ICT Infrastructure in Emerging Asia: Policy and Regulatory Roadblocks. Edited by Rohan Samarajiva and Ayesha Zainudeen

ASEAN Economic Bulletin, August, 2008 by Francis Edward Hutchinson

This section will be of utility to policy-makers in general, above and beyond the core grouping at which this book is aimed, in particular because it shows the often perverse and unexpected results of policy-making. For example, the chapter on India shows that, while intended policies to increase telecoms access in rural areas did expand supply somewhat, subsidies by the government had, on aggregate, a negative effect by strengthening the position of the state-owned incumbent, rather than fostering competition. The Nepali case chronicles how, in spite of persistence in the face of adversity, wider governance issues came to undermine a project to widen access to telecoms in rural areas. These case studies are particularly useful in reframing the policy-making model, which is often assumed to take place in rarified conditions, towards a more realistic setting that is often characterized by a significant degree of conflict and unpredictability.

The fourth section, interestingly, invites contributions from regulators and market observers. Thus, the General Manager of Regulatory Affairs of Sri Lanka Telecom Limited, the former Principal Advisor of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India, and a consultant specializing in public utility reform in Thailand put forward their point of view. There are several common strands that cross their interventions. First, they all stress the innovative role of the end-users, not just as consumers, but also as innovators and producers. Second, they all stress the role of the market forces in fostering dynamism and creativity--particularly given appropriate incentives.

In sum, this is an important book, and not just for telecoms operators and regulators. By asking different questions and using fresh data from unexpected sources, this book contributes to debates on policy-making, the role of institutions, and the interplay between technological advances and the policy context within which they work.

We are forced to accept that our assumptions about what BOP consumers want and need are that--assumptions. We are also shown that while policy-makers have control over what policies are formulated, they--and we--are often in the dark about the effects of the policies themselves. Given this, particular care should be exercised in examining the underlying regulatory framework within which policies are enacted, as the effects may well be unexpected. In addition, on a more empowering note, positive change can come from unexpected quarters, groups, and institutions--and with enough effort and innovation policy "work-arounds" can be achieved.

My only wish is that this book had included a concluding chapter that charts some steps forward for policy-makers, regulators, and civil society groups. The decision to not include a concluding discussion was clearly a conscious one, as this book aims to challenge conventional wisdom in a variety of areas and open the floor for debate. Notwithstanding that, the book's findings do have direct implications for policy that could be restated (much as de Silva does in Chapter 10) for the enlightenment of the over-worked and technology-challenged bureaucrats that would most benefit from the book's findings.