Increasing Broadband Internet Penetration
In the OIC Member Countries
65
regulator and a private incumbent operator as a condition for allowing the latter to pursue a
particular initiative. Under this option, the critical success factor is the determination of quid
por quo conditions. In other words, what will the government offer in exchange for gaining an
agreement from the broadband operators (e.g. Tax reduction? Regulatory holidays on fiber
investment? Authorization to complete an acquisition?)
The third option is also an agreement between the government and private sector broadband
providers to offer low-priced services, but in this case limited to public institutions (such as
schools, libraries, or health clinics). Policies and programs that promote reduced-price
broadband for public administration facilities can bridge the ever-widening digital divide
while also allowing these facilities to have a wider reach when providing their services. Critical
success factors under this approach are similar to the ones mentioned above.
The fourth option comprises offering free Internet access through Wi-Fi services located in
public areas, such as squares, libraries, and transportation hubs. The provision of free Wi-Fi
Internet access is being conceived as one of the building blocks needed to build a city’s
international competitiveness. There are several features and options of a free Wi-Fi program:• Coverage of public spaces: squares and parks, public transportation, including metros,
public libraries,
• Type of service: amount of time provided for free access (1hr. limit while commuting,
open unlimited access),
• Type of service provider: under contract with telecommunications operators or other
broadband player, offered by the city administration,
• Quality of service: basic video streaming quality,
• Business model: free provision based on a singular event, then moving to a pre-paid
offering, potentially including customized interactive digital advertising.
Providing broadband access in rural and isolated areasThe approach for providing broadband access through digital community centers, such as the
example of Brazil presented above, have been very useful to determine a number of critical
success factors:• Establish a permanent channel of communication between the community and the
managers of the digital center, involving the community directly and encouraging to
take ownership of the activities of the center,
• Community involvement could entail nominating local technology champions, who
assemble community support, lead technology needs assessment and planning efforts,
and work to introduce technology initiatives to meet community needs,
• Make sure that qualified personnel design the training activities and train the users,
• Construct digital community centers as a technology and entrepreneurship hubs
within communities; as such, the centers provide free broadband access to the public,
and, at the same time, a variety of fee-based business and technology services to local
non-profits and businesses,