television), and content. This raises many issues regarding interconnection policy and equipment standards for interconnectivity. It also means that, quality and quantity of network connections points must be evaluated together all the time. Additionally, the relevance of ICT infrastructure in developing countries must be associated with the availability of other essential services like electricity supply, basic economic services and social necessities that too often tend to be taken for granted. In the process of disseminating infrastructure, considered choices must be made with respect to the evolving technology options that permit leapfrogging into optimal deployment strategies for the particular time and location, allowing sustainability, innovativeness and responsive service standards. 3.2.2 Policy Objectives a) Foster efficient, inter-operable, reliable and sustainable national ICT infrastructure commensurate with grass-root needs, and compliant with regional and international standards, with increasing access while reducing cost. b) Encourage regulatory organs to jointly investigate and respond to the challenges of convergence and newly emerging technologies, while drawing inputs from the general public and the key stakeholders. c) Establish mechanisms and participate in addressing new international policy and technical issues raised by ICTs new technologies and services. d) Foster the evolution of dynamic strategies that will address network security issues. e) Evolve regional Internet development policies and infrastructure. f) Establish mechanisms that will result in least cost access to bandwidth for institutions or individuals in Tanzania. g) Ensure all installed ICT infrastructure and capacity is utilized effectively and contributes to resilience and redundancy. 3.2.3 Policy Challenges i. Build an adequate ICT infrastructure. ii. Address connectivity issues. iii. Developing appropriate software plans and strategies. iv. Promote convergence of voice, data, computing and video (for example multimedia services, VoIP). v. Mobilize strategic investments. vi. Compliance with regional and international ICT infrastructure standards. vii. Improve access to basic socio-economic and cultural services. viii. Meet universal access obligations. 3.2.4 Policy Statements 1. The Government will ensure that a reliable state of the art ICT infrastructure, of adequate capacity, high-speed and countrywide coverage is developed. 2. The Government will support, through incentives and directives, bona fide institutions actively involved in the development and application of ICT. Page 11