Role of Government Regulation for Under Developing Countries

The global network readiness will enable under developing countries seeking strategic guidance in policy, regulatory and network readiness development to access resources, as they become more active in the global information economy and society participation. The challenge of bridging the digital divide is a daunting one, but they must recognize that priority be given to this issues by those under developing countries themselves.

The innovative government-private partnership represents a powerful resource enables those countries to access the added value they seek on the front end of the information revolution. The potential significance of the in term of economic and social development is enormous.

The promise of ICT, in particularly Internet is to broaden and enhance access to information through a service that can be reached anywhere in the world that has connectivity. The Internet is a way of lessening the traditional disadvantages of the under developing world. It can offer better business opportunities, the possibility to leapfrog directly to customers. It also offers the hope of delivering basic services such as health and education more efficiently by allowing people to follow lectures wherever they are.

Government of every under developing countries must be taking a main role to disseminate ICT access. The role of government in this sector is very important.


Basically, the main role of government:
- Develop the ICT infrastructure, particularly in government and public service institutions.
- Improve the public awareness.
- Set up the strong dissemination program for bridging the digital divide with increase the ICT access.

The availability of ICT access using tele-center will reduce total cost of information access. The perception that Internet is cheap by using tele-center really relates to the usage costs rather than the fixed cost. For many users, the initial cost for installation and maintenance would be subsidized by the government or other public institutions.

Of course, the government has to develop the public awareness campaign to make their people aware about the added value of Internet usage. The related know-how and education system must be set up, in order their people can use it and take the advantage from that technology.


The role of government:
- Demonstrate support for Internet application at highest levels of government.
- Develop ICT infrastructure
- Promote ICT know-how and education system.
- Promote an active public awareness campaign.
- Promote private sector participation.
- Promote the use of tele-centers and other means to extend access to under served communities.
- Develop ICT dissemination program in government institutions, universities and other public service institution.
- Develop an ICT operator to fulfill the public need.
- Set up a tariff policy to avoid inefficiency tariff.
- Tariff subsidizes program for local call.



prepared by Indarti Primora Barlianta Harahap
Medio 2002
for ICT Seminar at Antigua (Guatemala)
organized by NAM organization
presented by Indarti Primora Barlianta Harahap