Examine the contrasting rates, levels and patterns of adoption of mobile phones in the USA and in Uganda

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JcnXOhrmDB8

Identify 5 key changes / trends in mobile phones

ICTs are an enabler of development:•They can reduce social and economic inequalities•Support local wealth creation•Encourage entrepreneurs and innovations •Improve efficiency in all aspects of life and commerce•They ‘shrink’ distances and enable remote geographical locations become included in core global trends•Low cost technology once networks are established•Newer technologies, e.g. WiFi do not depend on installed infrastructures.• Language technologies ensure that those without formal education are provided with access to knowledge and information using applications most suitable to their skill level.

The most important technologies for helping achieve MDG goals are: Communications and networking technologies – e.g. Cable/wireless networksUser devices –e.g. Mobile phones, handheld computers, smart cards, storage media, global positioning system receivers.Alternative energy sources –e.g. Portable solar chargers, wind-up and solar rechargeable batteries, fuel cells & wind generators.Language technologies –e.g. Text to speech, speech recognition, handwriting recognition, translation, e-mail, blogsBusiness applications – e.g. email

The UN Millennium Report stresses the importance of ICT and digital inclusion to developing countries as a fundamental element of human development, calling for universal access to information and communication services as agents of development – contributing to the achievement of all of the MDGs.

Modern technology and Global Interactions

Extreme 0-2.5

Hotspots Digital Inclusion risk Index by Maplecroft foundation, World Economic Forum 2009

High 2.5-5.0

Improvements

Medium 5.0-7.7

Low 7.5-10

No data

The 4 categories from high to low relate to investment opportunities . Hotspots show the most extreme digital divideImprovements show recent improvements in e-inclusiveness and very good opportunities for investment

Measuring levels of technology

•This Index shows the relative levels of access to information and communication technology for 183 countries.•Data is from 2007 International Telecommunication Union where 10 core ICT indicators are used: access to computers, including internet, broadband access, mobiles and fixed lines. •Mobiles are weighted since they are a key driver of access to ICT in developing countries

Use the resource

http://www.slideshare.net/wearesocialsg/we-are-socials-guide-to-social-digital-and-mobile-around-the-world-jan-2012

(Also on wikispace)

Compare and contrast the ICT penetration of different technologies

Internet Social media Mobile phones

You have 2 minutes to find 5 useful data to support this comparison

USA Uganda

What are the patterns of mobile phone coverage?

What are the levels of mobile phone adoption?

What are the factors influencing the rate of mobile phone penetration?

Coverage http://www.pewinternet.org/fact-sheets/mobile-technology-fact-sheet/http://maps.mobileworldlive.com/ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KM6F1dJKBAg

Uganda Coverage: http://www.ihub.co.ke/blog/2011/10/mobile-technology-in-uganda/http://maps.mobileworldlive.com/ http://www.itnewsafrica.com/2011/06/uganda-mobile-subscribers-reach-14-million/

ICTs are an enabler of development:•They can reduce social and economic inequalities•Support local wealth creation•Encourage entrepreneurs and innovations •Improve efficiency in all aspects of life and commerce•They ‘shrink’ distances and enable remote geographical locations become included in core global trends•Low cost technology once networks are established•Newer technologies, e.g. WiFi do not depend on installed infrastructures.• Language technologies ensure that those without formal education are provided with access to knowledge and information using applications most suitable to their skill level.

The most important technologies for helping achieve MDG goals are: Communications and networking technologies – e.g. Cable/wireless networksUser devices –e.g. Mobile phones, handheld computers, smart cards, storage media, global positioning system receivers.Alternative energy sources –e.g. Portable solar chargers, wind-up and solar rechargeable batteries, fuel cells & wind generators.Language technologies –e.g. Text to speech, speech recognition, handwriting recognition, translation, e-mail, blogsBusiness applications – e.g. email

The UN Millennium Report stresses the importance of ICT and digital inclusion to developing countries as a fundamental element of human development, calling for universal access to information and communication services as agents of development – contributing to the achievement of all of the MDGs.

Modern technology and Global Interactions

Mobile phone technology has enabled development. To what extent do you agree?

• http://www.huffingtonpost.com/clara-tsao/6-ways-mobile-techology-h_b_4054076.html

• You have 5 minutes to prepare a 1 minute argument

• What key terminology could you add?