R. N. Jha
Better city, better life with Information and Communication Technology is the theme of this year’s celebration of World Telecommunications and Information Society Day (WTISD). This day marks the signing of the first International Convention and Foundation of International Telecommunication Union in 1865. World Telecommunication Day is being celebrated annually since 1969. Telecommunication services which because of technological evolution morphed into Telecommunication and Information Services prompted the Plenipotentiary Conference in Antalya to rechristen the World Telecommunication Day as World Telecommunication and Information Society Day.
Information services play a very important role in any civilized society. Knowledge and information are interchangeable and unlike any other resource, information is an inexhaustible one. As such the celebration of this day is very much relevant for the world community. Now a days, life without availability of information and communication services is unthinkable. One can perhaps live without food and water for a few days, but cannot think of remaining unconnected even for a single day. Around 5 billion mobile connections among 6.9 billion population of the World has made the entire world a small place leading to the possibility of permeating any piece of information from any corner of the world to any other corner in no time.
There is no doubt that globalization on the whole has made most people of the world better off. Besides Capitalism and opening up of markets, it is the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) which has made it possible to realize globalization in true sense and its benefits are being derived not only by individuals but also by individual countries. Over 60 billion Dollar market of Indian IT and IT enabled services is the most eye opening positive impact of globalization. The role of ICT is now being felt by each sector. It is not only limited to the fact that the ICT industries are contributing significantly in the global economy and every ten percentage increase in penetration in ICT services enhances a country’s economy by one percent, but the very existence of any economic activity without proper use of ICT is unimaginable. That is one reasons why a number of developed countries in the World have elevated the importance of ICT sector to a strategic position by giving it due importance from their national perspectives. Even the world leaders have recognised ICT as one of the most effective tools for eradication of poverty.
In the recent time, significant technological developments have taken place which has transformed the ICT environment. Deployment of common network infrastructures for providing multiple telecommunication services and applications leading to the convergence of technological platforms for telecommunications, information delivery, broadcasting and computing have had significant and far reaching implication on the ICT sector as a whole. Rapid development of wireless and next generation mobile communication, its convergence with both fixed telephony and broadcasting services along with continued expansion of the Internet and other IP based application has called for a fresh need to relook at the regulatory mechanisms. The deployment of broadband services has given rise to a number of policy and regulatory issues such as how best to enable required investment, whether regulation should be technology neutral for the technologies such as XDSL, FTTH, HSDPA, WiMAX etc. and/ or cable providers and / or for the services that are operated across a number of access technologies. Whether and /or how to apply universal access / service obligation in the converged environment is another moot question among the policy makers and regulators. In many remote and rural areas mobile broadband may be the only economically viable proposition for providing broadband services. The last World Telecommunication Policy Forum organised by International Telecommunication Union at Lisbon in 2009, generated six opinions on the issues - internet related public policy matters; the implications of the advent of next generation network and advanced broadband access; ICT and environment – particularly the role ICT can play in mitigating the impact of climate change; collaborative strategies for creating confidence and security in the use of ICTs; Capacity building in support of the adoption of IP v6; and International telecommunication regulations.
Over half of the population of the World lives in the city and city life has its own complications besides its numerous advantages. Information and Communication services (ICTs) provide solutions to many problems that a city faces, it can manage cities in many innovative ways. ICT enables the establishment of smart buildings, intelligent traffic management system, tele working, enhancing efficiencies in energy consumption and waste management and above all in making the city intelligent enough so that any mishappening can be pinpointed and immediate remedial action can be directed.
On the eve of World Telecommunications and Information Society Day, all the countries in the World must roll out the next generation network which is not only the most efficient and cost effective infrastructures to provide the entire spectrum of ICT services but has the potential to stimulate the global economy by providing accessibility to world class telecom services to all the people of the world. Accordingly Governments all across have to stimulate investment for the roll out of the next generation network and must foster an enabling, pro-competitive and transparent regulatory mechanism for the development of newer and more advanced services. Hundred million connections in India have been contributing enormously towards our economy. However its effective application and its usage needs to be achieved in order to improve the quality of life, i.e. Better city, Better life with ICT.
