LearnLink Projects: HAITI

Haiti Internet Service Provider Access

The Haitian Internet Service Provider (ISP) industry is a relatively young and dynamic industry. Currently, there are approximately 8 telephone lines per thousand citizens in Haiti, compared to an average of 65 per thousand throughout Latin America and the Caribbean. Penetration of telecommunications services to secondary cities and rural areas is extremely limited.

This Task Order aims to increase access to communication and e-commerce in Haiti through improved, expanded Internet services. This activity contributes to USAID/Haiti’s Mission Strategic Objective to reduce poverty. More specifically, it will also support economic growth and increased human resource capacity. Access to communication will be improved by reinforcing the technical capabilities of Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to expand geographically and by spearheading the creation of Community-based Information and Communication Centers (Telecenters) in key cities.

A Telecenter is a secure site with workstations connected to the Internet where individuals may go to learn about and use e-mail, Internet and occasionally, instructional technologies. Fees are usually charged to sustain the Telecenter’s operation. Advertising and outreach are conducted to bring in potential clients. A small Telecenter with up to 10 networked workstations connected to the Internet provides a community with unprecedented access to information, communication and training services and be a tremendous precursor to Haiti’s eventual participation in the global e-commerce phenomenon.

This Task Order is part of the Presidential Initiative for Economic Development (IED) Strategy for Haiti and will be implemented in conjunction with the other components of the strategy. It will implement the following three main activities:

1) Provide direct technical assistance to ISPs to speed-up the deployment of the "back-office" infrastructure required for commerce over the Internet.
2) Provide the technical assistance and equipment needed to promote the healthy development and self-regulation of the Internet in Haiti.
3) Spearhead the process leading to the creation of Community-Based Information and Communication Centers (Telecenters) in secondary cities.

More specifically, by the end of this Task Order the following results will be achieved:

1) Internet access will be more available throughout the country as a result of improved capacity among Haitian ISPs.
2) A minimum of three Telecenters will be established and operating.
3) Telecenter staff will have received training to operate and maintain the facility.
4) Telecenter staff will be trained in the use of the help-desk to be made available through this activity.
5) Communities surrounding Telecenters will have received training in computer use and Internet navigation.
6) Staff will be trained to use the new equipment they will have received and will be able to manage the domain.

For more information, contact ict@aed.org