Life after Connectivity: the Impact of the Community Mesh Network in Mahavilachchiya, Sri Lanka’s E-village

Résumé

This paper examines the impact of a community wireless mesh network established in the village of Mahavilachchiya, Sri Lanka. The “e-village” in Mahavilachchiya, created through a partnership between government agencies and a local NGO, features Sri Lanka’s first wireless mesh network and has been operational since October, 2006.  This paper incorporates data collected from the government run ICT agency and partner organizations, as well as observations of daily Internet use in Mahavilachchiya. Additionally, a survey on Internet use was administered to 35 students in Mahavilachchiya. The current reach of ICT in the village is examined and recommendations are made for the implementation of future e-villages.