starport com ua
Transcription
starport com ua
E-Readiness Assessment of Ukraine Report prepared within the Government of Ukraine/UNDP Programme “Innovation Springboard: Leveraging ICT for Ukraine’s Prosperity” with the support of the “State Committee on Communications and Informatisation” 2002 TABLE OF CONTENTS A BRIEF INTRODUCTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 Background . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 Methodology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 Sources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 Update Note . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 Ukraine, a Short History . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 About the Innovation Springboard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 SECTION 1: NETWORK ACCESS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9 Information Infrastructure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 Fixed Lines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 Other Operators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 Access Strategies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 Affordability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 Wireless . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12 Fixed Wireless Lines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12 Cellular . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12 Other Wireless Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12 Satellite . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14 Access and Affordability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14 Internet Availability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14 Internet Access Service Providers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14 Sidebar: Some key providers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15 ISP Infrastructure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16 Internet Exchanges Between Providers . . . . . . . . . . .16 Policies and Regulations for ISP Interconnection . . . .16 TLD Registry, ICANN, IP Assignment Schemes . . . . . .16 Domain Registration Prices Under the .UA Zone . . . .16 Internet Affordability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18 Rural and Other Access Support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18 History of Internet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18 Internet Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19 IP Telephony . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20 Network Speed and Quality . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20 Fixed Line Reliability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20 Wireless Voice Quality . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20 Universal Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21 Hardware and Software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21 Computers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21 Market Structure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21 Hardware Manufacturing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21 Software Development . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22 Service and Support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22 Access to IT support training . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22 Expos and Conventions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22 SECTION 2: NETWORKED LEARNING . . . . . . . . . . . .23 Background . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24 ICT Access for Schools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24 Computers in Public Schools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24 School Access and Computerization Programme . . . .25 Computers in Post-Secondary Institutions . . . . . . . . .25 Libraries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25 Enhancing Education With ICT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26 Software in Primary and Secondary Schools . . . . . . .26 Post-Secondary Network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26 History of Distance Learning in Ukraine . . . . . . . . . . .27 Other Education Initiatives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28 Developing The ICT Workforce . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28 SECTION 3: NETWORKED SOCIETY . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29 UNDP ICT Survey . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30 2 People and Organizations On-line . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30 ICT Awareness and Penetration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30 Digital Divide by Gender . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30 Digital Divide by Age . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30 ICT Awareness and Penetration by Occupation . . . . .30 Organizations On-line . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30 Locally Relevant Content . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31 Portals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31 Financial Websites . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31 Shopping and Food On-line . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31 Culture and Entertainment On-line . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32 Job Search On-line . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32 Politics On-line . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32 Government Sites . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32 NGOs On-line . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32 On-line Medicine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33 Education Networks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33 ICT in Everyday Life . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34 Internet Penetration and Usage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34 ICT in the Workplace . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34 Public Sector . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34 Private Sector . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34 SECTION 4: NETWORKED ECONOMY . . . . . . . . . . . .35 A Note on Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36 ICT Employment Opportunities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36 Labour . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36 Workforce at a Glance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36 Unemployment in the ICT Sector . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36 Areas of Specialization Among Programmers . . . . . . .36 ICT Market and Trade . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37 Sidebar: A software success story . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37 Integration With the EU and WTO Accession . . . . . . .37 Chambers of Commerce On-line . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38 Software Market . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38 Piracy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38 Service Exports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38 Computer Market . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38 Electronic Commerce . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .39 Policy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .39 Internet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40 Wireless . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40 Advertising . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40 Sidebar: ISPs wait for their first million . . . . . . . . . . . . .40 B2C . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40 International Card Payment Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . .41 B2B . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41 Physical Support Infrastructure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41 Transport . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41 Postal Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41 Customs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41 IT Parks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41 Start-up Support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41 Sidebar: The Ysea Techno-park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .42 Venture Capital . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .42 Equity Market . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .42 Tax Environment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .42 Financial Infrastructure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .42 Electronic Inter-Bank Payment System . . . . . . . . . . . .42 Sidebar: Internet incubators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .43 Sidebar: A history of EIPS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .43 Online Banking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .44 TABLE OF CONTENTS E-Government . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .44 Sidebar: e-Government milestones . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .45 SECTION 5: NETWORK POLICY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .47 National IS Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .48 Legal and Regulatory Support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .48 Standardization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .48 National Information Resource System . . . . . . . . . . .48 Financing the NISP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .48 Policies and Coordination . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .49 Coordinating Councils . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .49 Budget Allocations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .49 Telecommunications Regulation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .49 A Brief History . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .49 Regulating Bodies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .49 Legislation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .50 Licensing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .50 Privatizing UkrTelecom . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .51 Foreign Ownership . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .51 Sidebar: A warning from the US Dept. of State . . . . . . .51 Fixed Telephony . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .51 Universal Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .51 Tariff Regulations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .52 Payphones and Cardphones . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .52 Quality of Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .52 IP Telephony . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .53 Wireless Telephony . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .53 Wireless and Fixed Networks Interconnection . . . . . .53 Local Loop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .53 Satellite Internet Networks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .53 Internet Regulations and Licensing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .54 e-Commerce Law . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .54 Other Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .54 Privacy and Data Protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .54 Cryptography . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .54 Network Compatibility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .54 Copyright and Intellectual Property . . . . . . . . . . . . . .54 Certification Authority . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .55 ICT Trade Policy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .55 Foreign Economic Strategy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .55 Investment Climate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .55 Information Support to Foreign Economic Policy . . .55 APPENDIX APPENDIX APPENDIX APPENDIX APPENDIX A: Additional tables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .57 B: Basic indicators for Ukraine . . . . . . . . . . .62 C: Telecommunications data . . . . . . . . . . . .65 D: UNDP survey . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .67 E: Harvard e-development readiness guide . .72 Tables Local phone calls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11 Long-distance telephony . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11 Other wireless services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12 Growth in mobile use . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12 Operators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13 Television penetration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14 Sound radio-broadcasting penetration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14 Satellite broadcasting in 2000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14 Major ISPs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14 Unlimited access service package . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14 Wireless broadcasting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14 Number of ISPs in Ukraine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17 Some communication “backbone” lines . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17 Internet users . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17 Users of Ukrainian language Internet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17 Comparison of dial-up pricing schemes . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19 Comparison of leased line pricing schemes . . . . . . . . . . . .19 Development of satellite channels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19 ISPs with direct satellite international access . . . . . . . . . . .19 Bandwidth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20 Urban and rural telephony . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20 Urban telephony, payphone checked . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20 Cost of computers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21 PC units sold . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21 Manufacturers of hardware . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21 Computers in school computer labs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24 School access to computers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25 Student access . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25 Teacher access . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25 Post-secondary access . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25 Specialties related to ICT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26 Distance learning departments and courses . . . . . . . . . . .26 Sample of city website profile: L’viv . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31 Reasons for not buying on-line . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32 Civic organizations on-line . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33 Education websites . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33 Internet access among users . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34 What is your level of computer literacy? . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34 Do you use the Internet? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34 Sample IT compensation in Kyiv . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36 Unemployment in the ICT Sector . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36 Regional piracy rates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38 Global piracy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38 Volumes of software service exports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38 IT companies by specialization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38 Computer services transfer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .39 Largest trading partners in computer services . . . . . . . . . .39 ATM dynamics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41 Cards issued in Ukraine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41 Central and regional computerization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .44 Planned vs budgeted NISP funding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .48 Setting tariffs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .53 Service charges . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .53 Charts Unsatisfied demand for fixed telephony . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 Telephone lines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 Telephone density . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12 Type of technology used . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12 Voice traffic shares . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12 Total mobile subscribers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12 Zone count . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17 Host count . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17 Share of weekly Internet users by city . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18 Line readiness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20 Analog vs digital . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20 Types of public phones . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21 Cardphone distribution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21 ICT awareness and penetration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30 Internet awareness by age . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30 Hot Internet topics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33 Volume of ICT work by type . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37 Dynamics of computer services transfer . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38 Leaders in cards issued . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40 UkrTelecom . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .51 3 Abbreviations Certain abbreviations are commonly used in Ukraine for government and other agencies. They are applied in this document for simplicity. abbreviation full form English equivalent DerzhKomZviazok DerzhKomStat MinEcon Derzhavniy komitet zv’iazku ta informatyzatsiyi Derzhavniy komitet statystyky Ministerstvo ekonomyky ta Yevropeyskoyi integratsiyi NAS Natsionalna Akademia Nauk Ukrayiny NISP Natsionalna programa informatyzatsiyi Shevchenko University Kyivskiy Nationalniy Universytet Imeni T. Shevchenka “State Committee for Communication and Informatisation” State Statistics Committee Ministry of Economy and European Integration National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine National Information Systems Programme Kyiv National Taras Shevchenko University Authors and contributors E-readiness Team Team Lysytskyi, Viktor, PhD Ivchenko, Iryna, PhD Soloshenko, Anatoliy Oriekhov, Oleksandr, PhD Azarov, Serhiy, Dr. Bohuslavska, Tamara Former Secretary of the Cabinet, former Director, State IT and Computer Networks, The “State Committee on Communication and Informatisation” Department Head, Deputy Director of Data Security, IT Division, NBU Director, Sales and Customer Services, Ukrtelecom Department Head, IT Development, DerzhKomZviazok Director, State and International Relations, LuckyNet Division Head, Information and Analysis, Ministry of Economy and European Integration International Expert Accascina, Gabriel IT Specialist, UNDP Advisors and Contributors Vyshlinskiy, Hlib Zabolotskiy, Ihor Pekar, Valeriy Kolodiuk, Andriy Mykhailov, Viktor Shkarlat, Maria Spiridonov, Victor Demchenko, Yuriy Hrytsenko, Volodymyr, Prof. Lysenko, Ihor Deputy Director, International Centre for Policy Studies IT Department Head, Ministry of Economy and European Integration President, Euroindex President, AVentures Deputy Director, Ukrainian Institute of Communications Research Legal Expert, GIPI Executive Director, Ukrainian Association of Software Developers Project Development Officer, TERENA, the Trans-European Research and Education Networking Association Director, International Center for IT, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine Director, ITEC-CheZaRa UNDP Team Volkov, Serhiy Kalinin, Volodymyr, PhD Shulha, Tetiana, PhD Shyian, Roman, PhD Izotov, Volodymyr Senior Programme Manager National Manager, Innovations Springboard Programme Public Communications Assistant, Innovations Springboard Programme Senior National Counsel, Education for Reform Project Consultant and Translator Production Team: Matlid Publications, Inc. Wolanskyj, L. A. Savchuk, L. Borodayev, D. Editor-in-Chief and coordinator Ukrainian language editor Design and typesetting No part of this publication may be reproduced without prior permission of UNDP Ukraine. Opinions expressed in this publication are those of the authors and do not necessarily coincide with those of the UNDP. Copyright ©2002 UNDP Ukraine 4 A BRIEF INTRODUCTION Much has changed in Ukraine since its independence from Soviet rule and its transition to a market economy. The last twelve years have seen dramatic shifts in many socioeconomic areas and in Ukraine’s relations with the global community. Telecommunications and information technology, including the Internet, are part of this shift and have boomed substantially. In this area, it is important to consider where Ukraine is coming from and what it aims to achieve. A BRIEF INTRODUCTION M uch has changed in Ukraine since its independence from Soviet rule and its transition to a market economy. The last twelve years have seen dramatic shifts in many socio-economic areas and in Ukraine’s relations with the global community. Telecommunications and information technology, including the Internet, are part of this shift and have boomed substantially. In this area, it is important to consider where Ukraine is coming from and what it aims to achieve. The transition from a Soviet republic to possible membership in the European Union is, without doubt, a difficult one and it involves the modernization not only of systems and networks, but also of attitudes, business methods and governance, to build a robust and stable nation. For these reasons Ukraine is seeking to reform a number of sectors. Information, given its crosscutting nature, is central to this process. The E-Readiness Assessment presented here draws an interesting picture. On the one hand, there’s no doubt, throughout the entire report, that Ukraine is moving forward quickly, despite the dramatic changes and hardship it has experienced. Renewed political commitment sees changes in communications as a critical precondition for reform. On the other hand, Ukraine suffers from the baggage, inherited from the previous regime, of inadequate frameworks, augmented by a lack of the solid long-term strategies needed to propel it into the 21st century on a par with developed countries. To this extent, the data collected by this report highlights a number of issues, from infrastructure to education, from policies to business transparency, which create a less-than-ideal environment for growth and development. Another important consideration is that while the ERA deals only with the adoption of information and communication technology in order to create a knowledge and information-based society, it touches on a number of other areas that are per se in need of reform. Like a ripple effect, each area affects the other, and the resulting conclusion is that Ukraine has much to do –and quickly– to upgrade its standing in all sectors crucial to its development, not just information and communication technology. A related Policy Directions manual describes the findings of five components that are examined by the ERA: network access, learning, society, economy, and policy. At the end of each section, basic recommendations are given on the basis of the findings, which should be expanded in a budgeted plan of action. In this endeavour, it is recommended that Ukraine consider establishing a National Information Technology Council, a crosssectoral advisory group that would bring together representatives from government, the private sector, academia and civil society to advise, plan and follow the development of the Information and Communication Technology environment. Background T he United Nations Development Programme in Ukraine was asked to compile this assessment by the Government of Ukraine. The survey was carried out under the auspices of the Innovation Springboard Project, which uses Information and Communication Technology as a tool for social and economic development. This E-Readiness Assessment of Ukraine examines the country’s capacity to participate in the network economy. It describes several sectors related to information technology, Internet and telecoms, and illustrates the penetration of these technologies by looking at the infrastructure, education, society, economy and policy environments. Hence, the assessment offers a good picture of Ukraine’s present situation, its strengths and problems. The E-Readiness Assessment should be of interest to policy-makers, the private sector and investors, both domestic and international, who may want an objective view of this sector. Methodology T his E-Readiness Assessment loosely follows Harvard’s “Readiness for the Networked World Guide.” The Guide offers a rating tool which scores – from one to four – 21 indicators in each of the five areas examined: Access, Learning, Society, Economy and Policies. The rating methodology is described in detail in the appendix, in the Harvard e-development readiness guide. A team of experts and advisors was assembled in June 2002 in Kyiv to carry out the assessment. This team worked in two languages, Ukrainian and English, with the help of a translator. The assessment is also offered in both languages. The team met for an initial week and then separated to gather data and statistics. A survey was commissioned to acquire data pertinent to rural areas and oblasts throughout the country. The team met again on the third week of June to examine the data and any gaps that needed to be covered. During this initial three-week period, the team held a number of meetings with key stakeholders and the advisory group was expanded to include several private sector companies, private consulting firms and policy study centres. The document was compiled and a first draft prepared in the last part of the month. The document was then sent back to the team for review and advice, finalized in July 2002 and officially submitted to the Ukrainian government. Sources A large number of statistics and data was gathered for this study. The team made every effort to directly quote sources of data in every instance and referred to available publications as well. The Hi-Tech Navigator1 was of invaluable use to the compilation of this assessment. The Hi-Tech Navigator is published by the Law Business Research Ltd. Telecoms Copyright 2001 the Konnov & Sozanovsky law firm. 1 6 A BRIEF INTRODUCTION Update Note This research represents one of the first attempts to pull together a comprehensive picture of the situation in Information and Communication Technologies or ICT in Ukraine. In order to make this edition the most comprehensive possible, the authors tried to amass and present the latest available information. But even during the twomonth period of the study and the follow-through and production phase, some important changes have taken place in the communications field in Ukraine: • The “State Committee on Communication and Informatisation” or DerzhKomZviazok has raised tariffs for both local and long-distance services. • Two of the oldest Ukrainian mobile providers, UMC and Golden Telecom, announced Nov. 5, 2002 that they had sold major stakes to outside investors. The UMC sale resulted in a reduction of Ukrtelecom’s stake in that company. • For the first time in Ukraine, several bills on telecommunication have been drafted and are under consideration in committees of the Verkhovna Rada. • On Nov. 6, 2002, Ukraine became the first CIS country connected to GEANT, the all-Europe research and education network that is a joint network of the EU countries and EU candidate countries. • The Association of Participants in the Internet Market of Ukraine, the Ukrainian National Internet Association, the Telas Alliance of Communications Operators, and the State Center for Information Resources of Ukraine created a new corporation called Ukrainian Network Informational Center or UANIC, to administer domain .ua. elderly. Rural dwellers comprise 33% or 15,878,000 of the population. There are seven western oblasts where the share of rural population is higher than urban. By the same toke, the eastern regions are more urbanized, with the percentage of the population living in cities reaching 90% in Donetsk, 86% in Luhansk, and 83 % in Dnipropetrovsk. Altogether, Ukraine has 454 cities with a population exceeding 50,000 and five cities with over one million residents: Kyiv, Donetsk, Kharkiv, Dnipropetrovsk, and Odesa. Gender distribution in Ukraine is 54% women to 46% men. Another characteristic feature of Ukraine’s demographic structure is the age distribution. The median age of Ukrainians has risen since independence from 35 to 37 years. About 15% of Ukrainians are now over 65, compared with a world average of 7%, and the dependency ratio is 1.0. Economy Ukraine, a Short History U kraine started its new life as an independent state in 1991. Its “in-between” position is its geopolitical strong point – and weakness at the same time. The nation is both the bridge and the buffer zone between Europe and Russia. The flat lands dominating its geography are counterbalanced by the Carpathian Mountains in the West and the Crimean range in the South. Ukraine has common borders with Russia and Belarus to the north and the east, with Poland, Hungary and Slovakia to the west, and with Romania and Moldova to the south. Demography The 2001 census revealed that Ukraine’s population had dropped by 3,000,000, to 48,600,000, since the previous count, taken during the Soviet Union’s 1989 census. This is due to a low birth-rate and a high percentage of After eight years of economic decline caused by the loss of traditional markets, increased energy prices, and slow structural reform, Ukraine’s macroeconomic indicators started to increase in the period 1999-2002. An additional factor spurring policy change was the 1998 economic crisis. This forced the government to react, in particular to bring under control the budget deficit and introduce a competitive exchange rate. A crisis almost a decade long has left Ukraine with outdated and worn out infrastructure and substantial losses in human capital. Human Development Among its neighbours, Ukraine experienced the second highest drop in human development indicators. Per capita GDP and life expectancy, which influence the overall Human Development Index, have dropped. The economic decline was associated with a very substantial decline in male life expectancy, which plunged to 66.9 years in 1995. It has risen somewhat again, reaching 67.9 in 2000. The high levels of school enrolment, at 73.7-77.3%, and an adult literacy rate of 98.5-98.8 % developed during the soviet era, prevented Ukraine’s HDI from dropping at the same rate as per capita GDP. HDI varies through the regions of Ukraine, more or less corresponding to their level of GDP per capita. Politics and Governance In the legislative elections which took place in March, only six parties out of a field of 34 passed the 4% threshold and formed the new balance of power. The executive branch of the government, consisting of the President’s Administration and the Cabinet of Ministers, exercises considerable control over the general decision-making process. The government system has experienced significant changes within the last few years. The number of ministries and state committees has been substantially reduced and the bureaucratic workflow simplified. 7 A BRIEF INTRODUCTION About the Innovation Springboard L aunched on Sept. 28, 2001, this new programme on the UNDP agenda is intended to strengthen the process of balanced national development and poverty alleviation though appropriate and innovative uses of information and communications technologies. Innovation Springboard is being developed and implemented with a number of primary partners: The “State 8 Committee on Communication and Informatisation” or DerzhKomZviazok, the National Academy of Sciences, Kyiv National Taras Shevchenko University, Ukrtelecom, and the International Renaissance Foundation. UNDP looks to work with all relevant partners, both public and private, in realizing the full socio-economic and governance benefits of ICT-enabled development in Ukraine. SECTION 1: NETWORK ACCESS As is common in many countries, Ukraine’s information infrastructure is more developed in urban areas than in rural locations. The majority of the urban population has access to both fixed landline and wireless telephones. Teledensity in urban areas peaks in Kyiv at 45%, while in rural areas it is estimated at only 5%. Nationwide, the average is 20.7% according to local estimates, and 22.7% according to ITU. SECTION 1: NETWORK ACCESS Information Infrastructure Access Strategies A The strategy for developing services to provide access to telecommunications is described in the Comprehensive Program to Create a Uniform National System in Ukraine. The main aspects related to infrastructure development include: s is common in many countries, Ukraine’s information infrastructure is more developed in urban areas than in rural locations. The majority of the urban population has access to both fixed landline and wireless telephones. Teledensity in urban areas peaks in Kyiv at 45%, while in rural areas it is estimated at only 5%. Nationwide, the average is 20.7% according to local estimates and 22.7% according to ITU. The total number of telephone lines at the end of 2001 was about eleven million. Although 279,000 new telephone numbers were introduced in 2000, the density still does not meet European minimums. The ITU teledensity ranking for Ukraine even fell from 1990 to 2000 – from 66th to 87th position – perhaps reflecting a lack of sectoral readjustment and fairly severe difficulties in making the transition from a soviet, centrally-administered economy to a market-driven one. Fixed-base telephony is regulated and 80% of subscribers use the services of Ukrtelecom for domestic and long distance calls. The local loop is subject almost entirely to the monopoly of Ukrtelecom, while Utel is the provider of international services. The largely unregulated Internet services are well developed, with over 300 ISPs and some 500,000 active users. A range of access technologies is available, from fast dial-up to leased lines and xDSL. Even in small towns, speeds of 33K bps are relatively reliable. The mobile market has experienced, as in other countries, strong growth rates of just under 200% a year, with 2.5 million users and a penetration rate of almost 5%. UMC, until recently controlled by Ukrtelecom, is the top provider, with KyivStar a close second. 