www.telecommons.com

www.telecommons.com

TeleCommons Development TeleCommons Development Group:Group:

ICT ApplicationsICT Applications• Telecommunications

applications for Rural Social and Economic Development

• Results-oriented communication solutions for agriculture, health, education, community development

TDG

Twenty-five full-time staff, all with strong ICT skills & rural/agricultural backgrounds

• Telecommunications projects & program evaluation:

Rural and agricultural development Participatory research processesDocumentationMarketingEducation and Training

TDG

TeleCommons Development TeleCommons Development Group:Group:

Our WorkOur Work

•Profitable Rural Telecom Deployment: Generating business ideas with rural

stakeholders Integrating private sector practices with

rural development projects Business plans based on rural peoples’

realities & needs Stakeholders as partners Telecommunication & gender equality

TeleCommons Development TeleCommons Development Group:Group:

Our WorkOur Work

TDG

• End user applications for agriculture & rural development:Programming & InstallationsIntranets & ExtranetsE-commerceElectronic Commodity ExchangesIdentity preservation in agricultureInternet agricultural extension

TDG

TeleCommons Development TeleCommons Development Group:Group:

Our WorkOur Work

• Manufacturer of Point-to-Multipoint Wireless telecommunication systems

• Canadian company - plants in Ottawa and Montreal

• Rural and Remote and Developing Countries specialization - 95% of business overseas

• Solar-powered

www.srtelecom.com

Key Partner Company

TDG

Point-to-Multipoint Microwave & Wireless Loop Telecom Solutions

TDG & SRT are partners in Ghana, Haiti, Peru and the Philippines TDG

“SRT has perhaps the most suitable telecom product for the African market, especially for rural Africa.”

- Baffour Ankomah, New African, April 1999

TDG

GHANA GHANA GTN: “Ghana TeleCommunity GTN: “Ghana TeleCommunity

Networks”Networks”

TDG

6 Innovative 6 Innovative ApproachesApproaches

1) Rapid Market Appraisals (RMAs)

2) Community-based Communication Centre Franchise Program

3) Stakeholder Liaison

4) Strategic Social Marketing Program

5) Social Impact Studies

6) Rural Development Voice Information Services

TDG

(1) (1) Rapid Market Appraisals (RMAs)Rapid Market Appraisals (RMAs)• Where are phone lines required?• Where do people want to use phones?• Site visits, interviews, GPS/GIS infrastructure data• How to develop a phone culture• Value-added services identified

Business Case for SR Telecom to present to Minister of Communications & National Insurance Trust of Ghana

TDG

(2) (2) Community-based Community-based

Communication Centre Communication Centre Franchise ProgramFranchise Program

• Viable & profitable rural enterprises

• Micro-finance system

• Businesses for youth

• Uniform assistance (marketing, business management, etc.)

• Financial incentives for growth & revenue

• Sub-contracting rural info deliveryTDG

(3) (3) Stakeholder LiaisonStakeholder Liaison

• Rural development stakeholder consultations & workshops

• Ideas for improving information flow for rural dev’t program management

• Ideas & funding for telecom applications that benefit rural communities

• Transparency & accountability• Value-added partnerships

TDG

(4) (4) Strategic Social Marketing Strategic Social Marketing

ProgramProgram• Highlight benefits of phone use

• Village & town social marketing workshops

• Promotion via rural media & institutions

• Alliances with NGOs and businesses active in rural areas

TDG

(5) (5) Social & Economic Impact Social & Economic Impact

StudiesStudies• Assess social/economic impact of rural

telecom investments

• RMAs useful in providing baseline data

• User participation in development of indicators of social/economic impact

TDG

(6)(6)Rural Development Voice Rural Development Voice

Information ServicesInformation Services

• Voice-based health helplines

• Voice-based agriculture extension helplines

• Information needs assessments

• Service delivery FAQ databases

• Internet mirror of FAQs

TDG

Connectivity &

Communication

Technologies

Partnerships

and agreements on community goals

ICTs contributing to Sustainable rural

community development

The “Three Pillars” of PACTS

Accessibility

of services & knowledge

for rural people

Communication Technologies

Partnerships

and agreements on community goals

ICTs contributing to Sustainable rural

community development

The “Three Pillars” of PACTS

Accessibility

of services & knowledge

for rural people

Development impacts

Goal Oriented collaboration

Efficiency

Admin Costs

Connectivity & Communication

Technologies

Partnerships

and agreements on community goals

ICTs contributing to Sustainable rural

community development

The “Three Pillars” of PACTS

Accessibility

of services & knowledge

for rural people

Telecom RevenuePlanning &

performanceCommunication

channelsAccess to infoKnowledge

sharingStake in insuring

operation

How Can the World Bank How Can the World Bank Assist?Assist?

• Support for micro-credit & micro-franchise programs for community communication shops in rural areas

• Cross-sectoral WB Support for rural telecom stakeholder liaison and learning activities - nationally and regionally

• Support for social & economic impact studies• Cross-sectoral WB support for rural development voice

information systems and other appropriate applications appropriate in rural contexts