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Digital Migration - The new Circus trending in Town..!
by Harry Delano 25 Feb '15

25 Feb '15

Blah, blah, blah ...! Meanwhile the unfolding circus that is the digital migration, continues to draw mixed reactions and court new controversy day in day out with each principal actor in the competing casts spinning out a bagful of tricks and manoeuvres in an effort to outdo each other. Clearly, the audience remains kept on the edge of their seats, askance and just can't wait any longer to find out the grand finale to this spectacular drama unfolding right before their eyes...! Of course it remains to be seen what this amazing state of affairs portents. Keep tuned, to find out shortly..! Reporting live, from the theatre of the digital drama, or is it..? Blah, blah, blah..!

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Fwd: [Chapter-delegates] WEBCAST TODAY: Senate hearing on IANA transition
by Ali Hussein 25 Feb '15

25 Feb '15

Listers For those of you following the above. Ali Hussein +254 770 906375 / 0713 601113 Twitter: @AliHKassim Skype: abu-jomo LinkedIn: http://ke.linkedin.com/in/alihkassim Blog: www.alyhussein.com "I fear the day technology will surpass human interaction. The world will have a generation of idiots". ~ Albert Einstein Sent from my iPad Begin forwarded message: > From: Joly MacFie <joly(a)punkcast.com> > Date: February 25, 2015 at 6:05:54 PM EAT > To: ISOC Chapter Delegates <chapter-delegates(a)elists.isoc.org> > Subject: Re: [Chapter-delegates] WEBCAST TODAY: Senate hearing on IANA transition > Reply-To: joly(a)punkcast.com > > Correction: the webcast is on http://www.commerce.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?p=Hearings&ContentRecord_id… > > > >> On Wed, Feb 25, 2015 at 9:57 AM, Joly MacFie <joly(a)punkcast.com> wrote: >> JUST ABOUT TO BEGIN >> Today Wednesday February 25 2015 the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation will convene a hearing – Preserving the Multistakeholder Model of Internet Governance – in Washington DC. As the U.S. government considers relinquishing control over certain aspects of Internet governance to the private sector, concerns remain that the loss of U.S. involvement over the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA) could empower foreign powers – acting through intergovernmental institutions or other surrogates – to gain increased control over critical Internet functions. Featuring testimony from the U.S. government official assessing the threat to the Internet and the CEO of ICANN, the hearing will examine the potential benefits and preparedness of non-governmental actors to protect Internet governance functions from attempted interference by foreign governments. Witnesses: Fadi Chehadé, CEO, Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN); Ambassador David Gross, Partner, Wiley Rein LLP, and former U.S. Coordinator for International Communications and Information Policy, U.S. Department of State; and Lawrence Strickling, Assistant Secretary for Communications and Information and Administrator, National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), U.S. Department of Commerce. >> >> What: Preserving the Multistakeholder Model of Internet Governance >> Where: Washington DC >> When: Wednesday February 25 2015 10am-11:30am EST | 15:00-16:30 UTC >> Webcast: http://www.ustream.tv/channel/hclive01 >> Twitter: #iana + #senate | #netgov >> >> >> >> >> >> -- >> --------------------------------------------------------------- >> Joly MacFie 218 565 9365 Skype:punkcast >> WWWhatsup NYC - http://wwwhatsup.com >> http://pinstand.com - http://punkcast.com >> VP (Admin) - ISOC-NY - http://isoc-ny.org >> -------------------------------------------------------------- >> - >> > > > > -- > --------------------------------------------------------------- > Joly MacFie 218 565 9365 Skype:punkcast > WWWhatsup NYC - http://wwwhatsup.com > http://pinstand.com - http://punkcast.com > VP (Admin) - ISOC-NY - http://isoc-ny.org > -------------------------------------------------------------- > - > _______________________________________________ > As an Internet Society Chapter Officer you are automatically subscribed > to this list, which is regularly synchronized with the Internet Society > Chapter Portal (AMS): https://portal.isoc.org

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Kenya as Silicon Savannah – PART II – Actualizing the Dream!
by Matunda Nyanchama 25 Feb '15

25 Feb '15

Business News » Kenya as Silicon Savannah – PART II – Actualizing the Dream! | | | | | | | | | Business News » Kenya as Silicon Savannah – PART II – Actualizing the Dream!Business News - Reading is FunDamental | | | | View on www.aganoconsulting.com | Preview by Yahoo | | | | | In the previous article we identified a number of key gaps in the promise of Kenya as Silicon Savannah and the reality on the ground. We need a structured approach to close these gaps. Indeed, as the old adage holds, ukiona vyalea vimeundwa. The National Innovation Forum, scheduled for 2nd and 3rd of March 2015 is expected to focus on how to close the gaps between promise and reality. It is also anticipated that the Forum would become an annual event focused on the ICT innovation space. Done well, it could become a “book of record” of and track progress with respect to ICT innovation in the country. The economic targets set for the ICT sector include an 8% contribution to the GDP and creation of 180,000 jobs by 2017. This task is too urgent to wait for sectorial reforms that encompass the entire economy. It is important that focus on the sector not be lost and that which can be accomplished be done as a matter of urgency. These targets are achievable numbers with collaboration between the private and public sectors with respect to planning and execution. There is a need to understanding the common goals and clear roles and responsibilities for both sectors. This would lead to the creation of a conducive environment that can nurture innovation. We need policies and regulations that promote Kenyan ICT products and services, especially with respect to public procurement; “support Kenyan ICT to, promote Kenya” should be the mantra! Our academic institutions must (of necessity) produce talent that is in tune with market needs, while collaborating with industry in research and development initiatives. Indeed, our academic institutions need to be forward-looking in a manner that is responsive to market skills demand. Capital and funding for initiatives need to be readily available, and streamlined in favour of innovation. We need mechanisms that can encourage more risk capital and ready access to ICT innovators. Further, we need to actively promote Kenyan ICT products and services regionally and internationally. One can envision a case where national trade delegations routinely incorporate ICT sector representation. Results can only be realized through orchestrated efforts, complete with plans, targets, performance measures and accountability. The approach should be based on collaboration between the public and private sectors. Moreover, the initiative should be supported from the highest offices in the nation. Key to these are the President and Cabinet Secretary of the Ministry of Information Communication and Technology. In planning the future of ICT innovation and its potential contribution to the economy, we need to look at the promise of the Science, Technology and Innovation Act of 2012. The Act, which was formally assented to by President Mwai Kibaki in January 2013, providing a good foundation for national innovation in general. It creates the National Commission for Science Technology and Innovation (NACOSTI), Kenya National Innovation Agency (KENIA) and the National Research Fund (NRF). NACOSTI’s mandate centres on regulation and quality assurance in the Science, Technology and Innovation. On the other hand, KENIA’s main objective is to develop and manage the Kenya National Innovation System, while NRF’s charged with mobilizing finance the advancement of science, technology and innovation in the country. The foregoing notwithstanding, we can also learn from the experience of others where the ICT sector has thrived. In Ireland for instance,Enterprise Ireland drives the entire ICT innovation value chain, from idea to testing to funding and maturity. It has components of support for marketing and skills development. A similar entity (call it Enterprise Kenya) in Kenya would identify, nurture and facilitate the ICT innovation value chain. It would coordinate initiatives for competition, information sharing, and access to capital and marketing the products. It would work closely with governments (both national and county) to promote the support of Kenyan ICT products and services. It would, on an ongoing basis, spark conversations on the talent landscape. The entity would also explore opportunities for commercialization, be these from the public, private sectors or academia. As an example, one could consider commercializing the Huduma Centres concept: the designs, software and accompanying services. This would entail securing associated intellectual property (products, processes and services) and packing these for offer to other countries that may be in need. The country needs an ICT-focused Equity Fund as means of providing access to capital for ICT innovations. Unlike the National Research Fund envisioned in the Science, Technology and Innovation Act of 2012 the Equity Fund would focus mainly on commercialization of ICT products. The Equity Fund would be an arms-length quasi-public entity that would invest in targeted promising innovations. For capitalization, the government, working with the private sector, could provide initial funding and hence help jumpstart the Fund’s activity. With success of funded innovations, the government stands to reap returns in terms of growth in equity of financed enterprises while enhancing economic growth. Over time, and once the sector is steady, the government could divest from the Fund. It is important that the Presidency and the Ministry of ICT continually engage with players in the sector to ensure that the processes established work and that there is meaningful progress with respect to ICT initiatives. One can envision a Presidential Task Force on ICT Innovation (perhaps combining with the recently launched Presidential Digital Talent Programme) domiciled at the Ministry of Information, Communication and Technology and working very closely with the ict.go.ke ICT Authority. The Task Force would continually work with the ICT sector to ensure government support in the innovation value chain. It would regularly report on the state of ICT innovation in the country, capturing associated achievements, challenges and means to overcome those challenges. There will also be an advocacy role for the Task Force, including popularizing ICT innovation in schools, tertiary training institutions as well as universities. Working with other entities (such as the proposed Enterprise Kenya) in the innovation space, the Task Force would create an innovation index, track on the index and identify direct achievements realized through ICT innovation. Further, we need to make ICT innovation as part of the parliamentary agenda. Both houses of parliament need to be involved, both from awareness and reporting perspectives. In doing so, they should make ICT innovation part of their agenda and require status updates on the date on a regular basis. There is more. There are many lessons that can be learnt from past, ongoing and future projects such as Huduma, the eCitizen, National Payment Gateway, IFMIS, etc. Procurement policy should not only require a minimum percentage of local participation but also provide for knowledge transfer to help build local capacity. In the end, we can generate substantial intellectual property from such projects while also (potentially) supporting co-innovation as a result of joint ventures and participation. Finally, we need to institutionalize the National Innovation Forum as an annual event with focus on issues of ICT innovation and as a show case for innovators. At the Forum, we would demonstrate successes, share challenges, solutions to those challenges and lessons learnt. It is possible that the Forum could be a culmination of nation-wide county activities of similar kind starting at the grassroots in the counties. Now that would be an ICT reawakening and a drive towards the promise of Kenya as a Silicon Savannah! Dr. Matunda Nyanchama is a Director and Managing Consultant at Agano Consulting Inc., and a Technical Advisor in the Ministry of Communications and Technology. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Matunda Nyanchama, PhD, CISSP; mnyanchama(a)aganoconsulting.com Agano Consulting Inc.; www.aganoconsulting.com; Twitter: nmatunda; Skype: okiambe ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Manage your ICT risks! We are the experts you need! The trusted partners you deserve!Call: +1-888-587-1150 (Canada) +254-20-267-0743 (Kenya) or info(a)aganoconsulting.comLicensed by Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------"The best revenge is massive success" - Frank Sinatra----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This e-mail, including attachments, may be privileged and may contain confidential or proprietary information intended only for the addressee(s). Any other distribution, copying, use, or disclosure is unauthorized and strictly prohibited. If you have received this message in error, please notify the sender immediately by reply e-mail and permanently delete the message, including any attachments, without making a copy. Thank you.

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Kenya's Silicon Savannah & the Need to do more
by Matunda Nyanchama 25 Feb '15

25 Feb '15

Bwana Kieti I have lately learnt of the term "co-innovation", really fancy terminology for incremental innovation. We can learnt from the automobile industry where parts manufacturers eventually become car manufacturers. Often, we can piggyback on established applications/processes as a means of growth. A good example is MLedger (again something I have learnt of recently) that wouldn't have been without MPesa. In that respect, one doesn't need a pot of money for R&D. There is also the Science, Technology and Innovation Act of 2012 that envisions (among other things) the creation of a Kenya National Innovation Agency and a National Research Fund. If we designated a % of our annual budget for R&D and disbursed this well through the NRF, we can be miles ahead. Further, we could consider incentives (e.g. tax writeoffs, etc.) for companies' spending on R&D so as to encourage R&D. On your taxonomy, I agree. I believe the local ICT sector has a similar taxonomy for classification of enterprises in the innovation value chain. Business News » Kenya as Silicon Savannah – PART II – Actualizing the Dream! | | | | | | | | | Business News » Kenya as Silicon Savannah – PART II – Actualizing the Dream!Business News - Reading is FunDamental | | | | View on www.aganoconsulting.com | Preview by Yahoo | | | | | Hi Dr. Nyanchama, The article helps in assembling a set of keyconsiderations moving forward for the sector. On *Research and Development*(R&D), since we don't have many large native IT corporations that wouldafford the requisite R&D budgets, would you recommend that we treatinnovation and entrepreneurship among thousands of startups as a democratizedR&D division for the sector? Also, does it help to classify enterprises in the sectorso as to develop targeted interventions? See my proposed taxonomy <http://www.slideshare.net/JohnKieti/taxonomy-of-it-enterprises-in-kenya-and…> and abstraction of undeveloped interventions shared lastweek at AITEC. Best regards ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Matunda Nyanchama, PhD, CISSP; mnyanchama(a)aganoconsulting.com Agano Consulting Inc.; www.aganoconsulting.com; Twitter: nmatunda; Skype: okiambe ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Manage your ICT risks! We are the experts you need! The trusted partners you deserve!Call: +1-888-587-1150 (Canada) +254-20-267-0743 (Kenya) or info(a)aganoconsulting.comLicensed by Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------"The best revenge is massive success" - Frank Sinatra----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This e-mail, including attachments, may be privileged and may contain confidential or proprietary information intended only for the addressee(s). Any other distribution, copying, use, or disclosure is unauthorized and strictly prohibited. If you have received this message in error, please notify the sender immediately by reply e-mail and permanently delete the message, including any attachments, without making a copy. Thank you.

