GOVERNMENT OF GRENADA

Information and Communication Technology (ICT

!ro"ect Name#
National Net$or% Infra&tructure 'y&tem
Country 'u(mitting !ro"ect#
GRENADA
)* 'ummary Of !ro"ect
The purpose of the project is to design and deploy a national Network Infrastructure
System that would electronically link all government ministries, departments and
statutory bodies to local and wide area networks throughout the nation. This activity is
part of a National ICT Strategy and ction !lan that was developed to ensure socio"
economic development within the nation. The Network Infrastructure System will
incorporate the technical fle#ibility to accommodate national future e#pansion as
appropriate. The short"term benefits would manifest themselves in public sector
productivity and efficiency improvement, and eventual private sector, and national access
and connectivity to e"transaction capabilities through the information super highway.
The reali$ation of the short"term objective re%uires physical establishment of &ocal rea
Networks, and their strategic connections to digital segmentation designs that would
allow ma#imum throughput and continuous network accessibility. These network
platforms will define the pathway for future e#pansion into the private sector and nation,
hence, the conceptuali$ation phase and implementation robustness are key ingredients to
the success of this project.
Estimated Cost.
The project is divided into two phases, the short"term, which deals with the deployment
of the physical Infrastructure, and the e#pansion phase, dealing with access and
connectivity concerns throughout the nation. The immediate focus is on the short"term
phase. The estimated cost for this phase is '(() euro with *renada contributing
+,()euro. The implementation activities will be managed and performed by the Central
Information -anagement gency .CI-/ in collaboration with Cable 0 1ireless.
CI- is attached to the !rime -inister2s -inistry, and has total accountability for ICT
deployment in the nation.
+* ,ac%ground
The vision of the !rime -inister 3on. 4r. )eith C. -itchell is to have *renada become a
knowledge base society by 5(+(. In order to achieve that objective, all *renadians must
have easy, unlimited access and connectivity to the e#tensive repository of global
information accessible only through Internet technology. 6ecause of the continuous
evolution of this technology, many Internet Service !roviders .IS!s/ offer various
packages at prices that are at times unaffordable to many citi$ens of our nation. 3ence,
making access to global information difficult. 7etrieving the efficiencies, and benefits of
+
e"government, e"business, and e"commerce become and effort in futility for some, and
insurmountable odds for others. 1ith a National Network Infrastructure System owned
by the government in place, more control and assistance can be rendered to citi$ens and
users re%uiring appropriate incentives to achieve the levels of literacy needed to fulfill the
!rime -inister2s vision. Initially, the most significant benefit would manifest itself in the
public service, where remarkable enhancements to present processes would result.
nother area in which a government network infrastructure system is of strategic
importance is security. -ost forward thinking governments in the free world have
stringent security re%uirements and criteria for all their e"transactions. lthough the
network is a vehicle for convenient information e#change, its ease of access can become
a mortal enemy. &ack of security can attack the very core of governments weakening
them to the point of possible demise. This threat has to be averted at all cost, and the
deployment of a national network infrastructure system would be a formable opponent
towards alleviating the concerns associated with this event. 3aving IS! control outside
the government2s jurisdiction is definitely throwing all odds towards vulnerability. The
government, police, special force organi$ations, immigration and drug enforcement must
be assured of un%uestionable security. *overnment control of security protocols, and
encryption algorithms will grant this assurance.
-* Inter.ention
The immediate area of focus is to establish and interconnectivity architecture that will
afford technical growth and fle#ibility while making use of e#isting local and wide area
networks for obvious cost advantages. !ockets of individual networks would have to be
evaluated and linked to the National Network Infrastructure System in adherence to the
ICT Strategy and ction !lan for *renada.
8our major local area networks have been identified to date. These are Standard
Integrated *overnment 8inancial Information System .SI*8IS/, Standard Integrated
*overnment Ta# dministration System .SI*TS/, 7oyal *renada !olice 8orce .7*!8/,
and -inistry of 9ducation. Since they evolved independently, it would be necessary to
understand the platforms and protocol structures to facilitate connection to the Intranet
System. The intent is to construct manageable, fle#ible, e#pandable, and cost effective
platforms to enable future growth and e#pansion throughout the nation. 3aving a
common National Network Infrastructure System will provide the substrate, and standard
protocols from which local network linkages could be established.
