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National ICT Strategy
E-Powering Jamaica 2012 National ICT Strategic Plan
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DOWNLOAD NICT STRATEGY CONTEXT & BACKGROUND
The information and communications technology (ICT) challenge of the next five years for Jamaica is to significantly increase the number of citizens that are educated and computer literate, and improve their access to the ICT networks at affordable prices, in order to generate more active use of the Internet for education, business development and public administration. Essentially, the vision embodied in E‑Powering Jamaica 2012, the new 5‑year National Information and Communications Technology (NICT) Strategy 2007-2012, is that Jamaica will become an inclusive, development-oriented, knowledge-based society that achieves economic and social growth through the integration of ICTs into all aspects of the nation’s life. The aim is to magnify Jamaica’s position as a leader in the delivery of ICT-enhanced services and new investment opportunities in the Caribbean.
E-Powering Jamaica 2012 sets out a blueprint towards these desired outcomes. It is the result of extensive consultations and background research, including interviews with industry leaders, government executives, planners and industry analysts. It also benefits from benchmarking against ICT policies and strategies in nine other countries at varying stages of development, and an analysis of the approaches recommended in major multilateral organizations such as the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS), the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (UNECLAC), the Caribbean Telecommunications Union (CTU) and UNESCO.
The overall vision of the NICT Strategy is for Jamaica to achieve Accelerated Human and Economic Development toward Global Competitiveness. The vision embodies these national goals: developing our people, fostering innovation, strengthening governance, and creating jobs; which are pillars of development for any successful society in today’s global landscape.
The focal mission of the NICT Strategy is e‑Inclusion: Open Access to ICTs and Participation in a Knowledge-Based Society. E-Inclusion focuses on empowering the society through the effective dispersion of ICTs, as against the digital divide which aims to measure the haves versus the have-nots in respect of ICT access.
Integration with Vision 2030
E-Powering Jamaica 2012 has been adopted as the foundation for the ICT sector plan within the long-term development plan for
Jamaica, Vision 2030, being spearheaded by the Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ). Vision 2030 Jamaica is expected to put Jamaica in a position to achieve developed country status by 2030. The Plan is based on a comprehensive vision to ‘make Jamaica the place of choice to live, work, raise families, and do business;’ and on Guiding Principles which put ‘people’ at the centre of Jamaica’s transformation.
The seven (7) interlinked strategic thrusts within the NICT Strategy with their associated strategic objectives, flagship initiatives and key milestones/targets are as described in Table 1.
Table 1
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Focal Strategic
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Overall Vision
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Flagship Initiative
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Milestones & Target
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e‑Inclusion: Open Access to ICTs and Participation in a Knowledge-Based Society
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Accelerated Human and Economic Development toward
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v Expand the deployment of community access points (CAPs) in convenient public locations
v Encourage increased establishment of cyber centres and hot spots offering reasonably priced ICT services
v Facilitate greater computer ownership among Jamaicans by encouraging the commercial sector to provide more affordable and flexible computer purchase arrangements, including widespread hire purchase and loan schemes from established businesses
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Establish two CAPs every month: 30 new CAPs by
Mar 2009
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Strategic Thrusts
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Strategic Objectives
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Flagship Initiatives
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Milestones & Target
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Education and Training
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Highly Educated and Well Trained Jamaicans for the ICT Sector and Broader Business Community
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v Implement ICT in Education Strategy
v Develop a national e-literacy competition and programme to promote awareness of the need, and create demand for general ICT training and skills
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2010 - 2012
2009 – 2010
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Network Readiness and Infrastructure Development
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Widely Available, Affordable, Secure and Reliable High Speed Connectivity to ICT Network Infrastructure
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v Expand and diversify wired and wireless broadband networks and service offerings to ensure pervasive last mile connectivity, at affordable rates.
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2010 – 2012
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e-Government
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Greater Use of e‑Government Services by All - Anywhere, Anytime, Any Device Access to Government
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v Establish an optimal e‑governance framework and strategy for effective ICT coordination, management and implementation among the key public sector ICT entities/units in order to drive the development of integrated service delivery across the Government
v Establish a Government Network to connect public sector entities and to provide seamless service integration and delivery and improved efficiency (improved business processes and reduced costs)and cost-effectiveness in government operations
v Develop a GoJ portal that provides single window access to government services and information; facilitating joined-up government
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Dec 2008
Dec 2010
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e-Business and ICT Industry Development
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Expanded Job Creation, Entrepreneurship and New Business Development
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v Enlist the support of
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Dec 2010
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Research and Innovation
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Growth in Innovation and Development of New ICT Products and Services
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v Promote and seek funding for the development of a National ICT Research and Innovation Centre, driven by collaboration between universities and colleges, private and public sector, local research and development institutions, and international partners, to develop effective technology based solutions competencies for areas critical to national building
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To be defined
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Cultural Content and Creativity
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Greater Global Recognition and Rewards from Brand
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v Develop programme / campaign to draw on existing sources to create a digitized encyclopaedia of ‘Jamaicana’ for local and global references
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To be defined
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Legislative and Policy Framework
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Greater Confidence in the Conduct of Digital Transactions
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v Create the National ICT Advisory Council, of private and public sector interests, as stipulated in the Telecommunications Policy of 2007, to recommend ICT policy adjustments and monitor implementation
v Develop a programme to build capacity in the judiciary and legal fraternity to effectively handle matters related to e‑legislation
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Dependent on implementation of Telecoms Policy
Jan 2010
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Figure 1 below illustrates the fundamental structure of the strategy. This strategic ICT development road map is designed as a wheel to signify motion, journeying, and destination. The image of the wheel signifies a composite and coherent approach. Though comprised of distinct areas or components, all are interconnected, interrelated, and inter-dependent.
· The hub of the wheel represents the focal mission which ties everything together and feeds into all the areas of activity.
· The spokes represent the strategic thrusts or key areas of activity in implementing the strategy
· The rim is composed of the strategic objectives defined for each strategic thrust
· The tyre on which everything runs represents the vision; which envelopes the whole strategy
Figure 1: Strategic ICT Development Road Map
The implementation plan, counterpart to the strategy is being finalized and will be coordinated by CITO working in partnership with government ministries, departments and agencies; and corporate businesses and industry, education and training institutions, and communities across the nation as lead mobilizers.
The ownership of E-Powering Jamaica 2012 needs to be national in scope. The effective and successful implementation of the strategy will depend to a great extent on national ‘buy‑in’ and universal acceptance of the vision and mission of the strategy, driven by an aware and educated public that will participate fully in the ICT development process and provide on‑going inputs from all levels of society will be a critical success factor.