The Challenges of Using Zero-Rating (Free Basics) for Addressing the Affordability of ICT Access in Developing Countries

2020 ◽  
pp. 99-115
Author(s):  
John N. Walubengo ◽  
Sam Takavarasha Jr.
Keyword(s):  
Information And Communication Technologies ◽  
Poverty Reduction ◽  
Universal Access ◽  
Mobile Network ◽  
Communication Technologies ◽  
The Body ◽  
Implementation Challenges ◽  
Information And Communication ◽  
Corporate Social ◽  
Mobile Network Operators

As the body of evidence on the usefulness of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) for poverty reduction and development continues to grow, mobile network operators (MNOs), development agencies, and regulators are employing various measures to increase universal access. These measures are motivated by corporate social responsibility, pro-poor ideologies, and regulatory requirements imposed by regulators. While regulators have employed price controls and infrastructure sharing, MNOs have employed free basics to provide internet access to those who could not afford it. The introduction of free basics seems plausible, but it is fraught with implementation challenges. This article discusses such challenges with a view to clarifying how the steps taken to foster affordability affect the conflicting interests of different stakeholders on the ICT data and voice eco-system.

The Challenges of Using Zero-Rating (Free Basics) for Addressing the Affordability of ICT Access in Developing Countries.

2017 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 47-61 ◽  
Author(s):  
John N. Walubengo ◽  
Sam Takavarasha Jr
Keyword(s):  
Information And Communication Technologies ◽  
Poverty Reduction ◽  
Universal Access ◽  
Mobile Network ◽  
Communication Technologies ◽  
The Body ◽  
Implementation Challenges ◽  
Information And Communication ◽  
Corporate Social ◽  
Mobile Network Operators

As the body of evidence on the usefulness of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) for poverty reduction and development continues to grow, mobile network operators (MNOs), development agencies, and regulators are employing various measures to increase universal access. These measures are motivated by corporate social responsibility, pro-poor ideologies, and regulatory requirements imposed by regulators. While regulators have employed price controls and infrastructure sharing, MNOs have employed free basics to provide internet access to those who could not afford it. The introduction of free basics seems plausible, but it is fraught with implementation challenges. This article discusses such challenges with a view to clarifying how the steps taken to foster affordability affect the conflicting interests of different stakeholders on the ICT data and voice eco-system.

ICTs as Tools for Poverty Reduction

2011 ◽  
pp. 208-220
Author(s):  
Zaipuna O. Yonah ◽  
Baanda A. Salim
Keyword(s):  
Information And Communication Technologies ◽  
Computer Literacy ◽  
Poverty Reduction ◽  
Communication Technologies ◽  
Economic Life ◽  
The Poor ◽  
Information And Communication ◽  
Development Goals ◽  
Ict Policy

This chapter attempts to enhance the understanding and knowledge of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) in relation to the Tanzania National ICT Policy as a case study. The authors extensively explore these pervading technologies as they impact on the education, commerce, social, cultural, and economic life of the poor Tanzanian people. The chapter looks at how Tanzania is coping with the issue of poverty eradication as one of the eight UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). It addresses the issue of digital divide and the role that ICTs can play in poverty reduction. Tanzania’s efforts in embracing ICTs and the challenges facing the country in its efforts are also addressed. Overall, the chapter demonstrates that ICTs are a set of tools for knowledge sharing, which is a powerful means for poverty reduction. Furthermore, it is advisable to focus on information literacy rather than just focusing on computer literacy.

scholarly journals Montessori Method and ICTs

2016 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 25 ◽  
Author(s):  
Athanasios Drigas ◽  
Eugenia Gkeka
Keyword(s):  
Information And Communication Technologies ◽  
Learning Process ◽  
Information Society ◽  
Communication Technologies ◽  
The Body ◽  
Children’S Learning ◽  
Montessori Method ◽  
Information And Communication ◽  
Contemporary Education ◽  
Stimulation Of

This article bridges the gap between the Montessori Method and Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) in contemporary education. It reviews recent research works which recall the Montessori philosophy, principles and didactical tools applying to today’s computers and supporting technologies in children’s learning process. This article reviews how important the stimulation of human senses in the learning process is, as well as the development of Montessori materials using the body and the hand in particular, all according to the Montessori Method along with recent researches over ICTs. Montessori Method within information society age acquires new perspectives, new functionality and new efficacy.

scholarly journals Digital Divide and Poverty Eradication in the Rural Region of Northern Peninsular Malaysia

2019 ◽  
Vol 51 (2) ◽  
pp. 172
Author(s):  
Sharifah Rohayah Dawood
Keyword(s):  
Information And Communication Technologies ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Poverty Reduction ◽  
Communication Technologies ◽  
Peninsular Malaysia ◽  
Grass Root ◽  
Grass Root Level ◽  
Information And Communication ◽  
Strategic Implementation ◽  
Urban And Rural Areas

 One of the ways to eliminate poverty is through Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) that is often promoted as central to reviving and sustaining regional communities. In the context of Malaysia, however, the level of communication in urban and rural areas has seen a gap in terms of access to ICTs. Though various initiatives are taken to close the digital gaps, more efforts are needed. This paper intends to explore the extent to which ICTs in rural areas of northern Peninsular Malaysia are able to raise the socio-economic development of the communities. Using questionnaires and in-depth interviews, emphasis is given to analyze the role of ICTs in poverty reduction processes upholding regional developments. It has been observed that solving common causes for the communities’ access and socio-economic growth needs strategic implementation of policies at the central core and pragmatic implementation of actions at the grass root level.

