On Thursday, July 21, 2005, Tom Abeles wrote: > I think that it is "nice" to think about the $100 computer. But one > needs to remember that cell phones are ubiquitous and relatively low > cost. One post secondary education institution is developing curricula > using the cell phone as the device of choice for their students. Cells > that are both WiFi and work on the cellular bands are on the market, and > some are predicting the $2 cell phone which is "printed", realizing that > these can be built up with the proper inks, which are even being used to > make mechanical devices.
Tom, Hmmmm....well, in my experience "we ain't there yet" when it comes to the "relatively low cost" of cellphones in developing countries. In fact, handset cost is one of the main reasons why they aren't even more available to the poor. Add other features like WiFi and they will probably be even more out of reach except for the richest of the poor and we're back where we started. $2 cell phones? Isn't that akin to all the promises we used to hear that telecommunications costs would fall to near zero? (Because they haven't; even those poor who can afford the handsets frequently opt for the very low rates that allow them to receive calls, but not make them.) (Just curious though if you are talking about "desktop factories" or "fab labs" to manufacture such phones at such costs. Who is doing it?) Best, Gary Gary Garriott Innovation Program Officer, ICT for Rural Development Winrock International Voice: +703 525 9430, ext. 614 www.winrock.org ------------ ***GKD is solely supported by EDC, a Non-Profit Organization*** To post a message, send it to: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To subscribe or unsubscribe, send a message to: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>. In the 1st line of the message type: subscribe gkd OR type: unsubscribe gkd Archives of previous GKD messages can be found at: <http://www.edc.org/GLG/gkd/>
