Is the Universal Access Fund in Africa Creating an Enabling Environment for ICT Infrastructure Investment in Rural and Perceived Uneconomic Areas?

2010 ◽  
Author(s):  
Enrico Calandro ◽  
Mpho Moyo
Keyword(s):  
Universal Access ◽  
Infrastructure Investment ◽  
Enabling Environment ◽  
Ict Infrastructure

Technology Issues and the New ICTs

Leonardo ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 39 (4) ◽  
pp. 311-313 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roberto Verzola
Keyword(s):  
Developing Countries ◽  
Universal Access ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Appropriate Technology ◽  
Public Ownership ◽  
Information And Communications Technologies ◽  
Cost Information ◽  
Compulsory Licensing ◽  
Communications Technologies ◽  
Ict Infrastructure

The author provides examples of low-cost information and communications technologies (ICTs) and suggests five major strategies for their low-cost deployment in developing countries: (1) appropriate technology, (2) free/open software, (3) compulsory licensing, (4) pay-per-use public stations and (5) community/public ownership of ICT infrastructure. Aside from the problems of affordability and universal access, the author identifies the Internet's built-in biases for (1) English, (2) subsidizing globalization, (3) automation and (4) the technofix, and explores the implications of these biases. The challenge is not only to design affordable and accessible technologies or to redesign technologies to be consistent with our deeply held values, but also to make ourselves less technology dependent.

Grey Areas

2012 ◽  
pp. 263-273
Author(s):  
Michael Davis ◽  
Alice Sedsman
Keyword(s):  
Cloud Computing ◽  
Universal Access ◽  
End Users ◽  
Information And Communications Technologies ◽  
Software Applications ◽  
Computing Services ◽  
The Face ◽  
Cloud Computing Services ◽  
Ict Infrastructure ◽  
Access To Data

Cloud computing has been heralded as a new era in the evolution of information and communications technologies. ICT giants have invested heavily in developing technologies and mega server facilities, which allow end users to access web-based software applications and store their data off-site. Businesses using cloud computing services will benefit from reduced operating costs as they cut back on ICT infrastructure and personnel. Individuals will no longer need to buy and install software and will have universal access to their data through any internet-ready device. Yet, hidden amongst the host of benefits are inherent legal risks. The global nature of cloud computing raises questions about privacy, security, confidentiality and access to data. Current terms of use do not adequately address the multitude of legal issues unique to cloud computing. In the face of this legal uncertainty, end users should be educated about the risks involved in entering the cloud.

Grey Areas - The Legal Dimensions of Cloud Computing

2010 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 30-39 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Davis ◽  
Alice Sedsman
Keyword(s):  
Cloud Computing ◽  
Universal Access ◽  
End Users ◽  
Information And Communications Technologies ◽  
New Era ◽  
Software Applications ◽  
Computing Services ◽  
The Face ◽  
Ict Infrastructure ◽  
Access To Data

Cloud computing has been heralded as a new era in the evolution of information and communications technologies. ICT giants have invested heavily in developing technologies and mega server facilities, which allow end users to access web-based software applications and store their data off-site. Businesses using cloud computing services will benefit from reduced operating costs as they cut back on ICT infrastructure and personnel. Individuals will no longer need to buy and install software and will have universal access to their data through any internet-ready device. Yet, hidden amongst the host of benefits are inherent legal risks. The global nature of cloud computing raises questions about privacy, security, confidentiality and access to data. Current terms of use do not adequately address the multitude of legal issues unique to cloud computing. In the face of this legal uncertainty, end users should be educated about the risks involved in entering the cloud.

ICT Strategy4Development

2012 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 72-90 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nagla Rizk ◽  
Sherif Kamel
Keyword(s):  
Socioeconomic Development ◽  
Development Process ◽  
Universal Access ◽  
Civil Society Organizations ◽  
Strategy Development ◽  
Ict Literacy ◽  
Information And Communication ◽  
Ict Infrastructure ◽  
Private Government ◽  
The Impact

In 2011, Egypt’s uprising was realized due to a large number of reasons, including the capitalization on information and communication technology (ICT) as an enabling platform. The experience in Egypt demonstrated the impact of ICT. However, its effect on societal transformation is not yet completed. A need exists to revisit the newly emerging role that ICT can play in the 21st century that goes beyond socioeconomic development and growth. ICT strategy development and implementation must cater to the different needs of the community while realizing universal access in terms of ICT literacy and its effective utilization for developmental purposes. Building the ICT infrastructure and infostructure in the development process must be coupled with concrete projects and initiatives that engage the society at large with its multiple stakeholders from public, private, government, and civil society organizations irrespective of their locations or background. This article describes the evolution of the ICT sector in Egypt with an emphasis on national ICT strategy development and deployment as an integral element of Egypt’s overall development process within the context of a an emerging economy and the various growing potentials ICT offers for its socioeconomic development.

