Multipurpose community telecentres in Bangladesh: problems and prospects

Authors: Islam, Md. Shariful; Hasan, Md. Nazmul

Source: The Electronic Library, Volume 27, Number 3, 2009 , pp. 537-553(17)

Publisher: Emerald Group Publishing Limited

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Abstract:

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to discuss multipurpose community information and knowledge centres (MCTs) and then describes and assesses the telecommunication facilities (and hence information access and provision) of such telecentres in Bangladesh including radio, television, telephone and internet facilities. The paper then highlights problems and prospects, in rural areas of Bangladesh, of information access through the telecentres. Design/methodology/approach - The paper is based on a review of literature collected through the internet, personal visits and other secondary sources such as research reports and articles. Findings - The paper highlights the existing MCT initiatives in rural Bangladesh and discusses their problems and prospects. Originality/value - The paper is one of the very few studies which focuses on the prospects of MCTs for rural Bangladesh, particularly as regards information and knowledge access and provision, and proposes future directions for the development of MCTs in Bangladesh.

Keywords: Bangladesh; Information centres; Internet; Radio; Telephone; Television

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/02640470910966952

Publication date: 2009-06-05