[May 13, 2013] Internet Society Study Examines Factors Hindering Development of Internet Access in Africa Tweet May 13, 2013 (Close-Up Media via COMTEX) -- The Internet Society published a new study, 'Lifting barriers to Internet development in Africa: suggestions for improving connectivity,' which examines the factors hindering Internet development in Africa and explores possible remedies. According to a release, the research, conducted by Analysys Mason and commissioned by the Internet Society, found that despite investments resulting in significant improvements to Africa's telecom infrastructure in the past five years, these investments have in some cases not translated into lowered prices or increased quality of services for Internet users. These investments have focused on undersea cable to improve international connectivity and terrestrial fibre networks between countries. The study shows that in many countries the development of Internet access is hampered by constraints on terrestrial connectivity between the submarine cables, the Internet Exchange Points (IXPs), last mile access infrastructures, and Internet Service Providers that deliver access to end-users in Africa. The report sets forth an Internet development approach focused on removing regulatory roadblocks and promoting Internet-specific investments, supported by a high-level policy environment to result in greater Internet availability and empowerment in Africa. "This study is significant as it identifies some of the last barriers for the development of Internet infrastructure in Africa," noted Dawit Bekele, Regional Bureau Director for Africa, Internet Society. "It pinpoints the issues that all stakeholders and more particularly African governments and telecommunication regulators need to address to ensure that the massive infrastructural development that we have seen in Africa in the last few years results in bringing Internet to all Africans at an affordable price." Jane Coffin, Director for Development Strategy at the Internet Society, added, "We hope that this study will spark a national and regional debate in Africa that impacts future Internet development. There is so much that stakeholders can do to close infrastructure gaps by working together through creative public-private partnerships and by taking bold steps to allow change to happen by breaking down traditional barriers and allowing market entrants greater ease in network deployment." This new report follows an Analysys Mason study commissioned by the Internet Society on the impact of IXPs in Kenya and Nigeria, which found that IXPs improve the quality of Internet services and save African operators millions of dollars annually in connectivity fees. More information: www.internetsociety.org/liftingbarriers www.analysysmason.com ((Comments on this story may be sent to [email protected])) [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]