From Rural Village to Global Village: Telecommunications for Development in the Information Age

This book examines the role of information and communication technologies (ICTs) on both the macro level - societal, socio-economic, and governmental - and sector level - education, health, agriculture, entrepreneurship - emphasising rural and developing regions. The author examines the potential impact of ICTs by reviewing the existing research and adding her own findings from extensive fieldwork in ICT planning and evaluation. The volume includes case studies demonstrating innovative applications of ICTs plus chapters on evaluation strategies and appropriate technologies. She also analyses the policy issues that must be addressed to facilitate affordable ICT access in rural and developing regions. This discussion relates to the larger "digital divide" issue, and the impact that access to communication technology - or the lack of it - has on communities and societies.