Overview

As a result of the United Nations Millennium Development Goals, or simply by their own accord, governments, non-government organizations, and multinationals are starting to rally behind information and communications technology (ICT) as a social-economic development tool for underserved citizens, many in rural communities, that cannot afford to purchase their own computers. They are partnering to research and implement different models to reach these underserved populations with and through technology. Private businesses, from large chains to small mom-and-pop entrepreneurs, are beginning to see a growing market opportunity to provide technology to this population as well. There is not one single business model or answer to this challenge that will drive socio-economic change in rural communities, but Shared Access is one of the models that these organizations in emerging markets are seeking information on and experimenting with. The Microsoft Unlimited Potential Shared Access programs help to bring together research, resources, and insights that can be shared with government leaders, non-government organizations, telecenter owners and operators, internet café owners, and Microsoft partners to maximize the global scope and reach of the benefits of ICT, and create sustainable access for the world’s communities underserved by technology.

What is Shared Access?

Shared access computing refers to scenarios where a single computer is used by more than one person. Shared access computers (sometimes called internet cafes, kiosks, telecenters, village knowledge centers, infocenters, community technology centers, or community multimedia centers) serve multiple independent users in places such as schools, Internet cafés, libraries, homes, and other community locations. Shared access computing is typically on a free or cost-per-minute basis.

Key Benefits

Shared access solutions can:

• Transform education by providing access to computers that will improve digital literacy, enhance a child's education through access to research and information, and provide continuous learning opportunities for people of all ages.
• Foster local innovation by providing opportunities for local software developers to design, develop, and implement relevant shared access services, solutions, and tools.
• Enable jobs and opportunities by improving skills and increasing access to information that fuel employment and income generation for underserved citizens helping to drive social and financial sustainability.

Best Practice:

A requirement to shared access model success that we've learned from working with governments around the world is the need to to deeply understand the needs and wants of the local community. The best programs gain upfront feedback and insight at the grassroots, local level, on the needs of the underserved community. This results in higher adoption and, in turn, long term program sustainability. Governments, NGOs, internet cafes, and the entire shared access ecosystem should focus on how to make their solution relevant and sustainable.