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

Fri Jan 20 07:35:05 EAT 2017

Hi Hussein.  This is noted.  The responses are based on the questions.  My first submission showed all the USF projects that are being implemented on voice.

We shall continue to engage because it is beneficial for us in our work and the community too.

Rachel

From: Ali Hussein <ali at hussein.me.ke<mailto:ali at hussein.me.ke>>
Date: Friday, January 20, 2017 at 6:59 AM
To: KICTAnet Discussions <kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke<mailto:kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke>>
Cc: Rachel <alwala at ca.go.ke<mailto:alwala at ca.go.ke>>
Subject: Re: [kictanet] Updates on the Operationalization of the Universal Service Fund

Rachel

Thank you for your detailed responses. I however think that your answers have focused a lot on the education sector. This is definitely commendable but I would like you to address the issue beyond education. To reiterate:-

1. Counties that have less than 10% coverage of internet infrastructure. You will agree with me that this is a major priority.

2. Counties that have good connectivity around the county headquarters and then things get real bad. There are ISPs like Liquid that are trying to bridge this gap. I'm looking for specific incentives put in place by USF to help close this gap. Can you let us know if there are any initiatives to this end?

3. I'm not holding my breath for ICTA to respond to my query. However, I think this issue of utilizing USF to bridge the gap of last mile connectivity from the NOFBI nodes is something to consider.

Lastly, could we humbly request that USF holds an open day soon to engage with the ICT Community and the public at large? A suggested thrust of this open day could be:-

  X years of USF. Bridging the Gap of Internet Connectivity to realize the Digital Government Promise.

Thanks Rachel. We appreciate your feedback.

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 20 Jan 2017, at 12:08 AM, Alwala, Rachel via kictanet <kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke<mailto:kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke>> wrote:

Hi Collins,

Sorry this is not available on PDF but hope it is useful as is.

Rachel

From: kictanet <kictanet-bounces+alwala=ca.go.ke at lists.kictanet.or.ke<mailto:kictanet-bounces+alwala=ca.go.ke at lists.kictanet.or.ke>> on behalf of KICTAnet Discussions <kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke<mailto:kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke>>
Reply-To: KICTAnet Discussions <kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke<mailto:kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke>>
Date: Wednesday, January 18, 2017 at 12:58 PM
To: Rachel <alwala at ca.go.ke<mailto:alwala at ca.go.ke>>
Cc: Collins Areba <arebacollins at gmail.com<mailto:arebacollins at gmail.com>>
Subject: Re: [kictanet] Updates on the Operationalization of the Universal Service Fund

Thanks so much Rachel. Is this available in detail preferably on pdf?

Regards,

On Wed, Jan 18, 2017 at 12:29 PM, Rosemary Koech-Kimwatu via kictanet <kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke<mailto:kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke>> wrote:

Dear Rachel,

Thank you for sharing.

A lot more has to be done to create incentives for connectivity even in economically "non-viable" areas to ensure that no part is left behind and it is safe to say that the connectivity of these areas could actually spur economic growth.

The most critical query however is in regards to how much is held in the fund and what is remaining. It is appreciated that all the above details have been shared in regards to the research and the implementation carried out so far, but it would be great to have all these backed by the numbers in regards to how the funds are utilised. This will enable us to know if the fund can adequately cater for our immediate future needs or if we need to think of other ways of bolstering the fund.

Kind regards,

Rosemary Koech-Kimwatu.

On 18 Jan 2017 05:34, "Ali Hussein via kictanet" <kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke<mailto:kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke>> wrote:
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<mailto: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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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.

--
Regards,

Collins Areba,
Kilifi, Kenya.
Tel: +254 707 750 788 / 0731534124
Twitter: @arebacollins.
Skype: arebacollins
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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.
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