I would add onto that Universal Service fund matter, Where is information? I for one am based where it might be applicably used but haven’t quite gotten all the information on the approach one can use to access this. From: kictanet <kictanet-bounces+arebacollins=gmail.com@lists.kictanet.or.ke> on behalf of Grace Githaiga via kictanet <kictanet@lists.kictanet.or.ke> Reply-To: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions <kictanet@lists.kictanet.or.ke> Date: Tuesday, 28 June 2016 11:10 am To: Collins Areba <arebacollins@gmail.com> Cc: Grace Githaiga <ggithaiga@hotmail.com> Subject: Re: [kictanet] Draft National ICT Policy Discussions Day 4 of 10: How to enhance Universal Service & Access + 1 @Ali. Apart from the Interactive map, it would be useful to have half yearly reports showing the exact disbursements, not just as a matter of transparency, but also for encouraging the telcos that have to contribute to this fund. Further, a clear criteria on how to arrive at who gets funded would be useful. I have in mind projects that may be supported due to political patronage (my MP insisting), but do not warrant such funding. In addition, the need to have public interest representation in that USF board. Rgds GG Date: Tue, 28 Jun 2016 08:51:09 +0300 Subject: Re: [kictanet] Draft National ICT Policy Discussions Day 4 of 10: How to enhance Universal Service & Access From: kictanet@lists.kictanet.or.ke CC: ali@hussein.me.ke To: ggithaiga@hotmail.com Barrack and all The Universal Service Access Fund is a commendable initiative but too often there hasn't been much information on the impact the critical resource is having. My suggestion would be to have an interactive real time map showing its impact and why certain regions are chosen to receive its largess and not others. This should be linked with Infrastructure sharing and last mile strategies to provide connectivity from the NOFBI. WayLeaves in my humble opinion are a major stumbling block to achieving Universal Access. Some counties think that this is a major income earner. We need to dissuade them from this myopic thinking. There has to be robust engagement with counties to ensure that ISPs and Telcos are not held to ransom by short term county revenue hunting at the expense of spreading ubiquitous broadband connectivity. This is so critical that a clear strategy paper needs to be put together by all stakeholders to guarantee its implementation. What are the roadblocks that hinder us from achieving universal broadband connectivity? Ali Hussein Principal Hussein & Associates +254 0713 601113 / 0770906375 Twitter: @AliHKassim Skype: abu-jomo LinkedIn: http://ke.linkedin.com/in/alihkassim "Discovery consists in seeing what everyone else has seen and thinking what no one else has thought". ~ Albert Szent-Györgyi Sent from my iPad On 28 Jun 2016, at 7:43 AM, Barrack Otieno via kictanet <kictanet@lists.kictanet.or.ke> wrote: Listers, We inadvertently skipped the day 4 discussion since it was to be done over the weekend (Saturday 25 June 2016). As such we will back track so that we can tackle the topics which are very important. Today we focus on the following topics *Universal Access (Infrastructure) *Universal Service (PWD) *Affordable Internet broadband Services *Affordable User Devices *Public e-Literacy The Background Universal service principles are based on the fact that all citizens are entitled to basic communication rights. In other words, the government is obliged to ensure that communication signals reach all Kenyans, irrespective of their income levels, remote localities, lack of (e)literacy and/or disabilities (e.g. the blind/deaf/etc). There was recent access-gap study commissioned by the regulator which confirmed that a large number of Kenyan localities are underserved http://www.nation.co.ke/oped/blogs/dot9/walubengo/-/2274560/3155384/-/l3vdw8.... How can we change the situation? Thank you -- Barrack O. Otieno +254721325277 +254733206359 Skype: barrack.otieno PGP ID: 0x2611D86A _______________________________________________ kictanet mailing list kictanet@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/info%40alyhussein.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@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/ggithaiga%40hotmail.co... 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@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/arebacollins%40gmail.c... 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.