This analytical report entitled was undertaken with the aim of enabling the National Communications Commission (NCC) to gain deeper understanding of progress of specific APEC economies relevant to the digital economy and related ICT development. The report consists of three main of focus: (1) the planning and implementation of the three roundtable meetings held during APEC TEL 58; (2) case studies on policies and approaches taken by authorities and the telecommunications industry in six APEC economies; (3) recommendations for the promotion of the digital economy, tailored for current domestic development.
APEC TEL58 was hosted by Taiwan (also known as Chinese Taipei) and took place in Taipei from 30 September to 5 October, 2018. During this event, three roundtables were held, the planning and implementation of which was undertaken by our research team. To do so, the team first defined the main scope of each roundtable; subsequent factors, such as background information, roundtable agenda and session themes were then included; each roundtable was then divided into three sub-sessions to create a full package and setting as follows:
Industry Roundtable: Best Practices for Enhancing Citizens’ Digital Literacy
- Enhancing Digital Literacy and Digital Inclusion
- Creating a Safer Digital Environment
- Encouraging Multiple Stakeholders to Develop Digital Literacy
Regulatory Roundtable: Best Practices for Promoting Universal Broadband Service
- Vision and Policy Plan for Broadband Access
- Optimal Policy Instruments for Accelerating Broadband Deployment
- Broadband Strategies for Socio-economic Development and Supporting the Digital Economy
Industry Roundtable: Smart Cities Experience Sharing
- Vision of Sustainable Smart Cities: Opportunities and Challenges Applications Sustainable
- Smart Cites: Services and Solutions
- Public Private Partnership in Sustainable Smart Cities: Cooperation and Coordination
In addition, the research team was also responsible for contacting potential speakers and hosts; with each roundtable consisting of eight speakers from either a regulatory or industrial background, the team coordinated with a total of twenty-four speakers, including eleven delegates from Taiwan, and thirteen from other APEC economies. The diverse range of backgrounds of the speakers provided a valuable opportunity for attending APEC economies to gain insight on how the digital economy is being promoted across the region, particularly in such areas as the deployment of ICT infrastructure, urban planning with state-of-the-art technology, and the enhancement of digital literacy in a digital society.
An analysis of polices with respects to the digital economy of six APEC was undertaken. It was noted that in spite of varying levels of development and focus, governments and authorities across the APEC region have become increasingly assertive in promoting the digital economy.
In the US, the Department of Commerce aims to boost growth and generate innovation so as to ensure that the nation can maintain its advantageous position in technical development. These objectives can be clearly seen in its policy measures, which include strengthening broadband infrastructure, increasing deployment of digital technology infrastructure, and promoting open data and freedom of information by means of innovation.
In contrast, the primary focus for the digital economy in Japan has been coined with the phrase ‘connected industry.’ The Japanese government plans to utilize data as a mediator to connect enterprises and consumers as a means of creating added value for industry. Their policy also demonstrates that authorities aim to take advantage of IoT, AI, data standardization and digital governance.
Turning to Singapore, with view to promoting diversified applications, Singapore has already made a comprehensive master plan, known as ‘Smart Country’, so as to develop the domestic ICT industry. By upgrading industry in line with the digital transformations as early as possible, Singapore aims to achieve greater integration, consequently encouraging innovation from enterprises and cultivating digital skills and literacy of the people.
In China, several rising internet conglomerates, such as Alibaba, Tencent and Baidu, can be seen as great examples of how enterprises have benefited from a light-touch regulatory approach. However, with the market and ecosystem much more mature than previously, the authorities have also began to apply tighter regulations on enterprises with the aim of solving issues with internet security, personal data protection and the digital divide.
Meanwhile, Thailand has targeted the digital economy as one of the main pillars of policy to fuel the digital transformation both for its society and economic development. The Thai government also plans to promote further integration between public and private sectors with several expansive plans, such as their Smart City and East Economy Corridor (EEC) intitatives.
Finally, in Vietnam, e-commerce has remained a key factor of developing the digital economy. The authorities aim to enhance the infrastructure deployment so that people can gain more effective access and involvement in the digital economy. Additionally, the Vietnamese government plans to make online payment and customer service more prevalent in its society.
After a comprehensive review of policies of six APEC countries, the following four developmental trends seem apparent: (1) investment in infrastructure, (2) innovation with state-of-the-art technology, (3) new business models generating from industry transformation, and (4) flexibility within current regulatory environment. The research team can thus provide six recommendations to NCC for policy regarding the promotion of the digital economy in Taiwan:
Deployment of broadband infrastructure should be continually strengthened so that all people can gain improved internet access;
Spectrum should be reallocated to facilitate an effective management framework and emerging digital services;
As foreign internet conglomerates entering the domestic market may hold certain advantages, regulators should determine whether the current law respecting competition is still suitable for the digital economy;
Self-regulation or co-regulation mechanisms among media content platforms should be promoted to ensure a safer digital environment;
Cooperation between the domestic entertainment industry and foreign OTT enterprises should be encouraged so as to integrate domestic content with international platforms;
Current industry trends and regulations should be reviewed to determine whether a new regulatory framework is needed.
