ICT for development and commerce: A case study of internet cafés in India

The paper, drawn from on-going studies of internet cafés in India, reports interesting localization of information and communication technology (ICT) offerings in shared public spaces. These are in some disjuncture with the ideology of digital inclusion striving to integrate hitherto excluded and ‘information poor’ communities. We find context specific and commercial localization of ICT services contributing to their immersion in underserved contexts, introducing technology as significant part of everyday commerce. If ‘non-developmental spaces’ using ICT are more open to entrepreneurial activities, multiple players, especially the government, could creatively engage with them to promote ICT interventions in everyday civilian life. We indicate some curious and interesting examples strictly belonging to the commercial realm nevertheless bearing the potential for expansion of ICT services.