Many local factors, such as climate, the type of construction to be used in each
building, local habits etc., will influence the standards. The main point, however, is
the specific purpose behind every regulation – which each relevant official can
convincingly explain to members of the public, because he understands it.
These detailed regulations will be applicable either to all buildings or to buildings
of certain categories, for example, to all houses or all shops. These regulations
should, thus, be very clearly drafted and distributed freely to public members
considering the planning or construction of a new building. Of course, the authorities
should not prescribe such standards unless they do examine all plans for new
buildings to check their compliance with the standards, and can inspect the buildings
during construction to compare adherence to the approved plans.
1.2.3 Communication and Telecommunications
The postal system together with broadcasting services form part of the most extensive networks in the world. The postal system currently provides several services,
inter alia:
(a) transportation (letters, parcels, postcards, newspapers),
(b) money order services (mandat poste, money orders etc.),
(c) banking services (deposits, withdrawals, life insurance),
(d) agency services (payment of several types of bills),
(e) courrier services (fast delivery service of letters, parcels).
Tariffs for such services were formerly fixed using social considerations. In many
countries, the public sector had, until recently, the monopoly of the telecommunications sector. Given the very often poor quality of services provided by public
sector, and an associated high cost, the introduction of competition has gradually
improved service quality, increased capacity, and allowed using new technology,
such as IT (Information Technology). The result has been improved communications
and a significant impact on the economy.
The last 25 years has brought an overall transformation in the telecommunications sector. The quality and range of services available have greatly improved
through technological advances. New developments in information technology,
such as data communication through e-mail and associated services through the
internet, television broadcasting through satellites, cell phone and other communication possibilities have introduced new ways for people to conduct business and
communicate.
Of course, a country can only benefit from the telecommunications network
transformation if it keeps in touch with the technological development. However,
being able to access or acquire data at will is one thing. Interpreting the information
before integrating the data usefully into the country’s industrial structure is another:
this depends on the thinking abilities of the individuals – to be addressed under
education – accessing the data. In many industries (textile, garment, toy and
1.2 Examples of Infrastructure
9
building, local habits etc., will influence the standards. The main point, however, is
the specific purpose behind every regulation – which each relevant official can
convincingly explain to members of the public, because he understands it.
These detailed regulations will be applicable either to all buildings or to buildings
of certain categories, for example, to all houses or all shops. These regulations
should, thus, be very clearly drafted and distributed freely to public members
considering the planning or construction of a new building. Of course, the authorities
should not prescribe such standards unless they do examine all plans for new
buildings to check their compliance with the standards, and can inspect the buildings
during construction to compare adherence to the approved plans.
1.2.3 Communication and Telecommunications
The postal system together with broadcasting services form part of the most extensive networks in the world. The postal system currently provides several services,
inter alia:
(a) transportation (letters, parcels, postcards, newspapers),
(b) money order services (mandat poste, money orders etc.),
(c) banking services (deposits, withdrawals, life insurance),
(d) agency services (payment of several types of bills),
(e) courrier services (fast delivery service of letters, parcels).
Tariffs for such services were formerly fixed using social considerations. In many
countries, the public sector had, until recently, the monopoly of the telecommunications sector. Given the very often poor quality of services provided by public
sector, and an associated high cost, the introduction of competition has gradually
improved service quality, increased capacity, and allowed using new technology,
such as IT (Information Technology). The result has been improved communications
and a significant impact on the economy.
The last 25 years has brought an overall transformation in the telecommunications sector. The quality and range of services available have greatly improved
through technological advances. New developments in information technology,
such as data communication through e-mail and associated services through the
internet, television broadcasting through satellites, cell phone and other communication possibilities have introduced new ways for people to conduct business and
communicate.
Of course, a country can only benefit from the telecommunications network
transformation if it keeps in touch with the technological development. However,
being able to access or acquire data at will is one thing. Interpreting the information
before integrating the data usefully into the country’s industrial structure is another:
this depends on the thinking abilities of the individuals – to be addressed under
education – accessing the data. In many industries (textile, garment, toy and
1.2 Examples of Infrastructure
9