Policy Recommendations for Digital TransformationTo unlock the opportunities and benefits of ICT Infrastructure, following are actionable recommendationsto policy makers at every stage of the Digital Economy.In the GCI 2017 report, we identified trends that have emerged since publication of the GCI 2015 report,and offered policy makers our views on how they can better understand, invest in and utilize their ICTInfrastructure effectively to accelerate Digital Transformation toward a knowledge economy. Thecomplexity of the transformation propels policy makers to wear many hats and balance the interests ofdifferent stakeholders. While facing technical issues in decisions on investing in ICT Infrastructure,policy makers also face socioeconomic issues not typically thought of as related to ICT. Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. HTC_d677d778-b7a7-11e7-9a9c-3f189642c8d9The benefits of ICT infrastructure are realized._d677d944-b7a7-11e7-9a9c-3f189642c8d9To outline imperatives for digital transformation planning._d677d9f8-b7a7-11e7-9a9c-3f189642c8d9IncentivesEncourage and incentivize Digital Transformation._d677da8e-b7a7-11e7-9a9c-3f189642c8d91StartersICT Infrastructure-related priorities: Focus on ICT policies as part of a nation's economic development strategy to encourage and incentivize Digital Transformation. Broadband is not just for fast internet access, ultimately its role is to enable Cloud Services and the software that runs on the Cloud - Big Data and IoT.Broadband SubscriptionsDrive fixed broadband subscriptions to over 10%, and 4G coverage to over15% to ensure Cloud can maximize the transformative power of ICT Infrastructure._d677db24-b7a7-11e7-9a9c-3f189642c8d91.1StartersPublic-Private PartnershipsPlanning PartnershipsDrive joint ICT development efforts via public-private partnerships in long-term planning._d677dbd8-b7a7-11e7-9a9c-3f189642c8d91.1.1NationsNations should fundamentally consider a public-private partnership (PPP) approach for long-term planning. Civil Works PairingsPair ICT initiatives together with efforts for new civil works._d677dc5a-b7a7-11e7-9a9c-3f189642c8d91.1.2 PolicymakersPolicymakers should aim to pair ICT initiatives together with efforts for new civil works, for instance, deploying broadband connections over electricity networks. Electrical UtilitiesThis approach unblocks funding bottlenecks.Big Data & IoTDrive fixed broadband subscriptions to over 35%, and 4G coverage to over 70% to ensure Cloud can fully maximize the transformative power of Big Data and IoT._d677dcf0-b7a7-11e7-9a9c-3f189642c8d91.2AdoptersIncentives & SharingIntroduce incentive programs and civil infrastructure sharing policy._d677dd90-b7a7-11e7-9a9c-3f189642c8d91.2.1Public EntitiesPrivate EntitiesExpand broadband coverage by introducing incentive programs and civil infrastructure sharing policy: Establish incentive programs and civil infrastructure sharing policy among public and private entities to create synergy for broadband deployment.OrchestrationOrchestrate infrastructure sharing across public ministries and private sectors at the national level._d677de30-b7a7-11e7-9a9c-3f189642c8d91.2.2NationsPublic MinistriesPrivate SectorsThis infrastructure sharing policy requires orchestration across different public ministries and private sectors at the national level.Fiber Optic NetworkAccelerate fiber optic network deployment, including Gigaband networks to drivecontinued Big Data and IoT penetration which leads to transformative businessmodels and innovation._d677deda-b7a7-11e7-9a9c-3f189642c8d91.3FrontrunnersCollaborationUse Big Data to facilitate collaboration between public and private entities on civil works and broadband deployment._d677df84-b7a7-11e7-9a9c-3f189642c8d91.3.1Well-planned civil works and broadband deployment through collaboration: A closer collaboration between public and