[kictanet] Bringing down the cost of Internet

Wed Oct 9 21:41:25 EAT 2013

Daktari

First congratulations on your appointment. I have a question specifically regarding the USFs.

This list has been very vocal about the activities (or lack thereof) of the Kenyan Universal Access Fund. How can we ensure that this important component of lowering costs for connectivity meets and surpasses its mandate when all attempts to get information on its activities have been met with a loud silence? 

Secondly, if legislation is in plan to ensure Service Providers share infrastructure that would ultimately lead to reduced costs of connectivity why isn't this enforced? 

Oops.. I just realized that the two questions are probably best answered by ICT Ministry and CCK...

Ali Hussein

+254 0770 906375 / 0713 601113

"Kujikwaa si kuanguka, bali ni kwenda mbele" (To stumble is not to fall but a sign of going forward) - Swahili Proverb

Sent from my iPad

> On Oct 9, 2013, at 8:59 PM, Poncelet Ileleji <pileleji at ymca.gm> wrote:
> 
> 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.
>> >
>> >
>> > _______________________________________________
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>> >
>> > 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.
>> >
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>> 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.
>> 
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> 
> 
> 
> -- 
> 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
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> www.npoc.org
> http://www.wsa-mobile.org/node/753
> www.diplointernetgovernance.org
> 
> 
> 
> 
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> 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.
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