Prize winners are initiatives: - Free Geek, USA - NepaLinux, Nepal winning initiatives Free Geek http://www.apc.org/english/news/index.shtml?x=5241758 NepaLinux http://www.apc.org/english/news/index.shtml?x=5241651 Honorable mention was awarded to: - Gleducar, Argentina A ceremony celebrating the prize winners will be held during the APC council meeting in Rio de Janeiro on November 6, 6 pm local time. Source : APC News Best Regards Nabil Eid ICT4D in SNE Salamieh Community Telecentre - Syria Tel:(+963 33) 832360 Fax:(+963 33) 832361 E-mail: nabileid21(a)yahoo.com Website: http://www.caihand.com __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com _______________________________________________ ugabytes mailing list ugabytes(a)lists.ugabytes.org http://lists.ugabytes.org/mailman/listinfo/ugabytes_lists.ugabytes.org -- thank you Ahmed M. M. Eisa Chairman of GDCO - Sudan www.gedarefcity.org www.gedaref.com ___________________________________________________________ Yahoo! Answers - Got a question? Someone out there knows the answer. Try it now. http://uk.answers.yahoo.com/ _______________________________________________ ugabytes mailing list ugabytes(a)lists.ugabytes.org http://lists.ugabytes.org/mailman/listinfo/ugabytes_lists.ugabytes.org

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Invitation to connect on LinkedIn
by Nancy Bosire 18 Oct '07

18 Oct '07

KICTAnet, I'd like to add you to my professional network on LinkedIn. -Nancy Accept Nancy Bosire's invite: https://www.linkedin.com/e/isd/153750284/1SOSR0Vc/ ------------------------------------------ "Increasingly, if you're not LinkedIn, you're left out." --CNN Money ------ (c) 2007, LinkedIn Corporation

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Fw: [Fibre-for-africa] Fwd: Govt Ministers Approve $ 2bn 'Uhurunet' Cable
by Florence Etta 18 Oct '07

