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Subject: [AfrISPA.Discuss] Telkom Kenya disables
Kenyan Internet
In an unprecedented move that has the entire Kenyan Internet up in arms, Telkom Kenya yesterday blocked a range of Internet services from transitting Jambonet, their Internet backbone service and the only Internet gateway in the country. Claiming that these ports were being used to transmit voice over IP traffic (VOIP), Telkom management justified their action, stating that it was intended to send a shock to those using VOIP services. The blockage, however also cut off interactive Internet applications such as MSN & AOL Messenger, Netmeeting a number of other chat utilities and most critically VPNs (Virtual Private Networks). The interference with VPN traffic is probably the most damaging of all the blockages as many organisations, especially multinational corporations depend on VPN for secure, corporate communications. Kenyan corporations are alleging losses amounting to hundreds of thousands of dollars since the implementation of the blocking filters yesterday. The Internet service providers' industry association, TESPOK held meetings with Telkom Kenya management early this morning to get an explanation and try to convince them to remove the filters but Telkom Kenya were adamant and insisted that their actions were justified. Telkom Kenya's actions have sparked an outrage from the entire industry and especially among the ISPs, who feel that TKL's actions go against the spirit of the Internet and the principle that the Internet is "free" and allows people to interact and communicate using whatever medium they are most comfortable with. Brian Longwe / Chief Technology Officer / ISPKenya Ltd. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------- Telecommunications Service Providers of Kenya and Cyber Cafe Operators Association of Kenya Press Statement For Immediate Release In a move that brought corporate communications to a complete standstill and has precipitated losses amounting to tens of millions of shillings, Telkom Kenya on Monday 16th December installed filters in their data network which blocked certain types of Internet services from transitting Jambonet, their Internet backbone service and the only Internet gateway in the country. The blockage caused a total failure of all VPN (Virtual Private Network) communications and also cut off interactive Internet applications such as MSN & AOL Messenger, Netmeeting and a number of other chat utilities. The interference with VPN communication is the most damaging of all the blockages as many organisations, especially multinational corporations depend on VPN technology for secure transmissions of sensitive information over the public Internet. Kenyan corporations have experienced losses amounting to hundreds of thousands of dollars since the implementation of the blocking filters on Monday 16th December. This action by Telkom Kenya is further evidence that their monopoly over Internet backbone services gives them a stranglehold over the Kenyan Internet community and exposes all Internet users to any whim or folly that may befall them. The fact that one company Telkom Kenya can make a unilateral, impudent decision that subjects the Kenyan business community and by extension the entire economy to unnecessary losses is a very serious matter. This move by Telkom Kenya is illegal in that it is not their job to regulate or enforce communication policy, this is the sole domain of the industry regulator Communications Commission of Kenya. We have confirmed that permission was not sought from CCK nor were they notified about the blockages. The signatories to this statement are hereby calling for the relevant authorities to put an immediate end to Telkom Kenya's stranglehold monopoly over Internet backbone services and to introduce full and open competition in the sector. Discussions are being held as to whether legal redress should be sought for losses and damages experienced as a result of Telkom Kenya's actions. <signed> <signed> _________________ ___________________ Sammy Buruchara Stephen Onyambu Chairman, TESPOK Chairman, CCOAK Representatives From: Kenya Association of Manufacturers Kenya Information Society University of Nairobi Kenya Breweries Limited East African Internet Association. This List is operated by ZAnet Internet Services: www.zanet.co.za on behalf of www.afrispa.org. For any List Admin queries send mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] The Mulindwas
communication group
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