Infrastructure Strategy and Investment Plan

Definitions of Data:

N/A

Main Focus of Document:

Outlines general infrastructural development plans for the country

Target Beneficiaries or Sectors:

n/a

Key Elements:

This document makes provision for the overall development of Tuvalu and notes the current technology climate and intent to develop it. The government will support ICT in its national strategy, with the objective to make improvements to, and extend, ICT services throughout the country and in schools and clinics. Key elements include: TTC has developed its own corporate strategy and business plan. Its aim is to profitably provide Tuvalu with ICT that supports community development, social wellbeing and foster economic growth. It is attempting to balance improving its financial operations through expansion and better governance. There is also a need to maintain 24 hour telecommunication systems in the outer islands in the advent of emergencies (such as cyclones). The government is following its strategy of encouraging privatisation and has sought other operators to increase competition. Digicel was recently approached, but negotiations failed as Digicel demanded a monopolistic status (an overall take-over of TTC) due to a limited market to sustain two operators. This is a realistic assessment by Digicel. The question is whether a monopolistic private sector supplier of services will be more efficient and effective than a government monopoly. With appropriate controls and international benchmarking it is likely to be the former.