Resources for Networks in Less-Industrialized Nations

The global computer-mediated communication network is growing rapidly, but it is concentrated in the affluent parts of industrialized nations. While this could widen the income gap between industrialized and less industrialized areas, it also presents an opportunity since low cost, appropriate technology networks can make significant additions to the communication infrastructure of less industrialized areas, and link them to the rest of the world. We describe the evolution and growth of one such network, Relcom in the ex-Soviet Union. This is followed by a discussion of pertinent resources: communication infrastructure, hardware, software, and people. Applications and sponsorship are also covered. Throughout, we note differences among nations and the effect of government policy on networks.