October 8, 1996
in
Guinea Bissau
Table of Contents
Currently African countries, driven by market forces, are rushing chaotically toward modernization. New initiatives, such as United States Vice President Gore's Global Information Infrastructure (GII) encourage the development of a global telecommunications infrastructure. However, there are several key barriers to overcome to implement the telecommunication framework. Those barriers are not particularly technical. Political, economic, social, and cultural issues, monopolistic telecommunications practices, uncoordinated efforts of foreign aid providers in telecommunications, and the complexity of telecommunications all pose formidable barriers. Even though, the evolution of the Internet as a self-defined communications system allows for ready assimilation of new users and networks and interoperability. Some of the largest problems rest in attempting to funnel appropriate training and resources down to the user level. Given a thorough knowledge of current infrastructure problems and reasons those problems occur will support the creation of a successful implementation for the future. All African countries face many of the same barriers, and must address how to plan and implement a telecommunications infrastructure to support the modernization required in the global marketplace.
This paper presents the hurdles developing countries are encountering or will encounter in establishing Internet
service networks, identifies, and proposes some potential solutions. It will also explore the history of the Internet &
World Wide Web (WWW), Internet tools and resources, basic requirements for Internet connectivity, the rationale for
Internet connectivity, and describes the proposed recommendation prior to implementing Internet for Africa and an
interim solutions in establishing Internet in Africa. It will also provide some example of applications in education,
health, medical rescue, emergency rescue services (fire brigades), and environmental protection are tailored to
demonstrate uses of the Internet and requirement for implementing a telecommunication infrastructure in Africa.
Additionally, it is designed to fill some of the informational gaps on the subject of Internet, and assist African policy
makers and others involved in, or responsible for, crafting policies or implementing electronic networking projects
in Africa.
A standard protocol was needed as ARPANET became advanced and more sophisticated to link users from other small networks to the main network. Connection to ARPANET by any other network was made possible using the Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) that was developed and fielded in 1977. Since 1983, TCP/IP was made a standard network protocol and it was being used by all organizations and agencies in the US government and the private sectors. The Internet protocol links many different and independent networks together so that they appear as a single network to the user. It linked all parts of the branching complex networks, which soon came to be called the Internet.
In 1985, the National Science Foundation (NSF) began a program to establish Internet access centered on its six powerful supercomputer stations across the United States. They created a backbone called NSFNET to connect college campuses via regional networks to its supercomputer centers, and the networks were incorporated into NSFNET. The Defense Communications Agency shut down ARPANET in 1990. Amazingly, when ARPANET was turned off, no one except the network staff noticed.
Many other networks were also forming into the loose confederation which became the Internet. BITNET, DECnet, Unix to Unix Copy Program (UUCP) and Fidonet were gradually connected to the Internet, as were thousands of others, nearly all from the United States and Europe, Canada and Japan.
The Internet's Commercial grew substantially as companies, government, colleges and universities began attaching their local area networks and wide area networks to the Internet. The dominant use of the Internet became electronic mail and file transfer between sites. Today businesses of all sizes use the Internet to cut communications costs, gain a competitive edge, and increase sales. The exploding use of the Internet for E-mail, business, research, and marketing is making a business presence on the Internet a necessity.
The Internet is a worldwide connection of thousands of computer networks. All of them speak the same language, TCP/IP, the standard protocol. TCP/IP is maintained by the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF). Standard changes are made via a process called Request for Comment (RFC), and an RFC number is the reference to any Internet standard or standards change. TCP/IP is a transport/network protocol combination and the name of a service environment that includes higher layer functions. At a level of communications services basic TCP/IP offers the File Transfer Protocol (FTP), the telnet virtual terminal protocol, and the Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP).
The Internet allows users with access to these networks to share information and knowledge. Resources available on the Internet include chat groups, E-Mail, newsgroups, file transfers, and the World Wide Web. The Internet has no centralized authority and is uncensored. The Internet belongs to everyone and to no one, and is structured in a hierarchy. Backbone networks are made of high speed lines that connect to other backbones. There are thousands of service providers and networks that connect home or college users to the backbone networks.
In the early 1990's the Internet experienced explosive growth. It was estimated that the number of computers connected to the Internet was doubling every year. It was also estimated that at this rapid rate of growth, everyone would have an E-Mail address by the year 2020. The main cause of this growth was the creation of the World Wide Web.
