{"id":156996,"date":"2021-03-19T06:00:00","date_gmt":"2021-03-19T11:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ict-pulse.com\/?p=156996"},"modified":"2021-03-19T06:22:22","modified_gmt":"2021-03-19T11:22:22","slug":"subsidized-internet-what-can-we-learn-from-countries-that-offer-that-programme","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ict-pulse.com\/2021\/03\/subsidized-internet-what-can-we-learn-from-countries-that-offer-that-programme\/","title":{"rendered":"Subsidized Internet: what can we learn from countries that offer this programme?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines appears to be the only country in the English-speaking Caribbean that has successfully implemented a subsidised internet programme, and recent launched its second cycle. What could other countries learn from those that have implemented this programme?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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On 10 March, the National Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (NTRC) of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines held the official launch of its ‘Subsidized Internet and SIM Card Initiative” (Source:  Searchlight<\/a>). In addition to being the telecommunications regulator, the NTRC manages the Universal Service Fund, which is being used to finance the above-stated initiative.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By way of background, the Universal Service within the context of telecoms speaks the provision of a minimum level of service that every resident in a country should enjoy. The Universal Service Fund (USF) is the framework established for the management and use the fees, subsidies, taxes, etc., collected towards realising Universal Service.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the Caribbean, and due to the dated nature of the telecoms policy and regulatory frameworks across the region, many of the USFs are geared primarily towards infrastructure expansion in underserved areas. In recent times, USFs have been used to procure laptop and tablet computers for students, or which there was an urgent demand, due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the closure of schools.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Distributing devices is only part of the solution<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Over the past several months, there have been several photo-ops with politicians and policymakers to highlight the tablet computers that would be distributed to students. However, it is a common occurrence across the region that procuring tablet computers for students only addresses part of the problem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Across the majority of Caribbean countries, fixed (or household) broadband Internet penetration remains low. A relatively large proportion of households\/homes do not have internet connectivity, although there may be one or more members of the household who owns a smartphone. However, cognisant of the overwhelming prevalence of prepaid services in the region, it is likely that they may only be able purchase prepaid mobile broadband Internet plans when they can afford to do so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hence, with homes not having their own Internet access points, for example, students in these households, who have been assigned tablet computers, may still not be able to access the Internet. More importantly, and in many instances, those households cannot afford the standard rates for fixed or mobile broadband service on an on-going basis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Internet subsidy programmes are rare<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It is within the context of the above scenario, which is common across the region, that the subsidized internet programme in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines ought to be commended, as it aims to tackle a fundamental challenge that families with school-aged children are experiencing. Unfortunately, it does not appear that many other Caribbean Community (CARICOM) countries have implemented similar programmes, though the need is evident.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A noteworthy exception in the Americas is Costa Rica, which launched a similar programme in 2016. In that \u2018Connected Homes\u2019 programme, subsidies for Internet access, along with a laptop computer, were provided to approved households based on their socioeconomic status. For the poorest quintile, the subsidy covered up to 80% of the fees payable. The video below is a webinar on socio-economic pricing and regulation, which was hosted by the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) in January 2021, and more fully outlines the Costa Rican model.<\/p>\n\n\n\n