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

Fri Jan 20 09:31:33 EAT 2017

    Dear Rachael

Thank you so much for the updates. Like we said in our end of year ICT
review meeting, CA continues to demonstrate that public participation
in policy making is doable.

Now to my questions:

The USF has been in place for the last five years. The fund currently
is holding 4.9 B and only 1.5 is budgeted for. Meaning that there is a
balance of 3.4B somewhere (and probably accruing interest and more
money coming in). 

Collins has given us a 'situation on the ground' in Kilifi. Meaning
that there is much more that can be done, and many other projects that
can benefit. 

1. Isn't this fund not under performing?

2. Would it be useful to have the USF avail its stratetic plan to the
community?

3. Would the USF be willing to crowd source for ideas from the
community on various ways of execution and priority projects?

4. How can the USF collaborate with International players like
Facebook and Google towards expanding connectivity? These players
already have a global programs of bringing connectivity to various
undeserved parts of the World. Would it be possible to have a meetings
of minds between such players and Kenya?

What we would like to see are conscious efforts to compliment the
players on the ground expand internet connectivity in mashinani.

And lastly, and considering the fund has enough resources, it must
deliver in a timely and expeditious  manner. Speed and efficiency
should be the fund's maxim. 

Ni hayo tu kwa sasa.  

Best regards

Githaiga, Grace

On Friday, 20-01-2017 at 00:11 Alwala, Rachel via kictanet wrote:

 Hi Rosemary,

Please note that the USF has collected KES. 4.9Billion of which KES.
1.5B is planned for use on voice infrastructure projects expansion and
schools broadband connectivity within the current FY 2016/17. As per
my narrative, the providers have been contracted for the identified
projects.  

  Rachel Alwala
Assistant Director/Communications and External Affairs 
Communications Authority of Kenya 
PO Box 14448 
Nairobi 00800

Tel:  +254 703042000
Email:  alwala at ca.go.ke 

  From: kictanet  on behalf of KICTAnet Discussions 
Reply-To: KICTAnet Discussions 
Date: Wednesday, January 18, 2017 at 12:29 PM
To: Rachel 
Cc: Rosemary Koech-Kimwatu 
Subject: Re: [kictanet] Updates on the Operationalization of the
Universal Service Fund

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"  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  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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