Re: [GKD-DOTCOM] Improving Access Via Mobile Telephony
Concerning Al Hammond's remarks below, we all know that GSM cellular networks and prepaid cards have resulted in affordable voice communications for communities without adequate wired services. It is true these networks can also be used for low-speed data transmission. I have used existing cellular networks in Uganda to transmit HIV/AIDS survey data within the country. The total cost of the additional hardware and software required is perhaps less than USD $300. -gmc Gordon M. Cressman Director, ICT Programs, International Development Group RTI International Al Hammond [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: I think William Lester and Fola Odufuwa are pointing out something important--the potential of cellular networks to provide data connectivity inexpensively, if imperfectly. As converged devices proliferate and newer network technologies spread to developing countries, these problems will ease--and in the meantime, the installed user base is more than twice that of the Internet and growing more rapidly. Phones already have the potential to provide secure ID (combining voice and face recognition at the server level), and can serve as powerful transaction platforms (see the current micro-entrepreneur reseller activity with Smart Buddy in the Phillipines.) Whether WiFi-like or cellular solutions are most feasible may depend as much on the regulatory environment (what's legal) and on the openness to innovation in cellular providers. This DOT-COM Discussion is funded by the dot-ORG USAID Cooperative Agreement, and hosted by GKD. http://www.dot-com-alliance.org provides more information. To post a message, send it to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To subscribe or unsubscribe, send a message to: [EMAIL PROTECTED]. In the 1st line of the message type: subscribe gkd OR type: unsubscribe gkd For the GKD database, with past messages: http://www.GKDknowledge.org
Re: [GKD-DOTCOM] Improving Access Via Mobile Telephony
On the topic of using GSM networks for more than voice, our project in Uganda is now underway. This is a pilot combining the GSM service with handheld computers and an access point that will allow us to create a store and forward data network for health workers. For more information see http://pda.healthnet.org/. Obviously, it remains important to stay open to all possibilities - but to keep the focus on content. What we are communicating will dictate the most effective means. Something might be urgent and be best communicated by a phone call. It might be a short statement best served by an SMS message. Perhaps it is a longer document with less urgency - in which case we can use a store and forward system like that we are using in Uganda to consolidate the traffic from many users in one phone to a central server call during a non-peak periods. In designing such systems it is important to focus on integration and on open source solutions where possible so that we don't end up with multiple incompatible and expensive systems. Holly Ladd Executive Director SATELLIFE This DOT-COM Discussion is funded by the dot-ORG USAID Cooperative Agreement, and hosted by GKD. http://www.dot-com-alliance.org provides more information. To post a message, send it to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To subscribe or unsubscribe, send a message to: [EMAIL PROTECTED]. In the 1st line of the message type: subscribe gkd OR type: unsubscribe gkd For the GKD database, with past messages: http://www.GKDknowledge.org
Re: [GKD-DOTCOM] Improving Access Via Mobile Telephony
The regulatory environment is very poor for Wi-Fi in developing countries. Please refer to the growing list of countries and their regulations here: http://openict.net/projects/openspectrum/ (choose ByCountry) The reality on the ground is that MOST developing countries do NOT have the proper regulations to make Wi-Fi possible. They need to issue Open Spectrum licenses (for free use of the correct spectrum) but have not done so yet. This situation is taken advantage of by the incumbent telephone companies who in many cases use the lack of proper regulation to shut down inexpensive, open, and often free Wi-Fi systems ... because they see them as competition. For those of you who may have the ability to influence policy ... more open spectrum licenses are needed in developing countries ... simon On Friday, November 21, 2003, Al Hammond wrote: Whether WiFi-like or cellular solutions are most feasible may depend as much on the regulatory environment (what's legal) and on the openness to innovation in cellular providers. -- anti-spam: do not post this address publicly www.simonwoodside.com -- 99% Devil, 1% Angel This DOT-COM Discussion is funded by the dot-ORG USAID Cooperative Agreement, and hosted by GKD. http://www.dot-com-alliance.org provides more information. To post a message, send it to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To subscribe or unsubscribe, send a message to: [EMAIL PROTECTED]. In the 1st line of the message type: subscribe gkd OR type: unsubscribe gkd For the GKD database, with past messages: http://www.GKDknowledge.org
Re: [GKD-DOTCOM] Improving Access Via Mobile Telephony
