BDT Programme 1 Rural Broadband for Developing Countries: Options and Challenges This contribution provides an overview of a BDT report prepared on rural broadband with a focus on experience of India but equally relevant for developing countries in general. This report focuses on two forces opposing and neutralizing each other to bring broadband connectivity to a situation of stalemate. One is the technological option of developing suitable infrastructure that incorporates both the advantage of advanced technology and at the same time keeps the cost to the level of affordability of the target population in the remote and rural areas. The other is the realization that the cost of connectivity alone cannot ensure acceptance of broadband connectivity by the rural population. For the service provider as a business model it is finally the balance between the revenue and cost. The development perspective, however, has to go beyond the balance sheet and connectivity has to be connected with the development goals with tangible benefits. Report Argentina Satellite Internet connectivity plan for rural schools in Argentina This document informs participants of the plan to bring Internet connectivity to rural and border area schools in Argentina using satellite antennas. National plan (satellite) Madagascar Rural and remote areas Realization of the Millennium Development aimed at improving connectivity and access to ICTs for everyone by 2015 requires the development of infrastructure in the rural and remote areas of developing countries, where over half of the world’s population lives. This contribution (revision of contribution No. presents some ideas concerning ICTs, economic and technological solutions for rural communities, the regulatory environment required and, globally, the manner in which ICTs can help to improve quality of life in rural and remote areas. Case study Madagascar Widening access to mobile telephone services in Madagascar through the Phone system Widening access to mobile telephone services in Madagascar through the Cloud Phone system. Case study (universal access) OJSC (Russian Federation) Inexpensive, sustainable and infrastructure for rural and remote areas based on the "mobile cellular network with This document explains the result of examination of "Mobile cellular network with capacity transfer." The use of the proposed technology reduces the capital and operating cost by two or three times and reduces electricity consumption by 2.5 to four times. In addition, the examination has highlighted that the capacity transfer repeaters are the key element of the network infrastructure in the mobile cellular network. New technology (broadband wireless)
ITU Association of Japan, Japan A plan of penetrating “real” broadband infrastructure into rural and remote areas in developing countries This contribution proposes a plan to penetrate a “real” broadband infrastructure at relatively low cost in rural and remote areas in developing countries. The key is lightweight, thin, robust optical cables and their installation techniques that would open up a new door to penetrate ICT services into such areas thus effectively and quickly closing the digital divide. The plan was presented at TDAG and both in 2012, and seventeen countries have so far expressed support in conducting the field trials in their countries. Practical comments and suggestions are invited particularly from developing countries. New technology Nepal (Federal Democratic Republic of) Revised draft text for survey: “Developing a global compendium of policy and regulatory initiatives/ interventions for developing ICTs/ broadband in rural and remote areas” This document presents the revised draft questionnaire aimed to collect information to develop a compendium to be included in the outputs of the Question. Questionnaire for survey Brazil (Federative Republic of) New Brazilian General Plan for Universal Service – PGMU and 450 MHz The Brazilian General Plan for Universalization brought great advance for fixed telephony in rural areas in Brazil. After its update, there are new goals for individual and collective access in rural areas with the use of 450MHz that need to be implemented country wide until December 2015. National Plan (Universal Service) Tanzania (United Republic of) Status of eHealth in the United Republic of Tanzania This document reviews the status of current and initiatives by the Government of Tanzania on services. Having completed the implementation of national fiber optic backbone that connect all regions, during year 2011 and 2012, the Minister of Communications, Science and Technologies convened several meetings with stakeholders to deliberate issues. He also formed a National Committee to oversee the implementation of services which will start to ensure five hospitals are connected before the end of 2012. This paper provides brief overview on two major pilot projects which has been planned to take place this year and the way forward Case study General Secretariat Broadband Commission presentation The Broadband Commission for Digital Development was established by ITU and UNESCO in response to UN Ban call to step up efforts to achieve the MDGs. Launched in May 2010, the Commission comprises government leaders from around the world and representatives and leaders from relevant industries and international agencies and organizations Report
