[Kictanet] Fw: [Chapter-delegates] ISOC at WSIS Blog

[Alex Gakuru]

FYI,
Also Kenya's real connectivity situation! ACTION is needed urgently!!!!
rgds,
Alex

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Alex Gakuru" <gakuru at mail.co.ke>
To: "Christian de Larrinaga" <cdel at firsthand.net>; "Alan Levin"
<alan at futureperfect.co.za>
Cc: <chapter-delegates at elists.isoc.org>
Sent: Friday, September 30, 2005 7:20 AM
Subject: Re: [Chapter-delegates] ISOC at WSIS Blog


> Christian,
>
> Kenya embraces help from any household from this global village brought
> about by the IP protocol.
>
> Alex
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Christian de Larrinaga" <cdel at firsthand.net>
> To: "Alan Levin" <alan at futureperfect.co.za>
> Cc: "Alex Gakuru" <gakuru at mail.co.ke>; <chapter-delegates at elists.isoc.org>
> Sent: Thursday, September 29, 2005 7:29 PM
> Subject: Re: [Chapter-delegates] ISOC at WSIS Blog
>
>
> Alan
>
> You are building up a big head of steam then.
> just don't be standing too close when the pressure cooker blows.
>
> I guess help from uk is out of the question right now?
>
> Christian de Larrinaga
> cdel at firsthand.net
>
>
>
> On 28 Sep 2005, at 14:54, Alan Levin wrote:
>
>
> > Hi Alex and others,
> >
> > On 26 Sep 2005, at 3:36 PM, Alex Gakuru wrote:
> >
> >
> >
> >> I am glad to note our ISOC ambassadors have kept their focus on the
> >> unconnected individual, and the problems facing the connected one.
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >
> > Regards the 'unconnected individual' and for your interest...
> >
> > We have experienced some backlash from our first Internet Fiesta in
> > March. Subsequent to the fiesta (fully reported at our website at
> > http://isoc.org.za/fiesta) we heard some rumours that the local
> > community was unhappy with the outcome. Initially they would not meet
> > with us but after a couple months they finally agreed. When we were
> > there, we were confronted with a barrage of complaints. Basically
> > they were so impressed by the Internet access they experienced at the
> > Fiesta, that they were equally unimpressed with the fact that there
> > is no way that they can afford it.
> >
> > Initially we considered a few routes and communicated to them for
> > follow up:
> > - The Universal Service Agency (government) have a programme where
> > they install telecentres
> > - The local government installs free internet at all libraries
> > - The Provincial (state) government provides free computer labs at
> > schools
> > - There are start-up entrepreneurs that set-up internet cafe's
> > so in fact that there are many government programs that establish
> > cheap or free access for poor communities, as well private sector
> > opportunities.
> >
> > We also considered that a Fiesta objective was to create demand and
> > establish broader support - from those who are still unconnected -
> > for telecoms liberalisation (deregulation and/or competition).
> >
> > Unfortunately it's resulted in accusations that all we did was
> > 'tease' these poor people, by showing them the wonderful world of
> > technology, even though they cannot afford it. Unfortunately all the
> > options above are not going to just materialise or do not provide
> > them with a real solution. Which in turn has understandably
> > demotivated our volunteers who spent hundreds of hours assisting with
> > the fiesta.
> >
> > Having said this, we've come up with a plan to deal with this and
> > we're still planning on doing another 50 fiestas over the next three
> > years. Considering 75% of our population has never had an internet
> > experience, I thought it would be interesting to hear.
> >
> > If you're interested in reading more about the facts (a few short
> > current articles show that we're still under a monopoly for all data
> > connectivity and now have some of the most expensive prices by many
> > fold). I'm quoted here: http://www.businessday.co.za/articles/
> > national.aspx?ID=BD4A92253
> >
> > But our government keeps saying:
> > "We must modernise the telecommunications sector, and achieve the
> > best for all South Africans in terms of choice, quality, innovation
> > and value for money,” and “This is essential to promote a competitive
> > economy and achieve the target growth rate of 6%. Effective and
> > competitive telecommunications services must be available to all.”
> > see http://www.businessday.co.za/articles/national.aspx?ID=BD4A96210
> > and not doing anything about it....
> >
> > warm regards,
> >
> > Alan
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > Chapter-delegates mailing list
> > Chapter-delegates at elists.isoc.org
> > http://elists.isoc.org/mailman/listinfo/chapter-delegates
> >
> >
>
>
> Christian de Larrinaga
> cdel at firsthand.net
>
>
>
>