Kenya's Broadband Plan

It is good to read that Kenya is creating a 30 billion shilling venture fund (through sale of bonds) for broadband roll out. It is reported that, "Under the broadband strategy, the government plans to double its fiber-optic network to 60,000 kilometers (37,282 miles) by 2017 and provide free and subsidized laptops and mobile phones." Apart from government's budgetary commitments, private investment is also expected to rise substantially over the next decade. Another interesting development is the proposed merger of  "three state agencies, Government Information Technology Services, the Directorate of e-Government and the Kenya ICT Board, into a single entity to be known as the Kenya ICT Authority, Information, Communications and Technology." 

They seem to be following a well thought out Broadband Plan which has recently been identified as an important  driver of broadband penetration. The importance and effectiveness of National Broadband Plans has been recently endorsed by the U.N. which has stated that, “There is a need to move from ‘silo thinking’ to a more comprehensive point of view encompassing different sectors, in recognition of the nature of broadband as a cross-sectoral enabler.”

In India better inter agency coordination or even merger would help realize the goals of the New Telecom Poilcy 2012 and National IT Policy 2012 which are at present being implemented by two separate government departments. 

The Broadband Ecosystem

I reproduce below a news item about the release of an ITU report, "Planning for Progress: Why National Broadband Plans Matter."

• Countries with a clearly-defined national vision for broadband roll-out are significantly out-performing those with a more relaxed approach, according to a new report by the International Telecommunications Union.

• The report observes that there were 134  national broadband plans in place around the world by the middle of 2013, all of which aim to increase usage of broadband-enabled services and applications by citizens and businesses.

• Such plans are found to have a big impact on market penetration of fixed and mobile broadband services, with average penetration around 8% higher for both in those countries with a formalised plan.

• Market competition is also believed to play an important role here, with competitive markets averaging 1% higher penetration for fixed broadband and 26% higher for mobile broadband than those markets with a monopoly.

• Dr Hamadoun I. Toure, secretary-general of the ITU, said: “Governments are realising that broadband networks are not just vital to national competitiveness, but to the delivery of education, healthcare, public utilities like energy and water, environmental management, and a whole host of government services. Broadband is the key enabler not just of human interaction, but of the machine-to-machine communications systems that will underpin tomorrow’s world.”

• The study concludes by stating that the full economic and social benefits are most likely to be realised where there is strong partnership between government and industry, and counsels a consultative, participatory approach to policy in conjunction with key stakeholders.

Source: http://www.iptv-news.com/2013/07/national-broadband-plans-crucial-to-success-says-itu/

The report indicates regional differences different policy in  instruments being used to promote broadband

Most importantly the report highlights the need to focus on the entire broadband ecosystem rather than just the supply side. At present relatively few countries focus on the entire gamut of measures needed for true broadband related inclusion.

It  cites the case of Brazil, as a well formulated plan based on widespread consultation which takes into account the infrastructure provision targets, a conducive regulatory environment combining infrastructure sharing and competition, as well as fiscal incentives.

The results as reported are heartening,

The private sector has responded by accelerating the deployment of infrastructure. There has been significant uptake in both fixed and mobile broadband services – fixed broadband is now available in all 5,565 municipalities of the 27 states in Brazil. Since 2009, total fixed broadband subscriptions have doubled from 10 million to 20 million lines in service.  Mobile 3G services now reach 3,376 municipalities in all states, currently covering 89% of the country´s population. Mobile broadband has exploded from 7 million lines in service in 2009 to 70 million today. Mobile 4G services were recently launched in April 2013 in major State capitals, with extensive coverage targets over the next few years.  Twelve thousand community telecentres have now been equipped and provided with broadband Internet access. 

In India apart from the National Optic Fibre Network-A USF supported project, a clear broadband policy articulation is found in the National Telecom policy 2012.  Please see previous posts on National Broadband Networks and Universal Service more information.