International Telecommunication Union ITU Initiatives within Connect Africa presented by Marcelino Tayob ITU/BDT FTRA 2009 Lusaka, Zambia 20 May 2008

2 Kigali Summit Mobilize human, technical and financial resources to implement WSIS 1000 participants Including Head of States, Ministers, CEOs $55 Billion in commitments Set 5 goals for future: 2012/2015

3 Goals 1. Interconnect all African capitals and major cities with broadband 2. Connect villages; local shared access 3. Adopt enabling environment for investment 4. Build capacity through training centres 5. Develop applications and services: e-government

4 Major ITU Initiatives Wireless Broadband Connecting Villages Connect a School, Connect a Community Shared ICT Access Rural ICT Access Digital Broadcasting Enabling Environment Capacity Building Applications & Services Special Initiatives

5 Enabling Environment ITU-EC project to harmonize ICT policies in Sub Saharan Africa Will also help harmonized guidelines for West Africa to become law more quickly Collaborating with AfDB to strengthen efforts and avoid overlap

6 Capacity Building ITU working with partners on African Network of Excellence Network will facilitate resource sharing - facilities, expertise, training materials Also developing a Centre of Excellence for Portuguese and Spanish speaking countries in Africa Project funded by the Governments of Spain and Portugal: Six countries will benefit over 4 years

7 Digital Broadcasting Roadmap Project With support of Government of Korea Helping African Countries make analogue- digital shift Period : Jan Aug Developing guidelines, projects in selected countries, impact assessments to promote investment

8 Wireless Broadband Partnership Develop and deploy wireless networks Guarantee capacity for schools, hospitals Train local experts and build human capacity Develop ICT Applications: e-health, e-education, e- government and others Collaborating with AfDB to assist countries: funding of studies + potential wider roll-out Partnership with Susan and McCaw Foundation Expanding broadband access in underserved areas

9 Rural ICT Services Government of South Africa, ITU and UPU Encourage operators to provide services in rural/remote areas Develop partnerships for content development Promote local entrepreneurs with microfinance Use if possible Post Offices infrastructure. Focus on Southern Africa: Malawi, Lesotho, Mozambique, Rwanda; to be expanded South Africa committed to contributed USD 1.5 million. Other partners expected to join.

Connecting Villages Low cost solutions for hard to reach communities Local entrepreneur bottom up business model Public Private Partnership Relevant applications, i.e. M-banking In discussions with NSN, Ericsson among others – open to more partners Expanding access to affordable connectivity in rural and remote areas

Connecting Villages Expected Outcomes The following outcomes are expected for each participating country: Establishment of several trial sites to provide proof of concept, shortly following the project launch; Improvement of policy and regulation to accelerate the development of rural communications and provide business opportunities for local entrepreneurs; Development of locally-relevant mobile applications and content; and Extensive roll out of rural communications in selected countries, following successful trial results.

Connecting Villages Respective ROLES ITU will provide project management staff, technical experts, administrative support, and coordination; Industry Connectivity Partners will provide equipment, experts and financial support; Expanding access to affordable connectivity in rural and remote areas

Connecting Villages Respective ROLES Local Mobile Operators will make available supporting infrastructure and facilities including, but not limited to: electricity (e.g. solar power), telecom towers, connection to their mobile network; and, Government/Regulator will ensure a supportive policy and regulatory environment, as well as provide administrative support (i.e. authorizations, customs/duty exemptions etc) and possible funding, using sources such as Universal Service Funds. Expanding access to affordable connectivity in rural and remote areas

Connect a School, Connect a Community New initiative to compile best practices in online Toolkit Raise global political awareness among policy makers and regulators Assist ITU Member States with connectivity plans and projects Provide capacity building Enabling schools to serve as community ICT centres for disadvantaged groups.

15 Shared ICT Access: Grameen Village Phone Direct Manual co- published between ITU and Grameen Foundation Available in six languages for FREE download on ITU website Aim to stimulate roll-out of projects at local level

16 Applications & Services ITU and UNECA e-applications project for youth in Congo and Gabon Assessment of cybersecurity situation in Africa

17 Special Initiatives Projects for persons with disabilities in Ethiopia & Senegal ICT training Centres for returnees in Liberia & Burundi, jointly with UNHCR Internet in schools in Kenya & Uganda Women-led telecentres in Benin, Malawi, Tanzania, Zambia, Cape Verde, Guinea Bissau. Support for disadvantaged groups

18 Tracking Progress and Promotional Activities ITU Global View Show ICT statistics and coverage on interactive map Africa ICT Statistics Annual Connect Africa Report

International Telecommunication Union Thank You