Connectivity Providers Database

From: Michuki Mwangi <michuki@kenic.or.ke> To: Maria Dolores Lizarzaburu <mlizarza@darkwing.uoregon.edu> Cc: "Steven G. Huter" <sghuter@nsrc.org> Time: Mon, 01 Nov 2004 11:52:01 +0300 Subject: Kenya's Internet Update >1) Could you please provide a brief technical description of the >Kenya's external connectivity to the Internet - including upstream >provider(s), international bandwidth of the link(s), etc. ? Telkom Kenya's Jambonet is the sole external Internet backbone provider. Despite the expiry of the incumbents exclusivity on June 30th, Additional Internet backbone and gateway providers are yet to be licensed. Currently 10 organizations have so far been gazetted for a 60 day period after which the licenses will be issued on a first-come-first-served basis. The Internet backbone and gateway license costs Kshs 15 Million. Currently Jambonet has the following configuration for its outbound and inbound connectivity. Provider Outbound Inbound -------- -------- ------- Teleglobe 1 8 8 Teleglobe 2 2 2 Intelsat 8 8 British Telcom 8 8 IP Planet 2 8 -------- -------- Total 28 34 In addition, most of the ISP's have their own Satellite Down links using DVB technology which is legal. There is no current data on the total average down links capacity owned by the service providers. It may also interest you to note that the Kenyan Internet Exchange Point (KIXP) exchanges over 3 mbps during peak times and the IX has bandwidth capacity of 144 mbps on Free Space Optics (FSO). >2)What has happened since the liberalization of the communications >sector in Kenya? Who are the new players with international >connectivity? The government of Kenya in 1998 established the Communications Regulator Communications Commission of Kenya to facilitate the liberalization of the communications sector in Kenya. Consequently the following changes developments have been noted starting with the most recent. * Ongoing restructuring of the Market Licensing segments to a 3 tier structure i.e Infrastructure, Application and Content Service Providers * Legalizing of VoIP Operations to Network, Data Operators and ISP's (Sept. 2004) * The Gazetting of additional Internet backbone and gateway providers Sept. 2004 soon to be licensed * Granting mobile operators license to operate their own International Gateways (Sept. 2004) * Abolishment of license auction system to a first come first served basis structure.(Sept.2004) * Creation if Information and Communications ministry in June 2004 * Licensing of 3rd Mobile Operator in 2004 * Opened bidding process for Second National Operator 2003 * Licensing of 3 additional Public Data Network Operators in 2003 * Licensing of additional 2 additional VSAT Operators in 2003 * Government facilitation in the establishment of the .KE ccTLD 200-2003 * The licensing and opening of the Kenya Internet Exchange Point in 2002 * The licensing of Regional Telecommunications Operators (RTO's) * Licensing of 2 Mobile operators in 2000 with over 1.5M subscribers as at Jan. 2004 * Licensing of over 30 Internet Service Providers (ISP's) Currently, no new players have been licensed to provide International connectivity. However, 10 applicants have been gazetted for a 60 day period after which those who meet the requirements and pay the license fees shall be issued with the license to operate International gateways. >3)What do you see as the prospects for Internet growth in Kenya; >what would help it, and what are currently the major obstacles? A recent ICT Policy multi-stakeholder workshop held in October 2004 provided an opportunity to identify the existing obstacles in ICT development in Kenya. At the end of the workshop, the multi-stakeholder groups agreed that there is a glaring absence of legislation to underpin and encourage mainstreaming of ICTs into Kenyan society. In addition, there is need to update, harmonize and where appropriate draft new legislation. In particular lobby for an ICT Act. This must encompass review of existing legislation and institutions in Kenya Further, the Government has realized the potential of ICT's in the social,economic growth and has constituted reforms aimed at promoting ICT's. Notably, the Communications Regulator, CCK has revised its market and licensing structure after the post exclusivity of Telkom Kenya that ended on June 30 2004. The new licensing approach will consolidate certain telecommunications license categories in line with the technological realities of convergence. The licensing frame work provides for the licensing of additional Internet backbone and gateway operators, broadcast signal operators and commercial VSAT operators on a first-come-first-served basis. The new regime further allows the operators to carry any form of multi-media traffic. This provision allows (legalizes) VoIP operations in Kenya. In addition, the CCK has finalized a survey on Universal Service commissioned to evaluate the mechanisms and implementations towards realizing Universal access in Kenya. The Universal service will provide opportunities to provide ICT's to the rural remote and disadvantaged areas of Kenya where an estimated 80% of the Kenyan population resides. The Kenyan Government has commenced implementation of e-governance structure aimed at improving the delivery of services and improving on the governments operational efficiency. These coupled up with ongoing discussions on the various policies are creating numerous prospects in the growth of Internet and ICT's in Kenya and most importantly to attract both foreign and local investment in the sector. -- Michuki Mwangi <michuki@kenic.or.ke> KENIC.