But that is now, correctly, the domain of the private sector. Where the ITU can continue to play a role in the future is as a forum for policy co-ordination and for the sharing of regulatory best practice among our Members. In the past, high-priced international calls have been a barrier to economic growth. Now, low-priced telecommunication services are facilitating trade and commerce. Today, thanks to telecommunications, e-commerce is allowing a small mountain village in Peru to introduce its agricultural products to the people of New York.
Telecommunication is the basic infrastructure of the society.
Without its development it will be difficult to eradicate illiteracy. The development of economy depends heavily upon telecommunication development. I believe one of the nearest routes for the fight against poverty is via the development of telecommunication. In that sense I am quite satisfied with having seen that the Indian government and Indian industry are putting their priorities in this field. We are standing on the threshold of the convergence millennium.