Internet Policy Day 3 - Workshop Session No. 6 Internet specific policy issues Prepared for CTO by...
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Transcript of Internet Policy Day 3 - Workshop Session No. 6 Internet specific policy issues Prepared for CTO by...
Internet PolicyDay 3 - Workshop Session No. 6
Internet specific policy issues
Prepared for CTO by Link Centre, Witwatersrand University, South Africa
CTO / DFID Internet Policy workshop, Jamaica, 22-26 April 2002
Sessions Summary Day 1
– Session 1History and technical background– Session 2Market structure
Day 2– Session 3Interconnection, IXPs and voice over IP– Session 4Governance and domain names
Day 3– Session 5The impact of telecommunications regulation– Session 6 Internet specific policy issues
Day 4– Session 7Content on the Internet – Session 8E-commerce issues
Day 5– Session 9Internet tools for regulators– Session 10 Conclusion, review and evaluation
CTO / DFID Internet Policy workshop, Jamaica, 22-26 April 2002
Topics of discussion
How costs of infrastructure and access are determined– International bandwidth costs – Regional bandwidth and backbone costs– National bandwidth and backbone costs– Local loop & and end-user bandwidth costs
Impact of Internet on PSTN network Convergence Internet access in rural areas
– Telecentres– Case studies
CTO / DFID Internet Policy workshop, Jamaica, 22-26 April 2002
Review of issues so far...
What Internet issues could require regulatory intervention?– Protecting ISPs from incumbents
(or other dominant players)– Interconnection/establishment of an IXP– Voice over the Internet– Licensing– ccTLDs– Others?
CTO / DFID Internet Policy workshop, Jamaica, 22-26 April 2002
International bandwidth costs
Charges for International telecom infrastructure are usually the most expensive. Especially for ISPs who must pay for both sides of the link– Up to 60% of ISPs costs can be international bandwidth– Developing countries cannot quickly achieve economies of
scale The new fibre and satellite bandwidth now available
is pushing down prices dramatically in competitive markets
Internet access charges are not significantly affected by being 'International' - the Net doesn't know about distance - traffic volumes are the key issue.
CTO / DFID Internet Policy workshop, Jamaica, 22-26 April 2002
Regional bandwidth costs
Most international telecom links from developing countries follow historical colonial patterns, with limited neighbouring country connectivity.
As a result developed countries are paid substantial amounts for traffic transiting within developing country regions.
New telecom projects to create regional linkages should reduce these charges.
CTO / DFID Internet Policy workshop, Jamaica, 22-26 April 2002
National bandwidth costs
Also highly dependant on level of diversity and competition in telecom sector.
As well as on the size and capacity of the players, and their willingness to adopt arrangements such as peering, splitting revenues on local call minutes and colocation.
Access to domestic VSAT may be key in provision of Internet access in rural areas in developing countries.
CTO / DFID Internet Policy workshop, Jamaica, 22-26 April 2002
Local loop/end-user bandwidth costs
Similar to national costs Dialup and leased line users suffer the same
problems - high cost and limited infrastructure. Unbundling of local loop not yet common Other co-location arrangements are possible Wireless access has potential to cut costs and
increase speeds. Increasing popularity of 802.11
CTO / DFID Internet Policy workshop, Jamaica, 22-26 April 2002
Optimising the network
Improving access and speed means making more efficient use of bandwidth, for example– Keeping local traffic local (IXP, private
peering)– Keeping international traffic local (caching)– Optimising streaming multimedia traffic
CTO / DFID Internet Policy workshop, Jamaica, 22-26 April 2002
Impact of the Internet on PSTN
Demand for bandwidth has increased load on PSTN– PSTN design for 3 minute calls– Internet calls last an average of 20 minutes– Can tie-up inter-exchange capacity
Solutions– Local exchange interconnection– Reducing dependence on fixed line telephone access
for Internet use -- encourage other access technologies Use of VoIP From data over voice towards voice over data
CTO / DFID Internet Policy workshop, Jamaica, 22-26 April 2002
Convergence
What does convergence mean?:– Info technology convergence - mobile
phone/PDA/laptop– Infrastructure convergence - any link
can carry voice, data and broadcast material
– Mobile vs fixed convergence - fixed cell phones.
– What are the regulatory implications
CTO / DFID Internet Policy workshop, Jamaica, 22-26 April 2002
Convergence
Examples– IP Telephony (VOIP)– Video conferencing– Internet radio and Internet TV– Internet on a TV (WebTV/set top boxes)– TV on the Internet
And in the future...– The wired fridge– Chips in people– Reality laws
CTO / DFID Internet Policy workshop, Jamaica, 22-26 April 2002
Rural areas
Problems specific to remote locations– lack of access to phone lines due to remote area– lack of basic computer skills– lack of experienced people to provide skills
education– low income, therefore computers unaffordable– no credit facilities– unfamiliarity with new technology may stall its
adoption and even prevent it from being used altogether
CTO / DFID Internet Policy workshop, Jamaica, 22-26 April 2002
Solutions Available – Solution must include dialogue with
community from the start– Wireless solutions such as HF radio or
VSAT are an option when there are no phone lines
– Facilities such as phones, faxes, computers are essential additions to a network connection.
