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From: Michuki Mwangi <michuki@kenic.or.ke> To: Maria Dolores Lizarzaburu <mlizarza@darkwing.uoregon.edu> Cc: "Steven G. Huter" <sghuter@nsrc.org> Time: Tue, 30 Aug 2005 11:01:23 +0300 Subject: Kenya Internet Report THE STATUS OF INTERNET IN KENYA AUGUST 2005 =========================================== Within the last year, there have been many changes seen with regards to the services provided in Kenya. LOCAL INFRASTRUCTURE With regards to the local infrastructure many new players have come into the industry providing the end user with competitive products and services. It has also led to the improvement of the quality of services offered. The following have been the key changes: Local traffic is being efficiently peered at the Kenyan Internet Exchange Point (KIXP) which exchanges over 5 mbps during peak times. In addition to the existing Free Space Optics (FSO) available via one of the Public Data Network Operator (PDNO) Kenya Data Networks (KDN) they are now providing 10 -100 mbps links over fibre optics. KIXP currently has 17 members with 14 of them being ISPs. The latest entrant being the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) who have are now providing online services for customs and tax collection services. The traffic to KRA has created a significant boost in traffic at the KIXP. Network Time Protocol (NTP) is the most widely used time synchronization protocol. Through KENIC, a Global Positioning System (GPS) based Stratum 1 NTP server has been set up at KIXP and will provide accuracy to between 10-100 milliseconds to computers in Kenya. This will allow for date and time integrity of electronic data information while building a hierarchical structure that promotes operational stability of the local Internet. Voice over IP (VoIP) was declared legal in December 2004 last year. Internet Service Providers (ISP's) have since surrendered their licenses for modification to allow them carry multimedia traffic. Licenses were then issued to Internet Backbone and Gateway Operators (IBGO) allowing them to carry VoIP in their networks. Mobile phone operators have also been granted the license to operate their International Gateway. In effect, this will eliminate the existing call termination through Telkom Kenya who the operators blame for the poor quality of service. As a result, the consumer will benefit from Consumer Choice, Competition, innovativeness and improved quality of service which should in effect lower the overall cost of communications. Through Kenya Education Network (KENET) 40 academic institutions have been connected to the Internet. By establishing sustainable communication and networking among educational institutions in Kenya it is expected that this will facilitate wide use of Internet technology in teaching, research and sharing of other information resources to the general populace at an affordable cost. Through the Posta Surf, the satellite-based Internet connectivity, is now available in over 60 post offices in Nairobi and outlying areas and has been rolled out to cover 350 offices across the country. Telkom Kenya's Broadband data access using ADSL(Asymmetrical Digital Subscriber Line) services are being offered at a cost of approximately US$175 per month and with speeds of upto 8Mbps downstream. This cost though being relatively cheap is still very expensive for those outside Nairobi. Telkom is also offering a Digital Video Broadcasting (DVB) solution that provides a direct connection to the US backbone allowing for growth of multimedia applications. Mobile Operator Safaricom has introduced GPRS services making Kenya the 3rd African country to offer the service. The GPRS service provides a broadband solution and with mobile access coverage at 80% of the country, the Internet density is significantly increased. Sources confirm that the second mobile operator Celtel is also conducting tests to launch the GPRS service in Kenya. The rate of Kshs. 30 (US$ 0.4) per mbps is charged on the GPRS service. SERVICE PROVIDERS There are currently 69 licensed ISPs in the country. With the end of Jambonet's exclusivity period as an Internet Backbone and Gateway Operator (IB&GO) last year, 5 other organizations have been licensed as IB&GO's. This is supposed to increase the Internet penetration and usage in Kenya through the provision of alternative routes and capacity to the rest of the world. The services currently being offered include dedicated intra-corporate satellite links to closed user groups (Virtual Private Networks) and Internet backbone services. There are 14 licensed PDNOs who are working on improving the local loop connectivity coverage within the country. Notably, there is a race to connect the Western Border of Kenya with the coastal town of Mombasa via fibre optic. In addition, microwave links have also been implemented in between various points as a short-term measure. The National mains power company Kenya Power Company has commenced on a modernization project that will see the implementation of Fibre Optic lines on the power infrastructure for its internal monitoring purposes. However, additional capacity on this infrastructure will be leased off to carriers for telecommunications services. The project is expected to be completed by 2007. The following table shows the amount of bandwidth available currently in Kenya through the licensed IB&GOs. ORGANISATION INBOUND(IN MB) OUTBOUND (IN