Community Information Centers
Country: Bangladesh
Topic: Enable and Social
Last updated:
The Bangladeshi mobile operator Grameenphone has set up more than 500 Community Information Centers (CICs) across the country, offering low-rate, but high-speed voice, data and other communication services to previously unconnected people.
Set up with technical assistance from the GSM Association in 2006, Grameenphone CICs are equipped with a minimum of a computer, a printer, a scanner, a webcam and an EDGE-enabled modem to access the Internet.
Services available in rural areas
The CICs provide high speed Internet access in rural areas, where the nearest Internet facilities would otherwise be at least 20-30 miles away. The centres are extending connectivity to those who have no alternative access to communication technologies and to those with little to spend on such services. At a CIC it is possible to access a number of communications services such as:
- mobile and internet communication with relatives
- passport forms, birth and death certificates forms and other related information available from Government websites
- market prices of agricultural produce available through the website of the Agricultural Extension Department
- reports and news of interest to students and professionals
- information related to local and foreign job search sites
Run by local entrepreneurs
The CICs are designed to be run independently as small businesses by local entrepreneurs. The centres are set up in selected rural areas around the country, and people pay a small fee to access email or Web pages. Together with partners, Grameenphone also provides microcredit if needed and trains the entrepreneurs so that they become aware of the full potential of their business.
For more details, visit the Community Information Centers’ own website.
Similar concept in Pakistan: “Telenor Rabta centres launched”