The tendering process for Infrastructure System cost and implementation particulars is
presently being pursued. It is necessary to establish platform protocol ground rules, and
the choosing of IS!s that will provide on"going reliable support. 3ence, low cost would
not necessarily be the factor upon which final decisions are hinged. stable and robust
network is of vital importance to success of ICT deployment in the nation.
-*) O("ecti.e&
The eventual outcome of the National Network Infrastructure System deployment is to
put in place a platform from which the !rime -inister2s vision materiali$es. The vision
of changing the nation into a knowledge base society by 5(+(, needs to have a solid
5
network foundation upon which to build the necessary information technologies in order
to create the knowledge environment. Towards this end, the following objectives would
have to be accomplished:
ssess and evaluate all local area networks within ministries and departments for
functionality, e#pandability, fle#ibility, software platforms, protocol standards,
and security.
4esign and develop a National Network Infrastructure System with bandwidth
capability to incorporate linkages to present functional networks, and
accommodate e#pansion and fle#ibility to future network re%uirements with
standardi$e protocols and intrinsic security criteria.
9ngage in a tendering process to allow fair biding by telecommunication and
Internet Service !roviders for design and installation of the National Network
Infrastructure System.
9stablish a &ocal;1ide area network deployment strategy for the nation as part of
the national ICT strategy and action plan for *renada.
9stablish and deploy pilot operations with specific benefits and impact to both
public and private sector, and communicate to the nation
4evelop metrics to determine that all design functionality and criteria are met.
Share network deployment strategy within <9CS and C7IC<- in order to
incorporate possible best practice techni%ues, and to avoid replication of costly
ICT activity.
9mploy the =uality Improvement !rocess to ensure continuous improvement and
re%uirements and technologies evolve.
s part of the <9CS and C7IC<- member states, it is of vital importance that we
share our strategies and methodologies in the area of ICT implementation. In addition to
learning from each other resulting in cost saving measures, we will form a united front to
worldwide donor organi$ations showing supporting interest in the development of ICT in
the region.
-*+ !ro"ect !ur/o&e
The purpose of the project is to design and deploy a national Network Infrastructure
System that would electronically link all government ministries, departments and
statutory bodies to local and wide area networks throughout the nation. lso, to
incorporate the necessary electronic hooks to accommodate future update and e#pansion.
<n a wider scale, appropriate documentation would be developed to facilitate the transfer
of >6est !ractices? throughout the <9CS member states.
@
-*- Re&ult&
The results of the project would manifest themselves in the headings described below.
National Security
<ne of the areas that would be positively affected by the deployment of the national
infrastructure system among others is national security. 8rom the casual traffic
infringement to major criminal offences, a new paradigm in security and crime
prevention will emerge.

Traffic
The *renada 7oyal !olice 8orce has been involve in a total review of traffic law
enforcement. 6ecause of the inefficiencies in being able to effectively carry out laws
pertaining to specific violations, many misdemeanors go unpunishedA hence, the
inevitable perpetuation of crimes. 1ith the deployment of the national network
infrastructure system, and wireless connections planned, information on suspects can be
readily retrieved and arrests made in a timely manner. This will result in a mark decrease
in traffic violations.
Immigration
6ecause of archaic systems presently in use, much data pertaining to immigration issues
are lost, or in irretrievable condition. Connection to the data reservoirs within the
Caribbean and the world at large is non"e#istent. ccess and connectivity to the National
Network Infrastructure System will provide the medium through which improved law
enforcement techni%ues would become the norm.
Drug Enforcement
part from illegal entry, drug enforcement is another area that re%uires significant
security upgrades in *renada. 3aving reliable data is of vital importance in the tracking
and solving of drug related incidences. 6eing able to retrieve information from regional
and international sources would greatly enhance law enforcement capabilities.
Connection to the National Network Infrastructure System would provide the necessary
access and security re%uirements to ensure proper enforcement criteria.
