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National assets such as country Top Level Domain, Frequency should be reclaimed.

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Setting up AFNIC.

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IP enabling the existing infrastructure to use it more cost effective and provide new services in five main cities.

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Installation of the five more VSAT’s in other provinces and connecting them with the existing VSAT’s.

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Broad band (back bone) infrastructure, which will connect far ends of the country and to the world, should be completed.

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Local Internet exchange points should be established to keep domestic traffic local to save the international bandwidth.

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An infrastructure ready for transfer to new platforms technologies should be designed in order to meet the future needs such as migration from IPv4 to IPv6.

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In order to grow, the local IT industry will need a suitable support infrastructure, i.e., telecommunications and information data banks. Development of the telecommunications sector will entail deregulation, liberalization, privatization, and the creation of a competitive market.

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New technologies which should be relevant, advance, sustainable, cost effective and quick to deploy should be introduces.

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Establish IT parks and incubators, equipped with modern facilities and matchless incentives, to provide a one-stop shop for prospective investors in the IT industry.

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A Telecom Policy has already been notified and defines the broad objectives of the Government for the telecom sector.

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A massive IT promotion and awareness campaign should be undertaken.

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The Internet is likely to continue to revolutionize the way people communicate and access information. To promote Internet and its use in Afghanistan, it is necessary to establish ISP’s and provide low-cost and reliable access to the international bandwidth, widespread public access to networked computers, a base of educated and trained users and providers and support for the development of national Internet content.

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A developed local software industry will not only meet Afghanistan’s own needs, but will also serve as a training ground for capturing export markets.

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Information Technology recreational centers are needed to develop the software industry. These centers should provide workspace, utilities, telecom, and other infrastructure facilities of international standard where the skills of the local programmers should be improved.

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Databases provide quick and easy access to information, which greatly facilitates the work and increases the productivity of businesses and institutions. National databases should be developed; access to these databases should be made possible, which is essential for coordinated and informed decision-making and for efficient planning. National databases are thus an important part of the IT infrastructure.

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Putting together supporting infrastructure required for the digital economy such as financial payment systems, certification authorities etc.

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Take steps to strengthen existing IT training institutions and encourage the setting up of new IT training institutes, update and standardize curriculum, introduce new technologies through linkages with global IT firms, develop strong local faculties, and provide student scholarships.

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Organize teacher training on a top-priority basis to meet the growing demand for qualified teachers in IT and for upgrading their skills regularly. To rapidly increase the annual production of IT manpower, crash-training programs should be launched.

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Government emphases on IT education in primary and secondary schools should be elaborated.

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ICT training centers should be expanded to five main cities in the country.

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Special ICT center for the teachers in 10 cities should be established and teacher should use relevant technology such as radio to communicate with students.

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To ensure maximum utilization of existing facilities, encourage universities and high schools to collaborate with the private sector in conducting training programs during vacations and at other times when the facilities are not in use.

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Introduce mandatory IT literacy courses for all levels of civil and military personnel.

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Make a special effort to train and induct women in the IT sector.

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Make extra efforts to educate and train people with special needs in order to give them equal opportunity in the society and bridge the digital divide.

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Manpower development is imperative for the local IT industry in order to achieve the goals set for the reconstruction of the country.

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By the end of December 2002 at least a core group of IT users should be trained in each ministry and institution.

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By the end 2003 at least 40 ICT professional trainers trained both inside and outside the country.

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By the end of 2004 a comprehensive training curriculum developed and ICT training institute become functional with training capacity of 400-600 people (government private sector and general public benefit).

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By the end of 2003 at least 30% of employs of government institutions, school teachers should be trained as users of ICT.

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Utilizing the development partners as training consultancy firms for consistency in transfer of the knowledge.

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Community communication centers and training centers for youth should be established in rural areas.

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Government should research and develop a statement of requirements regarding ICT in the country.

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A working group comprising of members representing different departments of the government and society should be organized, which should address the requirements.

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International standards and its implementation by public/government and private sectors should be designed.

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The government should be more of a facilitator than a restrictive regulator.

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A regulatory board should be formed consisting of competent members.

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National and Government support campaign for ICT promotion should be lunched.

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Special fund should be raised for the promotion of ICT in different parts of the country.

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In the government sector, knowledge of ICT is limited. The different departments and agencies are, therefore, technically at a disadvantageous position to take sound decisions in acquiring ICT, HR development program and operational support for their system. Therefore, the government agencies should be given priority in the training programs.

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Working Groups shall be formed to create awareness in all Government organizations about the utility of computers and IT.

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Develop new ways to use information technology to help solve the most pressing problems of human and economic development, education, health, poverty alleviation, rural development, and care for the environment.

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Government should support small, medium and micro enterprises development in the ICT sector.

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Role of Diaspora in ICT promotion and investment should be facilitated and encouraged.

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Participation in international forums on ICT and seeking support from ICT taskforce of UN should be given special attention.

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Afghans should retain the ownership of the industry.

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In the new economy, information is a critical resource and the basis for competition.

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Awareness programmers should be arranged for the business class of the country in order to know the role of ICT in business and how can this technology help them do their business in good way.

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Databases should be developed, which should contain information about Afghan companies in the country and abroad.

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Information centers should be established, with the capability of providing information to both the local and international companies regarding the production in the country.

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Completion of National Telecommunications Policy

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Successful completion of National GSM Tender

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Rehabilitation of Telecoms Training Centre

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Restoration of approximately 45% of existing fixed network in Kabul city

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Agreements for training to start – USA, Pakistan, Iran

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Inter Ministerial communications almost completed (World Bank)

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Installation of VSAT satellite services for domestic long distance traffic in five major cities currently in progress (Heart, Kabul, Kandahar, Kunduz, Jalalabad)

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Commissioned 5000-line digital switch in Kandahar

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Concluded agreement with ITU to set up spectrum management and frequency planning department.

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Concluded agreement with ITU for technical assistance related to drafting of the new Telecommunications Law

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Engaged strategic technical assistance professionals from the UK and USA

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Recognition of the +93 country code by major international and regional carriers

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ICT centres being set up in Kabul and provinces (UNDP)

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Recovery of Afghanistan’s .af domain name

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Established MoC web site (www.af-com-ministry.com)

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Chaired by the Prime Minister of Malaysia

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Established in 1994 with the vision of creating a values-based Knowledge Society in line with the aspirations of Vision 2020

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Aims to enhance the development and utilization of ICT as a strategic technology for national development

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Acts as a think-tank at the highest level and advises the government on matters pertaining to the development of ICT in Malaysia