Practical Insights on Connectivity for ICT4D Projects

Internet Access freedom

How Internet Connectivity Improves People’s Lives in Developing Countries

Internet connectivity can help to improve access to information, opportunities, and services, and can contribute to the overall well-being and development of communities in developing countries, including:

  • Education: Internet connectivity can provide access to a wealth of educational resources, including online courses, educational videos, and other materials. This can help to improve the quality of education and expand opportunities for learning, especially for people in remote or underserved areas.
  • Employment: Internet connectivity can help people in developing countries to find and apply for jobs, as well as connect with potential employers and clients. It can also enable people to start and run their own businesses, providing a source of income and economic opportunities.
  • Health: Internet connectivity can provide access to health information and resources, including telemedicine services, which can improve access to healthcare and lead to better health outcomes.
  • Communication: Internet connectivity can help people to stay connected with friends and family, and to access news and information from around the world. It can also facilitate the exchange of ideas and facilitate collaboration with others.
  • Political participation: Internet connectivity can provide a platform for people to engage in political discourse and participate in the democratic process, helping to promote transparency and accountability in governance.
What do you think of a dot.Africa Top-Level Domain from the African Union?

What do you think of a dot.Africa Top-Level Domain from the African Union?

Published on: Nov 05 2010 by Wayan Vota - 4 Comments
In a recent press release, the African Union made the case for a .Africa specific Internet namespace for Africa. Their argument is that this Generic Top-Level Domain,...
Which African Country Sold the Most ccTLD Website Domains?

Which African Country Sold the Most ccTLD Website Domains?

Published on: Oct 01 2010 by Wayan Vota - 3 Comments
If you are a web entrepreneur, you should be very interested in the size and health of your market and your competition. One number that should be prominent in...
3 Reasons Why the Kenyan Mobile Tariff Price War Matters to ICT Companies

3 Reasons Why the Kenyan Mobile Tariff Price War Matters to ICT Companies

Published on: Aug 27 2010 by Wayan Vota - 1 Comment
Kenyan consumers are rightly excited that the mobile phone company Zain, now owned by Bharti Airtel, has kicked off a price war with just announced unprecedented...
BB4NG Broadband for Nigeria Needs Electricity

BB4NG Broadband for Nigeria Needs Electricity

Published on: Aug 13 2010 by Wayan Vota - Comments Off on BB4NG Broadband for Nigeria Needs Electricity
The Nigeria ICT Forum has a call to action – a call for Broad Band For Nigeria (BB4NG): broadband internet access with speed of at least 4Mbps that is accessible,...
The Dangers and Opportunities of Girls in Cyberspace

The Dangers and Opportunities of Girls in Cyberspace

Published on: Aug 02 2010 by Wayan Vota - Comments Off on The Dangers and Opportunities of Girls in Cyberspace
“Girls in Cyberspace: Dangers and Opportunities” (PDF) from Plan USA examines both the challenges and empowering possibilities facing girls when accessing...
Magnetic Declination and Aligning WiFi Links

Magnetic Declination and Aligning WiFi Links

Published on: Jul 21 2010 by Wayan Vota - Comments Off on Magnetic Declination and Aligning WiFi Links
Understanding the difference between Magnetic (Compass) bearing and True bearing is key to aligning WiFi links.   Most wireless network planning software,...
Microsoft Should Offer Discontinued Kin Phone to Developing Countries

Microsoft Should Offer Discontinued Kin Phone to Developing Countries

Published on: Jul 14 2010 by Afrinnovator Website - 2 Comments
Back in May Microsoft launched a new mobile device that struck somewhere in between a feature phone and a Smartphone. Yesterday, barely a month after the Kin launch,...
Are Kenyan .KE Domain Names Too Expensive?

Are Kenyan .KE Domain Names Too Expensive?

Published on: Jul 09 2010 by Wayan Vota - 13 Comments
Recently, Moses Kemibaro present the marketing plan for the .KE top-level country domain, managed by the Kenya Network Information Centre (KENIC). In his presentation,...
The Availability of Prepaid Mobile Data Plans in All 53 African Countries

The Availability of Prepaid Mobile Data Plans in All 53 African Countries

Published on: Jul 02 2010 by Wayan Vota - 1 Comment
Kevin Donovan and Jonathan Donner believe that prepaid ICT access models are more appropriate for poorer consumers and the availability of prepaid mobile data will...
How to Demystify the Internet in Rural Africa

How to Demystify the Internet in Rural Africa

Published on: Jun 14 2010 by Linda Raftree - 2 Comments
I was in a workshop in the Upper West Region of Ghana recently. The goal was two-fold: to train a small group of staff, ICT teachers and local partners on social...