<div dir="auto"><div><span style="font-family:georgia,serif">Listers</span></div><div><span style="font-family:georgia,serif"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family:georgia,serif">As a followup to my posting on <b><span style="font-size:10pt">Africa (and Kenya's?) Position to WCIT, Dubai</span>, </b>I thought I would pen some thoughts on Net Neutrality as a way to get our minds thinking ahead of tomorrow morning's <span style>Stakeholders Meeting on WCIT-12 at the Grand Regency.<br>
</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family:georgia,serif"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family:georgia,serif">According to Wikipedia:-</span></div><div><span style="font-family:georgia,serif"><br></span></div>
<div><p style="margin:0.4em 0px 0.5em"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif"><span style="background-color:rgba(255,255,255,0)"><b>Network neutrality</b> (also <b>net neutrality</b>, <b>Internet neutrality</b>) is a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Principle" title="Principle" style="text-decoration:none;background-image:none" target="_blank">principle</a> that advocates government regulation of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet_service_provider" title="Internet service provider" style="text-decoration:none;background-image:none" target="_blank">Internet service providers</a>,<sup><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Network_neutrality#cite_note-Information_Week-1" style="text-decoration:none;background-image:none" target="_blank">[1]</a></sup> preventing ISPs from restricting consumers' access to networks that participate in the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet" title="Internet" style="text-decoration:none;background-image:none" target="_blank">Internet</a>. Specifically, network neutrality would prevent restrictions on content, sites, platforms, types of equipment that may be attached, and modes of communication. Network owners can't interfere with content, applications, services, and devices of users' choice and remains open to all users and uses.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin:0.4em 0px 0.5em"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif"><span style="background-color:rgba(255,255,255,0)">Since the early 2000s, advocates of net neutrality and associated rules have raised concerns about the ability of broadband providers to use their <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Last_mile" title="Last mile" style="text-decoration:none;background-image:none" target="_blank">last mile</a> infrastructure to block Internet applications and content (e.g. websites, services, and protocols), and even block out competitors. (The term "net neutrality" didn't come into popular use until several years later, however.) The possibility of regulations designed to mandate the neutrality of the Internet has been subject to fierce debate, especially in the United States.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin:0.4em 0px 0.5em"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif"><span style="background-color:rgba(255,255,255,0)">Neutrality proponents claim that telecom companies seek to impose a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tiered_service" title="Tiered service" style="text-decoration:none;background-image:none" target="_blank">tiered service</a> model in order to control the pipeline and thereby remove competition, create <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Artificial_scarcity" title="Artificial scarcity" style="text-decoration:none;background-image:none" target="_blank">artificial scarcity</a>, and oblige subscribers to buy their otherwise uncompetitive services. Many believe net neutrality to be primarily important as a preservation of current freedoms.<sup><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Network_neutrality#cite_note-no-tolls-5" style="text-decoration:none;background-image:none" target="_blank">[5]</a></sup> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vinton_Cerf" title="Vinton Cerf" style="text-decoration:none;background-image:none" target="_blank">Vinton Cerf</a>, considered a "father of the Internet" and co-inventor of the Internet Protocol, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tim_Berners-Lee" title="Tim Berners-Lee" style="text-decoration:none;background-image:none" target="_blank">Tim Berners-Lee</a>, creator of the Web, and many others have spoken out in favor of network neutrality.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin:0.4em 0px 0.5em"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif"><span style="background-color:rgba(255,255,255,0)">Opponents of net neutrality claim that broadband service providers have no plans to block content or degrade network performance.<sup><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Network_neutrality#cite_note-books.google.com-8" style="text-decoration:none;background-image:none" target="_blank">[8]</a></sup> Despite this claim, there has been a single case where an Internet service provider, Comcast, intentionally slowed <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peer-to-peer" title="Peer-to-peer" style="text-decoration:none;background-image:none" target="_blank">peer-to-peer</a> (P2P) communications.