L I R N E . N E T

The Research ICT Africa (RIA!) August 2008 Policy Brief is based on the preliminary analysis of the Individual and Household ICT Survey undertaken by the network.
The policy brief provides a snapshot of ICT development in Ghana, which has not been robust despite the country having been amongst the early reformers of the African ICT sector. In spite of improvements in certain sector segments, others such as household fixed line, internet access and public telephones, need policy support to catalyse their development.

Click here to download the RIA! Policy Brief (PDF format)

For further information about this report, contact:
Dr. Godfred Frempong <gkfrempong [at] stepri.csir.org.gh>

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In a new working paper, Ewan Sutherland, Research Fellow at the LINK Centre, considers the role of national auditors in telecom policy oversight. “With almost two hundred NRAs the question of their oversight, or the regulation of regulators, is now a very general concern. The processes auditors general use can and do improve the overall system and the workings of both ministries and regulators.” Sutherland sketches out the roles of auditors in ten countries and draws conclusions around the advantages that national auditors can bring to national telecom regulation in terms of processes and oversight; and the parliamentary level requirements to benefit from auditor’s assessments.

Click here to download the full paper in .pdf format.

Click here to go to the International Organisation of Supreme Audit Institutions (INTOSAI) and here for the Intosai Development Initiative (IDI).
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It is naturally assumed that evidence based research and indicators feed into policymaking. However, the degree to which these do enter into policy process discourses and influence policymaking is rarely documented. This week, LIRNEasia had a big win in their attempts to introduce the issue of lowering intra-SAARC call charges into the agenda of inaugural session of the 15th summit of the South Asian Association for Regional Co-operation (SAARC). Although they were told it was too late to introduce the issue via the technical committees, LIRNEasia appears to have succeeded not only in getting it into the agenda, but into the SAARC Chairman’s speech! As part of a multifaceted strategy, in addition to documenting and making price benchmarks available online, LIRNEasia also worked to ensure that the story was covered in the media of different SAARC countries. As noted by LIRNEasia, the real success will be when the rates are actually lowered to levels that are not above extra-SAARC rates.

Click here for LIRNEasia pricing benchmarks.
Click here for LIRNEasia post with links to media coverage on this issue and here for the post on the SAARC agenda.
Click here for the full text of the speech by Sri Lankan President and SAARC chairman Mahinda Rajapaksa.

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Scott Wallsten’s recent paper (April 2008), Reverse Auctions and Universal Telecommunications Service: Lessons from Global Experience, provides an update on the use of reverse auctions (or least cost subsidies, or reverse subsidies). This mechanism allows market actors to bid for what they calculate will be the minimum needed subsidy to extend networks to rural and remote areas, with the concession awarded to the lowest bid. This has been an effective way of setting competitive terms for serving what were perceived to not be attractive or viable markets. Wallsten’s paper reviews experiences with reverse auctions in Australia, Chile, Colombia, India, Nepal, and Peru - and further discusses their implications for the US.

Click here to go to the free download page at the Social Sciences Research Network.

See also LIRNEasia research in this area: “Smart Subsidies - Getting the Conditions Right: The experience of expanding rural telecoms” in Nepal by Harsha de Silva & Ratna Kaji Tuladhar, Chapter 7 in Diversifying Participation in Network Development (2007).

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William Melody and Amy Mahan will guest edit a special issue of info - the journal of policy, regulation and strategy for telecommunications, information and media on Network Development: Wireless Applications for the Next Billion New Users. This special issue focused on wireless applications for the next billion users will examine priority issues relating to the extension of ICT infrastructure to the world’s unconnected poor, with particular reference to the design of innovative strategies for network development. The guest editors welcome the submission of draft material or work in progress based on current or recently completed research for possible publication in this special issue.

Deadline for submission: Monday, 4 August 2008.

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LIRNE.NET researchers from around the world will be participating in the the International Telecommunications Society 17th Biennial Conference, Montreal, Canada (24-27 June). If you are planning to attend ITS, we invite you to come to meet researchers from LIRNEasia, Research ICT Africa (RIA!), the Latin American and Caribbean Regional Dialogue on the Information Society (DIRSI), from the European LIRNE centres, LIRNE.NET and Comunica. See next page for ITS sessions.

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infoDev’s ICT Regulation Toolkit, the most complete online repository of its kind, has completed all seven modules originally designated to cover the range of relevant themes. The final piece, Universal Access, is now available in beta version, with the finalised content being made available during the month of April. Self-described as “a live resource for policy-makers, regulators, the telecom industry, and consumers. It provides a global overview of how telecom policy is best implemented with practical materials highlighting experience and results.” The toolkit is kept up-to-date with new links to resources being added on a regular basis.

Module 1: Regulating the Telecommunications Sector: Overview
Module 2: Competition and Price Regulation
Module 3: Authorization of Telecommunications Services
Module 4: Universal Access (beta)
Module 5: Radio Spectrum Management
Module 6: Legal and Institutional Framework
Module 7: New Technologies and Impact on Regulation

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