Financing telecommunications for rural development

Evidence shows that there has been serious underinvestment in telecommunications facilities in developing countries (DCs). This article analyses the reasons for this neglect, and demonstrates that a major restrictive factor in the development of telecommunications facilities in DCs — particularly in rural areas — has been the absence of adequate foreign exchange financing. Through an analysis of three major mechanisms for financing investment — supplier credits, multilateral lending and bilateral lending — and of the policies of the major institutions involved, the article identifies those policies that will stimulate the expansion of rural telecommunications in DCs.     

Aspects of innovation: Public policy issues in telecommunications development

The author considers the potential for innovation in various telecommunication technologies. Unfamiliar concepts may be generated by the introduction of a new technology, the uses of technology, abuses and their consequences, and cross-fertilisation with other fields. After discussing possible futures, he analyses the implications of a general model of change associated with the introduction of a major technology, and concludes by stressing the urgent need for research aimed at anticipating desirable and undesirable impacts.     

Anti-monopoly issues in Polish telecommunications

Since 1990 the telecommunication sector in Poland has been undergoing rapid development and modernization. It is heavily dominated by Telekommunikacja Polska SA (TP SA), a state-owned company which is split into 10 regional directorates. Although TP SA enjoys a legal monopoly only over international traffic, it is a de facto monopolist in the Polish market too. Apart from difficulties in funding local telephone operations, many of the difficulties facing private competitors to TP SA focus on interconnection and pricing issues. The Anti-monopoly Office, which seeks to restrict unfair competition and restrictive business practices, has been monitoring the compliance of TP SA with the statutory standards. In its business practices TP SA has been reluctant to meet the required standards, particularly these relating to the setting of tariffs. This has been found to have a restrictive effect on the emergence of competition in the form of local operators.     

Appropriate telecommunications for economic development

A vision of improved telecommunications infrastructure leading to dramatic improvements in the economies and the quality of life in developing countries is now supported by an increasing body of evidence. Economic justification of the necessary investment depends on the availability of appropriate low cost technology, such as microprocessor-based digital satellite earth stations costing under $10000. Such technology is technically feasible, but its availability will depend on the emergence of a consensus among telecommunications lenders, borrowers and manufacturers that the benefits can be achieved and therefore the necessary mass market will emerge.     

Improving development assistance for telecommunications

The stable development of telecommunications in the developing countries has been hindered by a variety of difficulties. Development assistance by the developed countries and a number of organizations has an important role in helping the developing countries overcome these difficulties and promote their telecommunications development. This paper examines different kinds of development assistance and suggests that the role of the ITU will be crucial to any improvement in coordination of assistance.     

On the role of telecommunications in development

Numerous studies document the relationship between telecommunications and economic development. The main types and relative merits of these are summarized. The paper argues that more of the same will do little to help promote accelerated telecommunications investment in developing countries as needed. Rather, the efforts should now mainly concentrate on conveying existing sector knowledge to governments and international agencies. The paper focuses on examples of simple, proven tools which can be used to supplement telecommunications project analysis for this purpose.     

Economic growth,telecommunications development and productivity growth of the telecommunications sector: Evidence around the world

This paper studies the relationships between economic growth, telecommunications development and productivity growth of the telecommunications sector in different countries and regions of the world. In particular, this study assesses the impact of mobile telecommunications on economic growth and telecommunications productivity. The results indicate that there is a bidirectional relationship between real gross domestic product (GDP) and telecommunications development (as measured by teledensity) for European and high-income countries. However, when the impact of mobile telecommunications development on economic growth is measured separately, the bi-directional relationship is no longer restricted to European and high-income countries. This study also finds that countries in the upper-middle income group have achieved a higher average total factor productivity (TFP) growth than other countries. Countries with competition and privatization in telecommunications have achieved a higher TFP growth than those without competition and privatization. The diffusion of mobile telecommunications services is found to be a significant factor that has improved the TFP growth of the telecommunications sector in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE).     

Competition in telecommunications

The author examines the impact of competition from both domestic and international perspectives. He provides a critique of the pro-competition argument, although a number of advantages of competition are also outlined. The advantages are discussed in relation to equipment and services. International trends towards competition are then described and the disadvantages of such trends are debated in relation to cross-subsidization, interconnection, the telecommunications manufacturing industry, and the market structure. Finally, competition in the international arena is discussed.     

