Press Release For Immediate Release (Contact; Eric M.K Osiakwan – eric@afrispa.org, +233.244.386792) Africa’s Internet Community to gather in Nairobi in May 4th March 2006 - the annual African Internet Forum will this year be held in Nairobi over 18-19 May and is expected to be the largest gathering of Africa’s expanding Internet community. The African Internet Forum provides an annual platform for ISPs, telecom operators, Internet users, developers, regulators, policy-makers and development agencies to share knowledge on the strategic and business issues related to the Internet’s development in Africa. The Forum is held under the auspices of the African ISP Association (AfrISPA) and is organized by AITEC in association with Balancing Act. The theme of this year’s Forum will be “Survival of the fittest: How to thrive in the African Internet jungle” Announcing the Forum, Russell Southwood CEO of Balancing Act and the forum programme co-ordinator, said: “Africa’s Internet sector is simultaneously facing challenges that could make many of its players more marginal, whilst at the same time seeing enormous potential opportunities opening up for it. This Internet Forum seeks to let participants know what might be about to happen and to offer a briefing on how to avoid being crushed by the larger players.” Brian Longwe, GM of AfrISPA, said “Time has come for Africa’s Internet community to take their futures – and livelihoods – into their own hands. For too long Africa has been dependent on overseas infrastructure and facilities to provide inter-country (and sometimes intra-country) connectivity. A key item on this year Internet Forum agenda will be the issue of Africa’s ISPs finding ways of making the African backbone network a reality” The Forum will follow the Internet training workshops, tutorials and related events being held by AfriNIC and AfNOG in Nairobi in May. AfNOG and AfriNIC are jointly organizing a two-week event that includes the AfNOG Workshop on Network Technology (offering advanced training in a week-long hands-on workshop), several half-day Tutorials, a one-day AfNOG meeting, and a two-day AfriNIC meeting. Further information about the event may be found at <http://www.afnog.org/afnog2006/> and <http://www.afrinic.net/meeting/>. AfNOG Workshop: 7-12 May 2006 (Sunday - Friday) AfNOG Tutorials: 14 May (Sunday) AfNOG Meeting: 15 May (Monday) AfriNIC Meeting: 16-17 May (Tuesday - Wednesday) African Internet Forum: 18-19 May (Thursday – Friday) AfrISPA AGM: 19 May (Friday) -- Eric M.K Osiakwan Executive Secretary AfrISPA (www.afrispa.org) Tel: + 233.21.258800 Fax: + 233.21.258811 Cell: + 233.244.386792 Handle: eosiakwan Snail Mail: Pmb 208, Accra-North Office: BusyInternet - 42 Ring Road Central, Accra-North Blog: http://afrispa.skybuilders.com/users/Eric/blog.html Slang: "Tomorrow Now" --