Information Society Watch

2006, Maximo Torero & Joachim von Braun.

This article talks about the new book published by Johns Hopkins University Press for IFPRI titled The Potential of Telecommunication. This book, in an attempt to create an understanding about the efficiency and functioning of ICTs and their impacts on low income countries, critically exams five important questions. The analysis includes crucial points like the need for strong market policies in order to ensure effective privatisation of telecommunications, the need for basic skill set training in the rural areas before implementation, and the role of telemedicine in building global telecommunication networks. It also addresses other vital concerns like the need for subsidies in small enterprises. The author concludes by saying that access to information through ICTs could be achieved only by placing all the essential C's -- namely connectivity, capability and content relevance -- together with the help of strong institutional support.

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