World Wide Web (WWW). The WWW was created at CERN, a physics laboratory in Geneva, Switzerland. The Web's development was based on the transmission of web pages over the Internet, called Hyper Text Transmission Protocol (HTTP). It is an interactive system for the dissemination and retrieval of information through web pages. These pages may consist of text, pictures, sound, and video. Web pages can link to other web pages and databases by hypertext links and scripts . When there is hypertext on a page, the user can simply click on the link and be taken to the new page. Previously, the Internet was black and white text, and files. The web has new added color. Web pages can provide entertainment, information, or commercial advertisement. The World Wide Web is the fastest growing Internet resource.
In conclusion, the Internet has dramatically changed from its original purpose. It was formed by the United States government for exclusive use of government officials and the military. Today, the Internet is used globally for a wide variety of purposes. Individuals can send their friends electronic mail, download tourism information, discuss politics on-line, and even shop and bank electronically directly from homes. The rate of people signing on-line is still increasing and the end is not in sight. From January 1996 to July 1996 the number of Internet hosts grew from 9.26 million to 12.8 millions.1 The Internet is just beginning to penetrate the developing nations of the world. Of the nearly 12.8 million host sites mentioned above, about 0.4 percent are in Africa, 0.2 percent in the Middle East, 0.4 percent in Central and South America, and 1 percent Asia and the Pacific regions not including Australia, Japan and Taiwan. Hence, countries representing over 80 percent of the world's population have about 2 percent or less of the world's Internet host machines. Even these figures are overstated since the African total includes South Africa where connectivity has been rising at a dramatic rate and represents about half the total for all of Africa.2 As we approach the 21st century, we are experiencing a great transformation due to the Internet and the World Wide Web. We are breaking through the restrictions of the printed page and the boundaries of nations and cultures.
Internet E-mail allows:
Gopher allows a user to travel from server to server across the globe, viewing, connecting to, or e-mailing material without the need to execute the more arcane commands of Telnet and FTP. Just as FTP users can search for files with Archie, users of Gopher can use another indexing and search service called "Veronica." As in the case of Archie, a number of Veronica servers index and catalog the content of thousands of Gophers around the world, and allow any Gopher user to conduct searches that locate Gopher-based material by keyword.
Usenet Newsgroups. Usenet Newsgroups have been one of the most popular networking tools. Usenet newsgroup special interest bulletin boards which users can browse, and to which they can post messages. Since newsgroups are essentially disseminated through electronic mail technology, they can be used both in areas served by Internet as well as those with lesser levels of connectivity. User can browse those newsgroups using client program called news reader.
World Wide Web (WWW). WWW is the universe of network-accessible information, an embodiment of human knowledge. Documents on the Web can be linked with one another through the use of Hypertext Markup Language (HTML), a special software language. It allows you to jump from place to place without mastering cumbersome UNIX commands. Using a graphical "Web Browser" client program, such as Mosaic or the more popular Netscape, the user can view graphical "Web pages" that incorporate formatted text, images, navigational buttons, and links to other pages. Browser lets you retrieve and read documents by pointing and clicking your computer mouse.
The accessibility and power of the Web is accelerating the expansion of Internet use, as less-technically oriented users are establishing their own user accounts for home and work, and as business, enterprises, public organizations, and individuals establish their homepage "presence" on the Web. The rapid expansion of the Internet spurred by the Web is the most pronounced in developed countries, and is rapidly expanding in Asia and Eastern Europe countries new to the Internet.
To access the Web, in its full graphical and multimedia capacity requires more significant more resources than the earlier text-based discovery tools like Gopher. The graphical Web browser programs such as Netscape or Mosaic, require a powerful and more expensive computer. A faster processor, larger hard disk, and more memory are needed to run the client programs and "helper" software. Furthermore, the viewing of graphical and multimedia material entails transmission of more information must move over telephone lines and through the user's modem. This requires a fast modem of 14 Kbps or higher, and a quality telephone line that can reliably support this fast transmission speed. Finally, the full graphical access to the Web requires a higher level of service - a more expensive account-with the Internet provider to support the more robust network connection.
