December 5, 2006
NGO Dream Phone concept
Readers of the International Herald Tribune were invited to ask telecommunications executives what was on their minds in conjunction with a roundtable discussion at this week's ITU Telecom World forum.
One reader, brought up a really interesting idea. Hasan Jafri asked whether telecom companies where considering the mobile phone equivalent of the $100 laptop, an "NGO Dream Phone".
"Is anyone was working on a $2 or $5 phone that could perform, let us say, three functions — take your pick — really well? Are there ideas out there on a well-designed interface for students and/or teachers in remote villages to better connect them with the world? I have wondered often what such an "NGO Dream Phone" would look like, and what it might do. "
Kitae Lee, president of Samsung Telecommunication thought it was a great idea: "I have not thought about such an "NGO Dream Phone" yet. Personally, I think it's a great idea, though I feel that there will be a need for discussion among manufacturers and service providers. If I have a chance to drive this idea, I would be willing to collaborate with my colleagues in the wireless industry to work toward it.
Related inks to articles on low cost cell phones for developping countries.
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