Nairobi (KE), March 2007 - In an eDiscussion, organized by the Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet) and supported by the Kenyan Ministry of Information and Communication, KICTANet listserver subscribers debated the best model for provisioning Submarine Optical Fiber Cables (OFC) for the East African Coast. As the region is the only seabed that is yet to be covered by international submarine OFC connectivity, eDiscussion participants explored which model of OFC provisioning best serves the interests of all stakeholders in the region.
With the implementation of OFC connectivity, East Africans expect the same better and more affordable communication services that OFCs have provided in other parts of the globe. In the online discussion, which was moderated by John Walubengo of the Kenya College of Communication and Technology (KCCT), eParticipants discussed the question of which mode of OFC provisioning will bring about meaningful and socio-economic gains for the majority of citizens in East-Africa and its environs.
The eDiscussions were structured along six themes that were debated over a period of two weeks. During the eDiscussions, the KICTANet listserver had around one hundred and fifty subscribers, about fifteen of whom contributed actively to the discussions. Discussion participants consolidated and concluded the electronic deliberations in a face-to-face workshop.
The eDiscussion and workshop contributions have been summarized in a final report for submission to the Kenyan Ministry of Information and Communication as well to other stakeholders.
