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Re: [AfrISPA.Discuss] Notes from Kenyan ICT Conference
by Eric Osiakwan 02 Mar '06

02 Mar '06

Dear Brian and all, The link to downloading Eme Essien's presentation is http://www.ictpark.com= /Presentations/_Eme%20Essien%20-%20EASSy.pps Am concerned that Eme's EA fiber backhaul picture on slide 9 in the ppt is = different from the NEPAD rationalised network which is "africa_eassy.png" a= ttached. The engineering argument is that "africa_eassy.png" is a better bu= ild, on the original "eassy_basic_route_config.jpg" attached due to the int= ervention of the E-Africa Commission of NEPAD … [View More]at a meeting in June 2004. Question: why are we now seeing a different backhaul from IFC/WBG and if so= how are they going to finance EASSy seperately from the EA backhaul on sli= de 9? Eric here ---------- Original Message ---------------------------------- From: Jim Forster <forster(a)cisco.com> Reply-To: Discuss(a)afrispa.org Date: Tue, 28 Feb 2006 15:36:40 -0800 >Brian, > >Great info, thanks for sending... > >I will forward to some others... > > -- Jim > From: "Eric Osiakwan" <eric(a)afrispa.org> Cc: Subject: [Kictanet] Re: [AfrISPA.Discuss] Notes from Kenyan ICT Conference Reply-To: Kenya ICT Policy - kictanet <kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke> To: Eric Osiakwan <eric(a)afrispa.org> ---------------------------------------------------------------------------= ----- Brian, The EASSy consortium as a matter of necessity must adhere to the principles= of Open Access as enshrined below so that KENET and the UbuntuNet alliance= who have money to invest in the project should NOT be asked to present an = international gateway license in order to be allowed. It is like i have mon= ey to invest in a good business and you say i need a license to invest; i d= ont know if this is a new rule in the VC world? Primarily, the rules for owership and investment in the cable should be as = open to all as the rules of access to the use of the cable for provision of= service by all the players along the value chain. If the argument is to do country specific arrangements then the investors f= rom those countries must have an equal say in how the landing station is st= ructured and managed without any favours towards incumbency. In which case = it is the interest of public policy that they give equal time and opportuni= ty to the non-incumbent operators and services projects to get on baord. Eric here NB: Send the ppt but more so i would like to know what the EASSy guys say t= o this? There is an urgent need for new approaches to financing and building out in= formation and communication infrastructure to address this large unmet dema= nd for information and communication services. Technological innovation hel= ps make these new approaches possible and more flexible approaches to finan= cing, service delivery and regulation will make them effective and sustaina= ble. One approach (or set of approaches) gaining increased visibility and c= redibility is increasingly referred to as the =93Open Access Model=94. The urgency, and the viability, of these new models are driven in part by t= he growing (and inevitable) move toward Internet Protocol (IP)-based commun= ication networks. This in turn implies the move toward a =93layered=94 mod= el of these networks, where there is a logical distinction between: =95 The physical layer (the actual physical infrastructure); =95 The logical layer (managing the connection between the physical infrast= ructure and higher layers); =95 The applications layer (which includes things such as the Web browser),= and =95 The content layer (voice, data or images conveyed by the network.) Each layer has a set of functional rules that allow it to interface with th= e other layer and for information to flow over the network. Any player, in= cluding new players, can use different elements of the network, or the enti= re network, to provide services. The IP-based architecture of the network = makes it possible for services to be provided, and innovation to occur, at = any point on the network, including, notably, the edges, where the network = can be further =93grown=94 as well. Different segments of the market =96 and different layers of the network --= will naturally have different structures, and will attract players with di= fferent business models. For example, in most countries and regions, it wi= ll not be feasible or logical to have more than one or two providers of bac= kbone infrastructure. The key issue in an Open Access model is to assure t= hat no player in one of the layers can block access to another layer or to = the rest of the network through having dominant market power in one or anot= her layer. Key Principles This suggests a number of key principles of Open Access networks. 1. Anyone can play Particularly because of the potential for locally-provided services and net= work growth =93at the edges=94 made possible by flexible technology and ope= n network models, Open Access models should assure that any provider willin= g to play by the rules can =93plug and play=94 in the network. 2. Technological neutrality Regulation should be technology-neutral, taking into account the cost and p= hysical properties of the technologies themselves. No one should be stopped= from using a particular technology and indeed a progressive regulator woul= d encourage cost reduction through technology innovation. One needs to recognize that in future a wide range of applications will req= uire higher bandwidth. But there may be no significant (order of magnitude)= improvements in the performance of fibre, particularly its installation. H= owever with wireless there will be significant improvements in performance = and cost/capacity ratio and therefore wireless solutions will become more a= ttractive in local distribution applications. 3. Fair and non-discriminatory competition at all layers Competition should be fair and non-discriminatory. There should be no preda= tory pricing, cross-subsidisation or aggressive cross-ownership. Regulators= will need to be capable of dealing with a range of competition issues to e= nsure a genuine level playing field, and to prevent market strength in one = layer from creating unfair competitive advantage at another layer. For all = services at a given layer, there ought to be at least two providers and whe= never there are not 4-5 providers of a particular service, issues of compet= itive position would need to be examined. What is true for countries at a national level holds true at a regional and= international level. Ideally any country should have a choice of at least = two providers to connect to neighbours and the rest of the world. The EU co= mpetition policy formulation of =93significant market power=94 provides a u= seful benchmark against which competitive position might be examined. 4. Transparency to ensure fair trading within and between layers Competitive markets thrive on transparent information about market prices a= nd service. Internal accounting processes in companies need to be sufficien= tly transparent to enforce fair trading. If there is tradable bandwidth = =96 particularly at an international level =96 it will allow clear comparis= ons to be made between different providers. There needs to be greater level= s of consumer information to allow comparisons between =93offers=94, includ= ing offers at the interface between layers. The different roles of players need to be transparent. In order to create t= rust in the market, infrastructure providers need to be clear that they wil= l not enter service markets to compete with their customers. The regulator = exists to encourage competition rather than restrict it but to do so in a w= ay that genuinely encourages increased investment and lower access costs to= communications technology. Where appropriate, regulation becomes =93light-= touch=94 rather than prohibitive or restrictive. Government exists to creat= e the legal framework through which competition issues can be mediated. 5. Everyone can connect to everyone else at the layer interface. In order for a competitive market to function, everyone must be able to con= nect to everyone else. Service providers would be able to get access to inf= rastructure from the local to the international level, whether they were sm= all or large entities. There will be inevitable interconnection rate issues where the interests of= the infrastructure provider in keeping re-investing in the network need to= be weighed against the opportunities that can be created for greater level= s of new business. 6. Devolved rather than centralised solutions It is important to ensure that the =93intelligence=94 in the network is to = be found at the edges of the infrastructure rather than at its centre. In o= ther words, the infrastructure provider should not be allowed to reserve fo= r itself all of the functions that create value in the market. In practical terms, it should be possible to create a local entity that can= operate on the small or medium-scale and can =93plug into=94 the network w= ithout needing to cede control over its activities to the infrastructure pr= ovider. Local operators need to be able to own and control a significant le= vel of =93intelligence=94 in the system (eg billing, features, etc) to enco= urage open access. NB: This note draws from a study prepared for the WorldBank through InfoDev= on =93Leveraging New Technologies and Open Access Models: Options for Impr= oving Backbone Access in Developing Countries (with a focus on sub-Saharan = Africa=94, by a team consisting of Anders Comstedt, Russell Southwood and E= ric Osiakwan, under the auspices of the consulting firm Spintrack > >On Feb 28, 2006, at 5:01 AM, Brian Longwe wrote: > >> Hi all, >> >> Here are my notes from a presentation that has just been given by >> Eme Essien of the World Bank/IFC >> >> i will forward the powerpoint presentation as soon as I can get >> hold of it... >> >> ----------------------------------------- >> >> EASSY Presentation from World Bank >> >> Eme Essien, Senior Investment Officer, IFC/World Bank >> >> Shared Objectives: >> - provide more affordaclbe ICT access >> - meet demand for high speed boradbankd connectivity in the region >> - spur followon ICT investment in region >> - provide cheaper alternative to satellite >> - encourage greater connectivity and integration within region >> - ALL CAPITALS AND MAJOR CITIES IN E & SA SHOULD BE LINKED TO >> GLOBAL NETWORK >> >> 10 Landing points >> - Sudan >> - Djibouti >> - Somalia >> - Kenya >> - Tanzania >> - Mdagascar >> - Mozambique >> - South Africa >> >> Eastern Loop >> Northern Loop >> Southern Loop >> >> World Bank Group Role >> - assist parties deliver on shared objectives >> - facilitate reduction of risks (policy/regulatory) to increase >> private sector participation >> - Conditionalities >> - liberalisation of international segment - Open Access >> - non-discriminatory access to regional infrastructure to all >> operators >> - identify funding gaps >> - build capacity in relevant regional organisation >> >> Conditions for Success >> OPEN ACCES >> - maximises project's development impact >> - clised club deal SAT3 structures have had limited impact on >> traffic, pricing, development >> - capacity should be accessible to all parties, fixed line >> operators etc.... >> >> Challenges >> - 30-ish members >> - Telcos, parastatals, regulators, private operators, incumbents >> - countries with differing progress on reform agenda >> - differing levels of economic development, infrastructure, ICT >> needs etc >> - no single champion to establish common interests >> >> -- Eric M.K Osiakwan Executive Secretary AfrISPA (www.afrispa.org) Tel: + 233.21.258800 Fax: + 233.21.258811 Cell: + 233.244.386792 Handle: eosiakwan Snail Mail: Pmb 208, Accra-North Office: BusyInternet - 42 Ring Road Central, Accra-North Blog: http://afrispa.skybuilders.com/users/Eric/blog.html Slang: "Tomorrow Now" -- [View Less]