<sup><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Network_neutrality#cite_note-9" style="text-decoration:none;background-image:none" target="_blank">[9]</a></sup> Still other companies have begun to use deep<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deep_packet_inspection" title="Deep packet inspection" style="text-decoration:none;background-image:none" target="_blank"> packet inspection</a> to discriminate against P2P, FTP, and online games, instituting a cell-phone style billing system of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cellphone_overage_charges" title="Cellphone overage charges" style="text-decoration:none;background-image:none" target="_blank">overages</a>, free-to-telecom "value added" services, and bundling.<sup><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Network_neutrality#cite_note-10" style="text-decoration:none;background-image:none" target="_blank">[10]</a></sup> Critics of net neutrality also argue that <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Data_discrimination" title="Data discrimination" style="text-decoration:none;background-image:none" target="_blank">data discrimination</a> of some kinds, particularly to guarantee <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quality_of_service" title="Quality of service" style="text-decoration:none;background-image:none" target="_blank">quality of service</a>, is not problematic, but is actually highly desirable. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bob_Kahn" title="Bob Kahn" style="text-decoration:none;background-image:none" target="_blank">Bob Kahn</a>, co-inventor of the Internet Protocol, has called the term net neutrality a "slogan" and states that he opposes establishing it, but he admits that he is against the fragmentation of the net whenever this becomes excluding to other participants.<sup><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Network_neutrality#cite_note-kahn-vid-11" style="text-decoration:none;background-image:none" target="_blank">[11]</a></sup> Opponents of net neutrality regulation also argue that the best solution to discrimination by broadband providers is to encourage greater competition among such providers, which is currently limited in many areas.<sup><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Network_neutrality#cite_note-podhoretz-post-12" style="text-decoration:none;background-image:none" target="_blank">[12]</a></sup></span></span></p>
<p style="margin:0.4em 0px 0.5em"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif"><span style="background-color:rgba(255,255,255,0)"><br></span></span></p><p style="margin:0.4em 0px 0.5em"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif"><span style="font-size:15px;line-height:19px;white-space:nowrap"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Network_neutrality" target="_blank">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Network_neutrality</a></span></span></p>
<p style="margin:0.4em 0px 0.5em"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif"><br></span></p><p style="margin:0.4em 0px 0.5em"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif">So what does the Africa Position on ITRs (International Telecommunications Regulations) mean to us? </span></p>
<p style="margin:0.4em 0px 0.5em"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif">From the proposal one can deduce that we now intend to turn around Net Neutrality on its head and give ISPs/Telcos a legal standing to charge content providers and application service providers for the privilege of their customers to access any website.<br>
</span></p><p style="margin:0.4em 0px 0.5em"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif"><br></span></p><p style="margin:0.4em 0px 0.5em"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif">What would be the effect of this? As I said in my earlier posting the principle around this is flawed. Why? Because this opens up the opportunity for discrimination and anti-competitive tendencies. We are aware now that some Telcos and ISPs are moving into Content Provision through the Triple Play Mantra (TV, Phone and Internet). What is to stop discrimination in the guise of competition? We must be careful that we do not put a regulator's stamp in a competitiveness environment in favor of one player /industry against another.</span></p>
<p style="margin:0.4em 0px 0.5em"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif">Nation, Standard, Citizen, Iqra, Google, CIO East Africa, Ma3Racer, Pesapal, Facebook, Twitter etc will all then be bundled together and the prerogative of the ISP/Telco will be what rules and NOT Market Conditions.</span></p>