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Re: [kictanet] [isoc_ke] For those who think Safaricom is Dominant - Think Again..
by Ali Hussein 25 Feb '15

25 Feb '15

Kelvin Not sure I see the link between this sorry and the dominance issue.. It is however an interesting read. Thanks for sharing. Ali Hussein +254 770 906375 / 0713 601113 Twitter: @AliHKassim Skype: abu-jomo LinkedIn: http://ke.linkedin.com/in/alihkassim Blog: www.alyhussein.com "I fear the day technology will surpass human interaction. The world will have a generation of idiots". ~ Albert Einstein Sent from my iPad > On Feb 23, 2015, at 11:46 PM, Kelvin Githira <kelvin(a)skysys.co.ke> wrote: > > is this the reason for the push to declare safaricom dominant ? > > http://www.businessdailyafrica.com/Corporate-News/VeriFone-seeks-managers-f… > > > well its just a matter of time before an LTD is registered in the British virgin island by nameless Kenyans > >> On Sat, Feb 21, 2015 at 12:42 AM, Ali Hussein via isoc <isoc(a)lists.my.co.ke> wrote: >> Listers >> >> Isn't it time to reboot our thinking on Policy and Regulation to fit the current global situation? >> >> This story in Forbes just made me realize one fundamental flow in our thinking regarding the regulatory environment we live in today. Should we not totally re-invent the environment to suit the circumstances? Why should we let the FCC trail-blaze in Regulation? What do they know about mobile innovation and regulation? Why are we abdicating our global responsibility from a regulatory perspective when we lead the world in mobile innovation? >> >> http://www.forbes.com/sites/mfonobongnsehe/2015/02/19/somali-entrepreneur-r… >> >> The world remittance market is $550b. What market share does Mpesa have? Let's not wallow in the hype and really make it happen. Today one in every three humans who use mobile money is a Kenyan. How does this translate to market share in this global stage. How many Indians/Chinese/Nigerians use Mpesa to remit money back home? That's the playground we must play in. After all isn't Kenya ground zero for all things mobile innovation? >> >> http://blogs.worldbank.org/africacan/how-kenya-became-a-world-leader-for-mo… >> >> Instead of trying to stifle local based companies let's give them the boost they require to become truly global. >> >> Here's what I think should happen. (Forgive me for being presumptive) but The Govt should cultivate BFF Status (my daughter tells me BFF means Best Friends Forever) with the likes of Mpesa, Mode, Cellulant, Pesapal, Jambo Pay, CopyCat, Seven Seas etc and present them as African Champions at every possible regional and Global event. Our very Economic Diplomacy should be anchored in this thinking. If my history serves me right that's how the Japanese Global Giants were borne. Through a truly PPP & Multi-Stakeholder Model (yes that word again..) Japanese industry became the world beaters they are today. For more on this it would be instructive to read the history of MITI. >> >> http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ministry_of_International_Trade_and_Industry >> >> Our folly is in thinking that private sector and government are mutually exclusive and that an adversarial stance is best to protect consumers. Let's expand the pie. There is no reason that Mpesa cannot become the de-facto mobile money system across Africa. For this to happen it would require not thinking out of the box - but reinventing the box. Literally. >> >> As Bob Collymore aptly put it - Being dominant is not a crime. >> >> Ali Hussein >> >> +254 770 906375 / 0713 601113 >> >> Twitter: @AliHKassim >> Skype: abu-jomo >> LinkedIn: http://ke.linkedin.com/in/alihkassim >> Blog: www.alyhussein.com >> >> "I fear the day technology will surpass human interaction. The world will have a generation of idiots". ~ Albert Einstein >> >> Sent from my iPad >> >> _______________________________________________ >> isoc mailing list >> isoc(a)lists.my.co.ke >> http://lists.my.co.ke/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/isoc >

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Re: [kictanet] [isoc_ke] For those who think Safaricom is Dominant - Think Again..
by Mwendwa Kivuva 24 Feb '15

24 Feb '15

Meanwhile, Orange "says it has lost control of Telkom Kenya" due to minority shareholder interference. http://www.businessdailyafrica.com/Corporate-News/French-firm-loses-control… On Feb 24, 2015 5:57 PM, "Ali Hussein via kictanet" < kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> wrote: :) *Ali Hussein* +254 770 906375 / 0713 601113 Twitter: @AliHKassim Skype: abu-jomo LinkedIn: http://ke.linkedin.com/in/alihkassim <http://ke.linkedin.com/in/alihkassim> Blog: www.alyhussein.com "I fear the day technology will surpass human interaction. The world will have a generation of idiots". ~ Albert Einstein Sent from my iPad On Feb 24, 2015, at 5:05 PM, Walubengo J <jwalu(a)yahoo.com> wrote: *From:* Ali Hussein via kictanet <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> wrote @Walu, I agree with your assertions and you seem to straddling the fence :) not sure what should be done..:) --- @Ali, I actually know what needs to be done. I just did not want to say it because we pay the DG and the CS good money to figure it out :-) walu. ------------------------------ *From:* Ali Hussein via kictanet <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> *To:* jwalu(a)yahoo.com *Cc:* ISOC Kenya Chapter <isoc(a)lists.my.co.ke>; KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> *Sent:* Tuesday, February 24, 2015 3:54 PM *Subject:* Re: [kictanet] [isoc_ke] For those who think Safaricom is Dominant - Think Again.. @Mwendwa My point is that Mpesa represents the whole innovation landscape in Kenya. There are other products/services that have global appeal. Kenyan made or at least Kenyan bred. The principle is that we MUST develop strong champions that can be global players - Free Markets be damned.. @Walu I agree with your assertions and you seem to straddling the fence :) not sure what should be done..:) Actually by default Mpesa has already been spinned off Safaricom. So that's a Fait Accompli. *Ali Hussein* +254 770 906375 / 0713 601113 Twitter: @AliHKassim Skype: abu-jomo LinkedIn: http://ke.linkedin.com/in/alihkassim <http://ke.linkedin.com/in/alihkassim> Blog: www.alyhussein.com "I fear the day technology will surpass human interaction. The world will have a generation of idiots". ~ Albert Einstein Sent from my iPad On Feb 24, 2015, at 3:45 PM, Mwendwa Kivuva <Kivuva(a)transworldafrica.com> wrote: On 24 February 2015 at 15:03, Ali Hussein via kictanet < kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> wrote: My other point is that the regulatory environment needs to take into consideration the global environment. Mpesa must be allowed space to grow beyond Kenya. Mpesa here means any Kenyan product. We must emulate Japan & other Asian Giants. Policy and regulation must as a matter of course favor local companies. I make no apologies for this last point - Free markets are a dream perpetuated by foreign interests with the end game of dominance. Ali, the tragedy is Vodafone pulled the rug from under our feet. They saw the value of MPESA long ago and patented it, thus licensing it to Sub Saharan Africa and Southern Asian countries. Thus it's not possible for Safaricom to grow the MPESA brand beyond our borders. That is what Vodafone has been doing all along. ______________________ Mwendwa Kivuva, Nairobi, Kenya "There are some men who lift the age they inhabit, till all men walk on higher ground in that lifetime." - Maxwell Anderson _______________________________________________ kictanet mailing list kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet Unsubscribe or change your options at https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/jwalu%40yahoo.com The Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet) is a multi-stakeholder platform for people and institutions interested and involved in ICT policy and regulation. The network aims to act as a catalyst for reform in the ICT sector in support of the national aim of ICT enabled growth and development. KICTANetiquette : Adhere to the same standards of acceptable behaviors online that you follow in real life: respect people's times and bandwidth, share knowledge, don't flame or abuse or personalize, respect privacy, do not spam, do not market your wares or qualifications. _______________________________________________ kictanet mailing list kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet Unsubscribe or change your options at https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/kivuva%40transworldaf… The Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet) is a multi-stakeholder platform for people and institutions interested and involved in ICT policy and regulation. The network aims to act as a catalyst for reform in the ICT sector in support of the national aim of ICT enabled growth and development. KICTANetiquette : Adhere to the same standards of acceptable behaviors online that you follow in real life: respect people's times and bandwidth, share knowledge, don't flame or abuse or personalize, respect privacy, do not spam, do not market your wares or qualifications.

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For those who think Safaricom is Dominant - Think Again..
by Ali Hussein 24 Feb '15

24 Feb '15

Listers Isn't it time to reboot our thinking on Policy and Regulation to fit the current global situation? This story in Forbes just made me realize one fundamental flow in our thinking regarding the regulatory environment we live in today. Should we not totally re-invent the environment to suit the circumstances? Why should we let the FCC trail-blaze in Regulation? What do they know about mobile innovation and regulation? Why are we abdicating our global responsibility from a regulatory perspective when we lead the world in mobile innovation? http://www.forbes.com/sites/mfonobongnsehe/2015/02/19/somali-entrepreneur-r… The world remittance market is $550b. What market share does Mpesa have? Let's not wallow in the hype and really make it happen. Today one in every three humans who use mobile money is a Kenyan. How does this translate to market share in this global stage. How many Indians/Chinese/Nigerians use Mpesa to remit money back home? That's the playground we must play in. After all isn't Kenya ground zero for all things mobile innovation? http://blogs.worldbank.org/africacan/how-kenya-became-a-world-leader-for-mo… Instead of trying to stifle local based companies let's give them the boost they require to become truly global. Here's what I think should happen. (Forgive me for being presumptive) but The Govt should cultivate BFF Status (my daughter tells me BFF means Best Friends Forever) with the likes of Mpesa, Mode, Cellulant, Pesapal, Jambo Pay, CopyCat, Seven Seas etc and present them as African Champions at every possible regional and Global event. Our very Economic Diplomacy should be anchored in this thinking. If my history serves me right that's how the Japanese Global Giants were borne. Through a truly PPP & Multi-Stakeholder Model (yes that word again..) Japanese industry became the world beaters they are today. For more on this it would be instructive to read the history of MITI. http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ministry_of_International_Trade_and_Industry Our folly is in thinking that private sector and government are mutually exclusive and that an adversarial stance is best to protect consumers. Let's expand the pie. There is no reason that Mpesa cannot become the de-facto mobile money system across Africa. For this to happen it would require not thinking out of the box - but reinventing the box. Literally. As Bob Collymore aptly put it - Being dominant is not a crime. Ali Hussein +254 770 906375 / 0713 601113 Twitter: @AliHKassim Skype: abu-jomo LinkedIn: http://ke.linkedin.com/in/alihkassim Blog: www.alyhussein.com "I fear the day technology will surpass human interaction. The world will have a generation of idiots". ~ Albert Einstein Sent from my iPad

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Digital Migration - Set Top Box Ownership - Time to move the debate forward!
by Consumers Federation of Kenya (COFEK) 23 Feb '15

23 Feb '15

Dear All, At Cofek, we find as (regrettably) misplaced the fact that people are re-opening the same old debate on digital migration merely because of the 3 media houses’ objections. Regardless of their somewhat valid grievances, we are on record saying they are fighting a lost battle. The Supreme Court has pronounced itself. It is end of debate on analogue switch-off. We need to move on – beyond the exchanges between CA/MOICT and the media houses. We need to listen to “Wanjiku”. We need to exploit the opportunities which migration brings with them. On set-top boxes, and if you thought South Africa is better on Digital Migration, then Kenya has no problems at all. A minister in South Africa has said no to STB’s with encryption! Read on: http://www.cofek.co.ke/index.php/14-news/957-if-you-thought-there-are-more-… Kind regards David Kedode www.cofek.co.ke

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Exactly how free is FTA?
by Collins Areba 23 Feb '15

23 Feb '15

I have a question thats been bugging my head to the extent of considering reading on firmware of most of the upcoming "providers" for "educational purposes". What exactly constitutes Free to Air? a) Signal distributed free of charge, and viewable on any FTA receiver. b) Signal Distributed Free of charge, but provider can encode to "lock" users to only using their decoder. c) Signal Distributed Free of charge by persons licensed to distribute FTA exclusively. d) What about Commercial Pay TV licensees that choose to distribute their signal free of charge... Would the service constitute FTA service? Regards, Collins Areba, P.O Box 44441, 00100 Nairobi, Kenya. Tel: +254 707 750 788 / 720 516 758 Twitter: @arebacollins. Skype: arebacollins

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Fwd: Ipsos poll on TV Switch Off
by Ali Hussein 23 Feb '15

23 Feb '15

Listers This may be of interest. Ali Hussein +254 770 906375 / 0713 601113 Twitter: @AliHKassim Skype: abu-jomo LinkedIn: http://ke.linkedin.com/in/alihkassim Blog: www.alyhussein.com "I fear the day technology will surpass human interaction. The world will have a generation of idiots". ~ Albert Einstein Sent from my iPad Begin forwarded message: > From: Rehema Muniu <Rehema.Muniu(a)ipsos.com> > Date: February 23, 2015 at 4:44:06 PM EAT > Cc: Tom Mzungu <Tom.Mzungu(a)ipsos.com>, Kui Kariuki <Kui.Kariuki(a)ipsos.com> > Subject: Ipsos poll on TV Switch Off > > Good day, > > I trust that you had a great weekend. > > Kindly find attached findings of a Poll conducted by Ipsos between 17th and 18th February 2015. This survey highlights : > > 1. Awareness levels of the Television Switch off > 2. New/Alternative Source(s) of information > 3. Who is responsible for the switch off > 4. Purchase of Set Top Boxes (STB) > > For any further clarification and/or information, please get in touch with Tom Mzungu - tom.mzungu(a)ipsos.com or kui.kariuki(a)ipsos.com > > Have a great week ahead! > > > Kind regards, > > Rehema >

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Dominance issue in the Telco sector
by Ali Hussein 22 Feb '15

