Page 145 - Trends in Telecommunication Reform 2016

and adopting more enabling regulatory policies The rapid expansions of fixed and mobile
and practices, broadband and mobile devices broadband services, and the drop in broadband Chapter 5
will become more affordable, stimulating prices, have been major drivers of the Information
the development of the digital ecosystem. Society. The biggest drop has occurred in
Additionally, it will be important to remove the developing countries, broadening the affordability
barriers persons with disability face, enabling and access to m-services and apps. High-speed
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them to enjoy full and free participation in the Internet access has continued to increase as
development agenda. broadband prices fall and mobile broadband
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networks expand rapidly. Almost all countries
in the world have launched at least “third
5.2.3 Drivers of m-services and apps generation” (3G) mobile-broadband services, and
the number of subscriptions has been growing
There are several trends that are building rapidly. It is believed that by the end of 2015,
momentum for rapid dissemination of m-services mobile broadband penetration reached 47 per
and apps, and these are discussed in the following cent globally.
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sub-sections.
5.2.3.3 Access to big data
5.2.3.1 Commitment to digital inclusion
Today, data is more deeply woven into the fabric
The power of ICTs to enable the achievement of of our lives than ever before. Data can be used to
development goals has strengthened the case for anticipate and solve problems, improve well-being,
“social inclusion” objectives, to include broadband and generate economic prosperity. The collection,
connectivity, telephony service coverage, and storage, and analysis of data is on an upward
Internet access -- all aimed at small and medium- and seemingly unbounded trajectory, fueled by
sized rural communities and the urban poor. The increases in processing power, the cratering costs
increasing use of applications to deliver civic of computation and storage, and the growing
services, health, and education – and to drive number of sensor technologies embedded in
businesses and commerce – entails the need to devices of all kinds. Data collection and handling,
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commit to digital inclusion. This will drive the as well as data aggregation and analysis, bring
articulation of coherent and comprehensive out new insights that are informing monetization
national broadband plans in order to achieve opportunities in the mobile ecosystem.
the intended benefits. But there is no “one size
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fits all.” According to the OECD, as broadband
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technology continues to improve and bandwidth
increases, its capacity to enable structural change 5.2.4 Emerging concerns
in the economy will expand due to its impact on an
increasing number of sectors and activities. 11 The growing diffusion of mobile services and
applications also raises concerns that need
5.2.3.2 Competition to be addressed in order to sustain the digital
ecosystem. To start with, increased adoption of
The increasing reliance on competition as the the digital inclusion agenda will mean recognizing
primary driver of consumer benefits has spurred the isolation of populations that have no access
significant economic growth in many countries. to m-services and apps. How is a regulator to
For example, in 2014, mobile services added 3.2 respond and ensure that the benefits of social
per cent (USD 548 billion) to the United State inclusion are enjoyed by all its citizens?
Gross Domestic Product (GDP), exceeding the
contributions to GDP of several other industries, While competition has spurred consumer choice
including entertainment, transportation, and enhanced benefits, the regulatory concerns
automobiles, hospitality, and agriculture. Robust remain: Is competition being encouraged
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competition has brought about lower prices, adequately? Where meaningful competition is
improved quality and greater innovation and missing, are timely interventions being made
diversity in consumer choice. to support universal service? Are regulatory
principles in place to encourage investment and
innovation?

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