Review of Department of Communications' colloquium on an integrated national ICT policy
The ICT sector needs to be enabled to make the contribution it should be making to the economic growth, job creation and the deepening of democracy. For too long the sector has been stifled by policy that has resulted in poor access to the full range of services and information required for effective participation by all in the economy and polity and suboptimal use of them as a result of high prices and poor quality, where there is access to them.
Editorial by Alison Gillwald, Executive Director of Research ICT Africa, on the Department of Communications' colloquium on an integrated national ICT policy.
The ICT sector needs to be enabled to make the contribution it should be making to the economic growth, job creation and the deepening of democracy. For too long the sector has been stifled by policy that has resulted in poor access to the full range of services and information required for effective participation by all in the economy and polity and suboptimal use of them as a result of high prices and poor quality, where there is access to them.
Editorial by Alison Gillwald, Executive Director of Research ICT Africa, on the Department of Communications' colloquium on an integrated national ICT policy.
Myth buster on reasons for SA high prepaid mobile pricing
The reactions of various interest groups to a yearlong study by RIA into pre-paid mobile prices across the continent, and South Africa’s relatively poor showing in it, are perhaps not surprising. They nevertheless prompt clarification and hopefully further debate - before the issue of the high price of communications in South is again swept under the carpet. Research ICT Africa Executive Director, Alison Gillwald responds.
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The reactions of various interest groups to a yearlong study by RIA into pre-paid mobile prices across the continent, and South Africa’s relatively poor showing in it, are perhaps not surprising. They nevertheless prompt clarification and hopefully further debate - before the issue of the high price of communications in South is again swept under the carpet. Research ICT Africa Executive Director, Alison Gillwald responds.
Read more...
Africa Prepaid Mobile Price Index 2012: South Africa
Among 46 African countries studied, South Africa ranks poorly for prepaid mobile telephony affordability. Ranked 30th out of 46 African states, South Africa is now far behind countries where the regulator, unlike in South Africa, has enabled competition by enforcing cost-based mobile termination rates. The resulting competition has in many cases driven down prices for consumers. Not long ago, South Africa and Namibia shared the same mobile termination rates and had similar end-user prices. Today, Namibia enjoys amongst the cheapest mobile prepaid prices in Africa, as a result of the slashing of its termination rates close to cost, which pressured the incumbents towards cost-based pricing, thereby increasing demand and remaining highly profitable.
Download the policy brief
Download Research ICT Africa's asnwers to the following technical questions from the media:
1. Why did you focus only on prepaid?
2. Do you expect prices to decline further next year when MTRs drop to 40c?
3. Could you send through the January 2012 OECD Lower User Baske costs in USD table that includes PPP factor?
Among 46 African countries studied, South Africa ranks poorly for prepaid mobile telephony affordability. Ranked 30th out of 46 African states, South Africa is now far behind countries where the regulator, unlike in South Africa, has enabled competition by enforcing cost-based mobile termination rates. The resulting competition has in many cases driven down prices for consumers. Not long ago, South Africa and Namibia shared the same mobile termination rates and had similar end-user prices. Today, Namibia enjoys amongst the cheapest mobile prepaid prices in Africa, as a result of the slashing of its termination rates close to cost, which pressured the incumbents towards cost-based pricing, thereby increasing demand and remaining highly profitable.Download the policy brief
Download Research ICT Africa's asnwers to the following technical questions from the media:
1. Why did you focus only on prepaid?
2. Do you expect prices to decline further next year when MTRs drop to 40c?
3. Could you send through the January 2012 OECD Lower User Baske costs in USD table that includes PPP factor?
"Money, Real Quick", a book on M-Pesa and Mobile Money
Tonny Omwansa and Nicholas Sullivan have published "Money, Real Quick", a book on M-Pesa and Mobile Money. The book expounds on the innovation, the execution and impact of M-Pesa, the mobile money service operated in Kenya by Safaricom and is now available in several other countries. The nine chapter book is a comprehensive, easy to read, broad-range narrative of a technological innovation being exported from Africa.
You can get a copy of the book at the following link.
Tonny Omwansa and Nicholas Sullivan have published "Money, Real Quick", a book on M-Pesa and Mobile Money. The book expounds on the innovation, the execution and impact of M-Pesa, the mobile money service operated in Kenya by Safaricom and is now available in several other countries. The nine chapter book is a comprehensive, easy to read, broad-range narrative of a technological innovation being exported from Africa.You can get a copy of the book at the following link.
Broadband price drop expected
Article by Lloyd Gedye published in Mail & Guardian.
Consumers can look forward to even cheaper broadband prices, with many new undersea cables set to come online within the next 18 months. It is unclear how much of a decrease is likely, but talk in the industry is of a 10% to 20% drop in local prices, which are regarded as being among the highest in the world.
Read more...
Article by Lloyd Gedye published in Mail & Guardian.
Consumers can look forward to even cheaper broadband prices, with many new undersea cables set to come online within the next 18 months. It is unclear how much of a decrease is likely, but talk in the industry is of a 10% to 20% drop in local prices, which are regarded as being among the highest in the world.
Read more...
CPRafrica 2012 /CPRsouth7 2012 - Call for Abstracts
Connecting Africa & Asia: ICT Policy research and practice for the Global South
The third CPRafrica will take place from 5 - 7 September 2012 together with CPRsouth in Mauritius.
Introduction
Communication Policy Research Africa (CPRafrica) encourages intellectual endeavour and research in the area of ICT policy and regulation in Africa through the creation of a forum in which African academics and researchers can engage on and profile their research and contribute to global debates from an African perspective. The overall objective is to nurture policy intellectuals capable of informed and effective intervention in ICT policy and regulatory processes in specific country contexts. This is an initiative of Research ICT Africa and draws on similar initiative by LIRNEasia – CPRsouth. For the first time in 2012 these two partners will hold their conferences jointly in Mauritius. There is no more appropriate setting for this conference. Mauritius, itself an amalgam of Africa and Asia, is one of the most dynamic ICT markets on the African continent.
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Mobile broadband QoS and measuring social media at the ITU WTIM
The 9th ITU World Telecommunication/ICT Indicators Meeting (WTIM), held in Mauritius from the 7 to 9 December 2011, focused on emerging issues related to ICT indicators such as new indicators to measure mobile broadband subscriptions and tariffs, and broadband speed and quality of service; measuring e-waste; and assessing current ICT access and usage trends through household ICT surveys.
