The objective of this project is to outline possible strategies (focusing on public policy) to increase broadband penetration in the rural areas in Ghana. Currently, broadband penetration in Africa is 0.3% and it is expected to grow to 1.3% in the next five years. More of that growth will be through mobile connections because the fixed infrastructure is just not there. It is therefore expected that more than 60% of broadband connections will be accounted for by High Speed Packet Download Access (HSPDA), Long Term Evolution (LTE) and WiMAX. [Source: Africa Review July 2009 edition Page 27].
The expected result of the proposed policy is to stimulate increased broadband penetration in the rural areas. This may be useful to government, telecom companies, ISPs, etc and the rural folks. This will help government to bridge the gap between the urban and rural areas. It will also be useful to sectors like agriculture, health, education, communication, finance, market information, commerce, and governance. The telecom companies, ISPs, etc, will benefit in terms of taking advantage to analyze, invest and make profit for the sale of broadband for internet connectivity in the rural areas. Some feasibility studies will need to justify its viability though. Concerning the rural folks, there will be improvement in their standard of living. This is because as will be seen later, broadband penetration brings about improvement in the per capita Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the areas of implementation. Rural farmers may by the use of the internet have access to a broader market compared to the “limited market queens” who buy their products at very low prices and thus keeping them poor. Lots more other sectors of the economy will benefit from broadband penetration to the rural areas. For example, the financial sector and specifically the banks and insurance companies will now be in a better position to operate better in these areas. This is because of the increased means of communication.
Table of Contents
Chapter One PROBLEM FORMULATION AND INTRODUCTION
1.1 Project Objective
1.2 Outcome
1.3 Scope
1.4 Introduction
1.5 Research Questions
1.6 Methodologies
Chapter Two LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 Public Policy
2.2 Internet Access
2.3 Definition of Broadband
2.4 Policy Issues
2.5 Broadband Policies in Developed and Developing
2.5.1 Broadband Strategies in Developed Countries (OECD)
2.5.2 European Union
2.5.3 Korea
2.5.4 Broadband Policies in Developing Countries
2.5.5 Broadband Penetration in Africa
2.5.6 Broadband Penetration in Ghana
2.5.7 Broadband Penetration in Rural areas in Ghana
Chapter Three STATISTICS AND SET TARGETS
3.1 Statistics
3.2 Implication of internet users and populations statistics
3.3 Set targets
Chapter Four Government proposed strategies for broadband penetration
4.1 Summary of Government strategies
4.2 50% broadband penetration by 2015
4.3 Anticipated Increase in GDP Growth
4.4 Broadband penetration and Gov’t Requirements
4.5 Education and ICT Skills Improvement
Chapter Five “What strategies should be put in place to increase broadband penetration to rural areas in Ghana?”
5.1 Approaches to policy design
5.1.1 Benefits of Broadband to the rural populace
5.1.2 Potential Barriers to investors that must be overcome
5.1.3 How can regulator reduce risk for an investor
5.1.4 What are potential bottlenecks in the supply chain
5.1.5 How can spectrum be designed to encourage investments in
5.1.6 How can policy makers decrease price of broadband in rural areas
5.1.7 How can Ghana learn from the experience of other countries?
5.1.8 How can the “broadband gap” between urban and rural areas be addressed?
5.1.9 How can Gov’t increase education and ICT Skills in the rural areas
5.2 Strategies to increase broadband penetration in rural areas in Ghana
Chapter Six Expected Benefits of broadband penetration in rural Ghana
6.1 Benefits
6.2 Agriculture
6.3 Education
6.4 Industry
6.5 Health
6.6 Governance
6.7 Finance
6.8 Commerce
6.9 Communications
Chapter Seven Conclusion
7.1 Project Expectations
7.2 Long term strategy
Research Objectives and Key Topics
This work aims to identify and propose effective public policy strategies to increase broadband penetration in the rural areas of Ghana, addressing the significant digital divide and infrastructure limitations that hinder economic and social development in these regions.
- Analysis of broadband penetration in Ghana vs. other global regions.
- Evaluation of policy frameworks and government-proposed strategies for infrastructure development.
- Identification of socio-economic barriers for private investors in rural areas.
- Assessment of the benefits of broadband on sectors such as agriculture, health, education, and commerce.
- Recommendations for spectrum management, tax incentives, and public-private partnerships.
