World Dialogue on Regulation

Bridging the digital divide is important. It may not be as important as ensuring safe water for all, or adequate healthcare, in terms of meriting investment of scarce public resources, but it is definitely important enough to merit concerted action to remove the artificial barriers to private supply. This article marshals some evidence to argue that one of the best ways to remove barriers is to improve ICT policy and regulation capacity.

Reforms are best served by creating an environment within which international best practices are adapted to local circumstances by in-situ policy intellectuals. Some of these local experts could be in regulatory agencies and in government; but optimal results will be achieved through participatory processes where all stakeholders, including consumers, are represented by knowledgeable experts.

The experts need to work in a networked context, making optimal use of the Internet and related technologies to engage in just-in-time learning and open-source research. Communication Policy Research—South (CPRsouth), a new multi-partner and multi-country initiative being launched in early 2007, intends to create the conditions for sustaining existing capacity and building new capacity.