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Building a successful model for telecenters in rural areas
Michael Yu-Chuan LinSenior Analyst
[email protected], Development, and Evaluation Commission
Chinese Taipei
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What telecenter?
• Internet access center
• Information training/promotion center
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Why telecenter?
• Information for all
• Bridging digital divide
<Table> E-readiness in Chinese Taipei (September, 2002)Items Penetration Rate
Internet Population 41%Broadband Users 60%Households Connected 52.7%Mobile Phone 100.7%Cable TV 82.2%
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Big Gap Exists—PC Penetration Rate for Households
57.5
42.49
22.13
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
%
City Area Village Area Rural Area
Year: 2001
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Where telecenter?
• Focus on rural/remote areas
• RDEC established 141 points for trial
• Local government’s efforts
• Private sectors’ efforts
Year: 2001
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Results and Lessons learned
• Few telecenters survived
• Maintenance cost underestimated
• Lack of local community support
• Lack of promotion and training
• Lack of qualified workforce
• Lack of content and services
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How telecenter (1)
• Strategies:– Government support– Community involvement and ownership– Partner with private sectors/NGOs
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How telecenter (2)
• Technical consideration:– Telecommunication: dial-up? ADSL? – Computer facilities: PC? Kiosk?
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Multimedia Public Telephone
Telecommunication: XDSL 512/512K
Handset
Instruction
Printer
CCDCamera
10.4 inchesTouch-Screen
IC Card Reader
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Appearance of Main Screen
Telephone
Video Phone
Internet
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When Used as a Telephone
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Take a picture and sent it out.
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Virtual Keyboard on the Screen
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How telecenter (3)
• Training: cooperate with local schools, corporate donations
• Promotion and marketing: involved with local people’s culture and life
• Content and services are key factors
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Thank You