In its Mactan Cebu Declaration, ICT ministers from member-states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) said they are working towards the implementation of the proposed ASEAN Broadband Corridor and the establishment of an ASEAN Internet Exchange Network by 2015 to facilitate sharing of resources among Internet providers to improve access speed and lower costs.
Yacoob Ibrahim, Singapore minister for communications and information, said the goal is to standardize broadband infrastructure in terms of universal access, affordability and adoption. He noted that there is no need to rebuild since member countries already have their own broadband infrastructure. "We are working towards trying to level experience so when a tourist moves from one country to another in ASEAN, they get a uniform experience," he said in a press conference at the end of the 12th ASEAN Telecommunications and IT Ministers Meeting (Telmin) on Friday.
Since the high costs of ICT services hinder access to technological advancements, ASEAN ICT ministers said in their declaration that they are backing initiatives to review and set minimum standards for universal service obligation (USO); conduct in-depth studies on harmonizing interconnection, licensing, competition, and USOs; and promote collaboration on frequency bands.
The ASEAN Internet Exchange, meanwhile, will help lower connectivity cost by having Internet providers among member countries share resources, explained Philippine Science and Technology Secretary Mario G. Montejo.
The establishment of a broadband corridor and Internet exchange is outlined in the ASEAN ICT Masterplan 2015. The ministers reported "good progress" in the implementation of the master plan and welcomed a mid-term review.
Mr. Montejo added that the meeting also served to establish clearer metrics and outputs in relation to the ICT masterplan. He did not elaborate.
Brunei Minister of Communications Pehin Dato Abdullah Bakar said it is no coincidence that among the pillars of the ICT masterplan are also its challenges and these include infrastructure capital development, human capital development, and bridging the digital divide.
Addressing these issues will help bring about ASEAN goals and aspirations of economic integration, he added.
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Autor(en)/Author(s): Marlen D. Limpag
Quelle/Source: BusinessWorld Online Edition, 18.11.2012
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