Why Broadband

1
Why Broadband?

• CITEL PCC.II
• El Salvador
• October 20-24, 2003

2
Overview

• Defining Broadband
• Broadband Applications
• Broadband as a Priority
• Hype versus Reality Can It Deliver?
• The Role of Government
• Conclusions

3
Defining Broadband?

• Broadband has different meanings for different
  people references can be confusing
• Focus on capability not speed
• Broadband is enough two-way transmission capacity
  and speed to allow interactive high-quality
  full-motion video, data and voice applications
  simultaneously via one pipe
• Broadband is an evolutionary process

4
Broadband Applications
Broadband technologies create or enhance
applications beyond current capabilities with
dial-up Internet access

• Telemedicine
• Teleworking
• E-Government
• Agriculture
• Distance Learning
• Public Safety
• National Security
• Applications for Persons with Disabilities

• Utility Applications (meter reading, remote
  monitoring)
• Small Business Assistance
• Information Gathering
• Tourism
• E-Commerce
• Entertainment

5
Broadband as a Priority

• Policy-makers may be skeptical that broadband can
  actually deliver benefits
• If an economy must struggle to provide even the
  most basic services to its citizens, should it
  worry with broadband access?
• Will this really drive my economy or just make
  Internet connections faster?
• How does this help a rural farmer?

6
Broadband as a Priority

• The idea that countries or regions concerned with
  basic connectivity should not consider broadband
  a priority is short-sighted
• Worsens rather than solves the digital divide
• Developed areas WILL move forward
• Should underserved populations be left behind?

7
Benefits of Broadband

• Broadband is an accelerator of development
• Social services
• Economic development
• Increased Worker Productivity
• Job Creation

8
Benefits of Broadband

• Efficiencies in the Distribution of
• Goods
• Services
• Information
• More Efficient / Increased Access to Healthcare
• More Efficient and Widespread Education
• Help Bridge the Digital Divide!

9
Can Broadband Deliver?

• Using satellite broadband technology, several
  patients in a remote area in Canada were treated
  over 900 miles away without connectivity, the
  patients would have waited for months until a
  specialist traveled to their area
• The Telemedicine Foundation of Russia is focused
  on using broadband technology to conduct
  telemedicine consultations between Russia and
  other countries in Europe and North America, as
  well as within Russias vast borders

10
Can Broadband Deliver?

• In Canada, broadband networks are being used to
  assist with farm management and electronic
  livestock auctions.
• Over sixty percent of beef cattle sold in Quebec,
  Canada, are now sold at electronic livestock
  auctions
• The selling costs for the producers of grain-fed
  calves has dropped from CA11 to CA4 per head
  and prevents double shipping of cattle (to
  auction then to the buyer)

11
Can Broadband Deliver?

• A new virtual University in Pakistan provides
  distance learning using the television, video
  conferencing and the Internet
• The University will train nearly 60,000 computer
  science graduates so that they can help build an
  IT industry in Pakistan

12
The Role of Government

• Make a commitment at the highest political levels
  to address their social, economic and other needs
  by making broadband deployment a priority.
• Limit regulation to addressing specific, critical
  problems and minimize disruption to competitive,
  market forces.
• Companies will not invest in a heavily regulated
  or uncertain environment.

13
The Role of Government

• Governments should not mandate technologies
  (e.g., DSL, fiber, satellite and fixed and mobile
  wireless, others).
• Because physical infrastructure and geography are
  vastly different from economy to economy (or even
  village to village), technology that works well
  in one geographic area may not work as well in
  another.

14
The Role of Government

• Act as a driver of broadband demand and
  deployment
• Promote / adopt broadband in areas such as
• Government Services
• Security
• Tourism
• Public Safety
• Education
• Agriculture
• Teleworking
• Healthcare

15
The Role of Government

• Implement policies that encourage investment in
  new and diverse communications technologies
• Consider fiscal support such as tax incentives,
  targeted subsidies,pilot project funding, or low
  interest loans and guarantees for broadband
  deployment
• Regulatory and fiscal incentives provide
  flexibility, promote competition and bring
  services to areas that are financially risky.

16
Conclusions

• With broadband deployment will come the potential
  for enormous economic and social benefits.
• Broadband can enable opportunities for in many
  sectors
• Governments can help create an environment that
  will facilitate broadband deployment
• Broadband technologies are here now!

17
Thank You!

• Guillermo (Bill) Belt
• TIA
• Tel [phone]
• Fax [phone]
• bbelt_at_tiaonline.org
• www.tiaonline.org/policy/broadband.cfm