[kictanet] Online discussion on State of Broadband in Kenya
Grace Githaiga
ggithaiga at kictanet.or.ke
Sun Apr 28 13:39:56 EAT 2019
Dear Wambua
Thanks for your response.
1. Where can we get a list of these 62 sub-locations that have
received support from USF? and
2. A list of the 600 secondary schools that are now connected out of
this effort.
Thanks.
schools
* Education broadband connectivity projects in 896 public secondary
schools. This project involves providing broadband connectivity to
public secondary schools spread across the 47 counties. So far a
total of 600 secondary schools have been connected.
* The USF voice infrastructure project – which has facilitated
mobile voice infrastructure coverage in 62 sub-locations in
marginalized areas that previously did not have any coverage. The 62
sub-locations spread across the country, now enjoy access to 3G (voice
and data) services.
Best regards
Githaiga, Grace
On Wednesday, 24-04-2019 at 18:12 Wambua, Christopher via kictanet
wrote:
Mwendwa,
Apologies for the belated response. Yes, indeed CA uses population
and land based statistics to measure coverage of the population on 2G,
3G, and 4G services. In line with the recommendations of the Access
Gaps study carried out in 2016, the Authority is currently
implementing two priority universal access projects using the USF
levy. These projects are:
* Education broadband connectivity projects in 896 public secondary
schools. This project involves providing broadband connectivity to
public secondary schools spread across the 47 counties. So far a
total of 600 secondary schools have been connected.
* The USF voice infrastructure project – which has facilitated
mobile voice infrastructure coverage in 62 sub-locations in
marginalized areas that previously did not have any coverage. The 62
sub-locations spread across the country, now enjoy access to 3G (voice
and data) services.
In appreciation of the importance of ensuring universal access to
ICT services, the Authority is currently in the process of tendering
for an additional 129 sub-locations that have no coverage, with a view
to ensuring that the prevailing voice and data gaps are reduced. It
is important to note that the Access Gaps Study identified a total of
512 sub-locations that had zero or less than 30% mobile (voice and
data) coverage. The funds required to close these gaps are estimated
at Kshs 120 billion. Noting the enormity of the funds required to
close the gaps, the Authority is also using other regulatory
mechanisms, including licence obligations to the Mobile Network
Operators (MNOs) to fast-track facilitation of connectivity to
unserved and underserved population.
We are planning to formally launch these projects to apprise the
industry and other stakeholders on the progress made so far in respect
to the utilization of the USF. I hope this provides clarity to your
concerns.
Regards,
Christopher Wambua
Director/Communications & Public Affairs | Communications and Public
Affairs
Description: Description:
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Tel: +254 20 4242000/284
Office Mobile: +254 730 042284/
+254 730172284
P.O. Box 14448 Nairobi 00800
Description: Description:
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Authority of Kenya [1] ca_kenya [2]www.ca.go.ke [3]
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From: kictanet on behalf of KICTAnet Discussions
Reply-To: KICTAnet Discussions
Date: Wednesday, 24 April 2019 at 13:30
To: Christopher Wambua
Cc: Kivuva
Subject: Re: [kictanet] Online discussion on State of Broadband in
Kenya
This is such a healthy debate. Thanks for all the contributions.
As I try to probe the individual contributors, one thing that is very
clear is "digital inclusion is not that incusive in terms of cost and
coverage". Perhaps, the regulator, and service providers can pick that
concern. It is not just in this forum where cost and coverage it is
coming out. 2017 elections anyone? :-)
Let me start with Dr Robert Muthuri. On the metrics of coverage, the
last time Communications Authority (CA) commented on the same question
on this list, they said they use "land based and population based
statistics for connectivity". Probably this needs to come out clearly
in a language that a government technocrat can understand. That way,
when e-government services like Huduma services are made mandatory,
the government can realize the challenges the citizenry go through to
access government services yet they don't have Internet access. I will
just put Ali's quote here "Considering that most government services
are now online how do we propose someone in Pokot, Wajir or Marsabit
to use these services if someone in Nairobi is finding it a major
challenge to access the ecitizen portal? "
Great question on the importance of Universal Service Fund (USF) so
far in coverage. I hope the USF-board can answer this, or the
secretariat at the CA. The last thing I remember is the President
raiding the USF. This is what the President said "We have agreed that
in order to boost the Directorate of Criminal Investigations to deal
with cybercrime, the Communications Authority - which has the
Universal Service Fund through which they collect money and we do not
know how they spend it...Sh1 billion from the fund will be moved to
the DCI ..."
