Ever wondered whether the websites allowing yo buy or sell via Mpesa ever work? Well, I wondered the same and decided to try out. I decided to access the Sovaya wireless and was asked the payment mode for the internet airtime.
Mpesa was the easiest for me, so was asked to send money to 0715 592168 and wait for confirmation, that is before I can surf using the credit bought. For starters, I decided to buy a shs. 100 voucher, just to test whether it will work.
The Mpesa went through without any hitches, only that I waited for 30 minutes with no response from the Sovaya side; either a text telling me that I could use the credit or saying it bounced, or a web message allowing me to surf.
So I decided to call the customer care number given, but the person who received the call could not even get my number, it took two minutes for the person to take my number so that they can get back to me.
I always get irritated when someone gives you poor service then on top of that they waste your credit because they just can get what you are saying. You repeat the number five times....first to allow them pick a pen....then the number,....and on and on...
Anyway, maybe the service is not so much in demand or not in use thats why.........
My curiosity made me lose my 100 bob.......
Monday, March 30, 2009
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Do journalists retain rights to their work?
The other day I met Tom Osanjo, a former colleague and friend, and we got into a discussion about the rights that a writer retains.
The issue we were debating was whether journalists retain any rights to the material they publish. There are two schools of thought; there are those who think that once you have written, thats it, the rights shift to the publisher.
Another school of thought holds that the journalist holds the rights and if the publisher wants to use the story or photo again, then they must pay again or something like that.
James, winner of the CNN sports journalist of the year in 2007 gave us his experience; how the organizers of the CNN awards made him sign an agreement that allowed then to redistribute the pictures.
James' argument was that if the rights are retained by the media house, then CNN would have asked the media house for permission to use. That supported the argument that the rights are retained by the writer.
That argument seemed to have preempted a debate that I would have a week later.
Today I found myself weathering a storm in a tea cup.
Sometimes last year, I participated in online discussions about the fiber optic cable and so many other attendant issues. Some of the issues were very technical while others were social-economic.
In writing an article, I went to some old drafts of the daily summaries that I had done and used the material that was summarized for the final report.
The agreement with the organizers was that I still retained rights to the material and was free to use the material so long as it was advancing the wider goals of the ICT sector.
As a journalist, the right to use materials is of paramount importance. The organization and the author did not have any problem. Nevertheless, the article rightly credited the author and the organization.
Forget about my incident, the question I asked was; what happens in those cases when somebody asks you to do a speech on their behalf, do you still retain the rights to the contents of the speech or not?
It got me thinking...... I think I still retain the rights but if someone paid me to do the speech, then the rights go to them.
But still....I think there is much to be debated....
The issue we were debating was whether journalists retain any rights to the material they publish. There are two schools of thought; there are those who think that once you have written, thats it, the rights shift to the publisher.
Another school of thought holds that the journalist holds the rights and if the publisher wants to use the story or photo again, then they must pay again or something like that.
James, winner of the CNN sports journalist of the year in 2007 gave us his experience; how the organizers of the CNN awards made him sign an agreement that allowed then to redistribute the pictures.
James' argument was that if the rights are retained by the media house, then CNN would have asked the media house for permission to use. That supported the argument that the rights are retained by the writer.
That argument seemed to have preempted a debate that I would have a week later.
Today I found myself weathering a storm in a tea cup.
Sometimes last year, I participated in online discussions about the fiber optic cable and so many other attendant issues. Some of the issues were very technical while others were social-economic.
In writing an article, I went to some old drafts of the daily summaries that I had done and used the material that was summarized for the final report.
The agreement with the organizers was that I still retained rights to the material and was free to use the material so long as it was advancing the wider goals of the ICT sector.
As a journalist, the right to use materials is of paramount importance. The organization and the author did not have any problem. Nevertheless, the article rightly credited the author and the organization.
Forget about my incident, the question I asked was; what happens in those cases when somebody asks you to do a speech on their behalf, do you still retain the rights to the contents of the speech or not?
