Staff indicate they expect to use the Web as an additional source from which to filter and synthesize information for their subscribers. This has to do with helping the world s poorest acquire access. It suggests that it is not necessary for everyone to have direct access to the Internet in order to have access to the information that the Internet contains. The true cost of direct access to the Internet must include the cost of access to a telephone, a computer, and the Internet account with a local service provider, a significant investment for many African farmers and traders. These are computer laboratories that provide access to computer equipment connected to the Internet, typically charging a fee per hour.
Users have direct access, but at a price.
Still, for a trader or farmer who will not require access more that a few hours a month, a kiosk is an attractive processed by an information broker. The IDEA project is considering allowing visitors to their offices access to a terminal, an adaptation of the kiosk idea. This general idea of telecenters is attracting great interest among donors. The nation poor are mostly illiterates. The only effective means of communication is by radio in their language.