Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) are increasingly pervasive in our daily lives. ICT use for public service telecommunication applications in health, education, emergency management, and economic development is recognized as a critical infrastructure for economic sustainability and social development.

There are many areas in Hawaii and the Pacific islands that are underserved and do not have adequate access to affordable telecommunication and ICT services. Many of these areas in the Pacific region are small in size, rural, or both small and rural.

An overarching mission of the Telecommunications and Information Policy Group (TIPG) of the Social Science Research Institute (SSRI) is to facilitate and conduct interdisciplinary and applied research in issues relating to accessible and affordable ICT and telecommunication services in underserved and rural locations.

To meet this mission, specific program objectives and functions are to:

Manage several public service telecommunication networks and cross-connections for promoting the sharing of information and resources; Assist in planning, designing, implementing, and managing ICT projects and networks; Coordinate, develop, and deliver content and programs; Provide education and training focused on ICT capacity development within the region; Research development and civic service ICT; and, Assist in ICT policy reform and sustainability.

The TIPG program collaborates with government departments and ministries of education and health in the region to meet its mission. It also works with other government and non-government agencies both inside and outside the region to accomplish its missions. There are many TIPG projects that focus on aspects of public service telecommunication network development and support; distance learning; telehealth applications; ICT capacity building; and ICT policy reform and sustainability.