Framework for identifying appropriate roles for the public and private sector in national broadband deployments in emerging economies: the national broadband plan of India

Abstract

Emerging economies recognize the substantial economic impact of broadband and hence are increasingly focusing on National Broadband Plans (NBPs). There is recognition that there are significant challenges in designing the institutional infrastructure required for broadband deployment, which are accentuated in a developing country context due to their weak existing institutional environment. But since the impact of telecom and broadband, in particular, is more significant in developing countries than in developed ones, policy makers in developing countries are increasingly focusing on NBPs. For example, policy makers in India realize that broadband could accelerate the increasing contribution of the service and knowledge sectors to India’s economy and also help to alleviate its poor physical service delivery in areas such as health, education, banking etc. and have adopted a NBP.

In the context highlighted above, the key questions are what are the relative roles for the public sector/government and private sector? What institutional mechanisms could facilitate broadband deployment, both at the backbone, middle level and last mile? What are the key lessons learned? This paper examines the Indian case of broadband deployment with a view to developing a framework for the above in the context of emerging economies.