1. converging the general-use telephone network with a “backbone” packaged network; 2. further developing a basic “backbone” high-speed multi-functional carrier network on the basis of asynchronous transfers; 3. providing quality and broadband access to Internet sites and the organization of activities to avoid overloading general use neworks with Internet traffic; 4. further developing service provision for corporate clients on the basis of Frame Relay technology. Affordability The cost of local calls within one region is relatively low. However, long-distance calls – international calls in particular – are rather expensive, compared to income levels. The cost of calls from different categories (see tables p. 12) has been taken from Ukrtelecom’s official website: www.stc.gov.ua/_connect/commun3.html Unsatisfied demand for fixed telephony Fixed Lines T he main operator is Ukrtelecom, which consolidated into a state-owned enterprise the regional telecommunication companies left by the Soviets in 1991. This analogue network became rapidly outdated and it has since been partly replaced with modern digital equipment. Modernization has been primarily in major urban centres. Ukrtelecom has 45 long-distance exchanges, of which 27 are digital, with three international gateways. Ukrtelecom connects to several international networks’ fibreoptic system. Utel, of which Ukrtelecom owns 100%, provides international communications. The complete profiles for both companies, from the ITU public website, are reported in the Appendix C page 65. Source: Statistical yearbook on the activities of the Communications Administration 2000 Telephone lines Other operators • Golden Telecom Business Solutions • Kancom • Optima • Farlep • Crymtel Their total market share is nearly 20%, most of it GTBS. Source: Statistical yearbook on the activities of the Communications Administration 2000 10 SECTION 1: NETWORK ACCESS Local phone calls type of service regular monthly usage phone set linked to separate line with phone number reservation.* each minute over first 100 fee, USD for legal entities for individuals state-owned other w/o with w/o with w/o with per-minute per-minute per-minute per-minute per-minute per-minute tariff tariff tariff tariff tariff tariff 0.77 0.79 0.96 0.96 1.15 1.17 1.50 1.13 2.44 1.69 1.50 2.44 14.10 2.26 14.10 11.84 14.10 14.10 NA 0.0032 NA 0.0049 NA 0.0032 *Fee covers 100 free minutes of local calls for all categories of customers. In rural areas, a reduction factor of 0.8 applies. Long-distance telephony time rate per minute (UAH, VAT not included) for individuals for all customers on Sundays and holidays 24 hours within oblast 0.05 0.05 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 within Ukraine 0.09 0.09 0.03 0.05 0.05 0.03 international calls rate per minute (USD, VAT not included) normal tariff 21:00 to 08:00 government bodies Monday-Saturday Sundays and holidays 24 hours 0.43 0.35 0.21 0.67 0.55 0.36 1.10 0.85 0.53 1.20 1.00 0.71 1.70 1.40 0.90 2.00 1.60 1.06 for legal entities 08:00 to 21:00 21:00 to 08:00 08:00 to 21:00 21:00 to 08:00 calling zones Eastern Europe Centra| / Northern Europe Western Europe Central Asia / Middle East North America Far East Africa / Central and South America Australia/Oceania for legal entities 666.67 2.00 1.60 2.00 1.60 rate for telephone installation (additional line) for individuals 166.67 1.24 1.42 Telephone lines and growth rate… see Appendix A p. 58 General infrastructure data from ITU… see Appendix A p. 58 11 SECTION 1: NETWORK ACCESS Telephone density, % Type of technology used, ’000 Source: DerzhKomZviazok Source: DerzhKomZviazok Voice traffic shares Wireless Fixed Wireless Lines W here there is no fixed local loop infrastructure, some operators have obtained licenses for wireless local loops such as WLL TCMA and CDMA. These operators provide much needed point-to-multipoint connectivity and they help in reducing the waiting list for subscriber services. These companies include Telesystem and DigiTel, which were licensed in 1997 by Derzhkomzviazok. The two interact with the two major providers to offer a full range of communication services. Regionally, the government has also licensed two additional CDMA operators, Velton and ITC. Source: DerzhKomZviazok Cellular Cellular communications development in Ukraine began in 1992, with the launch of the country’s first operator, Ukrainian Mobile Communications. Characteristically, first- and second-generation local cellular network development has involved the completion of national networks by separate operators, and by a gradual integration with each other and with other mobile communications networks, in particular, satellite mobile communications. The market experienced a boom in 1999, which coincided with highly unsatisfied demand for fixed-base telephony. In 1999-2000, the mobile market grew 180-190%. Total mobile subscribers, January 2002, ’000 Kyiv Star Other Wireless Services Mobile operators offer a wide range of additional services to their subscribers. The most popular among them include: SMS, WAP, mobile office, voice mail, roaming with the Globalstar satellite system, data transmission services, Internet access, last-mile, reference service on SMS use, and more. operator brand UMC KyivStar GSM Golden Telecom Wellcom Source: Official websites 12 additional services SMS, WAP, voice mail, mobile office, paging voice mail, mobile office data transmission SMS Growth in mobile use 1998 1999 2000 2001 e 2002 f number of subscribers % growth % penetration 100,000 100 0.20 280,000 180 0.56 814,500 190 1.65 2,223,000 173 4.54 3,951,000 78 8.06 Source: AVenture SECTION 1: NETWORK ACCESS Operators Operator License type URL Services Kyivstar GSM 1994 ZAT official site: www.kyivstar.net prepaid service: www.kyivstar.net/prepaid subscriber portal: www.starport.com.ua GSM-900 UMC Ukrainian Mobile Communications 1992 SP official site: www.umc.com.ua prepaid service: www.sim-sim.com.ua WAP-portal: www.prostir.com subscriber news: dialog.umc.com.ua NMT-450 GSM-900 DCS (GSM-1800) 46% 1045 (GSM-900-900 NMT-450-250) 79 Golden Telecom Ukraine 1996 TOV, official site: founded gsm.goldentele.com as SP prepaid service: uni.goldentele.com SMS info: www.infomania.com.ua WAP portal: www.infomania.com.ua GSM-1800 GSM-900 2% 70 40 Wellcom Ukrainian Radiosystems 1995 AT as official site: Wellcom www.welcome2well.com Ltd. GSM-900 1% 33.5 36 DCC Digital Communication of Ukraine 1995 official site: www.dcc-ua.com D-AMPS 1900 D-AMPS 800 2% 42 58 n/a DCS (GSM-1800) <1% 30 Astelit n/a TOV Market Technology share 49% 1100 Roaming 69 Note: AT = joint stock company; ZAT = closed JSC; SP = joint venture; TOV = limited company Wireless affordability… see Appendix A p. 59 13 SECTION 1: NETWORK ACCESS Television penetration % Satellite T oday a number of companies provide Internet access through satellite technologies: Ukrsat, Infocom-SK, Spacegate, Adamant, LuckyNet, Ukrnet, Itelsat. Excluding Infocom-SK, these are all private operators. UkrChastotNahlad, the Ukrainian frequencies supervisory centre, reports that 86 operators have licenses to provide satellite communications services in Ukraine. While they are not all operational, the majority use satellite channels to distribute TV and radio programs. Access and Affordability According to experts, the total carrying capacity of satellite channels to the Internet is about 150 Mbit/s. Satellite operators lease the capacities of satellite segments from foreign companies such as Intelsat, Eutelsat, Intersputnik, Sweden’s NSAB, Israel’s Space Com, Norway’s Thor and others. As of mid-2002, 65 VSAT stations operate within the active internal satellite communications network in Ukraine and are located in large cities. As an example of rates for unlimited Internet access via satellite, the packages offered by one company are used (see table below). Internet Availability I nternet began in Ukraine began in 1988 and commercial service began in 1991. After 1997, the ISP market became unlicensed and expanded from 100 in 1997 to more than 300 today. An estimated 20% of all ISPs operate in the Kyiv area alone, but they have more than 70% of the Internet market in Ukraine. The user pool was estimated at 1.5 million in 2001, a penetration rate of less than 3% –well below the 10% or more commonly found in developing countries. Internet Access Service Providers T o date, the main ASP in Ukraine is Ukrtelecom, the only company that provides land-based communications channels for first-level networks. In recent years, programs 1999 2000 1+ 94.4 94.2 2+ 89.7 89.4 3+ 77.4 77.6 4+ 48.2 48.8 commercial 80.7 82.1 Sound radio-broadcasting penetration % programs 1999 2000 1+ 98.5 95.3 2+ 89.9 85.0 3+ 72.6 71.5 commercial 71.4 73.5 Satellite broadcasting in 2000, units transmitting satellite stations total including TV broadcasting 4 2 satellite receivers total including TV broadcasting 0 0 Source: Statistical yearbook on the activities of the Communications Administrations 2000 some commercial ISPs and telecommunications companies have created their own external telecom channels, including channels based on satellite and radio-relay technologies. Thanks to this, they can play an ASP role for smaller ISPs and some telecommunications operators. The biggest commercial ASP that provides access to the Internet for most Ukrainian users is LuckyNet. Other large ASPs include Golden Telecom, Utel, Digital Generation, InfoCom and Adamant. Large industrial centres in Ukraine also have a number of companies that perform an ASP role for smaller, regional ASP infrastructures. Major ISPs Ukrtelecom Relcom/IP Telecom Lucky Net Svit Online UkrNet El-Visti Adamant outgoing Mbps modems est. users 82 3,000 55,000 30 1,400 30,000 25 450 10,000 21 690 12,000 18 1,100 12,000 13 340 3,500 16 250 2,500 Source: Derzhkomzviazok Unlimited access service package No limitations of speed, up to day volume limit. Once limit is reached, priority is lowered and speed is not guaranteed. Service conditions: 100% pre-payment.Cost does not include payment for user channel by client day limit by traffic then limit by speed monthly fee in USD 20 Mb 50 40 Mb 100 80 Mb 180 160 Mb 340 Source: www.spacegate.Kyiv.ua; Ukrsat tariffs at www.ukrsat.com/rus/index.html Ukrtelecom does not operate in the market of satellite access to Internet. Wireless broadcasting 1999 2000 radio-broadcasting points (main), ’000 total urban 9,559.3 6,843.5 8,719.7 6,316.7 Source: Statistical yearbook on the activities of the Communications Administration 2000 14 rural 2,715.8 2,403.0 radio-broadcasting points per 100 inhabitants 9.2 17.7 SECTION 1: NETWORK ACCESS Some key providers Infocom Offers an UkrPack X.25, UkrMail X.400, Frame Relay Network. Available in all cities, with internal links in Ukraine to 20 local ISPs Foreign connectivity is handled by a 2M satellite connection to TeleGlobe, Canada Commercial ISP. T he Ukrainian national data transmission network called UkrPack (X.25, international code DNIC2550) works with packet switching through INS equipment provided by Hughes Network Systems. This network is based on Frame Relay technology. UkrPack consists of 114 nodes and provides access to the data transmission networks of more than 90 countries, including direct connections to DATEX-P, Global One, PolPAK, RoSprint, RosPak, BelPak, and more. The UkrPack network provides direct connections to synchronous and asynchronous data terminals through dedicated lines. It also has gates to more than 100 networks worldwide and uses a wide spectrum of network protocols, such as TCP/IP, X.25, Frame Relay, SDLC, and so on. It offers data transfer rates of up to 2 Mb/s, and provides all services envisaged by X.400 protocols, including Internet access for all UkrPack clients. UkrMail is a nationwide message-handling system based on the X.400 protocol. It uses the UkrPack network for transport and has gates to such networks as AT&T, MarkNet, MCI, Sprint, Atlas, TBX400, and Internet. Ukrtelecom, through its Telecom Transit Center, which is connected to the UUNET Global Transit node in London, leases digital transit channels to local Internet services providers in more than 20 regions of Ukraine. Ukrtelecom Runs IPs over its network, present all across Ukraine. Fiber connections between major cities, at speeds from 64K to 10M. Foreign connections: 32 M fiber-optical connection to C&W in NewYork, 34 M fiber-optical connection to Telecom Italia in Palermo, 8 M fiber-optical connection to Metrocom in St. Peterburg, 4 M satellite connection to Tide in the Netherlands. Commercial ISP. Sovam Teleport Present in 5 major cities, connection through leased lines, speed unknown. Foreign connection: 2M link to St.Petersburg. Commercial ISP. LuckyNet Present in 20 cities, connection through leased lines from Ukrtelecom. Running at 64-128K. Also some digital lines from Ukrtelecom at 64-384K. Foreign connections: 4M satellite link to Deutsche Telecom; 512 and 2M link to RusTeleCom in Russia. Commercial ISP. Global Ukraine Connections to 23 cities, analog lines leased from Ukrtelecom. Also hybrid satellite links with return parth through terrestial links. Runs Frame Relay to Odesa (128k) and Donetsk (2M). Foreign connections: 1M satellite to Digex and 2M satellite to UUNET. Commercial ISP. Relcom-Ukraine Present in 9 cities, connection through leased lines from Ukrtelecom. Speed up to 128k. Foreign connection through Infocom. Commercial ISP. Many smaller ISPs use their own satellite connections. 15 SECTION 1: ISP Infrastructure T he network capacity of external channels of Internet providers in 2000 was 92.51M bps. Internet Exchanges Between Providers IX Ukrtelecom – a traffic exchange point for Ukrtelecom in Kyiv, to which all state-owned companies and most leading Ukrainian ISPs are connected. Today, all Ukrtelecomserved Internet access hosts are present in all oblast or provincial centres and in more than 100 rayon or county centres. The total number of access hosts is 165. UA-IX is a Ukrainian association with 60 members, 50 of which are ISPs. UA-IX exchanges traffic between private ISPs. Participants include Golden Telecom, Sinet, Lucky Net, Global Ukraine, NBI, Sitel, IP Telecom, UarNET, NTC FtiCom, Colocol, Farlep, UkrCom, Priocom, CIT Vostok, WU Net, MCI, Cancom, Citynet, Trifle Co. Ltd., Datacom, Viaduc Telecom, KyivStar GSM. Rates for participant speed are: • 100 Mbit/s for the first month of use: Hr 6,050 or US $1,137, plus payment for the second and each following month of use of UA-IX at a rate of Hr 550 or US $103. • 1,000 Mbit/s is Hr 19,250 or US $3,618 and Hr 2,750 or US $517 for the correponding services. IP addresses of all Ukrainian networks accessed through UA-IX are updated every 10 minutes at Network Operation Centre at www.ua-ix.net.ua. East-IX, a projected IP traffic exchange point in the east of Ukraine, is located and supported with the resources of ISP Alkar-Teleport. Two IX in Kharkiv is one IX with 5 participants under the supervision of itl.net.ua and a second IX with 9 participants under the supervision of KTTS. DN-IX are traffic exchange points in Donetsk. The cost of connection and subscription service for DN-IX Agreement participants is US $200. See www.ix.dn.ua. Policies and Regulations for ISP Interconnection State policy concerning ISP activities focuses mainly on security components. Since the adoption of a Presidential Decree on the Oct. 31, 2001 report of the National Security Council on improving the country’s information policy and providing information security, new rules governing licensing are in the preparation stage. As well, a bill on telecommunications expects providers to procure and install information surveillance equipment at their own expense. A number of other drafts dealing with Internet are in the state of preparation in the Verkhovna Rada: one on electronic documents and their workflow, and another amending some laws concerning intellectual property issues in the Internet. See also Section 5. Today, licensing the activities of providers is not 16 NETWORK ACCESS required, as Art. 4 of the law on entrepreneurship does not envisage this kind of business activity. The only exception is when an ISP offers services using radio access. Relations between ISPs also have no formal instruments, nor are there any specific articles of law regulating relations between ISPs and clients. That is why general norms regarding the providing of service under civil legislation are applied. TLD Registry, ICANN, IP Assignment Schemes The informal distribution of domain space in Uanet, “domain.UA,” started at the end of 1990. The .UA domain was initially registered in December 1992 and was first delegated by an IANA committee to Telecommunication Systems, an ISP company. This information is at IANA .UA Root Zone Whois Information <www.iana.org/rootwhois/ua.htm>. In the years that followed, Telecommunication Systems unfortunately closed down operations. In 1997, the Telecommunications Operators Association was founded at www.telas.Kyiv.ua. At the end of 2000, through the initiative of several leading ISP companies, two ISP associations were created: The Internet Association of Ukraine at www.inau.org and the Association of Ukrainian Internet Market Participants at www.auriu.org. The existing ISP associations and state bodies signed a joint statement concerning the reorganisation of the .UA administration system and the registration of domain names. Information about the reorganization process can be found at ua-nic.net. At the start of 2002, together with the non-government associations of Internet participants and the DerzhKomZviazok – see www.stc.gov.ua –, a decision was made to create the Ukrainian Network Information Centre as a corporation and a Coordination Council to handle registrations and develop registration rules and electronic trust under the .UA domain. According to the acting registration institution, as of May 31, 2002, a total 313 domains are registered under the .UA domain, and 24,553 under COM.UA. A total of 96,385 domains are registered under all second level domains (*.*.UA). Domain Registration Prices Under the .UA Zone: {name}.UA $70-90 {name}.COM.UA $8-12 {name}.domain.UA $0-12 Over 60 registrars provide domain registration services in Ukraine. Moreover, anybody can register a domain name under the UA zone. Registration rules presuppose mechanisms to protect trademarks. UA domain administration domain-master@NIC.NET.UA Postal address: .UA Network Coordination Group c/o domain-master at nic.net.ua P.O.Box 89 Kyiv 01036 Ukraine Hostmaster Ltd. (01036, Kyiv, P.O. Box 89, Hostmaster Ltd.) is now carrying out all .UA administration tasks. SECTION 1: NETWORK ACCESS Number of ISPs in Ukraine Year 1999 2000 ISPs 100 160 Source expert evaluation expert evaluation 2001 2002 270 300 DerzhKomZviazok SpyLOG Notes revenues for providing Internet service grew by 76% in 2000, to UAH 151.1mn or US $28.4mn Over 60 in Kyiv Some communication “backbone” lines Name South North West East Dnipro-Donbas Tavria Route Kyiv-Odesa Kyiv-Belarus Kyiv-L’viv Oleksandria-Kharkiv Oleksandria-Luhansk Mykolaïv-Kherson-Simferopol Equipment STM-4 STM-4 STM-16 STM-16 STM-16 STM-4 Length, km 895 236 783 418 896 613 DT speed 622.08 Mbps 622.08 Mbps 2.488 Gbps 2.488 Gbps 2.488 Gbps 622.08 Mbps Internet users Year 1999 2000 2001 2002 Users, ’000 250 700-750 1,500 2,000 Source DerzhKomZviazok DerzhKomZviazok SpyLOG, November 2001 SpyLOG, May 2002 Users of Ukrainian language Internet Internet access, millions share, world on-line populations 2003 estimated, millions Total population, millions GDP, USD, billions GDP per capita Net 0.82 14% 2 47 $115 $2,300 56 Source: www.glreach.com/globstats/index.php3 Internet hosts Zone count, January 2000-May 2002 Host count, January 1997-May 2002 Source: RIPE Database, ww.uazone.org/inet Source: RIPE Database, www.uazone.org/inet 17 SECTION 1: NETWORK ACCESS Internet Affordability T here are more than 3,000 computer clubs and Internet cafés1 in Ukraine. Visitors can work with PCs or access the Internet for a fee of Hr 1-6 per hour. In general, only 30% of computer clubs offer Internet access. In major cities, this proportion rises to 50%, while in smaller centers it shrinks to 20%. The clubs with Internet access also serve as IP telephony centres for international calls. 70% of all clubs with Internet connections access the Internet through dial-up access, 20% through dedicated lines, 10% through cable TV networks and others. The majority of clubs work 24 hours a day, providing thousands of users with their only source of ICT. The largest number of computer clubs, nearly 400, is in Kyiv. It is followed by Dnipropetrovsk with more than 300 clubs, Kharkiv with around 280, Odesa with 230, and Donetsk and L’viv with about 200 each. Almost every town in Ukraine has at least one computer club. Computer clubs have united into the All-Ukrainian Association of Computer Clubs at www.uacc.org.ua. The Association understands its capacity to alleviate the digital divide in Ukraine and provide Internet access for the entire Ukrainian population. It has put forward ambitious plans to assist in the informatisation of the country. Rural and Other Access Support Rural access is developing through the network of postoffices. UkrPoshta has set up 28 Internet access points in its branches. Seven of them are situated in Kyiv, 13 in oblast centres and 8 in rural centres. This network is expected to expand by 8-12 new access points per year. Another network of public access is in the main oblast libraries. 24 of 27 libraries of this type are equipped with Internet access. All in all, though, of the 170 computers connected to the Internet, only 67 are available for indi- vidual users. This tendency to be so limited numerically has encouraged development through the assistance of various programmes. In particular, the International Renaissance Foundation has a programme called “Developing Regional Information Portals and Information Centres on the Basis of Public Libraries.” UkrPoshta has also launched a new initiative to convert Post Offices to e-centres. In general, however, the concept of telecentres has remained underdeveloped in Ukraine. History of Internet UNDP was the first organization in Ukraine to provide free Internet mail services when it established FREENET. By 1995-96, with the support of the International Soros Foundation and the Open Society Institute, the National Academy of Sciences, KPI National Technical University, the National Agrarian University and the Ukrainian Physics Society implemented a collective project to create the Kyiv Computer Support Network. In 1997, the participants established an international charitable foundation called the International Telecommunications Centre KS-NET or MTC KS-NET. The foundation network consists of 5 nodes in Kyiv and 3 nodes in Sevastopol, Bakhchisarai and Katsiveli. In order to integrate the MTC KS-NET network into the Ukrainian Internet, there are permanent communication channels with the other ISPs in Kyiv and the State Information Fund or sifu.net network. This network, in accordance with a June 17, 1997 Presidential Decree, provides services not only to the divisions of SIFU itself, but to a number of state, scientific and educational organizations. Sifu.net has nodes in all oblasts of Ukraine, which are connected through 6 inter-regional information centres in Rivne, L’viv, Khmelnytskiy, Odesa, Dnipropetrovsk, and Kharkiv. They are linked to each other via satellite, radio relay, leased and commuted communication lines. Share of weekly Internet users by city Sources: www.freenet.Kyiv.ua:8080/ciesin, www.mct.Kyiv.ua/mct.html Weekly Internet users and traffic by city… see Appendix A p. 60 1 “Computer clubs” and “Internet cafés” are common self-identifications for such kinds of enterprises 18 SECTION 1: NETWORK ACCESS Internet Services Comparison of dial-up pricing schemes company name 2001 Golden Telecom Infocom IP Telecom Lucky Net P5 Communications Prime Net Relcom Ukraviatelecom 2002 Farlep Golden Telecom Infocom IP Telecom Lucky Net Optima Telecom Relcom Service prices, USD dial-up, unlimited DT speed,K dial-up,monthly fee off-line NA up to 56 up to 56 33-57 up to 56 2.4-33 33-57 up to 56 NA 165 18 3.60 15 45 15-40 Aug. 30 NA 55-165 42 19.95 15 45 15-40 30 NA free 12 3.60 10 5 5 up to 56 NA up to 56 from 56 33-57 0.3-56 up to 57 Aug. 30 NA Free 42 3.70 contract 15 30 NA 30 15 24.50 29 40 5 NA 10 12 3.70 0 5 other callback Comparison of leased line pricing schemes Company Name DT Speed leased 57K line/month 2001 Golden Telecom Infocom IP Telecom Lucky Net 64-2Mb 9.6-1Mb from 64 9.6-2Mb negotiable from 150 0.70 +0.08 per Mbps 100 (1Gb) +0.06/Mbps P5 Communications Prime Net Relcom Ukraviatelecom 2002 Golden Telecom Farlep Infocom IP Telecom Lucky Net Optima Telecom Relcom 64-2Mb 8-25.6Mb 19.2-2Mb 9.6-2Mb 64-2Mb no limit up to 2Mb 64-8Mb 56-unltd 64-10Mb 33.6-7Mb 110-420 250 235-340 from 200 from 390 from 750 negotiable from 100 110-450 400 250-400 from 100 170-1000 800 520-1100 from 300 300-1800 1000-2200 400 250 800 440 100 119 350 350 228 650 negotiable 125 0.70 +0.08 per Mbps 100 Negotiable negotiable Development of satellite channels 1999 2000 2001 2002* Service prices, USD, including VAT leased 64K leased 128K leased 256K line/month line/month line/month channel capacity frame relay DVB 45 45 75 60 15 140 60 80 200 60 140 840 negotiable 550 ISPs with direct satellite international access 1999 2000 2001 2002* ISPs 15 45 120 140 *expert evaluation Pre-paid Internet cards… see Appendix A p. 61 19 SECTION 1: NETWORK ACCESS IP Telephony Wireless Voice Quality There are about 60 operators sharing the IP telephony market. This market has been marred by controversy, as it is not licensed for voice communications purely through computers, but seems to be considered fixed telephony when it is terminated through the local loop. (More information is provided in Section 5.) The market size of IP telephony, according to the High-Tech Navigator is $12 million. The consolidation of operators may become more apparent once some regulation is in place. The main reason for the growth of IP telephony in Ukraine is the dramatic difference in cost. The per-minute charge for IP telephony is fixed for most European countries and the US at $0.30, while standard IDD rates range from $1.70 to the US, $0.80 to Central Europe, $1.10 to Easter Europe, and $1.44 to the Middle East. The quality of service is still poor in IP telephony as there is no QoS regulation. The quality penalty is more than compensated by the reduction of cost and satisfies most users. IP telephony currently accounts for 2% of all international traffic. Naturally, the national provider, Ukrtelecom, reacted to the growth of IP telephony by introducing a surcharge of $0.06/minute for guaranteed access through its network, to compensate for lost revenues. In addition, the government has introduced a license for IP telephony of $167,000 for five years. The High Tech Navigator reports that IP telephony companies, despite these additional costs, have not yet increased their pricing structures. The specific gravity of effective calls as a percentage of the total number of calls through automated long-distance telephone communication was 42.7% in 1999 and 43.71% in 2000. Network Speed and Quality Analog vs digital Bandwidth capacity in Mb/s 61 92.51 300 1999 2000 2001 source DerzhKomZviazok DerzhKomZviazok expert evaluation Line readiness Fixed Line Reliability I n 2001, the average of completed outgoing calls was about 88%. Outgoing calls were approximately 44% of the total traffic. The reliability of fixed infrastructure is close to the 0.999 level. Urban and rural telephony 1999 2000 faults detected in urban exchanges total % cleared within standard time 3,472,380 95.2 3,794,685 95.2 total 847,170 926,068 faults detected in rural exchanges % cleared within standard time 91.9 93.1 Source: Statistical yearbook on the activities of the Communications Administrations 2000 Urban telephony, payphone checked (urban, universal) total 1999 2000 59,900 62,200 absolute value 16,500 16,700 Source: Statistical yearbook on the activities of the Communications Administrations 2000 20 those detected as out-of-order as % of checked payphones 27.5 26.8 SECTION 1: NETWORK ACCESS Universal Service Types of public phones Payphones are located throughout Ukraine. Service is an integral component of PSTN, using channels, connection lines, commuting switches, technical maintenance centres, and other PSTN facilities. Payphone services currently include city, long-distance/international and universal payphones. At the beginning of 2000, payphones were divided into: • urban and rural: 56,500 standard units; • long-distance and international: 16,300 international units. Access to these phones is available through prepaid cards and cash. Cardphone distribution Hardware and Software Computers Market Structure 490 companies are manufacturing and assembling PCs in Ukraine today. The leading PC vendors in 2001 were, in alphabetical order: AMI, Diawest, e.service, Help, K-Trade, Kvazar-Micro, MKS, Navigator, Prime Computers, RIM 2000, SpetsVuzAvtomatika, and Versia. According to the Ukrainian Association of Software Producers, UASP, the installed PC base in 2001 was more than 1,310,000 units. According to estimates by KvazarMicro, around 400,000 locally-made PC were sold in Ukraine in 2001, and the total number of computers working under the Windows OS nationwide is 1.5-1.7 million. Cost of computers, USD item average minimum average maximum PC $300 $600 notebook $1,000 $1,500 PIII server $2,000 $4,000 PIII Xeon server $5,000 $10,000 PIV server $7,000 $15,000 PC units sold, USD Hardware Manufacturing IDC, a market research company, regularly publishes an extended review of the computer market in Ukraine. According to one IDC report, in Q4 2001, the volume of PC supplies to Ukraine reached a record level for recent years at 73,500 units. During the same period in 2000, the figure was source Dataquest 1998 1999 2000 177,373 182,620 203,748 Ukrainian Association of Software Developers 200,000 240,000 +290,000 Source: http://itc.ua Manufacturers of hardware company indices notes Odessacable, Ltd. Prozhektor, Ltd. CheZaRa, Ltd. SP Micro-Code Ltd. Equipment for digital data transmission via cables and fiber-optic lines at speeds from 2Mbit/s to 155Mbit/s to build primary DTN is produced in Ukraine These enterprises today have a 15% share of the Ukrainian market for equipment for primary networks. ZAT ITECH Dniprovskiy Machinery, a state holding company ELTECH Company Equipment to build subscribers’ access network to the Internet (host servers and access servers, switchboards, routers, concentrators, leased line transmission modems, hosts for high-speed Internet access xDSL, modems xDSL) Currently the first and leading (since 1999) Ukrainian producer in this sector is the company ITECH. Source: ITECH-CheZaRa 2002 21 SECTION 1: 53,000. This reflects an annual growth of 38.2%. According to IDC, this was achieved thanks to improving economic conditions during the last two years. In addition to greater activity among small and medium businesses, a growth in project supplies was seen in the corporate sector. IDC predicts that this factor will determine the growth of the Ukrainian PC market throughout 2002. (See www.idcrussia.ru) Some Ukrainian companies are also manufacturing network equipment for the construction of data transmission networks or DTN and access networks on the basis of IP protocols without information content. NETWORK ACCESS Access to IT support training There are many training centres for IT specialists, some of which are listed here, as well as a number of corporate training and professional development centres (see table in Appendix A p. 60). Ukrtelecom has the largest specialized network, with 25 affiliates in the oblasts. Traditionally, many services such as training and professional upgrading are also provided in centres in Moscow. Expos and conventions Software Development The domestic software development market is estimated at $39 million. This is concentrated on the business segment and the development of special applications. In general, software developers tend to steer away from IP-related applications because of piracy concerns (see page 38). The off-shore market is approximately the same value as the domestic market. Service and Support U kraine has a well-developed network of consulting and after-sales services to support and provide warranty services for a wide range of equipment. Practically all known brands have their client service networks in Ukraine. 