Laos

Optical network is a high-capacity telecommunication networks using optical technologies. Interactive Learning Space (iSpace) is intended to explore new possibility to support multimedia conferencing and communication between geographically distributed sites.

Objective of the project is to deploy a broadband city network and distance learning spaces in Vientiane.

Expected significances are

• To initiate the establishment of Lao National Research and Education Network (NREN) in Laos.
• To raise ICT awareness of Lao Society especially in academic, governmental and industrial sectors.
• To initiate idea for distant teaching and learning process to efficiently utilize the limited teaching staff.

The project is carried out as a joint collaboration between STEA, NUOL and KTH,where 2 of STEA staff came to KTH to attend the master program in internetworking. They are expect to do extensive research and study in Sweden for 7 months before go back for implementation in March 2005. At the same time, one NUOL's research will prepare the detail plan for the project. It is essential to have TSlab responsible for transferring know-how to STEA because TSlab has good experience in both networking and iSpace. TSLab has conducted many research in these areas i.e. www.balticopen.net, www.sol-ix.net, www.kistaip.net, www.stockholmopen.net, etc. In addition, TSlab will send 1 coach and 2 KTH students as part of the team to Laos for 6 weeks to support the implementation of the project.

Successful implementation of ICT4D requires that various relevant institutions and actors are involved. This is the more challenging for less developed countries, where scarce resources make it hugely important to prioritize policy objectives. Development strategies are often disconnected from the application of ICT, with a patchwork of uncoordinated policies and micro-level ICT implementation projects. For ICTs to be an effective tool for development, they must be firmly rooted in a development strategy.

Through interviews with ICT-practitioners, users and decision makers, the objectives of the project are a) to analyse critical factors in the formulation and implementation of ICT policy in Laos, b) to evaluate selected ICT projects in light of their contribution to overall development, and c) to provide insights as to how ICT projects in Laos can live up to their development potential.

Objective: Deploy a Broadband City Network and a distance learning pilot in Vientiane to:

• Initiate the establishment of a Lao National Research and Education Network (NREN)
• Support the formation and dissemination of knowledge and competence in Laos.
• Raise ICT awareness and motivate expansion of the telecommunication infrastructure.
• Increase cooperation among Lao and Swedish universities, industry and public administration.

Methodology:

• To design and deploy a broadband network, iSpaces and at least one pilot course, and demonstrate the results, as a joint project spring 2005.

Significance:

• For Laos: Strengthening of education, training and technology awareness are highest priority activities in the Lao National ICT Policy.
• For NUOL: A high priority in the NUOL ICT master plan.
• For KTH: Unique opportunities to evaluate open networking concepts researched at TSLab