<p style="margin:0.4em 0px 0.5em"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif">I have argued before about the ISP/Telco space and whether the current scenario calls for a re-thinking of the business as usual model. There seems to be a tacit agreement that something is amiss where some players (the majority it seems) seem to be bleeding red ink. I cannot presume to be an expert in this space but could the logical step be one of sharing infrastructure to reduce Capex as opposed to everyone running around digging up the whole country in an 'arms race'? Is this an area where the regulator can assist? There is a legend around how Dr.Ndemo (Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information & Communication) managed to get the first undersea cable landed in Nairobi despite industry not pulling in the same direction (I don't know how true or false this is but the fact that it is being bandied around is in itself a red flag). I suggested possibly that the industry may want to embrace the Principles of 'Frenemy'?</span></p>
<p style="margin:0.4em 0px 0.5em"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif"><br></span></p><p style="margin:0.4em 0px 0.5em"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif">Let's ensure we maintain the current status quo that has enabled innovation and entreprenuership in the ICT Sector to blossom. The current discourse about whether 'Silicon Savannah' needs to grow up and move towards creating viable and sustainable businesses is what we should discuss NOT seek to change the very environment that made this possible.</span></p>
<p style="margin:0.4em 0px 0.5em"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif"><br></span></p><p style="margin:0.4em 0px 0.5em"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif">My two cents (with a bull-dog mentality) :-)<br></span></p>
<p style="margin:0.4em 0px 0.5em"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif"><br></span></p></div><div><span style="font-family:georgia,serif">Ali Hussein</span><br><br><span style="font-family:georgia,serif">PS. It would be interesting to know the position of KICT Board, KITOS, iHub, Nailab (and other hubs), TESPOK etc.</span><br>
<div><br></div><br></div><div><br>On Nov 9, 2012, at 3:27 PM, "Wambua, Christopher" <<a href="mailto:Wambua@cck.go.ke" target="_blank">Wambua@cck.go.ke</a>> wrote:<br><br></div><blockquote type="cite"><div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style>Ali<u></u><u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style><u></u> <u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style>Thanks for submitting substantive comments
on the African Common Proposals on the ITRs. <u></u><u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style><u></u> <u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style>I wish to invite you to the
Stakeholders Meeting on WCIT-12 scheduled for Tuesday 13<sup>th</sup> November
2012 at the Laico Regency Hotel starting from 9.00a.m. Your input together
with others that have been raised to date shall be addressed during the said
stakeholders meeting. <u></u><u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style><u></u> <u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style>Listers wishing to participate in
the meeting are requested to send their confirmations to Mary Kioko through <a href="mailto:kioko@cck.go.ke" target="_blank">kioko@cck.go.ke</a> as soon as possible.<u></u><u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style><u></u> <u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style>Best regards,<u></u><u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style><u></u> <u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"">Christopher Wambua<u></u><u></u></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"">Manager/Communications<u></u><u></u></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"">Consumer and Public Affairs Division <u></u><u></u></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"">Communications Commission of Kenya<u></u><u></u></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"">P.O. Box 14448, NAIROBI 00800<u></u><u></u></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"">KENYA<u></u><u></u></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style><u></u> <u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style><u></u> <u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style><u></u> <u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style><u></u> <u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style><u></u> <u></u></span></p>
<div>
<div style="border:none;border-top:solid #b5c4df 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in">
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"">From:</span></b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif""> kictanet
[<a href="mailto:kictanet-bounces+wambua=cck.go.ke@lists.kictanet.or.ke" target="_blank">mailto:kictanet-bounces+wambua=cck.go.ke@lists.kictanet.or.ke</a>] <b>On Behalf Of
</b>Ali Hussein<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Friday, November 09, 2012 9:28 AM<br>
<b>To:</b> Wambua, Christopher<br>
<b>Cc:</b> KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions<br>
<b>Subject:</b> [kictanet] Africa (and Kenya's?) Position to WCIT, Dubai<u></u><u></u></span></p>
</div>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal">Listers<u></u><u></u></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal">I have serious misgivings about the Africa Position to
WCIT as presented by CCK. <u></u><u></u></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal">I will highlight the main & pertinent proposed changes.
