Intel hosts Myanmar workshop
Intel this past week brought together experts from the United States, Southeast Asia and elsewhere in Asia, as well as local regulatory authorities, for a two-day workshop on the practical and technical operations of broadband and universal services funds
Experts on broadband and USF management outlined how broadband plans and funds had been established to drive broadband adoption around the world.
Participants at the event also discussed how broadband access is essential for economic growth and the provision of education, healthcare and other basic services across Myanmar.
“Despite realising the necessity of broadband technology, many countries struggle to find affordable and sustainable ways to provide widespread access to connections, especially in remote areas,” said Uday Marty, Intel Southeast Asia director. “One of the critical means of addressing funding in an increasing number of countries has been the creation and utilisation of universal service funds.”
Intel runs a series of broadband and USF workshops across the world, bringing together government leaders, non-government organisations and strategic partners to share best practices to help unlock the benefits of broadband and ICT to all global citizens, he said.
“We have run these forums and workshops in Latin America, Africa, Eastern Europe, Middle East and Asia, and we are pleased to run this workshop for the benefit of Myanmar,” he added.
Recent World Bank and International Telecommunication Union (ITU) studies find that every 10-percentage-point increase in broadband service penetration leads to an increase in economic growth of 1.3 percentage points, with a slightly greater growth effect in emerging countries than in developed ones.
“Promoting the benefits of broadband access has been a key advocacy area for Intel,” said Marty. “These dialogues, with active participation by USAID, the ITU and other development partners, demonstrate how the public and private sector can come together to unlock the benefits of broadband and ICT through effective use of USFs.”
