Now this is really googleesque: http://www.google.com/get/projectlink/ Way much better than the KenyaBusinessesOnline fiasco.
With fibre from Google, users can just do anything even get on GKBO!!! Google wants to give u fast internet so that you spend half of your income on data accessing its services. On 2013-11-20 23:58, Bernard Owuor wrote:
Now this is really googleesque: http://www.google.com/get/projectlink/ [4]
Way much better than the KenyaBusinessesOnline fiasco.
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I have a few comments on this project that I hope will open up a wider debate: 1. It is, IMO, very sad that it takes a company of Google's size and clout to envision and implement a project such as this. There is no shortage of African entrepreneurs who have the money, experience and the capabilities to roll out such services, and in casual conversation with them, some have tried. At every turn they have been stymied by government indifference and existing monopoly at best and sabotage at worst. 2. Who will own this network? What are the implications of having your backbone network owned, operated by and potentially financed by an external entity that answers to a foreign government? Has there been any discourse or disclosure on this aspect of the project? In particular it is completely unclear whether Google's philanthropic or commercial arm is building the network. The answer to this question will clarify both the ownership and the impetus for doing it in the first place. 3. Who will pay for this network? On first glance it seems that Google will. It would be useful to have that issue clarified. What will happen if it's not successful or if Google's priorities shift elsewhere? Will they just stop providing service? Will they hand over the network? Will they sell it? The financing and longevity question requires answering. Nevertheless, it is laudable that they are attempting this experiment. I have long maintained that what is required to increase the utility of the Internet in Africa are cheap, reliable services. Unfortunately, even with the prevalence of huge capacity the incumbent operators, by and large, seem only to concentrate on the bottom line and not much else. Good luck to Google on this experiment. I will be watching with interest.
Hallo Roshan, I don't see why the questions are relevant - unless, Google were given a monopoly on fiber deployments in Kampala. Otherwise, the questions apply to anyone else who'd do a similar project. How would you guage the 'eventual' success of such a project? I'm most likely naive, but isn't the fact that they're doing a sign of success (people have been asking about the google-colored cables being laid around KLA). Cheers! On Thursday, November 21, 2013 12:05 PM, "rsohan@gmail.com" <rsohan@gmail.com> wrote: I have a few comments on this project that I hope will open up a wider debate: 1. It is, IMO, very sad that it takes a company of Google's size and clout to envision and implement a project such as this. There is no shortage of African entrepreneurs who have the money, experience and the capabilities to roll out such services, and in casual conversation with them, some have tried. At every turn they have been stymied by government indifference and existing monopoly at best and sabotage at worst. 2. Who will own this network? What are the implications of having your backbone network owned, operated by and potentially financed by an external entity that answers to a foreign government? Has there been any discourse or disclosure on this aspect of the project? In particular it is completely unclear whether Google's philanthropic or commercial arm is building the network. The answer to this question will clarify both the ownership and the impetus for doing it in the first place. 3. Who will pay for this network? On first glance it seems that Google will. It would be useful to have that issue clarified. What will happen if it's not successful or if Google's priorities shift elsewhere? Will they just stop providing service? Will they hand over the network? Will they sell it? The financing and longevity question requires answering. Nevertheless, it is laudable that they are attempting this experiment. I have long maintained that what is required to increase the utility of the Internet in Africa are cheap, reliable services. Unfortunately, even with the prevalence of huge capacity the incumbent operators, by and large, seem only to concentrate on the bottom line and not much else. Good luck to Google on this experiment. I will be watching with interest.
On Thu, Nov 21, 2013 at 11:47 AM, Bernard Owuor <b_owuor@yahoo.com> wrote:
Hallo Roshan,
My name isn't Roshan
I don't see why the questions are relevant - unless, Google were given a monopoly on fiber deployments in Kampala. Otherwise, the questions apply to anyone else who'd do a similar project.
Indeed, they do and should apply to *anyone* who executes a similar project. The questions may not be relevant to you personally but any business worth its salt would like to know the answers to at least a subset of the questions. Case in point: Would you carry out core business over a fibre link where the terms are that the provider can keep a copy of the data? Similarly, as a business would you not feel cheated if after 3 years Google abandons the service and their terms and conditions with the government allow them to do so?
How would you guage the 'eventual' success of such a project? I'm most likely naive, but isn't the fact that they're doing a sign of success (people have been asking about the google-colored cables being laid around KLA).
Not sure I understand this point. Personally I would consider this project a success if leads to further adoption of the Internet, lowering of prices or both -- but that's my myopic view on it. There are many other metrics that could be considered depending on your POV.
Cheers!
On Thursday, November 21, 2013 12:05 PM, "rsohan@gmail.com" < rsohan@gmail.com> wrote: I have a few comments on this project that I hope will open up a wider debate:
1. It is, IMO, very sad that it takes a company of Google's size and clout to envision and implement a project such as this. There is no shortage of African entrepreneurs who have the money, experience and the capabilities to roll out such services, and in casual conversation with them, some have tried. At every turn they have been stymied by government indifference and existing monopoly at best and sabotage at worst.
2. Who will own this network? What are the implications of having your backbone network owned, operated by and potentially financed by an external entity that answers to a foreign government? Has there been any discourse or disclosure on this aspect of the project? In particular it is completely unclear whether Google's philanthropic or commercial arm is building the network. The answer to this question will clarify both the ownership and the impetus for doing it in the first place.
3. Who will pay for this network? On first glance it seems that Google will. It would be useful to have that issue clarified. What will happen if it's not successful or if Google's priorities shift elsewhere? Will they just stop providing service? Will they hand over the network? Will they sell it? The financing and longevity question requires answering.
Nevertheless, it is laudable that they are attempting this experiment. I have long maintained that what is required to increase the utility of the Internet in Africa are cheap, reliable services. Unfortunately, even with the prevalence of huge capacity the incumbent operators, by and large, seem only to concentrate on the bottom line and not much else.
Good luck to Google on this experiment. I will be watching with interest.
participants (3)
-
Bernard Owuor -
rsohan＠gmail.com -
Sam Wakoba