ESCAP Summary of Country Submissions-edited...• PPP model for financing AP-IS – ... • Further...

Summary of Country

Submissions

First Session of the Asia-Pacific Information

Superhighway Steering Committee, 1-2

November 2017, Dhaka, Bangladesh.

For full information of each country’s submission, refer to the meeting’s

website: http://www.unescap.org/events/first-session-asia-pacific-

information-superhighway-ap-steering-committee

AP-IS Initiative

2

Identification, coordination, deployment, expansion and

integration of the regional backbone network

Establish a sufficient number of IXPs at the national and sub-

regional levels and set out common principles on Internet

traffic exchange

Regional social and economic studies

Enhancing ICT infrastructure resilience

Policy and regulations for leveraging existing infrastructure,

technology and inclusive broadband initiatives

Capacity-building

AP-IS funding mechanism based on public-private

partnerships

Strategic Initiatives 2016-2018

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

Country Challenges (Focus Area) Opportunities for

Collaboration/Proposed Actions

Afghanistan • Land locked countries and

broadband expansion

• Connecting land locked countries in

our region through a terrestrial

regional network will reduce OPEX

and improve affordability. • How to deal with the

affordability challenges

• Policy and regulation

• Developing a regional OFC (optical

fiber cable) network • Funding

• How to deal with ‘right of way’

3



Armenia • National and subnational

content development.

• Establish group of DC over the AP-IS

and IX in Armenia for enabling shortest

route to EU through Iran-Armenia-

Georgia-Sofia;

• Discover and approve mechanisms for

preferential access to the existing

terrestrial cable infrastructures in

“intermediate” countries on behalf of

AP-IS project implementation;

• Discover and introduce financing

mechanisms for regional and national

carriers if considering capacity upgrade

on behalf of AP-IS.

• PPP model for financing AP-IS –

consider mechanisms of facilitation of

private investment on national and

subregional level.

• Traffic Exchange and content

management infrastructure.

• Transnational regulation,

applicable on subnational level

• PPP model for financing of

AP-IS

4



Bhutan Limited Domestic Fiber Optic

Network Redundancy

[AP-IS Pillar 1, 3]

Bhutan's IXP will be instituted by

November of this year. An initiative of

the stakeholders with DITT

spearheading it

Absence of Content Distribution

Networks in the region. The lack of

presence of major CDNs in the region

makes it necessary for Bhutanese ISPs to

establish POPs in distant countries like

Singapore and the UK. The presence of

CDNs in the region would help bring

down the cost of connectivity for

countries like Bhutan.

Limited International Internet

Redundancy

[APIS Pillar 1, 2, 3, 4]

Limited CDN (content distribution

network) in the Region

[AP-IS Pillar 2]

Providing affordable broadband

connectivity to all citizens

[AP-IS Pillar 1, 4]

Limited Last Mile Connectivity

[AP-IS Pillar 1, 4]

High Cost for International

Internet Bandwidth

[APIS Pillar 1, 2]

5

6

Country Challenges (Focus Areas)

Fiji • The influx of a sudden explosion

of broadband services at

affordable prices has seen more

people using online services but

without the basic knowledge of

online threats

• Main challenge of connectivity between

the maritime islands and thus limiting

last mile connectivity to end users

• Maintaining Telecommunications

regulatory authorities for

effective regulation of ICT

services, licencing models,

standards, etc

• Existing infrastructure eg) Fibre cable

connections around the country which

becomes an issue for service expansion

to the rural areas and islands

• Establishing IXP has been seen as

a cost effective and beneficial

move for both ISPs and

consumers. Reduction in IP

transit costs, traffic routes has

largely improved the whole

experience.

• Cost to build new infrastructure is seen as

quite a considerable cost for service

providers hence the expansion of some

services is more focused on the major

areas where there's more return .

• A lot of capacity building

initiatives are required for the

growing ICT regulatory

authorities and policy makers

together with the right tools to

• Limited connectivity and bandwidth is

seen as a barrier for introducing new

technologies and services and quality of

service eg) IP/Mobile TV, e-applications,

digital learning

7


Fiji • Recent damages to national infrastructure has caused millions of dollars in

losses. Building into resiliency is key especially for ICT infrastructure linking

outer islands for example. Further building onto disaster recovery and business

continuity planning and mechanisms for ICT services.

• Developing Digital policies to counter threats which are evolving everyday

from online usage and building on an effective awareness campaign for end

users who don’t quite understand the risks and threats involved.

• Backhaul capacity will be improved. Less reliance on fixed microwave usage.

Fiber cables for example will bring more bandwidth for consumers and

reduction in operational costs for service providers.

