[Kictanet] [Fwd: [APC Africa-ICT-Policy Monitor] e-Updates No.11]
Emmanuel Njenga
njenga at apc.org
Fri Jul 15 13:19:35 EAT 2005
FYI..
apologies for crossposting
N
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: [APC Africa-ICT-Policy Monitor] e-Updates No.11
Date: Fri, 15 Jul 2005 20:14:28 +1000
From: Africa ICT Policy Monitor Project <africa.rights at apc.org>
Reply-To: africa.rights at apc.org
To: africa-ir-public at lists.sn.apc.org
Dear all,
Here is the latest issue of the APC Africa ICT Policy Monitor e-updates
No. 11, a selection of the latest content added to the Africa ICT Policy Monitor
Website chosen by our editors.
Editor
APC Africa Policy Monitor Website
http://africa.rights.apc.org/
//\//\//\//\//\//\/ - NEWS - //\//\//\//\//\//\/
News > Access
Community phones change the lives of farmers in Rwanda
<http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=21860ne_1&x=281707>
11/07/2005 (East African Standard <http://www.eastandard.net/>) --
Greedy middlemen used to pay dirt cheap prices for Rwandan farmer
Cyprian Habumuremyi's potatoes grown around this lush northern hilltop
village. Then a kiosk owner bought a wireless phone and Habumuremyi's
fortunes changed. A quick call to his relatives in the capital Kigali
and the 55-year-old knows what the middlemen are trying to hide -- how
much potatoes are selling for in urban areas.
Uganda Telcoms brings wireless Internet service
<http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=21860ne_1&x=155896>
05/07/2005 (NewVision <http://www.newvision.co.ug>) -- Uganda Telecom
(utl) has introduced a high-speed wireless Internet service. The
service, the first of its kind in Uganda, enables clients easily access
Internet using mobile devices like laptops and PDAs (hand-held devices),
Miriam Wanjohi, the brand manager of utl, said in a statement recently.
. <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=21860s21849e_1>
News > Telecommunications
Cut your overheads or perish, Tanzania Telecom told
<http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=21877ne_1&x=194256>
07/07/2005 (IPP Media <http://www.ippmedia.com/>) -- The financial woes
of Tanzania Telecommunications Company Limited (TTCL) are likely to take
a turn for the worse unless immediate steps are taken to cut down the
firms overheads, Celtel International Operations Officer, Omar Issa, has
said.
<http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=21877se_1>
Uganda Telcoms brings wireless Internet service
<http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=21877ne_1&x=155896>
05/07/2005 (NewVision <http://www.newvision.co.ug>) -- Uganda Telecom
(utl) has introduced a high-speed wireless Internet service. The
service, the first of its kind in Uganda, enables clients easily access
Internet using mobile devices like laptops and PDAs (hand-held devices),
Miriam Wanjohi, the brand manager of utl, said in a statement recently.
Ghanaian ISP Launches African Version of Skype
<http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=21877ne_1&x=155236>
03/07/2005 (Ghanaweb <http://www.ghanaweb.com>) -- Ghanaian ISP NCS has
just launched its own version of Skype called Clicktel
(www.clicktel.biz) to its own customers. It offers free PC to PC
telephone commmunication and global PSTN calling.
*News > E-Governance *
Rwanda: Govt to constitute new ICT body
<http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=21865ne_1&x=194393>
06/07/2005 (The New Times <http://www.newtimes.co.rw/>) -- As part of
its wide information technology reforms, the government is soon set to
replace the Rwanda Information Technology Authority (RITA) with the
National Information Communication Technology (NICT) as the overseer in
the execution of the Information Communication Technology (ICT) plan
from 2006 to 2010.
News > Freedom of Expression
New Website Documents Extensive Free Expression Violations
<http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=21866ne_1&x=335580>
14/07/2005 (IFEX <http://africa.rights.apc.org/www.ifex.org>) --
International free expression groups today launched a new website
detailing the state of free expression in Tunisia and challenged the
government to end Internet blocking in the lead-up to the November 2005
World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS). International
<http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=21866s30084e_1> | Freedom
of Expression <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=21866se_1>
*
News> Internet Governance*
Internet Governance report released
<http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=21869ne_1&x=335582>
14/07/2005 (WGIG <http://www.wgig.org>) -- The United Nations
Secretary-General today transmitted the Report of the Working Group on
Internet Governance to the President of the Preparatory Committee of the
World Summit on the Information Society, Ambassador Janis Karklins, and
the WSIS Secretary-General, Mr Yoshio Utsumi.
