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Thursday, September 23, 2004
Toral: Internet for grassroots
By Janette Toral
TELECENTER. Last weekend, I spoke in the Telecenter Workshop in the Apec Telecommunications Working Group Meeting in Singapore.
Telecenters are government, private, or nongovernment organization (NGO)-provided Internet facilities that allow citizens to access the Internet at minimal, or no, cost.
The global pressure of bringing ICT (information and communications technology) to the grass-roots triggered the establishment of telecenters in rural areas in the country.
However, not all of them are successful. Telecenters are valuable when the following are provided:
Fast Internet access. Reliable bandwidth must be available. A telecenter with frequent downtime, and poor and unstable bandwidth is often a big disappointment to its visitors, who often do not return.
Knowledgeable personnel. Personnel conversant in Internet, e-government, e-commerce services, business correspondence and marketing should answer the questions of users.
Value-added services. Telecenters should also serve as a low-cost ICT training source, trading point and communications center. Telecenters that offer ICT training, SME (small and medium enterprise) assistance in posting products online, VOIP, and other relevant services will be sustainable in the long run.
SecurED INFRASTRUCTURE. Proper security tools and updates need to be made to ensure that citizens are protected. These will prevent hackers/crackers from using the facilities to commit and route mischief online and to its users.
Flexible hours. Most telecenters operate like any other 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. business. Citizens want community telecen-ters to operate beyond school or office hours and weekends.
Sustainability. Similar to health centers, a voluntary donation of any amount can be sought from anyone using these facilities. Another way is to give a user a limited free one hour per visit.
Additional hours may require payment.
Value-added services can generate revenue. A telecenter can also get potential easy-to-do clerical outsourcing projects to create jobs for citizens.
Lastly, a government initiated telecenter should factor in continuity right from the start. It should eye a partner, university or NGO that will maintain and sustain the telecenter after a year or two.
(email: janette@digitalfilipino.com.)
(September 23, 2004 issue)
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