Greater Mekong Subregion

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Telecommunications Backbone and Information and Communications Technology

Objective

The flagship initiative for Telecommunications Backbone and Information and Communications Technology (ICT) aims to: (i) expand the telecommunications network in the Greater Mekong Subregion by providing access to voice and data services, (ii) reduce the incidence of the "Digital Divide" in the GMS, (iii) improve backbone telecommunications infrastructure in order to attract private investment in national telecommunications networks, and (iv) facilitate the interconnection of national networks in the six GMS countries.

Read the executive summary. [ PDF: 3 pages | 192kb ]

Participating GMS Countries

All six GMS countries: Cambodia, People's Republic of China (PRC), Lao People's Democratic Republic, Myanmar, Thailand, and Viet Nam

Programs and Projects

1. ADB regional technical assistance (RETA) for policy reforms in the telecommunications sector and capacity building for Cambodia, Lao PDR, and Viet Nam;
2. Feasibility study of Phase I telecommunications backbone project;
3. Implementation of the telecommunications sector policy reforms in Cambodia, Lao PDR, and Viet Nam as recommended by the ADB RETA;
4. Feasibility study of Phase II backbone telecommunications project;
5. Assessment and implementation of telecommunications sector policy reforms needed in countries involved in the Phase II project;
6. Investment project to construct the Phase II telecommunications backbone;
7. Studies and implementation of proposals to harmonize and integrate the technical aspects of the GMS telecommunications networks, including synchronized network, common channel signaling (CCS) and numbering, telecommunications management network, and tariffs and tariffs policy
8. Demand study for rural access to basic services using ICT
9. Assessment of the potential for using ICT in cross-border control

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