CONNECT A SCHOOL, CONNECT A COMMUNITY

School connectivity requires access to telecommunications networks and services.  It makes sense, then, that the degree of telecommunications liberalization impacts school connectivity, since market restrictions result in less competition, higher prices, poor quality of service and fewer connectivity options.

At the same time, telecommunications tends to be highly regulated in most countries.  This can have both negative and positive repercussions for school connectivity.  There may be regulatory restrictions that inhibit schools’ connectivity options, such as a requirement to use only licensed operators or the inability to use certain radio spectrum frequencies.

There are positive benefits of regulation, too -- both direct and indirect.  For example, regulatory tools to expand Internet access in rural or remote areas can benefit schools by making infrastructure more available.  In some cases, there is an explicit school connectivity provision within the regulatory framework.