Examples of Current Commonly Used Internet Tools and Software Available that can be used in African Countries are listed in Table 1.
| Internet Tools | Sample Specific Software |
| Pegasus, Lotus Notes, cc:Mail, Netscape Mail, Pine, Sendmail, elm, All-in-one | |
| FTP | Reflection FTP Client, Reflection FTP Server, FTP, WinFTP, Microphone, most web browsers |
| Telnet | NSCA Telnet, Reflection UNIX Host, Reflection VMS Host, Microphone, telnet |
| Gopher | Turbo Gopher, gopher, most web browsers |
| News Readers | Free Agent, NewsReader, tin, most web browsers |
| Socket | Winsock, Reflection RNS, MacTCP, SLIP, MacPPP |
| General Web Browsers | Netscape Navigator, MicroSoft Internet Explorer, Mosaic, HotJava, lynx |
| Java-Enabled Web Browsers | Netscape Navigator Gold, HotJava |
| HTML Editors | Front Page, HTML Assistant, Netscape's Live Wire, HoTMetal, HotDog, Map This, SHE Editor |
| JAVA Development Tools | Sun Systems JKD, Symantec Espresso, Borlan Latte, JavaMaker, Natural Intelligence's Roaster, Metrowerk's CodeWarrior, Silicon Graphic's Cosmo |
| VRML-Enabled Web Browsers | WebFXm WebSpace, WorldView, VR Scout |
| VRML Development Tools | Aereal Phonts, Virtual Home Builder, Fountain, EZ3D |
Table 2 lists some of the resources that can be available to African countries on WWW.
| Internet Website & Description | Internet Address: |
| National Center for Supercomputing
Applications (NCSA) (See above) | http://www.ncsa.uiuc.edu/demoweb/demo.html |
| Whole Internet Catalogue (Created by The Global Network Navigator (GNN) from O'Reilly & Associates, is the best source of information about Internet resources.) | http://nearnet.gnn.com/gnn/WIC/index.html |
| U.S. Library of Congress (The world's largest collection of information about published works.) | http://lcweb.loc.gov/homepage/lchp.html |
| Massachusetts Institute of Technology
(MIT) (Operates several research groups that tie into the Web, including the Media Lab and the Artificial Intelligence Lab) | http://ai.mit.edu |
| U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services (Focuses on a variety of tasks to maintain and improve the health and well-being of the nation's population.) | http://www.os.dhhs.gov |
| The Teacher Education Internet Server (The entire focus of its resources is the exploration of ways in which the Internet/WWW can benefit global teacher education programs.) | http://curry.edschool.virginia.edu/teis |
| World Bank (This home page provides information about international finance or trends in the economies of specific countries.) | http://www.worldbank.org |
| FedWorld ( This home page helps people deal with the challenge of accessing the vast amount of U.S. Government information.) | http://www.fedworld.gov
|
| WWWW - The World Wide Web Worm (Offers several types of searches, including a search by home page title and names of URLs.) | http://www.cs.colorado.edu/home/mcbryan/www.html |
| Webcrawler Searcher (This program focuses on accumulation information about the specific documents that reside on the Web, and the user lets keyword search indices of documents.) | http://www.webcrawler.com |
Personal Computer And Hard Drive. To provide a basic service an IBM or IBM-compatible personal computer, or Macintosh is sufficient. In many emerging countries Internet access is gained by using IBM PC AT, or other 286-based machines. A hard drive as small as 10 megabytes is enough to meet the need for accessing an Internet host on which Internet browsing programs can be used. A hard drive is essential for storing the modem communications software program like PCPLUS, VTERM, ProComm, or Reflection, as well as other programs and files. A much larger hard disk is needed to support high-end multimedia access to Internet, or to run a "server" program to publish information.
Modem. A Modem is a device that converts signal from one form to another form compatible with other kinds of equipment. A modem is used for transmitting computer data over telephone lines. E- mail systems can generally be supported with less expensive modems that have a slower transmission rate, such as 1,200 or 2,400 bps. Modems with much faster transmission rates, such as 28,800 bps, are now available, and are needed in order to take full advantage of the newest multimedia applications of Internet. However, where telephone lines are of poor quality, slower transmission rates are more reliable (and sometimes even required) since poor lines cannot always support the fastest rates.
Telephone Connection. A leased line or a dedicated telephone line is needed to provide a full Internet connectivity in a Local Area Network (LAN) or multi-user environment. For an individual, the same telephone line is often used for voice, fax, and data/modem purposes. Generally a Router is used to transfer data between two networks that use the same protocol. In Internet, a Router is a dedicated computer that receives an Internet packet and sends it to the next machine in the destination path, paying attention to the current state of the network. Low quality telephone lines, and noise can be minimized through the use of the late model modem. This modem has a built in error correction capability. If an error occurred, it will verify and resend the packets of information. The error correcting process can often delay messages for long periods when lines are of poor quality.
