[kictanet] [Fwd: [AfrICANN-discuss] Kenya: Is New Internet Exchange Necessary?]
alice
alice at apc.org
Mon Dec 7 20:48:15 EAT 2009
Kenya: Is New Internet Exchange Necessary?
Fiona Asonga
7 December 2009
------------------------------------------------------------------------
opinion
The recent announcement of the plan to set up a government run internet
exchange point may look well intended on the face but also one that
could either be ill-informed or driven by latent rationale if the
arguments set forth in the media is anything to go by.
Contrary to the global best practice where governments support the
existing IXPs run and managed by the industry, the new effort by the
government is largely viewed by the industry as being unnecessary and
inefficient use of its resources if not an escapist approach on
prioritising and tackling the key industry concerns by the ministry.
Ranking top among the raison d'etres by the ministry to install
Government Internet Exchange Point (GIXP) was the need to enhance
network security among its peer agencies and mitigate against any
threats of malicious hackers or data miners that most advocates would
ignorantly want to attribute to third party routing connections.
Amazingly, it is only this year that KIXP was actually ranked as the
third fastest growing IXP globally based on the amount of its handled
traffic, this being largely as a result of the activities by its peering
members to grow internet use within the country and address the concerns
of customers for a more secure online environment.
With an estimate of Sh30 billion worth of business transactions handled
via the KIXP on a daily basis, the security of the infrastructure and
its content can never be overemphasised.
Through the facility the general public is able to access government
services through various existing ISP who together with government peer
at a central IXP.
Indeed as correctly posited here before, with no solid details on how
the Communications Commission of Kenya (CCK) intends to institute
security features that include deep packet inspection or demonstration
of the government's capacity to develop its own data encryption, many in
the know will still agree that security is easily a function of post
infrastructure and human resource development.
This means that by having a peering point alone the agencies will not be
fortified against any potential security problems if other aspects are
not adequately addressed.
Others have actually pointed out that the majority of security problems
highlighted by the government come from within an organisation, rather
than from any external sources.
Contrary to any misconstrued belief of a Public Private Partnership
arrangement or management of the venture, KIXP was essentially
established in 2000 by the Telecommunications Service Providers
Association of Kenya (TESPOK) as a value add service to its members and
is therefore solely owned by TESPOK.
It operates as a licensed service and is the only Regulator Licensed
Internet Exchange Point in Africa.
Currently the Kenya Internet Exchange Point has back up locations at
Chancery Building with Internet Solutions and Mombasa at the SEACOM
landing station.
Prior to the massive investment that saw its establishment as Kenya's
pioneer internet exchange point, all local traffic was exchanged in
Europe and USA.
Today internet users are benefiting not only from a more than tenfold
reduced latencies, but also from a reduced monthly cost for Inter ISP
transit.
Additional benefits include ISPs Savings resulting from the delayed need
to upgrade international capacity links as well as improved local
connectivity through fibre optic and high speed wireless (FSO) connectivity.
As a result this has encouraged more local content as it became cheaper.
Currently, there are 28 peering members and others still working on
their joining requirements.
It will be helpful to note that KIXP provides direct connections to
members of the industry and organisations handling critical services of
benefit to the general public.
All other entities not licensed by the communications Commission of
Kenya (CCK) must go through the existing operators in line with current
CCK regulations.
The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) for instance through its online
Customs Clearing System also known as "Simba System" makes use of the
KIXP for efficient service delivery.
The Simba System alone which has been estimated to collect an average of
half a billion Kenya Shillings daily is heavily dependent on the KIXP.
The new Integrated Tax Management System (ITMS) is also heavily
supported by KIXP to reach the ordinary end user who has to file returns
online through their respective ISP.
Currently measures have already been taken with regard to ensuring the
security of the Kenya Internet Exchange Point as a key and strategic
communication resource for the country.
