The Challenge to Africa of Globalisation and the Information Age (ISBN: 9054873108)
Basic problems:
lack of computer access
electricity
computer knowledge/literacy
local language content
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also, political instability, lack of legal framework, lack of policy/governmental coherence, investment capital (foreign/dom), bandwidth
See Africa Development Forum docs 1999 and Africa Information Society Initiative, Okinawa Charter (2000), African Green Paper *must be ordered from UNESCO*.
distribution of services in liberalized markets prone to inequality aber state capable of managing ineqs, not case in most DCs, corruption clearly an issue
wireless and satellite are best options for sparsely pop'd areas; low vested interest -> low interest
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1. high cost computer software
2. low quality electricity network
3. lack of skilled personnel
4. funding for repair/maintenance
Thoughts: established community access points with free connectivity, develop ICT training at college/hs level. offer tax writeoffs to business for computer purchase. perhaps link to US uni with MA/PHD progs? gov kiosks for birth/death certs,
see Research in Motion's Radio Modem.