Equitable Access to ICT The EAC Experience East African Community

NairIobi,Kigali, May 2012 ctober 2010 Presentation Outline Introduction ICT Access - Elements ICT Access – Role of Government Conclusion

NairIobi,Kigali, May 2012 ctober 2010 Introduction: ICT Development in the EAC 5 countries National policies and programmes National implementation Regional harmonization and coordination

NairIobi,Kigali, May 2012 ctober 2010 ICT Access – Elements: Infrastructure Submarine Networks Submarine cable networks for international connectivity Terrestrial Backhaul Optical fibre Microwave Access Mobile networks Cable (copper and optical fibre) Wireless broadband Satellite (i.e. VSAT) With regard to access networks, requirements differ for consumer segments -Corporate vs individual -Urban vs rural With regard to access networks, requirements differ for consumer segments -Corporate vs individual -Urban vs rural

NairIobi,Kigali, May 2012 ctober 2010 ICT Access – Elements: Services Voice Circuit switched and packet switched voice Data Internet connectivity for web content Applications and services (e.g. e- government, e- commerce, cloud computing) Content networking (i.e. data centres) Broadcast Audio broadcast TV broadcast Multimedia broadcast Some questions i. For each category of consumers, should there be a minimum set of services? At what price? ii.Security? iii.Convergence? Some questions i. For each category of consumers, should there be a minimum set of services? At what price? ii.Security? iii.Convergence?

ICT Access- Role of Government Policy Objective Type of government intervention National ICT Policy Aligned to national development objectives Sets out strategic objectives; basis for relevant laws and institutions All five countries have national ICT policies, with provisions on ICT access Providing the Enabling Environment Establish the institutional framework ICT Ministries – for policy formulation ICT sector regulator – all 5 countries Service provider institutions: To implement government ICT projects Laws and regulations All 5 countries have national ICT laws The laws provide for equitable access to ICT

ICT Access- Role of Government Policy Objective Type of government intervention Market liberalization Enhances competition, promotes private sector investment Status: With few exceptions, all segments of the ICT market is liberalized in all the EAC countries Ensuring efficient and equitable access to ICT infrastructure and services Government as direct provider Where private sector investment is not viable in the short term Submarine –TEAMS Terrestrial backhaul: all 5 countries Access: Digital villages Fiscal Incentives and subsidies ICT consumer products are duty free in EAC countries Subsidies in the form of Universal Service funds

NairIobi,Kigali, May 2012 ctober 2010 Conclusion Policy development and implementation Major challenges: advances in technology, convergence and security Focus on broad principles, empower institutions Harmonization Necessary to provide platform for developing common objectives Power and means to realize objectives reside at country level

NairIobi,Kigali, May 2012 ctober 2010 OFBI Operational OFBI construction complete OFBI Planned National Capital Town LEGEND Status of Implementation of Optical Fibre Backbone Infrastructure (OFBI) April 2012

THANK YOU Robert Achieng Senior Communications Engineer East African Community Arusha, Tanzania East African Community