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Africa's first communications satellite fails
by Robert Alai 17 Nov '08

17 Nov '08

Africa's first communications satellite fails Adole Hassan 17 November 2008 | EN The satellite was expected to boost telecommunications in Nigeria and the rest of Africa Flickr/DavidDennisPhotos.com [ABUJA] Africa's first communications satellite has suffered an energy failure just 18 months after its launch. The solar panels have malfunctioned on the Chinese-manufactured satellite according to Alhassan Zaku, Nigeria's minister of state for science and technology. The NIGCOMSAT-1 satellite was launched from China in 2007 (see Satellite launches boost African communications) amidst optimism that it would aid development by linking up rural communities and progressing telemedicine and long-distance learning. There were also ambitious commercial goals. But these are now dashed, say commentators. Ahmed Rufai, managing director of Nigeria Communication, which runs the satellite management company, said the satellite was powered down on Sunday night (9 November) after it was discovered that the batteries were failing faster than expected. But Nigeria's ThisDay newspaper (12 November) claims that the satellite has already fallen out of its orbit and been destroyed in order to prevent it from harming others. The paper quotes unnamed sources who allege that the Chinese manufacturers of the satellite used poor-quality materials. Akin Soyinka, chair of non-governmental organisation Nigeria Internet Watch, told SciDev.Net that the loss of the satellite would damage the country's efforts to bridge the digital divide -- see African action plan pushes satellites for development). "The federal government invested a lot of resources in building the satellite — to the detriment of education and health in the last four years — with the hope of bridging the digital divide and accelerating the country's development," Soyinka said. "But now all that is gone down the drain." The 40 billion Nigerian Naira (US$240 million) satellite was entirely government-owned but was "fully insured," said Rufai. A geostationary satellite, it was supposed to work for 15 years, and is officially monitored by a ground control station in Abuja, Nigeria, with backup stations in China, Italy, northern Nigeria and the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) satellite applications centre in Hartebeesthoek, South Africa. Zaku told SciDev.Net that Internet service providers in Nigeria and telecommunications companies who were using the satellite would be moved to other satellites if engineers confirm that it is unfixable. --- End forwarded message ---

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[Fwd: The November 17th Leadership Forum - at The Hilton Hotel, Tsavo Room]
by alice 17 Nov '08

17 Nov '08

Please note that the November 17^th Leadership Forum will take place at the* Hilton Hotel,* Tsavo room and not the Stanley. Details below: *LEADERSHIP FORUM* *‘Implications of the current global financial crisis’ – Rt Hon. David Blunkett (prominent member of the UK parliament’* *Hon. Blunkett* has served as Home Secretary and Education Secretary of the United Kingdom. Blind since birth and from a poor family in one of Sheffield's most deprived districts he has strived against all odds to become one of UK's most respected citizens. Be there to listen to him. Date: November 17th 2008 (Monday) Venue: Hilton Nairobi – Tsavo room Time: 6.00 pm Leadership Forum members: Free Non-Forum members Ksh 1,000 Confirm your attendance by email to. _Leadership.forum(a)britishcouncil.or.ke_ <mailto:[email protected]> Attached is Rt. Hon Blunkett’s biography. <<DB biography.doc>> Best Regards, Linet Otibine Projects and Communications Officer British Council, Nairobi P.O. Box 40751-00100 Upper Hill Road T: +254 283 6000 F: +254 283 6500 _Linet.otibine(a)britishcouncil.or.ke_ <mailto:[email protected]> *Creating Opportunity for people worldwide* *_www.britishcouncil.org_* <file://www.britishcouncil.org> The British Council is the United Kingdom's international organisation for educational opportunities and cultural relations. We are a registered charity; 209131 (England and Wales) SC037733 (Scotland). We build engagement and trust for the UK through the exchange of knowledge and ideas between people worldwide. This message is for the use of the intended recipient(s) only. If you have received this message in error, please notify the sender and delete it. The British Council accepts no liability for loss or damage caused by software viruses and you are advised to carry out a virus check on any attachments contained in this message.

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Cheaper international fibre prices in 2009 will put the squeeze on national backbone prices
by alice 17 Nov '08

17 Nov '08

(From Balancing Act) Cheaper international fibre prices in 2009 will put the squeeze on national backbone prices Africa’s operators say they cost their national backbone prices based on distance. The basis is that the further you want your traffic carried, the more it costs. However, this logic will soon be challenged by new, cheaper international bandwidth costs. If it costs more to send traffic from Johannesburg to Cape Town or from Lagos to Abuja than it does from any of these places to Europe, then national arbitrage will have well and truly arrived. Russell Southwood looks at what is likely to happen. Currently SAT3 prices vary from US$1,300-8,200 per mbps per month. Volume prices in South Africa fit into the bottom end of this range. Prices have recently come down in Angola to the lower end of this range, leaving Cameroon and Gabon as the high price pirates on the route. SEACOM and TEAMS are both saying that their cables will start operating in Kenya by Q2, 2009 and are offering prices that will probably translate into US$500-1,000 if operators pass along the savings made. On the west coast, Main One looks like being the first competitor cable to land in Q2, 2010 and will offer prices that will probably translate into prices for customers in the same range as on the east coast. And this where the problem begins for operators. About half of Africa’s operators are offering the same bandwidth (usually up to 500 kms) for US$2,000 or more. Only a very few are below US$1,000 and some are as high as US$4,000. These prices do not take into account a series of add-ons like access charges that actually take the global prices higher. The intelligent customers might at this point be asking themselves: why are operators able to go half way round the globe for the same price they’re charging me for going from the capital city to another city? One telco in the southern African region with a monopoly gateway gets 65% of its revenues from international traffic. The impact of lower rates will rob even competitive incumbents of significant parts of their revenue. No wonder the Zambian Communications Minister (see Telecoms News below) is trying to retain Zamtel’s monopoly gateway status because the company is already loss-making with that financial advantage. But the bad news cannot be held at bay… For the operators, pressure from customers on national backbone will become irresistible because on the basis of distance charging things will not make sense. So what can the forward-looking incumbent do? * They need to invest in IP networks where according to Huawei and Nokia Siemens Network speakers at last week’s CRASA event (Migration Towards All-IP) IP core networks are 30-50% cheaper in CAPEX terms and 30% in OPEX terms. As vendors, they would say that, wouldn’t they? But these figures seem to accord with those of operators we’ve spoken to who have made all or part of this transition. Companies with all IP networks (like South Africa’s Neotel) or who have made a real beginning with this transition possess a potent advantage over those who will have to replace their core network over the next five years. * Most incumbents are very over-staffed and the political pressure to avoid redundancies has been too great for them to avoid this core issue. Not only do they have too many staff but they have too few with the IP skills required in the future. None have any strategy for addressing this “elephant in the room”. For many IP and analogue reside in separate departments and the former is small and not influential in corporate strategy. One possible solution? Outsource the core network functions in the way that a small number of mobile carriers (for example Kasapa in Ghana) already have. You can insert focused management and higher levels of skills and control your cost levels. But for Government-owned incumbents this will require decisiveness and a clear understanding that your asset will slip through your hands if you don’t. Bankrupt companies don’t employ people for long. For customers the prospects are more cheery. Infrastructure competition will in the medium term begin to deliver real savings if they are savvy and more demanding. There are two reasons: * Vertically integrated mobile operators want to get into the business of providing core network. All of those we have spoken to – both those planning and those already doing it – agree that there are savings to be made in the 30-50% range. Countries as diverse as South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya and Ghana already have several core network (or infrastructure) providers. Some claim even higher savings as much depends on how protected the monopoly provider is. The challenge for customers is to point out the national arbitrage and demand better value. • The second factor that favours customers is the arrival of alternative infrastructure providers. Power utilities already posses fibre over transmission pylons and adding more is considerably cheaper than trenching the same capacity. Over half a dozen power utilities have been either licensed directly to sell the capacity or given permission to tender to licence-holders. One of the more recent ones was Escom in Malawi which will in the not too distant future have fibre links to Mozambique. Where this has not happened, incumbents are trying to argue that this alternative capacity should be in their hands but they are probably fighting a losing battle. In order to speed up competition in the core network at the national level, operators’s customers will have to ask two questions: what is your new international fibre costing you and how much of that saving are you passing on to me? And why is it cheaper to get my traffic to Europe than it is to transfer it around the country I live in? Best to start asking now as the excuses are bound to convoluted and lengthy.

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[Fwd: [APC Forum] how to bypass internet censorship]
by alice 16 Nov '08

16 Nov '08

Interesting...... best alice ------------------------ Just to let you know we put out a new manual "How to Bypass Internet Censorship" http://en.flossmanuals.net/CircumventionTools You can also download a free pdf here or buy the book : http://www.lulu.com/content/4904448 Its focused on bypassing internet censorship with free software. We wrote the manual in 5 days using the Book Sprint model intially developed by Tomas Krag and the FLOSS Manuals toolset. So thats zero -> Book in 5 days. For those that will be at the Aspiration Dev summit, I'll be there doing two sessions : http://devsummit08.aspirationtech.org/index.php/FLOSS_Manuals_Tools http://devsummit08.aspirationtech.org/index.php/How_to_Run_a_Book_Sprint adam -- Adam Hyde Founder FLOSS Manuals http://www.flossmanuals.net ======================================= APC Forum is a meeting place for the APC community - people and institutions who are or have been involved in collaboration with APC, and share the APC vision - a world in which all people have easy, equal and affordable access to the creative potential of information and communication technologies (ICTs) to improve their lives and create more democratic and egalitarian societies. _______________________________________________ apc.forum mailing list apc.forum(a)lists.apc.org http://lists.apc.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/apc.forum

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Sega Silicon Valley - help with contact info?
by Gakuru Alex 16 Nov '08

16 Nov '08

Hi, Anybody knows how I could contact any of three Kenyan delegates at <http://www.wireless-africa.org/events/workshop_0811/participants> I tried googling with limited luck. Thanks, Alex

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Lecture by Nicholas Negroponte on "One Laptop per Child", 7 PM, November 20
by John Maina 16 Nov '08

16 Nov '08

http://belfercenter.ksg.harvard.edu/events/3776/one_laptop_per_child.html

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Google Policy Fellowship
by John Maina 16 Nov '08

16 Nov '08

Google is looking for students who are passionate about technology, and want to spend the summer diving headfirst into Internet policy. Students from all majors and degree programs who possess the following qualities are encouraged to apply: * Demonstrated or stated commitment to Internet and technology policy * Excellent academic record, professional/ extracurricular/ volunteer activities, subject matter expertise * First-rate analytical, communications, research, and writing skills * Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and efficiently, and to work smartly and resourcefully in a fast-paced environment * General “googliness” (kidding!) Fellows will receive a stipend of $7,000 for 10 weeks during the summer of 2009 (June-August) . Exact dates of the fellowship will be worked out by the fellow and host organization. Applications are due by Friday, December 12, 2008. Students who are accepted into the program will be notified by Friday, February 13th, 2009. To learn about our application process, click here. http://www.google. com/policyfellow ship/ Mary (Molly) Uzoh, CEO/Principal Consultant Learning Right Technologies, LLC P. O. Box 51616 San Jose, CA 95151 Phone: 408-649-5872, Cell: 408-826-2167 http://www.learning right.com

