Online discussion on State of Broadband in Kenya

Mercy, thanks for pioneering the debate. You have raised the issue of cost
and feeling robbed when you purchase data services, and also lack of
connectivity altogether just miles outside Nairobi. Not only does this
bring digital exclusion where citizens cannot access internet, it also
excludes citizens from government services (e-gpvernment) which citizens
have to get online, with no offline provision. It is mandatory to access
the following government services online only: file taxes, driving
license, passport, birth certificates, death certificates, and many others.

Liz has also raised issues of cost, and also brought a very important angle
of taxation on broadband. What is the tax regime that exists on broadband
and what tax incentives can government give to bridge the access barrier?
We have seen some reports on how taxation on Internet Services in Uganda
lowered number of citizens getting on the Internet. She has also touched on
good use of broadband, and solutions it provides to the community including
helping the government achieve its governance mandate.

On Wed, 24 Apr 2019 at 08:32, kanini mutemi via kictanet <
[email protected]> wrote:

> Morning Kivuva,
>
> Like many Kenyans, I love a double life (both urban and rural). While in
> Nairobi of course I get a good connection- even 4G when I feel rich. What I
> don’t like is the cost. Safaricom is my provider and though the speeds are
> satisfactory- I always feel robbed.
>
> Now in my rural life, there really is no connection. Sometimes even
> shooting a text or making a phone call needs tree-climbing trees. So forget
> about a 4G connection or a Whatsapp message. FYI my county is quite near to
> Nairobi. Every time I experience this it magnifies to me the kind of
> inequality ICT can cause.
>
> On Tue, 23 Apr 2019 at 08:36, Mwendwa Kivuva via kictanet <
> [email protected]> wrote:
>
>> Dear Listers,
>>
>> As notified last week, we are conducting an assessment on the state of
>> play and impact of broadband in Kenya, broadly looking at the
>> socio-economic impact on consumers, businesses and various sectors like
>> agriculture, education, healthcare, finance and government.
>>
>> We are looking at real life examples of impact of broadband, challenges
>> we face in increasing impact of broadband and recommendations on
>> interventions needed to address the challenges identified.
>>
>> For this discussion, we define broadband as any fast internet. Fast
>> enough to serve your intended purpose. We can have an extended definition
>> through the discussion.
>>
>> Some of the questions we should answer are:
>>
>> 1. What is the current state of broadband in Kenya? What is the
>> current coverage of broadband in Kenya? Do you have broadband internet in
>> your area? How affordable is the available broadband?
>> 2. What barriers are there in increasing impact of broadband in Kenya?
>> 3. What recommendations can counter the barriers identified in
>> increasing impact of broadband?
>>
>> Looking forward to a grrat debate.
>> Sincerely,
>> ______________________
>> Mwendwa Kivuva
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>>
>> The Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet) is a multi-stakeholder platform
>> for people and institutions interested and involved in ICT policy and
>> regulation. The network aims to act as a catalyst for reform in the ICT
>> sector in support of the national aim of ICT enabled growth and development.
>>
>> KICTANetiquette : Adhere to the same standards of acceptable behaviors
>> online that you follow in real life: respect people\’s times and bandwidth,
>> share knowledge, don\’t flame or abuse or personalize, respect privacy, do
>> not spam, do not market your wares or qualifications.
>>
> —
> *Mercy Mutemi, Advocate*.
>
>
>
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>
> The Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet) is a multi-stakeholder platform
> for people and institutions interested and involved in ICT policy and
> regulation. The network aims to act as a catalyst for reform in the ICT
> sector in support of the national aim of ICT enabled growth and development.
>
> KICTANetiquette : Adhere to the same standards of acceptable behaviors
> online that you follow in real life: respect people\’s times and bandwidth,
> share knowledge, don\’t flame or abuse or personalize, respect privacy, do
> not spam, do not market your wares or qualifications.
>

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