----- Original Message ----
From: Joan Walumbe <jwalumbe@globalnetcorps.org>
To: feanywhere@yahoo.co.uk
Sent: Monday, 23 April, 2007 4:16:18 PM
Subject: Re: [kictanet] Fwd: [ke-internetusers] Free PC and cheap Internet forSMEs and Home Users

----- Original Message -----

From: Alex Gakuru

To: Kictanet

Sent: Monday, April 23, 2007 8:57 AM

Subject: [kictanet] Fwd: [ke-internetusers] Free PC and cheap Internet forSMEs and Home Users

Alex Gakuru <gakuru@gmail.com> wrote:

Date: Mon, 23 Apr 2007 08:51:01 +0300
From: "Alex Gakuru" <gakuru@gmail.com>
To: ke-internetusers@bdix.net
Subject: [ke-internetusers] Free PC and cheap Internet for SMEs and Home
Users

[This brightens a new dawn for Kenya's connectivity. I have often
argued that lesser city traffic jams and higher national productivity
can be achieved by taking internet outside the city centre, Nairobi
currently having 80% of Kenya's internet. Many are bound to choose
working from home to save on expensive city office rent overheads and
"outsourcing" will definitely benefit considering the time differences
become less of a problem, security is also a consideration.

Forecasting on this possibility at a stakeholders workshop on 22 March
2007, I warned that it would only take "one clever ISP" to realise
this enormous small business and home user waiting market away from
the current "corporates-only" internet (used between 8am to 5 pm and
half-days on Saturdays which drops at lunch-time. (see the first graph
at http://www.isoc.or.ke/connectivity.html - website under
development)]
-----------------------
[Business Daily]

ISP targets home users with free PC's
Written by Okkutah Mark
Monday, 23 April 2007 [NAIROBI]

While most Internet Service Providers (ISPs) target corporate users,
one new entrant into the online market is banking on capturing
residential, small and home business users with a unique offer: a free
computer.

The company, Alunite, says most Kenyans would love to be connected to
a high-speed DSL Internet connection from home, but the lack of
affordable personal computers, and high bandwidth costs have kept most
out of the loop.

Lucy Kimani, the ISPs executive director said Alunite was partnering
with Kenya Data Networks (KDN) and Keysde, a local company involved in
computer assembly in which Keysde will provide PCs, under a guarantee
that the ISP settles the bill within 90 days.

KDN will provide the DSL linkage to it's Metro optical fibre.

"As an ISP we are linking the home subscribers to the KDN's link which
will provide them with a high-speed connection," said Ms Kimani. "We
also realised that a majority of people don't own computers, and
that's why we looked how we could solve this problem."

The deal does come with a catch though. In exchange for a free
computer, subscribers must sign a one-year agreement to subscribe to
Alunite's Internet sevices, which cost 5,945 per month.

The computer—an Intel Pentium 1.2 Ghz PC—retails for Sh10,300 in local shops.

But Ms Kimani said it was more than just a freebie.

"We eliminate the hassle of dealing with a separate connectivity
provider and provide attentive customer service," she said. "Our
company coordinates all aspects of the installation of the service
including site inspection."



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