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

Barrack Otieno otieno.barrack at gmail.com
Wed Jul 7 16:22:16 EAT 2010 

@ Solomon, what i meant is that we had gotten into a habit of conducting
Feasibility studies and nothing was really happening, in actual sense i was
commending the current leadership at Ministry of Infocom and the private
sector for taking bold moves that have spurred the growth of the sector, i
could be wrong though, it could be good to get other perspectives.

On Wed, Jul 7, 2010 at 3:13 PM, Solomon Mburu Kamau <solo.mburu at gmail.com>wrote:

> On 07/07/2010, Barrack Otieno <otieno.barrack at gmail.com> wrote:
> > 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
>
> So when were the feasibility studies done? And did they have any
> quantitative and qualitative measurements on the impact of the cables
> to the consumer?
> >
> > 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' ?
> >>
> @Judy, you and I are dearly paying for the patience. Just yesterday
> Seacom was down (I'm unsure whether it's up) and the businesses which
> depend on it were literary offline.
> Big companies don't feel the impact directly unless one cuts the main
> cable in their offices.
>
> Out of curiosity, suppose voice was fully dependant on the fibre
> cables what would have been the ramification?
> >>
> >> 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
> >>>> >> >
> >>>> >> >
> >>>> >> > -----Inline Attachment Follows-----
> >>>> >> >
> >>>> >> > _______________________________________________
> >>>> >> > kictanet mailing list
> >>>> >> > kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke
> >>>> >> > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet
> >>>> >> >
> >>>> >> > This message was sent to: jwalu at yahoo.com
> >>>> >> > Unsubscribe or change your options at
> >>>> >> >
> >>>>
> http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/jwalu%40yahoo.com
> >>>> >> >
> >>>> >> >
> >>>> >> >
> >>>> >> >
> >>>> >>
> >>>> >>
> >>>> >> --
> >>>> >> 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
> >>>> >>
> >>>> >> _______________________________________________
> >>>> >> kictanet mailing list
> >>>> >> kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke
> >>>> >> http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet
> >>>> >>
> >>>> >> This message was sent to: saguyo at yahoo.com
> >>>> >> Unsubscribe or change your options at
> >>>> >>
> >>>>
> http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/saguyo%40yahoo.com
> >>>> >>
> >>>> >>
> >>>> >> _______________________________________________
> >>>> >> kictanet mailing list
> >>>> >> kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke
> >>>> >> http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet
> >>>> >>
> >>>> >> This message was sent to: otieno.barrack at gmail.com
> >>>> >> Unsubscribe or change your options at
> >>>> >>
> >>>>
> http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/otieno.barrack%40gmail.com
> >>>> >>
> >>>> >>
> >>>> >
> >>>> >
> >>>> > --
> >>>> > 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
> >>>
> >>> _______________________________________________
> >>> kictanet mailing list
> >>> kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke
> >>> http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet
> >>>
> >>> This message was sent to: judyokite at gmail.com
> >>> Unsubscribe or change your options at
> >>>
> http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/judyokite%40gmail.com
> >>>
> >>>
> >>
> >>
> >> --
> >> “To live is to choose. But to choose well, you must know who you are and
> >> what you stand for, where you want to go and why you want to get there.”
> >> Kofi Annan
> >>
> >
> >
> >
> > --
> > 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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