CONNECT THE CARIBBEAN A Way Forward

1. CONNECT THE CARIBBEAN A Way Forward • CANTO 24th Annual Conference • Nassau, Bahamas • Presented By • Dr Ekwow Spio-Garbrah • Chief Executive Officer, CTO

2. Globally, ICT spending is estimated at US$3 Trillion Growing at an average of 8.9% per annum Representing 6.8% of Global GDP. ICT Growth has to be a part of a strategic plan which drives an economy Essential part of Global Market Participation. ICT’s Economic Importance

3. ICTs are integral for empowering citizens, promoting economic growth and even saving lives Universal Access – connectivity for all E-Government Services G2G, G2B & G2C - Social services Online tools for business community Disaster Response Meteorological, geological monitoring Early warning systems are vital, and the rapid deployment of robust systems after the event saves lives Innovation and NGNs Meeting the growing demand for essential ICT services Encouraging industry innovation ICTs for the Public Interest

4. Policy and Regulatory Harmonization Harmonization of policies and regulations in the region Spectrum policy, Competition Building Infrastructure Capacity, now and in the future Infrastructure development - optimum approach Wired & Wireless technologies Facilitating Investments Human Capacity Building and Training Creating an Enabling Environment

5. Harmonization of Telecommunication Regulation Harmonization of Electronic Transaction Act Spectrum Policy (speed, capacity, price, etc) Competition Policy Last Mile Issues wired and wireless Undersea optical-fibre cable, terrestrial wireless and satellite links Creating inward investment environment Addressing Policy & Regulation

6. Despite major ICT advances, 70%-plus of Commonwealth developing countries unconnected, mostly rural communities including Small Island States (SIDs) CTO is focused on this segment for special support Conferences on Connecting Rural Communities for Africa and Asia regurlarly being held Commonwealth African Rural Connectivity Initiative launched (COMARCI), and Phase I Completed, Phase II underway Identification of 10 pilots – best practices for replication Commonwealth Universal Access/ Service Funds Forum CTO facilitating formation of Commonwealth Association Focus on Rural Connectivity

7. Convergence & technology-neutral Licensing Fair and optimal frequency allocation/management Addressing significant market power issues (SMP) and promoting fair competition Maintaining open and competitive markets in infrastructure and services, including Open Access Networks Encouraging PPP innovation and long-term investment Removing barriers to the development of emerging markets Ensuring proportionality to regulation, including forbearance Ensuring the optimal balance in spectrum management Ensuring Consumer protection and QoS Funding/role challenges for PSBs and community radios Policy / Regulatory Framework

8. Capacity and bandwidth needs Infrastructure development Wired and wireless Undersea optical-fibre cable, terrestrial wireless and satellite links Ensuring redundancy and resiliency as networks converge Looking ahead to anticipate future demand and requirements Facilitating Investments through Public-Private Partnership Creating Regional Body and working with Caribbean development bank to bring about low cost regional fibre network similar to NEPAD Africa e-commission with group of 22 African countries CTO can help to facilitate a Regional protocol for the Caribbean countries to bring this about Addressing Infrastructure Needs

9. Connectivity Delivery Modes DSL CableModem Fiber PowerLine Wireline FixedWireless Satellite 3GCellular WirelessLAN Wireless

10. Caribbean Fibre Connectivity

11. Most Caribbean countries still have a duopoly which requires as much regulation on monopolies. The demand elasticity and the economics of the benefits of new networks must be clearly understood and where competition policy needs to be applied. Wholesale and Interconnection regulations and prices have to be controlled by the regulators reflecting the correct price. Ultimately we have to get the regulations right to complement it with a business environment and an enlightened highly skilled human resources Caribbean Connectivity Issues In the Caribbean: businesses and households have fixed, mobile, broadband connection which can be satellite, cable, DSL, WiFi, or WiMax, and Blackberrys

12. Public consultation on regulatory reform held to encourage citizen understanding and participation Citizen technology education – taking advantage of ICTs Industry training initiatives – equipping the workforce for the information society Faciliting local investment for national incubators programme CTO as a Development Partner – through its programme of development and training (PDT) as well as exchange of knowledge and experiences through CTO’s international events Enhancing Human Capacity

13. E- Development Initiative E-Customs (on line filing) E-Taxation (on line filing) E-Budget Preparation Gov e-mail services Gov. Web Portal E-Civil Registry E-Business Registry E-Land Registry E-Procurement E-Agricultural Depots E-Commerce E-Education E-Health Enhanced Cellular Music Downloads Best Practice VoIP IPTV Satellite Web 2.0 Developing for e-Business Services Developing National e-Government operations

14. Need for convergence in Policy, Regulation, Operations and Technology driven partly by consumers Privatisation, competition lowering prices New market entrants, consolidation, standardisation promoting wider choices Content development, social networks, mobile, Internet and rural comms brings all closer CTO and CANTO should strengthen collaboration CTO can facilitate Regional backbone development to bring about Universal Access to broadband for all Conclusion

15. Dr Ekwow Spio-Garbrah CEO, CTO www.cto.int London, UK THANK YOU