private entities can be done by using Big Data.Disruptions & CostsMinimize civil disruption and deployment cost._d677e02e-b7a7-11e7-9a9c-3f189642c8d91.3.2A robust database with real-time updates of information such as pipe position, capacity, or path details can help to minimize civil disruption and even minimize deployment cost.Big Data & IoTAccelerate adoption of Big Data and IoT._d677e0d8-b7a7-11e7-9a9c-3f189642c8d91.4FrontrunnersBig Data & IoTIncrease investment in Big Data and IoT to enhance competitiveness, innovation, and productivity._d677e182-b7a7-11e7-9a9c-3f189642c8d91.4.1Performance DataEncourage data openness and sharing for improved performance._d677e236-b7a7-11e7-9a9c-3f189642c8d91.4.2PoliciesAdopt industry friendly policies to help promote Digital Transformation._d677e2ea-b7a7-11e7-9a9c-3f189642c8d92PolicymakersIndustryIndustry and company-related priorities: Building on each nation's local comparative advantages, policymakers can consider more industry friendly policies to help promote Digital Transformation.Business ProcessesOptimize business processes of traditional industries through increasing ICT access and basic company digitalization._d677e39e-b7a7-11e7-9a9c-3f189642c8d92.1StartersTraditional IndustriesConnectivity & DigitalizationPromote entry-level connectivity and digitalization for existing industries & SMEs._d677e448-b7a7-11e7-9a9c-3f189642c8d92.1.1IndustriesSMEsBroadband & CloudFurther build out sufficient broadband coverage, as well as provide a Cloud platform to improve productivity and efficiency of existing industries and SMEs. _d677e56a-b7a7-11e7-9a9c-3f189642c8d92.1.2IndustriesSMEsCooperationConsider financial and advisory cooperation with non-governmental organization (NGO) or inter-governmental organization (IGO) grant programs._d677e66e-b7a7-11e7-9a9c-3f189642c8d92.1.3NGOsIGOsICT Resources & InfrastructureFocus on supporting key industries by providing priority access to ICT resources and reliable infrastructure._d677e7cc-b7a7-11e7-9a9c-3f189642c8d92.2AdoptersKey IndustriesPolicy EnvironmentEstablish a favorable policy environment based on a strong base of understanding of industry-specific needs._d677e894-b7a7-11e7-9a9c-3f189642c8d92.2.1Transformation NeedsWork with key industry leaders to gain a basic understanding of what is specifically needed for structural transformation._d677e95c-b7a7-11e7-9a9c-3f189642c8d92.2.1.1Industry LeadersPolicies & RegulationsBased on industry-specific needs, establish policies and regulations that create a favorable environment for transformative innovation, competitiveness and future productivity._d677ea1a-b7a7-11e7-9a9c-3f189642c8d92.2.1.2PolicymakersRegulatorsCentralizationCentralize ICT resources for local entrepreneurship and enterprise innovation via digital hubs._d677ec04-b7a7-11e7-9a9c-3f189642c8d92.2.3Hubs & IncubatorsEstablish digital hubs (i.e. tech parks) and incubation programs to facilitate growth of start-ups, and concentrate access to high-quality broadband._d677ec9a-b7a7-11e7-9a9c-3f189642c8d92.2.3.1Digital IncubatorsBusiness TransformationTransform industries to innovate future business models and opportunities using Big Data and IoT._d677ed8a-b7a7-11e7-9a9c-3f189642c8d92.3FrontrunnersIndustry EcosystemsDevelop industry ecosystems that promote open collaboration toward transformative industrial innovation._d677ee3e-b7a7-11e7-9a9c-3f189642c8d92.3.1Cross-Industry CollaborationDevelop industry ecosystems that enable cross-industry collaboration to produce new IoT ideas, products, and services that can change how business is conducted._d677ef06-b7a7-11e7-9a9c-3f189642c8d92.3.1.1IndustriesGovernance & GrowthAccelerate growth by applying Big Data and IoT while improving governance._d677efd8-b7a7-11e7-9a9c-3f189642c8d92.3.2Data IntegrationImprove efficiency with the use of Big Data and IoT through data