Getting more out of the Internet
Tuesday, 26 October 2010
Naureen Mirza
For Bangladesh, the priority should be to provide Internet access to academic institutions and to the intellectual communities. Also, private users should be more encouraged to create their own access to online Internet. Having an Internet account is the primary thing, but not all: using the Internet for productive purposes and for real benefits is the main issue. The high service charges by the providers, a still not amply strengthened telecommunication system, deficient government policies and low buying power of potential clients are major barriers.
But a more congenial and rational government policy may improve the whole scenario tremendously. There is no reason for the BTTB to impose high costs on private VSAT use. The current charge of US $8,625 per provider per month can easily be reduced to at least US $1,000. The same kind of scaling down of costs for the ones who use the undersea cable connection is highly recommended. This will encourage more providers and will ensure healthy competition between them, ultimately reducing the online charge and improving service quality. Unless more competitors, more investments, and more innovations are encouraged in the field, only government effort will not bring proportionate value for money in this sector. Buying power of potential clients will not immediately increase, but government may introduce lucrative consumer loan policies and may further reduce taxes on computers and accessories to enable people to have their own PCs.
Now, the question comes: who will build the national academic network ? Certainly, the government! For Bangladesh, two other national networks would be important: one for health (as academic institutions for health are controlled by the Ministry of Health) and another for government administration. The Internet activists should come forward to make a national lobbyist group to liaise with the government and also to mobilize the national newspapers in creating social awareness and demand. The newspapers should not depend on Western media for glamorous Internet features; rather they should publish articles for building a productive domestic policy for the Internet.
The donor initiatives for building African national networks are noteworthy, and similar initiatives should immediately be started in our part of the world. We stress, not moral, but financial and technical assistance from these sources.
For Bangladesh, the priority should be to provide Internet access to academic institutions and to the intellectual communities. Also, private users should be more encouraged to create their own access to online Internet. Having an Internet account is the primary thing, but not all: using the Internet for productive purposes and for real benefits is the main issue. The high service charges by the providers, a still not amply strengthened telecommunication system, deficient government policies and low buying power of potential clients are major barriers.
But a more congenial and rational government policy may improve the whole scenario tremendously. There is no reason for the BTTB to impose high costs on private VSAT use. The current charge of US $8,625 per provider per month can easily be reduced to at least US $1,000. The same kind of scaling down of costs for the ones who use the undersea cable connection is highly recommended. This will encourage more providers and will ensure healthy competition between them, ultimately reducing the online charge and improving service quality. Unless more competitors, more investments, and more innovations are encouraged in the field, only government effort will not bring proportionate value for money in this sector. Buying power of potential clients will not immediately increase, but government may introduce lucrative consumer loan policies and may further reduce taxes on computers and accessories to enable people to have their own PCs.
Now, the question comes: who will build the national academic network ? Certainly, the government! For Bangladesh, two other national networks would be important: one for health (as academic institutions for health are controlled by the Ministry of Health) and another for government administration. The Internet activists should come forward to make a national lobbyist group to liaise with the government and also to mobilize the national newspapers in creating social awareness and demand. The newspapers should not depend on Western media for glamorous Internet features; rather they should publish articles for building a productive domestic policy for the Internet.
The donor initiatives for building African national networks are noteworthy, and similar initiatives should immediately be started in our part of the world. We stress, not moral, but financial and technical assistance from these sources.