現在パラオは海底通信ケーブルに接続できるかどうか、即ちブロードバンドの環境が得られるかどうかで危機的状況に面している。
ADBは既に本件に対しローンを決定しているが、競争導入が条件となっている。
パラオ議会で緊急議案となっている背景には、昨年NECが受注したインドネシアからロスアンジェルスを結ぶ海底通信ケーブル事業が動いており、ここにパラオ、ヤップが接続するまさに千載一遇の機会を目の前にしているからだ。
パラオ国内の反対意見は、既存電話会社が抱える借金の返済が未だ約25億円残っており、ユニバーサルサービスを提供する同社をこのまま競争状態に持って行く事は不平等である、という内容だ。これは全く合理的な意見ある。現在年間約２億円の返済を行っている同社を守る形で、平等な競争環境を作るため下記の3点を提案したい。
なお、本件は太平洋島嶼国の情報通信改革を1991年から現場で動かしてきた。最近の動向はニュースやうわさ話で知る範囲で、極めて限られた情報の中で提案させていただいている事をお断りしておく。
（参考）
１） 足枷となっている、現在米国政府から受けているローンの放棄か、4.65％の利子の見直しを米国政府と交渉すべきだ。皮肉な事にこのローンはRUS (Rural Utility Service) と言って、30年代の大恐慌対策としてルーズベルト政権が地方のユニバーサルサービス（主に電気）のために設置した制度である。また現在世界規模で進められているICT分野の規制緩和とデジタルディバイドの克服は９０年代のゴア副大統領の下で力強く提言されたGII構想が根底にある。米国はこの分野で指導力を示すべきだ。
２） ユニバーサルサービス基金の設置を行う事。この基金を現在PNCCが抱えているローン返済を救済するとともに、教育、保健、遠隔地等へのユニバーサルサービス支援に活用する。2008年に規制緩和が行われたバヌアツでは”Pay or Play”と言って、ユニバを義務づけられているテレコム（TVLとDigicel）は払う義務がないが、ユニバの義務がないテレコム、即ち人口が集中する都市等にサービスを提供するテレコムは売り上げ総利益の４％を基金に供出する制度がある。
３） 日本やイギリスが競争導入と共にとった制度はユニバーサルサービスを提供している既存のテレコム（NTTとBT）を守る方式だ。日本の場合は電話番号ごとにユニバーサルサービス料を徴収し、ユニバを提供するNTTへの赤字補填に備えている。パラオの場合、人口２万人と少ないが、年間14万人の観光客市場があり、これらの通信利用者に某かのユニバーサルサービス料を課金する事である程度の規模の基金収入を期待できるのではなかろうか。
Palau is now facing a crucial turning point for overcoming the digital divide or not.
ADB promised to give them a loan for connecting the undersea cable.
Plus, an ongoing mega international cable project plans to pass near Palau and Yap. This was originally going to link Indonesia-Philippines-Guam-Hawaii-Los Angels.
However, there is strong opposition in Palau who mainly argue that the incumbent PNCC should be protected as they have a 25 million dollar loan from the US government with a 4.65% interest rate and they still need to pay 2 million dollars a year over the next few decades.
I would like to suggest the following three points which would protect PNCC and introduce “fair competition” in Palau.
1. We should seek a waiver or change the interest rate of the current loan from the US government. It is ironic that the origin of this loan – RUS (Rural Utility Service) was established for the “Universal Service” for rural areas in the 1930s during the Roosevelt administration. Also the US is the leader of ICT and the digital divide, as Al Gore announced the GII (Global Information Infrastructure) in the 90s.
2. Make a regulation for the Universal Service Fund which may help PNCC's large loan as well as the education and health activities using ICT. In Vanuatu they call it “Pay or Play”. The telecom company who has Universal Service Obligations does not need to pay for this fund. However, other telecom companies who do not have any Universal Service Obligation, i.e. they do not need to cover the high cost of areal distributions (eg. rural and remote areas which can not expect any reasonable revenue returns), pay 4% of their net profit towards the Fund.
3. Japan and England introduced the same scheme to protect their incumbent telecom – NTT and BT - who have Universal Service obligations, while still introducing competition. In Japan all telecom companies are charged a Universal Service fee for each number (about 5 cent). Palau has large tourist numbers, 140,000 a year, compared to its population of 20,000. There may be a possibility to charge a Universal Service fee to these telecom users.