Public Sector
E-Government
major concern and complaint of most governments are inefficiencies in providing data
and information to the public at large, and the tremendous waste of revenue that results
from those inefficiencies. *renada has been lumbering under systems and procedures
that have out lived their usefulnessA hence, compounding the problem as the volume of
information re%uired increases. 6y moving into an e"government environment many of
the concerns and complaints would be remarkable reduced. The major platform
necessary to facilitate the move into the e"government era is the National Network
Infrastructure System.
B
The impact on the public sector would be tremendous. mong the benefits reali$ed
would be improved service to the public, greater inter"governmental communications,
more efficient information and data flow within government, and establishment of new
revenue streams.
The National Network Infrastructure System will also allow for improved fle#ibility and
e#pandability. &ocal and 1ide rea Networks can be added as future technical and
customer demands become manifest. dditions can be made in a predictable and cost
effective manner
Private Sector
E-Business
The private sector has been making greater strides in the area of ICT because of higher
productivity and cost saving re%uirements. Nevertheless, only isolated areas of e"
business protocols have been operational. n architecture accommodating the total
interaction re%uirements with government, and the banking system has not been
developedA hence, true ICT infrastructure benefits could not be retrieved.
The National Network Infrastructure System is part of the National ICT Strategy and
ction !lan, which comprehends all the e"interactions necessary to fulfill the
re%uirements for national deployment. The private sector will now be able to have access
and connectivity to local area networks e#ternal to individual networks.
E-Commerce
4oing business on the Internet is a very simple and direct definition of e"commerce. t
present, this capability can only be afforded by a few businesses in the nation. The IS!
that is serving the nation presently has economically segregated most of the island2s
inhabitance from embracing this opportunity. 6ecause of this, many individuals in the
private sector who would like to embark on new business ventures using the Internet are
discouraged by costA hence, the benefits awarded to those who use this facility are not
given to the majority of the nation2s citi$enry.
1ith a National Network Infrastructure System in place and managed by the government,
access and connectivity can be had at reasonable cost. ll citi$ens will have access to the
benefits and opportunities available on the information super highway. 1ebsites can now
be developed for those with the entrepreneurship spirit, allowing them to test their
markets without heavy capital layout. The intranet;internet now becomes the window
through which our citi$ens can test the marketing of their new ventures. This would be
an area of great impact and benefit to the nation.
National Educational Initiatives
!ublic sector employees would also enjoy career benefits as skill re%uirements become
obvious in e"transaction areas. Skills in the IT arena will be of vital importance to the e"
future of the nationA hence, IT training in all areas of government, business, and
commerce will form an educational industry that will provide employment opportunities.
<n"line teaching techni%ues will be e#plored as a means of reaching the nation in the
time frame necessary to reap e"transactional benefits. 9"learning will be key to the human
resource development strategy in the nation.
,
9#perience in major countries and our own recent e#perience in *renada confirm that
ICT generates the need for new skills and levels of knowledge. It therefore acts as a
catalyst for the emergence for new careers and employment opportunities. The ICT
Strategy and ction !lan for *renada envisage the development and utili$ation of the full
range of such skills. Skills re%uirement would include the following:
)eyboard skills
Speech and -arketing Skills
Transcription
!rogramming
3ardware assembly and maintenance
Scanning and 4igiti$ing
C4
*IS
nimation
Imaging
4esktop publishing
4atabase design, development and management
Internet professional Skills
Network professionals .4esign, 6uild, -aintenance/
Similar range of job functions will be created in the private sector. t the professional
level, new demands will be made to enhance traditional %ualifications with ICT
capabilities. This would relate to professions such as accounting, health, engineering,
education, administration, etc.
Access to Data and Information retrieval
major benefit of this project is the development of centrali$ed information systems.
The architecture envisaged will provide access to a common data base systems. These
information sources will be made available in the first instance to public sector users and
later to commercial users and the general citi$enry. Through the use of a three"tiered
system, and with appropriate security approvals, access will be provided on a basis
designed to meet the needs of various categories of users. Some of this information may
have commercial value and a determination would be made at an appropriate juncture to
evaluate the e#tent to which a fee, if any may be appropriate. The governing principle
would be to provide access to useful information and data for the utili$ation of the
various categories of *renada2s publics, to meet their knowledge and commercial
re%uirements.
ccess to the information would be available though on"line capabilities, including
publicly located kiosk, as well as through call centers for those who do not possess on"
line access
C
Educational Benefits
This project provides tremendous benefits in the areas of public and private sector
education. In the public sector, many new skills will have to be ac%uired, hence, facilities
providing this type of capability will become pivotal in this new structure. The primary
and secondary schools now would have to produce the work force of the future, hence the
speedy training of teachers are of vital importance. The on"line capability will provide an
avenue for retrieving information and data relevant to skill improvement options.
