Telecom in least developed countries

A new report from ITU focus on least developed countries (LDCs). The output is relatively optimistic, highlighting that considerable progress has been made to bridge the digital divide, that teledensity has almost double in the majority of least developed countries since 2000 and that half of the 50 LDCs have met teledensity targets. We can be less enthousiastic knowing that universal access in LDCs has been mainly led by small countries (Cape Verde, Ganbia, Maldives, Mauritania, etc). Countries, such as India or Pakistan, have made strong progress, but interm of teledensity still lag the race. In term of internet access, a lot remains to do: low penetration and very few high-speed internet services. In addition, many established policies and regulations have become obsolete, and constitute now a barrier to progress. A new appropriate policy and regulatory framework is necessary in many LDCs to help help realize the full benefits of internet protocol (IP) convergence. "What is really encouraging is the fact that there is incredible enthusiasm among LDCs to be part of the Information Society. This, coupled with the emergence of new, low cost and affordable technologies, especially wireless, will hasten the pace towards universal access", affirmed Cosmas Zavazava, Head of ITU's Unit for Least Developed Countries.

The full report is downloadable from the ITU website: http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ldc/pdf/ICTand%20TELinLDC-e.pdf