APC ICT Policy Handbook

This second edition of the policy handbook from the Association for Progressive Communications (APC) "aims to take the mystery out of ICT [information and communication technology] policy and make it easier to understand. In particular, it aims to build the capacity of those who want to understand more about the issues surrounding policy on ICT development and regulation, to grasp the policy process, and to become more involved in it as informed participants." Though not a technical handbook, it tries to explain in straightforward language some of the technical background knowledge that is necessary in order to be able to discuss and debate ICT policy issues, attempting to present an objective account rather than favouring any specific points of view on issues.

According to the introduction, the structure of the ICT industry has been transformed, "nationally and internationally, as a result of new technologies and changes in the relationship between governments and businesses. Many information and communications services have moved from the control of the state into the private sector, with monopolies replaced by competitive markets....Policy frameworks for handling information and communications issues in the pre-digital world have not always been sufficient to deal with these new challenges. Many need to be redesigned for a digital age, and this raises further challenges and opportunities for civil society and other organisations seeking to engage with them."

The text is divided into sections as follows:

• Section 1 introduces the main themes within ICT policy debate.
  

Four sections look at the technical, market, policy, and regulatory issues affecting the four main types of ICT with which the handbook is concerned:

• Section 2: Computing and information technology
  
• Section 3: Broadcasting
  
• Section 4: Telecommunications
  
• Section 5: The internet
  
• Section 6 is concerned with the relationship between ICTs and social, economic, and development policy.
  
• Section 7 is concerned with rights issues.
• An appendix identifies further resources.
  

In discussing why ICTs and ICT policies matter, the question of citizen involvement is raised. Because ICTs have evolved as the focus of communication of information and social networking and have become an economic and political resource and tool, the author argues that there is a need for civil society organisations to participate in policy making concerning access, regulation, and use of ICTs. ICTs offer increased possibilities for engagement with policymakers, but also increased surveillance and state control. The World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) (2003-2005) supported the value of "multi-stakeholder" decision making, which aims to establish civil society and private sector participation alongside that of governments and intergovernmental agencies. As stated here, "...civil society organisations should be engaged in ICT policy issues because the way ICTs develop will have an enormous impact on future possibilities of working for social justice and sustainable development. If they do not take an active part in ICT policy making, they will have less say in how their societies develop and how the future unfolds. To play that active part, however, civil society organisations need to be well informed: to understand the technology, markets and policy issues involved and to articulate credible policy positions which can win wider support within a multi-stakeholder decision-making environment."

The handbook raises questions on communication rights, including access and freedom of expression. Particularly, a debate has arisen on the use of the human rights framework, with roots in the communications rights articles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, to help national and international policy makers determine the line between security measures that are necessary to protect public safety, and those that impinge on freedom of expression and privacy. The handbook also discusses the issues of provision of service, addressing technical considerations and cultural diversity considerations.

In the ICT and development section, the document analyses the effect of ICTs on economies, pointing out that changes can occur within private firms or within economic sectors that do not quickly change the national economy and are not felt in economically marginalised populations. Similarly, the presence of ICTs in small and medium businesses or in an economic sector in a developing country may not have economic influence if the tools are not used to advantage. "Most successful development interventions in the communications field recognise that raw information is of little value to the poor if it is not contextually relevant and if it is not associated with interpretive support, whether through training of end-users themselves or of trusted information intermediaries." The use of mobile technology to increase access to capital is a possibility being explored to boost those formerly without access to capital. Problems include verifying identity amongst the economically poor and overcoming regulatory constraints governing international transactions. Further examples of ICT use in development include: monitoring and collecting data, e.g., pollution levels, social indicator statistics, or weather conditions; broadcasting health information; making government registries accessible, e.g., for identity and land ownership registration; and promoting rights campaigning through public advocacy. Impact assessment of ICT projects is cited as crucial, particularly studying the distribution of outcomes, cost-effectiveness, and sustainability. Considerations for designing ICT initiatives include: assessment of the communications environment through a communications audit; the participation of end-users; partnership between those with expertise in ICTs and those with expertise in the development sector; assessment of complementary requirements like electric power and management and service delivery capabilities; assessment of costs, including systems upgrades and repairs; and manager/staff/user training on changes in operational systems.

An analysis of e-government as an ICT service recommends attending to management hierarchies; re-organisation processes, including attention to job loss prevention through retraining; careful design and procurement; promotion to increase user response, including attention to appropriate service delivery and user training opportunities; and privacy and security issues. e-Business can improve: ordering and acquisition of goods; information distribution on services and goods; ability to bypass constraints for what may be regulated or subject to social disapproval, e.g., gambling; and new product markets, including digitised entertainment and information, as well as financial services and marketing of used and discounted goods (secondary marketing). Problems include the difficulty in regulation, monitoring, and verification (for example, digital signatures).

International policy institutions are attempting to create an international environment for regulation. According to the author, the number and scope of policy organisations is expanding. The rapid proliferation and rate of change in ICT is challenging how organisations work on agreements and fundamental assumptions about applications of national and international laws. The handbook charts policy organisations and their scope on page 182, figure 28. It cites the challenges of stakeholder participation, including complexity, capacity weakness of smaller stakeholders, lack of expertise within delegations, including civil society groups, and the struggle for inclusion on issues of concern. The subsequent chapter documents the WSIS process, intended to raise the profile of ICTs and to establish a framework for international cooperation on the information society, and its challenges.