[kictanet] Kenya IGF 2010 Mailing List Discussions Day 2 of 8 Theme : Infrastructure Issues - Impact of the Fibre Optic Cable IGF Mailing List Discussions

Wed Jul 7 16:10:48 EAT 2010

Listers,

I have been going through the thread and have
some few comments that I would like to make and here it goes.....

Judy, we may not really need to be patient
but we may need to study the progress and asses if it is indeed doing the right
pace. How do we do that then? I’m not sure exactly, but if there was some
visionary documentation on the intended progress with the coming of fibre cables
then that would do. Nonetheless the intention was to boost our economy by
creating more jobs and opening up our country for trade and other investment. 

I will agree with Sam Guyo that we need to
stop complaining but consider the bags of goodies that the cables promise us.
However, how will we why we can‘t catch with the rest of the world or simply
why we are not ahead yet we have all the three cable links with us? Solomon
opines the loss we experience due to the breakdown of SEACOM cable. If we keep
quiet how will it be know? In fact, he goes ahead to wonder if the delay could
be a result of some sabotage. Well, Solomon, I believe it isn’t sabotage. Even
china had such an experience that made them lose billions yet they are such
higher in technology than we are. Basically, locating faults in fibre optics
and more so undersea fibres is really difficult. But am certain they will sort
it somehow. 

I have also read from the list that there
are hidden benefits of undersea connectivity. The tenets that have convinced
several providers to indicate an intention of or move their hqs to Kenya is a
well laid pointer that we are heading the right direction. However, are simply
in the rush just because the networks exist (well put by Victor “…as the 'silver bullet' that would slay the problems facing the ICT
industry”)?
Or are they getting some convincing information somewhere we do not know? I am
informed that Sam has some insight please share as this will make us have some
informed arguments.

Lastly, barrack inquired if the
infrastructure would make cloud computing obsolete. I’m sure not. My
understanding of cloud computing is that it rides on a well laid
infrastructure. And that means tha our infrastructure will indeed enhance it.
We will no longer need to keep very e expensive server rooms! However, what I
really decry for……where are the providers of cloud computing operating from? Do
we have some locally centred? If not….how do we benefit?

Regards,    Okech JMMy blog

--- On Wed, 7/7/10, Barrack Otieno <otieno.barrack at gmail.com> wrote:

From: Barrack Otieno <otieno.barrack at gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [kictanet] Kenya IGF 2010 Mailing List Discussions Day 2 of 8 Theme : Infrastructure Issues - Impact of the Fibre Optic Cable IGF Mailing List Discussions
To: okechjr at yahoo.com
Cc: "KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions" <kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke>
Date: Wednesday, July 7, 2010, 5:35 AM

Dear Judy,

There are risks and costs to every program of action, something had to be done, and as someone once said patience pays, the feasibility study mentality has costed us more than the initiatives that have been conducted so far.

Kind Regards

On Wed, Jul 7, 2010 at 1:26 PM, Judy Okite <judyokite at gmail.com> wrote:

we all seem to be on the same page....yes, we(consumers) are not pleased or have not yet felt the impact of the fibre cables....
so yes, despite the risen demand of the internet, the costs are still very high...we have been saying that for awhile to empty promises of they  will come down 'soon'

can we say that what is going on is, teething problems? and we need to be patient? ..in the mean time, who is paying for the 'patience' ?

Kind Regards,

On Wed, Jul 7, 2010 at 10:57 AM, Barrack Otieno <otieno.barrack at gmail.com> wrote:

Well put Solomon, if i got Sams post correctly, some research in underway, i hope he doesnt mind sharing some snipets on this list, there seems to be silent consensus that we are on the right track any differing views :-)

On Wed, Jul 7, 2010 at 9:51 AM, Solomon Mburu Kamau <solo.mburu at gmail.com> wrote:

And there is the element of  demand vs supply. While in essence, there

was no task force et al that was pre-commissioned to look into the

need of essentiality of the fibre cables, (I stand to be corrected on

this), the govt of Kenya thought it wise to have the cables landed,

anyway.

