Reaching the cloud: Broadband strategies for small states and developing regions

This paper examines access to ICTs, particularly Internet and broadband in isolated countries and developing regions with small populations. Because of their isolation, people in these countries are highly dependent on telecommunications for contact with citizens overseas, finding markets for their products and competitive suppliers for necessary imports, and developing new employment opportunities to increase local income and reduce emigration and dependency on external aid. Access to services and information located in "the cloud" is also becoming increasingly important. Yet this very isolation, coupled with their small size, makes these countries unattractive markets for ICT providers. The paper analyzes access Internet and broadband services in these countries in terms of availability and price. It also analyzes the structure of the sector including privatization and degree of competition. It then identifies strategies that could be adopted to increase access.