The current global economic recessionary environment has not spared any country. Even the mighty USA has felt the pinch. However, the latest Nokia Siemens Networks research represents a silver lining on this dark cloud.

According to the report, increased broadband deployment may produce significant impact on productivity and economic growth of a country. The research, which focused on 15 OECD countries, suggests that broadband may actually stimulate GNP growth without increasing the cost of production.

Governments all over the world, in recognition of this possibility, are facilitating the deployment of broadband. Locally, it is expected that once the monopoly that Telkom enjoys on the broadband infrastructure is broken, significant growth will be achievable. Subsequently, the levelling of the playing field will open the market and lead to lower prices through increased competition. It is only then that broadband might start moving the GNP indicators up as is happening elsewhere in the world.