It got me thinking...... I think I still retain the rights but if someone paid me to do the speech, then the rights go to them.
But still....I think there is much to be debated....
Friday, March 06, 2009
The Evolution of Mobile Phone Thugs
I think it has become slightly safer for people to talk on phone while walking downtown Nairobi. After seeing their comrades beaten to death over cheap phones, I guess the thugs have changed tact,
But it does not mean that the thieves have abandoned their trade, they have just become sharper; the steal the phones that are more expensive.
My friend Muthoni, made us laugh the other day when she told a story of how the thugs in the estates have leant the value of the phone by the ringtone.
Her story was that there was this woman going home one day in Dandora estate, and she was passing through an alley. It was at 7 pm so there were many people walking to and from the shops, acting busy.
Though her phone was ringing, she could not pick because of the four men who were walking with her group. So the phone annoyingly rung and it was apparent that she was fearing that her phone might just go.
Put off by the ringing or failure to remove the phone from the bag, one guy said; Mama oya thimu ithuii tutiendaga Motorola (just pick up the phone we are not interested in your Motorola).
But if its a Nokia, they know the series by the ring tone and they just kindly ask you to pretend you are relatives and just hand over the phone! They even force you to hug them as they rob you in front of everyone.
Others are able to tell the kind of phone when its in the pocket; depending on the shape it projects in the pocket.
The tips are apparent; don't wear tight trousers then slide the phone in the pocket, unless you want to invite the crooks. If you can, let the phone be on vibrator or the single beep then vibrator otherwise the phone will just go.
But it does not mean that the thieves have abandoned their trade, they have just become sharper; the steal the phones that are more expensive.
My friend Muthoni, made us laugh the other day when she told a story of how the thugs in the estates have leant the value of the phone by the ringtone.
Her story was that there was this woman going home one day in Dandora estate, and she was passing through an alley. It was at 7 pm so there were many people walking to and from the shops, acting busy.
Though her phone was ringing, she could not pick because of the four men who were walking with her group. So the phone annoyingly rung and it was apparent that she was fearing that her phone might just go.
Put off by the ringing or failure to remove the phone from the bag, one guy said; Mama oya thimu ithuii tutiendaga Motorola (just pick up the phone we are not interested in your Motorola).
But if its a Nokia, they know the series by the ring tone and they just kindly ask you to pretend you are relatives and just hand over the phone! They even force you to hug them as they rob you in front of everyone.
Others are able to tell the kind of phone when its in the pocket; depending on the shape it projects in the pocket.
The tips are apparent; don't wear tight trousers then slide the phone in the pocket, unless you want to invite the crooks. If you can, let the phone be on vibrator or the single beep then vibrator otherwise the phone will just go.
Kenyan police and impunity.....
I wonder what will happen now that the founder of Oscar Foundation is dead. Just hours after the government spokesman said that the Oscar foundation was a front for the proscribed Mungiki thugs and their sympathizers.
Being a legal foundation- giving free legal aid to suspects- the foundation was likely to attract all manner and sorts of characters including Mungiki thugs and other goons.
Is it a crime to give legal aid to Mungiki suspects? I am not defending the members because they have raped and killed many in my village neighborhood but I also know two young men who have been shot dead and their only crime is peer influence and moving at night. When you are labeled as Mungiki, no one sympathizes.
Mungiki is a Gikuyu word meaning the crowd though there is no proper direct translation. Its use imbues a sense of community and support for each other. It used to be a sect, recruiting mainly men, pretending to practice traditional Gikuyu traditions while in fact it was a gang for hire, thriving on intimidating people by killing those who refuse to join the sect.
It is almost predictable that when the police announce or publish the names of "wanted" criminals, they are only looking for a license to kill, with no questions asked.
Sample this; the police publish the photo of a wanted criminal, that week he/she is gunned down.
It has happened consistently at least since the mid '90s when they published the photos of three notorious gangsters; Wanugu, Wacucu and Rasta. They were later caught and shot dead.
There is no doubt that the criminals deserve to be arrested or maybe die like the many they are alleged to have killed, but is it by coincidence that the criminals are caught and killed immediately the photos are published?
