Rural communications

The term "rural communications" is generally associated with the provision of services in rural areas, defined in terms of population densities. Such a definition may suit the developed countries of the first world, but is rarely applicable in third world countries. Many other criteria should be used to define rural areas and thus rural communications. The author details some of the criteria that should be used to define communication requirements in such areas and suggests a model that could be used to establish adequate and applicable rural communication networks. It is concluded that it is essential that planners become sensitive to sociological, environmental, political, and economic issues to adequately address the provision of rural communications. Once these issues have been correctly addressed, the planner should begin to consider the profile of the client requiring services. A detailed market research study of the area is then required to determine precisely who the client is and what services he desires. It is noted that only after this crucial step and the "technocrats" be let loose to design the infrastructure and select an appropriate technology for the particular area