impact of ICT in rural areas and particularly on rural poverty
is very limited despite its penetration into every corner of
modern life. Although, experiences abound demonstrating that ICT
can make a significant contribution to reduce rural poverty, the
list of failed initiatives appears even longer. One of the major
reasons for this mixed performance in rural areas is that its
adaptation to the local needs was left either to the private
sector or to non-governmental organizations. These organizations
oftentimes operate without an official framework of policies and
guidelines and a clear definition of tasks and responsibilities
for the different “players”. its very nature, ICT development
tends to increase income inequality within the country for
several reasons: (i) it requires relatively good education and
special skills to make full use of ICT for socio-economic gains,
(ii) ICT infrastructure is more profitable and therefore easier
to develop in urban areas, thus further broadening the gap
between urban an