Message-ID: <35246927.C4D6AA4@idn.org> Date: Thu, 2 Apr 1998 23:44:23 -0500 From: Christopher Byrne <mailto:info@IDN.ORG> Subject: ITU Conference Ends, News Posted to IDN Web Site To: mailto:DEVEL-L@AMERICAN.EDU
First of all guys..fight nice...just because you do not like someone's exercise of free speech, don't feel you have to censor it. Just keep the fights private so we all do not have to download the messages.And I did read those trip reports, and knowing what consultant rate levels I was always asked to approve when I worked at USAID (yes I will put a disclaimer that I used to work there), I am glad I didn't pay for the "depth" of information that was included in those reports. Heck, my daughter could have submitted a school report with the same level of information and we'd be rich!
On the other hand, countries tend to self-destruct without any outside help from consultants or others. All you have to do is look at the Eastern Caribbean Region and their licensed monopolies with Cable and Wireless (C&W) to know that although improvements would be in the best interest of their people, they will not allow competition in their nations. And don't even ask C&W about peoples privacy when they post all customers e-mail addresses on the Internet even when a customer has given explicit instructions not to...
I know of a number of companies who have chosen not to set up shop in that region because of the outrageous prices charged by C&W for something as simple as a dedicated 9600 Baud connection.
With that said, the ITU Conference in Malta ended a couple of days ago. The Press Release "ITU World Telecommunication Development Conference adopts Valletta Action Plan With Series Of Bold Measures To Improve Access To Telecommunications Worldwide" and related links are posted to the IDN web site at http://www.idn.org/.
Best regards,
Christopher Byrne Director, International Development Network Information Resources for Sustainable Development http://www.idn.org/ mailto:info@idn.org