integration._d677f0aa-b7a7-11e7-9a9c-3f189642c8d92.3.3Cloud Security & Data PrivacyFoster collaboration with industry players to make Cloud security and data privacy top priorities._d677f17c-b7a7-11e7-9a9c-3f189642c8d92.3.4EducationEnsure that education for building digital access and skills is universally accessible, targeted and fully utilized._d677f24e-b7a7-11e7-9a9c-3f189642c8d93Educational InstitutionsEducation MinistriesLabor DepartmentsTechnology EnablersPeople-related priorities: Collaborate with educational institutions, education ministries in addition to labor departments and technology enablers to ensure that education for building digital access and skills is universally accessible, targeted and fully utilized.Digital InclusionPromote digital inclusion by enhancing digital access, skills and education._d677f334-b7a7-11e7-9a9c-3f189642c8d93.1StartersDigital LiteracyImprove basic digital literacy both in schools and universities as well as workplace training._d677f410-b7a7-11e7-9a9c-3f189642c8d93.1.1SchoolsUniversitiesEmployersFocus on improving digital literacy, labor upskilling and job matching to ensure inclusive employment and reduce labor surplus. Basic digital competency should be widespread in the workforce and access to digital literacy education easy and affordable.Device SubsidiesIncrease ICT exposure through device subsidies. _d677f4e2-b7a7-11e7-9a9c-3f189642c8d93.1.2Subsidize entry-level computing devices (i.e. laptops and feature phones) as it is people’s first exposure to the internet.Digital SkillsContinuously elevate and make use of acquired digital skills to generate local value in the nation's emerging Digital Economy._d677f5d2-b7a7-11e7-9a9c-3f189642c8d93.2AdoptersAs Adopters evolve into a Digital Economy, there is an opportunity to shape its participants from the onset. Digital EducationEncourage "digital-first" education._d677f6ae-b7a7-11e7-9a9c-3f189642c8d93.2.1STEMFocus on science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education._d677f78a-b7a7-11e7-9a9c-3f189642c8d93.2.1.1CurriculaPrioritize advanced ICT skills and coding in fundamental curricula._d677f88e-b7a7-11e7-9a9c-3f189642c8d93.2.1.2Human Capital & Digital ContentBuild up advanced human capital and local digital content, inclusively. _d677f992-b7a7-11e7-9a9c-3f189642c8d93.2.2 Basic SkillsEquip workers with basic skills required for a digital workplace by creating digital skills training programs, enabling them to create value and content for the local economy. As Adopters evolve into a Digital Economy, there is an opportunity to shape its participants from the onset._d677fa78-b7a7-11e7-9a9c-3f189642c8d93.2.2.1WorkersRepresentation & ConsultationWhen creating training programs, ensure there is adequate representation and consultation from respective groups including, but not limited to women's, disability-focused, and aging population organizations. _d677fb7c-b7a7-11e7-9a9c-3f189642c8d93.2.2.2Women's OrganizationsDisability-Focused OrganizationsAging Population OrganizationsSkills & RetrainingFoster future-proof talent by emphasizing advanced ICT skills and workforce retraining_d677fc6c-b7a7-11e7-9a9c-3f189642c8d93.3FrontrunnersUpskillingUpskill and retrain to close the digital skills gap, and prepare the future workforce._d677fd52-b7a7-11e7-9a9c-3f189642c8d93.3.1EmployeesUnemployed PeopleClose the digital skills gap, especially among individuals facing job obsolescence. Digital skills would be fundamental in all industries moving forward.EmploymentLeverage ICT platforms to create new forms of employment, for instance the freelancer economy._d677fe92-b7a7-11e7-9a9c-3f189642c8d93.3.2FreelancersTap into underleveraged talent and open more employment options through monetization of free time and skills in the gig-economy.2017-10-23http://www.huawei.com/minisite/gci/files/gci_2017_whitepaper_en.pdf?v=20171012OwenAmburOwen.Ambur@verizon.net