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Government of Antigua and Barbuda OfďŹ ce of the Prime Minister
Building a People-Centered Information Society
Honourable W. Baldwin Spencer Prime Minister
The Ministry of Information, Broadcasting and Telecommunications continues to lead my Government’s charge to bring about a genuine revolution in our twin island nation through the use of Information Communication Technologies (ICTs). My Government promised to make substantial investments in equipping our young people with the skills and competence necessary for them to successfully meet the challenges of the 21st century. We also promised to ensure information technology skills are widely disseminated. We are delivering on these promises. The Government is building a people-centered, inclusive and developmentoriented Information Society, where everyone can create, access, utilize and share information and knowledge, enabling individuals, communities and our people to achieve their full potential in promoting sustainable development and improving the quality of their life. ICTs have an extremely important role to play in the process of national development. Based on my observations, all progressive countries, whether developed or developing, are endeavoring to exploit the virtues of ICTs to add value to the quality of life of their citizens and generally spur economic, social and cultural development such that persons at all strata of society can beneďŹ t in a positive manner. My Government sees itself as a model user of new technologies. The Government is committed to developing its telecommunications and other ICT infrastructure so that it can take full advantage of the new technologies. I commend the Honourable Dr. Edmond Mansoor and his team on this important initiative that is just another step that will ensure the integration and adaptation of ICTs in all spheres of our daily lives. Honourable Baldwin Spencer Prime Minister
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Government of Antigua and Barbuda Office of the Prime Minister
Government Commits to an Inclusive and Prosperous Telecommunications Age
Honourable Dr. Edmond A. Mansoor Minister of State Information, Broadcasting & Telecommunications
The Ministry of Information, Broadcasting and Telecommunications is the proud host of ICTFEST 2006, a technology showcase that is the premier event on the Ministry’s annual calendar. The annual ICTFEST is part of the Government’s commitment aimed at ensuring the integration and adaptation of state of the art information and communication technologies in all spheres of national life. The Government’s ICT policy is designed to upgrade the intellectual capital of the Nation and to building an open and pluralistic society – one in which all citizens and residents have access to information and knowledge. Innovations in information and communication technologies have increased exponentially our capacity to connect with the global community. It is up to us to harness the potential of these technologies in our work to extend the benefits of advances in education, health care and trade to all. In collaboration with Telecommunications Providers, the Government of Antigua and Barbuda pledges to make available to all Antiguans and Barbudans the benefits of new technologies, especially information communication technologies. In cooperation with the Private Sector, the Ministry of Information, Broadcasting and Telecommunications pledges to bridge technological differences and promote interconnectivity for all. The Government continues to position Antigua and Barbuda to take full advantage of the explosion in wireless technologies. All Antiguans and Barbudans, citizens and residents alike, will benefit from the societal impacts of ICTs. We are strongly committed to educating and empowering citizens in the use of ICTs. In Antigua and Barbuda, telecommunications costs, including charges for access to cellular technology and high-speed Internet access, will continue to decrease, while affordability and accessibility to technology will both increase. I resolve to do all I can to lead the way to a truly open, inclusive and prosperous telecommunications age. Honourable Dr. Edmond A. Mansoor Minister of State Office of the Prime Minister
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The Digital Agenda of the Government of Antigua and Barbuda: E-Government by Dr. Patrick Lay Director Information Technology Center Introduction The Government of Antigua and Barbuda has been pushing its Digital Agenda rapidly forward to position the Nation as the regional leader in building an electronically wired digital society. In this respect, the Government has made great strides in pursuing its move to eGovernment and is fully committed to the success of its Digital Agenda. What is E-government? E-government is all about Government agencies working together to use technology so that they can better provide individuals and businesses with automated, superior Government services and information. It is not a massive Information Technology (IT) project. Much of it is about establishing common standards across Government, delivering services more effectively and efficiently, and providing ways for agencies to work together using cutting edge technology. E-government will enable people to use digital technology to find and use Antigua and Barbuda Government information and services. The Government has developed a vision statement defining its intentions, directions and estimated timeframes, embodied in its ICT Draft Policy statement. The e-government strategy sets out the approach being taken across Government until 2010 to achieve this vision. The strategy was developed starting in the summer of 2004 and will continue to be reviewed regularly. About the E-government Programme The e-government programme and the e-government Unit were formally established in the Government Information Technology (IT) Center in the summer of 2004.
Dr. Patrick Lay Director Information Technology Center
The two main reasons for the establishment of the programme are to: • Ensure that the public sector is able to make the best use of information and technology to improve its service delivery, internal performance and overall capability; and • Facilitate the necessary organizational changes, development of networks and relationships for the above to occur. Role of the E-government Unit The e-Government Unit is responsible for the following in the e-Government programme: Strategy • Develop and manage the delivery of an overarching e-government strategy, as well as supporting policies, standards and guidelines. Leadership • Facilitate uptake by government agencies of the e-Government vision. Coordination/collaboration • Identify opportunities for collaboration across Government agencies; leverage existing information management and technology investment, and provide coordination for multi-agency e-Government projects; Policy • Provide e-Government policy advice to the Honourable Minister of Information, Broadcasting and Telecommunications; and Monitoring • Monitor progress toward achieving the egovernment vision. Continued on page 16
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Community Access Centers Providing Schools and Communities with Internet Access On September 7, 2006, a hallmark initiative was launched in the Grays Green Community. A modern Community Computer Access Center, equipped with twenty high speed computers all with high speed Internet access, was opened at the Greenbay Primary School. Through the Community Access Centers (CACs), primary school students, teachers and principals in primary schools as well as the members of the surrounding communities are being provided with computer training right in their Prime Minister Hon. Baldwin Spencer and a student from the Greenbay Primary School communities at no charge. surfing the Internet at the Grays Green Community Computer Access Center Persons of all ages will benefit from this initiative. The Government’s intention is to provide access to computers and to the Internet at all primary schools in order to help build strong communities. The Government is committed to building a truly inclusive Information Society for all Antiguans and Barbudans. In phase one of the CAC programme, centers will be established in five other primary schools and communities: • • • • •
Five Islands School Jennings Primary School Villa Primary School Golden Grove Primary School Sea View Farm Primary School.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Prime Minister, the Honourable Baldwin Spencer, said: “We strongly believe that none of our citizens should be denied access to computer technology, especially access to the Internet, that vast reservoir of knowledge, because of their particular circumstances”. The CAC initiative, which is the brainchild of Minister of State with responsibility for Information, Broadcasting and Telecommunications, Honourable Dr. Edmond Mansoor, will provide an opportunity for the sharing of knowledge and experiences and for formulating programmes and projects that would assist digitally disadvantaged communities in sharing in the benefits of new technologies. Speaking on the CAC initiative, Minister Mansoor said: “We cannot deny any of our citizens, especially those who reside in or go to school in disadvantaged communities, from sharing in the benefits of new technologies. Technology is like education – it enables people to lift themselves out of poverty. Technology is a tool for, not just a reward, of growth and development.” “The key tools of development in a modern society are the Internet, mobile phones, wireless technology and broadband. It is for precisely that reason why the first CAC is being opened today in the Grays Green Community. In order for the members of the Grays Green Community to grow and develop, this tool called technology must be made available. And this Government is making technology available. There is a direct relationship between the rate of deployment and utilization of technology and the rate of growth and development of our economy and society.” Young people, specifically primary school students, are the ones that will reap the full benefits of the technology revolution. It is the lives of this age group that will be changed most dramatically by the technology revolution.