Since different skill re%uirements are necessary, the government will have to develop
strategies for training its employees. In so doing, major training programs will be
administered to meet both public and private sector educational re%uirements.
1ithin the school system, changes would have to be made in curricula to accommodate
the nation2s demands for IT literacy. Since classroom space would be at a premium, the
ability to have on"line access to information would greatly enhance the efficiency of
learning for schools, and both public and private sector skill re%uirement programs.
Increase Revenue Streams
6ecause of increased productivity and efficiency within government, services to the
public will be more readily available. This service availability will result in higher
information retrieval, followed by an increased collection of associated fees and charges.
The National Network Infrastructure System will provide linkages to digiti$ed
information that would not have been retrievable in the time frames re%uired to have
improved revenue streams.
-*0 !rinci/al Acti.itie&
Dnderlying the objectives mentioned above are specific tasks that are re%uired to achieve
the goals as outlined in the project definition. The respective tasks are as follows:
Choose a supplier as a result of the tendering process ensuring that the supplier can
deliver all re%uirements outline within an agreed time frame.
!ursue various sources of funding for the entire project.
4etermine project phase for immediate deployment.
4evelop project management schedule and critical path analyses.
9stablish review cycles with *renada *overnment, <9CS, and C7IC<-
member states
9stablish national communication and demonstration periods
9stablish a =uality Improvement !rocess that would ensure continuous
improvement in meeting national ICT objectives
0*1 A&&um/tion&
The Central Information -anagement gency .CI-/ will have full responsibility for
the deployment of the ICT strategy and action plan for *renada. This also includes the
management of all ICT funds through the !rime -inister2s -inistry. CI- will also
work in conjunction with the -inistry of 1orks and Communication to fulfill the
objectives outlined above. It is also the responsibility of CI- to engage the <9CS and
C7IC<- member states in the regional progression of ICT evolution.
E
CI- will also manage the tendering process for all physical infrastructure re%uirements.
7eporting and status reviews will be provided and presented by CI-
2*1 Im/lementation
8rom the time a supplier has been chosen to time of complete installation will be a period
of two years depending on funding availability. The work would be done in two phases.
!hase +: The installation of a si#"site, @C( degrees, +,,-bps backbone
!hase 5: Continued installation of another four sites to provide full coverage to the
nation. 4etails of a proposal from a high potential supplier are attached.
2*) !ha&e )
This phase represents the short"term goals of the *renada *overnment defined in the
National ICT strategy document. physical Intranet System is to be deployed that will
have the capability of accommodating e#isting local area networks as well as new
additions re%uired to enhance productivity and efficiency in both public and private
sector arenas. To accomplish this task the *overnment -inisterial will have to be
electronically segmented, isolation servers would be re%uired, firewalls would have to be
installed for security purposes, e"mail servers would have to be introduced, point"to"point
sites would have to be identified and wired, and robust software and hardware systems
would have to be installed. This is the primary phase by which the sustainability and
robustness of the entire intranet system is defined. !hase 5 would be implemented as
more national re%uirements are identified.
2*+ E3ecuting In&titution
The project will be managed and implemented by the Central Information -anagement
gency .CI-/ within !rime -inister 4r. )eith C. -itchell2s -inistry. The
responsibility for all ICT activity in *renada lies within CI- under the directorate of
Cecil 7. -. 6artholomew. Contact information is as follows:
-r. Cecil 7.-. 6artholomew
4irector, ICT *renada
!rime -inister2s <ffice
-inisterial Comple#
6otanical *ardens
St. *eorge2s, *renada, 1.I.
