A model for telecommunication technology transfer and diffusion into the rural areas of South Africa

Abstract

Telecommunication is one of the keys to sustainable economic development in South Africa. Mobile operators are already reaching people in rural areas without roads, rail or a stable power supply. Telecommunication is also a fast moving high-technology field where technology transfer occurs regularly. Technology transfer is however a complex subject where governmental regulations, social and cultural aspects, needs, expectations, aspirations, financial abilities and technological capabilities play their part. Transfer models that neglect these aspects, often cause ineffective utilisation of technology. Technology transfer between two parties at different hierarchical levels of technology, often occur with limited advantages to the lesser-developed party. A transfer model is needed to improve the transfer process. This research attempts to provide such a model and guidelines.

Telekommunikasie is een van die belangrike insette tot voortgesette ekonomiese groei in Suid Afrika. Mobiele telekommunikasieverskaffers voorsien reeds dienste aan mense in afgeleë gebiede sonder paaie, spoornetwerke of stabiele elektrisiteitstoevoer. Telekommunikasie is ‘n tegnologies gevorderde veld waar ontwikkeling vinnig plaasvind en tegnologie-oordrag algemeen voorkom. Die oordrag van tegnologie is egter ‘n komplekse onderwerp wat aspekte soos regulatoriese maatstawwe, sosiale- en kulturele aspekte, behoeftes, verwagtinge, aspirasies, finansiële aspekte en tegnologiese vaardighede insluit. Oordragsmodelle wat nie hierdie aspekte in ag neem nie, lei tot sub-optimale aanwending van die tegnologie. Tegnologie-oordrag tussen partye op verskillende vlakke van tegnologiese vermoë vind dikwels plaas, met beperkte voordeel aan die minder-ontwikkelde party. ‘n Oordragsmodel is nodig om die oordragsproses te verbeter. Hierdie navorsing het dit ten doel om so ‘n model te verskaf.