Digital Technology in the Developing World

John Pilbeam spoke about projects with which he is involved that aim to increase what he called the North’s (western society) awareness of the issues that surround many of the South (developing countries) of the world. One of the projects mentioned was ‘Ushahidi’[1], a fantastic project in the form of an online application that enables users to read and upload information to an online map (Google Maps) about riots and food and water shortages and any other problems that occurred as a result of the Kenyan presidential elections recently. On the surface, this project sounds like a brilliant way of informing the population of problems that could be coming their way, but is fundamentally flawed because most of the population do not have access to a computer, let alone an internet connection.

It is an example of how technology is used to try and help the masses but realistically would only be used by middle classes and NGOs. Although John mentioned that technology is just a tool, and can’t affect social change on its own, this essay looks at ways that technology, particularly mobile technology, can reduce the challenge that the citizens of developing countries face going about their daily lives.

Mobile phones in developing countries are becoming more and more common, and not in the same way they are used by westerners. This essay discusses various elements of mobile technology used in the developing world, particularly in Africa, where (much like in the North) they are becoming a vital part of daily life and beneficial to all types of people.

The rate at which mobile phone usage has grown the world over has been tremendous, but in Africa, the growth has been greatest and is continuing to be the fastest growing market in the world.

‘Over the past five years the continent's mobile phone use has increased at an annual rate of 65 percent - twice the global average. In June of 1999, Kenya had 15,000 mobile phone subscribers. By the end of 2004 the country had 3.4 million subscribers, and in the last 18 months this number has grown to over 5.6 million’[2]

This high usage is driven by many reasons, notably the lack of electricity and therefore fixed telephones, or computers.

The application of mobile phone technology in Africa differs hugely from the way they are used in the North. As discussed in an earlier essay, westerners use their mobile phones to find out where friends are, take photos, listen to music, do their work on the train, etc. But ‘...mobile phones in Africa are used for a wide variety of tasks, from sending money to family members to buying a fish from the market.’[3] Mobile phones also offer the opportunity to skilled people to receive calls when there is work needed, rather than walking to and from workplaces sometimes waiting hours to find out.

One of the obvious questions is about mobile phones having signal in countries that do not have many mobile phone masts. In Africa, a place where sustainable energy is more important than anywhere, solar energy can be harnessed easily with the use of solar panels, and wind energy by turbines. Solar and wind powered mobile base stations are slowly becoming aspects of the African landscape, giving many people access to mobile phone signal to make relatively cheap calls. ‘Hybrid systems that utilize renewable energy such as wind and solar are making it possible to extend wireless service in remote areas that are not connected to grid power.’[4]

Before the implementation of sustainable energy-powered base stations, people that owned mobile phones may have had to travels hours to gain signal to make a call / send a text message and sometimes hefty roaming charges would be applied. Users often use dual sim cards which enable the user to switch between mobile phone networks to get the best signal or price on calls.

To increase the signal in Africa, a number of private companies, notably Motorola and WinAfrique, are building these masts under contract from African telecommunication and wireless companies. Obviously, the more masts there are, the more money telecommunication companies can make on charging users, but it is a win-win situation, as the extension of wireless service can make a huge difference to countries’ productivity rates: ‘It has been shown that adding an additional ten mobile phones per 100 people boosts a typical developing country’s GDP growth by 0.6 percent.’[5]

Another question that comes to mind is ‘how can people in the developing world, without much income, afford to run a mobile phone?’ This is obviously an issue, but the cost of credit is affordable to many[6]. The cost of a handset is expensive, but many villagers share handsets and make their calls on their own sim cards. Other solutions to this problem involve village phones[7], and recycled mobile phones.[8] As most villages do not have power, there is obviously a lack of access to computers and the internet, which holds much information that can help improve lives by increasing access to learning and further knowledge. Access to the internet via mobile telephones is a much more realistic opportunity for Africans than via PCs.

There is much that needs to be done to help create better lives for those in the South, most of it beyond our control. Major issues including war, poverty, lack of medical supplies, sanitation, electricity, etc. require funding that is hard to come by. Collaboration between international and local governing bodies, as well as industry and employment may lead to a better life for those suffering from the aforementioned issues. With this collaboration it is massively important to include the opinions and well being of local citizens. The examples of mobile technology enabling the increasing standards of living in parts of Africa prove that technology can and may well be one of the steps towards equality in the developing world.

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