ICT Policy- September 2009

9. ICT INFRASTRUCTURE

9.1 Policy Element - Accelerating Access and Uptake of High Capacity Networks

a. Policy Issue
The ICT infrastructure is a strategic resource; the efficient deployment of high capacity networks and international connectivity are important to stimulate entrepreneurship and accelerate the provision of public and private e-services and m-banking and provide access to worldwide markets.

b. Policy Objective
To have islandwide ICT infrastructure which facilitates greater access to high capacity networks with interconnection to international networks.
c. Policy Statements
(i) Provision will be made to facilitate the establishment of islandwide high capacity networks that will efficiently convey traffic which originates from all access technologies.
(ii) Provision will be made in companion legislation for appropriate treatment of access to public right-of-way.
(iii) Provision will be made to encourage an environment conducive to the continued development and enhancement of the ICT infrastructure, including international connectivity.
(iv) Provision will be made to encourage an interoperable ICT infrastructure with appropriate levels of redundancy and resilience.
(v) Provision will be made to facilitate the establishment of a National Internet exchange point.

9.2 Policy Element - Physical Infrastructure

a. Policy Issue
There is need to have in place the appropriate physical infrastructure to attract investments in the ICT Sector.

b. Policy Objective
To have available the necessary physical infrastructure which will facilitate the establishment of ICT related businesses, to include SMEs, in ventures such as business process outsourcing (BPO), software development and hardware manufacturing and repair.

c. Policy Statement
The Government will support the ongoing development of office and factory space and industry incubators, through a public-private partnership framework, to be established by the Ministry with portfolio responsibility for industry and investment.