22 Feb '15

Listers An analysis on the dominance issue with case studies across the world. 1 The Kenya Information and Communications (Amendment) Act 2013 The Kenya Information and Communications (Amendment) Act 2013 (the Act) states In Section 84W (3) that Communications Authority of Kenya (the Authority) may, by notice in the Gazette, declare a person or institution to be a “dominant telecommunications service provider” for the purposes of this Act. Section 84W (4) goes further to clarify what the Authority should consider in declaring an operator or institution dominant in subsection (4) as follow: - (a) the market share of the telecommunications service provider being at least fifty percentum of the relevant gross market segment; (b) the level of control over the communications infrastructure; (c) the level of technological advancement of the telecommunications service provider; (d) the scale of operations of the telecommunications service The Authority further developed Supplementary Legislation cited as the Kenya Information and Communications (Fair Competition and Equality of Treatment) Regulations, 2010 “the Regulations”. The Regulations indicate in section 7(1) that the Authority shall from time to time develop and publish, in the Kenya Gazette, guidelines to be followed when determining whether a licensee in a dominant market position in a specific communications market but this is not a precondition to determining an Institution as being dominant and therefore the Authority is mandated to declare an operator dominant under the current available Primary and secondary legislation. In regards to Dominance, the Regulations in Section 7 (2) and (3) further mentions additional criteria for deciding on dominance which include among others— (a) the degree of market concentration or the market share of the licensee, determined by reference to revenues, numbers of subscribers or volumes of sales; (b) the degree to which a licensee’s prices vary over time; (c) the ability of the licensee to maintain or erect barriers to entry to the market, including, by means of control of essential facilities, access to superior technology, privileged access to resources or capital markets or superior buying or negotiating position, amongst others; (d) the ability of the licensee to earn supernormal profits; (e) the global technology and commercial trends affecting market power; (f) the licensee’s power to make independent rate setting decisions; (g) the degree of product or service differentiation and sales promotion in the market; and (h) any other matters which the Commission may consider relevant. Section 7 (3) A licensee shall be in a dominant market position if; (a) it has the ability to materially raise prices without suffering a commensurate loss in service demand to other licensees; (b) it has the ability to erect or benefit from barriers to market entry; (c) the Commission has so determined a dominant market power report, after considering the circumstances and criteria set in these Regulations. In reference to the legal instruments cited above, the Authority has the mandate to declare an Institution dominant and our submission is dependent on these cited instruments to make a case for determining Safaricom as a being dominant in the Mobile Retail Voice, Data, SMS market and also in the Mobile Money Transfer markets. 2 The Relevant Market Segment In line with best practice worldwide and also based on previous market study done by PWC in 2010 for the Authority (then CCK) it is clear and evident that the Retail Mobile Voice, Retail Mobile Data, Retail SMS and Mobile Money Transfer are relevant market segments. Our focus will therefore be on the Mobile Retail Voice, Data, SMS and Mobile Money Transfer market segments. 3 Market Dominance definition in Kenya Market Dominance in Kenya can be determined based on the Act and the Regulations as identified above in item 2 above. Whereas globally there are other considerations known, we will use what is within the regulatory instruments available in Kenya. However for completeness, the Competition Act Chapter 504 Part C section 23. Also defines as dominance as follows: - Sections 23 (1) “dominant undertaking” means an undertaking which: (a) produces, supplies, distributes or otherwise controls not less than one-half of the total goods of any description which are produced, supplied or distributed in Kenya or any substantial part thereof; or (b) provides or otherwise controls not less than one-half of the services which are rendered This definition by the Competition Act is in harmony with the definition in the Act as it refers to half of total good s which aligns to the 50% market share specified in the Act. Our submission will therefore concentrate on the criteria in the Act and Regulations (which are yet to be amended in line with the Act) together with the Competition Act. 4 A case for Declaring Safaricom Dominant 4.1 Degree of Market Concentration or Market Share The Commission through its consultation paper on the intention to declare regulated services, found that there was high market shares, concentration ratios and Herfindahl-Hirschman Index (HHI) 5,230 on Subscriber base and 6,758 on revenues against best practice of 1,800 which was a clear demonstration of lack of effective Competition in the mobile voice termination market and hence the need for regulatory intervention to correct market failure. While we appreciate that the market shares, concentration ratios and HH index might have changed since the consultation was done, we strongly feel that the mobile voice market is not effectively competitive and hence the need for regulatory intervention by the Commission. The current HHI based on number of subscribers remains well over 4000 which is still double the threshold for a concentrated market. The HHI thresholds in US and EU are defined as follows: - HHI below 1000 – a competitive market. There are no dominant competitors in this market. HHI between 1000 and 1800 – a moderately concentrated market HHI above 1800 – a concentrated market. There are one or more dominant competitors in this market. This HHI though not reflected as a requirement to determine dominance in the Kenya goes to reinforce our submission that Safaricom is dominant. Safaricom’s market share has remained over 63% on the basis of mobile subscribers as can be seen from Table 2 and 78 % in traffic volumes for the period of January to March 2014. In terms of revenues it is about 80%. These figures are above the threshold that would lead to a rebuttable presumption of dominance. In established competition cases and also in line with the Competition Act chapter 504 in Kenya, sustained market shares of over 50% gives rise to a rebuttable presumption of dominance, while market shares of over 40% are suggestive of possibility of dominance. On the basis of market share alone, Safaricom holds a position of Dominance in retail voice, Retail Data, SMS and Mobile Money market and should be declared dominant. As per data provided below and also slide 30 in SFC H1 ’15 presentation, SFC holds: 68%, 78%, 97% and 72% market shares in subscribers, voice minutes, SMS traffic and data users. Moreover, they control 88% of total revenues of the market. (See extracts below) In summary, Safaricom has retained highest market shares as follows: - Market share by Subscription (voice) 80% in 2010 to 68% in 2014 Market share by Subscription (Data) 99% in 2010 to 71% in 2014 Market Share by Voice Minutes (Voice) 80% in 2012 to 79% in 2014 Market Share by number of SMS (SMS) 84% in 2012 to 96% in 2014 Market Share by Revenues (Voice) 86% in 2012 to 88% in 2014 well over 80% market share in each Mobile voice, SMS and Mobile Data 4.1.1 Market Shares by Subscriptions Number Mobile Subscriptions per Operator in Millions Month Safaricom Ltd Airtel Networks Kenya Ltd Telkom Kenya Ltd Essar Telecom (K) Ltd Totals 2009/10 16.24 1.83 0.55 1.49 20.12 2010/11 17.35 3.61 2.73 1.58 25.28 2011/12 19.01 4.91 3.12 2.66 29.70 2012/13 20.15 5.22 2.13 3.05 30.55 2013/14 21.93 5.07 2.69 2.56 32.25 Table 1: Number of mobile subscriptions since 2010 to Jun 2014 Source: Extracted from CCK/CA published reports Market Share by Subscriptions since 2010 Month Safaricom Ltd Airtel Networks Kenya Ltd Telkom Kenya Ltd Essar Telecom (K) Ltd Totals 2009/10 80.7% 9.1% 2.7% 7.4% 100% 2010/11 68.6% 14.3% 10.8% 6.3% 100% 2011/12 64.0% 16.5% 10.5% 9.0% 100% 2012/13 65.9% 17.1% 7.0% 10.0% 100% 2013/14 68.0% 15.7% 8.3% 8.0% 100% Table 2: Market Share by mobile subscriptions since 2010 Source: Extracted from CCK/CA published reports Source: Derived from Table 1 above. Chart 2: Market Share by Number of Subscriptions Mobile Data Subscriptions by Operator Operator 2009/10 2010/11 2011/12 2012/13 2013/14 Safaricom Ltd 2,959,906 3,584,283 5,262,307 9,332,995 9,974,377 Airtel Networks Kenya Ltd 10,000 496,509 1,074,764 1,597,481 1,880,644 Telkom Kenya Ltd - 108,926 674,255 795,513 1,574,168 Essar Telecom (K) Ltd - - 644,250 614,016 501,505 Totals 2,969,906 4,189,718 7,655,576 12,340,005 13,930,694 Source: Compiled from CCK/CA published reports Mobile Data Market Shares by Operator by Number of Subscriptions Operator 2009/10 2010/11 2011/12 2012/13 2013/14 Safaricom Ltd 99.7% 85.5% 68.7% 75.6% 71.6% Airtel Networks Kenya Ltd 0.3% 11.9% 14.0% 12.9% 13.5% Telkom Kenya Ltd 0.0% 2.6% 8.8% 6.4% 11.3% Essar Telecom (K) Ltd 0.0% 0.0% 8.4% 5.0% 3.6% Totals 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% Mobile Data Market Share by Subscription Source: CA Reports Extracts Source: Safaricom Half-Year Results Presentation 2014/2015 4.1.2 Market Shares by Traffic or Transactions Mobile Traffic Volumes by Operator since 2012 in Billion Minutes Operator Year 2011/12 Year 2012/13 Year 2013/14 Safaricom Ltd 21.75 22.61 23.88 Airtel Networks Kenya Ltd 2.93 3.38 3.06 Telkom Kenya Ltd 0.21 0.38 0.92 Essar Telecom (K) Ltd 2.07 2.43 2.38 Totals 26.96 28.80 30.24 Source: Compiled from CCK/CA published reports Mobile Voice Minutes Market Share by Operator over a three year Period Operator Year 2011/12 Year 2012/13 Year 2013/14 Safaricom Ltd 80.7% 78.5% 79.0% Airtel Networks Kenya Ltd 10.9% 11.7% 10.1% Telkom Kenya Ltd 0.8% 1.3% 3.0% Essar Telecom (K) Ltd 7.7% 8.5% 7.9% Totals 100% 100% 100% Chart 3: Market Share by Traffic Volumes in Minutes (2013/14) The above numbers clearly supports our submission to declare Safaricom as dominant in the Retail Voice, Data and SMS market. Mobile SMS Traffic by Mobile Operator in Millions SMS’s Operator Year 2011/12 Year 2012/13 Year 2013/14 Safaricom Ltd 3,626.14 12,386.16 23,502.51 Airtel Networks Kenya Ltd 494.01 632.10 731.61 Telkom Kenya Ltd 75.02 74.25 92.35 Essar Telecom (K) Ltd 100.21 140.58 117.55 Totals 4,295 13,233 24,444 Source: Compiled from CCK/CA published reports SMS Market Shares by Operator by number of SMS’s Operator Year 2011/12 Year 2012/13 Year 2013/14 Safaricom Ltd 84% 94% 96% Airtel Networks Kenya Ltd 12% 5% 3% Telkom Kenya Ltd 2% 1% 0% Essar Telecom (K) Ltd 2% 1% 0% Totals 100% 100% 100% 5 Benchmarking – Case Studies 5.1 Dominance Declarations in African Countries Recently the Nigeria Communications Commission declared MTN Nigeria and Globacom dominant following a study conducted by KPMG Professional Services. MTN was declared dominant in two market segment-Mobile Voice Market and Wholesale leased lines and transmission capacity whereas Globacom (Nigeria’s second National Operator) was declared the leader in wholesale leased lines and transmission capacity market. In its determination, Nigeria Communications Commission found that the mobile voice market was not effectively competitive and therefore ordered MTN (which has 44% of the mobile voice market) to charge same amount for on-net and off-net calls. We further wish to share with the Authority a list of countries in Africa which have declared some mobile operators dominant. Country in Africa Name of Dominant Operator in country Market Share of Dominant Operator Year Operator declared Dominant Nigeria MTN 44% April 28, 2013 Congo B MTN Airtel 40% 38% March 2013 Niger Airtel 61.4% 2013 chad Airtel 53% 2013 Rwanda MTN 57% 2013 Burkina Faso Airtel Telmob 39.24% 38.36% 2012 Senegal Orange 62.06 % 2012 Gabon Airtel 45% 2013 We wish to highlight to the Authority that Safaricom has more market shares than most of the operators declared dominant as per the table above. We therefore request the Authority to proceed with speed to declare Safaricom dominant just like the other regulators have done in their jurisdictions. 5.2 IFT (Federal Telecommunication Institute) Mexico In early 2014 America Movil and its operating subsidiaries- Telecel (Mexico’s wireless market leader) and Telemex (the dominant fixed line player) were declared by the IFC as a dominant economic interest group in the telecommunications market. Telecel’s market share at the time stood at 69 % and Telemex’s market share stood at around 85%. The market concentration stood at 6382 points on the HHI with Mobile Market standing at 5334 point and the fixed telephony market stood at 4761 points on the HHI. According to the IFT a HHI score of more than 2000 points can affect competition. As the Authority will note the HHI scores are very much in line with the market concentration levels in Kenya. The regulator subjected them to the following regulations on the wholesale level: · Asymmetric interconnection rates · Access to passive infrastructure · Local loop unbundling · Mandatory National roaming Access The regulator subjected them to the following regulations on the retail level: · End to SIM locking of handsets · All services sold in bundles were required to be sold separately · Certain retail prices were to be reviewed. 5.3 Summary of obligations Imposed on Dominant Operators in other countries The following is a summary of Dominance Remedies implemented in various countries. It is important to note that Asymmetric Interconnection is one of the remedies, Account separation, infrastructure sharing and on-net/off-net equalization. Country Obligations Ghana • Accounting Separation • Collapse of On‐net and Off‐net Retail Tariffs. The tariff for on‐net and off-net will be the same, and subject to periodic review. • Submission of Required Details: The Commission may require the dominant operator to submit details on specific aspects of its operations from time to time as the need arises. • Asymmetric interconnect termination rate regime applies to new entrants as well as Operators with less than 5% of subscriber market share Gabon • Interconnection • Obligations of the quality of service, Obligation of non-discrimination transparency; • Publication of the catalog of infrastructure sharing; • Accounting separation obligation and duty on the cost accounting of all benefits Nigeria • Collapsed of on-net and off-net retail tariffs to discourage calling club effect; • Accounts Separation; Mexico • Asymmetric interconnection rates • Access to passive infrastructure • Local loop unbundling • Mandatory National roaming Access • End to SIM locking of handsets • All services sold in bundles were required to be sold separately • Certain retail prices were to be reviewed. Ali Hussein +254 770 906375 / 0713 601113 Twitter: @AliHKassim Skype: abu-jomo LinkedIn: http://ke.linkedin.com/in/alihkassim Blog: www.alyhussein.com "I fear the day technology will surpass human interaction. The world will have a generation of idiots". ~ Albert Einstein Sent from my iPad

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Visualizing Procurement & CRM Performance
by S.M. Muraya 22 Feb '15

22 Feb '15

Dear Listers, Does anyone have a study or report of Kenyan public institutions with a 3 year track record of decently funding Intranet (Business Intelligence) portals. This includes end user training. This is to increase visibility and automation of Procurement and CRM processes. We have local talent who have for years developed these kinds of solutions for international organizations. Teams interested in meeting this kind of talent for one day seminars can email training(a)saltech.co.ke for more details. Noted in the news media, for legal/local processes including "arguments" IEBC currently owes over KES 600M. Does this have anything to do with it? http://www.cw-uk.org/trial-monitoring/ Their defence said they were just doing things “the African way”, and that they are guilty only of “being generous”.

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Re: [kictanet] [isoc_ke] Should Safaricom be broken up as 'recommended' by Airtel?
by Mwendwa Kivuva 21 Feb '15

21 Feb '15

On 18 February 2015 at 15:22, WANGARI KABIRU via isoc <isoc(a)lists.my.co.ke> wrote: > *"The Kenya Information and Communications Act section 84W gives the > Communications Authority of Kenya powers to declare a service provider to > be dominant if their market share is at least 50 per cent of the relevant > gross market segment," Mr Matiang'i noted. * > Wangare, you have murdered the law, and read it out of context. "The current regulation on competition, published by the ICT ministry in 2010, equates dominance to abuse of the market. The regulator says this makes it difficult to declare a licensee dominant considering that the threshold of proof of abuse is very high." ______________________ Mwendwa Kivuva, Nairobi, Kenya "There are some men who lift the age they inhabit, till all men walk on higher ground in that lifetime." - Maxwell Anderson

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FW: Call for Proposals: Quantified Society
by Grace Githaiga 21 Feb '15

21 Feb '15

fyi Subject: Call for Proposals: Quantified Society From: info(a)mediademocracyfund.org To: ggithaiga(a)hotmail.com Date: Fri, 20 Feb 2015 16:33:22 +0000 Call for Proposals: Quantified Society Examining the Consequences of Algorithmic Decision Making for Open Societies View this email in your browser Media Democracy Fund, Ford Foundation and Open Society Foundations are pleased to announce an inceptive study of Big Data and the practices around large scale data collection, analysis and use: “Quantified Society: Examining the Consequences of Algorithmic Decision Making for Open Societies”. This international Call for Proposals invites submissions from researchers, academicians, journalists, human rights defenders, civil society organizations, and professionals. Successful proposals will help synthesize an understanding of how technologies and policies around Big Data collection, analysis and use are driving changes in innovation, human rights, and relevant regulations. We have followed your work in the field of human rights and technology with great interest and believe you can further the debate and clarify concerns and opportunities around Big Data. We are pleased to invite a proposal from you and encourage you to circulate this Call for Proposals to others in your network who may be interested. The details of this Call for Proposals, including application instructions and timeline, may be downloaded here. Concept notes must be received by 27 March 2015. Full proposals from semi-finalists will be due 22 May 2015. Research awards will range from $10,000-25,000. ------- You are receiving this email because the Media Democracy Fund, Ford Foundation, and/or Open Society Foundations believe you may be interested in applying for funding to conduct research on the use of big data. Our mailing address is: Media Democracy Fund1201 Connecticut Avenue NW, Suite 300Washington, DC 20036 Add us to your address book unsubscribe from this list update subscription preferences

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Safaricom to reduce Investment IF Kenya moves on Dominance
by Walubengo J 20 Feb '15

20 Feb '15

@Ali, Mwendwa et al. Just spotted this and it confirms what I meant Safcom will chew them up faster than the broadcasters are attempting to do. Read on: Safaricom Will Reduce Investment If Kenya Moves on Dominance | | | | | | | | | Safaricom Will Reduce Investment If Kenya Moves on Dominance(Bloomberg) -- Safaricom Ltd. will cut its planned $400million investment in East Africa’s biggest economy this year ifKenyan regulators impose penalties on the wireless carrier tolimit its market dominance, its chief executive officer said. | | | | View on www.bloomberg.com | Preview by Yahoo | | | | | walu.