Enrico Calandro from Research ICT Africa made a presentation on “Measuring the use of social media through household surveys”. In the Conclusions and Recommendations of the meeting, the assembly agreed that the development of new indicators through household surveys was necessary to reflect recent trends and the growth in new applications such as social media and mobile Internet. In the discussion on indicator definitions and measurements, Calandro suggested to the Expert Group on Telecommunications Indicator to expand the QoS indicators to include not only fixed-broadband but also mobile-broadband services, taking into account the African context where the majority of broadband connections are wireless.
The 9th ITU World Telecommunication/ICT Indicators Meeting (WTIM), held in Mauritius from the 7 to 9 December 2011, focused on emerging issues related to ICT indicators such as new indicators to measure mobile broadband subscriptions and tariffs, and broadband speed and quality of service; measuring e-waste; and assessing current ICT access and usage trends through household ICT surveys.Enrico Calandro from Research ICT Africa made a presentation on “Measuring the use of social media through household surveys”. In the Conclusions and Recommendations of the meeting, the assembly agreed that the development of new indicators through household surveys was necessary to reflect recent trends and the growth in new applications such as social media and mobile Internet. In the discussion on indicator definitions and measurements, Calandro suggested to the Expert Group on Telecommunications Indicator to expand the QoS indicators to include not only fixed-broadband but also mobile-broadband services, taking into account the African context where the majority of broadband connections are wireless.
Young Scholars Tutorials 2012
Young Scholars Seminar
3-4 September 2012 - Mauritius
Twenty Young Scholars from Africa and Asia will be selected to participate in the conference without having to fulfill the paper acceptance qualifications and to attend an ICT policy research seminar prior to the conference to allow them to participate more effectively.
Read more...
Young Scholars Seminar
3-4 September 2012 - Mauritius
Twenty Young Scholars from Africa and Asia will be selected to participate in the conference without having to fulfill the paper acceptance qualifications and to attend an ICT policy research seminar prior to the conference to allow them to participate more effectively.
Read more...
More criticism of telecoms law amendments
Article by Craig Wilson published in TechCentral.
Instead of taking away oversight and management of SA’s radio frequency spectrum from the Independent Communications Authority of SA (Icasa) and centralising it in the office of the minister of communications, government should be trying to assist the authority to better perform its tasks.
That’s the view of Alison Gillwald, executive director of research at ICT Africa and adjunct professor at the University of Cape Town’s GSB Infrastructure Reform and Regulation Programme. She was reacting to planned amendments to the 2005 Electronic Communications Act, which would take away control over spectrum from Icasa and hand it to the communications minister.
Read more...
Article by Craig Wilson published in TechCentral.
Instead of taking away oversight and management of SA’s radio frequency spectrum from the Independent Communications Authority of SA (Icasa) and centralising it in the office of the minister of communications, government should be trying to assist the authority to better perform its tasks.
That’s the view of Alison Gillwald, executive director of research at ICT Africa and adjunct professor at the University of Cape Town’s GSB Infrastructure Reform and Regulation Programme. She was reacting to planned amendments to the 2005 Electronic Communications Act, which would take away control over spectrum from Icasa and hand it to the communications minister.
Read more...
SA fails test of network society
Article by Dr Alison Gillwald, RIA Executive Director, on the output of a two-day seminar with Manuel Castells at the Centre for Higher Education and Training (CHET), an independent and oversight think tank. The seminar aimed at engaging some of the country's leading economists and policy makers in a discussion on South African informational development.
See link for full article.
Article by Dr Alison Gillwald, RIA Executive Director, on the output of a two-day seminar with Manuel Castells at the Centre for Higher Education and Training (CHET), an independent and oversight think tank. The seminar aimed at engaging some of the country's leading economists and policy makers in a discussion on South African informational development.
See link for full article.
IIC 2011: Trends in Global Communications: Making Digital Society a Universal Reality
Presentation by RIA Executive Director, Dr Alison Gillwald delivered at the IIC 2011 Annual Conference: Trends in Global Communications: Making Digital Society a Universal Reality, 3-4 October 2011, Johannesburg.
Download the presentation on Deploying broadband on an unprecedented scale.
Presentation by RIA Executive Director, Dr Alison Gillwald delivered at the IIC 2011 Annual Conference: Trends in Global Communications: Making Digital Society a Universal Reality, 3-4 October 2011, Johannesburg.
Download the presentation on Deploying broadband on an unprecedented scale.
Giganet - Nairobi 26 September 2011
Presentation by RIA Executive Director, Dr Alison Gillwald delivered at GigaNet conference, co-hosted by Research ICT Africa on 26 September 2011, and held alongside the Internet Governance Forum being held for the first time in Africa in Nairobi this week.
Download the Giganet Nairobi Presentation
Presentation by RIA Executive Director, Dr Alison Gillwald delivered at GigaNet conference, co-hosted by Research ICT Africa on 26 September 2011, and held alongside the Internet Governance Forum being held for the first time in Africa in Nairobi this week.
Download the Giganet Nairobi Presentation
2011 Africa Fair Mobile Index: Dynamic changes
The Fair Mobile Index aims at communicating the real value of mobile voice services and at comparing differences in mobile voice services value across the African continent.
It allows for the comparison of mobile services tariffs in all African countries in relation to the value of a widely used commodity with which citizens are likely to be familiar such as cooking oil, sugar or tea. The following report is based on all pre-paid tariffs publicly available (from operators’ websites) from all operators of each country on the continent in April, May and June 2011.
Download the second quarterly report.
The Fair Mobile Index aims at communicating the real value of mobile voice services and at comparing differences in mobile voice services value across the African continent. It allows for the comparison of mobile services tariffs in all African countries in relation to the value of a widely used commodity with which citizens are likely to be familiar such as cooking oil, sugar or tea. The following report is based on all pre-paid tariffs publicly available (from operators’ websites) from all operators of each country on the continent in April, May and June 2011.
Download the second quarterly report.