18 Oct '07

FYI sorry for crossposting FE ---------------------------- Original Message ---------------------------- Subject: Government Ministers Approve $ 2bn Submarine Cable to Connect Africa From: "Samuel Mikenga" <SMikenga(a)eafricacommission.org> Date: Thu, October 18, 2007 8:03 am -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Government Ministers Approve $ 2bn Submarine Cable to Connect Africa Government Ministers responsible for Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) from eastern and southern African countries endorsed a $ 2 bn submarine cable project to connect Africa, and called for its speedy implementation. This was revealed at a press conference held, 15 October 2007 in Johannesburg, South Africa. With a capacity of 3.84 Terrabits/sec, the 50,000 km cable is designed to provide telecommunications connectivity to Africa and connect the continent to the Americas, India, and Europe. It is expected that completion of this project will greatly contribute to reduction of telecommunications costs that have been a hindrance to doing business in Africa. Recognising the urgent need to have ICT broadband infrastructure to support high-quality, high-speed and reliable electronic communications in Africa and connecting to the rest of the world at affordable prices thus accelerated regional and continental integration; we welcome this initiative and recommit ourselves to ensuring a speedy implementation of this important project, a statement read by the Ugandan Minister for ICT, Dr Ham Mukasa Mulira, who chaired the Ministers meeting, read in part. The Ministers named the submarine segment of the NEPAD network UHURUNET; its terrestrial segment, UMOJANET; and recommended the Holding Company of the Submarine cable, BAHARICOM. Under the arrangement, NEPAD Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) will be the largest single shareholder. We have accordingly directed The NEPAD e-Africa Commission to present on our behalf the proposed submarine cable system to the meeting of African Ministers responsible for Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) and/or Telecommunications, and to the Heads of State and Government Summit, Dr Mulira added. The Government of Rwanda has invited African Ministers to the Connect Africa Summit to be held in Kigali on 29-30th October 2007, under the Patronage of President Paul Kagame of the Republic of Rwanda and President Agyekum Kufour, the President of Ghana and current Chairperson of the African Union, and other invited Heads of State. African Owned Cable South African Minister for communications, Dr Ivy Matsepe-Casaburri said the experiences in South Africa and Mauritius show that private sector-led undersea cable projects, where the private clubs decide the cost of telecommunications, have never been beneficial to countries in urgent need of affordable broadband connectivity. She said that the NEPAD cable would be majority African owned and advised that the best initiatives for Africa were those that were not only geared towards making profits but also putting Africas development concerns under consideration. Many Benefits The collaboration on the construction of a highly capacity submarine cable system initiative to connect Africa to the rest of the world is coordinated by the NEPAD e-African Commission. Says Dr Henry Chasia, the Executive Deputy Chairperson of NEPAD e-Africa Commission, This is a joint collaboration to leverage different submarine cable initiatives for the development of a high capacity African submarine cable as part of the accelerated implementation of the Kigali protocol This submarine cable will have landing points provisions in all coastal and Island countries, provide increased capacity to all destinations, and participants will benefit from economies of scale , added Dr Chasia. To enable all African countries enjoy the benefits of UHURUNET and UMOJANET, the Ministers