| In an ever-increasing information intensive global
economy, governments around the world are realizing that the provision
of adequate telecommunication services is essential the economic well-being
and development of a country. Although SVG has access to some of
the most advanced telecommunication service in the world, it is cost prohibitive
and rural coverage is at a bare minimum One of the major challenges for
the region is balancing the business sectors demand for enhanced services
with demand for basic services for ordinary citizens.
In terms of the business sector, SVG has the necessary telecommunication
infrastructure to attract businesses looking for quality service to support
their business transactions. However, one major issue to a company
setting up business opertions (non-IT relatd) in SVG would still be costs.
The cost of international communications is still very high, and Internet
access is as well expensive. Making telecommunications more cost-competitive
is absolutely necessary to attract investment, attract the tourist industry
and as well to attract the offshore financial sector, which in recent years
has become another area with possible growth implications for SVG.
If SVG is to attract non-IT related businesses to its shores it needs
to address some of the following issues in an effort to create a favorable
environment:
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Ensure the necessary development of human resources. Training of
information professionals needs to be an initiative by the government and
the private sector so that even non-IT businesses have an available pool
of resources to respond to telecom and information technology issues.
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Ensure that networks and equipment are kept up-to-date and that they are
priced according to market forces.
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Ensure that the government and regional authorities remove obstacle to
the development of new compunction systems as well as to the introduction
of an effective market regulation system.
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