Global connectivity through wireless network technology: a possible solution for poor countries

Using participatory activities with seniors to critique, build, and evaluate mobile phones

“…The United Nations projected that by 2050, people over 60 will account for 21% of the world population [24]. This growth will be most pronounced in developing countries where mobile phones are rapidly penetrating the population [6]. From the technology side, there are now over 2 billion mobile phone users worldwide, with some developed countries reaching penetration rates over 100% due to multiple phones per person [17].…”

Labor mobility and technology diffusion: A new concept and its application to rural Southeast Asia

“…access to electricity and the Internet and cars, to the adoption of further technologies, in this case mobile phones. In this sense, the technologies under scrutiny, including ICT, act as complements (in accordance with Girma, 2005, who studies foreign direct investment; unlike the conclusion of Kamssu, 2005, that mobile phone use grows faster in poor countries where Internet access is low; unlike the view of Dechezleprêtre et al, 2013, who examine patents and find that technologies act as substitutes; and unlike the classic view that a larger technology gap between the technology in practice and the new technology enhances technology diffusion). Access to electricity and the Internet can also be interpreted as an indicator for infrastructural quality within and across villages, which is expected to foster technology diffusion.…”

“…With respect to modern information and communication technologies, a recent literature stream has identified determinants of mobile phone use with focus on Africa (cf. the summary by Buys et al, 2009, referring to BaliamouneLutz, 2003, Kamssu, 2005, and others). Accordingly, geographic factors, income, socioeconomic characteristics and existing ICT are viewed as relevant determinants.…”

“…We expect that social factors influence technology use (cf. Buys et al, 2009, referring to Baliamoune-Lutz, 2003, Kamssu, 2005 and others). In our context, younger people might use technologies more often than older people, richer people more often than poorer people, or larger households might use more devices than smaller households.…”

Near real-time fire alert system in South Africa

“…By the start of 2004 there were twice as many mobile users than there were fixed lines; this surge in mobile technology has pushed parts of Africa to the forefront of the information revolution [17]. With the introduction of internet-enabled mobile phone technology it seems that internet connectivity problems in Africa may eventually be overcome [14].…”