Communications Software. A communications software package, often called "modem
software," or "terminal software," is required to connect an individual computer to an Internet host
computer via a telephone line. A basic version of such software, called "Terminal," is included
within MicroSoft Windows, and more sophisticated versions are usually bundled with purchased
modems. Once the user has connected, the communication software acts as a window to the host,
allowing the user to issue commands, move files, or operate "client" programs such as an E-Mail
mailer, or an Internet "browser," on the remote host computer. With a more powerful modem
connections to Internet, graphical, user-friendly E-Mail and Internet browser, and client programs
are used instead of the basic modem/terminal software, and communicate directly through the
modem to the Internet host computer.
Internet User Account. For an individual to use the various Internet tools available, it is
necessary to have an account on an Internet host computer. Typically, Internet accounts are
obtained through the work organization, through a university or, increasingly, through commercial
Internet service providers. These organizations, in turn, subscribe through a regional Internet
provider to establish themselves as an "Internet domain", which allows them to create user
accounts, servers and other user services.
The Internet user account gives the user an Internet E-mail mail address or "mailbox", as well as an entry point to the global network, through which he or she can use the wide range of other Internet tools. Commercial Internet providers typically offer various levels of connectivity. The most basic account type allows a user to connect to the host computer and use Internet tools, such as an E-Mail program, on the host computer through a text-based display. This type of account is known as a "dial-up" or "shell" account (because the user usually runs tools from the UNIX operating system's "command shell"). More robust connectivity allows the user to run more user-friendly, graphical "client" programs, ranging from E-Mail, to multimedia, to live video and telephony.
In conclusion, It should be emphasized that in many countries, including those that do not have
true Internet, there are commercial providers that offer E-Mail-only and bulletin board services
(BBSs). Generally such E-Mail systems allow the user to send and receive E-mail to and from
addresses of users on the Internet. They also allow for the posting and browsing of messages on
local special-interest "conferences" or message boards. However, such accounts do not allow use
of some of the more powerful Internet tools. The costs for an institution to become a full-fledged,
registered Internet domain, e.g., leased line, Router, domain registration, and so on, are much
higher than for simply connecting to a service provider as an individual.
Telecommunications foster growth by increasing flows of information which mediate exchange and innovation, and/or inform decision-making. Telecommunications are an essential component of a country's economic infrastructure, and a prerequisite for competing in the global business environment. Inadequate telecommunications services are a disincentive to new investment and place existing enterprises at a competitive disadvantage. The extensive use of information technologies is giving developed countries a competitive edge by: increasing the need for integration of markets, industries, and services; reducing demand for raw materials through more efficient use; and eclipsing labor cost advantages of African countries.
Economic studies and lessons of the last fifteen years provide substantial evidence at the microeconomic and macroeconomic levels that telecommunications investment yields direct and measurable economic benefits to populations of African countries3. It has a profound effect across all sectors. As such, work in this area can have the broadest possible systemic impact. As the economies of nations around the world become increasingly interdependent, speed of information delivery becomes a valuable tool. Internet affects all aspects of society, including commerce, health, education, and interpersonal communication. By supplying access to Internet, countries will have a vast array of information. African nations must attempt the impossible by bringing digital connectivity to different services and agencies geographically dispersed in order to connect to Internet. Developments like Internet offer unparalleled capabilities to African countries to achieve their basic development goals.
As part of a new global information society, Africa, along with other developing regions of the world is experiencing a great information-telecommunication revolution. Discussion about enhancing electronic connectivity and the Internet in Africa has intensified in recent years. The term African Information Infrastructure (AII) has emerged to describe Africa's portion of the global network of electronic connectivity tools, infrastructure and processes that are collectively referred to as the Global Information Infrastructure (GII). Indeed, there are several initiatives from within and outside Africa aimed at rectifying the current inadequacy of telecommunications and bringing the benefits of the GII to the region. For example, a High Level Working Group, appointed under the auspices of the Economic Commission for Africa, recently concluded its work on an African Information and Infrastructure Initiative. The Leland Initiative, Africa Gateway Project was unveiled in the United States, specifically designed to further extend the Internet into Africa.