ICT Strategy for Development

2010 ◽  
pp. 293-311 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sherif Kamel ◽  
Dina Rateb
Keyword(s):  
Socioeconomic Development ◽  
Development Process ◽  
Universal Access ◽  
Civil Society Organizations ◽  
Strategy Development ◽  
Ict Literacy ◽  
Global Marketplace ◽  
Information And Communication ◽  
Ict Infrastructure ◽  
Private Government

Emerging information and communication technology (ICT) is setting the pace for a changing, competitive and dynamic global marketplace and representing an enabling platform for business and socioeconomic development in the 21st century. In that respect, developing nations are urged to keep pace regularly with the developments taking place in the developed world through the design and implementation of strategy, vision and detailed plans for universal access in terms of ICT literacy and its effective utilization for developmental purposes were ICT is promoted as a vehicle for development. It is important to note that building the ICT infrastructure and infostructure will not realize quantum leaps in the development process unless it is coupled with concrete projects and initiatives that engage the society at large with its multiple stakeholders from public, private, government and civil society organizations irrespective of their locations whether urban or remote, gender or background. This chapter describes the evolution of the ICT sector in Egypt over the last decade with an emphasis on national ICT strategy development and deployment as an integral element of Egypt’s overall development process within the context of a an emerging economy and the various growing potentials ICT offers for its socioeconomic development.

ICT Strategy for Development

2012 ◽  
pp. 1-19 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sherif Kamel ◽  
Dina Rateb
Keyword(s):  
Socioeconomic Development ◽  
Development Process ◽  
Universal Access ◽  
Civil Society Organizations ◽  
Strategy Development ◽  
Ict Literacy ◽  
Global Marketplace ◽  
Information And Communication ◽  
Ict Infrastructure ◽  
Private Government

Emerging information and communication technology (ICT) is setting the pace for a changing, competitive and dynamic global marketplace and representing an enabling platform for business and socioeconomic development in the 21st century. In that respect, developing nations are urged to keep pace regularly with the developments taking place in the developed world through the design and implementation of strategy, vision and detailed plans for universal access in terms of ICT literacy and its effective utilization for developmental purposes were ICT is promoted as a vehicle for development. It is important to note that building the ICT infrastructure and infostructure will not realize quantum leaps in the development process unless it is coupled with concrete projects and initiatives that engage the society at large with its multiple stakeholders from public, private, government and civil society organizations irrespective of their locations whether urban or remote, gender or background. This chapter describes the evolution of the ICT sector in Egypt over the last decade with an emphasis on national ICT strategy development and deployment as an integral element of Egypt’s overall development process within the context of a an emerging economy and the various growing potentials ICT offers for its socioeconomic development.

Tackling the ICT Infrastructure Gap for the Successful Implementation of E-Government Projects

2017 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 40-56
Author(s):  
Isaac Kofi Mensah
Keyword(s):  
Infrastructure Investment ◽  
Chinese Government ◽  
Successful Implementation ◽  
Investment Fund ◽  
Government Programs ◽  
Reform Agenda ◽  
Belt And Road ◽  
Ict Infrastructure ◽  
The One ◽  
The Belt And Road

This article describes how the promised transformative reform agenda of e-government is challenged particularly due to the lack or non-availability of adequate ICT infrastructure and finances to successfully develop and implement e-government projects around the world. The One Belt One Road (B&R) strategy spearheaded by the Chinese Government has been identified as a potential funding source for e-government projects through ICT infrastructure investment. Adequate ICT infrastructure investment in member countries under the Belt and Road initiatives could reduce the huge ICT infrastructure gap hampering the execution of e-government programs. This article, therefore, recommends the formation of the Belt and Road ICT Infrastructure Investment Fund (B&R ICT Infrastructure Fund) under the OBOR strategy to allow member countries to source funds for the execution of e-government projects. This will not only drastically increase the completion/success rate of e-government projects but also translate into improved public service delivery and enhanced government interaction—engagement—with citizens and businesses.

