Comments on: GrameenPhone has pushed universal access in India http://lirneasia.net/2006/11/grameenphone-has-pushed-universal-in-india/ a regional ICT policy and regulation think tank active across the Asia Pacific Tue, 22 May 2012 02:08:41 +0000 hourly 1 By: samarajiva http://lirneasia.net/2006/11/grameenphone-has-pushed-universal-in-india/comment-page-1/#comment-15 samarajiva Sat, 04 Nov 2006 12:55:17 +0000 http://www.lirneasia.net/2006/11/grameenphone-has-pushed-universal-in-india/#comment-15 Someone should bring our research at http://www.lirneasia.net/2005/12/resarch-report-available-replicability-of-microfinance-approach-to-extending-telecommunications-access-to-marginal-customers-the-grameen-approach/ to their attention. There is no point in replicating all of the elements of Grameen in a prepaid and low-cost handsets world. Someone should bring our research at http://www.lirneasia.net/2005/12/resarch-report-available-replicability-of-microfinance-approach-to-extending-telecommunications-access-to-marginal-customers-the-grameen-approach/
to their attention.

There is no point in replicating all of the elements of Grameen in a prepaid and low-cost handsets world.

]]> By: Divakar Goswami http://lirneasia.net/2006/11/grameenphone-has-pushed-universal-in-india/comment-page-1/#comment-14 Divakar Goswami Sat, 04 Nov 2006 09:50:58 +0000 http://www.lirneasia.net/2006/11/grameenphone-has-pushed-universal-in-india/#comment-14 And now Indian mobile operators are also trying to replicate Grameen Phone's model in trying to push mobile service in rural areas. ------- Mobile operators to replicate `Grameen Phone' concept Thomas K. Thomas, Businessline Move to bring mobile PCOs to rural areas Singapore , Oct. 18 In a bid to increase rural telecom penetration, the GSM Association Development Fund is in discussion with Indian cellular operators, including Airtel, Hutch and Idea Cellular to replicate the successful model adopted in Bangladesh by Grameen Phone. The project involves setting up GSM-based mobile PCOs and Internet kiosks in rural areas that can be shared by the village community similar to the Government-sponsored village public telephony and Internet dhaba schemes on fixed line telephones. Business model GSMA Development Fund has already conducted pilots with Airtel and is likely to announce the launch of shared access to voice with Idea Cellular this month. Speaking to Business Line at the 3GSM Congress, Ms Dawn Hartley of GSMA Development Fund said, "We are working with the Indian operators to evolve a business model for the rural areas. We have been able to cut down the cost of setting up such shared infrastructure from $300 to $35 per unit." GSMA fund is using Motorola's emerging markets handset that costs about $20 and loads software on the SIM that turns the handset into a mobile pay phone. Operators will tie up with local entrepreneurs to offer a `business in a box' that contains everything required to start a shared access, including the modified handset, solar power-backed charger and training material. The Fund has undertaken similar projects in South Africa, Kenya and Algeria. More here: http://www.blonnet.com/2006/10/19/stories/2006101900460900.htm And now Indian mobile operators are also trying to replicate Grameen Phone’s model in trying to push mobile service in rural areas.
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Mobile operators to replicate `Grameen Phone’ concept

Thomas K. Thomas, Businessline

Move to bring mobile PCOs to rural areas

Singapore , Oct. 18

In a bid to increase rural telecom penetration, the GSM Association Development Fund is in discussion with Indian cellular operators, including Airtel, Hutch and Idea Cellular to replicate the successful model adopted in Bangladesh by Grameen Phone.

The project involves setting up GSM-based mobile PCOs and Internet kiosks in rural areas that can be shared by the village community similar to the Government-sponsored village public telephony and Internet dhaba schemes on fixed line telephones.

Business model

GSMA Development Fund has already conducted pilots with Airtel and is likely to announce the launch of shared access to voice with Idea Cellular this month. Speaking to Business Line at the 3GSM Congress, Ms Dawn Hartley of GSMA Development Fund said, “We are working with the Indian operators to evolve a business model for the rural areas. We have been able to cut down the cost of setting up such shared infrastructure from $300 to $35 per unit.”

GSMA fund is using Motorola’s emerging markets handset that costs about $20 and loads software on the SIM that turns the handset into a mobile pay phone. Operators will tie up with local entrepreneurs to offer a `business in a box’ that contains everything required to start a shared access, including the modified handset, solar power-backed charger and training material. The Fund has undertaken similar projects in South Africa, Kenya and Algeria.

More here:
http://www.blonnet.com/2006/10/19/stories/2006101900460900.htm

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