22 EnterEX Ukraine’s largest trade show for computers, software and office equipment has run annually since 1994. In 2001, net exhibition space was 2,809 sq m, with 135 exhibitors, 37,000 visitors to the B2C exposition, and 21,000 to the B2B exposition. For the first time, at EnterEX 2001, an American pavilion was organized under the auspices of the US Embassy in Ukraine. In 2002, net exhibition space was 2,551 sq. m, with 121 exhibitors and 15,471 visitors. The trade show takes place under the auspices of DerzhKomZviazok at the National Expo Centre in south Kyiv. Expotel This international telecommunications trade show was held for the first time in 2002, also at the National Expo Centre. Source: www.euroindex.com.ua/index.php?m=1&lng=e SECTION 2: NETWORKED LEARNING Improving ICT facilities is recognized as one of the most pressing issues in the educational sector. A special chapter of “The National Doctrine for the Development of Education,” a strategy document approved by the President in April 2002, is dedicated to the information technology issue. The introduction of modern information and telecommunications technology is highlighted as a priority in the development of education: it can ensure improved training and educational processes, an accessible and efficient education system, and prepare the young for an active life in the information society. SECTION 2 NETWORKED LEARNING Background • providing telecommunication facilities to educational institutions to enable access the Internet, with software and computer applications; • designing, replicating and distributing educational software • developing a national certification system for educational computer applications; • preparing and publishing teaching materials and textbooks on IS for teachers and students; • designing a unified IS to manage the teaching system and information infrastructure of educational institutions; • bringing the software used in Ukraine in compliance with the law on language; • establishing regional distance learning centres, mainly for rural students, and resource centres for computerizing education. I mproving ICT facilities is recognized as one of the most pressing issues in the educational sector. A special chapter of “The National Doctrine for the Development of Education,” a strategy document approved by the President in April 2002, is dedicated to the IT issue. The introduction of modern information and telecommunications technology is highlighted as a priority in the development of education: it can ensure improved training and educational processes, an accessible and efficient education system, and prepare the young for an active life in the information society. The strategy expects to achieve this through: • • • completely computerizing education to satisfy the educational, information, computing, and communication needs of the participants in the training and educational process, based on establishing a uniform information structure; introducing distance learning, with the use of information and telecommunication technologies together with traditional teaching methods in the educational process and and library science; building individual module-based curricula of various degrees of complexity, depending on specific needs; • publishing online textbooks; • creating a domestic industry of modern training aids which comply with international scientific and technological standards and are the prerequisite for implementing efficient policies intended to achieve the goals of education. ICT Access for Schools Computers in Public Schools This strategy obliges the State to support the process of computerizing education to: • apply information and telecommunication technologies within the system of education, • promote the provision of educational establishments with computers and modern training aids, • introduce global information and educational networks, • and to establish an all-embracing system to monitor the quality of education at all levels. In addition, the President mandated the Cabinet of Ministers to develop a National Information Systems Programme for 2002 and years to come in an Oct. 9, 2001, decree “on further measures to ensure the development of education in Ukraine,” #941/2001 (see details in Section 5). The Decree emphasizes enhancing the provision of IT support in the education system on a top-priority basis, specifically by: 24 Ministry of Education official statistics indicate that there are computers in 8,224 schools out a nationwide total of 21,226, that is, 38.2% of the total. Disparities between urban and rural schools are huge: 65% of urban schools have computers, while only 26% of rural schools are so equipped. Only about 25% of the total are 486-type PCs, Celeron, MMX and Pentiums. The rest are outdated soviet contraptions, reducing the total number of usable computers to only about 24,000. At the beginning of the last school year, computers were networked in computer labs, serving around 10 students and one teacher each, in 7,649 schools. Computers in urban schools increased by 1.5% from 1999 to 2001. The 4,153 computer labs now located in urban schools cover more than 60% of such schools. However, these numbers are expected to decline as many outdated computers will soon be phased out. During the last school year, about 240 additional schools were equipped with computers. Of these, 10% were funded by the government and the rest by local, municipal and regional budgets. Computers in school computer labs, 2000/2001 urban areas rural areas Total (including 75% outdated computers) 54,297 36,519 90,810 SECTION 2 NETWORKED LEARNING School access to computers total schools schools with computers computer labs total computers computers in labs 486 PCs and higher 6,506 4,239 4,009 55,852 52,587 16,966 urban areas by grades 1-9 10-12 677 5,398 86 4,094 44 3,943 529 55,012 406 51,905 140 16,675 total 14,720 3,801 3,494 35,155 36,465 3,820 rural areas by grades 1-9 10-12 5,438 6,647 261 3,536 84 3,410 1031 34,111 758 35,707 195 3,622 (including 75% outdated computers) 21,226 8,040 7,503 91,007 89,502 20,786 total by grades 1-9 10-12 6,115 12,045 347 7,630 128 7,353 1,560 89,123 1,164 87,612 335 20,297 Source: Ministry of Education and Science By far, the most computers are in the nation’s secondary schools, those grades considered senior high school. Only about 5.7% of middle schools, those offering Grades 1-9 or elementary and junior secondary schools, are equipped with computers. These add up to 1,560 or a mere 1.75% of the total computers available in schools, and only a few –335 or 21% of these– have new-generation processors. The Razumkov Centre conducted a survey among the parents of school children to find out about their access to computers and the Internet and another one among teachers about their own access. Disparities between urban and rural areas are extremely wide. Disparities among the regions are also exteremely wide when it comes to the level of access the schools themselves have. School Access and Computerization Programme Disparities between different regions of Ukraine are also extremely wide, ranging from a low of 16.7% in the Ternopil region to 53.45% in Kherson and over 70% in Kyiv and Sevastopol at the end of the 1999-2000 school year. The number of PC-type computers is low, however, –3-4%, depending on the oblast– compared to the total number of computers. Many regional authorities have initiated local Student access to computers at school at home at extracurricular institutions to Internet at school at home at extracurricular institutions total urban 27.2% 16.0% rural 12.1% 3.3% nationwide 22.4% 12.1% 29.6% 11.7% 23.9% 3.5% 1.3 % 2.8% 3.9% computerization programs, and 90% of computers were bought at the oblast level. Since the beginning of the 2000-2001 school year, computers have been distributed to selected schools under a rural school computerization programme. Altogether, the government reports that it spent $4 million during first year of this programme. Computers in Post-Secondary Institutions Students at institutions of higher education continue to have surprisingly limited access to the Internet, according to data from a 2002 survey by the Razumkov Centre. The quantity of PCs available at Universities –related data is available for Ministry-supervised institutions only– increased from 4.46 per 100 students to 5.77 per 100 students from 1995 to 1999. Students have better facilities at technical universities –8.88 PCs per 100 students– and other technical institutions –11.27 PCs per 100 students in 1999. Post-secondary access at home at University other places no access access, % to computers to the Internet students faculty students faculty 10.4 22.8 3.6 5.3 20.8 39.4 6.6 28.5 25.9 10.2 21.2 15.4 50.8 37.8 70.6 54.1 Libraries 10.7% Teacher access to computers at school at home at extracurricular institutions no access to Internet at school at home at extracurricular institutions no access nationwide 12% 13.3% 14.1% 63.1% 2% 4% 16.1% 78.3% A National Electronic Network of library resources has been developed to connect three main national libraries: The Vernadskiy National Library, the Verkhovna Rada Library, and the Kyiv Library at Taras Shevchenko University at www.library.univ.Kyiv.ua. More than 20 Ukrainian libraries have become members of the network as can be seen at library.univ.Kyiv.ua/ukr/res/resour.php3. On the basis of this network, there is an active on-going process in designing and establishing of a unified national standard of library catalogue registration records, similar to MARK. Another network of public access is in the main oblast libraries. Already 24 of 27 such libraries are equipped for Internet access. But of the 170 computers connected to the Internet, only 67 are available for individual users. This practice of restricting access has stimulated various assistance programmes, in particular one run by the IRF called “Developing Regional Information Portals and Information Centres through Public Libraries.” 25 SECTION 2 NETWORKED LEARNING Enhancing Education With ICT Post-Secondary Network Software in Primary and Secondary Schools A ltogether, 3,729 different institutions for learning are equipped with some sort of educational software. 2,341 of these schools are urban, 1,388 rural. In all, there are some 21,105 educational software packages, nearly half of which are relevant to science and maths curricula and a quarter to humanities. After a competition organized by the Centre for Approaches to Education in 2001, 200 original computerized proposals were selected. An agreement to develop them was signed with 13 institutions of higher learning, mainly universities. However, only UAH 300,000 –instead of the promised UAH 2,500,000– has been paid by the government so far. The network of post-secondary institutions provides education for 392 students for every 10,000 people and includes 979 institutions. Among them, vocational schools, technical schools and colleges make up 664, including 593 state-run institutions and 71 private ones, with a total student population of 528,000. The remaining 315 institutions, including 223 state-owned ones, are 106 universities, 59 academies and 150 institutes with a student population 1,403,000. Demographically, 1,086,000 students or 90% of the total are between 17 and 24 years old. In 2000, 17,100 students in Ukraine graduated with bachelor’s degrees, 175,700 as specialists and 10,600 with master’s degrees. Specialties related to ICT, at start of 2001–2 school year 1=state funded; 2=branch funded; 3=privately funded; 4=state funded; 5=employed after graduation; Bac=Bachelor; Sp=Specialist; M=Masters specialization enrolled graduated total Telecommunications: Bac Telesystems & networks: Sp M Computer-integrated technologies: Bac Sp M Information-measuring systems: Sp M Computer systems, automation & administration: Bac Sp M Flexible computer systems: Sp M Computer engineering: Bac Computer systems & networks: Sp M System programming: Sp M Specialized computer systems: Sp M Source: DerzhKomStat, 2002 Statistics bulletin 26 institutions total state total 1 2 3 4 5 1,496 691 53 752 1,299 944 320 7 7 82 63 42 25 - 40 38 547 55 328 48 167 23 5 6 5 6 1,584 791 730 827 298 163 4 28 3 753 465 564 763 1,127 547 602 789 411 67 556 289 24 29 26 24 29 26 181 90 35 63 3 - 143 27 135 54 86 52 77 29 4 3 4 3 1,253 555 574 431 273 230 16 11 806 282 333 628 810 534 420 667 426 49 440 249 11 19 15 10 18 15 67 - 34 - 33 119 17 110 15 98 15 4 2 4 2 1,738 588 6 1,144 564 309 67 15 15 1,566 534 367 195 1 17 1,198 322 725 663 537 456 424 268 23 18 22 18 189 80 81 12 4 108 64 83 64 71 19 55 18 7 2 7 2 234 64 96 25 4 - 134 39 196 76 184 69 159 44 9 6 9 6 SECTION 2 NETWORKED LEARNING History of Distance Learning in Ukraine In 1995, UNESCO specialists, the International Centre of Information Technologies, the National Academy of Sciences, and the Ministry of Education and Science began working in distance learning technologies using computer telecommunications with international cooperation. Partners included leading universities in the UK, the Netherlands, Bulgaria and Lithuania, Sumy State University, Kharkiv State Polytechnical University and the Odesa Academy of Telecommunications. By 1996, the first free distance learning course in Ukraine “Distance learning to work in the Internet” was developed. In all, 352 students from seven CIS countries took part in it. Kyiv-Mohyla Academy began to work in this area, on a project called “Internet training of trainers,” as did the State Academy of Telecommunications and L’viv Polytechnical. In 1997, a number of pilot experiments were undertaken with the WBT to test WWW-based courses. In 1998, the training of teachers from the International Finance University began. In 2000, the National Centre for Distance Technologies was set up. The International Financial University and The Institute of Investment Management, both in Kyiv, introduced Internet-based distance learning in specialized areas like banking, international finance, and so on. In 2001, an international centre for distance learning technologies opened under the auspices of the UNESCO International Centre. By 2002, practically all large cities in Ukraine and all large educational institutions had some elements of distance learning as a second degree. Public domain edu.ua for higher educational institutions –of the 3-4 levels of accreditation– has been established. Today, it has 69 subdomains. Distance learning issues are regularly discussed on www.udl.org.ua. Distance learning departments and courses, at June 2002 Nº 1. organization Kyiv National Taras Shevchenko University 2 Ukrainian Distant Education Centre, Kyiv 3. 4. 5. International Financial University, Kyiv Kharkiv Polytechnical University V.M. Glushkov Center of Cybernetics, Kyiv 6. L’viv Management Institute 7. 8. Nikopol Institute of Management, Business and Law Kyiv Institute of Investment Management 9. Kharkiv Technical University of Radioelectronics 8. Academy of State Administration under the President of Ukraine, Kyiv Ukrainian Institute of Scientific-Technical and Economic Information Kyiv 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. Sumy State University Ternopil State Technical University Kharkiv Aviation Institute at the Zhukovsky National Aerospace University Kyiv University of Information and Telecommunications Technologies DL departments courses ICC UNINET network 5 4 DL labs on the basis of 6 Kyiv Polytechnical University DL lab 51 DL lab 38 UNESCO International 12 Scientific and Training Center for Information Technologies and Systems UDL System (Ukrainian DL System) 3 DL Department DL Server 13 3 Laboratory of Virtual Distant Learning 2 World Bank DL Center 4 SEMicom Computer Training Center DL Lab 6 25 9 Osvita DL Center 2 DL Department 3 cost, USD free 50-100/course 500/year of training 250/year 100/6 months 130-140/course free Source: UNESCO International Centre of Information Technologies, NAS, Ministry of Education and Science and Ukrainian Distant Learning Centre in Kyiv 27 SECTION 2 Other Education Initiatives In 1993-96, UNDP assistance resulted in several other Ukrainian “firsts:” the creation of the first Ukrainian academic and research network, UARNET; the first public access Internet portal on Kyiv FreeNet; and the connection of both Ministries and the Verkhovna Rada to the Internet. In 1997-2000, UNDP continued to build on its ICTD portfolio with initiatives aimed at strengthening the ICT and networking capacity of key Ukrainian institutions. Highlights of these “second generation” programmes include in particular: setting up a network between Ukraine’s universities and national libraries, and expanding the support of higher education networks. A new programme on the UNDP agenda, called Innovation Springboard, was launched on Sept. 28, 2001, to strengthen the process of balanced national development and poverty alleviation though appropriate and innovative uses of information and communications technologies. The Ukrainian Research and Academic Network or URAN computer data transmission network is today the network for Ukrainian science and education. It is segmented into seven regions: Central in Kyiv, Northeastern in Kharkiv, Eastern in Donetsk, Dniprovskiy in Dnipropetrovsk, Southern in Odesa, Western in L’viv, Crimean in Simferopol. 28 NETWORKED LEARNING Developing The ICT Workforce T he Cisco Network Academy was started in Ukraine in partnership with Kyiv National Taras Shevchenko University, UNESCO and Cisco Systems, and became fully operational in October 2001. Having the status of a regional institution, the Academy actively educates network engineers, not only for Ukraine but for countries in the entire region, particularly Central Asia. Initially, the Academy benefited ICT institutions in Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tadjikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan by educating trainers in new networking technologies. The Academy addresses the growing demand for ICT specialists and experts and provides a basis for better meeting the challenges of the emerging information economy in the region. (See also Section 1, p. 22 and associated table in Appendix A, p. 60, for software development and service support training.) Since its creation, the Regional Academy for Advanced Network Administration and Design has trained over 200 fellows in a variety of specialties. The RAANAD programme is based on an e-learning model that delivers webbased educational content, online testing, student performance tracking, instructor training and support. It combines lectures and online learning with hands-on laboratory exercises in which attendees apply what they learn in class while working on actual networks. On completing a training session, participants take certification exams for CCNA degrees. The International Civil Aviation Organisation’s Aviation Security Centre, the seventh centre of its kind in the world, has been established in partnership with the Kyiv National Aviation University and UNDP. The Centre trains aviation specialists and works for ICAO scientific and security programmes. SECTION 3: NETWORKED SOCIETY UNDP commissioned a survey of ICT penetration in June 2002. The survey was conducted by the Centre for Social Expertise in six oblasts in Ukraine: L’viv, Donetsk, Luhansk, Kharkiv, Ternopil, and Ivano-Frankivsk. The sampling size was 1,200 and represented the demographic make-up of Ukraine. Kyiv was deliberately excluded from the survey to focus mainly on the regions. While the prevalent share of Internet users is concentrated in the capital, the survey fully details the situation in the regions. SECTION 3 UNDP ICT SURVEY UNDP commissioned a survey of ICT penetration in June 2002. The survey was conducted by the Centre for Social Expertise in six oblasts in Ukraine: L’viv, Donetsk, Luhansk, Kharkiv, Ternopil, and Ivano-Frankivsk. The sampling size was 1,200 and represented the demographic make-up of Ukraine. Kyiv was deliberately excluded from the survey to focus mainly on the regions. While the prevalent share of Internet users is concentrated in the capital, the survey fully details the situation in the regions. Selected data from the survey is in Appendix D, p. 67. The survey shows a high level of basic awareness of ICT among the population: 75% of respondents knew about the Internet and over 95% knew what a PC is. However, the level of actual penetration for the Internet and the usage of PCs is much lower, at 34% and 46%. Occasional use of the Internet is common. According to 30% of respondents, the most popular places of interaction are public access centres such as cyber-cafés or Internet clubs. The method of access also determines its frequency: 53% used the Internet from time to time, 21% used it several times a month, 16% several times a week and only 8.8% used the Internet daily. NETWORKED SOCIETY of Ukraine, according to the last census conducted in December 20011, there is a definite discrepancy in gender representation on-line. Digital Divide by Age The lowest number of people who knew what the Internet was pensioners: only 44% were aware of it. However, 81% of young people between 9 and 18 years old knew what the Internet was, and the highest percentage of awareness was reported by people between the ages of 20 and 40. Internet awareness by age People and Organizations On-line ICT Awareness and Penetration ICT Awareness and Penetration by Occupation T Expectedly, the lowest level of awareness about the Internet, 26.83%, was observed among farmers and workers of collective farms. This corresponds to the low level of available information infrastructures in rural areas. They are followed by pensioners. The same two occupational groups are outsiders in the awareness of the PCs, at 92.68% and 80.17%. The most Internet-savvy categories are entrepreneurs, at 93.06%, and students, at 93.66%, followed by state employees, 85.80%. The level of actual Internet penetration is the highest among students, at 72.50%. People with higher educations dominate the Internet in Ukraine, representing 79% of all users. It is also possible to note a substantial presence of top and mid-level managers among the users of the Internet. In general, 80% of Internet users are employed and 67% of the remaining 20% are students2. According to this survey, Internet users in general perceive themselves financially as doing well, 43%, or even wealthy –16%. According to the sales director of Mediacom, an Internet advertisement firm, the average user is a 24-35 yearold mid-level manager who uses the Internet at work. here is a direct connection between the place of residence and the level of penetration and access to ICT, and, not surprisingly, the rural population is fairly disadvantaged in the use of ICT. Digital Divide by Gender There is a slight gender gap in Internet and computer penetration. The share of women among computer and Internet users is smaller. Marginally less women, at 73%, than men, at 77%, know what the Internet is and fewer women, at 44%, than men, at 49%, ever used a PC. According to the data of another survey conducted by MMI Ukraine, the distribution of Internet users by gender is 61% men and 39% women. Taking into account the prevalence –54%– of women in the demographic make-up 30 Organizations On-line A substantial share of the more than 15,000 Ukrainian websites represent organisations and institutions. Model agencies and lotteries, private associations, consulting groups, radio stations and religious organisations all create 1 2 www.ukrstat.gov.ua/ www.korrespondent.net/main/34688/ SECTION 3 NETWORKED SOCIETY websites, look for new affiliates or partners, and distribute information about their activities on-line. (See table p. 33) Locally Relevant Content T he share of Internet users in Kyiv compared to all Ukrainian Internet users is overwhelming, and altogether they comprised 66% of all UAnet3 users in 2001. Kyiv is followed by Odesa, Dnipropetrovsk and Donetsk oblasts4. The least represented oblasts are Rivne, Chernihiv, Cherkasy. The high representation of the top three oblasts is due to the presence of major infrastructure providers, a favourable business environment, and the presence of highly-qualified personnel looking for new niches in the process of economic restructuring. The typical representation of an oblast in the UAnet is composed of a city portal, several local Internet providers, commercial companies, and the websites of business and personal advertisement. At least one or two higher educational institutions are usually present on-line. The same is true of local media. Portals Some national portals offering comprehensive links, but they experience double competition from international English language portals like Google and Yahoo and Russian portals, which have powerful search tools5. Yandex, a Russian portal, even offers special searches within Ukraine. The leader among national portals is Meta-Ukraine. It provides regional and thematic searches and basic reference services. El-Visti, Asearch6 and UAportal7 follow MetaUkraine in the number of hits. Thematic or vertical portals provide information on business tourism, civil society and so on. The World Bank has initiated a national global development gateway portal as well8. Financial Websites There are a substantial number of websites providing financial information and services on-line9. There are both general news services such as www.interfax.Kyiv.ua and specialised sites such as www.ufs.Kyiv.ua. Liga-online10, identifying itself as an “information business portal,” is a viable tool for everyday use covering business and political news, press monitoring, stock market information and foreign exchanges. Liga-online was the first portal in Ukraine to provide a ‘Real-Time terminal’ – with applications operating on the currency and stock market in real-time format. Several business topic forums provide space to discuss ongoing issues and share individual experiences with colleagues. A sizeable number of Ukrainian websites publish the prices of various goods while running commercial advertisements. The array of goods and services presented there is indeed vast: from pulp and plastic tubes to translation and marketing services. Such sites serve as natural marketplaces for SMEs and individuals. Shopping and Food On-line On-line shopping substantially lags behind other Internet activities in Ukraine. The limited number of credit cards forces commercial websites to use other forms of payment. Three main types of payment are used when customers buy goods on-line: payment upon delivery, filling in bank invoices on-line and making an off-line bank transfer, and payment by credit card. According to TNS “Global e-commerce report. 2002”11 the percentage of on-line buyers among the Internet users has actually decreased: from 22% in the year 2001 to only 6% in 2002. A lack of trust and uncertainty about the quality of goods have substantially increased among potential on-line shoppers. Some of them were repelled by their first unsuccessful experience with on-line shops. Buying goods on-line is considered by both corporate and private users as a low priority for at least the next two years, according to a UMG survey dated June 2001.12 However, several specialised on-line shops in the capital sell mobile phones, household appliances, and books. The first on-line supermarket13 sells food and beverages, and takes payment both through credit cards and COD. Sample of city website profile: L’viv www.lvivbest.com www.lviv.ua www.city-adm.lviv.ua www.franko.lviv.ua www.ce.lviv.ua www.bizinform.net www.vacancy.ukrbiz.net www.in-lviv.com.ua/dov www.adrenalin.lviv.ua www.spea.lviv.ua/index_win.html www.postup.itgo.com/main 3 4 5 6 7 8 The Ukrainian Internet space Oblast – a regional division in Ukraine http://www.umg.com.ua/rus/issl/issl_rez_prco.html search.avanport.com/rus/default.asp www.uaportal.com/ www.e-ukraine.org regional portal, presenting L’viv Internet resources English language portal about L’viv L’viv City Council Ivan Franko National University of L’viv regional information resource business catalogue for commercial enterprises and goods employment agency L’viv yellow pages, for finding enterpries or institutions on-line information and promotion of “extreme” sports in L’viv Yavoriv Economic Zone Postup, a L’viv newspaper www.liga.net and www.finance.com.ua www.liga.net 11 www.tnsofres.com 12 The Internet services market in Ukraine, UMG. June, 2001 www.cebit.Kyiv.ua/conferences/internet/reports.html 9 10 31 SECTION 3 NETWORKED SOCIETY Reasons for not buying on-line (among Internet users) Do not trust on-line products/lack of trust Never know what you will get It’s safer to buy goods or services at a regular shop Products or services found in Internet do not interest much It’s easier and more enjoyable to buy goods or services at a regular shop High prices It’s too complicated/lack of necessary skills Do not want to leave credit card number/security problem Delivery time is too long; other problems related to delivery Creditworthiness was not checked Other reasons Culture and Entertainment On-line Ukrainian literature is in a continuous publishing crisis and is trying to find its audience on-line. The literary website Samvydav14 site, which identifies itself as “the labyrinth of Ukrainian self-publishing” – the old samizdat of soviet underground days – presents modern independent Ukrainian authors. Excellent Ukrainian theatre life is broadly represented on the Modern Ukrainian Theatre website15. Galleries16 and individual artists17 are busy creating their own sites to gain publicity through virtual exhibitions. There are more than 100 sites devoted to Ukrainian musicians and several dozen entertainment portals aimed at various target audiences, particularly young people. There are several sites that rate restaurants in Kyiv: chicken.kiev.ua and afisha.bigmir.net. Major cities also have entertainment guides that mainly offer the addresses of restaurants and clubs without any ranking. Job Search On-line Although the majority of job-search sites have started operations only within the last three years, they are quite well developed. Most of them promote both with job seekers and employers and concentrate on the capital and major cities –though a limited number of vacancies in the regions are available18. Recruiting agencies are represented on-line and offer e-forms for placement in the agency database. Southern oblasts adjacent to the sea have several specialised on-line crewing agencies for seamen19. Politics On-line Ukrainian political life is gradually moving on-line, although its proportion among user inquiries is still small. At the moment, according to data from the MetaUkraine portal20, there are 70 sites belonging to Ukrainian political parties, 42 personal sites belonging to indivitual politicians and 42 politically-oriented news sites. Of these, 70% are regionally situated in Kyiv21. The spring 2002 elections saw the launch and promotion of numerous research firms and institutions that claim to specialise in political affairs and public relations. At least 15 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 www.furshet.com.ua www.samvydav.net/ www.virtep.org/announce.htm www.ukrart.com/ www.muza.Kyiv.ua/ ajob.avanport.com/, www.vakansii.com.ua/, rabota.com.ua/ www.naut.utel.net.ua/, www.midmed.odessa.ua/ 32 2001 21% 6% 6% 8% 7% 18% 13% 6% 3% 0% 29% 2002 24% 20% 15% 14% 14% 8% 7% 0% 0% 0% 22% of them are represented on the Net. The Internet was also widely used in the first hours after the elections to access immediate results. Government Sites There are around 200 sites ending in the gov.ua domain, 70% of them situated in Kyiv22. One of the oldest Ukrainian resources is the site of the Verkhovna Rada, the country’s legislature23. It was established in the fall of 1993. However, the executive branch was rarely on-line until a Jan. 4, 2002, Cabinet Decree on the order of publication of information about the activities of the executive branch in the Internet network. Government structures and departments were obliged to “provide publication and continuous maintenance of information on their own websites in the Internet” in an order determined by the Decree. In particular, the government website is supposed to include: the name of the institution, its main objectives, the legislative base for its activities, its structure and names of top managers, the location of its offices, legislation related to its activities, opening hours, news, and so on. The Cabinet of Ministers site24 serves as a vertical portal for government resources. To date, all the Ministries and 11 of 17 State Committees have launched their own sites. 25 of 27 oblast administrations are also represented on the Web. NGOs On-line Various social services that deal with different aspects of life in Ukrainian society can also be found on-line. A site devoted to consumer protection, www.potrebitel.org.ua, provides legal consultation and information on the safety of new products and services. It also contains a “Cheaters’ Museum,” with examples of bad practices. There are several high-quality Internet sites for people with disabilities. The International Renaissance Foundation-sponsored website for blind people assists with free downloads of specialised software, educational and entertainment programmes25. The Association of disabled IT professionals turned its site into a comprehensive portal 20 21 22 23 24 www.meta-ukraine.com O.P. Golobucki, O.B. Shevchuk, 2002. Electronic Government. Kyiv, Atlant UMS GIPI presentation at the E-governance in Ukraine roundtable, Feb. 8, 2002. www.rada.gov.ua www.kmu.gov.ua SECTION 3 NETWORKED SOCIETY dealing with all aspects of life for disabled people, their problems and special needs26. Despite its comprehensive nature and useful content, the number of visitors remains minimal – only 1,035 visitors registered since the chapter was created. The service has existed since 2000. This is primarily due to the low incomes earned by the disabled and the absence of information networking among them. The Civic Internet portal initiated and implemented by the IRF27 and the UNDP28 aims to facilitate civil capitalization in Ukraine by providing proper IT services for the benefit of the third sector. It also serves as a meeting place for third sector organisations. Its web catalogue provides a snapshot of the type and number of organisations active on-line. Hot Internet topics Source: Meta-Ukraine portal survey, May 2002 Civic organizations on-line On-line Medicine Medical services and institutions alike are represented on Ukrainian websites, although health and medicine are not among the top priorities for users29. Thus, in May 2002, these issues comprised 1.13% of all inquires by Ukrainian users . One example is the vertical portal Mednavigator30, which provides health-related information: health-care publications, professional consultations on-line, pharmaceutical reviews of novel alternative medicine. Drugs can be ordered on-line through an e-drugstore at www.e-apteka.com.ua or tracked through the pricelists of distributors at www.ukrwest.net/~wzrv/ttpharm/index.html. Art unions Children’s rights advocacy organizations City development organizations Civil society and democratic support organizations Commercial and business associations Donors Ecological organizations Educational organizations Health protection organizations Institutes Legal and remedial organizations Mass Media Nationally-oriented organizations Organizations for developing an information society Organizations of national minorities Resource centres Social and political organizations Social services Sports organizations Think-tanks Trade unions Women’s organizations Youth organizations Education Networks Education is second in popularity for Ukrainian Internet users. Educational institutions at all levels, starting from kindergarten, are represented on-line. A useful resource, Educational Network Ukraine at www.ednu.Kyiv.ua, provides information about the educational system in Ukraine, international and domestic scholarships, and links to higher educational institutions and nascent distance learning programmes. In Ukraine, it’s very popular among students to retrieve academic reference materials and papers from the Internet. There are a number of sites that host collections of various ready-made papers, so called “referats”31. In fact, the word “referat” leads the most popular words used for Internet inquiries, according to Meta-Ukraine32. 