Telecommunications and Information Services for the Poor: Toward a Strategy for Universal Access

by Andrew Dymond, Juan Navas-Sabater, Niina Juntunen

Overview

The development community in general and the World Bank in particular recognize the importance of access to telecommunications as an element within the agenda of economic development and poverty reduction. The World Bank has adopted a strategy that includes universal access to telecommunications as a goal. This paper outlines various approaches that can be integrated to help close the 'access gap' to telecommunications where needed. These include: designing and implementing appropriate policies and regulations; acquiring both government subsidies and private investment funds; building institutions and human capacity to make best use of technology; and, analyzing, refining and publishing new approaches.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780821351215
Publisher:	World Bank Publications
Publication date:	04/01/2002
Series:	World Bank Discussion Papers , #432
Pages:	116
Product dimensions:	8.38(w) x 10.75(h) x (d)

Table of Contents

	Foreword	V
	Abstract	VI
	Acknowledgments	VII
	Executive Summary	IX
1	Telecommunications, Information and Poverty Reduction	1
1.1	Knowledge and Development	1
1.2	Role of Information and Communications Technologies in Poverty Reduction	1
1.3	The Digital Divide	3
1.4	The World Bank Group's Strategic Role	4
2	Overview of the Access Problem	7
2.1	The Two Dimensions of the Access Problem	7
2.2	The Two Access Gaps	7
2.3	Basic Access Indicators	9
2.4	Access to Information Technology and the Internet	13
3	Technology and Market Solutions for the Access Gaps	15
3.1	Technology and Cost Trends	15
3.2	Retailing Innovations and Community Access Trends	18
4	Policy and Regulatory Models for Improving Access	25
4.1	Introduction	25
4.2	Country Groupings Based on Liberalization and Geoeconomic Dimensions	25
4.3	Policy and Regulatory Options for the Market Efficiency Gap	27
4.4	Bridging the Access Gap in a Less than Liberalized Environment	28
4.5	Bridging the Access Gap in a Liberalizing Environment	31
4.6	Smart Subsidies and Other Financial Schemes to Promote Universal Access	33
4.7	The Emerging New Breed of "Rural" Operators	38
5	World Bank Group Experience to Date	41
5.1	World Bank Experience	41
5.2	IFC Experience	44
5.3	Emerging Lessons from World Bank Group Operations	44
6	Toward A Strategy for Universal Access	47
6.1	Objectives	47
6.2	Strategic Directions	48
6.3	Implementation and Monitoring	56
	Annexes	63
Annex 1	Regulatory and Market Structure of Selected Countries	63
Annex 2	Universal Service / Access Approach in Selected Countries	67
Annex 3	Universal Access Profiles of Selected Countries	73
Annex 4	Methodology for Country Groupings	89
Annex 5	Methodology to Approximate Universal Access Costs	93
	References	99

Editorial Reviews

Recommends pursuing a universal access to information technology that relies on subsidizing for-profit endeavors in rural or poor areas of the world, relaxing regulations, and privatizing infrastructure. Some other strategies are suggested as well, including the creation of "telecenters" for communities with little access to Internet technology. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

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