The Vice President of the United States has put forward a plan to create a Global Information Infrastructure (GII). His vision is that of a network of telecommunications networks that allows people in every community across the globe to exchange information by voice, electronically, and/or visually. His plan for the GII is based on five principles: 1) encourage private investment; 2) promote competition, 3) create a flexible regulatory framework, 4) provide open access, and 5) ensure universal access.
The Vice President's plan is both a statement of vision and a statement of process. His vision is one of every nation, no matter its economic level, connected to and benefiting from a single telecommunications network. He also asserts that provision of telecommunications services should be no longer the province of the public sector. Instead, the role of the public sector should be to create an enabling environment for open competition among private service providers. While a 'variable geometry' obtains across levels of income and development, countries will need a broadly inclusive strategy of assistance to put in place needed infrastructure, and cultivate the experience and skills needed to foster economic growth from its use.
Although, it is not yet known how the Information Superhighway, National Information
Infrastructure or GII will evolve, Internet provides an example of the types of services that could
be provided. However, these developments are being hampered by financial and regulatory
environment that limits expansion of major segments of the telecommunications industry. In the
U.S., the cable infrastructure delivery systems must be upgraded, which according to an industry
trade association, would cost about $20 billion dollars.2 Law makers in the U.S. and elsewhere
recognize that the regulatory structure of the telecommunications industry needs updating.
Sweeping changes are being considered to promote competition and innovation while protecting
consumers. How the government should approach changing the regulatory environment and
paying for the upgrades is being vigorously debated around the globe. In the meantime,
components of the Information Superhighway are being built by private industry.
Deployment of Internet infrastructure is proceeding at a slow pace in African countries because of
several constraints. In establishing a full blown Internet one is required to establish advanced
telecommunication services. African countries will face challenging issues such as political
uncertainty, financial hardships, language barriers, geographical obstacles, different transmission
facilities and techniques, and the lack of standards. Providing advanced telecommunication
infrastructure in African nations will require a concerted approach.
Distance learning encompasses a number of learning opportunities. Over Internet, people have
access to vast libraries such as the Library of Congress and National Library of Medicine.
Networking people of the same interest, such as injury epidemiologists or computer scientists,
allows electronic courses and information exchanges to be provided across the world. People can
organize conferences, distribute text, video, or audio training materials or information, share
computer software and computer data files, send messages to Internet users, and facilitate special
projects.
2. Telehealth. Within the United States, the information infrastructure is being used for a
variety of "telemedicine" or "telehealth" purposes. These include linking primary health care
professionals in rural areas with specialists and teaching hospitals in urban areas, allowing the
exchange of x-rays and other patient information for sophisticated diagnoses; giving health care
providers access to findings from the latest epidemiological, biomedical, and medical effectiveness
research; and bringing to consumers information that helps them stay well, cope with illness, and
participate responsibly in decisions about their own health or that of their family. While the initial
focus was on African high-end applications, such as teleradiology, that required high bandwidth,
there is increasing interest in applications for primary care, prevention, and public health that can
be effectively delivered over twisted pair copper wire or Integrated System Data Network (ISDN).
These lower end applications have the greatest potential for improving health status and the delivery of essential health services in less developed countries. For example, basic networking systems can alleviate the isolation of auxiliary health workers in the countryside, allowing the exchange of information about disease outbreaks, difficult diagnoses or effective treatments. Environmental and epidemiological telemonitoring would enable central public health officials to identify outbreak patterns and establish priorities. Linking such systems could contribute to a better understanding of the correlation between environmental factors and morbidity and mortality.
Networks to support such applications are already being developed. For example, HealthNet is a
telecommunications system that provides E-Mail and dial-up access to health databases and health
care workers around the world. It combines satellite ground stations and phone-based electronic
mail networks. In early 1994, HealthNet was already operating in 15 African countries, Australia,
Canada, United States, Brazil, and Cuba.
3. Medical Rescue. Telecommunications, both satellite and ground based, are proving to be
effective tools for medical rescue. During the earthquake in Kobe, Japan, voice mail was a lifeline
for locating and communicating with Yokogawa Hewlett-Packard Ltd.'s employees. WWW home
pages were updated so that people around the world could be kept informed of the devastation and
rescue activities in the Kobe area. In another example, Physician Collaborations Medical doctors
in Mozambique, Tanzania, and Uganda use HealthNet to consult with one another on the treatment
of burn patients. After hearing of the work of these doctors, two U.S. based non-governmental
organizations offered resources to support their efforts.
