[kictanet] Bringing down the cost of Internet

Wed Oct 9 20:59:34 EAT 2013

Ndemo,

The timing of A4AI is welcomed, we hope it effects reaches all one way or
the other in Africa. This is my hope and I personally I think it can
achieve a lot especially in supporting regulatory processes and ensuring
that the universal access fund can be a reality in many communities that
require that especially for the growth in our education and health care
delivery.

Peace

Poncelet

On 9 October 2013 17:51, McTim <dogwallah at gmail.com> wrote:

> Bwana,
>
> I have been following A4AI for a couple of months now, am glad to hear
> you are on board.
>
> Listers, FYI, here are the policy positions they are taking:
>
> http://a4ai.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/A4AI-Best-Practices-launch1.pdf
>
> --
> Cheers,
>
> McTim
> "A name indicates what we seek. An address indicates where it is. A
> route indicates how we get there."  Jon Postel
>
> On Wed, Oct 9, 2013 at 1:21 PM, Bitange Ndemo <bitange at jambo.co.ke> wrote:
> > Listers,
> >
> > I am in Nigeria for the launch of the Global Alliance for Affordable
> > Internet (A4AI) which I was appointed the Honorary Chair.  This is a
> > diverse and truly global coalition committed to driving down the cost of
> > internet access in less developed countries. We believe that, while
> > technological solutions are advancing rapidly, policy and regulations
> > remain a significant barrier to affordable internet. A4AI seeks to create
> > the conditions for open, competitive and innovative broadband markets
> > through a combination of advocacy, research and knowledge-sharing. When
> we
> > succeed, we will help to lower access costs to meet the UN Broadband
> > Commission target of broadband access priced at less than 5% of monthly
> > income, thereby helping billions more to come online and unlocking
> > significant socio-economic benefits.
> >
> > Why is A4AI needed?
> > “Estimates suggest that as much as two-thirds of the world’s population
> is
> > not connected to the internet, with penetration rates in less developed
> > countries averaging around 31%. In Africa, this figure drops to 16%
> (while
> > in in Kenya we are approaching 40% Liberia is at .5%) and in the world’s
> > 49 least developed countries, over 90% of people are not online. (Source:
> > ITU 2013) and (Broadband Commission 2013)
> >
> >  “Most often, this is for affordability reasons. In developed nations,
> the
> > average cost of broadband internet access is around 1-2% of monthly
> > household income - less than a daily coffee. In less developed countries,
> > this figure skyrockets to over 30%, and in 17 countries a basic internet
> > connection can cost well over 100% of average monthly income. Overcoming
> > this digital divide is critical so that technology and innovation can be
> > harnessed to accelerate progress in areas such as education, food
> > security, job creation, public health, and gender equity.”
> >
> > On A4AI’s goals:
> >
> > “Our primary focus is to reach the UN Broadband Commission Broadband
> > Target of entry-level broadband services priced at less than 5% of
> average
> > monthly income. In doing so, we hope to enable billions of people to come
> > online (with a particular focus on low-income countries) and make
> > universal access a reality.
> > On Strategy:
> >
> > “Innovative technological solutions to affordability challenges are
> > progressing apace. However, the best technologies in the world can’t
> drive
> > change if quasi-monopolies or regressive policies prevent them from being
> > implemented. Changes to policy can deliver impressive results, fast. So,
> > through a combination of advocacy, research and knowledge-sharing, A4AI
> > will drive policy change by seeking to create the conditions for open,
> > competitive and innovative broadband markets. We are unique in pursuing
> > this approach.”
> >
> > On Specific Activities:
> >
> > “A4AI is focused on creating conditions for open, competitive and
> > innovative broadband markets via regulatory and policy change. Activities
> > include: original research (including the publication of an annual
> > Affordability Report); publication of regulation and policy best
> > practices, and illustrating these via case studies; and in-country
> > engagements including networking and knowledge-sharing. We will work
> > closely with national governments – three to four countries in year one,
> > expanding to 10 - 12 in years two and three.”
> >
> > How are policies keeping prices high?
> >
> > There are numerous examples of how policies keep prices high. Here are
> > just a handful:
> > • Luxury taxes: Tax accounts for more than 20% of the total cost of
> mobile
> > ownership in at least 13 African countries. (Source: GSMA 2011)  Tax
> > reductions on PCs in Colombia have increased PC penetration by 100% in 2
> > years, and Internet penetration increased 466% from 2005-2008, versus
> 161%
> > across the region (source: IDC Colombia 2009).
> > • Access to international gateway: In 8 of 20 African countries surveyed
> > by ISOC there is little or no competition on the international gateway.
> In
> > the same survey, only one of the 20 countries has fully privatized their
