Struggling with the Digital Divide: Internet Infrastructure, Policies and Regulations

This paper provides an overall framework for analysing the ISP market in south Asia, compares and contrasts the scenario in member countries, and concludes with a set of progressive recommendations. The regulatory climate in south Asia has only recently welcomed private sector ISPs, but a key challe...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Economic and political weekly 1999-11, Vol.34 (46/47), p.3317-3320
Main Authors: Madanmohan Rao, Sanjib Raj Bhandari, S. M. Iqbal, Anjali Sinha, Wahaj us Siraj
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Computer software
Economic regulation
Government
Hyperlinks
Industrial regulation
Internet
Internet in South Asia
Internet service providers
Leases
Private sector
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Summary:This paper provides an overall framework for analysing the ISP market in south Asia, compares and contrasts the scenario in member countries, and concludes with a set of progressive recommendations. The regulatory climate in south Asia has only recently welcomed private sector ISPs, but a key challenge lies in creating a level playing field between government-owned and private sector ISPs. Work has begun on initiatives to extend the Net beyond urban concentrations to rural areas via Internet kiosks, community centres, wireless delivery and non-PC devices, but much innovation and investment is still called for here. From the ability to improve software and education to boosting handicrafts and human rights, the Net has a lot to offer to a wide array of humanity in south Asia. But without a progressive ISP environment, the Internet will continue to exacerbate the digital divide between rural and urban, non-English and English-speaking south Asia.
ISSN:0012-9976
2349-8846