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A communications policy perspective on
CTC sustainability in regional Australia: commercial viability and social good
Will TibbenUniversity of Wollongong
CTN Conference30 April 2008
2
Introduction
• The presentation covers the following:• Why a communication policy analysis?
• A Sustainability framework derived from a communications policy analysis
• The framework applied to CTC case studies.
3
What is a CTC
• A Community Technology Centre (CTC) provides public access to computers, Internet, printers, scanners and other forms of ICTs (information and communication technologies).
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They are also known as…
• Telecentres,
• teleservice centres,
• online access centres,
• community media centres
• telecottages
• ?
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CTCs have a rich history
• Earliest reference (1987) to a place called Faergelanda in Sweden – an adult education school provided training in using personal computers.
• Community centred and inspired with help from regional government and rural development organisations
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In the USA…
• CTC history is connected with social disadvantage in USA cities and the Internet
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In Australia…
• Rural development provided the impetus for CTC (telecentre) development.
• These early centres along with Rural Transaction Centres (RTCs) provided a useful platform for the CTC initiative between 2000-2005.
8
CTCs - popular vehicle for international development
• CTCs are enormously popular throughout Africa, Asia and South America.
• Check out the website for telecentre.org - a public-private partnership between :• IDRC – International Development and Research
Centre • Government of Canada• Microsoft – Unlimited Potential Program• SDC - Swiss Agency for Development and
Cooperation
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CTCs and the Digital Divide
• CTCs are presented as an effective response to the Digital Divide. Why?
• CTCs are generally effective in engaging with communities at a local level.
• CTCs are effective in responding to a variety of information related needs
10
CTCs in regional Australia
• The sale of telecommunications incumbent Telstra provided the funding for an ambitious plan to establish CTCs in regional areas of Australia in 2000 (Networking the Nation Scheme).
• On the presentation of a suitable business plan and an organisation to auspice the CTC, communities were granted funds to• purchase equipment;• rent premises; and• employ a manager
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CTCs in regional Australia
• Common to all proposals was the date from which funding would cease – June 2005
• My investigation of CTCs has been limited to NSW (CTC@NSW).
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CTC@NSW
• Two years on the net number of CTCs in NSW has increased.
• The CTCA (CTC Association in NSW) is in a relatively strong financial position to maintain a leadership role for a few years into the future.
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A successful outcome?
• The apparent success masks a considerable amount of work by CTC managers and the CTCA collective to manage very limited funds.
14
A successful outcome?
• Only three CTCs out of (approximately) seventy are commercially independent.
• The majority rely on support from local government by way of• provision of premises;
• grants; and/or
• payment of utility costs (electricity and/or telecommunications)
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Diversity of needs – a diversity of outcomes
• Its amazing to witness the variety of strategies that have been instituted by CTC managers and committed groups of enthusiastic volunteers throughout NSW.
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Examples
• All provide public access to computers, the Internet, printers, scanners fax etc
• Email is a major application, as is word processing.
• Young people interact using social technologies such as My Space and Bebo
17
Community Newspapers
• Community newspapers have been a natural extension of CTC activities.
• Provides a useful way to engage with community members.
• Generates revenue from advertising
18
Other information products
• Book publications, websites, e-commerce portals, DVDs, CDs, photography exhibitions.
• Tourists information, oral histories, cook books, short stories, auto biographies• Time intensive so tend to be “one off”
rather than ongoing (cf newspapers)
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ICT Training
• Some CTCs offer training courses.
• In many cases, CTCs have become a “quasi-formal” training outlet catering for those who do not wish to attain formal certificates
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Community building
• Some CTCs contribute to the running of the local Chamber of Commerce.
• Homework centres for children
• Orders of Service for Funerals figure prominently in the case study accounts
• Business cards
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Community building
• CTCs are found to respond to local problems by running activities that meet local needs.
• CTC responses and programs are shaped by the background (expertise) of the manager.
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A one-stop shop for all of your ICT questions
• CTCs are often the first port of call for local business and private individuals experiencing problem with their PCs.
• Its not feasible to charge a fee for this kind of enquiry.
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In summary,
• CTCs provide an interface to the “ICT revolution” in regional Australia.
• CTCs are notable for the central place they hold in their town’s information economy.
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Normative Assumptions
• What ideas inspired the CTC@NSW program?
• My assessment…• a belief in entrepreneurship;
• a belief in economic markets; and
• no long term role for Government
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Normative Assumptions
• This represents a departure from the propositions laid in communications policy in Australia.
• Telecommunication and Broadcasting
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Normative Assumptions
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A key question
• In the light of current evidence (since July 2005) was the departure from established norms justified?
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Entrepreneurship was a winner
• The response of CTC managers and volunteers indicates high levels of creativity and commitment to their local communities
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The economic reality in regional Australia
• Drought in rural areas, structural re-adjustment to changing industry base (eg fishing and timber)
• Its illogical to think that a CTC will withstand circumstances that are closing banks, schools and supermarkets.
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The reality of the economics of information
• Information is a commodity but only to a limited extent (Arrow? and Lamberton).
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Market Failure
• The circumstances of the majority of CTCs reflects a situation of market failure – ie social good outcomes but insufficient commercial incentive
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Governments are no longer responsible for market failure?
• Federal governments claims they are no longer obliged to respond to market failure if suitable alternatives exist.
• In relation to CTCs they point to:• volunteers and
• Local Government.
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Social development theory
• Midgley outlines four alternatives in the development of development paradigms.
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Social development theory
1. Neo-liberal – let the market rule and three cheers for entrepreneurship
2. A new set of rules – fill in your ideas here
3. A combination of entrepreneurship and strategic intervention by the state.
4. Approaches that incorporate the paradigms from non-European traditions
35
Thankyou
• Thanks to the managers, volunteers and customers of the CTCs who participated in these studies.
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• Its now time for your questions and comments.