directed the NEPAD e-Africa Commission to work with the African Union Commission to develop the modalities to enable any African country that may wish to access to the Kigali Protocol, do so. It is expected that the cable will be completed before the FIFA 2010 World Cup scheduled to take place in South Africa. Ends Notes for Editors 1. UHURU is a Kiswahili word meaning freedom. The submarine segment of the NEPAD network was named UHURUNET in recognition of the fiftieth anniversary of the beginning of Sub-Sahara African independence from colonial rule and the importance of the cable for economic freedom in Africa. 2. UMOJA is a kiswahili word meaning togetherness. The Ministers designated the terrestrial segment of the NEPAD network as UMOJANET in recognition of the spirit of unity in action among, and united action by all the stakeholders of the countries of Eastern and Southern Africa involved in the project. 3. BAHARI is a Kiswahili word that means sea. The Ministers recommended that the holding company of the submarine cable be named BAHARICOM because it was operating an under-sea cable. 4. About the Protocol The Protocol on the Policy and Regulatory framework for NEPAD ICT Broadband Infrastructure Network is based on the Constitutive Act of the African Union. Its main objective is to facilitate and commit the Parties to the construction and operation of the NEPAD ICT Broadband Infrastructure Network on Open Access principles of operation, which ensure a level playing field and equal access to the infrastructure. Hosted by the Rwandan Government and African Union (AU), the protocol signing ceremony of ICT Ministers from Eastern and Southern African countries participating in the NEPAD ICT Broadband Infrastructure Network, including the Submarine Cable Segment, took place in Kigali, Rwanda on 28-29 August 2006. The ceremony was presided over by the Rwandan President HE Paul Kagame. The protocol provides for the formation of an Inter-Governmental Assembly (IGA), which is responsible for ensuring the speedy implementation of the NEPAD ICT Broadband Infrastructure Network. Currently, the signatory countries are in the process of ratifying the Kigali protocol to make it operational. Project Run under NEPAD Principles The NEPAD e-Africa Commission is working to ensure the realization of the priority ICT objective for Africa: all African countries getting connected to one another by broadband fibre optic cable systems that will in turn link them to the rest of the world through existing or planned sub-marine cable systems. Since its adoption by Heads of States and Government Implementation Committee (HSGIC) in November 2004 as a NEPAD flagship Project, the ICT Broadband Infrastructure Project, is being run under the auspices, context and principles of NEPAD, which emphasize collaboration among African countries, and specifically African ownership and leadership. For more information, please contact: Samuel Mikenga Manager, Public Communications NEPAD e-Africa Commission Email: SMikenga(a)eafricacommission.org Tel: +27 12 841 4523 (office); Tel: +27 725 296 769 (mobile) Fax: +27 12 841 4094 CSIR Building 43B Meiring Naude Road Pretoria, SOUTH AFRICA Website: www.eafricacommission.org Samuel Mikenga Manager, Public Communications NEPAD e-Africa Commission Email: SMikenga(a)eafricacommission.org Email: s.mikenga(a)paris.com Tel: +27 12 841 4523 (office) Tel: +27 725 296 769 (mobile) Fax: +27 12 841 4094 CSIR Building 43B Meiring Naude Road Pretoria, SOUTH AFRICA Website: www.eafricacommission.org _______________________________________________ Fibre-for-africa mailing list Fibre-for-africa(a)lists.apc.org http://lists.apc.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/fibre-for-africa ___________________________________________________________ Want ideas for reducing your carbon footprint? Visit Yahoo! For Good http://uk.promotions.yahoo.com/forgood/environment.html

