Regional Backbone Initiatives:

Transcription

1 Regional Backbone Initiatives: A Pan-Arab e-infrastructure that shapes the future of Research and Education Networks within a Knowledge Economy Paradigm Ayman El-Sherbiny Chief, ICT Policies/UN-ESCWA E-AGE, Amman 12 Dec 2011

2 Regional Backbone Initiatives: A Pan-Arab e-infrastructure that shapes the future of Research and Education Networks within a Knowledge Economy Paradigm

3 ESCWA Knowledge Economy Paradigm Where does Research and Education Networks fit in ESCWA s Knowledge Economy paradigm? How can the Regional Backbone Initiatives For A Pan-Arab e-infrastructure be a major component of ASREN?

4 OUTLINE Part I: ESCWA s Knowledge Economy Paradigm Part II: Research & Education Networks (RENs) Part III: Broadband and Regional e-infrastructure Part IV: Regional Backbone Initiatives ITU Initiative Jordanian MICT Initiative ESCWA Framework (IRBAM) Closure

5 ESCWA Knowledge Economy Paradigm

6 What is the Knowledge Economy? In a Knowledge Economy, generation and exploitation of knowledge are at the centre of the economic processes. Such an economy effectively acquires, creates, disseminates and uses knowledge as the main driver for economic growth. knowledge becomes the prime source of competitive advantage. For countries in the vanguard of the world economy, the balance between knowledge and resources has shifted so far towards the former that knowledge has become perhaps the most important factor determining the standard of living more than land, than tools, than labor. Today s most technologically advanced economies are truly knowledge-based World Bank, 1999

7 Pillars of the Knowledge Economy It consists of four pillars: I. Education and Training : An educated and skilled population that can create, share, and use knowledge well; II. A dynamic information infrastructure: that can facilitate the effective communication, dissemination, processing of information and sharing knowledge; III. An economic and institutional regime: that provides incentives for the efficient use of existing and new knowledge and promotes investment and entrepreneurship in the ICT sector; IV. An efficient innovation system of firms, research centers, universities, think tanks, consultants, and other organizations that can tap into the growing stock of global knowledge, assimilate and adapt it to local needs, and create new technology. Making effective use of knowledge in any country requires developing appropriate policies, institutions, investments, and coordination across the above four functional areas.

8 Pillars of the Knowledge Economy It consists of four pillars: I. Education and Training : An educated and skilled population that can create, share, and use knowledge well; II. A dynamic information infrastructure: that can facilitate the effective communication, dissemination, processing of information and sharing knowledge; III. An economic and institutional regime: that provides incentives for the efficient use of existing and new knowledge and promotes investment and entrepreneurship in the ICT sector; IV. An efficient innovation system of firms, research centers, universities, think tanks, consultants, and other organizations that can tap into the growing stock of global knowledge, assimilate and adapt it to local needs, and create new technology. Making effective use of knowledge in any country requires developing appropriate policies, institutions, investments, and coordination across the above four functional areas.

9 Framework of the Knowledge Economy Second Pillar Information Infrastructure First Pillar Education & Learning Knowledge Economy Fourth Pillar Innovation (R&D) Third Pillar Economic & Institutional Regime

10 Research & Education Networks Within ESCWA Knowledge Economy Paradigm

11 Infrastructure for Research and Education Second Pillar Information Infrastructure First Pillar Education & Learning Knowledge Economy Fourth Pillar Innovation (R&D) Third Pillar Economic & Institutional Regime

12 Research and Education Networks Knowledge Economy Framework Knowledge Economy Pillar I Education & Training Pillar II Information Infrastructure Pillar III Economy & Institution Pillar IV Innovation (Research & Development)

13 Research and Education Networks Knowledge Economy Framework Knowledge Economy Pillar IV Innovation (Research & Development) Pillar I Education & Training Pillar II Information Infrastructure Pillar III Economy & Institution Research & Education Networks

14 The ICT Sector and e-everything ICT Applications in all Vertical Economic Sectors E-Everything ecommerce ehealth eagriculture eeducation eresearch and escience ICT Sector Broadband ICT Infrastructure (e-infrastructure) Regional Backbone

15 Knowledge Economy, ICT Sector and e-everything Knowledge Economy Framework ICT Applications in all Economic Sectors Knowledge Economy Pillar IV Innovation Pillar I Education & Training Pillar III Economy & Institution Pillar II Information Infrastructure ecommerce ICT Sector ICT Infrastructure (e-infrastructure) ehealth eagriculture eeducation Broadband eresearch and escience Regional Backbone