US Government To Retain Control of Internet
<http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=21869ne_1&x=108051>
02/07/2005 (WashingtonPost <http://www.washingtonpost.com>) -- The U.S.
government will indefinitely retain oversight of the main computers that
control traffic on the Internet, ignoring calls by some countries to
turn the function over to an international body, said Michael D.
Gallagher, assistant secretary for communications and information at the
Commerce Department.
News > Intellectual Property
WIPO Negotiators Tackle Proposals On Reform For Development
<http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=21868ne_1&x=34448>
23/06/2005 (IP Watch <http://www.ip-watch.org/>) -- Negotiators at a
20-22 June meeting to discuss possible reform of the World Intellectual
Property Organisation to better address developing country needs began
on the second day tackling the details of various proposals put forth by
member governments.
News > Laws and Regulation
Kenya: Operators alarmed by slow ICT reforms
<http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=21870ne_1&x=281819>
11/07/2005 (East African Standard <http://www.eastandard.net>) --
Reforms progress in the fast growing telecommunications sub-sector could
suffer a major setback if plans by the Communication Commission of Kenya
(CCK) to outlaw VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) are implemented.
Last week industry sources indicated that CCK Director-General John
Waweru was planning to restrict the provision of the popular Internet
telephone service that has drastically lowered international call rates
to one provider - a stance he has maintained since his days at Telkom
Kenya.
News > Media
Zambia: Media freedom under threat says watchdog
<http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=21872ne_1&x=155451>
04/07/2005 (IRIN News <http://www.irinnews.org/>) -- Zambian police are
investigating charges of sedition and criminal libel against two
journalists, raising concern that freedom of expression is under threat.
Kenya: Give us broadcast policy and Bill
<http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=21872ne_1&x=171220>
04/07/2005 (L. Muthoni Wanyeki - The East African
<http://www.nationmedia.com/eastafrican/>) -- The power of radio
broadcasting in Africa has been noted time and time again. During the
heydays of the African coup d'etat, the national broadcaster was always
a primary target for whoever was trying to capture power, while
independent broadcasters were often the subject of harassment by the
state machinery.
News > National ICT Strategies
ICT policy has succeeded - says Rwanda Information Minister
<http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=21873ne_1&x=261177>
08/07/2005 (The New Times <http://www.newtimes.co.rw/>) -- A lot has
been realized in the social and economic spheres since Rwanda adopted
the first phase of the ICT policy in 2001. This was disclosed by
Information Minister Professor Laurent Nkusi, during the official
opening of discussions on achievements, failures and the way forward for
the ICT policy in the country. Rwanda
<http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=21873s21845e_1> | National
ICT Strategies <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=21873se_1>
News > Security and Privacy
South Africa: No more phone spam, says mobile industry
<http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=21875ne_1&x=193102>
07/07/2005 (ITWeb <http://www.itweb.co.za/sections/telecoms/>) --
Leaders in the South African mobile services arena (the South African
Wireless Application Service Providers Association - WASPA) have signed
a mobile service code of conduct designed to protect consumers from
phone spam and hidden charges.
News > Training and Education
Ethiopia: State Minister calls for enhancement of ICT utilization
<http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=21878ne_1&x=193344>
04/07/2005 (ENA <http://www.ena.gov.et/>) -- The Ministry of Capacity
Building has indicated the need to facilitate ways for the expansion of
education in Information Communication to enhance utilization of the
Information Communication Technology in Ethiopia.
//\//\//\//\//\//\/ -*INFORMATION & RESOURCES *- //\//\//\//\//\//\/
Laws and Regulation
Regulatory Reform as a Tool for Bridging the Digital Divide
<http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=ie_1&x=64609>
29/06/2005 -- This paper examines one narrow aspect of the digital
divide, the effects of regulatory reform on telecommunication networks.
While regulatory reform is only one part of the global digital divide
problem,it can play a key role in helping telecommunication markets
bridge some of the gaps on their own. It is therefore imperative that
policy makers consider regulatory reform as a necessary but not
sufficient step towards overcoming the digital divide.
Time to end advance phone licence fees
<http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=ie_1&x=39657>
27/06/2005 -- Growing competition in the telephone industry is
characterised by targeted pricing of voice and data services. The level
of competition depends upon the specific market conditions and the
regulatory framework under which competition is introduced. The
licensing framework should assist development of new and innovative
services. However, regulatory and trade barriers in telecommunications
constrain the diffusion of new services.
