This book is an analysis of the rich experience of South Africa and Uganda in their quest for universal access, with particular emphasis on the role of shared access centers (public telephones, cybercafes, telecenters, business centers, etc.) and the factors that affect their performance.

It is based on a review of national policy and implementation strategies, case studies of community ICT-access centers, and an analysis of the links between national strategies and on-the-ground experiences from 1996 to 2003. Over fifty ICT-access centers, from both rural and urban settings, were reviewed. The executive summary presents a series of lessons and practical recommendations for policymakers.