Digital and Data Infrastructure: Stimulating Greater Availability and Use through Policy and Regulatory Reforms

Abstract

No AccessApr 2023Digital and Data Infrastructure: Stimulating Greater Availability and Use through Policy and Regulatory ReformsAuthors/Editors: Tania Begazo, Moussa P. Blimpo, and Mark A. DutzTania BegazoSearch for more papers by this author, Moussa P. BlimpoSearch for more papers by this author, and Mark A. DutzSearch for more papers by this authorhttps://doi.org/10.1596/978-1-4648-1737-3_ch4AboutView ChaptersFull TextPDF (4.2 MB) ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack Citations ShareFacebookTwitterLinked In Abstract: Concludes that limited internet penetration, low data consumption, high prices, and poor quality of mobile internet services reflect the main digital technology (DT) market challenges in Africa, which prove largely the result of the lack of pro-competition market rules and adequate government interventions to incentivize competition and to facilitate the provision of affordable quality services, especially to segments with low purchase power and where service provision remains costly. In order to increase availability and use of affordable internet and other DTs, policies should focus on (1) increasing competition through more effective regulation; (2) reducing operational costs through more efficient technologies, infrastructure sharing, or co-investments; (3) updating universal service support for low-income people; (4) creating a nurturing environment for data infrastructure; and (5) improving data regulation to expand availability of new pro-poor and pro-productivity DTs. A long-term vision will require thinking big in terms of regional integration as well as thinking green for greater environmental sustainability. ReferencesA4AI (Alliance for Affordable Internet). 2018. “Universal Service and Access Funds: An Untapped Resource to Close the Gender Digital Divide.” World Wide Web Foundation. http://webfoundation.org/docs/2018/03/Using-USAFs-to-Close-the-Gender-Digital-Divide-in-Africa.pdf. 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