Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is increasingly recognised as the key enabler in promoting knowledge-based growth, creating jobs and providing access to information and knowledge for both developed and transition countries. Access to information and knowledge can stimulate economic growth by creating new products, increasing productivity and promoting new commercial and administrative methods. In addition to economic development, connectivity fosters social development, cohesion and inclusion, through its applications in education, health and increased citizen participation in civil society and government. However, to compete successfully and take benefit from the knowledge-based society, a country must have appropriate levels of connectivity and a framework within which ICT services (to include telephony and fax together with Internet, email and content) can be provided. Countries in transition face serious challenges in trying to achieve such appropriate levels of connectivity.

Access to Information through Community Telecenters:

What are the roles of Community Telecenters? How to create a telecenters through community participation? Are there any financially sustainable models for telecenters? What are the roles of municipal governments, Schools, NPOs and entrepreneurs?

In the low-income countries, average people cannot afford installing a telephone or Internet access in their houses. They need a public telephone and Internet access points to actually communicate with others. We call such public access points as “community telecentres” or “information kiosks”. After establishing this type of Information Centres provides facility and delivery of social services and various capacity building activities. Business models of telecentres which achieve a financial and operational sustainability operated by local entrepreneurs. Community telecentres can be funded through the Universal Access Fund as an essential component of the rural communications.

To establish the community centre from this initiative will be financially sustainable with minimum charge and handover to local active user Organization.

The surrounding public centres with Internet are connected with such kind of ICT centres. Encourage the public to utilized the full resources then the impact in society will be productive