Due to distance and low density, rural areas are often disadvantaged in getting access to telecommunication infrastructures. Hence rural digital divide policies tend to focus on providing access. While narrowing the access gap has been largely effective in developed countries, it is what happens after getting access that is more important than connectivity itself. Connectivity must be followed by effective utilisation of the technologies in order for it to be beneficial to individuals and communities. This study examines South Korea's Information Network Village (INVIL) project as an exemplary policy of sustainable broadband adoption in rural areas. The program was designed to narrow the digital divide between urban and rural areas, create new sources of revenue and to build sustainable rural communities. Due to this multi-layered and long-term approach, the villages have been successful in narrowing the digital divide, not only in terms of access but also in effectively utilising broadband to enhance the local economy and build cohesive communities. The outcome of the program was evaluated based on the policy framework. Then a case study of three INVILs was conducted to provide an in-depth assessment of the program's outcome. The unique feature of the program is that it emphasises investment in human capital rather than infrastructure and includes a long-term vision for each local community. This motivates local residents to be active participants in the program. Beyond the provision of high-speed networks, continuous programs that are tailored to local needs are necessary in order to facilitate sustainable broadband adoption.

Enabling Sustainable Broadband Adoption in Rural Areas: A Case Study of Information Network Villages in South Korea

This study examines South Korea’s Information Network Village (INVIL) project as an exemplary policy of building sustainable communities through a digital divide policy implemented in small rural areas. INVIL project has three objectives: to close the digital gap between urban and rural areas, to create new sources of revenues from existing industries, and to build sustainable local communities. The conception was that rural digital divide can only be resolved by addressing deep rooted rural issues that influence the provision and adoption of ICT. While the INVIL programs may not remedy the gap in the short term, it provides a future vision to the communities. Due to this multi-layered and long term approach, the villages have been successful in narrowing the digital divide, not only in terms of access but also in effectively utilising broadband to enhance the local economy and building sustainable communities. This paper introduces the INVIL project, the plans and outcomes, as well as a qualitative evaluation of the process across a decade. Following a general description of the project, an in-depth case study of three successful INVILs is provided. The uniqueness of the program is that it emphasises investment in human capital rather than on infrastructure and includes a tailored vision of each local community. This motivates local residents to be active participants, which is the key to the success of the policy.

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Information Network Villages

Enhancing access to socioeconomic development information using mobile phone applications in rural Zimbabwe: the case of Matabeleland South Province.

Enabling Sustainable Broadband Adoption in Rural Areas

Teachers who integrate information and communication technologies (ICT) to their practice in rural areas face important challenges that differ from those where contextual conditions are most favorable. The purpose of this chapter is to describe how and why a phenomenological research approach applied to the reconstruction of rural teachers’ experiences in incorporating ICT’s to their practice can be helpful for both, for research purposes as well as for inspiring the avenues that rural teacher education in the digital age should follow. Based on the narratives of eight teachers working in poor rural schools of Mexico, this chapter describes how, as part of a construction of their own rural pedagogies, these teachers integrate ICT to their practice in response to three levels of contextual demands. Lessons learned and recommendations for research of this kind are provided.

A Reconstruction of Rural Teachers' Technology Integration Experiences: Searching for Equity

ICT has great potential to bring in the desired social transformations by enhancing access to people, services, information and other technologies. ICT applications can enhance poor people’s opportunities by improving their access to markets, health and education. India is striving to come up with innovative ICT support for the rural community. Creation of affordable ICT facilities and investment in training to maintain and expand computer networks in rural areas is on policy agenda of the government. However, incorporation of ICT in a national development agenda must involve public and private sector together with the local community for effective creation, expansion and diffusion of ICT applications and also for better e-governance. This article is an attempt to analyse the ICT policy for the rural poor people in India and discuss evolving an integrated approach for participatory rural development where the participation of the local community and an inclusion of a traditional knowledge system is taken ...

Rajesh Kumar

Papers

‘Rural Informatics’: Use of Information and Communication Technologies for the Rural Poor – From Digital Divide to Digital Opportunity in Rural India