Country Opportunities Proposed Actions

Fiji • Look into universal service

obligation to expand into areas

and USO classified zones and

getting basic services to such areas

• Creating platforms for e-applications

through infrastructure investments and

upgrades eg. Fire cable infrastructure, etc

• Service creation and building on

business cases to create more

demand for broadband data which

would drive more businesses, ICT

applications, e-commerce services,

digital finances, etc

• More regulation into the wholesale and

retail cost models for ICT services with the

aim to reduce costs for end users. This will

benefit consumers.

• An opportunity to expand into e-

services, getting basic services

made available online.

• Providing subsidies and grants to service

providers for expansion of ICT services to

rural and under-served areas.

• Collaborating with other

neighboring countries in the

Pacific to work in partnering

towards a common aim to build

into service expansion projects

eg. Submarine cable projects,

volume procurement of

equipment and capacity, etc

• Enabling polices to enhance

Telecommunications infrastructure and

modern services and positioning Fiji as

the ICT hub of the Pacific region.


Georgia • Develop domestic fixed

broadband infrastructure

[AP-IS Pillar 4 ]

• Further development of next

generation wireless broadband

networks and services

[AP-IS Pillar 1]

• Develop open neutral Internet

exchange points for the

domestic and international

traffic exchange

[AP-IS Pillar 2]

• Use Addition frequencies (Digital

dividend) in 700 MHz for the next

generation wireless broadband

services

[AP-IS Pillar 1]

• Transitions in to the Internet

Protocol version 6

[AP-IS Pillar 3]

• Develop Digital Connectivity

between Europe and Asia through

Georgia as the shortest transit link

[AP-IS Pillar 1]

• Develop digital trade and different

electronic services

[AP-IS Pillar 1]

• Update national policies and

regulations on infrastructure

sharing

[AP-IS Pillar 4]

Country Opportunities for Collaboration/Proposed Actions

Georgia Georgia express readiness to collaborate with Asia-Pacific, European

countries and with international organizations in order to achieve above-

mentioned priority challenges.

10


Bangladesh • Lack of effective and adequate content availability

• Slow advancement of IT literacy and education at secondary and tertiary

level

• Reaching rural or remote areas with broadband network where business

prospective is not present [BTRC]

• Limited Broadband connection and slow speed of internet bandwidth in

the rural areas.

• Lack of online security.

• Storage capacity limitation of big data. [BSCCL]

• Difficult to deploy underground Optical Fibre for metro network.

• Lack of skilled technical manpower. [PGCB]

• Fiber/Cable Cut : Concerned authorities should notifiy BTCL during road

construction. [BTCL]

• Lack of viable business Case in terms of prospective users for broadband

internet service outside Dhaka for developing local ISP services

• Lack of localized content

• Coordination between different stakeholders under different ministry

with priorities

• Policy support for service process simplification for creating e-service.

11


Bangladesh • Capacity building, ICT infrastructure and security in field level offices for e-

service deployment, implementation and delivery.

• Use of advanced computing and trending technologies such as Artificial

Intelligence, Big data, IoT, Cloud computing, computer vision, robotics and

drone for rural and national development in various sectors, climate

change adaptation, disaster management and national decision making.

[DoICT]

• Installation of utility duct along all networks. [RTHD]

• Optical fiber network deployment at Cross-border areas & integration

with the regional backbone network including passive infra network.

• Superhighway building period, the domestic network may require

relocate/rebuild due to road expansion. No compensation is given for any

relocate/rebuild activities.

• Internet exchange point establishment at national & sub regional levels.

• Lack of Regulations and policy frameworks for ICT.

• Inter Govt. agencies have lack of coordination, which is impacting the

permission process of ICT infrastructure build.

• Power sector is considered as high focused area from Govt. side, same

level of focus should be given to ICT sector.

12


Bangladesh • In ICT sector, there is no proper price regulation & quality of service.

Outcome is low cost with compromised quality. On the other hand, high

cost with high quality, which is not affordable for generalized people.

• International internet market is dominated by few major purchasers, who

consume 2/3 of the bandwidth. [Summit]

• Policy Formation for engaging private organization

• Utilization of existing network

• Non-NTTN operators are doing Telecommunication Transmission business

in Bangladesh

• Optical fiber core Leasing Business

• Pricing issue

• Creating Awareness

13

Country Proposed Actions

Bangladesh • Development of sector-specific content with sub-regional cooperation.

• Prioritizing the content deployment in native language with regional

cooperation

• Promoting job-oriented ICT learning from secondary level.

• Synchronizing wireless broadband with fiber network to reach the

remote areas for cost effectiveness and wide-coverage [BTRC]

• More Investment on the infrastructure to reach the suburb people of the

country.

