'We are digital,' thats what kenyans love to say, I guess the advent of digitality has come a long way accompanied with illusions and overwhelm. I guess we all yearn for a utopian society, yet none of us knows how it feels like and how life is in this ideal society. Ever wondered, what if Utopia is already here with us? Nobody would know definitely, only Christ Jesus can tell us that, for only he, came from the father and only him, has seen and known the father.
The excitement that came with fibre optic cables, precipitated by a flamboyant animated commercial advert, left every Kenyan wanting to be associated with this masterpiece technology. But to a majority of us Kenyans, especially those of us living outside the flashy and leafy suburbs of the major cities, any link with the fibre technology has remained just but wishful thinking.
Living in the material world and having a nexus with reality, an economy of Kenya's calibre is to work on the fundamental structures so as to effect such a technology. Compared to our east African brothers, we have a right to chest thumb our achievement for at least a few of us Kenyans, can use the same technology advanced economies are using. But what more do you expect, when you are playing in the league of mediocrity? you will definitely celebrate mediocre achievements, and that's what we Kenyans are doing.
Let me not sound like I am the over ambitious kid who wants to be a pilot and yet has never seen an aeroplane. Recently, I was reading an article on Forbes magazine, on the new splendid and magnificent Google fibre city. I was surprised to realize even Americans were paying very high bills on internet until recently when Google came in to this field as game changers.Google as a company has proved to be on top of its game. Remember it is the very company that has shaken the iPhone market through its android operating system and as we speak Apple is contemplating price reduction to hedge its market share against the gluttonous competition in the smartphone industry.
Thanks to Google, Africans like me were able to afford smartphones. Jamii telcom, the service providers of the fibre optic cables are now colonizing the whole Kenyan market, and soon African market will be their servitude. Of course I know Zuku also come in handy as able contenders but unfortunately they are lacking in the zeal and the thirst for the still unexploited but very promising internet market. However, my concern is the quality of services these organizations are offering, the rate, terms and conditions, installation cost and the monthly subscription rate.
With lack of competition, people will definitely not get value for their money. as we speak google is offering the 1gbps services at the rate jamii telcom is offering to 100mbps subscribers. Installation cost are very low, thanks to the american government that offered to provide the necessary infrastructure to effect the dispensation of fibre services. without discrimination both faces of the american society can now approve and attest their sense of belonging by enjoying all kinds of services offered by their company. Companies that have traditionally been providing this services at rates that are exploitative to the people responded spontaneous by several price cuts, incentives and even a great reduction in installation cost....ooh my it seems with the entrance of Google in this market, chicken had come home roasting.
Internet is a basic need, that is what the generation Y has been made to believe. I believe Europeans, Americans, and the Chinese can say this without fear or intimidation. For Africa, that is a story for another day. But what will it take for Kenya to enjoy the highly coveted fibre optic technology? of course we need Google, if that is what it will take for local companies like Jamii telcom and Zuku to up their game. But before Google can start contemplating coming near our town, our house should be in order. Uhuru Polycap Muigai Kenyatta, kazi kwako ndugu, you are a digital government, that is what you say, live up your words, put up the infrastructure and enable kenyas go fiber. sema Faimba. shalom.
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