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Re: [AfrISPA.Discuss] Notes from Kenyan ICT Conference
by John Walubengo 28 Feb '06

28 Feb '06

Nice overview on the Open-Access Phylosophy. What i need now is someone to explain to me whether or not this EASSy Project as currently constituted is happening along this spirit... walu. >>> "Eric Osiakwan" <eric(a)afrispa.org> 02/28/06 06:16PM >>> Brian, The EASSy consortium as a matter of necessity must adhere to the principles of Open Access as enshrined below so that KENET and the UbuntuNet alliance who have money to invest in the project should NOT be asked to … [View More]present an international gateway license in order to be allowed. It is like i have money to invest in a good business and you say i need a license to invest; i dont know if this is a new rule in the VC world? Primarily, the rules for owership and investment in the cable should be as open to all as the rules of access to the use of the cable for provision of service by all the players along the value chain. If the argument is to do country specific arrangements then the investors from those countries must have an equal say in how the landing station is structured and managed without any favours towards incumbency. In which case it is the interest of public policy that they give equal time and opportunity to the non-incumbent operators and services projects to get on baord. Eric here NB: Send the ppt but more so i would like to know what the EASSy guys say to this? There is an urgent need for new approaches to financing and building out information and communication infrastructure to address this large unmet demand for information and communication services. Technological innovation helps make these new approaches possible and more flexible approaches to financing, service delivery and regulation will make them effective and sustainable. One approach (or set of approaches) gaining increased visibility and credibility is increasingly referred to as the *Open Access Model*. The urgency, and the viability, of these new models are driven in part by the growing (and inevitable) move toward Internet Protocol (IP)-based communication networks. This in turn implies the move toward a *layered* model of these networks, where there is a logical distinction between: * The physical layer (the actual physical infrastructure); * The logical layer (managing the connection between the physical infrastructure and higher layers); * The applications layer (which includes things such as the Web browser), and * The content layer (voice, data or images conveyed by the network.) Each layer has a set of functional rules that allow it to interface with the other layer and for information to flow over the network. Any player, including new players, can use different elements of the network, or the entire network, to provide services. The IP-based architecture of the network makes it possible for services to be provided, and innovation to occur, at any point on the network, including, notably, the edges, where the network can be further *grown* as well. Different segments of the market * and different layers of the network -- will naturally have different structures, and will attract players with different business models. For example, in most countries and regions, it will not be feasible or logical to have more than one or two providers of backbone infrastructure. The key issue in an Open Access model is to assure that no player in one of the layers can block access to another layer or to the rest of the network through having dominant market power in one or another layer. Key Principles This suggests a number of key principles of Open Access networks. 1. Anyone can play Particularly because of the potential for locally-provided services and network growth *at the edges* made possible by flexible technology and open network models, Open Access models should assure that any provider willing to play by the rules can *plug and play* in the network. 2. Technological neutrality Regulation should be technology-neutral, taking into account the cost and physical properties of the technologies themselves. No one should be stopped from using a particular technology and indeed a progressive regulator would encourage cost reduction through technology innovation. One needs to recognize that in future a wide range of applications will require higher bandwidth. But there may be no significant (order of magnitude) improvements in the performance of fibre, particularly its installation. However with wireless there will be significant improvements in performance and cost/capacity ratio and therefore wireless solutions will become more attractive in local distribution applications. 3. Fair and non-discriminatory competition at all layers Competition should be fair and non-discriminatory. There should be no predatory pricing, cross-subsidisation or aggressive cross-ownership. Regulators will need to be capable of dealing with a range of competition issues to ensure a genuine level playing field, and to prevent market strength in one layer from creating unfair competitive advantage at another layer. For all services at a given layer, there ought to be at least two providers and whenever there are not 4-5 providers of a particular service, issues of competitive position would need to be examined. What is true for countries at a national level holds true at a regional and international level. Ideally any country should have a choice of at least two providers to connect to neighbours and the rest of the world. The EU competition policy formulation of *significant market power* provides a useful benchmark against which competitive position might be examined. 4. Transparency to ensure fair trading within and between layers Competitive markets thrive on transparent information about market prices and service. Internal accounting processes in companies need to be sufficiently transparent to enforce fair trading. If there is tradable bandwidth * particularly at an international level * it will allow clear comparisons to be made between different providers. There needs to be greater levels of consumer information to allow comparisons between *offers*, including offers at the interface between layers. The different roles of players need to be transparent. In order to create trust in the market, infrastructure providers need to be clear that they will not enter service markets to compete with their customers. The regulator exists to encourage competition rather than restrict it but to do so in a way that genuinely encourages increased investment and lower access costs to communications technology. Where appropriate, regulation becomes *light-touch* rather than prohibitive or restrictive. Government exists to create the legal framework through which competition issues can be mediated. 5. Everyone can connect to everyone else at the layer interface. In order for a competitive market to function, everyone must be able to connect to everyone else. Service providers would be able to get access to infrastructure from the local to the international level, whether they were small or large entities. There will be inevitable interconnection rate issues where the interests of the infrastructure provider in keeping re-investing in the network need to be weighed against the opportunities that can be created for greater levels of new business. 6. Devolved rather than centralised solutions It is important to ensure that the *intelligence* in the network is to be found at the edges of the infrastructure rather than at its centre. In other words, the infrastructure provider should not be allowed to reserve for itself all of the functions that create value in the market. In practical terms, it should be possible to create a local entity that can operate on the small or medium-scale and can *plug into* the network without needing to cede control over its activities to the infrastructure provider. Local operators need to be able to own and control a significant level of *intelligence* in the system (eg billing, features, etc) to encourage open access. NB: This note draws from a study prepared for the WorldBank through InfoDev on *Leveraging New Technologies and Open Access Models: Options for Improving Backbone Access in Developing Countries (with a focus on sub-Saharan Africa*, by a team consisting of Anders Comstedt, Russell Southwood and Eric Osiakwan, under the auspices of the consulting firm Spintrack ---------- Original Message ---------------------------------- From: Brian Longwe <brian(a)pure-id.com> Reply-To: Discuss(a)afrispa.org Date: Tue, 28 Feb 2006 16:01:42 +0300 >Hi all, > >Here are my notes from a presentation that has just been given by Eme >Essien of the World Bank/IFC > >i will forward the powerpoint presentation as soon as I can get hold >of it... > >----------------------------------------- > >EASSY Presentation from World Bank > >Eme Essien, Senior Investment Officer, IFC/World Bank > >Shared Objectives: >- provide more affordaclbe ICT access >- meet demand for high speed boradbankd connectivity in the region >- spur followon ICT investment in region >- provide cheaper alternative to satellite >- encourage greater connectivity and integration within region >- ALL CAPITALS AND MAJOR CITIES IN E & SA SHOULD BE LINKED TO GLOBAL >NETWORK > >10 Landing points >- Sudan >- Djibouti >- Somalia >- Kenya >- Tanzania >- Mdagascar >- Mozambique >- South Africa > >Eastern Loop >Northern Loop >Southern Loop > >World Bank Group Role >- assist parties deliver on shared objectives >- facilitate reduction of risks (policy/regulatory) to increase >private sector participation >- Conditionalities >- liberalisation of international segment - Open Access >- non-discriminatory access to regional infrastructure to all operators >- identify funding gaps >- build capacity in relevant regional organisation > >Conditions for Success >OPEN ACCES >- maximises project's development impact >- clised club deal SAT3 structures have had limited impact on >traffic, pricing, development >- capacity should be accessible to all parties, fixed line operators >etc.... > >Challenges >- 30-ish members >- Telcos, parastatals, regulators, private operators, incumbents >- countries with differing progress on reform agenda >- differing levels of economic development, infrastructure, ICT needs >etc >- no single champion to establish common interests > > >East Africa Backhaul System >- overland backhauls to EASSY project >- majority of traffic will be routed overland >- various stages of deployment >- MSA-KLA > > >IFC Advisory services role > >WB workign closely with members of East Loop > >Jan 2006 Mandate has been signed with EASSY >- produce transaction structuring report >- conduct technical feasibility study >- among others.... > >Foreseen East African Backhaul Route > >My Question: Is the World Bank applying an Open Access approach on >other telecoms infrastructure projects in Africa or only on EASSY > >Anwer: James Morley<sic>, IFC >- YES >- Open Access approach is being applied across the board - over all >projects >- initially the EABS - WB is pushing for Open Access; pushing for >smaller parties to take part >- Open Access is a principle underlying WB engagements > >Kirui<sic> >- Open Access has (finally) been embraced by EASSY >- last hardliner has last week finally given in and agreed to accept >Open Access based on a Special Purpose Vehicle approach > > > > > >To unsubscribe send a mail to: imailsrv(a)afrispa.org. Type the following in >the body of your mail (not header): "Unsubscribe discuss" (without quotes). >This List is operated by ZAnet Internet Services: www.zanet.co.za on behalf >of www.afrispa.org. For any List Admin queries send mail to William(a)zanet.co.za > -- Eric M.K Osiakwan Executive Secretary AfrISPA (www.afrispa.org) Tel: + 233.21.258800 Fax: + 233.21.258811 Cell: + 233.244.386792 Handle: eosiakwan Snail Mail: Pmb 208, Accra-North Office: BusyInternet - 42 Ring Road Central, Accra-North Blog: http://afrispa.skybuilders.com/users/Eric/blog.html Slang: "Tomorrow Now" -- _______________________________________________ kictanet mailing list kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet Please unsubscribe or change your options at http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/jwalubengo%40kcct.ac.ke [View Less]

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Re: [AfrISPA.Discuss] Notes from Kenyan ICT Conference
by Eric Osiakwan 28 Feb '06