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BBC E-mail: European debut for '$100 laptop'
by John Maina 16 Nov '08

16 Nov '08

Paul E Fegan saw this story on the BBC News website and thought you should see it. ** European debut for '$100 laptop' ** The One Laptop Per Child organisation will start selling its XO laptop in Europe on 17 November. < http://news. bbc.co.uk/ go/em/fr/ -/2/hi/technolog y/7728881. stm > ** BBC Daily E-mail ** Choose the news and sport headlines you want - when you want them, all in one daily e-mail < http://www.bbc. co.uk/email > ** Disclaimer ** The BBC is not responsible for the content of this e-mail, and anything written in this e-mail does not necessarily reflect the BBC's views or opinions. Please note that neither the e-mail address nor name of the sender have been verified. If you do not wish to receive such e-mails in the future or want to know more about the BBC's Email a Friend service, please read our frequently asked questions. http://news. bbc.co.uk/ 1/hi/help/ 4162471.stm

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Hannah Mutuku - An Employee whom Safaricom Can do without
by John Maina 14 Nov '08

14 Nov '08

Guys The worst experience ever. The date is 13th November and the place is Safaricom Moi Avenue. My problem, lost data card which I wanted blocked since I dont have money to buy a new 3g modem to replace the stolen modem plus data card. The retort from Hannah Mutuku, she cant do anything, I have lost the card, I will have to pay every month even if the card is not working. I thought that in case of a card getting lost and you suspend it, you pay a standing account maintenance charge until when the account is terminated or restored. Ooh My God. Safaricom is a fraud and with the arrogance and boisterous manner of Hannah Mutuku, you can do nothing about it. She was not listening. And she was not ready to reveal her true identity and tag and kept hiding it until when I called the Administration Police that I was getting irritated and infact I was causing a scene. Hannah told me to my face that I can do nothing about it. I left saddened. I have a post paid account with Safaricom and two prepaid lines. I threw the pre paid lines away already with lots anger in me. I was mistreated in Safaricom. I was molested. I was insulted. In safaricom, employees boasts of cronysm and what connections they have from above. Ooh God help me. I really suffered and am ready to move on. What I need is Safaricom to block my post paid line since, to my word, I wont pay a cent in that line and I am ready to face the consequences. fraud is not a good way of making business. We must stop frauds pretending to make profit. I need my account terminated and know that I wont pay a single cent. I know that our media fear loosing lots of advertising fees and thats why anything which portrays the cellphone companies in bad light wont see a day in any of the three big media houses. None of them will dare question. But the fact that this is the third problem I am having with Safaricom centre twice at Moi Avenue and once at I&M proves to me something, something is terribly wrong with the Safaricom customer care and people like Hannah Mutuku just proved that. One arrogant lady who seems to be well connected. I dont know how, but surely she seemed so. And she is a supervisor. I need a blockage on my line since I wont pay for a stolen line. I wont Kenyansregards mikeoketch(a)gmail.com

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East African Intrenet Governance Forum (EAIGF)...way forward and thank you
by alice 13 Nov '08

13 Nov '08

(Apologies for cross posting) The EAIGF was convened, organized and coordinated by the Kenya ICT Action Network with the following partners, KENIC, Kenya ICT Board, Communications Commission of Kenya, Kenya College of Communication Technology, Strathmore University, Center for Global Communication, East AfricanICT4DNetwork who also formed the EAIGF planning group. KICTANet will from here collate the issues that arose out of the discussion for the last two and a half days into a comprehensive report titled “*Internet Governance East African Perspective”* based on the regional forum Output and issues. This paper will be 1. Uploaded the EAIGF on the website www.eaigf.or.ke <http://www.eaigf.or.ke> 2. Subject the regional priority issues to research 3. Submitted to the global IGF taking place in India from 3-6^th December 2008 4. Be used to develop the capacity building scholar programme that will be hosted by the Kenya Communications College of Technology (KCCT) and Strathmore College. 5. Next EAIGF will be held in Tanzania. Thank you Tanzania *Vote of thanks * The EAIGF planning team takes this opportunity to thank · The government of Kenya specifically the P.S’s information and Communication Dr. Bitange Ndemo for Launching the Kenya IGF and the EAIGF. · Mr. Philip Okundi, CCK Board Chairman · Mr. Kariithi Njogu, CCK board member · The CCK Director-General Mr. Charles Njoroge and acting on his Behalf Mr. S. Kibe · Mr. Paul Kukubo, CEO KICTB · Dr. Juma Okecth, E-government Directorate Our international Partners, · The United Nations Internet Governance Forum Mr. Markus Kummer · International Telecommunication Union, Ms. Ali Drissa · International Development and Research Centre (IDRC) Ms. Edith Adera · Internet Society (ISOC) Mr. Bill Graham · Adam Peake Centre for Global Communication GLOCOM · Willie Currie, Association for Progressive Communications. Our regional partners from the three East African Countries (RURA, RITA, SWOPNET, CIPESA I-network Uganda, Women of Uganda Network, Tanzania communication regulatory authority, Rwanda development gateway, · All speakers and moderators · All participants for your contributions and the energy · Thank you Mr. Jonathan Somen CEO Access Kenya and chair of TESPOK for providing last minute internet access after one of the EAIGF partners failed to connect the EAIGF .... · Special Thanks to Vincent and Evelyne for playing key roles in the organization of both the Kenya IGF and the EAIGF against all odds. To Mwende, Walu, Joe and Adam thank you for developing an initial draft for the capacity building programme · Thanks also to all the interns who worked with the organizing Committee to ensure the success of the EAIGF meeting. · Thank you too to all the forum secretary and the note takers and especially to Rebecca Wanjiku for the very lively live blog. · Big and special thanks to Harry Hare for managing the 2 and a half days as master of ceremony

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FW: Mars Group Kenya Updates - WHAT'S UP WITH THE TANDAA CONFERENCE? THE TRUTH ABOUT WHERE THE GOVERNMENT OF
by P Gitau Githongo 13 Nov '08

13 Nov '08

Different perspectives on the Tandaa conference..... WHAT'S UP WITH THE TANDAA CONFERENCE? THE TRUTH ABOUT WHERE THE GOVERNMENT OF KENYA SITS IN CYBERSPACE. Blue Host dot Com? Why would a Kenya Government Local Content Initiative be hosted on Blue Host (and only for 1 year) I wondered - isn't it one of those cheap web hosting companies - is it dignified for the GOK to be on something as generic as Blue Host? And we are talking about a USD 4 million grant. Moving on, I pondered, are there any other Government Agencies hosted on Blue Host? What I found was far worse than I could possibly have imagined. The Government of Kenya who should be the greatest provider of local content is housed almost 99% on foreign owned servers - albeit less well known than Blue Host. Among these are: The French owned Telkom Hazina.Treasury.Go.Ke (used to be ours - but was sold just before the election) Something called Puck.Nether.Net - which sits on something called Deathstar.Org Very interesting indeed. Both the host of the Kenya Local Content Conference and the Government of Kenya have for whatever reason chosen to place their content on servers which are not Kenyan owned. What a vote of confidence!. You will be shocked to see where Government of Kenya sits in cyberspace.. Read more at... http://blog.marsgroupkenya.org/?p=397 www.marsgroupkenya.org <http://www.marsgroupkenya.org/> Watching Out For You

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KENYA ICT BOARD HOSTS KENYA'S FIRST CONTENT CONFERENCE - TANDAA 08 ON FRIDAY 14TH NOVEMBER 2008
by Lucy Odhiambo 13 Nov '08

13 Nov '08

Dear All, The Kenya ICT Board will be holding the Kenya Content Conference dubbed "TANDAA 2008". Tandaa is Kiswahili for spread or network (verb). Tandaa '08 is to be a platform for Kenyan entrepreneurs, educationists, policy makers and others to discuss the emerging opportunities that are being facilitated by better internet access in Kenya. Tandaa's theme this year is 'Telling our Story. The Kenyan Story'. The Kenya ICT Board will be discussing its Local Content Development programme that is geared towards stimulating the development of Local Content by Kenyans for the Kenyan and global marketplace. This programme is complimentary to the board's rural inclusion programme, the Pasha Centre project, that is going to assist entrepreneurs to set up internet telecentres in all parts of Kenya. The Ministry of Information and Communication has been implementing the development of ICT Infrastructure - including the undersea fibre optic cable that will connect Kenya to the global internet grid and the National Optic Fibre network both of which are expected to be completed by mid-2009. In line with this, the Kenya ICT Board has targeted to grow internet usage by 50% annually from the current 3 Million users to 12 Million users in 2012. Some of the major issues that will be discussed at Tandaa '08 include:- 1. Once the fibre optic cable networks are in place and the question of access to high speed internet is sorted out, what will Kenyans view, read and interact with online? What information, services and goods will they be able to access? The dearth of local content on local web sites to be used for education, entertainment and business presents opportunities for Kenyans of all walks of life. 2. The e-Government secretariat will be presenting the ongoing initiatives by government to provide e-services as well as the opportunities for content developers to interface with government processes to add value to their web content. 3. To encourage entrepreneurs to invest in local content development, there will be a discussion regarding the development and stimulation of a venture capital framework and the strengthening of incubation in Kenya to stimulate entrepreneurship. 4. A number of presentations will also deal with the ways in which Kenyans can identify the opportunities and build viable economic structures for the development of local content. Speakers at Tandaa '08 include:- Dr. Bitange Ndemo, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information and Communications; Dr. Juma Oketch, Secretary, eGovernment (Office of the President); Paul Kukubo, CEO, Kenya ICT Board, Patrick Spencer, Cisco IBSG; Joseph Mucheru, Google Kenya; Ian Fernandez, Nation Media Group; Chris Kirubi, MD, Capital Group; Aly-Khan Satchu, RICH.co.ke; Andrew Muigai, africapoint.com; Nik Nesbitt, Kencall Ltd, among others. REGISTRATION All are invited to the conference. Please register on tandaa.co.ke or email: tandaa08(a)ict.go.ke. Lucy Gachui-Odhiambo Communications Manager Kenya ICT Board 12th Floor Telposta Towers Koinange Lane PO Box 27150 - 00100 Nairobi, Kenya Cell 0737- 839047 Tel: 254-020-2093040 www.ict.go.ke ICT-logo-02.jpg

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Fw: [DigAfrica] Zanzibar aims for digital voters ID cards in 2010
by John Maina 12 Nov '08