4. Environmental Protection. Satellite-based systems, ground-based sensors, and telecommunications offer unparalleled opportunities for protecting our global environment. Orbiting satellites, such as those in the U.S. Earth Observing Satellites (EOS) program, are collecting information for not only static and dynamic mapping of natural resources, water, rainfall, moisture, and green and brown areas, but also of population density, agriculture, and urbanization. Digitized maps are being drawn from this satellite data to replace outdated maps from colonial times. Therefore, information from these sources can be used to manage development and protect the environment at the local, country, regional, continental, or global level using geographical information systems (GISs).
Earth and atmospheric data are playing a more decisive role in national and international policy. In the U.S., satellites track weather conditions and accurately forecast major storms in time to minimize loss of life. Internationally, information from satellites is being used to monitor changes in the ozone layer, shrinking of the Brazilian rain forest, and the accelerating spread of deserts. Studies by the United Nations Environment Program estimate that world-wide, an area equivalent to North and South America-about 8 billion acres of grazing land, irrigated zones and rain-sustained cropland-is in jeopardy. The survey show that by the end of the century, the livelihoods of 1.2 billion of the world's 5.5 billion people could be threatened if current trends continue. African nations are the most vulnerable and least able to combat these problems without help. Over the last two decades, Mali, one of the hardest hit African nations, lost more than 400 miles to deserts. Negotiations at the U.N. for a treaty to combat drought and desertification, particularly in Africa, have been completed.3 International organizations and African governments should use satellite information, GISs, and advanced communications as tools to address the problems of the recurrent cycle of rainfall and drought, poor management of resources, forced migrations, and widespread malnutrition.
1. A Strategic Plan is a high-level document that describes the goals and objectives, geographical features, political, industrial, and population centers, ports, roads, natural resources, and other telecommunications requirements such as bandwidth, sustainability, trained personnel, etc. Using this as a requirements baseline, different telecommunications alternatives for Internet connectivity can be proposed and evaluated. In this way laymen and experts (e.g., telecommunications, political, financial, industry) have common ground to evaluate and select from among alternatives, and decide on implementation strategies.
2. A BUSINESS PLAN is a planning document that maps out what the Internet infrastructure should be, the timeframe over which it will be implemented, a description of its operating environment, and a financial projection of its costs and benefits that can be used to raise capital. It is an important document because it forces the government to take a critical look at what goals it wants to accomplish and the benefits and costs associated with its implementation and sustainment. The plan also can serve as a tool to obtain financing and as an operating tool.
3. A FINANCIAL Plan serves multiple purposes during the end-to-end process. For each of
the alternatives identified in the Strategic Plan, the cost required to acquire, implement and sustain
the system is estimated, and the cost of those funds over time is estimated. Using these estimates,
the government can then choose which is the most economically viable among the alternatives.
After the alternative is chosen, the African countries formulates a financial plan as part of the
Business Plan. The purpose of this plan is to formulate a credible, comprehensive set of cost
projections for system acquisition, implementation, and operations of an Internet. Having an
excellent Business and Financial Plan may help to secure funding more readily because it is an
indication that the government has carefully thought out what is required. During implementation,
the financial plan can be used as a critical yardstick to measure progress.
4. An Implementation Plan identifies the activities and schedule necessary to acquire,
install, and operate an Internet in an orderly manner. This plan is one that multiple organizations
and project managers are involved in developing and managing. These organizations can include
departments within the government, PTT, international aid and banking, public sector, and
contractors. During implementation this plan serves as a management tool to track actual versus
planned progress.
5. Performance Criteria are important to assess progress not only in preparing and implementing the Internet, but also in the status of services. Progress measures include plan vs. actual schedule and cost.
6. Government Policies and Regulations Assessment. The regulatory structure in
every country significantly impacts the telecommunications industry. Regulators attempt to
promote universal service, ensure the markets' stability, promote multiple information sources, and
protect consumers from unfair pricing practices. Some of the key issues involved in assessing
government telecommunications policies and regulations include how to: 1) manage the transition
from a public service monopoly to a more competitive local telecommunications marketplace, 2)
ensure that all consumers have access to affordable Internet access as competition develops and, 3)
ensure that they provide adequate security, privacy, reliability, and interoperability. Other issues to
be addressed include provision of universal service, telco/cable cross-ownership restrictions, and
cross-subsidizing of local and rural service with long-distance revenues. Upon completing an
assessment, incremental changes can be made in the regulatory environment so that
telecommunications can flourish.
