IBM has warned the South African government that it should allow the private sector to lead Internet development and regulation, and advised against imposing Internet regulation.
Mike Nelson, IBM`s director of Internet technology and strategy, told delegates at the IBM conference on e-business in Sandton yesterday that government should let the private sector lead the way in overcoming Internet-related problems, "rather than try to impose a regulatory solution".
Nelson, who worked closely with Al Gore on the United States Senate sub-committee on science, technology and space, before becoming an IT advisor in Bill Clinton`s administration, also warns about imposing old regulatory models on what was a new medium.
"This is a new medium, requiring new models of regulation," he says. "Governments must focus on maximising choice for customers and companies."
His remarks come as the IT industry awaits the government`s presentation of its telecommunications deregulation proposals to Parliament.
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