[kictanet] Updates on the Operationalization of the Universal Service Fund

[Ali Hussein]

Rachel

Thank you for the comprehensive report. I'm curious:-

Table 2: Sub-location population 3G coverage
Coverage
100%
>90%
50% - 90%
< 50%
0%
Sub-locations
2,454
1,324
1,146
977
1,244


If you look at the above table and go down to specific counties you will agree with me that High Speed Internet is still a rumour in many areas of the country. I want to pay special attention to the counties below where we have less than 50% 3G coverage.

Table 4: Estimated 2G and 3G Network coverage by County
 
County
2G (%)
3G (%)
Baringo
87.7
49.1



Elegeyo Marakwet
97.1	34.7
Garissa
58.1
4.6



Isiolo
54.7
16.4
Kajiado
74.4
38.9



Kilifi
91.9
51.5



Kitui
89.2
49.8
Kwale
91.5
46.4
Laikipia
90.8
48.9
Lamu
82.4
34.4



Mandera
66.9
9.4
marsabit
56.6
25.2



Narok
86.7
29.9



Samburu
55.5
14.0



Taita-Taveta
96.4
43.4
Tana River
85.8
12.8



Turkana
34.8
10.2



Wajir
48.2
8.4
West pokot
69.0
13.3
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 















In the current era of eCizitenship where a lot of government services are moving online are we not disenfranchising a huge swath of the country?

My comments questions are:-

1. Are the above statistics realistic in the true sense of the word? What I mean is this:-
If you take Garissa, Wajir and Mandera where coverage is less than 10% I wonder whether taking into account huge parts of these counties (or any other county for that matter) that are probably not inhabited is realistic? Wouldn't it be more realistic to  take account coverage in areas where there is a sizable population?  

2. In counties like Kilifi, Lamu and Kwale where reliable connectivity is a joke a few miles from the county headquarters it would be good to hear from the USF what they intend to do about this. Whilst empowering a few schools with connectivity is a great idea I think we are missing out on great opportunities and progress where we lack high speed Internet.  

3. How are we doing in lighting up the dark fiber that is NOFBI? What incentives are there for the likes of Safaricom, Liquid, Jamii, Airtel, Orange and the mushrooming community ISPs to give them the push to unleash broadband in the furthest corners of this country? 

4. How much is currently sitting in the USF? What is the utilization levels, burn rates and the efficacy of the projects they have undertaken? In short can we a financial statements from the beginning to date? 

5. Lastly, as we work hard to cover this country with Broadband can the USF consider offering WiFi zones of high speed Internet in EVERY COUNTY at hugely subsidized prices to enable citizens access eGovernment Services? A good place to start would be in ALL Huduma Centres and say within a 3 km radio of every Huduma Centre?    

Thank you Rachel for showing us how community engagement by a Government Agency can enhance collaboration and shed light on issues of strategic interest to the country.

Ali Hussein
Principal
Hussein & Associates
+254 0713 601113 

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

"We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, therefore, is not an act but a habit."  ~ Aristotle


Sent from my iPad

> On 17 Jan 2017, at 12:09 PM, Alwala, Rachel via kictanet <kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke> wrote:
> 
> 
> Table 2: Sub-location population 3G coverage
> Coverage
> 
> 100%
> 
> >90%
> 
> 50% - 90%
> 
> < 50%
> 
> 0%
> 
> Sub-locations
> 
> 2,454
> 
> 1,324
> 
> 1,146
> 
> 977
> 
> 1,244
> 
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