is anchored on four pillars established on a platform of ICT policy and regulatory harmonisation, confidence and security of networks and services. The pillars are infrastructure, capacity building and content, e-services and other applications, research, innovation and industry development. The ICT Chapter has identified projects aimed at improving the enabling policy and regulatory environment for encouraging increased private sector investment in ICT infrastructure, the bridging of gaps within the SADC Regional and National Integrated Broadband Infrastructure and SADC Regional Information Infrastructure (SRII), facilitating the full integration of SADC Member States and focusing on the deployment of a region-wide pervasive, reliable, resilient, affordable, modern, fully integrated, interconnected and complementary network, which will be enhanced by utilising the undersea cables that have landed on the eastern and western sea-boards of the region, and extensive enhancing of postal systems in order to support the present and future socio-economic development of the SADC region. The total estimated cost of providing an ICT infrastructure and the implementation of other identified projects is US$21.4 billion. Executive Summary 11