28 Feb '06

Brian, The EASSy consortium as a matter of necessity must adhere to the principles of Open Access as enshrined below so that KENET and the UbuntuNet alliance who have money to invest in the project should NOT be asked to present an international gateway license in order to be allowed. It is like i have money to invest in a good business and you say i need a license to invest; i dont know if this is a new rule in the VC world? Primarily, the rules for owership and investment in the cable … [View More]should be as open to all as the rules of access to the use of the cable for provision of service by all the players along the value chain. If the argument is to do country specific arrangements then the investors from those countries must have an equal say in how the landing station is structured and managed without any favours towards incumbency. In which case it is the interest of public policy that they give equal time and opportunity to the non-incumbent operators and services projects to get on baord. Eric here NB: Send the ppt but more so i would like to know what the EASSy guys say to this? There is an urgent need for new approaches to financing and building out information and communication infrastructure to address this large unmet demand for information and communication services. Technological innovation helps make these new approaches possible and more flexible approaches to financing, service delivery and regulation will make them effective and sustainable. One approach (or set of approaches) gaining increased visibility and credibility is increasingly referred to as the Open Access Model. The urgency, and the viability, of these new models are driven in part by the growing (and inevitable) move toward Internet Protocol (IP)-based communication networks. This in turn implies the move toward a layered model of these networks, where there is a logical distinction between: The physical layer (the actual physical infrastructure); The logical layer (managing the connection between the physical infrastructure and higher layers); The applications layer (which includes things such as the Web browser), and The content layer (voice, data or images conveyed by the network.) Each layer has a set of functional rules that allow it to interface with the other layer and for information to flow over the network. Any player, including new players, can use different elements of the network, or the entire network, to provide services. The IP-based architecture of the network makes it possible for services to be provided, and innovation to occur, at any point on the network, including, notably, the edges, where the network can be further grown as well. Different segments of the market and different layers of the network -- will naturally have different structures, and will attract players with different business models. For example, in most countries and regions, it will not be feasible or logical to have more than one or two providers of backbone infrastructure. The key issue in an Open Access model is to assure that no player in one of the layers can block access to another layer or to the rest of the network through having dominant market power in one or another layer. Key Principles This suggests a number of key principles of Open Access networks. 1. Anyone can play Particularly because of the potential for locally-provided services and network growth at the edges made possible by flexible technology and open network models, Open Access models should assure that any provider willing to play by the rules can plug and play in the network. 2. Technological neutrality Regulation should be technology-neutral, taking into account the cost and physical properties of the technologies themselves. No one should be stopped from using a particular technology and indeed a progressive regulator would encourage cost reduction through technology innovation. One needs to recognize that in future a wide range of applications will require higher bandwidth. But there may be no significant (order of magnitude) improvements in the performance of fibre, particularly its installation. However with wireless there will be significant improvements in performance and cost/capacity ratio and therefore wireless solutions will become more attractive in local distribution applications. 3. Fair and non-discriminatory competition at all layers Competition should be fair and non-discriminatory. There should be no predatory pricing, cross-subsidisation or aggressive cross-ownership. Regulators will need to be capable of dealing with a range of competition issues to ensure a genuine level playing field, and to prevent market strength in one layer from creating unfair competitive advantage at another layer. For all services at a given layer, there ought to be at least two providers and whenever there are not 4-5 providers of a particular service, issues of competitive position would need to be examined. What is true for countries at a national level holds true at a regional and international level. Ideally any country should have a choice of at least two providers to connect to neighbours and the rest of the world. The EU competition policy formulation of significant market power provides a useful benchmark against which competitive position might be examined. 4. Transparency to ensure fair trading within and between layers Competitive markets thrive on transparent information about market prices and service. Internal accounting processes in companies need to be sufficiently transparent to enforce fair trading. If there is tradable bandwidth particularly at an international level it will allow clear comparisons to be made between different providers. There needs to be greater levels of consumer information to allow comparisons between offers, including offers at the interface between layers. The different roles of players need to be transparent. In order to create trust in the market, infrastructure providers need to be clear that they will not enter service markets to compete with their customers. The regulator exists to encourage competition rather than restrict it but to do so in a way that genuinely encourages increased investment and lower access costs to communications technology. Where appropriate, regulation becomes light-touch rather than prohibitive or restrictive. Government exists to create the legal framework through which competition issues can be mediated. 5. Everyone can connect to everyone else at the layer interface. In order for a competitive market to function, everyone must be able to connect to everyone else. Service providers would be able to get access to infrastructure from the local to the international level, whether they were small or large entities. There will be inevitable interconnection rate issues where the interests of the infrastructure provider in keeping re-investing in the network need to be weighed against the opportunities that can be created for greater levels of new business. 6. Devolved rather than centralised solutions It is important to ensure that the intelligence in the network is to be found at the edges of the infrastructure rather than at its centre. In other words, the infrastructure provider should not be allowed to reserve for itself all of the functions that create value in the market. In practical terms, it should be possible to create a local entity that can operate on the small or medium-scale and can plug into the network without needing to cede control over its activities to the infrastructure provider. Local operators need to be able to own and control a significant level of intelligence in the system (eg billing, features, etc) to encourage open access. NB: This note draws from a study prepared for the WorldBank through InfoDev on Leveraging New Technologies and Open Access Models: Options for Improving Backbone Access in Developing Countries (with a focus on sub-Saharan Africa, by a team consisting of Anders Comstedt, Russell Southwood and Eric Osiakwan, under the auspices of the consulting firm Spintrack ---------- Original Message ---------------------------------- From: Brian Longwe <brian(a)pure-id.com> Reply-To: Discuss(a)afrispa.org Date: Tue, 28 Feb 2006 16:01:42 +0300 >Hi all, > >Here are my notes from a presentation that has just been given by Eme >Essien of the World Bank/IFC > >i will forward the powerpoint presentation as soon as I can get hold >of it... > >----------------------------------------- > >EASSY Presentation from World Bank > >Eme Essien, Senior Investment Officer, IFC/World Bank > >Shared Objectives: >- provide more affordaclbe ICT access >- meet demand for high speed boradbankd connectivity in the region >- spur followon ICT investment in region >- provide cheaper alternative to satellite >- encourage greater connectivity and integration within region >- ALL CAPITALS AND MAJOR CITIES IN E & SA SHOULD BE LINKED TO GLOBAL >NETWORK > >10 Landing points >- Sudan >- Djibouti >- Somalia >- Kenya >- Tanzania >- Mdagascar >- Mozambique >- South Africa > >Eastern Loop >Northern Loop >Southern Loop > >World Bank Group Role >- assist parties deliver on shared objectives >- facilitate reduction of risks (policy/regulatory) to increase >private sector participation >- Conditionalities >- liberalisation of international segment - Open Access >- non-discriminatory access to regional infrastructure to all operators >- identify funding gaps >- build capacity in relevant regional organisation > >Conditions for Success >OPEN ACCES >- maximises project's development impact >- clised club deal SAT3 structures have had limited impact on >traffic, pricing, development >- capacity should be accessible to all parties, fixed line operators >etc.... > >Challenges >- 30-ish members >- Telcos, parastatals, regulators, private operators, incumbents >- countries with differing progress on reform agenda >- differing levels of economic development, infrastructure, ICT needs >etc >- no single champion to establish common interests > > >East Africa Backhaul System >- overland backhauls to EASSY project >- majority of traffic will be routed overland >- various stages of deployment >- MSA-KLA > > >IFC Advisory services role > >WB workign closely with members of East Loop > >Jan 2006 Mandate has been signed with EASSY >- produce transaction structuring report >- conduct technical feasibility study >- among others.... > >Foreseen East African Backhaul Route > >My Question: Is the World Bank applying an Open Access approach on >other telecoms infrastructure projects in Africa or only on EASSY > >Anwer: James Morley<sic>, IFC >- YES >- Open Access approach is being applied across the board - over all >projects >- initially the EABS - WB is pushing for Open Access; pushing for >smaller parties to take part >- Open Access is a principle underlying WB engagements > >Kirui<sic> >- Open Access has (finally) been embraced by EASSY >- last hardliner has last week finally given in and agreed to accept >Open Access based on a Special Purpose Vehicle approach > > > > > >To unsubscribe send a mail to: imailsrv(a)afrispa.org. Type the following in >the body of your mail (not header): "Unsubscribe discuss" (without quotes). >This List is operated by ZAnet Internet Services: www.zanet.co.za on behalf >of www.afrispa.org. For any List Admin queries send mail to William(a)zanet.co.za > -- Eric M.K Osiakwan Executive Secretary AfrISPA (www.afrispa.org) Tel: + 233.21.258800 Fax: + 233.21.258811 Cell: + 233.244.386792 Handle: eosiakwan Snail Mail: Pmb 208, Accra-North Office: BusyInternet - 42 Ring Road Central, Accra-North Blog: http://afrispa.skybuilders.com/users/Eric/blog.html Slang: "Tomorrow Now" -- [View Less]

