World Bank Official: Developing Countries Want National Broadband Insight

Developing countries frequently ask the World Bank for advice on how to roll out a national broadband strategy, said a speaker Thursday at a Federal Communications Commission workshop on the benefits of global broadband connectivity. Valerie D'Costa of the World Bank's Information for Development Program said there is a need for more "creative and collaborative models to be developed" for developing countries to look to when considering a national broadband rollout. These models should focus on ways to be cost effective, pro-competitive and help grow local markets, said D'Costa. She previously served as director of the international division for Singapore's government agency charged with the development, promotion, and regulation of the countries information and communications technology sector. D'Costa said Singapore tends to look at broadband issues "holistically" and weighs how all related issues for one action will help the country and build up its connectivity. Singapore is strongly supportive of public-private partnerships, she added.