Mobile Technologies

Penetration of ICT in Rural Communities

If we build cool and cheap devices would rural communities use them? Would US$100 laptop make a difference in their lives? Can we increase the usage of computers in rural societies from nearly zero to over 50% in the coming 10 years? These are some of the questions being pondered by the world leaders and technologists.

Quench your need here for the latest views, news and concepts in ICTs for development in India.

I am extremely appreciative of the Digital Vision Program by Reuters and Stanford University. As a young researcher, advocate and believer in the potential of information and communication technologies (ICTs) in changing the socio-economic landscape of communities, I am also grossly aware of the lack of participation and collaboration across stakeholders of ICTs-supported programs and projects the world over.

Now this is an innovative idea. Move over Bottom of the Pyramid, Drool of the Pyramid markets are emerging. Check this out:

The PetsCell - the first voice enabled waterproof GPS cell phone optimized for animals, will be available for distribution (from PetsMobility in) early in 2006.

The company even has its own media division!!!

In the article "What Works: Lo Pequeño Es Hermoso (Small is Beautiful) - Banks in Mexico say that microloans are helping the poor while boosting their profits"

“Access to capital in developing countries is a vexing problem,”

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.

Here are some links and background to Project Market Light:

World mobile subscribers top 2 bln: study

This project seems very closely related to my work at Stanford. Does anyone have any contacts there or more information?

Their web site is limited, although the description is very interesting.