Global Indicators Workshop on Community Access to ICTS November 2004, Mexico City Ilyas Ahmed Telecommunications Authority of Maldives Maldives Initiatives and ICT Indicators

A Glance at Maldives Where is Maldives?

Situation Regulator Regulator Telecommunications Authority of Maldives Telecommunications Authority of Maldives Policy Maker Policy Maker Min. of Communications Science & Technology Min. of Communications Science & Technology Operators Operators Dhiraagu – A JV between Maldives Government and C&W Dhiraagu – A JV between Maldives Government and C&W Focus Infocomm – A local company providing Internet service Focus Infocomm – A local company providing Internet service

Market Place Market Place The operator Dhiraagu provides all services The operator Dhiraagu provides all services Exclusivity for basic services till 2008 Exclusivity for basic services till 2008 Internet Market opened in 2003 Internet Market opened in 2003 Mobile Services being opened in 2004 Mobile Services being opened in 2004 Other Services to Follow Other Services to Follow Internet Internet Dialup, Satellite – Nationwide Dialup, Satellite – Nationwide ISDN, DSL, Cable – In urban and commercial areas ISDN, DSL, Cable – In urban and commercial areas Situation (2)

Developments By 2000, all inhabited islands had access to telephone By 2000, all inhabited islands had access to telephone GSM mobile service was introduced 1999, and highly successful GSM mobile service was introduced 1999, and highly successful Internet Service as dialup throughout, the country, broadband available in urban and commercial areas Internet Service as dialup throughout, the country, broadband available in urban and commercial areas

Maldives Telecommunications Policy The Policy focuses on ICT development The Policy focuses on ICT development Making Maldives an extensive user of info-communication technology Making Maldives an extensive user of info-communication technology Improve accessibility to the ICT Improve accessibility to the ICT Reducing telecommunication charges Reducing telecommunication charges Strengthening the Regulator and the necessary legislative framework Strengthening the Regulator and the necessary legislative framework Market Liberalization Market Liberalization

Initiatives Multipurpose Telecentres Multipurpose Telecentres Pilot Project to Provide Public Internet Access Pilot Project to Provide Public Internet Access To be operated by the communities To be operated by the communities More Telecentres to be introduced upon success of the pilot project More Telecentres to be introduced upon success of the pilot project

Initiatives undertaken Telephone lines at discount rates Telephone lines at discount rates To Operate Public Internet Access at each Island Community To Operate Public Internet Access at each Island Community Free Internet Accounts Free Internet Accounts User name + password for everyone User name + password for everyone User only pays for telephone usage charges User only pays for telephone usage charges Prepaid Internet Prepaid Internet Convenient, can be used with any telephone Convenient, can be used with any telephone No access charges to the telephone line No access charges to the telephone line Peace of mind for parents, and owners of the line Peace of mind for parents, and owners of the line

Affordability of Computer Equipment Affordability of Computer Equipment All Equipment Imported All Equipment Imported Import Duty Reduced to 5%, from 20% Import Duty Reduced to 5%, from 20% Government Network of Maldives (GNM) Government Network of Maldives (GNM) To Interconnect All Government Offices To Interconnect All Government Offices Public Interactions also encouraged in electronic form Public Interactions also encouraged in electronic form Will set an example for the private sector to use IT Will set an example for the private sector to use IT GNM will be implemented at the earliest possible GNM will be implemented at the earliest possible Initiatives undertaken (2)

Other Initiatives (ongoing) Awareness on Internet Awareness on Internet Internet Fairs Internet Fairs Annual Grand Event Annual Grand Event Targeted at People of All ages Targeted at People of All ages Exhibition of Technologies & Equipment Exhibition of Technologies & Equipment Free Internet Access at the Fair Free Internet Access at the Fair Web Design Competitions Web Design Competitions Different Categories Different Categories Free Hosting Free Hosting Attractive Prizes Attractive Prizes

Other Initiatives (ongoing) 2 IT in the Educational Curriculum IT in the Educational Curriculum IT now part of the primary education IT now part of the primary education IT training conducted in collaboration with local IT training industry IT training conducted in collaboration with local IT training industry Training on IP & Networking Training on IP & Networking in collaboration with ITU in collaboration with ITU Curriculum & Assistance from Cisco Curriculum & Assistance from Cisco Conducted locally by MCHE Conducted locally by MCHE

Indicators Internet users Majority of users are dialup No registration required Difficult to estimate Guestimate – 15,000 users

Sources of Information Indicators (2) No. of Users Service Provider Databases Dialup lines used No. of computers Community Access Dhiraagu Discount Line Registry TAM Cybercafe registrations

Indicators (3) Broadband Users (current estimate) Leased Lines 66 ADSL683 ISDN217 Satellite15 Cable30 Wireless260

Indicators (4) Community Access Digital Community Centres (DCC) 52 Other PIAC 14 Total66 DCC - Rural 0.3 DCC - Urban 0.02

Indicators (5) Teledensities Fixed Line 66 Mobile683 Teledensity (Fixed) 217 Teledensity (Mobile) 15 Teledensity (Overall) 30

Conclusion Challenging geographic conditions to provide nationwide services Challenging geographic conditions to provide nationwide services Number of Initiatives by the Government and Industry Number of Initiatives by the Government and Industry Indicators show significant improvements Indicators show significant improvements Advancements in Technology, combined with the plans and initiatives taken by the Government and the Industry can keep us more connected Advancements in Technology, combined with the plans and initiatives taken by the Government and the Industry can keep us more connected Both within Maldives, and globally. Both within Maldives, and globally.

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