Reassessing Contemporary Approaches to Digital Inclusion & Broadband Development : Meaningful Public Policy and Regulatory Innovations

By: Akarapon Kongchanagul Telecom Economic Policy Analyst The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) Thailand Email: Aka_Kong9988@hotmail.com

(I) The Contemporary Approaches to Digital Inclusion and Broadband Development in Developing Countries

The basic overview of the contemporary broadband development model endorsed by the World Bank, ITU, International Academia & OECD Nations

(II) Problems with Contemporary Approach to DI & BD in Developing Countries

(II) Problems with Contemporary Approach to DI & BD in Developing Countries (Cont. 1)

Low Demands = Low Investments = Slow/Restrictive Developments =

Ineffective Access to Broadband

(II) Problems with Contemporary Approach to DI & BD in Developing Countries (Cont. 2)

Without real markets that can meet the demands (affordability, usability, needs and interests) of the people ICT4D aim to help; ICT4D cannot work in the long run to generate demands for Broadband or ICT

Low Demands + Restrictive Markets +

Broadband Accelerated Technological Advancement =

Possible Widening of the Digital Divide

(II) Problems with Contemporary Approach to DI & BD in Developing Countries (Cont. 3)

(II) Problems with Contemporary Approach to DI & BD in Developing Countries (Cont. 4)

Demands + Markets + Interactions of Entities =

Positive or Negative or What??? Social & Economic Impacts

The access Broadband (ICT and the Internet) in itself cannot determine how Broadband will be used; it will depends on the interactions of entities within the Digital Ecosystem that will determine the social and economic impacts of Broadband Development which in itself may or may not necessarily lead to the public good.

“Good” or “Bad” GDP Growth?

(III) Framework of Meaningful Broadband

Usable Affordable Empowering

Definitions

Broadband Ecosystem

Backbone Last Mile Devices Killer Applications

Users Generated Contents

Ethical Public Policy and Regulatory

Technological Financial Management

Five Domains of Innovation

(IV) Meaningful Public Policy & Regulatory Innovation

• Beyond Deregulation: Regulations can serve as tools for economic-development agendas of the government and not just for keeping order in the market

• The utilization of Meaningful Incentives (& Disincentives) for positive impacts and sustainable developments

(IV) The Meaningful Public Policy and Regulatory Innovations (Cont. 2)

Normal Incentives VS Meaningful Incentives

(IV) The Meaningful Public Policy and Regulatory Innovations for Broadband Development:

(IV) The Meaningful Public Policy and Regulatory Innovations for Broadband Development (Cont. 4)

Two Simultaneous Meaningful Incentives Implementations Routes: 1) Meaningful Investments into Broadband Infrastructures Building

2) Meaningful Investments and Productions in ICT and The Internet

Market

(IV) The Meaningful Public Policy and Regulatory Innovations for Broadband Development (Cont. 5)

Incentives Driven > Voluntary Market Mechanism > Demands Generation

“Market Driven the Demands”

(IV) The Meaningful Public Policy and Regulatory Innovations for Broadband Development (Cont. 6)

Effective Access to Broadband: 1) Reinforcing ICT4D, 2) Reinforcing Broadband Infrastructure Developments 3) Reinforcing Market Expansions

(IV) The Meaningful Public Policy and Regulatory Innovations for Broadband Development (Cont. 7)

Influencing the Interactions within the Digital Ecosystem (without the use of censorships or information restrictions) leading to more Meaningfulness in the use of ICT and Internet in Broadband Development and resulting in Positive Social and Economic Impacts. More of the Good Choices than Bad ones. Good GDP Growth

(VI) Example of Meaningful Public Policy and Regulatory Innovations Research: Incentives and Disincentives Based Approach to Internet Content Regulation

Non-Technical Market-Based Approach Abstract: “Legislative and Regulatory framework that utilize the ‘Business and Economic Incentives and Disincentives’ (Taxes and Subsidies) to influence the productions, distributions and consumptions of Internet Contents within the Digital Ecosystem of nations toward the desired positive impacts and desired outcomes of respective national Governments’ values and goals. While at the same time create rooms for international cooperation through shared economic interests.” For the full research paper please email me.

(VII) Q & A

THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR ATTENTION