Global Development in Telecommunication Industry - Article Example

INSTRUCTOR] [SUBJECT] 23 October 2008 Global Development in Telecommunication Industry The article reflects the advancement in the world of communication with regards to telephones, mobile phones and internet. It is a report based on the results of 2006’s data. The ITU concluded its result in 2004 stating that there was a continuous growth in the telecommunication sector and the progress in the policy and technology development. The statistics indicate that the users of all telecommunication channels had increased to 3 billion altogether. However it does highlight the fact that even though the rate of growth in many areas has been high it is still not sufficient to provide the developing countries with the same opportunities of growth. For access in the developing country the main channel is mobile communications and for that broadband wireless access will play a key role. It also emphasizes the lack of impact indicators and why they are necessary. The articles conclude with the points that mobile sector has been highly successful in making its impact on the developing countries. The report also suggests ways of measuring the impacts of ICT and says that all efficiencies should be viewed not only in terms of providing more opportunities but also better results. 2. Summary of Telecommunications Development Fund Launches Corporate Governance Course The article explains or highlights the ventures of TDF (telecommunications development Fund). It invests in companies moving into the field of telecommunications globally. TDF had discovered while it was working with different new companies that there was limited information being provided on corporate governance. So it planned or designed a program to enable such companies and help them to understand the corporate governance. TDF arranged classrooms which provide general information on establishing and working with a board and its individual directors. The article highlights the efforts of different people who have participated in designing the program. It is good efforts in helping new companies gain enough knowledge as to the processes and rules set by governments. It also invites the entrepreneurs to contribute and share their views and knowledge in support of the program. 3. Summary of Finishing the Job The third article understudy was published in September 2009. The article basically points out a universal fact that the use of mobiles will become the most common means of communications. According to the article the next step in spreading this communication channel will be internet access. All around the world the graphs indicate the increase in the use of mobile phones to almost 100%. However this does not indicate that everyone has a mobile. There are certain areas or groups which are not potential customers. According to the secretary general of the International Communication Union once the mobile density reaches it maximum then the next step will be to provide the same level of internet access to the current users of mobile phones. However there are obstacles as suggested in the article on the universal access of mobiles and beyond that to internet. The developing countries like Africa still need a proper linkage which is still being planned. It is clear from the study of this article that mobile phones have made a great difference in the lives of more and more people. The mobile phones are the latest in the technology relating to communication which started off with telegraph in 1971. Since then there was no looking back in the advancement or growth of this industry. 4. Summary of Eureka Moments The article studies here describe or highlights how the use of mobiles have now turned from a luxury item to a basic tool of global communication and development. The turnover from being luxury to now a commodity took place when prepaid system was introduced. All the methods that are being implemented to enhance or increase the growth for the telecommunications point out that within the next few years all channels will be flourishing. They not only create markets for jobs but also bring in investments and provide tax revenues for governments. The interested fact highlighted by one of the surveyors was that telecom technology was promoting growth on a much more efficient level in the developing countries rather than the developed ones. at the end of the article various benefits of the telecommunication especially the mobile usage are described in which an interesting point is highlighted that they were used for monitoring elections in countries like Nigeria, Kenya and Sierra Lone. Not only is it a means of economic growth or development but that of social and political growth as well. This also highlights the importance mobile communication holds in our routine life. It truly has become a necessity in our lives rather than being a luxury item. All of the four articles view the telecommunication industry as one of the most fast paced industry. The common belief is that communication channels throughout the world are important especially when we talk about globalization. In these modern times technology and its advancement is making the people dependant on such items as mobiles, land lines and internet to connect with the world around them. Each of the articles provides a statistical analysis on the impacts of telecommunication not only in the developing countries but also for the developed ones. Beginning from the first article which highlights the activities of the industry through a report of telecommunication development to the last article where the point of mobiles now being a commodity is emphasized, it all points at one thing. How important communication has now become? The graphs and figures discussed in the first article show the fast increase in the users of telephones be it land-line or mobiles. Similarly the main focus of the development mentioned in the articles in the internet access. Because majority of the articles discuss communication with regard to the developing countries focus on areas like Africa, India etc are more highlighted. One article approaches the development from a different perspective as it relates designing of a program in order to help business in this area. The ideas presented strongly support and believe that any new company who wishes to venture into this industry should be equipped and should train its people well. It provides ample knowledge for making their business a success with a long list of links and content material to be studies. It also explains the corporate governance rules which it believes many new companies do not know off. All the articles stress the importance of giving everyone a chance to use latest technology for communication. Mobile access, internet availability, land-lines etc are all the important areas which need to be developed especially in the areas like Africa etc. An example given in “Finishing the Job” is of a ‘village net book’, which is a combination of internet access as well as telephony. This enables the village-phone operators to sell both the services and thus generate revenues. It is a clear indicator of what steps in development the governments are taking in order to meet the demand of the telecommunication industry. The fourth article “Eureka Moments” from The Economist, September 2009, views the giant leap that mobile communication has taken. According to the articles the mobile which was considered to be an item of luxury is basic commodity and as with all commodities has to be available to everyone. It has strongly pointed out how price reduction for mobiles has led everyone to but their own hand set combined with the telecom companies provided prepaid billing. The basic feature of these telecom companies is that in developing countries it opens up a market for jobs, again a step towards the development of the country. This is an important part of development where economies are concerned. Last it points out that the benefits of the mobile phones are not only economic but social and political as well. Thus all four articles suggest in different terms that the most important area for development through the telecommunication industry is the country’s economy. With respect to Lecture 6 which highlights the management of operations these articles do not discuss those methods. The only common thing in the article and the chapter might be technology as both discuss it, however from different perspective. The chapter provides insight on many aspects like outsourcing etc. which is as important in the case of telephones or mobiles as it is for IT. One of the articles (TDF) does discuss about the setting up of business and there are some common things like rules of governance which are discussed in chapter 6. There is also some discussion of outsourcing where it is felt that the price of item linked to the networking in different areas is important. This can be referred to the part of outsourcing mentioned in chapter six although not in entirely the same frame. The article “Finishing the Job” highlights that to reduce prices of many items they need to shift to outsource them from some other industry. The rest of the chapter discusses more operational oriented topics rather than the development factors as is discussed in the articles. Works Cited “Measuring ICT for Social and Economic Development” "Telecommunications Development Fund Launches Corporate Governance Course". Market Wire. FindArticles.com. 23 Oct, 2009. A special report on telecoms in emerging markets “Finishing the job”, Sep 24th 2009, From The Economist print edition A special report on telecoms in emerging markets “Eureka Moments”, Sep 24th 2009, From The Economist print edition Read More