Rural communications services (Peru subproject)

Evaluation covers the period 8/79-8/81 and is based on the A.I.D. project monitor"s observations. The SP is progressing smoothly, but implementation was delayed 9 months because the engineering design study seriously understated the costs of setting up the experimental communications system. Due to the cost of the resulting alternative design studies and given the pilot nature of the SP, it was decided to reduce the number of target communities from 13 to six. Thus, under the revised plan, A.I.D. will provide three satellite earth stations to three communities, and ENTEL (the Peruvian Government"s telecommunications agency) will connect four other communities to these stations using its own lines. All equipment should be in place by 5/82 and the system will begin operating 9/82. To allow ENTEL to gain the planned 2 years of operating experience, it is recommended that the project be extended 1 year -- to 12/31/84. Operating within these constraints, the contractor, Human Resources Management, Inc., provided technical assistance--including systems design and procurement services--to ENTEL staff and potential user groups. In addition, the equipment supplier has provided in-plant training to Peruvian engineers; workshops were held for rural primary school teachers and health workers; and in-field training of the ENTEL social applications staff is planned. Plans to provide an ENTEL member with M.S. training in development communication and evaluation at Florida State University, however, were abandoned. Project briefings have been presented at the Quito headquarters of the Andean Pact Telecommunications Group, before several regional professional meetings, and to a UN meeting in Buenos Aires. Articles on the project have appeared in several scholarly journals. Project experience demonstrated the need for a permanent, consistent, and reliable source of engineering advice