COMPUTER AND RELATED SERVICES IN THE CARICOM SINGLE MARKET AND ECONOMY (CSME)

1. COMPUTER AND RELATED SERVICES IN THE CARICOM SINGLE MARKET AND ECONOMY (CSME) Regional Symposium 15 -18 July, 2009 Dr. Camella Rhone

2. The Concept Paper 1. Defining Computer and Related Services 2. Digital divide issues 3. The Global Vision 4.The Region 5. Plan of Action

3. Defining Computer and Related Services Computer & Information Services Sector News Agency Services Other information Provision Services, Computer Services Information & Communications Services Telecommunications Services Postal & Courier Services The Manual on Statistics of International Trade in Services (MSITS)

4. Computer & Information Services Components Hardware, Software, Consultancy, Data processing, Maintenance & Repair of equipment, Disaster recovery, Web page hosting, Computer facilities management Computer services News Agency Services Provision of news, Photographs and feature articles to media Database services, Database conception, storage and dissemination, online and through magnetic, optical and printed media, Web search portals Information provision Services

5. Communications Services Components Postal and Courier Services Miscellaneous local delivery, Postal services related to delivery of letters, parcels, Post office counter, Other postal, Courier Telecommunications Services Wired, wireless, satellite and online access services, including voice, telex, telegraph, e-mail, EDI, audiovisual services

6. The Concept Paper 1. Defining Computer and Related Services 2. Digital divide issues 3. The Global Vision 4.The Region’s Comparative Advantage 5. Plan of Action

7. Digital Divide Issues … Access to information & communication technologies as a fundamental human right; … The skewed level of access to information, via internet technology, and to activities based around the creation, processing & dissemination of information … Technological ubiquity (reducing the adoption lag time)

8. Digital Divide measures… • Access (relevant/ up-to-date): • Computing technology, including mobile devices • Internet • “Always on” communications, • New ubiquitous technologies • Networked and interconnected devices  (e.g. fridge, television, vehicle, garage door, etc…) • Trained and certified human resource  

9. Digital Divide measures… • Use/Value Added/Reach of the Application • Relevance of content & information • Information provided on demand • Convergence, future scalability of broadband Internet and ubiquitous networks with current mobile services • Quality of communication & monitoring capabilities • Quality and focus of training • Impact of ubiquity of information & communications • Public policy issues – eg. consumer protection & social inclusion. 

10. Global Digital Divide Issues… • The Millennium Development Goals - • A partnership between developed countries and developing countries "to create an environment (at national and global levels), which is conducive to development and the elimination of poverty"…. • 2005 World Summit • Resolution adopted by the UN General Assembly - A/RES/60/1 http://www.un.org/millennium/declaration/ares552e.htm • http://www.un.org/Docs/journal/asp/ws.asp?m=A/RES/60/1

11. Global Digital Divide Issues… • Millennium Declaration Targets • Goal 8 : Establish a Partner for Global Development • Target 8.F : In cooperation with the private sector, make available the benefits of new technologies, especially information and communications • Indicators : • 8.14 Telephone lines per 100 population 8.15 Cellular subscribers per 100 population 8.16 Internet users per 100 population • Signed by 189 countries, including 147 heads of State and Government, in September 2000

12. The Concept Paper… 1. Defining Computer and Related Services 2. Digital divide issues 3. The Global Vision 4.The Region’s Comparative Advantage 5. Plan of Action

13. GLOBAL ISSUES … • Indicators : • Telephone lines per 100 population Cellular subscribers per 100 population Internet users per 100 population • Internet Users – • 500 million/ 80 % in developed World • Internet Access – • One (1) in every 50 people • in developed world • compared with • two (2) out of every five (5) • in the developed • world Information Services NEWS AGENCY SERVICES COMPUTER SERVICES Communication Services POSTAL AND COURIER SERVICES INFORMATION PROVISION SERVICES TELECOM’ SERVICES

14. GLOBAL ISSUES … • Indicators : Telephone lines per 100 population • Cellular subscribers per 100 population, Internet users per 100 population • Internet use is dependent on: • Policy • Strategies that promote accessibility • Awareness • Computers • Computer literacy • Software and technology • (including other devices • & broadband capability) • that support • rapid data transfer • and • empowering experiences Information Services NEWS AGENCY SERVICES COMPUTER SERVICES Communication Services POSTAL AND COURIER SERVICES INFORMATION PROVISION SERVICES TELECOM’ SERVICES

