December 2014 - isoc - Skunkworks Site

Re: [isoc_ke] [kictanet] The Securities laws amendment bill 2014 and it's impact on ICT
by Mwendwa Kivuva 11 Dec '14

11 Dec '14

On 11 December 2014 at 13:38, Ngigi Waithaka <ngigi(a)at.co.ke> wrote: > Now, my contribution to this: > 1. Anything that takes away our current civil liberties as enshrined in our > constitution is a no-no. We cannot let the terrorists win nor water down our > hard fought freedoms. Its true, once our freedoms are eroded, it will be uphill reclaiming them again. Remember what the country went through to repeal section 2A and usher in multiparty democracy? > > 2. Anything that touches on mass-surveilance e.g across the board wiretaps > for civillians without an authorization from the courts is a no-no. This is > taking us back to Special Branch days where private conversations used to > make good fodder for intelligence. Also, where the ruling party is > synonymous with the Government this will ultimately be used to settle > political scores. > True. The challenge is we need very well structured accountability, and transparency for such a law to work, but I am afraid our security organs lack this. > 3. There better be a really good definition of exactly who a terrorist is. > History has shown how almost every hero known today was once labelled a > terrorist. So if we want to detain someone past the current maximum times > coz of terrorism, then there better be a really good reason otherwise > before too long these same laws might be used to fight the opposition. > > 4. Checks and balances. If the goverment wants extra power then the power > ought to be checked by say an equivalent to Public Accounts Commiitee (PAC) > for security, headed by a member of the opposition. > > How about we strengthen our anti-corruption and governance laws and I bet we > would have a much better chance of fighting terrorism. And maybe have concerted effort of training our kids from kindergarten on patriotism, and the evils corruption can plunge a great country. Start change from within. > > Waithaka Ngigi > > Alliance Technologies > Nairobi, Kenya ______________________ Mwendwa Kivuva, Nairobi, Kenya "There are some men who lift the age they inhabit, till all men walk on higher ground in that lifetime." - Maxwell Anderson

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Re: [isoc_ke] [kictanet] The Securities laws amendment bill 2014 and it's impact on ICT
by Mwendwa Kivuva 11 Dec '14

11 Dec '14

On 11 December 2014 at 14:23, Walubengo J via kictanet <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> wrote: > > I simply worry that the bill seems to be hurried - by design - and is likely to be law by tomorrow morning - making discussions about it almost immaterial. Yes Walu, this might be the thinking of the executive, but if we get enough critical mass rejecting the bill, or proposing amendments, we can still petition the government to consider the stance. We can actually go to court and justify that the laws are unconstitutional and they were hurriedly debated to pass them without proper consultations. How do you have a public discussion for one day of a bill that s not even publicly available? ______________________ Mwendwa Kivuva, Nairobi, Kenya "There are some men who lift the age they inhabit, till all men walk on higher ground in that lifetime." - Maxwell Anderson

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Re: [isoc_ke] [kictanet] LTE/4G and the state of broadband and Universal Access in Kenya
by Mwendwa Kivuva 11 Dec '14

11 Dec '14

On 9 December 2014 at 16:51, Grace Mutung'u (Bomu) <nmutungu(a)gmail.com> wrote: > > Thanks for this discussion. > Universal access gets complicated when one company is ahead of government in providing access to remote areas. Such a company will definitely want/deserves a say in how the fund is managed. I think the USF should be managed in public interest because the funds belong to the public. The 0.5% is a levy that does not belong to anybody but the masses. Which brings the next point > > So on representation to the USF board, let private sector and civil society also have seats. It would be a good balance of interests. > Regards True Grace, now for the funds to be utilised well, and to be able to balance all interests, the private sector and civil society too should have seats on the USF board. And this is something we should be very firm on. Probably at the end of these discussion, one of the recommendations on the report will be balanced representation. I hope the CS will be able to digest it. ______________________ Mwendwa Kivuva, Nairobi, Kenya "There are some men who lift the age they inhabit, till all men walk on higher ground in that lifetime." - Maxwell Anderson

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Re: [isoc_ke] [kictanet] LTE/4G and the state of broadband and Universal Access in Kenya
by Mwendwa Kivuva 11 Dec '14