The consumers, on their part, had a number of views on the effects

(both -ve and +ve) of the cables, realistically, changing their

thoughts at the end of having them landing.

Nevertheless, we can't throw the fibre cables out of the window

because of this 'blunder'. A lot of opportunities now exist based on

the factual results being felt.

It is imperative to ask ourselves, just as it has been pointed out,

why had Zain, to be known as Airtel, to have the African headquarters

in Nairobi, yet there are other 14 nations in Africa where Zain

International operates? This remember, despite the political hue and

cue!

Maybe we shouldn't be impatient, and after some years, we can point

fingers out.

I'm still believing that there was/is a need to have a time-line for

assessing the impact of these infrastructure.

On 07/07/2010, Barrack Otieno <otieno.barrack at gmail.com> wrote:

> Thank you Charles and Sam for your observation and positive outlook. I agree

> with Sam, having a highway without vehicles to ply on is a mirage

> nonetheless Charles is right in pointing out the very fact with the few

> vehicles on the highway the future looks bright. That nothwithstanding and

> considering the fact that 70 percent of our economy is composed of the

> informal sector we need a sustained campaign that will ensure this segment

> is brought onto the Super highway.

>

> On Wed, Jul 7, 2010 at 6:26 AM, Sam Aguyo <saguyo at yahoo.com> wrote:

>

>> Dear Listeners,

>>

>> I think we need to be more inward looking, the golden murmur should have

>> been Seacom is down so our BPOs are suffering huge losses.  Indeed we have

>> the superhighway but apparently not vehicles to run on it.   When the Anti

>> Terrorist Police Unit first released its rapid communication channels i

>> had

>> worries since it was a yahoo.com address, am glad they quickly changed and

>> now it is go.ke, a good development.  We now have 3 cables if am not

>> mistaken but if there are no Buses not even matatus to ply on them, then

>> they are a mirage.

>>

>> Considerable impact will be felt when we stop, think, ponder and seize the

>> opportunity that comes with the infrastructure than wait to complain that

>> the infrastructure itself is not in itself giving business opportunity.

>>

>> Well Walu, am already doing research on something related.

>>

>>

>> Sam Aguyo

>>

>>

>> ------------------------------

>> *From:* Solomon Mburu Kamau <solo.mburu at gmail.com>

>> *To:* saguyo at yahoo.com

>>

>> *Cc:* KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions <kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke>

>> *Sent:* Tue, July 6, 2010 5:15:39 PM

>>

>> *Subject:* Re: [kictanet] Kenya IGF 2010 Mailing List Discussions Day 2 of

>> 8 Theme : Infrastructure Issues - Impact of the Fibre Optic Cable IGF

>> Mailing List Discussions

>>

>> One of the views in regards to the undersea cables, is realistically

>> speaking, the current situation. As Walu pointed out, all users of

>> .com have been affectedby the effects of Seacom's state of affairs.

>>

>> This is perhaps one of the many reasons as to why the Undersea Cables

>> were a 'mess' from the word go. It beats logic why the breakdown or

>> whatever has not been restored to its full capacity, as we speak.

>> Could there be sabotage?

>>

>> Back to your query: The socio-economioc impact of the cables.

>> 1. They are anticipated to open more job opportunities (BPO, E-stuff)

>> 2. They would generally improve the economic and security of countries

>> thus enhancing interdepence and social closeness.

>> 3. The most notable impact, in my view, was the momentus speed that

>> would usher quick businesses thus economic growth.

>>

>> The youth would have benefitted greatly considering that they

>> constitute to the majority of workforce. In such a view, growth in

>> countries where the cables pass would be great, maybe +10% p.a.

>> The value addition, as of now, remains to be seen!

>>

>> On 06/07/2010, Walubengo J <jwalu at yahoo.com> wrote:

>> > Barrack,

>> >

>> > internet traffic is truly messed up down here. Considering that our

>> domestic

>> > networks+local content are relatively non-existent we are heavy

>> > consumers

>> > international traffic - even my email, yours and many others are .com

>> > and

>> so

>> > they will try to head out of the country through constrained links given

>> > that Seacom has gone down with probably 50%? of our international

>> > capacity...

