Connectivity is a key contributor to social equity and cohesion

During a recent visit to South Africa, Carter said it is vital that a country's broadband policy is viewed second, only to economic policy.

"It is a domestic issue and is primarily determined by local circumstances. It is significantly influenced by history, by geographical topology, population density and distribution in addition to local cultures and conventions. South Africa can learn from international examples, but there is ultimately no blueprint to follow. I believe that broadband policy has to have a domestic focus."

Connectivity should be for all

Carter is of the opinion that there are three reasons why a country needs to have a public policy in ICT.

"One is what I call social equity. All children should have access to the same level of education, all citizens should have equal access to health provision and health awareness, and one person's opportunities for employment should not be better than another. All these elements of social equity are linked to connectivity and access to connectivity should be for all."

Secondly, he believes that ICT is the ultimate industry horizontal that necessitates a comprehensive ICT policy.

"In every business I come across, there is a network or IT director. Whether it's a small business or a large business, connectivity really makes business work." Carter continues to say that if there isn't a competitive connectivity infrastructure in the planning of a country's economy, the country will lose out.

Technology comes in cycles

The third reason to have a policy in place is that it's a very efficient multiplier.

"It's a bit like leveraged capital: If you have connectivity at the right scale and quality, your ability to get an economic multiplier effect is greater than that of your competitor."

Carter concludes that the speed of next-generation technology deployment varies greatly from country to country. He attributes this to technology coming in cycles.

"Depending on when you buy into technology, you have a different view on when you buy into the next technology. If you have countries that have made significant investments in 3G technology, they are unlikely to make significant investments in 4G technology until they have extracted a reasonable return on their capital investment."