Re: [isoc_ke] [kictanet] LTE/4G and the state of broadband and Universal Access in Kenya
On 9 December 2014 at 12:48, Walubengo J via kictanet < kictanet@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%20STRATE...), 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
Happy Ladies Day! Who is this "Regulators problem" . Often we refer to the Regulator - is this CAK or Parliament? I also take that there are very many interested parties eating out of the sector to want some of the propositions towards cheaper,much cheaper and more accessibility. Aside also remember information as a resource and ability to access it is power, thus limiting access to information also keeps the power within a certain clique. The scarcity mentality is definitely at play! The interested parties transverse from shareholders,the Government taxman etc, intermediaries and the Associations for e.g Telcos, listers who work with the Telcos or industry etc. This explains why genuine deliberations on such a topic seem to just go round and round. However all is not lost - an innovator always shows up and ups the game for the players to the benefit of all. Have a blessed day. Regards/Wangari --- Pray God Bless. 2013Wangari circa - "Being of the Light, We are Restored Through Faith in Mind, Body and Spirit; We Manifest The Kingdom of God on Earth". On Tuesday, 9 December 2014, 18:06, Mwendwa Kivuva via isoc <isoc@lists.my.co.ke> wrote: On 9 December 2014 at 12:48, Walubengo J via kictanet <kictanet@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%20STRATE...), 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 _______________________________________________ isoc mailing list isoc@lists.my.co.ke http://lists.my.co.ke/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/isoc
On 10 December 2014 at 12:58, WANGARI KABIRU <wangarikabiru@yahoo.co.uk> wrote:
Who is this *"Regulators problem" . * Often we refer to the Regulator - is this CAK or Parliament?
Wangari, the Regulator is CA and should be the final authority in all regulation matters unless overuled by a court of competent jurisdiction. ______________________ 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
all, how I like the line .................a court of competent jurisdiction.............how competent should that court be? what is the threshold of being a competent jurisdiction? regards On 12/11/14, Mwendwa Kivuva via isoc <isoc@lists.my.co.ke> wrote:
On 10 December 2014 at 12:58, WANGARI KABIRU <wangarikabiru@yahoo.co.uk> wrote:
Who is this *"Regulators problem" . * Often we refer to the Regulator - is this CAK or Parliament?
Wangari, the Regulator is CA and should be the final authority in all regulation matters unless overuled by a court of competent jurisdiction.
______________________ 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
participants (3)
-
Mwendwa Kivuva -
Richard Otieno -
WANGARI KABIRU