The implementation of advanced telecommunications and services in the Greek academic and research environment: main issues and results

Efforts for the introduction within the Greek academic–research domain of telecommunication infrastructures based on international standards date back to the early 1980s. Today, the focus is on the deployment of high-performance networks capable of supporting advanced telematic applications such as distance learning, teletraining, and telemedicine. Recent efforts aimed at the implementation of advanced telecommunications and telematic services considered important for Greece are examined in this paper. These efforts are within the framework of activities for the realization of the European information superhighway. It is concluded that the benefits obtained to date for the academic and research community in Greece are significant; further, the experience obtained is expected to produce, in the course of time, multiplicative benefits across wider sections of the Greek society.     

Regional aid for telecommunications in Europe: A force for economic development

This article reviews research work on telecommunications and economic development which can be applied to the problems faced in the less favoured regions of Europe. The authors draw on work carried out under the auspices of the Commission of the European Communities into the disadvantages these regions face in telecommunications supply and use, and the benefits which would accrue from investment. The priorities for regional aid and recommended actions for a European programme are also discussed. The authors conclude that the emphasis should be on the provision of advanced business services and the stimulation of demand for those services, in order to encourage economic growth. General network infrastructure digitalization should be left to PTTs to undertake as part of their normal investment programme.     

Instructional telecommunications in Alaska

In May 1979, the Alaska State Legislature passed Senate Concurrent Resolution No 35 which directed the Legislative Council to conduct a feasibility study relating to educational television. This resolution was another major step in the efforts by the State of Alaska during the past decade to bring a wide range of educational and social services to its people, especially the 60 000 people that lie scattered across the state in some 258 small communities ranging in population from 25 to 3 000.     

Action for telecommunications development: STAR: a European community programme

This article describes the European Communities' STAR programme: Special Telecommunications Action for Regional Development. It begins by situating STAR in the context of European Community policy, and explains how Community financial instruments are being used. The analysis which led to the formulation of the programme is briefly described, and an outline is provided of the main components of the regulation establishing the programme. The article concludes by presenting the current status of STAR activity.     

Reducing the number of missing links: Regional cooperation and telecommunications development in southern Africa

This article traces the roots, rationale and mechanics of joint telecommunications planning within the overall economic strategy pursued by the countries of southern Africa. The close links between telecommunications and transportation in the region are highlighted and the details of the region's integrated infrastructural development policies explained. The results achieved to date are assessed. Issues facing the region as the result of current political and economic developments are also discussed, and their likely outcome presented.     

Labor and training issues in advanced technology industrial development

The United States, together with other advanced industrial societies is having to address the skill and training requirements which stem from occupational change as a result of technological innovation. This article examines the major labor questions for policy-makers in the USA now and in the near future.     

Predatory pricing and foreclosure in telecommunications

The growing worldwide trend towards deregulation in the telecommunications industry is raising concerns about anticompetitive behaviour by the dominant carriers. This article reviews some of these concerns and gives examples of alleged anticompetitive behaviour by Canadian carriers. The author assesses the conditions under which predatory activities and foreclosure are likely to occur, and concludes that they may be made even more likely by regulation. He offers an evaluation of some alternative policy approaches.     

Race,ethnicity, and telecommunications policy issues of access and representation: Centering communities of color and their concerns

This paper examines how and why activist groups representing marginalized communities of color are increasingly engaging in communications technology policy issues, particularly in relation to issues of digital access and representation. It explores three distinct but related case studies to disentangle the issues and concerns of a range of communities of color, and the challenges and opportunities for their advocates in navigating the highly technical communications technology policy arena: the first case study, which centers on the NAACP's original opposition to net neutrality, reveals the primacy of issues surrounding the “digital divide” to populations of color, and the difficulties of engaging in technical conversations surrounding Internet governance when issues of access persist. Meanwhile, the second case reviews the campaign by Free Press to promote set-top box liberalization as an issue of representation and diversity to both policymakers and citizens. The final case, which examines the work of the Tribal International Carrier to build an alternative internet service network for Native populations, highlights the precarity which organizations must strategically navigate in order to mitigate the influence of both the state and large corporations over Internet policy issues in order to both serve and represent their constituents. In all, this paper presents and extends upon a novel approach to communications policy research, foregrounding the need to integrate critical race frameworks and, relatedly, to center the breadth, depth, and lived experiences of communities of color, which can therein facilitate more inclusive digital media and communication environments and policy structures.     

National telecommunications planning in Brazil

During the past 15 years Brazil has undergone a process of rapid modernization in its telecommunications. Starting from a chaotic situation, institutional foundations were established and an ambitious development programme carried out. A fundamental piece of this programme was a planning process that proved to be flexible and adequate to handle the social and economic disparities of the country. The policies that have emerged from the planning process were implemented and provided good economic results and satisfaction to customers.