15. GLOBAL ISSUES … • Indicators : Telephone lines per 100 population • Cellular subscribers per 100 population; • Internet users per 100 population • Low penetration in Region related to: • Cost of computers • Broadband access • ICT Strategies to counter this • result in higher • percent Internet Users: • Caribbean Average - 13% • Jamaica - 40 % • Barbados - 55% • United States - 80% Information Services NEWS AGENCY SERVICES COMPUTER SERVICES Communication Services POSTAL AND COURIER SERVICES INFORMATION PROVISION SERVICES TELECOM’ SERVICES

16. Computer services: Applications Online Gaming – 22% Growth One out of every two US internet users visits online game sites

17. Computer services: Applications Multimedia

18. Computer services: Applications SOCIAL NETWORKING

19. Computer services: Applications MARKETING RELATED

20. Computer services: Applications INTERACTIVE MARKETING

21. Computer services: Applications MOBILE PHONE WEBSITES

22. Computer services: OUTSOURCING • Demand for IT Outsourcing expected to decline by 1.7 percent according to Gartner • Challenges to • develop new markets to target • find new ways to make it more cost competitive (e.g. by relocating with China now rivalling India)

23. Computer services Hardware, Software, Consultancy, Data processing, Maintenance & Repair of equipment, Disaster recovery, Web page hosting, Computer facilities management • Caribbean Focus: • ICT strategies in place or in development • A cross-cutting issue –used generally to support management, services, facilitate development and manage multifaceted databases • Used strategically in some sectors with intent to maximise reach and create efficiencies; eg Education, tourism,

24. Computer services Hardware, Software, Consultancy, Data processing, Maintenance & Repair of equipment, Disaster recovery, Web page hosting, Computer facilities management • Targeted Caribbean Focus…. • Training at professional level to support industry and lifelong learning • Training at post secondary/ tertiary levels to provide personnel to service sectors • Training at secondary school level to assure basic computer literacy • Computer labs in some primary schools

25. Computer services Hardware, Software, Consultancy, Data processing, Maintenance & Repair of equipment, Disaster recovery, Web page hosting, Computer facilities management • Targeted Caribbean Focus…. Some Regional Institutions making a difference • University of the West Indies • CARIMAC • Caribbean Knowledge and Learning Network (CKLN) • Caribbean Meteorological Organization (CMO) • Caribbean Disaster Emergency Response Agency • CARICOM Centre for Development Administration (CARICAD)

26. New Agency Services Provision of news, Photographs and feature articles to media, • Basic human right - freedom of expression • Caribbean News Agency (CANA) Caribbean Media Association (CMA) • Caribbean Mass Communications Centre (CARIMAC/UWI) • CPTC (Training in media practices) • Advance mutual knowledge and understanding through all means of mass communication • Promote free flow of ideas by word and image. • Promote media development, pluralism, original content, freedom of and access to information

27. New Agency Services Provision of news, Photographs and feature articles to media, Multimedia databases for development Content - low cost radio by local people in local languages; community telecentre facilities (computers with Internet, e-mail, phone, fax), to inform, educate, entertain Community empowerment - gives a strong public voice to the voiceless, and thus encouraging greater accountability in public affairs Open learning - can meet development needs in education and training, health and income-generation

28. Information provision Services Database services, Database conception, storage and dissemination, online ….. ‘…There are known knowns. There are things we know that we know. There are known unknowns. That is to say, there are things that we now know we don’t know. But there are also unknown unknowns. There are things we do not know we don’t know…’ — Donald Rumsfeld, Pentagon Briefing, February 12, 2002

29. Information provision Services Database services, Database conception, storage and dissemination, online ….. • Distribution Platforms Become More Significant – • Caribbean niche content distributed via Web Search Portals that use their own unique search index to deliver the most authentic results (for queries related to exclusive Caribbean content (business, entertainment, news, training, etc)) • Growth dependent on sustained • Resources, • Creativity and innovation, • Trust,

30. Information provision Services • Software Publishers: This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in computer software publishing or publishing and reproduction. (Producing and distributing computer software, designing, providing documentation, assisting in installation, and providing support services to software purchasers.) • Computer Systems Design and Related Services: Providing expertise in the field of information technologies through • writing, modifying, testing, and supporting software to meet the needs of a particular customer; • planning and designing computer systems that integrate computer hardware, software, and communication technologies; • on-site management and operation of clients’ computer systems and/or data processing facilities; • other professional and technical computer-related advice and services.