National ICT Strategies
Rwanda: Fundamental public policy issues of information management
systems <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=ie_1&x=155598>
05/07/2005 -- One of the organizing themes for an urban/regional
information systems management policy is expressed by the following
objectives statement: Enhancing or expanding the ways, purposes, and
extent to which better policy information and technology yield better
policy information, better policy advice, better policy decision-making
and better policy decisions.
ICT Policy of Ethiopia
<http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=ie_1&x=160675>
05/07/2005 -- Ethiopia has no coherent policy in place to support the
growth of IT industry. The Government of Ethiopia has embarked on a
major effort to put in place many of the building blocks required for
developing a robust ICT sector in Ethiopia. Existing high import tariffs
(40%) on computer and communications equipment make the widespread use
of such systems rather expensive, particularly for smaller businesses
and institutions.
*Telecommunications*
A Draft Discussion Paper On Liberia Telecommunications
<http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=ie_1&x=194653>
07/07/2005 -- This document presents the Government of Liberia's (GoL)
policy for the telecommunications sector. It reflects the GoL's vision
for the evolution of the sector and describes the main policy steps
towards achieving that vision. This Policy establishes the framework for
the evolution of the Liberian telecommunications sector, and the
transformation of Liberia toward an information-based economy and
society. The policy is based upon the following objectives and vision
for the major elements of this framework.
Privacy and Security
Wi-Fi Liability: Potential Legal Risks in Accessing and Operating
Wireless Internet
<http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=ie_1&x=155970>
05/07/2005 -- This paper explores several theories of liability
involving both the accessing and operating of wireless Internet,
including the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act, wiretap laws, as well as
trespass to chattels and other areas of common law. The paper concludes
with a brief discussion of key policy considerations.
Internet Governance
US Government wants to keep Internet control
<http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=ie_1&x=155582>
05/07/2005 -- The United States government has kicked off another round
of heated discussions about Internet governance. Assistant Secretary of
Commerce Michael Gallagher on 30 June announced that his government
clearly intends to keep the final control over the root zone file that
lists all top-level domain entries. This move came a bit unexpected, and
the experts are now discussing what the implications will be for the
upcoming ICANN meeting and the release of the report of the WSIS Working
Group on Internet Governance.
WSIS
Report of the African Civil Society Forum ; Abuja, Nigeria, July 1-4
<http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=he_1&x=338264>
15/07/2005 -- The African Civil Society on the Information Society held
its Abuja Forum as a pre-event to the African Regional Preparatory
Meeting (ARPM) of the World Telecommunications Development Committee
(WTDC). This forum was made possible by the support of the people and
the government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria through its Nigerian
Communications Commission - NCC.
African Youth Commitment on the Information Society
<http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=ie_1&x=193342>
07/07/2005 -- We, the African youth of Cameroon, Congo-Brazzaville,
Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Mali, Mauritius, Mozambique,
South Africa, Tanzania, and Uganda, gathered at Limpopo from 27 - 28
June 2005, for the NEPAD Youth Conference on Information Society;
Africa's civil society and WSIS 2
<http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=ie_1&x=280373>
11/07/2005 -- Earlier this month, stakeholders in Africa's civil society
met in Abuja for three days to discuss inequities in the global
information system and the proper role of civil society at both
international and national levels. This meeting was one of several
regional forums to prepare the ground for Africa's effective
participation in the second World Summit on the Information Society,
WSIS 2, holding in Tunis in November. The first summit, WSIS 1, held in
Geneva in December 2003.
Resources
Campaigning for Freedom of Expression
<http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=re_1&x=336096>
A new IFEX campaigning handbook is a 120 page manual that provides a
toolbox of tips, good practices case studies and resources for campaigning.
The African Community Radio Managers Handbook
<http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=re_1&x=338155>
Across Africa, more and more people are becoming excited about this
thing called community radio. The problem has always been trying to
explain it in a way that makes sense to people, wherever they live. The
handbooks is meant to describe the process of community radio as
precisely as possible.
Produced by: AMARC
//\//\//\//\//\//\/ - *UPCOMING EVENTS* - //\//\//\//\//\//\/
*01/07/2005* - *30/07/2005*, Uganda
<http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=s21849e_1>
Telecentre Sustainability in Developing Countries (Jul 1-30 2005)
<http://www.ugabytes.org/index_onlineconference.htm>
This online conference is designed to provide a platform to address
issues of rural access to and use of information and communication
technologies (ICTs) through telecentres, sustainability of these
centres, and more. In addition, the conference shall document
sustainability issues concerning; dimension, indicators, factors and
constraints, approaches and models, and the role of networks in
telecentre sustainability.