Excerpt from the Book
5.1.5 How can spectrum policy be designed to encourage investment in the rural areas?
The objective of spectrum management include: rationalize and optimize the use of spectrum; avoid and solve problems of interference; design short range and long range frequency allocation, advance introduction of new wireless technology; coordinate wireless communication with neighbors and other administrations.
The demand for spectrum is for services such as broadcasting, mobile, fixed, radio navigation, satellite communication and research among others.
Effective Spectrum management requires regulation at the national, regional and global levels. Because spectrum is a finite resource, its allocation requires efficient and effective coordination. In Ghana, the regulator (National Communications Authority (NCA)) is the central authority for spectrum allocation and usage decisions. The regulator issues licenses based on the services available and a business plan submitted by the investor. However, in the last year, the regulator started the auctioning of frequencies for cellular purposes which was won by GLO for the first time. Auctioning provides a more efficient way of leasing frequencies thereby stimulating competition among investors. Though the winner of the auction is assigned the spectrum, he cannot resell it. It is returned to the regulator if unused.
Summary of Chapters
Chapter One PROBLEM FORMULATION AND INTRODUCTION: This chapter defines the project's objective to outline public policy strategies for increasing broadband penetration in rural Ghana and establishes the research scope and questions.
Chapter Two LITERATURE REVIEW: This chapter reviews broadband policies in developed and developing countries, highlighting disparities in infrastructure, income, and technology adoption between these regions and Ghana.
Chapter Three STATISTICS AND SET TARGETS: This chapter provides data on global and African internet usage while setting specific national targets for Ghana, including a 50% penetration goal over five years.
Chapter Four Government proposed strategies for broadband penetration: This chapter analyzes current government draft strategies, such as reducing costs for broadband and equipment to foster economic growth.
Chapter Five “What strategies should be put in place to increase broadband penetration to rural areas in Ghana?”: This chapter investigates specific policy approaches, regulatory measures, and investment incentives required to overcome rural infrastructure and energy bottlenecks.
Chapter Six Expected Benefits of broadband penetration in rural Ghana: This chapter explores the anticipated socio-economic impacts of broadband adoption in key sectors like agriculture, education, health, and finance.
Chapter Seven Conclusion: This chapter synthesizes the research findings, emphasizing that broadband policy must be flexible and supported by a strong government commitment to infrastructure and energy stability.
Key Terms
Broadband, Public Policy, Rural Penetration, Infrastructure, Ghana, GDP, ICT, Internet Access, Spectrum Management, Digital Divide, E-Governance, Telecommunication, Investment, Regulation, Economic Development
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this research paper?
The paper focuses on developing public policy strategies to increase broadband penetration specifically in the rural areas of Ghana to bridge the digital divide.
What are the primary thematic areas covered?
The study covers infrastructure limitations, regulatory frameworks, private investment barriers, spectrum management, and the socio-economic benefits of digital connectivity.
What is the main goal or research question?
The central goal is to determine what public policies should be implemented to successfully increase broadband penetration in rural Ghana, considering current economic conditions.
Which scientific method is utilized in this study?
The study utilizes a thorough literature review, evaluating international case studies, government draft reports, and existing statistical data on internet usage.
What topics are discussed in the main body?
The main body examines current broadband penetration statistics, reviews existing and proposed governmental strategies, identifies investment barriers, and assesses the sector-specific benefits of internet access.
Which keywords define this work?
Key terms include Broadband, Public Policy, Rural Penetration, Infrastructure, Ghana, Digital Divide, and E-Governance.
How can spectrum management foster investment in rural areas?
By moving from traditional allocation to competitive auctioning, regulators can ensure that frequencies are used efficiently, thereby stimulating competition among investors in both urban and rural markets.
What role does the government play in bridging the "Broadband Gap"?
The government acts as a policy facilitator, potentially using tax incentives, public-private partnerships, and subsidies to make broadband infrastructure economically viable for private investors in remote regions.
Why is energy highlighted as a critical issue for broadband growth?
Broadband infrastructure relies on electricity, and a significant portion of rural Ghana lacks reliable power; without solving this basic infrastructure need, digital penetration targets remain unattainable.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Kwasi Addo (Autor:in), 2010, Proposed strategies (focusing on public policy) for increased broadband penetration in the rural areas in Ghana, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/183395
