I agree with Mr. Ali Hussein that there is never a free ride. Those big boys and girls of the Internet have seen an opportunity to profit from the lack of reliable and affordable Internet in rural areas. I don't know how they will profit but I am sure they have done their research. These people don't think short-term. They stand to gain in the long run.

On the other hand, FREE Internet in rural areas?! Wow! Speaking as someone whose work involves a lot of heavy Internet use, and who has no office to access it through, this is very good news! I can even consider moving to these rural areas once the deal is up and running. I am sure there are many more people like me. Maybe this will promote urban-rural migration, thereby contributing to the development of rural areas?

Regards,
Mildred Achoch.

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On Wed, Nov 18, 2015 at 8:52 AM, James Kagwe via kictanet <kictanet@lists.kictanet.or.ke> wrote:

Looking at it from the other side of the fence, the truth is that Internet service providers in Kenya including the Telcos have maintained the price of internet quite high even for the middle class living in urban areas. Most of us can only enjoy reliable internet in the office only. This is even after Kenya connected to at least 4 undersea cables.

Given the prevailing circumstances there's no hope for reliable and affordable Internet to the rurals in the near future. This is with the benefits of Internet as demonstrated by research not withstanding. I don't see anything wrong with what they're doing. In any case we in Nairobi and other urban areas will continue paying the unreasonable costs as we have been doing in the past.

James

On Nov 18, 2015 8:16 AM, "Ali Hussein via kictanet" <kictanet@lists.kictanet.or.ke> wrote:
Listers

I'm really concerned about the continued silence of the Regulator regarding Zero-Rating of certain services bundled by telcos in this country in partnership with the big boys and girls of the Internet. Are we not clear how this continued silence and tacit approval of this practice that had basically been outlawed in their home countries is going to impact our nascent Internet economy?  


We deserve some action from the Communication Authority. 

Ali Hussein
Principal
Hussein & Associates
+254 0713 601113 / 0770906375

Twitter: @AliHKassim

Skype: abu-jomo

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