The Evolution of ICT Institutions in Thailand and Malaysia

Literature Review

To understand the ICT policy choices of national governments, it is first important to note three major trends identified by the literature within the telecommunications sector. The first is the development of mobile and Internet technologies in addition to fixed line telephony (Baliamoune-Lutz, 2003). The second shift is the global trend away from monopoly operators to competitive carriers across these fixed, mobile, and Internet technologies (Wilson & Wong, 2003). The third shift under way is from governmental control to private ownership, or a mix of public and private with independent regulatory agencies (Levy & Spiller, 1994). Steinmuller suggests that ICTs, which can lower transaction costs, may be able to offer developing countries a conduit for avoiding stages that require high levels of capital and fixed asset concentration, as defined by Rostow’s “stages of development” (Rostow, 1960), and moving directly to a knowledge-based economy (Steinmueller, 2001). As a result, many developing countries now view these technologies as an important conduit to fostering both productivity gains (McGuckin & Stiroh, 1998; Baumol & Solow, 1998) and economic development (Saunders, 1994).

Developing countries have accelerated their efforts to deliver affordable ICT access and improved utilization rates among their residents through a range of ICT policy initiatives (Graham, 2000). The two goals of increased access and utilization are important in enhancing a developing country’s ability to compete globally for jobs and investment. Although these goals are touted frequently, they are not always tailored for a given country (Cohen-Blankshtain & Nijkamp, 2003). Policymakers must ask themselves how they define affordable access and improved utilization within the geographic, competitive, and political environment of the country (Javary & Mansell, 2002). Once these goals are defined, a set of policies can be implemented and a decision on the optimal ICT solutions can be made.

ICT infrastructure and applications will be adopted by a developing country in stages, with policymakers shifting their goals from supporting increased access, to developing a robust private sector, and finally to creating a globally competitive ICT industry (Grubesic & Murray, 2004). Although these goals are not mutually exclusive, there is a progression in policy and technological complexity as countries move away from directly supporting access infrastructure through a state-owned enterprise, to directing market competition through a regulatory agency, and then to indirectly supporting access through a ministry of ICT. In countries that support a domestic ICT industry, the government’s role shifts to becoming a coordinator and advisor to the private sector. To overcome these changing priorities and governmental roles, countries are forced to reevaluate their goals on a regular basis, adjusting their policies and technology choices accordingly. As a result, ICT goals within a developing country will not be static; in fact, they must be flexible enough to adapt to the changing technological and economic conditions to achieve an optimum outcome (Strover & Berquist, 1999).