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Re: [kictanet] Day 6 of 10: current challenges facing the eRegulator
by John Walubengo 18 Oct '07

18 Oct '07

My apologies to David Murray (Celtel) - wrongly referred to by his predecessors name (Gerhard)...my bad. Old habits do indeed die hard ;-) walu. --- John Walubengo <jwalu(a)yahoo.com> wrote: > quite enriching indeed this research by IDRC. > > It seems to have spoken for the Consumer > Societies/Assosciations. I never knew me as a consumer > deserved such 'rights & privilages' as highlighted in > your > summary below. And yes, I do miss the input from > Operators. Other than Jonathan (AccessKenya), it looks > most have opted to watch events as they unfold. Mugambi > (TKL) Kai(KDN) Michael J (Safaricom), Gerhard (Celtel), > Sammy B(TESPOK) any contributions on these discussions? > > walu. > --- eadera(a)idrc.or.ke wrote: > > > Interesting discussions. > > > > I would like to enrich the discussions by sharing the > > results of an > > IDRC Research study aimed at understanding consumer > > issues in the ICT > > sector and practical ways in which they could be > > addressed. It's > > entitled "holding companies to account" - report > > attached, > > recommendations here below for quick reference. Anyone > > interested in > > the published hardcopy report or CD Rom, please let me > > know and we > > will be glad to share these with you (we have several > > copies). > > > > Kenya is one of the case studies with an African > overview > > included. > > Kenyan operators participated in the interim results > > sharing session. > > It was also shared with ARICEA regulators and very well > > received. > > > > However one of the greatest challenges was getting > > complaint data > > from the operators for open analysis - key question - > how > > can > > complaint data be declared public domain information? > > This would open > > a wide range of opportunities for accountability and > > redress. > > > > Beyond making information available (even if you > provide > > it directly > > to mobile phones), what practical avenues exist to > > redress > > complaints? Effective ways? What mechanisms would > provide > > greater > > bargaining power for consumers? > > > > IDRC is currently considering a follow-up > action-oriented > > initiative > > that will engage with regulators and consumer bodies, > > where they > > exist, to explore some practical solutions to these > > issues. The > > demand has come from regulators in 5 countries > following > > the ARICEA > > presentation. > > > > It would be nice to hear contributions from operators > and > > the > > regulator, they are missing in the discussions > > > > Edith Adera > > > > ****** > > Recommendations: > > > > Key issues from a consumer perspective: From all the > > evidence > > gathered for > > this study it is clear that three broad issues affect > > consumers > > adversely: > > price of service, quality of service and access to > > service. > > As operators become more established, regulators need > to > > shift their > > emphasis from the industry part of their mandate to > > addressing the > > consumer > > interest more directly under each of these three > > headings. A > > key area for concern affecting large numbers of > consumers > > is the lack > > of > > price competition in most African > > mobile markets. > > > > A consumer framework law, regulation and codes of > > conduct: Where > > consumer > > and competition law exists, it is important to > encourage > > the > > undertaking of > > test cases to demonstrate that these laws can operate > and > > that the > > successful conclusion of test cases will help > regulators > > support the > > consumer interest in their discussions with industry. > > Where it has > > not > > already occurred, regulators need to encourage > > competition > > (particularly in > > the services layer) to help address the issues of price > > and quality > > of service. > > > > Complaint resolution: Where it does not already occur, > > regulators > > need to > > ensure that a Code of Conduct (covering the rights and > > responsibilities of > > consumers) is a condition of licence for operators, > along > > with the > > obligation to publicise the existence of the Code of > > Conduct. > > > > Regulators need to publicise their own complaints > > procedures > > effectively > > and gather data from complaints made that can influence > > policy and > > regulation. Where it does not already occur, the > Consumer > > function > > within the regulator needs to be: properly resourced, > > managed at a > > senior > > level and have direct access to senior management. > > > > The informed consumer the need for information to help > > choice: > > Serious consideration should be given regulatory > > enforcement of > > compulsory > > disclosure by the operators > > of accurate, comparable statistical information > relating > > to the > > numbers and > > breakdown of customer complaints. While this is likely > to > > be resisted > > by > > the companies concerned, and although careful > formulation > > is necessary to ensure comparability and > > comprehensiveness, it would > > greatly incentivise customer responsiveness on the part > > of the > > companies. > > It would act as a powerful tool to promote consumer > > empowerment and > > freedom > > of choice. > > > > If compulsory disclosure proves impossible to implement > > then > > regulators > > should themselves initiate independent surveys that > > identify levels > > of > > consumer satisfaction. > > > > As with the example from India given in Box 4, > regulators > > need to set > > a > > simple "basket" of performance indicators on which > > operators can be > > judged > > and the results from these studies should be published > at > > least > > on an annual basis. On a slightly broader front, > > regulators need to > > be more > > proactive in educating consumers about market issues > like > === message truncated === __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com