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Re: [kictanet] Dominance issue in the Telco sector
by Dennis Kioko 20 Feb '15

20 Feb '15

And hasn't the market in Kenya achieved most of these obligations? I urge the regulator to try out a different remedy in the form of declaring Safaricom's competitors non-competitive. In this light, they should then be urged to cede the resources they occupy to a more competitive operator who will capture the hearts and pockets of Kenyans. As someone said, it is important to understand the market rather than rely on "market studies". On Fri, 20 Feb 2015 18:18 Ali Hussein via kictanet < kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> wrote: > Listers An analysis on the dominance issue with case studies across the > world. > 1 The Kenya Information and Communications (Amendment) Act 2013 > > The Kenya Information and Communications (Amendment) Act 2013 (the Act) > states In Section 84W (3) that Communications Authority of Kenya (the > Authority) may, by notice in the Gazette, declare a person or institution > to be a "dominant telecommunications service provider" for the purposes of > this Act. > > > > Section 84W (4) goes further to clarify what the Authority should consider > in declaring an operator or institution dominant in subsection (4) as > follow: - > > (a) the market share of the telecommunications service provider being at > least fifty percentum of the relevant gross market segment; > > (b) the level of control over the communications infrastructure; > > (c) the level of technological advancement of the telecommunications > service provider; > > (d) the scale of operations of the telecommunications service > > > > The Authority further developed Supplementary Legislation cited as the > Kenya Information and Communications (Fair Competition and Equality of > Treatment) Regulations, 2010 "the Regulations". The Regulations indicate in > section 7(1) that the Authority shall from time to time develop and > publish, in the Kenya Gazette, guidelines to be followed when determining > whether a licensee in a dominant market position in a specific > communications market but this is not a precondition to determining an > Institution as being dominant and therefore the Authority is mandated to > declare an operator dominant under the current available Primary and > secondary legislation. > > > > In regards to Dominance, the Regulations in Section 7 (2) and (3) further > mentions additional criteria for deciding on dominance which include among > others-- > > (a) the degree of market concentration or the market share of the > licensee, determined by reference to revenues, numbers of subscribers or > volumes of sales; > > (b) the degree to which a licensee's prices vary over time; > > (c) the ability of the licensee to maintain or erect barriers to entry to > the market, including, by means of control of essential facilities, access > to superior technology, privileged access to resources or capital markets > or superior buying or negotiating position, amongst others; > > (d) the ability of the licensee to earn supernormal profits; > > (e) the global technology and commercial trends affecting market power; > > (f) the licensee's power to make independent rate setting decisions; > > (g) the degree of product or service differentiation and sales promotion > in the market; and > > (h) any other matters which the Commission may consider relevant. > > > > Section 7 (3) A licensee shall be in a dominant market position if; > > (a) it has the ability to materially raise prices without suffering a > commensurate loss in service demand to other licensees; > > (b) it has the ability to erect or benefit from barriers to market entry; > > (c) the Commission has so determined a dominant market power report, after > considering the circumstances and criteria set in these Regulations. > > > > In reference to the legal instruments cited above, the Authority has the > mandate to declare an Institution dominant and our submission is dependent > on these cited instruments to make a case for determining Safaricom as a > being dominant in the Mobile Retail Voice, Data, SMS market and also in > the Mobile Money Transfer markets. > > > 2 The Relevant Market Segment > > > > In line with best practice worldwide and also based on previous market > study done by PWC in 2010 for the Authority (then CCK) it is clear and > evident that the Retail Mobile Voice, Retail Mobile Data, Retail SMS and > Mobile Money Transfer are relevant market segments. > > Our focus will therefore be on the Mobile Retail Voice, Data, SMS and > Mobile Money Transfer market segments. > > > 3 Market Dominance definition in Kenya > > > > Market Dominance in Kenya can be determined based on the Act and the > Regulations as identified above in item 2 above. Whereas globally there are > other considerations known, we will use what is within the regulatory > instruments available in Kenya. > > > > However for completeness, the Competition Act Chapter 504 Part C section > 23. Also defines as dominance as follows: - > > > > Sections 23 (1) "dominant undertaking" means an undertaking which: > > (a) produces, supplies, distributes or otherwise controls not less than > one-half of the total goods of any description which are produced, supplied > or distributed in Kenya or any substantial part thereof; or > > > > (b) provides or otherwise controls not less than one-half of the services > which are rendered > > > > This definition by the Competition Act is in harmony with the definition > in the Act as it refers to half of total good s which aligns to the 50% > market share specified in the Act. > > > > Our submission will therefore concentrate on the criteria in the Act and > Regulations (which are yet to be amended in line with the Act) together > with the Competition Act. > 4 A case for Declaring Safaricom Dominant4.1 Degree of > Market Concentration or Market Share > > The Commission through its consultation paper on the intention to declare > regulated services, found that there was high market shares, concentration > ratios and Herfindahl-Hirschman Index (HHI) 5,230 on Subscriber base and > 6,758 on revenues against best practice of 1,800 which was a clear > demonstration of lack of effective Competition in the mobile voice > termination market and hence the need for regulatory intervention to > correct market failure. While we appreciate that the market shares, > concentration ratios and HH index might have changed since the consultation > was done, we strongly feel that the mobile voice market is not effectively > competitive and hence the need for regulatory intervention by the > Commission. The current HHI based on number of subscribers remains well > over 4000 which is still double the threshold for a concentrated market. > > > > The HHI thresholds in US and EU are defined as follows: - > > - HHI below 1000 - a competitive market. There are no > dominant competitors in this market. > - HHI between 1000 and 1800 - a moderately concentrated market > - HHI above 1800 - a concentrated market. There are one or more > dominant competitors in this market. > > > > This HHI though not reflected as a requirement to determine dominance in > the Kenya goes to reinforce our submission that Safaricom is dominant. > > > > Safaricom's market share has remained over 63% on the basis of mobile > subscribers as can be seen from Table 2 and 78 % in traffic volumes for the > period of January to March 2014. In terms of revenues it is about 80%. > These figures are above the threshold that would lead to a rebuttable > presumption of dominance. In established competition cases and also in line > with the Competition Act chapter 504 in Kenya, sustained market shares of > over 50% gives rise to a rebuttable presumption of dominance, while market > shares of over 40% are suggestive of possibility of dominance. On the basis > of market share alone, Safaricom holds a position of Dominance in retail > voice, Retail Data, SMS and Mobile Money market and should be declared > dominant. As per data provided below and also slide 30 in SFC H1 '15 > presentation, SFC holds: 68%, 78%, 97% and 72% market shares in > subscribers, voice minutes, SMS traffic and data users. Moreover, they > control 88% of total revenues of the market. (See extracts below) > > > > In summary, Safaricom has retained highest market shares as follows: - > > - Market share by Subscription (voice) 80% in 2010 to 68% in 2014 > - Market share by Subscription (Data) 99% in 2010 to 71% in 2014 > - Market Share by Voice Minutes (Voice) 80% in 2012 to 79% in 2014 > - Market Share by number of SMS (SMS) 84% in 2012 to 96% in 2014 > - Market Share by Revenues (Voice) 86% in 2012 to 88% in 2014 well > over 80% market share in each Mobile voice, SMS and Mobile Data > > > 4.1.1 Market Shares by Subscriptions > > *Number Mobile Subscriptions per Operator in Millions* > > *Month* > > *Safaricom Ltd* > > *Airtel Networks Kenya Ltd* > > *Telkom Kenya Ltd* > > *Essar Telecom (K) Ltd* > > *Totals* > > *2009/10* > > 16.24 > > 1.83 > > 0.55 > > 1.49 > > 20.12 > > *2010/11* > > 17.35 > > 3.61 > > 2.73 > > 1.58 > > 25.28 > > *2011/12* > > 19.01 > > 4.91 > > 3.12 > > 2.66 > > 29.70 > > *2012/13* > > 20.15 > > 5.22 > > 2.13 > > 3.05 > > 30.55 > > *2013/14* > > 21.93 > > 5.07 > > 2.69 > > 2.56 > > 32.25 > > Table 1: Number of mobile subscriptions since 2010 to Jun 2014 > > *Source: Extracted from CCK/CA published reports* > > > > Market Share by Subscriptions since 2010 > > *Month* > > *Safaricom Ltd* > > *Airtel Networks Kenya Ltd* > > *Telkom Kenya Ltd* > > *Essar Telecom (K) Ltd* > > *Totals* > > *2009/10* > > 80.7% > > 9.1% > > 2.7% > > 7.4% > > 100% > > *2010/11* > > 68.6% > > 14.3% > > 10.8% > > 6.3% > > 100% > > *2011/12* > > 64.0% > > 16.5% > > 10.5% > > 9.0% > > 100% > > *2012/13* > > 65.9% > > 17.1% > > 7.0% > > 10.0% > > 100% > > *2013/14* > > 68.0% > > 15.7% > > 8.3% > > 8.0% > > 100% > > Table 2: Market Share by mobile subscriptions since 2010 > > *Source: Extracted from CCK/CA published reports* > > > > *Source: Derived from Table 1 above.* > > Chart 2: Market Share by Number of Subscriptions > > > > Mobile Data Subscriptions by Operator > > *Operator* > > *2009/10* > > *2010/11* > > *2011/12* > > *2012/13* > > *2013/14* > > *Safaricom Ltd* > > 2,959,906 > > 3,584,283 > > 5,262,307 > > 9,332,995 > > 9,974,377 > > *Airtel Networks Kenya Ltd* > > 10,000 > > 496,509 > > 1,074,764 > > 1,597,481 > > 1,880,644 > > *Telkom Kenya Ltd* > > - > > 108,926 > > 674,255 > > 795,513 > > 1,574,168 > > *Essar Telecom (K) Ltd* > > - > > - > > 644,250 > > 614,016 > > 501,505 > > *Totals* > > 2,969,906 > > 4,189,718 > > 7,655,576 > > 12,340,005 > > 13,930,694 > > *Source: Compiled from CCK/CA published reports* > > > > Mobile Data Market Shares by Operator by Number of Subscriptions > > *Operator* > > *2009/10* > > *2010/11* > > *2011/12* > > *2012/13* > > *2013/14* > > *Safaricom Ltd* > > 99.7% > > 85.5% > > 68.7% > > 75.6% > > 71.6% > > *Airtel Networks Kenya Ltd* > > 0.3% > > 11.9% > > 14.0% > > 12.9% > > 13.5% > > *Telkom Kenya Ltd* > > 0.0% > > 2.6% > > 8.8% > > 6.4% > > 11.3% > > *Essar Telecom (K) Ltd* > > 0.0% > > 0.0% > > 8.4% > > 5.0% > > 3.6% > > *Totals* > > 100% > > 100% > > 100% > > 100% > > 100% > > > > Mobile Data Market Share by Subscription > > Source: CA Reports Extracts > > > > Source: Safaricom Half-Year Results Presentation 2014/2015 > > > 4.1.2 Market Shares by Traffic or Transactions > > > > Mobile Traffic Volumes by Operator since 2012 in Billion Minutes > > *Operator* > > *Year 2011/12 * > > *Year 2012/13* > > *Year 2013/14* > > *Safaricom Ltd* > > 21.75 > > 22.61 > > 23.88 > > *Airtel Networks Kenya Ltd* > > 2.93 > > 3.38 > > 3.06 > > *Telkom Kenya Ltd* > > 0.21 > > 0.38 > > 0.92 > > *Essar Telecom (K) Ltd* > > 2.07 > > 2.43 > > 2.38 > > *Totals* > > 26.96 > > 28.80 > > 30.24 > > *Source: Compiled from CCK/CA published reports* > > > > Mobile Voice Minutes Market Share by Operator over a three year Period > > *Operator* > > *Year 2011/12* > > *Year 2012/13* > > *Year 2013/14* >

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Should Safaricom be broken up as 'recommended' by Airtel?
by Ali Hussein 20 Feb '15

20 Feb '15

Listers Safaricom seems to be riding the Network Effect gravy train. Is this enough to break it up ala AT&T? Where do market forces stop and regulation begin? Read on:- http://www.businessdailyafrica.com/Matiangi-backs-Airtel-push-to-break-up-S… Ali Hussein +254 770 906375 / 0713 601113 Twitter: @AliHKassim Skype: abu-jomo LinkedIn: http://ke.linkedin.com/in/alihkassim Blog: www.alyhussein.com "I fear the day technology will surpass human interaction. The world will have a generation of idiots". ~ Albert Einstein Sent from my iPad

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Invitation to Attend and Exhibit at the Kenya ICT Innovation Forum 2nd and 3rd March 2015, KICC
by Phyllis Nyambura 20 Feb '15

20 Feb '15

Dear listers, The ICT Authority will be holding the Kenya ICT Innovation Forum and Expo on the *2nd and 3rd of March at KICC, Nairobi.* We are inviting you to attend and express your interest to exhibit during the days. To exhibit register at http://innovation.icta.go.ke/exhibit/ To attend register on: http://innovation.icta.go.ke/ <http://innovation.icta.go.ke/exhibit/> This event is designed to give you an opportunity to interrogate the ICT Innovation ecosystem opportunity in Kenya by engaging with public sector, corporates, potential investors, academia and mentors. The objective is to get your input towards catalyzing the ICT innovation ecosystem. The following Six (6) key areas have been identified for incisive examination at the forum. Topic 1. Strategic Procurement 2. Sustainable Talent and Workforce Development 3. Unlocking Capital 4. Co-Innovation, Research and Development 5. ITeS Exports 6. National Incubation Hubs and Accelerators Key discussion points in each one of the identified areas are expected to yield specific actionable items by the respective government agencies and stakeholders. For additional queries contact Lucy Mbuvi e:*lmbuvi@ict.go.ke <lmbuvi(a)ict.go.ke>* Kind Regards, Phyllis Nyambura Communication Writer The ICT Authority Telposta Towers, 12th Floor, Kenyatta Ave P.O. Box 27150 - 00100 Nairobi, Kenya t: + 254-020-2211960/62 | m: + 254 (0) 789396433 | e: pnyambura(a)ict.go.ke Email: info(a)ict.go.ke or communications(a)ict.go.ke Visit: www.icta.go.ke <http://www.ict.go.ke/> Become a fan: www.facebook.com/ICTAuthorityKE <http://www.facebook.com/kenyaictboard> Follow us on twitter: @ICTAuthorityKE --------------------- -- ICT Authority Telposta Towers 12th Floor, Kenyatta Ave PO Box 27150 - 00100 Nairobi Kenya Tel: +254 20 2089061 www.icta.go.ke

