Investing in Infrastructure:

Strategies to Increase Internet Access in the Developing World

Columbia Institute for Tele-Information

 

May 14, 200410:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Uris Hall, Room 326, Columbia University

 

Registration:  9:30, outside Uris Hall 326

 

Introduction:  10:00-10:30

Heather Hudson, Director, Telecommunications Management and Policy Program, University of San Francisco, and Sloan Industry Fellow, CITI

Eli Noam, Director, CITI

Robert Atkinson, Deputy Director, CITI [presentation]

 

Session I:  Demand and Investment Opportunities in Developing Regions, 10:30 – 12:00

 

Chair:  Noemy Wachtel, Vice President, Finance, TANFEL Enterprises [presentation]

 

Heather Hudson, “Discovering Demand:  Strategies to Increase Internet Access in Developing Countries” [presentation]

Eric Nelson, CompassRose International, “Investing in Telecoms for Developing Markets: Shifting the Paradigm [presentation]

John Ryan, RHK, “Accelerating Internet Adoption in Developing Nations [presentation]

Ken Zita, Network Dynamics, “Investing in Telecommunications in Developing Regions of Asia [presentation]

 

Lunch:  12:00 – 1:15; Hepburn Room, Uris Hall first floor

 

Session: II:  Investment Strategies and Policy Issues 1:15 – 2:45

Chair:  Raul Katz, Principal, Booz Allen Hamilton

 

Ed Malloy, USAID, “E-Strategies for Developing Regions”

Isabel Neto, MIT, “Wireless Networks for the Developing World [presentation]

Ornella Napolitano, IFC, “Public-Private Partnerships in ICT Investment” [presentation]

Discussant:  Timothy Wendt, Affiliated Research Fellow, CITI; and Director, China Business Forum, Columbia Graduate School of Business

 

Break

 

Session III:  Innovative Business Strategies: Case Studies 3:00 – 4:30

Chair:  Heather Hudson

 

Michel Guite, Vermont Telephone, “High Speed Internet in Rural Vermont

John Raffetto, IT Strategies, “Broadband in the Bush: GCI in Alaska[presentation]

Dan Sieben, E-Bridge International, “Internet Services for the Base of the Pyramid” [presentation]

 

Wrap-up:  4:30 – 5:00: “Key Insights and Next Steps”

 

Reception