Tackling the ICT Infrastructure Gap for the Successful Implementation of E-Government Projects

2020 ◽  
pp. 892-910
Author(s):  
Isaac Kofi Mensah
Keyword(s):  
Infrastructure Investment ◽  
Successful Implementation ◽  
Investment Fund ◽  
Government Programs ◽  
Reform Agenda ◽  
One Belt One Road ◽  
Belt And Road ◽  
Ict Infrastructure ◽  
The One ◽  
The Belt And Road

This article describes how the promised transformative reform agenda of e-government is challenged particularly due to the lack or non-availability of adequate ICT infrastructure and finances to successfully develop and implement e-government projects around the world. The One Belt One Road (B&R) strategy spearheaded by the Chinese Government has been identified as a potential funding source for e-government projects through ICT infrastructure investment. Adequate ICT infrastructure investment in member countries under the Belt and Road initiatives could reduce the huge ICT infrastructure gap hampering the execution of e-government programs. This article, therefore, recommends the formation of the Belt and Road ICT Infrastructure Investment Fund (B&R ICT Infrastructure Fund) under the OBOR strategy to allow member countries to source funds for the execution of e-government projects. This will not only drastically increase the completion/success rate of e-government projects but also translate into improved public service delivery and enhanced government interaction—engagement—with citizens and businesses.

ICT Strategy Development

2017 ◽  
pp. 239-257
Author(s):  
Sherif Kamel ◽  
Nagla Rizk
Keyword(s):  
Socioeconomic Development ◽  
Development Process ◽  
Universal Access ◽  
Civil Society Organizations ◽  
Strategy Development ◽  
Global Marketplace ◽  
Ict Adoption ◽  
Ict Infrastructure ◽  
Private Government ◽  
The Impact

Information and communication technology (ICT) is continuously setting the pace for a changing, competitive and dynamic global marketplace and representing an enabling platform for business and socioeconomic development. The impact of ICT adoption, diffusion and adoption can go well beyond being a state-of the-art infrastructure; it can have concrete impact on development. ICT strategy development from start to finish, from design to implementation should cater to the different needs of the community whether it is societal, economic, business and political with an aim to realize universal access to optimize the impact in terms of scalability and sustainability. Building the ICT infrastructure and infostructure will not realize quantum leaps in the development process unless it is coupled with concrete projects and initiatives that engage the society at large with its multiple stakeholders from public, private, government and civil society organizations irrespective of their locations whether urban or remote, gender or background. This chapter describes the evolution of the ICT sector in Egypt with an emphasis on national ICT strategy development across its different design and implementation phases as an integral element of Egypt's overall development process within the context of an emerging economy.

scholarly journals Policy Implications on Transport Infrastructure–Trade Dynamics: Case of Turkey

Logistics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 47
Author(s):  
Duygu Şahan ◽  
Okan Tuna
Keyword(s):  
Policy Implications ◽  
Transport Infrastructure ◽  
Infrastructure Investment ◽  
Infrastructure Development ◽  
Transport Networks ◽  
Distributed Lag ◽  
Long Run ◽  
Short Run ◽  
Ict Infrastructure ◽  
Trade Dynamics

Transportation has a mediating position in international trade formation and in the past few decades, Turkey has invested substantially in transport infrastructure to increase connectivity and integration in global transport networks. Still, limited research has been conducted to understand channels and scope of the transport infrastructure development impacts on foreign trade. The objective of this study is to evaluate short-run and long-run causal linkages between transport infrastructure, exports and imports in Turkey for the period between 1987–2019. An autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) model is developed considering road and rail transport infrastructure components as well as information and communication technology (ICT) infrastructure as a complement to quality transport networks. Results suggest that a speedy road network serves as a locomotive in trade development whereas rail infrastructure can be beneficial if a holistic connectivity plan is developed in a long-term perspective to improve multimodal transportation under a comprehensive, sustained transport policy. Besides, benefits of transport infrastructure investment can be realized in favor of export promotion rather than import growth if a comprehensive policy is followed. In that way transport infrastructure investment would become a stronger instrument to accomplish export competitiveness.

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