Increasing Broadband Internet Penetration
In the OIC Member Countries
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software development, text, and imaging technology. Equipe Cultura Digital and local
grassroots organizations offer training on how to use these tools and also on the benefits of
broadband in transmitting their ideas.
As part of the program, the Cultura Digital Equipe (digital culture team) hosts workshops that
focus on educating the community on how to use new technology to best suit their needs. The
pontos de cultura receive a monthly stipend of €1000 for the first two years, at which point
they should sustain themselves. The GESAC Program of the Ministry of Communications
provides this funding as part of the aforementioned media kit.
While the centers are run autonomously and funding lasts for two years, the pontos must
continually report their progress to the Ministry of Culture to ensure that they stay on track
and align with the Ministry’s overall mission of promoting digital culture. There are currently
22,500 pontos de cultura throughout the country27.
In a slightly different model from the one presented above, privately owned local area network
(LAN) houses not only promote broadband access, but also foster a community of online
gamers who can connect and compete with each other. Many centers now offer digital training
and other services as well, but in the least, they promote the social aspect of high-speed
Internet use and increase the demand for such services. LAN houses typically consist of a
network of connected computers where users can congregate to play the games, though many
have expanded to offer additional services.
In some instances, they serve as the only point of access for many citizens, while in others they
supplement household broadband access, serving a more social function. Most LAN houses
charge users an hourly fee and the popularity of the houses keeps the prices down as owners
compete with each other to attract more customers and drive business. They have been
credited with driving digital inclusion, particularly important in countries with little public
investment in broadband access and low penetration rates. Throughout Brazil, citizens can
access the Internet at Local Area Network (LAN) Houses, which took the country by storm in
1998. Each “house” consists of a network of assembled computers. Previously found
exclusively in wealthy communities, the LAN houses are now most popular in poor, rural
regions without easily accessible computers and broadband. While the houses were originally
designed to support multi-player video gaming, many users report that they use the LAN
Houses to stay informed and conduct job searches or work on school projects.
The LAN Houses reduce the country’s digital divide, offering affordable ICT and broadband
access regardless of location or socio-economic status. They have led to increased sociability
and promote e-governance and e-education. Many also offer computer training courses and
27 Bria, Francesca, and Oriana Persica. "Syne
Matilde Ferraro. N.p.: n.p., n.d. 4.5.1-.5.8. Web.
"Ministério Da Cultura." Study Tour Brazi
xchange Brazil. Dutch C
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