NextBillion.net - Development Through Enterprise - Africa: The Impact of Mobile Phones - Comments

Socio-Economic Impact of Mobile Phones in the Arab World

TEZ — Thu, 23 Feb 2006 09:58:14 -0500

MTC just released a commissioned 140-page in-depth report about the socio-economic impact of mobile phones in the Arab world. The report is rather stunning and includes nine surveys conducted in seven countries – including three cities in Iraq. Additionnally, there are several contributions from companies such as Booz Allen Hamilton, academics, economists, journalists and organizations. It is interesting to see what effect the mobile has had on Arab countries and its people... a must read. It was released during the GSM World Congress in Barcelona. report can be found here: ess%20releases/Socio%20Economic%20Report...

Celtel

SeanG — Fri, 06 May 2005 16:08:43 -0400

I was also at this meeting and one piece of news that Waverman shared - the $3 billion purchase of mobile phone startup Celtel - made a big impression on me. It shows the very real opportunity that actually exists in serving what are often called 'survival markets.' The actual social/economic effects mobile telephony is having in these markets is also heartening. See a story on the Celtel purchase here: http://allafrica.com/stories/200504210502.html

Africa: The Impact of Mobile Phones

Rob Katz — Fri, 06 May 2005 15:30:51 -0400

Last night, I attended a panel session co-organized by the UN Foundation and Vodafone, the huge multinational telco based in the UK but active worldwide. The session highlighted a report recently released by Vodafone entitled, Africa: The Impact of Mobile Phones. At the session, the report's authors discussed the impact of mobile telephony (a huge business) on development.