World Dialogue on Regulation

The first publication of the Regional Dialogue on Information Society (DIRSI – Diálogo regional sobre la sociedad de la información – www.dirsi.net), Digital Poverty: Latin American and Caribbean Perspectives (La Pobreza Digital: Perspectivas de América Latina y el Caribe) is now available for download in Spanish and English. The DIRSI research network is a WDR partner in Latin America and the Caribbean. The book is edited by Hernan Galperin and Judith Mariscal.

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The book presents recent research from the DIRSI network of researchers on the themes of pro-poor ICT indicators and assessment of information needs; consumer protection in a context of market concentration mitigating the effects of regulatory reforms; and the role of new technologies and community ownership models for extending service provision opportunities.

Two first two chapters in the volume propose new methodologies for obtaining a clearer perspective on the current status of Information Society in LAC – with a particular focus on who is excluded from this picture. Gover Barja (Universidad Católica Boliviana) and Björn-Sören Gigler (London School of Economics) propose an information poverty assessment methodology to be applied within the LAC region. A digital poverty methodology elaborated by Roxana Barantes (Instituto de Estudios Peruanos) has already been applied in Peru to better inform policy formulation and decision-making.

Jorge Dussán (Universidad del Rosario, Colombia) and Juan Manuel Roldán (Universidad de los Andes, Colombia) propose a survey to assess the regulatory terrain – giving voice to all stakeholders. The particular interest here is to work towards more effective intervention and protection of consumer rights. This work is informed by Judith Mariscal’s (Centro de Investigación y Docencia Económicas – CIDE) assessment of the role of the market in Latin America, and contending with the continent’s current duopoly situation.

Hernan Galperin (Universidad de San Andrés/USC) and Bruce Girard (Comunica) detail new ownership models and possibilities for community provision of network services. This work provides evidence of highly replicable models. The Percolator Model outlined by Kim Mallalieu and Sean Rocke (The University of the West Indies) will further inform community choices of appropriate technology.

The book was launched at the World Summit on the Information Society in Tunis at a side event organised by WDR, LIRNE.NET and the International Development Research Centre (IDRC). The day-long event on Pro-Poor Pro-Market ICT Policy and Regulation provided an opportunity for DIRSI researchers to present their findings to public policymakers, advocacy and civil society members, and to other researchers.

Digital Poverty: Latin American and Caribbean Perspectives

La Pobreza Digital: Perspectivas de América Latina y el Caribe

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