Book Description

Global Communications: Opportunities for Trade and Aid examines the question of how telecommunication related aid policies might be designed to support both United States trade and foreign aid goals. Communication and information technologies are particularly well suited in this regard. These technologies are of critical importance in today's knowledge based global economy. Not only do they provide the networked infrastructure on which global businesses will increasingly take place; they also constitute one of the fastest growing sectors of world trade and investment. There is already mounting evidence and a growing appreciation of the positive role that information and communication technologies can play in supporting economic development. By targeting poor and underserved areas, telecommunication based aid programs have the potential to enhance U.S. trade opportunities in developing countries, and promote competition and telecommunications regulatory reform, while at the same time providing for the communities and people most in need. To lay the groundwork for developing an effective telecommunications related aid strategy, the report examines the likely scenarios for the deployment of communication and information technologies in support of global trade; identifies the policy issues, market failures, and regulatory barriers that need to be overcome; and identifies and analyzes telecommunications-related foreign aid strategies that the federal government might pursue to address these problems.