16 E-Infrastructure for Research & Education Networks Knowledge Economy Framework ICT Applications in all Economic Sectors Knowledge Economy Pillar IV Innovation Pillar I Education & Training Pillar III Economy & Institution Pillar II Information Infrastructure ecommerce ICT Sector ICT Infrastructure (e-infrastructure) ehealth eagriculture eeducation Broadband eresearch and escience Regional Backbone

17 E-Infrastructure for Research & Education Networks conomy ork ICT Applications in all Economic Sectors illar IV novation Pillar I ecommerce ehealth eagriculture eeducation eresearch and escience ESCWA Technology Center (ETC) ucation & raining illar III nomy & stitution ICT Sector Broadband ESCWA ICT Division illar II ormation structure ICT Infrastructure (e-infrastructure) (ICTD) Regional Backbone

18 Research & Education Networks The Logical Layer

19 ESCWA Technology Centre (ETC) Objectives and Activities

20 Objectives of ETC To contribute to the strengthening of national STI systems. To develop capabilities in problem solving and policy formulation. To foster synergy and complementarity at the regional level in the application of technology. 20

21 Activities of ETC Science, Technology & Innovation Information services STI Observatory support Technology Advisory services Technology Foresight Innovation Development & Management services Technology Exchange Market (matching) Innovation capacity building and protection Promoting finance for S&T innovation Technology System for the Region Group licensing for protected technology utilities Outsourcing Arabic language tailoring Technology maintenance and training

22 Research & Education Networks The Physical Layer

23 Broadband Infrastructure

24 Broadband for Development Broadband is widely perceived as a powerful catalyst for socioeconomic development. Broadband is a key driver for reducing the digital divide in access to knowledge. It boosts useful applications such as e-research and e-science, e- education, e health, e-agriculture, e government and e commerce, which offer significant benefits to individuals and communities, government institutions and businesses Broadband technology enhances educational service delivery by offering increased flexibility, easy communications, and immediate access to global resources.

25 Broadband Penetration (by region) Broadband penetration by region, at the end of 2010 (earlier estimate) Compared to other regions of the world, the Arab States are in the early stages of adopting broadband. However, between 2005 and 2009, fixed broadband subscriptions increased by 5 million in the Arab States, while mobile broadband subscriptions rose by over 19 million. According to ITU estimates, by the end of 2010, 9.7% of people in the Arab States region subscribed to mobile broadband, while 2.3% had fixed broadband access to the Internet. Source: ITU World Telecommunication /ICT Indicators database

26 ICT (incl. Broadband) Price Basket: (Global/Regional) The ICT Price Basket (IPB) is a comprehensive benchmarking tool computed by ITU to monitor the relative price of ICT services and provide an indication on the affordability of ICT services worldwide. Arab States considered to be one of the most expensive ICT basket in the world It is a composite basket that includes three tariff sets, referred to as sub-baskets: fixed telephone, mobile and fixed broadband Internet services. Its value is calculated by adding the value of the price of each sub-basket as a percentage of a country s monthly GNI per capita, divided by three Source: ITU World Telecommunication / ICT Price Basket The need for a Cost Effective solution of the existing network scheme where to propagate the cost advantage to the end user

27 The most Expensive Component in Broadband is.. the Cost of Internet Bandwidth

28 Internet Bandwidth: From International Connectivity to Regional Peering

29 Internet Bandwidth: Growth Globally Growth in bandwidth International Internet bandwidth, a key factor for providing high-speed Internet access to a growing number of Internet users has grown exponentially over the last five years, from Gbit/s in 2006, to close to Gbit/s in 2011.

30 Internet Bandwidth Share per Internet User Bandwidth share per user in Europe is 9 times larger than in Arab States Disparities between regions in terms of available Internet bandwidth per Internet user remain, with on average almost bit/s of bandwidth per user in Europe, compared with bit/s per user in Arab States

31 Internet Bandwidth in the Region Average international Internet traffic growth in the Middle East has been the most rapid of any region, rising at a compound annual rate of 116 percent between 2005 and As in other regions, the vast majority of international bandwidth is used by Internet backbone operators with the remaining capacity used for private networks and switched voice. The vast majority of Middle Eastern Internet bandwidth has traditionally connected to the United States and Europe. These two regions accounted for 83 percent of International Internet connectivity to the Middle East in Source: Teleography

32 Internet Connectivity: Samples on existing infrastructure

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35 The Europe India Gateway Submarine system: More international connectivity for the MENA region. Europe India Gateway (EIG) is a high-bandwidth optical-fiber submarine cable project connecting India with the United Kingdom through Europe and the Middle East. Alcatel-Lucent and Tyco Telecommunications are the responsible vendors for deploying the system. Landings planned in the United Kingdom, Portugal, Gibraltar, Monaco, France, Libya, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Djibouti, Oman, United Arab Emirates, and India. EIG also provides seamless interconnection with other major cable systems connecting Europe, Africa, Asia and North America. Source: Arab Advisors, 2010