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Notes from Kenyan ICT Conference
by Brian Longwe 28 Feb '06

28 Feb '06

Hi all, Here are my notes from a presentation that has just been given by Eme Essien of the World Bank/IFC i will forward the powerpoint presentation as soon as I can get hold of it... ----------------------------------------- EASSY Presentation from World Bank Eme Essien, Senior Investment Officer, IFC/World Bank Shared Objectives: - provide more affordaclbe ICT access - meet demand for high speed boradbankd connectivity in the region - spur followon ICT investment in region - … [View More]provide cheaper alternative to satellite - encourage greater connectivity and integration within region - ALL CAPITALS AND MAJOR CITIES IN E & SA SHOULD BE LINKED TO GLOBAL NETWORK 10 Landing points - Sudan - Djibouti - Somalia - Kenya - Tanzania - Mdagascar - Mozambique - South Africa Eastern Loop Northern Loop Southern Loop World Bank Group Role - assist parties deliver on shared objectives - facilitate reduction of risks (policy/regulatory) to increase private sector participation - Conditionalities - liberalisation of international segment - Open Access - non-discriminatory access to regional infrastructure to all operators - identify funding gaps - build capacity in relevant regional organisation Conditions for Success OPEN ACCES - maximises project's development impact - clised club deal SAT3 structures have had limited impact on traffic, pricing, development - capacity should be accessible to all parties, fixed line operators etc.... Challenges - 30-ish members - Telcos, parastatals, regulators, private operators, incumbents - countries with differing progress on reform agenda - differing levels of economic development, infrastructure, ICT needs etc - no single champion to establish common interests East Africa Backhaul System - overland backhauls to EASSY project - majority of traffic will be routed overland - various stages of deployment - MSA-KLA IFC Advisory services role WB workign closely with members of East Loop Jan 2006 Mandate has been signed with EASSY - produce transaction structuring report - conduct technical feasibility study - among others.... Foreseen East African Backhaul Route My Question: Is the World Bank applying an Open Access approach on other telecoms infrastructure projects in Africa or only on EASSY Anwer: James Morley<sic>, IFC - YES - Open Access approach is being applied across the board - over all projects - initially the EABS - WB is pushing for Open Access; pushing for smaller parties to take part - Open Access is a principle underlying WB engagements Kirui<sic> - Open Access has (finally) been embraced by EASSY - last hardliner has last week finally given in and agreed to accept Open Access based on a Special Purpose Vehicle approach [View Less]

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DIRECTOR OF RESEARCH AND TRAINING, KENYA
by Muriuki Mureithi 27 Feb '06

27 Feb '06

The African Technology Policy Studies Network (ATPS) is a leading regional network of African scholars and policymakers engaged in research, capacity building and policy advocacy on issues of science and technology for Africa's sustainable development. ATPS is seeking to recruit a dynamic individual to fill the international position of director of research and training to be based at its secretariat in Nairobi, Kenya. The vacancy is expected to be filled by June 2006. A competitive … [View More]

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Shuttleworth urges telecoms reform
by Bill Kagai 26 Feb '06

26 Feb '06

By Alastair Otter | 24 February, 2006 http://www.tectonic.co.za/view.php?id=888 Ubuntu Linux founder and entrepreneur Mark Shuttleworth yesterday hit out at the African telecommunications sector saying the current "cartels" as they existed are not able to deliver effective and affordable bandwidth to the continent. Shuttleworth, who was speaking during the opening of the Idlelo2 conference in Nairobi, Kenya yesterday, listed bandwidth as the number one item on his list for an effective ICT … [View More]strategy for the continent. Shuttleworth said he had recently spent five weeks travelling through Asia studying how the different countries used technology to boost their economies and was amazed to see how South Korea had grown their economy through "ruthlessly" driving down the cost of bandwidth. "South Korea now has the cheapest broadband in the world and the result has been an explosion in innovation. I urge all [telecommunications] regulators here to go there and learn." The anchor point of any effective ICT strategy on the continent had to be bandwidth, he said. "Bandwidth is the lifeblood of the digital economy." Competition, he said, is a key component of making bandwidth more affordable but simply licensing second and third operators in a country was not sufficient. Rather, he said, countries in Africa need to make better use of their existing wired infrastructure which is a national asset." He urged national telecoms regulator on the continent to unbundle their national infrastructure and develop specialised strategies to deal with the international, regional, metropolitan, last mile and rural legs of the communications network. "We have more than 15 year's global experience in bandwidth and it is now time to move quickly on these issues," he said. Shuttleworth said that one of the fundamental challenges still facing Africa was the continental access through the SAT-3 -- and soon the EASy -- undersea cables. "SAT-3 is an inefficient cartel ... and unfortunately it appears that EASSy (East African Submarine System) is going down the same road and it will not be able to deliver efficient bandwidth." "I urge telecommunications regulators to develop a commercial strategy for delivering effective access to the continent," said Shuttleworth. Shuttleworth said the other two legs of an effective ICT strategy would be free and open source software(FOSS) and skills development. He said that while there would always be a place for proprietary it was important for people to be aware of the alternatives. Rather than seeing the promotion of free software as a battle against proprietary software -- in particular Microsoft -- it was important to understand that free software just represents a new way of operating. A model in which it is not so much about the "product" as it is about the "service". [View Less]

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Job Announcement -- Executive Director, ActionAid International USA]
by alice＠apc.org 25 Feb '06

