Nadi, Fiji, 4-6 July 2011

Challenges In Bridging the Standardization Gap –

A Fijian perspective

Ronald BoxChief Executive Officer

Telecommunication Authority of Fiji

ITU-T Regional Workshop on Bridging the Standardization Gapand Interactive Training Session

(Nadi, Fiji, 4 – 6 July 2011 )

Fiji StatisticsCurrent Situation in FijiChallengesRegulatory Challenges Standardization ChallengesThoughts to leave you with

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Presentation Topics

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Fiji Statistics

Total land area 18,333 sq.km

Two major islands: Viti Levu & Vanua Levu

Population of approx. 838,000

Fiji : 330 islands; of which One Third are inhabited

Fiji Statistics cont....

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Fixed telephone linesCountry 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 -11Fiji 86,400 92,222 97,515 102,023 105,000 112,493 115,000 121,845 129,100 136,782 129,845Fixed telephone lines per 100 inhabitantsCountry 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 -11Fiji 10.78 11.42 12.00 12.48 12.76 13.59 13.80 14.53 15.30 16.11 15.50Fixed internet subscriptionCountry 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 -11Fiji 3,500 5,500 7,600 9,000 11,000 13,300 10,677 13,681 15,713 15,499 15,752Fixed internet subscription per 100 inhabitantsCountry 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 -11Fiji 0.44 0.68 0.94 1.10 1.34 1.61 1.28 1.65 1.87 1.85 1.88Fixed broadband internet subscription Country 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 - 11Fiji 0 0 0 0 0 7,000 2,788 10,495 13,031 12,830 23,250Fixed broadband internet subscription per 100 inhabitantsCountry 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 - 11Fiji 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.85 1.02 1.37 1.85 2.47 2.77Fixed telephone service providerTelecom Fiji LimitedFixed Internet Service Provider - Dial-up & BroadbandKidanetTelecom Fiji Limited / Connect Fiji LimitedUnwired FijiThe 2010 - 2011 statistics are at 30th June 2011

Fiji Statistics cont....

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Mobile cellular subscriptionCountry 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 - 11Fiji 55,057 80,933 89,900 109,882 142,190 205,000 284,661 530,048 600,000 640,000 697920Mobile cellular subscription per 100 inhabitantsCountry 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 - 11Fiji 6.87 10.02 11.06 13.44 17.28 24.76 34.16 63.20 71.09 75.36 69.46Mobile broadband internet subscriptionCountry 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 - 11Fiji 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 729 7,069 135,000Mobile internet subscription per 100 inhabitantsCountry 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 - 11Fiji 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.09 0.83 16.12Public cellular mobile telephone service provider*Digicel Fiji LimitedInkk MobileVodafone Fiji Limited* Account needs to be taken that there is an approx. 20% dual subscription.Mobile internet service provider - BroadbandDigicel Fiji LimitedVodafone Fiji LimitedThe 2010 - 2011 statistics are at 30th June 2011

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Currently:- TFL Offering : Fixed lines telephone

services & internet service - FINTEL : International gateway

services, & internet services - VFL : Public cellular mobile

telephone system & internet services - Digicel : Public cellular mobile

telephone system & internet services

Current Situation in Fiji

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Current Situation in Fiji cont...

Must have a ‘big picture’ focus & cater for Fijian needs & prosperityThe “Going Mobile” future – & finding, providing adequate spectrum challengeFixed line services dying – reliance on & provision of declining rapidlyRegulating for effective competition, public benefit & with the interest of consumers a priority

Current Situation in Fiji cont....

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Convergence of Services – how will industry/regulators meet the challenges to service public need & demand?The increasing reliance on telecommunications for essential services; eg: medical, commerce, banking, purchases, communication (internet), information From Capacity to Connectivity – Network access & interconnection

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Current Situation in Fiji cont....

From availability to use – Universal access & service, developing community wide digital literacy A Digital Future – Regulatory challenges in a brave new world: privacy, security & neutrality On-going regulatory role – TAF to be around for a long, long, time

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Challenges

A  Small Island Developing State (SIDS) with high aims but difficulties of achieving that  with population & revenue  limitations, &  wide-spread geographyWants to be a "regional telecommunication hub,“ - & positioning itself to do so This has been highlighted in Telecom Promulgation 2008 as one of the Minister’s responsibilities

Challenges cont…..

But - how to achieve this & where to start from?Many questions to ask; including how to achieve universal access?Fiji is 2nd largest market in the South Pacific Island GroupTelecommunications services will be the key driver of economic growth for FijiThe future is in Mobile Consumer empowerment is the key driver

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Regulatory Challenges

So much needed so soonCompeting priorities so need a prioritised approachMoving to the "new" world of regulation/liberalisation instead incumbency provision of servicesFocus on most pressing issuesCritical need for effective communication with all stakeholders: industry players, MoC, FCC, Consumer Council & MoI(NALS)

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Standardization Challenges

Who to draw from?ITU & APT can assist greatlyHow to participate? Tyranny of distanceHow to get a national view? Wide spread geographyHow to be effective internationally? Need to have a Pacific wide or at least a Pacific Country voice & view

Standardization Challenges cont...

Efficient & effective way is to participate in APT regional meetings & targeted ITU meetingsMake as much use of on-line services as possible - but how to find it in the first place?  (TAF currently is a good (bad) example - very difficult to find out about as we do not yet have a website

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Standardization Challenges cont...

When TAF’s website established, how will stakeholders - and particularly consumers/users know? TAF has to be a communicative organisationUse of Regional ForumsRegional cooperation a must. One SID can not go it alone!

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Thought to leave you with

Can standards (really) motivate growth and universal access in an island nation such as Fiji?If so, how? Welcome your thoughtsIs there experience in other parts of the world that we can learn from?Manufacturers have always played a key role in standards-making, so are there regional manufacturers who are keen to test new technologies in our markets?Could this lead to new standards being evolved?

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Fiji can not afford to set up elaborate testing facilities.We adopt an “attestation” form of technical standards (adopt/recognise)But how do we chose the standards that will serve our market best?Some standards may in fact limit the ability of some regional manufacturers to bid on systems here, & thus, would inhibit innovation & growth.How do we ensure that this doesn’t happen?

Thought to leave you with cont...

I don’t have all the answers to some of these questions – very challenging Encourage you to assist me with your advice during this session (or out of hours)?Thought/possibility to leave you with:

Why not use Fiji as a test bed and test market for emerging standards?

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Thought to leave you with cont...