March 2012 - skunkworks - Skunkworks Site

Kenya Power Plans Sh20 Billion Cable Shift
by Dennis Kioko 02 Mar '12

02 Mar '12

Kenya Power expects to save Sh3billion a year by relocating its overhead power distribution cables to an underground system in the major urban areas of Nairobi, Kisumu and Mombasa in a Sh20billion project. The project will involve undergrounding of 645Kilometres of 11Kilovolt lines and 1,570Km of low power voltage lines. Vandalism prone transformers will now be placed in pad-mounted substations along roads reserves. MD Joseph Njoroge said the project will pilot in Nairobi's Upper Hill Area before moving to Industrial Area and then to Mombasa. Njoroge said the utility company is considering a proposal by the Chinese National Machinery Equipment Import and Export Corporation to carry out the project on an engineering, procurement and construct basis. "It's not yet finalized but we are working on a proposal to undertake the work in Upper Hill as a pilot," the MD who spoke at a stakeholders meeting in Nairobi said. Once complete, the project is expected to stabilize power supply and cur Kenya Power's operational costs. "It will have huge savings we have actually done what we would call a feasibility and the ROI is in the region of 18 per cent so we should be able to recoup back out investment in six years," Njoroge said. "We are talking of a saving of about Sh3billion every year." Nairobi will have 375Km of 11Kv cabling and 930Km of low voltage cabling with 740 pad-mounted substations. Mombasa will see 200Km of 11Kv and 400Km of low voltage cabling and establish of 330 pad-mounted stations. "As an example, we commissioned a new 2.5Km State House Road underground feeder from Cathedral Road last May," Njoroge said. "The Norfolk Hotel feeder from Parklands will be undergrounded by May this year." Kenya Power had invited various authorities such as the Ministry of Energy, the Kenya Urban Roads Authority, the Kenya Rural Roads Authority, Nairobi City Council, Nairobi Water and Sewerage Board and telecommunications companies. The utility is seeking a joint project development approach since different entities are also involved in laying underground infrastructure resulting in frequent service interruptions when cables are cut or water pipes punctured. Representatives from the KURA and KRRA asked Kenya Power to share its design plans so that they can compare them with their road designs to avoid conflict. Source: http://allafrica.com/stories/201203011290.html -- with Regards: blog.denniskioko.com <http://www.denniskioko.com/>

7 6

Control Internet Usage via Modem
by mail2lawi 02 Mar '12

02 Mar '12

Hi guys, I find myself in a place where 1 mb goes for close to 30 bob. I need to control what uses the net from my laptop (win 7). The moment I connect the modem all I see are the volume counters going up and I cant tell whats eating up the net. I have disabled automatic updates. I could google but i will run out of airtime before I even feel lucky Any pointers will be appreciated. I will be coming online sporadically to check for updates. Thanx

2 1

Safaricom IN blocking alphanumeric sender's smses.
by Job Muriuki 02 Mar '12

02 Mar '12

Hi guys. I have a sms provider who allows me to personalize smses for my business but I noticed smses to safaricom prefix (including numbers ported out of safcom) don't get delivered but to other networks go through. This is what my provider tells me so I was wondering if there is a way around this issue? -- Regards, Job Njogu Muriuki, Phone: (+254) - 722906324 | 736333075 Skype: heviejob | Yahoo: heviejob Address: 42665 00100 Nrb

7 8

Is safaricom blocking SIP
by Brian L 02 Mar '12

02 Mar '12

I am using the old E160 safaricom modem with a safaricom sim card. I admit I had never tried it before until Tuesday, I have not been able to register a softphone (different clients xlite, 3cx, linphone). I asked someone else to register though they are using a different connection and they were successful. Anyone aware if safaricom is blocking SIP or maybe its just a jinx, and I need prayers? Regards, -- Lusiola Brian |3 R 1 /-\ |\|

5 5

Safaricom 3G stability
by Odhiambo Washington 01 Mar '12

01 Mar '12

I've never imagined that Safaricom 3G can these days sustain a connection for so long: Connection Type 3G/UMTS Login Status Connected Connection Uptime 22:01:32 IP Address 41.90.41.40 Subnet Mask 255.255.255.255 Gateway 10.64.64.64 DNS 1 196.201.208.2 DNS 2 209.244.0.3 DNS 3 The above is from my D-Link DIR-825 running dd-wrt, with a Huawei E1820 plugged into the USB port for the 3G connection. Thanks to KPLC not coming into play, I've had a 3G session running for 22hrs!! Is it time guys started to think of Safaricom 3G as a "stable" connectivity method, disregarding any speed fluctuations? -- Best regards, Odhiambo WASHINGTON, Nairobi,KE +254733744121/+254722743223 _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ I can't hear you -- I'm using the scrambler. Please consider the environment before printing this email.

11 26

Windows 8 Consumer Preview ISO images
by Vincent Wayodi 01 Mar '12

01 Mar '12

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-8/iso

4 3

KNEC Website
by Philip Musyoki 01 Mar '12

01 Mar '12

Seems KNEC have got some of their act together. Site working but slowly.

2 1

Experiences with Postal Corporation package delivery
by Gituma Nturibi 01 Mar '12

01 Mar '12

Hi all, Throwing a quick question out about package delivery by Posta. Anybody tried sending or receiving overseas packages with computer equipment via post office? Yeah I know that's a big risk as they're not that trustworthy but is it feasible? Would like to hear your experiences. I'm trying to see if I can avoid the parcel companies.

4 4

Internet Speeds...
by m mugo 01 Mar '12

01 Mar '12

With the maritime fiber cut and all, of course we have been requested to expect slow speeds; I did but was not prepared for what I'm seeing. The speeds are averaging 20-30% of what I am used to. My service is provided by an ISP under KDN.... Word has it that KDN who happen to be the only operator with reasonable SEACOM capacity has leased most of it to Queen Bee because they are paying top dollar. That's why the rest have to sort ourselves out. Can someone with some inside information expound... ...please do tell me what service providers you are riding on and an estimate of speed and/or Qos degradation; it will help with the shock/denial/.. therapy Mugo

5 4

Safaricom Vacancy
by Odhiambo Washington 01 Mar '12

01 Mar '12

http://www.safaricom.co.ke/index.php?id=1586 -- Best regards, Odhiambo WASHINGTON, Nairobi,KE +254733744121/+254722743223 _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ I can't hear you -- I'm using the scrambler. Please consider the environment before printing this email.

1 0