ICT for Conflict-affected Environments

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Special Considerations for ICT in Conflict-affected Environments

When there is violent conflict, telecommunications infrastructure is often the first to shut down since its wires and towers are easily destroyed. However, it is also one of the first sectors to rebound — particularly when wireless connectivity enables quick start-up — as fierce competition pushes mobile operators across borders and into post-conflict areas quickly.

Mobile networks and radio can also be integrated into other infrastructure projects such as laying fiber wire during road or railroad construction or in tandem with an energy project. This is what is currently happening in Afghanistan.

All donors want Internet access and/or cell phone coverage, which creates the potential for collaboration with other donor- or government-funded projects to consolidate demand and create a market for telecommunications service providers.

Global positioning systems (GPS) can be very powerful tools because they allow users to determine exact locations based on satellite coverage — extremely helpful information when coordinating services and distribution networks. In conflict situations, military units often make an investment in good GPS coverage, producing maps that others can obtain and use for ICT network purposes.

Given a favorable regulatory environment, the private telecommunications sector will make most major investments, minimizing donor investment requirements in infrastructure. There may be a lack of political will on the part of government to change the regulatory environment or break the monopoly of an incumbent provider, but donors and practitioners should attempt to increase competition since this can reduce prices and extend access as providers seek broader markets.

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