http://www.nextbillion.net/blogs/2005/10/03/technology-innovations-at-the-edge Comments for "Technology Innovations at the Edge" en http://www.nextbillion.net/blogs/2005/10/03/technology-innovations-at-the-edge BOP markets used to be regarded, if they were regarded by large corporations at all, mostly as a place to unload excess or obsolete product. That has changed, as I will attempt to illustrate in this and following posts. What I am suggesting is that low-income, predominantly rural communities located at the edge of the telecom network, the edge of the electrical grid, and the edge of existing commercial markets, are becoming a key driver of technology innovation, in large part because their sheer scale warrants such attention. <br /><br />BOP markets are beginning to be targeted with technologies designed specifically for the needs of low-income communities, and R&amp;D and commercialization investment in such technologies is increasing. These technologies range from the prosaic but important, like low tech pedal-driven water pumps, to advanced hi tech inventions aimed at improving health and cultivating economic growth. They include near-term deployments, such as new wireless technologies and advanced low cost ATMs, as well as longer-term visions based on emergent composite, IT, nanotech, and biotech innovations that are beginning to attract venture capital investments. <br /><br class="clear" /><p><a href="http://www.nextbillion.net/blogs/2005/10/03/technology-innovations-at-the-edge">read more</a></p> http://www.nextbillion.net/blogs/2005/10/03/technology-innovations-at-the-edge#comment Miscellaneous Telecommunications and IT Mon, 03 Oct 2005 09:39:10 -0400 Al Hammond 1406 at http://www.nextbillion.net