An interesting article on the use of ICTs among those at the BOP, has been written by Syed Mohammed Ali, a participant at the 12th Executive Course on Telecom Reform, held recently in Singapore. The article explores the potential benefits users at the BOP can enjoy from the use of mobile telephony, as well as the current gender divide that exists in some developing countries.
Development through mobiles | Daily Times, Pakistan
Unless the prevailing range of gender-related hurdles in availing the opportunities being provided by communication technologies, it is likely that women may become further marginalised from the economic, social, and political mainstream of their countries.
Citing LIRNEasia research, he argues that that the simplicity and affordability of mobile technology has allowed it to penetrate developing markets fairly quickly. However, an evident gender divide exists with regards to mobile accessibility in both Pakistan and India, and to a lesser extent in Sri Lanka. LIRNEasia research confirms that in countries such as Pakistan, women make and receive fewer calls than men, although they spend more time on the phone whenever they get an opportunity.
The article also explores the use of mobiles of more-than-voice services such as financial transactions among the users at the BOP. In Bangladesh, for example, the Grameen Bank has been working with the government to provide expatriates the chance to send money to their relatives back home using mobile phones. The Philippines and Kenya had already made impressive gains in using mobiles for financial services ranging from remittances to payment of salaries. Even Pakistan has now drafted a Regulatory Framework for Mobile Banking.
LIRNEasia hopes to address these issues and more, in its study on ‘Mobile 2.0@BOP’, the use of mobiles among the BOP, for ‘more-than-voice’ services.
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