Development and the Internet > Architecture, Question 2 |
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Rotisserie Question
Are you persuaded that interconnection is a serious problem in developing countries? Where would you place the development/establishment of IXPs in the context of other measures that are capable of bridging the access divide? Given what you know about how the Internet works, and the players involved, what do you think should be done to improve Internet connectivity in developing countries? What sort of initiatives would you support and who would you expect to undertake them? Why? Do you think your answers are tied to your responses to the difficult queries posed in Discussion Question 1? |
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I think laying cables and pipes everywhere is the wrong thing to do. As wireless stations are becoming cheaper to set up with WI-FI and wireless cards are very easy More...
Lack of information infrastructure and inefficient interconnections are serious problems in developing countries due to key impacts on end-users, as well as service providers.
Slow connections caused by inefficient interconnections More...
Very good points in this post.
The fact is that both the quantity of access (e.g. number of minutes per day) AND the quality of service matter. Dropped connections, slow More...
Lack of local IP (layer-3) interconnection, and of IXPs more specifically, is a serious problem in developing countries. However, the very possibility of interconnection assumes that there are multiple local More...
It's hard to place the establishment of IXPs in the context of other measures without understanding more of what other measure might exist. It certainly seems important, though downstream from More...
The case is China is very eloquent, but it only proves the basics of a market economy - where there is demand, there always be supply. China's experience also proves More...
In fact, China may represent the perfect counterexample to the proposition that interconnection (this thread) or meaningful competition (my own post) is essential to development. An official account of IXPs More...
Developing countries face a myriad of development problems. But the most debilitating of all is the issue of debt. This is a difficult problem because the majority of countries that More...
The advantage of an IXP based approach is that it is a relatively neutral one - it helps everyone get more/better/cheaper access and lowers the barriers for everyone in the More...
More/better/cheaper is good. So are virtuous circles, as opposed to the more common vicious ones. What I like about this post is the focus on relevance, and we should think More...
I guess you have to do both: help someone connect and provide relvant content. I can't be one or the other. If you have to choose between the two, seems More...
Yes, you need both. But it is worth remembering that ideally either one should drive the other. As long as both represent value, there will enough incentive for content producers More...
I do agree that we should emphasise relevance as much as connectivity. What I do not understand is why "what might people in third world countries" is considered a good More...
Several countries have tried to create content industries before, (and sometimes at the expense of) creating access infrastructures for their own populations. Think Malaysia's Multimedia Supercorridor. The short story is: More...
I do agree that interconnection is a serious problem... not for its own sake as much as it is a means to an ends in improving conditions such as health, More...
"Improving Connectivity" -- This particular arena illustrates the paradigms found in the midst of development approaches, dissemination of knowledge and participatory mechanisms that could foster process of learning and knowing. More...
I'm getting lost in the liguistic fog here, although I agree in principal with what I take to be the principle--we need to both think and act. But what are More...
Following up on your thoughts. We have all seen as the old fashion development approach has been unsuccesful and disastreus. We all agree that we need the communities target of More...
Disparities exist in access to and use of ICT between countries the "international digital divide" and between groups within countries "domestic digital divide". The digital divide is not a single More...
IXPs are critical because they build local capacity. Traffic that passes through an IXPs is totally internal to the country - all of the payments, costs, and benefits are produced More...
"They build data pathways between local businesses, government, and organizations that can be much faster than the ones that leave the country, because they are physically shorter. "
Not only More...
Your links was very interesting and I think that the solution has to be a combination between technical training, as you say, and an economic input along with the basic More...
I would agree that we are looking at the combination and integration of different objectives and methods. I am glad that we have stepped beyond the illusion that this is More...
I agree that costs must be tackled, and IXPs can contribute to reducing them; that connectivity should be needs led and culturally sensitive; and technical support is vital.
If I More...
My argument with this proposal, will engage perpectives with the advent of market system and the realms of economic reforms as measured for development of human capital, public policy and More...