>> >

>> > it only emphasis the sorry state of affairs that despite the pomp

>> > surrounding the advent of the undersea cable, there is yet to be that

>> > socio-economic revolution that was expected. Maybe there is but I have

>> not

>> > yet heard about BPO jobs flooding our market, eLearning taking off,

>> > eCommerce and the rest of the goodies happening because we now have the

>> > superhighway down at the coast...indeed someone can do a good PhD thesis

>> on

>> > why this is so and inform us exactly when the IT miracle will happen

>> > (the

>> > Indian style).

>> >

>> > walu.

>> >

>> >

>> >

>> > --- On Tue, 7/6/10, Barrack Otieno <otieno.barrack at gmail.com> wrote:

>> >

>> > From: Barrack Otieno <otieno.barrack at gmail.com>

>> > Subject: Re: [kictanet] Kenya IGF 2010 Mailing List Discussions Day 2 of

>> 8

>> > Theme : Infrastructure Issues - Impact of the Fibre Optic Cable IGF

>> Mailing

>> > List Discussions

>> > To: jwalu at yahoo.com

>> > Cc: "KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions" <kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke>

>> > Date: Tuesday, July 6, 2010, 2:42 PM

>> >

>> > Listers , there is very loud silence with regard to Infrastructure

>> > issues

>> i

>> > suppose we have adopted a wait and see approach, i can hear murmus

>> > across

>> > various lists within the country as well as regionally that seacom is

>> down

>> >

>> http://www.seacomblog.com/team-seacom/2010/07/seacom-service-down-seacom-actively-seeking-solutions

>> ,

>> > probably we are getting used to this scenario, however is this right?

>> >

>> >

>> > On Tue, Jul 6, 2010 at 9:56 AM, Barrack Otieno <otieno.barrack at gmail.com

>> >

>> > wrote:

>> >

>> > Dear Listers,

>> >

>> > Apologies for starting the thread late and thanks

>> > to all those who responded actively on the first day, the thread is

>> > still open. Today we look at Infrastructure issues, a quick glance

>> > through last years report brings to mind the Pomp that greeted the

>> > TEAMS and SEACOM initiative, one year down the line, it would only be

>> > good to review the milestones we have made this far, going through an

>> > earlier discussion on this list, i noted an interesting article posted

>> > by listers that mentioned the fact that the undersea cable has led to a

>> > boom in Spam coming from the this region, the study was conducted by

>> > Symantec, i know this is just a tip of the ICEBERG and would like to

>> > look at the issue from a Social perspective as well as an economic

>> > perspective, are there real (tangible benefits) that the cables have

>> > brought or is it euphoria, do we have indicators that show how the

>> > country has benefited?, what do the various consituencies have to say?

>> > Consumer advocates, Youth Representatives, the Private Sector?..the

>> > discussion is open

>> >

>> > --

>> > Barrack O. Otieno

>> > +41767892272

>> > Skype: barrack.otieno

>> >

>> >

>> >

>> >

>> > --

>> > Barrack O. Otieno

>> > +41767892272

>> > Skype: barrack.otieno

>> >

>> >

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>> >

>> >

>> >

>>

>>

>> --

>> Solomon Mbũrũ Kamau

>>

>> *****************************************************

>> Man is a gregarious animal and enjoys agreement as cows will graze all

>> the same way to the side of a hill!

>>

>> AND

>>

>> It is better to die in dignity than in the ignomity of ambiguous

>> generosity!

>>

>> http://smiley2.wordpress.com

>> http://mburu.sikika.co.ke

>>

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>

>

> --

> Barrack O. Otieno

> +41767892272

> Skype: barrack.otieno

>

--

Solomon Mbũrũ Kamau

*****************************************************

Man is a gregarious animal and enjoys agreement as cows will graze all

the same way to the side of a hill!

AND

It is better to die in dignity than in the ignomity of ambiguous generosity!

http://smiley2.wordpress.com

http://mburu.sikika.co.ke

-- 
Barrack O. Otieno
+41767892272
Skype: barrack.otieno

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Skype: barrack.otieno

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