25 Feb '06

-------- Original Message -------- > Subject: Job Announcement -- Executive Director, ActionAid > International USA > Date: Tue, 21 Feb 2006 12:34:58 -0500 > From: Rick Rowden <Rick.Rowden(a)actionaid.org> > > (apologies for cross postings) > > Job Announcement > > Executive Director > ACTIONAID INTERNATIONAL USA > > AAI USA is seeking a dynamic and entrepreneurial Executive Director to > lead the organization at an exciting and challenging time … [View More]in its > history. AAI USA is poised to begin an effort to become a significant > bridge between social change organizations and coalitions in the US and > constituency-based groups and social movements in developing countries > where AAI has affiliates. AAI USA’s new Executive Director will lead > the organization as it strives to fulfill its potential for linking > social justice work in the US and in developing countries at a time when > such practical solidarity is more important than ever before. The > Executive Director will direct and manage AAI USA, its staff and > programs, creatively develop bridging partnerships, raise funds and > strategically guide its advocacy agenda. > > Candidates should have the following essential qualifications: > > • a proven record of leadership with social change > organizations at either ED or senior level; > • a well-developed sense of vision and strategy in positioning > an organization and guiding its advocacy efforts; > • creativity in devising practical ways of developing real > collaboration on policy issues of common concern between US social > change organizations and/or movements and their peers in developing > countries; > • proven ability to work effectively in coalitions and > partnerships with other organizations; > • imagination, enthusiasm and energy for advocacy work in > support of social and economic justice; > • effective management skills and a minimum of 10 years’ > experience; > • a record of successful fundraising from foundations and > individual donors; > • effective public speaking skills and powers of persuasion; > excellent writing skills; > • willingness to travel at least 30 percent time. > > In addition to the qualifications noted above, the following skills and > experiences are desirable: > > • substantial experience in international or domestic advocacy > work; > • sound knowledge of the US Government and the advocacy > process in Washington, DC; > • sound knowledge of, and demonstrated experience in, > international development and rights-based approaches to development > including work experience in one or more developing countries; > • a Master’s degree or equivalent experience in a field > related to social and economic justice (sociology, public policy, etc.) > > Application Process > > Interested candidates should send a Curriculum Vita by email to: > EDSearch(a)actionaid.org > > The application deadline is February 28, 2006. Final candidates will be > interviewed on April 2nd or 3rd, 2006 at ActionAid International USA’s > office in Washington, DC. > > Background and Context > > ActionAid International USA is the US affiliate of ActionAid > International (AAI). ActionAid International’s mission is to work in > partnership with poor and excluded people who are fighting for a world > without poverty, a world in which their voices are heard and have an > impact on the policies of government and major private institutions. > After having functioned for over thirty years as a British NGO with > field offices in forty countries, ActionAid transformed itself into an > international organization in December, 2003. It changed its name to > ActionAid International, moved its headquarters from London to > Johannesburg, South Africa, and turned its field offices into partners > with an equal say in how the over-all organization operates. These > partner Country Programs are affiliates of AAI and are now in the > process of becoming independent registered NGOs in the countries in > which they operate. In their development work, they stress partnerships > with groups that are raising issues of rights and justice. AAI also has > several affiliates in industrialized countries, most with the primary > purpose of raising funds for AAI’s development programs. > > ActionAid International USA was created in 2000. Its first 5 years have > been spent advocating reforms that speak directly to decision makers on > key policies such as poverty reduction, trade, education, agriculture, > and the expenditure of federal, IMF and World Bank funds. AAI USA is > now committed to becoming a “bridge” organization which links social > change organizations and coalitions in the US with constituency-based > groups and social movements in developing countries where AAI has > affiliates. The purpose of these linkages is to collaborate in > advocating on such common concerns as food rights, trade, violence > against women and HIV/AIDS. For example, AAI USA has recently entered > into partnerships with the Friends of the Earth, the Rural Coalition, > and the Federation of Southern Cooperatives in order to conduct joint > advocacy efforts. AAI USA is located in Washington, DC, currently has a > staff of 7 and an annual operating budget of approximately $1 > million. Its website is www.actionaidusa.org. > > Equal Opportunity Employer [View Less]

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driving internet growth in Africa - the fundamental role of content
by Muriuki Mureithi 23 Feb '06

23 Feb '06

Dear colleagues AfrISPA (www.afrispa.org <http://www.afrispa.org/> ) has published a concise paper that lays a firm foundation to address the next frontier to stimulate internet growth in the continent and help Africa transition to the information society. The paper produced by Summit Strategies ltd for Afrispa with inspiration of the General Manager Mr Brian Longwe makes concrete recommendations to increase content and specifically as an indicator for content to increase the number … [View More]

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John Eger's essay "Forging a Creative Community for the New Creative Economy"
by Florence Etta 21 Feb '06

