<div dir="ltr">Might be of interest to listers on what USF is doing in Mauritius. <div><br></div><div style>Just to quote '<span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Verdana,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:12px;text-align:justify"><i>Since January 2013 basic a Broadband Connection of 256kbps is now available at Rs 200 (€5) per month. This offer is financed under the Universal Service Fund</i>.</span>'</div>
<div style><br></div><div style>More information on the link - <a href="http://www.ist-africa.org/home/default.asp?page=news-doc-by-id&docid=7130">http://www.ist-africa.org/home/default.asp?page=news-doc-by-id&docid=7130</a></div>
<div style><br></div><div style>This means that more people will have internet access courtesy of the USF - hope that will be replicated in Kenya once this outfit is up and running.</div></div><div class="gmail_extra"><br clear="all">
<div>Best Regards,<br>Davis M Onsakia<br>"One doesn't discover new lands without consenting to lose sight of the shore for a very long time."<br></div>
<br><br><div class="gmail_quote">On 25 February 2013 22:13, John Kariuki <span dir="ltr"><<a href="mailto:ngethe.kariuki2007@yahoo.co.uk" target="_blank">ngethe.kariuki2007@yahoo.co.uk</a>></span> wrote:<br><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0 0 0 .8ex;border-left:1px #ccc solid;padding-left:1ex">
<div><div style="font-size:12pt;font-family:times new roman,new york,times,serif"><div><span>Dear listers,</span></div><div style="font-style:normal;font-size:16px;background-color:transparent;font-family:'times new roman','new york',times,serif">
<span>As an old student of ICT regulation, I beg to differ with Mr. Mutoro on the issue of USF.</span></div><div style="font-style:normal;font-size:16px;background-color:transparent;font-family:'times new roman','new york',times,serif">
<span>The debate on the role of regulator and the separation of the roles of (government,operators and regulator) is reasonably well settled globally.</span></div><div style="font-style:normal;font-size:16px;background-color:transparent;font-family:'times new roman','new york',times,serif">
<span style="font-family:'Bookman Old Style',serif;text-align:justify;text-indent:18pt;background-color:transparent"><br></span></div><div style="font-style:normal;font-size:16px;background-color:transparent;font-family:'Bookman Old Style',serif">
<span style="font-family:'Bookman Old Style',serif;text-align:justify;text-indent:18pt;background-color:transparent">The WTO, GATS
Reference Paper defines “Independent Regulator” as </span><span style="font-family:'Bookman Old Style',serif;text-align:justify;background-color:transparent">‘separate from, and
not accountable to, any supplier of basic telecommunications services. The
decision of and the procedures used by regulators shall be impartial with
respect to all market participants’. </span><span style="font-family:'Bookman Old Style',serif;text-align:justify;background-color:transparent">EU directive 97/51 requires
the establishment of national regulatory agencies and puts the condition that
these: </span><span style="font-family:'Bookman Old Style',serif;text-align:justify;background-color:transparent">‘shall be distinct
from and functionally independent of all organizations providing telecommunications
networks, equipments and services’. </span><span style="font-family:'Bookman Old Style',serif;background-color:transparent;text-align:justify">However,
“independence” from government does not mean independence from laws and
policies of a country</span><a name="13d12d362aede0ad__ftnref1" title="" style="font-family:'Bookman Old Style',serif;background-color:transparent;text-align:justify"><span><span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12pt">[1]</span></span></span></a><span style="font-family:'Bookman Old Style',serif;background-color:transparent;text-align:justify">.
