Practical Insights on Mobile Phones

How can mobile phones help poor people?

Mobile phones can be used in ICT4D (Information and Communication Technologies for Development) to help poor people.

Mobile phones can be a powerful tool for promoting development and improving the lives of people in developing countries, by providing access to information, opportunities, and services. For example:

  • Healthcare: Mobile phones can be used to access health information and services, including telemedicine and other remote healthcare services. This can help to improve access to healthcare, especially for people in remote or underserved areas.
  • Education: Mobile phones can be used to access educational resources, including online courses, educational videos, and other materials. This can help to improve the quality of education and expand opportunities for learning.
  • Employment: Mobile phones can be used to find and apply for jobs, as well as connect with potential employers and clients. They can also be used to start and run businesses, providing a source of income and economic opportunities.
  • Communication: Mobile phones can be used to stay connected with friends and family, and to access news and information from around the world. They can also facilitate the exchange of ideas and facilitate collaboration with others.
  • Political participation: Mobile phones can provide a platform for people to engage in political discourse and participate in the democratic process, helping to promote transparency and accountability in governance.
Surprise! Free Public Internet Access Venues Do Not Compete with Mobile Phones for Users

Surprise! Free Public Internet Access Venues Do Not Compete with Mobile Phones for Users

Published on: Dec 21 2012 by Guest Writer - Comments Off on Surprise! Free Public Internet Access Venues Do Not Compete with Mobile Phones for Users
The Public Access, Private Mobile report studied the interplay of shared access and the mobile Internet for teenagers in Cape Town. It covered a large amount of...
Mobiles Transforming School Governance in Uganda

Mobiles Transforming School Governance in Uganda

Published on: Dec 17 2012 by Geoffrey Ssembajjwe - Comments Off on Mobiles Transforming School Governance in Uganda
Uganda introduced Universal Primary Education (UPE) in 1997 as a step towards the realization of universal access to basic education. Since then, the Ugandan Government...
Free Zone is Google Stepping Up its Game to Challenge Facebook in South Africa

Free Zone is Google Stepping Up its Game to Challenge Facebook in South Africa

Published on: Dec 10 2012 by Wayan Vota - Comments Off on Free Zone is Google Stepping Up its Game to Challenge Facebook in South Africa
You remember Facebook Zero, the no-cost access to Facebook that is helping to double Facebook users across Africa? Now check out Google’s come back: Free...
The Top 6 Technology Challenges in International Development

The Top 6 Technology Challenges in International Development

Published on: Dec 03 2012 by Wayan Vota - Comments Off on The Top 6 Technology Challenges in International Development
Let us be honest with ourselves. Most of the shiny, flashy new technology is not designed for the developing world we care about. Technology is designed for the...
How Technology Can Support Migratory Children and Youth

How Technology Can Support Migratory Children and Youth

Published on: Nov 28 2012 by Linda Raftree - Comments Off on How Technology Can Support Migratory Children and Youth
The November 14, 2012, Technology Salon NYC focused on ways that ICTs can support work with children who migrate. Our lead discussants were: Sarah Engebretsen and...
mWASH: Mobile Phone Applications for the Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene Sector

mWASH: Mobile Phone Applications for the Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene Sector

Published on: Nov 07 2012 by Guest Writer - Comments Off on mWASH: Mobile Phone Applications for the Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene Sector
In the past decade, water and sanitation practitioners have begun deploying mobile phones as tools to improve water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services. In...
The Best Mobile Data Collection System Exists: Choice is the Challenge

The Best Mobile Data Collection System Exists: Choice is the Challenge

Published on: Sep 28 2012 by Guest Writer - 7 Comments
    You might think that the topic of collecting data via mobile devices would be a rather dry discussion of data management and statistical methodology....
Key Takeaways from the World Bank’s 2012 Maximizing Mobile Report

Key Takeaways from the World Bank’s 2012 Maximizing Mobile Report

Published on: Sep 26 2012 by Tim Katlic - Comments Off on Key Takeaways from the World Bank’s 2012 Maximizing Mobile Report
As of 2012, nearly three-quarters of the world’s population has access to a mobile phone. Soon it will be common knowledge that the developing world is more dependent...
How Can We Use Mobile Devices for Youth Workforce Development?

How Can We Use Mobile Devices for Youth Workforce Development?

Published on: Sep 05 2012 by Linda Raftree - Comments Off on How Can We Use Mobile Devices for Youth Workforce Development?
This week the mEducation Alliance* will host its second symposium, bringing together institutions and organizations that are interested in and/or supporting...
The Mobile Learning Toolkit for ICT4D Trainers

The Mobile Learning Toolkit for ICT4D Trainers

Published on: Jul 27 2012 by Guest Writer - Comments Off on The Mobile Learning Toolkit for ICT4D Trainers
The Mobile Learning Toolkit is the result of research into mobile phone use and user needs within the African context, however it has been developed for use in all...