Information and Communications Technology in the South Pacific. Janet Toland

Transcription

1 Information and Communications Technology in the South Pacific

2 Reproduced from Zwimpfer Communications (1999), Electronic Connectedness in Pacific Islands Countries, report prepared for the UNESCO Office for the Pacific States. Apia, Samoa. 2

3 The convergence of information, telecommunication, and computing (ICT) technologies supported by the digitisation of text, video, audio and image have resulted in an information society. The rapid spread of the Internet, which has taken only four years to reach 50 million users is revealing a significant divide between the information haves and have nots. This threatens to further marginalise the Pacific Islands from world trade. However, the so-called information revolution also offers opportunities by developing a modern information infrastructure countries can reduce isolation and exclusion. Potential for e-commerce A promising application of the Internet is in the area of e-commerce, which works through a buyer visiting a seller's web site, and making a transaction online. This could potentially give Pacific countries access to new markets. Despite all the hype surrounding e-commerce, it does present real opportunities to small entrepreneurs in developing countries. It could provide opportunities for artisans making such items as tapa cloth to engage in direct Internet selling, using digital cameras to display pictures of their wares. A project such as this has been successfully developed in Guyana by the Rupununi Weavers Society, who have successfully sold traditionally made hammocks over the Internet for as much as US$1,000 apiece. Tourism associations can organise the hosting of web pages for small resorts and eco-tourism projects E-commerce also offers new opportunities in the travel and tourism industry, which is increasingly moving online. The use of ICT means that niche players are no longer constrained by the cost of breaking through geographic barriers. The niche player can now attract global markets, and transact directly with overseas customers. Tourism associations can provide a useful intermediate function by organising the hosting of web pages for small resorts and eco-tourism projects. Information management Information and communication technology provides opportunities for information management in organisations dealing with Pacific issues. Due to the scattered geography of the Pacific there are many different organisations dealing with similar issues. With the cooperation of these organisations, information collected can be shared to avoid duplication and wastage of scarce resources. An example of the potential of ICT is Pacific Pestnet developed by the Plant Protection Service of the Secretariat of the Pacific Community, based in Fiji. An officer based in a remote area may find a crop suffering from disease or pest infestation. If the officers can't identify the problem themselves, they have to request assistance. Using the post for this process used to take weeks, by which time crops were usually ruined. By posting to an list, plant protection officers based on remote islands can now obtain timely advice from about 250 plant experts from around the world However, the use of computing technology has speeded up the process considerably. Plant protection officers based on remote islands now send an to the list giving 3

4 details of the crop problem, and possibly even attaching a digital photograph to help with identification. The list is read by about 250 plant experts from around the world, who will back with identification information and suggested solutions to the problem. The list is moderated by personnel from the Plant Protection Service, and all messages are approved before being passed to the list. About one third of the subscribers are from the Pacific Islands, and two thirds are based elsewhere. International experts on crop protection provide their advice for no charge, providing a useful knowledge transfer to the South Pacific. ICT in education The use of ICT in schools is the key to developing the future. ICT can extend the range of education beyond the four walls of the classroom. It can be of particular benefit in rural areas, the non-formal sector and technical colleges. At present initiatives to introduce IT into schools have tended to come from school committees and boards of management, rather than from the Ministry of Education, which has resulted in a sporadic implementation policy and widened the split between urban and rural schools. Access to the Internet would also allow rurally based teachers to up-skill themselves. ICT can extend the range of education beyond the four walls of the classroom and be of particular benefit in rural areas, the non-formal sector and technical colleges The University of the South Pacific which serves twelve Pacific Island countries has recently introduced a satellite telecommunications network known as USPNet, which will be owned and operated by the university. This will provide the opportunity for distance learning students to participate in audio tutorials; communicate by telephone, fax, or e- mail with lecturers and fellow students; watch live video transmission of lectures; and take part in video conferences. One outcome of USPNet is expected to be increased opportunities for students to study up to and beyond degree level without leaving their home country. Potential for telecentres The increasing use of computers can sharpen the division between urban and rural areas, and the majority of the rural population in the South Pacific are unlikely to own a computer. One way to promote equity of access to ICT is through the use of telecentres, especially in rural areas. A telecentre is a building containing one or more computers linked to the Internet. The telecentre is staffed by an operator, who will search for information for anyone visiting the telecentre, either for free or for a small fee. These can be a useful community resource providing information about agriculture, fishing, weather conditions and health. Information available from the telecentres should be available in a variety of media, CD-ROM, video, print etc. The telecentres need to be linked in with existing community organisations in order to work effectively. It would also be important to provide the technical support necessary to repair faulty equipment. One way to promote equity of access to ICT is through the use of telecentres which can provide information about agriculture, fishing, weather conditions and health in rural areas 4

