The ICT Revolution Cable & Wireless (Barbados) Limited

Some Facts  By end 2004: 1.8b mobile, 1.2b fixed lines, 0.84b Internet users  By end 2005: 0.216b broadband via fixed line, 0.060b via mobile  Predicted in 2008: half the world will have a mobile  Today: Consumption of digital media by under 55 exceeds traditional TV, radio & newspaper ‘ You want to know the difference ICTs have made? Try to live without them.’

Deloitte Touche USA Survey 2007  36% of respondents view cell phone as entertainment device  Camera, text messaging and games rank highest on applications consumers most want on phones  There is a demand for accessing content on the go  Half of US media consumers are creating content online – websites, photos albums, blogs

Customers are driving Convergence, Convenience and Mobility Wi-Fi Public hot spots My PC with multimedia Hotel Home Head Office Main office My desk Desk IP phone On The Move

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ICT Policy  ICT can:  Stimulate economies through heightened use  Empower our people and communities  Enhance quality of life  Governments have agreed to UN Millennium Development Goals – ensue benefits of new technology is available to all  World Summit on the Information Society – ten goals to connect the unconnected by 2015  Connect the World, Connect the Caribbean

Policy and regulatory framework must facilitate efficient investment  To regulate or not to regulate?  NGN regulation  VoIP  net neutrality  broadband access rules  convergence  Policy and regulation must balance the needs of consumer and allow investors a fair return on investment.…..

Regulation in small economies small economies have specific economic and public policy needs Regulation is a cost to consumers Policy makers must avoid attraction of ‘don’t reinvent the wheel approach’ Review approaches taken by other jurisdictions but conduct your own market assessment  Is there a market failure  Cost benefit analysis  Consultation with providers is important  Objective:  Level playing field  Technology neutral

World Summit on the Information Society Goals  Connect villages with ICT and establish community access points  Connect universities, colleges, secondary and primary  Connect scientific and research centres with ICT  Connect public libraries, cultural centres, museums, post offices and archives with ICT  Connect health centres and hospitals with ICT  Connect all local and central government departments and establish websites and addresses

World Summit on the Information Society Goals  Adapt all primary and secondary school curricula to meet the challenges of the Information Society, taking into account national circumstances  Ensure that all of the world's population have access to television and radio services  Encourage the development of content and to put in place technical conditions in order to facilitate the presence and use of all world languages on the Internet  Ensure that more than half the world’s inhabitants have access to ICTs within their reach

Key Actions to achieve Goals and derive benefits of ICT Governments must focus on consumer usage Develop: Universal Service policies and funds Policies and strategies to stimulate usage by citizens at all levels – schools, entrepreneurs, businesses, seniors, challenged Lead with e government initiatives Connect the Caribbean is a powerful vehicle for collaboration Act now… is around the corner