There are good clauses within the proposal that are pertinent and in line with
current trends. For example:-<u></u><u></u></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <b><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Noteworthy","serif"">38A
4.3A Members States shall ensure transparency of end-user prices and the
provision of clear information on how to access the services and the
prices thereof, in particular to avoid unreasonable or surprising bills for
international services (e.g. mobile roaming and data roaming), and shall
ensure that Operating Agencies take the necessary measures to fulfill these requirements.</span></b><u></u><u></u></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Noteworthy","serif"">Reasons:
This provision considers the users' right to have transparent information on
the international charges, bearing in mind the current excessive data charges
for roaming users.</span></b><u></u><u></u></p>
</div>
<div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:18.0pt"><b><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Noteworthy","serif""><u></u> <u></u></span></b></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:18.0pt"><b><u><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Noteworthy","serif"">My Comments</span></u></b><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Noteworthy","serif""><u></u><u></u></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:18.0pt"><b><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Noteworthy","serif"">This deals with consumer protection and it is
high time that it becomes an issue of international concern.<u></u><u></u></span></b></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:18.0pt"><b><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Noteworthy","serif""><u></u> <u></u></span></b></p>
</div>
<div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:18.0pt"><b><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Noteworthy","serif"">54A 6.5A<u></u><u></u></span></b></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:18.0pt"><b><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Noteworthy","serif"">Member states shall ensure that each party in
a negotiation or agreement related to or arising out of international
connectivity matters, will have access to alternative dispute resolution
mechanisms and will have recourse to the relevant regulatory or competition
authorities of the other party's state.<u></u><u></u></span></b></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:18.0pt"><b><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Noteworthy","serif""><u></u> <u></u></span></b></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:18.0pt"><b><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Noteworthy","serif"">Reasons: To provide for alternative dispute
resolution and other mechanisms, to preserve the interests of Member States and
avoid abuse on their small market power operators.<u></u><u></u></span></b></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:18.0pt"><b><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Noteworthy","serif""><u></u> <u></u></span></b></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:18.0pt"><b><u><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Noteworthy","serif"">My Comments</span></u></b><b><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Noteworthy","serif""><u></u><u></u></span></b></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:18.0pt"><b><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Noteworthy","serif"">Commendable as this sets clear guidelines on
dispute resolution and possibly can guide against monopolistic behavior from
dominant players.<u></u><u></u></span></b></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:18.0pt"><b><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Noteworthy","serif""><u></u> <u></u></span></b></p>
</div>
<div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:18.0pt"><b><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Noteworthy","serif"">Environmental Issues<u></u><u></u></span></b></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:18.0pt"><b><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Noteworthy","serif"">Reasons: To address the importance of the
issue of saving the environment. ADD AFCP/xyzA1/89<u></u><u></u></span></b></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:18.0pt"><b><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Noteworthy","serif"">57B 8A.1 Member States shall cooperate to
encourage operating agencies and industry to adopt energy efficiency
international standards and best practices, including disclosure and labeling
schemes, so as to reduce energy consumption of communications facilities and
installations.<u></u><u></u></span></b></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:18.0pt"><b><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Noteworthy","serif"">Reasons: To request Member States to cooperate
to encourage taking measures to reduce energy consumption.<u></u><u></u></span></b></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:18.0pt"><b><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Noteworthy","serif"">57C 8A.2 Member States shall cooperate to
encourage operating agencies and the industry to take-back schemes and
recycling management facilities to reduce e-waste resulting from communications
facilities and installations, [and to avoid causing harm to other Member States
from such e-waste.] | [and to ensure that such practices does not cause harm to
other Member States.]<u></u><u></u></span></b></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:18.0pt"><b><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Noteworthy","serif"">Reasons: To request Member States to
cooperate to encourage operating agencies and the industry to consider avoid
causing harm to other Member States as a result of e-waste and should address
also not causing harm due to disposal of e-waste.<u></u><u></u></span></b></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:18.0pt"><b><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Noteworthy","serif""><u></u> <u></u></span></b></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:18.0pt"><b><u><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Noteworthy","serif"">My Comments</span></u></b><b><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Noteworthy","serif""><u></u><u></u></span></b></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:18.0pt"><b><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Noteworthy","serif"">Commendable as these are in line with the
current popular discourse on environmental issues.<u></u><u></u></span></b></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:18.0pt"><b><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Noteworthy","serif""><u></u> <u></u></span></b></p>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:18.0pt"><b><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Noteworthy","serif"">The next three clauses leave me cold as they:-<u></u><u></u></span></b></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><br>
<br>
<u></u><u></u></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal">1. Propose to redefine Telecommunication regulation to
include content developers and providers<u></u><u></u></p>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><br>
<br>
<u></u><u></u></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal">2. Redefine the rules of engagement in Commercial
Negotiations and Contracts as this seems to allude that regulators can compel
parties in the content development and distribution space to sign revenue share
agreements with Service Providers in the Telco sector<u></u><u></u></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><br>
<br>
<u></u><u></u></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal">I would like CCK to please clarify these clauses below and
to please clear the air if what I have said above and below is inaccurate. <u></u><u></u></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><br>
<br>
<u></u><u></u></p>
</div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:18.0pt"><b><u><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Noteworthy","serif"">ADD AFCP/xyzA1/63</span></u></b><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Noteworthy","serif""><u></u><u></u></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:18.0pt"><b><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Noteworthy","serif"">41K 6.0.4 Member States shall take measures
to ensure that fair compensation is received for carried traffic (e.g.
