The role of internet communication in the process of social development Dar Es Salaam
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Date
2008-05
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
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Publisher
Kampala International University.College of Humanities and social science
Abstract
Internet can potentially help break down some of the major barriers to developments that
are presently faced by low income populations. They can provide shared access to
information and communication technologies (ICTs) that can offer development services
in a number of areas that can assist in the development process. However, with obstacle
such as poor infrastructures, high prices and inconsistent legislation still many challenges
have to be faced. This research is a Bachelor of Mass Communication for the Faculty of
social sciences, Kampala International University.
The main goal of this research is to determine the role of internet communication in the
process of social development in Dar es salaam, Tanzania. In order to reach this goal, the
field study was performed in Dar es Salaam.
Since Internet cafes are the main access to the in Tanzania, they could provide basic
access to services such as health and education. Moreover, they could provide relatively
. cheap and efficient way of communicating, considering the limited purchasing power and
poor infrastructure in Tanzania. Nevertheless, increased interest in the Internet is not in
line with increased awareness in terms of using the Internet for educational, commercial,
social or political purposes. The existing business model of most Internet cafes is
unsustainable and uneconomic.
This is due to the umealistic charges for offered services, lack of reliable power supply,
expensive bandwidth, connectivity down-time and high competition. This will result in
the closing down of Internet cafes in the future. The current provision of courses and
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training by Internet cafes in the use of computers and the Internet is very limited.
Considering the limited ICT personnel in Tanzania, the internet cafes could be
appropriate training centers as they are already equipped with the necessary ICT
facilities.
Also in the field of education Internet could play a major part, given the absence of
computers in Tanzanian schools. Besides, Internet could be a good alternative to the
subsidized telecenters when connectivity is provided.
Due to an absence of a national IXP Tanzania lacks cheap and high capacity connections
to the global Internet. The high cost of Internet bandwidth is passed on to the Internet
cafes. Even though the price charged by these cafes for offered services is not extremely
high, it could obstruct a certain group with limited financial means from using Internet
cafes, hindering the further diffusion of the Internet.
The inconsistent ICT policies, the monopoly in fixed-line services and the lack of
compensation for suffered losses is undermining further development of Internet cafes.
This is also to the detriment of growth of the local ICT market.
Description
Dissertation submitted as the requirement for the award of a bachelors degree in Mass Communication of Kampala International University
Keywords
Internet, Communication, Process, Social, Development, Dar Es Salaam