This is such a healthy debate. Thanks for all the contributions. As I try to probe the individual contributors, one thing that is very clear is "digital inclusion is not that incusive in terms of cost and coverage". Perhaps, the regulator, and service providers can pick that concern. It is not just in this forum where cost and coverage it is coming out. 2017 elections anyone? :-)

Let me start with Dr Robert Muthuri. On the metrics of coverage, the last time Communications Authority (CA) commented on the same question on this list, they said they use "land based and population based statistics for connectivity". Probably this needs to come out clearly in a language that a government technocrat can understand. That way, when e-government services like Huduma services are made mandatory, the government can realize the challenges the citizenry go through to access government services yet they don't have Internet access. I will just put Ali's quote here "Considering that most government services are now online how do we propose someone in Pokot, Wajir or Marsabit to use these services if someone in Nairobi is finding it a major challenge to access the ecitizen portal? "

Great question on the importance of Universal Service Fund (USF) so far in coverage. I hope the USF-board can answer this, or the secretariat at the CA. The last thing I remember is the President raiding the USF. This is what the President said "We have agreed that in order to boost the Directorate of Criminal Investigations to deal with cybercrime, the Communications Authority - which has the Universal Service Fund through which they collect money and we do not know how they spend it...Sh1 billion from the fund will be moved to the DCI ..."

So you can imagine, if the President does not know what the USF is doing, what about the citizens?

______________________

Mwendwa Kivuva, Nairobi,

On Wed, 24 Apr 2019 at 12:31, Robert Muthuri via kictanet <kictanet@lists.kictanet.or.ke> wrote:

Thanks Kivuva,

Two questions a) what metrics do we currently have to measure coverage? b) What is the impact of the USF so far on coverage?

Best,

Robert.

On Wed, Apr 24, 2019 at 8:56 AM Josephine Miliza via kictanet <kictanet@lists.kictanet.or.ke> wrote:

Thanks Kivuva for starting this discussion. Some of the barriers are

Affordability - If we are looking to have people leverage on the internet for economic empowerment, the current data prices are quite expensive.
Beyond access, we also need to look at the availability of locally relevant applications and content. For people without a disposable income to spend money on the internet, there needs to be a clear value proposition as to why they should make that investment.

I recommend investing in bottom-up models to close the infrastructure and connectivity gaps. These models are able to identify gaps and create targeted solutions that fit the needs of their local communities. We also need to measure uptake and usage rather than just internet penetration.

We should also create strategies to encourage local businesses, especially in rural and underserved areas to adopt the use of ICTs. This can be done by harnessing the power of community-led initiatives to help spread interest and uptake.

On Wed, Apr 24, 2019 at 8:00 AM Grace Githaiga via kictanet <kictanet@lists.kictanet.or.ke> wrote:

@Mercy I recently experienced 'the converging under a certain tree' make or receive a call in Nyandarua. Not too far from Thomson Falls. And I experienced the frustration as the signal was only on that particular tree. You would have thought we were in a meeting. So I am with you on this inequality of our broadband. Until you experience it, then you really do not know what it means.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Grace Githaiga

Twitter: @ggithaiga

Skype: gracegithaiga

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gracegithaiga

...the most important office in a democracy is the citizen. So, you see, that’s what our democracy demands. It needs you!----Barrack Obama.

From: kictanet <kictanet-bounces+ggithaiga=hotmail.com@lists.kictanet.or.ke> on behalf of kanini mutemi via kictanet <kictanet@lists.kictanet.or.ke>
Sent: 24 April 2019 8:32 AM
To: ggithaiga@hotmail.com
Cc: kanini mutemi
Subject: Re: [kictanet] Online discussion on State of Broadband in Kenya

Morning Kivuva,

Like many Kenyans, I love a double life (both urban and rural). While in Nairobi of course I get a good connection- even 4G when I feel rich. What I don’t like is the cost. Safaricom is my provider and though the speeds are satisfactory- I always feel robbed.

Now in my rural life, there really is no connection. Sometimes even shooting a text or making a phone call needs tree-climbing trees. So forget about a 4G connection or a Whatsapp message. FYI my county is quite near to Nairobi. Every time I experience this it magnifies to me the kind of inequality ICT can cause.

On Tue, 23 Apr 2019 at 08:36, Mwendwa Kivuva via kictanet <kictanet@lists.kictanet.or.ke> wrote:

Dear Listers,

As notified last week, we are conducting an assessment on the state of play and impact of broadband in Kenya, broadly looking at the socio-economic impact on consumers, businesses and various sectors like agriculture, education, healthcare, finance and government.

We are looking at real life examples of impact of broadband, challenges we face in increasing impact of broadband and recommendations on interventions needed to address the challenges identified.

For this discussion, we define broadband as any fast internet. Fast enough to serve your intended purpose. We can have an extended definition through the discussion.

Some of the questions we should answer are:

What is the current state of broadband in Kenya? What is the current coverage of broadband in Kenya? Do you have broadband internet in your area? How affordable is the available broadband?
What barriers are there in increasing impact of broadband in Kenya?
What recommendations can counter the barriers identified in increasing impact of broadband?

Looking forward to a grrat debate.

Sincerely,

______________________

Mwendwa Kivuva

_______________________________________________
kictanet mailing list
kictanet@lists.kictanet.or.ke
https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet
Twitter: http://twitter.com/kictanet
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KICTANet/

Unsubscribe or change your options at https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/kaninimutemi%40gmail.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.

--

Mercy Mutemi, Advocate.

_______________________________________________
kictanet mailing list
kictanet@lists.kictanet.or.ke
https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet
Twitter: http://twitter.com/kictanet
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KICTANet/

Unsubscribe or change your options at https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/josephine.miliza%40gmail.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.

--

Kind Regards,

Josephine Miliza
Community Networks Champion | Women in Tech Empowerment
Skype ID: Jossie.miliza | Mobile Phone: +254 726921527

“Be thankful for everything that happens in your life; it’s all an experience.”
— Roy T. Bennett

_______________________________________________
kictanet mailing list
kictanet@lists.kictanet.or.ke
https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet
Twitter: http://twitter.com/kictanet
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KICTANet/

Unsubscribe or change your options at https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/muthuri.r%40gmail.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
Twitter: http://twitter.com/kictanet
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KICTANet/

Unsubscribe or change your options at https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/kivuva%40transworldafrica.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.