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Accelerating the Development Process with ICTs by Clement Samuel
Telecommunications Officer Telecommunications Division
Information and communication technologies (ICTs) and medium enterprises by leveraging ICT services play a unique, proven role in fostering innovation, and techniques and having unparalleled growth in creativity and competitiveness of the national economy by all industry and service sectors. increasing employment They are essential for addressing and revenue inflows that key societal challenges and are directly attributable to a modernising public services, vibrant ICT industry. The active and they underpin progress in all participation of small and science and technology fields. medium sized businesses and Antigua and Barbuda must, other small entities is essential therefore, master and shape the given their role in promoting future developments of ICTs and innovation. ensure that ICT-based services The broad and prevailing and products are taken up and Clement Samuel use of the Internet Protocols used to deliver the maximum Telecommunications Officer has triggered the process Telecommunications Division possible benefits for citizens and of the convergence of businesses. The Government of Antigua and Barbuda telecommunications, multimedia, and entertainment sees leadership in Information Communications systems. Today, it is possible to make telephone calls, Technology as Antigua and Barbuda’s best option for listen to radio, watch TV, and share music over the country competitiveness in the impending Caribbean Internet. In the field of traditional telecommunications, Single Market and Economy and in the global the main point of convergence is the Voice over economy. Internet Protocol (VoIP). Already we see the deployment New ICT technologies will open up many new of ubiquitous and unlimited capacity communications opportunities for higher-value products and services, networks by various local operators. The general public many of which are in areas where the Caribbean now has better access to cost-effective mobile and does not enjoy industrial or technological leadership. broadband network technologies and systems. Within But despite this obvious disadvantage, Caribbean the next year, there will be convergence of different fixed, governments must find ways of improving the region’s mobile, wireless and broadcasting networks spanning competitiveness and enable the Caribbean to master from the personal area to the regional and global area and shape the future development of ICTs so that the and interoperability of wired and wireless services and demands of its society and economy are met. Partnering applications within the Antigua and Barbuda market. at the regional and global level is the optimal approach However, the greatest potential that ICT’s offer to to ICT investment. More than ever before, such efforts Antigua and Barbuda is the various methods and are needed to keep pace with soaring research costs in techniques they provide for its people to acquire, an era of global competition, and increasingly complex interpret, represent and personalise, navigate and and interdependent technologies. retrieve, share and deliver knowledge. In fact the use of The convergence and integration of communication information and communication technologies (ICTs) in networks and services, and the explosive growth education is rapidly expanding worldwide. of the Internet and electronic commerce has not Open and distance learning is one of the most rapidly gone unnoticed. Accordingly, the Government growing fields of education, and its potential impact has developed, after extensive consultations, a on all education delivery systems has been greatly comprehensive ICT policy, which is a blue print for the accentuated through the development of Interneteconomic transformation of Antigua and Barbuda to a based information technologies, and in particular the knowledge-based society. World Wide Web. It is fast becoming an accepted and The policy also envisions achieving the growth of small indispensable part of the mainstream of educational
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systems in both developed and developing countries. There is evidence that it can lead to innovation in mainstream education, and may even have effects beyond the realm of education itself. Growth has been stimulated in part by the interest among decision makers, educators and trainers in the use of, and also by the recognition that traditional ways of organizing education need to be reinforced by innovative methods, if the fundamental right of all people to learning is to be realized. Governments worldwide are promoting more and more the use of open and distance learning as a complementary approach to traditional educational structures in order to meet the new and changing demands for education and training in the twenty-first century and to limit as much as possible the long-term effects caused by lack of resources, demographic trends and the HIV and AIDS pandemic. The following factors have contributed to the success and expansion of distance education provision: • need to ensure lifelong education by multiplying entry points to learning and training opportunities; • provision of increased opportunities for updating, retraining and personal enrichment; • improving cost-effectiveness of educational resources; • enhancing the quality of existing educational services;
• balancing inequalities between age groups; • extending geographical access to education; • providing speedy and efficient training for key target groups; • expanding the capacity for education in new and multidisciplinary subject areas; • offering the combination of education with work and family life; • the technological advances that have made it possible to teach more and more subjects at a distance (particularly the Internet and the World Wide Web); • enhancing the international dimension of the educational experience. ICTs will help Antigua and Barbuda to leap frog the development process, by moving directly to a globallyconnected, information-driven, knowledge-based society. Advances in communication technology and highspeed data networks are continuously increasing the possibilities for our Caribbean Countries, and countries with economies in transition, to participate in the globalmarket for ICT-enabled services on the basis of their comparative advantage. These emerging opportunities are providing a powerful commercial basis for ICT infras tructural investment.
The Caribbean Representative of the International Telecommunications Union, Phillip Cross, discussing ITU issues with Hon. Dr. Edmond Mansoor during a CTU sponsored training programme in Antigua
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The Future of Wireless Communications: Wi-Fi and / or Wi-Max…Why Not?
by William Henry Assistant Telecommunications Officer Telecommunications Division
The successful global deployment of cellular mobile
finding a better solution regarding effective spectrum
communications systems together with the phenomenal
usage. Traditional spectrum licencing methods are too
growth of the Internet over the past decade have
prohibitive and restrictive: what’s desirable is a solution
revolutionized
the
that adjusts to the innovative uses of new technology in
Technological
research
way
people and
communicate.
development
have
produced diverse advancements, most notably the
a manner that will ensure that legacy1 devices still retain their functionality.
convergence of voice, data and video technologies.
