Bridging the Digital Divide, one village at a time: an introduction to the activities of MDB PAUL ROWNEY : technical DIRECTOR Mydigitalbridge FOUNDATION

ITU Country profile (Namibia) 2012/13 Fixed-telephone subscriptions per 100 inhabitants 7.2/8 Mobile-cellular subscriptions per 100 inhabitants 103/110.2 Fixed (wired)-broadband subscriptions per 100 inhabitants 2.8 /1.3 Mobile Broadband subscriptions per 100 inhabitants 28.8/34.2 Households with a computer (%) 14.3/15.4 Individuals using the Internet (%) 12.9/13.9 Households with Internet access at home (%) 13/16

headline Stats (ITU 2012): Internet and Development Enhanced access to internet has positive correlation with increased literacy Top 50 countries: Average 78.6% internet penetration with 98% literacy rate Internet and the economy ITU Research on low and middle income countries states that 10% increase in broadband penetration yielded 1.38% growth in GDP Internet and employment 1% increase in internet penetration leads to 1.5% increase in employment Internet and productivity 1% increase in internet penetration leads to 0.13% increase in productivity

Namibia’s internet penetration is the second lowest in the region

Namibia’s internet usage is the lowest amongst its neighbours in HDI

Namibia’s internet usage is below the African average and well below that for every other continent

A human Right – UN Human Rights Council In 2012 the United Nations Human Rights Council passed a resolution (A/HRC/20/L.13, 2012) affirming Internet access as a human right. The resolution states, "Noting that the exercise of human rights, in particular the right to freedom of expression, on the Internet is an issue of increasing interest and importance as the rapid pace of technological development enables individuals all over the world to use new information and communications technologies."

The African Drive . . .

President Pohamba: State of the Nation address (2013) Summary: The information and communication technology sector is vital to the socio-economic development of our country, especially in the areas of industrialisation and the delivery of services such as education, health care, as well as internet access, broadcasting, banking and telephone services. By promoting ICT, we can transform and modernise our economy.

Vision and mission Vision statement To bridge the global digital divide “One village at a time” Mission statement We are committed to enrich the lives of marginalised communities through equitable access to technology by facilitating and implementing appropriate private public sector initiatives in order to attain universal access and service and to act in an advisory capacity to relevant stakeholders.

MDB projects and programmes Citizen Connect: facilitating Last-mile connectivity to underserved communities Village entrepreneur: a youth rural employment activity linked to the Citizen connect project Refurbishment Centre: Refurbish used computers for distribution to underserved communities Recycling Centre: Establishment of a national WEEE Recycling centre

Project 1: Citizen Connect-facilitating Last-mile connectivity to underserved communities The project aims improve technology access through the delivery of low- cost, high-speed fixed wireless broadband to underserved Namibia. Such connectivity will create new opportunities for education, healthcare, and the delivery of government services within Namibia. This connectivity also holds possibilities for e-commerce and e-trade, a “new critical mass” to Telecoms Operators

Citizen Connect: some Facts Rural connectivity project, connecting 27 schools and 7 Circuit Admin Offices Three regions: Oshana, Omusati & Ohangwena Covers approximately 9500 SQ kms Reaching 15 000 learners and about 500 teachers Two off-grid schools “electrified” as part of the project Stakeholders: Ministry of Education (beneficiary), Microsoft, Telecom, CRAN TVWS technology deployed

Citizen connect: The pilot 27 schools; 7 circuit offices Min of education, beneficiery

Dealing with obstacles . . . .

Consultations with Beneficiaries . . . (Adoption is key)

Deployment – the technology Never only about the technology, largely about the beneficiaries.

High’s and low’s of the citizen connect project Inclusivity – targets underserved and unserved communities Positive response from beneficiaries – ease of adoption Internet access: High priority at national political level. Enhanced capacity for e-learning, e-health and government services Low’s Regulatory framework and policy impeding development Incumbent operators – slow and sometimes unwilling to support the project Hostility by certain individuals

Project 2: Village entrepreneur: a youth rural employment activity linked to the Citizen connect project Trained in and Focussed on Entrepreneurship and Technology Supports and maintains the last mile network and offers technical support to remote schools, government offices, clinics, SME’s or even households Becomes the point person for commercial entities (banks, telco’s, Insurance, healthcare, etc) Becomes a sworn-in officer of the GRN and supports remote communities with GRN related services( ID application, etc) Runs an internet facility where off-grid community members can also charge mobile devices (solar)

Project 3: refurbishment Centre MDB an accredited Microsoft refurbishment Centre Have received computers from FNB and BW for refurbishment. In discussion with a big mining house to receive retired and end-of- life computers Refurbished computers donated to needy schools and communities

Project 4: Establishing a National WEEE Centre Research conducted (International/Regional/National) International WEEE 50 million tons of E-waste are produced each year 15-20% of e-waste is recycled, the rest of these electronics go directly into landfills and incinerators. Namibia WEEE 9.8 metric tonnes No logistical network, structure or policy MDB conducting a feasibility study to culminate in a bankable business plan

conclusion In attaining 100% inclusion to the digital village Its not about technology – the technology exists - the technology works Its not about policy or regulation, the ITU has spoken Its not about capacity or willingness – it exists Then why has it not yet become a reality !!!

Thank you