Internet bandwidth Special case : Ghana Web2.0 for dev Rome, 27 September 2007

By Anna Bon ICT Consultant

By Anna Bon

ICT Consultant

Main question “ Can Internet Services become available for a larger public in Africa ?“

“ Can Internet Services become available for a larger public in Africa ?“

One of the Goals of the WSIS “… people-centred, inclusive and development-oriented Information Society so that people everywhere can create, access, utilize and share information and knowledge … to attain the internationally agreed development goals and objectives, including the Millennium Development Goals. ”

“… people-centred, inclusive and development-oriented Information Society so that people everywhere can create, access, utilize and share information and knowledge … to attain the internationally agreed development goals and objectives, including the Millennium Development Goals. ”

The digital divide

Benefits from ICT for Society Knowledge society Economic Growth Democratic Empowerment

Knowledge society

Economic Growth

Democratic Empowerment

Project in Ghana

What about Web 2.0 What are the benefits of Web 2.0 ? Has it been implemented anywhere in Africa ? If not, WHY NOT….?

What are the benefits of Web 2.0 ?

Has it been implemented anywhere in Africa ?

If not, WHY NOT….?

Users at University of Cape Coast

Users at UCC do not use Web 2.0 Poor internet connectivity Lack of hands on experience

Poor internet connectivity

Lack of hands on experience

Availability of internet connectivity Poor internet connectivity Inadequate network management

Poor internet connectivity

Inadequate network management

Poor ICT Management Not train only technicians Need for ICT Management at MSc level

Not train only technicians

Need for ICT Management at MSc level

Internet: data transport routes of the World Underwater optical cabling systems in the world

Underwater optical cabling systems in the world

Assumed causes for poor internet General poverty Education Low population density and large continent

General poverty

Education

Low population density and large continent

Low population density

Internet usage in Africa 203% 100% 17% 1.093.529.692 100% 6.574.666.417 Total World 198% 97% 19% 1.060.763.992 86% 5.641.218.125 Rest World 625% 3% 4% 32.765.700 14% 933.448.292 Africa growth in 2000-2007 % penetration Internet users % population

Local, regional, global infrastructure The Internet In the outside world

Infrastructure Optical fiber backbone High initial investment, highest bandwidth capacity, best connectivity, longlivety.Best cost-quality retio.(Regional and Global) Satellite connection Low initial investment, lower bandwidth,less sustainable, temporary solution. Very expensive on the long run. (only Global)

Optical fiber backbone

High initial investment, highest bandwidth capacity, best connectivity, longlivety.Best cost-quality retio.(Regional and Global)

Satellite connection

Low initial investment, lower bandwidth,less sustainable, temporary solution. Very expensive on the long run. (only Global)

SARUA fiber study : Optical fiber in SE Africa : Regional backbone ?? Plenty optical fiber available !!!!! Ownded by electricity companies Why is it not being deployed?

Global connection, no reginal connection

VSAT costs per year Africa spends 400.000.000 US$ on VSAT p.y. The 625 % growth in internet flows where….? Instead of investing it in regional and local connectivity !!!!

Africa spends 400.000.000 US$ on VSAT p.y.

The 625 % growth in internet flows where….?

Instead of investing it in regional and local connectivity !!!!

Sending an email from Wa to Accra Mr. Kwame living in Wa, northwest region, Ghana kwame @ hotmail.com sends an email to Mr. Kofi living in Accra, Ghana kofi @ yahoo.com What would you expect to be the emails pathway ?

Mr. Kwame living in Wa, northwest region, Ghana

kwame @ hotmail.com sends an email to

Mr. Kofi living in Accra, Ghana

kofi @ yahoo.com

What would you expect to be the emails pathway ?

Ghana Accra Wa ??

High prices for connectivity 256 kbps in Ghana: € 600 per month 2 Mbps in Holland (8 x as much) € 20

256 kbps in Ghana: € 600 per month

2 Mbps in Holland (8 x as much) € 20

Causes for high prices Monopolies (private or state companies) Lack of regulations to enforce sharing infrastructure High price / low volume marketing model No consumer organisations

Monopolies (private or state companies)

Lack of regulations to enforce sharing infrastructure

High price / low volume marketing model

No consumer organisations

Lessons from other continents Latin America: RedClara HE network in 2003 partially EU-funded East Africa : Ubuntunet Alliance What is needed in West Africa ?

Latin America: RedClara HE network in 2003 partially EU-funded

East Africa : Ubuntunet Alliance

What is needed in West Africa ?

Collaborating stakeholders Joined effort from higher education institutes Governmental policies in ICT Telecoms Donor organizations

Joined effort from higher education institutes

Governmental policies in ICT

Telecoms

Donor organizations

Conclusion Can internet be improved ? Yes, through joined forces !

Can internet be improved ?

Yes, through joined forces !

So ? Thank you for your attention !