It has been estimated that mobile phone operators
This innovation has stimulated a global trend towards
have spent over US$112 Billion acquiring 3 G Wireless
the build-out of high quality networks that allows for the
spectrum licences. The results:
transmission of multiple services simultaneously over the
•
the slow roll-out of services for some operators
same transport medium. Communications between
(insufficient cash remains for infrastructure – in addition
devices that utilize multimedia applications exert great
3 G adapters may be expensive); and
demand on the existing infrastructure for high-speed and broad bandwidth access. These demands can
•
expensive
service
(means
of
recovering
installation and spectrum costs).
be met by networks with built-in broadband switching
Wi-Max: The Critical Solution in Wireless
systems optimized to deliver broadband services. In this modern age of Information Communication Technology
(ICT),
wireless
communications
Communications Standards?
have
The efficiencies of Wi-Fi are accompanied by
become an essential part of the daily routines of many
shortcomings such as its limitation in terms of coverage
including globe trotting businessmen. Part of the global
- approximately 300 feet. In consideration of this, the
wireless appeal is due to the convenience of having
global deployment of the IEEE 802.16-2005 standard
unrestricted access to voice, Internet, video and data
(802.16e, generally known as Mobile Wi-Max) also known
(graphics and text) services while on the go, without
as Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access
being tethered to the network via cables.
(Wi-Max) Wireless Metropolitan Area Network (WMAN)
One of the solutions that is typical of this ongoing
got underway. Of the various IEEE and other wireless
revolution has been the successful global deployment
standards in existence presently, only Wi-Max addresses
of the IEEE 802.11 Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN)
all the key elements needed to make the successful
standard also known as Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi).
evolution towards “full mobility”.
Why Wi-Fi?
At the same time it possesses Broadband Wireless
The critical foundation to Wi-Fi’s success comprises
Access (BWA) capacity for readily providing speeds
the supporting reinforcements of IEEE Standardization,
up to 70 Mbps as alternative ‘last mile’ technology in
Interoperability
This
Internet access. WLAN backhaul, minimal deployment
achievement has created remarkable opportunities
cost, natural adaptability to worldwide variation in band
for Policy Makers and Regulators to be innovators in
portions and the affinity for vendors likely to get approval
and
Spectrum
Availability.
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of the 802.16e standard additionally showcase Wi-Max’s versatility and appeal. Characteristics
3G
Wi-Fi: 802.11
Wi-Max: 802.16e
Mobile Fi: 802.20
Max. Speed
2 Mbps
54 Mbps
100 Mbps
16 Mbps
Coverage
Several Miles
300 feet
50 Miles
Several Miles
Airwave
Licenced
Licenced
Licenced
Licenced
Advantages
Range, mobility
Speed, price
Speed, range
Speed, mobility
Disadvantages
Slow, expensive
Short Range
Interference issu
High price
Figure 1 The Mobile Standards Compared Fig. 1 above shows Wi-Max’s relationship with other Wireless Technologies.
Conclusion Wi-Fi and Wi-Max can co-exist. In fact, it is common opinion that they are strongest when working together. Small tourism-dominated economies such as Antigua & Barbuda may experience exponential growth if served by an economically viable wireless communications infrastructure comprising Wi-Fi and Wi-Max networks.
Cable and Wireless (Antigua) Limited has successfully tested the deployment of Wi-Max technology in Antigua. This was a first for both Cable and Wireless and Antigua and Barbuda. One of the potential major advantages of WiMax technology is that the coverage area could exceed 30 miles. Cable and Wireless will launch Wi-Max technology in Antigua in September, 2006 making Antigua and Barbuda one of the first countries in the Caribbean to have both Wi-Fi and Wi-Max networks. Pictured to the left is Cable and Wireless Chief Executive, Davidson Charles, presenting Honourable Dr. Edmond Mansoor a technical report on the Wi-Max trial. Looking on are: (l to R) Neisha Burton, Vice-President of Internet at Cable and Wireless, Antigua; Clement Samuel, Telecommunications Officer; and Delreo Newman, Telecommunications Consultant.
Cable and Wireless Chief Executive, Davidson Charles and Hon. Dr. Edmond Mansoor examine the Wi-Max report and the tremendous advantages this wireless technology has for the widespread usage of high speed Internet
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www.antigua.gov.ag www.antigua.gov.ag the official web site of the Government of Antigua and Barbuda, is very interactive and provides information on Ministries and Government departments. It also provides quick links to the state owned Antigua and Barbuda Broadcasting Service (ABS) Television and Radio services. The Antigua and Barbuda News Center is also hosted on this site as well as links to other important websites. The website is updated by the website development and Internet engineering staff at the Information Technology (IT) Center.
laws.gov.ag A new website detailing the laws of Antigua and Barbuda was launched in June, 2006. Over 400 laws are available online in Adobe Acrobat format. Visitors to the site have five different search options: • Index • From 1993-2006 • Alphabetical order • Keyword search • Volume revised edition 1992. The Government has provided a fully keyword searchable database to its nearly 1000 laws. Using the keyword search, information is displayed in microseconds. This initiative is the brainchild of Dr. Patrick Lay, the Director of the Information Technology Center. Dr. Lay has summarized the e-Government vision as one in which Antiguans and Barbudans will be able to gain access to Government information and services and participate in our democracy, using the Internet, telephones and other technologies as they emerge.
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The Insatiable Need For Better Communication by Sandra Tucker
Research Officer Telecommunications Division Since the beginning of time, man
it was not until 1902 that a German
Marconi built the first transoceanic
has found it very important to be able
physicist transmitted photographs
transmitter in 1901. These scientists
to communicate. As Information
from one device to another over
were constantly working to develop
Communication
telephone lines.
new
Technology
of
improving
evolves, we are taken with the ability
In the 1800s, the idea of wireless
communication. Scientists seek to
to communicate wirelessly. But have
radio communication was born
send not only voice but data and
we ever stopped to consider that
are constantly working at improving
we are returning right back to where
the speed on the transmission.
we started some time in the past?
The
Internet
has
revolutionized
Before Alexander Bell invented
the way we communicate. Initially,
the telephone, Indian tribes literally
we dealt with just data; now it
used the air for messaging. They lit
is
their fires and fanned the smoke
(VOIP). We have the luxury of video
into the air. According to the puffs
conferencing from a computer
of smoke, the receivers interpreted
at home. But as development
the
African
continues, you can now be on the
tribes sent messages using the
move with your laptop and still have
message.
