Unlocking the Potential of Cell Phones

ISSUES The rapid rise of mobile phone use in poor countries is well known as an exemplary case of a technology enabling bottom-up empowerment through information access, driven by smallmargin business and end-user innovation. While many are not mobile phone owners themselves, few today face a several mile walk to access an often-disconnected landline phone for communication, which was a regular occurrence only ten years ago. But even as some marvel at the rapid changes brought about by mobile phone use, a second generation boom is already occurring, developing innovative applications for the now widespread mobile phone platform. Building off this new connectivity, there are new programs aiming to provide public information access, data storage and accounting, and even mobile banking, mostly utilizing only the cheapest phone models. Whether for-profit or as charity, these applications are seen by many as the next step in leveraging the power of mobile phone diffusion to provide information access cheaply and efficiently to the world's poorest. While some may see this new movement as over-exuberant, high-profile new programs are being driven by enthusiasts representing the technology industry, academic research groups, and international aid organizations. As a result, the future of mobile phone applications, as well as most technology in development, is relevant to business and trade policy, research investment, as well as traditional development aid programs.