Yes b/c competitive pricing structure due to network traffic. IXPs are solution providers in one essence, and Wi-fi technology a value adding component is the idea that comes to my More...
Based on the latest UN and other reports, I'd have to say that interconnection is a serious problem for many developing and some semi-developed countries.
And the reasons for the More...
I was thinking along similar lines in another thread. How could the problem of exploitation by monopolies be addressed. I was thinking about regulating the mercenary national ICTs through limitations More...
Doug Powell writes: "How could the problem of exploitation by monopolies be addressed. I was thinking about regulating the mercenary national ICTs through limitations on their international connectivity."
Acutally, mercenary More...
Yes interconnection is a serious problem in developing countries and establishment of IXPs is an important step towards filling this gap.
The establishment of IXPs not only will help in More...
It's important to be clear about what level of analysis you are describing. If by "decentralization," you mean the tendency of developing country ISPs to host content in developed countries, More...
Excuse my sarcasm, but this is six questions in one. It must be an attorney thing...
Long question, short answer: IXPs are good. Local servers can cache www content. Portals More...
It is obvious that IXPs are good. The tough question is how can you get them built when there are established interests that stand to lose as a result.
In More...
Before one answers "tough questions" it is important to analyse the structure of the "digital divide" vis a vis "solutions".
With respect, your second paragraph, to my mind misunderstands the More...
I'd like to make some further clarification of my earlier post because I'm afraid it may have been misunderstood. Unfortunately the written word is often not the best way to More...
This is a welcome clarification. BOLD organizers might wish to draw from this the importance of including in the 'Invitations to Respond'- the context of the previous response - so More...
I used to work at Oracle as a senior product manager in silicon valley; now I live in a developing country, the Dominican Republic.
In this country there is good More...
I think you have to be careful to give things to anyone without them feeling responsability and ownership for it. I have worked in refugee camps and even there (in More...
Interconnection is a serious problem in developing countries just for the time being. I guess the holding-back factors are mainly subjective, like the lack of business culture. Of course, deregulation More...
To have a system that is reliable in a third world country forces outside that country will most likely be needed. Hopefully other nations or international orginizations will be there More...
I have a point of diffrence here.Regulation and control should be distinguished.Control of any sort over access should be dispensed with and abhored. However control may have to be exercised More...
Unfortunately, some of the governments make Enron look saintly. I think it is very difficult to arrive at a common answer to the deregulation question. I am not certain the More...
Internet probably is one of the most significant of human advances in low cost interaction and communication. Due to its information content the net is a vehicle for development and More...
I could not agree more - something needs to be done. We may have a small step being taken already: a number of organisations within the UN, the World Bank, More...
I'm sorry, but I'm lacking context for this response (I wish I could see the parent comment). I sense there are some key issues around markets. How do I get More...
I think that the general idea of targeting access points is valuable; though I tend to think the most effectlve plan is to have multi-layered access points throughout the society; More...
To provide to all higher educational institutions Internet access constitutes without doubt a very important policy decision.But I am afraid doesn't go to the heart of the matter: the digital More...
It might be useful to consider the Western development of the internet, which occured overwhelmingly in universities.
Simon Woodside
>>>> Internet probably is one of the most significant of human advances in low cost interaction and communication. Due to its information content the net is a vehicle for development More...
Yes, I'm persuaded that interconnection is a serious issue. I've experienced it first hand in Kenya.
The political implications are the biggest barriers from what I can see, so there More...
Nancy, I'm interested in your Kenya experience and what you see as a potential way to address the political and financial concerns. While I agree that these are perhaps the More...
Totally agree. Business culture is much needed.
Nancy, it look like we both want a democratically accountable world which generates win-win solutions through negotiation. Unfortunately the politics which protected vested interests such as nationalised telcoms will not More...
In the late 80's early 90's the social activists favorite saying was 'Think Globally, Act Locally". I suspect that as the world economies continue to merge, that saying will become More...
It is a serious problem as much as it does not allow men and women to access information and socio-economic opportunities and to bridge the gap between rich and poor More...