Similarly,
drums. I imagine that in their own way they even had repeaters in their networks. When a message
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methods
Sandra Tucker Research Officer Telecommunications Division
voice
over
internet
protocol
access to the Internet, as long as you are in the location of an access point, and your laptop caters for the
was not intended for that receiver,
from the theories of two English
IEEE1 802.11 (WIFI- Wireless Fidelity)
it was repeated so that it could pass
physicists, Michael Faraday and
standard.
to the desired destination.
James Clerk Maxwell. In 1873,
The first version of the IEEE 802.11
One system that I am sure we would
Maxwell had put forward the theory
standard was ratified in 1997 and
find very challenging to reconstruct
of electromagnetic theory of light,
then in 1999, when the first revisions
if we had to go back in time, is the
and in 1888 the German physicist
were made. IEEE standards are
ability to send a message using a
Heinrich Hertz applied these theories
organized in such a way that
pigeon. In today’s society, that bird
to construct a spark-gap transmitter,
extensions to any given standard
would be distracted; it may stop on
a device that generated radio waves
are published as modifications and
the way to eat or join friends. The
from an electric spark. He proved
are named by adding a letter to the
pigeon would also have to avoid Liat
that electricity could be transmitted
original standard.
and Caribbean Star on the way!
in electromagnetic waves, which
In the case of 802.11, we have
The difference now in this century, is
travel at the speed of light and
extensions
that we have much more information
possess many other properties of
802.11g,
802.11a,
to send and receive over longer
light. His experiments led to the
evolves, the IEEE working groups
distances. Initially, it was important
development of the telegraph and
meet to discuss the standards for
to be able to speak directly, That’s
the radio.
the operations of these devices.
etc.
As
802.11b, technology
where the telephone came in,
Because of Mr. Hertz’s work in this
These groups include persons from
thanks to Alexander Graham Bell
area, the unit of frequency which
companies
in 1876. Then we wanted to see
is measured in cycles per second,
devices
documents and photographs. Scotti
was renamed Hertz. (Hz). It was not
someway
sh physicist Alexander Bain patented
just enough to use this principle
involved. For example, companies
the first facsimile device in 1843, but
for short distances; so Guglielmo
such as Intel, Nokia, and Cisco would
which
and with
are the
manufacture involved
in
equipment
have members in the groups to work out the ratifications
computer chips containing radio modems. They are
of the new standards associated with the changing
installed in computers, personal digital assistants (PDAs)
technology. They discuss standards for connectivity,
and cell phones.
the type of medium and the frequencies used, the
Even as development continued on the IEEE 802.11 in
speed of the data, the security of data, backward
1999, the 802 committee set up a new working group,
compatibility, coexistence with other systems, matters
the 802.16 to develop standards for Broadband Wireless
pertaining to interference and many other aspects of
Access.
the new system.
Interoperability Microwave Access) is already here in
This system, known as WIMAX (Worldwide
WIFI has been deployed here in Antigua. WIFI allows
Antigua as well. The full impact might not be felt as yet,
you to access the Internet if you are in an area which is
but it is good to know that we are abreast with modern
referred to as a hotspot and you have an account with
technology. One thing is certain. The current method is
the service. In some instances, some companies offer
not the last. Information will increase and communication
an open system which requires no authentication. It’s
will be enhanced as technology grows.
also what allows you to connect to your wireless router in your business or home. WIFI devices use low powered
(Footnotes)
transmitters and receivers equipped with special
1 Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers
In Febraury, 2006, Antigua was host to a Spectrum Mangement Training Programme under the auspices of the Caribbean Telecommunications Union (CTU). History was created during this event when, for the first time ever in the annals of the CTU, the training programme was carried via live webcast to participants in several countries around the world. Pictured above during the opening ceremony are: (L to R) Reverend Father Frank Power, Catholic Diocese of St. John’sBasseterre; Nigel Cassimire, CTU Project Engineer; Phillip Cross, Caribbean Representative, International Telecommunications Union; Bernadette Lewis, CTU Secretary-General; Hon. Baldwin Spencer, Prime Minister; Hon. Dr. Edmond Mansoor, Minister of State (Information, Broadcasting and Telecommunications); Selby Wilson, CTU Telecommunications Consultant; and Dave Payne, Director, Government Information Service (GIS)
Secretary-General of the Caribbean Telecommunications Union, Bernadette Lewis, addressing the opening ceremony of the CTU sponsored Spectrum Management Training Programme, which focussed on spectrum mangement principles and spectrum monitoring.
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It was a Dark and Stormy Night, Comes to Antigua by Robert Rait Senior Network Engineer
Information Technology Center It started out as another bright day in Saint John’s. Mr.
ups coming faster and faster, showing the most vile
Dithers was getting ready to open his new business. All
obscenities you can think of. Pop ups for everything from
the desks were in place, topped with office supplies.
Viagra to things so obscene Mr. D had to shut down the
Space had been set aside for the 5 new computers
computer and went to another. Lightning outside began
that had just cleared customs. The truck arrived at 10:15
to crackle as he worked. Boom, then flash as lightning
a.m., only an hour late, or on time
struck outside.
depending on how you look at it.
smoke. It had no power protection.
Mr. Dithers quickly unpacked and
Mr. D was becoming desperate. He had
inspected each computer, as if he
to finish his inventory before morning so
had been practicing for years. Mr. D
he could get insurance and order more
expertly assembled his computers and
products for his shop. It was a very dark
connected his small office network.
and stormy night for Mr. D, but he finally
At 5:05 p.m. the Internet company
got his work done.
arrived as promised with their 9.a.m.
A few weeks later business for Mr. D began
appointment to hook up the DSL to the
to drop off.
router.
longer coming to call. Directly across from
Working late into the night, Mr. Dithers gave the DSL installer the passwords to the computers. The installer claimed he needed the passwords to make sure the Internet was working. Sometime around
Good customers were no
Mr. D on the very same street a new shop
Robert Rait Senior Network Engineer Information Technology Center
opened up. It was owned by the installer that had set up Mr. D’s internet.
While
looking out his window, Mr. D could see some of his favorite customers entering the
midnight, the installation was completed. So proud was
shop across the street. It was learned that the installer
the new owner that he scheduled a party with friends
had a copy of Mr. D’s client list and was calling them
and family. It was a great celebration; the business
with great offers. Over the next few weeks, there was
was opened. There was a band, balloons and both
more trouble with the computers as they continued to
newspapers showed up. All three cell phone companies
break down. Soon Mr. D was forced to close up his shop
showed up to give out free stuff.
as he could no longer afford to stay in business.
