Another story that reinforces our emphasis on the emerging Asia-Pacific and the Bottom of the Pyramid:
Making affordable phones and targeting consumers with smaller budgets have now become priorities for the largest companies in the sector who were all present at this week’s 3GSM trade show in Barcelona.“There are between 2.5 and 2.8 billion people who have a mobile phone: the next billion will come from the high-growth market,” said David Taylor, strategy director for Motorola.
The areas representing the most opportunity are Asia, Africa and the Middle East, he said.
According to European telecommunications institute Idate, the average spending per user is about 26.50-37.50 euros (34.8-49.2 dollars) per month in industrialised countries, but this figure falls to about 8.20 euros in the newly targeted emerging countries.
Some quotes from a communique recieved ….
“Barcelona, Spain, 15th February 2007 Sri Lanka’s innovative software developer Microimagebecame a finalist and received commendation from the GSM Association at the GSM global mobile awards in Barcelona, Spain.”
“The biggest win was to berecognized alongside other highly visible mobile revolutionaries, which essentially paves the way for Sri Lankan innovations to be taken beyond our own borders.”
“We are glad that innovations for that next wave should come from the emerging market itself.” This recognition at a global event has put Sri Lanka on the map as a centre of ICT innovation. Microimage was the only company to showcase innovations for emerging markets at the innovation forum. ”
“Taking the next billion people on board the mobile revolution is the hot topic for this year’s 3GSM congress.”
Hats-off to Microimage, we are glad to have them on board with us working on the Last-Mile HazInfo Project.