Maldives: Information Technology Development Project (South Asia Project Brief)

Abstract

Information and communication technology (ICT) is widely recognized as a potential powerful tool in the fight against world poverty, with the capacity to provide developing countries with an unprecedented opportunity to meet vital development goals such as poverty reduction, basic health care, and education. Countries that succeed in harnessing the potential of ICT can look forward to greatly accelerating economic growth, dramatically improving human welfare, and fostering good governance practices.

In the Maldives, the telecoms infrastructure and services have expanded rapidly over the last decade. However, improving practical access even further and reducing the relatively high cost of local and long distance telephone use, cellular mobile expense, and internet access remain key concerns. Taking into account these conditions and the national development priorities of the Maldives, the government has decided to move toward a more open competitive environment in the telecoms system. This move is reinforced by the international trend in telecoms markets to contestability and competition, and the World Trade Organization protocol on liberalization of markets for telecoms.