[Chapter-delegates] ISOC at WSIS Blog

[Alex Gakuru]

Hi Alan and others,

A great lesson to learn from your South African experience.

Could I suggest you also consider an idea that has been fairly accepted here
in Kenya.

Mission: Make all buildings "Internet Compliant"

GOAL: to make internet a standard feature of all office buildings, and
residential apartments (like telephone sockets): Hopefully later this will
trickle down the poorest of the poor!

(a) invite construction sector (Engineers, Quantity Surveyors, Architects,
Letting agents, and Development consultants)
(b) invite local government representation
(c) invite Provincial (state) government
(d) Municipal Authorities
(e) service providers
(f)...

The idea: "To make building owners find value in the wiring up their
premises"
ideas:
- possible official compliance incentives (e.g. a one-off reduction land
rates, license,
-( ISOC) compliance certification displayed at building entrance ( this will
make it 'fashionable' to be compliant)
-Government to give concessions to providers who agree to this,
-Urge ISPs to stop neglecting SMEs because of their 'costly' nature
-...

if it would interest you, could we pursue two pilots projects (KE and SA)
and we compare notes?
You, I and members willing to follow the activity could correspond off-list?

Thank you Alan,

Best regards,

Alex
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Alan Levin" <alan at futureperfect.co.za>
To: "Alex Gakuru" <gakuru at mail.co.ke>
Cc: <chapter-delegates at elists.isoc.org>
Sent: Wednesday, September 28, 2005 4:54 PM
Subject: Re: [Chapter-delegates] ISOC at WSIS Blog


Hi Alex and others,

On 26 Sep 2005, at 3:36 PM, Alex Gakuru wrote:

> I am glad to note our ISOC ambassadors have kept their focus on the
> unconnected individual, and the problems facing the connected one.
>

Regards the 'unconnected individual' and for your interest...

We have experienced some backlash from our first Internet Fiesta in
March. Subsequent to the fiesta (fully reported at our website at
http://isoc.org.za/fiesta) we heard some rumours that the local
community was unhappy with the outcome. Initially they would not meet
with us but after a couple months they finally agreed. When we were
there, we were confronted with a barrage of complaints. Basically
they were so impressed by the Internet access they experienced at the
Fiesta, that they were equally unimpressed with the fact that there
is no way that they can afford it.

Initially we considered a few routes and communicated to them for
follow up:
- The Universal Service Agency (government) have a programme where
they install telecentres
- The local government installs free internet at all libraries
- The Provincial (state) government provides free computer labs at
schools
- There are start-up entrepreneurs that set-up internet cafe's
so in fact that there are many government programs that establish
cheap or free access for poor communities, as well private sector
opportunities.

We also considered that a Fiesta objective was to create demand and
establish broader support - from those who are still unconnected -
for telecoms liberalisation (deregulation and/or competition).

Unfortunately it's resulted in accusations that all we did was
'tease' these poor people, by showing them the wonderful world of
technology, even though they cannot afford it. Unfortunately all the
options above are not going to just materialise or do not provide
them with a real solution. Which in turn has understandably
demotivated our volunteers who spent hundreds of hours assisting with
the fiesta.

Having said this, we've come up with a plan to deal with this and
we're still planning on doing another 50 fiestas over the next three
years. Considering 75% of our population has never had an internet
experience, I thought it would be interesting to hear.

If you're interested in reading more about the facts (a few short
current articles show that we're still under a monopoly for all data
connectivity and now have some of the most expensive prices by many
fold). I'm quoted here: http://www.businessday.co.za/articles/
national.aspx?ID=BD4A92253

But our government keeps saying:
"We must modernise the telecommunications sector, and achieve the
best for all South Africans in terms of choice, quality, innovation
and value for money,” and “This is essential to promote a competitive
economy and achieve the target growth rate of 6%. Effective and
competitive telecommunications services must be available to all.”
see http://www.businessday.co.za/articles/national.aspx?ID=BD4A96210
and not doing anything about it....

warm regards,

Alan