21 Feb '06

Hi all, I thought some of youmight like this. Sorry for cross posting. Cheers, FE > > > From: john eger <jeger(a)mail.sdsu.edu> > > Date: Fri, 17 Feb 2006 18:39:38 -0800 > > > > Forging a Creative Community for the New Creative > Economy > > > > Feb 17, 2006 By John Eger > > > > Creating a twenty-first-century city is not so > much a question of technology > > as it is of jobs, dollars and quality of life. A > … [View More]community's plan to reinvent > > itself for the new, knowledge-based economy and > society therefore requires > > educating all its citizens about this new global > revolution in the nature of > > work. To succeed, cities must prepare their > citizens to take ownership of > > their communities and educate the next generation > of leaders and workers to > > meet the new global challenges of what is now > being termed the "Creative > > Economy." > > > > Having the most wired and wireless infrastructures > are undoubtedly important. > > San Diego even commissioned a City of the Future > Committee in 1993 to make > > plans to build the first fiber-optic-wired city in > the United States in the > > belief that just as cities of the past were built > along waterways, railroads, > > and interstate highways, the cities of the future > will be built along > > "information highways" -- wired and wireless > information pathways connecting > > every home, office, school, and hospital and, > through the World Wide Web, > > millions of other individuals and institutions > around the world. > > > > But at the heart of such efforts must be a > recognition of the vital roles that > > art and technology play in enhancing economic > development and, ultimately, > > defining a "creative community" -- a community > that exploits the vital > > linkages among art, technology and commerce. A > community with a sense of > > place. A community that nurtures, attracts and > holds the most creative and > > innovation workers. > > > > In recent years, people habitually have referred > to the domain in which > > Internet-based communications occur as > "cyberspace," an abstract > > communications space that exists both everywhere > and nowhere. But until > > flesh-and-blood humans can be digitized into > electronic pulses in the same way > > that computer scientists transform images and > data, the denizens of cyberspace > > will have to continue living in some sort of real > physical space -- a home, a > > neighborhood and a community. > > > > The state of California in 1996 launched its > statewide Smart Communities > > program, recognizing that electronic networks like > these will play an > > increasingly important role in the economic > competitiveness of its > > municipalities. The underlying premise of the > California initiative is that > > smart communities are not, at their core, > exercises in the deployment and use > > of technology, but rather active tools in the > promotion of economic > > development, job growth, and higher living > standards overall. In other words, > > technological propagation in smart communities is > not an end in itself, but > > rather a means to a larger end with clear and > compelling benefits for > > communities. > > > > We have learned a great deal about the challenges > that cities face in a new > > global "information economy," an economy based on > something other than the > > production of goods and services or agriculture. > Although these basic > > industries continue, the new economy relies on the > production, use, and > > transfer of information and knowledge. > > > > In fact, one distinct possibility is that cities > of the future will not be > > cities in the usual sense, but rather powerful > regional economies. Kenichi > > Ohmae, author of The Borderless World (1999,) > suggests we are witnessing the > > resurgence of the age-old concept of the > city-state or, as he prefers, the > > "region-state." The new region-state has the power > and authority to take > > ownership of its own future and establish a > governing process reflecting a new > > model of government for the digital age. > > > > Civic engagement and new civic "collaboratories" > (collaborative projects and > > endeavors) will also be needed to help reinvent > our great cities to reclaim > > the sense of place and civic pride this once > possessed, as well as to ensure > > that no one is left behind. In The Magic of > Dialogue: Transforming Conflict > > into Cooperation (1999), Daniel Yankelovich argues > that there is a "struggle > > between two one-sided visions of our future: the > vision of the free market and > > the vision of the civil society." Citizens need to > create the "social > > capital," that distinguishes their communities, > and in the process close the > > gap between the electorate and those they elect, > as Robert D. Putnam put it in > > his seminal work Bowling Alone (2000). > > > > Cities of the future no doubt will be "creative > communities" in the sense that > > they recognize art and technology as vital, not > only to a region's livability, > > but also to the preparedness of its workforce. > Future cities will understand > > that a basic understanding of the role of > technology as a tool of > > transformation, and that art-infused education is > critical to producing the > > next generation of leaders and workers for the > knowledge economy. Today, the > > demand for creativity has outpaced the ability of > most nations to produce > > enough workers simply to meet their needs. > > > > Worrying about the lack of qualified workers in > this day and age may sound > > odd. With the globalization of media and markets > in full bloom, America, for > > example, is beginning to see the outlines of yet > another out-migration of > > jobs, unleashing new concerns about rising > unemployment. Many economists are > > alarmed that the latest round of losses -- unlike > the earlier shift of > > manufacturing jobs to Taiwan and less-developed > East Asian countries -- will > > have a dramatic impact on America's wealth and > well-being. > > > > Twenty years ago, it was fashionable to blame > foreign competition and cheap > > labor markets abroad for the loss of U.S. > manufacturing jobs, but the pain of > > the loss was softened by the emergence of a new > services industry. Now that > > the service sector has also widely automated > itself, banking, insurance, and > > telecommunications firms are eliminating layers of > management and > > infrastructure. > > > > The traditional corporate pyramid is disappearing > replaced by highly skilled > > professional work teams. State-of-the art software > and telecommunications > > technologies now enable any kind of enterprise to > maximize efficiency and > > productivity by employing foreign workers wherever > they are located, making > > the service-sector jobs even more precious. > Forrester Research Inc., a > > market-research firm, estimates some 3.3 million > service jobs will move out of > > the United States over the next 10-15 years. > Others put that number at 15 > > million, and say the results will be devastating > for the U.S. economy. > > > > While CEOs, economists and politicians are telling > us that these are > > short-term adjustments, it is clear that the > pervasive spread of the Internet, > > digitization, and the availability of white-collar > skills abroad mean > > potentially huge cost savings for global > corporations. Consequently, this > > shift of high-tech service jobs will be a > permanent feature of economic life > > in the 21st century -- but this does not > necessarily mean the news is all bad > > for workers in the United States and other > developed countries. > > > > Some economists believe that globalization and > digitization will improve the > > profits and efficiency of American corporations > and set the stage for the next > > big growth-generating breakthrough. But what will > that be? > > > > A number of think tanks, including Japan's Nomura > Research Institute, argue > > that the elements are in place for the advance of > the Creative Age, a period > > in which free, democratic nations thrive and > prosper because of their > > tolerance for dissent, respect for individual > enterprise, freedom of > > expression, and recognition that innovation, not > mass production of low-value > > goods and services, is the driving force for the > new economy. > > > > The new economy's demand for creativity has > manifested itself in the emergence > > and growth of what author Richard Florida has > termed the Creative Class. > > Although Florida defines this demographic group > very broadly, he does a > > convincing job of underscoring the facts of life > and work in the new knowledge > > economy. As he points out, "every aspect and every > manifestation of creativity > > -- cultural, technological and economic -- is > inextricably linked." > > > > By tracking certain migration patterns and trends, > Richard Florida did a huge > > service for those struggling to redefine their > communities for the new > > knowledge economy. However, many questions remain. > Can the community, through > > public art or cultural offerings, enhance the > creativity of its citizens? And > > if the new economy so desperately demands the > creative worker and leader, what > > should schools and universities do to prepare the > next generation of creative > > people? > > > > I first realized that we were doing something > fundamentally wrong in K-12 > > education when I was asked in 1996 to chair > California's then-governor Pete > > Wilson's Commission on Information Technology. > About the same time, the > > governor had a subcommittee on education > technology, which I also chaired. > > Participating in that effort were such luminaries > as one of the founders of > > the personal computer industry, Alan Kay; Larry > Ellison, founder and chairman > > of Oracle Corporation; Joanne Kosburg, former > president of Californians for > > the Arts and a secretary of state and consumer > affairs under Wilson; and Jeff > > Berg, Chairman and CEO of International Creative > Management Inc. > > > > Early on in our deliberations Larry Ellison > suggested our goal should be "to > > put a personal computer in the backpack of every > K-12 student by the year > > 2001." It was a big, startling idea and captured > everyone's attention > > regarding the enormity of our task. California in > 1996 was about fiftieth > > among the 50 states in computers per pupil. > > > > But Alan Kay shouted across the room, "Would you > give five pencils to a > > school, Larry?" The computer, Alan argued, was > nothing more than a pencil. > > What about the paper? he asked, and more > importantly, what about the ideas > > that must come when we ask the student to put > pencil to paper? Our challenge, > > he said, was to better understand how students > learn, what they needed to > > learn to survive and succeed in today's knowledge > economy, and what our > > teachers in private and public learning > institutions were doing about it. > > > > Later that year I was asked to meet with a senior > vice president of the Los > > Angeles-based Alliance of Motion Picture and > Television Producers, who were > > asking Governor Wilson to "declare a state of > emergency" to help Hollywood > > find digital artists. Silicon Valley, we learned, > also wanted the governor to > > lobby Washington for more foreign visas for the > same reason. There were people > > aplenty who were computer literate, they claimed, > but could not draw. In the > > new economy, they argued, artistic talents are > vital to all industries > > dependent upon the marriage of computers and > telecommunications. > > > > Sadly, we discovered that art and music had been > cut out of most California > > schools over 20 years ago in our zeal to be number > one in the world in math > > and science. At the time this decision was made > the United States was about > > eleventh in the world according to the > Organization for Economic Cooperation > > and Development. Now, the United States ranks > about 24th in the world while > > Singapore, Sweden, Denmark and Finland are in the > top 10 in part because they > > have found a way to underscore the linkages > between music and math, art and > > science. > > > > Until recently, there has been only limited > evidence of the connection between > > education and in appreciation of the arts and > success in the postindustrial > > age of information. But now it is becoming > increasingly apparent that arts > > initiatives will be the hallmarks of the > most-successful schools and > > universities and, in turn, the most-successful and > vibrant > > twenty-first-century cities and regions. One key > to this vision is that we > > must acknowledge the current out-migration of > high-tech jobs as a challenge to > > the status quo. As former Hewlett-Packard CEO > Carly Fiorina told a panel of > > governors a short time ago, "Keep your tax > incentives and highway > > interchanges; we will go where the highly skilled > people are." > > > > Those communities placing a premium on cultural, > ethnic, and artistic > > diversity, reinventing their knowledge factories > for the creative age, and > > building the new information infrastructures for > our age, will likely burst > > with creativity and entrepreneurial fervor. These > are the ingredients so > > essential to developing and attracting the bright > and creative people to > > generate new patents and inventions, innovative > world-class products and > > services, and the finance and marketing plans to > support them. Nothing less > > will ensure a city's economic, social, and > political viability in the > > twenty-first century. > > > > > > John M. Eger, Van Deerlin Professor of > Communications at San Diego State > > University, was chair of Governor Wilson's first > Commission on Information > > Technology. He is editor of The Smart Communities > Guidebook, released by The > > State of California (1997), and the recent author > of The Creative Community > > published by SDSU. This article was excerpted and > adapted from the March / > > April issue of The Futurist, published by The > World Futurist Society. > > > > Copyright® 2005 e.Republic, Inc. All rights > reserved. > > eRepublic, Inc. 100 Blue Ravine Rd., Folsom, CA > 95630 > > > > -- > > John M. Eger > > Van Deerlin Chair of Communication and Public > Policy > > Executive Director, International Center for > Communications > > San Diego State University > > 5500 Campanile Drive > > PFSA 160 > > San Diego, CA > > 92182-4522 > > telephone 6195946910 > > > **************************************************************************** > *** > * Takeshi Utsumi, Ph.D., P.E., Chairman, GLOSAS/USA > * > * (GLObal Systems Analysis and Simulation > Association in the U.S.A.) > * > * Laureate of Lord Perry Award for Excellence in > Distance Education > * > * Founder and V.P. for Technology and Coordination > of > * > * Global University System (GUS) > * > * 43-23 Colden Street, Flushing, NY 11355-5913, > U.S.A. > * > * Tel: 718-939-0928; Email: utsumi(a)columbia.edu > * > * > http://www.itu.int/wsis/goldenbook/search/display.asp?Quest=8032562&lang=en > * > * http://www.friends-partners.org/GLOSAS/ > * > * Tax Exempt ID: 11-2999676 > * > **************************************************************************** > *** > > > _______________________________________________ > gu-new mailing list > gu-new(a)friends-partners.org > http://www.friends-partners.org/mailman/listinfo/gu-new > Florence Etta Programme Co-ordinator Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet) Nairo, Kenya Tel: + 254-733-621851 (Mobile)/254-20-7121506 (Res) Fax: + 254-20-7121506 Email: feanywhere@yahoo.co.uk/florence.etta@gmail.com ___________________________________________________________ Yahoo! Photos NEW, now offering a quality print service from just 8p a photo http://uk.photos.yahoo.com [View Less]

