1. Information & CommunicationTechnology (ICT) Division “Telecommunications Policy and Regulatory Research Needs and Outputs” March 4 th 2008 Ministry of Public Administration & Information

2. fastforward What is fastforward all about ? National ICT Agenda Objectives of the National ICT Agenda –Provide all citizens with affordable Internet access –Focus on the development of children and adult skills to sustain a vibrant future –Promote citizen trust, access and interaction through good governance –Maximize the potential within all citizens and accelerate innovation to develop a knowledge-based society fastforward fastforward is the strategy for achieving this Agenda –a roadmap for a connected, informed, innovative and competitive nation –Complements and builds upon Vision 2020

3. fastforward – Stated Goals 2005 Telecommunications Sector opened up to full competition 2006 All appropriate Government information available on-line 2008 All schools with computers and high-speed Internet access 2008 All libraries with computers and high-speed Internet access 2008 Community Connection Programme in place 2008 All appropriate Government services available on-line 2008 Over 50% of homes with PCs and Internet access 2008 Over 50% of population “regular Internet users” 2008 Over 50% of businesses on-line and seeing business benefits   

4. fastforward fastforward involves a series of national programmes and projects in areas such as: –e-Government Communications Backbone, e-Government Portal, G2B, G2C –Community Connections Community Access Centres, Relevant Content –ICT Human Capital SchoolNet (KID), Computers for Schools, ICT Sector –Growing the e-Marketplace B2B, B2C –Telecommunications Liberalization –Legislative Review

5. RESEARCH NEEDS Research Needs and Outputs Constant assessment and dissemination of progress in telecommunications usage within the region Ongoing monitoring and information gathering on services provided by the Telecommunication firms. Harmonization of telecom indicators OUTPUTS Awareness of limitations and problems that can hinder policy formulation Follow/set standards at the global level. Outline critical areas and identify pending digital challenges

6. Gives a reliable picture of ICT use across the population and identify areas that excel and areas that need improvement. The results will assist policy development by tracking progress towards goals set out by each government’s Digital Strategy and identifying areas where further policy intervention is needed. Data collection exercises on telecom usage should be done annually since the telecom market in the Latin America and the Caribbean regions are not static. Research and implement new indicators in the telecom sector due to the vast pace in changing technology. e.g. use of IP telephony by households Policies facilitating this newer method of contact can allow for cheaper communications and force households to become PC literate. Constant assessment and dissemination of progress in telecommunications usage within the region

7. Using standard indicators are imperative, as the DIRSI is comprised mainly of developing countries, and this can serve as a basis for international comparisons on the information society. The UN “Partnership on Measuring ICT for development” report provided relevant core indicators agreed by the following: Harmonization of Telephony indicators

8. Example: Mobile Telephony Basic Core Indicators: Mobile cellular subscribers per 100 inhabitants (mobidensity) Percentage of population covered by mobile cellular telephony Mobile cellular tariffs (100 minutes of use per month) in US$ Proportion of households with a mobile cellular telephone Extended core indicator: Proportion of individuals with the use of a mobile telephone UN “Partnership on Measuring ICT for development” report Source: UN “Partnership on Measuring ICT for development” report Harmonization of Telephony indicators

9. To promote competition and reduce regulation in order to secure lower prices and higher quality services and to encourage the rapid deployment of new telecommunications technologies. Endorse Policy so that the telecom provider is mandated to supply data to the relevant agencies and thereby will assist in telecom policy and regulation. Obtain innovative indicators so that Policy makers can be aware of any latest technology being used by some telecom providers. This can also allow for increased competition. Indicators such as: - Extent to which Next Generation Networks are being implemented - International mobile roaming, its availability and cost Ongoing monitoring and information gathering on services provided by the Telecommunication firms

10. Thank You