Innovations for digital inclusion: Leveraging next generation networks for human development from the bottom of the pyramid

Global migration to next generation networks (NGN) is progressing rapidly, driven by competition, declining revenues from traditional ICT networks, new service opportunities and cost reductions from underlying technological advances. If history follows its normal course, 72% of the world´s population will be excluded from the full benefits of this migration. This paper examines the possibility of leveraging South Africa´s migration to NGNs for the development of unique ICT support networks and services for human development at the base of the country´s development pyramid (BOP). A bottom-up research strategy aimed at complementing traditional top-down human and ICT development strategies to reverse the growing levels of knowledge exclusion is proposed.