interconnection or termination).<u></u><u></u></span></b></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:18.0pt"><b><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Noteworthy","serif""><u></u> <u></u></span></b></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:18.0pt"><b><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Noteworthy","serif"">Reasons: promotes to a more sustainable model
for the international telecommunications ecosystem. Huge investments are needed
to respond to the dramatic traffic growth, this should not be generated mainly
and from the general user side, but from fair and innovative commercial agreements
between infrastructure operators and telecommunications applications providers<u></u><u></u></span></b></p>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:18.0pt"><b><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Noteworthy","serif""><u></u> <u></u></span></b></p>
</div>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:18.0pt"><b><u><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Noteworthy","serif"">My Comments</span></u></b><b><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Noteworthy","serif""><u></u><u></u></span></b></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:18.0pt"><b><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Noteworthy","serif"">This seems to allude to the issue of
Telecommunications Applications Providers (TAPs). What I found
interesting is that the definition of TAPs has not been defined in the
document. Or did I miss it? So, if I'm to let my imagination go I would assume
that TAPs here alludes to platform Providers, developers and owners (read:
Facebook, Google, The different Ad Networks, Media Houses, gaming developers
like Ma3Racer, ihub, ilab mlab developers and my nephew who is just about to
launch the next Facebook etc). <u></u><u></u></span></b></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:18.0pt"><b><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Noteworthy","serif""><u></u> <u></u></span></b></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:18.0pt"><b><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Noteworthy","serif"">Who is to define this 'fair compensation'? is
it the purview of the regulator to purport to define this? This I believe goes
beyond the issue of Telecommunications Regulation and starts to touch on the
issue of how free markets operate. We are treading on very thin ice here..<u></u><u></u></span></b></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:18.0pt"><b><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Noteworthy","serif""><u></u> <u></u></span></b></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:18.0pt"><b><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Noteworthy","serif"">41L 6.0.5 Member States shall ensure that
their regulatory frameworks drive the Operating Agencies to establish mutual
commercial agreements with providers of international communication
applications and services in alignment with principles of fair competition,
innovation, adequate quality of service and security.<u></u><u></u></span></b></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:18.0pt"><b><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Noteworthy","serif"">Reasons: To foster increase in the customer
base and enhancement in the quality of experience (QoE), by offering more
choices and more confidence in those offerings.<u></u><u></u></span></b></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:18.0pt"><b><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Noteworthy","serif""><u></u> <u></u></span></b></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:18.0pt"><b><u><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Noteworthy","serif"">My Comments</span></u></b><b><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Noteworthy","serif""><u></u><u></u></span></b></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:18.0pt"><b><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Noteworthy","serif"">.....drive the Operating Agencies (defined in
the document as </span></b><b><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#0101ff">Any individual, company, corporation or governmental agency
which operates a telecommunication installation intended for an international
telecommunication service or capable of causing harmful interference with such
a service.) </span></b><b><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Noteworthy","serif"">to
establish mutual commercial agreements with providers of international
communication applications and services in alignment with principles of fair
competition, innovation, adequate quality of service and security.<u></u><u></u></span></b></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:18.0pt"><b><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Noteworthy","serif""><u></u> <u></u></span></b></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:18.0pt"><b><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Noteworthy","serif"">What does this really mean really? Is the
state now going to purport to 'coerce' or compel commercial enterprises to
enter into commercial agreements? My earlier comments also apply.<u></u><u></u></span></b></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:18.0pt"><b><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Noteworthy","serif""><u></u> <u></u></span></b></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:18.0pt"><b><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Noteworthy","serif"">41M 6.0.6 The Member States shall take
