Grant Amount: US$ 18,940

Keywords: COMMUNITY, ACCESS, RADIO, MULTIMEDIA, TELECENTRE, SRI LANKA

Geographic coverage: Sri Lanka

Objective

The objective of this project is to explore new models of access, creation and dissemination of a range of locally relevant content.

Research context

This pilot project provides a framework for extending community radio and multimedia to incorporate a mobile information and communications technology (ICT) unit that delivers cost-effective access to relevant information and knowledge that can help reduce poverty and isolation in remote communities of the developing world. The Kothmale Community Radio website will be extended by incorporating a web-based community information, communications and knowledge management system. In order to effectively address poverty, software tools provide a gateway allowing communities to access knowledge sources and services that are tailored to their own information and communication needs.

Target beneficiaries

The mobile design of project provides the benefit of access to information in geographically remote areas of the Kothmale region that can help improve the lives and livelihoods of all members of the community, including its 17 schools, numerous businesses and other organizations. Project partners, governments and non-governmental organizations can use the results to understand the potential of mobile ICT solutions and to explore new models of access to locally relevant content.

Outputs

• A working model for a mobile multipurpose community telecentre and radio unit;
• An increase in social capital, skills and capacity; and
• A localized information and knowledge-sharing portal.

Research results and outcomes

This project explores methods for extending the role of community radio and telecentres to deliver ICT content directly at the village level. Ethnographic Action Research that preceded the development of the mobile prototype identified a variety of factors that hinder the ability to access the Kothmale Community Telecentre facilities. Limited local transport and an unreliable and overcrowded bus system were highlighted as one of the major factors that limit accessibility to the centre. The cost of training programmes is also problematic. To cover its costs and to ensure its financial viability the centre must charge fees for training programmes, and even when these fees remain low, many people in the area still cannot afford the services. The survey also revealed that community members questioned the relevance of technology to the community. Contributing to this perhaps is the fact that the amount of Internet content available in Sinhalese is very low and what is available is tailored to the urban elite in Colombo.

In response to the result of the research, the project concentrated on the development of an appropriate model for mobile distribution of content - the eTUKTUK. The eTUKTUK is a self-contained mobile telecentre and radio broadcasting unit housed within a Tuk-Tuk, or three-wheeled motorcycle, a favoured form of transport common throughout South Asia. A laptop computer is located inside the vehicle, as is a battery-operated printer, camera, telephone and scanner. Internet is provided via a Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA)-enabled wireless connection and electricity is provided via a generator, which in turn charges a battery that is used to provide additional power for short periods of time. A roof rack allows the vehicle to carry other equipment such as the Kothmale Community Radio Station’s mobile broadcasting unit. Narrowcasting of radio programmes is achieved via two loud speakers mounted to the roof rack. This system is used to announce the telecentre’s presence when it arrives in a village or designated location. The weekly route of the eTUKTUK is broadcast over the radio to inform the listeners about the location and the time that it will arrive in their community.

The project faced a number of early setbacks relating to the acquisition of a license to broadcast using wireless technologies. While this application is still pending, the project has successfully adapted to CDMA technology. This is not ideal, as the community does not own the network; however an agreement has been made with a commercial telecommunications company to provide access to their network free of charge.

With the e-TUKTUK complete and a broadcasting solution in place, project operations have turned to focus on capacity building of the Kothmale Community Multimedia Centre facilities and staff. A number of content production workshops and training have been held and more are planned for the future. Partnerships have been formed with the Sri Lankan government’s ICT Agency. Researchers and staff of the telecentre have participated in several regional conferences where they have shared their experiences and gained knowledge and skills from their counterparts in UNESCO-supported Community Multimedia and Learning Centres throughout South and South East Asia. The project recently joined a UNESCO-supported three-year research project entitled 'Finding a Voice'. The project has received substantial press attention both locally and globally.

Duration

Start Date: October 2005
End Date: January 2008
Total Duration: 27 Months

Contact information

Sunil Wijesinghe, President
Kothmale Internet Listeners Club
Riverside, Mawathura, VIA Gampola, Sri Lanka
Telephone: +94 81 235 0422
Mobile: +94 77 910 1787
Email: info@kothmale.org

Websites

http://www.kothmale.org
http://www.etuktuk.net
http://www.nanasala.lk