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Fwd: [AfrICANN-discuss] The “Internet of Things,” the Internet and Internet Governance
by Eric Osiakwan 18 Oct '07

18 Oct '07

Begin forwarded message: > From: "Anne-Rachel Inné" <annerachel(a)gmail.com> > Date: 18 October 2007 00:01:57 GMT+03:00 > To: africann(a)afrinic.net > Subject: [AfrICANN-discuss] The “Internet of Things,” the Internet > and Internet Governance > Reply-To: africann(a)afrinic.net > > http://www.circleid.com/posts/ > 7101616_the_internet_of_things_governance/ > > The "Internet of Things," the Internet and Internet Governance > Oct 16, 2007 5:52 PM PST | Comments: 1 > By Brian Cute > > As the second Internet Governance Forum approaches, it is an > appropriate moment to take stock of how the Internet Governance > dialogue has evolved since the conclusion of the WSIS Summit in 2005. > One year after the first IGF in Athens, it is clear that government, > industry and civil society stakeholders are still grappling over the > direction and focus of the IGF. For skeptics who view the IGF as > little more than a talk shop that kicked the Internet Governance "can" > down the road five years, the evolution of this dialogue is of minor > consequence. For those who view the IGF as something more, it is clear > that the IGF dialogue will indeed evolve and, along the way, will > impact the conceptual approach governments take to the Internet > itself. There is little doubt that some governments will choose to > borrow concepts from the IGF when developing law and policy and will > ultimately apply them to the Internet within their respective > jurisdictions. Given the global nature of the Internet, this should be > a fundamental concern. > > While this important dialogue about the Internet continues at the IGF > in Brazil next month, another no less important debate is emerging > with regard to RFID technology and the so-called "Internet of Things." > The Internet of Things is a term coined to describe a future > ubiquitous sensor network that collects commercial and personal data > in public and private settings created, in part, through the rollout > of RFID technology. The Internet of Things, according to some, is > defined by the ability of things or devices to communicate and > interact with each other. An ITU Internet Report from 2005 forecasts > that with the implementation of RFID, "[c]onnections will multiply and > create an entirely new dynamic network of networks—an Internet of > Things." Questions have arisen about what governance principles should > apply to the Internet of Things and analytical reference to IGF > governance concepts will inevitably be made. > > Although RFID is not a new technology, supply chain and consumer-based > implementations remain at a relatively nascent stage. Since RFID > implementations are occurring primarily in the business supply chain > and not yet at consumer points-of-sale, one must ask what the > "Internet of Things" actually is today and what, if any, governance > principles should be applied. More importantly, before applying > governance principles, it is necessary to examine the nature of the > various RFID networks that would constitute the Internet of Things. > Depending on their architecture, security and modes of > interconnection, emerging RFID networks between commercial entities > could be considered "private networks" or "closed user groups," > (Private networks utilizing TCP/IP are addressed in RFC 1918 which > likewise recognizes these distinctions between private and public > networks). Private networks and closed user groups are generally > exempt from traditional telecommunications regulations since they do > not interconnect with the "public telecommunications network" or other > open, public networks like the Internet. In some contexts, the > question of whether a private network is subject to a regulatory > obligation actually turns on the manner in which the private network > interconnects with the public network. Given these important > distinctions, it would be premature to apply less than fully conceived > IGF governance concepts to one constituent network aspect of a yet to > be realized Internet of Things. > > It is important that all stakeholders exercise great care in > addressing questions of governance, policy and regulation as the > Internet evolves. Common agreement on terminology and concepts is > necessary and a sound understanding of the Internet itself by all > stakeholders cannot be assumed. For example, a great deal of focus in > the IGF remains on "critical Internet resources" which, to date, has > meant domain names, root servers and IP address administration. The > Internet is obviously much more than these three important elements > and a holistic view of the Internet within the IGF is necessary before > governance questions can be properly framed. If the IGF dialogue is to > provide analytical building blocks for application of governance > principles to new technologies and evolving networks, there is a > premium on the IGF dialogue getting the conceptual framework right. If > the IGF becomes nothing more than a Chinese menu for governments to > select a preferred "governance point-of-view" to apply to the Internet > of today or tomorrow, then the IGF, like the WSIS before it, will > become another opportunity missed. > > Stay Updated: To receive weekly email updates from CircleID sign up > here or see the list of RSS feeds. > > More Under: infrastructure, internet governance, policy regulation > > Source Credit: This has been a featured post from Brian Cute, > President, Eastham Global Strategies, L.L.C.. To learn more, visit > this participant's full profile page. > > _______________________________________________ > AfrICANN mailing list > AfrICANN(a)afrinic.net > https://lists.afrinic.net/mailman/listinfo.cgi/africann > Eric M.K Osiakwan ICT Integrator Internet Research www.internetresearch.com.gh emko(a)internetresearch.com.gh 42 Ring Road Central, Accra-North Tel: +233.21.258800 ext 2031 Fax: +233.21.258811 Cell: +233.24.4386792 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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Re: [kictanet] [Fibre-for-africa] Connectivity: What does Africa really need?
by Eric Osiakwan 18 Oct '07

