Interconnecting Governments, Businesses and Citizens – A Comparison of Two Digital Infrastructures

Part 2: Services and InteroperabilityInternational audiencePublic and private organizations in various areas are setting up digital Information Infrastructures (IIs) for interconnecting government, businesses and citizens. IIs can create value by sharing and integrating data of multiple actors. This can be the basis for value added services and especially collaborations of public and private partners can make IIs thrive. Easier access to integrated services and products (jointly) offered by government and businesses may stimulate transparency and innovations. IIs are under development in many domains, including for open data and international trade. However, there are notable differences in the design, characteristics and implementation of the IIs. The objective of this paper is to compare two diverse IIs in order to obtain a better understanding of common and differing elements in the IIs and their impact. Among the differences are the roles of government, businesses and users, in driving, developing and exploitation of the IIs

Globalization and E-Commerce I: Factors Affecting E-Commerce Diffusion in China

China is a large economy with a large absolute gross domestic product (GDP.)However, its huge population brings its GDP and wealth level per capita way below developed countries and in-line with many developing countries. Between 1900 and 2001, China\u27s economy experienced rapid growth (7-8% on average) as did its telecommunications, information technology (IT) and Internet infrastructures (50% - 200% on average). Its large population brings the penetration rates of these infrastructures way below developed countries and a little higher than many developing countries. China\u27s infrastructure is characterized by disparities among geographic areas, demographics, and firm size. Large cities and economically advanced coastal provinces enjoy much better infrastructure and many more Internet users than remote and economically poorer provinces. Large enterprises have bigger IT budgets and better-trained staffs than small- and medium-sized enterprises. A younger population with higher education is more likely to adopt Internet and e-commerce. The infrastructure disparity leads to e-commerce diffusion disparity. Current e-commerce activities are concentrated in large cities, coastal provinces, large enterprises, and among well-educated young people. The legal environment for e-commerce is better in large cities and coastal provinces because they publish local laws regarding e-commerce and IT infrastructure. Barriers to e-commerce diffusion include poor technical infrastructure, lack of security, lack of a system to monitor and guarantee buyer and seller credibility, and an inefficient delivery system. The lack of a credibility monitoring system extends to both vendors and individual consumers. Taxation and privacy, which are vital to e-commerce diffusion in many other countries, do not appear to be serious concerns yet. However, content censorship is among the top concerns. The most significant driving forces are government promotion and private entrepreneurial desire to make profits. Government initiatives include general promotion of the IT industry, an industrial and regulatory policy to foster competition among service providers, encouragement of E-government, and sponsorship of projects to mobilize public awareness, such as the Enterprise Online Project and Home Online Project . The poor infrastructure for e-commerce in China pulled e-commerce back to a base building stage after an initial explosive stage. Significant diffusion can only occur after a solid infrastructure is built up, including the technical and legal infrastructure. Two examples, an E-store for residents in a local living complex and the E-system for college admissions, demonstrate e-commerce models unique in China

Information and telecommunications project for a digital city: a brazilian case study

Making information and telecommunications available is a permanent challenge for cities concerned to their social, urban and local planning and development, focused on life quality of their citizens and on the effectiveness of public management. Such a challenge requires the involvement of everyone in the city. The objective is to describe the information and telecommunications project from the planning of a digital city carried out in Vinhedo-SP, Brazil. It was built as a telecommunications infrastructure of the kind of "open access metropolitan area networks" which enables the integration of citizens in a single telecommunications environment. The research methodology was emphasized by a case study which turned to be a research-action, comprising the municipal administration and its local units. The results achieved describe, by means of a methodology, the phases, sub-phases, activities, approval points and resulting products, and formalize their respective challenges and difficulties. The contributions have to do with the practical feasibility of the project and execution of its methodology. The conclusion reiterates the importance of the project, collectively implemented and accepted, as a tool to help the management of cities, in the implementation of Strategic Digital City Projects, in the decisions of public administration managers, and in the quality of life of their citizens3119811

Network neutrality: Hong Kong's perspectives

--

Do market failures hamper the perspectives of broadband?

