Zimbabwe
Future of the Internet is unclearPosted Oct 25 2006
Integrated Regional Information Networks (IRIN) reported that the government's failure to pay a $700,000 bill to a satellite company has brought Zimbabwe's internet services to a virtual standstill. All legal internet service providers in Zimbabwe use the state-owned communications firm, TelOne, and IRIN reports the effect has been catastrophic. It remains unclear when the bill will be paid. The cut-off has brought long delays for Internet users in Zimbabwe, making browsing and email painfully slow tasks. With this breakdown in Internet service, the debate over a proposed Interception of Communications Bill is becoming fierce. The Bill would allow the Zimbabwe government to monitor all Internet communications, including email, web browsing, instant messaging and financial transactions. The bill would also require Internet service providers to buy $1 million worth of surveillance equipment, a measure that could force many ISP's to shut down.
http://www.worldpress.org/Africa/2505.cfm