[kictanet] Introducing Facebook Africa Public Policy Team to KICTANet

[Baudouin Schombe]

Hello everyone,

It is true that the problem of zero rates and net neutrality starts to
become not only exciting but more and more momentum both economically and
technologically.

Here are my views on this problem became almost dichotomous:
http://www.diplointernetgovernance.org/profiles/blogs/why-the-gym-between-zero-rates-and-net-neutrality


2015-11-30 22:07 GMT+01:00 Grace Githaiga via kictanet <
kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke>:

>
> Dear Listers
>
>
> Greetings. I hope your week has started well.
>
>
> The topic of Net Neutrality has become an important global Internet
> Governance issue in the last two years, and has generated some interesting
> debates.
>
>
> In Kenya, Facebook has partnered with Airtel to offer users zero rated
> services, christened "free basics" which means that several websites have
> been selected (for lack of a proper word)  to participate in the platform,
> where users access these websites for free. However, the same users cannot
> access any other website unless they pay for the data.
>
>
> Different positions depending on where their proponents stand have been
> shared.  Please find one here by Nanjira Sambuli
> http://www.nation.co.ke/oped/blogs/free-internet-freedom-create/-/620/2975634/-/f6hgvx/-/index.html
> and another by our own Mwendwa Kivuva
> http://www.circleid.com/posts/20151124_zero_rating_a_poisoned_chalice_for_the_developing_world/
>
>
> Those for pro zero rated services have argued that it gives more users
> free access to the Internet, and that it is a genuine attempt to connect
> the unconnected. Those on the opposite side argue that zero rating
> stifles innovation, leads to customers lock-in, is anti competitive
> behavior, confuses the users on the true meaning of the Internet, denies
> users choice, and makes policy makers lazy in ensuring proper affordable
> internet is availed to the masses.
>
>
> *Facebook's Head of Public Policy, Africa Ebele Okobi, and the Public
> Policy Manager, Africa Akua Gwekye* have graciously agreed to respond to
> any queries the community has on zero rated services.
>
>
> *The Process*
>
>
> Please articulate your concerns and ask questions as we usually do when we
> have moderated debates. The facebook team will then look at the questions
> and respond to you on Wednesday Evening. Depending on how it goes, we can
> then see how to continue engaging with them.
>
>
> *I think this is a great opportunity for the facebook team to unpackage
> free basics issue, and it is my hope that the debate will be exciting given
> the prominence members of the list have given the net neutrality debate. *
>
>
> *Over to you listers! And a very warm welcome to Ebele and Akua. *
>
>
> Warmly
>
> Grace
>
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-- 
*SCHOMBE BAUDOUIN*

*COORDINATION NATIONALE CAFEC*

*ICANN/AFRALO Member*
*ISOC Member*
Téléphone mobile:+243998983491/+243813684512
email                  : b.schombe at gmail.com
skype                 : b.schombe
blog                    : http://akimambo.unblog.fr
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