[kictanet] Thoughts on Kenya's National Broadband Strategy

[Brian Munyao Longwe]

Hi Edith,

The notice was shared and I also sent an email to this list long before the
deadline encouraging a consolidated input and sharing my contributions.

best regards,

Brian


On Wed, Jul 24, 2013 at 12:30 PM, Edith Adera <eadera at idrc.ca> wrote:

>  Chris,****
>
> ** **
>
> Is there a timeframe to provide comments? When does the window close?****
>
> ** **
>
> Edith****
>
> ** **
>
> *From:* kictanet [mailto:kictanet-bounces+eadera=
> idrc.ca at lists.kictanet.or.ke] *On Behalf Of *Wambua, Christopher
> *Sent:* July 24, 2013 8:00 AM
> *To:* Edith Adera
>
> *Cc:* KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions
> *Subject:* Re: [kictanet] Thoughts on Kenya's National Broadband Strategy
> *Importance:* High****
>
>  ** **
>
> Brian/Listers,****
>
> ** **
>
> Many thanks for your feedback on the National Broadband Strategy that was
> launched yesterday.  ****
>
> ** **
>
> The Commission does not disregard stakeholders’ input on the various
> regulatory issues that we subject to public and stakeholder comment and
> consultation.  On the issue of the National Broadband Strategy, all
> submitted comments were analyzed by the Committee spearheading the process,
> and the analysis uploaded onto our website at
> http://www.cck.go.ke/links/consultations/published_responses/Analysis_of_Draft_National_Broadband_Strategy_Stakeholder_Consultations.pdf
> ****
>
> ** **
>
> The analysis shows the position that the Committee took in respect to each
> and every submitted input.   The analysis was posted onto our website after
> conclusion of the consultations to apprise stakeholders on the decisions
> that the Committee took in respect to submitted comments/inputs. ****
>
> ** **
>
> In light of the foregoing, comments to the effect that the CCK does not
> take on board stakeholders’ input have no basis whatsoever.   Have a lovely
> day. ****
>
> ** **
>
> Best regards,****
>
> ** **
>
> *Christopher Wambua*
>
> *Manager – Communications*
>
> *Consumer and Public Affairs Department*
>
> *Communications Commission of Kenya*
>
> *P.O. Box 14448 NAIROBI 00800*
>
> *Tel: +254 20 4242209*
>
> *info at cck.go.ke*
>
> *www.cck.go.ke*
>
> * *
>
> ** **
>
> ** **
>
> *From:* kictanet
> [mailto:kictanet-bounces+wambua=cck.go.ke at lists.kictanet.or.ke] *On
> Behalf Of *Brian Munyao Longwe
> *Sent:* Tuesday, July 23, 2013 2:46 PM
> *To:* Wambua, Christopher
> *Cc:* KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions
> *Subject:* Re: [kictanet] Thoughts on Kenya's National Broadband Strategy*
> ***
>
> ** **
>
> Hi all,****
>
> ** **
>
> I have just gone through the recently launched National Broadband Strategy.
> ****
>
> ** **
>
> Sadly, none of my submitted input (included below) was accomodated (even
> after confirmation from CCK that they had been received). I guess this is a
> sign of the times, because it seems that over recent years "public
> consultations" by CCK and Govt on ICT issues have been merely stage-managed
> exercises aimed at giving an appearance of inclusion, but in reality are
> merely rubber-stamping exercises which allow largely third party driven
> agendas (vendors, foreign govts) to take center stage and prioritization in
> our strategies, policies, laws etc...****
>
> ** **
>
> I guess I will just have to stop making the effort to "contribute" to
> these processes as it seems to be pointless and an exercise in futility.
> Hopefully others will have better luck?****
>
> ** **
>
> Have a good day,****
>
> ** **
>
> Brian****
>
> ** **
>
> ** **
>
> On Sun, Jan 13, 2013 at 12:16 AM, Brian Munyao Longwe <blongwe at gmail.com>
> wrote:****
>
> I had shared these thoughts in ISOC-KE and someone asked if I would mind
> sharing them with KICTANET. Well, here goes:
>
> ------------
>
> Is it right to explicitly name a particular technology within the context
> of such a high level strategy?
> Pg 6
>    the immediate plan to further deploy    broadband through a
> nationwide LTE system
>
>  The language in principle 2 (pg 8) and principle 7 (pg 9) seem to be
> contradictory. While principle 2 emphasizes technology neutrality (a good
> thing), principle 7 in elaborating competitive use of technologies
> explicitly names fiber optic and wireless broadband. It is proposed that
> the language here be changed to distinguish between fixed and non-fixed
> media as alternatives for infrastructure
>
>  Pg 21 - the relationship between a pacemaker (for heart conditions) and
> content & applications is not immediately obvious - could this be the wrong
> kind of example to use in this section?
>
>  Pg 22 (Table 4) on the problem of an unstructured innovation chain;
> wouldn't it be better to aim at developing a National Innovation System -
> rather than simply seeking to "institutionalize the innovation value
> chain"? The current recommendations fall far short of *really* tackling the
> underlying issues and proposing sufficient interventions to address the
> problem in the medium to long term.
>
>  Pg 23 the figures related to mobile penetration should be updated with
> latest market estimates and not figures from 2011. Current estimates are at
> 100% mobile penetration. Also the percentage of *youth* is questionable as
> it is based on a 2005 study. Should statistics that are 8 years old be used
> in such an important document?
>
>  pg 26-32 Section 3.4 Policy, Legal & Regulatory Environment
>
>  While CCK has over the past 13 years of it's existence facilitated
> massive transformation with the information and communication technology
> sector in the country and the region as a whole. It could be argued that
> the Commission's mandate has become bloated over the years, leading to a
> "too many eggs in one basket" problem.
>
>  It could be recommended that specialized agencies be established to deal
> with essential issue that do not strictly fall under the regulatory mandate
> of CCK and may, in some cases create opportunity for conflict of interest.
> These include but are not limited to: Operation and Administration of the
> Universal Service Fund, Operation and Administration of cyber-security
> related units, consumer protection etc...
>
>  While it is evident and obvious that CCK has served and may continue to
> serve as an ideal "incubator" for these types of services/agencies. It is
> true that they encompass a potentially vast amount of work, especially
> within a national context and could be better served by specialized
> agencies that can focus time and resources and deal with issues in a
> focused and timely manner.
>
>  pg 33 Section 3.5.2
>
>  by specifically referring to a particular technology (in this case LTE)
> as a means to accomplishing the objectives of this strategy - it might
> appear that the strategy is biased towards particular vendors or operators
> and may not necessarily be taking the best interests of the marketplace and
> the greatest stakeholder - the citizen - into consideration. It is
> recommended that the language in this section be reworked to eliminate the
> mention of specific technologies.
>
>  The section on Financing and Investment should include recommendations on
> various incentives to promote activity in the area. Tax breaks,
> concessions, PPP proposals, allocations from various existing (and new)
> funds etc...
>
>  Section 4 Implementation
>
>  once again, specific reference to LTE may not be in the best interests of
> leaving the strategy open enought to allow for competing and maybe more
> affordable technologies that can achieve stated objectives.
>
>
>
>
>  ****
>
> ** **
>
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