Donnie DeFreitasEastern Caribbean Telecommunications

Authority (ECTEL)October 29th 2008

Community Wireless NetworkDifferent approaches to community wireless

networks:No- or low- cost Internet access for community

residents within certain hotspotsMunicipal or city-wide networks

Some factors for success

Physical Infrastructure

Human Capital

Policy framework

Consists of the telecommunication networks , primarily wireless mesh networks

Telecommunication/ICT policies to support the implementation and sustainability of the network Capacities to

support development and exploitation of the network; also includes the ‘social capital’ i.e. the linkages formed within the community

Focus on the Policy FrameworkPhysical infrastructure and Human capacities

discussed previously. Focus here on the Telecommunication/ICT policies required to support the development of the community wireless network as well as its sustainability

Key policies include:Competition policiesRegulatory reform policiesCommunication policiesRegional development policiesEducation & Training policies

Some areas for policy considerationSpectrum licensing fees: e.g. fees for operating in

2.4GHz frequency band

Interconnectivity costs: paid by one licensee to another for the linking of telecom systems or services

Operating costs: including licensing of ISPs, taxing on goods and services

Installation: tariffs on imported equipment, foreign investment in the development of the infrastructure

Some areas for policy considerationValue-added/IP services: policies regarding value-

added services such as Internet access and IP telephony.

Universal Access: policies that aim to increase access to shared telecommunication services (including Internet Services)

Universal Service: policies that aim to facilitate access to telecommunication services by all individuals; some islands have implemented a Universal Service Fund (issue where VoIP applications replace traditional voice networks)

Some areas for policy considerationCompetition policies: to effect a level of

competition in the sector. Several islands have undergone regulatory reform which has had significant impact primarily in the mobile cellular area leading to increased telephone penetration rates and reduced costs for voice calls

Pricing: Tariffs on service provison

Some areas for policy considerationPolicies to support Electronic Commerce:

eCommerce is a crucial application that can facilitate business development, and promote innovative use of community wireless networks. Policies to support eCommerce include tax laws, credit validation, consumer protection, privacy protection, intellectual property (copyright, trademark, patents), electronic transactions

Development policies:This should be outlined in an effective national

development policy & strategy which would drive a National ICT Policy & Strategy

Focus on the achievement of development goals through the use of technologies in social sectors such as healthcare and education

for example policies governing community access such that the network is available to schools and health centres at no-cost or subsidized costs particularly within rural underserved communities.

Some areas for policy consideration

Education/Training policies: tie in IT training within community centres to existing education policies including distance education programs; promote information exchange among research/educational centres, libraries; etc.

Some areas for policy consideration

Price of service Profits

attractiveness ofmarket

number of WSPs

competition inmarket

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Costs of servic eprovision

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market incentive

installationcosts

operatingcosts +

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mesh networkcoverage

Number ofnodes

installationof nodes

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attractiveness ofservices

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+demand for

services +

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distance ofconsumer from the

network

+operating cost

installation cost

consumer dens ity

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size of region

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Consumersrate ofadoption

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network coverage

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market demandpressure for changes to

policy framework

Number ofwireless policies

rate of development oftelec om polic ies

availability of meshnetworking technologies

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policy framework

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institutionalcapability

Effect of Policies on Community Wireless Network Development

Areas of focus:(a) Costs(b) Market demand/incentive(c) Network coverage(d) Institutional Capacities

Anius, Diana – “Technology & Policy of a Regional Wireless Grid”

(a) Costs

(b) Market demand/incentive

(c) Network coverage

(d) Institutional capacities

Regional development policies: build linkages to facilitate cooperation and harmonisation in areas of technology. Linkages may be: Informal – primarily for information exchangeInformational – more formal linkages where

individuals agree to participateOpen – formal linkages primarily to undertake

research or explore innovation in specific areas

Some areas for policy consideration

Challenges in policy developmentTypes of implemented policies are influenced by the level of

human capital for development and maintenance of an effective policy framework. Persons knowledgeable in areas such as engineering, law, policy, and accounting

Political autonomy of some regulatory agencies: the agency typically acts primarily in an advisory capacity to Government; budget approval may be the responsibility of Government; Government may also be responsible for appointing and dismissing members of the regulatory body

Regional approach to policy development is strongly influenced by the level of social cohesion among the islands

Thank You