Ethiopia Internet Case Study

communication in today's interna 

universal service fund, using a small

tional economy, underscores the

percentage of the licensed operators'

importance of competitive pricing for

turnover (or tax contributions) to fund

private line and data services.

unprofitable services in rural areas. In

addition, it could be possible to

Consideration also needs to be given

encourage organizations with a large

to allowing ISPs and customers to self 

network of public offices such as banks

provision their Internet infrastructure

or the post office to work together to

(as is becoming increasingly popular

provide Internet access.

in other African countries), full

liberalization of KU band VSAT and

5.6

Sectoral support

wireless for data in the 2.4GHz and

strategies

5GHz wavebands. This will greatly

encourage investment by government

5.6.1 E commerce

and development assistance partners

With the global moves toward the use

in linking public institutions to the

of e commerce it is important that

Internet and ultimately build much

Ethiopia develop adequate

greater demand for broadband and

e commerce enabling policies which

trunking infrastructure from the

are synchronized with global trends

telecom operator. This would not affect

and standards. Government

ETC's primary revenue base of voice

leadership is needed to impart the use

calls and trunking. However,

of e commerce with authority,

frequency monitoring equipment

confidence and awareness. In

should be obtained to ensure that links

particular it should:

adhere to power standards and to

monitor congestion.

Accelerate the development of e 

commerce relevant legislation. In

5.5

Universalizing access

particular, digital signatures and

contracts, intellectual property,

The majority of Ethiopians are unlikely

taxation, encryption, privacy,

to be able to afford a telephone line,

network security and computer

individual Internet access or a

crime, liability, and consumer

personal computer to access the

protection;

Internet. Although there are a some

cybercafes in the country, they

Support government to business

operate in a grey area, are located in

projects such as electronic

the largest cities and are relatively

payment of taxes, customs

expensive. Clarifying current policy

duties, public procurement, etc.;

and liberalizing the sector will likely

result in a reduction of prices and an

Develop government to 

explosion of facilities offered by the

consumer applications such as in

private sector, as evidenced in many

agricultural trading markets that

other African countries. To ensure that

are relevant to a significant part

these facilities also reach public

of Ethiopian society;

institutions and the rural areas, a

policy promoting shared Internet

Legitimize and consolidate the

access from public locations should

business and trade directories

also be developed. This would also

that currently exist for the

have the benefit of providing users

country.

with facilities to access training of

many types.

Coordination is needed to unify e 

commerce initiatives taking place

As a first step towards promoting

nationwide through establishment of

shared access in rural areas and in

a task force comprising government,

the public sector, service providers

development agencies, the private

could be required to provide services

sector and civil society.

at cost for community access points

such as schools and libraries. Another

Awareness raising and education is

option would be to establish a

needed for the public and the business

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