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.
Surprise! Free Public Internet Access Venues Do Not Compete with Mobile Phones for Users

Surprise! Free Public Internet Access Venues Do Not Compete with Mobile Phones for Users

Published on: Dec 21 2012 by Guest Writer - Comments Off on Surprise! Free Public Internet Access Venues Do Not Compete with Mobile Phones for Users
The Public Access, Private Mobile report studied the interplay of shared access and the mobile Internet for teenagers in Cape Town. It covered a large amount of...
Free Zone is Google Stepping Up its Game to Challenge Facebook in South Africa

Free Zone is Google Stepping Up its Game to Challenge Facebook in South Africa

Published on: Dec 10 2012 by Wayan Vota - Comments Off on Free Zone is Google Stepping Up its Game to Challenge Facebook in South Africa
You remember Facebook Zero, the no-cost access to Facebook that is helping to double Facebook users across Africa? Now check out Google’s come back: Free...
Congratulations to Ghana for first place in mobile-broadband penetration in Africa

Congratulations to Ghana for first place in mobile-broadband penetration in Africa

Published on: Nov 12 2012 by Wayan Vota - 1 Comment
The ITU publishes the Measuring the Information Society report to identify recent global and regional trends in ICT deployment and uptake, on the basis of internationally...
Do you think there are 1.3 million daily Internet users in Kinshasa?

Do you think there are 1.3 million daily Internet users in Kinshasa?

Published on: Nov 09 2012 by Wayan Vota - 3 Comments
The always informative oAfrica blog has an interesting post on a survey of Internet users in Kinshasa, DRC. Along with oAfrica, I question some of the survey findings,...
Why Senegal Internet Adoption Lags Behind Kenya, Nigeria, and Other African Nations

Why Senegal Internet Adoption Lags Behind Kenya, Nigeria, and Other African Nations

Published on: Oct 15 2012 by Wayan Vota - 1 Comment
Looking across Africa, a discrepancy shows itself. Nigeria, with all its problems, has 30% of its population online. Kenya, once a tech backwater, has a 74% Internet...
Silicon Valley Technology Salon: How Can Every African Woman Have Access to Broadband?

Silicon Valley Technology Salon: How Can Every African Woman Have Access to Broadband?

Published on: Oct 03 2012 by Wayan Vota - Comments Off on Silicon Valley Technology Salon: How Can Every African Woman Have Access to Broadband?
We all know that broadband connectivity is an accelerant for social and economic development. And we know that in the developing world, women are the key investors...
What is the development impact of .Africa and other changes in the online world?

What is the development impact of .Africa and other changes in the online world?

Published on: Aug 01 2012 by Guest Writer - Comments Off on What is the development impact of .Africa and other changes in the online world?
Recently, ICANN, the organization that controls the Internet naming system, made it possible for groups to apply for new gTLDs (names to the right of the dot, like...
Pop Quiz: What Percentage of Tanzanians Are Online?

Pop Quiz: What Percentage of Tanzanians Are Online?

Published on: Apr 23 2012 by Wayan Vota - 4 Comments
There is nonstop news and buzz around new fiber optic cables circling Africa, the explosive growth of mobile phones, and Facebook’s domination of social...
Get Facebook on ANY Mobile Phone via USSD

Get Facebook on ANY Mobile Phone via USSD

Published on: Apr 04 2012 by Wayan Vota - 6 Comments
Do you want to join the millions of people on Facebook across Africa? But are you stuck with an old feature phone? Want no more! Orange is launching Facebook...
Introducing Inveneo BatNet: A Broadband WiFI Solution for Rural Areas

Introducing Inveneo BatNet: A Broadband WiFI Solution for Rural Areas

Published on: Apr 01 2012 by Wayan Vota - 7 Comments
In an effort to extend WiFi signals into more rural regions, Inveneo has been secretly extending research into bat radar. A major breakthrough today allows WiFi...