Household, Small Business & Public Institutional e-Access & Usage Survey 2011
Research ICT Africa seeks to build an African evidence and knowledge base in support of ICT policy and regulatory processes, and to monitor and review policy and regulatory developments on the continent. Part of this effort is the generation of relevant information for policy makers and regulators. The RIA 2011 e-Access & Usage Survey delivers nationally representative indicators on household, individual and small business level. The survey uses national census sampling frames in co-operation with National Statistical Offices to deliver crucial data in a cost effective way.
Download the household methodology brief
Nodal partner Godfred Frempong with Nielsen field team in Accra
Research ICT Africa seeks to build an African evidence and knowledge base in support of ICT policy and regulatory processes, and to monitor and review policy and regulatory developments on the continent. Part of this effort is the generation of relevant information for policy makers and regulators. The RIA 2011 e-Access & Usage Survey delivers nationally representative indicators on household, individual and small business level. The survey uses national census sampling frames in co-operation with National Statistical Offices to deliver crucial data in a cost effective way.
Download the household methodology brief
Mobile Internet to close the Data Divide in Namibia
A nationally representative survey conducted by Research ICT Africa (RIA) in co-operation with the Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (CRAN) from June to August 2011 revealed that 56.2% of Namibians owned a mobile phone and 91.8% of these were prepaid. Of those without a mobile phone, 41% had used one in the past three months and 28% owned an active SIM card. Of those people with a mobile phone 22.7% used it to browse the Internet and 17.3% for using social networking applications such as Facebook. Voice is clearly dominated by prepaid and so is data. Of those that use the mobile to access the Internet 79% are prepaid. For mobile access of social networking applications the prepaid share is 79.7%.
Looking at the Internet use more generally 13.4% of Namibians who are 15 years or older used the Internet in 2011. More than a third of those Internet users, 37.9%, started using the Internet first on a mobile phone. Internet users were asked where they accessed the Internet during the past 12 months and 55.9% accessed it on a mobile telephone, 22.8% in an internet café, 36% at a place of education and 48.4% at work. The mobile is reducing the importance public Internet access facilities. However, 27.1% of those the used the mobile to access the internet also used an internet café for access, hinting to mobile use as being partly complimentary to other sources of access.The increasing reliance upon the mobile phone and applications that lend themselves to the mobile platform – such as social media - indicate that the mobile phone is a key entry point for Internet adoption in Namibia. The mobile phone is thus not only narrowing the voice gap in Namibia but is being used to reduce the data gap.
MOBILE PRICE WARS BRING AFFORDABILITY TO AFRICAN MOBILE USERS
MTC Namibia reduced prices aggressively in June 2011. Namibia moved up in the ranking of most affordable mobile prepaid prices from 22nd place in March 2011 to 8th in June 2011.
A MTC subscriber in Namibia pays USD2.81 in Namibia for an OECD Low User Basket (2006 definition) which equates to 46 minutes and 33 sms in a month.
MTC Namibia launched a 38 Namibian cents campaign for calls across networks with 100 free SMS a day subject to recharging. This reduces prices from N$ 1.50 per minute for Tango Per Second to 38 Namibia cent for example - a 75% drop.
Communicating policy research
Policy researchers acknowledge that communicating policy research is as challenging as collecting and analysing data. Ivan Colic, founder of Afrographique, tackles this challenge by profession. He collects as much data as possible with the aim of presenting the information in an exciting and digestible format to all.
I had the opportunity to listen to his talk during the TEDx event held in Stellenbosch, Cape Town, on the 29th of July 2011. Following is an example of his work in presenting very easy-to-read data and statistics.
Policy researchers acknowledge that communicating policy research is as challenging as collecting and analysing data. Ivan Colic, founder of Afrographique, tackles this challenge by profession. He collects as much data as possible with the aim of presenting the information in an exciting and digestible format to all.
I had the opportunity to listen to his talk during the TEDx event held in Stellenbosch, Cape Town, on the 29th of July 2011. Following is an example of his work in presenting very easy-to-read data and statistics.
Policy and Regulatory Barriers for Extension of Networks
In the following short video, Alison Gillwald speaks about the policy and regulatory barriers for extension of networks and services and the challenges of next generation regulation for creating enabling environments for the expansion of IP-based public and private services in the emerging ICT ecosystem.The interview and the video have been produced by eTransform AFRICA.
In the following short video, Alison Gillwald speaks about the policy and regulatory barriers for extension of networks and services and the challenges of next generation regulation for creating enabling environments for the expansion of IP-based public and private services in the emerging ICT ecosystem.The interview and the video have been produced by eTransform AFRICA.
Research ICT Africa Annual Report 2010/2011
Through the development of an Africa-wide research network, RIA aims to build an African knowledge base in support of ICT policy and regulatory processes, and to monitor and review policy and regulatory developments on the continent in terms of public policy objectives.
The primary focus in this past phase (2008–2010) has been on the supply side of the supply and demand research cycle. In this phase RIA conducted ICT sector performance review and the telecommunications regulatory environment surveys in 17 African countries and analysed them comparatively. In addition, a number of case studies identified important developments or innovations within the ICT sector requiring documentation and analysis.
Download the Annual Report 2010/2011
Through the development of an Africa-wide research network, RIA aims to build an African knowledge base in support of ICT policy and regulatory processes, and to monitor and review policy and regulatory developments on the continent in terms of public policy objectives. The primary focus in this past phase (2008–2010) has been on the supply side of the supply and demand research cycle. In this phase RIA conducted ICT sector performance review and the telecommunications regulatory environment surveys in 17 African countries and analysed them comparatively. In addition, a number of case studies identified important developments or innovations within the ICT sector requiring documentation and analysis.
Download the Annual Report 2010/2011
Fair Mobile
The cost of communication varies across the continent. Fair competition is the key to bringing prices to affordable levels while proving efficient incentives to invest.
The Fair Mobile Index tracks price developments for mobile telecommunication across the African continent. The purpose is to establish price transparency for consumers, allow for the benchmarking of affordability across countries and to provide tools to assess the impact of policies and regulatory interventions.
Download the 2011 Q1 Fair mobile: Approaches and measurement report
The cost of communication varies across the continent. Fair competition is the key to bringing prices to affordable levels while proving efficient incentives to invest. The Fair Mobile Index tracks price developments for mobile telecommunication across the African continent. The purpose is to establish price transparency for consumers, allow for the benchmarking of affordability across countries and to provide tools to assess the impact of policies and regulatory interventions.