youths. Educating the public thru ICT also includes the preservation of the natural habitat and this is the same reason we will harness the power of the sun and wind. Internet access can be done by “internet access scratch card” for those who have their own computers with wireless access since WIFI will be deployed to cater to business, individuals, and tourists. With the deployment of both hardware and software mechanism, this will minimize the need for telecenter accountants or cashiers. MOTC will have an ICT awareness training program for the teachers that would be dispatched to the Mej. (KCC) (Republic of Korea) Broadband Internet in Rural and Remote Areas of Korea Rural broadband has been completed in Korea through the cooperation of private telecoms operator (KT, former operator) and the Government (central and local) by 2008 and currently Next Generation Network is under construction in the rural areas. KT’s cooperation was ensured by the ‘Decree of Universal Service Obligation of KT’ which has been prepared to impose KT to fulfill the duty of rural broadband internet connectivity even after the privatization of KT. However, broadband construction in the far remote areas such as the village of less than 50 households could be a financial burden for KT and therefore, the Korean Government has decided to provide financial for the construction of broadband networks for deep remote areas. The financial subsidy has amounted to 50% of the total construction cost and it was shared by central and local Government by half and half. This policy has enabled households in rural areas to subscribe broadband internet at the same price with same quality as urban households. KT has been cooperative on this project since KT, as a operator, can compensate the profit loss in the areas where a few household subscribes broadband with the profit gained in other areas where sufficient subscribers are secured. Case study (broadband access) Congo Republic of) ICT in remote rural areas The problem of telecommunications in the DRC still arises due to lack of adequate infrastructure that allows for a harmonious development. Though the installation of the fiber optic cable has been completed, operation drags for reasons unknown. Bangladesh Regulatory Statistics and Strategic Action Plan of Development in This contribution provides information on Bangladesh’s status with respect to access to technology for broadband telecommunications including IMT. It also covers relevant information regarding telecommunication and ICTs for rural and remote areas of Bangladesh. Case study (broadband access)
Bangladesh: Rural and Remote Areas Pakistan Telecom/ICTs for Rural and Remote Areas ‎–‎ Universal Service Experience of Pakistan The document is presented to share the experience of Ministry of Information Technology and other stakeholders in the successful roll out of telecommunications/ICT services in rural and remote areas of Pakistan through the Universal Service Policy framework and corporate structure (Public ‎–‎ Private Partnership). The document also enlists the challenges faced by Ministry of Information Technology and stakeholders in the actual implementation of the programme. Member states may be encouraged to share their experience in this regard. Case study (universal access) Uganda Uganda’s Approach to Broadband Connectivity in Underserved This document presents Uganda’s Approach to Implementing Broadband Connectivity in Underserved Areas and Uganda’s Universal Access Policy (2010) (available at: ). Internet penetration, access and usage in Uganda is still very low. This is also largely confined to urban commercial centers. Although Uganda’s previous universal access policy had supported the installation of Internet points of presence in all the underserved districts, the internet bandwidth speeds and quality of service issues has been of major concern by the end users. Therefore the new policy objective is expected improve broadband uptake in selected underserved areas as a pilot case. The pilot project will offer experiences for developing a national broadband policy and strategies for its implementation. Case study (broadband access) Japan Overview of Fixed and Mobile Broadband environment in Japan Japan would like to inform the meeting about the situation of Fixed and Mobile Broadband services, especially LTE services delivered by NTT DoCoMo. Case study (broadband wireless) Bureau Future Networks by The attached presentation provides an overview of the work of Study Group 13 and the dedicated Focus Group on Future Networks. Report Türk Telekom Group, Turkey Fiber Effect The attached presentation provides an overview of the correlation between fibre, broadband penetration and incomes and how fibre can accelerate the growth of the broadband incomes. Case (optical fiber)
Swaziland Posts and Telecommunications Corporation (SPTC) (Swaziland) Swaziland is currently using the Universal Service Obligation draft policy to service the rural underserviced remote areas. Autorité de Régulation de la Poste et des Télécommunications (Dem. Rep. of the Congo) In line with the obligations stipulated in terms of reference, operators seek to introduce appropriate solutions in the rural or remote areas in which they are established. Office of the President, Department of Information Communication Technology (Seychelles) National ICT Policy 2007 Oman Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) (Oman) TRA imposed certain license obligations in the telecom service providers to cover some remote areas with set of telecom services which was very helpful Ministry of Information and Communication Technology (Mauritius) The same policy applies to the whole country. 6 Is this a part of the national telecommunication/ICTs/broadband policy? 7 If it is part of the national telecommunication/ICT/Broadband policy, what provisions are made in the broad policy framework? Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) (India) Key Highlights of the Policy Infrastructure status to the telecom sector ‘One license’ Inclusive growth by focusing on rural market License issuance from spectrum allocation Future spectrum allocations at market valuations