[kictanet] Draft National ICT Policy Discussions Day 8 of 10: Emerging Issues ( Big Data, Bitcoin, Internet of Things)

[Ali Hussein]

Barrack and all

For the first time Net Neutrality is being given a voice. But not far enough. We need clear direction on this important issue. Where do we stand on:-

Net Neutrality 
1. Third party liability?
2. Fair and equitable treatment of Internet traffic?
3. Zero rating of services? 
4. I understand that Tespok did a study that showed an increase in data revenue from OTT and messaging services like YouTube and WhatsApp. It would be interesting if we could see that report or failure of which (as Tespok is a member based Organisation and may choose not to share it with the general public) CA may need to step in.
5. Finally can the new regime tell us once and for all whether Kenya finally signed WCIT12 and what prompted the change of heart? 

Mobile Money and the new reality of Blockchain Technology. Let's not beat about the bush here. The very leadership position that has been achieved by our adaption of Mobile Money is at risk by burying our heads in the sand when it comes to Blockchain Technology. 

We need to stop thumping our chests about the phenomenal success of Mpesa. The reality is that Mpesa is only successful here in Kenya and a few other countries. Mpesa stopped innovating in this space years ago. It's time for a new reality. Mpesa is yesterday's news. Let's start creating a new narrative. We need a Global Champion. The likes of PayPal, eBay, Google etc. and we have it in us to do it.

Kenya, and Africa are again at risk of being left behind. No other than the Governor of the Central Bank is on record saying that we shall wait and see what the West does before jumping in. I respect the man alot but I think engagement with the nascent Fintech Space in Nairobi together with the ICT Ministry is long overdue. We MUST chart our own path - And it needs to be a pioneering path not a follower path. We need a clear policy statement from the ICT Ministry on this. 

I'm reliably informed that the ICT Ministry and the Central Bank has formed or will form a joint committee to look into the adaption of BlockChain Technology. I may have missed this but is there a representative(s) from the private/banking/Fintech space? Sometimes I get the feeling that this country's leaders still don't get the spirit of the New Constitution we promulgated in 2010. I would like to humbly remind ourselves of this:-

The constitution was presented to the Attorney General of Kenya on 7 April 2010, officially published on 6 May 2010, and was subjected to a referendum on 4 August 2010. The new Constitution was approved by 67% of Kenyan voters. The constitution was promulgated on 27 August 2010.

In the spirit of Uzalendo and moving this country forward let us share more and consult more extensively. This exercise of subjecting the new ICT Policy to this level of public scrutiny and intellectual discourse on a list like Kictanet is unprecedented. And highly commendable, This certainly shows the willingness and openness of the leadership of CS Mucheru. It's not a coincidence that he and PS Victor Kyalo are founder members of Kictanet. Intellectual discourse, sharing and engagement is in their DNA. I must however caution them that they must shine daylight into EVERYTHING that involves the public good. This new discussion on Blockchains is good for the public and the nascent FinTech community. We CANNOT and MUST NOT let vested interests prevail in the corridors of power at the detriment of the country at large. 

It may well be that this country decides that BlockChain Technology will do more harm than good to us. However, I humbly suggest that decision should not be left to a few individuals. No matter their station in life or government. A robust platform of discussion and consultation spearheaded by the ICT and Treasury Ministries must be held. And this must be kicked off as soon as possible because time's a-wastin'.

My humble two cents..

Ali Hussein
Principal
Hussein & Associates
+254 0713 601113 / 0770906375

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


"Discovery consists in seeing what everyone else has seen and thinking what no one else has thought".  ~ Albert Szent-Györgyi

Sent from my iPad

> On 1 Jul 2016, at 1:33 AM, Barrack Otieno via kictanet <kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke> wrote:
> 
> Day 8 of 10:
> 
> * Internet of Things, M2M
> * Net Neutrality & OTT
> * Big Data
> * Virtual Money/BlockChains
> 
> The Background:
> 
> Internet of Things is a vision (now a reality) of physical objects
> (machines, vehicles, buildings, etc) fitted with sensors that allow
> them to  communicate with each other.  The smart-city concept
> envisions sensors continuously reporting status (e.g Traffic status,
> Pollution Status, Maintenance Status) of the different objects to
> allow for efficient management response. A lot of data exchanges
> arises hence the term Big Data with its associated data analytics
> requirements.
> 
> Meanwhile, Virtual Money/Currency (Bitcoin, etc) threatens to disrupt
> the need for a centralised banking institutions. Over The Top (Skype,
> Twitter, FB, Youtube) have been around longer but the need to regulate
> or NOT to regulate them continues to be debated.
> 
> Given recent developments on the KiCTANET list on Virtual money  what
> should  our position on these and other emerging issues be from a
> policy perspective ? is there need to embrace the issues?
> 
> Your comments are welcome
> 
> 
> 
> -- 
> Barrack O. Otieno
> +254721325277
> +254733206359
> Skype: barrack.otieno
> PGP ID: 0x2611D86A
> 
> _______________________________________________
> 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/info%40alyhussein.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.
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/pipermail/kictanet/attachments/20160701/73285c62/attachment.htm>