Download the 2011 Q1 Fair mobile: Approaches and measurement report
SA National Planning Commission highlights the decline of the ICT sector
RIA Executive Director Dr Gillwald contributed to the telecommunications component of the Material Conditions committee contribution to the recently released National Planning Commission report. RIA welcomes the acknowledgement of ICT as a driver of the economic growth and development in the diagnostic report and to see it firmly on the national agenda again.
Growth in South Africa's ICT sector has not been accompanied by a realisation of the primary policy objectives of affordable access, for all, to the full range of communications services that characterise modern economies. South Africa has lost its status as continental leader in internet and voice connectivity, with its place on global ICT indices also usurped by former comparator countries, such as Malaysia, Turkey and Korea (DBSA 2011 b). Where Korea and South Africa were comparatively placed on ITU ratings IS to 20 years ago. Korea is now a top global performer (Gillwald 2011). South Africa's ranking on the ITU ICT Development Index has slipped from 72nd in 2002, to 92nd in 2008 (DBSA 201 Ib). While ICT is driven primarily by private investment and private operators, it is guided by national regulatory frameworks which, judged on the basis of their outcomes, have not proven to be particularly effective.
See link for full report
RIA Executive Director Dr Gillwald contributed to the telecommunications component of the Material Conditions committee contribution to the recently released National Planning Commission report. RIA welcomes the acknowledgement of ICT as a driver of the economic growth and development in the diagnostic report and to see it firmly on the national agenda again. Growth in South Africa's ICT sector has not been accompanied by a realisation of the primary policy objectives of affordable access, for all, to the full range of communications services that characterise modern economies. South Africa has lost its status as continental leader in internet and voice connectivity, with its place on global ICT indices also usurped by former comparator countries, such as Malaysia, Turkey and Korea (DBSA 2011 b). Where Korea and South Africa were comparatively placed on ITU ratings IS to 20 years ago. Korea is now a top global performer (Gillwald 2011). South Africa's ranking on the ITU ICT Development Index has slipped from 72nd in 2002, to 92nd in 2008 (DBSA 201 Ib). While ICT is driven primarily by private investment and private operators, it is guided by national regulatory frameworks which, judged on the basis of their outcomes, have not proven to be particularly effective.
See link for full report
Amy Mahan Scholarship Awards
As part of the initiative to build African ICT policy skills, and in remembrance of RIA partner Amy Mahan, six students were awarded scholarships to undertake PhDs in the area of ICT policy and regulation or indicators.
In celebration of the life of Amy Mahan and in recognition of the passionate commitment to the improvement of the lives of those most marginalised in society she demonstrated through her research, collaboration and mentorship.
Names and topics
Wolde Amde
Emerging Information Communication Technology and Social Context: Exploring how ICT uptake and usage are mediated by social context, and the impact of ICT on social transformation in Ethiopia
University of the Western Cape - PhD in Public Health
Enrico Calandro
Regionalism and ICT sector development in Southern Africa
University of Cape Town - Graduate School of Business
Cecilia Matanga
The Role of Parliament in ICT Policy and Regulations Reforms in Africa
University of Cape Town - Graduate School of Business
Margaret Ndungu
Development Outcomes of Internet and Mobile Phone Usage to Households’ Quality of Life in Kenya
University of Nairobi, School of Computing and Informatics
Muriuki Mureithi
Strategies to harmonise ICT policy and regulatory frameworks in East African Community for regional integration
Accra Institute of Technology Ghana
As part of the initiative to build African ICT policy skills, and in remembrance of RIA partner Amy Mahan, six students were awarded scholarships to undertake PhDs in the area of ICT policy and regulation or indicators. In celebration of the life of Amy Mahan and in recognition of the passionate commitment to the improvement of the lives of those most marginalised in society she demonstrated through her research, collaboration and mentorship.
Names and topics
Wolde Amde
Emerging Information Communication Technology and Social Context: Exploring how ICT uptake and usage are mediated by social context, and the impact of ICT on social transformation in Ethiopia
University of the Western Cape - PhD in Public Health
Enrico Calandro
Regionalism and ICT sector development in Southern Africa
University of Cape Town - Graduate School of Business
Cecilia Matanga
The Role of Parliament in ICT Policy and Regulations Reforms in Africa
University of Cape Town - Graduate School of Business
Margaret Ndungu
Development Outcomes of Internet and Mobile Phone Usage to Households’ Quality of Life in Kenya
University of Nairobi, School of Computing and Informatics
Muriuki Mureithi
Strategies to harmonise ICT policy and regulatory frameworks in East African Community for regional integration
Accra Institute of Technology Ghana
Mamadou Ly
L'accès et l'utilisation des TIC en Afrique subsaharienne: analyse de la pauvreté numérique à partir des micros données/ Acces to and usage of ICT in Subsaharan contries: Digital Poverty Analysis at micro level
Cheikh Anta DIOP 's University. PhD course is economic (applied macroeconomic)
Uganda: Phone calls to cost more after 'order'
The Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) has issued new directives to telecom operators, barring them from lowering call rates beyond a certain minimum.
In the directives, issued last Friday, telecom operators will not be allowed to charge on-net telephone calling rates lower than 70 per cent of inter-connection rates.
Interconnection rates, which is the money that a telecom company pays to others when callers make cross-network calls, currently stand at Shs131 per minute, the highest in the region.
Read more in Daily Monitor
The Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) has issued new directives to telecom operators, barring them from lowering call rates beyond a certain minimum.
In the directives, issued last Friday, telecom operators will not be allowed to charge on-net telephone calling rates lower than 70 per cent of inter-connection rates.
Interconnection rates, which is the money that a telecom company pays to others when callers make cross-network calls, currently stand at Shs131 per minute, the highest in the region.
Read more in Daily Monitor
Kenya: Kibaki Stops Further Drop in Mobile Call Charges
President Kibaki has stopped further cuts in mobile phone termination charges, giving telecom operators reprieve from a looming renewal of tariff wars.
In a directive issued after a meeting with telecoms operators on May 18, the President ordered an immediate stop to the reduction of termination charges - signalling that it will take some time before the operators get new headroom to cut call costs as has happened in the past 10 months.
The decision, which has since been ratified by industry regulator, the Communications Commission of Kenya's (CCK) board, means that the interconnection charges - the fee that operators levy calls terminating within their networks from outside - will remain at current levels in the medium term, giving the operators some level of revenue predictability.
Read more in Business Daily
President Kibaki has stopped further cuts in mobile phone termination charges, giving telecom operators reprieve from a looming renewal of tariff wars.
In a directive issued after a meeting with telecoms operators on May 18, the President ordered an immediate stop to the reduction of termination charges - signalling that it will take some time before the operators get new headroom to cut call costs as has happened in the past 10 months.
The decision, which has since been ratified by industry regulator, the Communications Commission of Kenya's (CCK) board, means that the interconnection charges - the fee that operators levy calls terminating within their networks from outside - will remain at current levels in the medium term, giving the operators some level of revenue predictability.
Read more in Business Daily
Comparative ICT Sector Performance Review 2009/2010
Towards evidence-based ICT policy and regulation - Volume 2 Paper 5
Although the telecommunications sector in sub-Saharan Africa, particularly the mobile market, has experienced significant growth, outcomes have been sub-optimal in many respects. While some markets, such as Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria and Senegal, are very dynamic, as a whole Africa continues to lag behind other regions both in terms of the percentage of people with access to the full range of communications services and the amounts and manner in which they can be used – primarily as a result of the high cost of services. The cost of wholesale telecommunication services as an input for other economic activities remains high, escalating the cost of business in most countries. In addition, the contribution of ICT to gross domestic product, with some exceptions in North Africa, Senegal and the Indian Ocean island states, is considerably less than global averages and what it would be if it were being used more widely as a lever for economic growth on the continent.
Download the paper
Towards evidence-based ICT policy and regulation - Volume 2 Paper 5
Although the telecommunications sector in sub-Saharan Africa, particularly the mobile market, has experienced significant growth, outcomes have been sub-optimal in many respects. While some markets, such as Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria and Senegal, are very dynamic, as a whole Africa continues to lag behind other regions both in terms of the percentage of people with access to the full range of communications services and the amounts and manner in which they can be used – primarily as a result of the high cost of services. The cost of wholesale telecommunication services as an input for other economic activities remains high, escalating the cost of business in most countries. In addition, the contribution of ICT to gross domestic product, with some exceptions in North Africa, Senegal and the Indian Ocean island states, is considerably less than global averages and what it would be if it were being used more widely as a lever for economic growth on the continent.Download the paper
South Africa Sector Performance Review 2009/2010
Towards evidence-based ICT policy and regulation - Volume 2 Paper 6
The South African telecoms sector has been in flux over the last decade from a policy and regulatory perspective. Sub-optimal outcomes after the first phase of reform saw the partial privatisation of the incumbent and the entry of a third mobile operator. In the second phase another national fixed-line operator entered the market and the market was further liberalised through the enactment of the Electronic Communications Act in 2005. This was hailed as legislation that unshackled the market constraints and enabled the optimisation of a converged environment. But the anticipated opening up of the market has been hampered by a number of legal and regulatory bottlenecks. The Act placed an onerous administrative task on the regulator. This ranged from the conversion of existing licensees to the new horizontal licensing framework, to the coordination of market definition studies for the resulting new competitive market regulation. As a result, the period under review – 2008–2009 – has seen the telecoms industry in a state of stagnation, confusion and litigation.
Download the paper
Towards evidence-based ICT policy and regulation - Volume 2 Paper 6
The South African telecoms sector has been in flux over the last decade from a policy and regulatory perspective. Sub-optimal outcomes after the first phase of reform saw the partial privatisation of the incumbent and the entry of a third mobile operator. In the second phase another national fixed-line operator entered the market and the market was further liberalised through the enactment of the Electronic Communications Act in 2005. This was hailed as legislation that unshackled the market constraints and enabled the optimisation of a converged environment. But the anticipated opening up of the market has been hampered by a number of legal and regulatory bottlenecks. The Act placed an onerous administrative task on the regulator. This ranged from the conversion of existing licensees to the new horizontal licensing framework, to the coordination of market definition studies for the resulting new competitive market regulation. As a result, the period under review – 2008–2009 – has seen the telecoms industry in a state of stagnation, confusion and litigation. Download the paper
Lower termination fees may spark telecoms turnaround
Article by Alison Gillwald published in BusinessDay.
Much has been made of Vodacom ’s R800m loss of revenue in the six months to September, owing to the reduction in termination rates from R1,25 to 89c in March, reported in its interim results last week.
As if to confirm the dire warnings by MTN and Vodacom following the decision by the Independent Communications Authority of SA (Icasa) late last month to cut further the rates of dominant operators, this loss of revenue has been used to flag the threat of a future loss of earnings that would have been received from terminating the calls of their competitors on their networks.
Read more...
Article by Alison Gillwald published in BusinessDay.
Much has been made of Vodacom ’s R800m loss of revenue in the six months to September, owing to the reduction in termination rates from R1,25 to 89c in March, reported in its interim results last week.
As if to confirm the dire warnings by MTN and Vodacom following the decision by the Independent Communications Authority of SA (Icasa) late last month to cut further the rates of dominant operators, this loss of revenue has been used to flag the threat of a future loss of earnings that would have been received from terminating the calls of their competitors on their networks.
Read more...
Refarming frequencies in rural areas: a regulatory perspective
Enrico Calandro's paper "Refarming frequencies in rural areas: a regulatory perspective", presented in Lima, Peru, during the ACORN-REDECOM Conference, has been published in the SSRN - ERN Economics of Networks eJournal Vol. 3 No. 77, 05/27/2011. The paper is available on the following link.
Enrico Calandro's paper "Refarming frequencies in rural areas: a regulatory perspective", presented in Lima, Peru, during the ACORN-REDECOM Conference, has been published in the SSRN - ERN Economics of Networks eJournal Vol. 3 No. 77, 05/27/2011. The paper is available on the following link.
Benchmarking National Communications Regulatory Authority Websites 2010
Towards evidence-based ICT policy and regulation - Volume 2 Paper 2
This paper provides an executive overview of the communications sector’s National Regulatory Authorities’ (NRAs’) website benchmark results for Africa in 2010, which were evaluated between March and April 2010. The analysis ranks the online component of information provision and facilitation of regulatory processes.