measures to ensure that Operating Agencies have the right to charge providers
of international communication applications and services appropriate access
charges based on the agreed quality of service.<u></u><u></u></span></b></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:18.0pt"><b><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Noteworthy","serif"">Reasons: To balance the revenues across the
ecosystem, thus avail revenues for operating agencies to invest in high
bandwidth international infrastructures, which will benefit the end users and
provide them with innovative services, while lowering ultimately their
connectivity charges.<u></u><u></u></span></b></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:18.0pt"><b><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Noteworthy","serif""><u></u> <u></u></span></b></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:18.0pt"><b><u><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Noteworthy","serif"">My Comments</span></u></b><b><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Noteworthy","serif""><u></u><u></u></span></b></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:18.0pt"><b><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Noteworthy","serif"">Is the state now abrogating to itself the
right to tell content providers to pay (to Telcos) for people to
access their platforms and websites? I'm well aware this is primarily targeted
to the big boys - Facebook, Google, the big global media houses etc. however,
who is to stop the telco or ISP in Mongolia or Thailand where Ma3Racer (a
Kenyan popular gaming platform that has most of its users in Asia) from
blocking it and asking it for access fees? </span></b><b><u></u><u></u></b></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:18.0pt"><b><u></u> <u></u></b></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:18.0pt"><b><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Noteworthy","serif"">Correct me if I'm wrong, aren't these content
providers already paying for hosting anyway? What really is going on here?
</span></b><b><u></u><u></u></b></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:18.0pt"><b><u></u> <u></u></b></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:18.0pt"><b><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Noteworthy","serif"">Contrary to what this Africa Proposal
purports to do 'benefit the end users and provide them with innovative
services, while lowering ultimately their connectivity charges' my humble
opinion is that it will have the long term effect of killing innovation and the
openness of the Internet which has basically been responsible for a lot of the
innovations that we are currently seeing in this space.</span></b><b><u></u><u></u></b></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:18.0pt"><b><u></u> <u></u></b></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:18.0pt"><b><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Noteworthy","serif"">Overall I believe that these proposals are
misinformed and look suspiciously similar to the ETNO Proposals:-</span></b><b><u></u><u></u></b></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:18.0pt"><b><u></u> <u></u></b></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:18.0pt"><span style="font-size:11.5pt;font-family:".HelveticaNeueUI","serif""><a href="http://www.edri.org/edrigram/number10.19/wcit-etno-proposals-not-so-bad" target="_blank">http://www.edri.org/edrigram/number10.19/wcit-etno-proposals-not-so-bad</a></span><b><u></u><u></u></b></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:18.0pt"><span style="font-size:11.5pt;font-family:".HelveticaNeueUI","serif""><br>
<br>
</span><b><u></u><u></u></b></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:18.0pt"><b><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Noteworthy","serif"">Dear all, I propose that we agree on a high
level principle on how we propose this country to move where the ITRs are
involved (the lawyers can then draft it in legalese). We in Kenya are at the
forefront of ICT innovation in Africa and indeed in the world. It would be a
shame to be seen by the rest of the world as traitors to the principals that
made this possible. And I believe that the Africa Position is exactly that..</span></b><b><u></u><u></u></b></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:18.0pt"><b><u></u> <u></u></b></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:18.0pt"><b><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Noteworthy","serif"">I know that this posting may make a number of
constituents unhappy but I urge all of us to put the country first.. </span></b><b><u></u><u></u></b></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Ali Hussein<u></u><u></u></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif"">CEO
| 3mice interactive media Ltd<u></u><u></u></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif"">Principal
| Telemedia Africa Ltd<u></u><u></u></span></p>
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<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif""><u></u> <u></u></span></p>
</div>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span>+254 773/713 601113</span><u></u><u></u></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Sent from my iPad<u></u><u></u></p>
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</div></blockquote></div>