• Providing IT based training to the mass people. [BSCCL]

• Establishment of colocation facility and express network for IIG, NIX, BWA,

ISP’s in outside Dhaka free for some certain periods for providing internet

services to remote areas in less costs. It will create business case.

• CDN facility in all the POI for efficient bandwidth utilization and future

preparedness for trending video based content demand and delivery.

• Establishment of free WiFi hotspots in remote areas for providing access

to underserved and free public services and content delivery.

• Connection in all educational institutes, community clinic and union level

offices with fibre optic connectivity.

• Deployment of digital repository and distribution platform for public

distribution of digital contents.

14


Bangladesh • Support and promote service process simplification in government

services with policy, fund and knowledge.

• Establishment of national Advanced computing centre and deployment of

necessary. infrastructure in collaboration to universities for research,

promotion and expanding use of trending technologies and advanced

computing for national use.

• Provide training and IT support in field level service providing employees.

• Establishment of Enterprise network in field level offices.

• Establishment of IT operation and support centre in every upazilla.

• Comprehensive effort to establish and develop content and digital media

industry with all necessary supports and commitment. Investment for

more localised content development.

• Establishment of Digital literacy centre with connected remote education

centres in all the upazilla’s in all over the country.

• Establishment of computer labs in rural educational institutes and teacher

capacity building.

• Transform coastal islands into digital islands with policy support, fund,

connectivity, technology, capacity building, e-service, analytics, IOT and

AI. [DoICT]

15


Bangladesh • Shall make a Master Plan for Regional Connectivity.

• Manpower/ Expertise can be exchanged within Asia Pacific Regional

Countries. [PGCB]

• ICT sector should be recognized as power sector enjoying customs duty

waive, Tax waive for importing goods and providing services.

• Fund needs to be allocated for building the ICT infrastructure. It can be a

project financing/ special purpose vehicle model, Consortium model,

Management contract/ build-operate-transfer, Donor financing etc.

Proper & immediate financing mechanism can accelerate the ICT

infrastructure implementation and development. Govt also need to

encourage private/ local business entities through low interest funding

and Tax waiver.

• Local investors should get privilege for building the ICT infrastructure in

regional, sub regional & national level.

• Inter-governmental/ ministries support (Administrative & financial) is

required to relocate/ rebuild ICT infrastructure due to road expansion for

superhighway. Necessary compensation should be provided.

• Internet bandwidth export Regulations and policy frameworks required to

export internet bandwidth immediately in neighbour countries where

demand exists.

16


Bangladesh • For ICT infrastructure building purpose, relevant ministries support is

required for waiving road cutting compensation for underground works,

all type of bridge crossing, using Electric pole etc.

• To ensure secured and more network availability, alternative path of

upstream is required in additional routes.

• To reduce the import cost (Volume discount) of bandwidth, a forum (IIG)

can be introduced to avail bulk volume discount from carrier provider.

• To reduce the internet capacity utilization and performance

enhancement, common caching & private peering facilities needs to be

ensured.

• The co-location charge of international IX (Internet Exchange) need to be

reduced for developing countries like Bangladesh.

• Tier-1 ISPs should provide IP routing through their lowest and best path to

ensure quality. [Summit]

• Exchange of views with the appropriate stakeholders financial and

technical support from ESCAP [RTHD]

17

Country Challenges (Focus Areas) Opportunities for


Lao PDR • Land locked country - need cross

border connection to international

bandwidth.

• To build data centre to provide services

for public and private sectors (such as

web hosting, co-location, virtual machine,

cloud, etc) to boost local contents and

bring foreign contents closer to make the

internet cheaper, provide variety of

contents for user to learn, work and

conduct business.

• The development of local contents

remain a challenge.

• Human capital development on ICT

related technology and its application

• Lack of ICT skill, therefore there is

still digital gap in ICT know how

• Encourage more investment (PPP) at the

underserve areas and infrastructure

sharing to enable people nation wide can

access to services in affordable price and

good quality.

• Several regulations need to be

improved to accommodate the

fast changing technology

• One of Lao PDR’s priority is on ICT human

resource development. We welcome

support and opportunity of cooperation

with ESCAP/ITU in technical capacity

building areas under the 4 Pillars of AP-

IS. 18



Viet Nam • Large scale ICT infrastructure

Investment

• Experience about cyber

security management

• Lack of regulation for public-

private partnerships in ICT

area under Strategy Initiative 7

• Most of the terminals

manufactured before 2013,

therefor do not support new

generation standard like 4G

under Pillar 4

• Connectivity ICT Infrastructure

under Pillar 1

• Increase connectivity capacity at

national level

• Increase capacity about cyber

security management and building

regulation for PPP

• Collaborate with nations/global

stakeholder to developing broadband

infrastructure

19



Kiribati • Limited technical capacity on

developing cyber security

regulation.

