Tools and Technologies for Equitable Access

Commissioned by the Association for Progressive Communications (APC), this 12-page paper focuses on information and communication technologies (ICTs) and tools for improving internet access in developing regions. The paper provides background for each of five technology areas; refers to practical strategies to ensure equitable access; and makes a set of recommendations related to each of the technology areas. The suggested interventions cover a range of issues, including: public access to radio spectrum; open networks; capacity building; the promotion of local services; the use of open standards; lack of high-capacity national fibre networks; unfavourable regulatory frameworks; unreliable or non-existent power grids; limited access to hardware supply chains; and the need for quality control in ICTs.

The technologies are presented in five major areas:

• Wireless access - As stated by the author, wireless connectivity requires three conditions to be successful: spectrum availability, technology accessibility, and the possibility of new business opportunities.

• Low-cost and low-power computing - As stated here, a "number of hardware vendors have jumped into the race of bridging the digital divide by providing low-cost and low-power solutions.... A critical review of this leg of the race to bridge the digital divide is needed", including community-driven input and the inclusion of discussion of the costs of maintenance, training, and internet access.

• Open standards, hardware and software - "Open standards allow everyone to implement interoperable communication systems. With interoperability, it is possible to avoid vendor lock-in and ensure fair market competition. Open hardware allows small and medium enterprises, community projects and entrepreneurs to manufacture and assemble hardware locally. With free software, projects can learn from existing experiences, integrate solutions and ultimately share their results with others."

• Local services and content - "Local services in local languages are key for equitable access. Support for local content needs to go hand in hand with local infrastructure, such as internet exchange points (IXPs). An IXP is a physical infrastructure that allows different [internet service providers] ISPs to exchange internet traffic between their networks locally."

• Open access and open networks - The document recommends that governments take a role in developing open networks that: 1) serve a local geographic community or location; 2) provide open access to any party located within the community; 3) serve the public and private sectors; 4) are owned and controlled totally independently of any service or content that runs over them; 5) are structured, financed, and owned so as to serve the common good; 6) are not owned by licensed telecommunications operators; and 7) deploy modern digital technology and offer true broadband (symmetrical) connectivity.

The paper concludes with ten recommendations:

• "Governments and regulatory bodies should make radio spectrum available to support projects that aim to provide universal access.
• Policy should provide an incentive for the implementation of wireless networks by allocating spectrum to initiatives that aim to reach marginalised populations.
• Tax exemptions for ICT equipment for universal and equitable access should be encouraged. Exemptions should include ICT-related equipment such as wireless antennas, low-power computers, energy back-up systems, batteries, solar panels and regulators, etc.
• Civil society organisations should emphasise the need for a critical review of low-cost and low-power computing initiatives.... The review should address overall costs of technology ownership, including connectivity, energy, training and maintenance.
• Consumers should advocate for internationally accepted quality control standards in ICT hardware and software. Governments, civil society organisations and consumers should avoid vendor lock-in and guarantee knowledge transfer by means of free hardware and software.
• Civil society must create an awareness of the importance of technology ownership and knowledge transfer.
  
• Investors must ensure that large investments in physical infrastructure are accompanied by training and the involvement of the local communities.
• Regulators, including internet governance bodies, should encourage open access networks.
• Governments and the private sector should support the deployment of local infrastructure including internet exchanges.
• Local content should be promoted, including the necessary tools and technologies related to software and content localisation."