Over the last few years, it has become apparent that the Internet represents more than just a new telecommunication service. Instead, the Internet is emerging as an alternative public network, which will serve as the primary medium for a full spectrum of new and traditional voice services. The impact of this revolution on the industry will affect all countries, but arguably its impact will be most keenly felt in developing countries. That is because the incumbent public telecommunication operators of those countries are often poorly positioned to adapt to the challenges posed by the Internet, and may miss out on the benefits of the new opportunities it brings. On the other hand, the Internet could give developing countries the chance to leapfrog many of the stages of market evolution and move straight to 21st century networks. Furthermore, lower costs and resulting new pricing structures available with Internet networks can make communication services more affordable.

For regulatory agencies, many of which have been recently created, the Internet also poses new challenges. How should the new providers be licensed? How should IP Telephony be classified? How best can the important benefits Internet services provide be made affordable and available throughout the country?

While the expansion of the Internet in developed countries has been widely documented, its diffusion in developing nations has generally not been well researched. The ITU is carrying out a series of case studies of the diffusion of the Internet in countries at different stages of development. The aim of the project will be to seek to understand the factors, which accelerate or slowdown the development of the Internet in different environments and, through comparative analysis, to advise policy makers and regulatory agencies on appropriate courses of action. A particular focus will be on the spread of the Internet in different sectors of the economy such as health, education and commerce as well as government.

Summaries of all the case studies will be published on a common web site that will become a focal point for other related initiatives. Once a body of material has been accumulated, it is planned to host a series of seminars, in late 2001, to present the results of the studies and to engage in policy dialogue.

The ITU is interested in partnering with other organizations and companies on the Internet country case studies and applying them to a wider group of countries.

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2004

 Australia
 Hong Kong, China

2003

 Mauritius
Maldives
Fiji
St. Lucia

2002

 Ethiopia

Cape Verde
Korea (Rep.)
Hong Kong, China 

2001

Cambodia

Indonesia
Laos
Malaysia 

 Philippines

Thailand
Vietnam

2000

 Bolivia

Egypt
Hungary
Nepal 

 Singapore

Uganda