> Forum head slams internet, communication providers
> By ASHWINI PRABHA: April 17, 2002
> Wansolwara Online
>
> SUVA: Forum Secretary-General Noel Levi today hit out at the current structure of Pacific telecommunication service providers, accusing them of holding back development.
>
> Opening the Forum communication policy ministerial meeting in Suva, he said: "The most important lesson is that old models of monolithic service providers and narrow definitions of services between telecommunication, data, and broadcast are holding back development."
>
> Pictured:(from left) Forum Deputy Secretary-General Iosefa Maiava and Secretary General Noel Levi at today's meeting.
> (Photo by Vicky Lepou)
>
> "A lesson is that we face global markets in all areas and can take advantage of their offerings, while still maintaining local control of those services through appropriate planning," he said.
>
> He highlighted the fact that the participants needed cooperation in national and regional strategic planning.
>
> Ministers attending the meeting from the 16-member Forum discussed how communications in the region could be made more accessible and affordable.
>
> New Zealand was not present at today> '> s meeting.
>
> The meeting has also attracted telecommunication corporations from around the region.
>
> Ministers will consider a range of policies issues for the development of regional information and communication technologies, popularly known as ITC. It also aims to revise outdated regulatory frameworks.
>
> At their last meeting in 1999, Forum Communication Ministers endorsed a communication action plan to address issues such as limited and unequal access to information and communications technology outside the cities; high cost of equipment and services; improving internet access; and reducing prices.
>
> "Since the last meeting there has been considerable worldwide movement forward in the areas of information and communication technologies," said Levi.
>
> ITC is viewed by governments, the private sector, and users in many works of life as holding much promise for development.
>
> "In the context of our region, better information and more efficient affordable communications have greater potential to connect our island comminutes to the rest of the world," said Levi.
>
> "This phenomena is the best thing to connect the scattered Pacific communities to the rest of the world since the introduction of the canoe technology."
>
> Yet another major concern was the need for women and youth to be represented and involved in a countries national activities and policies.
>
> Savenaca Draunidalo, Fiji> '> s Minister for Telecommunications, raised this issue during his opening address.
>
> "Involving youth in Fiji's major national development policies and creating a gender balance by admitting women in regional forums and national activities is necessary," said he said, while addressing regional ministers and participants.
> Draunidalo also enlightened the ministers that since the last meeting Fiji had become a part of a state-of-the-art Southern Cross cable network, and partly privatised the state-owned telecommunications company and merged operations and management of telecommunication under a holding company, Amalgamated Telecom Holdings (ATH).
>
> Pictured: Prime Minister of Samoa Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, who chaired the Forum meeting is second from left in front row. Fiji Minister of Telecommunications Savenaca Draunidaro is to his right. (Photo by Vicky Lepou)
>
> He added that" a major item we will consider at this meeting is a proposed Pacific Islands ICT Policy and Strategy. I am confident that there will be aspects in the associated document that we can incorporate into our draft national ITC policy."
>
> The meeting was held at ministerial level today and officials meet tomorrow to discuss how they will carry out policies formulated and decisions made.>
>
> There will also be discussion on cooperation with other partners such as Asia> '> s Pacific Telecommunications and Council for Regional Organization in the Pacific (CROP) and other regional agencies.
>
> According to the Forum media adviser, Ulufala Aiavao, USP would be present as one of the agencies of CROP and its key interest would be using internet and communications as a tool for distance educa
> http://www.usp.ac.fj/journ/docs/news/wansolnews/2002/2002april/wansol1704023.html
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