This report analyses the broadband market and asks whether a specific role of government is necessary. As broadband telecommunication is seen as a source of productivity gains, the European Union and other regions are encouraging the deployment of a secure broadband infrastructure. In the Netherlands, there is some concern whether the supply of broadband capacity will meet the strongly increasing demand. The main conclusions are that presently, given current broadband policy, no considerable market failures exist. Firms have adequate incentives to invest in broadband, partly induced by specific regulation of access to the local copper loop. Hence, there is no need for changes in current broadband policy. Market failures in terms of knowledge spillovers are taken care of by other policies. As the broadband markets are very dynamic, unforeseen developments may emerge such as the appearance of new dominant techniques and market players. The best strategy for the government, in particular the competition authority, is to continuously monitor these markets, making timely intervention easier when needed.

Digital Strategies in Action – a Comparative Analysis of National Data Infrastructure Development

In recent years, many countries have started to draft strategies and policies related to the data economy. To support new data-driven activities and innovations, the development of a national data infrastructure (NDI) is seen as key. The concept of NDI has entered governmental strategic discussions on data as an asset, the role of data infrastructures in innovation and economic activity, and the role of government therein. However, there is a gap between the ambitions as laid out in the strategies and the actual actions taken towards realizing them. To understand this gap and support NDI development, insight is needed in the components and processes of realizing NDI strategies. In this paper, we study NDI strategies 'in action' in the Netherlands and Switzerland using an analytical framework comprising strategies, stakeholders, design, components and governance. Special emphasis is put on the role of government in formulating and implementing strategies. Our cross-case analysis uncovers lessons that seem relevant for NDI development elsewhere, as well as challenges that need to be resolved before NDIs can hope actually make the impact associated with them

In the Eye of a Storm: Governance of Emerging Technologies in UK Ports Post Brexit

As the UK looks to a future of changing relations with its trading partners there is a clear need to invest in its port infrastructure. As part of its strategic response the UK is looking to follow other countries, especially in the EU and Asia, in investing in developing smart ports which incorporate advanced digital technologies. However, the UK is faced with the challenge of resolving many decisions regarding where to invest, what to invest in, the consequence(s) of those decisions, and how to regulate a future sector that is increasingly becoming dependent on digital information and communication technology (ICT) infrastructure. Smart ports can bring benefits locally, nationally and globally from reducing greenhouse gas emissions, improving air quality, creating efficient supply chains, and secure and safer working environments. Yet, embedding emerging technologies, like the Internet of Things (IoT) into critical infrastructure like ports introduces new security risks and vulnerabilities that existing governance mechanisms are often unable to address. This paper firstly examines the growth in digitalisation of seaports drawing on initiatives in Rotterdam and Singapore. Potential security risks and vulnerabilities emerging are then discussed using some case studies before turning to review existing cybersecurity governance measures for ports. The lessons the UK can learn from smart port leaders like Rotterdam and Singapore as it looks to implement the innovation and digitalisation element of its new Maritime Strategy are then highlighted with recommendations on ways forward

Erie County Broadband Feasibility Study: Final Report

In April of 2016 the Erie County Planning Department contracted with ECC Technologies, Inc. (ECC) to perform a Broadband Feasibility Study in Erie County. The purpose of the study was to provide analysis and guidance for the planning and development of broadband improvement strategies. The study methodology was to gather and document broadband infrastructure and services information and to provide analysis and initiatives for moving forward, which will be used to support economic development and County broadband planning

Internet in the European Union: past, present and future of digitalization

openThe Internet is a complex tool that completely changed the world in recent years, enabling fast connections all over the world, and at the same time giving birth to a new digital economy. To better understand this proces, and particularly to understand what lies ahead for the European Union in terms of policy decisions, it is necessary to analyse the history, the economy and the implications of the internet in the international context. These considerations will be used to reflect on the upcoming challenges, in terms of security, privacy and power that the European Union will have to deal with in the upcoming years