2 2 4 2 11 13 6 11 6 2 7 4 6 6 7 5 20 2 2 6 9 6 28 Education websites higher institutions special/ vocational education secondary schools educational organisations education abroad training courses 25 26 27 28 michint.hypermart.net/ www.aik.Kyiv.ua/ru/ www.irf.Kyiv.ua/ukr/ www.un.Kyiv.ua www.meta-ukraine.com A-Search www.yandex.ru (Russian search engine) 154 32 65 75 42 101 216 53 36 37 101 71 12 21 13 meta-ukraine.com/WIN/rs/dynamics.asp www.mednavigator.net/ http://referat.svitonline.com/ 32 meta-ukraine.com/WIN/rs/words.asp? 2002-05 29 30 31 33 SECTION 3 NETWORKED SOCIETY ICT in Everyday Life Internet access among users, 2002 though PCs in other place (Internet café, friends, libraries) through PCs at work through PCs at home through PCs at school or university through a mobile and personal organiser (notebook) Internet Penetration and Usage A ccording to data collected by the Ukrainian Marketing Group, the country’s 275,000-327,000 computers owned by private users are used by an average of two persons per household. Private PCs are used for e-mailing, web-surfing and text-processing, as well as for games. PCs are also used for professional activities: programming, database creation and web-design33. There were some interesting results concerning computer literacy and Internet usage by the Ukrainian population. A question about the level of computer literacy was asked in a survey conducted by the Institute of Sociology, March 200234. (See also p. 30) 44% 42% 21% 2% <1% Source: Taylor, Nelson, Sofres: Ukraine in the regular Omnibus Survey, March 2002. Total is greater than 100% because of multiple responses. What is your level of computer literacy? under 30 age 30-54 over 55 ICT in the Workplace computer illiterate can use PC and use it often constantly use PC at work Public Sector Do you use the Internet? under 30 age 30-54 over 55 There are about 279,000 public servants in Ukraine. Public institutions have 150,000 PCs, so the proportion of public service equipped with available PCs is around 54%. • • I don’t need it I need it but I don’t have the possibility I use it at home I use it at work I use Internet cafés/ computer clubs, etc. PC distribution is very uneven. Employees of the National Bank are completely equipped with PCs; there is a high level of PC equipment –over 80%– in the Secretariats of the Cabinet of Ministers, Verkhovna Rada, the Ministry of the Interior, the State Tax Administration and in other ministries and institutions. At the same time, the supply of PCs in local and oblast administrations and in some public institutions is far below the demand for them. 57% 80% 97% 31% 13% 1% 8% 5% 0.5% 68% 80% 98% 22% 2% 6% 17% 1% 3% 2% 0.2% 0.4% 5% 0.5% 0.5% • The banking system, including enterprises that provide different financial services, is 100% equipped with modern personal computers. The majority of private enterprises, particularly SMEs, are highly equipped with PCs: almost every company has at least one PC for accounting, regular operations and business correspondence. Large enterprises, which tend to still be state-run, as a rule, have a relatively low number of PCs. • The business sector outside banks and financial services is characterized by low PC use for production and enterprise management. Many computers are outdated. 286/386 models and others comprise an estimated 30% of all computers in public institutions. Private Sector More and more Ukrainian enterprises are on-line. According to MediaCom, if two years ago there was hardly a single SME corporate website, today almost everyone is on the Internet. There are several reasons for establishing a website, including simply having an Internet presence, landmarking the site for future business promotion, and the desire to use the current capacities of the Internet. According to a survey conducted by UMG, in June 200136 there were more than 600,000 corporate users in Ukraine and over 110,000 companies. Some 6,000 use leased lines, covering more than 111,000 users, and 102,115 companies use a dial-up connection. The presence and distribution of PCs in Ukraine is quite a mixed picture: The Internet services market in Ukraine, UMG. June, 2001 www.cebit.Kyiv.ua/conferences/internet/reports.html 34 Ukrainian society: from election to election. Institute of Sociology. Kyiv. 2002 33 34 35 36 meta-ukraine.com/WIN/rs/subj.asp?2002-05 The Internet services market in Ukraine, UMG. June 2001. www.cebit.Kyiv.ua/index SECTION 4: NETWORKED ECONOMY Despite a confusing and often contradictory legislative environment, the ICT sector is now developing very rapidly in Ukraine. In 2000, the telecommunications share of GNP was 4.2%. At the end of 2001, the number of Internet users in Ukraine ranged, according to different unverified estimates, from 1,200,000 to 1,570,000. Another 500,000 people used the Internet from time to time. The number of mobile Internet or WAP users is estimated at 50,000 and is growing steadily. SECTION 4 NETWORKED ECONOMY A NOTE ON DATA Despite a confusing and often contradictory legislative environment, the ICT sector is now developing very rapidly in Ukraine. In 2000, the telecommunications share of GNP was 4.2%. At the end of 2001, the number of Internet users in Ukraine ranged, according to different unverified estimates, from 1,200,000 to 1,570,000. Another 500,000 people used the Internet from time to time. The number of mobile Internet or WAP users is estimated at 50,000 and is growing steadily. Several sources for economic data exist in Ukraine, including DerzhKomStat or the state statistics committee, the National Bank of Ukraine, UkrTelecom and private companies. In addition, a number of surveys have been conducted on the strength of the IT sector and independent publications have reported useful data. Among them is “High-Tech Navigator,” published by SoftPress Publishing House in cooperation with AVentures and Euroindex, two Ukrainian IT firms –a must-read for those interested in this sector. Numerical data appears in range format when more than one source is used. 80 people and individual professionals providing services to both domestic and foreign markets who have not registered themselves as a company. Some domestic specialists also produce software for their company’s internal use. Problems of salary scale and differences between private and public sectors are common in Ukraine as they are in many other countries. These differences create a vicious cycle where labour prefers employment in the private sector, leaving public institutions behind in terms of available skills quality and quantity, while public sector employees scramble to augment their salaries with additional –and better-paid– activities. A review of the salary scales may be in order to examine and compensate for this trend. Workforce at a Glance 1. About 50,000 people are employed by the software development sector. 2. About 15,000 graduate each year with IT as a component of their universities studies; ICT Employment Opportunities 3. 1,600 graduate with bachelor’s, specialist’s or master’s degrees in IT; Labour 4. 1,000 students graduate with advanced programming studies qualifications. A ccording to the Ukrainian Association of Software Producers, UASP, there are over 800 companies in Ukraine, that is, legal entities with business activity connected with the development, production and distribution of software products and databases, and also with the creation of the infrastructure necessary for their existence and development: investment, communication, and personnel. In addition to this, an uncertain number –5,000-7,000 according to UASP data– of temporary groups ranging from 2 to Figures for other areas may be considerably lower. average net monthly salary developers senior developers testers Quality Assurance managers project managers architecture consultants 350-450 500-800 250-350 700-1,000 800-1,200 1,000-1,800 Source: UASP Unemployment in ITC sector Total registered unemployed information and computer services Total estimated workforce demand information and computer services Average total load per job (people/job) information and computer services Source: Ministry of Labor and Social Policy, State Employment Centre 36 Unemployment in the ICT Sector From 1999-2000, there was an observable decrease of registered unemployment both in the economy as a whole, and in the IT and computer sectors in particular. In 2000, the number of unemployed in these industries fell by 10.5%, while job offers increased 2.4 times, reducing the ratio of applicants per job from 44 to 16. Areas of Specialization Among Programmers Sample IT compensation in Kyiv, USD position Source: Ukrainian Association of Software Developers There are approximately 50,000 software programmers in Ukraine. The main programming languages and application development tools they use are C/C++, Java, Java Script, VB Script, Delphi, CA Visual Objectives, Objective C, Perl, SQL, Fox Pro, HTML, Macromedia Dreamweaver, Visual Basic, Visual C++, Developer 2000, Power Builder, and Home Site. The Internet technologies they apply in their work include: PHP3, CGI, ColdFusion, XML, DHTML, VRML, Flash, Shockwave, ActiveX, Java Beans, MS Internet Site Server, and Apache Web Server. The DBMS and Database tools used include: DB/2, Informix, MS Access, Oracle, ODBC, JDBC, MS SQL Server, and My SQL. Source: UASWD 1999 2000 1,205,000 1,900 51,000 44 24 44 1,188,000 1,700 68,000 106 17 16 SECTION 4 Volume of ICT work by type, 1999 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 IT Consulting software development data processing databases technical service, maintenance of office equipment technical service, maintenance of computer equipment assembling PC, supplying components, accessories, peripherals servicing computer networks, mobile/paging communications R&D in computerization education, training and re-training of IT specialists other activities NETWORKED ECONOMY Harmonization of national legislation with the requirements of the GATT/WTO system. Significant changes have taken place with regards to improving the business environment, covering nearly all sensitive areas of foreign-economic relations. On the telecommunications front, DerzhKomZviazok transformed its International Relations group into the International Relations and European Integration Department. Sec. 13 of the Programme of Integration of Ukraine into EC highlights the integration requirements and specifically addresses ICT issues. Among the important medium-term priorities for 2002-2003 are: • To undertake efforts to approximate current and develop new legislative acts on information and communications according to EU requirements. • To cooperate with the administrations of EU member-states and apply their experience with EU requirements on communications and computerization in approximating and implementing legislation, regulatory and technical acts. • To ensure informational and analytical support in the process of integrating the communications industry, including the accumulation, translation and study of organizational documents of the EU on telecommunications policy, such as guidelines, resolutions and recommendations of the IS General Directorate of EC; to publish methodological materials on the key areas of this process. • To organize the participation of Ukrainian organizations in EU competitions for projects under the Information Society Technologies program and to sign related agreements with the EC. • To engage in cooperation those organizations which have experience working within EC projects under the Telematica, ACTS or Advanced Communications Technologies and Services, ESPRIT, and other programs. • To develop and implement joint international projects. • To organize joint research of opportunities to use up-to-date technologies and software, and the technical means to support the development of e-commerce in Ukraine. • To strategize and form the basis for state policy to support the Ukrainian segment of the Internet, and to facilitate the spread of comprehensive and reliable information about Ukraine. • To create conditions for entering the global information system and to facilitate the access of individuals and legal entities to such resources. ICT Market and Trade D irect foreign investments into Ukrainian enterprises that focus on software production amounted to $7,615,900 at the beginning of 2001. 1,193 enterprises submitted accounting statistics for their software production. Integration With the EU and WTO Accession The Ministry of Economy and European Integration is implementing the requirements of the Secretariat of the Interdepartmental Commission on Ukraine’s joining the World Trade Organization. The Ministry’s efforts in 20002001 resulted in the implementation of the Schedule of A software success story Softline, a Ukrainian software developer, started out as a team of 8 several years ago. Today the company has 300 people in Kyiv and is rapidly expanding in other cities. Softline offers a diverse array of development services, including financial applications such as budget workflow tools, financial analysis, data warehousing, portals, and so on. Softline has implemented a Forex system, Ameritradestyle, based on Oracle, and a stock exchange system. Another project involved addressing public sector needs with an intranet for the State Employment Centre. The government is a key customer, with 30% of revenues coming from the Ministry of Labour, the Cabinet of Ministers, and Air Traffic Control. This year, a major off-shore investment fund bought into the company. 37 SECTION 4 NETWORKED ECONOMY Regional piracy rates CIS countries retail piracy software revenues lost, USD ’000* 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 95% $49,469 92% $44,276 93% $47,477 90% $43,520 89% $29,700 87% $58,434 Source: www.bsa.org/resources/2002-06-10.130.pdf Chambers of Commerce On-line The Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce and Industry has a very useful website at www.ucci.org.ua. The UCC offers several services including: • helping Ukrainian and foreign companies find partners and establishing different forms of business; • foreign commerce consultations; • engaging Ukrainian businesses in conferences, forums and seminars abroad. • inviting and receiving foreign business delegations and individual business representatives in Ukraine; • arranging business conferences, forums and seminars in Ukraine on issues of international commercial cooperation; • arranging business meetings and talks between Ukrainian entrepreneurs and their foreign counterparts on issues of cooperation; • organizing the presentation of foreign companies in Ukraine; • organizing trade missions for Ukrainian entrepreneurs abroad. The European Business Association, a memberbased organization, is very active in lobbying tax, registration certification and other issues that affect business in Ukraine. It has an open website at www.eba.com.ua. The American Chamber of Commerce, a memberbased organization, has a mainly member-only website, with some generic information at www.amcham.Kyiv.ua. The Canadian Business Club meets monthly at the Embassy, but has no Internet presence at this time. Software Market Global piracy sample countries* piracy US Australia Poland Philippines India Ukraine Russia China 25% 27% 53% 63% 63% 87% 88% 94% Source: Softjourn * Etimates of lost revenues may not take into account real consumer buying power and may actually be higher in wealthier countries. countries. Apart from robbing the software industry of revenues, it also reduces the capacity and interest of local software developers to go to market with their offerings, which stifles the market even further. Piracy also affects other fields, from mobile communication to satellite TV, to videotapes and music and DVD production. Fortunately, there is a very gradual but steady downward trend in recent years. Service Exports DerzhKomStat provides official data on the volume of export services connected with software production. Since the transmission of information abroad through the Internet is not regulated by law as a “transfer of intellectual property” and does not require specific registration with customs and tax authorities, real exports of software development services may be much higher than officially stated. There are estimates, made public by UASPD and published by the Russian website www.cnews.ru, that the export of software design services from Ukraine in 2001 exceeded $20 million. The size of a typical Ukrainian company engaged in software development is 15-25 employees, with typical annual revenues in domestic operations running $120180,000. Typical annual revenues for international services are $300-400,000. The hourly rate for time-and-materials-types of contracts are typically $9-25, depending on company experience and reliability. A ccording to a UASP evaluation, the volume of software and related services produced by private Ukrainian companies in 2000 was worth $57-65 million. This figure covers both domestic and export markets, with the export component $32-37 million. The volume of licensed software sold in Ukraine by international companies or their distributors was $13 million in 2000. Piracy Piracy is a very serious problem in Ukraine and other CIS 38 Volumes of software service exports 1998 1999 2000 USD firms 2,434,600 2,384,200 3,165,800 56 38 45 [See also Appendix A pp. 59-60] SECTION 4 NETWORKED ECONOMY Computer services transfer, USD millions 1999 Export of computer services share of total export share of previous year Import share of total import share of previous year Balance For reference: Total export of services Total import of services 2000 3.9 2001 5.9 0.1% 89% 7.6 0.2% 153% 11.7 0.2% 128% 13.3 1.0% 61% 17.3 1.0% 114% -7.8% 1.5% 130% -7.4% 3,613.9 1,113.2 -9.6% 3,486.8 1,360.8 3,544.7 1,148.4 Source: DerzhKomStat Largest trading partners in computer services, USD millions Total Australia Austria Belgium Germany Latvia Russian Federation Switzerland United Kingdom United States of America export 1999 import balance (+/-) export 2001 import balance (+/-) 3.90 0.30 0.40 0.02 1.00 0.01 0.30 0.20 0.01 0.60 11.7 0.6 0.8 2.2 0.2 1.5 0.4 1.8 0.8 -7.8 0.3 -0.2 -0.8 -1.2 -0.2 -1.2 -0.3 -1.8 -0.2 5.50 0.20 0.10 0.20 1.30 0.01 0.30 0.10 0.20 1.50 11.6 0.4 0.3 3.5 0.4 0.5 0.1 4.4 0.9 -6.1 0.2 -0.3 -0.2 -2.2 -0.4 -0.2 0.0 -4.3 0.6 Source: DerzhKomStat Types of computer services transfer and Trends in computer services transfer... see Appendix A pp. 59- 60 Computer Market Dynamics of computer services transfer, 1995-2001 V arious sources report that 370,000 to 400,000 personal computers were sold in the Ukrainian market, an annual growth rate of 17-22%. This includes annual notebook sales of about 10,000 units. These figures can be confirmed against the number of monitors sold in Ukraine, which was 360,000-390,000 units. This correlates with data provided by Samsung, the leader in monitor sales in Ukraine, with a market share of 40-50%, given that some buyers of computers have existing monitors that they do not replace. The largest portion of PC sales is shared among BMS, E-service, ICS, Inkom, K-trade, Kvazar-Micro, and Versia. Electronic Commerce IT companies by specialization services E -commerce in Ukraine is still in its infancy and has not yet achieved the critical mass necessary to “pull” the market towards it. Although it has many benefits compared to regular commerce –wide access, low start-up and operating costs, automated sales processes, high payback, equal opportunities for businesss in both the capital and the provinces–, and though the number of Internet shops is growing quickly, they do not earn enough significant profits for their owners, compared to conventional business or similar businesses abroad. creating/supporting accounting systems developing Web pages/products/technologies creating software by outsourcing, developing new technical products delivering/installing/supporting complex ERP systems, including workflow developing/installing/supporting ERP systems creating industrial/consumer/legislative databases share 40% 40% 35% 15% 4-6% 2-3% 39 SECTION 4 Delovaya Stolitsa, a Kyiv weekly paper, Nº24, 17.06.2002 ISPs Wait for Their First Million A turning point By A. Kuzmenko © In 2001, the estimated volume of the Ukrainian Internet advertising market was about $500,000. Compared to 2000, this reflected a growth of 100%. The dynamics of the first months of 2002 show that growth rates this year are higher and the $1 million benchmark will certainly be exceeded. The Ukrainian Internet advertising market is maturing. More and more Ukrainian companies either already use the Internet for advertising, or are studing the possibilities of attracting new clients and increasing brand awareness through the Web. “Last year was a turning point. It’s easier to negotiate with clients now,” says Nelia Chernyshuk, sales director for Mediacom, an Internet advertising agency. “Practically all large companies have their own high-quality websites and they’re carefully studying us. They’re clearly interested in promoting their services on the Internet.” One can add to this a long list of large international companies that have started to incorporate Internet advertising in their Ukrainian budgets: Coca-Cola, Renault, BMW, Reemstma, Nestle, Oriflame and others. The potential audience for Internet advertising is also growing. «Spylog-Ukraine» reports that today there are around 2 million Internet users nationwide and it’s been growing very year by over 150%. By the end of this year, it may well reach 4-5 million users. Other experts may not be quite as optimistic, but even they expect 3.5-4 million users by the end of 2002. The reasons for this are several: the lack of payment systems and legislation; mistrust or ignorance of e-commerce opportunities among large and medium businesses; a lack of intermediaries and specialists in this sphere; low numbers of Internet users in Ukraine; and insufficient trust on the part of potential buyers. Policy Several legislative acts, rarely enforced and with varying degrees of practical significance, govern the area of e-commerce in Ukraine: • on electronic documents and electronic workflow; • on digital signatures; • on national informational resources; • on protection of personal data; • on control over information security in data transmission networks. NETWORKED ECONOMY April, according to DerzhKomStat, as reported in Ukrainian News. Mobile communications services made up 21.3% of total sector revenues. The number of mobile communications subscribers rose by 3.6%, to 2.74 million in May. According to the adjusted data of DerzhKomStat, in April the incomes of mobile communications operators totalled UAH 171.2 million, a decrease of 5.6% over March, rather than an increase by 83.2% to UAH 332.1 million. In 2001, the revenues of mobile operators totalled UAH 2.02 billion, of that UAH 973.3 million for JanuaryMay. Advertising Web-based advertisements, although still small, is doubling in size every year. B2C T he main B2B activity in Ukraine today is publishing on-line information related to specific goods and services. Businesses do not yet see e-commerce as their priority, as cost-savings are limited and other areas of business, such as the automation of accounting, personnel, inventory management and so on, are more pressing. From the customer’s perspective, Ukraine –like most of Eastern Europe– has no historical tradition of mail-order shopping, so there is no natural move among consumers from hard-copy to the Internet as many other countries have. Most people still prefer personal interaction in buying and selling. In addition, payment systems do not yet support on-line businesses and many companies do not want to post their offerings and prices on the Internet for fear of disclosing sensitive information either to the competition or to the tax office. However, several B2C sites exist and a sample is shown in Section 3. The best-known Ukrainian system of Internet commerce is the Centre INT-Commerce or CIC at www.int- Leaders in cards issued Internet On the communication side, IP telephony services make up about 1-1.5% of the international calls market in Ukraine, worth $7-12,000,000 per year. According to surveys conducted by Utel, 110 operators provide IP telephony services in Ukraine today. Wireless The incomes of mobile communications operators totalled UAH 186 million in May 2002, an increase of 8.7% over 40 * the former state industrial investment bank † known as PUMB in Ukrainian ** the state savings bank SECTION 4 NETWORKED ECONOMY ATM dynamics, Q1 2002 cash dispensers pay terminals increase % change total domestic international 133 285 7% 2% 1,779 13,250 330 791 1,492 12,499 Cards issued in Ukraine, Q1 2002 increase % change total 8.0% 32.0% 1,082,000 2,970,000 1,724,000 1,179,000 67,000 4,052,000 Physical Support Infrastructure domestic international VISA Europay other total 81,000 720,000 801,000 19.7 commerce.com. Only bank-registered credit cards holders are allowed to use this payment system and although the CIC project has been operating for quite a long-time, it still has the status of a pilot project. Today e-shops like Bambook, which sells books, periodicals and CDs, Dukat, which provides office supplies and equipment, and Likon, which carries contact lenses, are part of the CIC system. Consumers can also subscribe to periodicals at Ukrposhta on-line, using the same system. The only client bank on the system is Aval. PrivatBank has announced its own system of on-line payments through Visa and EuroCard/MasterCard. Any holder of these cards can apparently use it pay for goods and services within the country. International Card Payment Systems According to the National Bank of Ukraine, at the end of Q1 2002, 61 banks or 32% of all commercial banks of Ukraine were members of domestic and international payment systems and issue payment cards, both debit and ATM. 31 banks directly participate in the payment systems. B2B T oo many components are still not in place to create an effective B2B environment, such as agencies to handle Certificates of Authority and Internet Digital Signatures. Some IT-related industries do carry out goods and services transactions using Internet applications, but payments are still carried out by conventional means. Kvazar-Micro, a Kyiv-based computer company, has designed its own B2B system: any company which wants to become a KM partner registers with its website, after which it can place orders, secure stock and transact electronically with the timely delivery of goods. Despite the absence of COAs, all the transactions are secured by a proprietary certification system called KM e-business. This novel approach has won recognition from the European headquarters of Intel, the international chip maker. Transport D omestic parcel delivery is largely supported by Ukrposhta. International express couriers such as UPS, DHL, and FedEx have also operated in Ukraine for many yearas. In addition, the country has a well-developed, if illmaintained road and railroad infrastructure, with connections to major European, Russian and CIS cities. The Ukrainian airline system has domestic connections to all major centres, and international connections to major European cities, neighbouring countries and the US. The cost of transportation is low domestically, but tends to be above European averages for international shipments. Postal Service UkrPoshta, the post office, at www.poshta.Kyiv.ua, is 100% government-owned. It has been diversifying its Internet services, offering free e-mail from a user-friendly website. However, a list of Internet-based services and fees was not available. Customs Customs has an automated system of cargo control and payment integrated via communications system including satellite communications, with all border and customs checkpoints. IT Parks I T parks are at the initial stages of development because of a lack of capital and organizational structures. In Kharkiv in May 2002, a conference was convened to establish parks as separate economic zones and seven protocols of intent were signed there. However, outside small groups and public initiatives, the business model of western-style techno-parks does not yet exist in Ukraine. One the reason is the limited amounts of venture capital. UkrInfoTechs is a techno-park for IT and telecom-related applications. It is a government-oriented consortium of companies established by presidential decree. Start-up Support Because Ukraine has not yet developed a formal system to help bring ideas to the market, support for start-ups is very limited and informal. This limits private R&D in software and hardware innovation markets and relegates the country to working mainly with technology from abroad, rather than producing its own. 41 SECTION 4 NETWORKED ECONOMY The Ysea Techno-park www.spea.lviv.ua/tehnopark/index_eng.html T he science-based technological park called YSEA Techno-Park is one of the first regional R&D associations in Ukraine, created for the intensive development and implementation of advanced technologies. The park was established with the assistance and support of the L’viv Regional State Administration, L’viv Polytechnical University, the Western Scientific Centre of the National Academy of Sciences, the Research Assistance Foundation, Halytski Investitsiyi, an investment company, and other foundations. According to their website, the main goal of the science-based technological park’s is the promotion of innovation through the creation of modern high technologies, the incorporation of high-tech into industrial SMEs, and the establishment of attractive conditions for the transfer of technology. This could become a basic factor in spurring competition and ensuring sustainable social and economic development in Ukraine. The incorporation of high-tech into industrial SMEs will allow: Venture Capital There is a formal but stagnating seed and reseed market. An estimated $1 billion has been invested in the last 10 years, about a quarter of total investments in Ukraine. Today, it is difficult to find financial resources for venture capital enterprises. In Ukraine, IPOs exist even if the stock market is quite weak. Six venture capital companies are investing in the country at the moment: AVentures, Commercial Capital Enterprises, Euroventures, ING Barings Vostock Fund, the Western NIS Enterprise Fund and US-based SigmaBleyzer. Investments peaked in 1999-2000. Specifically in the field of IT, these investors have completed only six deals. Among them, SigmaBleyzer closed two in offshore software development, one cable company, and an ISP called P5 that is now out of business. Barings Vostock invested in Golden Telecom, and has done well, with 88% ROI upon exit. In total, it is estimated that about $30-35 million is still available in total investments in all sectors in Ukraine today. A website published at www.necin.com.ua/engl/Finance/technopark_group.htm mentions investments institution by type. Equity Market There are only a few examples of IPOs in Ukraine, and none involving IT companies. The retail equity market is non-existent as the stock market is limited to blue chip, professional traders because of the costs involved. Tax Environment There are no specific tax incentives or other facilitations for the IT industry. 42 • the development of key industrial technologies; • the development of infrastructures for sciencebased technological parks to accelerate the growth of high-tech industry; • the integration and mobilization of R&D resources to achieve synergistic effects; • the implementation of the R&D Industrial Information Infrastructure program; • sustainable social and economic development; • international cooperation in R&D and technology transfers; • conditions for broad-based scientific-technological education. Financial Infrastructure T he Interbank payment system is well developed in Ukraine and interbank transactions are conducted almost exclusively through electronic applications. However, Internet gateways and e-commerce-ready applications that encourage B2B transactions have not yet been developed. Among these are key systems such as Internetbased digital signatures, certificates of authority, encryption and so on. This deficiency is slowing down the development of e-commerce services. Electronic Inter-Bank Payment System Ukraine’s political orientation in the early 1990s was towards the formation of a free market economy. This resulted in drastic changes in the country’s banking sector. The commercialisation of state-owned banks, the formation of a number of new commercial banks, and an everincreasing number of businesses contributed to strong public interest in an automated payments system. It was expected that such a system would speed up bank settlements, as well as increase their reliability and security. Every day of delay in the creation of such a system resulted in significant losses both to the state and to businesses, due to rising inflation, delays in settlements, and the use of fraudulent payment documents. Given the insufficient level of computerization in Ukraine, this system could not be developed “from the bottom up”, that is, by means of a gradual voluntary merger of individual banks’ electronic settlements into a unified system. The National Bank of Ukraine had to impose both its strategy and its technology on commercial banks, in order to ensure the creation of an electronic interbank payment system. At the same time, it had to consider the full range of financial capacities of the banks and the skill levels of their SECTION 4 NETWORKED ECONOMY Internet Incubators Who created i-Nest www.i-nest.com.ua i-Nest is one of the first Internet incubators in Ukraine set up to “nurture” Internet projects. i-Nest is the brainchild of Euroindex, a Kyiv-based marketing company known for organizing some of Ukraine’s largest trade shows –such as EnterEX for IT and REX for advertising and marketing–, for holding Internet advertising competitions, publishing Office magazine, and other projects. Why i-Nest is needed Who helps i-Nest Very often, developers of a promising Internet project lack sufficient funds to implement it. It is impossible for novices to launch projects on their own: they have to pay for design, programming and initial promotion. In addition to the lack of money, they often lack of professional knowledge in marketing, logistics, finances, and business planning. Moreover, there is a need for technical, legal and accounting support. The Internet Incubator provides all of this. The First Tuesday Kyiv Team O. Drozdovich, patent attorney The Agency of Commercial Graphics Actis/Armitage Web Agency i-Nest What i-Nest wants i-Nest’s mission is to help beginning Internet entrepreneurs get fast commercial results and competitive advantages, and gain experience in management and marketing. i-Nest’s mission is to contribute to the development of promising projects which could provide services and contribute to the development of the Ukrainian segment of the Internet as a whole. What interests i-Nest To interest i-Nest, a project should be concrete, easily implemented, and at least potentially profitable. i-Nest is interested in vertical or specialized projects devoted to specific existing industries. At this time, i-Nest has three active projects in its portfolio. What doesn’t interest i-Nest - global “superprojects” on a national scale; - projects that rely on banner advertising; - projects from authors who cannot work in a team. How to contact i-Nest Send a message to i-nest@i-nest.com.ua. What i-Nest does not want i-Nest is interested in long-term development, not Internet speculation. It provides new Internet businesses with not only start-up support, but also long-term support, to insure they can compete and survive in today’s economic conditions. What i-Nest has going www.whoiswho.com.ua A directory of Ukrainian state bodies and officials. www.all-hotels.com.ua An on-line hotel booking service How i-Nest works i-Nest accepts and evaluates applications from the authors of promising projects. If i-Nest is interested, cooperation will be offered and the financial and legal conditions of further work are negotiated. www.chicken.Kiev.ua An on-line guide to Kyiv restaurants with on-line reservation. Winner of Web Project 2000, a national competition, as “Best Internet business.” A history of the Electronic Inter-Bank Payment System January 1993 NBU board and senior management decide to develop EIPS. August 1993 The first 5 Ukrainian banks begin participating in EIPS. September 1993 Wide-scale linking of banks to EIPS begins. January 1994 100% of Ukrainian banks are connected to EIPS. January 1995 100% of Ukrainian banks use special hardware for encrypting payment instructions. September 1995 100% of Ukrainian banks use digital signatures. January 1996 EIPS changes to multicurrency mode with direct gateway to S.W.I.F.T. January 1998 EIPS incorporates International Accounting Standards March 2001 The new NBU Urgent Funds Transfer System starts up. 43 SECTION 4 staff, as well as its own limited access to funds. These realities are reflected in the main features in the system today: 1) low costs in the system’s development, operation and technical maintenance; 2) reliability and compatibility of system hardware and software; 3) short terms of implementation; 4) operational simplicity of hardware, especially simplicity of applications for commercial banks; 5) short terms and low costs in training staff. Online Banking Almost all banks offer bank-to-consumer services for a fee. This includes bank-related services such as on-line statements, electronic transactions, bill payment, and so on. E-Government T he history of computerization efforts by various government institutions goes back to the early 1950s, but there is no qualitative indication as to what use this equipment was put to. The Verkhovna Rada, Ukraine’s legislature, has a powerful information database containing more than 100,000 different legal documents, from the Constitution to regulatory acts of the ministries and institutions, laws, presidential decrees, resolutions and instructions from the Cabinet of Ministers and so on. This legislative information is updated on a daily basis, and it is in great demand. Information services are provided through a website called www.rada.kyiv.ua, which has around 3,000 visitors a day browsing an average 20,000 legislative documents. Source: Viktor Lysystskyi, Cabinet secretariat There are a number of websites which provide useful information about both national and regional government agencies and activities. Some of these websites are available in the footnotes to Section 3. 