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Digital Inclusion

ASEAN nations discuss digital divide

By Pia Rufino | 28 September 2011

ICT experts from ASEAN member countries and IT groups have gathered at a rural connectivity conference in Vietnam last Wednesday to examine ways on how ICT can bring more efficient services to rural communities.

The conference also highlights the building of ASEAN-US public-private partnerships to facilitate the financing of underserviced rural areas of ASEAN.

Among the participants is Dr Somsak Pipoppinyo, Director of Finance, Industry and Infrastructure Directorate of the ASEAN Secretariat who said rural ICT can be promoted by increasing access, improving quality of services and availability of applications.

“It is important to align cross-sectorial policies and priorities to synergise resources and efforts in the infrastructure development, adoption and localisation of contents for rural communities,” he said.

He also stressed the importance of collaboration with private sectors and providers to deliver services to rural areas in the new technology platforms such as Internet and mobile connectivity.

Regarding human and technology capacity building, Gwang-jo Kim, Director of UNESCO Asia-Pacific Regional Bureau for Education, said the lack of necessary infrastructure and teachers are the challenges in rural education.

Kim cited how ICT enhances education equity in India and Vietnam.

Regarding financial issues, Jun Labadan from the ASEAN-US Technical Assistance and Training Facility said challenges include raising the amount of infrastructure required, providing Internet access, upgrading facilities and training manpower for use and support.

He suggested stimulating local Government financing, private public partnerships with local telecom companies and banks, grants and tie-in services that generate both service and income as a solution.

On strategies for rural connectivity and technology in Viet Nam, Vice President of the National Institute of ICT Pham Manh Lam said the Prime Minister in October last year approved projects for development of ICT in rural area for 2011-2015.

“The project’s target is to have 100 per cent of communes in remote areas having post and telecom service and connecting to broadband network,” he said.

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