18 Oct '07

Anders, I totally agree with your submissions below and yes we must work towards a market approach however sometimes the marshall plan is needed to create the foundation for the market forces to play. As you know i now turn to have a balance on the extremes as i believe thats what would make the full impact, this is not to say your submission is an extreme one but that though it is important for you present this other picture, we must work towards a balance of the two that would make maximum impact at the speed of light. Eric here On 16 Oct 2007, at 14:26, Anders Comstedt wrote: > Dear Wakabi and others > > Isn't it difficult to ask for a Marshall plan and at the same time > see how > the sector and, above all, its users are financially drained? > > PROFITABLE TELECOMS > Surprisingly there are higher profit margins in most of the > business that > the mobile phone operators have in Africa, including or excluding the > licence fees, comparing to counterparts in more open and competitive > markets. How is that? Why is competition restricted and prices not > coming > down, in particular considering the low purchase power of the > users? Some > people obviously don't want to change the ball game. > > The combined sector revenues to governments and shareholders make it a > little bit difficult to say that the sector cannot finance its own > investments, expanding footprint and new services. Actually at the > same time > even reduce user prices quite a bit. How come that the users are > not given > more choices from several competing providers? Shifting value to > much to > users, or? > > The typical licensing regime still seems, in general, to serve no > other > purpose but to sell operators a hunting licence on users, > maximising the > government revenues in the process. The scarce spectrum resource is > in many > ways used as an over inflated bogus argument in lack of any better. > True, it > is to some extent an issue and the licensing should focus on it, > skipping > licensing and all other restrictions on open market, free provision of > service. On the contrary, dominant players should be obliged to > interconnect, not being sheltered from competition. > > Why are operator investments taxed, instead of profits, if you like > to drive > investments? > > > SHARING INFRASTRUCTURE > Sharing basic, non-differentiating infrastructure at cost related > prices > turns out to be a good business proposal (like http:// > www.openreach.co.uk ) > as it is always cheaper than do-it-yourself if you have a few service > competitors using it. High utilisation would create a lower cost > base for > all operators. But it requires organisational structure that lowers > operational and political risks. What is done to lower those risks? > > Note, the most important thing in shared infrastructure is TRUST. > > Or, who would like to bet the farm on being depending upon a flimsy > operation controlled by people with no skin in the game? > > > USERS > The most appalling absence in the African telecom policy debate is > the users > and the user agents. True, the telecom sector is dominated by a > producer > perspective globally, but in places where strong user agents are > balancing > these forces we get a more reasonable chunk of the value > distributed to all > parties. How will user agents come forward in the debate? > > > The ITU > Wouldn't it be interesting to put half of all the combined licence > revenues > for the coming two years into an African backbone and global > interconnectivity fund? To create an infrastructure open to all > providers, > new or old, on equal terms. Now that is a task for the ITU! Or is > the ITU > too dominated by folks who don't want to change the ball game to the > advantage of users? > > > The document would benefit from touching the areas above. > > Sincerely > > Anders Comstedt > > > -----Ursprungligt meddelande----- > Från: fibre-for-africa-bounces(a)lists.apc.org > [mailto:fibre-for-africa-bounces@lists.apc.org] För Wairagala Wakabi > Skickat: den 16 oktober 2007 07:17 > Till: APC - Private list for use by EASSY Workshop Participants > Ämne: [Fibre-for-africa] Connectivity: What does Africa really need? > > Netters, > > The ITU is convening the 'Connects Africa' summit in Kigali, Rwanda on > October 29-30. Its main concerns are that Internet services needed for > business, government and consumer applications continue to be > either very > expensive or not available due to limited broadband network > infrastructure; and that rural connectivity and access remain > inadequate > as does the availability of locally relevant content, applications and > services. > > This paper, by the Collaboration on International ICT Policy for > East and > Southern Africa (CIPESA), outlines some of the issues that need to be > addressed for the vision of boosting connectivity in Africa to be > realised. > > > http://fibreforafrica.net/main.shtml?x=5236108&als[MYALIAS6]=Joining > %20the%2 > 0dots&als[select]=4051582 > > > Wakabi > > _______________________________________________ > Fibre-for-africa mailing list > Fibre-for-africa(a)lists.apc.org > http://lists.apc.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/fibre-for-africa > > _______________________________________________ > 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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[Fwd: KARA QUARTERLY LUNCHEON - Operators Vs Consumers: Who Does Kenya'sCommunication Policy Favour?
by alice 17 Oct '07

17 Oct '07

*__**Dear KARA Members, Partners & Friends,__* *_KARA QUARTERLY LUNCHEON - 7: A SPECIAL INVITATION:_* *__* We trust that this mail finds you well. In our acclaimed tradition of holding well-attended and best-rated public forums, in the public interest, we are pleased to invite you to our 7^th Quarterly Luncheon with details as follows; Date : Thursday, 15 November 2007 Time : 12.00 pm 2.30 pm Venue : Sarova Panafric Hotel Theme : *_Operators Vs Consumers: Who Does Kenya'sCommunication Policy Favour?_* *__*Guests : Eng. John N. Waweru, Director General, Communications Commission of Kenya (CCK) Entry : Ksh. 1,500 (members) and Ksh. 1,800 (others) Note : Corporate tables of 10 are available K indly fill out the attached form and/or get in touch with my colleague Nancy to confirm your attendance in time as participation at our functions strictly require prior confirmation. We are pleased to announce that mobile telephony market leader *Safaricom Limited * <http://www.safaricom.co.ke>is the Platinum Category Sponsor. We look forward to your continued partnership. Thank you. Yours Sincerely, Stephen Mutoro *_Chief Executive Officer_* The Kenya Alliance of Resident Associations (KARA) Natu Court, Suite E-39, Ngong Rd/Ring Rd Kilimani Junction P.O Box 1411-00100, GPO Tel. 254-020-3873828 or 3874331 Fax: 3862872 Cellphones: 0725983445 or 0733779585 NAIROBI, Kenya E-Mail: info(a)kara.or.ke <mailto:info@kara.or.ke> or kara(a)africaonline.co.ke <mailto:kara@africaonline.co.ke> Web: www.kara.or.ke <http://www.kara.or.ke> KARA - /"Together, We Will"/