MB) ========================== ============== ================= JamboNet 28 34 Harun International 6 6 Kenya Data Networks 52 52 Jamii Telecommuncations Ltd 40 40 UUNET Communications 12 27 Geonet Communications 12 12 ------------- ----------------- TOTAL 150 171 Below IB&GOs-VSAT contact information: COMPANY NAME PROVIDER CLIENTELE CONTACT INFORMATION ============= ======== ================= ========================= Jamii Telecom. IBGO Telephone Service POBox 47419-00100 Nairobi Providers, ISPs, Tel: 571184 Corporates, NGOs Fax: 577350 Www.jtl.co.ke Administrative contact: Zack Koech zack@jtl.co.ke Technical contact: John Kamau kamau@jtl.co.ke Kenya Data Networks Ltd IBGO ISPs, Financial PO Box 62499 Nairobi Institutions, NGOs, Tel: 556755/69021900 Corporates Fax: 4441492 Www.kdn.co.ke Administrative/Technical contact: Info@kdn.co.ke Sopanet Tech. IBGO Just starting up. PO Box 8631-00200 Nairobi Tel: 316417 Fax: 020 211341 Www.sopanet.co.ke Administrative/Technical contact: Info@sopanet.co.ke Geonet Commun. IBGO Corporates PO Box 34334-00100 Nairobi Tel: 020572737 Administrative/Technical contact: Info@geonet.com UUNET Commun. IBGO Corporates, ISPs PO Box 12170-00100 Nairobi Solutions Tel: 0206988000 Fax: 6988001 www.uunet.co.ke Administrative/Technical contact: Info@uunet.co.ke Telkom Kenya IBGO NGOs, Banks, PO Box 30301 – 00100 Nairobi Comm. Corporates, Tel: 32032000 VSAT Government, Fax: 251071 Various Industries www.telkom.co.ke Administrative/Technical contact: Noc@telkom.co.ke Alldean Satellite Comm. Corporates PO Box 14400 Nairobi Networks Ltd VSAT Tel: 3743595 Fax:3740827 www.alldeankenya.com Administrative/Technical contact: Info@alldeankenya.com Simbanet.Com Ltd IBGO, Corporates, NGOs PO Box 46728-00100 Nairobi Comm. Tel:020 532349 VSAT Fax:020 533803 www.simbanet.co.ke Administrative/Technical contact: Afsat Commun. Comm. Larger Corporates, PO Box 27554-00506 Nairobi Kenya Ltd VSAT Educational inst, Tel: 020 608617 cyber cafes, NGOs Fax: 020 602826 www.iwayafrica.com Administrative/Technical contact: Psc@afsat-fm.com Harun Intern. Comm. Corporates, Industrie PO Box 10972-00400 Nairobi VSAT Tel: 020 608617 Fax:020 602826 Administrative/Technical Contact: Kmangeli@technocircle.biz EASSY PROJECT The Eastern Africa Submarine System(EASSy) project is undertaking to connect the region to the rest of the world using an optic undersea cable system. This is set to improve the quality of international traffic making it more reliable and offset the limitations of traditional satellite communications. EASSy will link the global submarine cable network through other regional undersea systems including SAT3, SAFE, SEA-ME-WE 3 and SEA-ME-WE 4 thus encircling Africa with high capacity optic fibre telecommunications networks. Through the East Africa Digital Transmission System(EADTS) EASSy will be linked to the hinterland. The project currently consists of an MOU of 18 parties with Telkom Kenya and Kenya Data Networks (first private company to be included) being part of the consortium from Kenya. The project is set to connect Mtunzini in South Africa to Port Sudan in Sudan covering a distance of 9,900km. The investment rules require a minimum investment of US $5 million per party and US$ 10 million per terminal party. Further information can be gleaned from www.eassy.org. UNIVERSAL ACCESS FUND The Universal Access Project is a collaborative funding arrangement between the Communications Commission of Kenya (CCK) and the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) of Canada that was started in August 2003. The general objective of the study was to conduct research and consultations leading to the definition and articulation of strategies, mechanisms and a plan for Universal Access for Kenya's info-communication sector. This is aimed at providing effective public access to quality basic services in rural areas and having Internet Points of Presence in those areas. The study was completed and several projects are set to run over the next 5 years to improve the access. The strategic plans also incorporate proposed changes to the Kenya Communications Act to allow for the implementation of the Universal Access Development programmes. E-GOVERNANCE Kenyan government ministries and departments have introduced and are implementing systems intended to meet their specific needs with regards to Internet and ICT's in a bid to attain e-governance. Some of the systems implemented are: •Kenya Revenue Authority - revenue collection is now being undertaken by modernizing the cargo clearance procedures facilitating payment of customs duty and taxes and electronic exchange of information. •Ministry of Lands has introduced an information system for checking your title deed electronically with the use of Geographical Information System. •Current number of .go.ke websites stands at 93. •A National ICT Policy has been drafted and is awaiting Cabinet approval It suffices to say, a lot has been done. However, opportunities still abound for investment and improvement especially with regards to connectivity all around the country. By providing more stable infrastructure we will have the cost of Internet lowered to a level where even the people in the rural areas can access. There are ongoing case studies to establish ways of promoting development of local content in the region. This will no doubt lead to development in those areas by providing an educational, information and economic platform. Michuki Mwangi <michuki@kenic.or.ke>