I think William Lester and Fola Odufuwa are pointing out something important--the potential of cellular networks to provide data connectivity inexpensively, if imperfectly. As converged devices proliferate and newer network technologies spread to developing countries, these problems will ease--and in the meantime, the installed user base is more than twice that of the Internet and growing more rapidly. Phones already have the potential to provide secure ID (combining voice and face recognition at the server level), and can serve as powerful transaction platforms (see the current micro-entrepreneur reseller activity with Smart Buddy in the Phillipines.) Whether WiFi-like or cellular solutions are most feasible may depend as much on the regulatory environment (what's legal) and on the openness to innovation in cellular providers. Allen L. Hammond Vice President for Innovation Special Projects World Resources Institute 10 G Street NE Washington, DC 20002 USA V (202) 729- F (202) 729-7775 [EMAIL PROTECTED] www.wri.org www.digitaldividend.org This DOT-COM Discussion is funded by the dot-ORG USAID Cooperative Agreement, and hosted by GKD. http://www.dot-com-alliance.org provides more information. To post a message, send it to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To subscribe or unsubscribe, send a message to: [EMAIL PROTECTED]. In the 1st line of the message type: subscribe gkd OR type: unsubscribe gkd For the GKD database, with past messages: http://www.GKDknowledge.org
Re: [GKD-DOTCOM] Improving Access Via Mobile Telephony
Its increasingly clear to us: That there are no standard answers to it - people have begun using what they have access to - GSM, TDMA, WiFi, cable (even where there is no telephone and it is primarily used for TV), VSAT or what have you. That each piece of technology gets created to (a) either address a specific problem or (b) becomes available to some unintended problems on its way to finding a solution to something at a remove (c) simply serendipity (d) stumbling upon something by users etc... There is little planning outside of large organised structures to address the issue (both governmental and commercial) and efficacy of corporate investments in terms of both quality and ROI is generally closer to targets than the government bodies have managed. There has been an opening of mind that life according to internet cannot be lived in megs or gigs but, enthusiasts of any success hyping it up to a level that it becomes counter-productive, continue to flourish. The quality of emerging/ alternate technologies is far from satisfactory and in terms of quality cost-effectiveness may also be equally suspect. This DOT-COM Discussion is funded by the dot-ORG USAID Cooperative Agreement, and hosted by GKD. http://www.dot-com-alliance.org provides more information. To post a message, send it to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To subscribe or unsubscribe, send a message to: [EMAIL PROTECTED]. In the 1st line of the message type: subscribe gkd OR type: unsubscribe gkd For the GKD database, with past messages: http://www.GKDknowledge.org
Re: [GKD-DOTCOM] Improving Access Via Mobile Telephony
Congratulations! Fola Odufuwa has got it exactly right, IMHO. As we look for what was referred to in some previous posts as 'narrowband' solutions, the evolution of the mobile phone from a simple audio communication device to an internet gateway may prove to be the answer. While we won't get the speed of high-end WiFi, we will get a cost-effective solution to support low bandwidth applications, like email, along with access to all the virtual knowledge centers on the internet super-highway. This is happening, not just in Africa, but all over the world - in places where traditional wired infrastructure is too expensive or not in place. We've seen this happen in Eastern Europe, where George Soros has invested millions to help civil society by investing in wireless technology, and we are seeing it happen today in the nation-building efforts in Afghanistan and East Timor. Go to Cambodia and see how clever people are bundling multiple inexpensive mobile phones into virtual GSM internet gateways that can support email servers and web sites. While there is no one solution for such a complicated issue, often one workable solution will help us to move swiftly in the right direction. Bill Lester William A. Lester CTO/Director of Technology NinthBridge a program of EngenderHealth 440 Ninth Avenue New York, NY 10001 (Office) 212.561.8002 (eFax) 212.202.5167 (e-Mail) [EMAIL PROTECTED] (URL) www.ninthbridge.org The Means to The Mission Fola Odufuwa [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: The only constraint to this happening now is two-fold. First is the limitation of GSM technology. GSM support for broadband Internet technologies, a key requirement to productive Internet access, is evolving at the moment. There is no clear-cut, globally acceptable single means of assessing the Internet via a mobile device on a GSM network. Whether it is WAP, GPRS, EDGE, or ETC (!), GSM support for the Internet is extremely weak. This is why bypass technologies such as Wi-Fi, and Wi-Max are in strong demand. The second reason is the poor usability of mobile phones as Internet access devices. But this problem would be solved and the Internet will soon merge with, and converge into, mobile devices. When that happens, the digital revolution in Africa would be even more explosive. Think of it again. The day you can conveniently use your regular mobile phone (and I'm not talking of expensive esoteric models as the Communicator) to send emails to your loved ones in the village and browse for current prices of cement (for instance), that day your need for the services of a place to browse would diminish! The place to browse would be right in your hands! And that day is not too far-fetched. This DOT-COM Discussion is funded by the dot-ORG USAID Cooperative Agreement, and hosted by GKD. http://www.dot-com-alliance.org provides more information. To post a message, send it to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To subscribe or unsubscribe, send a message to: [EMAIL PROTECTED]. In the 1st line of the message type: subscribe gkd OR type: unsubscribe gkd For the GKD database, with past messages: http://www.GKDknowledge.org