• Lack of infrastructure to

support roll out of mobile and

internet services on all outer

islands (rural area).

• Limited internet

capacity/speed to the majority

of the population

• Limited Staff Capacity

• Inefficiency in public service

delivery

• Lack of Government

Datacentre

• Improving Government

network on the Capital city

• Increase mobile subscription

• Increase of internet penetration

(access to internet)

• Enhance national gateway bandwidth

capacity

• Increase number of islands with

access to submarine cable bandwidth

• Increase number of Government

Ministries and Offices connected to

Government Wide Area Network

• Increase number of online services

available to public

• Backup Communication System for

Disaster Recovery

• Improve telecommunication

infrastructure and connectivity on all

outer islands

• Improve internet capacity/speed to the

majority of the population

• Improve accountability, transparency and

efficiency in public service delivery

through the use of ICT 20



Papua New

Guinea

Papua New Guinea has in 2015

pass a law on the Cyber Crime.

• Implement the law entrusted

to carry out the task such as:

the Police prosecution and the

Court System to understand the

background of cyber crime.

• As for Cyber security, the

agency entrusted need to step

up to protect the users and

the network from abusers

• National IXP has been installed for

effective management of national

Websites and ISP and also to screen illicit

activities.

21



Vanuatu • Priority is to introduce e-services

to the citizens of Vanuatu for

Agriculture, Education, Health,

Tourism, Finance, Weather,

Disaster and others.

• Cyber security Centre

• E-Government;

• Connect 2nd submarine cable

• A Bill for Cybercrime is currently

being consulted for approval by

Parliament in Q1, 2018

22



Tonga • High Cost for International

Internet Bandwidth

• Providing affordable

broadband connectivity to all

citizens

• Lack of ICT skill, therefore

slow implementation of

online services for citizens

and businesses.

• Limited technical capacity on

developing cyber security

strategy.

• Slow Digital Transformation

in Government and

Businesses

• Coordinate the possibility of inviting

major content plays to invest in

establishing of a content

distribution network (CDN ) services

to be local.

• Increase utilization of our

international Fibre connection with

promoting new innovative and

online services

• Build a strong cybersecurity strategy

to provide more assurance of

security to the investors and

stakeholders.

• Establish a local IXP to help drive

the internet cost down

• Improve local telecommunication

infrastructure

23



Samoa • Focus on cyber security

resilience and setup of CERT.

Very limited capacity in

technical knowledge as well

as tools to assess if existing

infrastructure can support a

CERT setup.

• Extend the fibre

infrastructure around the

country and get telcoms to

share existing fibre network

with each other.

• Look at ways to allow private

users to connect to

government SNBH network

to provide connectivity and in

return allows government to

get revenue from them.

• Make use of the local IXP

infrastructure in place

• Australia has indicated funds of over

AUD14 million for cyber security that

we can tap into for technical

assistance. PACSON is also well

underway.

• Encourage more regional

cooperation in cyber space as most

of our conditions and issues are the

same and its not usually just a matter

of scale

• Create and enabling environment

and build the right infrastructure to

entice the big players like Google,

Amazon to come to the pacific.

• Revisit telecom regulatory oversight

and processes to ensure that it

allows for businesses and

entrepreneurs to thrive and not be

the stumbling block.

24

25



Sri Lanka • Adoption - Promoting the use

of Public Wi- Fi by the

citizens by introducing

contents, applications and

eServices. ICTA has

introduced 50+ eServices and

other programs such as:

i. eSamurdhi – welfare

management

ii. State Land Information

System

iii. Cross-Government Digital

Documentation

iv. ePensions

v. SMART Digital Classroom 6.

eHealth Hospital

Management etc

• All these leads to: Providing

affordable broadband connectivity to

all citizens

To make this project be successful

Educational content for school children

is needed such as:

i. more content,

ii. applications and

iii. eServices developed

26

Country Opportunities Opportunities for


Sri Lanka • Creating content with local

language and also more

eServices to attract the

citizen use LGN

• Island wide roll out of projects listed

above; Funding and procedural

bottlenecks a constraint

• Finding ways to increase

Public Wi-Fi data quota

provided to the citizens.

Currently telcoms are

providing this service free of

charge and they would not

increase the data quota for

free

• Opportunities for start ups • Ensure wider adoption by awareness

building among stakeholders.

• Empowering society,

particularly SMEs, housewives,

marginalized

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