12 Nov '08

----- Forwarded Message ---- From: Chifu <chifu2222(a)gmail.com> To: DigAfrica(a)yahoogroups.com Sent: Wednesday, November 12, 2008 12:51:47 PM Subject: [DigAfrica] Zanzibar aims for digital voters ID cards in 2010 Zanzibar aims for digital voters ID cards in 2010 2008-11-12 11:24:58 By Guardian Reporter, Zanzibar The Zanzibar Electoral Commission has unveiled plans to digitise voters` identity cards before the next general election. ZEC Director Salum Kassim Ali said at a press briefing here yesterday that the aim was to modernise and generally improve the electoral process. He was speaking on preparations for the updating of the permanent voters` register before the 2010 election. The plan would involve the changing of all voters` identity cards and the encoding of information in the computer system to be used in the election, he said. Ali explained that an Israeli company, Ontract Innovation Limited, had been commissioned to do the job. He noted that ZEC officials were being lined up ``through special training aimed at acquainting them with the technology to be used`` so that they assist Israeli experts in the work for greater efficiency. According to the director, the updating of the voters` register would start in January next year in Pemba and run for six months. The exercise is expected to be implemented using the new digital system. He added that, in line with the Zanzibar Constitution, the registration of Isles residents who had reached voting age would run from April to May 2010. SOURCE: Guardian __._,_.___ Messages in this topic (1) Reply (via web post) | Start a new topic Messages | Links | Polls Dig Africa site welcomes you to join us at http://www.yahoogroups.com/group/Digafrica on IT in Africa Feel free to join at our google group digital africa http://groups.google.com/group/digitalafrica Thanks. Chifu Moderator MARKETPLACE ________________________________ >From kitchen basics to easy recipes - join the Group from Kraft Foods Change settings via the Web (Yahoo! ID required) Change settings via email: Switch delivery to Daily Digest | Switch format to Traditional Visit Your Group | Yahoo! Groups Terms of Use | Unsubscribe Recent ActivityVisit Your Group New web site? Drive traffic now. Get your business on Yahoo! search. Moderator Central An online resource for moderators of Yahoo! Groups. Yahoo! Groups Going Green Zone Save the planet. Your resources to go green. .. __,_._,___

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Kenya yet to fully address Internet governance issues By Rebecca Wanjiku,
by alice＠apc.org 12 Nov '08

12 Nov '08

http://computerworld.co.ke/articles/2008/10/16/kenya-yet-fully-address-inte… Kenya yet to fully address Internet governance issues By Rebecca Wanjiku, IDG News Service\Nairobi Bureau 16 Oct, 2008 Kenya has yet to fully address its legal, infrastructure, access, content and security issues, according to a report released Tuesday at the Kenya Internet Governance Forum (IGF). There are gaps in policy and legislative drafting and the general development of regulatory framework as it relates to e-commerce, said Mwende Njiraini, a telecommunications engineer who co-authored the report with John Walubengo, a security expert. Njiraini and Walubengo presented their report, "Online Deliberations on Internet Governance," at the meeting in Nairobi after two weeks of online discussions with ICT sector representatives. The report identifies Kenya's position in relation to issues addressed by the KICTANet mailing list discussions, which took place online in August as a precursor to the IGF. These issues will be raised again at the East Africa IGF meeting in November and the international IGF meeting in India in December. On security, the report recommends national or regional certification for Internet security experts who handle corporate security issues. Currently, certification is handled by international bodies. It also suggests that ISPs (Internet service providers) be generous in allocating IP (Internet Protocol) space. Organizations like Google monitor Internet points, and the IPs determine the level of reported Internet penetration, the report noted. Njiraini added that there is a need to address multilingualism and the use of local languages on the Internet, as well as rural access to wireless technologies. "Kenya has 2.5 million Internet users, and we would like to see constructive use of the Internet and engagement of stakeholders to better address the industry," said Charles Njoroge, director general of the Communications Commission of Kenya.

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East Africa prepares for global Internet Governance Forum By Rebecca Wanjiku.
by alice＠apc.org 12 Nov '08

12 Nov '08

http://computerworld.co.ke/articles/2008/11/10/east-africa-prepares-global-… East Africa prepares for global Internet Governance Forum By Rebecca Wanjiku, IDG News Service\Nairobi Bureau 10 Nov, 2008 Representatives from Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda gathered in Nairobi to discuss common issues regarding Internet governance in preparation for next month's global Internet Governance Forum. The discussions began at the national level, with each country identifying its unique issues with a view toward developing a regional position, explained Alice Munyua, coordinator of the Kenya ICT Action Network. "The country networks collected and collated the salient issues, which will be presented to the regional forum," she said. "The regional report will be presented to the leaders attending the IGF forum in India as the governance issues concerning the region." Developing countries are under-represented in Internet governance, according to Edith Adera from the International Development Research Council, who provided financial support for the regional event. Meeting participants identified the major issues affecting East Africa as high connectivity costs, lack of ICT infrastructure, cybersecurity, privacy, data protection, management of country code top-level domains, presence of local root servers and lack of enhanced legislation In regard to infrastructure, East African governments have demonstrated commitment by investing in submarine cables and terrestrial fiber, noted Bitange Ndemo, Kenya's permanent secretary in the Ministry of Information and Communication. By next November, he said, countries should be debating issues of too much bandwidth and the darker issues of the Internet, such as cybercrime. Participants from the four countries voiced their concerns over the consistency and reliability of technology, arguing that system failures cause a loss of business for which business owners are not compensated. Ndemo, however, challenged participants to first address issues of online content, adding that the cost of Internet will only fall if people can access local, as opposed to international, content. "It will be criminal for Google.com to come all the way from California to digitize our books while we have unemployed graduates in the streets," Ndemo said. "We have so much knowledge to convert to digital format."

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East Africa prepares for global Internet Governance Forum By Rebecca Wanjiku.
by alice＠apc.org 12 Nov '08

12 Nov '08

East Africa prepares for global Internet Governance Forum By Rebecca Wanjiku, IDG News Service\Nairobi Bureau 10 Nov, 2008 Representatives from Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda gathered in Nairobi to discuss common issues regarding Internet governance in preparation for next month's global Internet Governance Forum. The discussions began at the national level, with each country identifying its unique issues with a view toward developing a regional position, explained Alice Munyua, coordinator of the Kenya ICT Action Network. "The country networks collected and collated the salient issues, which will be presented to the regional forum," she said. "The regional report will be presented to the leaders attending the IGF forum in India as the governance issues concerning the region." Developing countries are under-represented in Internet governance, according to Edith Adera from the International Development Research Council, who provided financial support for the regional event. Meeting participants identified the major issues affecting East Africa as high connectivity costs, lack of ICT infrastructure, cybersecurity, privacy, data protection, management of country code top-level domains, presence of local root servers and lack of enhanced legislation In regard to infrastructure, East African governments have demonstrated commitment by investing in submarine cables and terrestrial fiber, noted Bitange Ndemo, Kenya's permanent secretary in the Ministry of Information and Communication. By next November, he said, countries should be debating issues of too much bandwidth and the darker issues of the Internet, such as cybercrime. Participants from the four countries voiced their concerns over the consistency and reliability of technology, arguing that system failures cause a loss of business for which business owners are not compensated. Ndemo, however, challenged participants to first address issues of online content, adding that the cost of Internet will only fall if people can access local, as opposed to international, content. "It will be criminal for Google.com to come all the way from California to digitize our books while we have unemployed graduates in the streets," Ndemo said. "We have so much knowledge to convert to digital format."

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Internet challenges, day two blog
by Rebecca Wanjiku 11 Nov '08

11 Nov '08

It was supposed to be the forum where Kenya demonstrated we can get the internet working for all conference users but the internet provider, a big company that prides itself in extensive infrastructure could not get the wireless up and running its day two and no internet still... How embarrassing! liveblog will be up in 2 min Tel. 254 720 318 925 blog:http://beckyit.blogspot.com/

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PROGRAM - TANDAA 08
by Lucy Odhiambo 11 Nov '08

11 Nov '08

Dear All, Please find herewith the program for Tandaa 08. The program is herewith. Venue: Kenyatta International Conference Centre - TSAVO conference room Date: Friday 14th November 2008 Time: 8.30am to 4.30pm We look forward to seeing you there! Regards, Lucy Gachui-Odhiambo Communications Manager Kenya ICT Board 12th Floor Telposta Towers Koinange Lane PO Box 27150 - 00100 Nairobi, Kenya Cell 0737- 839047 Tel: 254-020-2093040 www.ict.go.ke ICT-logo-02.jpg

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EA IGF forum live blog
by Rebecca Wanjiku 10 Nov '08

10 Nov '08

Follow the sessions online..... beckyit.blogspot.com Tel. 254 720 318 925 blog:http://beckyit.blogspot.com/

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ITU and ICANN – a loveless forced marriage: ITU & ICANN in Cairo
by alice 10 Nov '08

10 Nov '08

(Apologies for cross posting) Hi all At the just ended ICANN meeting in Cairo, the ITU Secretary General spoke very provocatively about ICANN, ITU and the global IGF and the relationship/s or lack thereof. See his statement attached and below a press article on the same. best alice -------- Original Message -------- --------------------------------- http://www.heise-online.co.uk/news/print/111914 7 November 2008, 12:30 ITU and ICANN – a loveless forced marriage ITU Secretary General Hamadoun Touré has called for better collaboration between the *International Telecommunication Union[1]* (ITU) and the *Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers[2]* (ICANN). "Our members have unnecessarily attacked and criticised each other and I think we should put an end to that," said Touré on Thursday at the 33rd ICANN meeting in Cairo. According to Touré, the two organisations need to get to know each other better and learn to love each other, as telecommunications and the internet are ultimately condemned to a "forced marriage". Despite the outstretched hand, the ITU Secretary General did not spare the criticism in his first appearance at an ICANN meeting. Touré made it clear to the assembled experts that he saw his organisation as playing the dominant role in the forced marriage and made his opinion of the other party clear – provocatively describing ICANN's Governmental Advisory Committee as purely cosmetic. The depth of the chasm between the two – the UN organisation, which has its roots in the telecommunications world, and the quasi-internet-regulator ICANN – was stressed by a series of further statements in the half-hour talk given by the head of the ITU. Touré repeatedly spoke of the "war" between the two organisations. According to Touré, who was elected in 2006, "The best way to win a war, is to prevent it." In the course of his 'marriage proposal', he referred extensively to the ITU's outstanding role. Key topics for his organisation, he noted, include the internationalisation of domains, something with which ICANN is currently engaged, the *transition to IPv6[3]*, standardisation for the all-IP *Next Generation Network[4]* (NGN), cyber-security, the fight against online terrorism and child protection online. Touré rejected concerns that the ITU was appointing itself as global regulator of internet resources and processes, "The ITU has clear boundaries. We do not perform the operative business." However, he underlined the organisation's demand, set out in its *Cybersecurity Agenda[5]*, to be responsible for a global framework in the fight against online terrorism and criminality. He also defended the controversial *IP traceback[6]* standard proposal. "There is not one country which isn't doing it, it's just that each country is doing it differently," said Touré. Touré also rejected criticism that the ITU operates behind closed doors. He stated that the organisation has around 700 sector members from the telecommunications industry and also admits NGOs as members. Touré also praised the ITU's openness – a nod to the *World Summit on the Information Society[7]* (WSIS). The summit, organised under ITU auspices, is, according to Touré, the first UN summit at which civil society has also been invited to sit at the table, rather than demonstrating outside. In the same breath, Touré expressed strong criticism of the *Internet Governance Forum[8]* (IGF), which was called into being by the WSIS, "I am personally of the opinion that the IGF is continuously going round in circles and avoiding issues – it is becoming more and more a waste of time." Therefore, the ITU is planning a global forum for internet policy next year as a rival event. Touré also fired a further undiplomatic broadside at the work performed by governments within ICANN. "The Governmental Advisory Committee is ICANN's weak point," said Touré. His criticism was directed at the advisory function of the Governmental Advisory Committee (GAC) in developing rules for the domain name system. "If someone gives me advice, I am free to take it or leave it." The ICANN's GAC is therefore nothing more than "cosmetic", noted Touré forthrightly. In a short statement following Touré's speech, the Brazilian government representative on the GAC demanded, in the name of his and the Argentinian government, the "strengthening of the GAC". Latvian diplomat Janis Karklins, re-elected as GAC chairman, by contrast noted that the ITU and ICANN operated according to very different political models, "From the viewpoint of an international organisation, the ICANN model may appear weak, because governments are merely advisory, whilst in an international organisation they run the show." ICANN is, he opined, based on the novel idea of collaboration between interested parties. He noted that both models have their advantages and disadvantages, and that governments need to learn to operate within both models. (/Monika Ermert/) (*lghp[9]*) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ *URL of this Article:* http://www.heise-online.co.uk/news/111914 *Links in this Article:* [1] http://www.itu.int/ [2] http://www.icann.org [3] http://www.heise-online.co.uk/news/OECD-member-states-throw-their-weight-be… [4] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Next_Generation_Networking [5] http://www.itu.int/osg/csd/cybersecurity/gca/ [6] http://news.cnet.com/8301-13578_3-10040152-38.html [7] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WSIS [8] http://www.intgovforum.org/ [9] mailto:[email protected] ____________________________________________________________ You received this message as a subscriber on the list: governance(a)lists.cpsr.org To be removed from the list, send any message to: governance-unsubscribe(a)lists.cpsr.org For all list information and functions, see: http://lists.cpsr.org/lists/info/governance

