Implementation Of ICT In Tanzanian Telecenters
Telecentres are another prevalent trend in lower developing countries. Telecentres provide access to the internet via a community center. Access to the internet opens opportunities to local citizens to participate in world-wide interaction and sharing of information. ICT is important to the development of knowledge in indigenous countries. A large portion of Africa’s sustenance is wasted due to a deficiency of pertinent knowledge and information tethered to internet access. This makes it vital to create accessibility to the internet for farmers in rural areas of Tanzania and other indigenous countries. Small farmers and entrepreneurs can benefit from the readily available information accessible through the Internet. Telecentres provide the means to which farmers can access information quickly and affordably. Farmers can benefit from technology by making informed decisions, learning new and inventive ways to market their produce and benefit from health and disease prevention advice.
As of 2010 Tanzania has implemented several policies to broaden the accessibility of the internet. Due to support of the Commission for Science and Technology (COSTECH) and other stakeholders, telecentres have been established in rural areas. However, telecentres have not proven to be as effective at integrating technology as was hoped. In fact the increased statistics of internet usage in Tanzania derive more prominently from cell-phone use. Many of the issues revolving around telecentres deal with infrastructure, legality, and overall low development in the area. Cell-phones on the other hand are more portable, cheaper, and easier to obtain, resulting a better success than established telecentres. Uganda is more advanced than Tanzania in terms of internet accessibility. Although formal telecentres have made their appearance in Uganda, Internet cafés are the more popular approach in this indigenous area. While the internet has had a major impact on the citizens of Uganda the government has little to do with the implementation of ICT. Policies are put in place and discussed, taxes are low, and there is general encouragement to take advantage of the Internet, but no public services are offered by the government through the Internet. Internet cafés have had a successful impact on providing accessible Internet for rural citizens. Farmers are able to communicate and sell produce through the Internet.
The availability of internet access is propelling the economy forward. However a problem lies within finding a balance of cost of attaining internet and affordability for customers to pay for the access. Internet cafés began charging more for the utilization of the Internet but the cost became too much for some customers resulting in a recession of customers.