Mr. D became well
liked as his new business created some needed jobs, and he offered a great service at reasonable prices.
Desperate for a job, Mr. D went across the street and applied hoping to learn the secrets of why this new shop
Things were going exceptionally well for Mr. Dithers.
did not suffer as he had with computer problems. During
Each employee was given access to the computers
the interview, Mr. D could contain himself no longer. He
to do their jobs.
Everyone logged in as “User” and
yelled out, “You stole my customer list!” “Calm down
entered the password ‘password’. It was a good idea to
my friend,” the installer said. “I did not steal anything.
use a password for security. Things were going so well,
You just did not lock them up properly and everyone
everyone was given permission to use the Internet.
was able to get into your network. Your passwords were
I think it was a Thursday; yes I’m pretty sure it was a Thursday night. Mr. Dithers was alone in the shop after
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The computer began to
easy; you had no security, no anti-virus, and no power protection.”
hours. He was checking inventory. Outside the wind
After talking for several hours, Mr. D asked: “How
was starting to howl, the rain was coming down hard,
could have you learned so much? I thought I knew a
but he was safe inside the building. While working on
lot about my networks.” The installer went on to explain
his computer, he started to get pop ups. Horrible pop
his specialty was hooking up the Internet, not building
networks. He got the advice of a consultant; he called
They quickly agreed that to make the network grow they
the IT Center for help.
would call the IT Center for more consultancies on how
“Boy,” exclaimed Mr. D, hitting himself so hard his
to secure and protect their network. They agreed that
glasses flew off. “If only I had known. It makes sense to
security and backups was the first most important thing
call a consultant. I would have spent only a few dollars
they could do to insure they would stay in business for a
to have my network reviewed and secured, instead of
very long time.
losing so much money on a bad network.”
So, the next time you are in town looking for a good
The installer and Mr. D went on to become good friends.
company, stop in and see Mr. D and the installer. They
When Mr. D finally got his insurance money, he invested
open promptly at 9 a.m. You can be sure your personal
with his new friend and they became good partners.
information will be safe with them.
Their business grew rapidly, and they had to expand.
The Government of Antigua and Barbuda is actively pushing forward its Digital Agenda. The Government has made great strides in pursuing its move to e-Government. Pictured to the left, Prime Minister Hon. Baldwin Spencer discusses the roll out of e-Government services with Dr. Patrick Lay, Director of the Information Technology Center and Hon. Dr. Edmond Mansoor, Minister of State with responsibility for Information, Broadcasting and Telecommunications
Prime Minister Hon. Badwin Spencer accepts a token from the CTU Secretary-General, Bernadette Lewis
Prime Minsiter Hon. Baldwin Spencer shares a light moment with Hon. Dr. Edmond Mansoor during the opening ceremony of a CTU sponsored Spectrum Management Training Programme
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Digicel Enters the Antigua and Barbuda Telecommunications Market In March, 2006, the Government of Antigua and Barbuda consented to the change of control of Antigua Wireless Ventures Limited doing business as Cingular Wireless to Antigua Wireless Ventures Limited trading as Digicel. In October, 1996, the Government of Antigua and Barbuda granted Observer Publications Limited a 25year license to operate a mobile telephone system in Antigua and Barbuda. Under that licensing arrangement, the Company could not, without the consent of the Government, assign or dispose of the license. Observer Publications traded as Airtel Cellular and immediately started to compete with bigger, more established telecommunications providers. Airtel’s cellular operations were subsequently acquired by AT&T Wireless. AT&T Wireless’ Caribbean operations were subsequently acquired by Cingular Wireless, and in October, 2004 Antigua Wireless Ventures Limited, which was trading in Antigua as AT&T Wireless, was permitted by the Government to transfer the license to Cingular Wireless. Within a few short months of the commencement of Cingular Wireless’ Antigua operations, there were rumours of a buyout by Digicel of Cingular Wireless” Caribbean
operations. Like the technology, this business also changes rapidly. In June, 2005 Digicel notified the Government of Antigua and Barbuda about an Honourable Dr. Edmond A. Mansoor Minister of State i n t e n d e d Information, Broadcasting & Telecommunications change of control from Cingular Wireless to Digicel. In October, 2005 both Digicel and Cingular Wireless confirmed a pan-Caribbean purchase of Cingular’s operations. This meant that Digicel had acquired the operations in 14 Caribbean countries. In Antigua and Barbuda, the Government sought to ensure that the purchase of Cingular by Digicel was not simply going to be one corporate entity swallowing another with the Government simply being a spectator to the transaction. After extensive discussions and negotiations with Darren Derrick, General Manager of Antigua Wireless Ventures Limited, the Government consented to the change of control of Antigua Wireless Ventures Limited from Cingular Wireless to Digicel. Digicel has developed a reputation for being an aggressive promoter of its products and services. After entering the Antigua and Barbuda telecommunications market, Digicel collaborated with the Ministry of Information, Broadcasting and Telecommunications to launch an annual fully-paid scholarship in Information Technology at the Antigua and Barbuda International Institute of Technology (ABIIT).
