Suella Hansen Pacific Wave Presentation ICT Connectivity in the Pacific

ICT connectivity in the Pacific region

Dr Suella Hansen, Director

Presentation for Pacific Wave Conference15 May 2015

2

ICT will drive economic growthin the Pacific

3

ICT infrastructure reduces poverty and improves inclusiveness

New enabling applications – improve business, social, educational and other personal circumstances

Business development – generate new revenue streams and cost savings for small owner-operators

Health – effective ICT a key resource for hospitals, health clinics and remote care

Education – equip students to enter the Information Society and improve entire learning process.

4

Improving access to ICT

Reducing costs

Greater bandwidth for international and domestic connectivity

Removing barriers to investment

Strengthening ICT skills

Key ICT priorities identified in our review of the Pacific Regional Digital Strategy

5

Investment in infrastructure

• submarine cables

• satellite connectivity

• domestic mobile and broadband networks

Market liberalisation

• reduced prices through competition

Skilled workforce

The leading Pacific countries have made significant progress

6

Further improvement is still needed

Availability of robust and cost-effective broadband services remains limited

Rural connectivity and supporting infrastructure still challenging in many islands

Wide and growing gap between estimated demand for bandwidth and current / projected supply

Lack of information on ICT access, usage and infrastructure.

Many cannot access high bandwidth applications that address social, economic and health needs

7

Information is crucial

Chart progress towards objectives

• measure socio-economic benefits

• finetune projects and strategies

• plan for additional growth

Provide guidance to potential investors

• identify opportunities

• affirm business cases and strategies

8

What is the ICT situation in the Pacific?

9

Penetration of fixed broadband Internet is low

Source: ITU, 2013

10

Mobile penetration is reasonable but mobile broadband penetration is still low

Source: ITU, 2013 for mobile, 2012 for mobile broadband (except Fiji and Solomons)

11

How much does the typical mobile user pay?

Source: Network Strategies, prices from operator websites, May 2015

12

Text messaging remains relatively expensive

Source: Network Strategies, prices from operator websites, May 2015

13

Many mobile users struggle with affordability

Source: Network Strategies, prices from operator websites, May 2015

14

How do mobile data users fare?

Source: Network Strategies, prices from operator websites, May 2015

15

Mobile data is most affordable in the Cook Islands and Fiji

Source: Network Strategies, prices from operator websites, May 2015

16

International Internet bandwidth per user has increased in some countries

Source: ITU

17

… but is much lower than NZ and Australia

Source: ITU, 2013 (Note: 2012 values used if 2013 values unavailable)

18

Key steps required for improved future connectivity

Address connectivity gaps by extending domestic ICT and supporting infrastructureAddress connectivity gaps by extending domestic ICT and supporting infrastructure

Expand infrastructure

Promote efficient usage of infrastructure through education, training courses and capacity buildingPromote efficient usage of infrastructure through education, training courses and capacity building

Encourage efficient use

Improve affordability of key ICT services via policy, regulatory and commercial driversImprove affordability of key ICT services via policy, regulatory and commercial drivers

Increase uptake

Secure funding to sustain assistance beyond the initial investment phase.Secure funding to sustain assistance beyond the initial investment phase.

Obtain funding

Contact: Suella Hansen

+64 9 522 1702

[email protected]

www.strategies.nzl.comAuckland • London • Melbourne • Wellington