ICTs should be available, affordable and accessible for all. Today, universal service, competition and associated issues of consumer protection and privacy have become all the more relevant given that digital technologies increasingly underlie the economic, social and political aspects of our lives. There is a need for international collaboration, cooperation and cross-cutting regulation.The author would like to discuss all these issues and invites comments. Disclaimer: Views are personal.
As an outsider to this approach to Universal Service administration I find the level of judicial review very unusual and alien. If large public projects are to move forward then it is important that the courts should be kept at bay, and especially bit involved at the behest of failed bidders. The basis on which the bidding process and outcomes might be challenged are not specified by Archana, but the suggestion that the plaintiffs (complainants) are fishing and hoping to find a procedural anomaly is hard to ignor or put out of mind.
In any case, thanbks to Archana for her commentary.
I thank Jim for the comment. The reasons for the BBNL tender being challenged in court are not unfortunately in the public domain. While it is always an impediment to speedy roll out, challenging a tender process for say lack of transparency or fair dealing is a legal remedy that cannot be denied.
As an outsider to this approach to Universal Service administration I find the level of judicial review very unusual and alien. If large public projects are to move forward then it is important that the courts should be kept at bay, and especially bit involved at the behest of failed bidders. The basis on which the bidding process and outcomes might be challenged are not specified by Archana, but the suggestion that the plaintiffs (complainants) are fishing and hoping to find a procedural anomaly is hard to ignor or put out of mind.
ReplyDeleteIn any case, thanbks to Archana for her commentary.
Jim Holmes, Director - Incyte Consulting
I thank Jim for the comment. The reasons for the BBNL tender being challenged in court are not unfortunately in the public domain. While it is always an impediment to speedy roll out, challenging a tender process for say lack of transparency or fair dealing is a legal remedy that cannot be denied.
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