Improving communications networks in rural areas

The following issues have been identified by the World Bank:

Technology issues: (1) Spectrum allocation and frequency issues; (2) Wireless local loop; VSAT Satellite providers; Interconnection standards; Internet standards and costs; Telecenters; Distance learning; Telemedicine; (3) Technical problems and lessons learned in serving rural areas;

Organization: (1) Models for rural telecommunications development: Cooperatives; Community-owned; Investor-owned; Telecenters; Other; (2) Problems/opportunities of providing service in areas of geographically difficult terrain; (3) Monopoly telephone companies that successfully provide equitable rural service: who are they and how do they do it?

Financing: (1) Accessing capital markets; (2) Local resource mobilization; (3) Levels of service possible with limited resources; (4) Investor options: Buy-Operate-Transfer (BOT); Build-Transfer-Operate (BTO); Build-Own-Operate (BOO); Build-Transfer-Share Profit (PBH); (5) Financing and technology: is there a quick, simple and cheap solution?; (6) Traditional financing sources; (7) Bilateral and multilateral lending agencies; (8) Examples of creative financing.