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Re: [kictanet] kictanet Digest, Vol 93, Issue 67
by James Kimani 20 Feb '15

20 Feb '15

On Thursday, February 19, 2015, <kictanet-request(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> wrote: > Send kictanet mailing list submissions to > kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke <javascript:;> > > To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit > https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to > kictanet-request(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke <javascript:;> > > You can reach the person managing the list at > kictanet-owner(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke <javascript:;> > > When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific > than "Re: Contents of kictanet digest..." > > > Today's Topics: > > 1. Secret shareholder in digital migration company revealed > (S.M. Muraya) > 2. Re: D. Migration - CAK Needs to Educate the Average Kenyan! > (Edith Adera) > > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > > Message: 1 > Date: Thu, 19 Feb 2015 15:07:24 +0300 > From: "S.M. Muraya" <murigi.muraya(a)gmail.com <javascript:;>> > To: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > <javascript:;>> > Subject: [kictanet] Secret shareholder in digital migration company > revealed > Message-ID: > < > CAE3a0Enyue3z6Cc0zz-aJQH5ZsaCtrTwFGpuHee6GMLV0+eu2A(a)mail.gmail.com > <javascript:;>> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8" > > There was a law in works to allow NSE list firms to be 100% foreign owned. > Not sure which developed nation allows firms primarily owned by foreigners > to control their critical infrastructure. Building a road is one thing, > controlling information flow is another. If we fail to develop local > talent, to create local wealth, we must plan to stash funds overseas ): > > > http://www.businessdailyafrica.com/CMA-wants-foreign-investors-allowed-full… > > Apparently some Kenyans own less than 7% of PANG. > > > http://www.businessdailyafrica.com/Secret-shareholder-in-digital-migration-… > > *Secret shareholder in digital migration company revealed* > > IN SUMMARY > > *Excel Magic International Ltd owns 6.7 per cent of the Pan Africa Network > Group?s (PANG?s) issued shares. > *The company, whose shareholders are Kenyan, is registered in the British > Virgin Islands, a tax secrecy jurisdiction. > > The Daily Nation has unearthed evidence of a secret Kenyan shareholder in > the Chinese firm at the heart of the country?s digital migration row. > > Registry records show that a company called Excel Magic International Ltd > owns 6.7 per cent of the Pan Africa Network Group?s (PANG?s) issued shares. > > The company is registered in the British Virgin Islands, a popular tax > secrecy jurisdiction, allowing its true owners to legally remain anonymous. > > According to company registry records, however, Excel Magic International?s > shareholding is described as ?Kenyan?. It owns 2,500 of the 37,500 shares > (a 6.7 per cent stake) in PANG, which was registered in Kenya on March 4, > 2011. > > The development has introduced a new twist to the controversy surrounding > digital migration because, until recently, the Communications Authority of > Kenya has been publicly stating PANG Kenya was a wholly-owned Chinese firm. > > Observers will be quick to draw parallels with Mobitelea Ventures Ltd, the > shadowy firm that was exposed in 2006 as a secret shareholder in Safaricom. > > It emerged that, as Kenya was going through a transition similar to digital > migration ? opening up telecommunications by introducing mobile telephones > ? individuals in then President Daniel arap Moi?s regime had negotiated > with Vodafone Plc to acquire shares in Safaricom Ltd ahead of its public > listing. > > Vodafone Kenya Ltd itself was owned through nominee companies ?owned? by a > firm of lawyers. The secret shareholding arrangements were seen as possible > evidence of an indirect kickback to unidentified individuals. > > To date, the true identities of the local owners of Mobitelea Ventures, who > earned billions before eventually giving up their stake, are not known. > > Excel Magic International gives its address as OMC Chambers, Wickhams, Road > Town, Tortola. The Carribean island of Tortola is the largest and most > populated of the British Virgin Islands, while Road Town is its largest > town. > > Records obtained by the Daily Nation show PANG was registered with a > nominal capital of Sh4.1 million, with 500,000 authorised shares valued at > Sh82 each. > > PANG?s directors are named as Mr Xinxing Pang and Mr Shang Junqi. > > The company was the second to be awarded a Broadcast Signal Distributor > licence by the communications regulator in October 2011, a few months after > registration. Earlier, the government had given a licence to Signet Kenya, > a company it jointly owns with state broadcaster KBC. > > CLICK HERE to read the original story on the Daily Nation website > < > http://www.nation.co.ke/news/Pang-British-Virgin-Islands-Digital-Migration/… > > > . >

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Re: [kictanet] kictanet Digest, Vol 93, Issue 67
by James Kimani 19 Feb '15

19 Feb '15

On Thursday, February 19, 2015, <kictanet-request(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> wrote: > Send kictanet mailing list submissions to > kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke <javascript:;> > > To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit > https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to > kictanet-request(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke <javascript:;> > > You can reach the person managing the list at > kictanet-owner(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke <javascript:;> > > When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific > than "Re: Contents of kictanet digest..." > > > Today's Topics: > > 1. Secret shareholder in digital migration company revealed > (S.M. Muraya) > 2. Re: D. Migration - CAK Needs to Educate the Average Kenyan! > (Edith Adera) > > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > > Message: 1 > Date: Thu, 19 Feb 2015 15:07:24 +0300 > From: "S.M. Muraya" <murigi.muraya(a)gmail.com <javascript:;>> > To: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > <javascript:;>> > Subject: [kictanet] Secret shareholder in digital migration company > revealed > Message-ID: > < > CAE3a0Enyue3z6Cc0zz-aJQH5ZsaCtrTwFGpuHee6GMLV0+eu2A(a)mail.gmail.com > <javascript:;>> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8" > > There was a law in works to allow NSE list firms to be 100% foreign owned. > Not sure which developed nation allows firms primarily owned by foreigners > to control their critical infrastructure. Building a road is one thing, > controlling information flow is another. If we fail to develop local > talent, to create local wealth, we must plan to stash funds overseas ): > > > http://www.businessdailyafrica.com/CMA-wants-foreign-investors-allowed-full… > > Apparently some Kenyans own less than 7% of PANG. > > > http://www.businessdailyafrica.com/Secret-shareholder-in-digital-migration-… > > *Secret shareholder in digital migration company revealed* > > IN SUMMARY > > *Excel Magic International Ltd owns 6.7 per cent of the Pan Africa Network > Group?s (PANG?s) issued shares. > *The company, whose shareholders are Kenyan, is registered in the British > Virgin Islands, a tax secrecy jurisdiction. > > The Daily Nation has unearthed evidence of a secret Kenyan shareholder in > the Chinese firm at the heart of the country?s digital migration row. > > Registry records show that a company called Excel Magic International Ltd > owns 6.7 per cent of the Pan Africa Network Group?s (PANG?s) issued shares. > > The company is registered in the British Virgin Islands, a popular tax > secrecy jurisdiction, allowing its true owners to legally remain anonymous. > > According to company registry records, however, Excel Magic International?s > shareholding is described as ?Kenyan?. It owns 2,500 of the 37,500 shares > (a 6.7 per cent stake) in PANG, which was registered in Kenya on March 4, > 2011. > > The development has introduced a new twist to the controversy surrounding > digital migration because, until recently, the Communications Authority of > Kenya has been publicly stating PANG Kenya was a wholly-owned Chinese firm. > > Observers will be quick to draw parallels with Mobitelea Ventures Ltd, the > shadowy firm that was exposed in 2006 as a secret shareholder in Safaricom. > > It emerged that, as Kenya was going through a transition similar to digital > migration ? opening up telecommunications by introducing mobile telephones > ? individuals in then President Daniel arap Moi?s regime had negotiated > with Vodafone Plc to acquire shares in Safaricom Ltd ahead of its public > listing. > > Vodafone Kenya Ltd itself was owned through nominee companies ?owned? by a > firm of lawyers. The secret shareholding arrangements were seen as possible > evidence of an indirect kickback to unidentified individuals. > > To date, the true identities of the local owners of Mobitelea Ventures, who > earned billions before eventually giving up their stake, are not known. > > Excel Magic International gives its address as OMC Chambers, Wickhams, Road > Town, Tortola. The Carribean island of Tortola is the largest and most > populated of the British Virgin Islands, while Road Town is its largest > town. > > Records obtained by the Daily Nation show PANG was registered with a > nominal capital of Sh4.1 million, with 500,000 authorised shares valued at > Sh82 each. > > PANG?s directors are named as Mr Xinxing Pang and Mr Shang Junqi. > > The company was the second to be awarded a Broadcast Signal Distributor > licence by the communications regulator in October 2011, a few months after > registration. Earlier, the government had given a licence to Signet Kenya, > a company it jointly owns with state broadcaster KBC. > > CLICK HERE to read the original story on the Daily Nation website > < > http://www.nation.co.ke/news/Pang-British-Virgin-Islands-Digital-Migration/… > > > . >

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D. Migration - CAK Needs to Educate the Average Kenyan!
by Edith Adera 19 Feb '15

19 Feb '15

Thanks Rachel for sharing this. While this is great to share, the average Kenyan has NO clue what we're talking about, why they need to move, what they need to get in terms of STB, where, prices etc. The list you've sent is very technical, how can you simplify it for the common person and even for those alittle more techy, how do I know which model is better etc. The specs don't make sense to the common person. What is CAK doing to educate the average Kenyan (whom as we know is a "peculiar" consumer)? I'm very concerned that we are just watching the theatrics, but not many are moving in the direction of migration, in reality! We can talk off line Edith _______________ Edith Ofwona Senior Program Specialist Agriculture and Environment International Development Research Centre|Centre de recherches pour le développement international Regional Office for Sub-Saharan Africa | Bureau Régional de l'Afrique Subsaharienne Physical Address: 3rd Floor, Eaton Place, United Nations Crescent, Gigiri +254-20-2713161/0 | Fax: +254-20-2711063|Ext: 3406 eofwona(a)idrc.ca<mailto:eofwona@idrc.ca> |eofwona(a)crdi.ca<mailto:%7Ceofwona@crdi.ca> |www.idrc.ca |www.crdi.ca @IDRC_CRDI<https://twitter.com/IDRC_CRDI> [cid:image007.png@01D04C2A.E8B2E540] <https://twitter.com/idrc_crdi> [cid:image008.png@01D04C2A.E8B2E540] <https://www.facebook.com/IDRC.CRDI> [cid:image009.png@01D04C2A.E8B2E540] <https://www.youtube.com/user/IDRCCRDI> Subscribe | Abonnement IDRC Bulletin<http://www.idrc.ca/Subscribe> Bulletin du CRDI<http://www.crdi.ca/Abonner> From: kictanet [mailto:kictanet-bounces+eadera=idrc.ca@lists.kictanet.or.ke] On Behalf Of Alwala, Rachel via kictanet Sent: February-18-15 6:17 PM To: Edith Adera Subject: Re: [kictanet] Which set top box are you using? Dear Listers, Sorry I have been off the list for a while for technical reasons but good to see this debate on digital migration. I thought I would share some facts about digital migration together with a list of boxes type-approved by the Authority with respective contacts. Regards, Rachel Alwala CA From: kictanet [mailto:kictanet-bounces+alwala=ca.go.ke@lists.kictanet.or.ke] On Behalf Of Grace Mutung'u (Bomu) via kictanet Sent: 18 February 2015 17:34 To: Alwala, Rachel Subject: [kictanet] Which set top box are you using? Listers, I would be interested to know, for those who have bought set top boxes, which one are you using, where did you get it from, at how much and what is your experience? Regards, -- Grace L.N. Mutung'u Nairobi Kenya Skype: gracebomu Twitter: @Bomu

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Secret shareholder in digital migration company revealed
by S.M. Muraya 19 Feb '15

19 Feb '15

There was a law in works to allow NSE list firms to be 100% foreign owned. Not sure which developed nation allows firms primarily owned by foreigners to control their critical infrastructure. Building a road is one thing, controlling information flow is another. If we fail to develop local talent, to create local wealth, we must plan to stash funds overseas ): http://www.businessdailyafrica.com/CMA-wants-foreign-investors-allowed-full… Apparently some Kenyans own less than 7% of PANG. http://www.businessdailyafrica.com/Secret-shareholder-in-digital-migration-… *Secret shareholder in digital migration company revealed* IN SUMMARY *Excel Magic International Ltd owns 6.7 per cent of the Pan Africa Network Group’s (PANG’s) issued shares. *The company, whose shareholders are Kenyan, is registered in the British Virgin Islands, a tax secrecy jurisdiction. The Daily Nation has unearthed evidence of a secret Kenyan shareholder in the Chinese firm at the heart of the country’s digital migration row. Registry records show that a company called Excel Magic International Ltd owns 6.7 per cent of the Pan Africa Network Group’s (PANG’s) issued shares. The company is registered in the British Virgin Islands, a popular tax secrecy jurisdiction, allowing its true owners to legally remain anonymous. According to company registry records, however, Excel Magic International’s shareholding is described as “Kenyan”. It owns 2,500 of the 37,500 shares (a 6.7 per cent stake) in PANG, which was registered in Kenya on March 4, 2011. The development has introduced a new twist to the controversy surrounding digital migration because, until recently, the Communications Authority of Kenya has been publicly stating PANG Kenya was a wholly-owned Chinese firm. Observers will be quick to draw parallels with Mobitelea Ventures Ltd, the shadowy firm that was exposed in 2006 as a secret shareholder in Safaricom. It emerged that, as Kenya was going through a transition similar to digital migration — opening up telecommunications by introducing mobile telephones — individuals in then President Daniel arap Moi’s regime had negotiated with Vodafone Plc to acquire shares in Safaricom Ltd ahead of its public listing. Vodafone Kenya Ltd itself was owned through nominee companies ‘owned’ by a firm of lawyers. The secret shareholding arrangements were seen as possible evidence of an indirect kickback to unidentified individuals. To date, the true identities of the local owners of Mobitelea Ventures, who earned billions before eventually giving up their stake, are not known. Excel Magic International gives its address as OMC Chambers, Wickhams, Road Town, Tortola. The Carribean island of Tortola is the largest and most populated of the British Virgin Islands, while Road Town is its largest town. Records obtained by the Daily Nation show PANG was registered with a nominal capital of Sh4.1 million, with 500,000 authorised shares valued at Sh82 each. PANG’s directors are named as Mr Xinxing Pang and Mr Shang Junqi. The company was the second to be awarded a Broadcast Signal Distributor licence by the communications regulator in October 2011, a few months after registration. Earlier, the government had given a licence to Signet Kenya, a company it jointly owns with state broadcaster KBC. CLICK HERE to read the original story on the Daily Nation website <http://www.nation.co.ke/news/Pang-British-Virgin-Islands-Digital-Migration/…> .