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FW: CONSUMER PROJECT FINAL REPORT & RECOMMENDATIONS
by eadera＠idrc.or.ke 17 Oct '07

17 Oct '07

Interesting discussions. I would like to enrich the discussions by sharing the results of an IDRC Research study aimed at understanding consumer issues in the ICT sector and practical ways in which they could be addressed. It's entitled "holding companies to account" - report attached, recommendations here below for quick reference. Anyone interested in the published hardcopy report or CD Rom, please let me know and we will be glad to share these with you (we have several copies). Kenya is one of the case studies with an African overview included. Kenyan operators participated in the interim results sharing session. It was also shared with ARICEA regulators and very well received. However one of the greatest challenges was getting complaint data from the operators for open analysis - key question - how can complaint data be declared public domain information? This would open a wide range of opportunities for accountability and redress. Beyond making information available (even if you provide it directly to mobile phones), what practical avenues exist to redress complaints? Effective ways? What mechanisms would provide greater bargaining power for consumers? IDRC is currently considering a follow-up action-oriented initiative that will engage with regulators and consumer bodies, where they exist, to explore some practical solutions to these issues. The demand has come from regulators in 5 countries following the ARICEA presentation. It would be nice to hear contributions from operators and the regulator, they are missing in the discussions Edith Adera ****** Recommendations: Key issues from a consumer perspective: From all the evidence gathered for this study it is clear that three broad issues affect consumers adversely: price of service, quality of service and access to service. As operators become more established, regulators need to shift their emphasis from the industry part of their mandate to addressing the consumer interest more directly under each of these three headings. A key area for concern affecting large numbers of consumers is the lack of price competition in most African mobile markets. A consumer framework law, regulation and codes of conduct: Where consumer and competition law exists, it is important to encourage the undertaking of test cases to demonstrate that these laws can operate and that the successful conclusion of test cases will help regulators support the consumer interest in their discussions with industry. Where it has not already occurred, regulators need to encourage competition (particularly in the services layer) to help address the issues of price and quality of service. Complaint resolution: Where it does not already occur, regulators need to ensure that a Code of Conduct (covering the rights and responsibilities of consumers) is a condition of licence for operators, along with the obligation to publicise the existence of the Code of Conduct. Regulators need to publicise their own complaints procedures effectively and gather data from complaints made that can influence policy and regulation. Where it does not already occur, the Consumer function within the regulator needs to be: properly resourced, managed at a senior level and have direct access to senior management. The informed consumer the need for information to help choice: Serious consideration should be given regulatory enforcement of compulsory disclosure by the operators of accurate, comparable statistical information relating to the numbers and breakdown of customer complaints. While this is likely to be resisted by the companies concerned, and although careful formulation is necessary to ensure comparability and comprehensiveness, it would greatly incentivise customer responsiveness on the part of the companies. It would act as a powerful tool to promote consumer empowerment and freedom of choice. If compulsory disclosure proves impossible to implement then regulators should themselves initiate independent surveys that identify levels of consumer satisfaction. As with the example from India given in Box 4, regulators need to set a simple "basket" of performance indicators on which operators can be judged and the results from these studies should be published at least on an annual basis. On a slightly broader front, regulators need to be more proactive in educating consumers about market issues like underlying mobile prices and consumer broadband and contention ratios. If information is central to making informed choices, regulators need to develop effective communications strategies to talk directly to consumers and (as is already happening in some countries) these need to take account of the levels of education and literacy amongst consumers. The role of the regulator: Regulators need involve consumers in their work and ensure that their perspective is fed into their work. A number of different approaches are available to help bring this about. Regulators ought to seek to work closely with consumer bodies as a way of strengthening the consumer aspects of their mandates. Depending on the constitutional framework of the regulator, it may be possible to provide direct support for this kind of work. Particular emphasis might be given to supporting those complainants that lack the wealth and education to negotiate existing complaints processes. An independent consumer movement what role in the telecoms and internet sector?: Consumer organisations should be encouraged to respond to consumer complaints in the telecoms and Internet sector and asked to make input into policy processes.

