Next steps for Pan-Asian Terrestrial Fiber Optic Network Development

Transcription

1 Next steps for Pan-Asian Terrestrial Fiber Optic Network Development Expert Consultation on the Asian Information Superhighway and regional connectivity l Asia 4 December 2013, Baku, Azerbaijan Rémi Lang Economic Affairs Officer Information and Communications Technology and Development Section ESCAP

2 Context With development of intra-regional exchanges the share of intraregional data traffic is set to expand Inherent weaknesses and choke points with current submarine network infrastructure terrestrial networks: - a patchwork of bilateral cross-border linkages between incumbent carriers operating submarine cables - limited competition - limited geographic scope - low capacity (10 Gbps usually, a fraction of total international bandwidth capacity), - higher prices than submarine connectivity - landlocked countries worst affected Pan Asian continental terrestrial fiber optic network emerges as promising solution to provide open, redundant, cost-effective access both regionally and at intercontinental level.

3 Towards a Pan-Asian Terrestrial Fiber Optic Network: how can UNESCAP help (1): ESCAP long institutional experience in brokering pan- Asian cross-border infrastructure agreements Construction of Asian Highway (AH) and Trans-Asian Railway (TAR) backed by intergovernmental agreements, ESCAP as secretariat, Working Groups that review implementation, address rights of ways, issues and standards Geographic scope: continental seamlessness as ESCAP is the only pan-asian forum

4 Towards a Pan-Asian Terrestrial Fiber Optic Network: how can UNESCAP help (2): ESCAP Intergovernmental neutrality: political, technological, industrial Multidisciplinary scope: opportunities to leverage on trans-border connectivity already agreed to under agreements such as Asian Highway, Trans Asian Railway, but also dry ports, energy UN wide leverage: ESCAP is well connected to specialized agencies, in telecom and other sectors Analytical basis: ESCAP is analytical, research and normative arm of the UN in Asia-Pacific

5 Next actions Experts from Member countries: Validate information provided on map by bringing in improvements/corrections/additions Review study and provide improvements Request secretariat through the Chairman of the Committee on ICT to set up Working Group on seamless regional connectivity ESCAP secretariat Initiate second phase of Information Superhighway project Expand analytical study to South Asia and East Asia Continuous update of maps until year-end and beyond Secure funding Convene Fourth Session of Committee on ICT by third quarter of 2014, back to back with Transport Committee

6 Next actions (2) 4 objectives: 1. Information on physical capacity of networks (capacity, length of networks, main standards for transmission, cross border and submarine connections ) 2. Information on economics of broadband connectivity (tariff for IP transit, final destination of transit, projected demand, content by language), capacity of network, economic cost of low connectivity, 3. Cost-benefit analysis of future deployment of fibre 4. Provide analytical base for an intergovernmental agreement that sets out common principles and norms for future network development

7 Next actions (3) Working Group role 1. Bring together government experts on ICT infrastructure, regulators, representatives of the private sector, academics, civil society. 2. Bring in UN system partners, notably ITU 3. Draft an intergovernmental agreement on principles and norms for future development of a Pan-Asian Terrestrial fiber optic network, tapping on existing transport/infrastructure initiatives where possible.

8 Towards an Asia-Pacific Information Superhighway: Summing Up Physical connectivity bottlenecks still significant contributor to very high high broadband costs and growing digital divide in many countries Current traffic dominated by submarine connectivity. Terrestrial cross-border linkages are largely bilateral in nature and dominated by incumbent operators Pan-Asian Terrestrial network is a potential solution to boost competition and reduce prices for IP transit if built in a mesh configuration, proposing open access, leveraging existing and planned cross-border infrastructure Requires PPP, but also intergovernmental coordination at the Pan-Asian level, coordination with transport and energy infrastructure: strong case for ESCAP s participation ESCAP will start implementation of second phase as soon as funding secured

9 Thank you For further information please contact Rémi Lang,IDS / IDD ESCAP langr@un.org