[kictanet] [isoc_ke] Here I go again on Net Neutrality

[Ali Hussein]

Walu

I agree. My take though is that it is exactly this sort of thinking - that Net Neutrality is too abstract  and far fetched for us to pay attention to it - that lands us in hot soup. There are too many small little 'non-issues' happening all around us that have a major impact on how we live and do business that are directly linked to our Net Neutrality policy (or lack thereof).

1. Interoperability of mobile money systems. If we had a solid policy on this we wouldn't be fighting shadow wars with operators. 

2. Blocking or slowing down certain apps that are deemed to be competitors to operators own solutions. We all know what happened to the guy who tried to be clever enough to create a market place for Bonga Points. Who is to say that the next killer app will not be throttled to death before it sees the light of day?

3. 'Dear Customer, you are currently at 100% of your 'friendly user policy' allocation. You will now access the Internet at a reduced speed. To get back your normal speed, please buy another bundle!!'

I don't know about you but I'm sure there is NOTHING friendly about Orange telling customers that they can purchase unlimited internet usage for a specific period and then proceed to throttle connectivity within an hour of usage!  And to top it off they are doing it in open daylight. If this is not impunity and a blatant disregard to basic Net Neutrality principles I'm not sure what is.

Why are they doing it? Simple. Either the Regulator is Ok with the practice or they have no clue. 

Ali Hussein

+254 770 906375 / 0713 601113

Twitter: @AliHKassim
Skype: abu-jomo
LinkedIn: http://ke.linkedin.com/in/alihkassim
Blog: www.alyhussein.com

"I fear the day technology will surpass human interaction. The world will have a generation of idiots".  ~ Albert Einstein

Sent from my iPad

> On Feb 9, 2015, at 9:00 AM, Walubengo J <jwalu at yahoo.com> wrote:
> 
> @Ali,
> 
> +++1,
> 
> Unfortunately, in Africa (including Kenya :-) we are still dealing with bread and butter issues (corruption, primary education, universal health, insecurity, etc) to the point where Net Neutrality becomes too distant or esoteric/abstract.
> 
> But (un)fortunately, as we have seen with the emerging intermediary liability issues, Net Neutrality is likely to be thrust into the throat of the ICT ministry, Regulator and our Courts way before they even know what it is all about -  let alone take a position :-)
> 
> So yes, I support a Kamkunji on the issue. Perhaps ISOC can take a lead and discuss the issues under the framework of this year's Internet Governance Forum(IGF).
> 
> walu.
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> From: Ali Hussein via isoc <isoc at lists.my.co.ke>
> To: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions <kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke>; ISOC Kenya Chapter <ISOC at lists.my.co.ke> 
> Sent: Sunday, February 8, 2015 3:40 AM
> Subject: [isoc_ke] Here I go again on Net Neutrality
> 
> Listers
> 
> This statement by the Chairman of the Federal Communication Commission of the U.S. is worth repeating here:-
> 
> After more than a decade of debate and a record-setting proceeding that attracted nearly 4 million public comments, the time to settle the Net Neutrality question has arrived. This week, I will circulate to the members of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) proposed new rules to preserve the internet as an open platform for innovation and free expression. This proposal is rooted in long-standing regulatory principles, marketplace experience, and public input received over the last several months.
> 
> Read more:-
> 
> http://www.wired.com/2015/02/fcc-chairman-wheeler-net-neutrality/
> 
> This list has been consistent in advocating for a clear policy statement from our own ICT Ministry.  It's time to bring it to the mainstream. Let us not be lulled by the innovations that have happened in this country through an ambiguous policy on ICT to think that we can continue like this without at least some clear rules of engagement. 
> 
> Let us not forget that a former minister of finance once tried to kill Safaricom's Mpesa because a strong finance industry lobby felt threatened. Today we can't imagine life without Mpesa. Let us not take this for granted.
> 
> I would like to propose a forum of different stakeholders:-
> 
> 1. TESPOK
> 2. ISOC - Ke
> 3. Media owners association
> 4. Government (Ministry,  ICTA, CA, KENET)
> 5. Drake
> 6. KEPSA
> 7. Computer Society of Kenya and other ICT Associations
> 8. COFEK
> 9. And other interested parties.
> 
> It is incumbent on us as leaders in various fora to stand up and be counted on this.
> 
> We can start this discussion in ernest by reviewing where we really are as a country on this important subject matter. For example the freedoms we enjoy in the context of Net Neutrality that we have taken for granted. I'm gratified to note that the Government is taking a firm stand towards certain aspects of Net Neutrality but I contend that we need to solidify and institutionalize the gains made so far.
> 
> Your thoughts?   
> 
> Ali Hussein
> 
> +254 770 906375 / 0713 601113
> 
> Twitter: @AliHKassim
> Skype: abu-jomo
> LinkedIn: http://ke.linkedin.com/in/alihkassim
> Blog: www.alyhussein.com
> 
> "I fear the day technology will surpass human interaction. The world will have a generation of idiots".  ~ Albert Einstein
> 
> Sent from my iPad
> 
> _______________________________________________
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> isoc at lists.my.co.ke
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> 
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