Updated May 2011.

Africa-specific Terms:

• Cherrypal: Computer marketer that produces a $99 computer.
• DRC: Democratic Republic of Congo
• Etisalat: UAE-based telecoms provider.
• g-[nation]: Google conference held to promote web tools
• iHub: Open space for tech innovators in Nairobi.
• InfraCo: Holding company that creates viable infrastructure investment opportunities in developing countries.
• Intelsat: Communications satellite provider.
• ISPA: South African ISPs
• Kabissa: Network connecting people and organizations for Africa.
• m-Pesa: Safaricom’s service allowing for the transfer of money using a mobile phone.
• MTN: GSM cellular network operator, especially active in South Africa.
• National ICT policy: A comprehensive and structured plan for information and communication development across all aspects of society. Usually long-term.
• Rural Internet Kiosk: An independent self-contained solar powered station featuring three computer terminals with broadband wireless Internet access.
• Safaricom: Leading provider of converged communication solutions in Kenya.
• SSA: Sub-Saharan Africa
• Ushahidi: Crisis-mapping website.
• Vision [year]: A common name for a long-term ICT plan.
• Vodacom: Telecommunication service provide in South Africa.
• TENET: Teritary Education Network. Located in South Africa.

General Terms:

• 4G: The fourth generation of wireless standards, more specifically, IP packet-switched networks, mobile ultra-broadband, and multi-carrier transmission.
• ADSL: Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line. A type of DSL connection over a phone line, with different upload and download speeds.
• Backbone: The main “trunk” connections of the Internet, made up of high-capacity data routes and core routers.
• Bandwidth: The amount of data that can be transmitted via a given communications channel in a given unit of time.
• Broadband: High speed Internet access, usually greater than 2 Mbps.
• ccTLD: country code Top-Level Domain. A domain reserved for a given country.
• Cloud computing: Internet-based computing via shared resources that provide information on demand.
• Cyber crime: Criminal acts that are performed with the aid of a computer.
• Digital curriculum: An instructional plan that incorporates computer-based learning in the classroom.
• Dial-up: Internet access via telephone lines.
• Digital divide: The gap that exists between those who have access to information technology and those who do not.
• Distance education: Using the Internet to study educational material.
• e-commerce: The purchase or sale of goods and services using the Internet.
• e-learning: Electronic learning, or learning conducted via electronic media.
• e-government: The conduct of business with government using the Internet.
• e-health: The provision of health care services using the public Internet.
• e-waste: Electronic waste.
• FDI: Foreign direct investment
• Fiber optic: A glass or plastic fiber that carries light along its length and demonstrates high bandwidth, small physical volume, and no electromagnetic interference.
• gTLD: generic Top-Level Domain. Domains like .com and .net that are not associated with a country.
• GSM: Global System for Mobile Communications.
• HDI: Human development index
• ICT: Information and communication technologies.
• ICT4D: Information and communication technologies for development. The application of ICT.
• ICT transparency: The practice of allowing citizen accessibility of information and process held by centers of authority.
• ISDN: Integrated Services Digital Network. Phone line connectivity that offers up to 128kbps bandwidth.
• IPv4: Internet Protocol verion 4 – the current address space assignment.
• IPv6: The future addressing scheme that uses 128 bits instead of 32.
• ISP: Internet Service Provider. A company that offers Internet access.
• IXP: Internet exchange point. An efficient method of Internet sharing where ISPs exchange traffic between their networks.
• Leased line: A private dedicated communications channel.
• LTE: “Long Term Evolution”. The latest international standard in mobile technology.
• m-commerce: Mobile commerce
• m-health: The practice of medical and public health, supported by mobile devices.
• m-learning: The general idea of educating through mobile means
• MDG: Millennium development goal
• Mobile banking: Performing financial account transactions via mobile phone.
• Mobile broadband: Wireless high-speed internet access through a portable modem, telephone, or other device.
• LTE: Long-term evolution (beyond 3G mobile broadband)
• NICI: National Information Communication Initiative
• NGO: Non-Governmental Organization.
• Open source: The philosophy of software distribution that allows free access to a program’s source code.
• PPP: Public-private partnership
• SME: Small and Medium-sized Enterprise. Businesses which employ fewer than 250 persons.
• Telecentre: A public place where people can access computers.
• Telecom: A telephone company.
• VoIP: Voice over Internet protocol.
• VSAT: Very Small Aperture Terminal. A two-way satellite ground station with a dish.
• WiMax: Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access. A long-range broadband wireless network that has a range of at least a few kilometers.

Undersea cables (current and planned):

• ACE, Atlas Offshore, EASSy, EIG, GLO-1, I-ME-WE, Lion, Lion2, Main One, SAT3/SAFE, SEA-ME-WE-4, SAex, Seacom, SEAS, TEAMs, WACS:

Organizations (see links):

• Acacia Initiative: IDRC-run program
• ADB: African Development Bank
• AfriNIC: African Network Information Center. The regional internet registry for Africa.
• AfrISPA: African Internet Service Providers Association.
• AFRIT: supporting tech diffusion
• AFTLD: focal point for African TLD managers
• APC: Association for Progressive Communications
• CCK: Communications Commission of Kenya, the independent regulatory authority for the communications industry.
• CITAD: Centre for Information Technology and Development (an NGO).
• CIPESA: ICT Policy Centre for Eastern and Southern Africa
• EAC: East African Community.
• ECOWAS: Economic Community of West African States.
• ICITD: International Center for Information Technology and Development.
• IICD: International Institute for Communication and Development
• IMF: International Monetary Fund
• KENET: Kenya Education Network Trust, promoting the use of ICT in teaching, learning and research in higher education.
• NCC: Nigerian Communication Commission, Nigeria’s independent regulatory agency.
• NEPAD: The New Partnership for Africa’s Development.
• NSRC: Network Startup Resource Center
• OLPC: One Laptop per Child, a non-profit association established to create an affordable education device for children in developing countries.
• ICANN: Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers.
• IDRC: Internet Development Research Center.
• infoDev: program of the World Bank and IFC
• ISOC: Internet Society. Provided leadership and helped organize local chapters to promote standards, education, and policy.
• IST-Africa: reducing the digital divide
• ITU: International Telecommunication Union.
• SADC: Southern African Development Community
• SAFIPA: South Africac/Finland partnership
• UNDP: United Nations Development Program
• UNECA: United Nations Economic Commission for Africa.
• UNESCO: United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.
• USAID: United States Agency for International Development
• West African ICT Congress: sub-regional conference on ICT