LDCs rely largely, through licensing arrangements for transfers of technology, on MNCs to supply the required technology for TBDFs. Currently, LDCs are not able to effectively use TBDFs or the information to which they would gain access. MNCs and the governments of developed nations can raise the needed funds for the required hardware and software and transmission costs, and can mobilize the required skills and industrial networks through which data can be most effectively used, whereas most LDCs cannot. This information and trade gap, exascerbated by dependency on MNCs for the technology required for TBDF, has left developing countries' ability for self-reliant development hampered. Self-reliant development connotes the ability to make autonomous allocative decisions.
Independent development creates unique information requirements.
Currently, TBDFs do not meet such requirements. Throughout this paper, I shall refer to the impact the regulation of TBDF has on these three stakeholders. It shall become evident how the definition of TBDF is instrumental to determining the ultimate beneficiaries of the technology and the data flows. All rights reserved. Published by Ogaranko Group Incorporated .