NATIONAL ICT FORUM

THE NATIONAL INFORMATION AND

COMMUNICATION POLICY (NACIP) AND ICT

NATIONAL ICT FORUM

TABLE OF CONTENTS1. Introduction

 2.      Premise of NACIP 3.      Content and Structure of NACIP 4.      ICT POLICIES  Issues Associated with an ICT Policy Framework  Objectives of ICT Policies  Constraints ICT Policies seek to Address  Convergence of I and T Polices and ICT

Issues of Relevance to Developing Countries 5.   Conclusion

NATIONAL ICT FORUMINTRODUCTION

Important Developments in the Recent Past

The Gambia joined the rest of the world in successfully tackling themillennium date change. The ad hoc outfits in public and private sectorsbrought about: a high appreciation of the potential and promise of information and

communication technology  led to the reinforcement of ICT infrastructure networks and systems  help organisations see the extent or their integration into the global

economy and the evolving K-society helped organisation assess their risks exposure, dependencies and

interdependencies being on the information superhighway brings about 

the glaring emergence of a divide and potential development gap between those leveraging IT and those who are not

networking of individuals and entities in promoting IT in all aspects of our lives

2. National Communication and Information Policy- NACIP

a) The Premise of NACIP  

A quick through of the NACIP will reveal the premise support and facilitate economic and social

transformation de-regulation of utilities in the sector for private

sector participation and strengthening regulation in the interest of efficiency, consumer

protection and state security

NATIONAL ICT FORUM

NATIONAL ICT FORUM

b) Table of Contents of NACIP: The NACIP is divided into 8 chapters as follows (presentation

is based on chapters 1, 2, 7 and 8)  1. Introduction2. Telecommunication3. Radio Broadcasting4. Television Broadcasting5. Print Media Services6. Postal and Courier Services7. Information and Information Technology8. General Regulations Governing the Office of the

Regulator 

NATIONAL ICT FORUMc) Convergence-policy challengesdata, audio and video provide are transported through newplatforms, seamlessly across regional and global frontiers. This is convergence and has the following policy challenges that are relevant to NACIP and the areas the document cover:

 1. Enabling legislation 2. Coordination and focus  3. Universal service obligations 4. infrastructure development including telecommunication 5. industry development 6. broadcast of content  7. Strategic planning in the short and medium term

NATIONAL ICT FORUM

Table..next 4 slides

NATIONAL ICT FORUM

gfy

NATIONAL ICT FORUM

gcb

NATIONAL ICT FORUM

ss

xd

4. ICT POLICIES

I.  ICT II. Objectives of Policies III. Issues associated with Policy Framework IV. Convergence of I and T Policies in ICT V.  Issues of Relevance to Developing Countries

NATIONAL ICT FORUM

1. Information and Communication Technology Policies-Approaches:

ICT and the associated networks including the Internet perform the tasks of information creation, processing, transport, preservation and delivery. The concept incorporates information itself (content) as well as the associated technologies for broadcast and telecommunications.

 a)      Though driven by converging technologies and common user interests, the several components the several components have conventionally been kept separate at policy levels. A particular case is the segregation in telecomm networks from those on IP due to differences in routing and switching

 b)      the needs of a modern information society it has become necessary to make the

elements (sections 2c and 2d) into a distinct, single integrated and seamless network that connects the entire country and link the country to the world. The network has come of age requiring particular attention

  

NATIONAL ICT FORUM

NATIONAL ICT FORUM

c)  ICT and its facilitation of the evolution of information society require the participation, contribution and partnership of a broad range of stakeholders and cross cutting issues that also need to be addressed to equip, empower and guide the generation of knowledge workers e-society will require

 d)      ICT promotion requires innovativeness and requires new

institutional, statutory, regulatory and legal frameworks. e)      Research by the Development Research Group of the

WB suggests differences in approaches to policymaking matter a great deal. It suggests:

NATIONAL ICT FORUM

        An entirely new policy approach in development of ICT to secure the fastest and most appropriate outcomes

         Experience of pioneering countries reveal that best

results are achieved from bold and innovative policy thrusts and not reconciliation of new technological processes with conventional policy frameworks