44 NETWORKED ECONOMY Central and regional computerization government institution Pension Fund Ministry of Fuel and Energy Secretariat of Verkhovna Rada State Customs Service State Treasury Ministry of the Interior Ministry of Transport Ministry of Economy and European Integration State Property Fund Ministry of Labor and Social Policy State Tax Administration Ministry of Health Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ministry of Emergencies and Chornobyl Ministry of Agrarian Policy Ministry of Finance Ministry of Education and Science Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources Ministry of Justice Secretariat of the Cabinet of Ministers Chief Control and Audit Department Regional executive governments Total Source: V. Lysystskyi, Cabinet Secretariat date 1994 1995 1995 1996 1996 1996 1996 computers 12,000 430 900 7,300 9,500 11,600 330 1996 1997 1998 1999 1999 1999 850 640 12,000 38,000 60 500 1999 2000 2000 2001 500 250 700 270 2002 2002-3 800 200 2002-3 600 - 1,070 1,950 100,450 SECTION 4 NETWORKED ECONOMY E-Government milestones date action Ukraine is a republic of the USSR 25 December 1951 First small electronic computing machine in Continental Europe is put into operation in Kyiv. Beginning of 1960s The development and introduction of automated production management systems begins. 1960s to1991 An estimated 120,000-140,000 specialists worked in the soviet IT sector. 1991 Ukraine becomes Independent 24 March 1992 A resolution is passed by the Presidium of Verkhovna Rada to develop bills on computerization and data protection. 13 March 1995 A Presidential Decree is signed on establishment a National Agency on Informatisation. 04 February 1998 Two laws are passed: on the National IT Program and approving objectives of the NIP for 1998-2000. 14 July 2000 A Presidential Decree is signed on improving the provision of data and analysis to the President and Government bodies. 31 July 2000 A Presidential Decree is signed on activities to develop the national component of the global Internet information network and ensuring wide access in Ukraine. 11 August 2000 A Cabinet Resolution is passed on setting up an Information Resource Centre within the apparatus of the Cabinet of Ministers. Beginning of 2001 The construction of a computer network at Government House begins, involving 2,400 workstations. 06 May 2001 A Cabinet Resolution calls for the approval of a program to computerize secondary and rural school during 2001-2003. 21 August 2001 A Cabinet Instruction approves activities to implement in 2002 the General Directions of Social Policy for 2004, envisaging the development of software for an automated data and analysis system for allocating and paying pensions. 09 October 2001 A Presidential Decree calls for additional measures to ensure the development of education, specifying the need to prioritize the computerization of education within the framework of the NISP for 2002 and further. 04 January 2002 A Cabinet Resolution is passed on procedures for placing information about the activities of the Executive on the Internet in order to improve conditions for the development of democracy, support the Constitutional rights of citizens to participate in state governance and to free access to information about the activities of the Executive and its agents, and to ensure openness and transparency of such activities. The resolution calls on the Cabinet Secretariat, MinEcon, DerzhKomZviazok, and the SBU to facilitate the development and implementation of a unified web-portal for the Cabinet of Ministers in order to integrate information resources that Executive bodies place on the Internet. 45 SECTION 4 46 NETWORKED ECONOMY SECTION 5: NETWORK POLICY The process of developing an information technology infrastructure –“informatisation” in Ukrainian– is covered by a number of laws and resolutions. These regulate the development and implementation of the National Information Systems Program, determine parallel branch and regional programs and projects as its components, facilitate the integration of these processes at all levels, and determine the mechanisms for interaction. SECTION 5 NETWORK POLICY National IS Program T he process of developing an information technology infrastructure –“informatisation” in Ukrainian– is covered by a number of laws and resolutions: 1. The Law “On the National Information Systems Program.” 2. The Law “On the approval of the Concept of the National IS Program.” 3. Cabinet Resolution Nº1352 of 31.08.98 “On approving of the Provision to develop and implement a National IS Program.” 4. Cabinet Resolution Nº644 of 12.04.2000 “On approving the procedures for developing and implementing a regional IS program and project.” National Information Resource System To integrate and support a systemic approach to the development efforts in this area, a concept to form a National Information Resource System was developed. This contains the strategy for solving technological, organizational and legal issues in establishing and operating the NIRS. Financing the NISP The law on approving NISP objectives for 1998-2000 was adopted in 1998 and determined the major objectives, targeted state clients, and expected results. It called for a three-year budget in the amount of UAH 71,761,000 or about $35 mn in 1998 hryvnia. Today this budget is worth only about $13.5 million. Insufficient financing is the main reason for the failure of government clients to fulfill the entire objectives of the NISP. The NISP plan for 2002 focuses on implementing integrational objectives/projects in the IT sector. Priorities for 2002 include to: 5. Cabinet Resolution Nº1702 of 18.12.2001 “On approving the procedures to develop and implement a branch IS program and project.” 1. improve organizational, legal and regulatory provisions to build an information society and introduce electronic document circulation; These regulate the development and implementation of the National IS Program, determine parallel branch and regional programs and projects as its components, facilitate the integration of these processes at all levels, and determine the mechanisms for interaction. 2. develop current system for standardization in the national information system; Legal and Regulatory Support A ctivities implemented within the National IT Program are aimed at developing regulatory and methodological documents; creating information and analytical systems and their components to support state government functions, such as local computer networks, software and technical systems, databases, and so on; and developing and implementing information security systems. 3. create and develop integrated systems of data and analytical support to government bodies. Priority goes to the Administration, the Verkhovna Rada, the Cabinet of Ministers, the National Security Council, and the Ministries of Finance, Economy and Defense; 4. create a WEB-portal for the Cabinet as an element of e-government; 5. develop the Ukrainian segment of the Internet and expand services provided in this market segment; 6. create a data and analysis system to support local executive governments; Standardization Basic state standards and a system of state certification of IT and information-telecommunication systems have been developed within the framework of policy formulations and organizational-regulatory provisions for computerization and a concept for a unified state standards system for documenting technological and software designs and automated systems. A set of draft state standards for the IT sphere has been prepared. 7. develop a financial and monetary system, and agencies to oversee state finances and the economy; 8. Improve data and analytical support to science, education, culture and medicine. Planned vs budgeted NISP funding 1998 1999 2000 2001 48 costs for NISP according to the 1998-2000 law, UAH ’000 15,000 29,880 27,900 - allocations to NISP in annual Budget, UAH ’000 15,000 10,000 5,000 8,000 actual financing, UAH ’000 0 300 4,835 4,284.2 SECTION 5 Policies and Coordination The Government, with Decree Nº3 of January 4, 2002, required all government institutions to provide information on their activity in the Internet and even specified the nature of the information to be provided. At the moment, there are over 160 sites where government bodies provide information on their activities and staff. A common portal with the Cabinet of Ministers is to be launched by the end of 2002. Coordinating Councils The National IS Program for each subsequent year is to be drafted by the Scientific-Technical Council of the National IS Program. This council is a consultative body under the leadership of DerzhKomZviazok and it includes representatives of government IT departments, scientists, and IT business. Each Ministry or Oblast administration has an IT division in its structure, which is responsible for internal IT development. This division reports to the deputy head of each institution. Budget Allocations Modest though it is, there is a budget covering deployment of workplace IT solutions and workflow systems in some of the oblast, state administrations and Ministries. Although not in force yet, the Secretariat of the Cabinet of Ministers is introducing an integrated workflow system funded by NISP 2002 in the amount of $300,000. The pilot integrated info-support system is to be developed for the oblast state administrations at a total cost to NISP for the year 2002 of about $400,000. Telecommunications Regulation A Brief History P rior to 1991, the Soviet Ministry of Telecommunication directly manage regional telecommunication enterprises across the entire Soviet Union. In Ukraine, these services were administered by regional enterprises operating at the oblast level. Once Ukraine became independent, it took seven years to consolidate all state-owned oblast enterprises into a national company, which took the name of UkrTelecom. The years between 1995, when the first Communication Law (see below) was drafted, and 1998, when UkrTelecom was established, were very critical for the development of telecommunication. This is because the law introduced some amount of liberalization, at the same time as there was no established national operator. As a result, many small private operators emerged at the national and regional level, and began competing with state-owned provincial enterprises. Typical business practices at that time included using personal connections and bribes as the principal drivers to success. Government efforts to establish UkrTelecom were in essence intended to increase the effectiveness of the legacy it inherited from the Soviet system while, at the same 1 NETWORK POLICY time, guaranteeing services and paving the road to eventual privatization, a process that is currently in progress. Today, UkrTelecom has 85% of the market of fixed local telecommunication, 95% of long distance and, together with its subsidiary, Utel, 92% of conventional international telephony . 1 Regulating Bodies DerzhKomZviazok is the de facto regulator of communication, which includes telecommunication and post, in Ukraine today. The Committee reports directly to the Cabinet of Ministers and the President. The first vice premier has supervisory functions over the Committee, which has the functionality of a Ministry of Post and Telecommunications: • licensing, • tariff regulations, • frequency spectrum management, • telephone number management, • policy-making and preparation of draft laws, • management of public shares in state-owned communication companies; • relations with international bodies, international regulations and Eurointegration; • drafting a budget and implementing NISP budget. The State Commission for Radio Frequencies and Communication is responsible for coordinating ministerial activities related to the management of the national telecommunication system, managing RF distribution and use, dealing with equipment compatibility, and so on. The Commission, consisting of 23 commissioners from various agencies, is the main advisory body to Government for radio-based communications. The Main RF Management Department is subordinated to the Cabinet, and manages the use and distribution of the RF spectrum. In addition, several other bodies have varying roles in regulating the environment of telecommunication, broadcast, monopoly, and so on: 1. MinEcon: The Ministry of Economy and European Integration participates in elaborating and implementing the national strategy for social and economic development, setting mechanisms for putting the strategy into effect, and improving the system of measures aimed at supporting economic independence. 2. National Security & Defense Council: A coordinating body advising the President on national securi- DerzhKomStat 49 SECTION 5 ty and defense. Includes the Interdepartmental Commission on Information Policy and Security. 3. DerzhKomInform: The State Committee for Information Policy, Radio and Television Broadcasting prepares in propositions that shape state policy in the information and publishing sectors, promotes their implementation, and handles the overall management in these domains, as well as interdepartmental coordination and functional regulation of issues within its powers. 4. Special Telecommunications Systems and Information Protection Department of the NSDC: Implements state policy in regards to the protection of state information resources in network data transfer, cryptographic and specialized data protection. Also manages the state system of government communications. 5. National Radio and Television Council: In charge of licensing radio and TV companies, formulates and implements policy in this sector. An eight-members body, four of whom are appointed by the president and four by the Verkhovna Rada. The NRTC licenses cable and broadcast operators alike. 6. Anti-Monopoly Committee and the State Property Fund: Since the communications sector is subject to anti-monopoly control, the AMC regulates the monopoly position of certain operators. The SPF is in charge of issues related to the privatization of UkrTelecom, the national telecoms operator. NETWORK POLICY As is often the case, no single law distinctly defines the terms “communications” and “general communications,” setting the ground for ambiguous interpretation of many provisions and leaving the issue of monopoly on communications services open. To foster market reform, in 1992 Ukraine adopted the Law limiting monopolism and banning unfair competition in business activities. Under this law, UkrTelecom, the national communications operator, is regarded as a monopolist and its activity as subject to anti-monopoly regulations. With the state’s backing, however, UkrTelecom has consistently won lawsuits and is essentially given carte blanche to abuse its monopolist position. Within the framework of the privatization programme, the Law concerning the privatization of UkrTelecom was adopted. It provides for 50%+1 share to remain state-owned, bans changing the company’s profile, and so on. Although its privatization had been scheduled for 2001, it has not been implemented. Today, a global recession and trouble in the worldwide telecoms industry are not increasing the chances of sale in the near future. Licensing A number of services in the IT sector are subject to licensing. The general validity period of a license is three years and the cost of issuing the license is about $64 for: • developing, producing and trading in special technical devices for acquiring data from communications channels and other mechanisms of covert information collection; • elaborating producing, using, operating, certification testing, researching, expertly evaluating, importing and exporting cryptosystems and tools for cryptographic data protection; providing services in cryptographic data protection; trading in cryptosystems and tools for cryptographic data protection; • elaborating, producing, applying, maintaining, providing services, researching systems and tools for technical data protection; 7. Verkhovna Rada: As the legislature, it handles general policies and legislation. Source: GIPI/Internews Legislation Ukraine has a number of communication laws that are in the process of being reviewed. A comprehensive review of Ukrainian laws is published at www.rada.gov.ua and www.liga.ua. The principal laws are: • • 50 The 1995 Law on Communication (#160/95) performed an important function by putting an end to the practice of non-payment of mass media for broadcasting frequencies. The 1992 Law on Communications (#160/92) prohibited granting exclusive rights for performing any kind of activity in the communications sector to enterprises, entities, establishments and organizations of all ownership forms, apart from activity related to the protection of the state’s interests, national security and defense. General communications are defines as a natural monopoly by the 2000 Law on Natural Monopolies (#1692). Other activities have varying licensing fees and validity periods: • providing radio communication services using RF. Such licenses are valid for a period of 10 years and cost about $641; • providing telephone communications services, except public administration institutions. Such licenses are valid for a period of 15 years and the maximum fee is about $65,000; • maintaining TV, radio and cable broadcasting networks within an industrial operation. Such licenses are valid for a period of 5 years and their maximum cost is about $190. SECTION 5 NETWORK POLICY Lacking a clear definition of the term “telephone communications,” Ukraine has run into constant problems with companies providing IP telephony services, attributed by the Cabinet of Ministers to the telephone services providers (see below). Consequently, they are charged license fees, though current legislation does not define IP telephony or license terms for its operators. The 1995 Law on Communications brought into effect the requirement for all technical devices and equipment applied in networks for general use to be certified according to the standards of current standardization and certification legislation. Despite bilateral intergovernment agreements with Belarus, Armenia, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova and Russia on mutual recognition of certification, no mechanisms were put into effect. The certification waiting period is at least two months, which significantly hampers import: within this time-span, the owner of a shipment cannot use the product and is obliged to pay bonded warehouses fees. Source: GIPI/Internews Should its privatization ever materialize, UkrTelecom’s main selling point is its de facto monopoly over fixed-line services. Although it has theoretically faced competition in this sphere since 1992, the fact remains that UkrTelecom presides over all but a tiny percentage of the country’s local loop and national infrastructure. At the end of 2001, it had installed 9.19 million main lines, 8.67 million of which were in service. During 2001-2002 it moved to tighten its stranglehold on the sector even further by taking full control of the country’s second largest fixed line operator, Utel, after purchasing stakes held by western operators, AT&T and Deutsche Telekom, and BrokBiznesBank, a local bank. The move was viewed by many as a bid by UkrTelecom to make itself more attractive to foreign investors. Utel holds a 15-year license to offer long-distance and international telephony, and since 1992 has been installing a national digital backbone. It has two international exchanges, in Kyiv and L’viv, and has direct connections with more than 50 international telephony operators in 45 countries. Source: www.citresearch.com/dee/dee/ukr_a.htm Privatizing UkrTelecom T he partial privatization of UkrTelecom has long been imminent, but has been repeatedly delayed since December 1999 when, as a prerequisite to any sale, it was transformed from a state enterprise into a joint stock company. Following the latest postponement in 2001, the divestment of 49% of UkrTelecom by the state is now expected to take place sometime in late 20023. UkrTelecom UkrTelecom was, until the end of 2000, 100% publicly owned. The company is in the process of a privatization that will eventually include 51% state ownership and not less than 26% investor ownership, allocated through open tender. The privatization of UkrTelecom is the key to restructuring the sector, as it will improve transparency and put competition on an equal footing for all telecom operators. As it stands now, although progress has been made, it seems to be far from complete and there has been considerable delay for a number of organizational, institutional, and political reasons. The privatization of UkrTelecom will signify the first concrete step in bringing together the much divided public and private telecom operator communities in Ukraine. Foreign Ownership T here are legal restrictions on foreign ownership of telecommunication-related enterprises, including TV and broadcast. Under Sec. 2, Art. 13, Para. 4 of the Law on broadcasting, the statutory funds of any organization involved in radio or television cannot include more than 30% foreign investment. All such ventures are under the control of the NRTC. Fixed Telephony 2 3 UMC 51%2 Utel 90% Ukrainian Wave 24% Infocom 51% Telesystems of Ukraine 9.9% Telecominvest 26% Universal Service T here are no requirements in the law or any other regulation for fixed-based operators to cover any specific amount of territory. However, since UkrTelecom is the stateowned operator and has the de facto monopoly, the management of the company is addressing this issue in order to remain viable and responsible to the needs of the country. 26% as of Nov. 5, 2002. 25% was sold to MTS of Russia. At the time of publication, 2002 was drawing to a close, and the much-vaunted sale had not taken place. Word from the SPF was a sale might take place in 2003. 51 SECTION 5 Universal service was hence addressed solely by UkrTelecom and today there is a penetration rate in rural areas of 8 lines per 100 inhabitants, compared to the national average of 22 per 100. From the financial viewpoint, since universal service is rarely profitable, the service is crossfinanced by subsidization coming from a percentage of UkrTelecom’s and Utel’s international voice traffic revenues. However, with the advent of IP telephony, the revenues available to finance universal service have substantially decreased, an estimated 20-25% in the last three years4. In universal service, the system of cross-subsidizing local telephony at the expense of long-distance, international, and other communications is increasingly losing its efficiency because of intensified competition in the market and the advent of new technologies, in particular, IPtelephony. Moreover, the system does not ensure any control over the usage of surplus revenues from artificially-inflated prices for certain services. In addition, accessibility of services achieved through underrated tariffs for local communications slows down network development, and this A warning from the US Dept. of State BRAMA, January 22, 2002, 9 am ET INTERNATIONAL COPYRIGHT, U.S. & FOREIGN COMMERCIAL SERVICE AND U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, 2002. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED OUTSIDE OF THE UNITED STATES. 1. UkrTelecom is a state-owned corporation that administers the national wire-line infrastructure, including 72,000 pay phones A regular payphone in Ukraine is used for local calls only. The payment is made either with tokens or prepaid cards that are valid only in the city of issue. To date, 44,000 existing payphones have been upgraded to card phones. Prepaid cards are manufactured in Kyiv and in Odesa using imported elements. 2. To upgrade the national network of card phones to international standards, UkrTelecom introduced a single national prepaid phone card valid for local, long-distance, and international calls in 1999. So far, only 16,690 public phones have been upgraded to provide local, long distance and international calls. Phone sets are manufactured by a Ukrainian-Italian joint venture located in the city of Khmelnitskiy. Source: Hi-tech Panorama, August 2001 3. One of the main problems in developing the system of public payphones is artificially low tariffs for local calls. As most customers use public phones for local calls only, prepaid cards of small nominations are unprofitable, because profit generated by local loop calls doesn’t cover the prepaid card’s production cost. In the meantime, the growing market for mobile telecommunications is successfully competing with public payphones and limits investments in this industry subsector. 4. U.S. investors and equipment suppliers are urged to exercise caution before concluding transactions in Ukraine. Post suggests consulting the Country Commercial Guide available at: http: //www.usatrade.gov and discussing prospective investments with Embassy staff, the American Chamber of Commerce, accounting firms, legal counsel and other sources. 52 NETWORK POLICY makes communications services inaccessible not only for the poorer groups and the rural population, but for consumers in large cities as well. There are many solutions to this problem, all dependent on proper regulation, transparency and the privatization process. Tariff Regulations A 1990 Law on Prices and Price Setting and a 1994 Cabinet Decree define the authority of the Government to regulate certain prices, including telephony. The Decree states that prices for basic telephony services are regulated by a clearcut mechanisms. Firstly, DerzhKomZviazok proposes to the Government to adjust telephony rates. The proposal is then sent to the Ministry of Economy for clearance, who then sends it to the Cabinet of Ministers for final approval. The tariffs thus set apply to all operators. However, operators are using loopholes in current legislation to establish special tariffs. As an example, private companies introduced a minimum volume of consumption and established a fixed base for service according to the lines existing per building. Network unbundling procedures clearly affect local services, depending on the location, and this requires the process to be adjusted accordingly. All prices are otherwise regulated using a minimum and maximum range. Regulations on prices for fixed based telephony affect all services. The regulation actually establishes minimum and maximum tariffs in effect for all services. The regulation states that the minimum tariff must be “not more than 20% less than the maximum,” but “not lower than the cost of providing such services” (sic). The figures in the table represent the maximum figures, used by both domestic providers, UkrTelecom and Utel. The existing tariff regulation aims at killing two birds with one stone, i.e., achieving accessibility goals and fostering fair competition. Moreover, setting tariffs based on the cost estimate is not grounded on any methodology, as no detailed information about costs is available. The same is true of cost estimates based on an “ideal” network. Thus, tariffs turn out to be distorted, creating misleading incentives for market agents, which results in faults in the functioning of the telecommunications sector, that is, in relations among providers, and those between providers and consumers. Quality of Service Items such as essential requirements, call completion rate and scope of services are all defined and regulated. However, in the presence of a monopoly and lack of true convergence across networks, it is uncertain how these rule truly apply to fixed-based operators who are only reaching the customer in less than 20% of the market. Unbundling local loop regulation practically affects only UkrTelecom, as the only provider of local access. QoS regulations exist also for wireless and for packetized traffic. Again, however, they affect only the “public” network and do not necessarily influence private operators. 