New report from APC: Going online in rural Africa
Karel Novotny
We are happy to announce that a new study on sustainability of rural
telecentres has been published by APC. The study focuses on two African
rural telecentres that are using (also) wireless technology to generate
revenues.
The study has been developed by Ian Howard for APC and the support has
been generously provided by OSI.
As soon as we published the report and an accompanying article, these
were among the most read ones on our website.
You can find the article at
http://www.apc.org/en/news/wireless/all/rural-communication-there-still-need-telecentres-n
(English, French, Spanish) and the report at
http://www.apc.org/en/node/7237/
We are thinking about eventually publishing the report in a more open
format (perhaps wikibooks) allowing others to add their findings. That
would allow the study to grow and be enriched by more inspiring
examples, not necessarily only from Africa. What do you think?
We will be most happy for any feedback!
best regards
karel novotny
APC
-------------------------------------------
A new report out on wireless in rural Africa. Please help circulate.
The rationale for the report is featured in an APCNews article out today
"Rural communication: Is there still a need for telecentres now that
there are mobile phones?"
http://www.apc.org/en/news/wireless/all/rural-communication-there-still-need-telecentres-n
which is also available in French and Spanish.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Unbounded possibilities: Observations on sustaining rural ICTs in Africa
http://www.apc.org/en/system/files/SustainingRuralICTs_0.pdf
This study commissioned by APC and written by wireless expert Ian Howard
explores sustainable ICT and the need for wireless internet access for
development (W4D). Intended to serve as a guide to members of the W4D
community involved in African initiatives, Howard draws conclusions
based on his observations of two telecentres in Tanzania with very
different business models. Howard’s work is intended to inspire others
to share their observations about viable sustainability models for rural
telecentres. Future plans include publishing it online in a
participative format that will allow others to contribute to it, thus
building a knowledge base on the topic.
These two communities featured in this study illustrate that the need
for internet access is strong, especially in countries where WiMAX and
similar wireless bands are available, challenging the current hype that
rural communities ICT needs are being met by mobiles phones.
The study consists of five main sections. The author begins by
describing sustainable ICT in the preface, followed by a rationale
section, in which he questions whether or not the need for wireless
exists. A methodology section explains the data collection process and
how the two case studies were selected, followed by the two case
studies. Each case study is broken down into four sections: Background,
observations, financial analysis and conclusion. The author then adds
his final notes and appendices at the end of the study.
The first case study, the Family Alliance for Development and
Cooperation, is an initiative by a self-taught technician, Joseph
Sekiku, who created a telecentre on his property with the help of small
grants. Due to the exorbitant dial-up prices and sluggish connection
speeds, Sekiku turned to wireless and began building a network. Though
he struggles financially to keep the centre running, the centre is kept
operational through the collaboration and dedication of the community.
Because of the ongoing need for resourcefulness Sekiku has become a
highly knowledgeable individual who is now a leader and expert in
computer technologies in his community. Howard draws certain conclusions
based on Sekiku’s experience, which can serve other newly emerging
telecentres. Through Sekiku’s story, Howard demonstrates how a low-cost,
sole-proprietor telecentre can be built and flourish in rural areas.
Some 200 km away, in the bigger but largely underdeveloped town of
Mwanza, the Seregama telecentre, is the end result of several
initiatives carried out over the past four years. It boasts many
different services for its numerous clients including a cyber café, a
conference room, an e-training lab and so on, which generate revenue.
However, the revenue does not cover all the maintenance expenses of the
centre and so it is dependant on grants and other sources of financial
assistance. The telecentre is a useful example of a sustainable ICT
initiative in rural Tanzania, as it serves as a model for community
engagement and is a symbol of hope for youth within the community While
it is not financially self-reliant, it remains sustainable because it is
embraced by all of its stakeholders.
APC thanks Open Society Institute (OSI) for its additional support of
the study.
http://www.apc.org/en/system/files/SustainingRuralICTs_0.pdf
--
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Karel Novotny
Knowledge Sharing Projects Coordinator
Strategic Use Programme
APC - The Association for Progressive Communications
La Asociación para el Progreso de las Comunicaciones
ka...@apc.org
http://www.apc.org
GSM: + 420 605 243 246 (GMT + 2)
----------------------------------------------------
Online Monday - Wednesday/en línea lunes - miércoles
----------------------------------------------------