I totally agree with your comment. I would just like to add that as important as IXPs and the participation of NGOs is the role of the government as a More...
I am glad that you mentioned the NGO's since they have a large influence in the development. But as Alice is saying it has to be a "local and national More...
I have had the chance to work on the NGO Communications Report by the World Bank and the IMF. I suggest we all review IT. In addition, we had the More...
I agree with the comments that NGOs/CBOs can be a important vehicle (facilitators) to address the access issue. Communities also need to be empowered: to regulate the use, set user More...
IXPs are great but only if you assume the local population needs or wants online banking, local email, local web sites, etc. The real supposed benefit to connecting developing countries More...
And interconnection through IXP on a national scale doesn't mean connection "physical connection at the local level", it just means that it will be cheaper to get information from one More...
What is cheaper also becomes more prevalent. While the Internet can bring the world to your doorstep, it is equally adept at building and binding communities. Facilitating interconnection can serve More...
The adoption of IXPs relates directly to the issue of "accessibility". Developing country's telecom regulation and interconnection is monopolistic, generating the seek of rent, therefore increasing the cost of access More...
It will be incorrect for us to make value judgements on what a local community wants. May be they do not want anything from a developed world. Maybe they just More...
The total cost of setting up IXPs in developing countries could be much more than the technology infrastructure cost, due to the legal actions of national telecommunications monopolies. The monopoly More...
I am not sure if there is a precedent, that works to forcing corporations to work with the international community. I do know of precendents in getting countries to open More...
Innovation begins internally. Leaders (either designated, or up-and-coming) usually look outside the local environment for all forms of measurement. Those that evaluate 'outside content' have the opportunity to define themselves More...
The issues about the role of corporations, social development or community relation agendas, have been part of an ongoing and new trends of inquiries (Method/practices).
Among other things, the role More...
From a technical perspective, developing IXPs can clearly yield dramatic improvements with limited investment. However, the political and economic context are a real barrier to making these functional/technical improvements. As More...
IMHO, the killer app will be made available by providers of lifelong learning and career services. Please see www.opportunityservices.com for details.
If a system can be developed that NGOs could promote and that simultaneoulsy motivates the monopolies to grow access, the NGOs would serve as catalysts for economic activity that might More...
I agree with the need for an economic underpinning. This will give the politicians the ammunition required to make the case for policy change. Does anyone have an example that More...
Interesting feature in the light of the important practical:http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/2910809.stm
It is a difficult question. IXP's are important tools and pieces within the context of universal access, but I am not sure that speed and simplicity is required in the More...
The recognition that bridging the digital divide[or its cognate, increasing interconnectivity], creates a governance challenge is perhaps a truism which leads to some obvious policy prescriptions. The demographics of many More...
I think its Aristotle who once said that he who knows what is right would also do what is right. Those of us who participate in this BOLD 2003: Development More...
It seems to me that interconnection is a serious problem. However, the examples given refer to Africa, a continent traditionally weak in telecommunication infrastructure. Is this a problem in the More...
Yes, interconnection is a serious and difficult problem to solve. This is a huge economic and politic issue. It is quite clear to me that the government has to take More...
I agree that interconnection leads to latency and expense of accessing data from overseas. However, the development of IXPs doesn't seem the sustainable solution to this problem.
The problem has More...
Since I imagine most Internet traffic for the next few years will continue to be between isolated elites in Africa and their counterpoints in the rest of the world.
However, More...
I think this is a great idea. It provides an incentive for the monopolistic telcoms to agree to IXP formations, after which they will see the benefits of having a More...
I've been analysing the telecom industry recently and I think they're toast. Telecom companies have two businesses that make money, local and long-distance calling. Local calling will never be a More...
>>>> I've been analysing the telecom industry recently and I think they're toast. Telecom companies have two businesses that make money, local and long-distance calling. Local calling will never be More...
As I write in the first question, the big problem is the racional use of data that we can find in a large number of websites. I don't know why More...