Abstract
This paper presents a framework for sustainable digitalization and entrepreneurial ecosystems for rural areas. Innovation on sustainable ICT technologies to realize affordable broadband connectivity for rural and underserved communities is a crucial component of the effort to achieve the aim of “leaving no one behind by 2030” as championed by the United Nations and the IEEE “connecting the unconnected” initiative. Sustainable digitalization and broadband connectivity requires the creation of a digital entrepreneurial rural ecosystem (DERE) described in to sustain the broadband connectivity infrastructure, develop innovative services and benefit the local rural communities. The paper describes a rural urban social network (RUSN) ecosystem and two interconnected interventions necessary to achieve digital inclusion with rural communities as a vehicle to achieve affordable connectivity and sustainable digitalization. A definition of the framework for sustainability and its application to the RUSN ecosystem partners and components is described. Important concepts including affordability of broadband services, sustainable business models and co-creation of relevant ICT services involving beneficiary rural communities are presented. The sustainable digitalization framework is presented as a proof of concept on rural SMEs and the DERE digital entrepreneurship ecosystem and tested on four sites deployed in South Africa. Discussions on regulatory and policy interventions to enable sustainability and the business models for the DERE ecosystem partners are presented.
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