Southeast Asia

NGOS Need to Think Beyond Just Mobile Costs, Consider Policy: A Review by Frederick Noronha

Posted by KatrinVerclas on Aug 18, 2008

Civil society can play a large role in getting people digitally connected, say the co-editors of  the new book 'ICT Infrastructure in Emerging Asia: Policy and Regulatory Roadblocks'.

"However, in order to reap the full benefits from connectivity in a long-lasting manner, underlying issues of policy, affordability and technology need to be addressed," LIRNAsia's Executive Director Rohan Samarajiva and co-editor of the book with Ayesha Zainudeen, told Mobileactive.org in an email interview.

Currently Asia is the fastest growing region in the world in terms of connectivity. Between 1984 and 1993, the Asia Pacific as a region overtook the other regions of the world (mainly due to mobiles), and it continues to grow, he noted.

"The book looks at the recent experiences of some countries in emerging Asia that are improving connectivity.