Week+8+Volos

='Can the Cellphone end Global Poverty?'= ==In three paragraphs, describe the role of Jan Chipchase in defining the role of cellphones in the developing world for Nokia, and the benefits of analyzing cellphone use and design in different cultures as part of their market expansion .==

For the past seven years Jan Chipchase has been working for Nokia as a “human-behaviour researcher”. His job title requires him to observe human behaviour and deliver insightful information to Nokia with regards to population demographics and primary problem areas in different regions of the world. He carries a camera with him to document all the interesting and unique instances he encounters on daily basis. Jan’s goal is to pinpoint problems that people in those specific regions deal with. With the help of photographs, written reports and power point presentations, he arms Nokia’s headquarters with valuable information which, in turn, helps them design a phone much better suited for those people.

Cell phone’s easy use and significantly cheaper network towers than landline towers, have spurred its widespread use. A cell phone does not require one to have a permanent address, which ultimately allows one to be ubiquitous. What has been found in developing countries is that the household income rose in families that had a cell phone, bringing the country’s income up as well. Those individuals who were able to afford a cell phone have also started investing more money in ITC, such as buying more phone cards for their cell phones.

In developing countries, cell phones benefit people in different ways, particularly via increasing productivity and well-being. Here, cell phones fall into a category of ‘grass-root’ innovation where people invent a new use of a product based on their needs. Mobile-banking is one such example, where people can transfer money via cell phones. In terms of well-being, people can call and ask if there is a doctor available prior to setting out for a three-hour long journey. People have also been able to discuss health issues such as AIDS with health professionals, through SMS, which has not been quite possible before. When people were asked for feedback on cell phone improvements, they provided suggestions, which reflected dilemmas in their everyday lives. It is safe to say that cell phones seem to have penetrated the developing countries, although there is still a long way ahead. However, the overall result has been nothing but beneficial. Cell phone use has empowered those individuals and has given them an opportunity to improve their current situation. To a certain extent, cell phones have been more beneficial to those people than financial relief provided by developed countries that first goes through the government. Perhaps in a few years cell phones could help even alleviate, if not diminish poverty. Therefore, the main goal of cell phone companies, like Nokia, is to “connect the unconnected”, by designing products which are more durable and suitable for use in developing countries.

Corbett, Sarah. "Can the Cell Phone Help End Global Poverty?." __ New York Times __ 13 Apr 2008 7 Mar 2009 .
 * Works Cited: **

Back to Mariya's Personal Page