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Liveblog from EA IGF
by Rebecca Wanjiku 09 Nov '08

09 Nov '08

Check out http://beckyit.blogspot.com/ for live blogging session from Monday 10th Nov. 9 am Tel. 254 720 318 925 blog:http://beckyit.blogspot.com/

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Re: [kictanet] East Africa Internet Governance Forum
by waudo siganga 09 Nov '08

09 Nov '08

What day is the cocktail Evelyne. Or have I missed it? Waudo On Fri, 7 Nov 2008 18:36:45 +0300, "Evelyne Majale" <evelyne(a)kictanet.or. ke> said: Dear all Further to the invitation to the EAIGF at the KICC, we would also like to invite you to the Cocktail. Venue: Hotel Intercontinental Time: 7 p.m. Regards Evelyne Men trip not not mountains, the stumble on stones - Chinese Proverb

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WEB/GRAPHIC DESIGNER WANTED
by nancy bosire 08 Nov '08

08 Nov '08

Hi All, We are URGENTLY looking for a talented and experienced Web Graphic Designer to create award winning advertising digital solutions. With at least 2-3 years under your belt you will be able to proudly show off a great portfolio of your inspiring work and the passion you have for your job. You will be looking for a new opportunity to let your ideas shine and have the ambition to start taking a more leading role. The role will involve working on digital marketing campaigns and website design/development for upcoming entrepreneurs and leading local and international clients. As a dynamic and positive force within the creative team you will have a flexible 'can do' attitude, a keen eye for the smallest detail and enjoy sharing your ideas. You are always exploring new ideas, techniques and ways to improve your own skills and add to our pool of expertise. You should be a competent and creative designer that consults with client organizations to determine visual requirements that support organizational business goals. You will be responsible for the creation of all online visual design, including typography, visual concept, logo and icon design for the Internet and interactive platforms. A competitive salary is available, negotiable dependent on qualifications and experience. The full TOR is attached. PLEASE FWRD TO SOMEONE WHO MAY BE INTERESTED. -- Sincerely yours, Nancy Bosire Managing Director Blueline Synergy Limited Tel: 020 2317230/29 Mobile: 0721907995 [email protected],[email protected] http://www.bluelinesynergy.com Domain Registration.Web Design & Hosting.Software Development.LAN/WAN setup.Maintenance.Projectors. New/Used PCs & Laptops.Computer Accessories.Office Stationary "Your consistent thoughts create your consistent results." "Whatever your mind expects and demands, it will find a way to produce it." - Napoleon Hill Mahatma Gandhi once said:- First they ignore you, Then they laugh at you, Then they fight you, AND THEN YOU WIN!!!

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EAIGF COCKTAIL
by Evelyne Majale 07 Nov '08

07 Nov '08

Dear all Further to the invitation to the EAIGF workshop at KICC, we would also like to invite you to the cocktail. Venue: Hotel Intercontinental Time: 7 p.m. Date: Monday, 10th November 2008 Regards Evelyne

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East Africa Internet Governance Forum
by Evelyne Majale 07 Nov '08

07 Nov '08

Dear all Further to the invitation to the EAIGF at the KICC, we would also like to invite you to the Cocktail. Venue: Hotel Intercontinental Time: 7 p.m. Regards Evelyne

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EAIGF - Registration Clossing
by Harry Hare 07 Nov '08

07 Nov '08

Dear All, Registration for the first East African IGF will be closing a few hours from now. If you want to participate and have not registered, please visit www.eaigf.or.ke or send an email to meeting(a)eaigf.or.ke. And for those who have registered, please note that the programme starts at 9 and we expect all guests to be seated by 8.45am. For those who will need parking, I have attached a parking sticker for your use, please print it and present it at the KICC gates. There is a limited number of reserved parking space and shall be allocated on a first-come-first-served basis. Kindest Regards Harry Hare --- African eDevelopment Resource Centre eDevelopment House 604 Limuru Road, Old Muthaiga PO Box 49475 00100, Nairobi Kenya Tel +254 20 3741646/7 Cel +254 725 650044

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Liveblog from Cairo ICANN
by Rebecca Wanjiku 06 Nov '08

06 Nov '08

If interested visit beckyit.blogspot.com Tel. 254 720 318 925 blog:http://beckyit.blogspot.com/

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Tunaenda White House!
by Brian Munyao Longwe 06 Nov '08

06 Nov '08

I'm off to the White House with my neighbors in Kibera. Here is a pic we took. I am the one sitting at the back, just above my multicolor (Kao) mattress. Mblayo

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Obama Family
by Lucy Mathai 05 Nov '08

05 Nov '08

Brian et al have a glimse of the family you will meet upon arrival! Lucy Mathai. Yes - we ALL CAN - HOPE DOES NOT DISSAPOINT CONGRATULATIONS ---------------------------------------------------------------- This e-mail message has been scanned for Viruses and Content and cleared by MailMarshal ---------------------------------------------------------------- DISCLAIMER: This email (including any attachments) is confidential and intended only for the use of the addressee. It may contain information covered by legal, professional or other privilege, which privilege is not lost or waived by reason of mistaken transmission thereof. Unless you are the intended recipient (or authorized to receive for the intended recipient), you may not read, print, retain, use, copy, distribute or disclose to anyone the message (including any attachments) or any information contained in the message. Any representation or opinions expressed are those of the individual sender and not necessarily those of Co-operative Bank Of Kenya. Internet communications are not secure or safe and therefore Co-operative Bank does not accept legal responsibility for the contents of this message. If you are not the addressee, please inform the sender immediately and destroy this e-mail (including any attachments). Although Co-operative Bank operates anti-virus programmes, it does not accept responsibility for any damage whatsoever caused by any viruses passed by e-mail. ---------------------------------------------------------------- ********************************************************************************** The information contained in this communication is confidential and may be legally privileged. It is intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom it is addressed and others authorised to receive it. Any views or opinions contained in this communication are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of the I&M Bank, it's subsidiaries or related companies. If you are not the intended recipient, please note that it is strictly prohibited and may be unlawful for you to disclose, copy, distribute or take action in reliance of the contents of this information. If you are not the intended recipient, please notify us immediately at invest(a)imbank.co.ke This communication has been scanned with 'McAfee Dr. Solomons & GFI Mail Security' for the presence of computer viruses. I&M Bank, its subsidiaries or related companies will not accept responsibility if this communication contains any computer viruses or if the information contained in this communication is delayed or improperly transmitted. Thank you. ********************************************************************************** www.imbank.com -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - http://www.avg.com Version: 8.0.175 / Virus Database: 270.8.6/1768 - Release Date: 11/4/2008 9:38 PM -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - http://www.avg.com Version: 8.0.175 / Virus Database: 270.8.6/1768 - Release Date: 11/4/2008 9:38 PM

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Reminder - EA IGF Registration Still Open
by Harry Hare 05 Nov '08

05 Nov '08

Dear All, This is a reminder for those wishing to participate in the forthcoming East African Internet Governance Forum to kindly register before end of Business Friday 7th November 2008. You can register through the event website www.eaigf.or.ke or by sending an email to meeting(a)eaigf.or.ke. You can find information on the following at the EAIGF website including; * The meeting dates, agenda and venue * EAIGF Background * Travel Logistics including a travel advisory and visa information * A reports on the national IGF (Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania and Rwanda) meetings I have attached the current progamme for your use. Kindest Regards Harry PS: Apologies for cross-posting.

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Re: [kictanet] Internet Governace - .KE Online Discussion Report
by John Walubengo 03 Nov '08

03 Nov '08

by the way, members are encouraged to review the bigger document and email me their changes/comments/reviews before the bigger meeting (Regional IG Forum) next week Monday 10th Nov 08 where the final report will be circulated. walu. --- On Mon, 11/3/08, John Walubengo <jwalu(a)yahoo.com> wrote: > From: John Walubengo <jwalu(a)yahoo.com> > Subject: Re:Internet Governace - .KE Online Discussion Report > To: "KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions" <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> > Date: Monday, November 3, 2008, 11:29 AM > full report @ > http://www.eaigf.or.ke/images/stories/Kenya_Online_IGF_Discussions_Report.p… > -----Executive Summary Begins------- > > For many developing countries, the Internet is really an > emerging, possibly a fringe phenomena whose implications are > rarely prioritized. And so when one moves to talk about how > it should be governed - that is Internet Governance – it > only makes things more complicated for developing countries > that are struggling and can barely afford the basic > necessities such as food, health, education and security for > its citizens. And yet, if > well understood and harnessed, the Internet does hold the > secret to unlock most developing nations out of their > struggling socio-economic realities. > > KICTAnet commissioned this online deliberation on Internet > Governance in order to provide a platform for understanding > and exchanging ideas around the issues that are currently > being passionately debated by countries and stakeholders who > know and appreciate the socio-economic power of the > Internet. In particular, the discussions revolved around > Infrastructure, Legal, Economic and Socio-cultural issues of > Internet Governance. > > On the Infrastructure issues it was acknowledged that > whereas the Internet was largely developed in America/Europe > it has since grown into a global phenomenon – hence the > need to reform its governance structures. In particular, the > oversight control the US enjoyed through ICANN over the > Root-Severs, the Internet Protocol (IP) address space > amongst others was highly contested. Increased policy and > technical engagement in organizations such as IGF, ITU, > ICANN, IETF amongst others was seen as possible intervention > points for agitating governance reforms. > > With respect to the Legal and Security issues, it was felt > that combating internet security issues was highly > challenged by low levels of security awareness and even > lower demand for implementing technically superior solutions > such as Digital Signatures across Internet resources and > applications. The need for an international approach towards > containing > e-Crimes was underscored and the creation of regional > Computer Security Incident Response Teams (CSIRT) > recommended. Lack of electronic legislative framework to > cater for e-Transactions, e-Crimes and Data Protection were > also cited as impediments towards attaining a secure > Information Society. > > On the Socio-economic and cultural themes, it was observed > that electronic networks should be developed to enhance > communication within regions that were already trading > within their geographic space. The challenges arising from > electronic trading were discussed comprehensively and > included e-Taxation Policies, Consumer Protection Rights, > eLearning, promotion of the Multi-lingual Internet amongst > others. The highly prohibitive Internet Interconnection > Charges were discussed and creation of Internet > Exchange Points (IXP) commended. > > It is hoped that this initiating discussion on Internet > Governance has raised awareness, stimulated interest and > provided basic knowledge to stakeholders with regard to the > global issues of Internet Governance. More specialized > working groups would be required to ensure the various > positions shared are streamlined and effectively presented > at the International forums. > > ----ends---- > > walu.