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Pictured at left Darren Derrick, General Manager, Digicel Antigua presenting a committment citation about the annual IT scholarship to Hon. Baldwin Spencer, Prime Minister
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Continued from page 3 The E-government Unit has a central role in defining and achieving the Government’s objectives for egovernment. The delivery of e-government, in which
people can meet the majority of their information and services needs from Government being online, is the responsibility of all Government agencies in partnership with the E-Government Unit. E-Government Vision The summary e-Government vision is that Antiguans and Barbudans will be able to gain access to Government information and services and participate in our democracy, using the Internet, telephones and other technologies as they emerge. What is E-government? A worldwide revolution in information and communications technologies is occurring. The Internet, the personal computer, and the mobile phone are fundamentally changing our lives - affecting the way we work, learn and interact. E-government is a way for Governments to use the new technologies to provide people with more convenient access to Government information and services, to improve the quality of the services and to provide greater opportunities to participate in our democratic institutions and processes. E-government presents Antiguans and Barbudans with some tremendous opportunities to move forward in the 21st century with higher quality, cost-effective, Government services and a better relationship between Antiguans and Barbudans and their Government. Up to March, 2004, there were few examples of eGovernment solutions in Antigua and Barbuda. There were a few examples of information based Government websites, but only a few allowed for interaction between the public and the Government and none offered a way to access Government services online. The latter range from the Antigua and Barbuda Government Online website (http://www.antigua.gov.ag), to the British High Commission’s website (http://www.antigua-barbuda. com) or to the Department of Tourism website (http:// www.antigua-barbuda.org). The task for the Government was to build on these individual initiatives and develop them into a comprehensive plan for achieving the benefits of eGovernment more widely on behalf of all Antiguans
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and Barbudans. The planned development of eGovernment will improve the ability of all people to participate in our democracy. But, left to develop by itself, it has the potential to create new divisions in society between those who have the skills and tools to use the new technologies to participate in our democracy and those who do not. The Government is not prepared to allow this to happen and is fully committed to ensuring that the majority of Antiguans and Barbudans will have affordable access to Internet and related technologies and to further narrow the digital divide. How has E-government improved the quality of Government and peoples’ participation in it? E-government solutions will continue to improve Government in four important ways. (1) It provides an easier way for people to have their say in Government. For example, consider a situation where a Ministry proposes to make changes to the way it provides a particular service. It can outline the proposed policy changes on its Internet site and seek comment from people who have something to say about those services and the proposed new policy. The feedback could then be used to refine that policy. Currently, the Government has implemented online e-forums and posts all of its proposed laws and policy documents online, providing a means for public feedback on important legislative and policy changes. This has already resulted in significant positive adjustments and modifications to the benefit of both the Government and its citizens. (2) People will get better services from Government organizations. For example, instead of joining a queue to register a motor car, the owner will be able do it from his or her home and at any time of the day on any day of the week. This will improve flexibility, speed and access to Government services. It also has another potential benefit - lowering the cost of Government. (3) People will receive more integrated services because different Government organizations will be able to communicate more effectively with each other. For example, as a result of an accident, a person may need to communicate with several different Government organizations outlining his/her personal circumstances and needs to each organization. If the organizations have the ability to share information and integrate their services, the person need only go through that process once instead of several times.
(4) People will be better informed because they can get up-to-date and comprehensive information about Government laws, regulations, policies and services. Currently, the Government has posted all its laws online (laws.gov.ag), and has provided a fully keyword searchable database to its nearly 1,000 laws. For example, if a person wants to transport an oversized load of materials by truck or trailer from one side of town to the other, he/she has to get a hold of the appropriate road safety regulations, which are available only in a printed form. Making that kind of information available on the Internet will improve peoples’ ability to go about their leisure or work-time activities safely and within the law. If developments are staged over a number of years, how will people judge what progress have been made towards achieving the Government’s vision? Within the next five or so years, people should be able to do the following: electronically register information with the Government - for example, births, deaths and marriages - at a time and place that suits them; conduct their financial dealings with Government organizations electronically; complete and send all Government forms from a single site on the Government’s Internet site; have their say on a wide range of Government proposals and policies through the Internet; have confidence that effective controls backed up by good legislation will safeguard privacy; benefit from the reduced costs and time involved in property transactions because land survey and title information are available electronically, and transactions can be registered the same way; Notify changes of address, so that one entry on the Internet can ensure multiple Government agencies are notified automatically. ***** Partially completed or to be completed by the end of 2006. These five-year goals are examples of the types of benefits e-government will deliver to Antiguans and Barbudans. The technologies supporting these changes will develop continually. The Government’s role is to take charge and lead those developments for the benefit of people rather than have those developments take charge. How does the E-government vision fit in with the Government’s other social and economic goals?
The e-government vision supports two important goals. They are: * Restoring trust in Government and * Providing strong social services The e-government vision will play an important role in achieving this goal. It will: increase collaboration between Government organizations; - strengthen the relationship between people and the State through greater opportunities for participation; and - provide the State sector with an opportunity to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of their services to the public while, at the same time, reducing the cost of delivery. Those three factors will help restore trust in Government and provide strong social services. * Helping grow an inclusive, innovative economy for the benefit of all The e-government vision is all about inclusion - the ability of all people to take part in our economy. It also fits well with similar developments in business and commerce. Together, e-government, e-business and e-commerce will play an important role in the development of our economy based on the combined impact of the knowledge and skills of all Antiguans and Barbudans. E-government will be an example of an innovative use of developing technologies. E-government will provide an important means of helping present and future Antiguans and Barbudans to understand and use tools of vital importance to the economic and social prosperity of individual citizens and the nation as a whole. CONCLUSION The Government of Antigua & Barbuda has taken a bold step in its push to implementing its Digital Agenda, and its efforts so far have moved it from the bottom of the ratings in e-government within the Caribbean to somewhere closer to the top of the countries within the region with an active and effective e-government vision, strategy and implementation. The efforts have caught the attention of the International community, which has risen to the challenge and fully supports the Government’s efforts and progress towards e-government solutions for national development, bridging the digital divide and upgrading the intellectual and technological capital of our people. The Government will continue to provide strong leadership in the use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) as a means of national development for the benefit of its people and the Nation as a whole.
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Telecommunications Division: Transforming Antigua and Barbuda into a Digitally Driven Society The Telecommunications Division is a department will not have to pay too high a price for service. within the Ministry of Information, Broadcasting & According to the Minister of Information, Broadcasting Telecommunications. and Telecommunications, Hon. Dr. Edmond Mansoor, Clement Samuel, Telecommunications Officer, along the Parliament of Antigua and Barbuda will soon pass a with the other Telecommunications Division staff, new Telecommunications Act to replace the existing Act administer the telecommunications laws of Antigua & which dates back to 1951. Barbuda. The Telecommunications Division is Telecommunications Consultant, involved in administering and executing the Delreo Newman, speaking during the Government’s telecommunication policies in launch of the 2006 ICTFEST, revealed the performance of its daily regulatory and the particulars of the reform taking licensing functions in Antigua & Barbuda. place in the telecommunications These responsibilities encompass but are not sector. limited to that of: According to Newman, •Managing the radio frequency spectrum; the liberalization of the • Administering the National Numbering telecommunications sector will Plan; shortly see an end to the monopoly Clement Samuel • Enforcing rules and regulations according on external telecommunications held Telecommunications Officer to the Telecommunications Act in addition to Telecommunications Division by Cable and Wireless. The exclusive investigating and monitoring the performance monopoly license, issued by the previous administration, of the various telecommunication operators and service gave Cable and Wireless exclusive rights to the external providers; telecommunications field for a 25-year period that • Investigate and resolve disputes, adjudicate would have ended in 2012. controversies between competitors or between service Newman states that the Telecommunications Division providers and users due to perceived non-compliance is laying the groundwork for the creation of a new with the telecommunications act; telecommunications policy which is paving the way for • Imposing penalties on violators of the new legislation and regulatory reform. telecommunication legislation; Under this new policy, Antiguans and Barbudans will be • Issuance, renewal and revocation of licenses; these provided with the opportunity to invest in and access actions are taken subsequent to verifying the timely particular services in the telecommunications field. The payment or non-payment of requisite fees into the Inland rights of the consumer will also be considered under the Revenue Department or imposed as penalties for those new telecommunications regulatory framework along in violation of their licensing rights and privileges; and with opportunities for a truly competitive environment. • Protecting the rights and privileges of the various Tariffs will be regulated in such a way that the consumer telecommunication consumers/users.
