universal access: financial mechanisms and rural infrastructure policies
DESCRIPTION
Mike Jensen of the Association for Progressive Communication (APC) presents during day one of the Forum on Communication for Development and Community Media for Family Farming at FAO Headquarters in Rome, ItalyTRANSCRIPT
Universal Access: Financial Mechanisms and Rural Infrastructure Policies
Mike JensenAPC
Forum on Communication for Development and Community Media for Family Farming (FCCM)
FAO - Sheikh Zayed CentreRome
October 23-24, 2014
What Are the Main Investments Required for Rural Communication
Services?National backbone networks – fibre rings for redundancy
Last mile links – satellite, mobile and fixed wirelessPublic access facilitiesLocal radio stationsEnd-user equipmentContent development ICT literacy training Electricity – national grid, micro-grids and in-premises solar
Financial Mechanisms and Funding Opportunities
National backbone networks – private, government, PPP financing, can be development assistance, USFs
Last mile links – private operator revenue & investment finance, communities and end-user funding, diaspora, USFs
Public access facilities – national, state, local authoritiesLocal radio stations – communities, private sector, USFs
End-user equipment – users, providers, govt backed soft loans
Content development – private, government, usersICT literacy training – users, governmentElectricity – development finance, govt, end-users
Other Enabling Factors More open markets will attract private investment Better access to radio spectrum for WiFi, TVWS,
mobile, will reduce operating costs for providers and increase the potential for local self-provisioning of community networks
Ensuring passive infrastructure sharing (masts, ducts in roads, along rail lines and on electricity grids) will greatly reduce the cost of providing services, thereby attracting more investment in rural areas
Independent Power Producer Policies (IPPPs) and feed-in tariffs will make renewable energy more cost-effective
Lowering import duties on ICT equipment will cut operator and end-user costs
How can farmers have a say? Act together – form or join entities that speak for
farmers Build wireless networks and community radio
stations, lobby operators (demonstrate market demand)
Collaborate with other local civil society groups with a common interest in better access – e.g Consumer Groups, Women's organisations, Indigenous groups, Co-ops
Participate in national and local policy processes – e.g National Broadband Strategy development
