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The Digital Divide and Territorial Broadband Coverage

This presentation discusses the digital divide and territorial broadband coverage, highlighting the challenges and solutions in providing equal access to broadband services. It examines issues such as geographic, technological, socio-economic, and cultural factors that contribute to the digital divide. The presentation explores the role of public-private partnerships, EU structural funds, and the importance of compelling content and interoperability in bridging the digital divide. It concludes with the recommendation for a holistic approach and leveraging market forces to address the digital divide.

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The Digital Divide and Territorial Broadband Coverage

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  1. The Digital Divide and Territorial Broadband Coverage George Hall Riga, 8 April 2005

  2. European Regional Information Society Association (eris@) • 45 Member Regions • Objective 1 and Objective 2 Regions • 150 Million EU Citizens • Lobbying/Networking with the EU Institutions to address the Information Society needs of its members by accessing the EU SF and other financial instruments eg FP6/7

  3. Broadband Stakeholder Group • Public Private Partnership • Advising UK Government • Involves Private Sector Actors and NGOs working alongside Civil Servants • March 2005 : 96% Coverage, 6 Million Subscribers • 20,000 Homes are now signing up for Broadband services each month

  4. Defining the Digital Divide • Geographic? • Technological? • Socio-Economic? • Cultural?

  5. The Definition Helps Justify the Business Case • for Private Sector Investment eg new Broadband services or infrastructure • for new Regulatory approaches • for eGovernment/eLearning/eHealth Services • for State Intervention eg to support SME development

  6. eris@ and e-Inclusion • Many eris@ Regions face the problem of reaching sparse populations in rural/peripheral areas • Underprivileged locations in urban areas face similar problems • People with disabilities face particular problems wherever they live

  7. The Goal of eris@’s Approach to e-Inclusion • Provide citizens with easy- to- use and affordable access to eServices • Multiplatform (PC,3G,iDTV) • Appropriate software and applications • ICT skills • Develop sustainable approaches to economic development at the Regional level

  8. BSG Approach to e-Inclusion • Market driven • Leveraging existing Investments by government (Aggregation of budgets) • Removing any Regulatory roadblocks (Radio Spectrum, Building Regulations etc) • Encouraging Local Community Networks • Developing the concept of Broadband utility model to address market failure

  9. Role of the EU Structural Funds • Provides governments with extra financial capability to address market failure • But issues remain about the role of Incumbent Operators • eris@ lobbied successfully to clarify the position of EU Competition authorities thus permitting the use of SF to build Regional Broadband networks

  10. ISSUES • Definition of the need • Technology Neutrality • State Aids • Content • Interoperability

  11. Content • Citizens are also Consumers! • eGovernment services are not enough to justify the purchase of Broadband access • Consumers demand compelling content • Broadband vs Public Service Broadcasting • Broadband vs Pay TV • Digital Rights

  12. Interoperability • Essential element if Governments wish to address Digital Divide • Governments have many digital assets spread across the country but many of them will be stand-alone • Interoperability Frameworks enable governments to build flexible, “future resilient” networks • Open Standards and Industry alignment are key factors as recommended by EICTA and implemented in UK eGIF

  13. CONCLUSION • Bridging the Digital Divide requires an holistic approach • Providing access to Broadband is important but not sufficient • Public Private Partnerships may be the most effective and efficient approach • Governments should leverage the power of the market • State intervention should be the last resort

  14. Source Material • www.eris@.be • www.broadbanduk.org • www.govtalk.gov.uk • www.eicta.org • ghall7@btinternet.com

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