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East Africa Internet Governance Forum (EAIGF): Opening the Internet Governance Debate in East Africa, ³Thinking Globally; Acting Locally²
by Harry Hare 03 Nov '08

03 Nov '08

Dear All, This is a reminder to those planning to attend the first East African Internet Governance Forum to register as advised in the invitation below. And attached, please find the tentative agenda for the forum. Kindest regards Harry Hare ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ The Kenya ICT Board in conjunction with the Kenya Network Information Center (KENIC), the Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet), Communications Commission of Kenya (CCK) the East African ICT for Development Network (EA ICT4D), International Development and Research Center (IDRC) and other participating organizations invite you to the East Africa Internet Governance Forum (EAIGF) to be held between the 10th and 12th of November, 2008 in Nairobi Kenya. The EAIGF is a follow up to the National Internet Governance Forums (NIGF's) being held in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and Rwanda in October 2008 and which are aimed at identifying, exploring and building consensus around national level Internet Governance issues. The East Africa Internet Governance Forum (EAIGF) aims at: creating awareness, instituting a consensus building process to develop a common understanding of East African Internet governance building policy capacity in order to enable meaningful participation in global Internet policy, governance and development. The outcomes of the EAIGF will be submitted and presented at the third global Internet Governance Forum taking place in India in December 2008. As a key player in the Internet industry, it is our pleasure to invite you to the East African IGF. A detailed programme for the event will be sent in due course. For planning purposes, please register for the meeting at: http://www.eaigf.or.ke or send an email to: meeting(a)eaigf.or.ke confirming your attendance. --- African eDevelopment Resource Centre Edevelopment House 604 Limuru Road, Old Muthaiga PO Box 49475 00100, Nairobi Kenya Tel +254 20 3741646/7 Cel +254 725 650044

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Invitation to the Outsourcing & Contact Centre East Africa Exhibition; 4-5th November 2008, Laico Regence Hotel, Nairobi
by John Mwangi 02 Nov '08

02 Nov '08

Dear all, This only allows one to visit the exhibition and not for the conference John Mwangi Managing Director AITEC East Africa C4, Showbe Plaza Muranga Road PO Box 13891-00800, Nairobi, Kenya * (Office) +254 2121028 * (Cell) +254 721 860 228 * <mailto:[email protected]> johnm(a)aitecafrica.com <http://www.aitecafrica.com/> www.aitecafrica.com AITEC E.A. is D.I.T Registered _____ _________________________________________________________________________ Disclaimer This e-mail contains PRIVILEGED AND CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION intended solely for the use of the addressee(s). If you are not the intended recipient, please notify the sender by e-mail and delete the original message. Further, you are not to copy, disclose, or distribute this e-mail or its contents to any other person and any such actions are unlawful. This e-mail may contain viruses, Simba Technology Ltd has taken every reasonable precaution to minimize this risk, but is not liable for any damage you may sustain as a result of any virus in this e-mail. You should carry out your own virus checks before opening the e-mail or attachment. Simba Technology Ltd reserves the right to monitor and review the content of all messages sent to or from this e-mail address. Messages sent to or from this e-mail address may be stored on the Simba Technology Ltd e-mail system. ___________________________________________________________________________

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East Africa Internet Governance Forum (EAIGF): Opening the Internet Governance Debate in East Africa, ³Thinking Globally; Acting Locally²
by Harry Hare 31 Oct '08

31 Oct '08

Dear All, This is a reminder to those planning to attend the first East African Internet Governance Forum to register as advised in the invitation below. And attached, please find the tentative agenda for the forum. Kindest regards Harry Hare ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ The Kenya ICT Board in conjunction with the Kenya Network Information Center (KENIC), the Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet), Communications Commission of Kenya (CCK) the East African ICT for Development Network (EA ICT4D), International Development and Research Center (IDRC) and other participating organizations invite you to the East Africa Internet Governance Forum (EAIGF) to be held between the 10th and 12th of November, 2008 in Nairobi Kenya. The EAIGF is a follow up to the National Internet Governance Forums (NIGF's) being held in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and Rwanda in October 2008 and which are aimed at identifying, exploring and building consensus around national level Internet Governance issues. The East Africa Internet Governance Forum (EAIGF) aims at: creating awareness, instituting a consensus building process to develop a common understanding of East African Internet governance building policy capacity in order to enable meaningful participation in global Internet policy, governance and development. The outcomes of the EAIGF will be submitted and presented at the third global Internet Governance Forum taking place in India in December 2008. As a key player in the Internet industry, it is our pleasure to invite you to the East African IGF. A detailed programme for the event will be sent in due course. For planning purposes, please register for the meeting at: http://www.eaigf.or.ke or send an email to: meeting(a)eaigf.or.ke confirming your attendance. --- African eDevelopment Resource Centre Edevelopment House 604 Limuru Road, Old Muthaiga PO Box 49475 00100, Nairobi Kenya Tel +254 20 3741646/7 Cel +254 725 650044

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FW: Hosting provider terminated by ICANN
by Sylvester Kisonzo 30 Oct '08

30 Oct '08

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Blogroll...
by Mike Bullut 30 Oct '08

30 Oct '08

Greetings, I hope all is well with you. Currently, I'm looking for Kenyan blogs that I can add to my blogroll as a way of redirecting/increasing traffic to them. Could you please assist me with any that you find interesting? Thank you. Warm regards, Mike. *My blog: http://kipsang.wordpress.com/* *-- "The computer programmer . . . is a creator of universes for which he alone is the lawgiver. . . . No playwright, no stage director, no emperor, however powerful, has ever exercised such absolute authority to arrange a stage or a field of battle and to command such unswervingly dutiful actors or troops." ~ Joseph Weizenbaum... --*

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The Global Development Commons launches the 2008 USAID Development 2.0 Challenge
by carthy 30 Oct '08

30 Oct '08

Subject: Global Development Commons launches the 2008 USAID Development 2.0 Challenge Greetings from the Global Development Commons, You are invited to participate in the 2008 USAID Development 2.0 Challenge! It's an open call for innovative mobile technology applications for developing countries, and the USAID’s first ever open source challenge. The winning project ideas will receive grants of up to $10,000 and present before USAID, development community, and industry officials in Washington . The Challenge can be accessed through our website at www.usaid.gov/commons . There are two ways to participate: a) If you have a great mobile technology application for developing countries, y ou can enter the contest by submitting your ideas . b) At the same site, ANYONE can register to comment and then vote to select the best submitted ideas. We need your help to promote innovation! Please share the challenge website for the 2008 USAID Development 2.0 Challenge with friends, colleagues, and other innovators you know. Attached is a PDF of the flier, which we'd greatly appreciate you strategically placing at your office or school, or featuring on your Facebook page, blog, or website. Of course, you can always get the latest about the Commons at our website, www.usaid.gov/commons . Let's Collaborate, The Global Development Commons Team Please forward this message to gather excitement for the Global Development Commons, and encourage friends to sign up for this listserv by visiting www.usaid.gov/commons and filling in the box in the upper right corner.

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ANTI-CORRUPTION AND GOOD GOVERNANCE TRAINING, 2009
by carthy 30 Oct '08

30 Oct '08

THE LES ASPIN CENTER FOR GOVERNMENT WASHINGTON, DC USA: ANTI-CORRUPTION AND GOOD GOVERNANCE TRAINING 2009 Applications are invited for a limited number of scholarships for a six-week capacity development training program on "Anti-Corruption and Good Governance", to be conducted in AUGUST and SEPTEMBER 2009, at the Les Aspin Center for Government, Washington, DC, USA. The main aim of the program is to provide personnel with knowledge and skills in how to implement anti-corruption strategies in order to improve integrity and accountability systems in the private and public domains. The training is being organized by the Marquette University Les Aspin Center, in collaboration with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). ELIGIBILITY: - Candidates will be selected mainly from government agencies and civil society organizations that work in the area of anti-corruption and the administration of justice, from central and local government institutions, human rights organizations, women's development organizations, educational institutions, the print and electronic media, religious organizations, as well as from other sectors with work related to the promotion of integrity and accountability in the public and private sectors. Except students, all other candidates in junior to middle level positions or in positions with potential policy influence are preferred. - Candidates must have at least a national diploma of advanced education (Diploma Certificate, B.A., M.A., etc) or proven record of other advanced educational training. Students currently enrolled in a university program are exempted. - Candidates must be currently employed in a relevant institution, in good standing, and with not less than 2 years of proven work experience in development work or relevant field. - Candidates must be at least twenty-five years of age. University students must not be less than 21 years old. - Applicants must be Kenyan citizens and MUST also already have a valid Kenyan national passport, with expiration date not less than one year from date of application. - NOTE WELL: Only short listed applicants will be invited for interview and only those candidates successful in the interviews will be further contacted. APPLICATION PROCEDURE: - Application materials must include the following: 1. Application letter; 2. Two letters of recommendation; 3. Photocopy of passport, including pages with photo, date and place of birth, issue and expiry dates and other personal details; 4. Current organizational information, with position at organization and work responsibilities; 5. Daytime contact: phone, fax or email; 6. Curriculum Vitae; 7. Personal Statement of Purpose (200-250 words) which outlines reasons for participation in the training, including, but not limited to, how training will benefit the candidate or his/her organization and community, what the candidate will seek to accomplish with training, and why the candidate feels she or he should be selected. All the above materials must be sent together, at the same time, with the application letter. - All applications received must be post-marked, otherwise they will be rejected. Hand-delivered applications will not be accepted. Completed applications should be sent through regular postal mail service only to the following address: THE LES ASPIN CENTER FOR GOVERNMENT P. O. BOX 50309 CITY SQUARE NAIROBI DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS: Strictly, ALL APPLICATIONS must be received not later than November 20, 2008. Any application received after this date will be automatically disqualified.

