Just a thot again Alex, Q) Have you wondered why our service providers here in Kenya havent activated the PTT(Push To Talk) service in our phones? A) because,that service(PTT) converts the phone to work like a workie torkie (men in blue black hand held gadgets) over the network and the consumer would be paying upto 2 bob per minuite(as it happens in Dubai) thus the voice revenue of the service providers will be highly affected. Thus,Kwaheri to Bonga points and Chakaza Ushinde promotions. :-) Regards, Jose' Jose' <ngunjirijnr@yahoo.com> wrote: Hi alex, Buying a phone that is "locked" means you are bound to what the Service providers(Orange and Vodafone) want to promote(voice revenue). or discourage to use (VoIP capability). The solution is that consumers should always ask the sellers before buying if a phone is locked or not.The catch here is that they will have to dig alittle dipper in their pockets to get a sim free phone(unlocked). I hope our service providers here in Kenya are not headed on that direction. Have a Sim free day Alex :-) Regards, Jose' Alex Gakuru <alex.gakuru@yahoo.com> wrote: [Walu, apologies if I unintentionally for de/re-railed an otherwise well set out discussion structure. consumers are suffering everywhere and it's as important to be in touch with the current sorry state of affairs. For example look "Orange and Vodafone cripple Nokia's flagship" at http://www.theregister.co.uk/2007/04/18/n95_crippled/] Back to CCK report,
CCK commissioned Netcomm Information Systems (the Consultant) to undertake a study to establish amongst others, the following Internet indicators within the Kenyan Market:
Considering that this had never undertaken before in Kenya, the study and results are most welcome
1. The Internet service diffusion and usage patterns in different sectors of the Kenyan economy 2. The general Internet service costing mechanisms employed by operators and service providers 3. The key factors that hinder Internet market development 4. The vertical and horizontal relationships of the Internet market in the country
TORs dwelt on "supply-side" (providers-side) only.We now need a "demand-side" or consumers focussed study.Clearly, yeaning for connectivity consumers need to be heard if at all "Free PC and cheap bandwidth responses" is anything to go by.
In carrying out its terms of reference, the Consultant held several roundtable meetings with key stakeholders selected from the Government, Telco-operators, Internet Service providers and Consumers. The Consultant administered questionnaires which revealed the following key findings -categorised under Network Infrastructure, Internet Affordability and Dispersion as described below:
These meeting were very well attended, quite participatory
Network Infrastructure: This indicator establishes the structure and quality of the International and National (domestic) internet backbone across the country. It was found that following the liberation of the telecom sector to allow more players at the International Internet Gateway Operator (IGO) level, there has been a steady increase in the International Bandwidth capacity-currently at 1G and representing over 10% growth since 2004. However, the domestic Internet capacity continued to register limited growth, despite the availability of the local Internet Exchange Point (KIXP).
Maybe ISPs that do not peer at KIXP should be known.
Internet Tariffs & Affordability: This indicator establishes the capacity of consumers to afford the Internet Services. It is taken as a factor of the gross national income, in other words, the average cost of 1 month Internet access measured against the average monthly salaries. It was found that internet service via mobile phone was much more affordable (costing 8% of average monthly incomes) as compared to via fixed lines (costing 200% of the average monthly incomes). This was despite the falling rates of International Internet Bandwidth occasioned by competition at that level.
Mobile internet more "affordable" but; 1. Difficult for cell-phone intenet connection sharing; everyone must connect on own phone>> overall more expensive? 2. Reliability: It is in small contract print - mobile companies give priority to more profitable voice over data whenever they wish
Mobile cheaper but undependable
3. Also no exuse for 200% high rates that never drop. Bandwidth cartels see http://www.tectonic.co.za/view.php?id=888
Dispersion: This indicator establishes geographic reach and sectoral absorption of the Intenet Service. In essence it describes the e-Readiness status of the economy or for the Country. It was found that even though ISPs were present in all the 8 Provinces, they were hardly present at the districts level covering only 30% of the districts in Kenya. In addition, of the three key stakeholders, Government, Educational and Commercial, the Commercial sector had the bulk of the existing Internet Connectivity (80%) while the Education Sector had the lowest (less than 2%). Finally, of the estimated 2.8 Million Internet users in the country, 80% are in the capital city Nairobi, 9% in Mombasa and the rest (11%) are spread across the country.
Do I say?
In attempting to improve the above bleak indicators, the Consultant made the following key recommendations:
Network Infrastructure: That the Government and the Operators make a deliberate effort to extend the domestic Internet backbone through out the country. In addition, that the current license separation between the Internet Gateway Operators (IGOs) and Internet Service Providers (ISPs) be dissolved by combining their services into one license-the Data Communication Network Operator (DCNO) license. Finally, that the Regulator should publish and enforce quality standards in the provision of the Internet Services.
This is long overdue
Internet Tariffs & Affordability: That the Regulator, introduces competition in the Fixed Telephone line service and a flat-rate tariff or volume-based model for dial-up internet services. Also, that despite the relatively cheaper Mobile internet services, further competition be introduce within the sub-sector to further drive down the rates.
Granted introducing another celco is not as easy as opening an extra kiosk, the good Regulator opened doors to community telcos which will help spur further competition
Dispersion: That the Regulator reviews and implements the Universal Access strategy, enabling Operators to extend Internet Broadband services to non-economical rural areas
There should be a mandatory provision "enforcing" corporate responsibility to serve never-ever profitable such as children homes. (Otherwise there no point donating foodstuff only on Christmas Day ;-)
in order to serve in particular educational and health institutions. That the Universal Access fund be utilised in promoting and creating local content in order to stimulate demand and usage.
"Proposed levy is too expensive", says Celtel Kenya <http://www.mobileafrica.net/n1587.htm>
Finally, that the Regulator promotes Consumer Awareness programmes while the Government concludes and enacts the necessary legislative framework for supporting eCommerce uptake.
Noted: CCK Consumer Outreach Programmes Adverts in the press. I am one day behind, will to try catch up Alex --------------------------------- Ahhh...imagining that irresistible "new car" smell? Check out new cars at Yahoo! Autos. _______________________________________________ kictanet mailing list kictanet@kictanet.or.ke http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet Please unsubscribe or change your options at http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/ngunjirijnr%40yahoo.com Best Regards, Jose' Njuki-Imwe Ngunjiri || +254 722 336754 || --------------------------------- Ahhh...imagining that irresistible "new car" smell? Check out new cars at Yahoo! Autos. _______________________________________________ kictanet mailing list kictanet@kictanet.or.ke http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet Please unsubscribe or change your options at http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/ngunjirijnr%40yahoo.com Best Regards, Jose' Njuki-Imwe Ngunjiri || +254 722 336754 || --------------------------------- Ahhh...imagining that irresistible "new car" smell? Check outnew cars at Yahoo! Autos.