Comments on: Empowering low-income consumers with mobile phone technology http://blog.acumenfund.org/2007/03/20/empowering-low-income-consumers-with-mobile-phone-technology/ Fri, 12 Mar 2010 23:40:06 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6 By: jasy http://blog.acumenfund.org/2007/03/20/empowering-low-income-consumers-with-mobile-phone-technology/#comment-107812 jasy Sat, 26 Jan 2008 21:40:30 +0000 http://blog.acumenfund.org/2007/03/20/empowering-low-income-consumers-with-mobile-phone-technology/#comment-107812 yes very interesting, mobile phone payment soultions are very clever most people always have there mobile in there person just like a wallet with money so why not have no wallet have it in the mobile, clever stuff, and more countrys are using this advance in payment solutions ,insurance for mobiles if ytou like yes very interesting, mobile phone payment soultions are very clever most people always have there mobile in there person just like a wallet with money so why not have no wallet have it in the mobile, clever stuff, and more countrys are using this advance in payment solutions ,insurance for mobiles if ytou like

]]> By: Thomas http://blog.acumenfund.org/2007/03/20/empowering-low-income-consumers-with-mobile-phone-technology/#comment-50369 Thomas Mon, 23 Apr 2007 08:11:54 +0000 http://blog.acumenfund.org/2007/03/20/empowering-low-income-consumers-with-mobile-phone-technology/#comment-50369 Thanks for the piece Eric. I recently managed a system that captures poverty indicators using sms. It is useful to gather data from remote locations and the more cell phones are used for private purposes, the more we can leverage them for humanitarian ends. From Nairobi. Thanks for the piece Eric. I recently managed a system that captures poverty indicators using sms. It is useful to gather data from remote locations and the more cell phones are used for private purposes, the more we can leverage them for humanitarian ends. From Nairobi.

]]> By: John Reynolds http://blog.acumenfund.org/2007/03/20/empowering-low-income-consumers-with-mobile-phone-technology/#comment-42020 John Reynolds Thu, 22 Mar 2007 23:40:04 +0000 http://blog.acumenfund.org/2007/03/20/empowering-low-income-consumers-with-mobile-phone-technology/#comment-42020 Very interesting post. I wrote about M-Pesa recently for the Sunday Independent's business section here in Ireland, as Vodafone are trialling mobile payments among the Polish immigrant community here. With respect to Africa, I have a theory that perhaps as the mobile networks roll out, perhaps other infrastructure - possibly solar power and perhaps other renewable methods - might follow. Is there any sign this is happening? If I wasn't a journalist, I'd be interested to research this and to identify opportunities and ways of getting different companies to collaborate and see how they could benefit from helping the country to develop in this way. Very interesting post. I wrote about M-Pesa recently for the Sunday Independent’s business section here in Ireland, as Vodafone are trialling mobile payments among the Polish immigrant community here.

With respect to Africa, I have a theory that perhaps as the mobile networks roll out, perhaps other infrastructure - possibly solar power and perhaps other renewable methods - might follow. Is there any sign this is happening?

If I wasn’t a journalist, I’d be interested to research this and to identify opportunities and ways of getting different companies to collaborate and see how they could benefit from helping the country to develop in this way.

]]> By: Wendy http://blog.acumenfund.org/2007/03/20/empowering-low-income-consumers-with-mobile-phone-technology/#comment-41618 Wendy Thu, 22 Mar 2007 08:38:14 +0000 http://blog.acumenfund.org/2007/03/20/empowering-low-income-consumers-with-mobile-phone-technology/#comment-41618 Eric, With regard to what you might do with M-Pesa service, why don't you pay Maggy her monthly salary using her phone and the service? You are absolutely right on the impact and penetration of mobile phones in developing countries. I am writing from Bangladesh where the widespread use of mobile phones has increased access to (and reduced costs for) communications services for individuals and small businesses alike. Its not just companies aiming at the "bottom of the pyramid" that are in the mobile business. The mobile market in Bangladesh has witnessed an vast increase in different services offered and reduction in the price of service after Malaysia and Egyptian companies started joint ventures in mobile telphony here. In short, healthy competition is good for all consumers! We have yet to see any (that I know of) payment systems or more innovative services for mobile phones. But I think it will only take a marketing push behind a well-designed effort. Wendy Eric,

With regard to what you might do with M-Pesa service, why don’t you pay Maggy her monthly salary using her phone and the service?

You are absolutely right on the impact and penetration of mobile phones in developing countries. I am writing from Bangladesh where the widespread use of mobile phones has increased access to (and reduced costs for) communications services for individuals and small businesses alike. Its not just companies aiming at the “bottom of the pyramid” that are in the mobile business. The mobile market in Bangladesh has witnessed an vast increase in different services offered and reduction in the price of service after Malaysia and Egyptian companies started joint ventures in mobile telphony here. In short, healthy competition is good for all consumers! We have yet to see any (that I know of) payment systems or more innovative services for mobile phones. But I think it will only take a marketing push behind a well-designed effort.

Wendy

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