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Opportunities fund for urban youth development
by carthy 30 Oct '08

30 Oct '08

Introduction During the 21st session of the Governing Council that oversees the work programme and budget of UN-HABITAT, member countries in 2007 passed a resolution calling on the executive director of UN HABITAT to set up a special fund to help young people living in poverty. A high proportion of the worlds population is young, especially in the developing world, and this segment of the population is disproportionately affected by the problems of unsustainable development. At the same time, urban 15-24-year-olds in developing countries have immense potential to contribute to social and economic development if given the right opportunities. UN-HABITAT recognizes that young people need to be active participants in the future of cities. Its Strategy for Enhanced Engagement of Youth aims to promote leadership and participation of young women and men in all its efforts to improve the lives of people living in the rapidly expanding cities of the world. It sees the urgent need to create opportunities for youth to play a much more active and constructive role in making cities the engines of development. Championed by Norway, the new Opportunities Fund for Urban Youth-led Development is designed to improve understanding, and lead to more effective ways of involving young people in sustainable urban development. UN HABITAT in partnership with the Norwegian government will be launching the Opportunities Fund for Youth Led Development, a fund which will fund youth led initiatives globally at the third World Urban Youth Forum from (WUYF) 1 to 2 November, 2008, prior to the main Fourth Session of the World Urban Forum, building on the huge success of the previous two forums in Vancouver and Barcelona. 2 Why Youth-led Development? All over the world young people are responding to the development needs of their communities through social projects and youth-led businesses. Youth want to be involved and all development actors should take youth-led development (YLD) seriously in their efforts to achieve the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), as well as the Convention on the Rights of the Child (art.12), which guarantees youth the right to participate in decision-making. Putting youth at the centre of development can be compared to the challenge, two decades ago, of putting gender issues on the development agenda. A similar shift in societys thinking is now required for youth in urban development. Young people are the most vulnerable to social problems caused by unemployment and poverty. Girls and young women are most at risk. With over 200 million youth living in poverty, 130 million illiterate, 88 million unemployed and 10 million young people with HIV/AIDS, there is a clear need to direct efforts and resources to youth. While youth are the promise of the future, failure to invest in them greatly reduces potential for future development. YLD is about young people making a living and future for themselves and their communities. YLD involves business and community improvement projects, devised and managed by young people, often working alongside adults with skills to mentor them. The Opportunities Fund for Urban Youth-led Development has been set-up by UN-HABITAT to catalyze innovative approaches to YLD that can improve understanding, and lead to more effective policies and strategies to strengthen the role of youth in sustainable urban development. 3 THE INTENTION The Opportunities Fund aims to facilitate achievement of the Millennium Development Goals and their youth-related targets. It will help young people in the poorer neighbourhoods of cities in the developing world find new opportunities in life, especially in employment and entrepreneurship. The fund will strengthen youth-related policies, help governments, civil society organizations and the private sector address youth concerns, and support new information and learning channels for young people. The Fund will promote collaboration with the private sector, CSOs and other UN bodies, who can propose relevant initiatives to the fund as well as contribute their own resources. More specifically, the fund will support youth-led initiatives in the following areas: · Mobilization of young people to help strengthen youth-related policy formulation; · Building capacities of governments, civil society organizations and the private sector to better address youth needs and issues; · Supporting information and communication oriented networks; · Piloting innovative ideas on employment, governance, shelter and secure tenure; · Sharing of best practices; · Vocational training and credit mechanisms to promote entrepreneurship and employment for young women and men; · Promoting gender mainstreaming in all activities of urban youth. While the Youth Fund will clearly benefit many youth and youth groups through direct support to their initiatives, it is intended to creating greater awareness of the urgency to mainstream a youth focus in development policy and strategies. It will thus promote strengthening capacity of youth organizations to participate in local development planning, as well as helping local and national governments to address youth issues as part of democratic processes. Knowledge about youth-led initiatives around the world is very weak. One of the benefits of a mechanism for supporting local initiatives is that information on what is happening on the ground can be easily obtained. In this way the Fund will contribute to learning on the role of youth in development, providing input to strengthening international and national youth policies. 4 How will it work? The Opportunities Fund is being set up under the authority of the Executive Director of UN-HABITAT. The operation of the Fund will be managed by a committee of experts drawn from UNHABITAT, donor governments and youth representatives. At least two youth representatives will also sit as members of the Advisory Committee. Funding activities will be based on applications from relevant groups. A Steering Committee will assess proposals and develop strategies to enhance access to and effective implementation of the fund. The Committee will facilitate linkages with partner agencies, and put in place procedures for promoting the fund, monitoring and evaluation of projects and documentation and dissemination of best practices. The Youth fund will represent a milestone marking recognition at the highest levels of the need to practically support youth-led initiatives and lead the way for other organizations and governments to place youth at the centre of their development strategies. For more information: Partners & Youth Section, UN-HABITAT, P.O. Box 30030, Nairobi, Kenya Tel: + 254-20-7623710/4218; Fax: + 254-20 -7624588, 3080; E-mail: partners(a)unhabitat.org

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Fw: Security Alert-Kidnap
by Lucy Mathai 29 Oct '08

29 Oct '08

The World is not dangerous because of those who do harm but because of those who look at it without doing anything. - Albert Einstein Date: Friday, October 24, 2008, 7:55 AM _________________________________________________________________ -------------------- End of message text -------------------- Visit our Careers website at: www.pwc.com/ke/careers ------------------------------------------------------------------------- The information transmitted is intended only for the person or entity to which it is addressed and may contain confidential and/or privileged material. Any review, retransmission, dissemination or other use of, or taking of any action in reliance upon, this information by persons or entities other than the intended recipient is prohibited. If you received this in error, please contact the sender and delete the material from any computer. ______________________________________________________________________ This email has been scanned by the MessageLabs Email Security System. For more information please contact the IT department. ______________________________________________________________________ This message and any attachment is confidential and may be privileged or otherwise protected from disclosure. If you are not an intended recipient, please notify the sender and delete this message and any attachment immediately. If you are not an intended recipient you must not copy this message or attachment or disclose the contents to any other person. Unless otherwise specifically stated no legally binding commitments are created by this email. Any opinions expressed in this message are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of any member of the Actis group. The Actis group parent, Actis LLP, is a limited liability partnership registered in England and Wales (registered no. OC305927), authorised and regulated in the UK by the Financial Services Authority. A list of the members of Actis LLP is open to inspection at its registered office, 2 More London Riverside, London SE1 2JT, England. Actis LLP acts for the funds and clients it manages or advises and not for anyone else. It will not act for, advise or be responsible for providing protections afforded to its clients to anyone other than such funds and clients. Others working with Actis LLP should be aware of this and should not expect that they will be treated as clients of Actis LLP or any of its subsidiary and related companies. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - http://www.avg.com Version: 8.0.175 / Virus Database: 270.8.4/1751 - Release Date: 10/27/2008 10:44 PM

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Rural communication: Is there still a need for telecentres now that , there are mobile phones?"
by alice 28 Oct '08

28 Oct '08

(Apologies for cross posting) A new report out on wireless in rural Africa. Please help circulate. The rationale for the report is featured in an APCNews article out today "Rural communication: Is there still a need for telecentres now that there are mobile phones?" http://www.apc.org/en/news/wireless/all/rural-communication-there-still-nee… which is also available in French and Spanish. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Unbounded possibilities: Observations on sustaining rural ICTs in Africa http://www.apc.org/en/system/files/SustainingRuralICTs_0.pdf This study commissioned by APC and written by wireless expert Ian Howard explores sustainable ICT and the need for wireless internet access for development (W4D). Intended to serve as a guide to members of the W4D community involved in African initiatives, Howard draws conclusions based on his observations of two telecentres in Tanzania with very different business models. Howard’s work is intended to inspire others to share their observations about viable sustainability models for rural telecentres. Future plans include publishing it online in a participative format that will allow others to contribute to it, thus building a knowledge base on the topic. These two communities featured in this study illustrate that the need for internet access is strong, especially in countries where WiMAX and similar wireless bands are available, challenging the current hype that rural communities ICT needs are being met by mobiles phones. The study consists of five main sections. The author begins by describing sustainable ICT in the preface, followed by a rationale section, in which he questions whether or not the need for wireless exists. A methodology section explains the data collection process and how the two case studies were selected, followed by the two case studies. Each case study is broken down into four sections: Background, observations, financial analysis and conclusion. The author then adds his final notes and appendices at the end of the study. The first case study, the Family Alliance for Development and Cooperation, is an initiative by a self-taught technician, Joseph Sekiku, who created a telecentre on his property with the help of small grants. Due to the exorbitant dial-up prices and sluggish connection speeds, Sekiku turned to wireless and began building a network. Though he struggles financially to keep the centre running, the centre is kept operational through the collaboration and dedication of the community. Because of the ongoing need for resourcefulness Sekiku has become a highly knowledgeable individual who is now a leader and expert in computer technologies in his community. Howard draws certain conclusions based on Sekiku’s experience, which can serve other newly emerging telecentres. Through Sekiku’s story, Howard demonstrates how a low-cost, sole-proprietor telecentre can be built and flourish in rural areas. Some 200 km away, in the bigger but largely underdeveloped town of Mwanza, the Seregama telecentre, is the end result of several initiatives carried out over the past four years. It boasts many different services for its numerous clients including a cyber café, a conference room, an e-training lab and so on, which generate revenue. However, the revenue does not cover all the maintenance expenses of the centre and so it is dependant on grants and other sources of financial assistance. The telecentre is a useful example of a sustainable ICT initiative in rural Tanzania, as it serves as a model for community engagement and is a symbol of hope for youth within the community While it is not financially self-reliant, it remains sustainable because it is embraced by all of its stakeholders. APC thanks Open Society Institute (OSI) for its additional support of the study. http://www.apc.org/en/system/files/SustainingRuralICTs_0.pdf ======================================= APC Forum is a meeting place for the APC community - people and institutions who are or have been involved in collaboration with APC, and share the APC vision - a world in which all people have easy, equal and affordable access to the creative potential of information and communication technologies (ICTs) to improve their lives and create more democratic and egalitarian societies. _______________________________________________ apc.forum mailing list apc.forum(a)lists.apc.org http://lists.apc.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/apc.forum

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Re: [kictanet] East Africa Internet Governance Forum (EAIGF): Opening the Internet Governance Debate in East Africa,“Thinking Globally; Acting Locally”
by John Maina 28 Oct '08

28 Oct '08

Can we share this in other fora or its for KICTANET only? ________________________________ From: alice <alice(a)apc.org> To: j.maina(a)ymail.com Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> Sent: Monday, October 27, 2008 5:51:35 PM Subject: [kictanet] East Africa Internet Governance Forum (EAIGF): Opening the Internet Governance Debate in East Africa,“Thinking Globally; Acting Locally” (Apologies for cross posting) The Kenya ICT Board in conjunction with the Kenya Network Information Center (KENIC), the Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet), Communications Commission of Kenya (CCK) the East African ICT for Development Network (EA ICT4D), International Development and Research Center (IDRC) and other participating organizations invite you to the East Africa Internet Governance Forum (EAIGF) to be held between the 10th and 12th of November, 2008 in Nairobi Kenya. The EAIGF is a follow up to the National Internet Governance Forums (NIGF's) being held in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and Rwanda in October 2008 and which are aimed at identifying, exploring and building consensus around national level Internet Governance issues. The East Africa Internet Governance Forum (EAIGF) aims at: • creating awareness, • instituting a consensus building process to develop a common understanding of East African Internet governance • building policy capacity in order to enable meaningful participation in global Internet policy, governance and development. The outcomes of the EAIGF will be submitted and presented at the third global Internet Governance Forum taking place in India in December 2008. As a key player in the Internet industry, it is our pleasure to invite you to the Kenya IGF. A detailed programme for the event will be sent in due course. For planning purposes, please register for the meeting at: http://www.eaigf.or.ke or send an email to: meeting(a)eaigf.or.ke confirming your attendance. _______________________________________________ kictanet mailing list kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet This message was sent to: j.maina(a)ymail.com Unsubscribe or change your options at http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/j.maina%40ymail.com

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East Africa Internet Governance Forum (EAIGF): Opening the Internet Governance Debate in East Africa,“Thinking Globally; Acting Locally”
by alice 27 Oct '08

27 Oct '08

(Apologies for cross posting) The Kenya ICT Board in conjunction with the Kenya Network Information Center (KENIC), the Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet), Communications Commission of Kenya (CCK) the East African ICT for Development Network (EA ICT4D), International Development and Research Center (IDRC) and other participating organizations invite you to the East Africa Internet Governance Forum (EAIGF) to be held between the 10th and 12th of November, 2008 in Nairobi Kenya. The EAIGF is a follow up to the National Internet Governance Forums (NIGF's) being held in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and Rwanda in October 2008 and which are aimed at identifying, exploring and building consensus around national level Internet Governance issues. The East Africa Internet Governance Forum (EAIGF) aims at: • creating awareness, • instituting a consensus building process to develop a common understanding of East African Internet governance • building policy capacity in order to enable meaningful participation in global Internet policy, governance and development. The outcomes of the EAIGF will be submitted and presented at the third global Internet Governance Forum taking place in India in December 2008. As a key player in the Internet industry, it is our pleasure to invite you to the Kenya IGF. A detailed programme for the event will be sent in due course. For planning purposes, please register for the meeting at: http://www.eaigf.or.ke or send an email to: meeting(a)eaigf.or.ke confirming your attendance.

