Faster - via Satellite - SEE Access to Information Society Tihomir DIVJAK Southeast Europe Business Forum November 2012, Istanbul, Turkey

Some facts Daily usage of ICT - An indispensable privilege Daily usage of ICT - An indispensable privilege Life within Information Society Life within Information Society World Bank study 2009: ICT help in crisis overcoming World Bank study 2009: ICT help in crisis overcoming “10% increase of investment in introduction of fast internet causes a 1.38 % rise of GDP” “10% increase of investment in introduction of fast internet causes a 1.38 % rise of GDP” Doubling broadband speed upgrades GDP by 0.3% Doubling broadband speed upgrades GDP by 0.3% BB key of economic growth and education development in the world: e-Everything BB key of economic growth and education development in the world: e-Everything

Europe “Gâté” 95% of Europeans now have access to broadband Internet infrastructure 95% of Europeans now have access to broadband Internet infrastructure European Directive COM (2010) 553 Final European Directive COM (2010) 553 Final „Regional Policy contributions to smart growth in Europe 2020“ „Regional Policy contributions to smart growth in Europe 2020“ FTTH… FTTH… Key words: „I want my 100 Mb/s wired/wireless“ Key words: „I want my 100 Mb/s wired/wireless“ Satellites as complement solution Satellites as complement solution 15 – 20 M of European households do not have access to BB 15 – 20 M of European households do not have access to BB StateAids: UK, Italy, Ireland StateAids: UK, Italy, Ireland Subsidies Subsidies

COUNTRYPERCENTAGE ( % )REMARKS Albania49 Bosnia and Herzegovina60 ITU Estimation Bulgaria51 Croatia71 Greece53 Moldova38 Montenegro40 ITU Estimation Romania44 Serbia42 Slovenia72 FYRO Macedonia57 Percentage of individuals using the Internet in SEE end of 2011 ITU, June 2012

Main policy priorities SEE statistics – significantly below the European average SEE statistics – significantly below the European average Digital gap and how to overcome it in the shortest timeframe Digital gap and how to overcome it in the shortest timeframe Answer: Over satellite Answer: Over satellite Development of ICT strategy in SEE Development of ICT strategy in SEE One Example: KA-SAT One Example: KA-SAT Enables immediate connectivity Enables immediate connectivity

KA-SAT: Europe’s Next Generation High throughput satellite system

Benefits of Satellite solutions Immediate Availability 24/7, everywhere Immediate Availability 24/7, everywhere High QoS and large transfer of data High QoS and large transfer of data Economically feasible system Economically feasible system Two-way interactive communication Two-way interactive communication Instant bridging of the digital gap Instant bridging of the digital gap Modest tariffication - similar to ADSL Modest tariffication - similar to ADSL

Tooway Equipment Package Services: Bit rate up to 18 Mb/s Individual price: 240 €

Regional cooperation - Digital future Intensifying the integration processes Priceless influence on the space and spatial planning Network of cities and the research institutions Information and communication linkages necessity Better common life in the region Building a communication networks Opportunity for knowledge and experience sharing

Current framework in SEE Existence of important Ministerial ICT decisions and conclusions Existence of important Ministerial ICT decisions and conclusions A lot of excellent Paperwork was done A lot of excellent Paperwork was done Digital Divide and the ICT for SEE Digital Divide and the ICT for SEE The needs are great GDP is poor The needs are great GDP is poor Main obstacles for closing digital ICT gap: Main obstacles for closing digital ICT gap: Price of user terminal Lack of funds for the purchase of individual equipment. Lack of funds for the purchase of individual equipment. High time for Action High time for Action

Europe 2020 implementation – where are we? Europe 2020 strategy for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth Urgent implementation of best European practices and experiences In accordance with European Directive COM (2010) 553 Final „Regional Policy contributions to smart growth in Europe 2020“ Significant element of cooperation for EU accession

Advantages and benefits of implementation for institutions / organizations and for the business sector Citizens Citizens Municipalities and Capital cities management Municipalities and Capital cities management Businesspersons Businesspersons Foresight Stakeholders Foresight Stakeholders Spatial Planers… Spatial Planers… Broader and Faster implementation of: Broader and Faster implementation of: eGovernment, eDemocraty, eLearning, eHealth, eSecurity…

Actual Status The main promoters of ICT are: Regional Cooperation Council RCC in Sarajevo Regional Cooperation Council RCC in Sarajevo Centre for eGovernance Development for South East Europe in Ljubljana Centre for eGovernance Development for South East Europe in Ljubljana eSEE - bSEE Initiative Working Group in Zagreb eSEE - bSEE Initiative Working Group in Zagreb SEE ICT Forum in Skopje SEE ICT Forum in Skopje UNDP in Sarajevo UNDP in Sarajevo

Instant bridging of the digital divide in the undeveloped SEE region Instant bridging of the digital divide in the undeveloped SEE region Satellite as main stream action for SEE Satellite as main stream action for SEE Broadband initiative born under the Digital Agenda for Europe Broadband initiative born under the Digital Agenda for Europe Make “every European digital” Make “every European digital” Use funds from the current and the future period (2014–2020) Use funds from the current and the future period (2014–2020) Good examples: Good examples: SEE Europe Aid assistance: DVB-T Switchover Albania: Internet via satellite for villages and schools Montenegro: Internet via satellite for borders control Bottom-up proposal

Elimination of barrier to implementation “Achilles still lives in SEE” - How to speed him up Most important role of RCC: To promote mutual cooperation and integration of SEE To inspire development in the region to the benefit of its people. Strengthening the RCC Strategy and Work Program SEE 2020 Vision The smart, sustainable and inclusive growth dimensions SEE promoters of ICT should lead private-public initiative toward the EU Actual Needs and “To Be” program

Subsidizing terminals using available EU funds to quickly and cost-effectively reach the 2013 targets of the DA Potential financing: Pre-Accession Assistance: Accessing IPA Cross Border Cooperation 2007 – th Framework Program funds Public subsidies for user access

Strategic Conclusions Recommendation of the SEEBF for launching of this initiative Recommendation of the SEEBF for launching of this initiative Main task for RCC and CeGC to realize the initiative Main task for RCC and CeGC to realize the initiative Call of the EC to enlargement countries to align the reform agenda with Europe 2020 Call of the EC to enlargement countries to align the reform agenda with Europe 2020 New Europe Aid Project New Europe Aid Project RCC to assist in developing regional platforms accordingly RCC to assist in developing regional platforms accordingly Support of EC - facilitating implementation Support of EC - facilitating implementation Efficient bridging of the transitional period Efficient bridging of the transitional period No time for further delays in development No time for further delays in development One of the pillars to anchor reforms and facilitate EU accession process … One of the pillars to anchor reforms and facilitate EU accession process …

Making Mrs. Neelie Kroes statement feasible in SEE too: […] we cannot forget about social inclusion. […] the benefits of the Internet must be spread to include everyone. […] we cannot forget about social inclusion. […] the benefits of the Internet must be spread to include everyone. Thank you