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The African Experience: Building both Supply & Demand InfoDev Workshop Monday, Mar 14, 2005 World Bank Office Paris Mike Jensen mikej@sn.apc.org
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Lack of Fixed Lines - the Major Barrier - In 2004 there were about 25 million lines for the 800 million people in Africa. - In Sub Sahara outside South Africa, there were only about 4 million lines - 1 in 200 - In many countries more than 90% of these lines are in the capital city and secondary towns, while 70-80% of the people live outside these areas: E.g. Malawi has 8 000 fixed lines for the 10 million people living outside the 4 major towns: 1 line for every 1250
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Sources: ESRI, GSM Association/Coversoft, ITU, Mike Jensen Teledensity in Africa http://www.idrc.ca/acacia
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GSM Coverage Cost of calls are high, and data speeds low. Why so much better in Asia?
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Need for International Fibre And National Backbones
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Radio – the most widespread medium, but still few licenses Some countries have liberalised the sector and allowed some private sector radio & TV stations A few countries such as Mali, South Africa and Uganda, have issued notable numbers of community radio and non-profit licenses But outside of the capital cities, coverage is still usually limited to one or two state operated channels
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Many external systemic factors: Electricity, Transport networks, Import duties, Education levels
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Restrictive Regulatory Environment - The Key Barrier - State owned monopolies still dominate - Some foreign investment in monopolies in return for continued exclusivity - Limited introduction of competition - 1 or 2 additional fixed line players in a few countries - The limited number of GSM operators (2-3 in each country) making big profits while fixed line operators increasingly redundant and other new technologies prohibited (VOIP, VSAT, WiFi etc)
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Exploiting new technology developments Low cost Internet appliances – Thin clients, Mobile Phones & Handhelds Wireless - Local loop / WiFi/WiMax => Mesh networks Geo Satellites - Intelsat, RASCOM, PanamSat, Eutelsat, NewSkies New low cost VSAT systems Data Broadcasting - WorldSpace & DSTV Hybrid Systems mixed technologies Using power grid infrastructure VOIP User Financed Infrastructure
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Alternate Power Sources - Promote knowledge of Solar,Wind, Biogas alternatives - Need for financing, plus IPP policies - Incentives, carbon credits? - Elimination of Import duties - Reduced power consumption
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Increasing Demand Public access facilities – Telecentres, Cybercafes => Universal Service Objectives? Exploit User Financed Infrastructure in local loop Build more relevant content – Electronic Funds Transfer, Agricultural/market info, e-govt Voucher systems Access to credit for purchasing ICT equipment Capacity building To use and manage comms & information facilities To use be aware of and to use new technologies – VOIP, WiFi, VSAT etc.. ❐ Exploit potential of offshoring/ outsourcing from the North (esp via diaspora & African-Americans)
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- Accelerated liberalisation and expanded universal service goals - Support for Public Participation in Policy Development ==> - Integrated National Information & Communications Infrastructure (NICI) planning - Telecentres & Multipurpose Community Access, and Community Radio Stations - Universal Smart Cards & E-Commerce policies - Government Content and Applications Development - Access to credit for purchase of ICTs National Strategies
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Capacity Building & Human Resource Development Training of National Regulators Centres of Excellence – e.g ESMT and AFRALTI National Internet Training Centres – e.g. CITI Standards for User Training in Computer Applications - Computer Drivers License – ICDL Improved ICT Training programmes at schools, universities, research networks, workplace and informal environment
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Other Considerations Develop a phased approach which priorises activities – infrastructure, connectivity of key decision makers in business and govt Exploit employment creation potential of outsourcing from the North Improve national collaboration of key actors Increase representation at global level
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Key Barriers To Be Eliminated Restrictions on numbers of licenses for telecom operators, ISPs and broadcasters High fees and slow process for licensing Limitations on data-only private wireless and VSAT Excessive import duties on ICT equipment Limited skills and knowledge of options Lack of finance for small businesses
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Actions Focus on two key areas: Open the markets Finance national/international backbones - set up a fund which has open markets as a condition for access to funds Ensure more resources given to transport and power supply networks, alternative energy sources, and smoothing cross-border links Promote other demand building strategies: voucher systems, access to credit for SME ICT businesses Use an agreed set of progress benchmarks Stay technology neutral – let market decide Encourage infrastructure sharing (eg. Masts, rights of way, pylons, gas pipelines etc) Encourage (in interim) price capping for monopoly supplied bandwidth Do not use developed country models
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Thank You mikej@sn.apc.org
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