Students at the Green Bay Primary School surfing the Internet at the Grays Green Community Computer Access Center. To ensure the maximum possible utilization and benefit from these CACs, the Ministry of Information, Broadcasting and Telecommunications is developing a comprehensive Community Technology Training Programme through a Community Technology Training Unit at the IT Center.
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Telecommunications & ICT Sectors to Benefit from New Fiber Optic Cables The telecommunications and ICT sectors in Antigua and Barbuda are to benefit from new undersea fiber optic cables, that are expected to be landed and lit by December, 2006. In May, 2006 the cable laying ship, the Peter Faber, pulled up in the St. John’s Deep Water Harbour after undertaking ocean survey work for Southern Caribbean Fiber, a company owned by the French Group Loret, which is planning to land and operate an undersea fiber optic cable in Antigua. The ship, owned by the French Group Alcatel Submarine Network, had by May completed more than 95% of the ocean survey work. The fiber optic cable will be manufactured to meet the rugged requirements of sitting on the ocean floor for about twenty-five years. Minister of State with responsibility for Information, Broadcasting and Telecommunications, the Honourable Dr. Edmond Mansoor, toured the ship along with the Telecommunications Consultant, Delreo Newman, Telecommunications Officer, Clement Samuel and the Director of the Information Technology Center, Dr. Patrick Lay. The fiber optic cables that currently come ashore in Antigua are owned by Cable and Wireless and form part of the Cable and Wireless monopoly infrastructure. Following the tour of the ship, Minister Mansoor said: “In a monopoly environment, telecommunications and ICT costs tend to remain artificially high. The landing of additional undersea fiber optic cables will ensure greater connectivity, which in turn would provide tremendous economic opportunity. By licensing more than one submarine fiber optic cable operator, the Government is giving effect to extending ICTs throughout Antigua and Barbuda”. “Affordability and accessibility to cell phones and cable TV continue to increase. With the impending end of the monopoly on external telecommunications by Cable and Wireless, Antiguans and Barbudans will see significant reductions in the cost of international telephone calls. The landing of additional cables will also result in enhanced and more cost effective broadband networks”.
Hon. Dr. Edmond Mansoor being briefed on the completion of the ocean survey work by Soren Andersen, Captain of the “Peter Faber”, the fibre optic cable laying ship. Looking on is a senior officer from the ship.
The “One Laptop per Child” initiative, the brainchild of Professor Nicholas Negroponte of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, was the subject of a full length presentation by Professor Negroponte recently at the Organisation of American States (OAS) sponsored Private Sector Forum in the Dominican Republic. This forum was a prelude to the OAS General Assembly. The Government of Antigua and Barbuda was represented by Hon. Dr. Edmond Mansor, Minister of State in the Office of the Prime Minister and Her Excellency Ambassador Debra-Mae Lovell, Antigua and Barbuda’s Ambassador to the USA. Pictured above discussing the “One Laptop per Child” model computer are Dr. Mansoor, Ambassador Lovell and the Secretary-General of the Caribbean Telecommunications Union, Bernadette Lewis.
Government is committed to providing e-services to Antiguans and Barbudans on a 24 hour basis. This committment is matched by the deployment of state of the art technology in the IT Center. In 2006, the IT Center, under the leadership of its Director, Dr. Patrick Lay, commissioned a fourth layer of back-up power to ensure that the data centre is not compromised during power outages. Pictured to the left turning on the power supply unit are (L to R): A representative of American Power Corporation (APC); Salomon Doumith, CEO of Antigua Computer Technology Co. Ltd. (ACT) ; Dr. Patrick Lay and Hon. Dr. Edmond Mansoor, Minister of State with responsibility for the IT Center
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A Basic Guide to the Setting of Prices for Telecommunication Services by Delreo Newman
Telecommunications Consultant Telecommunications Division
Basic telecommunication services have traditionally been between services when one service is provided below cost regulated, largely because they perform a role of public utility. and another above cost. This creates a subsidy, which crosses A public utility is a service, which may be considered as meeting from one service to the other. There cannot be a cross-subsidy a general public need. If, the service depends on the use of a between services unless there are at least two individualized limited resource such as network availability, there has to be an and distinct services. Therefore, this means that there cannot access mechanism, which corresponds to the utility that each be cross-subsidies between two identical services. consumer can derive from the use of the service. This is usually In general, the costs of telecommunication services have two price-oriented; the economic components, a switching agents or consumers will adjust component and an outside their demand such that the plant component. Switching price will come into line with the costs are the same for a level of utility of the service. given service for all the users The opening of the because they potentially use telecommunication market the entire network’s switching to more than one operator equipment. The situation offering the same service in seems to be different for a given geographical area outside plant costs. Each brings with it a competitive user has a specific outside mechanism that tends to have plant cost because it has a price-regulating effect. That a specific geographic is, the Government no longer location. Therefore, the has to worry if the best prices total cost (including both are being charged for that components) of a given Delreo Newman service. service is specific to each However, there are still Telecommunications Consultant user. This means that the Telecommunications Division situations that may exist that same service charged at would require tariff regulations for reasons of public utility, cost could be equivalent to several distinct tariffs, according mainly when there are distortions in the competitive market to the user. environment. The classical example of this is when there is only Practically the situation is clear; there would be the effect of one telecommunications operator or where cross subsidies, or charging a given service at a different tariff for each user. This tariff rebalancing is involved. method of estimating cost is inhomogeneous, since the notion Once a real price of the service has been determined as a that the switching costs are the same for a specific service for function of the cost of the resources needed to implement it, all users implies symmetry in the switching costs of the users one of the following situations occurs: the service is charged at outgoing and incoming traffic. This in turn makes it necessary cost, above cost or below cost. to account for all the switching equipment needed by the Whenever a tariff is set above cost, this limits consumption on provider and to evaluate the cost on the basis of this equipment. the part of the consumer whose need for the service is greater By individualizing each user’s outside plant equipment as a than cost, but below the tariff, thereby limiting consumption function of geographic location, a dissymmetry is created on the part of consumers that could make efficient use of between the cost of the traffic received and the traffic emitted the service causing distortions with respect to an economic by a given user, because the cost would be a function of the optimum. outside plant cost of the user who emits the traffic. The fact The opposite situation favors consumption by those users that the users have different outside plant costs means that the whose needs are less than the cost and greater than the cost of the traffic emitted by them is different; in other words this current tariff, creating inefficient consumption of the service would for a given user result in dissymmetry between the costs and therefore also causing distortions. of the outgoing and the incoming traffic. The existence of cross-subsidies between services creates In order to maintain symmetry between both costs, we have to a concomitance of both situations, in which some types of consider the cost of the outside plant required for the provision consumption are favored to the detriment of others. of a given service, and on the basis of this, derive the outside Maximum economic effectiveness is achieved by charging plant cost of providing the service. This means that there will be for the service at cost in order to maintain the financial balance only one total cost for the same service, which ensures that two of the service provider, and allowing, within the same sector, different users located anywhere will pay the same tariff. each of the agents to adjust its needs to the level of this costThis concept cannot be considered to be a cross-subsidy based tariff. between services, because one service is not provided below How do cross- subsidies exist? Cross-subsidies usually exist cost while another is provided above cost. Rather, it is a method
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of evaluating the costs of a given service taking into account the fact that each customer potentially uses all of the elements of the same network (switching and plant) required to perform a given service, either to access another user (traffic emitted by the user) or so that other users can communicate with him (traffic received by the user). Cost symmetry is thus maintained for incoming and outgoing traffic for a given service at each point of a given network. The costs of a given service are distributed according to the same principle for all the users.