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Kenya’s ICT players cautioned over Internet security
by alice 27 Oct '08

27 Oct '08

(Apologies for cross posting) Kenya’s ICT players cautioned over Internet security <http://www.itnewsafrica.com/?p=1526>http://www.itnewsafrica.com/?p=1526 October 22, 2008 in Top Stories <http://www.itnewsafrica.com/?cat=15> kibaki.jpg <http://www.itnewsafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/kibaki.jpg>ICT stakeholders and industry players have been urged to upgrade their internet security. The call was made by Charles Njoroge, the Director-General of the Communications Commission of Kenya during the recent Kenyan Internet Governance Forum (KIGF). According to The East African Standard KIGF is meant to act as a central forum through which Internet stakeholders in Kenya can contribute to the global Internet Governance Forum. Njoroge outlined the Government’s priority areas relating to the Internet, among them ensuring improved access and increasing the number of users from the current 2.5 million. Target areas Others are infrastructure and technology deployment; tackling policy issues in the face of increased internet penetration and human capacity development. The CCK Director-General said it is important for the country to start moving forward with the existing policy framework then improve on it to take care and address emerging concerns. He also appealed for intensified public private partnerships. Information and Communications Permanent Secretary Dr Bitange Ndemo said the country’s ICT sector was key to the development of other productive sectors. Emphasising the need for effective management of the internet resource, Dr Ndemo urged those who represent the country at international fora to ensure they articulate Kenya’s position on these issues. Efficiency The PS added that in order to improve efficiency in operations, there’s needed to manage the internet resource effectively. To address internet issues in the country, the PS said his ministry established a taskforce, which incorporated all stakeholder groups to address IPv6 (internet protocol version 6). This was done to protect the country’s internet users from the effects resulting from the depletion of internet protocol.

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CEO Africa Online dies in boating accident
by Brian Munyao Longwe 27 Oct '08

27 Oct '08

KICTANET extends their condolences to AfricaOnline, friends and family of Mr. John Joseph. Brian --------------------------- http://www.nation.co.ke/News/-/1056/484266/-/tlhobo/-/ The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Africa Online has died. John Joseph, who was appointed to the position in March 2007, died in a boating accident on Friday while on holiday in Mombasa. He was 47 years old. Officials of the company declined to reveal more details on the circumstances surrounding Mr Joseph’s death as the family had requested for privacy on the matter. Africa Online is a subsidiary of Telkom South Africa and Mr Joseph was also a director of UUNET Ltd. Reacting to the death, Telkom CEO Reuben September said, “John was an invaluable member of our team, a larger than life character who had been integral to establishing and building the Africa Online brand and developing a portfolio of service offerings across all segments in nine African countries. “We are deeply saddened by his passing and on behalf of the company; I would like to convey my deepest condolences to John’s family and friends, as well as staff at Africa Online.” Before ascending to the CEO position at Africa Online, Mr Joseph had occupied various positions at Telkom since 1995. In 2000, he was tasked with establishing Telkom Wholesale Marketing. “John made a tremendous contribution in realizing Telkom’s ambition to play a leading ICT services provider role on the continent. He will be sorely missed, “said Mr September. A new CEO has not yet been appointed and the management of Telkom is set to appoint his replacement soon, said a statement sent to newsrooms. _______

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No free pass: global financial crisis will impact Africa’s telecoms sector
by alice 24 Oct '08

24 Oct '08

(From Balancing Act) No free pass: global financial crisis will impact Africa’s telecoms sector It’s early days but the conventional wisdom so far has been that Africa will avoid the worst of the backwash from the global financial crisis. Its banks are less over-committed as lenders and its relatively small number of consumers still struggle to find credit. However, as everything is connected globally, Africa is bound to take a hit like every other continent and that hit will impact directly on Africa’s telecom’s sector. Russell Southwood tries to read the tea leaves. Over the last five years about half of the countries on the continent have experienced above average economic growth. This growth amongst the “fast track” economies has fed through directly into wealth levels among the people affected. For example, the middle class in Kenya grew by 3% over the last three years: this is a small percentage of a big number so it affects several million people. The slower moving economies have often been those emerging from civil war so any growth has been a bonus compared to past years. A significant part of the economic growth of the “fast track” African countries has come from the giant emerging economies of China and India buying food and mineral resources. However, if people in developed economies buy less of the consumer goods that have fuelled the growth of China’s economy then it in turn will need less mineral resources from places like Africa. Less demand for mineral resources will mean lower prices for things like oil and copper. The only upside of the latter is that there may be less organised cable vandalism. But if China sneezes, Africa catches a cold. So how does this general economic analysis feed through into Africa’s telecoms sector and what’s it likely to mean for your business?: - If you’re trying to raise funds to invest in Africa, life has got significantly harder. Some of those who were in the process of doing this were talking deals with financial institutions that have now been rescued by the US Government. Sovereign wealth funds (largely from oil-based economies) may be more immune to the liquidity crisis but the fall in the price of oil will cut the scale of these funds over time. Africa’s local stock exchanges may still be good for some fundraising but the scale of funds available is modest alongside the size of past deals. The interesting one to watch is Nigeria where the banks still appear to be anxious to lend and open for business. Also, barring a major financial crisis, the Chinese Government (which has a considerable amount of US dollars) will continue to support its export drive by offering soft loans to Africa’s impoverished state-owned telco incumbents. Perhaps some mobile operators will join them in this queue? - Africa’s mobile opportunities have been seen as a licence to print money and even with proliferating competition, newcomers have been keen to enter the market, paying top dollar. However, it’s noticeable that some of the more opportunistic investors without a background in telecoms have decided to take money and run: for example, Hits Telecom has sold out to France Telecom (see news item below). Nevertheless, they probably passed coming in the other direction Orascom’s new Africa unit, Telecel Globe. The global tides of financial panic wash people in and out: remember Vivendi who quit Africa during the telecoms finance crisis but returned as things got better. The logic of the current global crisis dictates that less available money will mean lower prices and less contenders. But the number of opportunities for new mobile licences or market entry points through acquisition are limited. Therefore Africa will do what it’s always done best up till now and “sell shortage” at a premium. For there are not many places in the world where you can get an above average return on your money within eighteen months to two years and there’s still another 5-10% of the addressable market untouched. And investing in mobile telephony is probably a better bet than giving people 120% mortgages on their houses in the current climate. - Less investment means less money going into African economies means less growth. Again the specifics are that if a mobile operator invests US$200-400 million in a country operation, a large part of that goes into things like employing people, buying local services and advertising. In advertising terms, the mobile operators have been among the top 5 spenders in any country where tracking exists. With potential buyers of mobile services possibly having less money to spend, the competition for the market share they already have will intensify. There will be a lot of soothing talk about the importance of service and new features before price wars set in. The smaller, one-country or small number of country operations will feel this heat hardest and will come up for acquisition or may even go out of business if the heat gets too intense. - The glimmer of hope against this backdrop is that the African consumer (the person with a monthly salary and some disposable income) is largely not in debt to anything like the same level as his or her European or American counterpart. They will not splash out wildly in the current context but they will continue to spend. The poor who have not yet become consumers will continue to scrape by as ever. However, the level of remittances from relatives abroad may drop as they become affected by the downturn in developed economies. Last week South Africa’s Finance Minister Trevor Manuel was telling people not to panic which is usually a prelude to people heading for the lifeboats. However, the worst that appears to be in store is a strong dose of wage inflation. Telkom’s failure to address its overstaffing may seem like a victory for its employees but if wages continue to rise above inflation, it will begin to squeeze the companies already pressured profits. Whatever the political pressures, hard times will demand drastic solutions. - Economic slowdown means that Government will have lower tax revenues and private companies less income. Both will impact on the replacement and purchase cycle for ICT equipment. SAP commented in its Q3 results that results from BRICs (the key grouping of developing countries) were mixed. And whilst Cisco reported a resurgence in emerging markets orders, bookings in Africa were very weak. Money spent on rescuing deserving causes like banks may also turn into money not spent on foreign aid. Since the latter supports a great deal of the ICT purchases by African Governments, this will also create a tightening in the market, particularly for the larger IT multinationals with a presence on the continent. All have put feet on the ground in the promise of business tomorrow and the more timid or financially windswept may pull back. - On a counter-cyclical basis, there are two key factors: the big change in the cost of international fibre capacity with the arrival of new cables and for South Africa, the World Cup in 2010. The first (in Q2,2009) will be a welcome boost as bandwidth prices will fall from US$5-6,000 a meg on the east coast to nearer to US$500-1,000 a meg. This will not be good news for those selling high-priced bandwidth as a way of making a living but will benefit those selling services and applications on top of the network. On the west coast, this fall will happen in Q2, 2010 and will be slightly less dramatic. The World Cup in 2010 will be a welcome boost to growth for South Africa and is allowing it to put in place key infrastructure. The only question is: will it be finished on time? - The hardest part to read is the sheer irrationality of financial markets: the kind of cold sweat fear that's been gripping the markets in the North does not always relate to fundamentals but it may convey itself South. Asia is already anticipating the worst. But this will probably only happen if the global crisis keeps extending and there is a feeling that Government money simply won’t contain the difficulties. Everything hangs on that difficult word confidence. So hang on to your hat because it may get bumpy….