4 International Center for Policy Studies, ICPS SECTION 5 NETWORK POLICY IP Telephony Wireless and Fixed Networks Interconnection Internet telephony, or IP telephony, is in a regulatory limbo. On the one hand, the Government states that IP telephony is to be treated as a fixed telephony service, when it is accessed through a fixed-wired installation, and must be regulated accordingly. On the other hand, IP Telephony operators argue that, since it is based on data transmission, it should not be regulated at all. If it is entirely mediated through computers, IP Telephony is not regulated at all, but, to date: The development of the telecommunications sector is stifled for lack of transparent practices and regulations. This sparks conflicts among providers and impedes the entry of new market players. Existing practices do not foster fair competition in the cellular market. Specifically, key issues on interconnection with providers of fixed telephone communication and local loops are not transparent, leaving a perception of unfair practices in this environment. Consumer rights protection and anti-monopoly laws should apply in this sector as they do in others. • There has been no Court decision on this matter as no case has been yet been brought to Court. • The Cabinet of Ministers made a decision to issue IP telephony licenses, but no such licenses have been issued to date. • UkrTelecom is concerned about cross-subsidizing small IP companies. They, in their turn, blame UkrTelecom for the tariff burden. Such mutual accusations have not been resolved so far. Local Loop Access to the telecom infrastructure by customers is covered by the Local Loop and LD Use regulations. The only bases for refusing a customer connection are the lack of technical facilities or the lack of registration for residential users. Special regulations have been adopted for corporate customers and are regulated by the Cabinet’s RF Management Department. Source: Yelena Dregulyas, Kononov & Sozanowsky Wireless Telephony Satellite Internet Networks T P he wireless segment is regulated by the RF Management Department for frequency spectrum allocation purposes. There are no mechanisms other than the market to regulate mobile tariffs. There was an attempt made by some lawmakers in early 2002 to change legislation to prohibit charging subscribers of mobile phones for incoming calls. Today, nearly all tariff plans of operators of mobile telephony continue to charge for incoming calls, unless it is within the provider’s own network. The move was obstructed by mobile operators, who feared such a change would destroy investment possibilities for the sector. ermits related to satellite-based access include a frequency permit, an operating license, and a custom clearance permit. However, the frequency and operating permits apply only to the transmitting station, not the receiving one. Hence, some ISPs use satellite systems in simplex datareceiving mode and use land lines such has fiber to send data to their access providers overseas. Satellite data transmission is otherwise not regulated. Voice for internal corporate service is legal, but it is illegal to resell voice services to others, as this infringes on UkrTelecom’s monopoly, despite an anti-monopoly law being in effect. Setting tariffs, USD lines per building 1-2 3-9 10-19 20 or more installation+connection 1,000 800 600 250 minimum service package/month deposit for international calls 50 40 30 20 200 150 100 100 Source: www.citiustele.com. Other operators offer similar tariffs. Service charges, USD service line installation local calls long distance international direct dial residential 40.00 0.0039 / min 0.0192-0.0600 / min 0.257-2.448 / min commercial 160.00 0.0062 / min 0.03-0.06 / min 0.257-2.448 / min Source: STCI site 53 SECTION 5 Internet Regulations and Licensing I nternet data transmission is not regulated in Ukraine and no license is required for data communication. This has spurred the creation of several independent networks and leased-line services. New legislation is expected following a June 2000 Presidential Decree on the development of the Ukrainian segment of the Internet, which should also describe regulations for such areas as e-commerce and digital signatures. Source: Yelena Dregulyas, Kononov & Sozanowsky e-Commerce Law There is no legislation yet in Ukraine addressing e-commerce issues, and so far, bills on e-documents, e-document circulation, and e-signatures have not yet been adopted. Today, e-documents are not recognized by the Ukrainian system of finance and tax accountability, making e-commerce nearly impossible. Despite this lack of legislation to regulate e-commerce, up-to-date legislation regulating e-payments was adopted in the Law on payment systems and money transfers in 2001. This law enables arrangement for and receipt of epayments. Consequently, enterprises and entrepreneurs are entitled to use e-payment, but they must confirm the legitimacy of the payment, whether financial or tax accountability standard, by a hard copy of the contract or other document of the kind. Although this defeats the purpose of ecommerce, especially in B2B transactions, it is expected that this issue will soon be addressed by specific legislation. NETWORK POLICY Policy and Security. The Commission has not issued a single document to date. The Decree also contains a number of provisions requiring state institutions to prepare for the Verkhovna Rada, bills providing for ISPs to license their activities and keep logs of Internet traffic for six months. Although the Decree has not been put into effect, the Executive has been granted authority to apply tougher control of ISP activity and to monitor data traffic. In 2001, the Cabinet of Ministers adopted an Order on the protection of state information resources in the information and telecommunications systems. As decreed by the Order, the transfer of such resources is authorized exclusively via switching nodes with a compliance certificate. Thus, an indirect form of licensing companies willing to provide services involving the transfer of state information has been introduced. Source: GIPI/Internews Cryptography In Ukraine, controls are being exercised over activities related to cryptography. A 1998 Presidential Decree approved regulations on the procedure for protecting data cryptographically. State policy in this sector is supposed to be shaped by the National Security Council’s Department for Special Telecommunications Systems and Information Protection. Cryptosystems are subject to certification and can be imported only with this department’s consent. Cryptosystems are automatically considered State property, although they can also be owned privately by DSTSIP’s authority. Source: GIPI/Internews Other e-Services Network Compatibility Laws in the area of telemedicine, teleworking and other Internet-mediated professional activities do not yet exist in Ukraine. The draft of a new Telecommunications Act provides a unified notion of services designated to “transmit, radiate and receive signals, texts, sounds, moving and still images or the transmission of other types of information such as voice over IP data transmission, and services rendered through telecoms facilities and operators.” It is, however, expected that current TV and radio broadcast regulations will continue to operate and that telecom and IT regulations will merge. Privacy and Data Protection Despite the existence of databases containing personal data, Ukraine does not boast any special legislation to safeguard this type of data against misuse. To protect their rights and interests, Ukrainian citizens can only refer to Art. 32 of the Constitution, which prohibits “collecting, preserving, using and disseminating confidential information about an individual without their consent except in cases defined by law and only in the interests of national security, economic welfare and human rights.” At the same time, there is a conflict among regulations that determine an individual’s access to the data collected about them. The Constitutional Court gave its interpretation in 1997, in Case Nº18/203-97, recommending that Ukrainian legislation be adjusted to European standards in terms of personal data protection. The 1994 law on data protection in automated systems defined the owner-user relations and general requirements for data protection in similar systems. The law introduced obligatory certification of systems processing state data. As the result of long-drawn deliberations about protecting the national information space against outside interventions, a Dec. 6, 2001 Presidential Decree established the Interdepartmental Commission on Information 54 Source: Yelena Dregulyas, Kononov & Sozanowsky Copyright and Intellectual Property In 2001, Ukraine adopted a revised edition of the Criminal Code that contains a chapter entitled “Crimes related to the use of electronic computers, systems and networks.” The Code stipulates the responsibility for computers and network attacks, unauthorized access to computer data, and breaches of computer operation rules, as well as for the violation of copyright. In 2001, under the threat of US sanctions, a revised version of the Law on copyright recognized software programs and databases as subject to copyright regulations. Rules and standards for modifying, decompiling and copying software programs and databases have also been established. The US nonetheless pursued action against the distribution of pirated CDs, eventually shutting down four out of six domestic CD factories. This has undermined the development of this technology in Ukraine. US sanctions against Ukraine speeded up the adoption SECTION 5 by the Cabinet of Ministers a concept of software legalization and measures against unauthorized use. The document includes provisions for measures to curb mass dissemination of illegal software and distinctly defines the list of activities that qualify as copyright violations. NETWORK POLICY • reducing individual income tax rates by reforming the personal income tax regime; • indexing specific excise rates in the national currency; • improving mechanisms to impose revenue tax. Source: GIPI/Internews Legislation related to Intellectual Property generally pertains to the filing of trademarks, the basic legal enactment of intellectual property in Ukraine. A section of the High Tech Navigator written by Altheimer&Gray, a Chicago-based law firm with a Kyiv office, states that “the person who first submits an application to the State Department on Intellectual Property has the right to obtain a certificate.” Hence, the right to obtain a trademark is established on the date of filing an application. Secondly, a reform of judicial system is under way. This should increase the efficiency and transparency of Ukraine’s legal system and improve contract implementation. Source: “Ukraine and the World Economy: Risk Evaluation and Recommendations for Economic Policy,” April 2002, prepared by the Institute for Economic Research and Political Consultations and the German Consulting Group on Economic Reforms with the GOU. Certification Authority Not yet implemented in Ukraine. Foreign Economic Strategy ICT Trade Policy L egal procedures for investment activities are regulated by the March 19, 1996 Law on the Foreign Investment Regime. The law establishes conditions to favor and provide guarantees for all kinds of investments. Accordingly, a Ukrainian legal entity is considered an enterprise with foreign investments if its share of foreign capital is at least 10% of authorized capital stock. There is no defined maximum share. In fact, there are no limitations with regard to the form of investment, either. Contributions can be made both in cash and in kind. However, certain spheres are off-limits to foreign investors: arms, the production of explosives and other areas of national interest. According to the law, foreign investments in the form of property are exempt from VAT, currently 20%, and import duty, if such investments are not alienated for three years. However, Verkhovna Rada adopted Law Nº2899-S on Dec. 20, 2001, amending some laws to eliminate the evasion of tax, duty and dues or obligatory payments by some EFIs. This canceled tax privileges for EFIs in order to set up equal conditions for all manufacturers, domestic and foreign, who operate in Ukraine. Massive state arrears to exporters and other businesses for VAT refunds darkens the whole picture. At the same time, during last two years Ukraine has taken definite steps to improve the investment climate, and this work continues. First of all, it is planned to gradually introduce the basic provision of a Tax Code by adopting of legislation on taxation. In particular, this year several draft laws have been proposed to solve the most acute issues of taxation and balancing budget revenues: • cancelling economically ungrounded tax breaks; • improving the mechanism for imposing VAT and reducing indebtedness in VAT refunds from the Budget; K ey aims of Ukraine’s foreign economic strategy are to ensure “optimal parameters of openness” in the economy according to world standards and criteria, to obtain full membership in the European Union, and to integrate Ukraine into the world economy. Priority steps in this process will be acceeding to the WTO, creating a free trade zone between Ukraine and EU, and other activities which should create real grounds for Ukraine to enter EU. Source: Sec. X of the State of the Nation Address of the President to the VR called “European Choice” at www.kuchma.gov.ua Investment Climate The openness of the Ukrainian economy and its macroeconomic stability, as well as specific, concrete actions on the part of its Government with the aim of improving the investment climate and domestic tax legislation should reduce the risks in attracting direct foreign investments and, consequently, increase the trust of foreign investors in the country. Information Support to Foreign Economic Policy Developing an information support system is a key element in promoting Ukrainian products on external markets. So, since the beginning of 2001, two open databases of commercial export, import and investment proposals have been made available on the Internet in on-line mode at www.ukrdzi.com. Also, a Catalog entitled “Importers and Exporters of Ukraine,” with data on some 5,000 leading domestic manufacturers was published in 2001 and placed on the Internet at www.eximbase.com. In order to help Ukrainian manufacturers, a special Exporters’ Council website was created on the Internet under the Cabinet of Ministers. 55 SECTION 5 56 NETWORK POLICY APPENDIX APPENDIX A ADDITIONAL TABLES This appendix contains tables in support of the texts in Sections 1 and 4. The relevant page will be noted in the text as well as here for cross-referencing. Page 11. Telephone lines and growth rate 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 lines 8,056 8,186 8,415 9,263 10,074 10,417 growth % 1.6 2.8 10.0 7.5 2.8 * The sum of shares in all table columns totals over 100% because one user could be classified several times if, say they use both national and local ISPs. Source: SpyLOG, www.spylog.com Page 11. General infrastructure data from ITU, ’000 ITU World Telecommunication Report 2002 cable television subscribers home satellite antennas television receivers personal computers population % automatic main lines % residential main lines annual telecommunication investment annual telecommunication investment, USD cellular mobile telephone subscribers, digital cellular mobile telephone subscribers, total cellular mobile telephone subscribers per 100 cellular monthly subscription cellular monthly subscription, USD connection capacity of local exchanges cost of a local 3-minute call (peak rate) cost of a local 3-minute call (peak rate), USD Gross Domestic Product (GDP) Gross Domestic Product (GDP), USD Gross Fixed Capital Formation (GFCF) Gross Fixed Capital Formation (GFCF), USD households international incoming telephone traffic (minutes) international outgoing telephone traffic (calls) international outgoing telephone traffic (minutes) Internet hosts Internet users (estimated) main telephone lines in operation main telephone lines per 100 inhabitants national currency per USD (end of year) population of largest city public pay phones staff (total full-time in telecommunications) telephone faults per 100 main lines total telecommunication service revenue total telecommunication service revenue, USD total telephone subscribers total telephone subscribers per 100 waiting list for main lines 1999 22,000 800 50,658 0 0 1,158,000 280,387 217 0 0 0 11,415 0 0 127,100,002 30,774,819 25,270,000 6,118,644 16,477 76,100 386,300 29 200 10,074 0 0 2,591 62 131 0 4,839,000 1,171,671 10,291 0 2,655 2000 2,640 130 23,000 890 50,456 0 0 1,458,000 268,015 759 819 0 920 50,296 0 2,225 0 11,662 16,300 269,500 71,500 383,000 36 350 10,417 0 0 2,539 64 128 6,534,900 1,201,268 11,236 0 2,500 This table illustrates the lack of adequate information about Ukraine from international sources. 58 2001 388,000 58 600 10,670 0 126 8,373,800 1,559,367 12,894 0 APPENDIX A Page 13. Wireless affordability operator brand KyivStar GSM package Econom cost in USD monthly fee 5.00 outgoing 0.48/min incoming 0.24/min internal network in free Elite monthly fee 36.00 outgoing 0.27/min incoming 0.19/min Ace&Base PrePaid outgoing 0.19-0.51/min incoming 0.00-0.25/min UMC20 monthly fee 9.00 20 domestic min free outgoing 0.46/min incoming 0.03/min internal network free UMC250 monthly fee 71.00 20 domestic min free outgoing 0.46/min incoming 0.03/min internal network free SimSim PrePaid outgoing 0.15-0.54/min incoming 0.15-0.45/min Second monthly fee 5.00 outgoing 0.08-0.30/min incoming 0.08-0.30/min internal network out 0.22/min internal network in free Second 1000 monthly fee 160.00 first 1,000 minutes free outgoing 0.08-0.30/min incoming 0.08-0.30/min internal network out 0.14/min internal network in free UNI PrePaid outgoing 0.18/min incoming 0.04-0.21/min www.kyivstar.net/tariffs/index.html www.kyivstar.net/prepaid/index.html UMC – Ukrainian Mobile Communications www.umc.com.ua/umc_tariff_packages_u.html www.sim-sim.com/ukr/howmuch3.html Golden Telecom www.gsm.goldentele.com/tariffs www.uni.goldentele.com/tarifs Page 38. Types of computer services transfer, USD millions services related to ICT including: consulting software development data processing database servicing/repair of office/computer equipment export 3.9 1999 import 11.7 balance -7.8 export 5.9 2000 import 13.3 balance -7.4 export 7.6 2001 import balance 17.3 -9.6 0.7 2.4 0.2 0.1 2.7 4.2 1.7 0.6 -2.0 -1.8 -1.5 -0.5 2.1 3.2 0.4 0.1 4.2 3.9 1.9 0.3 -2.0 -0.7 -1.5 -0.1 0.4 6.3 0.8 0.0 3.2 7.9 2.8 2.1 -2.8 -1.7 -2.1 -2.1 0.5 2.4 -1.9 0.1 3.1 -3.0 0.2 1.2 -1.0 Source: DerzhKomStat 59 APPENDIX A Page 18. Weekly Internet users and traffic by city users, ’000 share, % national networks Kyiv Dnipropetrovsk Odesa Donetsk Kharkiv Zaporizhzhia L’viv Simferopol Mariupol Luhansk Mykolaïv Ternopil Sumy Kherson Kryviy Rih Ivano-Frankivsk Khmelnytskiy Uzhhorod Chernivtsi Sevastopol Kirovohrad Poltava Rivne Kremenchuk Lutsk Mukachiv Chernihiv Pivdennoukrainske Horlivka Vinnytsia Cherkasy Zhytomyr other cities undefined city 72.5 275.8 50.0 48.9 30.8 22.7 14.7 13.9 7.2 6.0 5.4 5.1 3.8 3.8 3.6 3.4 3.2 3.1 2.5 2.4 2.2 2.2 2.1 2.0 1.6 1.4 1.3 1.1 1.0 0.9 0.8 0.7 0.7 2.1 10.6 12.0 45.6 8.3 8.1 5.1 3.8 2.4 2.3 1.2 1.0 0.9 0.8 0.6 0.6 0.6 0.6 0.5 0.5 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.3 0.3 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.3 1.7 TOTAL 605.2 100.7* Page 22. Access to IT support training provider training Oracle In Ukraine, Oracle training is available in at certified Oracle training centre, BMS Consulting. Oracle Russia has 7 centres. Microsoft Microsoft provides training at 4 certified training centres in Ukraine: BMS Consulting, Shevchenko University, Setyeviye Tekhnologii, and KvasarMicro Training Centre. SCO Only BMS Consulting provides SCO training. Informix BMS Consulting’s certified training centre shares the market with Softline, which reputedly is more popular. Thompson-Prometric Thompson-Prometric provides training at three centres in Kyiv: UN0 at Kvazar- Micro, UN1 BMS Consulting, UN3 at ViadukTelecom. AMI UN2 is in Donetsk at the Academy of Networking and UN5 is in L’viv, at the Professional Training Centre. Cisco No certified private training centres. Cisco Ukraine provides training at Shevchenko University and at the Ternopil Academy. In addition to BMS Consulting, three training centres are expected to be launched in the nearest future. HP Hewlett-Packard works with three training partners in Ukraine: BMS Consulting, S&T Ukraine, and Soft-tronic Source: BMS Consulting Ltd. Page 38. Trends in computer services transfer by type 1999 services related to ICT including: consulting software development data processing database servicing/repair of office/ computer equipment Source: DerzhKomStat 60 2000 2001 export -11.4 import -39.1 export +53.5 import +14.1 export +28.6 import +29.7 +142.9 -2.1 -73.1 -72.7 -42.6 -64.8 +4.4 +177.5 +198.5 +32.8 +95.3 +54.5 +51.3 -8.3 +14.5 -56.8 -80.5 +97.5 +108.8 -66.1 -23.0 +104.4 +49.1 +699.4 -21.0 +348.0 -73.9 +29.0 +25.0 -62.5 APPENDIX A Page 19. Pre-paid Internet cards provider service rate other services Lucky Net card.lucky.net 7 days 45 UAH ($8.49) 30 days 132 UAH ($24.91) free access to news.lucky.net news server in read-only mode access to proxy.lucky.net proxy-server Access + Hourly charge 09:00-00:00: $0.69/h 00:00-09:00: $0.29/h weekends: $0.29/h Night Unlimited 00:00-09:00: $5/month 24-hours $42/month Home Unlimited 19:00-09:00+weekends: $15/month 1 Day-24 hrs $1.00 Plan L 490-0490 09.00-21.00: $0.70/hr 21.00-09.00: $0.30/hr weekends: $0.30/hr 09.00-21.00: $0.85/hr 21.00-01.00: $0.50/hr 01.00-09.00: $0.30/hr weekends: $0.30/hr $10.00/month $0.50/h $20.00/month $0.40/h IP Telecom www.i.com.ua Svit Online (Golden Telecom) www.svitonline.com 490-0491 Plan XL: 20 hours online Plan XXL 50 hours online Global Ukraine www.gu.net TEST NIGHT HOME BUSINESS UNIVERSAL Ukr Net www.ukr.net 24 hours: $1.00 Night Night+ Home 01:00-09:00: $6.00/month 23:00-09:00:$11.90/mo. 19:30-09:00+weekends: $19.00/month 15:00-09:00+weekends: $23.90/month $27.90/month 09:00-01:00: $0.48 01:00-09:00: $0.24 Unlimited per hour free mail-box (10 Mb) free personal www-site (10 Mb) roaming in Ukraine and CIS Hr 9.00 ($1.70) 24 hours from first access Hr 19.00 ($3.58) 0:00-09:00 for 1 month Hr 79.00 ($14.91) 19:00-09:00 Mon-Fri + weekends Hr 79.00 ($14.91) 07:00-19:00 for 1 month Hr 99.00 ($18.70) 24 hours for 30 days Single day Home+ free mail-box free personal www-site free mail-box free-www-site 61 APPENDIX B BASIC INDICATORS FOR UKRAINE OFFICIAL NAME UKRAINE CAPITAL KYIV Area People Population Population growth rate Projected population in 2025 Projected population in 2050 Population distribution Population density 603,700 sq km or 233,100 sq mi Share urban Share rural Largest urban areas Kyiv Kharkiv Dnipropetrovsk Donetsk Odesa Ethnicity Ukrainian Russian Other 48,416,000 (Dec. 5, 2001) -0.78% (2001*) 43,292,725 (2001*) (2001*) 37,726,401 (2001*) (2001*) 80 persons per sq km (2001*) 208 persons per sq mi (2001*) 67% (2001*) 33% (2001*) 2,602,000 (2001*) 1,470 ,000 (2001*) 1,064 ,000 (2001*) 1,016,000 (2001*) 1,029,000 (2001*) 73% 22% 5% Languages Ukrainian (official) Russian Romanian Polish Religious affiliations Agnostic/Atheist Ukrainian Orthodox-Moscow Patriarchate Ukrainian Orthodox-Kyiv Patriarchate Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Ukrainian Catholic (Uniate) Protestant Jewish Muslim HEALTH AND EDUCATION Life expectancy Total Female Male Infant mortality rate Health care Population per physician Population per hospital bed Literacy rate Total Female Male Education expenditure as a share of GNP response of years of compulsory schooling response of students per teacher, primary school 62 66.2 years (2001*) 72.0 years (2001*) 60.6 years (2001*) 21 deaths/1,000 live births (2001*) 216 people (2000) 105 people (2000) 99.9% (2001*) 99.9% (2001*) 99.9% (2001*) 1.8 (2001) 9 years (2002) 20 students per teacher (2001) APPENDIX B GOVERNMENT Form of government Voting qualifications Constitution passed Armed forces total military personnel republic universal, at age 18 June 28, 1996 310,000 (2000) ECONOMY Gross domestic product (GDP, in USD] GDP per capita (USD) $37.6 billion (2001) $772 (2001) GDP by economic sector Agriculture, forestry, fishing hunting Industry + construction Services + other rypes of economic activities 16.6% (2001) 39.0% (2001) 44.4% (2001) EMPLOYMENT Workforce share of economic sector total Agriculture, forestry, fishing Industry Services Unemployment rate 85% (2000) 27% (2000) 28% (2000) 33% (2000) 11.7% (2000) 11.1% (2001) NATIONAL BUDGET (USD) Total revenue Total expenditure Monetary unit Major trade partners for exports Major trade partners for imports $7.25 billion (2001) 19.3 of % GDP $7.49billion (2001) 19.8% of GDP 1 hryvnia, consisting of 100 kopiykas Russia, China, Belarus, Turkey, Germany Russia, Turkmenistan, Belarus, Germany, China ENERGY, COMMUNICATIONS, AND TRANSPORTATION Electricity production thermal sources (TES) hydroelectric sources (HES) nuclear sources (AES) Electricity from geothermal, solar, and wind sources 47.67% (1999*) 9.65% (1999*) 42.67% (1999*) 0% (1999*) Consumer access radios per 1,000 people telephones per 1,000 people televisions per 1,000 people Internet hosts per 10,000 people daily newspaper circulation per 1,000 people response of motor vehicles per 1,000 people paved road as a share of total roads Sources Basic Facts and People sections Area data are from the statistical bureaus of individual countries. Population, population growth rate, and population projections are from the US Census Bureau, International Programs Centre, International Data Base at www.census.gov. Urban and rural population data are from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN, FAOSTAT database at www.fao.org. Largest cities population data and political divisions data are from the statistical bureaus of individual countries. Ethnic divisions and religion data are largely from the latest CIA World Factbook and from various country censuses and reports. Language data are largely from the Ethnologue, Languages of the World, Summer Institute of Linguistics International at www.sil.org. Health and Education section Life expectancy and infant mortality data are from the US Census Bureau, International Programs Centre, IDB at www.census.gov. Population per physician and population per hospital bed data are from the World Health Organization at www.who.int. Education data are from the UNESCO database at www.unesco.org. 882 (1997) 199 (1999) 353 (1997*) 6.6 (2000) 54 (1996) 102 (1999) 97% (1999) Government section Government, independence, legislature, constitution, highest court, and voting qualifications data are largely from various government websites, the latest Europa World Yearbook, and the latest CIA World Factbook. The armed forces data is from Military Balance. Economy section Gross domestic product, GDP per capita, GDP by economic sectors, employment, and national budget data are from the World Bank database at www.worldbank.org. Monetary unit, agriculture, mining, manufacturing, exports, imports, and major trade partner information is from the latest Europa World Yearbook and various IMF publications. Energy, Communication, and Transportation section Electricity information is from the Energy Information Administration database at www.eia.doe.gov. Radio, telephone, television, and newspaper information is from the UNESCO database at www.unesco.org. Internet hosts, motor vehicles, and road data are from the World Bank database at www.worldbank.org. Figures may not total 100% due to rounding. 63 APPENDIX B TELECOMMUNICATIONS DATA UKRTELECOM DATA Information as of Oct. 5, 2000 COMPANY DETAILS Company name: Address: Post Code: City: Country: Telephone: Fax: Website: Ukrtelecom, Joint-Stock Company bul. Tarasa Shevchenka 18 01030 Kyiv Ukraine +380 44 226 2541 +380 44 229 2506 www.ukrtel.net 1. COMPANY PROFILE The company is a: Status of the company: Type of operator: Date of the company’s foundation: public (state-owned) company Will be privatized in the future Network operator AND Service provider 15-Dec-1993 2. NETWORK AND SERVICES As network operator, the company owns: As service provider, the company provides: Local network Long-distance network International network Fixed telephone service: By cable By fiber Local area Long-distance International Telephone booth/public payphone Internet access Circuit switched (traditional telephony) Is your company authorized to supply this (these) service(s): Type of authorization : When did this authorization enter into force: What does the authorization expire: If the company supplies different types of service, is it under the same corporate name: Yes Licence 05-Apr-2000 18-Sep-2010 Yes 3. ORGANIZATION The company is : The parent company 4. INFRASTRUCTURE AND SIZE OF COMPANY End of financial year: response of subscribers: response of employees: 31-Dec 1998 7,717,800 5. GEOGRAPHICAL COVERAGE The national coverage of the company is: In terms of territory: 64 100% 1999 8,164,500 431,057 APPENDIX C 6. PARTNERSHIPS - ACTIVITIES Has the company already concluded partnerships or alliances: With what kind of companies: Company’s principle shareholders: Company’s principal shareholdings: Yes Foreign companies both in developed and developing countries Shareholders Percentage Government 100 Shareholdings Percentage Utel 51 UMC 25 Infocom 51 7. PROJECTS Kind of project(s) for 2000: Brief description of this (these) project(s): Kind of project(s) for 2001: Does the company seek partner(s) to achieve this (these) project(s): What kind of partners: Expansion of the network Modernization of the network/system Improve quality of the existing equipment, service offered Provision of new services Black Sea Fibre-Optic Cable System (BSFOCS) Expansion of the network Modernization of the network/system Improve quality of the existing equipment Provision of new services Yes Financers UTEL DATA Information as of Oct. 1, 2000 COMPANY DETAILS Company name: Address: Post Code: City: Country: Telephone: Fax: Website: Utel vul. Volodymyrska 101 01033 Kyiv Ukraine +380 44 230 4250 / 4220 +380 44 230 4259 / 4229 www.utel.com.ua 1. COMPANY PROFILE The company is a: Percentage of share owned by the State: Status of the company: Type of operator: List of network operator(s) used to supply the service: Date of the company’s foundation: Has the company ever changed its name since it was founded: Semi-public company 51% Will be privatized in the future Service provider Ukrtelecom 01-Dec-1992 No 2. NETWORK AND SERVICES As service provider, the company provides: Fixed telephone service: By cable By fiber Long-distance International Telephone booth/public payphone 65 APPENDIX C Data transmission Internet access Is your company authorized to supply this (these) service(s): Type of authorization : When did this authorization enter into force: What does this authorization’s expire: If the company supplies different types of service, is it under the same corporate name: Please state the types of service and c orresponding corporate names: Yes Licence 01-Dec-1992 01-Dec-2007 No ISP: Unet 3. ORGANIZATION The company is : Name of the parent company: A subsidiary company Ukrtelecom, Joint-Stock Company 4. INFRASTRUCTURE AND SIZE OF COMPANY End of financial year: 31-Dec 1999 2000 response of employees: 5. GEOGRAPHICAL COVERAGE The national coverage of the company is: In terms of territory: In terms of population: 100% 20% 6. PARTNERSHIPS - ACTIVITIES Has the company already concluded partnerships or alliances: Is the company interested in any partnerships/ alliances: Company’s principle shareholders: No No Shareholders Ukrtelecom AT&T Deutsche Telekom KPN Percentage 51.0 19.5 19.5 10.0 7. PROJECTS Kind of project(s) for 2000: Brief description of this (these) project(s): Kind of project(s) for 2001: Brief description of this (these) project(s): Does the company seek partner(s) to achieve this (these) project(s): 66 Modernization of the network/system Improve quality of the existing equipment, service offered Provision of new services Prepaid Internet Modernization of the network/system Improve quality of the existing equipment Provision of new services Prepaid IDD services No APPENDIX D UNDP SURVEY PARTIAL RESULTS OF SURVEY CONDUCTED FOR E-READINESS ASSESSMENT, JUNE 2002 Question #1. At home, do you have: Electricity Total 1,204 Answered 1,203 (99.92%) Yes No response 1,200 3 % of total 99.67 0.25 % of answered 99.65 0.25 response 1,154 48 % of total 95.85 3.99 % of answered 96.01 3.99 response 701 484 % of total 58.22 40.20 % of answered 59.16 40.84 % of total 33.64 65.12 % of answered 34.06 65.94 % of total 78.41 20.85 % of answered 79.00 21.00 % of total 74.83 24.83 % of answered 75.08 24.92 % of total 33.55 49.42 % of answered 40.44 59.56 % of total 5.90 11.21 5.48 13.79 2.24 % of answered 17.79 33.83 16.54 41.60 6.77 Question #2. TV Total 1,204 Answered 1,202 (99.83%) Yes No Question #3. Phone Total 1,204 Answered 1,185 (98.42%) Yes No Question #4. Is there a payphone near your home? Total 1,204 Answered 1,189 (98.75%) Yes No response 405 784 Question #5. Do you read newspapers or other periodicals? Total 1,204 Answered 1,195 (99.25%) Yes No response 944 251 Question #6. Do you know what the Internet is? Total 1,204 Answered 1,200 (99.67%) Yes No response 901 299 Question #7. Do your relatives use the Internet? Total 1,204 Answered 999 (82.97%) Yes No response 404 595 Question #8. If yes, who does? (Specify) Total 1,204 Answered 399 (33.14%) Husband/wife Child Parent Brother/sister Other response 71 135 66 166 27 Question #9. Do you know anybody else who uses the Internet? Total 1,204 Answered 992 (82.39%) Yes No response 719 273 % of total 59.72 22.67 % of answered 72.48 27.52 67 APPENDIX D Question #10. If yes, who? (Specify) Total 1,204 Answered 717 (59.55%) Friend Colleague Relative/friend abroad Other response 422 260 206 43 % of total 35.05 21.59 17.11 3.57 % of answered 58.86 36.26 28.73 6.00 % of total 28.32 54.24 % of answered 34.31 65.69 % of total 8.39 19.60 % of answered 29.97 70.03 Question #11. Did you personally ever use the Internet? Total 1,204 Answered 994 (82.56%) Yes No response 341 653 Question #12. Do you have personal e-mail? Total 1,204 Answered 337 (27.99%) Yes No response 101 236 Question #13. How many e-mail messages do you receive in a month? Total 1,204 Answered 1,02 (8.47%) None <10 messages a month 10-50 messages a month > 50 messages a month response 8 44 35 15 % of total 0.66 3.65 2.91 1.25 % of answered 7.84 43.14 34.31 14.71 Question #14. Do you have any Internet service (or Internet café) in your area? Total 1,204 Answered 339 (28.16%) Yes No response 209 130 % of total 17.36 10.80 % of answered 61.65 38.35 % of total 6.06 21.84 % of answered 21.73 78.27 Question #15. Do you have Internet access at home? Total 1,204 Answered 336 (27.91%) Yes No response 73 263 Question #16. Did you use the Internet in the last 12 months? Total 1,204 Answered 333 (27.66%) Yes No response 284 49 % of total 23.59 4.07 % of answered 85.29 14.71 % of total 2.49 4.57 6.06 15.03 % of answered 8.85 16.22 21.53 53.39 Question #17. How often do you use the Internet? Total 1,204 Answered 339 (28.16%) Every day/almost every day Several times a week Several times a month From time to time 68 response 30 55 73 181 APPENDIX D Question #18. Do you use a PC at work? Total 1,204 Answered 328 (27.24%) Yes, we share one PC Yes, we share several PCs Yes, everyone has a PC No response 43 83 39 163 % of total 3.57 6.89 3.24 13.54 % of answered 13.11 25.30 11.89 49.70 % of total 10.05 3.41 % of answered 74.69 25.31 % of total 5.23 8.55 7.39 3.82 3.16 % of answered 18.58 30.38 26.25 13.57 11.21 % of total 12.38 21.51 3.65 9.63 1.08 % of answered 43.95 76.40 12.98 34.22 3.83 % of total 2.57 8.14 8.14 15.12 6.81 7.97 1.58 1.91 2.16 % of answered 9.31 29.43 29.43 54.65 24.62 28.83 5.71 6.91 7.81 Question #19. Do you have access to the Internet at work? Total 1,204 Answered 162 (13.46%) Yes No response 121 41 Question #20. Where did you use the Internet last? Total 1,204 Answered 339 (28.16%) At school At an Internet café At work At home Other response 63 103 89 46 38 Question #21. What Internet service did you use last time? Total 1,204 Answered 339 (28.16%) Surfing sites Searching for materials/information Chat E-mail Other response 149 259 44 116 13 Question #22. Why do you browse websites? Total 1,204 Answered 333 (27.66%) To search/buy products, services For business To read news To find materials for my studies Games Entertainment For financial information Health Other response 31 98 98 182 82 96 19 23 26 Question #23. What services would you prefer on the Internet? Total 1,204 Answered 332 (27.57%) Educational courses Libraries, vocabularies Reference information Applications Application facilities for business Digest of local news Business and political digest Other response 143 96 184 16 52 32 72 20 % of total 11.88 7.97 15.28 1.33 4.32 2.66 5.98 1.66 % of answered 43.07 28.92 55.42 4.82 15.66 9.64 21.69 6.02 69 APPENDIX D Question #24. Do you use any government sites? Total 1,204 Answered 331 (27.49%) Yes I looked, but I couldn’t find any No response 59 15 257 % of total 4.90 1.25 21.35 % of answered 17.82 4.53 77.64 % of total 2.16 1.74 1.08 % of answered 43.33 35.00 21.67 Question #25. If you did, what did you think about the site? Total 1,204 Answered 60 (4.98%) Useful, found what I needed Too difficult, but found what I needed I didn’t find what I needed response 26 21 13 Question #26. What information would you like on government sites? Total 1,204 Answered 266 (22.09%) About officials, politicians About social services, health, education Documents On-line forms Other response 127 106 100 51 15 % of total 10.55 8.80 8.31 4.24 1.25 % of answered 47.74 39.85 37.59 19.17 5.64 % of total 15.37 12.29 % of answered 55.56 44.44 Question #27. How do you find your access speed? Total 1,204 Answered 333 (27.66%) Acceptable Too slow response 185 148 Question #28. How much do you spend on the Internet (e-mail) a month? Total 1,204 Answered 284 (23.59%) Minimum 0..000 Maximum 500.000 Average 30.141 Coefficient of variation 1.607 response 53 118 75 6 % of total 4.40 9.80 6.23 0.50 % of answered 21.03 46.83 29.76 2.3 response 886 40 % of total 73.59 3.32 % of answered 95.68 4.32 response 433 493 % of total 35.96 40.95 % of answered 46.76 53.24 % of total 65.95 10.55 % of answered 86.21 13.79 Question #29. How do you pay for Internet (e-mail)? Total 1,204 Answered 252 (20.93%) By card By cash By company bank transfer Other Question #30. Do you know what a PC is? Total 1,204 Answered 926 (76.91%) Yes No Question #31. Did you ever use a