<ffice !hone: BE@"B@,"5F,C
8G: BE@"BB("B++C
Secretary: BE@ H BB("5@'@
Central Information Management Agency (CIMA
'
CI- assumes full accountability for the implementation of the ICT Strategy and ction
!lan of *renada. CI-2s goal is to achieve the vision and mission for the country as
described above, through the objectives to follow:
Functional O("ecti.e& of CIMA
CI- will perform the following:
Complete final version of strategy and action plan document
4isseminate information, and market all elements of the plan to public sector and
Nation
9stablish tasks and projects, and prioriti$e to meet short term and long term goals
4evelop proposals with respect to implementation criteria and present to cabinet
4efine roles and responsibilities for the managing of specific areas of ICT
implementation
8acilitate and liaise with -inistries responsible for areas of ICT deployment to
ensure focus and continuity with the plan
4evelop and manage budgets related to the implementation of the plan
8acilitate in coordination e#ercises relative to implementation of e#isting ICT
projects such as -inisterial e"mailing capabilities, &N standardi$ation
techni%ues, and other national ICT deployment endeavors
9#pedite and make available the legal media through which ICT tasks become
manifest
ssume accountability for any ICT government site ac%uisition activity
9nforce standardi$ation disciplines within National Network 4evelopment
The sourcing of critical resources necessary for the completion of tasks leading
towards plan objectives
ssist in the development of other agencies or councils responsible for bridging
the digital divide in the public and private sector
9nsure appropriate training strategies are in place to meet national IT training
%ualification criteria
9nsure the inclusion of measurement systems within the ICT framework to
monitor for continuous improvement possibilities
2*- E3ecution !eriod
The estimated schedule for !hase + is one year from the time monies are released. The
engineering designs are completed by the CI- organi$ation. 8unctions remaining are
as follows:
!ursuing 8unding <pportunities T64 months
Infrastructure System 4esign Completed
<rdering 9%uipment 5 months
-inisterial 6uilding Segmentation 5 months
1ireless Installation @ months
Software;3ardware Installation @ months
Infrastructure System Check + month
F
4ocumentation + month
Training <n *oing
E&timated Total Time )+ Month&
Annual Co&t E&timate (4'
The e&timated time frame for /ha&e ) i& t$el.e month& ()+ at an e&timated co&t of
4'5216* The (rea%do$n of co&t and detail& are a& follo$&#
Acti.itie& 7ear )
GoG
7ear ) Comment&
Infra&tructure
'y&tem De&ign
Done The infra&tructure $a& com/leted a&
/art of the National 'trategy (y
CIMA
E8ui/ment
Ordering
21 +11 E8ui/ment ha& (een identified for
the /ro"ect9 order& need to (e /laced
,uilding
'egmentation
CIMA )11 The de&ign and $or% for electronic
&egmentation $ill (e fulfilled (y
CIMA
:irele&&
In&tallation
CIMA;C<:
21
+11 A choice $a& made through the
tendering /roce&& to u&e C<: for
thi& ta&% (a&ed on co&t and
a.aila(ility
'oft$are;=ard$are
in&tallation
CIMA
21
)21 Thi& acti.ity deal& $ith the &oft$are
and hard$are u&ed in the
configuration of the Intranet &y&tem
Infra&tructure
'y&tem Chec%
CIMA N;A The com/lete &y&tem $ill (e
chec%ed9 .alidated9 and &u//orted
(y CIMA
Documentation CIMA N;A 'y&tem dra$ing& and documentation
$ould (e de.elo/ed to en&ure /ro/er
maintenance /rocedure&9 and (e&t
/ractice tran&fer
Training CIMA Training /ac%age& for ICD>
certification are /re&ently utili?ed
TOTA>' )21 @21 Total !ha&e ) /ro"ect e3/enditure
!ha&e +
!hase 5, the e#pansion phase, deals with access and connectivity concerns throughout the
nation. The approach to this phase would be less aggressive, since local area sites would
be determined by identifiable needs. The intent is to manage the e#pansion base on
+(
national re%uirements, cost, and population benefit. !rojects would then be developed to
it the needs identified.
