Preparing Africa for broadband

Mobile growth has shaped the past ten years, but broadband will shape the next ten years, reports The Independent.

Clive Shepherd, an expert in human resource development, says the ICT sector in Africa is in a unique position.

“The biggest obstacle is no longer technology, but the willingness to take advantage of new opportunities and technologies. And it's a very exciting position to be in,” he says.

According to a new report by analyst group Longhaus, providers of IT-related advisory and consulting services are in for an unhappy 2009, reports ITnews.

On average, Longhaus' Australian ICT services market overview found that less than 2% of existing client organisations plan to increase IT spending in 2009 and 2010.

"Based on the study results, it seems times will be especially tough for firms whose order book is oriented towards strategy or project-based activity such as Accenture, SMS Management & Technology, and Oakton," the report states.

Former Indian president, Dr Abdul Kalam, expressed his hope that India and Bangladesh would work together to become partners in the development of complex ICT products by devising interconnecting mechanisms, TMCnet reports.

“When I see all of them [people of various countries] working together like one family without any barrier of the culture from which they came or the language that they speak, I will not be surprised if India and Bangladesh become partners in the development of complex ICT products,” he says.

Dr Kalam observed that “the only hope for such borderless interaction to continue is to inculcate the spirit of borderless-ness in our education”.