Is it that police tips do not work and the public tips work better, or is it just a case of seeking license to kill?
Now the blame will start shifting over who actually killed the foundation head. I will not be surprised if the government spokesman comes up with a theory that he was killed by a rival Mungiki gang.
And we talk of impunity!
Being a legal foundation- giving free legal aid to suspects- the foundation was likely to attract all manner and sorts of characters including Mungiki thugs and other goons.
Is it a crime to give legal aid to Mungiki suspects? I am not defending the members because they have raped and killed many in my village neighborhood but I also know two young men who have been shot dead and their only crime is peer influence and moving at night. When you are labeled as Mungiki, no one sympathizes.
Mungiki is a Gikuyu word meaning the crowd though there is no proper direct translation. Its use imbues a sense of community and support for each other. It used to be a sect, recruiting mainly men, pretending to practice traditional Gikuyu traditions while in fact it was a gang for hire, thriving on intimidating people by killing those who refuse to join the sect.
It is almost predictable that when the police announce or publish the names of "wanted" criminals, they are only looking for a license to kill, with no questions asked.
Sample this; the police publish the photo of a wanted criminal, that week he/she is gunned down.
It has happened consistently at least since the mid '90s when they published the photos of three notorious gangsters; Wanugu, Wacucu and Rasta. They were later caught and shot dead.
There is no doubt that the criminals deserve to be arrested or maybe die like the many they are alleged to have killed, but is it by coincidence that the criminals are caught and killed immediately the photos are published?
Is it that police tips do not work and the public tips work better, or is it just a case of seeking license to kill?
Now the blame will start shifting over who actually killed the foundation head. I will not be surprised if the government spokesman comes up with a theory that he was killed by a rival Mungiki gang.
And we talk of impunity!
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Meeting Messi
How I wish I got to meet Messi (not that I care that much). But the closest I came was those fake photos that people take by the pitch side...
Football Voyage
I was in Barcelona for the Mobile World Congress but I had to make sure I visited the biggest club in town, too bad they played away that Saturday, however, I think the derby with Espanyol would have been a better game....
Visit to FC Barcelona
The 3D images were so good, I struggled with the shades but hacked it. The movie was not voiced, just images of Barca greats. No matter the language you speak, after 10 minutes, we all got the gist of the club and its immense history....
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Am not sure what this is...
It must be from one of the most interesting sculptors but am not sure what this is....
Atlantique Telecom chooses AIRCOM for EDGE planning in West Africa
AIRCOM International, the leading independent network planning and optimisation consultancy, today announced that it has signed a deal to provide its suite of market-leading network planning tools to Atlantique Telecom, the West African subsidiary of UAE-based telecoms group Etisalat International which operates networks in six countries across West Africa.
Atlantique Telecom operates EDGE mobile networks under the “Moov” brand in the Ivory Coast, Benin, Togo, the Central African Republic, Gabon and Niger. Under the terms of the agreement, Atlantique Telecom will purchase AIRCOM’s suite of planning tools –including its market-leading software products ASSET, ILSA and CONNECT – to improve the performance of individual networks by optimising each one’s RF and transmission plans. This will deliver better coverage levels and improved capacity across each network, delivering an enhanced quality of service to Moov customers.
“Our aim is to always push the boundaries of the African mobile phone market by delivering a consistently high quality of service and user experience to our Moov customers,” said Mr Mamadou Cisse, Network Quality and Optimization Director at Atlantique Telecom. “In competitive trials, AIRCOM planning tools consistently came out on top. Our choice of AIRCOM for our RF planning needs means that our engineers can use separate RF and transmission databases to deliver a single, optimised RF and transmission plan that is specific to each of our networks. By maximising our networks’ performance in this way, we ensure our customers get to enjoy the best possible service, wherever they are.”
