Information Technology Reference
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Harindranath, 2004), to extend universal health-
care services to remote areas and provide, espe-
cially for developing countries, an economically
viable means to increase the quality of medical
services. Similarly, tele-education could provide
governments with the means to increase the
level of educational services to resource strapped
inner-cities and the means to extend the learning
experience to the home.
This paper assesses the effectiveness of these
government NII policies, in South Korea, Hong
Kong, SAR, and Singapore to achieve the espoused
goals of broadband development. Specifically,
some of the questions that this paper addresses
include the following:
Kong highly efficient and cost effective for the
manufacturing industry. An advanced network,
together with a wide range of professional and
high value-added manufacturing support services,
an ample supply of skilled and low-cost workers
from China and other Asian-Pacific countries, all
coupled with the cross-border production compe-
tence of Hong Kong companies, has positioned
Hong Kong as a control center in global production
and sourcing (Chan et al., 2000, p.288).
Hong Kong boasts what is widely considered
the world's freest economy, as well as a highly
skilled workforce fluent in English, the lingua
franca of the business, legal and technology
industries. The government of Hong Kong has
been one of the leading investors in its IT sector
through its resource allocation, e-government
program, its implementation of information
systems and procurement arrangements, as well
as through administrative adoption. The govern-
ment's investment in this industry has averaged
HK$ 4.6 billion per year (Commerce, Industry
and Technology Bureau, 2004).
The city launched its bid to privatize and de-
monopolize local and long-distance telephone
services in 1995 and 1998, respectively. By 2001,
all telecom services and infrastructures were
liberalized, which resulted in wider choices and
a higher quality of services at more competitive
prices. Today, Hong Kong has one of the most
advanced and competitive telecom markets in the
world, with six major mobile operators compet-
ing to serve Hong Kong's market, none of them
dominating (Xu, 2006). In fact, with a penetration
level of 123 mobile phones per 100 inhabitants,
it may not be an exaggeration to claim that Hong
Kong has the highest level of telecom competition
as well as adoption of mobile technology, in the
world (Xu, 2006).
The government's policies and the drive to-
ward market liberalization created a great deal of
pressure for innovation. As a result, Hong Kong's
former telecom monopolist became the first pro-
vider in the world to launch Interactive Televi-
Is there any empirical evidence to sug-
gest that governments have been able to
achieve their espoused economic goals
through their national policies?
Have some national governments been
more successful in achieving their stated
goals? What are the factors explaining the
differences in achievements?
Are there any social or cultural factors that
can explain differences, if any, in the rate
of adoption of these ICT applications and
services?
AN OVERVIEW OF
NATIONAL INFORMATION
INFRASTRUCTURE POLICIES
Hong Kong, Special
Administrative Region (SAR)
Hong Kong's Special Administrative Region
(SAR) has one of the world's most sophisticated
and advanced telecommunications networks,
which is crucial for Hong Kong to maintain its
status as a leading business, financial and industrial
center. Sizeable investments in communications
technology have made the telecom market in Hong
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