CONNECT THE CARIBBEAN A Way Forward CANTO 24 th Annual Conference Nassau, Bahamas Presented By Dr Ekwow Spio-Garbrah Chief Executive Officer, CTO

Globally, ICT spending is estimated at US$3 Trillion Growing at an average of 8.9% per annum Representing 6.8% of Global GDP. ICT Growth has to be a part of a strategic plan which drives an economy Essential part of Global Market Participation. ICT’s Economic Importance

ICTs for the Public Interest ICTs are integral for empowering citizens, promoting economic growth and even saving lives –Universal Access – connectivity for all –E-Government Services o G2G, G2B & G2C - Social services o Online tools for business community –Disaster Response o Meteorological, geological monitoring o Early warning systems are vital, and the rapid deployment of robust systems after the event saves lives Innovation and NGNs –Meeting the growing demand for essential ICT services –Encouraging industry innovation

Creating an Enabling Environment Policy and Regulatory Harmonization –Harmonization of policies and regulations in the region –Spectrum policy, Competition Building Infrastructure –Capacity, now and in the future –Infrastructure development - optimum approach –Wired & Wireless technologies –Facilitating Investments Human Capacity Building and Training

Addressing Policy & Regula tion Harmonization of Telecommunication Regulation Harmonization of Electronic Transaction Act Spectrum Policy (speed, capacity, price, etc) Competition Policy Last Mile Issues wired and wireless –Undersea optical-fibre cable, terrestrial wireless and satellite links Creating inward investment environment

Focus on Rural Connectivity Despite major ICT advances, 70%-plus of Commonwealth developing countries unconnected, mostly rural communities including Small Island States (SIDs) CTO is focused on this segment for special support Conferences on Connecting Rural Communities for Africa and Asia regurlarly being held Commonwealth African Rural Connectivity Initiative launched (COMARCI), and Phase I Completed, Phase II underway –Identification of 10 pilots – best practices for replication Commonwealth Universal Access/ Service Funds Forum –CTO facilitating formation of Commonwealth Association

Policy / Regulatory Framework Convergence & technology-neutral Licensing Fair and optimal frequency allocation/management Addressing significant market power issues (SMP) and promoting fair competition Maintaining open and competitive markets in infrastructure and services, including Open Access Networks Encouraging PPP innovation and long-term investment Removing barriers to the development of emerging markets Ensuring proportionality to regulation, including forbearance Ensuring the optimal balance in spectrum management Ensuring Consumer protection and QoS Funding/role challenges for PSBs and community radios

Addressing Infrastructure Needs Capacity and bandwidth needs Infrastructure development Wired and wireless –Undersea optical-fibre cable, terrestrial wireless and satellite links Ensuring redundancy and resiliency as networks converge Looking ahead to anticipate future demand and requirements Facilitating Investments through Public-Private Partnership –Creating Regional Body and working with Caribbean development bank to bring about low cost regional fibre network similar to NEPAD Africa e- commission with group of 22 African countries –CTO can help to facilitate a Regional protocol for the Caribbean countries to bring this about

Connectivity Delivery Modes Wireline Wireless Cable Modem DSL Fiber Power Line Fixed Wireless Satellite 3G Cellular Wireless LAN

Caribbean Fibre Connectivity

In the Caribbean: businesses and households have fixed, mobile, broadband connection which can be satellite, cable, DSL, WiFi, or WiMax, and Blackberrys Most Caribbean countries still have a duopoly which requires as much regulation on monopolies. The demand elasticity and the economics of the benefits of new networks must be clearly understood and where competition policy needs to be applied. Wholesale and Interconnection regulations and prices have to be controlled by the regulators reflecting the correct price. Ultimately we have to get the regulations right to complement it with a business environment and an enlightened highly skilled human resources Caribbean Connectivity Issues

Enhancing Human Capacity Public consultation on regulatory reform held to encourage citizen understanding and participation Citizen technology education – taking advantage of ICTs Industry training initiatives – equipping the workforce for the information society Faciliting local investment for national incubators programme CTO as a Development Partner – through its programme of development and training (PDT) as well as exchange of knowledge and experiences through CTO’s international events

Developing National e-Government operations E- Development Initiative –E-Customs (on line filing) –E-Taxation (on line filing) –E-Budget Preparation –Gov services –Gov. Web Portal –E-Civil Registry –E-Business Registry –E-Land Registry –E-Procurement –E-Agricultural Depots –E-Commerce –E-Education –E-Health Enhanced Cellular Music Downloads Best Practice VoIP IPTV Satellite Web 2.0 Developing for e-Business Services

Market Conditions Pre-Liberalization Monopoly -Single Telecommunications Provider »Highest Prices in the world »Caribbean was 60 % of global profit »T1 line US$ 24,000 compared to US$ 500 in US Legacy Networks New Technology had not matured, yet & price too high Traditional Agricultural Economies (Banana / Sugar) High customs import duties Growing National Debts (High Debt / GDP ratio High levels of migration by skilled workers Islands prone to Climate Change -but slow to recover » Huricanes, Sea level rise, Deforestation, etc. Only 40% access to Secondary Education Limited access to Tertiary Education High levels of poverty and unemployment

Liberalization of Caribbean Market Liberalization of Telecoms Markets- Impact on Small Island Dev. States (SIDS) ● Jamaica 2000 ● OECS (ECTEL) 2002 ● Barbados 2003 ● T&T 2006 ● Guyana 2006 ● BVI 2007 ● Licenses offered to several local firms but mixed to poor response.

Post Liberalization Trends General Move towards CSME (Caribbean Single Market & Economy) The decline in the Banana Market, Sugar and Agriculture Migration and Brain Drain with losses of Knowledge Workers A shift to Tourism & other services (ICT & Financial Services) Trend of visitors wanting to view and book room on line..(e-tickets) ICT New entrants and competition (Digicel, etc) Emergence of Caribbean Telecommunications Union (CTU) Strong Independent Regulator (OUR, ECTEL – NTRC, etc) Growth of ICT Industry/Commerce – ICT Business Incubators/ C-Centre Growth of government’s ICT capacity – CKLN – e-Gov – NIT Introduction of New Expensive Submarine Cable & growth of Cable Operators

DIGITALISATION ILLUSTRATED – Based upon a common core surrounded by a variety of access networks IP Network (e.g., over DSL) Circuit Switched Network IP Network (e.g., Enterprise ) WiFi / WiMax / Access Circuit Mobile Network Packet Mobile Network IP Network (e.g., over Cable) Softswitch Media Gateway Application Servers OSA-GW HSS IAD IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS)

Conclusion Need for convergence in Policy, Regulation, Operations and Technology driven partly by consumers Privatisation, competition lowering prices New market entrants, consolidation, standardisation promoting wider choices Content development, social networks, mobile, Internet and rural comms brings all closer CTO and CANTO should strengthen collaboration CTO can facilitate Regional backbone development to bring about Universal Access to broadband for all

THANK YOU Dr Ekwow Spio-Garbrah CEO, CTO London, UK