Learning lessons from failure: the Ugandan telecentre experience in perspective

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Learning lessons from failure the Ugandan
telecentre experience in perspective

• ITU TELECOM AFRICA 2001
• Policy Development Forum
• Accessibility and Opportunities
• Jako Jellema - j.jellema_at_KiNcite.com
• Rudi Westerveld - rudiw_at_tbm.tudelft.nl

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Accessibility and Opportunities

• telecentres offer public access to
• basic telephone and fax
• Public Call Offices (PCO)
• ICT's for development
• Multipurpose Community Telecentres (MCT)

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Analysis Models

• 1. Financing
• 2. Services
• 3. Organisational Structure

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Analysis model 1 Financing
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Analysis model 2 Services

• Three types of services
• Person to Person Communication
• telephone, e-mail
• Other Communication Services
• registration, browsing
• Non Communication Services
• photocopying, computer training

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Analysis model 3 Organisational Structure

• Network Design (and human resources) a spectrum
• a single telecentre organisation owner
• the franchise model
• associated telecentres
• stand-alone telecentres

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Uganda Context

• Number of inhabitants per telephone line (1998)
• Kampala 50
• Rural areas 400
• A dynamic Telecom environment with potential
• liberalisation
• new investments

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Nakaseke MCT
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Nakaseke MCT

• pilot project
• donor funded
• community oriented services

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Nakaseke MCT

• Financing Public Funded startup
• Services All three types
• community oriented
• Organisation Pilot with external Partners

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Starcom Arua

• commercial initiative
• fax and calling services
• VSAT

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Starcom Arua

• Financing Private Sector (ceased operation)
• Services Person to Person only
• fax and telephone
• Organisation Network of 8 centres and a central
  organisation

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Conclusions

• Failures
• Public funds are not forthcoming.
• Infrastructure is a problem.
• Harvesting the advantage of supporting a network
  of telecentres.
• Future Telecentres are here to stay The
  model will develop along the way

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Nakaseke MCT
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Starcom Arua
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Extra Services
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Extra Photos