The world bank group has issued request for expression of interest (RFEOI) seeking consultants to provide service approaches for a National Broadband Backbone Network, PPP Options and Digital services in Haiti. To improve Haiti's digital economy there is a need to addressing gaps in broadband connectivity, boosting demand of broadband and vertical services, and supporting the establishment of an enabling environment for the development of the digital economy. 

The consultancy will support the World Bank in the preparation of the Program, based on preliminary findings and client requirements. The initial concept will include 3 components: 1) enabling environment and capacity building, 2) delivery of high­speed broadband services to a set of selected areas, 3) implementation.

The scope of work of the firm includes to:

• Conduct a legal and regulatory due diligence and assessment of the policy and regulatory and best practices to strengthen the digital economy enabling environment. The scope of the due diligence is the enabling environment for digital infrastructure including Telecom laws and regulations, e-commerce and e-transactions laws and regulations, cyber-security, data privacy and protection, and other themes suggested by the firm.
• Conduct an assessment of local environment, institutions and key stakeholders, supply and demand and regulations that would help to detail: 1) the aggregate demand (e.g. the connectivity services needed to meet this demand for instance including point of presence and connections, speed, time span of service delivery, technical requirements), 2) estimated cost of meeting these demands, 3) options and best models and practices for private operators to deliver these services.
• Identify the connectivity gaps: including all the broadband value chain (international, backbone, last mile for both fixed and mobile).
• Evaluate the different network expansion options that can be used by the private sector to offer these services. Propose options, approaches and network models to fill these gaps. Focus should be on the development of a high-speed broadband backbone network linking major Haitian cities and urban centers, with last mile extensions to education establishments, government offices and potential public wifi spots. The network options and mapping should also include options for international connectivity to improve capacity and redundancy.

In addition, the consultant will also develop an analysis of the economic sustainability of the proposed network options, including impact on population in terms of new connectivity, improved connectivity, service usage, pricing, quality of service, leading to an assessment of the economic return on investment.

The deadline to submit the interest is October 28, 2019.