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Fwd: Ghana: Govt to get $500m for Ghana Telecom?
by Mike Theuri 17 Oct '07

17 Oct '07

It will be interesting to see how these two comparable privatisation initiatives conclude: The long drawn-out saga of Telkom Kenya's privatisation appears to be drawing to a conclusion with the news that a consortium led by British Telecom, backed by Libyan financiers, is now the favourite to secure a 40% operating stake in the company, valued at US$84m. http://globaltechforum.eiu.com/index.asp?layout=rich_story&doc_id=11094&tit… ---------- Forwarded message ---------- Govt to get $500m for GT? GT PhoneBooth Singapore Telecom is reportedly in discussions to purchase a stake of between 51% and 66% in Ghana Telecom and is being advised by Merrill Lynch on the buy-in. The sale could reportedly fetch Ghana Telecom more than US$500 million. According to Ghana Telecom, strategic investors are undertaking due diligence as part of the company's privatization to sell a majority interest. Other reported parties interested in Ghana Telecom include Portugal Telecom and France Telecom. SingTel has traditionally mainly invested in cellular operators in south east Asia and Australia. Telekom Malaysia held a 30% interest and management control in Ghana Telecom but was reportedly forced to exit the venture two years ago saying it couldn't manage the business with the government, as majority shareholder, continually overriding its decisions. Telenor also ended its subsequent management contract with Ghana Telecom in 2005 on strained terms. Source:GHP . __,_._,___

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Urgent,but rare request
by Judy Okite 16 Oct '07

16 Oct '07

Dear All,looking for an active ICT person who is physically challenged. Pls get intouch with me off-list. Kind Regards, -- Judy Ann Okite, +254-721237507,+254-734252336 P.O. BOX 2228 00100, NAIROBI,KENYA. "Motivation is the art of getting people to do what you want them to do because they want to do it."

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Day 4 of 10:- eContent Requirements for Regulators
by Rebecca Wanjiku 16 Oct '07

16 Oct '07

Brian, i think CCK can work with radio stations, print media, and ensure that information available on the website and the attendant rights are well communicated otherwise, we will be upholding the fallacy that those who can chat or use email know about the important info regarding ICTs in the country or the rights and obligations for that matter. in short, CCK must REACH OUT to all.... Tel. 254 720 318 925 blog:http://beckyit.blogspot.com/ ----- Original Message ---- From: Brian Longwe <brian(a)isisweb.nl> To: rebeccawanjiku(a)yahoo.com Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> Sent: Tuesday, October 16, 2007 2:24:06 PM Subject: Re: [kictanet] Day 4 of 10:- eContent Requirements for Regulators Hi Alice, On Oct 15, 2007, at 6:07 PM, alice wrote: > >> "My question: besides colorful brochures what concrete actions are >> our regulators taking to ensure that every citizen is aware of >> their rights, privileges and what services are available to them. >> Regards Brian" >> > The CCK recently unveiled the CCK service chatter that sets public > expectations Re: dealing with the Commission and its staff > interchangeably called the "The Customer Service Charter " it > outlines rights and responsibilities and the procedure to follow > if CCK service standards are not met. available at www.cck.go.ke This is excellent - but how will this help my grandma in shags - how does she find out that there's a website? How does she find out that she actually has certain rights as a telecoms consumer? How does she know what avenues to take to set up a rural ISP? Where I'm heading to - and I hoped that this came out of the example I gave of the Indian CMA - is something called OUTREACH. To what extent do our regulatory authorities reach out to the technologically, geographically and financially challenged? I know I'm straying from the e-content discussion but I think it's a good tangent. Maybe we need to think outside the box and come up with creative ways of getting this e-content right into the hands of the consumers. Maybe an E-Book with lots of pictures and sounds to help the layperson come to grips with the often abstract and confusing concepts that plague regulatory authorities? Brian _______________________________________________ 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… ____________________________________________________________________________________ Be a better Heartthrob. Get better relationship answers from someone who knows. Yahoo! Answers - Check it out. http://answers.yahoo.com/dir/?link=list&sid=396545433

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