Proenza F.J. (2001) Telecenter Sustainability: Myths and Opportunities, in Journal of Development Communication: Special Issue on Telecenters 12[2]

Online: http://ip.cals.cornell.edu/commdev/documents/jdc-proenza.doc

The author outlines some myth which should be discredited:

1.       A cybercafé is not a telecenter

2.       Success is assured through community ownership

3.       Set up the right policy framework and the market will provide

4.       Franchising is a proven and effective strategy

 He goes on stressing the need of state support, which can be given in two ways: via Telecommunications Development Funds and the Community Investment Found, the opportunities open by the VSAT technology, and place telecentres within already existing institutions (schools, libraries…)

The author concludes writing that the establishment of telecenters led by local, well managed not-for-profit organizations, in partnership with a variety of public, quasi-public agencies, businesses and other civil society organizations, appear to be the most promising way forward, both from a development perspective and to achieve long term sustainability.