@ Walu, all can we get to the bottom of this issue during the forthcoming IGF? Sent from my BlackBerry® -----Original Message----- From: Walubengo J <[email protected]> Date: Wed, 20 Jun 2012 07:50:14 To: Barrack Otieno<[email protected]> Cc: skunkworks<[email protected]>; KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions<[email protected]>; <[email protected]>; <[email protected]> Subject: Re: [kictanet] Kenya IGF Online discussions Day 5: Infrastructure @Ali, Universal Access Fund? last time i checked (1yr ago) this fund was a non-starter (still-born). Apparently awaiting some Commission to be formed that would mange the funds. But even before this formation, Operators were murmuring (read doubtful) about how this Fund would be transparently disbursed (you know our Kenyan reputation where it comes to public funds ). And now we have a new (Independent) Regulatory Bill, and with elections coming up, not sure the this Fund will fly (or maybe it is flying and would appreciate if corrected). regards, walu. --- On Wed, 6/20/12, Barrack Otieno <[email protected]> wrote: From: Barrack Otieno <[email protected]> Subject: Re: [kictanet] Kenya IGF Online discussions Day 5: Infrastructure To: [email protected] Cc: "skunkworks" <[email protected]>, "KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions" <[email protected]>, [email protected], [email protected] Date: Wednesday, June 20, 2012, 9:41 AM Ali, You have hit the nail on the head, i hope we can have a response from CCK regarding the questions that you have posted. The Universal Access fund will be key to last mile connectivity. I would also like to note what the likes of ZUKU are doing, it is really commendable the proposed mapping of residential areas by the Minister for Finance could also help in bringing connectivity to residential areas, the cost can then be split so that every household can get access. Thank you Best Regards On Wed, Jun 20, 2012 at 9:19 AM, Ali Hussein <[email protected]> wrote: Barrack The Government, in this case Min of Info-Com must be lauded for the efforts and pioneering spirit in the ICT infrastructure area. Here is a clear example where the Government was ahead of the private sector. This must be acknowledged because often we are very quick to criticize government. Having said that we are still far from utopia. The Universal Access program by CCK is laudable and needs to be encouraged at every turn. According to CCK's website there are various projects that are funded by the Universal Access Fund. The information however is very thin. May I make some suggestions? To ensure that high impact interventions are instituted in areas that require attention and where private sector doesn't see it economically viable to provide telephony and Internet services. 1. CCK to provide all stakeholders with a quarterly report on the status of coverage and interventions to deal with under served areas 2. An interactive map showing access availability and unavailability. 3. An understanding and appreciation of how CCK decides to allocate funds on universal access. 4. Setting up of a joint PPP task force to deal with this issue. My thoughts. Ali Hussein +254 773/713 601113 Sent from my iPhone® On Jun 20, 2012, at 8:46 AM, Barrack Otieno <[email protected]> wrote: Lister's, Kenya is lauded as being a leader in Internet infrastructure in the region. Provision of infrastructure is acknowledged as a driving factor towards achievement of Vision 2030. In deed in this years budget speech, Government made proposals to allocate money to expand the same. migration to digital television as well as a law aimed at curbing communication cables vandalism were also discussed. Nevertheless questions still remain because infrastructure remains concentrated in major cities and important centres and facilities in rural areas do not have sufficient access to the Internet. a) Are Government's efforts in the right direction towards providing infrastructure that will get us closer to universal access? b) With Kenya's new governance structure, how can Government facilitate efficiency at counties through ICT/Internet? c) Are private citizens/ civil society playing their role in increasing access? The Floor is open, feel free to continue contributing to previous discussions -- Barrack O. Otieno+254721325277+254-20-2498789 Skype: barrack.otienohttp://www.otienobarrack.me.ke/ _______________________________________________ kictanet mailing list [email protected] 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. -- Barrack O. Otieno+254721325277+254-20-2498789 Skype: barrack.otienohttp://www.otienobarrack.me.ke/ -----Inline Attachment Follows----- _______________________________________________ kictanet mailing list [email protected] https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet Unsubscribe or change your options at https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/jwalu%40yahoo.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.