7. Risk vs. Return Assessment. Since telecommunications is one key component of a
developing country's infrastructure, government and industry managers must assess the risk vs.
return on investment (ROI) of updating an existing telecommunications infrastructure. In some
developing countries the value of telecommunications far out weighs the known risks because the
developing nations recognize that telecommunications is a key factor in promoting economic
growth. Government and industry managers must assess risks and ROI in their decision making
and implementation management process. During implementation, managers identify risks so that
they can develop and implement risk mitigation strategies to ensure success of the project.
8. Implementation Mechanisms are required throughout the end-to-end process of
preparing and managing implementation as well as sustainment of an Internet infrastructure. These
mechanisms include organizational structures, people, and systems. Examples are: 1) an
intergovernmental coordinating group to manage changes required and implementation and
sustainment activities; 2) people trained in regulatory issues, telecommunications technology, and
management of large projects; and, 3) automated systems to assist in managing the end-to-end
process.
There are a number of technological alternatives to provide an Internet connectivity. Connectivity options can be characterized based on the system, speed of transmission and protocols used. Various options are available to support connectivity depending upon the applications, with respect to speed of transmission ranging from a simple 300 bps modem to a T1 line (1.544Mbps), T3 (45Mbps) or T4 (274 Mbps) respectively. The typical service in developing nations is in the range of 9.6Kbps. To establish a minimum level Internet connectivity that will support a number of users and some world wide web requires at least 56Kbps.
A recent study of pricing for full Internet connectivity was published by the World Bank Group. It outlines three relatively inexpensive options for establishing Internet connectivity in less developed countries using Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT). VSAT demonstrates a technological innovation in the field of satellite communications that allows for reliable transmission of data via satellite utilizing small antennas. VSAT have several inherent performance advantages over terrestrial alternatives, including: fewer discrete points of failure, simple network, deployment, more flexible network configuration, simplified network management, and a proven track record of cost-effective performance. These options will provide various levels of connectivity and Internet functionality.
1) Internet Node with Local Server. This option will provide all Internet services (e-mail, Telnet, FTP, Usenet) through a local Internet node. Connectivity to a remote Internet node will be provided through a Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT), or small satellite earth station). Major advantages that this option will provide are: development of local know-how, flexible growth, full local user support, fast new user connect, fast local services, and local node administration. The price for this option is $250,000-$500,000 per country, depending on the level of technical support and training to be provided. Monthly operational costs are expected to be around $11,000.
2) Internet node without local server. This option will provide all Internet services (e-mail, Telnet, FTP, Usenet) through a remote Internet node. Connectivity between a local service node to the remote Internet node will be provided through a VSAT. Major disadvantages of this option are: remote node administration, slow new user connect, and slower response. The price range for this option is $180,000-$350,000 per country, depending on the level of technical support and training to be provided. Monthly operational costs are expected to be around $11,5000.
3) Virtual Internet node. This option will provide only Internet e-mail service through
scheduled mail exchanges. Connectivity to a remote Internet node will be provided through
a dial-up TCP/IP link. The major disadvantages are: only basic e-mail service is provided,
remote node administration, slow new user connect, and no local user support. Price range
for this option is $65,000-$135,000 per country depending on the level of technical
support and training to be provided. Monthly operational costs are expected to be around
$7,000
Even cheaper than the above alternatives is a pilot combination of Fidonet or UUCP
implementation. They were the basis of highly successful transitions, and have been a building
block for many countries in Africa, Asia, and Eastern Europe. Fidonet and UUCP are valuable
first steps, for individuals as well as organizations.
Fidonet is a form of electronic communications that provides a means to bridge time and distance to facilitate interpersonal communication. Fidonet-compatible systems offer three main services: E-Mail (one to one communication), conference mail (many to many), and file transfers. UUCP, or unix to unix Copy Program, is a protocol that was developed to allow two UNIX computers to interchange files using a dial-up modem. It has versions for DOS and Macintosh systems. Because the UNIX operating system also runs TCP/IP protocols, a UUCP to Internet gateway is easy to implement
These connectivity allow some of the major Internet benefits at a minimum, E-Mail and USENET, but preclude the use of the true Internet tools like FTP, Telnet, Gopher and the World Wide Web browsers like Netscape and Mosaic.
