In the rapidly evolving digital landscape, the importance of a robust national broadband plan cannot be overstated. Although most Caribbean countries have prepared a national broadband plan, in most instances, they are outdated. But when the deployment of national broadband infrastructure projects is being considered, it is crucial to have an updated and relevant national broadband plan.

 

At the still ongoing United Nations Climate Change Conference in Dubai, more commonly known as COP28, Jamaica inked a deal with the International Finance Corporation (IFC) for the country’s National Broadband Project to be structured as a Public Private Partnership (PPP). Although the details of the agreement have not been made publicly available, from the Government of Jamaica’s side at least, it hoped through this that not only initiative universal access to affordable high-speed broadband service will be realised, but also a GovNet system will be established to securely interconnect all ministries, departments and agencies (Source: Jamaica Observer). However, although forging this deal with the IFC, which is the private sector arm of the World Bank, is commendable, there is a sense that to some degree, this PPP arrangement has been established without a clear plan or strategy in mind.

To be fair, Jamaica does have a National Development Plan, dubbed Vision 2030, which is underpinned by 31 sector plans, including an ICT Sector Plan, which was finalised in 2009. However, on closer examination of the sector plan, it is outdated. Further, actions that should have been completed in Years 1—3 of the plan have not been fully realised nearly 15 years later.

Although the previous paragraphs highlighted the situation in Jamaica, many Caribbean countries have very outdated ICT sector plans but are still eager to expand and improve their broadband infrastructure. While that goal may still be commendable, and having more extensively deployed and accessible broadband networks may be a good problem to have, countries can sometimes be unprepared thereafter. We thus outline five key reasons why countries should invest in maintaining an updated national broadband plan.

 

1.  Accurately positions the country

The rapid technological development that has occurred over the past three decades in particular, with the public accessibility of the internet cannot be overstated, and it has been evolving at an even faster rate over the past 10-plus years. It thus means that national development plans and broadband/ICT sector development plans prepared before 2010, for example, could not have been able to fully consider, nor account for, the current trends and trajectory of the global, regional and even national, digital landscape.

Unless there is a concerted effort to review and update such plans regularly, such as on a five-year cycle like Trinidad and Tobago, such documents, which are supposed to be guiding the key areas of our societies, are often relegated to an obscure filing cabinet. In other words, they do not have the strategic or tactical authority that they should.

 

2.  Facilitates a more holistic strategy for national development

National plans created before 2010 tend to not fully consider the cross-cutting nature of telecoms and ICT across all sectors and areas of society: to increase productivity, efficiency, effectiveness, competitiveness, and ultimately drive economic growth and social development. As a result, national ICT sector or broadband plans are no longer just focussing on infrastructure deployment and improving access to telecoms and broadband services. Considerable attention is now being given to the role ICT and the internet play in fostering the desired enabling in the sectors and areas that are driving the economy and society at large, which is being reflected in more recent versions of such plans.

 

3.  Ensures that the cross-cutting impact of the internet and ICT are fleshed out

Following from the previous point and the fact that telecoms and ICT currently permeate all areas of the economy and society, the connections and interconnectedness between telecoms and ICT and all other sectors ought to be considered and reflected as appropriate in national ICT or sector development plans. Further, even if the focus of the national ICT sector or broadband plans is on improving access to and availability of services, its greatest value and impact emerge when the infrastructure and services can be leveraged. Hence, the public and private sectors, industry, and even citizens ought to be equipped and resourced to use technology optimally, which does require considerable planning and coordination.

 

4.  Reflects the current values and ethos of the society

In addition to the technological evolution that has been occurring, our perspectives and attitudes have also been changing. A simple yet powerful example of this is with respect to our natural environment.

Although climate change and the effect of greenhouse gas emissions have been known for decades, their implications informing various policies and strategies have been recent occurrences. Similarly, over time, the values and attitudes in a society also evolve. The shift might not be drastic, but refinement does occur, which also contributes to the sense that older policies and rules, for example, are not fully aligned with current societal mores and standards.

 

5. Improves accountability

Finally, an outdated plan is likely to be disregarded and as stated previously, not function as the guiding document it should have been. In such circumstances, ad hoc projects may get implemented that do not cohere with each other or are not cogent constituents towards achieving a bigger picture, as there are no clearly defined goals, strategies or activities.

Further, a plan that is not being followed can create space for policymakers and other key decision-makers to not be held accountable for the programmes and initiatives they have implemented or have chosen not to implement. It is thus critical that planning documents, such as national ICT or sector development plans, remain relevant and are continually referenced during their effective period.

 

 

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