Donnie DeFreitas Eastern Caribbean Telecommunications Authority (ECTEL) October 29 th 2008

Community Wireless Network Different approaches to community wireless networks: No- or low- cost Internet access for community residents within certain hotspots Municipal 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 Framework Physical 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 policies Regulatory reform policies Communication policies Regional development policies Education & Training policies

Some areas for policy consideration Spectrum 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 consideration Value-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 consideration Competition 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 consideration Policies 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

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 exchange Informational – more formal linkages where individuals agree to participate Open – formal linkages primarily to undertake research or explore innovation in specific areas Some areas for policy consideration

Challenges in policy development Types 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