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.
Can Digital Community Centers Be Financially Sustainable?

Can Digital Community Centers Be Financially Sustainable?

Published on: Jan 31 2024 by Guest Writer - 3 Comments
To bridge the digital divide, digital community centers — physical spaces that provide access to the internet, technology devices, and digital skills — have...
4 Reasons Why Telecentres Matter in the Mobile Phone Era

4 Reasons Why Telecentres Matter in the Mobile Phone Era

Published on: Jan 30 2024 by Guest Writer - Comments Off on 4 Reasons Why Telecentres Matter in the Mobile Phone Era
In rural areas of Africa, information and communication services provided by telecentres are instrumental in community and national development as well as improving...
USAID How To Guide for Bringing More Women Online

USAID How To Guide for Bringing More Women Online

Published on: Jan 17 2024 by Guest Writer - 3 Comments
Internet adoption and mobile phone ownership are on the rise globally, yet 2.7 billion people remain unconnected to the Internet. Within this digital divide, there...
3 Ways Starlink is an Extractive ICT Company in LMICs

3 Ways Starlink is an Extractive ICT Company in LMICs

Published on: Dec 28 2023 by Nadia Andrada - 8 Comments
Starlink is now the big favorite for Internet access across low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) around the world. Every technologist in developing countries...
USAID Cybersecurity Technical Briefs for Your Development Programs

USAID Cybersecurity Technical Briefs for Your Development Programs

Published on: Nov 15 2023 by Wayan Vota - 1 Comment
USAID is increasingly leveraging the power of technology to accelerate development outcomes as global connectivity nearly doubling since 2014 to more than 4 billion...
Make Your Digital Service Work Offline, Online and Everywhere in Between

Make Your Digital Service Work Offline, Online and Everywhere in Between

Published on: Sep 21 2023 by Guest Writer - Comments Off on Make Your Digital Service Work Offline, Online and Everywhere in Between
There used to be a clear divide between “online” and “offline”. Before the mobile Internet, when you were online you could download as much as you wanted....
Apply Now: $109,000 Seed Funding to Bridge the Digital Divide

Apply Now: $109,000 Seed Funding to Bridge the Digital Divide

Published on: Jun 12 2023 by Wayan Vota - 3 Comments
There are 2.9 billion unconnected people across the globe, an issue that was significantly exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Now imagine yourself as one of...
Authoritarians Attack Human Rights Activist Satellite Technology

Authoritarians Attack Human Rights Activist Satellite Technology

Published on: May 24 2023 by Guest Writer - Comments Off on Authoritarians Attack Human Rights Activist Satellite Technology
Access to space technologies during the Ukraine invasion has been a crucial aspect of the conflict, from providing communications which are resilient to attacks...
Apply Now: $2 Million for Internet Projects in Asia Pacific Countries

Apply Now: $2 Million for Internet Projects in Asia Pacific Countries

Published on: Mar 20 2023 by Wayan Vota - Comments Off on Apply Now: $2 Million for Internet Projects in Asia Pacific Countries
The challenges of improving Internet access are multi faceted and interrelated, particularly in developing countries. They include technical skills and knowledge,...
Comparing Direct-to-Handset Satellite Internet Service Providers

Comparing Direct-to-Handset Satellite Internet Service Providers

Published on: Mar 09 2023 by Guest Writer - Comments Off on Comparing Direct-to-Handset Satellite Internet Service Providers
Different approaches are possible to enable Direct-to-Handset (DTH) satellite connectivity. For instance, there’s the approach by T-Mobile and SpaceX and by Apple...