[GKD-DOTCOM] Improving Access Via Mobile Telephony
How the Rest Can Catch Up With the West The illiterate of the 21st century will not be those who cannot read or write; they will be those who cannot learn, unlearn, and re-learn. -- Alan Tofler Subscriptions to mobile telephones exceeded the number of fixed telephones globally in 2002, according to the International Telecommunications Union (ITU). In developing countries without sufficient fixed telephone infrastructure, wireless growth has been explosive, with mobile phones becoming the first and only telephones for the majority of new subscribers. Africa was the first continent to have more mobile lines than fixed and, with a mobile growth rate of 77.9%, is the fastest growing in the World. In reality, Africa is a world leader when it comes to mobile communications. Until recently, Africa ranked least using any parameter of growth. Inadequate supply of fixed lines often gave the West the false impression that there was no demand for mobile communications in Africa. Some even suggested that telephone affordability was non-existent on the Continent. However, mobile telephony is putting Africa in positive light. 84.8% of all mobile lines in Africa are digital, far greater than all other Continents, except Asia (90.1%). When you consider that the same figure for Europe is 59.4%, Americas 56.5%, Oceania 83.7%, then you will appreciate the import of the African mobile explosion. The primary factor responsible for the phenomenal take-up of mobile lines in Africa is the failure of government-owned public telephone utilities throughout the Continent to satisfy the huge demand for communications by the vast generality of the people. Nearly all the National Telephone Carriers have failed to deliver telephone service cheaply and efficiently. The take-up of GSM phones in many African countries has demonstrated, beyond reasonable doubt, that there is significant pent-up demand for communications services, even among relatively low income users. Other drivers of growth are the increasing adoption of the policy of market liberalization by African governments leading to the licensing of aggressive private companies who are competing among each other to make mobile services increasingly affordable. These companies are essentially African in equity, character and operations. Without a doubt, competition is a major driver of the mobile explosion. With prepaid, mobile has become even more affordable as users are able to control their telephone expenditure without undergoing credit checks or being tied to long term contracts. The use of mobiles now cuts across all social classes. From a mere 646,500 mobile lines in 1995, Africa now has in excess of 36 million mobile subscribers. No other segment of the economy is growing as rapidly. Cumulative annual growth rate is averagely 77%, and mobile is growing faster than most other economic sectors. Several African countries now have double-digit mobile penetration of the population, far beyond the finest predictions of most analysts. Countries with double-digit mobile penetration include Seychelles (53%), South Africa (30%), Botswana (24%), Gabon (21%), and Morocco (20%). Other countries with extremely rapid growth and acceptance of mobile technology with subscriptions in excess of 1 million include Nigeria, Cote DIvoire, Kenya, Ghana, and Egypt. Even war-torn Sudan still manages to have nearly 200,000 mobile users despite the ravaging civil war in that country. Africa is becoming a shining example of how mobile communications is changing lives worldwide. There are several implications of the mobile revolution. I shall zero in on just two. Africa may be the first continent with pervasive mobile Internet The only constraint to this happening now is two-fold. First is the limitation of GSM technology. GSM support for broadband Internet technologies, a key requirement to productive Internet access, is evolving at the moment. There is no clear-cut, globally acceptable single means of assessing the Internet via a mobile device on a GSM network. Whether it is WAP, GPRS, EDGE, or ETC (!), GSM support for the Internet is extremely weak. This is why bypass technologies such as Wi-Fi, and Wi-Max are in strong demand. The second reason is the poor usability of mobile phones as Internet access devices. But this problem would be solved and the Internet will soon merge with, and converge into, mobile devices. When that happens, the digital revolution in Africa would be even more explosive. Think of it again. The day you can conveniently use your regular mobile phone (and I'm not talking of expensive esoteric models as the Communicator) to send emails to your loved ones in the village and browse for current prices of cement (for instance), that day your need for the services of a place to browse would diminish! The place to browse would be right in your hands! And that day is not too far-fetched. The most innovative uses of mobile technology will come out of Africa With
