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on Information and Communication Technologies |
| By: | Wong, Sulan; Altman, Eitan; Rojas-Mora, Julio |
| Abstract: | Internet growth has allowed unprecedented widespread access to cultural creation including music and films, to knowledge, and to a wide range of consumer information. At the same time, it has become a huge source of business opportunities. Along with great benefits that this access to the Internet provides, the open and free access to the Internet has encountered large opposition based on political, economical and ethical reasons. An ongoing battle over the control on Internet access has been escalating on all these fronts. In this paper we describe first some of the ideological roots of free access to the Internet along with its main opponents. We then focus on the problem of “Internet piracy” and analyze the efficiency of efforts to reduce the availability of copyrighted creations that are available for non-authorized free download. |
| Keywords: | Internet access; fundamental rights; copyrights; public goods; commons |
| JEL: | O34 H41 K00 |
| Date: | 2010–08–06 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:24455&r=ict |
| By: | Narayana, M. R. |
| Abstract: | This paper aims at economic analysis of economic globalization and urban growth of Bangalore, the Silicon Valley of India, as they are related to ICT sector. Overall analyses offer new insights and evidences for ICT sector as a major contributor for degree of economic globalization and urban economic growth, mainly driven by ICT services. Bangalore’s performance is remarkable compared to all-India level and OECD averages. These results offer empirical justification for continuing with and strengthening of public policies for promotion of globalizing and growth-oriented ICT sector in Bangalore with implications for comparable Indian and Asian cities. |
| Keywords: | globalization, ICT sector, urbanization, urban economic growth, Bangalore |
| Date: | 2010 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:unu:wpaper:wp2010-80&r=ict |
| By: | Jenny Aker and Isaac M. Mbiti |
| Abstract: | We examine the growth of mobile phone technology over the past decade and consider its potential impacts upon quality of life in low-income countries, with a particular focus on sub-Saharan Africa. We first provide an overview of the patterns and determinants of mobile phone coverage in sub-Saharan Africa before describing the characteristics of primary and secondary mobile phone adopters on the continent. We then discuss the channels through which mobile phone technology can impact development outcomes, both as a positive externality of the communication sector and as part of mobile phone-based development projects, and analyze existing evidence. While current research suggests that mobile phone coverage and adoption have had positive impacts on agricultural and labor market efficiency and welfare in certain countries, empirical evidence is still somewhat limited. In addition, mobile phone technology cannot serve as the “silver bullet” for development in sub-Saharan Africa. Careful impact evaluations of mobile phone development projects are required to better understand their impacts upon economic and social outcomes, and mobile phone technology must work in partnership with other public good provision and investment. |
| Keywords: | growth, economic development, poverty, income distribution, mobile phones, technology, sub-Saharan Africa |
| Date: | 2010–06 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:cgd:wpaper:211&r=ict |