Telecommunications and Information Services

" Printed on Demand. Limited stock is held for this title. If you would like to order 30 copies or more please contact books@worldbank.org Contact books@worldbank.org , if currently unavailable.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."

Foreword

v

Abstract

vi

Acknowledgments

vii

Executive Summary

ix

Telecommunications, Information and Poverty Reduction

1

(6)

Knowledge and Development

1

(1)

Role of Information and Communications Technologies in Poverty Reduction

1

(2)

The Digital Divide

3

(1)

The World Bank Group's Strategic Role

4

(3)

Overview of the Access Problem

7

(8)

The Two Dimension of the Access Problem

7

(1)

The Two Access Gaps

7

(2)

Basic Access Indicators

9

(4)

Access to Information Technology and the Internet

13

(2)

Technology and Market Solutions for the Access Gaps

15

(10)

Technology and Cost Trends

15

(3)

Retailing Innovations and Community Access Trends

18

(7)

Policy and Regulatory Models for Improving Access

25

(16)

Introduction

25

(1)

Country Groupings Based on Liberalization and Geoeconomic Dimensions

25

(2)

Policy and Regulatory Options for the Market Efficiency Gap

27

(1)

Bridging the Access Gap in a Less than Liberalized Environment

28

(3)

Bridging the Access Gap in a Liberalizing Environment

31

(2)

Smart Subsidies and Other Financial Schemes to Promote Universal Access

33

(5)

The Emerging New Breed of ``Rural'' Operators

38

(3)

World Bank Group Experience of Date

41

(6)

World Bank Experience

41

(3)

IFC Experience

44

(1)

Emerging Lessons from World Bank Group Operations

44

(3)

Toward a Strategy for Universal Access

47

(16)

Objectives

47

(1)

Strategic Directions

48

(8)

Implementation and Monitoring

56

(7)

ANNEXES

63

(36)

Regulatory and Market Structure of Selected Countries

63

(4)

Universal Service / Access Approach in Selected Countries

67

(6)

Universal Access Profiles of Selected Countries

73

(16)

Methodology for Country Groupings

89

(4)

Methodology to Approximate Universal Access Costs

93

(6)

References

99

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

Summary

Table of Contents

Supplemental Materials