This study follows previous regional surveys conducted in 2008 (Kerretts-Makau, 2009) and in 2004-05 (Mahan, 2004), which examined the extent to which regulators were using websites to inform and communicate with the public – including consumers and citizens, the private sector, media actors and researchers and other governmental and non-governmental organizations.
The benchmarking assessment documents the incidence of different aspects that are important for a regulator’s web presence across the categories of basic information and responsiveness, factual information about the national telecom sector, consumer and citizen information including universal service and complaints procedures, business related information and forms, and information about the regulator and regulatory processes.
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Towards evidence-based ICT policy and regulation - Volume 2 Paper 2
This paper provides an executive overview of the communications sector’s National Regulatory Authorities’ (NRAs’) website benchmark results for Africa in 2010, which were evaluated between March and April 2010. The analysis ranks the online component of information provision and facilitation of regulatory processes. This study follows previous regional surveys conducted in 2008 (Kerretts-Makau, 2009) and in 2004-05 (Mahan, 2004), which examined the extent to which regulators were using websites to inform and communicate with the public – including consumers and citizens, the private sector, media actors and researchers and other governmental and non-governmental organizations.
The benchmarking assessment documents the incidence of different aspects that are important for a regulator’s web presence across the categories of basic information and responsiveness, factual information about the national telecom sector, consumer and citizen information including universal service and complaints procedures, business related information and forms, and information about the regulator and regulatory processes.
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Senegal ICT Sector Performance Review 2010
Towards evidence-based ICT policy and regulation - Volume 2 Paper 20
In 1994, the International Telecommunications Union ranked Senegal ahead of other sub-Saharan countries in terms of penetration growth and service quality. Senegal has made significant investments in the ICT sector. The country has been connected to the Internet since April 1996, and services linked to New Information and Communication Technologies (NICT) are booming. The network is made up almost entirely of fibre optic cables.
The institutional environment of the telecommunications sector is marked by the presence of a public authority, which determines sector policy. This policy is based on a system of which the President of the Republic is at the centre. Under the aegis of the Special Advisor of the President of the Republic (who is in charge of new information and communication technologies), there are two essential state policy instruments in this area. They are the Agence de l’informatique de l’État (ADIE) and the Agence de régulation des télécommunications et des postes (ARTP), both associated with the Secretary General of the President of the Republic.
Download the paper - French version
Download the paper - English version
Towards evidence-based ICT policy and regulation - Volume 2 Paper 20
In 1994, the International Telecommunications Union ranked Senegal ahead of other sub-Saharan countries in terms of penetration growth and service quality. Senegal has made significant investments in the ICT sector. The country has been connected to the Internet since April 1996, and services linked to New Information and Communication Technologies (NICT) are booming. The network is made up almost entirely of fibre optic cables.The institutional environment of the telecommunications sector is marked by the presence of a public authority, which determines sector policy. This policy is based on a system of which the President of the Republic is at the centre. Under the aegis of the Special Advisor of the President of the Republic (who is in charge of new information and communication technologies), there are two essential state policy instruments in this area. They are the Agence de l’informatique de l’État (ADIE) and the Agence de régulation des télécommunications et des postes (ARTP), both associated with the Secretary General of the President of the Republic.
Download the paper - French version
Download the paper - English version
Tanzania ICT Sector Performance Review 2009/2010
Towards Evidence-based ICT Policy and Regulation - Vol 2 Paper 11 - 2010
Tanzania's telecommunications sector was the fastest growing sector of the economy in 2009, recording 21.9% growth, up from 20.5% in 2008 (Tanzania Budget Speech 2010/2011).
The communication Act of 1993 paved the way for the liberalization of the telecommunication sector, while the National Telecommunication Policy (NTP) of 1997 provided the framework for further reforms and private-sector engagement in the sector.
A milestone in telecom liberalization was achived by the establishment of the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TCRA) in 2003 as an independent agency for the regulating and licensing of postal, broadcast and communication industries. The TCRA is mandated to promote competition and economic efficiency, protect consumer interests, grant licenses and enforce license conditions, regulate tariffs, and monitor performance.
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Towards Evidence-based ICT Policy and Regulation - Vol 2 Paper 11 - 2010
Tanzania's telecommunications sector was the fastest growing sector of the economy in 2009, recording 21.9% growth, up from 20.5% in 2008 (Tanzania Budget Speech 2010/2011).The communication Act of 1993 paved the way for the liberalization of the telecommunication sector, while the National Telecommunication Policy (NTP) of 1997 provided the framework for further reforms and private-sector engagement in the sector.
A milestone in telecom liberalization was achived by the establishment of the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TCRA) in 2003 as an independent agency for the regulating and licensing of postal, broadcast and communication industries. The TCRA is mandated to promote competition and economic efficiency, protect consumer interests, grant licenses and enforce license conditions, regulate tariffs, and monitor performance.
Download the paper
CPRafrica papers in INFO
Eight out of the best ten papers presented during CPRafrica 2010, Cape Town, have been published in info Volume 13 Issue 3.
Info brings together analysis of technological changes from a variety of perspective (policy, management, industry structure, behavioural) drawing on concepts and models from economics, the political, social and behavioural sciences, decision analysis, engineering, and law. It provides an effective forum for debate and will help guide the policy and business decisions that are shaping the information economy and society of the 21st century.
Eight out of the best ten papers presented during CPRafrica 2010, Cape Town, have been published in info Volume 13 Issue 3.
Info brings together analysis of technological changes from a variety of perspective (policy, management, industry structure, behavioural) drawing on concepts and models from economics, the political, social and behavioural sciences, decision analysis, engineering, and law. It provides an effective forum for debate and will help guide the policy and business decisions that are shaping the information economy and society of the 21st century.
What can government do for ICT industry?
Input of Dr Alison Gillwald, Executive Director of Research ICT Africa to conference panel on What can Government can do for Industry.
Perhaps we should ask not what government can do for you but also what you can do for government. Like all relationships for this one to work effectively it has to be reciprocal. Addressing this question is also highly contextual and complex. In fact to address this topic you really need to straddle the next three sessions on the programme on the linkages between sector development and economic growth and job creation and the creation of fair competitive regulatory environments.