“We’re delighted to be picked by Atlantique Telecom as its supplier of choice for RF network planning,” said Bashar Zako, MD of AIRCOM MEI. “An optimised RF / transmission plan ensures a network performs more efficiently and more effectively. This reduces running costs while also improving coverage levels, thereby ensuring subscribers can enjoy a consistently high quality user experience, whenever they use their mobile phone.”
Atlantique Telecom operates EDGE mobile networks under the “Moov” brand in the Ivory Coast, Benin, Togo, the Central African Republic, Gabon and Niger. Under the terms of the agreement, Atlantique Telecom will purchase AIRCOM’s suite of planning tools –including its market-leading software products ASSET, ILSA and CONNECT – to improve the performance of individual networks by optimising each one’s RF and transmission plans. This will deliver better coverage levels and improved capacity across each network, delivering an enhanced quality of service to Moov customers.
“Our aim is to always push the boundaries of the African mobile phone market by delivering a consistently high quality of service and user experience to our Moov customers,” said Mr Mamadou Cisse, Network Quality and Optimization Director at Atlantique Telecom. “In competitive trials, AIRCOM planning tools consistently came out on top. Our choice of AIRCOM for our RF planning needs means that our engineers can use separate RF and transmission databases to deliver a single, optimised RF and transmission plan that is specific to each of our networks. By maximising our networks’ performance in this way, we ensure our customers get to enjoy the best possible service, wherever they are.”
“We’re delighted to be picked by Atlantique Telecom as its supplier of choice for RF network planning,” said Bashar Zako, MD of AIRCOM MEI. “An optimised RF / transmission plan ensures a network performs more efficiently and more effectively. This reduces running costs while also improving coverage levels, thereby ensuring subscribers can enjoy a consistently high quality user experience, whenever they use their mobile phone.”
AIRCOM and iBwave Partner for in-Building Network Optimisation
AIRCOM International, the leading independent network planning and optimisation consultancy, announces today a partnership with iBwave Solutions, the leader of in-building wireless standard software, to deliver improved in-building network planning and design solutions to operators across the globe.
The deal will see iBwave’s unique in-building wireless network design software integrated into AIRCOM’s ASSET solution, the industry’s leading network optimisation tool. It will allow AIRCOM to offer all-encompassing radio network planning and optimisation services, adding enhanced in-building functionality into its ENTERPRISE tool suite.
“In-building coverage is fast becoming one of the most important considerations for network operators, so we needed to find a best in class solution provider to help service our customers and provide seamless in-building planning as part of the radio network design,” says Margaret Rice-Jones, CEO of AIRCOM International. “It was clear that iBwave was the company to help achieve this, so we look forward working with them to strengthen our position as the in-building industry’s network solution provider of choice.”
iBwave is an international in-building software company that specialises in providing unique in-building network planning and design solutions to more than 150 customers including operators, integrators and equipment vendors across five continents. The deal will extend AIRCOM’s solution portfolio, allowing both companies to offer an integrated network solution to their combined customer base.
Commenting on the shared interface Mario Bouchard, CEO and President of iBwave says that “The mobile operator community is a key target market for iBwave and this integration is our commitment with our partners to deliver best of breed indoor and outdoor wireless networks.”
The integration between iBwave’s software and AIRCOM’s ENTERPRISE is complete and the new network optimisation indoor/outdoor feature will be available upon RF-vu’s new 4.2 version that is planned to be released on February 23, 2009
The deal will see iBwave’s unique in-building wireless network design software integrated into AIRCOM’s ASSET solution, the industry’s leading network optimisation tool. It will allow AIRCOM to offer all-encompassing radio network planning and optimisation services, adding enhanced in-building functionality into its ENTERPRISE tool suite.
“In-building coverage is fast becoming one of the most important considerations for network operators, so we needed to find a best in class solution provider to help service our customers and provide seamless in-building planning as part of the radio network design,” says Margaret Rice-Jones, CEO of AIRCOM International. “It was clear that iBwave was the company to help achieve this, so we look forward working with them to strengthen our position as the in-building industry’s network solution provider of choice.”
iBwave is an international in-building software company that specialises in providing unique in-building network planning and design solutions to more than 150 customers including operators, integrators and equipment vendors across five continents. The deal will extend AIRCOM’s solution portfolio, allowing both companies to offer an integrated network solution to their combined customer base.