Fidonet file transfers can handle both text and binary files. When these services are integrated with an interactive electronic bulletin board system such as Remote Access (tm), they can be accessed by people using only a modem and ordinary dialer software. Simple bulletin board services and "Fido" networks are gaining in popularity around the world because of their low cost and ease of use.
One of the beauty of Fidonet is that it can run on even a 286 system, like the IBM XT, with as little as 10 MB of hard disk. On the other hand a much larger hard disk is needed to support high-end multimedia access to Internet, or to run a "server" program to publish information for Gopher or WWW. This facilitates the use of low end computers for interim solutions.
The operation of Fidonet can readily be automated so that outgoing calls are made during a period of low telephone rates, or when telephone exchanges are idle, or when local experience indicates a high probability of successful connection. Fidonet technology encourages the creation of regional E-mail systems with a small host computer based in a developing country. Instead of using packet-switching, these independent systems establish gateways with larger, international electronic mail systems using high speed modems. At regular intervals, the independent systems dial into the larger systems to swap incoming and outgoing messages. In this way, members are able to communicate with users on other systems. This approach keeps down the cost of international calls without requiring sophisticated computer equipment.
Connecting to the UUCP network is straightforward, requiring only a link with another UUCP host. If an Internet gateway point is selected, there is no need to set up multiple entry points. As with Fidonet, E-Mail flows in both directions when the telephone call connects, and a sponsoring organization can pay all connectivity costs. Unlike Fidonet, many UUCP standards are the same as those of the Internet. Hence, interconnecting UUCP with Internet, and upgrading from UUCP to TCP/IP are relatively simple, compared to migration from Fidonet to Internet.
In conclusion, creative solutions using existing resources offer considerable potential for accelerating the process of developing the African portion of the Internet. A particularly viable option in implementing these networks is to use existing private networks established as a base to build larger public networks. The private networks will therefore have a private and restricted network segment to carry on their activities, as well as a public segment which can be leased to interested parties.
A new approach is required to prepare and implement an advanced telecommunications infrastructure in African countries and to overcome a number of structural barriers. Strategic plans must be developed and implemented which identify each country's telecommunications requirements in terms both laymen and experts can understand. Telecommunications alternatives can then be evaluated against cultural, political, economic, risk, and other factors that best further the development goals of each country. Based on these alternatives, the governments in African countries should be able to coordinate the resources needed to achieve these goals. This includes resources from foreign aid providers (e.g., foreign governments and international aid organizations) and private and public sector providers (e.g., investment banks, private investors, PTTs). Upon the successful completion of a competitive acquisition, public and private mechanisms must be put in place to implement, operate, and sustain this telecommunications infrastructure.
While developing a communications backbone of regional networks in Africa may involve high initial costs, revenues from a rapidly growing user base should significantly offset initial start-up costs. Foreign investments can play a significant role in providing the funds necessary for regional networking, and strategic planning will be of critical importance. The Internet has characteristically engendered vibrant growth in the market for information services in every country or region where it has been introduced. There is every reason to anticipate the same phenomenon in Africa.
The world is becoming not only a more manageable and accessible community with satellites and telecommunications cables encircling its girth, but also a more dangerous place. In my view, connecting industrialized nations with developing nations should be a political as well as an economic policy goal to ensure both political stability and international security as well as economic growth. Multinational corporations need a growing market for their products and services and less developed countries provide that market. Less developed countries need access to industrialized markets for their exports and the growth of their domestic economies. The development and deployment of an advanced telecommunications infrastructure helps each to achieve its goal by allowing the sharing of the world's intellectual and natural resources, conducting global trade to everyone's mutual benefit.
Increasing Internet Connectivity in Sub-Saharan Africa Issues, Options, and World Bank Group Role. Draft of 29
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5 Source: Center for Telecommunications, Informatics and Broadcasting George mason
University, AFCOM International, Inc.
In March 1995, she presented a paper, "Preparing and Managing Implementation of Telecommunications Infrastructure in Developing Nations," in Stockholm sponsored by AFCEA.
Questions on this paper may be addressed to her at: SRA Corporation, 4300 Fair Lakes Court South, Suite 500, Fairfax, Virginia 22033. Telephone: (703) 502-1141; Fax: (703) 502-1149, or E-Mail: sara_tesfaye@sra.com.