            The critical role of progressive policies in

accelerating diffusion is evident           Policy simulation reveal that feasible and progressive

policies can narrow the divide

NATIONAL ICT FORUM

       a)      various international meetings, conferences and initiatives such as:

       the 1996 Midrand Conference in South Africa      G8 Summit      ITU-New Initiatives      The proposed World Summit on Information Society-2003      WTO, UNESCO      The UN ITC Task Force and the Working Group on

Informatics      ECA-AISI      WB and UNDP- (infodev and the human development

report-2001 respectively)      NEPAD

NATIONAL ICT FORUM

II Issues ICT Policy seek to address; a)      acceleration of acquisition and diffusion b)      take on the challenges of convergence e.g.          impact on the structure of industry and society        impact on the coordination and regulatory framework c)      resolve coordination through institutional mechanism d)      implementation coordination e)      take on, continually, the design, review and updating of policies, regulations and laws f)        facilitate the mainstreaming and harmonisation with other relevant policies g)      accelerate the design and implementation projects (telemedine, HIVAids, distance learning, internet for

schools, public administration h)      industry relations i)        serve as focal point for international and technical cooperation in ICT

III: Broad Objectives of ICT policies:  a)      support the broader macro-economic framework

objectives   b)      increase penetration-e-commerce, e-government

or generally e-readiness  c)      quality service at affordable costs  d)      infrastructure development  e)      creation of a hub 

NATIONAL ICT FORUM

V: Issues of Specific Relevance to Developing Countries Developing countries have several reasons that make ICT

promotion urgent. These are:        Low level of access        Resource constraints justify lower transaction costs

through new work systems and processes        weak human capacity -develop skills aggressively        Dependence on IT in many areas of lives and the need to

be dynamic; to update and reengineer continually 

NATIONAL ICT FORUM

NATIONAL ICT FORUM    Uneven access to ICT and to development opportunities both

reflect and exacerbate existing inequalities between and within countries. Developing countries are on the wrong side of the divide and rural areas of developing countries are worst off

    Lack of coherent strategies (relating to e-commerce, local

content development, ICT awareness, privacy, intellectual property, copy right, ICT in health, education, public administration) appropriate to their own situations and level of development

   Absence of an appropriate regulatory framework for

competition, privacy, security, consumer protection  high tariffs    cost of access in condition of monopoly and all the against

monopolies (low level of competition, high tariffs,  

V Conclusions:As the information society evolves, aggressive policies and strategies are needed. The NACIP is a bold initiative but may not adequately address the pertinent issues in the way an ICT policy would. The facts given above e.g.

a)      converging technologies and common user interests, the several components have conventionally been kept separate at policy levels as Malaysia, Tanzania and EU countries have done

b)      needs of a modern information society has made it necessary to make the elements into a distinct, single integrated network that is seamless and connects the entire country and link the country to the world. The network has come of age requiring particular attention

 c)      evolution of information society require the participation,

contribution and partnership of a broad range of stakeholders and cross cutting issues that also need to be addressed to equip, empower and guide the generation of knowledge workers 

NATIONAL ICT FORUM

NATIONAL ICT FORUM

d)      ICT policies need innovativeness and require new institutional, statutory, regulatory and legal frameworks.

 An appropriate Institutional setting to be charged

with    Managing the expectations of government

and customers in relation to universal service

  Creating a sustainable and competitive environment in the market place

  Facilitate the creation of knowledge based society/economy through the creation of a globalised industry convergence of technology and emergence of foreign players

       Encourage investment       Efficient effective allocation and management

of resources       Policy articulation, clarity and strategic

planning 

NATIONAL ICT FORUM

     e) Research by the Development Research Group of the WB

suggests differences in approaches to policymaking matter a great deal. It suggests

  An entirely new policy approach to secure the fastest and most

appropriate outcomes  best results are achieved from bold and innovative policy thrusts

are necessary and not reconciliation of new technological processes with conventional policy frameworks

evidence (DRG Study) of the criticality of feasible and progressive policies in accelerating diffusion and narrowing the divide

  Innovative institutional settings (e.g. new institutions and

structures created at national and sector levels for ICT e.g. Tanzania and South Africa and Senegal are needed

NATIONAL ICT FORUM

Mr. Chairman;   These say a lot about the way forward.

The question now remains:   Do we need a specific policy on ICT in

Gambia that will address ICT promotion and the entire attendant issues or is the coverage of ICT in NACIP adequate? The debate could continue or we can decide at this forum the way forward if we are not to be left behind more and more.

NATIONAL ICT FORUM

THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION