Digital economy blueprint

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5.0  INFRASTRUCTURE

5.2 SITUATIONAL ANALYSIS

Affordable, accessible and reliable infrastructure is 

fundamental to achieve an inclusive digital economy. 

They are critical parameters and enablers for a sus-

tainable digital economy. This pillar looks at all forms 

of infrastructure- both hard and soft which are prereq-

uisite for establishment of a digital economy. Other 

examples of infrastructure elements that are import-

ant within this pillar are Logistics (Postal and Cou-

rier services), appropriate and affordable Devices, 

enabling Utilities and managements of Digital Assets. 

The foundation of infrastructure is the physical con-

nectivity that is a combination of First Mile, Middle 

Mile, Last Mile and Invisible Mile. First Mile is the 

underwater cables, the Middle Mile is the backbone 

and metro networks along with transmission and core 

network, and the Last Mile is the final connection to 

users such as fiber, wireless or satellite. The Invisible 

Miles are the policies, legal and regulatory frame-

works that enable investment and maintenance of the 

infrastructure such as spectrum, fees and taxes etc.

It is equally important are the devices that are used 

to access broadband, whether individual or shared 

devices for personal, work or commercial purpos-

es. Meanwhile, for the digital economy to function, 

where E-commerce is a core part of, a well-developed 

logistics sector, for instance, the postal system is cru-

cial. 

The infrastructure, devices and logistics sector e.g. 

postal system and courier services rely on supporting 

infrastructure, particularly affordable and accessible 

broadband, power, roads and air for transportation 

and deliveries. Meanwhile it is imperative that the in-

frastructure is fast, secure and available. It is therefore 

important to protect physical infrastructure and dig-

ital assets, including the data from physical vandal-

ism, cyber-security threats and privacy infringements. 

Such security is also imperative to ensure consumer 

trust in broadband infrastructure and all that it en-

ables.