| Chapter 1: | A Global, Low-Cost Network Thrives |
“Mobile wireless communications on the GSM platform will be the universal tool of engagement; even so, communications will still be localized in terms of networks and content.” —Tunji Lardner, CEO for the West African NGO network: wangonet.org; agendaconsulting.biz; consultant to the UNDP African Internet Initiative
“Well, ‘nearly’ perfected, and available to ‘almost’ everyone.” —Reva Basch, consultant for Aubergine Information Systems
“It’s hard to fit this one into a Boolean logic, and given a choice, I’d select ‘by and large.’ Countries where mobile networks are broadly available today, and most of those in which that is less the case, will likely fit the definition. However, barring a revolution in wireless technology (that would basically flood the entire planet with wireless access), I’m afraid that countries at the poorer end of the spectrum in which most people today have yet to make their first phone call, while they will see improvements in their network infrastructure, will be nowhere near pervasiveness. 2020 is, after all, only 15 years away, and poverty today has not improved all that much compared to what it was 15 years ago.” —Robin Berjon, W3C and Expway
“I agree that by 2020, a global network will thrive. However, market conditions may require that the charged cost will still be high for the poor in the world.” —V. K. Wong, director of IT campus initiatives and CARAT (Collaboratory for Advanced Research and Academic Technologies), University of Michigan
“Network interoperability is only a question of connecting the missing dots to much already existing technology. The world today is already demanding this, and that demand and the very use of the technology is creating a forward synergy that will cause it to happen. This will evolve as providers of the integrated services needed to make it happen discover that there is a far greater potential for product and economic growth by working across platforms to cooperate rather than complicate.” —Tom Snook, CTO, New World Symphony
“This statement reflects a continuation of the technology and interoperability development and cost declines already underway and evident. There are numerous examples within the communications industry that serve as an example, but consider that the per-bit cost of optical transport equipment has fallen by over 90% versus only a few years ago.” —Jim Archuleta, senior manager, government solutions, Ciena Corporation