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

Mon Feb 9 10:14:46 EAT 2015

Ali,
Good idea. I would be delighted to contribute and attend.
Thanks
D

On 9 February 2015 at 09:38, Ali Hussein via kictanet <
kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke> wrote:

> 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
> <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
> <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
>
> _______________________________________________
> isoc mailing list
> isoc at lists.my.co.ke
> http://lists.my.co.ke/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/isoc
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> 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/daudi.were%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.
>

-- 
Daudi Were | daudi at were.co.ke
Technology + Strategy
Too brief? Here's why! http://emailcharter.org
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/pipermail/kictanet/attachments/20150209/a085f834/attachment.htm>