The Role of a Telecom Operator in Poverty Alleviation (-in Sri Lanka)

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Permalink Reply by Partha Sarker on October 20, 2008 at 12:00pm

Thanks Sameera for raising this. I liked your ‘deprivation trap’ diagram. Can you please provide a link to where it has been discussed? You may want to read 'ICT infrastructure in Emerging Asia' research publication by Prof. Rohan Samarjiva and his team at LIRNEasia. I also think teleceom regulatory framework discussion should also be brought into forefront as that can influence the performance and activities of different telecom operators. 2 cents. Thanks again for this interesting topic.

Partha

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Permalink Reply by Sameera Wijerathna on October 20, 2008 at 11:56pm

Thank Partha, I’ll read the article you suggested.

My argument is based on his "Deprivation trap", and I am trying to show how a telecom operator can attack poverty while doing his business. So the telecom operators work on ICT4D can follow this approach.

It is from the book "Rural Development: Putting the Last First" of Robert Chambers. You can get some info at http://www.comminit.com/en/node/189210

Sameera
http://ict4d-in-srilanka.blogspot.com

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Permalink Reply by Sameera Wijerathna on November 11, 2008 at 9:34am

Telecom Operators and Telecentres are very close friend.

So, I think the role of a Telecom operator in the poverty alleviation also can be catalyzed with the support of Telecentres. End of the day both parties get benefited while helping the poor in kind.

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Permalink Reply by Partha Sarker on November 11, 2008 at 2:15pm

> Telecom Operators and Telecentres are very close friend.

Indeed. Although I believe that has lot to do with telecom regulatory environment. In that case, the friendship can be facilitated by telecom regulatory body in the country. See their wrong policy can make the entire sector hostile to development. That happened to many countries. East African countries are particular example, where connectivity cost is too high and unaccessible for the majority of the people. Rajendra Singh and Siddhartha Raja in a research paper 'Regulating for the next billion' argues that a regulator has to deal with both supply- and demand-side issues. On the supply-side, telecom regulators are involved in three fundamental types of issues: interconnection, resource allocation, and revenue management. On the demand-side, however, the task of the regulator is typically indirect, especially since there is no way to order users to do something. The regulator can, through control on the supply of ICTs, ensure that telecom services reach the underserved (universal service), that they are affordable (subsidies), or have some minimum standard (quality of service and interconnection) [Source: ICT Infrastructure in Emerging Asia; http://www.idrc.ca/en/ev-117916-201-1-DO_TOPIC.html].

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Permalink Reply by Sameera Wijerathna on November 18, 2008 at 8:45am

Thank you Partha

I do agree with you.

The Policy makers should understand the potential of ICT for the Development. Otherwise it will not work.

Also it should be a part of the Development Agenda too.

Sameera.
http://ict4d-in-srilanka.blogspot.com

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Permalink Reply by Niranjan Meegammana on November 24, 2008 at 7:50am

Hi Sameera!
Nice to meet u here,

Based on our M & E in Uva Province, only 5 out of 60 Telecenters provide Mobile Reload Services. The connectivity and telcom services quite lacking.

We still don't see grass root income generators using TCs for communications to improve their income. It's the Young Students who use TCs for education keep our hopes live.

I agree with you that development of communications can reduce powerty, But in reality it looks quite an illusion for Telecenters we work with. How can this gap can be reduced.

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Permalink Reply by Sameera Wijerathna on November 29, 2008 at 6:22am

Hi Niranjan

Nice to meet you too.

My Blog article has gone beyond Telecentres, I was trying to say what Telecom Operator can do to minimize the poverty.

Since you were bit specific;

Yes, other than Education purposes rural people may not have seen much potential of ICT. But things we can do is unlimited. In the future there will be more and more ICT contents, services being delivered through Telecentres, such as market info, government services, etc.

Then the picture will be different.

Sameera.

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Permalink Reply by Niranjan Meegammana on February 14, 2009 at 6:46am

Dear Sameera
I agree with you, It's the Telecom Ops who made Telecenters a reality. That also opened business opportunities for expanding Telco business.
Referring to call services for communications they have hit the rock bottom serving everyone.

But data is concerned, I think there is a lack in content and connectiy to rural communities, in UVA 41% of Telecenters not covered by any Telco.

Niranjan

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Permalink Reply by Sameera Wijerathna on February 17, 2009 at 8:47am

.

Agree with you.

New technologies Wi-MAX, HSPA coverage is getting expanded, UVA Province of Sri Lanka also will be covered with one of those technologies very soon.

Sameera.
http://ict4d-in-srilanka.blogspot.com

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Permalink Reply by Niranjan Meegammana on February 17, 2009 at 9:56am

Dear Sameera
Expansion of Broadband Networks is also enhancement for economy of Telcos. One major issue of connected locations lack of internet use by rural societies.

Thanks, ICTA e-SDI has made efforts to increase content base, I think more involvement from Telcos for initiatives specially in introducing business services across the Sri Lanka telecenter network

Isn't it a surprice only 12 out of 60 telecenter provide mobile reloads. The issue has been standard agent services do not reach rural telecenters. The operators are a special community needing assistance from Telcos in this area

Regards
Niranjan Meegammana


I think telcos should direct their ICT4D initiatives

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Permalink Reply by Niranjan Meegammana on February 24, 2009 at 2:07pm

I think telcos should direct their ICT4D initiatives not only in infrastructure but also in content and capacity building.

As an example telecos can bring Telecenter Operators into their ICT4D activities as pro-active players. This will also help Telecenter sustainability.

Telecenters like to start mobile services but they lack initial investment.
Telecenters like to learn mobile phone repairing and service.
At the same time telecenters can be developed as local agents for Telecos.

This means exteornding ICT4D activities extra distance, which I think woethwhile for Telecom Operators to expand their market reach for value added services.

Regards
Niranjan

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Permalink Reply by Sameera Wijerathna on February 24, 2009 at 10:46pm

.

Thanks Niranjan for your views on this.

I tend to agree with you, there is a very high potential for a productive collaboration between Telecentre Operators and Teleco companies.

Yes, we have to have good ICT products and services (contents) along with the teleco infrastructure development.

Again I am bit optimistic on this issue as well.

Since the infrastructure is in place now or it’s on track now, so many institutions are moving in to the creation of useful contents.

Ministry of Education SchoolNet
Divisional secretariats Portal www.ds.gov.lk
Government information www.gov.lk
And many others covering so many areas.

Sameera.
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