Analyzing Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats of Rural ICT Development in Iranʹʹs Villages

The Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) are being increasingly used by the governments to deliver its services to both rural and urban people. Obviously, access and application of ICT will provide services to improve the income and welfare of rural poor. This will help reducing rural poverty and improve quality of life. In Iran, importance of using rural ICT benefits and advantages has been taken into attention by the government and policy makers seriously. However, complexity and diversity of ICT issues and domains have made it difficult to employ ICTs appropriately. Therefore, this research aimed at exploring strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats of rural ICT development in order to support planners making the best possible decisions. Results showed the best strategic planning type was WT strategy (removing weaknesses and decreasing threats) for rural ICT development in Iran for midterm and long term plans. Another strategy include ST strategy (decreasing threats and enforcing the strengths) can be also used in short term.