Information and Communications Technology for Development.
In rural environments of Mexico, it is still difficult to access telephone and Internet services. The businesses that can offer these services do not consider rural communities as possible markets. Because of the sparse population, they cannot justify the required investment in infrastructure.
Given this situation, and taking into account the social and economic benefits that come with telephone and Internet access, the program offers the tools to offer communications access to these communities. IT access is achieved through a business model that combines social focus with economic profit. With an association leader and technical training, immigrants and the members of their communities of origin can obtain the conditions to operate and offer VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) technology service. This service permits low-cost phone calls, in addition to high-speed Internet access that can support education, training, and information access for the community.
Two service options are offered, with different levels of technical availability and cost:
A business model with an association leader who operates the community center with Internet access permits effective organization between immigrants and their community of origin. It also provides them with an organization similar to the immigrant club in the United States, and with it the possibility of boosting the social capital needed to coordinate community well-being efforts.
Given this situation, and taking into account the social and economic benefits that come with telephone and Internet access, the program offers the tools to offer communications access to these communities. IT access is achieved through a business model that combines social focus with economic profit. With an association leader and technical training, immigrants and the members of their communities of origin can obtain the conditions to operate and offer VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) technology service. This service permits low-cost phone calls, in addition to high-speed Internet access that can support education, training, and information access for the community.
Two service options are offered, with different levels of technical availability and cost:
- Broadband-speed Internet access of 1.5-4 Mbps. The Broadband signal is capable of supporting VoIP telephone calls and Internet access.
- Internet access only, up to 1 Mbps, with satellite-transmitted signal.
A business model with an association leader who operates the community center with Internet access permits effective organization between immigrants and their community of origin. It also provides them with an organization similar to the immigrant club in the United States, and with it the possibility of boosting the social capital needed to coordinate community well-being efforts.