How many devices in Kenya are 3G enabled (and I gather in this context what is really meant is UMTS). If these devices are not within reach of most people, will operators incur huge costs upgrading their networks to 3G (let alone 4G - even South Africa are toying with this and its not on any operators "to do list" for 2010). As it were even 2.5G devices are out of reach (though after Safaricom slashed the prices of various devices today - this may change) But going back to the debate about mobile broadband, the point I am driving at (albeit in a very roundabout fashion) is, do we need to be discussing 4G at a period when operators are grappling with how to shore up revenues (voice ARPU keeps declining, and while data usage increasing - prices wars still ensue and increased data usage is putting a strain on the network and affecting QoS - in some cases this has been attributed to some 3G bandwidth hungry devices). Its good to move with the times but most times we need to stop and ask if we really need it or if its an ego-driven decision... I think 3G is a "nice to have" technology that only a handful can really enjoy or benefit from. Rather than consider 4G and the inherent infrastructure costs to operators (esp in a market that is most certainly not ready for 4G never mind that is is a market that perhaps does not quite make a good business case for 3G), I think closing access gaps should be the industry priority....and where possible, after closing such gaps, looking for ways to increase data usage for existing 2G and 2.5G devices (gprs, edge) - for example m-government applications (within government and for G2C, G2B), pvt sector CRM systems, supply chain, retail, etc Aside from applications there is the issue of content - and with all due respect I do not mean hawking ringtones, wallpapers or jokes - rather availing USEFUL applications that in themselves compel people to keep using their data bundles to access those ringtones, jokes, wallpapers, social networks, date lines, news, free streaming media and a host of other content - all for FREE and not to itemise the cost for each ringtone, etc Thus sell the bandwidth NOT the items that go through it. I believe we have the local capacity - operators need to join the fray and meet these developers to come up with innovative and useful applications. Sent using my 2.5G USB modem and read on my 2.5G blackberry. -----Original Message----- From: Joseph Mucheru <mucheru@google.com> Date: Fri, 26 Mar 2010 12:36:57 To: <bitange@jambo.co.ke> Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions<kictanet@lists.kictanet.or.ke> Subject: Re: [kictanet] Revisiting The Broadband Debate in Kenya _______________________________________________ kictanet mailing list kictanet@lists.kictanet.or.ke http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet This message was sent to: bitange@jambo.co.ke Unsubscribe or change your options at http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/bitange%40jambo.co.ke<http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/bitange@jambo.co.ke> ------------------------------ Message: 2 Date: Fri, 26 Mar 2010 15:02:00 +0300 From: "Harry Delano" <harry@comtelsys.co.ke> To: "'Brian Longwe'" <blongwe@gmail.com> Cc: 'KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions' <kictanet@lists.kictanet.or.ke> Subject: Re: [kictanet] Revisiting The Broadband Debate in Kenya Message-ID: <E1Nv8Am-0001gN-Gs@mail.gprs.safaricom.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8" Mblayo, Thanks. What in your considered opinion would be the best way forward out of the debacle, as things appear to be at standstill on that end..? Now, every report touching this issue even way back in 2007 when 3G was first paid for, mentions it as a 3G license, while it might have been a payment for frequency ( 3G Frequency License, if you would), to carry 3G Technology - whatever the case it is a matter that needs to be resolved in order, as you put it - To provide a level playing ground - and to help drive Mobile broadband forward. At best, it would appear like a "standoff" currently. Hope it is being addressed, speedily.. Harry -- Francis Hook +254 733 504561