Information services play a very important role in any civilized society. Knowledge and information are interchangeable and unlike any other resource, information is an inexhaustible one. As such the celebration of this day is very much relevant for the world community. Now a days, life without availability of information and communication services is unthinkable. One can perhaps live without food and water for a few days, but cannot think of remaining unconnected even for a single day. Around 5 billion mobile connections among 6.9 billion population of the World has made the entire world a small place leading to the possibility of permeating any piece of information from any corner of the world to any other corner in no time.
There is no doubt that globalization on the whole has made most people of the world better off. Besides Capitalism and opening up of markets, it is the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) which has made it possible to realize globalization in true sense and its benefits are being derived not only by individuals but also by individual countries. Over 60 billion Dollar market of Indian IT and IT enabled services is the most eye opening positive impact of globalization. The role of ICT is now being felt by each sector. It is not only limited to the fact that the ICT industries are contributing significantly in the global economy and every ten percentage increase in penetration in ICT services enhances a country’s economy by one percent, but the very existence of any economic activity without proper use of ICT is unimaginable. That is one reasons why a number of developed countries in the World have elevated the importance of ICT sector to a strategic position by giving it due importance from their national perspectives. Even the world leaders have recognised ICT as one of the most effective tools for eradication of poverty.
In the recent time, significant technological developments have taken place which has transformed the ICT environment. Deployment of common network infrastructures for providing multiple telecommunication services and applications leading to the convergence of technological platforms for telecommunications, information delivery, broadcasting and computing have had significant and far reaching implication on the ICT sector as a whole. Rapid development of wireless and next generation mobile communication, its convergence with both fixed telephony and broadcasting services along with continued expansion of the Internet and other IP based application has called for a fresh need to relook at the regulatory mechanisms. The deployment of broadband services has given rise to a number of policy and regulatory issues such as how best to enable required investment, whether regulation should be technology neutral for the technologies such as XDSL, FTTH, HSDPA, WiMAX etc. and/ or cable providers and / or for the services that are operated across a number of access technologies. Whether and /or how to apply universal access / service obligation in the converged environment is another moot question among the policy makers and regulators. In many remote and rural areas mobile broadband may be the only economically viable proposition for providing broadband services. The last World Telecommunication Policy Forum organised by International Telecommunication Union at Lisbon in 2009, generated six opinions on the issues - internet related public policy matters; the implications of the advent of next generation network and advanced broadband access; ICT and environment – particularly the role ICT can play in mitigating the impact of climate change; collaborative strategies for creating confidence and security in the use of ICTs; Capacity building in support of the adoption of IP v6; and International telecommunication regulations.
Over half of the population of the World lives in the city and city life has its own complications besides its numerous advantages. Information and Communication services (ICTs) provide solutions to many problems that a city faces, it can manage cities in many innovative ways. ICT enables the establishment of smart buildings, intelligent traffic management system, tele working, enhancing efficiencies in energy consumption and waste management and above all in making the city intelligent enough so that any mishappening can be pinpointed and immediate remedial action can be directed.
On the eve of World Telecommunications and Information Society Day, all the countries in the World must roll out the next generation network which is not only the most efficient and cost effective infrastructures to provide the entire spectrum of ICT services but has the potential to stimulate the global economy by providing accessibility to world class telecom services to all the people of the world. Accordingly Governments all across have to stimulate investment for the roll out of the next generation network and must foster an enabling, pro-competitive and transparent regulatory mechanism for the development of newer and more advanced services. Hundred million connections in India have been contributing enormously towards our economy. However its effective application and its usage needs to be achieved in order to improve the quality of life, i.e. Better city, Better life with ICT.
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