January 28, 2007
Cell phones vital in developing world
Wireless communication is helping fuel Vietnam's rapid growth — and transforming dozens of other developing nations from the ground up, reports the AP.
"... Research shows that greater cell phone use can drive economic growth in emerging economies. Based on market research in China, India and the Philippines, consulting firm McKinsey & Co. found that raising wireless penetration by 10 percentage points can lead to an increase in gross domestic product of about 0.5 percent, or around $12 billion for an economy the size of China.
"There's enormous entrepreneurship and creativity worldwide, and through mobile phones you're providing people with the tools — rather than aid — to earn a living," says Leonard Waverman, a London Business School professor. In a separate study of 92 countries, Waverman had findings similar to McKinsey's report.
By bouncing signals off base stations, relay towers and satellites instead of over copper wires strung to villages and homes, cell phones can hurdle mountains. Mobile phones are not hampered by illiteracy — which is a barrier to computer use — giving millions new opportunities to exchange information, make money and conduct business."
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