People in developing countries have only limited access to the worldwide communication infrastructure. This imposes boundaries on their education and health; it also restricts their economic opportunities. About five billion people living in emerging countries are unconnected, while the developed world is targeting gigabit connections to the internet for every urban household.

Thus Fraunhofer FOKUS has established NET4DC, the Fraunhofer Center for ICT in Developing Countries. This initiative is aiming to provide technologies to include people plugging into the global e-communication arena – in rural, emerging and developing areas alike.

Fraunhofer FOKUS’ proven track record in research on information and communication technology, in development, and deployment of communication systems, offers an efficient and stimulating environment to host NET4DC. FOKUS bundles expertise in cutting-edge technical development gained in numerous R&D projects, particularly those investigating wired and wireless communication technologies.

Important deployment scenarios for ICT in Africa are:

• Health Care
• Education

Developing solutions suited for developing countries makes it crucial to adopt an interdisciplinary research due to characteristics specific to those regions. For this purpose, NET4DC focuses on the following challenges and solution approaches:

• Research Agenda