CONNECTIVITY IN AFRICA: USE, BENEFITS AND CONSTRAINTS OF ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATION - ZAMBIA

A SUMMARY

by Vitalicy Chifwepa
Department of Library and Information Studies
University of Zambia
June, 1996

INTRODUCTION

The project which is being reported here was originally called "Impact of electronic communications on development in Zambia", consonant with the overall theme of the program of the International Development Research Centre (IDRC), Canada through which it was supported. The research team felt that this title sounded too broad and ambitious with respect to the actual scope and outcome of the project. It thus decided to use the above main title for the final reports of the project.

A methodology was adopted by the researchers in the IDRC/PADIS team. The methodology included a longitudinal approach where the sample and population were to be consistent in two phases. Data collection instruments were developed by the team in a series of meetings.

This is a summary of the two reports that are presented separately. The summary includes the implementation and findings of the two phases. Phase one was conducted in 1995/96 and phase two in 1996/97.

Please see the reports of the phases for details.

IMPLEMENTATION OF THE STUDY

In phase one traffic data was acquired from the Systems Operations Manager of the University of Zambia Computer Centre covering the periods January and February 1995. The data collection exercise was done using a population of people who had used the fidonet system in that period. Such users were favored because the survey recommended a population of people who had used e-mail for a long time. In phase two the intention was to target the same users who were the respondents in phase one. In order to do that, the ZAMNET subscribers were targeted because the other internet providers either had just started and were not part of phase one, as was the case with the Zambia Telecommunication Limited (ZAMTEL), or they were restricted in terms of users to themselves, as was the case with the Zambia Consolidated Copper Mines Limited (ZCCM). These providers were however included in the interview for their own input in terms of the impact and in order to give information on the internet services in Zambia.

Only 7 from phase one responded to the questionnaire the rest of the phase two respondents did not take part in phase one.

The report gives background information on internet services in Zambia and the research findings.

Instruments used

The baseline questionnaire was used in phase one. The same questionnaire was modified by simplification and inclusion of questions on the internet in phase two.

In phase one a baseline interview guide was used. In phase two the interview guide was derived from the questionnaire following the same pattern as in phase 1.

Time frame

In phase one Data collection was initially conducted from March to December 1995. After a review meeting in February 1996 in Addis Ababa it was agreed that another phase of data collection be conducted in order to get more responses. This was done from February to March 1996. In phase two data collection was conducted from February to April 1997

In phase one Interviews were undertaken from April to May 1996. The interviews were carried out face to face with the respondents and the responses were recorded on a note pad. The same method was used in phase two and interviews were undertaken from June to August 1997.

In both phases data analysis was done by grouping the responses in the categories according to the items on the questionnaire and interview frame.

In both phases questionnaires were sent electronically. It was intended that respondents would represent institutions n the following categories: Academic, Government, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), Business organizations including private, quasi-government, and individuals.

FINDINGS

The findings will be presented in the four main areas of use, benefits, improvements, and problems.

Use

Most of the respondents were very users of e-mail. Their highest rates of sending messages were:

• Once or more per day were: 43.5% in phase one and 64% in phase two
• 1- 5 times per week: 43.5% in phase one and 26% in phase 2

In terms of type of information and usage:

What is in brackets ( ) indicates the rank in the particular phase. It can be argues that the work related uses rank high in both phases although personal messages ranked rather higher in phase two.

Destiny of information

In both phases most of the communication is with outside Africa probably due to the high incidence of receiving technical advice. The highest in both phases was outside Africa. There is a difference in communication the second highest. There was more with outside the country but within Africa in phase one and within country in phase two. This could be due to differences in use and the frequency of using the system. There was high usage for exchanging documents, probably with places out of the country, in phase one in addition to receiving advice. There was a rise in personal messages in phase two that could have been going to friends and relatives with the country. A further reason for the rise in personal messages in phase two could be the increase in connectivity

Improvements

In both phases there is report of improvements in speed of information or messages flow, reduction in the cost of communication, more access to information , and the convenience of communication in that order.

Problems encountered

These had to do with too much information taking up too much of work time, some technical problems to do with the service, computers and skill of usage.

CONCLUSION

There is an increasing awareness of internet service in Zambia. Even during the data collection there were more people subscribing. In addition the increasing number of service providers is likely to have a positive effect in efficiency of service.

No one could answer in the definite, the direct positive impact of e-communication apart from one who said that due to improved communication we are more efficient and hence more productive. However, the impact may be inferred from the information given above. That is why the title as revised is better since it describes that time of findings. It has been observed that there is a very high use of e-mail and the use is highest in exchanging business related information. Users are seeking technical advice and using it in business. What it has found is that users experience having more information, more efficient and effective communication more interaction and awareness. This brings about coordination and facilitates management. People could hopefully or probably make more informed decisions. These could be said to have a high relationship with development. There is more research to lead to that kind of conclusion.

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