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Two different types of computer configurations were designed
in the project. One was a PC model for 121 points; the other was
a kiosk model for 20. The locations for the 20 kiosks included
community service centres, libraries, schools, civil organizations,
tourist centres, district halls, and national parks, etc.
For the PC model, the telecentres were equipped with PCs,
printers and Web cameras. The computers were connected to the
Internet by dial-up. The churches were expected to integrate these
telecentres with their regular activities in local communities to
help promote Internet usage in remote areas. However, the result
was not as ideal as originally planned.
With the kiosk model telecentres, each telecentre was equipped
with a wall-mounted Internet computer. The kiosks were freely
open for public access but users had to get an IC card from the
kiosk manager.
The kiosk model was easier for maintenance than the PC
model. It could be monitored and updated remotely and was
ideal for delivering information and services to the general
public.
Stage Two
Based on the experience and lessons learned from Stage One,
Taiwan Provice of China continued to establish telecentres in
remote areas. A decentralized implementation strategy was used
in the second stage, starting from 2003. Instead of outsourcing
a single project, proposals focus on how to cooperate with local
communities to maintain the telecentres and promote Internet
applications. A committee was formed to review and fund 11
proposals in 2003. Local communities and NGOs were
included, and 12 more proposals were approved and funded in
2004. By July 2005, 120 telecentres had been established for
Stage Two and a further 20 were on target to be completed by
the end of the year.
Case Study of Lalashan DoWeb Model
Lalashan (Mt. Lala) is situated in the remote indigenous Fusing
Township in northern Taiwan Provence of China. The total popu-
lation of the township is around 2 200 and over 80 per cent of
the residents are indigenous people. Lalashan is regarded as the
hometown of peaches.
Although Lalashan peaches have been well recognized as one
of the most delicious on the island, the income contributed by
selling peaches is quiet unstable. For example, the peach price
was down sharply due to an abundant harvest in August 2000.
In that year, the average income for each household was just
USD6 000. Forty per cent of the households, mainly indigenous
families, lived below the poverty line. Most of the households
were thinking about switching to another line of business due to
unstable income.
In 2003, a government-supported telecentre project, aimed at
bridging the digital divide, was launched in Lalashan. A compre-
hensive approach called the DoWeb (Digital Opportunity Within
E-business) model was applied. In this case, technical inspira-
tion and innovation are closely married to eco-social ones in order
to gradually combine and balance between profit making and
stewardship.
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Members of Management Committee for the Telecommunications Universal Fund in Smangus Tribe
Photo: Directorate General of Telecommunications