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Building a successful model for telecenters in rural areas

Michael Yu-Chuan LinSenior Analyst

yuchuan@rdec.gov.twResearch, 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

E-mail

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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