5 ICT in government Governments can use the Internet to assist with public sector operations; for example, ICT can provide governments with increased capacity to collect revenue from fishing, forestry, agriculture and tourism. The use of an intranet (a collection of Internet-like web pages only available within an organisation) enables different government departments to share information without having to make it available to the general public. This facilitates a greater sharing and cooperation between departments. Outsourcing The use of ICT introduces the possibility of obtaining outsourced work from countries such as the United States and Europe. Activities such as data entry and computer programming have the potential to be distributed around the world to overcome the limitations of time zones, and labour costs. provides a useful link to Pacific Diaspora who already make a significant financial contribution to their home countries. Research has shown that use of the Internet tends to strengthen extended family structures, and helps to preserve local cultures. These family contacts in other countries could be a potential contact for outsourced work. Government/regional strategy There is need for coordination at both a national and regional level. Individual initiatives such as telecentres are unlikely to be successful without an overall strategy. The government should have a catalytic role in encouraging ICT development. Governments should take the lead role in establishing basic principles and rules relating to emerging networked activities. One of the key ways to move this forward is to separate regulatory functions from service delivery. Telecommunications infrastructure The limited bandwidth available is a major constraint to the developing use of the Internet. Until this bottleneck is removed the Internet is likely to be used mainly for e- mail in the South Pacific region. Regional cooperation could be important in achieving economies of scale in telecommunications infrastructure Deregulation of the telecommunications industry has the potential to increase competition and reduce costs. However, countries with a low scattered population may not be attractive to short-term investors. Regional cooperation could be important in bringing economies of scale that could be used to put pressure on suppliers. Satellite communications already in use in the Pacific may be the most cost-effective technique. 5

6 Telecommunications market structure (as at 1998) Government department Corporatised monopoly Joint venture government international carriers Management contracts with international carriers Cook * Fiji * FSM Kiribati * Marshall * Niue * Samoa * Solomon * Tokelau * Tonga * * Tuvalu * Vanuatu * Australia NZ PNG * Open markets * * Tuvalu Sells Domain Name In September 2000 Tuvalu sold a US firm called DotTV the rights to use its Internet domain address. The sale of 10-year rights to its.tv domain name is worth $50 million. Names such as zee.tv and soccer.tv are being sold on by DotTV to companies setting up Internet television stations. The deal has effectively trebled Tuvalu's national income. The government will use the money for infrastructure, Internet connections, and scholarships. It has also used this income to become a member of the United Nations. Prime Minister Ionatana was quoted as saying, The agreement with DotTV has given our nation a sense of economic independence. Our membership of the United Nations signals to the world that Tuvalu has joined the international community. Internet: Years to reach 50 m illion users (Source ITU ) Television PC Internet Radio Telephone

7 PC ownership per 1000 inhabitants Cook Kiribati Marshall Niue Samoa Solomon Tokelau Tonga Tuvalu Vanuatu Teledensities in Pacific Island Countries (1997) Urban Teledensity(lines per 100 urban pop) Rural Teledensity(lines per 100 rural pop) Telephone lines per 1000 inhabitants Cook Fiji FSM Kiribati Marshall Nauru Niue Palau Samoa Solomon Tonga Tuvalu Vanuatu PNG 7

8 Bibliography Goldstein, A. & D. O'Connor E-Commerce for Development: Prospects and Policy Issues. Paper presented at the International Symposium on Information Technology and Development Assistance, Tokyo, 3 4 July South Pacific Forum Secretariat Pacific Island Involvement in the Global Information Infrastructure. South Pacific Forum Secretariat, Suva, Fiji. Zwimpfer Communications Electronic Connectedness in Pacific Islands Countries. Report prepared for the UNESCO Office for the Pacific States. Apia, Samoa. 8

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