CSR and ICT

2018 ◽  
pp. 24-53
Author(s):  
Chiara Meret ◽  
Michela Iannotta ◽  
Mauro Gatti
Keyword(s):  
Information And Communication Technologies ◽  
Communication Technologies ◽  
Shear Zones ◽  
Demographic Development ◽  
Bottom Line ◽  
Systematic Analysis ◽  
Csr Strategies ◽  
Information And Communication ◽  
Corporate Social

In line with the recent tendencies of limited natural resources, demographic development, dematerialization, and digitalization, this chapter underlines the necessity of deepening the role information and communication technologies (ICTs) play for corporate social responsibility (CSR) challenges. In fact, due to the diffuse integration of ICT into most of people's and firms' daily activities, companies cannot neglect the role of ICT in shaping CSR strategies. Hence, ICT has the potential to support the three main aspects of sustainable development—people, profit, and planet—which can be found in the so-called triple bottom line approach (TBL). However, the role of ICTs in supporting the shear zones between the abovementioned lines still counts a lack of contribution. Through a systematic analysis of the literature, the chapter affords insights for a further advance compared to the extant literature as the content analysis provides a description of how ICT support the sub-dimensions included in the three shear zones.

The Interactions Between Information and Communication Technologies and Innovation in Services

2020 ◽  
pp. 1920-1947
Author(s):  
Giulia Nardelli
Keyword(s):  
Literature Review ◽  
Information And Communication Technologies ◽  
Communication Technologies ◽  
Research Area ◽  
The Body ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Critical Knowledge ◽  
Body Of Knowledge ◽  
Information And Communication ◽  
The Relationship

Recent literature reveals the increasingly important role of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) within innovation in services. This paper aims at outlining how scholars have conceptualized and defined the relationship between ICT and innovation in services so far, by analysing the fragmented body of knowledge available on the topic, to strengthen the research area as field of study and support its progress. The results of the literature review were derived through a concept-centric analysis of the existing research on ICT and innovation in services. The outcome of the literature review is a conceptual typology that organizes and summarizes the body of knowledge on ICT and innovation in services, and reveals the critical knowledge gaps along with an agenda for future research. The main contribution of this work resides in having organized existing literature on the relationship between ICT and innovation in services into a conceptual typology. The conceptual typology outlines the three main aspects of the link between ICT and innovation in services: the integration of organizational and innovation processes; the cooperation among internal and external agents; and the self-reinforcing innovation mechanism that characterizes ICT as a product.

Universal Broadband: Option, Right or Obligation?

2017 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 11-24
Author(s):  
Krishna Jayakar
Keyword(s):  
Information And Communication Technologies ◽  
Universal Access ◽  
Communication Technologies ◽  
Broadband Access ◽  
Access To Information ◽  
Consumer Sovereignty ◽  
Human Autonomy ◽  
Information And Communication

Efforts to encourage universal access to information and communication technologies have run into the problem that some individuals, for reasons of affordability, lack of awareness or preference, continue to be without subscriptions. This article examines the arguments commonly put forward in support of promoting broadband access, to determine whether they can justify universalizing access. It examines the ethical limits of government actions that encourage, enforce or coerce participation in socially beneficial programmes, while potentially overlooking consumer sovereignty and human autonomy. The conclusions address how policymakers can encourage universal access to broadband, while respecting the rights of citizens.

scholarly journals Mobile Commerce and Mobile Payment: A Study on Islamic Perspective

IIUC Studies ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. 37-48 ◽  
Author(s):  
Md Monirul Islam ◽  
Abdul Kadar Muhammad Masum
Keyword(s):  
Developing Countries ◽  
Information And Communication Technologies ◽  
Credit Cards ◽  
Mobile Network ◽  
Communication Technologies ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Mobile Payment ◽  
Islamic Perspective ◽  
Information And Communication ◽  
Electronic Payment System

Electronic commerce, very important part of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT), is one of the most common business terms in use in 21st century. Developed countries are more popular because of their rapid growth of ICT, e-commerce and online transaction. But in developing or under develop countries the scenario is different. Technical laggings, dearth of infrastructure, infeasibility of the existing frameworks and people apathy are the main reasons behind this. There are several alternative ways of e-commerce and online transaction. Mobile payment, a way of online transaction, may be beneficial way of payment for developing countries because of its mobile network infrastructure. In this paper, a model of electronic payment system for M-Commerce has been proposed and analyzed the security for the system. This proposal may be suitable for developing countries where mobile phones are available but other e-payment tools like debit and credit cards are not much available. It also identifies what Islam has to say about our current use of M-Commerce and the way Islam can offer guidance for its use in the future. The paper also touches on the conditions and criteria that must be met in order to make an M-Commerce transaction acceptable under Islamic perspective. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/iiucs.v7i0.12257 IIUC Studies Vol.7 2011: 37-48

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