So you can imagine, if the President does not know what the USF is
doing, what about the citizens?
______________________ Mwendwa Kivuva, Nairobi,
On Wed, 24 Apr 2019 at 12:31, Robert Muthuri via kictanet wrote:
Thanks Kivuva,
Two questions a) what metrics do we currently have to measure
coverage? b) What is the impact of the USF so far on coverage?
Best,
Robert.
On Wed, Apr 24, 2019 at 8:56 AM Josephine Miliza via kictanet wrote:
Thanks Kivuva for starting this discussion. Some of the barriers are
* Affordability - If we are looking to have people leverage on the
internet for economic empowerment, the current data prices are quite
expensive.
* Beyond access, we also need to look at the availability of locally
relevant applications and content. For people without a disposable
income to spend money on the internet, there needs to be a clear value
proposition as to why they should make that investment.
I recommend investing in bottom-up models to close the infrastructure
and connectivity gaps. These models are able to identify gaps and
create targeted solutions that fit the needs of their local
communities. We also need to measure uptake and usage rather than just
internet penetration.
We should also create strategies to encourage local businesses,
especially in rural and underserved areas to adopt the use of ICTs.
This can be done by harnessing the power of community-led initiatives
to help spread interest and uptake.
On Wed, Apr 24, 2019 at 8:00 AM Grace Githaiga via kictanet wrote:
@Mercy I recently experienced 'the converging under a certain tree'
make or receive a call in Nyandarua. Not too far from Thomson Falls.
And I experienced the frustration as the signal was only on that
particular tree. You would have thought we were in a meeting. So I am
with you on this inequality of our broadband. Until you experience it,
then you really do not know what it means.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Grace Githaiga
Twitter: @ggithaiga
Skype: gracegithaiga
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gracegithaiga
._..__the most important office in a democracy is the citizen. So, you
see, that’s what our democracy demands. It needs you!----Barrack
Obama._
-------------------------
From: kictanet on behalf of kanini mutemi via kictanet
Sent: 24 April 2019 8:32 AM
To: ggithaiga at hotmail.com
Cc: kanini mutemi
Subject: Re: [kictanet] Online discussion on State of Broadband in
Kenya
Morning Kivuva,
Like many Kenyans, I love a double life (both urban and rural). While
in Nairobi of course I get a good connection- even 4G when I feel
rich. What I don’t like is the cost. Safaricom is my provider and
though the speeds are satisfactory- I always feel robbed.
Now in my rural life, there really is no connection. Sometimes even
shooting a text or making a phone call needs tree-climbing trees. So
forget about a 4G connection or a Whatsapp message. FYI my county is
quite near to Nairobi. Every time I experience this it magnifies to me
the kind of inequality ICT can cause.
On Tue, 23 Apr 2019 at 08:36, Mwendwa Kivuva via kictanet wrote:
Dear Listers,
As notified last week, we are conducting an assessment on the state
of play and impact of broadband in Kenya, broadly looking at the
socio-economic impact on consumers, businesses and various sectors
like agriculture, education, healthcare, finance and government.
We are looking at real life examples of impact of broadband,
challenges we face in increasing impact of broadband and
recommendations on interventions needed to address the challenges
identified.
For this discussion, we define broadband as any fast internet. Fast
enough to serve your intended purpose. We can have an extended
definition through the discussion.
Some of the questions we should answer are:
* What is the current state of broadband in Kenya? What is the
current coverage of broadband in Kenya? Do you have broadband internet
in your area? How affordable is the available broadband?
* What barriers are there in increasing impact of broadband in
Kenya?
* What recommendations can counter the barriers identified in
increasing impact of broadband?
Looking forward to a grrat debate.
Sincerely,
______________________
Mwendwa Kivuva
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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
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Kind Regards,
Josephine Miliza
Community Networks Champion | Women in Tech Empowerment
Skype ID: Jossie.miliza | Mobile Phone: +254 726921527
“Be thankful for everything that happens in your life; it’s all
an experience.”
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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.
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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.
--
Grace Githaiga
Co-Convenor, Kenya ICT Action Network
Links:
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[2] https://twitter.com/CA_Kenya
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