Module 4: ICT Trends for
Government Leaders
 SESSION 2: Network Building Blocks
 Author: Rajnesh D. Singh
Introduction
 Technology is rapidly evolving: the
developed world generally quickly adopts
new and emerging technologies
 Challenge for the developing world; users
have to cope with changes – usually with
minimal resources
 Usually a case of adopt quickly, or maybe
miss out completely: increasing the digital
divide
 Question: does the average user in your
country have enough bandwidth for VoIP?
YouTube?
Network Building Blocks
 Core ICT infrastructure includes a reliable
backbone to interconnect parts of the
network, and to connect to other networks
 Optical fibre cable is the medium of choice;
offers greater bandwidth, resilience to
electro-magnetic interference
 A need for Governments to invest in reliable
national infrastructure, and explore regional
network options for international redundancy
 Reliable local ICT infrastructure and good
international connectivity = foundation for
attracting ICT-based business investors
SEA-ME-WE-4 Cable System
 South East Asia-Middle East-West Europe
Landing points: 1. Marseille, France; 2. Annaba, Algeria; 3. Bizerte, Tunisia; 4. Palermo, Italy; 5. Alexandria, Egypt; 6. Cairo,
Egypt (overland); 7. Suez, Egypt (overland/return); 8. Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; 9. Fujairah, United Arab Emirates; 10. Karachi,
Pakistan; 11. Mumbai, India; 12. Colombo, Sri Lanka; 13. Chennai, India; 14. Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh; 15. Satun, Thailand; 16.
Melaka/Malacca, Malaysia; 17. Tuas, Singapore. Source: J.P. Lon, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:SEA-ME-WE-4-Route.png
Wireless
 Sometimes deploying optical fibre is not
feasible
 Can be due to issues such as terrain,
environmental factors, deployment costs
 Wireless is an option, for point to point as
well as point to multi-point connectivity and
for mobility
 In multi-point situations, wireless allows
highly dispersed coverage
The User perspective
 What does the typical Internet user want?
 Not interested in regional and international
optical cable – more interested in being able
to afford and use services
 Question: In your home country, is there just
one telecommunications provider, or is there
competition? Landline? Mobile?
 Question: In your home country, are there
multiple Internet Service Providers (ISPs)?
Policy Considerations
 The need to “future-proof” infrastructure
with the use of appropriate technology,
e.g. deploying optical fiber networks instead
of copper-based networks for critical
backbone connections
 Explore the possibility of regional and subregional cable networks to aid in system
redundancy and stability.
 Assess the benefits from a robust national
cable infrastructure.
Policy Considerations
 In the Internet Service Provision space,
ensure that there is a level playing field,
particularly for customer-premises
equipment (CPE), and wholesale /
international gateway services.
 In situations where terrain and deployment
costs hamper service provision using cablebased systems, consider the use of wireless
systems and/or satellite-based delivery of
services, and ensure that fair regulatory
mechanisms are in place to allow feasible
delivery of services.
Assignment
 Do you see a role for regional and subregional cable networks in your part of the
world?
 What benefits do you think would they
provide?