Impact of mobiles on our life?

Question

Impact of mobiles on our life?

Answer 1

In 2004, we commissioned four research studies on the socio-economic impact of mobiles in Africa. The key findings are:

Mobiles are used and owned differently in developing countries from the developed world

The value of mobile phones to the individual is greater because other forms of communication (such as postal systems, roads and fixed-line phones) are often poor. Mobiles provide a point of contact and enable users to participate in the economic system.

Many people who cannot afford to own a mobile themselves can access mobile services through informal sharing with family and friends or through community phone shops.

Use of text messaging in rural communities is much lower due to illiteracy and the many indigenous languages. This has implications for other technologies that use the written word, such as the internet.

Mobiles can improve economic growth, quality of life and social capital

Mobiles have a positive and significant impact on economic growth. This impact may be twice as large in developing countries as in developed countries.1

A developing country with an extra 10 phones per 100 people between 1996 and 2003 would have had GDP growth 0.59% higher than an otherwise identical country.1

Fixed and mobile communications networks, (in addition to the openness of the economy, the level of GDP and other infrastructure), are positively linked with Foreign Direct Investment. The impact of mobile telecommunications has grown in recent years.2

Many of the small businesses surveyed use mobiles as their only means of communication. The proportion is highest for black-owned businesses in South Africa and informal sector businesses in Egypt.3

62% of the small businesses surveyed in South Africa and 59% in Egypt said they had increased profits as a result of mobile phones, in spite of increased call costs.2

Mobiles are used as a community amenity. Most mobile owners surveyed in South Africa allow family members to use their handset for free and a third do the same for friends.

85% of those surveyed in Tanzania and 79% in South Africa said they had more contact and better relationships with family and friends as a result of mobile phones.2

Many factors affect the spread of mobile phones

Economic factors – such as income per capita and the price of handsets and calls.

Flexible use of appropriate business models – for example, smaller value pre-pay top-up cards help overcome credit barriers and the use of mobiles as public telephones.

Government policy – mobile phone use is higher in countries with liberalised telecommunications markets.

Social and cultural factors – including urbanisation, women's empowerment and population density (which can affect the cost of deployment in rural areas).  

Answer 2

I still remember the mobile that hung over my crib - stars and moons and planets. I've been interested in astronomy ever since.