DigI:Meeting with Uganda Communications Commission
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DigI:Meeting with Uganda Communications Commission
| Title | DigI:Meeting with Uganda Communications Commission |
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| Place | UCC@Bugolobi |
| Date, Time | 2020/02/26, 1000-1200 |
| Contact Person | Brenda Jimris-Rekve |
| Participants | Josef Noll, Lillian Nalwoga, Irene Kaggwa Sewankombo, Gloria Katuuku, Brenda Jimris-Rekve |
| related to Project | DigI, BasicInternet |
| Keywords |
| this page was created by Special:FormEdit/Meeting, and can be edited by Special:FormEdit/Meeting/DigI:Meeting with Uganda Communications Commission |
| Category:Meeting |
Agenda and Minutes
1. Introduction of Basic Internet to UCC
Lillian Nalwoga introduced Basic Internet Foundation to the Uganda Communications Commission AG. Director Irene Sewankambo, highlghting our purpose of visit to Uganda and the Basic Internet concept. Irene Sewankambo welcomed us to the institution and made a quick introduction.
2. Introduction of the Basic Internet Foundation, its objectives and the existing partnerships
- A quick introduction of Basic Internet Foundation's concept and our business model,
- Our vision is Internet Lite for All
- We promote and provide the Freemium model for access
- We build Information spots with free access to information, and premium access to broadband services. Through the collaboration with Telecom Operators we provide Internet Lite for USD 20/month.
- Through Internet Lite for All we build the basis for Digital Inclusion and Societal Empowerment
- We see Digital Health as enabler for digital literacy, better knowledge on relevant health issues, and social entrepreneurship. Energy, digital and health together form the building blocks for sustainable development
- We suggest to work for an Uganda National Knowledge Platform, with free access to the platform
- See the presentation given to members of the Ministry of ICT for the value proposition for Uganda
- Highlighting the discussions that had been done at the Ministry of ICT on the 25th of February 2020 and the need to involve UCC.
Starting with a discussion on the technical aspects of connectivity, we discussed partnerships for literacy and digital empowerment. UCC suggested partnership with telecom operators for coming up with business models for the Freemium model, and with educational institutions to have the right content for societal empowerment.
3. Discussions and Comments from UCC (Irene)
Irene highlighted the Key Agenda for UCC, which is to connect the community with the internet, through focusing on demand stimulation and obligations. Aspects of the obligations are coverage and national roaming. Operators have a high degree of freedom to answer market needs. As a rule of thumb, operators create data plans (profiles) and ask UCC for approval. UCC supports operators connecting the unconnected as they want technology to be the driver of digital inclusivity. UCC does not have a policy on network neutrality, as the goal of UCC is to foster digital participation and digital literacy.
UCC supports all initiatives addressing digital inclusivity, but is reluctant to add more obligations on operators. Sustainability of access solutions is the number one priority of UCC, before establishing regulations, such as a 3% bandwidth for the access to the Uganda Knowledge portal. As the goal is to foster digital participation and digital literacy, UCC does not have a policy on network neutrality. UCC suggests
- Collaboration with operators on business models for school connectivity,
- Partnership with Education Uganda for school connectivity and content. Suggestion to contact RENU to discuss a.o. sharing of content between schools,
- involve UNICEF Uganda (Rusty?) for partnership
- Get involved with the Ministry of Health for the 4-year strategy plan having the focus on primary health care, and
- look into other sectors with the need for digital inclusion.
4. Recommendations and Summary
- Suggested that Basic Internet Foundation directly contacts the telecommunication operators in Uganda and ask for partnerships in connectivity and digital inclusion.
- Recommended that Lillian Nalwoga introduces the Foundation to Research and Education Network Uganda (RENU), to present the connectivity solution and work together on sharing educational content.
- Have further discussions with Rural Community Development Fund in Uganda that has the 2% deductions from regional development fund for working with the connectivity agenda.