//
/Asonga is CEO, Telecommunications Service Providers Association of
Kenya (TESPOK)./
//
//
/Source : Business Daily/
> Date: Sun, 6 Dec 2009 09:20:08 +0200
> From: africann-request at afrinic.net
> Subject: AfrICANN Digest, Vol 34, Issue 13
> To: africann at afrinic.net
>
> Send AfrICANN mailing list submissions to
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> Today's Topics:
>
> 1. Re: Re: [AfTLD-Discuss] Call for local hosts for 2010 IPv6
> Training (McTim)
> 2. ICANN Weekly Newsletter (Anne-Rachel Inn?)
>
>
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Message: 1
> Date: Sun, 6 Dec 2009 07:30:47 +0300
> From: McTim <dogwallah at gmail.com>
> Subject: Re: [AfrICANN-discuss] Re: [AfTLD-Discuss] Call for local
> hosts for 2010 IPv6 Training
> To: africann at afrinic.net
> Cc: Arnold <arnold at seychelles.net>, adel at afcomnetwork.net, Carmelo
> Modu Ebuka <carmelo.modu at gmail.com>, manga.gilles at yahoo.fr, Ismael
> Otban Ali <otban at intnet.dj>, benchoppy at ict.gov.sc, mabuzar at gov.sz,
> Adamou Iro <a_iro at yahoo.fr>, AfTLD Discuss <aftld-discuss at aftld.org>,
> ko_hilaire at yahoo.fr, charles Gaye <charlesg1075 at yahoo.com>, "Ebrima D.
> Jobe" <ebouj2001 at yahoo.com>, adam at neoip.com, Marwan Maghur
> <marwan at lttnet.com>
> Message-ID:
> <f65fb55e0912052030o3e59093ao28cfd4e5dcac20a9 at mail.gmail.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
>
> Dear Khaled,
>
> You can write to Mukom Akong TAMON <tamon at afrinic.net> the new Training
> Coordinator at AfriNIC. He will sort it out with you.
>
> --
> Cheers,
>
> McTim
> "A name indicates what we seek. An address indicates where it is. A route
> indicates how we get there." Jon Postel
>
>
> On Sun, Dec 6, 2009 at 1:13 AM, Khaled Esheh <khaleds at lttnet.net> wrote:
>
> > Dear Anne-Rachel
> >
> > We are intersted in hosting the training here in Libya ? so what is the
> > next step?
> >
> > Regards,
> >
> >
> > Khaled Esheh
> > Technical Director
> > Libya Telecom & Technology
> > Tel: 00218-21-3400020 Ext: 7102
> > Mobile: 00218-92-3039911
> > Fax: 00218-21-3400039
> > Email: khaleds at lttnet.net
> > http://www.ltt.ly
> >
> >
> >
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > *From:* Anne-Rachel Inné <annerachel at gmail.com>
> > *To:* africann at afrinic.net ; AfTLD Discuss <aftld-discuss at aftld.org>
> > *Cc:* Arnold <arnold at seychelles.net> ; adel at afcomnetwork.net ; Carmelo
> > Modu Ebuka <carmelo.modu at gmail.com> ; manga.gilles at yahoo.fr ;
Ismael Otban
> > Ali <otban at intnet.dj> ; benchoppy at ict.gov.sc ; mabuzar at gov.sz ;
Adamou Iro<a_iro at yahoo.fr>; Kuppusamy
> > Vijayakumar <kk.vijay at rura.gov.rw> ; ko_hilaire at yahoo.fr ; charles
Gaye<charlesg1075 at yahoo.com>; Ebrima
> > D. Jobe <ebouj2001 at yahoo.com> ; adam at neoip.com ; Marwan
Maghur<marwan at lttnet.com>
> > *Sent:* Thursday, December 03, 2009 1:02 PM
> > *Subject:* [AfTLD-Discuss] Call for local hosts for 2010 IPv6 Training
> >
> > [AfriNIC-announce] Call for Local Hosts for 2010 IPv6 Training
> > From:
> > Mukom Akong TAMON <tamon at afrinic.net
> > Add to Contacts To: announce at afrinic.net; member-discuss at afrinic.net
> > ------------------------------
> > Dear all,
> > With your assistance, we were able to organise eight (8) workshops
in 2009
> > (including the workshop held in Dakar during AfriNIC 11). We were
however
> > unable to conduct planned trainings in Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea,
Gambia
> > and Mali and had to postpone a scheduled training in Gambia to
2010. We are
> > therefore calling on your support once again for organizing training
> > workshops in 2010. We intend to conduct training (LIR and IPv6) in the
> > following countries:
> >
> > South Africa
> > Zimbabwe
> > Swaziland
> > Gambia
> > Mali
> > Sierra Leone
> > Liberia
> > Rwanda
> > Equatorial Guinea
> > Central African Republic
> > Niger
> > Seychelles
> > Djibouti
> > Eritrea
> > Libya
> >
> >
> > We already have potential Local hosts for Gambia and Mali (more
> > collaborators are still welcome).