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ICT Regulation in Africa - the good, the bad & ugly
Article by Alison Gillwald published in the BMI-T Communication Technologies Handbook 2010 - Broadband Africa.
Article by Alison Gillwald published in the BMI-T Communication Technologies Handbook 2010 - Broadband Africa.
Executive Training 2011 - Connectivity & Convergence
Successfully offered through the UCT GSB in association with Research ICT Africa and LIRNE.net, this programme is designed to enhance the strategic thinking of a select group of senior decision-makers in telecom and related sectors in developing countries and emerging economies. The aim of the programme is to address the many challenges posed by the current stage of telecom and ICT reform to governments, regulatory agencies, operators and other stakeholders. The certainties of yesterday are no more: traditional approaches to the licensing of networks and services is being challenged by converging technologies services and innovative business models; individual assignments of frequencies are being questioned in the light of new standards such as Wi-Fi and WiMax; the distinctions between wired and wireless are being blurred; classic price regulation is becoming less central to the missions of regulatory agencies; new pro-poor business strategies are challenging conventional universal service models; and all industry players are being challenged to address content issues at various levels.
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Successfully offered through the UCT GSB in association with Research ICT Africa and LIRNE.net, this programme is designed to enhance the strategic thinking of a select group of senior decision-makers in telecom and related sectors in developing countries and emerging economies. The aim of the programme is to address the many challenges posed by the current stage of telecom and ICT reform to governments, regulatory agencies, operators and other stakeholders. The certainties of yesterday are no more: traditional approaches to the licensing of networks and services is being challenged by converging technologies services and innovative business models; individual assignments of frequencies are being questioned in the light of new standards such as Wi-Fi and WiMax; the distinctions between wired and wireless are being blurred; classic price regulation is becoming less central to the missions of regulatory agencies; new pro-poor business strategies are challenging conventional universal service models; and all industry players are being challenged to address content issues at various levels.Read more ...
CPRafrica 2011 : Convergence
The second CPRafrica will take place on 15 – 19 April 2011 in association with the University of Nairobi, Kenya.
Communication Policy Research Africa (CPRafrica) intends to encourage intellectual endeavour and research in the area of ICT policy and regulation in Africa through the creation of a forum in which African academics and researchers can engage on and profile their research and contribute to global debates from an African perspective. The overall objective is to nurture policy intellectuals capable of informed and effective intervention in ICT policy and regulatory processes in specific country contexts.
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The second CPRafrica will take place on 15 – 19 April 2011 in association with the University of Nairobi, Kenya.Communication Policy Research Africa (CPRafrica) intends to encourage intellectual endeavour and research in the area of ICT policy and regulation in Africa through the creation of a forum in which African academics and researchers can engage on and profile their research and contribute to global debates from an African perspective. The overall objective is to nurture policy intellectuals capable of informed and effective intervention in ICT policy and regulatory processes in specific country contexts.
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Young Scholars Tutorials 2011
Fifteen Young Scholars from Africa will be selected to participate in the conference with out having to fulfill the paper accepteance qualifications and to attend a tutorial programme prior to the conference to allow them to participate more effectively.
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Fifteen Young Scholars from Africa will be selected to participate in the conference with out having to fulfill the paper accepteance qualifications and to attend a tutorial programme prior to the conference to allow them to participate more effectively.
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ITID Special Issue: Harvard Forum II
The Harvard Forum II gathered Nobel laureates and eminent technologists, economists, and communications researchers and practitioners from across the globe at Harvard University last September 2009. Sponsored by Canada’s International Development Research Centre (IDRC) and hosted by the Berkman Center for Internet and Society at Harvard University, the conference offered an opportunity to reassess ICT4D in the years since the first Harvard Forum in 2003, while focusing on a forward-looking discussion of ICTs, human development, growth, and poverty reduction. The submissions in the ITID “Special Edition” come from the world’s foremost thinkers on ICT4D, and, like the landmark publications from Harvard Forum I, they chart a course for innovative and important work in the field.
Selections include:
—Nobel laureate Michael Spence on the growth goals ICTs may be able to put in reach
—Nobel laureate Amartya Sen on the balance between the mobile’s positive and dangerous potentials
—William Melody on enacting openness through telecom reform
—Alison Gillwald on the urgent need for indigenous ICT research in Africa
—Ethan Zuckerman on decentralizing the mobile phone
—Anita Gurumurthy on moving ICT4D efforts beyond neo-liberalism
—Yochai Benkler on continuing decentralization through ICTs after the mobile phone
Visit http://itidjournal.org/ to follow these and other discussions from the Harvard Forum II.
The Harvard Forum II gathered Nobel laureates and eminent technologists, economists, and communications researchers and practitioners from across the globe at Harvard University last September 2009. Sponsored by Canada’s International Development Research Centre (IDRC) and hosted by the Berkman Center for Internet and Society at Harvard University, the conference offered an opportunity to reassess ICT4D in the years since the first Harvard Forum in 2003, while focusing on a forward-looking discussion of ICTs, human development, growth, and poverty reduction. The submissions in the ITID “Special Edition” come from the world’s foremost thinkers on ICT4D, and, like the landmark publications from Harvard Forum I, they chart a course for innovative and important work in the field.
Selections include:
—Nobel laureate Michael Spence on the growth goals ICTs may be able to put in reach
—Nobel laureate Amartya Sen on the balance between the mobile’s positive and dangerous potentials
—William Melody on enacting openness through telecom reform
—Alison Gillwald on the urgent need for indigenous ICT research in Africa
—Ethan Zuckerman on decentralizing the mobile phone
—Anita Gurumurthy on moving ICT4D efforts beyond neo-liberalism
—Yochai Benkler on continuing decentralization through ICTs after the mobile phone
Visit http://itidjournal.org/ to follow these and other discussions from the Harvard Forum II.
Fair Mobile Index
Research Areas Research ICT Africa has identified areas of ICT policy, regulation and indicator research that are under-investigated or where specialised research is needed and which might serve as possible topics for post-graduate research.
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Vacancies There are no vacancies at the moment.
Training and Events Young Scholars Tutorials 2012 Young Scholars Seminar3-4 September 2012 - MauritiusTwenty Young Scholars from Africa and Asia will be selected to participate in the conference without having to fulfill the paper acceptance qualifications and to attend an ICT policy research ...
