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The need for PNG
to improve its ICT
By MALUM NALU
The overwhelming
response to my two articles on Information and Communications
Technology (ICT) in Papua New Guinea, from both within the
country and abroad, shows the urgent need for the country to
improve its ICT in this rapidly-globalised world.
I was overwhelmed by the responses to my articles in The
National on Friday September 7 titled "Building your own
website" and the one last Friday titled "Internet cafes and the
digital divide".
This week, I'd like to share with the readers of this column,
some of the many responses to my articles over the last two
weeks.
I was inundated by the constant stream of SMS text messages and
emails from people, particularly small business men and women
wanting to build their own websites, as well as those
complaining about the very high Internet usage fees being
charged in PNG.
A good friend of mine built his own website free of charge after
reading my first article without having to pay exorbitant fees
for a website designer, a domain name, or Internet Service
Provider (ISP) rentals.
It was a dream come true for this friend who has been trying for
years to have his own website, only to be met with the brick
wall of high costs.
A handful of individuals and small business men and women are
now in the process of building their own websites, while I am
advising several others about how to build their own, without
being ripped of by unscrupulous companies and individuals.
Second-year Divine Word University IT student Julia Komoru
commented: "We have completed a unit on website developing
recently, and it's not at all difficult to create a website.
"It's really hard to understand why individuals and
organisations charge so much for doing something so simple."
Last Friday's article on the very high Internet rates in this
country, particularly those being charged by ISPs in Port
Moresby at their cafes, brought back a swift and emotional
response.
I particularly compared the high rates charged by Data Nets and
Datec to the low rates being charged at the RH Hypermart and the
Sports Inn.
"I read with interest your article in the Weekender Section on
'Internet cafes and the digital divide'," wrote Data Nets
general-manager Sundar Ramamurthy
"The piece that caught my eye was your basic comparison between
our Cafe pricing (as an ISP) and those at the Sports Inn and RH.
"The question that is asked is 'Why are our prices much higher
than your favourite places i.e. Sports Inn and RH?
"Answer:
"1) Like any business the charging is market-driven. It could
very well be that RH and Sports Inn subsidise their Internet
access so people come in and have a drink or buy goods. This is
often called a 'loss leader' that attracts customers to come to
their shop to buy other goods whilst they are on the Internet.
"2) One needs to compare the speed. Fifteen minutes at a more
expensive place might be equal to 30 minutes at a slower cafe.
So price needs to be compared to performance. In Internet terms
this means speed and throughput and value.
"In broad terms, there is broad concurrence that cost and
reliability (power and telecommunications) are critical to the
future of PNG's communications requirements."
Datec general-manager Tony Westaway wrote: "I read with interest
your article in the National on Friday 14 September 2007.
"You talked of a need to develop and expand the ICT industry and
the country keeping in touch with world standards.
"You mentioned that students need to be educated on the
potential of ICT.
"Datec is holding a Technology Expo over the 12th and 13th of
October 2007 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Port Moresby.
"We will have a significant number of International exhibitors
in attendance.
"It will provide an opportunity for business people, IT
specialists, and most importantly students, to see the most
recent developments in Information & Communication Technology.
"Datec has already distributed over 1000 free tickets to
students in technical colleges, UPNG and TAFE, and other
institutions in Port Moresby.
"By the way Datec is currently reviewing its charges for the
Internet Café in Port Moresby."
An anonymous reader wrote: "Internet access in PNG is much more
expensive than you probably realise.
"For example Datec charges K100 for 80MB Wireless Internet
access.
"In New Zealand KOL charges K100 for 10GB or 10,000MB Broadband
Internet access.
"That is, PNG is 125 times more expensive! Further the speed is
considerably slower!
"My understanding is that these ridulously high charges are
because of the ridiculously high charges Telikom charges Datec
and other ISPs.
"I can only afford very limited Internet access in PNG compared
to what I used to be able to afford in New Zealand."
Sam Roth wrote from Japan: "Thanks for keeping us informed on
the development of ITC in PNG, especially with Internet.
"I have a good collection of your latest articles on IT and am
quite pleased with your work.
"Keep up the good work and know that you have fans all over the
world.
"In fact, it is an area of interest for me especially my Masters
Thesis, and I am amazed that I am not alone in this to make our
beautiful country catch up with the rest of the world in ICT."
Sam signed off with a quote from Einstein: "Among every
impossibility lies an opportunity."
For comments and feedback, email the author at malumnalu@yahoo.com
or SMS 6849763.
 
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