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.
Your Fancy Android App Needs an Offline Mode

Your Fancy Android App Needs an Offline Mode

Published on: Jun 01 2017 by Wayan Vota - 15 Comments
You’ve done your user-centered design, you’ve assessed your constituents, and you’ve determined that an Android application is the best way to...
Innovations to Accelerate Universal Internet Adoption

Innovations to Accelerate Universal Internet Adoption

Published on: Mar 15 2017 by Guest Writer - 4 Comments
Mobile and internet services have the power to transform lives, offering life-enhancing financial, health, and many other services, as well as the simple ability...
Universal Internet Access for the Next Four Billion

Universal Internet Access for the Next Four Billion

Published on: Mar 08 2017 by Guest Writer - 1 Comment
Despite remarkable increases in connectivity over the last decade, less than half of the world’s population currently has access to the Internet. For the development...
Surprise! More Internet Bandwidth Leads to Worse User Experiences

Surprise! More Internet Bandwidth Leads to Worse User Experiences

Published on: Dec 22 2016 by Wayan Vota - Comments Off on Surprise! More Internet Bandwidth Leads to Worse User Experiences
In rural developing communities, access is often provided through slow satellite or other low- bandwidth long-distance wireless links, if available at all. As a...
Are You Guilty of Helping Safaricom Prey on Rural Women?

Are You Guilty of Helping Safaricom Prey on Rural Women?

Published on: Nov 17 2016 by Wayan Vota - 5 Comments
There are multiple development initiatives to increase women’s ownership and usage of mobile phones – everyone from GSMA to USAID to Mobile Network...
The Global Archipelago of Internet Disconnection

The Global Archipelago of Internet Disconnection

Published on: May 06 2016 by Guest Writer - 1 Comment
For many people around the world, Internet access is an essential part of everyday economic, social and political activities (cf. Graham & Dutton, 2014). Yet...
6 Ways to Reach Rural Woman via Mobile Phones Even If They Do Not Own One

6 Ways to Reach Rural Woman via Mobile Phones Even If They Do Not Own One

Published on: Mar 04 2016 by Guest Writer - Comments Off on 6 Ways to Reach Rural Woman via Mobile Phones Even If They Do Not Own One
In order to reach rural women through mobile technology, they need to be able to access phones that work at the precise moment you are trying to engage with them....
Institutions and Connectivity: Wasted Resources or Big Impact?

Institutions and Connectivity: Wasted Resources or Big Impact?

Published on: Feb 03 2016 by Alex Blum - 2 Comments
When I started my company, Rugged Communications, a few years ago, speaking with investors and institutions about the importance of connectivity felt like pulling...
We Are Coming Full Circle From AOL to Facebook: What Can We Learn?

We Are Coming Full Circle From AOL to Facebook: What Can We Learn?

Published on: Jan 08 2016 by Josh Woodard - 8 Comments
A Quartz study from last year, building off of previous findings from Helani Galpaya and Christoph Stork, reported that majorities of people in the world’s 2nd,...
What If Everyone Had Free 2G Mobile Internet Access?

What If Everyone Had Free 2G Mobile Internet Access?

Published on: Jan 06 2016 by Steve Song - 6 Comments
Imagine a world where all phones were automatically connected to the Internet, at no charge. Is this an idle fantasy? The current worldwide debate about Zero-Rating...