Understanding Broadband Infrastructure Development in Remote and Rural Communities – a Staged and Reflexive Approach

Authors

  • Ingjerd Skogseid Western Norway Research Institute
  • Ivar Petter Grøtte Western Norway Research Institute
  • Geir Liavåg Strand Western Norway Research Institute

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15353/joci.v10i2.2719

Keywords:

infrastructure, broadband, regional development, reflexivity, staged development, technology uptake

Abstract

Access to broadband telecommunication infrastructure is important for both urban and rural areas. In urban areas market forces ensures access to service providers. In many rural and remote areas this is not the case. Local actors need to initiate the development of the infrastructure. This paper contributes to the development of a staged model for infrastructure development. We explore how local stakeholders have initiated and sustained the development of broadband access in rural and remote areas of Norway.

Our conclusion is that the model is relevant in a Norwegian context. However we see the need to extend and strengthen it with elements of local reflexive processes taking context, feedback, learning, and global change forces into account. In initiating a timely development to meet local needs it is important to have a staged reflexive approach.  Such a model provides a path of development that allows local and regional initiatives to aggregate and grow.

Author Biographies

Ingjerd Skogseid, Western Norway Research Institute

Ingjerd Skogseid is a Researcher of Innovation, Infrastructure and Information technology at the Western Norway Research Institute, Sogndal, NORWAY. E-mail: ingjerd.skogseid@vestforsk.no

Ivar Petter Grøtte, Western Norway Research Institute

Ivar Petter Grøtte is the Head of Research of Innovation, Infrastructure and Information technology at the Western Norway Research Institute, Sogndal, NORWAY. E-mail: ipg@vestforsk.no

Geir Liavåg Strand, Western Norway Research Institute

Geir Strand is a Researcher of Innovation, Infrastructure and Information technology at the Western Norway Research Institute, Sogndal, NORWAY. E-mail: gst@vestforsk.no

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Published

2014-03-28