PC? Total 1,204 Answered 926 (76.91%) Yes No Question #32. Do you know anybody who uses a PC? Total 1,204 Answered 921 (76.50%) Yes No 70 response 794 127 APPENDIX D Question #33. Are you male or female? Total 1,204 Answered 1,202 (99.83%) Male Female response 533 669 % of total 44.27 55.56 % of answered 44.34 55.66 response 355 379 470 % of total 29.49 31.48 39.04 % of answered 29.49 31.48 39.04 response 73 163 195 41 98 207 46 65 120 181 2 % of total 6.06 13.54 16.20 3.41 8.14 17.19 3.82 5.40 9.97 15.03 0.17 % of answered 6.13 13.69 16.37 3.44 8.23 17.38 3.86 5.46 10.08 15.20 0.17 response 253 170 327 449 % of total 21.01 14.12 27.16 37.29 % of answered 21.10 14.18 27.27 37.45 response 200 214 190 200 200 200 % of total 16.61 17.77 15.78 16.61 16.61 16.61 % of answered 16.61 17.77 15.78 16.61 16.61 16.61 Maximum 764.000 Average 373.349 Coefficient of variation 0.530 Question #34. How old are you? Total 1,204 Answered 1,204 (100.00%) 8-19 20-40 > 40 Question #35.What do you do? Total 1,204 Answered 1,191 (98.92%) Business manager State employee Skilled worker Farm worker Laborer Student Housewife Unemployed Pensioner Pupil Other Question #36. In what type of settlement do you live? Total 1,204 Answered 1,199 (99.58%) Hamlet Village Town City Question #37. Region Total 1,204 Answered 1,204 (100.00%) L’viv oblast Donetsk oblast Luhansk oblast Kharkiv oblast Ternopil oblast Ivano-Frankivsk oblast Question #38. Response of respondents Total 1,204 Answered 1,035 (85.96%) Minimum 1.000 71 APPENDIX E HARVARD e-DEVELOPMENT READINESS GUIDE READINESS FOR THE NETWORKED WORLD A Guide for Developing Countries We would like to acknowledge the Computer Systems Policy Project for their assistance and original work on Global Electronic Commerce Readiness, and our colleagues throughout the world who provided their input and comments during the development of the Guide. We are especially grateful to IBM for their support of this project. T he technological gains of the last several decades lie at the core of staggering new surges of wealth and well-being within the richest countries of the world. Electronic commerce and related applications of information and communication technologies (ICTs) have become tremendous engines for economic growth and productivity and are changing the shape of the world in which we live. Yet the developed world is reaping the vast majority of these gains. It is our view that the appropriate use of information and communication technologies can also improve the lives of the 80% of the world’s population that lives in the developing world. The great divide between rich and poor countries, long observed with regard to economic wealth and social conditions, is equally prevalent and worrisome in the realm of information and communication technologies. While the growth of the Internet and the continuing “digitization of society” are much heralded events in more developed countries, many leaders in developing nations are left wondering how they can participate in the rapid changes going on around them. How can ICTs help their businesses, governments and communities become more productive? How do they get ready for the Networked World? We believe that there now exists a unique opportunity for many of these communities to join global information networks to propel them to greater wealth and prosperity. Without a concerted effort by the developing world to get ready for the global networked economy, however, the gaps in living standards between developed 72 HARVARD e-DEVELOPMENT READINESS GUIDE and developing countries will only grow wider, and the productive use of these technologies will remain a phenomenon that is largely confined to the richest parts of the world. Building upon earlier work by the Computer Systems Policy Project (CSPP) on Global Electronic Commerce Readiness, and with the support of IBM, we have created a systematic but flexible approach to assessing Networked Readiness. This Guide is a tool that provides the first step in creating a strategic approach to planning for developing world communities. Our collective understanding of Networked Readiness is still in its infancy, particularly with respect to the largely untapped markets and resources of the developing world. The landscape is shifting rapidly, and we recognize the challenge of creating a methodology that must serve diverse communities and apply to a rapidly evolving subject matter. To that end, the Guide is a general framework that each community should tailor to its own needs. It should be used not for comparison among communities, but for appraisal within them. It is our hope that Readiness for the Networked World: A Guide for Developing Countries will become a valuable resource that business people, policy-makers, community leaders and others will use to unlock the tremendous potential that ICTs hold as a catalyst for development. It is not an easy task, for there exist myriad obstacles to Readiness, but with hard work and cooperation among the public, private, and non-profit sectors, we believe that the communities in the developing world can begin to better capture the benefits of the Networked World. Jeffrey D. Sachs Director Center for International Development at Harvard University APPENDIX E GETTING STARTED WHAT IS THE NETWORKED WORLD ? E ver-evolving and increasingly powerful information and communication technologies (ICTs) have fundamentally changed the nature of global relationships, sources of competitive advantage and opportunities for economic and social development. Technologies such as the Internet, personal computers and wireless telephony have turned the globe into an increasingly interconnected network of individuals, firms, schools and governments communicating and interacting with each other through a variety of channels. The explosion of this technologically mediated global network has resulted in a world in which virtually everyone, everywhere, has the potential to reap the benefits of connectivity to the network. An artisan in a rural village using her community center’s computer to sell handicrafts on the World Wide Web. Healthcare workers accessing on-line databases to research recent health advisories. Students in different countries collaborating on a science project over the World Wide Web. Programmers creating customized software for distant clients through the Internet. Government procurement officers using the World Wide Web for purchases and contracts. A farmer using a wireless hand-held device to research market prices. THE NETWORKED WORLD IS: • • • • • • WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF THE NETWORKED WORLD FOR DEVELOPING COUNTRIES ? Success in the Information Age depends upon the widespread integration of information and communication technologies into society-at-large. New value propositions based upon ICTs emerge as individuals begin to accept and understand their usefulness. This change in attitude and behavior leads to creative solutions and new models that can radically reshape how businesses, hospitals, schools and governments work. HARVARD e-DEVELOPMENT READINESS GUIDE In the more developed nations, the deployment of ICTs is more widespread and is supported not only by better infrastructure, but also by more fundamentally sound societal building blocks such as healthcare and education. The developing world, on the other hand, suffers from serious deficits and profoundly uneven distributions within these areas. Rapid increases in computing power, plunging prices for silicon chips and electronics, and advances in wireless communications have made powerful technologies accessible to many parts of the world which have historically lagged far behind in technology adoption. Suddenly, this accessibility allows developing nations to achieve significant, shared and sustained gains from joining the Networked World, particularly if broad development goals are kept in mind as communities in these nations focus on their own Readiness. T he new ICTs are a powerful yet neutral tool that can be used to address a host of issues in every community – their real power, therefore, lies in their ability to support holistic development that promotes long-term social and economic benefits. If information and communication technologies are used effectively, they can help to create a trained, educated and healthy workforce that can build a vibrant and successful economy. The value of a network increases as its number of users grows. By participating in the global information network, developing nations not only add value to the rest of the world, but also benefit from the ability to use the network to communicate and trade with all other users. For this reason it becomes ever more important for the developing world to get ready for the Networked World. Getting ready for the Networked World creates new opportunities for firms and individuals in the developing world, eliminates barriers that have traditionally stifled flows of information and goods to and from developing nations, and promotes efficiency in a host of activities. Students can learn more about the world and about themselves through use of the network. Business people can find new market opportunities and more efficient ways to run their firms. Governments can more effectively provide public services. Individuals can communicate with friends and family and become more informed about virtually anything that is on the network. Participation in the Networked World can provide new ways for developing countries to improve their economic, social and political well-being. These opportunities for positive change are increasingly relevant and achievable as information and communication technologies become more powerful and less expensive. 73 APPENDIX E Increases convenience and choice for consumers Extends market reach for businesses and supports fair return on goods and services Allows new business models to develop Creates New Opportunities • • • • • • Eliminates Barriers Provides access to information to all on the network Overcomes physical and virtual isolation Permits individuals to become better informed of government policies and processes Streamlines product and service delivery Increases transparency of operations Reduces transaction costs WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF PARTICIPATING IN THE NETWORKED WORLD ? • • • Promotes Efficiency WHAT IS READINESS ? Readiness is the degree to which a community is prepared to participate in the Networked World. It is gauged by assessing a community’s relative advancement in the areas that are most critical for ICTadoption and the most important applications of ICTs. When considered together in the context of a strategic planning dialogue, an assessment based on these elements provides a robust portrayal of a community’s Readiness. The value to a community of assessing its Readiness lies in evaluating its unique opportunities and challenges. Most communities will not be uniformly Ready across all evaluation criteria. The result is not a simple “yes” or “no,” but rather a complex map or detailed snapshot of a community’s potential. A community may be well poised for some applications of ICTs, but unable to use others. The scope and detail 74 HARVARD e-DEVELOPMENT READINESS GUIDE of the Guide’s output makes it a powerful tool for identifying a community’s strategic priorities for participating in the Networked World. WHAT IS THE GUIDE ? This Guide is an instrument that systematically organizes the assessment of numerous factors that determine the Networked Readiness of a community in the developing world. The Guide requires significant participation and interpretation on the part of its users. It examines 19 different categories of indicators, ranking each by levels of advancement in Stages One through Four. The Guide neither offers specific advice nor suggests that the only route from Stage Two to Stage Four be through Stage Three. Nor does it provide an overall score; it seeks only to offer a starting point in an ICT planning process. The categories are linked, each driving the others, such that a community cannot concentrate solely in one area, but must pay attention to each, noting where it might be able to capitalize on synergies among the categories. The categories fall within five groups: Network Access: What are the availability, cost and quality of ICT networks, services and equipment? Networked Learning: Does the educational system integrate ICTs into its processes to improve learning? Are there technical training programs in the community that can train and prepare an ICT workforce? Networked Society: To what extent are individuals using information and communication technologies at work and in their personal lives? Are there significant opportunities available for those with ICT skills? Networked Economy: How are businesses and governments using information and communication technologies to interact with the public and with each other? To what extent does the policy environment promote or hinder the growth of ICTadoption and use? Network Policy: APPENDIX E WHO SHOULD USE THE GUIDE ? The Guide is targeted at communities in developing countries seeking to define a strategy to participate in the Networked World. A “community” may be any size: a country, province, city or village. The Guide will naturally yield unique results for each community. For instance, the issues that are most easily addressed at a municipal level may be more challenging at a national level, and vice versa. Likewise, the value of each category will vary for each community. Available data are also of different character and quality in each community. This will be reflected in the relative precision of each assessment. In referring to its audience as the “developing world,” the Guide groups together a great number of communities with widely different characteristics. There is a great deal of variation, not only among countries, but also within them. This is particularly true with respect to comparative conditions between rural and urban areas. The Guide attempts to be a one-size-fits-all model that is flexible enough to accommodate any community in the developing world, recognizing that there are certain limitations to this approach. Just as communities are different from each other, leadership styles and goals in the development and implementation of ICT initiatives may arise from different places in each community. The composition of leadership groups using the Guide will therefore vary case by case. In some communities, businesses may take the lead. In others, academia or government may seize the initiative. In any case, a broad partnership among leaders across these sectors may produce the most thorough assessment and provide the best foundation for cooperation on future actions to improve Readiness. HOW SHOULD THE GUIDE BE USED? There is no one correct way to use the Guide; each community should determine how the Guide best addresses its own needs. Depending on the resources and goals of the community, the assessment process and results will vary in detail, depth and scope. In general, however, users of the Guide should estimate their own community's current stage within each Readiness category. Communities may have difficulty placing themselves in a specific stage within some categories, as certain indicators within a stage may not be consistently linked. A community facing this situation should realistically determine which indicator is most relevant to its own ICT goals. While the Guide alone does not offer prescriptions for improved Readiness, it is useful for giving communities an idea of their current state of preparedness to participate in the Networked World. In order to decide where to go, each community must first know where it is. The Guide provides a firm base upon which to build a planning dialogue and is an important step in making sound policy and investment decisions. HARVARD e-DEVELOPMENT READINESS GUIDE NETWORK ACCESS T he minimum necessary condition for Readiness is access to adequate network infrastructure. Without access to global communications networks, no community can participate in the Networked World. Access is determined by a combination of the availability and affordability of use of the network itself, as well as of the hardware and software needed for network interface. The quality and speed of the network are also important in determining how the network is used. The customer service orientation of access providers is a major factor in network application adoption and usability. Because of the growing importance and unique character of the Internet, which provides a global platform for both data and (increasingly) voice services, the assessment of network access should be carried out in the context of Internet access, rather than access to either voice or data. The significance of the Internet will only continue to grow in terms of global trade and communication. Information Infrastructure. For most communities in the developing world, a lack of access to voice and data services remains a significant impediment to Networked Readiness. Communications infrastructure is deployed with widely varying local and regional rates of penetration, depending on factors such as geography and/or income levels. Local network access may be provided by any one of a number of media that make up the communications network (including twisted pair copper wire, coaxial cable, wireless local loop, satellite and fiber optics). While in the future, mobile wireless technologies will undoubtedly provide an attractive option for data access (see box insert: “The Promise of Wireless Communications”), as will cable networks and perhaps even the electrical grid, currently most Internet access in the developing world is provided through the traditional telecommunications network. Internet Availability. Internet access is enhanced by competition among Internet Service Providers (ISPs) that operate locally. The range of services offered, number of dial-up lines (which helps determine ISP capacity) and transmission capacity all influence an ISP’s usefulness. The availability of leased lines is particularly important in making the Internet available to the business community. Finally, in many communities in the developing world, public access is essential to making the Internet available to greater numbers of individuals and firms. Telecenters, Internet cafes and community information centers assume great importance in making the Internet available to those who do not have personal access at home, school, work or elsewhere. Internet Affordability. The prices which businesses and individual consumers pay for Internet access are in most cases determined by a combination of fees for basic teleph- 75 HARVARD e-DEVELOPMENT READINESS GUIDE Access to telecommunications infrastructure is very poor. (Roughly: There are very few shared facilities for telecommunications access. Telephone penetration is very low, with a teledensity of less than 2 mainlines per 100 people. Mobile wireless penetration is below 0.5% of the population. No cable services are available.) A limited number of Internet Service Providers offers local dial-up access. There are more than 1,000,000 inhabitants per local ISP. Some providers offer only e-mail services. There are limited opportunities for public Internet access. Users often have difficulty establishing a dial-up connection to a local ISP. There is no competition in commercial leased line provision. Businesses may only lease lines from a single telephone operator. There are no Internet Service Providers (ISPs) offering local dial-up access. There is no public Internet access. Businesses are unable to lease dedicated lines from the local telephone operator, or there is a multi-year wait to do so. Telephone charges for Internet access reflect emerging competition in the telecoms market, yet they are high enough to discourage extensive use by some users. Internet access is priced within reach of the majority of citizens. Competition in leased line provision for businesses has been introduced, and prices are falling but are still high. Rates for local telephone calls are high enough to discourage extensive Internet use via local ISPs, even among most who can afford Internet access. Local access solutions exist, but rates for ISP services are high enough to discourage extensive Internet use. The lack of competition in the provision of commercial leased lines is reflected in prohibitively or very high leasing fees. Most users are charged long distance or international rates for dial-up access. ISP rates are so high that few individuals can afford Internet access. Internet Affordability A small minority in the community has good access to the telecommunications network, but most of community does not. (Roughly: Teledensity is between 2 and 8 mainlines per 100 people. Mobile wireless penetration is between 0.5% and 3%. Cable penetration is below 5% of all households in the community.) There are between 500,000 and 1,000,000 inhabitants per local ISP. ISPs provide full Internet access. Subscribers may have some options between various Internet service packages. There are some opportunities for public Internet access. It is normally possible for users to establish a dial-up connection to a local ISP, except during peak hours. One or two private providers leased lines to businesses. Prices for telephone usage are set competitively and are affordable for nearly all citizens. Flat rate pricing may be in effect for local telephone calls. Prices for Internet access are set competitively and are affordable for nearly all citizens. Flat rate pricing may be available. Free ISP services may be available, particularly in communities with time-metered pricing of local phone calls. Higher bandwidth solutions such as DSL services and cable modem access are priced competitively, which may include tiered pricing based on speed of access or usage-based pricing based on total volume. “Always-on” connections are available without time-metered pricing. Pricing for leased business lines is set in a competitive environment featuring multiple vendors. Internet Availability A sizeable portion of the community has good access to telephone services. Growth in mobile wireless telephony is accelerating. (Roughly: Teledensity is between 8 and 40 mainlines per 100 people. Mobile wireless penetration is between 3% and 14%. Between 5 and 10% of households in the community subscribe to cable services.) There are more than two local ISPs per 1,000,000 inhabitants. Higher bandwidth solutions such as DSL(digital subscriber line) and cable modem access are available. Most customers can tailor services to meet different demands for speed, service, security, quality and cost. ISPs provide web hosting services to their subscribers. There are adequate opportunities for public Internet access for those without access at home, school or work. Users are able to establish a dial-up connection to a local ISP on a reliable basis. Multiple private providers leased lines to businesses. Wireless solutions may be available in addition to fixed line solutions. Information Infrastructure There is widespread access to telecommunications and network services. (Roughly: There is high teledensity of 40 mainlines or more per 100 people. Penetration of mobile wireless telephony is high and growing, with at least 14% of the community subscribing. Cable penetration is high, at 10% of households or higher.) APPENDIX E 76 Stage 1 Stage 2 Stage 3 Stage 4 Fewer than half of all domestic telephone calls are successful. For voice telephony, sound quality is often not acceptable for regular conversation. More than 100 faults are reported per year for each 100 telephone mainlines. No services beyond limited electronic mail capabilities are supported by the local telecommunications infrastructure. Large businesses which want access must link their networks directly to infrastructure backbone outside their community. Some off-the-shelf hardware and software solutions are available locally, but there are none or very few in the native language of the community. Basic hardware and software are affordable for some citizens and small and medium-sized businesses. There are no distribution/sales points for ICT hardware/software within the community. ICT hardware and software are too expensive for all but large businesses and a small minority of citizens and small and medium-sized businesses. Hardware and Software Mainlines take at least one month to be installed. It takes over one week for reported mainline problems to be resolved. There is a growing customer service ethic among service and support providers, although it is not a priority for most. Some ICT maintenance and technical support services are available. A nascent software industry is present in the community, and there is a growing number of hardware technicians, web designers and network administrators. Mainlines take at least six months for installation. It takes over one month for reported mainline problems to be resolved. Providers pay no explicit attention to customer service. A small community of software developers, web designers, network administrators and other technical personnel exists. Telephone mainlines take at least four years to be installed from the time their orders are placed. It takes over six months for reported mainline problems to be resolved, if ever. Very few or no software developers, programmers or computer technicians are present in the community. Service and Support HARVARD e-DEVELOPMENT READINESS GUIDE 50-70% of domestic telephone calls are successful. Dropped connections are frequent and extremely disruptive. For voice telephony, sound quality is acceptable for regular conversation. Between 50 and 100 faults are reported per year for each 100 mainlines. The telecommunications infrastructure in most areas of the community supports dial-up modem transfer speeds of 9.6 Kbps or less. Some areas may support speeds of 14.4 Kbps. Large businesses and ISPs can link their networks to a local infrastructure backbone, but backbone capacity is frequently inadequate to support user demands. Packet loss is significant and regularly disruptive for any on-line activities. Most ICT products are sourced from abroad, but there is a strong and growing localization industry to adapt products to local needs. Some software appropriate to local needs and languages is available. A variety of hardware and software solutions are available and affordable to most small and medium-sized businesses, as well as many individuals. Mainline installation is usually completed within a few days. Service providers can be contacted in a number of ways (e-mail, telephone, mail). Reported problems are usually resolved within 48 hours. Online help is available and may allow for immediate resolution. Customer service is considered a source of competitive advantage for the service provider. ICT maintenance and technical support are widely available. A competitive and sophisticated web design market exists, incorporating the latest development technology. APPENDIX E 70-90% of domestic telephone calls are successful. Connections are dropped with noticeable frequency and are somewhat disruptive. Fewer than 50 faults are reported per year for each 100 mainlines. Users have access to dial-up modem transfer speeds of up to 28.8 Kbps. Leased lines with transfer speeds of up to 64 Kbps are widely available for businesses and ISPs. Limited higher-speed lines are available in some areas. Backbone facilities serving the community are usually sufficient, although regular peak demand periods result in slower network response times. Packet loss by the network may occur but is not generally disruptive. A vibrant marketplace exists for software and hardware with a competitive retail and wholesale market for these products. Hardware and software appropriate to local needs and languages are widely available and affordable. Network Speed and Quality Dropped connections are fairly infrequent and not a major disruption. Over 90% of domestic telephone calls placed are successful. Fewer than 10 faults are reported per year for each 100 mainlines. There is widespread access to dial-up modem transfer speeds up to 56 Kbps, with some access to high speed solutions such as DSL, cable modems and wireless media. High speed services of 1.5 Mbps are common, with higher speeds available in some areas. Adequate backbone capacity exists to support community needs without significant transmission delays except during infrequent periods of high demand. Packet loss by the network is below 10%. Stage 1 Stage 2 Stage 3 77 Stage 4 APPENDIX E ony and ISP services. In communities where the sum of ISP and telephony fees is prohibitively high, a disincentive to network usage exists, and access is curtailed. Pricing packages can be structured in ways that are conducive to Internet usage – per minute or hourly pricing (unlike flat rate pricing) for both Internet and telephone service can limit users’ time on-line and therefore inhibit the use of the network for many activities such as electronic commerce (e-commerce). The provision of tiered pricing packages can improve the affordability for many subscribers by allowing them to purchase only what they need. Network Speed and Quality. The available bandwidth, both for individuals’ local access and for a community’s connection to the Internet backbone, determines the number of users and types of on-line activities the network can support. Bandwidthintensive activities, such as large file transfers or video streaming, may be unavailable to communities with constrained access to the network. The quality of the network, including servers, also determines its usage. High numbers of mainline faults, poor connections, dropped connections and packet loss can render any network useless or operationally sub-optimal, thus discouraging use of and investment in new technologies. Hardware and Software. A vibrant market with numerous hardware and software options can encourage more specialized usage of the network, including ICT solutions that are tailored to local needs. More widespread retail and wholesale distribution channels for both hardware and software increase opportunities to use the network within the community. The prices of hardware and software are particularly important in the developing country context, where generally low-income levels cannot support high-priced consumer items. Service and Support. A strong customer service orientation is important in determining the success of network deployment. Long waiting periods for installation and repair and a lack of support services by telephone companies and Internet providers pose major obstacles to Readiness. The quality and number of technical support professionals are essential in maintaining the network and providing service. Transport Infrastructure, Distribution Channels, Electricity and Local Conditions There are a number of factors that are important for economic development in general that deserve special mention because they can play a crucial role in Networked Readiness. • Where information technologies facilitate the buying and selling of tangible 78 HARVARD e-DEVELOPMENT READINESS GUIDE • • Particularly in the developing world, the reliability and cost of electric power must be considered carefully in light of Readiness. The one billion people globally who do not have electricity consequently face tremendous challenges in Networked Readiness terms. Local distribution networks can also influence Readiness. The nature and quality of delivery channels are determined by a variety of factors (e.g. postal services, private shipping services, warehousing, licensing and permits). Each of these factors can pose certain limitations on the movement of goods that accompanies the growth of commercial activity associated with information and communication technologies. Inefficient customs services can also be an impediment in this respect. goods, the non-ICT infrastructure in a community is essential in enabling Readiness. The availability and efficiency of traditional physical transport infrastructure such as roads, railways, ports and airports are extremely important for the movement of ICT equipment and of ICT-facilitated trade in goods. • Proper functioning of ICT equipment is also dependent upon local conditions that may affect how the technologies perform – factors such as heat and humidity (especially where air conditioning is rare or unattainable), dust or exposure to other elements can render many information and communication technologies unusable. The Promise of Wireless Communications • • Avoids potential problems and costs related to theft of copper wire and other equipment. Faster activation of individual connections than in fixed line systems. This cuts down on subscriber waiting lists for access to the network. Lower cost and less time to deploy the infrastructure than traditional fixed lines. In the context of the developing world, wireless telecommunications hold great promise for overcoming many deficits of infrastructure and access. There are many advantages to wireless technologies that make them well-suited for extending existing networks. • • Mobile wireless offers convenience and flexibility to the user. APPENDIX E • Global experience suggests that the rollout of wireless networks can accelerate competition in the telecommunications market, leading to faster rates of innovation, rapidly declining prices, faster network growth and better service quality. • • Improvements in human interface technology, including voice recognition, may also lead to simpler, easier-to-use devices that will be more accessible to a broader population. With increasing availability of mobile data applications, hand-held devices should become a good substitute for traditional access to data, removing the need for larger, mor e expensive personal computers. Currently there are limited data applications for mobile wireless. However, as thirdgeneration hand-held devices come on to the market, and the deployment of broadband wireless becomes a more cost effective market solution, there will be even more opportunities to extend productive connectivity throughout the developing world. • Innovative solutions for extending access become available with the declining cost and increasing power of hand-held devices. These include the development of “disposable phones,” or pre-paid plans with extremely low-cost telephones. HARVARD e-DEVELOPMENT READINESS GUIDE NETWORKED LEARNING W ithout an educated, ICT-savvy populace, no community can fully participate in the Networked World. To foster this resource, information and communication technologies must be incorporated into the learning system. Lamentably, although the use of ICTs in education is one of the most powerful catalysts to Networked Readiness, it is an opportunity that is often squandered, misunderstood or underestimated. Schools’ Access to Information and Communication