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Which set top box are you using?
by Grace Mutung'u (Bomu) 19 Feb '15

19 Feb '15

Listers, I would be interested to know, for those who have bought set top boxes, which one are you using, where did you get it from, at how much and what is your experience? Regards, -- Grace L.N. Mutung'u Nairobi Kenya Skype: gracebomu Twitter: @Bomu <http://www.diplointernetgovernance.org/profile/GraceMutungu>

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Re: [kictanet] [isoc_ke] Should Safaricom be broken up as 'recommended' by Airtel?
by Odhiambo Washington 19 Feb '15

19 Feb '15

I am hoping Airtel was not prevented by anyone from innovating. Someone tell them to read this one - http://goo.gl/pfXIwF - they can pass that to CA as more evidence of the dominance. On 18 February 2015 at 07:42, Ali Hussein via kictanet < kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> wrote: > Barrack > > Anyone who thinks about breaking up a progressive company unfortunately is > living in the past. > > 1. AT&T was broken up but bounced back. > 2. Microsoft was threatened with break up but market forces did what the > regulators couldn't do. > 3. Google is threatened with dominance but we know that there are strong > competitors out there. > 4. Facebook as strong as it is now facing a teenage backlash who are > leaving it in droves because they are reluctant to share the same space > with their fathers and grannies. > > Even Safaricom needs to watch out - and I don't think they should spend > too much time worrying about the regulator (who in my humble opinion is > proving quite level headed despite the pressures they may be under) Instead > they should worry about Kenyans' Peculiar Habits. > > > *Ali Hussein* > > +254 770 906375 / 0713 601113 > > Twitter: @AliHKassim > > Skype: abu-jomo > > LinkedIn: http://ke.linkedin.com/in/alihkassim > <http://ke.linkedin.com/in/alihkassim> > > Blog: www.alyhussein.com > > "I fear the day technology will surpass human interaction. The world will > have a generation of idiots". ~ Albert Einstein > > Sent from my iPad > > On Feb 18, 2015, at 7:27 AM, Barrack Otieno <otieno.barrack(a)gmail.com> > wrote: > > Goodmorning Ali, > > In my humble opinion, even if Safaricom were to be broken up,it is > still a brand that resonates with the people and is in tune with the > Kenyan pulse (the spirit of Safaricom- in laymans terms), this is what > the competitors would have to break up, i am sure the strategists are > already thinking ahead and it will not be a walk in the park for the > competitors. > > Best Regards > > On 2/18/15, Ali Hussein via isoc <isoc(a)lists.my.co.ke> wrote: > > Listers > > > Safaricom seems to be riding the Network Effect gravy train. Is this enough > > to break it up ala AT&T? Where do market forces stop and regulation begin? > > > Read on:- > > > > http://www.businessdailyafrica.com/Matiangi-backs-Airtel-push-to-break-up-S… > > > Ali Hussein > > > +254 770 906375 / 0713 601113 > > > Twitter: @AliHKassim > > Skype: abu-jomo > > LinkedIn: http://ke.linkedin.com/in/alihkassim > > Blog: www.alyhussein.com > > > "I fear the day technology will surpass human interaction. The world will > > have a generation of idiots". ~ Albert Einstein > > > Sent from my iPad > > > > -- > Barrack O. Otieno > +254721325277 > +254-20-2498789 > Skype: barrack.otieno > http://www.otienobarrack.me.ke/ > > > _______________________________________________ > kictanet mailing list > kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > > Unsubscribe or change your options at > https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/odhiambo%40gmail.com > > The Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet) is a multi-stakeholder platform > for people and institutions interested and involved in ICT policy and > regulation. The network aims to act as a catalyst for reform in the ICT > sector in support of the national aim of ICT enabled growth and development. > > KICTANetiquette : Adhere to the same standards of acceptable behaviors > online that you follow in real life: respect people's times and bandwidth, > share knowledge, don't flame or abuse or personalize, respect privacy, do > not spam, do not market your wares or qualifications. > -- Best regards, Odhiambo WASHINGTON, Nairobi,KE +254733744121/+254722743223 "I can't hear you -- I'm using the scrambler."

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Fwd: TV & Radio Incidence Post Switch Off
by Ali Hussein 18 Feb '15

18 Feb '15

Listers Interesting stats on viewership. Ali Hussein +254 770 906375 / 0713 601113 Twitter: @AliHKassim Skype: abu-jomo LinkedIn: http://ke.linkedin.com/in/alihkassim Blog: www.alyhussein.com "I fear the day technology will surpass human interaction. The world will have a generation of idiots". ~ Albert Einstein Sent from my iPad Begin forwarded message: > From: Rehema Muniu <Rehema.Muniu(a)ipsos.com> > Date: February 18, 2015 at 6:07:30 PM EAT > Cc: Tom Mzungu <Tom.Mzungu(a)ipsos.com>, Kui Kariuki <Kui.Kariuki(a)ipsos.com> > Subject: TV & Radio Incidence Post Switch Off > > Hello, > > Attached are findings on radio and television reach for the period Friday 13th – Monday 16th February post switch off. > > Please let us know if you require any clarifications. > > Best regards, > > Rehema Muniu > Director > Ipsos MediaCT > > Acorn House, 97 James Gichuru Road, Lavington > P.O. Box 68230 – 00200 City Square, Nairobi > Tel: +254 20 3862721-33 I Mobile: +254 722 340 593 > rehema.muniu(a)ipsos.com > http://www.ipsos.com | http://www.ipsos.co.ke. > The Home of Researchers > > >

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Software ownership dispute
by gisho 18 Feb '15

18 Feb '15

Dear listers, (Sorry for cross posting) I have an ongoing case against me on regards to a software i developed for a client called Ceven ltd on year 2013. After I resigned from employment at March 2013, I stated doing my own projects and thats when the then general manager of Ceven pointed out to me that they were in need of a better and more efficient system for vending prepaid electricity tokens. Working at home, i worked for a month and a half and presented my demo on April 2013. The demo was received well and they gave me the go ahead to finalize the bits that were still rough. The demo included interfaces for vendor management, virtual float management, billing and a J2ME app for Nokia phones that would dispense a receipt via a bluetooth printer. On April 15th 2013 I installed the application to their hardware for a live test. After a thorough test we decided to host the server at Access Kenya data center at Baclys Plaza on mid May 2013 and continued to push live transactions via the app. I used a publicly available Ipay API that was then available here: https://gforge.bizswitch.net/docman/view.php/9/34/Ipay-prepaidElecTransacti… the API is no longer available form that site but can still be found by just googling for it. The API enabled me to create a client to connect to KPLC prepaid systems. <https://gforge.bizswitch.net/docman/view.php/9/34/Ipay-prepaidElecTransacti…> We discussed on payments that i was to take 20% of the net revenue share less all technological related expenses which includes the hosting charges for the server. I got my first pay on September 2013 after settling all expenses that were to be billed on me over that time. All this time I was still upgrading the app to accommodate new requests from the client and the vendors. On June 2014, the client sent me the attached draft contract with a 2013 date and claimed that Ceven ltd owned my application.As at this time the business had grown big and was known far and wide. The contract was contrary to what i expected and I began to seek legal help and thats when I registered a company and also obtained a copyright certificate from Kenya Copyright Board. I did not sign the contract as I felt it was unfair on my side. On August 2014 I moved my application from the client's hardware to a cloud server and then to my server on October 2014 which was co-located at the same place - Access Kenya data center at Baclays plaza. On October 2014 the client indicated that they were interested in acquiring the application and we started negotiations for the same. We all agreed that we were to find a party that would do a fair market valuation of the software application independently. Attached was our draft MOU that would see us through the process of this sale. >From August 2014 the client started failing to pay the agreed amounts up to November 2014 and whenever I would demand for payments they would urge me to sign the contract. On start of December 2014, my lawyer went ahead and wrote a negotiation agreement that required them to pay the arrears and payment terms for the negotiation period which they never signed. At all this time I would pay for the service expenses with my money and it was inevitable that if the client did not pay for the service i would shutdown the server. On December 16th 2014, the client was issued a court order that barred me from accesing my server or the clients server at Access Kenya either physically or remotely. It also said that I should surrender administrative passwords to them. They went ahead and shutdown my server where the application was running and that was it... business closed! Later on the faithful monit would send me emails of attempted power cycles on the server. I still don't know what was happening at the server during those times but thats a story for another day. I was out of Nairobi on December 2014 and I came back on January 2015 when I was served with the court order. I declined to give out any passwords as that would get my software copied. Upon reading the court application document, the client now says that they fully owns the software despite them not providing any prove of ownership. They also claim that I acquired my copyright certificate fraudulently. The software was running under brand "Pata Pawa" which is owned by the client. We are now in court and hearing is on February 11 2015 (which is today) at High Court of Kenya Nairobi - Commercial and Admiralty Division. In this case, who legally owns the software? In case of any clarifications feel free to contact me. If I win this case, I will release the code under GPL or MIT license. Maybe someone will learn something from it. If I don't, I'll likely rot in Jail for contempt of court which the judge said might be higher for me. Regards, Erastus +254716165716

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Fwd: Digital Migration - Set Top Box Ownership
by Ali Hussein 18 Feb '15

18 Feb '15

Listers This just came through. Regards Ali Hussein +254 770 906375 / 0713 601113 Twitter: @AliHKassim Skype: abu-jomo LinkedIn: http://ke.linkedin.com/in/alihkassim Blog: www.alyhussein.com "I fear the day technology will surpass human interaction. The world will have a generation of idiots". ~ Albert Einstein Sent from my iPad Begin forwarded message: > From: Rehema Muniu <Rehema.Muniu(a)ipsos.com> > Date: February 18, 2015 at 3:17:03 PM EAT > Cc: Tom Mzungu <Tom.Mzungu(a)ipsos.com>, Kui Kariuki <Kui.Kariuki(a)ipsos.com> > Subject: Digital Migration - Set Top Box Ownership > > Good day, > > Attached are findings on set top box ownership generated from the Ipsos Day After Recall data collected from 2nd to 16th February. > > These findings are based on TV owners interviewed across the country using Computer Aided Telephonic Interviews. > > We will keep you updated on the implications of digital migration. > > Best regards, > > Rehema Muniu > Director > Ipsos MediaCT > > Acorn House, 97 James Gichuru Road, Lavington > P.O. Box 68230 – 00200 City Square, Nairobi > Tel: +254 20 3862721-33 I Mobile: +254 722 340 593 > rehema.muniu(a)ipsos.com > http://www.ipsos.com | http://www.ipsos.co.ke. > The Home of Researchers > > >

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The Elephant in the Digital Migration Room?
by Ali Hussein 18 Feb '15

18 Feb '15

Listers Interesting article by Jaindi Kisero. Titled 'Digital migration across Africa is all about dubious deals with Chinese' The gist of the article is that:- 1. StarTimes has basically dominated digital migration contracts in a number of African Countries. (Is this the new Lonrho?) 2. That there are dubious and opaque deals being cut (tell me something new in Africa!) 3. That Africans are giving away their national broadcasting Crown Jewels to the Chinese (More like replacing Western Interests with Chinese ones!) 4. That we shouldn't allow foreign companies to build networks for us. He goes on to quote an American security official:- "I liked the way a senior American security official, Mr Michael Chertoff defended the action against Huawei. He said: “If you allow a foreign company to build for you the network on which all data flows, the company will be in a perfect position to populate it with backdoors and vulnerabilities that only the foreign company knows about. And, each time the foreign company upgrades it, that will be an opportunity to install new spyware” . For once, let’s think about national interest." Question: When did we ever build our own ICT Infrastructure? If it's not Huawei its Ericcson, IBM or Cisco. The truth of the matter is that both sides in this Soap Opera of Digital Migration have erred. They have let egos and vested interests mar a process that should be beneficial to this country. Not sure where this country goes from here... http://www.nation.co.ke/oped/Opinion/-/440808/2627116/-/3rcbqgz/-/index.html Meanwhile, tune in to second part of Season I http://www.nation.co.ke/news/Minister-quizzed-on-digital-migration-row/-/10… My take is that we really don't have the interests of this country at heart. Private Sector does a shoddy job of lobbying government for the right policies, government turns a blind eye to 'national interest' and the people look on helplessly like a deer caught in the headlights of a speeding road train. Ali Hussein +254 770 906375 / 0713 601113 Twitter: @AliHKassim Skype: abu-jomo LinkedIn: http://ke.linkedin.com/in/alihkassim Blog: www.alyhussein.com "I fear the day technology will surpass human interaction. The world will have a generation of idiots". ~ Albert Einstein Sent from my iPad

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CIA invests in the AWS cloud despite security concerns
by S.M. Muraya 17 Feb '15

17 Feb '15

Outside South Africa and below North Africa, imagine if, at a Global Summit, African Presidents were asked to name homegrown IT firms their governments rely on for data storage & security services. http://searchaws.techtarget.com/opinion/CIA-invests-in-the-AWS-cloud-despit…

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SHOLLEI TELLS KTN STAFF NOT TO "MIGRATE" TO RIVAL STATIONS
by James Mbugua 17 Feb '15

17 Feb '15

Listers, It is emerging that striking media houses do not know when they will be back on air. "It could be one day, it could be two days, it could be a week, a month..." Sam Shollei, CEO of Standard Group told his KTN staff on Monday. Anxiety has been high at the TV station in wake of the abrupt switch off from analogue transmission. KTN along with NTV and Citizen TV made the decision to pull their content off all platforms including those they had commercial agreements with like DStv. Staff have been left in limbo wondering if their jobs are done. In particular, commercial division sales staff who depend on selling TV slots for their commissions are in panic. Shollei sought to reassure the staff that everything was being done to remedy the situation............ http://nairobitech.blogspot.com/2015/02/digital-migrationktn-ceo-asks-tv-st…

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Kenya Union of ICT Practitioners
by Odhiambo Washington 17 Feb '15

17 Feb '15

KUIP - will it/does it exist?:) What is their stand on the current Digital Migration stand-off? -- Best regards, Odhiambo WASHINGTON, Nairobi,KE +254733744121/+254722743223 "I can't hear you -- I'm using the scrambler."