The regulator would act at arms length from the government but will work
closely with all relevant government departments, including on international
negotiations</span><a name="13d12d362aede0ad__ftnref2" title="" style="font-family:'Bookman Old Style',serif;background-color:transparent;text-align:justify"><span><span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12pt">[2]</span></span></span></a><span style="font-family:'Bookman Old Style',serif;background-color:transparent;text-align:justify">.</span></div>
<div style="font-style:normal;font-size:16px;background-color:transparent;font-family:'times new roman','new york',times,serif"><span><div style="text-align:justify;font-style:normal;font-size:16px;background-color:transparent;margin-left:18pt;font-family:'Bookman Old Style',serif">
<span lang="EN-US">
<div>
<div>
<div><a name="13d12d362aede0ad__ftn1" title=""><span><span lang="EN-US"><span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt">[1]</span></span></span></span></a><span lang="EN-US"> World Bank,
Telecommunications Regulation Handbook, Module
1<u></u><u></u></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div><a name="13d12d362aede0ad__ftn2" title=""><span><span lang="EN-US"><span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt">[2]</span></span></span></span></a><span lang="EN-US"> <u></u><u></u>UK<u></u><u></u>
Communications White Paper,<a href="http://www.dti.gov.uk" target="_blank">http://www.dti.gov.uk</a><u></u><u></u></span></div>
</div>
</div></span></div></span></div><div><br></div><div style="font-style:normal;font-size:16px;background-color:transparent;font-family:'times new roman','new york',times,serif"><br></div><div style="font-style:normal;font-size:16px;background-color:transparent;font-family:'times new roman','new york',times,serif">
In our case in Kenya, the policy on USF is contained in Gazette Notice no.2431 dated 31st March,2006, Section 8.4 which was finalised after extensive public consultations, including a final stakeholders meeting attended by over 200 delegates which considered all inputs by stakeholders.</div>
<div style="font-style:normal;font-size:16px;background-color:transparent;font-family:'times new roman','new york',times,serif">The Kenya Communications( Amendment ) 2008, Section 84 merely concretizes the ICT policy guidelines which were agreed by all
stakeholders.</div><div style="font-style:normal;font-size:16px;background-color:transparent;font-family:'times new roman','new york',times,serif">As clearly stated in KCA 2008,Section 84K, apart from licensees, there are four(4) other sources of USF and I wonder if it is reasonable to demand that each contributor be represented in the Universal Service Advisory Council while KCA 2008,section 102A clearly outlines the composition of the body. </div>
<div style="font-style:normal;font-size:16px;background-color:transparent;font-family:'times new roman','new york',times,serif"><br></div><div style="font-style:normal;font-size:16px;background-color:transparent;font-family:'times new roman','new york',times,serif">
CCK is directly funded by operators(much more than USF) BUT it would be very strange if operators were granted positions in the CCK
Board because of the " money" they contributed and the need to ensure their money is well spent.</div><div style="font-style:normal;font-size:16px;background-color:transparent;font-family:'times new roman','new york',times,serif">
<br></div><div style="font-style:normal;font-size:16px;background-color:transparent;font-family:'times new roman','new york',times,serif"> Mixing the roles of "Regulation" and "operations" , however well intentioned , will result in "Regulatory Capture" to the great detriment of the very consumers we are trying to protect.</div>
<div style="font-style:normal;font-size:16px;background-color:transparent;font-family:'times new roman','new york',times,serif"><br></div><div style="font-style:normal;font-size:16px;background-color:transparent;font-family:'times new roman','new york',times,serif">
More background material may be found in World Bank publication "Implementing Reforms in the Telecommunications Sector- Lessons from Experience"</div><div style="font-style:normal;font-size:16px;background-color:transparent;font-family:'times new roman','new york',times,serif">
<br></div><div style="font-style:normal;font-size:16px;background-color:transparent;font-family:'times new roman','new york',times,serif"><br></div><div style="font-style:normal;font-size:16px;background-color:transparent;font-family:'times new roman','new york',times,serif">
John Kariuki</div> <div style="font-family:'times new roman','new york',times,serif;font-size:12pt"> <div style="font-family:'times new roman','new york',times,serif;font-size:12pt"> <div dir="ltr">
<font face="Arial"> <hr size="1"> <b><span style="font-weight:bold">From:</span></b> stephen Mutoro <<a href="mailto:smutoro@yahoo.com" target="_blank">smutoro@yahoo.com</a>><br> <b><span style="font-weight:bold">To:</span></b> <a href="mailto:ngethe.kariuki2007@yahoo.co.uk" target="_blank">ngethe.kariuki2007@yahoo.co.uk</a> <br>
<b><span style="font-weight:bold">Cc:</span></b> KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions <<a href="mailto:kictanet@lists.kictanet.or.ke" target="_blank">kictanet@lists.kictanet.or.ke</a>>; "<a href="mailto:margaret@cofek.co.ke" target="_blank">margaret@cofek.co.ke</a>" <<a href="mailto:margaret@cofek.co.ke" target="_blank">margaret@cofek.co.ke</a>> <br>
<b><span style="font-weight:bold">Sent:</span></b> Monday, 25 February 2013, 13:57<div><div class="h5"><br> <b><span style="font-weight:bold">Subject:</span></b> Re: [kictanet] Fw: [ISOC_KE] allAfrica.com: Kenya: Poghisio Appoints USF Board Members<br>
</div></div></font> </div><div><div class="h5"> <br><div><div><div style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'times new roman','new york',times,serif">Hi Walu,<br>Sorry to intercept your communication. This is one other issue (USF) that MOIC team will never succeed. How can you in all fairness ask for say up to Sh500M p.a from an
MSP/MNO and then they have no representation on USF Board and therefore no say on how "their" money is used? The easier part is to gazette the names, the harder part is to get money into the "Fund". Days when people who own no means of production, in whatever sector, purporting to set radical rules are long gone. Regrettably, again, if an MSP/MNO pays such an mount annually, it ups its cost of doing business. Who eventually shoulders such costs?? You and I as consumers. Why is it so difficult for people at MOIC to engage 'stakeholders'? Can't wait to see new faces at the would be State Department (Ministry) in charge of Information and Communications.