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CPRafrica 2012 /CPRsouth7 2012 - Call for Abstracts Connecting Africa & Asia: ICT Policy research and practice for the Global SouthThe third CPRafrica will take place from 5 - 7 September 2012 together with CPRsouth in Mauritius.IntroductionCommunication Policy Research Africa (CPRafrica) en...
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Broadband as a platform for Video in Africa The Columbia Institute for Tele-Information is pleased to announce that its first conference on the topic of broadband as a platform for Video in Africa will take place May 22nd & 23rd in Lusaka, Zambia. For further information about the C...
Read more...
AMMREC2012 Conference AMMREC2012 Conference April 2 and 3, 2012 Nairobi, Kenya Mobile money is an emerging area of research, AMMREC expects to build a Conference Community that will ensure an exciting and high quality networking environment, providing an opportuni...
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Spectrum Valuation Masterclass with Prof Martin Cave This one-day masterclass on spectrum valuation was convened by Prof Alison Gillwald and was part of a new component of the Graduate School of Business programme in Management of Infrastructure Reform and Regulation (MIR). It was offered...
Read more...
The International Institute of Communications Annual Conference The International Institute of Communications is a leading independent policy forum focused primarily on telecommunications, media and digital media policy and regulation, and their impact on business and society. Its 42nd Annual Conference, ‘T...
Read more...
G I G A N E T - Sixth Annual Symposium UNON complex, Nairobi, Kenya, Room 4 September 26, 2011 The Global Internet Governance Academic Network (GigaNet) held its Sixth Annual Symposium on 26 September 2011, one day before the United Nations Internet Governance Forum (IGF) in Nairo...
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Connectivity and Convergence 2011: Alternative Regulatory Strategies for Telecommunications The Executive Course "Connectivity and Convergence 2011: Alternative Regulatory Strategies for Telecommunications" has been postponed. For further information, please contact info [at] researchictafrica [dot] net Programme Summary...
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Making Mobile Broadband Accessible for All Research ICT Africa and the Management Infrastructure Reform and Regulation Programme at the Graduate School of Business, University of Cape Town, in partnership with Vodacom convened a public seminar on Making Mobile Broadband Access Accessib...
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CPRafrica 2011 : Convergence The second CPRafrica took place on 15 – 19 April 2011 in association with the University of Nairobi, Kenya. CPRafrica 2011 presentations available on the publications page. &n...
Read more...
Young Scholars Tutorials 2011 Fifteen Young Scholars from Africa were selected to participate in the conference. Application Guidelines Applications should be submitted to aallem@researchICTafrica.net by or before 19 November 2010 and must contain the following: a one-page...
Read more...
CPRafrica Papers Eight out of the best ten papers presented during CPRafrica 2010, Cape Town, have been published in info Volume 13 Issue 3
Read more ...
Flickr Photos
Research Areas Research ICT Africa has identified areas of ICT policy, regulation and indicator research that are under-investigated or where specialised research is needed and which might serve as possible topics for post-graduate research.
Read more ...
Vacancies There are no vacancies at the moment.
Training and Events Young Scholars Tutorials 2012 Young Scholars Seminar3-4 September 2012 - MauritiusTwenty Young Scholars from Africa and Asia will be selected to participate in the conference without having to fulfill the paper acceptance qualifications and to attend an ICT policy research ...
Read more...
CPRafrica 2012 /CPRsouth7 2012 - Call for Abstracts Connecting Africa & Asia: ICT Policy research and practice for the Global SouthThe third CPRafrica will take place from 5 - 7 September 2012 together with CPRsouth in Mauritius.IntroductionCommunication Policy Research Africa (CPRafrica) en...
Read more...
Broadband as a platform for Video in Africa The Columbia Institute for Tele-Information is pleased to announce that its first conference on the topic of broadband as a platform for Video in Africa will take place May 22nd & 23rd in Lusaka, Zambia. For further information about the C...
Read more...
AMMREC2012 Conference AMMREC2012 Conference April 2 and 3, 2012 Nairobi, Kenya Mobile money is an emerging area of research, AMMREC expects to build a Conference Community that will ensure an exciting and high quality networking environment, providing an opportuni...
Read more...
Spectrum Valuation Masterclass with Prof Martin Cave This one-day masterclass on spectrum valuation was convened by Prof Alison Gillwald and was part of a new component of the Graduate School of Business programme in Management of Infrastructure Reform and Regulation (MIR). It was offered...
Read more...
The International Institute of Communications Annual Conference The International Institute of Communications is a leading independent policy forum focused primarily on telecommunications, media and digital media policy and regulation, and their impact on business and society. Its 42nd Annual Conference, ‘T...
Read more...
G I G A N E T - Sixth Annual Symposium UNON complex, Nairobi, Kenya, Room 4 September 26, 2011 The Global Internet Governance Academic Network (GigaNet) held its Sixth Annual Symposium on 26 September 2011, one day before the United Nations Internet Governance Forum (IGF) in Nairo...
Read more...
Connectivity and Convergence 2011: Alternative Regulatory Strategies for Telecommunications The Executive Course "Connectivity and Convergence 2011: Alternative Regulatory Strategies for Telecommunications" has been postponed. For further information, please contact info [at] researchictafrica [dot] net Programme Summary...
Read more...
Making Mobile Broadband Accessible for All Research ICT Africa and the Management Infrastructure Reform and Regulation Programme at the Graduate School of Business, University of Cape Town, in partnership with Vodacom convened a public seminar on Making Mobile Broadband Access Accessib...
Read more...
CPRafrica 2011 : Convergence The second CPRafrica took place on 15 – 19 April 2011 in association with the University of Nairobi, Kenya. CPRafrica 2011 presentations available on the publications page. &n...
Read more...
Young Scholars Tutorials 2011 Fifteen Young Scholars from Africa were selected to participate in the conference. Application Guidelines Applications should be submitted to aallem@researchICTafrica.net by or before 19 November 2010 and must contain the following: a one-page...
Read more...
CPRafrica Papers Eight out of the best ten papers presented during CPRafrica 2010, Cape Town, have been published in info Volume 13 Issue 3
Read more ...
Flickr Photos
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