36 GBI FO Cable System: Further augmenting the Gulf Region s global connectivity. Source: Arab Advisors, 2010 Gulf Bridge International (GBI) cable system is slated to connect the Gulf region through a "Gulf Ring" system, which is then planned for an onward connectivity with Europe (west route) through Italy and India (east route). GBI is investing US$ 445 million into the network. GBI's investors include Knowledge Ventures, a wholly owned subsidiary of Qatar Foundation specializing in communications and information technology investments, Qatar Investment Authority and the Kuwait Investment Authority. The GBI Network employs double landings at the major terminals of Qatar and Fujairah (UAE) with branched landings in Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Oman. The system will include dedicated GBI express fiber connectivity direct to Europe and India.

37 MENA FO Submarine Cable: Orascom Telecom Connecting the Middle East and North Africa to India, Greece and Italy Source: Arab Advisors, 2010 A fiber optic submarine cable owned by Orascom Telecom that connects six countries form Europe, Africa and Asia. Orascom Telecom awarded Alcatel-Lucent and Tyco Telecommunications the vender for the project. This license has been issued within the framework of NTRA s support for the implementation of the national initiatives, the enhancement of the internet industry, and the broadband data services. On June 13, 2006, Egypt's regulator the National Telecom Regulatory Authority (NTRA) opened the door for companies interested in applying for licenses for the rollout of submarine cable networks that are capable of competing technically and economically with the existing cable networks that pass through Egypt and which abide by the specifications and regulations set by Egypt's regulator, the NTRA.

38 Four telecom operators join forces to launch JADI: A terrestrial fiber-optic cable connecting Turkey, Syria, Jordan and Saudi Arabia. Source: Arab Advisors, 2010 Turk Telekom, Saudi Telecom, Orange Jordan and Syrian Telecom entered into a partnership to build a fully terrestrial cross-border fiber-optic cable between the Middle East, South Asia and the Far East. The 2,530 km cable is aimed to be an alternative to the underwater cables passing through the Red and Mediterranean seas. The project interconnect s Jeddah, Amman, Damascus and Istanbul. Under the agreement, operators should perform the necessary physical connections on the national main fiber-optic backbones within their borders to make a 200 Gbps capacity expansion in their systems. This will assist in increasing redundancy and in decreasing the potential for interruptions in Internet connectivity. The system will also meet the rapidly increasing demand in the fields of international data and Internet services in the region. Consequently, this would enhance the competitive landscape in these countries.

39 What about Peering? The underlying concept of regional backbone

40 Transit versus Peering NAP In USA or in Europe NAP Arab Country 1 Arab Country 2

41 Transit versus Peering NAP In USA or in Europe NAP Arab Country 1 Arab Country 2

42 Transit versus Peering In USA or in Europe Arab Country 1 Arab Country 2

43 Peering: The underlying concept of Regional Backbone In USA or in Europe NAP NAP Regional Backbone Arab Country 1 Arab Country 2

44 Peering Concept Peering enables the achievement of three objectives: Tremendous Cost Reduction: Extremely Lower cost of Bandwidth, as the traffic between two providers does not require an international transit bandwidth, which is very expensive. Quality of Service Reduce latency by taking a shorter route for a connection, which is crucial for applications with a high quality of service like IP telephony. Efficiency Decrease significantly the loss of IP packets with shorter routes. This increases the efficiency of the provider s network

45 Peering: The underlying concept of Regional Backbone In USA or in Europe Regional Backbone (IRBAM) Arab Country 1 Arab Country 2

46 Regional Backbone Initiatives for A Pan-Arab e-infrastructure

47 Regional Backbone Initiatives 1. International Telecommunication Union (ITU) 2. Ministry of Information and Communication Technology in Jordan (MICT) 3. ESCWA Framework (IRBAM)

48 ITU NAPS Project Regional Network Access Points for the Arab States

49 ITU Initiative Historical Overview The majority of Arab internet activity is exchanged outside the Arab region through Network Access Points (NAPs) in the United States and other countries One pillar of the General Arab Strategy for Communications and Information Technology / Building an Information society was: Achieving universal access and improving quality of services for the Arab citizen, utilizing information and communications technology Stemming form the above pillar, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) / Arab Regional office adopted the NAPs initiative in the Arab states in 2006.

50 ITU Initiative Initiative Description: This initiative aims at providing access points to connect Arab internet networks such that traffic between Arab countries passes through those points. Traffic sent to destinations outside the Arab region passes through those points. NAPs initiative will be based on optical fiber cable interconnecting all NAPs.