11 Dec '14

On 9 December 2014 at 12:48, Walubengo J via kictanet < kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> wrote: > Adam good thoughts..especially > > ****"If Safaricom can sell LTE to the 1% and that makes enough money to > pay well for the spectrum license and GoK then uses that money for the USF > to build 3G towers in rural areas - then that's really great". > > *But then again Safcom is not a charity organisation and may rather pay > out the profits to the shareholders (like me :-) rather than build extra > 3G towers to remote non economic zones in Kenya.* > With USF, Safaricom does not have an option on how the funds will be used. Does it? Therefore more profits means more funds to the USF kitty, and the posibility of 3G in Nyando and Isiolo. > then > ***"4G/LTE deployments aren't really that much more expensive than 3G as I > understand it." > *I dont have the actual costs, but the fact is 4G/LTE base stations have a > small footprint/radius compared to 3G, so you will require more base > stations to cover larger areas/populations. More base stations more money > hence the cost of service to the customer can only be higher.* > > *** The big difference is the 'cost' of the spectrum - which is whatever > the market will bear. > actually cost of spectrum will be decided/or has been decided by the > Regulator. But the point is, even if it was given away for free, or through > trading there is no guarantee that the benefit will not be translated to > the consumer. > > > *In summary, I guess my beef is not against the LTE technology( it is > good, it is inevitable and it will be deployed). My point is that it will > not address the high cost of communication and is not likely to address the > bigger picture (getting everyone online). * > > *And yes, that is not Safaricom's problem but the Regulators problem. * > This is a very important point Walu, In the National Broadband Stategy ( http://ca.go.ke/images//downloads/PUBLICATIONS/NATIONAL%20BROADBAND%20STRAT…) the Government has a plans phased between 2013 - 2017, 2018-2022, 2023-2027, and 2028-2030 with envisaged maximum speeds in rural areas at 500Mbps and 2Gbps in Urban areas. By 2017, the target is 100% connectivity of all Schools and Healthcare facilities with at least 5Mbps. That is only 3 years from now. I don't see how we will achieve this without proper coordination and organisation. But if we implement the National broadband strategy to the letter, then we will achieve Universal Access. On whose side are you willing to place the bet? Regards ______________________ Mwendwa Kivuva, Nairobi, Kenya T: twitter.com/lordmwesh

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Balance between privacy and security- Kenyan new security Bill
by Ephraim Percy Kenyanito 09 Dec '14

09 Dec '14

Apologies for cross posting, http://www.capitalfm.co.ke/news/2014/12/investigative-journalists-on-the-sp… "The Bill also proposes to allow the National Security Organs to intercept communication for the purpose of detecting, deterring and disrupting terrorism and related activities." "Owing to the fact that the National Assembly will be going on recess on Thursday coupled with the urgent need to contain the security situation in the country, the House has in the meantime approved that debate on this Bill be fast tracked, with publication period shortened from 14 days to just a day. Public debate on these proposals is due Wednesday. " -- Best Regards, *Ephraim Percy Kenyanito* PGP: E6BA8DC1

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LTE/4G and the state of broadband and Universal Access in Kenya
by Mwendwa Kivuva 09 Dec '14

09 Dec '14

(Apologies for cross-posting) Nothing is as great as high internet speed. That is the mantra on Safaricom's 4G page (1). Safaricom's 4G/LTE service is the first of its kind in the region and promises a browsing experience like never before. Long Term Evolution (LTE) is a standard for wireless communication of high-speed data for mobile phones and data terminals.(2) To use LTE you need a 4G capable Device (phone/tablet/modem), Change to a 4G enabled SIM card and be in an area covered by the 4G service i.e. Some parts of Nairobi and Mombasa. With the rollout of 4G in some parts of Nairobi and Mombasa, we are exploring the state of "real" broadband in Kenya, the cost to the common citizen, and coverage. As we continue to privilege those of us in urban areas, how are we catering for the interests and needs of the marginalized? TESPOK in August issued a statement (3) advising it's members not to pay Universal Service Fund (4) until they meet with the Communications Authority Director General and ICT cabinet Secretary to clearly define the procedures and processes of administering the 0.5% of operators' annual revenues. What is the current state of USF in Kenya? Is it operational? Is the 0.5% sufficient to have any impact in society? Are the USF Council members (5) representative of the Internet community in Kenya? Are all stakeholders interests taken into consideration in forming the council? Would these distinguished citizens know the troubles the user in Kitui goes through when he has to climb a flag-post to get network signal, or the parcel that arrives in Lokitang after a month? Internet Society Kenya Chapter and Kictanet seeks to engage in a series of online discussions covering various trending issues which will culminate in a public consultative forum with industry and policymakers to share the feedback from the community and see how best we can influence and shape the Internet landscape in Kenya. Your valuable contribution is always appreciated. Sincerely, ______________________ Mwendwa Kivuva, Nairobi, Kenya Secretary, Internet Society Kenya. NOTES (1). http://www.safaricom.co.ke/personal/internet/safaricom-4g-lte (2). http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LTE_%28telecommunication%29 (3). http://www.tespok.co.ke/?p=310 (4). http://ca.go.ke/index.php/purpose-of-the-fund (5). http://ca.go.ke/index.php/universal-service-advisory-council

