[Chapter-delegates] ISOC at WSIS Blog

[Alex Gakuru]

Christian,

Kenya embraces help from any household from this global village brought
about by the IP protocol.

Alex

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Christian de Larrinaga" <cdel at firsthand.net>
To: "Alan Levin" <alan at futureperfect.co.za>
Cc: "Alex Gakuru" <gakuru at mail.co.ke>; <chapter-delegates at elists.isoc.org>
Sent: Thursday, September 29, 2005 7:29 PM
Subject: Re: [Chapter-delegates] ISOC at WSIS Blog


Alan

You are building up a big head of steam then.
just don't be standing too close when the pressure cooker blows.

I guess help from uk is out of the question right now?

Christian de Larrinaga
cdel at firsthand.net



On 28 Sep 2005, at 14:54, Alan Levin wrote:


> 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
>
>
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Chapter-delegates mailing list
> Chapter-delegates at elists.isoc.org
> http://elists.isoc.org/mailman/listinfo/chapter-delegates
>
>


Christian de Larrinaga
cdel at firsthand.net