E gov ict world bank nov. 13 2003

Editor's Notes

1. JUAN This paper does no represent the views of the Inter-American development Bank or its Board of Directors. In agreement with the theme of this workshop [“ examine the status of the telecommunications sectors in several developing nations and regions to determine if they are susceptible to structural and financial problems faced in the industrialized world, to identify what lessons from the industrialized world may be relevant for developing regions, and to propose measures that could address specific problems . “] we would like to present some of the findings of an extensive study IBRD undertook with CAF and Fonplata to look at these issues for ICTs in South America and propose activities for IIRSA’s Action Plan to promote regional integration. The final report is about to be issued. This is the first time that some of the findings and recommendations are presented outside of the partner institutions Time here permits addressing only one of the recommendations of the report. We would like your views. With respect to the 8 questions raised by Rajni raised we generally address the following. Over capacity and overinvestment and the impact of price wars and bankruptcies (eg. submarine cable capacity in SA region) Incentives to investment (overcoming regulatory rather than financial barriers) Intermodal competition (Studies on the feasibility of using public service networks to build fiber optic cable networks); Facilities based competition and resale over monopoly networks (Proposed study on LLU) Strategies for universal access: Auctioned subsidies in Peru, Colombia and Chile; Targeted and other subsidies: Proposal for prototypes for wireless access networks Affordability of Internet
2. JUAN Presentation in 4 parts I will do the introduction and discussion related to content; Peter will cover the infrastructure and regulatory aspects.
3. JUAN There has been argument on whether ICT is an important factor in competitiveness. In 1986, Robert Solow, said that computers were everywhere except in the productivity statistics.
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5. JUAN From Jorgenson, Ho and Stiroh, Lessons from the US Growth Resurgence , January 17, 2003
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7. JUAN Using a different mehtodology from Jorgenson et al, this article eraches the same conclusion “ Changing Gear”: Productivity, ICT and Services Industries: Europe and the United States ”, van Ark, Inklaar and McGuckin, December 2002
8. JUAN Support by the IDB of other network industries, such as power or roads, only addresses the “supply” side”. Why? Cars, or refrigerators, are private goods, while ICT content has some characteristics of public goods.
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