<br><br>Stephen Mutoro<br><a href="http://www.cofek.co.ke" target="_blank">www.cofek.co.ke</a> <br><div><span><br></span></div><div><br></div> <div style="font-family:'times new roman','new york',times,serif;font-size:12pt">
<div style="font-family:'times new roman','new york',times,serif;font-size:12pt"> <div dir="ltr"> <font face="Arial"> <hr size="1"> <b><span style="font-weight:bold">From:</span></b> Walubengo J <<a href="mailto:jwalu@yahoo.com" target="_blank">jwalu@yahoo.com</a>><br>
<b><span style="font-weight:bold">To:</span></b> <a href="mailto:smutoro@yahoo.com" target="_blank">smutoro@yahoo.com</a> <br><b><span style="font-weight:bold">Cc:</span></b> KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions <<a href="mailto:kictanet@lists.kictanet.or.ke" target="_blank">kictanet@lists.kictanet.or.ke</a>> <br>
<b><span style="font-weight:bold">Sent:</span></b> Monday, February 25, 2013 10:14 AM<br> <b><span style="font-weight:bold">Subject:</span></b> Re: [kictanet] Fw: [ISOC_KE] allAfrica.com: Kenya: Poghisio Appoints USF Board Members<br>
</font> </div> <br>
<div><div><div style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'times new roman','new york',times,serif">@Kivuva,<br><br>I do follow the PS around the middle class way - on twitter @Bantigo but it hasnt worked :-)<br><br>
@ Rigia, the USF thing had not worked since the board had not been appointed and gazetted. Perhaps now it will take off successfully.<br><br>walu<br>~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br><br><div style="font-family:'times new roman','new york',times,serif;font-size:12pt">
<div style="font-family:'times new roman','new york',times,serif;font-size:12pt"><div dir="ltr"><font face="Arial"><b><span style="font-weight:bold">From:</span></b> Kivuva <<a href="mailto:Kivuva@transworldafrica.com" target="_blank">Kivuva@transworldafrica.com</a>><br>
<b><span style="font-weight:bold">To:</span></b> Walubengo J <<a href="mailto:jwalu@yahoo.com" target="_blank">jwalu@yahoo.com</a>> <br><b><span style="font-weight:bold">Cc:</span></b> KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions
<<a href="mailto:kictanet@lists.kictanet.or.ke" target="_blank">kictanet@lists.kictanet.or.ke</a>> <br>
<b><span style="font-weight:bold">Sent:</span></b> Sunday, February 24, 2013 4:35 PM<br> <b><span style="font-weight:bold">Subject:</span></b> Re: [kictanet] Fw: [ISOC_KE] allAfrica.com: Kenya: Poghisio Appoints USF Board Members<br>
</font> </div> <br>
It seems the same names are recycled over and over again.<br><br>The article says we were asked to apply and refused. Did anybody see<br>such an offer?<br><br>Walu, you should up your lobbying. Make sure you have the minister's<br>
and PS's ears. You've seen how some follow the PS like flies? Those<br>are the fruits<br><br>On 24/02/2013, Walubengo J <<a rel="nofollow" href="mailto:jwalu@yahoo.com" target="_blank">jwalu@yahoo.com</a>> wrote:<br>
><br>> How comes me and Yawe never read our names on some of these boards? :-)<br>><br>> walu<br>><br>> ----- Forwarded Message -----<br>> From: Kelvin Githira <<a rel="nofollow" href="mailto:kgithira@gmail.com" target="_blank">kgithira@gmail.com</a>><br>
> To: <a rel="nofollow" href="mailto:isoc@orion.my.co.ke" target="_blank">isoc@orion.my.co.ke</a><br>> Sent: Sunday,
February 24, 2013 9:07 AM<br>> Subject: [ISOC_KE] allAfrica.com: Kenya: Poghisio Appoints USF
Board<br>> Members<br>><br>> <a href="http://allafrica.com/stories/201302230595.html" target="_blank">http://allafrica.com/stories/201302230595.html</a><br>><br>><br>> Sent from my iPad<br>> _______________________________________________<br>
> isoc mailing list<br>> <a rel="nofollow" href="mailto:isoc@orion.my.co.ke" target="_blank">isoc@orion.my.co.ke</a><br>> <a href="http://orion.my.co.ke/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/isoc" target="_blank">http://orion.my.co.ke/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/isoc</a><br>
<br><br>-- <br>______________________<br>Mwendwa Kivuva<br>For<br>Business Development<br>Transworld Computer Channels<br>Cel: 0722402248<br><a rel="nofollow" href="http://twitter.com/lordmwesh" target="_blank">twitter.com/lordmwesh</a><br>
<a rel="nofollow" href="http://transworldafrica.com/" target="_blank">transworldAfrica.com</a> | Fluent in computing<br><a rel="nofollow" href="http://kenya.or.ke/" target="_blank">kenya.or.ke</a> | The Kenya we know<br><br>
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