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Is any of us safe from espionage?
by Ngigi Waithaka 17 Feb '15

17 Feb '15

If anyone of us here has a hard drive from Seagate, Western Digital, Samsung, IBM and any of the rest of the top hard drive manufacturers, then the NSA has already hacked you. http://mobile.reuters.com/article/idUSKBN0LK1QV20150216?irpc=932 Do we move back to paper for sensitive Government operations? Waithaka Ngigi Alliance Technologies Nairobi, Kenya www.A1.io

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Google Threatens to Air Microsoft and Apple's Dirty Code - Bloomberg Business
by S.M. Muraya 15 Feb '15

15 Feb '15

Very interesting and relevant read... http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-02-11/google-riles-silicon-vall…

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MIDNIGHT DEADLINE FOR MEDIA HOUSES TO SWITCH OFF OR CAK SWITCHES THEM OFF
by James Mbugua 13 Feb '15

13 Feb '15

TV Media Houses have until midnight tonight to switch off analogue transmission and migrate to digital platform with immediate effect, the Communications Authority has said. A tough talking Director General Francis Wangusi said following a ruling by a full bench of the Supreme Court that migration deadlines remain as set by the regulator that CA will forcibly switch off any media house that fails to comply with the directive. In Nairobi and major towns, the media houses will have to switch off immediately since the deadlines to migrate had been set for 31 December 2014 and February 2, 2015. The third phase of the migration will be on 30 March when outlying towns like Garissa, Kapenguria, Kabarnet, Migori, Voi and Namanga will be finally switched off analogue. Three media houses, Nation (NTV), Royal Media (Citizen TV) and Standard Group (KTN) have been transmitting analogue signals after obtaining temporary orders from the Supreme Court to continue doing so until their case was determined. Sitting in Nairobi, the Supreme Court issued the ruling that: (i) That the analogue switch-off timelines remain as scheduled by the Authority (ii) That the Supreme Court has withdrawn orders earlier issued to allow the three broadcasters to continue broadcasting on the analogue platform (iii) That the Authority restores the self-provisioning authorization and the requisite frequencies issued to the three media houses READ MORE DOWN HERE... http://nairobitech.blogspot.com/2015/02/cak-to-three-media-houses-switch-of…

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AITEC East Africa ICT Summit 2015 - Turning ICT Visions into Reality
by Sean Moroney 13 Feb '15

13 Feb '15

Dear Colleagues, Once again, we are pleased to offer Kictanet members free delegate spaces at AITEC East Africa. The programme is attached. We have a great line-up of speakers and topics. And as usual the Summit provides a unique networking opportunity for the ICT community. Please use the attached VIP registration form to register in advance. We look forward to hosting you at the Summit. Regards, Sean Moroney Chairman AITEC Africa seanm(a)aitecafrica.com|Skype: seanmoroney UK Mobile: +44(0)7973499224|Kenya Mobile: +254(0)721845674 www.aitecafrica.com

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Fwd: [aisi-ig-l] FYI - IGF 2015 Call for workshop proposals
by Barrack Otieno 13 Feb '15

13 Feb '15

Listers, Fyi ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Towela Nyirenda-Jere <towelan(a)nepad.org> Date: Thu, 12 Feb 2015 15:28:45 GMT Subject: [aisi-ig-l] FYI - IGF 2015 Call for workshop proposals To: Discussion List on African Internet Governance Forum <aisi-ig-l(a)dgroups.org> The IGF Secretariat has published the 2015 call for workshop proposals http://www.intgovforum.org/cms/workshop-proposals with the submission deadline being 30 March 2015. __________ You are receiving this message because you're a member of the community Discussion List on African Internet Governance Forum. View this contribution on the web site https://dgroups.org/_/wfs4n7k0 A reply to this message will be sent to all members of Discussion List on African Internet Governance Forum. To reply to sender, send a message to towelan(a)nepad.org. To unsubscribe, send an email to leave.aisi-ig-l(a)dgroups.org -- Barrack O. Otieno +254721325277 +254-20-2498789 Skype: barrack.otieno http://www.otienobarrack.me.ke/

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The battle for control of Kenyan Digital airspace
by Mwendwa Kivuva 12 Feb '15

12 Feb '15

Some madness is brewing in the battle to control the Kenyan digital airspace. The following advert has been running after every 30 minutes in all the 4 TV stations: "Viewers do not be duped into purchasing GOTv and StarTimes pay TV set-top boxes as a means to access and watch Citizen TV, NTV, QTV, and KTN ... We are finding ways to stop this infringement of copyright, we are soon launching our own set-top boxes to distribute our free to air channels". My questions are these: 1. Do we need multiple set top boxes to watch content from the three different consortium? 2. Is it illegal to watch Citizen TV, NTV, and KTN using non-branded top boxes, or even GOTv and Startimes? 3. Is it that the 3 media houses have seen there is no way they will be able to sell the one million set top boxes they have purchased thus they want to offload electric waste to innocent Kenyan viewers? 4. Is there any Kenya willing to buy a set-top box with only 4 stations? 5. What is the stand of CA on this? Does it matter if I watch the TV using LG, Samsung, Sanyo, Greatwall, Panasonic, Sony ... because the Set-top box technology is just an extension of the TV, and anybody with a build in DVBT2 TV set will be able to watch this content without a set-top box anyway. Sincerely, ______________________ Mwendwa Kivuva, Nairobi, Kenya "There are some men who lift the age they inhabit, till all men walk on higher ground in that lifetime." - Maxwell Anderson

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Paypal Workshop
by Bernard Kioko 12 Feb '15

12 Feb '15

Hi Listers Do you conduct your business online: bloggers, online marketers, online stores. PayPal will have a workshop in early March. Drop me your email on paypal(a)bernsoft.com so that you can get your invite. Please share with relevant persons. Regards -- * ------------------------------ * This e-mail and any attachments may contain information that is confidential, legally privileged and protected by law and is intended for the sole use of the named recipient(s). Any unauthorized review, use, or disclosure or distribution is prohibited. Any liability (in negligence or otherwise) arising from any third party acting, or refraining from acting on any information contained in this email is hereby excluded. If you are not the intended recipient, please delete the contents and notify the sender immediately; do not disclose the contents to any other person, use it for any purpose or store or copy the information in any medium. Whilst our e-mails are checked for viruses, we cannot guarantee that this message or any attachment is virus free, does not contain malicious code or is incompatible with your electronic system and the Company does not accept liability in respect of viruses, malicious code or any related problems that you might experience. For further information about us, please contact us at the address indicated below. Bernsoft Interactive Limited - P O Box 15177-00100 Nairobi - Tel: +254 722 929192 Email: admin(a)bernsoft.com Web: www.bernsoft.com

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EU votes to extend Renewal of IGF Mandate
by Bob Omondi 12 Feb '15

12 Feb '15

Just sharing: http://www.ip-watch.org/2015/02/11/european-parliament-calls-for-renewal-of… Regards Bob.

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Fwd: [AfrICANN-discuss] Call for Volunteers for the NomCom 2015 - Five Days Left
by Bob Omondi 12 Feb '15

12 Feb '15

FYI... Regards Bob. ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: AFRINIC Communication <comm-announce(a)afrinic.net> Date: Thu, Feb 12, 2015 at 4:50 PM Subject: [AfrICANN-discuss] Call for Volunteers for the NomCom 2015 - Five Days Left To: africann(a)afrinic.net Dear Colleagues, During 2015, we will hold several elections in our community as follows: - 04 June 2015: • AFRINIC Board (two seats - Southern and Eastern) • Policy Development Working Group: one co-Chair. - November 2015: NRO-NC/ICANN ASO AC (one Representative) According to Section 9 of the AFRINIC by-laws, a Nominations Committee (NomCom) appointed by the Board must work to ensure that appropriate candidates are nominated to contest for open seats and that all elections are successfully conducted according to current procedures. The NomCom shall be composed of four members as follows: • One member selected from within the AFRINIC Board • Three members selected by the AFRINIC Board from the community. We are now looking for volunteers from the community to fill the three open positions on the 2015 NomCom. For fairness, volunteers are expected to not be from a region where a Board seat is up for renewal. Responsibilities of the NomCom are defined in section 9 of the AFRINIC bylaws and comprise of the following. • Call for candidates for all open elections (above). • Describe all criteria and qualifications for eligibility to stand for election. • Where necessary, interview candidates prior to final candidate slate. • Communicate the final list of candidates for any election. AFRINIC staff will provide logistical support to the NomCom throughout their mandate. Such support includes publication of the list of nominees, compilation of comments, mailing list moderation, website update, communication with nominees and other duties pertaining to the roles and responsibilities of the NomCom. NomCom members are expected to: • Be neutral: Have no interest in the results of the elections. • Be trusted members of the AFRINIC community. • Have good knowledge of the AFRINIC business environment. • Do their best to fulfill their responsibilities without financial remuneration. If you are interested to serve on the 2015 NomCom, please send your expression of interest, including a short biography, by email to legal(a)afrinic.net before Monday16th February 2015 at 20:00 UTC. Regards, AFRINIC Team _______________________________________________ AfrICANN mailing list AfrICANN(a)afrinic.net https://lists.afrinic.net/mailman/listinfo.cgi/africann

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Re: [kictanet] Fwd: Software ownership dispute
by Paul Korir 12 Feb '15

12 Feb '15

Hi Erastus, Is it OK to comment on this matter as it’s currently in court? Best wishes to you, anyway. Paul Korir, PhD +353 86 224 1966 +254 72 400 4767 > On 10 Feb 2015, at 21:36, kictanet-request(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke wrote: > > Fwd: Software ownership dispute

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Building civic tech components with Africa, for the world - Invite to Poplus.org
by Steven Clift 11 Feb '15

11 Feb '15

I wanted to pass this invitation along and ask for your help to share with software developers, open government advocates, and more across Africa. We'd love to see more folks and organizations from Africa build on our list of 62 nations on our online group: https://groups.google.com/forum/#!forum/poplus Thanks - Steven Clift For the links in the doc, see: https://www.mysociety.org/2015/02/11/get-involved-with-poplus/ Hello, you are invited to get involved with Poplus.org. Here are two timely opportunities: - Poplus live online Hangout - Watch via Google Hangouts-on-Air on Wednesday, February 18 and/or ... - Poplus online group - Join in the 350+ member, 60+ nation collaboration [image: poplusgroup.jpg] <poplusoutreach(a)e-democracy.org> Poplus is a global federation for the next generation of civic tech. We share knowledge and technology to help our organisations help citizens. We do this through collaborative civic coding. We share reusable open source civic technology components. We leverage open government data or make our own across many countries. This online video-based event specially invites those new to Poplus. Everyone is welcome. RSVP here to watch live (13:00 UTC, see your local time) on Feb 18. The presentation includes Tom Steinberg with mySociety and a few project participants from around the world on the Hangout-on-Air “stage.” Questions will be taken via comments on the Hangout event page. The video stream is one-way, commenting two-way. About Poplus Founded by CiudadnoInteligente.org based in Chile and mySociety.org based in the UK, the international civic tech federation was launched at the first PoplusCon in April 2014. Watch this short video to see civic tech collaboration in action! Visit Poplus.org (en español) for full details. How to get involved? - Share this event by forwarding this email or by sharing this hangout here. - - Join our friendly online group with 350+ members from over 60 nations and representing 200+ organisations. Read the awesome participant introductions to see the amazing talent coming together. Add your introduction. Be part of what’s next with civic tech sharing. - - Check out the Poplus components - test them - explore the code on GitHub - deploy them - enhance them - and learn about turning your open source code into a new Poplus Component for global sharing and impact. - - Follow the blog - Lightly follow this initiative and stay tuned for future events with occasional email updates. - For questions about Poplus, post to our friendly online group or contact our engagement team. Thank you, Steven Clift Engagement Lead, Poplus.org Executive Director, E-Democracy.org P.S. This is a special message and not a mailing list for repeated reuse. However, if you definitely do not want another direct message like this, let us know: poplusoutreach(a)e-democracy.org

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Fw: [COMOSA] Exploring Open Education and OER
by Network of non- formal Educational institutions 11 Feb '15

11 Feb '15

On Tuesday, February 10, 2015 4:33 PM, Lorna McKay <notifications(a)colkm.basecamphq.com> wrote: #yiv9875188001 ol, #yiv9875188001 ul {padding:0;}#yiv9875188001 li {margin-left:30px;line-height:1.425em;padding:0;}#yiv9875188001 ul li {list-style-type:square;} | Reply ABOVE THIS LINE to add a comment to this message | | | Project: | COMOSA | | Company: | Open Schooling | | | | | | Lorna McKay commented on the message: Exploring Open Education and OER Thanks will share. | | | | This comment was sent to 'Ana Hau'alofa'ia Koloto, Alex Souffe, Ali Asghar Chishti, Antonio Franque, B. R. Verma, Bellanage Sanath Pujitha, Beverly Faber, Carol Walker, Cynthia Thompson, Daniel Tau, David Manuel, Dean Dundas, Diwan Chand, Edwig Karipi, Eleanor Liddy, Fancy L Amey, Fidelice M.S. Mafumiko, Frances Ferreira, Glenden Ilaisa, Guilherme Vaz, Henry Gwede, Heroldt Murangi, Irene Anigafutu, Jagadguru Sri Shivarathri Deshikendra Mahaswamiji, Jane Muthiga, Jeane Schocroft, Joshua C. Mallet, K. A. Hashim, Kuldeep Agarwal, Lesego Pelotona, Lorna McKay, Luis Uamusse, Lystra Sampson-Ovid, M. A. Mannan, Maxine McKay, Mike Hollings, Mohsin Ali, Monique Brewer, N.K. Agrawal, Pedro João Baptista, Phalguni Mukhopadhyaya, Prasanta Mahapatra, Puja Minni, R. Elangovan, R. R. Varsani, Rhoda Mweetwa, Sadia Afroze Sultana, Salanieta Bakalevu, Sanjay Singh, Sh. J. Alam, Shanmugam Kannappan, Sheikh Bashir Ahmad, Sophia Esterhuizen, Surina Rajan, Tanzila Nabeel, Tejinder Kaur, Tereeao Teingiia, Terry Neal, Veenu Gupta, Vincent Sechaba Seutloali, and W. M. Abeyrathna Ban. | | Stop receiving emails when comments are posted to this message. Prefer plain text emails? | | | Delivered by Basecamp |

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Re: [kictanet] [isoc_ke] Here I go again on Net Neutrality
by Mwendwa Kivuva 11 Feb '15

