Practical Insights on Hardware for ICT4D Projects

ICT4D Project Hardware Challenges

4 ICT4D Project Hardware Challenges

ICT4D projects face several hardware challenges that can hinder program effectiveness in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). ICT4D project hardware challenges include:

1. Electricity Sources

In many developing regions, power supply is erratic, making the presence of low power hardware with long battery life crucial. Power swings, dips, blackouts, and brownouts can disrupt the operation of ICT devices, limiting their usefulness.

2. Infrastructure Cost

Striking a balance between the lowest cost and reliable, functional technology is essential. High costs can make ICT hardware inaccessible to the people who need it most, while low-cost but unreliable or limited-functionality devices can fail to meet users’ needs[1].

3. Environmental Challenges

ICT hardware needs to be designed with durability in mind, including resistance to water, humidity, dust, dirt, and extreme heat. Some screens are difficult to read in direct sunlight, so specific types of screens are needed. The harsh environmental conditions in many developing regions can cause devices to fail if they are not designed to withstand these conditions.

4. Internet Connectivity

Reliable and affordable access to electricity, internet, and mobile networks is often scarce or unreliable in rural or remote areas where ICT4D projects are most needed. This can limit the reach and functionality of ICT4D solutions and increase their operational costs.

Examples of ICT4D Hardware Projects

Why Should Ghana’s Parliament Members Get Free Laptops?

Why Should Ghana’s Parliament Members Get Free Laptops?

Published on: Dec 06 2010 by Wayan Vota - 2 Comments
Recently in Ghana, the Minister of Communication, Mr Haruna Iddrisu, presented 230 laptops valued at $350,000.00 to the 230 members of parliament (MP), committees...
Wezesha: Subsidized Laptops for 15,667 Kenyan University Students – Real ICT4Edu Investment

Wezesha: Subsidized Laptops for 15,667 Kenyan University Students – Real ICT4Edu Investment

Published on: Dec 01 2010 by Wayan Vota - 32 Comments
The Kenya ICT Board and Kenya’s Ministry of Information and Communications (MoIC) are about to launch a bold experiment in getting the tools of ICT into...
Lessons Learned in Shipping ICT to Africa: LCD’s are TV’s and Keyboards are Musical Instruments

Lessons Learned in Shipping ICT to Africa: LCD’s are TV’s and Keyboards are Musical Instruments

Published on: Nov 19 2010 by Wayan Vota - Comments Off on Lessons Learned in Shipping ICT to Africa: LCD’s are TV’s and Keyboards are Musical Instruments
At Inveneo, we’ve learned the hard way that getting information and communication technology equipment to different countries in Africa can be a challenge,...
Guess Who Sells The Most Laptops in Nigeria?

Guess Who Sells The Most Laptops in Nigeria?

Published on: Nov 12 2010 by Wayan Vota - Comments Off on Guess Who Sells The Most Laptops in Nigeria?
If you think the answer to, “Who sells the most laptops in Nigeria?” is a big western brand like HP, Dell, or Toshiba, you would be wrong. You may be...
Village Telco and OpenBTS Networks: Technology Overview and Challenges

Village Telco and OpenBTS Networks: Technology Overview and Challenges

Published on: Oct 25 2010 by Steve Song - 5 Comments
tweetmeme_source = 'ICT_works'; Share Village Telco and OpenBTS are different technologies but they have a lot in common. One big thing they have in common is...
A Short History of Low-Cost Computers: From the IBM PCjr to Simputer to OLPC

A Short History of Low-Cost Computers: From the IBM PCjr to Simputer to OLPC

Published on: Oct 22 2010 by Wayan Vota - 1 Comment
Historically, there have been numerous initiatives targeting the creation of “computers for the poor,” but the quest for such devices has been an elusive...
Mobile Phone Math: ICT4D Scale in the Millions

Mobile Phone Math: ICT4D Scale in the Millions

Published on: Oct 08 2010 by Matt Berg - Comments Off on Mobile Phone Math: ICT4D Scale in the Millions
I’ve been working or interested in the space of ICT for Development (ICT4D) for about a decade now. During this time, I’ve seen a lot of exciting changes, but...
Android Mobile Phone Proliferation is Good for African ICT Even if it Fragments Development

Android Mobile Phone Proliferation is Good for African ICT Even if it Fragments Development

Published on: Sep 08 2010 by Thad Kerosky - 3 Comments
The tech publication Ars Technica warned recently that Android’s proliferation in China might not lift Google’s image in East Asia–many parties...
$100 Huawei Android Mobile Phone is Bringing the Netbook Revolution to Smartphones

$100 Huawei Android Mobile Phone is Bringing the Netbook Revolution to Smartphones

Published on: Sep 07 2010 by Wayan Vota - 27 Comments
Yesterday, Huawei introduced a revolutionary Android smartphone in the Kenyan market. The tech specs for the IDEOS mobile phone will make any hardware geek...
NCC Wants to Track Nigerians Movements via Mobile Phones

NCC Wants to Track Nigerians Movements via Mobile Phones

Published on: Aug 06 2010 by Oluniyi Ajao - Comments Off on NCC Wants to Track Nigerians Movements via Mobile Phones
I was attracted by the headline of a news report on 234next.com: Commission to tackle kidnapping with technology tweetmeme_source = 'ICT_works'; Share The spate...