Rural Internet Kiosks

Following on from my previous article on the Digital Divide and what it means for social enterprise I decided to look at projects being carried out in developing nations. I was interested in what ways social enterprise was being used to advance digital inclusion in poorer areas of the world.

Over the last 15 years one part of the world has enjoyed astonishing advances in digital technology while the other has been left dismally behind. This is the definition of the digital divide. While those with access to mobiles communication and the Internet enjoy increased social, economic and educational benefits; those without remain severely disadvantaged. In rural areas this problem is the most challenging. Solutions require the provider to overcome the physical transportation and installation in remote areas, as well as the usual social and economic ones faced in poor areas.

The Rural Internet Kiosks (RIK) project is a venture that certainly deserves a dedicated article. This scheme is a feat of flat-packing, technology and advertising space. It is a blueprint for self-power and sustainable social enterprise. Really it should have its own collective noun. The internet kiosk is a self-contained, solar powered hub designed to sit safely in a public space. It consists of a flat-packed outer shell, has 3 computer terminals and one mobile telephone and charging terminal. It also has an electronically lit sign board for easy recognition and to form an advertising space. The unit provides Internet and ICT access to the community in which it is placed regardless of infrastructure.?Each kiosk utilizes satellite connectivity (provided by IntersatAfrica) & solar energy, along with a highly energy efficient PC (Aleutia U5), powered by Userful Multiplier that allows for 5 independent users to work from the same PC. As a result the internet kiosk can offer customized deployment in most locations regardless of existing services.?The kiosks are locally manufactured with a modular knock design to allow for easy shipping.

The venture takes inspiration from the Hole-in-the-Wall project. A pioneering social enterprise initiated by the now-iconic Dr. Sugata Mitra, Chief Scientist at NIIT. In 1999 Dr. Mitra's team carved a "hole in the wall" that separated the NIIT premises from the adjoining slum in Kalkaji, New Delhi. Through this hole, a freely accessible computer was put up for use. This computer proved to be an instant hit among the slum dwellers, especially the children. With no prior experience, the children learnt to use the computer on their own. The project was then expanded to other areas in India and helped form Dr. Sugata Mitra's Minimally Invasive Education theory.

The RIK scheme is still in the very early stages. The plan is to test it in rural areas of Kenya. They have a clear plan for the project forming a local social enterprise. It will generate income as a cyber café, where a user is charged per minute or megabyte. The unit will have a lock down browser, and will also allow the user access to other software. Kiosks will have added accessories such as printing facilities, discs saving and scanning. The phone feature will act as a pay phone with other accessories such as phone chargers.

Photo credit: Rural Internet Kiosk