＜参考資料＞
インフラ委員会のプレスリリースでローンの競争導入を反対する内容
PRESS RELEASE: SENATE COMMITTEE ON EPUIThe Senate Committee on Energy, Public Utilities and Infrastructure (EPUI) continues work on the proposed House Bill No. 9-163-16S, HD3 to establish the Belau Submarine Cable Corporation. While it has received and reviewed information helpful to reaching its final recommendation to the floor of the Senate through correspondence, hearings and other discussions, critical considerations still remain leaving some members apprehensive about the proposed bill’s passage in its current form. The Committee progressively engages in its discussions seeking to clarify among others the following:The intent of this Bill is to create a state owned enterprise that will be responsible for the construction and maintenance of a fiber optic cable. A dilemma arises from the concept of creating a new state owned enterprise, the Belau Submarine Cable Corporation to procure and manage the fiber optic cable. It shall serve as the implementing agency for the fiber optic cable project. This in essence precludes the existing public corporation (PNCC), mandated by law to provide telecommunications services in the Republic from this procurement, management or ownership process. This is of concern as PNCC owns and maintains as well the infrastructure in the Republic for this purpose and employs local employees in its daily operation. It is tasked with the cost recovery for its services and operations as well as repayment of an RUS loan that the Republic has guaranteed under its full faith credit authority. While we understand the liberalization issues associated with the fiber-optic process, to exclude PNCC from direct participation in the process may be ill advised and the Committee finds this an obstacle in the passage of this proposed bill. The entity tasked with cost recovery should play an intricate role not only in the acquisition of the fiber-optic cable but its ownership as well. To establish a state owned enterprise to serve the purpose of implementing agency for the project when one with a long standing commitment to serve Palau already exists is simply taking one step forward and two steps back – a rationale that just doesn’t make practical sense.In short, this proposed legislation to form the Belau Submarine CableCorporation to wholesale to PNCC completely ignores that PNCC is mandated by law to provideUniversal Service in the Republic.The Committee has additional concerns regarding debt repayment. Allowing BSCC to emerge and tosell to PNCC and private enterprises that compete directly against PNCC will put PNCC at a hugedisadvantage as it is burdened with the RUS loan with an outstanding balance of 25 million dollars.MicroPal claims lower costs for internet connection as compared to the current satellite system. This, ineffect, will result in better savings also for the privately owned companies seeking to gain PNCC'smarket share. The committee thinks strongly that it would be gravely irresponsible to simply rubber-stamp processes not in the best interest of the Republic of Palau. We cannot endorse by law, a projectthat can ultimately force PNCC into defaulting on its RUS loan obligation based on the excuse of thesame officers who have acknowledged poor governance of the entity. This Bill in essence proposes thiswithout directly addressing the serious issues of a regulatory framework and how PNCC (a state ownedenterprise) will fare.The Senate EPUI Committee is working to finalize a draft report of this proposed legislation mindful to address these and other critical concerns.Toribiong, JoelChairman, Senate Committee on EPUI
パラオ商工会議所のケーブルを支持する記事
[Palau Chamber of Commerce: Benefits from fiber optic cable will exceed cost]
ISLAND TIMES. Sept 01, 2015.
The Palau Chamber of Commerce has come out in support of Palau’s effort to connect to the submarine fiber optic cable and the establishment of the Belau Submarine Cable Corporation (BSCC).
In a letter to Senator Joel Toribiong, Chairman on Energy, Public Utilities, and Infrastructure, Dr. Victor Yano, President of PCOC said the fiber optic cable has their backing.
“First and foremost our members are in full support of the Republic’s efforts to acquire and install a fiber optic cable,” he said.
Yano said this position is supported for many reasons including the following: 1) Based on tourist survey data presented during the 2014 Economic Symposium fast and reliable Internet is expected by our high value tourism customers; 2) Economic growth opportunities in new businesses and services such as Internet cafes and commerce; 3) Lower business costs with fast and reliable Internet access; 4) Better and more efficient government services through automation and on-line payments and filings; and 5) Development of a more competitive workforce with improved access to health and educational resources.
“We understand that $20-$25 million is a large sum of money that may increase Palau’s debt. The above benefits from having better Internet access are believed to exceed the cost,” Yano said.
“Palau’s biggest cost challenge is a small market across which to spread the cost. An even more important question is whether or not Palau can afford not to invest in a fiber optic cable,” he added.
Yano said the specific points they would like to highlight regarding the establishment of the BSCC and the fiber optic cable connection are as follows:
The Ministry of Finance as the shareholder representative., The Chamber of Commerce has endorsed government recommended Governance Principles for State Owned Enterprises. These principles include the designation of a shareholder representative which is the Ministry of Finance. This designation is considered to be a standard practice for government and the Ministry of Finance is best suited for this role. Essentially, the Ministry of Finance already provides this oversight when it manages the performance review and budget call activities for these corporations and government. Under improved governance principles, the Ministry will also ensure the corporations develop corporate plans in-line with national priorities and with a view to operate as commercial enterprises. This oversight process will be more efficient than the current practice of oversight by multiple agencies which are typically the Office of the President, relevant regulatory agencies and Ministries. The Olbiil era Kelulau will continue its role in the checks and balance process.
Procurement for the fiber optic cable should ideally go through a competitive bidding process. We ask that the process used by the corporation to secure a fiber optic cable be transparent and involve some stakeholder consultations.
Yano noted that the approach proposed in the legislation includes 1) The creation of the cable corporation; 2) Creation of a National Regulatory Framework for telecommunications; and 3)To address the viability of the Palau National Communications Corporations (PNCC).
“A separate cable corporation rather than government agency encourages commercialization of this important asset. Establishing a telecommunications regulatory framework levels the playing field for additional competitors to enter the market, including PNCC,” he said.
“Lastly, PNCC’s viability is improved when it is not the owner of the fiber optic cable and debt,” he pointed out.
Yano acknowledged that concerns have been expressed regarding the viability of PNCC.
“We continue to advocate that PNCC (and other public corporations) outsource as much activities as possible and that it be considered for privatization or at least some private ownership,” he said.
“PNCC is in the unique position of ownership of valuable assets allowing it a strategic advantage over new entrants to the market,” Yano added.
Yano said they acknowledged that PNCC is burdened by the USDA Rural Utility Services Loan and its universal service mandate.
“Because the issue with PNCC is internal, it should and be taken separately from the creation of the cable company and the establishment of a regulatory regime for telecommunications,” he added.
According to him, the Chamber of Commerce believes that establishment of BSCC would not cause PNCC’s dissolution and instead they believe that PNCC’s dissolution as a government enterprise is inevitable.
The Senate’s slow action on the BSCC bill is endangering Palau’s chance of having faster Internet connectivity soon through the submarine fiber optic cable connection.
The BSCC bill is stuck in the Senate EPUI Committee.
