4.1. La configuración de la estructura económica argentina
4.1.1. Formación y auge de la estructura agroexportadora
In the remaining 32 non-vSAT locations, while the basic tel- ecommunications connectivity was available, it was mostly lim- ited to voice communication. The majority of people living in these locations did not own computers or have access to the Internet. Telekiosks in these locations provided such people with access to the Internet and Internet-based services for the first time. The post offices with telekiosks provide a number of services such as e-post, Internet, fax, telephone, scanning, photography using digital cameras, and photocopying. Up to 2007, fax services were, and perhaps even now are, mostly used for money transfer through post offices. While the bulk
of the revenue of the telekiosks was generated from voice communication and fax-based services, the use of the Internet was growing.
Students, in general, are the primary users and beneficiaries of the telekiosk services. They access the Internet not only to see their school results and obtain their mark-sheets, but also to gather study-related information. It is, therefore, rea- sonable to expect that the telekiosks will open the door to a knowledge-based society in Bhutan.
The other major group of users are members of the public who want to access e-government services. In recent times, the government has made many of its services available on the Web. Some of the more popular services involve applica- tions for driving licences and passports, as well as loans and work permit renewals for migrant workers.
Construction work is being undertaken in all parts of Bhutan. In fact, the construction sector has emerged as the second biggest employer after agriculture. Construction activity has led to an increased demand for services provided by teleki- osks such as photocopying and fax services. In addition, it has generated a need for Internet access in order to obtain copies of tender notifications and application forms for building- related permits and submit them online.
Fax and photocopying machines and web cameras were not initially supplied to telekiosks as part of this project. Inspired by its success, government and non-government agencies contributed this additional equipment, which in turn led to greater use of telekiosks.
Webcams made it possible for customers to obtain the dig- ital picture required in order to obtain licences and permits. This facility for obtaining photographs in post offices is very important because in most of the smaller towns in Bhutan it is not otherwise available. People need to travel for two to three hours to reach a professional photographer.
As in the case of the telekiosks at the six vSAT locations, the facilities at the 32 non-vSAT locations are being accessed not only by the local communities but also by the villagers in sur- rounding areas, and by others who live further away. In many cases, users travelled 10 to 15 km to access the telekiosk. Road networks in Bhutan are limited. There are small villages with only a few households from where people have to walk miles to reach the nearest post office. The villagers therefore access the ICT services only when it is absolutely necessary or when they can combine it with other activities to make the long journey worthwhile. It was quite a revelation to find that in some cases users came from as far as 50 km away to use the telephone or fax services, and in some cases the Internet. They were of course among the occasional users of these services; nevertheless, it shows how telekiosks improve the quality of life for people living in remote and rural areas.21
20 Ibid, page 7. 21 Ibid, page 27.
e-services for development: Initiatives through post offices in Bhutan
21
The 32 offices with non-vSAT telekiosks were equipped with computers, Internet connectivity, scanners and fax machines. Some of these were later provided with photocopying machines and web cams. The survey on the use of these
Table 3: Ranking of services in terms of use
Post office Telephone Internet Fax Photocopying/
scanning Digital camera
Bumthang 1 3 4 2 Dagana 3 4 1 2 Deothang 2 1 Haa 1 2 Kanglung 4 3 1 2 Lhuentse 1 2 3 Mongar 2 1 Paro 2 1 Phuntshling 1 4 3 2 Punakha 1 3 2 4 Rangjung 4 1 3 2 Samste 1 4 2 3 Tsirang 4 3 1 2 Wamrong 2 4 1 3 Wangdue 1 3 2 Zemgang 2 4 1 3
services received replies from only half the offices. Table 3 below shows the ranking of various services in post offices according to the use of the facilities.
Telephone and fax services were ranked first by seven post offices. One post office each ranked the Internet and photo- copying as the most accessed service.
Usage depends upon many factors. Phuntsholing, a border town and a major trading centre, receives a large number of traders from right across the country. Punakha and Bumthang are very popular tourist spots. Demand for telephone services is heavy in these towns because of the constant presence of substantial number of traders, visitors and tourists. On the other hand, in the case of Haa, Samste and Lhuentse, demand for telephone services exists because the post office at these places is the most convenient access point for tel- ephone connectivity.
Fax service is an equally popular service. The demand for fax services is linked to money transfers, and rises substantially at the beginning of the school season when school fees have to be deposited.
Photocopying services are also in high demand, with students the major users. It is also required for various legal and official purposes.
Internet service was ranked first by one post office and second by another. Five post offices ranked it third and one
post office ranked it fourth. It was ranked first by the post office in Paro, where the only international airport is located. It receives a large number of foreign visitors who are the main users of the service. The use of the Internet is gaining in popularity.
e-post is the only service introduced in the telekiosks which has not lived up to its potential. As in the case of the teleki- osks located at the five vSAT stations, e-post service has not proved to be popular in the remaining 32 telekiosks. e-post was tried by all the post offices with various degrees of accept- ability. At the peak of its usage, e-post comprised almost 25% of the total mail volume processed by Bumthang post office. However, in none of the post offices was the service able to continue beyond the initial few months. There were problems on both the service providers’ side and the users’ side. Most of the post offices found delivery of e-post cumbersome. In addition, there were technical problems related to connectiv- ity and readability. In many cases, the post office staff were asked by the users to write the message, which proved to be a strain on the limited manpower in the post offices. Users have also shown a preference for voice communication due to privacy concerns and the advantage of instant communi- cation. The introduction of mobile telephony has made voice communication easier for illiterate users, and literate users prefer e-mail over e-post.22