Commenting on the shared interface Mario Bouchard, CEO and President of iBwave says that “The mobile operator community is a key target market for iBwave and this integration is our commitment with our partners to deliver best of breed indoor and outdoor wireless networks.”
The integration between iBwave’s software and AIRCOM’s ENTERPRISE is complete and the new network optimisation indoor/outdoor feature will be available upon RF-vu’s new 4.2 version that is planned to be released on February 23, 2009
In Barcelona
Barcelona is such a nice city, am busy enjoying the food and the nights out and forgot to update the blog..... will post some pictures of nice unique architecture later....
But now...some boring techie stuff must come....
But now...some boring techie stuff must come....
Friday, February 06, 2009
CCK, rubbish internet connection and freedom of information
It is so frustrating when you want to get information and you can not access it. If that information was blocked under the guise of the official secrets Act, then it would be easy to direct my anger to the government and maybe rally my colleagues and we take to the streets (not that it will achieve much).
But what happens when you can not access information because your telecoms provider has decided to short change you? What happens when the connection does not stay up even for a minute?
For instance, I could not read all the posts on FOI because my Zain connection is rubbish. Forget that I changed from Safaricom in the hope that it will be better. That denies me access to information.
Because I am one subscriber paying small money, the network tells me to wait or maybe move to another provider. Yet they did not say that when I was paying or when I was signing up six months ago.
What then is the role of CCK in ensuring that the services are not interrupted, that telcos give you what you pay for?
Does CCK have measures of establishing whether the Telcos meet the standards stipulated in the SLAs? I know CCK bought some equipment to do that, but is there any data available and what is being done to those who con us.
We can keep talking about freedom of information but if there are no measures to ensure that the technology allows us to do that, it is useless.
The government can have all the tender documents and all illegal dealings on the website, but if the public will not have the means to access the information, it is very useless.
It is sad when you pay for a service and you are unable to use it and to make matters worse you have no way of getting what you have lost.
CCK has a lot of responsibilities but I think it will be nice to hear that a telco has been penalized for giving substandard service.
I want to feel that CCK safeguards my interest as a consumer. That freedom is to access online services, I have paid, can I get what I have paid for?
But what happens when you can not access information because your telecoms provider has decided to short change you? What happens when the connection does not stay up even for a minute?
For instance, I could not read all the posts on FOI because my Zain connection is rubbish. Forget that I changed from Safaricom in the hope that it will be better. That denies me access to information.
Because I am one subscriber paying small money, the network tells me to wait or maybe move to another provider. Yet they did not say that when I was paying or when I was signing up six months ago.
What then is the role of CCK in ensuring that the services are not interrupted, that telcos give you what you pay for?
Does CCK have measures of establishing whether the Telcos meet the standards stipulated in the SLAs? I know CCK bought some equipment to do that, but is there any data available and what is being done to those who con us.
We can keep talking about freedom of information but if there are no measures to ensure that the technology allows us to do that, it is useless.
The government can have all the tender documents and all illegal dealings on the website, but if the public will not have the means to access the information, it is very useless.
It is sad when you pay for a service and you are unable to use it and to make matters worse you have no way of getting what you have lost.
CCK has a lot of responsibilities but I think it will be nice to hear that a telco has been penalized for giving substandard service.
I want to feel that CCK safeguards my interest as a consumer. That freedom is to access online services, I have paid, can I get what I have paid for?
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Bad news for Satellite TV in Africa as GTV folds......
Gateway Broadcast Services Board of Directors has unanimously approved a plan to liquidate the Company.
The current financial and global crisis has severely interrupted the company’s ability to secure further funding for the continued operation of the business.
The company has worked extensively with external advisors and all internal resources to investigate, evaluate and analyze strategic alternatives for the Company to further continue to operate. In determining to approve the Company's plan of Liquidation, the board and management carefully reviewed the advice and findings.
