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.
3 M4D Case Studies from GSMA Mobile for Development Impact

3 M4D Case Studies from GSMA Mobile for Development Impact

Published on: Oct 20 2014 by Guest Writer - Comments Off on 3 M4D Case Studies from GSMA Mobile for Development Impact
We so often hear that people want more case studies of M4D services that, have scaled to reach wider audiences, or are showcasing new innovative approaches. GSMA’s...
Hey ICT4D, It Is Time We Take Fun Seriously

Hey ICT4D, It Is Time We Take Fun Seriously

Published on: Oct 15 2014 by Kristen Roggemann - Comments Off on Hey ICT4D, It Is Time We Take Fun Seriously
Five million mobile value-added service subscribers in three months. 25,000 hours of user engagement daily.  All in remote villages in Bihar, one of the most marginalized...
KYC: The Secret to Successful Negotiations with Mobile Network Operators

KYC: The Secret to Successful Negotiations with Mobile Network Operators

Published on: Oct 08 2014 by Guest Writer - 2 Comments
NGOs and social service organizations are increasingly turning to mobile technology as a tool for designing and delivering services to the poor, whether in health,...
The Future of Myanmar is Mobile Phones

The Future of Myanmar is Mobile Phones

Published on: Sep 17 2014 by Wayan Vota - Comments Off on The Future of Myanmar is Mobile Phones
Today, Myanmar has the same mobile phone usage as North Korea, Eritrea, and Cuba – less than 10% – yet technology restrictions are ending, three mobile operators...
mEducation First Step in Myanmar: Paving Cow Paths

mEducation First Step in Myanmar: Paving Cow Paths

Published on: Sep 05 2014 by Wayan Vota - 6 Comments
In the technology world, “paving cow paths” means automating a business process as it exists in the analog world, without analyzing whether or not that...
4 Ways to Properly Include Women in Your mHealth Initiative

4 Ways to Properly Include Women in Your mHealth Initiative

Published on: Sep 01 2014 by Guest Writer - Comments Off on 4 Ways to Properly Include Women in Your mHealth Initiative
Social norms and stigmas often lead to men owning mobile phones more often than women in many parts of the developing world. Sometimes when a woman does happen to...
Accept the Smartphone Reality in Development. Everyone Else Has

Accept the Smartphone Reality in Development. Everyone Else Has

Published on: Aug 25 2014 by Wayan Vota - 15 Comments
Recently, Elvis Mushi of Twaweza, shared with me interesting mobile phone survey results from his Sauti za Wananchi program. I find them remarkable in two ways....
Is Selling Mobile Phone Airtime Really Entrepreneurship?

Is Selling Mobile Phone Airtime Really Entrepreneurship?

Published on: Aug 22 2014 by Wayan Vota - 2 Comments
Ooredoo and the Cherie Blair Foundation for Women made a Clinton Global Initiative commitment to enable 30,000 women by 2016 to become entrepreneurs by selling...
Myanmar Will Be the First Smartphone Only Country

Myanmar Will Be the First Smartphone Only Country

Published on: Aug 20 2014 by Wayan Vota - 15 Comments
Today, Myanmar has the same mobile phone usage as North Korea, Eritrea, and Cuba – less than 10% – with only the urban elite owning smartphones, and mobile...
New USAID Handbook: How to Integrate Mobile Solutions into Development Projects

New USAID Handbook: How to Integrate Mobile Solutions into Development Projects

Published on: Aug 18 2014 by Josh Woodard - Comments Off on New USAID Handbook: How to Integrate Mobile Solutions into Development Projects
The rapid explosion of mobile phone access globally, which has extended to even some of the most remote communities, has set off a rush of interest in trying to...