> >
> > As a local host for your country, your responsibilities shall be to:
> > 1. Secure a venue for the training (AfriNIC will pay for it)
> > 2. Provide broadband Internet access plus wireless connectivity in the
> > training room for the duration of the training.
> > 3. Provide multimedia projectors, white-board and white-board markers.
> > 4. Assist with facilitating visas for trainers and locating
suitable hotels
> > for them.
> > 5. Provide general logistical support to ensure smooth operation of the
> > workshop (seek and negotiate vendors for basic services, provide
interns to
> > help with during the workshop).
> >
> > Please indicate interest in hosting a training for your country by
> > responding to this message.
> >
> > Thank your for your kind cooperation.
> >
> > -- ________________________________________________________
> > Mukom Akong TAMON
> > AfriNIC Ltd | Phone: +230 466 6616 | Fax: +230 466 6758
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > announce mailing list
> > announce at afrinic.net
> > https://lists.afrinic.net/mailman/listinfo.cgi/announce
> >
> > ------------------------------
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > aftld-discuss mailing list
> > aftld-discuss at aftld.org
> > http://lists.aftld.org/mailman/listinfo/aftld-discuss
> >
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > AfrICANN mailing list
> > AfrICANN at afrinic.net
> > https://lists.afrinic.net/mailman/listinfo.cgi/africann
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> >
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> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 2
> Date: Sun, 6 Dec 2009 08:14:04 +0100
> From: Anne-Rachel Inn? <annerachel at gmail.com>
> Subject: [AfrICANN-discuss] ICANN Weekly Newsletter
> To: africann at afrinic.net
> Message-ID:
> <bd1bfd500912052314y44157c04g6033f1fac6f1f7e1 at mail.gmail.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="windows-1252"
>
> Announcements This Week
>
> *Global Policy Proposal for Autonomous System Numbers - Background
>
Report*<http://www.icann.org/en/announcements/announcement-04sep09-en.htm>
> At its meeting on 27 August 2009, the Board resolved to request
tracking of
> the development of a Global Policy Proposal for "IANA Policy for
Allocation
> of ASN Blocks to Regional Internet Registries", under discussion in the
> addressing community. The status overview presented is compiled in
response
> to this request and will be further updated as developments proceed, for
> information to ICANN entities and the wider community. This is the second
> issue of the tracking of this policy.
> 4 December 2009
>
> *Global Policy Proposal for the Allocation of IPv4 Blocks to Regional
> Internet Registries - Background
>
Report*<http://www.icann.org/en/announcements/announcement-12may09-en.htm>
> At its meeting on 23 April 2009, the Board resolved to request
tracking of
> the development of a Global Policy Proposal for the Allocation of IPv4
> Blocks to Regional Internet Registries, under discussion in the
addressing
> community. The status overview presented is compiled in response to this
> request and will be further updated as developments proceed, for
information
> to ICANN entities and the wider community. This is the fourth issue
of the
> tracking of this policy.
