[kictanet] The broadband mess in Kenya - and I'm so angry

Wed Jan 27 22:27:13 EAT 2010

Mich,

Maybe a 3rd Party would make sense. This industry is now being characterized
by some
anti-competitive activities ever witnessed anywhere, that it seems we yet to
see more.
No one trusts anybody else these days. Fibre cables are being cut left right
and centre 
through sabotage..? I think we need an "Anti-trust" Law implemented, at this
rate.

This has led to everyone opting now to dig trenches and tracts,
criss-crossing  town - 
namely to duct through their own Fibre optic ? Everyone wan to go it alone.
Certainly 
sharing such an infrastructure would make much sense since most of the cable
that is 
passing through will end up being underutilized maybe in the next 10 -15
years.

Then we start hearing such arguments as - Cost passed on to the end user
includes - 
Regulation fee, Cost of investment to be recovered (ROI), etc, etc - cost of
maintenance -
(Cables vandalized ) -etcetra.

Is this confusion by regulatory, or 'big' ambition on the investing side..?
And why
does the end user have to foot the ultimate price of all this gerrymandering
!!

Harry

-----Original Message-----
From: kictanet-bounces+harry=comtelsys.co.ke at lists.kictanet.or.ke
[mailto:kictanet-bounces+harry=comtelsys.co.ke at lists.kictanet.or.ke] On
Behalf Of Michuki Mwangi
Sent: Wednesday, January 27, 2010 9:01 PM
To: harry at comtelsys.co.ke
Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions
Subject: Re: [kictanet] The broadband mess in Kenya - and I'm so angry

Interesting article, But a thought occurred to me - what regulation
prohibits the 3 operators to buy a single license and provide the 3g/4G on a
shared infrastructure built under this license?.

Basically a third party organization leasing its 3G infrastructure to mobile
operators or any license ISP for data services.

Assuming this was possible and it should be since 02 and Vodaphone are
sharing 3G infrastructure in the UK. Then it means building and providing
affordable access via 3G network should not be that far out of reach.

But then again i dont have all the facts so i could be missing something.

Regards,

Michuki.

Marie-Anne Kinyanjui wrote:
> This is an issue that has troubled me as I've watched the debate over 
> 3G licences.
> 
> Telkom and Essar have both indicated in public forums that they have 
> /already/ paid the fee.  I'm not sure about Zain.
> 
>  
> 
> So that begs the question - why all the noise about 3G licences if 
> three out of four players can afford it?
> 
> And if we are to compete in a fair and transparent manner - why 
> shouldn't they pay the fee?  Surely everyone should pay one price for
> the same licence?    When buying base stations - do these companies ask
> for different prices than their competitor because they happen to be 
> placed fourth in the market?  I think not.
> 
>  
> 
> And is anyone else reminded of what happened when fibre landed by this 
> 3G debate??
> 
>  
> 
> It would be great if we could get to the bottom of the real issues in 
> the industry.
> 
> Yes there is a dominant player and yes CCK needs to work a lot harder 
> to ensure companies provide affordable services.  But boycotting Ndemo 
> and Njoroge can't be a solution when we still have so far to go in ICT.
> 
>  
> 
> In my view it's defeatist to say that 80% of your productivity is 
> wasted because of two mere individuals - it flies in the face of the 
> gains being made on a daily basis by those who work hard for their 
> money.  And what's that about keeping your enemies close?
> 
>  
> 
> As always, this is purely my personal opinion and does not reflect 
> that of my employer.
> 
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
> --
> 
> *From:* kictanet-bounces+mkinyanjui=nation.co.ke at lists.kictanet.or.ke
> [mailto:kictanet-bounces+mkinyanjui=nation.co.ke at lists.kictanet.or.ke]
> *On Behalf Of *Walubengo J
> *Sent:* Wednesday, January 27, 2010 11:21 AM
> *To:* Marie-Anne Kinyanjui
> *Cc:* KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions
> *Subject:* [kictanet] The broadband mess in Kenya - and I'm so angry
> 
>  
> 
> Kenya is in dire need of investment in technology. That is why I am 
> angry that the factors hindering growth are actually "policy" related 
> to this sector, and not due to lack of innovators or investors. There 
> are many innovators and investors willing to take the challenge of 
> helping Kenya come out of the dark ages of narrowband and into the 
> grace of broadband.
> 
>  
> 
> The problem rises from the differences between the Communication 
> Commission of Kenya (CCK) and other 3G service providers. There seems 
> to be a great cloud of varying information which hardly gets to the 
> man on the street. The unclear issues include the following:
> 
>  
> 
> Stroy continues @
> 
> http://www.nation.co.ke/blogs/-/634/850014/-/view/asBlogPost/-/pjyirj/
> -/index.html
> 
> walu.
> Disclaimer: views expressed here belong purely to the author and are 
> not necessary endorsed by me ;-)
> 
>  
> 
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