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.
Africa’s Mobile Phone Future: IP Based, Not SMS

Africa’s Mobile Phone Future: IP Based, Not SMS

Published on: Sep 15 2009 by Wayan Vota - 16 Comments
tweetmeme_source = 'ICT_works'; With all the hype around the use of text messaging on mobile phones, like Google Trader or FrontlineSMS, it seems that the future...
Solar-Powered Solutions to Support Mobile Phones

Solar-Powered Solutions to Support Mobile Phones

Published on: Aug 28 2009 by Wayan Vota - Comments Off on Solar-Powered Solutions to Support Mobile Phones
While there is an explosive growth of mobile phone usage in Africa, there has not been a corresponding growth in the national electric grid to support these phones....
Arbitrage Nigerian Telecom Rates: Commercialize Question Box

Arbitrage Nigerian Telecom Rates: Commercialize Question Box

Published on: Aug 07 2009 by Wayan Vota - 1 Comment
In a twist of policy that I do not pretend to understand, telecommunications in Nigeria are skewed opposite to what I expect in an African country. International...
Quixotic Quest: Registering Prepaid Mobile Numbers

Quixotic Quest: Registering Prepaid Mobile Numbers

Published on: Jul 27 2009 by Wayan Vota - 4 Comments
As everyone in Kenya knows, there’s been explosive growth in voice and data usage, mainly through mobile phones. And while the vast majority of mobile phone...
More Mobile Phones than Light Bulbs in Uganda

More Mobile Phones than Light Bulbs in Uganda

Published on: Jul 15 2009 by Wayan Vota - 3 Comments
Here’s an interesting data point on the growth of mobile phones in Africa – they may already outnumber light bulbs in Uganda. New Ugandan light blub This...
Internet Bandwidth Prices Across Africa

Internet Bandwidth Prices Across Africa

Published on: Apr 17 2009 by Wayan Vota - Comments Off on Internet Bandwidth Prices Across Africa
Have you ever wanted to know the ISP rates in other countries to compare them to your own? Or what the mobile phone tariffs are in a country you are about to visit?...