COMNET-IT '95

WORKSHOP REPORT CHAPTER 8

Developments in Information Technologies and Global Networks

 

8.0 Introduction

8.1 Planning Migration in a Complex Technological Environment

8.2 Tracking New Developments in IT

8.3 Dealing with Obsolescence

8.4 Global versus National Solutions

Introduction

There is a proliferation of new networking initiatives or policy reviews under the broad rubric of the Information Highway.

These include:

The G7 Global Information Society initiatives

The Canadian Information Highway Advisory Council

Australia's Broadband Systems Expert Group

South Africa's Green Paper on Telecommunications

Singapore's IT2000

Botswana's Vision 2003

Mauritius 2000

Ms. Ruth Kerry and Mr. Mike Harrop briefed the workshop on the G7 Government Online Project, one of the initiatives emerging from the February, 1995 G7 meeting on the Information Society which was held in Brussels. The G7 Government On-Line Project involves the governments of the world's leading industrial countries working together to develop on-line systems. These systems will enable industry and the public to access government information more easily. The G7 Government On-Line Project aims to reduce the burden of bureaucracy on business whilst improving access to markets.(CCTA, 1995)

Mr. Gilles Cliche of IDRC presented a paper on the African Networking Initiative (ANI). He reviewed the issues surrounding information policy, and pointed to the lack of direct research in this area relating to the developing world. He reviewed the events leading to the ANI initiative. In this initiative, IDRC will work with ECA, UNESCO, ITU and Bellanet with the general objective of helping ECA fulfil its mandate with respect to the requests of the Conference of African Ministers Responsible for Economic and Social Development and Planning held in May, 1995. (Cliche, 1995)

Mr. Roderick Sanatan spoke about the policy dimension of the National Information Infrastructure in the Caribbean. He reviewed the key telecommunications indicators for the Caribbean and outlined the role of the Caribbean Telecommunications Union (CTU). He then outlined the results of a recent regional survey of CTU Member States. Areas where the information infrastructure is contributing to national development have been analysed around five indices: policy, legislation, regulation, network infrastructure and multimedia. Focal points for further policy analysis have been identified from the regional survey. (Sanatan, 1995)

8.1 Planning Migration in a Complex Technological Environment

It is most important that countries develop migration strategies to move from existing to future communications networks. This involves the integration of proven new and relevant technologies such as VSATs and low orbit satellites for electronic message services. It also involves consideration of how IT fits in with national strategies in other sectors. This is of particular importance when dealing with trade issues. Further, IT can help in overcoming some of the problems in society, such as ensuring privacy and security. Strategies for dealing with these problems should consider IT solutions.

Technologies need to be addressed in terms of the state of maturity of the company or country concerned. Both qualitative and quantitative techniques, such as cost benefit analysis, must be applied. Migration strategies might be influenced by the ownership structures of the IT entities concerned - whether they are state owned or private, or whether they are in the process of being corporatised or privatised.

Migration strategies must not only consider capital expenditures, but also maintenance and operation costs. Some suggestions for dealing with maintenance included setting up regional maintenance centres and the provision of maintenance training. In addition, all procurement contracts should include a provision for maintenance.

8.2 Tracking New Developments in IT.

Without the proper advice, emerging technologies could undermine the investment overnight of developing countries. The technical literature, conferences and seminars provide information on new IT developments, but few of these provide qualitative advice. In particular there is a need for objective advice as to how new information technologies may affect the developing world. For example, digital subscriber radio may be used in industrialised countries for rural areas, but in developing countries its best application may be as part of basic infrastructure. GIS can serve as a tool in the developing world in different ways than in the North. Using GIS as a tool to map hepatitis victims or to track poor water sources were some of the suggestions made at the workshop.

Developing countries need to consider whether the rapid change of technologies may produce unwanted effects. For example, mobile satellites or LEOs could be a threat to the VSAT market. Many developing countries are at least considering "leapfrogging" - using the most advance technologies and thus avoiding making investments in technologies which will soon become obsolete. Leapfrogging may be a great opportunity, but it can also be a great risk if the technological implications are not fully assessed.

IT is now an integral part of any discussion on networks. Yet even in the technical world the term "network" is confusing. One has to distinguish, for example, between a Wide Area Network with work stations integrated into a single network with dial-up access by modem to email using the public network. Planners now have to deal with a network of networks. One participant pointed out that the scope is even wider and involves "Windows, Wires and Warehouses". This implies that developing countries have to track this wide range of technologies - including software.

The relationship of the regulatory framework to new technologies is very important. Each country needs a framework which promotes innovation, competition, and induction of new technology for the benefit of the consumer. There is also a need for radio frequency regulations and policies to allow for the optimum use of the emerging wireless services.

8.3 Dealing with Obsolescence.

The migration plan, and the tracking of appropriate new technologies, will lead inevitably to the introduction of new technologies into national networks. This will result in the obsolescence of existing facilities, and even obsolescence of knowledge itself due to the rapid change of technology. Since every country's existing networks are unique, each country will need to address its own problems of obsolescence. The workshop suggested that Member countries should consider putting in place appropriate infrastructures, human and physical resources, to provide the following functionalities:

1.Institutional capacity for information technology assessment and forecasting;

2.The capacity for technology upgrading, including adaptation, maintenance, repair, reusability and reverse engineering.

The issues that would need to be addressed are highly complex, and participants were only able to address a few of them.

First, every effort should be made to apply pressure to reduce planned obsolescence. Some software vendors have an interest in selling new or replacement products that in turn demand more hardware. If technology (including software) were appropriate in the first place, it could probably be cheaper, more robust and have a longer usable life.

Second, as long as a particular technology is relevant to a business solution, it is not obsolete. Obsolescence can be minimised be placing primary emphasis on infrastructure services, available from in private sector, which will be modernised based on economies of scale. By limiting dependencies on "in-house" technologies, the government IT function can be more responsive to technological change.

Third, in the public sector it may be of benefit to ensure that skills are available to assess carefully the serviceable life spans of any IT investment. There is a danger, if the usefulness of an investment is diminished as a result of obsolescence, that further investment in IT by Governments could be discouraged.

Finally, there is a need for international co-operation and research in the development of solutions for ensuring the preservation of electronic records and archives. Obsolete record keeping, and the deterioration of valuable archival information on media such as film, is a major problem for many countries.

8.4 Global providers vs. National Services

When developing ICT policies, countries must think nationally, regionally and globally. Their strategic directions in each of these areas should harmonise with the national interest. To achieve this there must be a balance between the three levels of strategies, with government playing its role as policy-maker, user and deliverer of services to the public. There is pressure to extend services to underserved areas within each country, but at the same time countries are being pressed to integrate more effectively into the global networks.

A balance national vs. global strategy covers the whole range of telecommunications and information technology considerations, and will differ for each country. There are, however, some considerations which are particularly relevant to countries moving from monopoly toward competition in the telecommunications field. For example, a close relationship between a national monopoly carrier and international carrier may produce different national strategies than where there is full competition nationally.

Key issues to be addressed, nationally and internationally, are tariffs, connectivity, capacity (e.g. bandwidth and speed) and contribution to national infrastructure. These issues will need to be addressed soon as international carriers begin to offer global services, such as LEOs and Global PCS.

It was concluded that:

Issues of infrastructure development in its broadest sense (including technologies, applications and software) are of fundamental importance. The role for government is in the identification of demand, the aggregation of requirements, the stimulation of niche markers and to act as a catalyst and a "model" user of IT. In addition, questions of technological obsolescence must be addressed. Collaboration with others on research and the sharing of information is essential to dealing with these issues.