– Telecentres
Rural areas
CTO / DFID Internet Policy workshop, Jamaica, 22-26 April 2002
Telecentres– Centres which provide communities with access to
Information and Communications Technologies (ICTs) go by a number of names:
– for example: Multipurpose Community Centres (MCC) Community Technology Centres (CTC) Technology Access Community Centres. (TACC)
– Telecentres emerged in last 10 years– Started Northern Europe– Ranging in number from 50 000 to 150 000 world-wide
depending on definition– Telecentres provide solutions to a host of development
problems concerned with the digital divide
Rural areas
CTO / DFID Internet Policy workshop, Jamaica, 22-26 April 2002
Telecentres– Multipurpose Community Centres (MCCs), are an
efficient means for meeting a community’s needs for human resource development, through the provision of information and communication by community-shared facilities
– Anyone in community can make use of services– Train the trainer method of education
every two people trained go out and train another two, who in turn train another two and so on
– Telecentres may be privately owned, community run, or sponsored entirely
Rural areas
CTO / DFID Internet Policy workshop, Jamaica, 22-26 April 2002
Case Study: Gasaleka, South Africa
Gasaleka: first Universal Service Agency telecentre when it was opened by Minister Jay Naidoo in March 1998.
It continues to be one of the most successful centres. Rural area with nearest town 70km away Serves 34 villages Approximate population 85 000 Some travel 20km by foot to access the centre High unemployment rate in the area 4 telephones, fax and copier, 4 Pentium computers and
4 older computers
CTO / DFID Internet Policy workshop, Jamaica, 22-26 April 2002
Case Study: Gasaleka, South Africa
Run by two women who were trained in the first course offered Open 07:00 - 18:00 weekdays Open 07:00 - 13:00 Saturdays Computer course brings in 55% of revenue In 1999, thirty six people graduated
– learnt to type, use Word and Excel, and basic computer operation The Telecentre has very close links with the community.
– Run by the local SANCO (South African national Civic Organisation).– The centre is also supported by the 3 local chiefs.– Close links are maintained with the local government– Water and electricity of the centre are donated by the local
government Telecentre in very healthy financial position with good turnover
CTO / DFID Internet Policy workshop, Jamaica, 22-26 April 2002
Case Study: Gasaleka, South Africa
Telecentre is a monopoly in the area Works closely with local schools and businesses Aims to be multipurpose centre and develop new services Will become a post office too Plans to set-up community newspaper and provide
business services Problems though
– Difficult to get spare parts– Technician 70km away, 15km being dirt road– Area hot and dusty, and no aircon. Computers need to be
covered– Lightening strikes have damaged fax machine and computer
CTO / DFID Internet Policy workshop, Jamaica, 22-26 April 2002
Case Study: Peru
Peruvian Scientific Network (RCP) has established telecentres to provide access to computers and the Internet
Franchise model– ‘Mother Infocentres’– Telecentre franchises– ‘Monocabinas
The network as a whole develops information for all the telecentres to use - such as health and education content from the ministries and business opportunities.
CTO / DFID Internet Policy workshop, Jamaica, 22-26 April 2002
Case Study: TARAhaat.com
India Objectives: Promoting sustainable livelihood generation
in India through Internet access. 25 employees divided between the Delhi and Jhansi
offices making up the core team, and a number of outside contributors and consultants providing content and advice in all areas.
Goal to connect rural India to the Internet and promote livelihood generation through e-commerce and access to information
Uses VSAT technology
CTO / DFID Internet Policy workshop, Jamaica, 22-26 April 2002
Case Study: TARAhaat.com
VSAT supports Internet, data, voice, fax calls Required technology partner to cover costs Partnership allowed for initial 10 computers in 6 rural
villages to be connected Many challenges still had to be overcome, such as
location and power issues for VSAT equipment
CTO / DFID Internet Policy workshop, Jamaica, 22-26 April 2002
Case Study: TARAhaat.com
TARAhaat has had to overcome many challenges without the benefit of previous experience
Their success in the six small villages in the Bundelkhand will serve as a reminder that rural connectivity with VSATs in India can be achieved.
The complete case study is available at: http://sdgateway.net/webworks/management/vsat_da1.htm
CTO / DFID Internet Policy workshop, Jamaica, 22-26 April 2002
Success / Failure of Telecentres
Factors of Success:– Good manager – imported phones,
cellular technology, wireless Internet connections
– Ability to develop new services
– External linkages & networks, knowledge of other telecentres in the area
Factors of Failure:– Equipment problems
(phones, DECT, call cutters)
– Excessive phone bills in regions where Telco has monopoly
– Poor management & community conflict
– Security, many thefts occur in some of the developing countries
CTO / DFID Internet Policy workshop, Jamaica, 22-26 April 2002
From infrastructure to infostructure
Most of the telecentres provide basic use of equipment, such as phones and copiers.
Most do not offer higher ‘information services’ The next stage in the life-cycle of a telecentre is provide
additional services for the community, and to link up to other telecentres in the area:– Community newsletters– Community directory– Government information– Tv services, distance education– Post office, welfare paypoint, development bank, clinic
CTO / DFID Internet Policy workshop, Jamaica, 22-26 April 2002
Internet access for people with disabilities
What can be done?– Introduce legislation or accessibility guidelines– Promote education of disadvantaged needs– Provide technology education to disadvantaged groups– Provide support to existing efforts– Encourage new efforts
Accessibility guidelines– Provide guidelines, legislation or framework– Research requirements of disadvantaged groups– Suggest compatibility– Enforce guidelines– Welcome feedback
CTO / DFID Internet Policy workshop, Jamaica, 22-26 April 2002
Example legislation: USA
USA: Section 508 All federal agencies and government departments are prohibited
from procuring, developing, maintaining or using technology that inaccessible to people with disabilities
This includes (subject to undue burden):– websites– telecommunications– software– hardware– printers– fax machines– copiers– information kiosks
"Undue Burden" means a significant difficulty or expense