The Impact of ICT on rural development in Solomon Islands: The PFNET case (2004) (original) (raw)
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Use of Internet in rural areas of Zambia
Access to information and, more importantly, the internet is not evenly distributed in this world. But if they had it, would people in rural Africa want to use the internet? How would they use it and benefit from it? Will internet influence culture and how can communities prepare themselves when the internet comes in their village? To support the rollout of internet in more rural areas in Zambia and to improve the effectiveness of ICT in rural environments, a clear view on the adoption and use of ICT and services was needed. This study aimed at providing this knowledge. Interviews in rural Zambia taught us how people use the internet and the benefits they experience. We also spoke about their expectations and what they think is needed when the internet is introduced in a community. The study showed that people and communities in rural Zambia do benefit from ICT both socially and economically. Basically, they use the internet for the same purposes as people in Western countries, such as to communicate, to search for information and to buy things. However, internet is even more important in rural areas because of lack of alternatives, such as telephone lines, libraries, newspapers, roads in good condition, and public transport. When introducing the internet in a new community, first of all, sensitization should take place. Then training is needed on how to use a computer and the internet. Next to that, proximity is important, having internet at home or at work would naturally enable a lot of people to use internet more often and benefit more from it. Most participants feel that the internet can have a positive impact on their culture; however, more African content should be developed and placed on the internet. This paper is not about technical aspects of introducing the internet in rural areas. It’s about cases of real people and how internet changed their lives. Internet empowered them and helped them to build a more sustainable future with better education, easier communication and new economic activities.
How ICT can play a role in the development of poor remote rural areas
We are students Medicine at Erasmus University Rotterdam and in context of our Minor International Health & Tropical Medicine we travelled to Zambia for six weeks. We visited Macha, a small rural village, and Lusaka, the capital. We worked in hospitals and did research to the presence and quality of ICT and Internet specifically.
Internet development as a change driver in rural areas: Potentials and pitfalls
Agricultural growth is the key to rural system changes that include changes in both economic infrastructure and social conditions. The potential for rural areas to benefit from these changes is a persistent question. This paper examines data for the rural Greece concerning the internet subscription and internet access of households, farms and firms. In addition the present study examines the potentials and pitfalls of internet development in Northern Greece, and explores the factors that influence patterns of internet subscription by the population of the selected areas. The paper also presents data on aspects of digital infrastructure, including points of internet presence, internet service providers and digital subscriber lines, which suggest that there are major shortcomings in most Greek rural communities. Results showed significant relation between internet development and six separate prospective and desirable changes: (a) capacity for communication, (b) rural system change, (c) increased productivity, (d) social change, (e) demand for services by home‐based rural businesses and (f) change in recreation. In the end, internet is not a ‘quick fix’ solution for rural development, and the desired improvements will be limited to a fraction of rural places.
The study evaluated the impact of access and use of ICTs in the lives of users at Mmaphashalala Kitsong Centre. The study was a descriptive case study which employed the use of questionnaires, interviews and unobtrusive observations. The study was guided by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) Sustainable Livelihood Framework. Findings revealed that some users acquired some ICT skills which they learnt from the Kitsong centre. Findings further showed the varied use of ICTs among different age and gender groups. The outcomes of using the ICTs offered through Kitsong Centre included: income and employment generation; information sharing and enhanced communication; advertising and marketing; educational research and entertainment. The individual motivational factors which influenced the users to use the centre are reduced travelling distance, cost savings and training. The study concludes and recommends that awareness and good marketing of ICT services should be done. This study could be helpful to the government of Botswana and the private sector on how they can improve on their telecenter/Kitsong centre initiatives. It could also be beneficial to the entrepreneurs who wish to start on the business of Kitsong centres.
The Impact of ICT in Rural Communities of Lesotho A Case of Mabote and Khubetsoana Villages
In Innovation Growth, Entrepreneurship, and Economic Development. Proceedings of 19th International Business Management Association (IBIMA) conference,, 2012
""This paper discusses the impact of information and communication technology (ICT) in rural communities of Lesotho. Literature study reveals that bridging the digital divide in disadvantaged communities requires adequate knowledge of the underlying causes of the divide, a favorable Government Policy, a focus on the benefits of providing ICT, the provision of suitable infrastructure and a committed management team that is prepared to get around the various barriers or risks found in such disadvantaged communities. The aim of the study was to find the contribution of ICT to the socioeconomic environment of Lesotho rural communities. Using Activity Theory as a lens, the study evaluated ICT provision in Lesotho’s disadvantaged communities. Methodologically, the research refuted the principle of ‘cause and effect’ hence a descriptive research enquiry was followed. Questionnaires were distributed in two villages, Mabote and Khubhetsoana and it was found that while ICT has the potential to improve the socio-economic status of rural people, issues like cost, accessibility, lack of infrastructure, illiteracy to mention but a few are impediments to the full realiasation of ICT’s empowerment potential in rural communities of Lesotho. The research concludes by suggesting some strategies to improving the positive impact of ICT in these areas.""
Investigating the Benefits of ICT in Lesotho Rural Communities of Mabote and Kubetsoana
ICT for rural communities has been a topic debated for decades now. Despite the many debates, the issues around this topic have mostly remained unresolved especially in most rural parts of Africa. It is with this in mind that this study; meant to emphasize the importance of Information and Communication Technology ICT by raising awareness of its benefits was found necessary. An investigation on the benefits of (ICT) in rural communities of Lesotho revealed that it will take addressing a number of issues before any benefits can be realized. Results revealed that realizing the benefits of ICT in rural communities require adequate knowledge of the underlying causes of the digital divide. It was also found that while ICT had a number of potential benefits towards the socio-economic status of rural Lesotho, issues like cost, accessibility, lack of infrastructure and illiteracy among others remain a challenge to the full realization of this empowerment. The aim of the study was to find the benefits that ICT contributed to the socio-economic development of Lesotho rural communities. The study used Activity Theory and investigated ICT diffusion and infusion in Lesotho’s disadvantaged communities. The study also applied the ‘cause and effect’ principle and questionnaires were distributed in the two villages of Lesotho that were investigated; Mabote and Khubetsoana. Recommendations were also contributed to the research community on ICTs for rural communities in terms of suggesting the best way that ICT can possibly be implemented for the benefit of rural communities.
Review of an African Rural Internet Network and related Academic Interventions
The Journal of Community Informatics Vol 10, No 2 (2014), 2014
LinkNet operates a rural internet network in Macha, Zambia, Africa. Macha is a small and resource-limited rural village. LinkNet is based upon a holistic and respectful vision aimed at developing the potential of the local community, which plays a leading role in the progression of the local internet network. The communications network is established within the setting of a co-operative not-for-profit institute. Setting up internet access and connecting rural communities in Africa is an involved and complex endeavor. Not only are basic communications and energy technologies lacking, but also a diverse array of constraints have to be conquered. The integration of academic research findings is a challenge. This article addresses various aspects of these challenges. Most specifically it deals with an array of academic resource issues, like the availability of guiding literature in the fields of context, culture, orality, information and communication technologies (ICT) and its engineering, the digital divide and digital exclusion, applications, costs, and management practices. Lastly the article introduces local perspectives on the value of academic interventions and concludes with the need for conceptual frameworks incorporating all of these complex aspects in a culturally adaptive way.