Are African economies better off with mobile telecommunications? Vodafone Study

The rapid spread of mobile technology has brought significant social and economic benefits. The challenge is to ensure that the benefits are spread as widely as possible while minimising negative impacts.

Mobile phones save time (doing business on the move), provide security (emergency services are close at hand), provide entertainment (games and pictures) and help people keep in touch with family and friends. Mobile technology is helping companies become more efficient by improving their communications, enabling them to cut the number of journeys or delivery runs, respond faster to customers and make efficient use of employees' time. These benefits are available to big and small businesses alike, including those in the developing world.

According to Vodafone, initial concerns that only the rich would benefit from mobile technology have proved unfounded. As with any new electronic technology, prices have fallen dramatically and evidence in the developed world shows that wealth does not determine access. To understand the socio-economic impacts of mobiles in sustainable development, Vodafone commissioned a programme of research, initially focusing on the impact of mobile phones in Africa.

The findings from this research help to inform policies on mobile telecommunications and international programmes aimed at increasing access to information and communications technology (ICT) and bridging the digital divide.

Check the links at:

• Impact of Mobile Phones in Africa
• Case study: Community mobile phones increase access to telecommunications in South Africa
• Digital Divide