> > incumbent telecoms company. In South Africa firms began deploying
> > open-access metro fibre in 2009, and also furnished a link from
> > Johannesburg to the SEACOM (undersea cable) landing station in order to
> > avoid very high charges proposed by Telkom (the state-owned operator).
> > This helped to slash international capacity prices by over 60%.
> > • Universal Service Funds (USF) for Broadband (example of how policy can
> > lower prices): USFs and similar subsidies improve the availability and
> > affordability of broadband for unserved or underserved citizens.
> > Historically focused on basic telephony services in remote areas, USFs
> are
> > now being adapted to promote the adoption of broadband by subsidizing
> > content, devices, services, and digital training, as well as
> > infrastructure. USFs can serve as a tool to stimulate demand and increase
> > adoption and use.
> >
> > About A4AI’s membership base:
> >
> > “A4AI is a diverse coalition of over 30 private sector, public sector,
> and
> > not-for-profit organizations who have come together to advance the shared
> > aim of affordable access to both mobile and fixed-line Internet in
> > developing countries. We are the first truly global coalition to tackle
> > this issue and our members are from both developed and less developed
> > nations. The World Wide Web Foundation, established by web inventor Sir
> > Tim Berners-Lee, initiated the Alliance.”
> >
> > 1. What, exactly, will A4AI do?
> >
> > A4AI will undertake a blend of international advocacy and research,
> > coupled with on-the-ground work. We’ll be working in three pioneer
> > countries by the end of 2013, and will bring together in-country
> > stakeholders to identify obstacles, how to tackle them and we’ll then
> help
> > to drive implementation. We will be developing advocacy and policy
> > proposals in conjunction with these stakeholders in each country. We will
> > also continue to press at international level on these issues and our
> work
> > will be informed by original research – with the first edition of our
> > Annual Affordability report being released in December 2013.  We’ll also
> > publish case studies, position papers and briefings on lessons learned
> > throughout the year to share knowledge.
> >
> > 2. What is the relationship between Internet.org and A4AI?
> >
> > While A4AI and Internet.org are two separate organisations, there is a
> > common goal (in addition to common partners in Facebook and Ericsson) of
> > making internet access available to more people around the world.  A4AI
> > has a clear focus on policy and regulatory issues surrounding access
> while
> > Internet.org is focused on identifying technical innovations and new
> > business models that can help drive down the cost of data.  Wherever
> > possible, we will we collaborate to maximise impact.
> >
> >
> > Regards.
> >
> >
> > Ndemo.
> >
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > kictanet mailing list
> > kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke
> > https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet
> >
> > Unsubscribe or change your options at
> https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/dogwallah%40gmail.com
> >
> > The Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet) is a multi-stakeholder platform
> for people and institutions interested and involved in ICT policy and
> regulation. The network aims to act as a catalyst for reform in the ICT
> sector in support of the national aim of ICT enabled growth and development.
> >
> > KICTANetiquette : Adhere to the same standards of acceptable behaviors
> online that you follow in real life: respect people's times and bandwidth,
> share knowledge, don't flame or abuse or personalize, respect privacy, do
> not spam, do not market your wares or qualifications.
>
> _______________________________________________
> kictanet mailing list
> kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke
> https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet
>
> Unsubscribe or change your options at
> https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/pileleji%40ymca.gm
>
> The Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet) is a multi-stakeholder platform
> for people and institutions interested and involved in ICT policy and
> regulation. The network aims to act as a catalyst for reform in the ICT
> sector in support of the national aim of ICT enabled growth and development.
>
> KICTANetiquette : Adhere to the same standards of acceptable behaviors
> online that you follow in real life: respect people's times and bandwidth,
> share knowledge, don't flame or abuse or personalize, respect privacy, do
> not spam, do not market your wares or qualifications.
>

-- 
Poncelet O. Ileleji MBCS
Coordinator
The Gambia YMCAs Computer Training Centre & Digital Studio
MDI Road Kanifing South
P. O. Box 421 Banjul
The Gambia, West Africa
Tel: (220) 4370240
Fax:(220) 4390793
Cell:(220) 9912508
Skype: pons_utd
*www.ymca.gm
www.waigf.org
www.aficta.org
www.itag.gm
www.npoc.org
http://www.wsa-mobile.org/node/753
*www.diplointernetgovernance.org

*
*
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/pipermail/kictanet/attachments/20131009/5ff41c86/attachment.htm>