Issues submitted by IGF workshop panelists

Below are some of the issues that were discussed at the workshop, Challenges facing Internet operators in developing countries:

Capacity building

• Training, education and access to knowledge. More developing country
  collaboration in such things
  • A expert trainer coming from a 'developed' country many time doesn't understand the issues and seldom have the 'demanding infrastructure' knowledge, so making sure experts and people with experience from similar countries are present in such training programs
• Balance capacity building initiative with the provision of job opportunities

Technical challenges

• Linkage between access and local Inter-networking (IXP)
• Research on alternate technical solution to Internet Infrastructure
• The role of mobile as information vehicle
• Adhering to international technical standards and maintaining a technologically competitive edge
• Limited technological sophistication
• Limited service penetration related to service and equipment access and cost
• Emphasis on technology deployments vs. real users needs

Markets and competition

• Inter-regional connectivity
  • Until a lot of countries in the south restrict cross-border connections to the incumbents, thereby stopping the innovation and competition. Whereas, take for example Europe, the inter-country barriers don't exist, and competition helps everyone.
• Small markets in competitive markets.
• Powerful former monopolies (dominance issues)
• Control of international connectivity facilities. May provide service via dominant service providers
• Research on alternative infrastructure ownership models and it's impact on sustainability strategies
• Understanding of commercialization channels and procedures to access to state of the art/experimental equipment (low-cost low-power)

Policy and regulation

• Telecomm reform/deregulation and the implication for a level playing field for Internet service provision
• Getting government ICT policy right
• True dialogue between policy makers and technical community
• Policies not really rural friendly
  • Many countries see the ISP/Telecom as a source of revenue through license fees. They make it impossible or very very difficult for non-profits, NGOs, community groups, schools to establish infrastructure and provide services.
• Legislation not in step with technological advancement
• Deeper understanding of practical implications of regulatory frameworks

Costs 

• Limited financial resources
• Relatively high cost of international facilities and Internet transit
• Costs of providing Internet services to a distributed island geography
  • Internet charging regimes for small islands
  • Islands subsiding connecting to the US
  • Local access and international access costs

Other

• Establishing a productive balance in the ISP community between cooperation and competition
• More clear and effective collaboration strategies (use of infrastructure, policy development)
• Geographical separation
• Transit via extra-regional switching centres resulting in sub-optimal utilization of international bandwidth and customer service experience
• Local content issues
• Rural areas to be consider as the base line from which all normatives are conceptualized