Broadband Applications Stimulating Economic Growth Opal Lawton – Columbus Communications

“Broadband enabled technologies are stimulating fresh innovation and inspiring a new generation of digital entrepreneurs to create new applications, services, and content. Broadband moves innovation into people’s hands and homes, allowing end users to take on new roles as entrepreneurs, software developers, lobbyists, activists, journalists and other content generators.” Chairs & Co-chairs On behalf of the Broadband Commission for Digital Development June 2012

Networked Readiness Index 2012 – LATAM and the Caribbean The extent to which we are taking advantage of ICT to increase competitiveness and economic well being Source: WEF – global information technology report 2012 The Overall Picture Benchmark Rankings 1.Sweden – Singapore – 5.86

Caribbean Broadband Access Scorecard is Improving Step 1 ICT Access Source: ITU

ICT Access 2006 The foundation for access is connectivity.

ICT Access 2012 Broadband Connectivity Scorecard has come a long way

The Next Challenge Digitization - To ensure that individuals, businesses, and governments are making the best possible use of networks and applications ICT Access ICT Adoption Digitization Ubiquity Affordability Reliability Speed Monetization Usability Skill

How do we measure the Economic Impact of Adoption GDP Growth o an increase in digitization of 10 % triggers a 0.50% to 0.62% gain in per capita GDP Unemployment Rate o an increase of 10% in digitization reduces a nation’s unemployment rate by 0.84% Innovation o 10-point increase in digitization results in a 6-point increase in the country’s score on the Global Innovation Index Source: WEF – global information technology report 2012 Monitoring

Who’s Responsible? Individuals, Private Sector, Public Sector ICT Adoption

Public Sector Elevating digitization on the national agenda Enabling the Environment Government incentives to improve climate for investment Targeted public sector intervention to fill defined access gaps e.g. Universal Service Programmes Using ICTs to deliver government services Build ICT literacy and skilled human capital by investing in training programs and education incentives Regional benchmarking and sharing statistics and success models Regulatory imperatives specific to national / regional context Competition based regulatory interventions Level playing field for all market participants

Private Sector Realizing the Revenue Gains, Cost Improvements, Efficiencies and Competitive Advantage Enabling the Environment Logistics, Supply Chain, Inventory Management Marketing, Advertising, Promotions and Research Accounting, Payments, Banking Customer Retention and Support HR – Recruitment, training and benefits management Manufacturing Process Control Entrepreneurship – developing relevant applications to meet identified needs

The Individual Helping citizens to understand the “Cost of Exclusion” Capacity Building Potential employer accepting applications only via online submission Increased educational opportunities online Improved access to government services Access to advanced diagnostics and management in health services Retailers are pushing bargains and discounts more and more online

Objective: Stimulate Demand

THANK YOU