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Fw: [APC Forum] FYI: US Gov. Establishes New Global Internet Freedom Task Force
by alice＠apc.org 20 Feb '06

20 Feb '06

2/14/06 > > Secretary of State Establishes New Global Internet Freedom Task Force > > The Internet is a potent force for freedom around the world, but > challenges to its independence by repressive regimes threaten its > transformational power. In order to ensure a robust U.S. foreign policy > response to these challenges, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice > established the Global Internet Freedom Task Force (GIFT) on February 14, > 2006. In addressing … [View More]challenges to Internet freedom, this internal task > force will draw on the Department of State's multidisciplinary expertise > in international communications policy, human rights, democratization, > business advocacy, corporate social responsibility, and relevant countries > and regions. The task force will report to the Secretary through Under > Secretary for Economic, Business, and Agricultural Affairs Josette Shiner > and Under Secretary for Democracy and Global Affairs Paula Dobriansky. > > President Bush has stated: "Historians ... will point to the role of > technology in frustrating censorship and central control-and marvel at the > power of instant communications to spread the truth, the news, and courage > across borders." Nearly six decades ago, the Universal Declaration of > Human Rights recognized, "Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and > expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without > interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through > any media and regardless of frontiers." Governments reaffirmed these > rights in 2003 and 2005 at the UN's World Summit on the Information > Society. > > The task force will consider foreign policy aspects of Internet freedom, > including: > > * The use of technology to restrict access to political content and the > impact > of such censorship efforts on U.S. companies; > > * The use of technology to track and repress dissidents; and > > * Efforts to modify Internet governance structures in order to restrict > the free > flow of information. > > Consistent with existing interagency and advisory institutions and > processes, the task force will focus the State Department's coordination > with other agencies, U.S. Internet companies, non-governmental > organizations, academic researchers, and other stakeholders. The work of > the task force will support State's participation in existing interagency > processes run by the National Security Council and National Economic > Council. State Department offices participating in the task force include > the Bureaus of Economic and Business Affairs; Democracy, Human Rights and > Labor; International Organizations; International Information Programs; > relevant regional Bureaus; and the Secretary's Policy Planning Staff. > > http://www.state.gov/e/eb/rls/rm/2006/61182.htm > > http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1895,1927085,00.asp > > http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2006/61156.htm > -- > ================================================================ > > Mark Graham > > Senior Vice President of Technology, iVillage > General Manager, Astrology.com > > http://www.ivillage.com > > Office: (415) 447-6193 Ext. 830 * Cell: (917) 697-0110 > ================================================================ > > ======================================= > APC Forum is a meeting place for the APC community - people and > institutions who are or have been involved in collaboration with APC, and > share the APC vision - a world in which all people have easy, equal and > affordable access to the creative potential of information and > communication technologies (ICTs) to improve their lives and create more > democratic and egalitarian societies. > > _______________________________________________ > apc.forum mailing list > apc.forum(a)lists.apc.org > http://lists.apc.org/mailman/listinfo/apc.forum [View Less]

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