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Internet in developing countries:Internet in developing countries:the Internet revolution did notthe Internet revolution did not
take placetake place
Pascal MbalaPascal MbalaIBBT-SMITIBBT-SMIT
Agenda• 1. Introduction
• 2. Bottlenecks to Internet’s growth in sub-Sahara Africa
2.1 Infrastructure2.2 Geography2.3 Technology2.4 Socio-cultural
• 3. How to overcome the obstacles
3.1 The Latin American model3.2 Wireless communication3.3 Broadband wireless access (BWA)3.4 Governments involvement & support
• 4. Q&A
InternetInternet’’s crisis in Africas crisis in Africa
Where lies the continent more than a decadeWhere lies the continent more than a decadeafter Internet was introduced?after Internet was introduced?
● Sub-Sahara African countries stand out as theleast networked.
Bottlenecks to InternetBottlenecks to Internet’’s growth ins growth inSub-Sahara AfricaSub-Sahara Africa
● Infrastructure Infrastructure
Basic Telecoms infrastructureBasic Telecoms infrastructure Roads and electrical powerRoads and electrical power Lack of reliable ICT equipmentLack of reliable ICT equipment outdated current communication infrastructureoutdated current communication infrastructure
•• Technology Technology
Lack of sufficient bandwidthLack of sufficient bandwidth
Prohibitive Internet access costsProhibitive Internet access costs Expensive Internet-related equipmentExpensive Internet-related equipment Shortage of skilled teachers and institutionsShortage of skilled teachers and institutions
● unsympathetic geography unsympathetic geography
hills, forest, watercourseshills, forest, watercourses…… large distances between townslarge distances between towns
● Cultural and linguistic barriersCultural and linguistic barriers
high rates of illiteracy,high rates of illiteracy, linguistic dominance of Englishlinguistic dominance of English
● Community-based Internet (cybercafé) vs.Community-based Internet (cybercafé) vs.individual accessindividual access
The first conclusionsThe first conclusions
●The digital divide grows (North-South; South-South)The digital divide grows (North-South; South-South)
●Internet in sub-Saharan African countries is mainly used forInternet in sub-Saharan African countries is mainly used forentertainment purposesentertainment purposes
●Internet in African countries has remained at its early stageInternet in African countries has remained at its early stage(Web 1.0)(Web 1.0)
●Nonexistence of recent web developments (Web 2.0/theNonexistence of recent web developments (Web 2.0/theparticipative web) (web 2.0 geographic map:participative web) (web 2.0 geographic map:http://www.fourio.com/web20map/)http://www.fourio.com/web20map/)
Web 2.0 geographic map
Web 2.0: definition & characteristicsWeb 2.0: definition & characteristics
Web 2.0Web 2.0: : any site or technology that promotes collaboration andany site or technology that promotes collaboration andparticipation right down to the Webparticipation right down to the Web
Characteristics
participatory, collaborative
creator-/user-centric
easy-to-use software
unsettled and very information intensive.
ExamplesExamples
BlogsBlogs
online servicesonline services•• YouTube, MySpaceYouTube, MySpace
•• Second life, WikipediaSecond life, Wikipedia……
From Web 1.0 to Web 2.0From Web 1.0 to Web 2.0
Source:http://web2.socialcomputingmagazine.com
• Web 1.0: standard-bearer:Netscape (O’Reilly).Software family: Lotus,Microsoft, Oracle, SAP…
• Web 2.0: standard-bearer:Google. Software family:eBay, Amazon, Napster,and Yes, DoubleClick,Akamai…
Agenda• 1. Introduction
• 2. Bottlenecks of Internet growth in sub-Sahara Africa
2.1 Infrastructure2.2 Geography2.3 Technology2.4 Socio-cultural
• 3. How to overcome the obstacles
3.1 The Latin American model3.2 Wireless communication3.3 Broadband wireless access (BWA)3.4 Government involvement & support
• 4. Conclusion
How to overcome obstacles to InternetHow to overcome obstacles to Internet’’ssexpansion in Sub-Sahara Africa?expansion in Sub-Sahara Africa?
The Latin American modelThe Latin American model
Private initiativesPrivate initiatives
•• The free Internet access model,The free Internet access model,
•• Leasing plans offered by ISPsLeasing plans offered by ISPs
Public initiativesPublic initiatives
•• Internet programs for schoolsInternet programs for schools
•• Low priced subsidized computers,Low priced subsidized computers,
•• Free Internet KiosksFree Internet Kiosks
BenefitsBenefits
•• Diminution in Internet access costsDiminution in Internet access costs
•• Broadband Internet network modelBroadband Internet network model
Market consolidationMarket consolidation
•• MERCOSUR and proximity with powerful North MERCOSUR and proximity with powerful NorthAmerican marketsAmerican markets
Wireless communicationsWireless communications: from Mobile phones to: from Mobile phones toMobile Internet (3G systems)Mobile Internet (3G systems)
● Explosive growth in mobile use in AfricaExplosive growth in mobile use in Africa
–– 2001: mobile phones outnumbered fixed lines2001: mobile phones outnumbered fixed lines
–– 2006: more than 80% mobile users2006: more than 80% mobile users
–– the potential for mobile Internet is significant.the potential for mobile Internet is significant.
● Emergence of 3G networks in few African countries sinceEmergence of 3G networks in few African countries since2004.2004.
WiMAX broadband wireless access (BWA)WiMAX broadband wireless access (BWA)::the promise of broadband Internet to Africathe promise of broadband Internet to Africa
What is WiMAXWhat is WiMAX??standard-based broadband wireless accesstechnology able to cover a large geographicalarea, up to 50 km and to deliver significantbandwidth to end-users up to 72 Mbps
Why WiMAXWhy WiMAX??ADSL : costly, congested, sometimes stolen or traffickedWi-Fi, VSAT: shorter rangeWiMAX : cost-effective.
WiMAX Technology features
Source: WiMAX Forum
Fixed WiMAX deployment and usagemodels
Source: Intel.
Governments involvement and support in:
● Deployment of Internet terminals and local networks(Intranet, VPNs – Virtual Private Networks) in publiclocations, including schools, hospitals, libraries,administration…
● Training and education (usage and maintenanceof new ICTs)
● Support the creation of websites with local content● Introduction of wireless technologies (Wi-Fi, WiMAX)
● Build a service infrastructure affected to ICTs’development
● Customs duties’ exemption with regard to ICTsinfrastructure
● Transparent business environment for ICTsinvestments for software and hardwaremanufacturers
● Encourage competition-friendly policy.
Agenda• 1. Introduction
• 2. Bottlenecks to Internet’s growth in sub-Sahara Africa
2.1 Infrastructure2.2 Geography2.3 Technology2.4 Socio-cultural
• 3. How to overcome the obstacles
3.1 The Latin American model3.2 Wireless communication3.3 Broadband wireless access (BWA)3.4 Governments involvement & support
• 4. Q&A