51 ITU Initiative 4 Proposed NAP Locations: 1. Western Arab NAP located in Morocco with participating countries: Algeria, Mauritania, Libya, Tunisia and Morocco 2. Middle East NAP located in Egypt with participating countries: Sudan, Somalia, Djibouti and Comoros. 3. GCC NAP located in Dubai with participating countries: Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain, UAE and Yemen. 4. Cham NAP in located Jordan with participating countries: Syria,Iraq, Palestine and Lebanon

52 ITU Initiative 4 Proposed NAP Locations:

53 Jordan MICT Initiative Regional Corporation for Telecom Interconnectivity

54 Jordan MCIT Initiative MCIT initiative: focuses on the existing ICT infrastructure in the region and paves the way for efficient usage of the existing under ground and under sea Fiber Optic network.

55 Jordan MCIT Initiative Main Rationale Not to invest in new infrastructure projects with the exception of what is necessary to strengthen expand and modernize of networks. Not to be a burden on capital partners in order to achieve the desired goals with minimum investments. Use any capital funds available just to complete the ongoing projects to link with the international network. (Since the success of such network requires access to the international network across East Asia, Europe and the complete link between the sea of Arab States.)

56 Jordan MCIT Initiative The initiative is classified in 2 subsequent phases Underground Cable Submarine Cable

57 Jordan MCIT Initiative Regional Backbone (IRBAM) Underground Cable Submarine Cable

58 ESCWA IRBAM Initiative Integrated Regional Backbone for Arab Mashreq (IRBAM)

59 UN-ESCWA Vision: IRBAM IRBAM Integrated Regional Backbone Arab Mashreq Regional Interconnectivity Agreements Arabic Social Networks and Arabic Service Architecture Investment /Incorporation Models Data Centers/Mirroring Schemes Content/Cloud Computing Topology Regional NAPs and Peering Architecture Existing and New Cabling/Satellite Systems

60 UN-ESCWA Vision: IRBAM Goal Unification and Initial Capacity Building Developing a methodological framework and building a repository Detailed technical assessment of the situation and study of alternative scenarios Collaborative development of a pilot feasibility study Call for partnership/ investors and development of an action plan Formulation and conclusion of an agreement amongst specific founders/shareholder

61 UN-ESCWA Vision: IRBAM Main Objective Enhanced Regional ICT Integration through the establishment of a Regional Backbone A comprehensive strategic evolution plan for the regional backbone and agreement of shareholders Sustainable and coordinated mechanism for Telecom Integration

62 UN-ESCWA Vision Time Frame by Stages / Phases of the Project Stage Duration Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q5 Q6 Q7 Q8 Phase I 1 6 months 2 6 months Awareness, selling the concept, appointing champions Designing a methodological framework, building the monitoring and management mechanism, and a data repository 2 Year Program 3 6 months 4 6 months Phase II 5 6 months 6 3 months Technical and economic Assessment and Analysis of different scenarios Pilot Feasibility Study Call for Partnership/Investors and formulation of Actionable Plan Formulation of an Agreement, Negotiations and Signature

63 ESCWA Success Story ITSAM - Integrated Transport System in the Arab Mashreq Railway Transport Air Navigation Transport Transport Roads International Road Transport Sea Navigation Transport

64 ESCWA Success Story Role of ESCWA in promoting transport facilitation in the region Contributed to the development of ITSAM Network Information System Methodological framework Promoted the agreement on international roads in the region Contributed to the formulation of regional agreements to promote transport facilitation Assisted in the implementation of automation and ICT Assisted in the establishment of national transport and trade facilitation committees Cooperated with UN Regional Commissions

65 UN-ESCWA Vision: IRBAM IRBAM Integrated Regional Backbone Arab Mashreq Regional Interconnectivity Agreements Arabic Social Networks and Arabic Service Architecture Investment /Incorporation Models Data Centers/Mirroring Schemes Content/Cloud Computing Topology Regional NAPs and Peering Architecture Existing and New Cabling/Satellite Systems

66 E-Infrastructure for Research & Education Networks conomy ork ICT Applications in all Economic Sectors illar IV novation Pillar I ecommerce ehealth eagriculture eeducation eresearch and escience ESCWA Technology Center (ETC) ucation & raining illar III nomy & stitution ICT Sector Broadband ESCWA ICT Division illar II ormation structure ICT Infrastructure (e-infrastructure) (ICTD) Regional Backbone

67 Regional Backbone Initiatives: A Pan-Arab e-infrastructure that shapes the future of Research and Education Networks within a Knowledge Economy Paradigm

68 Thank You