11 Feb '15

It is sad that Kenya considers itself a leader on ICT, yet we have lagged way behind on two Key policy issues 1. Net Neutrality and 2. Intermediary liabilities. I shared the South African ICT policy framework sometimes back on this list that had a definite policy direction in Net Neutrality. Did we drop the ball by not championing this issues on the ICT Master plan? I support Ali's thinking to have a cross community round table and develop a paper ... then lobby for it to be adopted as a standard framework. Challenge is bringing all the relevant stakeholders on the table. Regards ______________________ Mwendwa Kivuva, Nairobi, Kenya "There are some men who lift the age they inhabit, till all men walk on higher ground in that lifetime." - Maxwell Anderson On 9 February 2015 at 10:52, Joly MacFie via isoc <isoc(a)lists.my.co.ke> wrote: > > > In some ways we are all talked out on NN in the US, and are just waiting > for it to get done already so we can move on! And it has indeed become > something of a political football. But through the chaff there appear > occasional pearls - such as > this regulatory analysis (posted > <http://www.listbox.com/member/archive/247/2015/02/sort/time_rev/page/1/entr…> > to By Dr Jonathan S. Shapiro to Dave Farber's IP list yesterday): > > The internet *does* need regulation, but not the kind of protectionist > regulation that has historically been associated with Title II. The > regulation that we need falls in several areas: > > 1. *Prohibiting* local monopolies on cable and internet services. As new > delivery technologies emerge, new providers should not be hampered by > incumbents, nor by the need to negotiate with every state, county, city, > house, and outhouse to establish a right to offer service. A common > national standard would go a long way. > > 2. Defining pricing schemas and requiring liberal interconnection at > internet exchange points. Comcast should not be forced to lease its > facilities, but it *should* be forced to interconnect its networks with > those of others and carry their traffic, subject only to a uniform pricing > policy. > > 3. Enforcing a clear layer boundary between the "internet as a transport" > and the 'internet as a carrier of services" concept. There are valid and > necessary reasons at the transport layer for operators to engage in network > traffic management for *operational* reasons. But at that level there is > also an obligation to send the end user's packets where they are supposed > to go, without favoring one over another inappropriately. It is reasonable > to define service classes providing distinct "shapes" of packet service > guarantee, but the billing structure and operational treatment of packets > within a class must be uniform. > > 4. A regulatory guarantee must be made that customer traffic will not be > modified or tampered with beyond the requirements of implementing the > standard and accepted protocol definitions. Verizon's "super cookie" should > properly be framed as a violation of wiretap statutes or something like > them. The principal here is that a carrier does *not* have a right to > modify, examine, or record the traffic of its customers in the absence of > customer consent or the lawful order of a judge, issued through an openly > accountable process in compliance with the constitution and the law. Some > adaptation of that principal is required to deal with network-based attacks > and legitimate operational issues. > > > -- > --------------------------------------------------------------- > Joly MacFie 218 565 9365 Skype:punkcast > WWWhatsup NYC - http://wwwhatsup.com > http://pinstand.com - http://punkcast.com > VP (Admin) - ISOC-NY - http://isoc-ny.org > -------------------------------------------------------------- > - > > _______________________________________________ > isoc mailing list > isoc(a)lists.my.co.ke > http://lists.my.co.ke/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/isoc >

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What makes Nairobi Africa's 'most intelligent' city
by Grace Githaiga 10 Feb '15

10 Feb '15

According to the Intelligent Community Forum, "intelligent communities" are those that have taken "conscious steps" to create an economy that can prosper in the "broadband economy." http://edition.cnn.com/2015/02/10/africa/nairobi-africa-intelligent-city/in…

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Government of Kenya websites propagating Islamic State Propaganda
by Mwendwa Kivuva 10 Feb '15

10 Feb '15

Check http://www.kerra.go.ke/ We though this issues had been addressed when many government websites were hacked. Regards ______________________ Mwendwa Kivuva, Nairobi, Kenya "There are some men who lift the age they inhabit, till all men walk on higher ground in that lifetime." - Maxwell Anderson

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CALL - Fellowship at ITS in Rio de Janeiro
by Grace Githaiga 09 Feb '15

09 Feb '15

http://www.itsrio.org/2015/02/04/its-global-policy-fellowship-program-2015/ ITS Global Policy Fellowship Program 2015 Program overview:The Institute of Technology and Society (ITSrio.org) invites researchers, graduate students as well as professionals working with technology policy, to apply to its Global Policy Fellowship Program and spend four weeks* in Brazil at ITS. Last year, we welcomed six fellows from all over the world, who contributed immensely for the success of the Fellowship Program. (See the list of our 2014 fellows here, and what they have to say about their experiences here).Our Global Fellows will have the opportunity to work with the team who created and developed the landmark “Marco Civil” legislation, a bill protecting fundamental rights, including privacy, net neutrality and freedom of expression, approved as law in Brazil in April 2014. ITS will offer the opportunity to work with research in the five broad areas, namely:Law, democracy and technology (dealing with topics such civic engagement, online participation, and others);Access to technology, justice and human rights (dealing with topics such as connectivity, accesibility, digital divide and others)Internet regulation and Internet governance;Privacy and data protection (dealing with topics such as big data, anti-survailance, data protection and mass surveilance);Rethinking culture, media and education (working with topics such as intelectual property, digital entrepreneurship, art & technology, online teaching, and others).The ITS Fellowship Program will offer the opportunity for those interested in internet and technology policy to deepen their knowledge about the Brazilian technology context. We have prepared an intensive 4-week* program for our fellows, which include visits to the biggest technology national and international companies operating in Brazil, the Brazilian Internet Steering Committee (CGI.br) and visits to São Paulo and Brasília, including meetings with representatives of the Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Culture, and Congress members who are advocating for policies related to internet and technology.During their stay, selected fellows will be expected to:Present at least one public seminar, organized in partnership with ITS. Suggested topics can include: broadband and access policy, content regulation, copyright and creativity, consumer privacy, open government, government surveillance, data security, data innovation, freedom of expression, democracy and technology and human rights.To publish at least one article or webpost about their experience as a fellow in Brazil.To collaborate with the ITS team and its projects.Who should apply?We are looking for students, researchers, and professionals who are following the debates in the public policy field, and who want to spend part of their summer/winter in Brazil, learning about Internet policy. People from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply. For the selection processes, please send us:Your complete academic and professional resume, including your LinkedIn profile and other online references you want us to consider;A 1-page personal statement about your motivations to work in Brazil;A brief work description of your experience with technology policy;Proposal for a public presentation of your work;Indication of one of the five main areas ITS which you would like to work on;One project or idea you would be interested in developing while at ITS.Portuguese skills are not required (but English is mandatory). All documents must be sent in one single e-mail message to itsrio(a)itsrio.org, with the subject “Global Fellows Application :: YOUR NAME”.Our Fellowship Package includes:Intensive 4-week* program for the fellows;Air tickets to São Paulo and Brasília;Accommodation in São Paulo and Brasília during the days of our visit;Shared office space at our headquarters for four weeks*;A visit to a “samba” music club will also be organized, but is not mandatory;Our Fellowship Package does not include:International Traveling to and from Brazil;Accommodation for the four weeks* in Rio de Janeiro, where our program takes place;Other costs related to your stay in Brazil other than those mentioned above.Necessary visa to entry the country.Our team will provide tips and information about how to find accommodation in the city during that time.Relevant Dates:Applications deadline: March 20th, 2015; Announcement of fellows by e-mail: March 31st, 2015; Fellowship Program will start: June 29th, and will finish in July 27th, 2015*;* Fellows are expected to stay in Rio from 29/June/2015 to 27/Jul/2015. After this date, fellows can coordinate with ITS the possibility of staying for a longer term if they wish. Visa and costs for additional stays are to be provided by the fellows. - ____________________________________________________________

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Fwd: [AfrICANN-discuss] Apply for a 2015 FIRE Award
by Bob Omondi 09 Feb '15

09 Feb '15

FYI.. Regards Bob. ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: AFRINIC Communication <comm-announce(a)afrinic.net> Date: 2015-02-09 22:14 GMT+08:00 Subject: [AfrICANN-discuss] Apply for a 2015 FIRE Award To: africann(a)afrinic.net [French Version Below] Dear Colleagues, The African Network Information Centre (AFRINIC) announces the call for applications for the 2015 FIRE Awards. The Fund for Internet Research and Education (FIRE) aims at encouraging ICT development innovations that contribute to sustainable development in Africa. The FIRE Programme Awards are granted to initiatives already completed or in their final implementation phase, aligned with the three funding categories. The FIRE Programme invites African organisations, entrepreneurs and innovators to propose projects under one of these three categories. - Innovation on Access provision: fostering ICT growth in Africa by ensuring that the delivery mechanism is available, reliable and scalable - E-development: the development, deployment and enhancement of content, applications and solutions - Freedom of Expression: initiatives related to freedom of expression, freedom of association, privacy, security, consumer's rights, new forms of intellectual property in the digital environment, and a wider range of issues related to Internet and human rights. Selected winners will receive a project prize of USD 3,000 We strongly encourage applications from post conflict regions and marginalized groups. The registration deadline for the 2015 Awards has been set for 30 April 2015,00:00 UTC. For detailed information about competition categories, conditions of entry, and submission procedures, please visit www.fireafrica.org or send us an email at: fireprogram(a)afrinic.net. AFRINIC Team ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. Chers Collègues, L’African Network Information Centre (AFRINIC) lance un appel à projets pour son programme de Prix FIRE (Fund for Internet Research and Education) pour l’année 2015. Le programme FIRE a pour but d’encourager l’innovation à travers les développements des TIC qui soutiennent le développent durable en Afrique. Des Prix seront accordés par le programme FIRE à des projets implémentés ou se trouvant dans leur phase ultime de mise en œuvre, en ligne avec les catégories de financement et les critères d’éligibilité. Le programme FIRE invite les organisations africaines, les entrepreneurs et les innovateurs à soumettre leurs projets sous une des trois catégories suivantes : - Innovation en fourniture d’accès : Encourager les innovations et le développement des TIC en s’assurant que les mécanismes d’accès sont disponibles, fiables et évolutifs. - e-Développement : Supporter le développement, le déploiement et l’amélioration des contenus, des applications et des solutions. - La liberté d’expression : Promouvoir les initiatives liées à la liberté d’expression et d’association, à la protection de la vie privée, à la sécurité, aux droits des consommateurs, aux nouvelles formes de propriété intellectuelle dans l’environnement numérique ainsi qu’à un plus large éventail de questions liées à Internet et aux droits de l’homme. Les Prix seront d’un montant maximal de 3 000 USD. Nous encourageons les candidatures de porteurs de projets originaires de communautés situées dans des régions marginalisées ou ayant traversé un conflit armé. Pour faire acte de candidature, soumettez votre projet avant le 30 Avril 2015, 00 :00 UTC. Pour de plus amples informations sur les différentes catégories en liste, les critères de sélection ainsi que les procédures à suivre pour soumettre votre projet, merci de visiter www.fireafrica.org ou nous envoyer un courriel à fireprogram(a)afrinic.net. L’Equipe d'AFRINIC _______________________________________________ AfrICANN mailing list AfrICANN(a)afrinic.net https://lists.afrinic.net/mailman/listinfo.cgi/africann

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CALL - Fellowship at ITS in Rio de Janeiro
by Mwendwa Kivuva 09 Feb '15

09 Feb '15

---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: "Carolina Rossini" <carolina.rossini(a)gmail.com> Date: Feb 6, 2015 9:15 PM Subject: [bestbits] CALL - Fellowship at ITS in Rio de Janeiro To: Cc: http://www.itsrio.org/2015/02/04/its-global-policy-fellowship-program-2015/ ITS Global Policy Fellowship Program 2015 *Program overview:* The Institute of Technology and Society (ITSrio.org) invites researchers, graduate students as well as professionals working with technology policy, to apply to its Global Policy Fellowship Program and spend four weeks* in Brazil at ITS. Last year, we welcomed six fellows from all over the world, who contributed immensely for the success of the Fellowship Program. (See the list of our 2014 fellows here <http://www.itsrio.org/sobre-o-its/fellows/>, and what they have to say about their experiences here <http://www.itsrio.org/2015/02/04/its-fellows-2014-and-what-they-said-about-…> ). Our Global Fellows will have the opportunity to work with the team who created and developed the landmark "Marco Civil" legislation, a bill protecting fundamental rights, including privacy, net neutrality and freedom of expression, approved as law in Brazil in April 2014. ITS will offer the opportunity to work with research in the five broad areas, namely: - Law, democracy and technology (dealing with topics such civic engagement, online participation, and others); - Access to technology, justice and human rights (dealing with topics such as connectivity, accesibility, digital divide and others) - Internet regulation and Internet governance; - Privacy and data protection (dealing with topics such as big data, anti-survailance, data protection and mass surveilance); - Rethinking culture, media and education (working with topics such as intelectual property, digital entrepreneurship, art & technology, online teaching, and others). The ITS Fellowship Program will offer the opportunity for those interested in internet and technology policy to deepen their knowledge about the Brazilian technology context. We have prepared an intensive 4-week* program for our fellows, which include visits to the biggest technology national and international companies operating in Brazil, the Brazilian Internet Steering Committee (CGI.br) and visits to São Paulo and Brasília, including meetings with representatives of the Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Culture, and Congress members who are advocating for policies related to internet and technology. During their stay, selected fellows will be expected to: - Present at least one public seminar, organized in partnership with ITS. Suggested topics can include: broadband and access policy, content regulation, copyright and creativity, consumer privacy, open government, government surveillance, data security, data innovation, freedom of expression, democracy and technology and human rights. - To publish at least one article or webpost about their experience as a fellow in Brazil. - To collaborate with the ITS team and its projects. *Who should apply?* We are looking for students, researchers, and professionals who are following the debates in the public policy field, and who want to spend part of their summer/winter in Brazil, learning about Internet policy. People from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply. For the selection processes, please send us: - Your complete academic and professional resume, including your LinkedIn profile and other online references you want us to consider; - A 1-page personal statement about your motivations to work in Brazil; - A brief work description of your experience with technology policy; - Proposal for a public presentation of your work; - Indication of one of the five main areas ITS which you would like to work on; - One project or idea you would be interested in developing while at ITS. Portuguese skills are not required (but English is mandatory). All documents must be sent in one single e-mail message to itsrio(a)itsrio.org, with the subject "Global Fellows Application :: YOUR NAME". *Our Fellowship Package includes:* - Intensive 4-week* program for the fellows; - Air tickets to São Paulo and Brasília; - Accommodation in São Paulo and Brasília during the days of our visit; - Shared office space at our headquarters for four weeks*; - A visit to a "samba" music club will also be organized, but is not mandatory; *Our Fellowship Package does not include:* - International Traveling to and from Brazil; - Accommodation for the four weeks* in Rio de Janeiro, where our program takes place; - Other costs related to your stay in Brazil other than those mentioned above. - Necessary visa to entry the country. Our team will provide tips and information about how to find accommodation in the city during that time. *Relevant Dates:* Applications deadline: March 20th, 2015; Announcement of fellows by e-mail: March 31st, 2015; Fellowship Program will start: June 29th, and will finish in July 27th, 2015 *; ** Fellows are expected to stay in Rio from 29/June/2015 to 27/Jul/2015. After this date, fellows can coordinate with ITS the possibility of staying for a longer term if they wish. Visa and costs for additional stays are to be provided by the fellows.* -- -- *Carolina Rossini * *Vice President, International Policy* *Public Knowledge* *http://www.publicknowledge.org/ <http://www.publicknowledge.org/>* + 1 6176979389 | skype: carolrossini | @carolinarossini ____________________________________________________________ You received this message as a subscriber on the list: bestbits(a)lists.bestbits.net. To unsubscribe or change your settings, visit: http://lists.bestbits.net/wws/info/bestbits

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Lobbying: a necessity not a choice + it is not institutionalized corruption.
by Mbugua Njihia 09 Feb '15

09 Feb '15

It is a hard task running an organization representative of industry, especially when those represented are reluctant to support the same and would much rather lament on social media, become armchair critics or worse still suffer in silence. The downside to this state of things is that it feeds the corruption and broker culture that builds an impermeable wall between the larger industry, making access to legislation, or other positive industry action impossible. Such is our condition in the silicon Savannah. More here - http://www.mbuguanjihia.com/business/lobbying-necessity-not-choice.html <http://www.mbuguanjihia.com/business/lobbying-necessity-not-choice.html> ᐧ

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