Pacific Regional Digital Strategy II

Suella Hansen & Noelle Jones

Presentation for APT28 April 2010

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An independent review of the impact of the Digital Strategy for PIFS

Part A reviews technological capacity, including:

• top level assessment of current ICT capacity and usage in Pacific Island Countries (PICs)

• review of potential of ICTs to meet current and future socio-economic needs in the PICs

• review of the current structure of partners and players

Part B recommendations to assist with revised Digital Strategy (DSII)

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Priorities of the Digital Strategy

Improving access to communications technology

Reducing costs

Establishing higher bandwidth to the global ICT ‘backbone’

Removing inappropriate regulatory environments in order to foster higher levels of investment

Strengthening ICT skills

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A three-tier approach was adopted, identifying key programs at each level

Pillar 1: Country level

Pillar 2: Regional level

Pillar 3: Global level

ICT steering groups ICT leadership Representation in global and Asia-Pacific fora

ICT policies & plans ICT coordination & harmonisation

ICT trend analysis and monitoring

Development of measures

Promote ICT within CROP

Universal service plans Regional approach to ICT education

Government delivery of health & education

Re-examination of state of broadcasting

Capacity building via schools, distance education centres etc

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Status of progress towards Digital Strategy objectives

Substantial progress

Promote ICT within CROP (Pillar 2)

Work-in-progress

Capacity building; ICT policies and plans; Expansion of telecoms access to rural and remote areas (Pillar 1)

ICT leadership, ICT harmonisation; Review development and promote usage of ICTs within CROP and to countries; Regional approaches to ICT education (Pillar 2)

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Gaps in progress

Development of measures/statistics (Pillar 1)

Particular emphasis on government delivery of health and education services (Pillar 1)

Re-examination of the state of broadcasting in the region (Pillar 2)

ICT coordination (Pillar 2)

Representation of unique Pacific issues, needs, attributes to Pacific and global fora (Pillar 3)

Monitoring, analysing and assessing global ICT trends (Pillar 3)

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Gaps and emerging needs

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Access and costs still present barriers to progress

Internet access remains limited with few options for affordable broadband

Costs of Internet hardware and usage a major barrier to Government, consumers and SMEs

Costs of international bandwidth remain high

Most PICs still developing Universal Access policies

Basic service costs still high in some PICs

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Developing appropriate regulatory environment

Many ICT policies under development and in need of resource and technical assistance

No competition in smaller PICs

Government ownership remains strong

Pre-2000 legislation in five PICs

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Training and capacity building

ICT training ineffective if infrastructure unavailable

Need for process to ensure training is passed on to wider groups within countries

Training assists work of individuals on a short-term basis, but skills lost as people move jobs, change roles, and leave to work overseas

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Regional co-operation

Further infrastructure development required

No effective regional coordination mechanism

Opportunities for stakeholder consultation

Lack of information and statistics on ICT progress

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Recommendations for DSII

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Objectives

The provision of adequate, accessible and affordable infrastructure for all PICs

Promoting and increasing usage of such infrastructure

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Five key principles for DSII

Sector governance

Infrastructure & access

ICT utilisation International connectivity

ICT efficiency

Develop national policies reflecting good governance best practice

Facilitate competitive environments

Independent regulation

Encourage private sector participation

Encourage commercial development of ICT infrastructure

Facilitate appropriate intervention where commercial infrastructure is not feasible

Encourage ICT capacity building that will ensure full utilisation of ICT infrastructure and encourage innovation

Facilitate cost effective strategies for provision of international connectivity

Encourage efficient and effective mechanisms to optimise the use of limited resources

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These principles are supported by a programme of activities at the country and regional level

Sector governance

Infrastructure & access

ICT utilisation International connectivity

ICT efficiency

Modalities for implementation: country level

Modalities for implementation: regional level

Monitoring and evaluation

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Example: Achieving ICT efficiency

Objective: Encourage efficient and effective mechanisms to optimise use of limited resources

Activities

• Improve regional coordination mechanisms

• Collect ICT statistics

• Improve reporting on ICT initiatives

• Harmonisation of laws

• Protection of privacy, data security and IP rights

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ICT efficiency: modalities for implementation

Country level

• Active participation in meetings, consultation etc

• Assign responsibility for ICT statistics collection

• Introduce reporting & feedback mechanisms

• Appropriate training for lawyers

Regional level

• ICT coordination mechanism

• Role of Regional Resource Centre

www.strategies.nzl.comAuckland • London • Melbourne • Wellington

Contact: Dr Suella Hansen

+64 9 522 1702

s.hansen@strategies.nzl.com

Noelle Jones

+61 3 9830 0152

n.jones@strategies.nzl.com