Committed to connecting the world

Contribution View


Name :	DE SILVA-MITCHELL, Amali
Date :	May 29, 2020
Organization :	Futurist / Civil Society
Country :	UK / Sri Lanka
Job Title :	IT Business Economics Analyst, Accountant & Futurist
Contribution :	1. What are the challenges and opportunities for expanding Internet connectivity, particularly to remote and under-served areas? What are the roles of governments and non-government actors in overcoming these challenges? Network connectivity has always been the rate determining step for IT access in rural areas over the past 25 years, in all countries, due to the high costs of the infra-structure. The move to wireless technologies have speeded up the reach of affordable access through the use of mobile technologies. Investment in remote areas is critical for equitable access and sustainable development activities. In my opinion the development of rural local area networks (LAN) is a first step to then connecting wider. With the local network citizens can develop their technical skills to manage a network themselves and develop content and services to support the local community without waiting for costly broadband for instance to reach their locality. Government and non-profits can support with funding, access to skilled experts, and providing content in a form that can be used in ready to go formats and can even be accessed through telephone dial-up connectivity. Governments should ensure that all critical content can be accessed via dial-up technologies until such time sophisticated connectivity is available. Government can also promote private sector investment in rural areas. 2. Are there particular challenges facing land-locked countries in securing affordable Internet access? What can be done to overcome these challenges? 3. How can small/community/non-profit operators help in promoting the increase of Internet connectivity? Non-profits can be of tremendous support for enabling affordable and inclusive access, as services can be implemented at an effective price point and designed, developed and delivered with local content. A diverse group of non-profits can provide a spectrum of services at different cost points and levels of access. Specialists for the disabled, elderly etc. can focus on providing optimal services for these groups. Non profits working as a business cluster could perhaps eliminate administrative costs while enabling a high-level of specialization. Non-profit ISPs are in reality a prototype or start-up for large service providers who then connect to them in to the future when the profitable margins present, due to the active take up of technology by the rural population. However, where rural populations are decreasing, a commitment is required to support these communities to achieve affordable equal access as more and more services are provided through the use of technologies. This is the fair process, that can even become soon, a human right! Amali De Silva – Mitchell. Former President Vancouver Community Network Non-Profit ISP. Currently participating with IGF DCs and Eurodig.