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Licensing Framework for .ke
by Ali Hussein 09 Dec '14

09 Dec '14

Listers Apologies for cross posting. The above refers. Please see attached an advert appearing in the local newspapers regarding the above. The gist of the advert is to state:- 1. The CA has now developed a licensing framework to administer the .KE name space. 2. That before any Registrar purports to sell or be accredited by KeNIC they must first be licensed by CA. 3. That if you require more information on the above please contact the CA. Now, listers, a number of things have been playing in my mind over the last few days. And these are:- 1. Shouldn't the CA/KeNIC simply have informed Registrars on the new licensing framework etc.? This is a simple matter. KeNIC has all the contacts (through DRAKE) of the Registrars. Better still, wouldn't it be even a better idea to convene a meeting where we are all taken through the new regime? Can this new framework be shared via email to all interested parties? 2. What is DRAKE's official position on this? 3. As a Registrar the first thing that comes to mind is this:- Are we not complicating and putting barriers for businesses to sell .ke domains by requiring them to be licensed by CA? Isn't it enough that the Registry is now being licensed and that the Registry vets Registrars? How are we going to grow .ke if we now have to troop to CA every year? I stand corrected but I have NEVER required to be licensed by CA or ICANN to sell .ug, .tz, .com .net etc. Is it just me or is there something more to this than meets the eye? C'mon guys, lets not complicate matters unnecessarily! *Ali Hussein* Tel: +254 770 906375/ 713 601113 Twitter: @AliHKassim Skype: abu-jomo LinkedIn: http://ke.linkedin.com/in/alihkassim <http://ke.linkedin.com/in/alihkassim> Blog: www.alyhussein.com Any information of a personal nature expressed in this email are purely mine and do not necessarily reflect the official positions of the organizations that I work with.

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Fwd: [Internetcollaboration] Update on NETmundial Initiative
by Barrack Otieno 08 Dec '14

08 Dec '14

---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Constance Bommelaer <bommelaer(a)isoc.org> Date: Mon, 8 Dec 2014 08:55:06 +0000 Subject: [Internetcollaboration] Update on NETmundial Initiative To: Elist internetcollaboration <internetcollaboration(a)elists.isoc.org> Dear all, Fyi - I encourage you to read this blog post from Kathy Brown, ISOC's President and CEO, providing an update on the NETmundial Initiative (NMI): http://www.internetsociety.org/blog/public-policy/2014/12/update-netmundial… Best regards, Constance _______________________________________________ Internetcollaboration mailing list Internetcollaboration(a)elists.isoc.org https://elists.isoc.org/mailman/listinfo/internetcollaboration -- Barrack O. Otieno +254721325277 +254-20-2498789 Skype: barrack.otieno http://www.otienobarrack.me.ke/

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East Africa Data Centre (EADC) Tour
by Paul M 05 Dec '14

05 Dec '14

Hi! You are cordially invited for a tour of the EADC facility located at the Sameer Business Park on Wednesday December 10th 2014. If you are interested in attending the tour please register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/east-africa-data-centre-eadc-tour-tickets-1474… <https://www.eventbrite.com/e/east-africa-data-centre-eadc-tour-tickets-1474…> (NB: Only 35 reservations available) For more information about pick up and drop off read this blog post: http://community.ihub.co.ke/blogs/21883/east-africa-data-centre-eadc-tour <http://community.ihub.co.ke/blogs/21883/east-africa-data-centre-eadc-tour> Kindest Regards, Paul Muchene

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Re: [isoc_ke] Testing
by stbernards114 03 Dec '14

03 Dec '14

Confirmed "Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us.' We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There's nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we're liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others." Nelson Mandela. -------- Original message -------- From: Daniel Otieno Omondi via isoc <isoc(a)lists.my.co.ke> Date:03/12/2014 15:33 (GMT+03:00) To: isoc(a)lists.my.co.ke Subject: [isoc_ke] Testing Hi, This is a test mail confirm receipt ... thanks Daniel

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