Comments on: How far away are we from reaching the 2015 broadband targets? https://ict-pulse.com/2011/12/how-far-away-are-we-from-reaching-the-2015-broadband-targets/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=how-far-away-are-we-from-reaching-the-2015-broadband-targets&utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=how-far-away-are-we-from-reaching-the-2015-broadband-targets Discussing ICT, telecommunications and technology Issues from a Caribbean perspective Wed, 25 Sep 2013 14:28:49 +0000 hourly 1 By: Hallam Hope https://ict-pulse.com/2011/12/how-far-away-are-we-from-reaching-the-2015-broadband-targets/#comment-723 Wed, 28 Dec 2011 11:29:26 +0000 http://www.ict-pulse.com/?p=2599#comment-723 Contact Allison Brown at the UWI, Telecoms Management Programme.

]]> By: mmarius https://ict-pulse.com/2011/12/how-far-away-are-we-from-reaching-the-2015-broadband-targets/#comment-717 Tue, 27 Dec 2011 14:30:52 +0000 http://www.ict-pulse.com/?p=2599#comment-717 In reply to Hallam Hope.

Can you share the Mona School of Business survey report? I have access to the presentation made on the survey results, which is basis for my views – the substantive report was not publicly available…

]]> By: Hallam Hope https://ict-pulse.com/2011/12/how-far-away-are-we-from-reaching-the-2015-broadband-targets/#comment-716 Tue, 27 Dec 2011 14:16:32 +0000 http://www.ict-pulse.com/?p=2599#comment-716 For the record let me say that the survey was excellent. I would recommend a thorough read prior to criticism. It speaks of 1,755 “successful interviews” which is more than adequate for research and it is very detailed. My bias leans towards expanding the data on households and including incomes and a bit more on demographics. But all the parishes were covered. This would tie in with your data posted on GDP and pricing, hence we look a bit deeper at affordability and why the Internet is seen as a priority.
Hallam

]]> By: mmarius https://ict-pulse.com/2011/12/how-far-away-are-we-from-reaching-the-2015-broadband-targets/#comment-715 Tue, 27 Dec 2011 12:56:26 +0000 http://www.ict-pulse.com/?p=2599#comment-715 In reply to Hallam Hope.

Like you, I do share some concern about the study conducted by the Mona Business School. From what i understand, it was conducted over a 3-month period, but the size of the sample and details on the selection process have not been revealed. Hence you are not quite sure whether the results are truly indicative of what would obtain island-wide…

However, a national census has just been completed in Jamaica, and we are all awaiting the results with bated breath. I do believe that there were questions on PC ownership, Internet and telephone access, etc., so that could provide critical baseline data for whatever strategy Jamaica decides to implement going forward. Hopefully though, the report will be released soon in order to make a difference…

]]> By: mmarius https://ict-pulse.com/2011/12/how-far-away-are-we-from-reaching-the-2015-broadband-targets/#comment-714 Tue, 27 Dec 2011 12:43:43 +0000 http://www.ict-pulse.com/?p=2599#comment-714 In reply to Hallam Hope.

I certainly agree with you that information is key – an essential input into whatever planning and decision-making process that is implemented.

Question though, what do you think of the “One Laptop Per Child/Student”, “One Laptop Per Family” initiatives that have been going on across the region? They do provide persons/households with PCs, so arguably when next a survey is done, there might be some improvement in PC ownership and consequently broadband penetration?

]]> By: Hallam Hope https://ict-pulse.com/2011/12/how-far-away-are-we-from-reaching-the-2015-broadband-targets/#comment-713 Tue, 27 Dec 2011 11:53:33 +0000 http://www.ict-pulse.com/?p=2599#comment-713 To further support my belief that the broadband access to the home picture is inconclusive let’s go to the Figure 2, Household Computer and Internet Access by Parish for Jamaica (the Mona School of Business) of 2011.
The table shows that both Internet and Computer access are flat. It notes:”The continued low level of household access to computers reflects to some extent the effect of the reintroduction in 2009 of a general consumption tax (GCT) on all purchases of computers in Jamaica. Household access to the Internet was relatively low mainly due to the high cost of equipment, as perceived by the respondents. The majority of households with access (51.7 per cent) spent between J$2,001 and J$4,200 per month on internet services. Of the households with reported computer access, approximately 47 per cent had no access to internet within the household. Importantly, 23.9 per cent of households reported no need or interest i having household internet access, perhaps accounted for by an absence of public education on the need for internet linked computers at home or by an ability to gain access from other locations.”
In short, Internet access is limited, but more detailed work could be done in this area. If Governments wants citizens to use the Internet more productively, for education, business and to pay their bills, including to Government, then there is the education need which I mentioned. I further believe that what holds true for Jamaica also holds true for other Caribbean countries but at varying degrees given that one cap cannot fit all heads nor should there be an attempt to get it to fit.

]]> By: Hallam Hope https://ict-pulse.com/2011/12/how-far-away-are-we-from-reaching-the-2015-broadband-targets/#comment-711 Tue, 27 Dec 2011 08:44:09 +0000 http://www.ict-pulse.com/?p=2599#comment-711 At the minimum Michele:
1. Every Caribbean country needs to implement at least a bi-ennial survey of ICT broadband access that addresses rural and urban access as well as affordability in a very detailed way.
2. This research is then used by a national broadband commission to track, set targets and engineer progress towards measurable improvements which would be noted in subsequent surveys. All of this is in line with the development ofa national broadband policy which is a living document that is tweaked continuously as technology circumstances and developments change.
3. All the above is tied to ongoing education in the use of technology and encouragement and implementation of programmes to support innovation and entrepreneurial initiatives such as associated with a Green Economy, development of apps, linkages with development and utilisation of alternative energy solutions, to name a few areas.
(This is just a snapshot which would be part of the living national broadband policy mentioned above. Very few Caribbean countries, including my native Barbados, have a national broadband policy as described in brief here and consequently are incapable of mapping the status of their ICT sectors. While the ITU, ECTEL data is useful it does not provide the indepth analysis needed at a national level).
Hallam

]]> By: mmarius https://ict-pulse.com/2011/12/how-far-away-are-we-from-reaching-the-2015-broadband-targets/#comment-709 Tue, 27 Dec 2011 02:57:38 +0000 http://www.ict-pulse.com/?p=2599#comment-709 In reply to Hallam Hope.

Hallam, I do share your concern that without some intervention the Caribbean might not be able to achieve the stated household broadband penetration by 2015. Question: do you have any ideas what should be done to improve our performance regarding that indicator?

]]> By: Hallam Hope https://ict-pulse.com/2011/12/how-far-away-are-we-from-reaching-the-2015-broadband-targets/#comment-707 Tue, 27 Dec 2011 00:49:02 +0000 http://www.ict-pulse.com/?p=2599#comment-707 A survey of ICT access in Jamaica recently noted that 15.6 per cent of households have access to the Internet and surprisingly 24 per cent have access to computers. As a student of the data I find the latter figure to be questionable given the relatively high cost of equipment, given the controversial re-imposition of duties. I believe that penetration rates are not accurate enough to guage access to broadband in the home and may lead to inflated conclusions, especially when the differences in income levels, increased inflation, increased unemployment and the known challenges of co-mingling of business and household penetration are considered. Table 2 suggests that more than half of the countries surveyed are either below 10 or barely over 10 per cent, When we rake the previous observations into account my conclusion is that broadband access to the home is unclear but probably unsatisfactorily low by our expectations as Caribbean people. I have considerable difficulty in concluding that progress is being made with regard to the MDG goals.

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