http://www.apc.org./en/taxonomy/term/1159 The taxonomy view with a depth of 0. en http://www.apc.org./en/news/wireless/all/rural-communication-there-still-need-telecentres-n <div class="abstract"><span class="locality">MONTEVIDEO</span> (Ian Howard for APCNews) - <p><div class="img floatleft large_thumbnail"><img src="http://www.apc.org./en/system/files/images/JosephSekiku.large_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image image-large_thumbnail" width="146" height="200" /></div>Following the initial rush of Information and communication technologies for development (<a class="glossary-term" href="/en/taxonomy/term/337"><acronym title="ICT for development: ICT for development (ICT4D) refers to the ways that information and communication technologies can be mobilised in support of development goals, particularly those relating to social, political and economic development. There is both enthusiasm and controversy around ICT4D. For many, it is self-evident that social and economic development can be accelerated and reinforced by access to information resources and the ability to better communicate different kinds of information. Others argue that more urgent needs need to be addressed first, and that fundamental inequities such as opportunities for education, fair working conditions and democratisation must be corrected before societies can effectively avail themselves of ICTs. Style information: N/a Source: Handout: ICTs for Development (ICT4D), Multimedia Training Kit (part of APC&#039;s ICT policy training curriculum)">ICT4D</acronym></a>) projects in rural Africa, many did not yield the anticipated outcomes, and interest has been dying down. People then began talking about “sustainable ICT” projects, in which it was understood that projects would become self-sufficient after their initial donor-led investment and set-up period. But with the use of mobile phones gaining in popularity, popular rhetoric has begun to question the need of <a class="glossary-term" href="/en/taxonomy/term/259"><acronym title="information and communication technology: Technology and tools that people use to share, distribute, gather information and to communicate with one another, one on one, or in groups. ICTs can be grouped into three categories. Information technology uses computers, which have become indispensable in modern societies to process data and save time and effort. Telecommunications technologies include telephones (with fax) and the broadcasting of radio and television, often through satellites. Networking technologies, of which the best known is the internet, also extend to mobile phone technology, voice over IP telephony (VoIP), satellite communications, and other forms of communication that are still in their infancy. Style information: APC uses all small case for this term. We NEVER write &quot;Information and Communication Technologies&quot;. Note that there is the option of using this term in the singular (information and communication technology, abbreviated as ICT) or plural (information and communication technologies, abbreviated as ICTs). Source: APC">ICTs</acronym></a> beyond the mobiles phone. While mobile phones certainly have had a great impact in rural areas, a new study by Ian Howard, commissioned by <span class="caps">APC</span>, through the analysis of two case studies he argues that the need for telecentres and affordable <a class="glossary-term" href="/en/glossary/term/258"><acronym title="internet: A set of interconnected networks operated by government, industry, academia, and private parties which allow computers and other electronic devices in different locations to exchange information. The internet includes services such as the world wide web, electronic mail, file transfer (FTP), chat and remote access to networks and computers. Style information: APC uses &quot;internet&quot; with a small &quot;i&quot; in all languages. Source: TechSoup Glossary and GenderIT.org">internet</acronym></a> connections exists, as such centres cater to rural and niche markets the way larger companies cannot.</p> </div> http://www.apc.org./en/news/wireless/all/rural-communication-there-still-need-telecentres-n#comments Wireless technology All Regions mobile rural ICT4D sustainable ICT Mon, 27 Oct 2008 18:09:03 +0000 LisaC 7178 at http://www.apc.org. http://www.apc.org./en/events/all/africa/mobileactive08 <p>MobileActive08 is the largest event to date focused on mobile technology for social development.</p> All Topics mobile Africa Mon, 30 Jun 2008 16:52:18 +0100 vanessa 6390 at http://www.apc.org. http://www.apc.org./en/events/all/all/4th-international-conference-wireless-communicatio <p>WiCOM serves as a forum for <a class="glossary-term" href="/en/glossary/term/325"><acronym title="wireless technology: Wireless technology makes it possible to transfer information over a distance without the use of electrical conductors or &quot;wires&quot;. It includes computers, routers and devices such as mobile telephones, personal digital assistants (PDAs) and global positioning systems (GPS). Wireless technology is credited with having a range of advantages: low cost for setting up and maintenance, its suitability for use in rural areas, speed in deployment, cost-effectiveness in rural areas where population density is low, suitability for &quot;last mile&quot; services, suitability for low-teledensity situations (where there are few fixed-line connections), mobility of service, suitability for small-scale and community use and flexibility in use. Style information: N/a Source: Wikipedia and &quot;Wi4D, techies and campaigners look at potential for the social world&quot; (APCNews, 1 December 2006).">wireless</acronym></a> communications researchers, industry professionals, and academics interested in the latest development and design of <a class="glossary-term" href="/en/glossary/term/325"><acronym title="wireless technology: Wireless technology makes it possible to transfer information over a distance without the use of electrical conductors or &quot;wires&quot;. It includes computers, routers and devices such as mobile telephones, personal digital assistants (PDAs) and global positioning systems (GPS). Wireless technology is credited with having a range of advantages: low cost for setting up and maintenance, its suitability for use in rural areas, speed in deployment, cost-effectiveness in rural areas where population density is low, suitability for &quot;last mile&quot; services, suitability for low-teledensity situations (where there are few fixed-line connections), mobility of service, suitability for small-scale and community use and flexibility in use. Style information: N/a Source: Wikipedia and &quot;Wi4D, techies and campaigners look at potential for the social world&quot; (APCNews, 1 December 2006).">wireless</acronym></a> systems.</p> All Topics All Regions mobile wireless Sun, 02 Mar 2008 10:47:34 +0000 karel 5415 at http://www.apc.org.