Consequently, a cost-based tariff ensures that the same tariff is charged to all users for a given service ensuring universality regardless of the customer’s location. In conclusion, it is important to note that cross-subsidies are not good even though it may favour some consumers, and that regulators have the difficult task of ensuring that consumers get the best possible deal in the absence of competition.
The IT Center has � spreadsheets. The services of the documentation center are available to all Government divisions and departments, particularly those that need to digitize and safely store important records an� documents.
Minister of State with responsibility for Information, Broadcasting and Telecommunications, Hon. Dr. Edmond Mansoor makes a point about the development of Community Access Centers during the recent launch of the Grays Green Community CAC. Listening are (L to R): Salomon Doumith, CEO of Antigua Computer Technology Co. Ltd. (ACT) ; Clement Samuel, Telecommunications Officer; and Darren Derrick, General Manager, Digicel Antigua
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ICTs in Education
by Anne Jonas Executive Assistant Ministry of Education
No one can argue that global trends now call for all countries, regardless of size, to make every effort to develop their ICT capabilities. The only obstacle, however, is that this type of development requires a tremendous input of finances and human resources. How should small island entities, like our twin island nation, approach this challenge? There are many answers to this question depending on the responder’s background. Since I am in education, however, I would like to narrow my brief discussion to some issues that stakeholders in the education sector have raised as they relate to the development of ICT in Education. Here are some of the questions that have been posed in different fora: 1.
Would placing computers in schools make the role of the teacher redundant?
2.
Anne Jonas Executive Assistant, Ministry of Education
Given the cost of ICT tools and personnel, should any investment be made to develop the area in education, when there are many other basic needs that must be addressed urgently?
3.
Should computers be placed in the classroom rather than in a laboratory?
4.
At what level in the school system should ICT be introduced to students?
5.
Should ICT be integrated in the basic education curriculum rather than be taught as a subject area?
6.
Should Education Management be enhanced by the introduction of ICTs when evidence suggests that a manual system has not yet been perfected?
These are just some of the thought provoking issues that have been circulating among stakeholders in education. What are the answers? I believe that it is reasonable to conclude that ICT is here to stay and will continue to revolutionize the way the entire world does business. With this established, it means that all education systems must rise to the challenge of preparing their students to be conversant with the technology or face extinction. The three R’s have now evolved, and I would like to suggest that we should consider a broader definition of literacy rather than limit ourselves to the basic educational requirements of reading, (w)‘riting and (a)’rithmetic. Students who will succeed in the new globalized world are now required to be ‘literate’ in numeracy, communication and digital technology. Does this only apply to students? I think not! The reality is that the ready availability of information as a result of technological advances has changed the role of the teacher significantly. No longer is the teacher viewed as the only fountain of knowledge in the classroom, but s/he has now taken on the role of a facilitator of learning. The teacher is now a mentor who guides student discovery as the student navigates the expanding world of information available to them. More than ever, the teacher is a resource person whose experiences and example, rather than content, are of greater benefit to the student. Does this mean that the teacher is no longer required? I would agree with those who shout a resounding ‘No!” The teacher is not redundant! The teacher is now required to guide the student through the maze of abundant information that is now available and which must be sifted, tested and examined to determine its authenticity and truthfulness. It, therefore, means that teachers themselves must become conversant with ICT.
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While I may not have directly answered all of the questions asked above, I believe that I have provided a hint as to what my answers would be. What therefore is the next step? I believe that we can safely say, that based on knowledge of our local situation, no one entity – private or public - can provide all the requirements for implementation of the activities needed to bring about the desired change in ICT in Education. We MUST, therefore, all work together to bring about the transformation that will summersault our citizens into the next era. My encouragement to you is to give full consideration as to how you can make a difference – whether by becoming a student of ICT or by contributing to its development by giving your services, time or money. Join us now as we work together to develop Antigua and Barbuda through ICT.
ICTFEST 2006 COMMITTEE
Steering Committee (from L – R) Front: Anthea Adams, Michele Michael, Anne Jonas, Clement Samuel, Arlene Weste, Sandra Tucker, Alison Williams, Eibur Spencer Back: Malcolm Charles
Speakers at the ICTFEST 2006 Interactive Forum L to R: Dr. Patrick Lay, Director, IT Center; Darren Derrick, General Manager, Digicel Antigua; Hon. Dr. Edmond Mansoor, Minister of State (Information, Broadcasting and Telecommunications); Hon. Baldwin Spencer, Prime Minister; His Excellency Dr. Gordon Shirley, Jamaica’s Ambassador to the USA; Dr. Vincent Richards, Chairman, Richards and Associates
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