Introduction

DIRSI is a network of professionals and institutions specialized in ICT policy and research in Latin America. We conduct research, publish and distribute papers and reports, and facilitate dialogue on ICT policy, regulation and governance in Latin America.

Our mission is to create knowledge and stimulate discussion to support the development of policies that enable the effective participation of Latin America's poor and marginalized communities in emerging information societies and economies.

DIRSI's overall objective for its phase two activities (2009-2011) is to deliver high-quality and high-impact applied research on regulatory and policy reforms to extend information society benefits to low-income sectors of Latin America.

Effective communication of research results and substantive impact upon the ICT policy and regulatory environments are needed to attain this overall objective. Building on the activities undertaken in the previous research cycle, and seeking to provide innovative solutions to pro-poor ICT issues, our specific objectives for the current phase are:

1. To provide cutting-edge and innovative research on innovative policy solutions to universal access challenges (Bandwidth for All and Mobile Opportunities 2.0) and construction of indicators that measure the performance of the ICT sector in providing appropriate and affordable services to the poor (Broadband Affordability and Access Inequality and Mobile Affordability);
    
2. To strengthen the policy impact of our research and to develop robust relationships with decision-makers and other actors in ICT policy and regulation via a Support Mechanism for Telecommunications Regulation in Latin America - known by its Spanish acronym MARTA - it is a rapid response research mechanism dedicated to short-term, high- impact studies closely tied to regulatory proceedings at the national level;
    
3. To expand DIRSI's research community and its capacity-building activities by:
   1. increasing mentoring opportunities as well as new points of entry for young scholars (Young Researcher Competition) and;
   2. retooling DIRSI's website to serve as a knowledge-sharing platform for the regional ICT regulatory and policymaking community;
       
4. To increase collaboration with organizations (Regulatel, APC, ECLAC/Osilac and others) working in the ICT4D in the region and who can provide meaningful input into DIRSI's research and advocacy.