Gateway Broadcast Services, suppliers of the GTV service to subscribers across Africa has over the last 2 years invested a total of US$200 million and created jobs and competition in the 22 markets. The economic crisis that has emerged globally over the last few months has caused excessive demands on the business.
With immediate effect the service will be withdrawn.
“Increased instability in global markets interrupted our ability to secure funding on an acceptable timescale and have left us no choice but to cease operations,” said a company spokesman.
“We realise the negative impact this has had on our loyal customers, creditors and staff, all of who have believed in GTV and the revolution in pay TV it had created. We have tried every possible step to keep the company going but we are all the unfortunate victims of the current global economic crisis.”
The current financial and global crisis has severely interrupted the company’s ability to secure further funding for the continued operation of the business.
The company has worked extensively with external advisors and all internal resources to investigate, evaluate and analyze strategic alternatives for the Company to further continue to operate. In determining to approve the Company's plan of Liquidation, the board and management carefully reviewed the advice and findings.
Gateway Broadcast Services, suppliers of the GTV service to subscribers across Africa has over the last 2 years invested a total of US$200 million and created jobs and competition in the 22 markets. The economic crisis that has emerged globally over the last few months has caused excessive demands on the business.
With immediate effect the service will be withdrawn.
“Increased instability in global markets interrupted our ability to secure funding on an acceptable timescale and have left us no choice but to cease operations,” said a company spokesman.
“We realise the negative impact this has had on our loyal customers, creditors and staff, all of who have believed in GTV and the revolution in pay TV it had created. We have tried every possible step to keep the company going but we are all the unfortunate victims of the current global economic crisis.”
Bad news for cable TV in Africa as GTV folds......
Gateway Broadcast Services Board of Directors has unanimously approved a plan to liquidate the Company.
The current financial and global crisis has severely interrupted the company’s ability to secure further funding for the continued operation of the business.
The company has worked extensively with external advisors and all internal resources to investigate, evaluate and analyze strategic alternatives for the Company to further continue to operate. In determining to approve the Company's plan of Liquidation, the board and management carefully reviewed the advice and findings.
Gateway Broadcast Services, suppliers of the GTV service to subscribers across Africa has over the last 2 years invested a total of US$200 million and created jobs and competition in the 22 markets. The economic crisis that has emerged globally over the last few months has caused excessive demands on the business.
With immediate effect the service will be withdrawn.
“Increased instability in global markets interrupted our ability to secure funding on an acceptable timescale and have left us no choice but to cease operations,” said a company spokesman.
“We realise the negative impact this has had on our loyal customers, creditors and staff, all of who have believed in GTV and the revolution in pay TV it had created. We have tried every possible step to keep the company going but we are all the unfortunate victims of the current global economic crisis.”
The current financial and global crisis has severely interrupted the company’s ability to secure further funding for the continued operation of the business.
The company has worked extensively with external advisors and all internal resources to investigate, evaluate and analyze strategic alternatives for the Company to further continue to operate. In determining to approve the Company's plan of Liquidation, the board and management carefully reviewed the advice and findings.
Gateway Broadcast Services, suppliers of the GTV service to subscribers across Africa has over the last 2 years invested a total of US$200 million and created jobs and competition in the 22 markets. The economic crisis that has emerged globally over the last few months has caused excessive demands on the business.
With immediate effect the service will be withdrawn.
“Increased instability in global markets interrupted our ability to secure funding on an acceptable timescale and have left us no choice but to cease operations,” said a company spokesman.
“We realise the negative impact this has had on our loyal customers, creditors and staff, all of who have believed in GTV and the revolution in pay TV it had created. We have tried every possible step to keep the company going but we are all the unfortunate victims of the current global economic crisis.”
Thursday, January 29, 2009
The police helicopter....
I am not sure who it was carrying....but I was wondering why they were wasting the fuel just circling around.....
Maybe to see the level of unpreparedness.....
The more the fire...the nearer the people got..
Ever wondered why people do some things, fall down, get injured....others get a kick out of it....
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