ICT Development Agenda

OECD : Policy Paper on Broadband Internet Services for Economic and Social Development

Global

20 October 2003

‘ICT is a key driver of economic growth, and broadband is probably the single most important, cross-cutting development in ICT [information and communication technologies] at this time,’ said Hugo Parr, Chairman of the OECD’s ICCP Committee and Director General, Ministry of Trade and Industry of Norway, ‘choosing the right policy responses can have an immense impact both for the public and the private sectors.’ The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has published a policy response to the challenge of maximising the benefits of broadband Internet services for economic and social development. The policy document has clear implications for developing as well as the developed countries of the OECD, as a growing number of operators in developing countries deploy broadband technologies and policy makers in others seek to encourage its introduction (see for example ITU: Worldwide Broadband Subscribers Grew 72% in 2002: The Birth of Broadband).

The statement released in early October 2003 by the OECD’s Committee on Information, Computer and Communications Policy (ICCP) highlights 'the need for competition in communication markets and between rapidly evolving technologies, including DSL [digital subscriber line], cable, fixed wireless, and satellite', according to a press release. ‘Government policy has to be pro-competitive, paying particular attention to neutrality among different technologies’.

‘ICT is a proven contributor to economic growth derived from improved efficiency in business processes and increased access to markets, for example for small and medium-sized enterprises. Broadband connectivity is a key component in ICT development, adoption and use. It is of strategic importance to all countries because of its ability to accelerate the contribution of ICTs to economic growth in all sectors, enhance social and cultural development, and facilitate innovation. With growth of 53% over the last year, translating into 75 million broadband subscribers in OECD countries by the end of September 2003 and an estimated annual USD 30 billion in access revenue, the significance of broadband as a key component of ICT-driven growth has been established’ says the paper.

Source: Broadband Driving Growth, OECD October 2003 http://www.oecd.org/dataoecd/18/3/16234106.pdf

Resources:

OECD http://www.oecd.org