A development path for developing rural telecommunications

Attaining universal access and service of ICT and telecommunication services is the target of many countries. Unfortunately in sub-Saharan Africa, telecommunication services are either scarce or non-existent in rural areas. Open access and competition policies has not had an impact to rural areas as they are not commercially viable to telecom and ICT service providers. What type of intervention is needed to enable the diffusion of ICT and telecommunication services in rural areas, especially in third world countries? This conceptual paper discusses the potential of a development framework that can make the adoption and diffusion of ICT possible in rural areas. It is a conceptual paper which is part of an ongoing research.