[kictanet] Kenya opposes internet rules review

[alice at apc.org]

They are not internet rules. Rather International Telecommunications Regulations (ITRs)

Ali, I agree there is a disconnect and perhaps a lack of understanding of what the ITRs are. 

Educate the media?

Best
Alice
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Http://www.biztechafrica.com/article/

Kenya opposes internet rules review

By Semaj Itosno, Nairobi. 

 Kenya will not support a review of the Internet’s governing rules and economic model, which were originally agreed onin Melbourne 25 yearsago.On Tuesday next week, 193 telecommunication regulatory bodies willconverge on Dubai to review  the regulations.The review of the regulations and economic model has split the membercountries into two. One group supports the change of the law, which ifadopted will see content providers pay for the service.  The otherwants the status quo to remain.Communications Commission of Kenya (CCK) and senior officials at theMinistry of Information will represent the country at the meeting,where they will oppose the review.Information Permanent Secretary Bitange Ndemo, said today that Kenyais not supporting the review, because it will stifle innovation andmake internet access more expensive.“ITU should stick with regulating telecoms industry and leave out theinternet, as expanding its mandate to start regulating it will stifleinnovation, especially in the Third World countries which are thebeneficiaries of such content,” said Dr Ndemo. “Our constitutionguarantees freedom of information through the Bill of Rights whichwould also be threatened if the proposal is adopted.”Those supporting the review such as the European TelecommunicationsNetwork Operators’ Association  (ETNO) which drives broadband growthin Europe have based their argument on Article 3 of the Melbournetreaty which says:“Operating Agencies shall endeavour to provide sufficienttelecommunications facilities to meet requirements of, and demand for,international telecommunication services. For this purpose,  and toensure an adequate return on investment in high bandwidthinfrastructures, operating agencies shall negotiate commercialagreements to achieve a sustainable system of fair compensation fortelecommunications services and, where appropriate, respecting theprinciple of sending party network pays.”In the current arrangement it is the receiver who pays for the contentand the delivery, and network quality is not guaranteed.Sally WentworthInternet Society+1 703 439 2146wentworth at isoc.orgwww.isoc.org