> 4 December 2009
>
> *Nominating Committee Convenes in
> Seoul*<http://www.icann.org/en/announcements/announcement-04dec09-en.htm>
> The 2010 ICANN Nominating Committee has been convened and met for the
first
> time on 30-31 October 2009, immediately following the 36th International
> ICANN Public Meeting in Seoul, South Korea.
> 4 December 2009
>
> *IDNs: Final Report on Three-Character Requirement and Variant Management
> Now Available for Public
>
Comment*<http://www.icann.org/en/announcements/announcement-2-03dec09-en.htm>
> The IDN-Implementation Working Team has published the Final Report on
> three-character requirement and variant management for public
comment. The
> public comment period ends on 8 January 2010.
> 3 December 2009
>
> *Temporary Expert Advisory Groups Formed on New gTLD Malicious Conduct
>
Initiatives*<http://www.icann.org/en/announcements/announcement-03dec09-en.htm>
> As part of ICANN’s effort to advance work on the implementation plan and
> Applicant Guidebook for new gTLDs and in response to the Board’s
direction
> to resolve the potential for malicious conduct over-arching issue, ICANN
> Staff is soliciting knowledgeable volunteers to serve on two temporary,
> expert advisory groups to study and develop proposed solutions for
enhancing
> access to zone file information; and establishing a high security TLD
> verification program.
> 3 December 2009
>
> *Public Comment Requested on Draft 2010-2013 Strategic
> Plan*<http://www.icann.org/en/announcements/announcement-01dec09-en.htm>
> As the next element of consultation on the Strategic Plan, ICANN invites
> comments from the community on a first draft of the plan based on
material
> presented to the community at the Seoul meeting.
> 1 December 2009
>
> *Three Registrars Lose ICANN
>
Accreditation*<http://www.icann.org/en/announcements/announcement-2-30nov09-en.htm>
> On Wednesday, 25 November 2009, ICANN terminated its accreditation
agreement
> with three registrars — Hosting365 Inc., OOO “Russian Registrar” and R.B.
> Data Net LTD for failure to comply with the requirements of the Registrar
> Accreditation Agreement.
> 30 November 2009
>
> *Expressions of Interest Sought for Bulk Transfer of
>
Registrations*<http://www.icann.org/en/announcements/announcement-30nov09-en.htm>
> As the result of the Notices of Termination issued on November 25,
2009 to
> registrars OOO Russia (IANA ID 1238) and Hosting365 Inc. (IANA ID 956),
> ICANN is seeking expressions of interest from ICANN-accredited registrars
> that might wish to assume sponsorship of the gTLD names that were
previously
> managed by these registrars.
> 30 November 2009
>
>
> ------------------------------
> Upcoming Events
>
> *[image: 7 - 12 March 2010: 37th International Public ICANN Meeting -
> Nairobi, Kenya] <http://nbo.icann.org/>7 - 12 March 2010: 37th
International
> Public ICANN Meeting - Nairobi, Kenya <http://nbo.icann.org/>*
>
> *20 - 25 June 2010: 38th International Public ICANN Meeting - Brussels,
> Belgium*
> About ICANN
>
> *ICANN Bylaws <http://www.icann.org/en/general/bylaws.htm>*
>
> Our bylaws are very important to us. They capture our mission of
security,
> stability and accessibility, and compel the organization to be open and
> transparent. Learn more at *www.ICANN.org* <http://www.icann.org/>.
>
> *Draft Strategic Plan, 2010 - 2013 <http://www.icann.org/en/planning/>*
>
> *Adopted FY10 Operating Plan and
> Budget<http://www.icann.org/en/financials/budget-opplan.htm>
> *
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> End of AfrICANN Digest, Vol 34, Issue 13
> ****************************************
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