31. Information provision Services …. Information Services and Data Processing Services: Establishments providing information, storing information, providing access to information, and processing information (news syndicates, libraries, archives, on-line information service providers, and data processors) Internet Publishing and Broadcasting: Internet Publishing and Broadcasting - publish and/or broadcast content exclusively for the Internet, . including text, audio, video, and interactive features present in informational or cultural products on the Internet (excludes Publishing Industries (except Internet) and Broadcasting except Internet). .

32. Information provision Services …. • Internet Service Providers, Web Search Portals, and Data Processing Services: • This sub-sector group provides access to the Internet; search facilities for the Internet; data processing, hosting, and related services • Other Information Services: • Industries in the Other Information Services sub-sector group establishments supplying information, storing information, providing access to information, and searching and retrieving information. • The main components of this sub-sector are news syndicates, libraries, and archives

33. Information provision Services NETWORKING APPLICATIONS • ‘…By the end of 2011, 80 percent of active Internet users (and Fortune 500 enterprises) will have a “second life,” but not necessarily in Second Life: • First Law:The initial reaction….is to dismiss Second Life concepts as of no benefit and something to be banned for wasting resources and time. • Second Law: Behind every avatar is a real person. • Third Law: Be relevant and add value. • Fourth Law: Understand and contain the downside • Fifth Law: This is a long haul’…’ • (They add: “…Find enthusiasts within your enterprise and support them. Understand the implications for access to open virtual platforms from within the enterprise and the risks involved…,”) Gartner, Inc., 2007

34. Information provision Services NETWORKING APPLICATIONS – e.g., Second Life (2007) • …McMaster University Libraries launched Second Life and appointed a Digital Projects/ Web Librarian to develop immersive learning/gaming environments, and to offer research help at its virtual site on Second Life, the increasingly popular 3-D virtual world created by its nearly six million residents… • The real space is computers that link to - • The Library's catalogue • Databases, • The Mills Learning Commons site , • Individual pages for the various campus libraries, • An interactive learning site. • A Help Desk with an online avatar, or "virtually" (through IM or e-mail), • A space for virtual meetings.

35. Information provision Services NETWORKING APPLICATIONS – VIRTUAL TECHNOLOGIES Immersive Learning explores, creates, through a virtual world Virtual Technologies offer solutions in 3D Architectural Visualization, Video Production, Web, Multimedia and Software Development, (eg. virtual reality medical simulators combine sight, sound, and touch for highly effective training in minimally invasive procedures)

36. Information provision Services GLOBAL SOCIAL NETWORKING APPLICATIONS • Social Networks need revenue streams. Google supports My Space through advertising (Estimated $300 million in 2007). • MySpace – Worldwide monthly page views were 38 billion in April ’09, down 20% from 47.4 billion in April 08. (In June 09, 32.4 billion page views in U.S., decreasing half percent a week) • Facebook – Worldwide views grew from 44 billion in April 2008 to April 87 billion in April 2009, a roughly 100% increase. There were 21.3 billion page views in June, a 12 percent increase from May • Twitter –Latest networking application is growing in use.

37. Impact Issues Postal and Courier Services Miscellaneous local delivery, Postal services related to delivery of letters, parcels, Post office counter, Other postal, Courier • Privatization of Postal mail services • Courier services growing • Postal services Impacted by • Electronic mail • Text messaging, • Twittering, etc

38. Impact Issues… Telecommunications Services Wired, wireless, satellite and online access services, including voice, telex, telegraph, e-mail, vice, EDI, audiovisual services

39. The Global Knowledge Economy --- • Multi-functionality – • The sector can serve a broad range of goals and interest groups. • Collective intelligence – • Multiple sources of information, collective intelligence support innovation and change • Interconnected networks of multiple interest groups, • support faster transmission of ideas, contribute to the increasing pace of change Policy should support this process with the expectation that it will create new products and services that satisfy social and economic goals.