Technologies. Schools must integrate ICT tools into their learning processes if they are to be part of the Networked World. Programs that give students access to information and communication technologies in the classroom provide an important step to improving Readiness. A school’s Readiness in terms of access can be broken down into six broad areas: number of computers, physical access to the technology, types of computers, diffusion of the network, access to and organization of electronic content, and quality and speed of connectivity in the school. In general, the diffusion of information and communication technologies is driven by unit cost per pupil. Computers tend to be adopted first at the university level, then by the secondary school system, and finally by primary schools. Enhancing Education with ICTs. While putting ICTs into schools is an important first step to Readiness, the technologies need to be properly harnessed to improve the learning process. Teachers must be trained to use the Internet and computers as tools for the students’ benefit; this training is central to Readiness. Curricula must be redesigned to encourage the use of ICTs in the pursuit of problem solving, group learning and research. Students should be taught from the earliest age possible to use information and communication technologies to enhance and improve their learning experiences. Full integration of ICTs into the learning process is optimal, and collaborative, project-based learning can make up a solid pedagogical strategy for ICTenhanced education. Developing the ICT Workforce. It is essential that there exist opportunities within the community to offer future ICT workers both first-time and continuing training in essential skills such as software programming, hardware engineering and World Wide Web design. These opportunities are fundamental to creating a sustainable ICT industry and support the integration of ICTs into the local economy. Illiteracy and ICTs. While cutting-edge digital media do extend the usability of the Internet, it is still largely a text-driven medium. Illiteracy seriously limits the ability of many communities to utilize computers and on-line resources, particularly in the developing world, where illiteracy rates can be quite high. 79 APPENDIX E HARVARD e-DEVELOPMENT READINESS GUIDE There are no computers in schools. Only a few teachers use computers in a very limited fashion. Teachers' basic computer literacy involves skills such as use of the keyboard and mouse, a basic understanding of the computer's operating system, manipulation of files, and cutting and pasting. Computers are mainly used at the university level. Computers are not used by any teachers or students. Technical classes and programs on ICT-related subjects are available from a variety of public and private centers. Some limited on-line access to training is available. Some employers offer training in the use of information and communication technologies to their employees. There are limited opportunities for training in ICT skills development. Training opportunities for programming, maintenance, support, Web design and other ICT professions are virtually non-existent. Developing the ICT Workforce Where there are ICTs in schools, it is primarily at the university level, and there are generally fewer than five computers in a school or faculty. Access to the computer(s) is limited to computer teachers and/or administrators. Computers tend to be older generation models, such as stand-alone 486 PCs or the equivalent. Where there are multiple computers installed, they are not networked. Use of the computer(s) is limited to electronic documents that are available on the hard drive or diskettes. There may be connectivity for store-and-forward e-mail. Teachers and students use computers to support traditional work and study. Teachers who use computers are generally proficient with word processing applications and may access information offline from CD-ROMs. They may employ computers in some basic drill-and-practice lessons. In some cases, teachers access and organize information from the World Wide Web in their work, share information using e-mail, and create information in electronic format to share with others both inside and outside the school. There are many technical schools with specialized curricula in information and communication technologies and computer science. There are a variety of training opportunities relating to information and communication technologies available through vendor certification programs, employers, educational institutions, private training centers and distance learning courses. On-line resources and courses are widely available for the development of technical skills. Enhancing Education with ICTs Computers can be found at the university level as well as in primary and secondary schools. Up to 10 to 15 computers can be found in laboratories for classroom group work, with about four students per computer. Computer labs are generally only open for computer studies during the day and closed after school, or may be open to teachers for class preparation but closed to students. Computers tend to be older generation models, such as 486 PCs or higher, and they may be networked with a file and mail server. There may be an internal Local Area Network (LAN) in place. If there are multiple computer labs, they may be connected through the school network. Where there are stand-alone PCs, they may have a limited CD-ROM library. The networked lab achieves connectivity through a dial-up connection to the Internet, which supports limited World Wide Web access. Information and communication technologies are fully integrated into the curricula, are used in the classroom and are essential to the learning process. The curricula may feature collaborative, project-based learning activities that enable students to use the Internet and advanced software skills to work with other students and teachers in their school, outside their community and internationally. Teachers are well-trained in methods for incorporating computers and ICTs into their instruction and curricula. School’s Access to ICTs Most schools at all educational levels have access to computers. There may be a number of computer labs in each school, and computers may be found in the classroom. In some cases, students and teachers may have individual laptop computers. Computer labs are open to students and reserved for subject matter classes to use, and are open after school hours. The lab may be open to the community and other schools after school and on weekends. There may be an internal Web server on the school network — computers as well as other devices are connected to the network. Classrooms may be wired and connected to the school's Wide Area Network (WAN). Clusters of schools may be connected to a regional WAN to share electronic resources. A national school network may be in place. Connectivity may be obtained through a leased line or wireless connection with at least 64 to 128 Kbps of dedicated access. Stage 1 Stage 2 Stage 3 Stage 4 80 APPENDIX E NETWORKED SOCIETY R eadiness depends upon the community’s incorporation of information and communication technologies into the fabric of its activities in order to maximize the gains of joining in the Networked World. In society-at-large, ICTs can have a profound effect upon people’s professional and personal lives by providing easier access to information, more efficient ways to communicate and powerful organizational tools. To understand how a community is using ICTs, it is important to assess not only how many members of the community have access to the technologies, but also how they are using them. People and Organizations On-line. One of the hardest indicators to track is the actual number of on-line users. Particularly in the developing world, where multiple users share many electronic mail (e-mail) accounts and other on-line tools, there are few reliable indicators that accurately map how many people are on-line. The exponential growth in on-line usage also makes tracking current use difficult. This is nevertheless an important indicator. As more people access the Internet regularly, and networks of users grow, there is greater demand and opportunity for on-line interaction, as well as better meshing with the Networked World at-large. As more organizations gain an on-line presence, it becomes more likely that the community will use information and communication technologies to augment or carry out its activities and needs. One of the most important drivers of on-line growth is awareness – people must first know and understand what the Internet is in order to participate. Particular attention should be paid to the demographics of Internet users in the community. Particularly at lower stages of Readiness, groups such as women, the physically disabled, and racial and ethnic minorities often do not participate in the on-line environment. A community is more Ready when there are not large discrepancies in online presence among different groups. Locally Relevant Content. Community members find the Internet medium more useful and relevant to their own lives when on-line content reflects their own interests and needs. Locally relevant content is a major driver of growth of Internet usage. Interactions such as chat rooms, on-line interest groups, special interest software, bulletin boards, listservs and websites all drive the community to use ICTs more widely in their lives. Similarly, on-line content is more relevant when it is available in local languages. English language dominance on the Internet remains a serious impediment to the world’s non-English speaking communities. While the preponderance of English is waning, and other world languages are gaining, most of the world does not speak a language that is strongly represented either in software or on the World Wide Web. HARVARD e-DEVELOPMENT READINESS GUIDE Information and Communication Technologies in Everyday Life. Communities participate more directly in the Networked World when information devices, such as radios, faxes, televisions, telephones, pagers and computers are culturally accepted and widely incorporated into daily life. It is important to examine both penetration of ICT devices into a community and their applications. In communities where either income levels or the network infrastructure cannot support high levels of individual access, public shared facilities provide a needed alternative. Such venues may include telecenters, cyber cafés and community information centers. Strategies for drawing people in to use these facilities are essential. Information and Communication Technologies in the Workplace. The more that business and government offices are already using information and communication technologies, the better prepared they are to participate in the global networked economy. In order to realize important efficiency gains from ICTs, businesses and governments need to not only make technologies available to their employees, but also effectively incorporate them into their core processes. 81 People and Organizations On-line No websites exist providing information on local topics. Few or no websites are available in local languages or a dominant Web language spoken locally. Locally Relevant Content Information and communication technologies (telephones, fax machines, pagers, computers) are used to a limited degree by some members of the community. Public telephones are available in some parts of the community and are used regularly b y many community members. Personal computers with e-mail capability are made publicly available by some businesses, but most users are from outside the community (e.g. tourists and visiting business people). Members of the community do not normally employ information and communication technologies in their daily lives. Most social communication is paper based and/or oral. Organizations achieve some efficiency gains through some degree of deployment of ICT systems in their internal workings. Many computers in business offices are internally networked for data processing, management reporting, and other enterprise applications. Some employees conduct research and business transactions over the Web, though most often they use a shared workstation to do so. Some employees use e-mail for internal communications. Organizations achieve sporadic efficiency gains through limited deployment of ICT systems in their internal workings. Some employees have access to telephones. Few offices have computers that are networked for internal file sharing and basic enterprise applications. In offices where there are computers, only some employees use them for their work, though not for electronic communications. Employees have limited access to telephones. A small minority of business and government offices have at most a few computers, none of which are networked. Most business communication takes place in person or by mail. A small number of businesses use telephone and fax. HARVARD e-DEVELOPMENT READINESS GUIDE Most of the population has never heard of the Internet. Less than 0.05% of the population has used the Internet at any time during the past three months. No business entity in the community has a registered Internet domain name. Few websites covering local topics exist, and most of them are created and hosted outside the community. Some websites are available in local languages or a dominant Web language spoken locally. There is little use of on-line bulletin-board systems, Usenet groups, newsletters, and/or listservs. Public telephones may be found in most parts of the community and are heavily used. Some members of the community have Internet access at home. Growing numbers of community members use telecenters, cyber cafés and other businesses that offer computer use and on-line services to the public for a fee. Organizations achieve major efficiency gains through widespread deployment of ICT systems in their internal processes. Computers in offices are fully networked. Different office locations are connected to each other through external networks. These networks may extend nationally or internationally. Most employees have Internet access from their own workstations. Most employees have their own e-mail accounts for internal and external communications. Workers commonly list their e-mail and website addresses on their business cards. APPENDIX E Much of the population has never heard of the Internet, and most people do not know anyone who has ever used it. Less than 0.5% of the population has used the Internet recently, and few are regular users. Some local businesses and institutions have registered domain names. There are fewer than two of these domains per 1000 inhabitants. There is no advertising in traditional media for on-line companies or resources. Some local websites are available, though most carry static content and are updated infrequently. Websites carry diverse types of information relevant to different groups within the community. Many websites are available in local languages or a dominant Web language spoken locally. There is some use of on-line bulletin-board systems, Usenet groups, newsletters, and/or listservs. There are opportunities for Web-related training, although they may be expensive and accessible only in certain areas. Many members of the community use information and communication technologies (wireless phones, digital assistants, pagers, personal computers) to assist in their personal lives. Many members of the community use information and communication technologies for household commerce (on-line shopping, banking, investing) and for a variety of social and commercial interactions with other people (including bartering, consumer-to consumer trade, online chat). Citizens without access through home, school or work use a variety of public and private Internet access options, including on-line cafes and community centers. ICTs in the Workplace Most of the population has heard of the Internet, although few have used it. Less than 10% of the population uses the Internet regularly. The overwhelming majority of Internet users are males between the ages of 10 and 35. The number of registered domains locally is at least 2 per 1000 people. Advertising in traditional media for on-line companies or resources is infrequent. Many websites provide dynamic information on local topics and are updated at least several times per week. Local content is generated by citizens at all levels of society, including websites and on-line bulletin-board systems, Usenet groups, newsletters, and/or listservs. A significant amount of information is available through websites in local languages or a dominant Web language spoken locally. Many affordable opportunities exist for Web-related training. ICTs In Everyday Life Most of the population is interested in using the Internet and knows others who do. At least 10% of the population accesses the Internet with some regularity. Males between the ages of 10 and 35 no longer represent the overwhelming majority of Internet users. The number of registered local domains is at least 20 per 1,000 population. Advertising in traditional media for on-line companies or resources is fairly common. Stage 1 Stage 2 Stage 3 Stage 4 82 NETWORK POLICY HARVARD e-DEVELOPMENT READINESS GUIDE NETWORKED ECONOMY P APPENDIX E B There are a number of policy issues surrounding the Internet and electronic commerce whose stages of resolution are not clear, but which must be considered for their profound impact upon Networked Readiness. In general, policies which ensure legal certainty, security and consumer protection for on-line transactions and interactions should be enacted. These include the resolution of issues such as transactional security, electronic contract enforceability and the authentication of individuals and documents. In dealing with issues such as Internet taxation, on-line privacy and intellectual property rights, the following guidelines should be followed: Ongoing Public Policy Challenges ICT Trade Policy. Information and communication technologies become more available and affordable when there are low barriers to trade, including tariffs on ICT equipment and software, and electronically ordered or delivered goods and services. Telecommunications Regulation. Effective regulation should promote competition, ensure affordable pricing for consumers and maximize telecommunications access in the community. Liberalization within the telecommunications sector should establish a regulatory framework that encourages multiple carriers to operate competitively. As more operators enter and compete in the marketplace, service offerings become more accessible and affordable, are deployed more rapidly and reach higher levels of quality. At the same time, regulation should encourage universal access to telecommunications services. ublic policy can be a help or a hindrance to the networked economy. The favorable climate that public policy can create for Internet use and e-commerce encourages communities, organizations and individuals to invest in and use information and communication technologies. Important aspects of Networked Readiness dealt with elsewhere in the Guide (such as Internet availability and affordability, hardware and software availability and affordability, ICTs in schools and electronic commerce) are all influenced by public policy. For a community to become ready for the Networked World, the appropriate policy-makers must realize the implications of their decisions upon ICTadoption and use. usinesses and governments that are able to effectively employ information and communication technologies find more sophisticated and efficient ways of managing their external relationships and communications. This growing ICT usage helps form the critical mass of electronic transactions which supports a networked economy, both in terms of the network size and the demand for associated goods, services, labor and policy reform. ICT employment Opportunities. A thriving job market for ICT professionals provides added incentive for growth of ICTadoption, training programs and overall use of information and communication technologies within the economy. The retention of technical workers becomes an important competitiveness issue for the community. Business-to-Consumer (B2C) Electronic Commerce. On-line retail options enhance consumer choice and access to products. They also allow businesses to reduce costs associated with physical infrastructure and to augment their marketing outreach and public relations via a dynamic communications channel. Business-to-Business (B2B) Electronic Commerce. When businesses move their dealings with other businesses on-line, they can often communicate more easily at lower costs, hold smaller inventories, and process billings and payments more quickly, among other advantages. Moreover, networked businesses are likely to explore new business models, including dynamic business partnerships and radical market restructuring. E-Government. Governments can take advantage of information and communication technologies to improve connections with their constituents, including using the Internet to post information on-line and to offer interactive services for the public. Governments can also lead by example and become a catalyst for the networked economy by investing in information and communication technologies for their internal use, leading to more efficient operations and the creation of a local market for ICT equipment and services. Relationships with government contractors and procurement mechanisms can be streamlined by putting them on-line. ICTs can make government activities more transparent to citizens and other observers. • Internet tax policy should neither penalize the on-line trade of goods and services vis-à-vis traditional commerce nor inhibit the growth of electronic commerce. 83 HARVARD e-DEVELOPMENT READINESS GUIDE Few, if any, local businesses hire workers on the basis of their technical background. Some local businesses operate websites. The basic information they provide is static and infrequently updated. Some businesses accept orders placed by telephone or fax. Some businesses distribute hard-copy catalogs for remote browsing of goods and services. No businesses in the community operate websites. There is little awareness of on-line business, and all dealings between businesses and consumers consist of oral and/or paper-based transactions. The deployment of electronic systems has increased efficiency and transparency and lowered transaction costs in B2B interactions. Some B2B transactions are supported by electronic systems (e.g. proprietary systems and databases), but some paper-based transaction (e.g. signature) is usually required at some point. Electronic B2B transactions are a small percentage of overall B2B commerce. B2B interactions remain inefficient with little transparency. Faxes and telephones are commonly used to facilitate orders or for remote client support, although some paper-based transaction (e.g. signature) is required. Businesses have few sources of market information. The efficiency of most B2B interactions is hampered by this lack of transparency, as are prospects for new business opportunities. B2B transactions are carried out in person or remotely through paper-based transactions. All governmental agencies post key information on websites and some have incorporated the Web into their strategy for interaction with the public. Interactive government websites allow the public to conduct transactions (e.g. apply for permits, pay taxes) online. Much government procurement and many interactions with suppliers take place on-line or with other electronic mediation. Some governmental agencies post key information on websites, including directories of services, hours of operation, and downloadable forms. Information is often not kept current and relevant. Transactions take place primarily in person, by fax or by telephone, though electronic mail may expedite the process. The government manages relationships with some contractors and suppliers on-line or with other electronic mediation. A few governmental websites exist, providing basic information, often directed at parties outside of the community. This information is static and infrequently updated. Some limited interaction with the government is possible by telephone or fax. The government distributes some information about services, procedures, rights and responsibilities in hard copy. No government resources are on-line. There is no awareness of on-line government, and all dealings between government and citizens or businesses are in person or paper-based. There is limited information available by phone. E-Government Although there are some employment opportunities that call for technical skills, most workers with ICT experience either must leave the community to find employment or are unable to find work in their field. Many businesses post key information on websites. Information is often not kept current and relevant. Websites provide information on goods and services for sale. Purchases take place primarily in person, by fax or by telephone, though electronic mail may expedite the process. Some businesses may have introduced on-line ordering. Many efficiencies in B2B transactions are apparent as a result of the deployment of electronic systems. These efficiencies have changed market structures and redefined industry practices. Many businesses have incorporated the Web into sales, procurement and inventory management. Some transactions occur on-line over automated, fully-integrated systems. Order processing and delivery may be executed electronically and monitored through on-line tracking systems. Overall levels of electronic B2B transactions are a noticeable and growing percentage of total B2B transactions within the community. B2C Electronic Commerce Technical skills in the community are becoming a source of competitive advantage and are beginning to attract investment and employment opportunities by companies from outside the community. Many businesses in the community have incorporated the World Wide Web into their sales, marketing, and customer service systems. The total volume of on-line retail is a noticeable component of the community's commercial activity, as may be evidenced by advertisements for commercial websites in traditional media and other indicators. B2C Electronic Commerce A significant number of employees in the community require technical skills to perform their jobs. A sizeable portion of the community's economy is based on the management of and trade in information, employing a large number of “knowledge workers.” Information and communication technologies are considered central to the strategies of many organizations. ICT Employment Opportunities APPENDIX E 84 Stage 1 Stage 2 Stage 3 Stage 4 APPENDIX E Telecommunications Regulation ICT Trade Policy Trade barriers for ICT equipment have been reduced, but are still relatively high. There has been some opening in service sectors related to electronic commerce and ICT networks. Foreign direct investment is allowed in network sectors under certain conditions. Stage 1 Plans for the liberalization of telecommunications services are in place or are being formulated. Provisions for universal access to services have been established, though they are ineffective. Trade in ICT equipment is not restricted through unnecessary standards or licensing requirements, and tariffs are low and uniform. The community has at least temporarily agreed not to apply disproportionate tariffs on electronically delivered products. There has been significant opening in services that facilitate electronic commerce and building and operations of ICT networks, but some restrictions remain. Foreign direct investment in the ICT sector is encouraged with some restrictions. Trade in equipment for information and communication technologies is impeded by high tariffs and other restrictions, including cumbersome technical standards or licensing requirements. Service sectors are not open to trade, creating a barrier for electronic commerce and the building and operation of ICT networks. Domestic regulations may create de facto trade barriers for ICT use. There is little or no foreign direct investment. Plans for the liberalization of the telecommunications sector are in place and are being implemented. Progress is being made in achieving universal access, but there are many hurdles in implementation. Services such as data, paging and mobile telephony are available from competing private providers. Alternative carriers compete for private network services, leased lines and other telecommunications services for businesses. Incumbent provider networks are being opened to competition through interconnection and/or unbundling obligations. If tariffs exist on ICT goods, they are low and uniform. Trade in services is fully liberalized, including services delivered electronically. The community has explicitly affirmed that it will not apply disproportionate tariffs on electronically delivered products. Foreign investment in the ICT sector is encouraged and subject to few or no restrictions. There are no plans for the liberalization of the community's telecommunications sector. There are no regulatory provisions which promote universal access to telecommunications services. All services are provided by a single operator, whether private or state-owned. Voice and data service offerings are limited. The telecommunications sector has been liberalized, with a regulatory regime in place to promote open competition. Regulation is effective in promoting universal access. An independent regulatory body sets and enforces telecommunications regulations. Citizens and businesses have a number of options for their telecommunications and data services. Incumbent networks have been opened to competitors, and new competing carriers are taking advantage of these arrangements to offer services. There is vibrant competition among mobile wireless providers. Spectrum has been allocated consistently with international standards, and licensing arrangements encourage new market entrants. The provision of value-added services such as broadband Internet is recognized as a source of competitive advantage. • Measures should exist that safeguard the privacy of end-users in the community. HARVARD e-DEVELOPMENT READINESS GUIDE • The question of how to address intellectual property rights in a policy framework must be carefully addressed. Words as speech, property and contract should be appropriately considered in any legal framework. To resolve all of these issues, an appropriate mix of government regulation, marketbased solutions and industry self-regulation should be put in place which considers both consumer and business interests. The Business and Economic Environment Stage 2 • • • • • • • • • • • regulations and restrictions on small business access to start-up capital entrepreneurial culture access to credit credit card processing protocols credit card usage restrictions on capital flows convertibility of local currency openness to foreign direct investment soundness of economic and monetary policies predictability of the legal environment perceived political risk Use and deployment of information and communication technologies is largely being driven by the private sector. Accordingly, the overall business climate of a community, while affecting diverse development concerns, is of particular importance with regard to Networked Readiness and electronic commerce. The following factors, often influenced or determined by national policy, should be considered: • Stage 3 85 Stage 4 APPENDIX E WHAT NEXT? T • Communities at lower stages of Readiness can get ideas for improvement from the higher stage indicators. It is important to note, however, that the path from Stage One to Stage Three does not necessarily lead through Stage Two. Indeed, the absence of ICT development within a particular community may present unique opportunities for rapid ICT adoption and a “leapfrogging” of stages of Readiness. • A close working relationship between business and government is critical. HARVARD e-DEVELOPMENT READINESS GUIDE • ICTs are constantly becoming more powerful and less expensive. Applications that may be prohibitively expensive in the present may prove to be quite affordable in the near future. The on-line Guide contains further resources to aid in assessing Readiness. Please visit the on-line version of the Guide on the World Wide Web at: http://www.readiness guide.org International Development at Harvard University. For more information on the Guide, please contact the Information Technologies Group (ITG) at the Center for sarahbdesign http://www.sarahbdesign.com sarahbdesign Graphic Design by: http://www.ibm.com/solutions/government/readiness e-mail: readinessinfo@us.ibm.com Bethesda, MD 20817 USA 6710 Rockledge Drive Attn: Networked World Readiness International Business Machines Corporation With the support of: http://www.cid.harvard.edu/ciditg e-mail: e-Development@readiness guide.org Cambridge, MA 02138 USA 79 John F. Kennedy Street Information Technologies Group The Guide was prepared by: • Reaching Stage Four does not mean a community is finished; there is a need for continual improvement, especially in light of the speed with which ICTs and their applications develop and change. he results from the Readiness assessment act as the starting point in a participatory planning dialogue. They should heighten awareness of the opportunities and challenges of joining the Networked World. A planning process should be undertaken as a true partnership among business, government and other members of the community. The process should encourage but not require participation from the whole community. Participants should be key stakeholders that might include local carriers (incumbent and competitors), ISPs, high-tech companies, business users, appropriate government officials, educators, universities, bankers and community groups. Just as the other components of Readiness have been assessed, the nature and progress of the planning dialogue that is currently underway within the community should also be carefully understood. This is valuable whether a plan has already been put into action or if there is not yet any planning underway. • Preparing people is at least as important as preparing the technology they will use. Center for International Development at Harvard University • The importance of education in Readiness cannot be overestimated – a heavy emphasis upon incorporating ICTs in the educational system can yield tremendous long-term benefits by investing in the future Readiness of the workforce, society and economy. The following concepts should be kept in mind during the planning dialogue: • Each community must decide its own priorities and resource allocation to get Ready, but it should be careful not to sacrifice long-term gains for short-term benefit. 86