2*2 '/ecial condition& and accom/anying mea&ure& ta%en (y the Go.ernment
The *overnment of *renada has completed a National Strategy and ction !lan outlining
all phase and facets of ICT deployment in the nation. n agency, CI-, has also been
instituted with an e#pert having full accountability for the deployment of ICT. To ensure
the sustainability of this project, the *overnment is presently engaged in training
e#ercises, and public sector reform activities that will ensure retrieval of productivity and
efficiency benefits available on the intranet system. The *overnment is also keenly
involved on an <9CS level, in order to ensure that standardi$ation protocols, and best
practices are e%ually utili$ed.
@*1 Factor& en&uring &u&taina(ility
1ork processes have been developed to ensure the progressive success of the project.
4etails schedules for work progression and cost monitoring will be instituted on the
-icrosoft !roject facility. Set review periods would be established and presented to all
relevant participants. 8or short and long term sustainability, training and special
maintenance support groups will be the means by which ma#imum uptime and system
throughput would be achieved and maintained.
@*) !olicy 'u//ort
legal and regulatory framework is of vital importance to the success of ICT deployment
within the <9CS. Consultants contracted by DSI4 to fulfill that re%uirement are
addressing this action. <n the national level, outlines of legislation have been offered in
the national strategy document. These outlines will be incorporated into the <9CS
scheme of events in order to promote commonality among member states in the legal
usage of e"transactions.
@*+ A//ro/riate Technology
+,,-b backbone will be constructed connecting si# predetermined sites. The
bandwidth was chosen to accommodate e#pansion for the ne#t ten to fifteen years, and
can be upgraded when necessary with minimum disruption to national e"transactions.
The intranet system will accommodate both voice and video. The software would be
established on -icrosoft 5((( platforms. This choice was made to maintain
standardi$ation within the nation, and other <9CS member states. Technology within
developing countries mature at a much slower rate than first world countries, hence, a
longer useful technological life can be e#pected. The platforms chosen are also well
supported by the software houses from which they were purchased.
@*- En.ironmental !rotection
The National Network Infrastructure System will accommodate the local area network
dealing with national disaster issues. The department responsible for National 4isaster
issues and concerns will now have communication and information capability to more
efficiently address predictability and disaster management issues. <ther national
environmental concerns can now be addressed more e#peditiously.
++

@*0 'cioAcultural a&/ect&;$omen in de.elo/ment
training program for all public servants is in process. This will enable and facilitate
skill enhancements and new career opportunities. Information -anagement Dnits will be
developed in each ministry and department to manage and support the e"transaction
media, hence, providing areas of opportunity for all genders. This approach will be
proliferated throughout the nation.
@*2 In&titutional and management ca/acity (!u(lic and !ri.ate
CI- has total accountability for the deployment of ICT in the nation. In addition,
committees are established with representation from both public and private sectors.
Information sessions are held with N*<s and businesses in order to gain the input
necessary to meet national re%uirements. CI- manages all interactions and incorporate
feedback that embellishes the deployment strategy to gain wider consensus among
eventual beneficiaries of ICT.
@*@ Economic and financial analy&i&
seventy five percent productivity improvement within the public sector is e#pected
when the national network infrastructure system is implemented. 7eturn on investments
manifest itself in the areas of administration, information retrieval efficiency, and overall
reduction in personnel re%uired within the public sector. New revenue streams would
become apparent, since more timely responses to national re%uirements can be reali$ed.
The productivity percentage was calculated base on time and material saved by being on
the government intranet system.
5*1 Monitoring and e.aluation
%uality improvement process .=I!/ would be instituted to ensure that the project2s
objectives are met. This process is used in major corporations worldwide to produce cost
effective products that meet customer re%uirements. This process is also used to promote
continuous improvement, and highlight opportunities for best practice transfer to other
member states. 7eview and status cycles are natural outcomes of this process. The
national network and infrastructure system will incorporate the =I! in areas where
productivity improvements are desirable for the increase of government and national
revenue streams.
Conclu&ion
The future of *renada becoming a knowledge base society hinges on this project.
*overnment productivity, efficiency, transfer of digital information, 1ebsite linkages,
and other e"government enterprises will need this medium as the platform for all e"
transactions. s local and wide area networks are established, the nation would enjoy
new technical freedoms resulting in improved service to public and private sector, greater
entrepreneurship opportunities for the nation, increased revenue to the government, and
the eventual eradication of poverty within the nation.
+5