*09/07/2005- **21/07/2005*,, South Africa
<http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=s21817e_1>
Gender Research in Africa into Information and Communication
Technologiess for Empowerment [GRACE]
<http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=ee_1&x=138514>
The first capacity development workshop will be held in Durban, South
Africa from 9-21 July 2005. An intensive two-week capacity building
workshop aims to lay the foundation for the GRACE- members' continued
learning process. The workshop will comprise research as well as ICT
capacity building elements which will be integrated into one coherent
design. This project aims to explore the ways in which women in Africa
use ICTs to empower themselves, the external, structural barriers as
well as the internal factors which prevent them from using ICTs to their
advantage, and the strategies they employ to overcome these impediments.
*11/08/2005*, Tanzania
<http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=s21848e_1>
World Youth Development and ICT (WYDI 2005) Conference (Aug 11-12 2005)
<http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=ee_1&x=34214>
This conference is being organised with a theme of "Young People
Creating Global Culture". The conference aims to bring together more
than 250 young professionals, community leaders, non-governmental
organisation (NGO) leaders, university students, information and
communication technology (ICT) professionals, among others.
*22/08/2005*, South Africa
<http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=s21817e_1>
Building Partnerships for the Information Society (Aug 22-27 2005)
<http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=ee_1&x=34216>
The Cape Peninsula University of Technology, with the support of the
Cape Town City, the Centre for e-Innovation in the Provincial Government
of the Western Cape and the South African Department of Communications,
will be organising and hosting the "Information Society" event.
*24/08/2005*, South Africa
<http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=s21817e_1>
Community Informatics Research Network (CIRN) 2005
<http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=ee_1&x=29325>
The Community Informatics Research Network (CIRN) 2005 Conference is
open to receive research, policy and praxis based papers around the
major theme of 'partnerships'.
*31/08/2005*, Botswana
<http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=s21811e_1>
World Information Technology Forum (Witfor) 2005
<http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=ee_1&x=31388>
The Government of the Republic of Botswana, in collaboration with the
International Federation for Information Processing (IFIP) will host the
second World Information Technology Forum (WITFOR) in Gaborone from
August 31 to September 2, 2005. WITFOR is a state-of-the-art, high-level
international forum, aimed at ICT policy-makers and practitioners.
*05/09/2005*, Cameroon
<http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=s21850e_1>
CTO Forum 2005 - Yaounde, Cameroon, 5 - 6 September 2005
<http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=ee_1&x=136150>
Organised in partnership with the Government of Cameroon, the CTO will
host this unique gathering of opinion leaders and decision-makers in
response to the growing need for access to ICT in emerging markets in
the Commonwealth and beyond.
*12/09/2005*, South Africa
<http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=s21817e_1>
Highway Africa Conference 2005 'Reinforcing journalism in the
information society'**
<http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=ee_1&x=33696>
The Highway Africa 2005 will explore the above issues and seek to assist
in overcoming the challenges. Highway Africa's programme includes a
unique mix of plenary and keynote presentations, panel discussions and
hands-on workshops where delegates acquire practical skills and expertise.
*19/09/2005*, International
<http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=s30084e_1>
PrepCom-3 of the WSIS Tunis phase to take place in Geneva
<http://www.itu.int/wsis/preparatory2/pc3/index.html>
The third meeting of the Preparatory Committee (PrepCom-3 of the Tunis
phase) will take place in Palais des Nations, Geneva (Switzerland) from
19-30 September 2005.
//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//
ABOUT APC
The Association for Progressive Communications (APC) is an international
network of civil society organisations dedicated to empowering and
supporting groups and individuals through the strategic use of
information and communication technologies, especially internet-related
technologies. APC and its members in more than 30 countries pioneer
practical and relevant uses of ICTs for civil society. APC is an
international facilitator of civil society's engagement with ICTs and
related concerns, in both policy and practice.
APC: http://www.apc.org.
APC and ICT Policy Advocacy in Africa
APC's Communications and Information Policy Programme aims to contribute
to more enabling ICT policy environments through promoting inclusive
policy processes. In Africa APC is doing this through the Africa ICT
Policy Monitor project which aims to enable civil society organisations
to engage in ICT policy development to promote an information society
based on social justice and human rights.
APC's Africa ICT Policy Monitor: http://africa.rights.apc.org
The APC Africa ICT Policy Monitor is supported by HIVOS and the
International Research Development Centre (IDRC).
//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//
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//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//
--
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Emmanuel Njenga Njuguna
Africa Policy Monitor Project
Association for Progressive Communications (APC)
Email: africa.rights at apc.org or njenga at apc.org
Web: http://africa.rights.apc.org
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