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[Fwd: [AfrICANN-discuss] Vint Cerf warns on IPv6 uptake]
by alice 23 Oct '08

23 Oct '08

Vint Cerf warns on IPv6 uptake You have until mid-2010, says Google sage. Mikael Ricknäs, IDG News Service 21 October 2008 The Internet will get support for IPv6, a more secure domain name system and international characters, during the next couple of years, according to Vint Cerf, chief Internet evangelist at Google. "This year and the next year are probably the most significant years for Internet's evolution that I can remember," said Cerf, who was one of the keynote speakers at the Internetdagarna (The Internet Days) conference in Stockholm. The biggest change is the move to IPv6, which will give the Internet a much larger address space and ensure future growth. The current estimate is that the number of IPv4 addresses that can be allocated will be exhausted around the middle of 2010, according to Cerf. "It's slowly entering into the network, but people haven't felt very much pressure up until now to implement it," said Cerf. But the deadline is coming closer, and it's becoming more apparent to many people that it's time to start implementing IPv6 in parallel with IPv4, according to Cerf. Besides its 128-bit address space, IPv6 has other benefits. "One of them is that if the other side says I need to go into encrypted mode you are supposed to comply with that, it's optional in IPv4," said Cerf. There are also some problems, the network management tools are for example not yet as mature the ones for IPv4, according to Cerf. He says the current lack of addresses, and the IPv4 32-bit address space, is his fault. "My only defence is that decision was made in 1977, at a time when it was uncertain if the Internet would work," said Cerf, and adding that a 128-bit address space seemed excessive back then. But IPv6 isn't the only project that will keep the industry busy. The implementation of domain name system security using DNSSEC (Domain Name System Security Extensions) has also got off the ground. "The idea here is to improve the assurance that when you do a domain name hookup you get back the IP address that was intended, as opposed to something that was modified by a hacker," said Cerf. If the DNSSEC is supposed to improve security on the Internet, the addition of internationalised domain names (the support for non-Latin character sets) is supposed to make it a more global place. Languages such as Arabic, Cyrillic, Hebrew, Chinese, Japanese, Korean and so on, will all become a part of the domain name systems vocabulary, according to Cerf. "This is a big change, because for the last 30 years the only thing you could use was Latin characters, and just the letters A though Z, digits 0 to 9 and a hyphen," said Cerf. There is still a lot to be done to make the Internet more useful than it is today. Broadcast and support for multihoming, which can make it convenient for users to have more than one ISP, are two areas where there is room for improvement, according to Cerf. "So we have lots of potential, new designs to add to the Internet to make it more functional and effective than it is today," said Cerf. This article was printed from Techworld : www.techworld.com <http://www.techworld.com/> The UK's infrastructure & network knowledge centre © 2008 : All rights reserved -- Anne-Rachel Inne _______________________________________________ AfrICANN mailing list AfrICANN(a)afrinic.net https://lists.afrinic.net/mailman/listinfo.cgi/africann

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Re: [kictanet] Kenya’s Banks ask for regulation on Mobile Money Transfers
by John Maina 22 Oct '08

22 Oct '08

Lizette and wainaina Banks in this country never invest in innovation. They invest on alot of research but never innovation. Where were they when Safaricom was researching and investing on technology? regulatingg MPESA will be so catastrophic. It should just be policed but not regulated and I believe thaat if at all Bw. Njuguna and PS. Ndemo are going to fall for the tricks of these banks then we are in for intersting times. Banks must invest in innovation and they can easily get to Kenyan universities and sponsors competitions which will bring very much good results. JM ----- Original Message ---- From: Lizette Kraft <lfkraft(a)gmail.com> To: j.maina(a)ymail.com Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> Sent: Tuesday, October 21, 2008 2:26:29 PM Subject: Re: [kictanet] Kenya’s Banks ask for regulation on Mobile Money Transfers Hey what's up with these Banks who give their customers a real raw deal anyway!! The banks have never done anything for the people other than use them! Now they want to crush the one system that helps and allows the rich and the poor and marginalised to send funds without having to pay the drastic fees the banks charge. Everytime there is something that works for the masses and not just the priviledged there is an uproar to defeat the purpose!! The banks need the competition so they can learn to respect all. People in business in Kenya have for too long ripped off the wanainchi and they will have to learn to respect the consumers. Good on CBK not to agree bring M-Pesa and the like under their ACT. It shouldn't be allowed to operate without rules and regulations of course, to protect peoples money but we should do all possible to help technology take root that can help the people. My opinion entirely! On 10/18/08, alice <alice(a)apc.org> wrote: (From Balancing Act) Kenya's Banks ask for regulation on Mobile Money Transfers The banking fraternity is crying foul over what it described as unfair and increasing competition from money transfer operators. The industry says the operators are enjoying privileges similar to those extended to deposit taking institutions despite not being covered by the same regulatory regime. "Currently, there is no legal framework within which these entities provide their services despite behaving like current account institutions," says John Wanyela, executive director of the Kenya Bankers Association. "If these operators want to join the financial sector, they have to be properly licensed." The bankers are calling on the government to subject the services to prudential regulations "for robust and secure movement of funds across the economy." Under the proposed guideline, the services will have to be supervised by a specialised financial regulatory authority that will oversee their financial soundness and stability. Currently, the two leading mobile phone service providers - Zain and Safaricom - are offering money-transfer services in the country under Sokotele and M-Pesa brands respectively. Like other deposit takers, the bankers association wants the mobile cash transfer operators restricted on how much deposits they can take. To avert undue competition with the banking fraternity, Wanyela says, M-Pesa and Sokotele services have to meet the capitalisation requirement as stipulated in the Banking Act. According to the Act, a deposit taking institution should maintain a minimum capitalisation of Ksh250 million ($3.5 million). This is however expected to double come December next year before hitting Ksh1 billion ($14.2 million) by 2010 after capitalisation requirements were amended in this financial year's budget. The bankers also say the "digital money" has implications for the conduct of monetary policy by the Central Bank of Kenya. To control inflation levels in the country, CBK continuously monitors the amount of money in circulation, mainly in the hands of people and commercial banks. With the monies in circulation, CBK is in a position to maintain a reserve money target and, therefore, intervene to control inflation. Observers say it is this huge amount of money circulating electronically that has defeated CBK in the fight against inflation. Wanyela says it is time the government stepped in to ensure M-Pesa and Sokotele services are regulated before "something goes wrong." Debate has been rife on who should regulate the mobile phone money transfer operators, with some arguing that the CBK should be party to the issuance of guidelines as "part of M-Pesa and Sokotele services fall under the national payments system." Fundamentally, the two mobile operations are guided by the Communications Commission of Kenya. Early last month, CBK said it had no intention of bringing the mobile cash transfer services under the Banking Act. It claimed that treating the money transfer services under the Act may impede competition in sector that is still at its infancy in a country whose majority population has limited access to financial services. Safaricom statistics show that as at the end of the first quarter of this year, more than Ksh3.1 billion ($44.2 million) had been transferred. From its launch in March 2007 till May this year, the service has facilitated the transfer of more than Ksh23.77 billion ($339.5 million). (Source: The East African) For further information on mobile payments in Africa purchase Balancing Act's report "M-Money - Finances, Banking and Payments through mobile phones" _______________________________________________ kictanet mailing list kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet This message was sent to: lfkraft(a)gmail.com Unsubscribe or change your options at http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/lfkraft%40gmail.com -- Lizette Kraft P.O. Box 18488, 00500 Nairobi, Kenya Cell: 0722-800362

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Fwd: Official Invitation Letter from Chinese Government
by waudo siganga 22 Oct '08

22 Oct '08

This could interest some collegaues, particularly those in BPO On Wed, 22 Oct 2008 17:15:20 +0800, "AP-SUMMIT " <admin(a)ap-summit.org> sa id: Dear sir or madam, We are honored to extend to you our cordial invitation to: The 2^nd Global Outsourcing Summit (2008) Date: 4^th Dec, 2008-6^th Dec, 2008 Venue: Yuda Palace Hotel, Zhengzhou City, Henan Province, China Theme: Global Outsourcings Role in Promoting the Prosperity of World Eco nomy Organizers: Asia-Pacific CEO Association (APCEO) Zhengzhou Municipal Peoples Government, P.R. China International Outsourcing Center (IOC) The 4^TH International Cooperation Summit for CEOs ??Provincial Governors and Mayors Special Investment Project: Reconstructing Sichuan with the Help of International Business Community Date: 7^th Dec, 2008-9^th Dec, 2008 Venue: InterContinental Hotel, Chengdu City, Sichuan Province, China Organizers: Asia-Pacific CEO Association (APCEO) Chengdu Municipal Peoples Government, P.R. China Topics: l Strategic thinking on the variable aspects of the Global econom y l Global industrial Transfer & Innovation throughout World Econom ies l Reconstructing Sichuan with the help of international business community The Municipal Government and People of Zhengzhou Welcome You! The Municipal Government and People of Chengdu Welcome You! Respectfully yours: ZHAO Jiancai, Mayor of Zhengzhou City GE Honglin, Mayor of Chengdu City Organizing Committee of the Global Outsourcing Summit (GOS) Organizing Committee of the International Cooperation Summit for CEOs ?Pr ovincial Governors and Mayors (ICS) NOTE: The governmental support to the attendees: · No participation fee will be charged; · Free hotel accommodation and meals during the conferences; · Complimentary shuttle bus for attendees will run from International Air port to the conference location and the hotels; · Free translation service and match service. ** If for any reason you are unable to come to the summit, we would appre ciate that you extend our invitation to others in your organization who might be able to attend in your stead .** Liaison Person: Barbteana Deng Organizing Committee of ICS & GOS Tel: +86-10-64987220 Fax: +86-10-64973173 Mobile: +86 13381370016 Website: [1]www.ap-summit.org [2]www.ioutsourcing.org/gos/ Address: D1-18 Floor, Sunshine Plaza, No.68, Anli Road, Chaoyang District , Beijing 100101, P.R. China References Visible links 1. http://www.ap-summit.org/ 2. http://www.ioutsourcing.org/gos/ Hidden links: 3. http://www.ioem.org/gos Men trip not not mountains, the stumble on stones - Chinese Proverb

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[Fwd: [i-network Uganda] Wall Street Simplified]
by alice 21 Oct '08

21 Oct '08

a look at the current financial situation with a light touch....from Uganda -------- Original Message -------- Subject: [i-network] Wall Street Simplified Date: Tue, 21 Oct 2008 15:14:20 +0300 From: Stephen S. Musoke <smusoke(a)infoma.com> Reply-To: I-Network Uganda <i-network(a)dgroups.org> To: I-Network Uganda <i-network(a)dgroups.org> If you have difficulty understanding the current world financial situation, the following should help... Once upon a time in a village in India, a man announced to the villagers that he would buy monkeys for $10. The villagers seeing there were many monkeys around, went out to the forest and started catching them. The man bought thousands at $10, but, as the supply started to diminish, the villagers stopped their efforts. The man further announced that he would now buy at $20. This renewed the efforts of the villagers and they started catching monkeys again. Soon the supply diminished even further and people started going back to their farms. The offer rate increased to $25 and the supply of monkeys became so little that it was an effort to even see a monkey, let alone catch it! The man now announced that he would buy monkeys at $50! However, since he had to go to the city on some business, his assistant would now act as buyer, on his behalf. In the absence of the man, the assistant told the villagers: 'Look at all these monkeys in the big cage that the man has collected. I will sell them to you at $35 and when he returns from the city, you can sell them back to him for $50.' The villagers squeezed together their savings and bought all the monkeys. Then they never saw the man or his assistant again, only monkeys everywhere! Welcome to WALL STREET. Stephen The I-Network Dgroup is a platform for ICT Knowledge Sharing:- Dgroups is a joint initiative of Bellanet, DFID, Hivos, ICA, ICCO, IICD, OneWorld, UNAIDS and World Bank:-You are currently subscribed to subst('i-network(a)dgroups.org') as: alice(a)apc.org To unsubscribe send a blank email to leave-i-network-1222184T(a)dgroups.org

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