40. The Global Knowledge Economy --- • Rapid emergence of new platform technologies • presents new social and economic opportunities. • Interconnectedness • Local production and livelihoods connected to/ impacted by global preferences and trade standards through international value chains. • Knowledge & use-related capacities as a new source of comparative advantage • The access to knowledge for innovation is a new source of comparative advantage and competitiveness for developing countries. • Increasing rate and non-linearity of change

41. The Global Knowledge Economy (Examples) Optical Chip Detects Blood Molecules A portable ‘lab on a chip’ can identify target molecules in blood samples (European researchers.) Being used to detect the genes associated with certain types of cancer.Automated, secure document exchange A security platform which turns email into the electronic equivalent of registered mail by providing automated, secure document exchange, and a legally recognised acknowledgement of receipt, electronic certificates and signatures, secure encryption of information, as well as traceability, time-stamping and archiving of electronic documents - (French-developed) Virtual reality (European researchers and industrialists) Predictive powers- a robot that reads your intentions European researchers in robotics, psychology and cognitive sciences have developed a robot that can predict the intentions (anticipate (or question) actions) of its human partner. ability to could make human-robot interactions more natural.

42. The Global Knowledge Economy (Examples)… A quantum computer Solving some fundamental obstacles blocking real quantum computing applications in the short term. (European researchers) Eye tracking software for persons with disabilities Technology that allows gamers to control game functions with only their eyes is helping to open virtual worlds to people with severe motor disabilities. Beating the bullies: Changing the real word through virtual experience Social problems like bullying and stereotyping involve thoughts, feelings and reactions that resist change. New research shows that when students play active roles in virtual dramas their attitudes and behaviour can change.

43. The Regional Knowledge Economy • Regional research, analysis and consultation (WINDS-LA /CARIMAC UWI) identified 10 issues of common interest for future cooperation in ICT research: • ICT for social inclusion, accessibility, connectivity • ICT for environment and biodiversity • ICT solutions for sustainable use of natural resources and for better management of ecosystems • ICT and energy (optimising energy consumption & reducing waste) • e Health (personalised care solutions, patient safety, medical/health imaging and mobility support, health systems management improvement) • Digital libraries and learning networks (with specific attention to local cultural specifications and to linguistic diversity); • Learning networks at different levels (school, universities, informal and non conventional learning) to embed lifelong learning strategy)

44. Regional Knowledge Economy --- Security and prevention systems, self defending networks: (strengthen security and dependability of key infrastructures (energy production sites, transmission systems, storage / distribution, ICT networks, banking / finance, healthcare)) Grid computing, massive data processing, e-science Software engineering (focus on web services Infrastructures, particularly on on-demand software, open source applications) Mobile/ubiquitous computing: (interoperability, flexibility of mobile and broadband technologies, ubiquitous access, context awareness; traffic processing between core and edge networks) e Government & services to citizen: (ICT applications to enhance interaction and transparency between citizens and government)

45. The Concept Paper… 1. Defining Computer and Related Services 2. Digital divide issues 3. The Global Vision 4.The Region 5. Plan of Action

46. The Region’s Comparative Advantage POLICY LEGAL REGIONAL ORGANISATIONS OPERATIONAL GOVERNMENT SERVICES PROVIDERS/ ORGANISATIONS

47. The Region • The CARICOM Connectivity Agenda and Platform for Action - provides a conceptual framework and general guidelines for member states to implement ICT projects • National ICT strategies – to transform economies into knowledge based societies,using ICT as foundation of education • Policies aim to use ICT • To improve administrative processes, • In government – e-government; • To address the legal and regulatory frameworks • Provide universal affordable access to ICT services • Encourage electronic commerce, • Support growth of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) through the application of ICTs..

48. The Region …. • National ICT Policies: • Have a sector focus – eg. • Internet marketing, gaming, software development • Provide financial & social incentives to achieve objectives. • Aim to - • Establish Regional Centres of Information Technology Excellence • Facilitate e-commerce. • Apply legislative measures eg for Computer Misuse, Data Protection, Electronic Communications and Transactions.

49. The Region … • The model is as recommended for the 1980’s environment. • ICT strategies hold governments responsible for – • Promote universal internet access at affordable rates; • Universal service support for free Internet access to sectors – education, including public libraries, public hospitals, clinics, senior citizens’ homes and orphanages. • Protect intellectual property rights; security, • Have interoperability and interconnection of information systems; • Secure privacy rights, and • Develop technologically competent human resources.

50. The Region … • The New Digital Economy – • Supports and leverages convergence • Empowers through new and networked digital tecnologies. • Shifts the balance of power from service providers and public sector • Places power in the hands of the consumers and those who would use the technologies • E.g., Cloud computing is a style of computing in which dynamically scalable and often virtualised resources are provided as a service over the internet. Users need not have knowledge of, expertise in, or control over the technology infrastructure in the "cloud" that supports them.