RURAL CONNECTIVITY –EVILLAGE In the rural communities, investment in A telecenter may be defined as a commercial telecommunications infrastructure has followed a typical pattern: slow and weak investment. As a result, rural communities suffer a “distance penalty” that increases communication costs and makes it more difficult to attract businesses and growing families. Rural communities can use advanced telecommunications services, particularly the Internet, to help them bridge the gap. It is recommended that the Government of Belize improve the connectivity of rural areas which will provide to residents access to information and training and digital opportunities leading to poverty reduction. Funding from an established Universal Access Fund and from international funding agencies through grants/loans can be used for the funding of this project. shared site that provides public access to information and communications technology whose main purpose is to increase public access to the Internet and to services available over the Internet. The basic telecenter that is common in Latin America and the Caribbean has fairly standard features. It consists of premises stocked with several computer terminals and simple furnishings consisting of chairs or classroom desks for users and regular desks or tables on which the terminals sit. The main service offered to the public is access to the Internet (chatting, e-mail and Web browsing) and often also to elementary software (word processing, spreadsheet). However, telecenters COMMUNITY ACCESS CENTERS – TELECENTERS have also been used for education and training and for providing vital government services online. DESIRED OUTCOMES 1. Universal Access to Information and 3. Dissemination of Information for Communication Technology (especially community development including the for poor urban and rural areas); provision of health, agriculture, trade 2. Poverty Alleviation And Crime Reduction information and enhanced access to and government services (birth registration, workforce training, particularly of low application for permits, job and land income women and youth in urban and applications etc…) online using ICT. through Distance Education rural areas; Belize ICT National Strategy 52