Municipal ICT Policy Goals and Technology Choices: A Decision Framework

Abstract

This study reviews the literature of the available research to develop a policy framework for understanding the key decisions facing municipal information and communication technology policymakers. This chapter provides a clear understanding of the interdependent choices regarding municipal ICT goals, initiatives, and technology choices. With each decision, a municipality risks choosing a sub-optimal goal or technology for its particular environment, resulting in a reduction or plateau in ICT adoption. For example, by creating a public sector operator in a highly competitive retail market, a municipal government may in fact dampen private sector investment and result in a net negative for the area’s ICT penetration rate. In addition, these poor choices cannot be easily rectified. With the large sunk costs of ICT deployments, future options are constrained by past choices. Therefore, it is vital that policymakers understand their range of options for ICT goals, initiatives, and technologies before beginning the process of implementing their policies.