AudiencScapes

AudienceScapes overviews the World Bank’s latest study on the use of mobile applications for the health, agriculture and rural development sectors. What makes a successful mobile health project? How does a mobile app project become self-sustaining?

A project uses radio to make the lofty goals of the International Criminal Court understandable and relevant to the people whom they affect. Operating in Congo and the Central African Republic, the project is a conduit for residents of post-conflict zones to raise concerns and questions and get answers of authorities.

An innovative insurance program is coaxing Kenya’s farmers to invest in quality seeds and fertilizer. Relying on the popular mobile money transfer service, Mpesa, it promises to process any claims due to crop loss quickly and safely. By Dinfin Mulupi In the coming months, Kenya is bracing for a spate of severely dry weather caused by the La Nina effect. While the government prepares for the resulting food shortage, Kenyan farmers are facing the possibility of financial loss as their crops wither on the vine. For some farmers, a new insurance program is coming to the rescue and encouraging higher-yielding farming practices in the process.

Major telecom companies are trying to outdo each other as they battle for a share of Zimbabwe’s mobile broadband internet market. Despite the new services being offered, concerns persist about the reliability of high-speed connections. By Tawanda KaromboHarare, Zimbabwe—Three Zimbabwean telecommunications companies are scrambling for a share of the country’s mobile broadband internet market. Giant mobile operator Econet Wireless Zimbabwe, state-controlled Powertel (a division of TelOne) and rebranded internet services company Africom have all launched or re-launched their portable broadband internet packages for home, mobile and business use. Broadband offers a high rate of data transmission over the internet. The mobile broadband market is relatively small in Zimbabwe.

Mobile customers are enjoying lower calling costs after the Communications Commission halved the fee telecom providers charge each other to transmit calls across networks.By Dinfin Mulupi A price war sparked by mobile operator Zain has left mobile customers relishing low calling rates. The price war followed the mid-August move by the Communications Commission of Kenya (CCK) to reduce the fee telecom providers charge each other to transmit calls across networks -- also known as the interconnection rate. The decision was intended to encourage telecommunication companies to lower the cost of calls. So far, so good, at least from the consumer’s perspective. Since the rate reduction, a heated battle has ensued to control market share.

The Ministry of Health worked with the telecommunications company to send messages to parents reminding them to vaccinate their children. By Newton SibandaLUSAKA, Zambia – While most Zambians think of SMS text messaging as a way to keep in touch with friends and family, it can also be used to roll out important health services, as the Zambian government demonstrated in July.As part of a new measles immunization campaign, the Ministry of Health partnered with Zambia’s largest mobile phone service provider to use SMS as a tool for advocacy. The vaccination campaign was launched during this year’s Child Health Week, a massive outreach project held twice a year in clinics and communities nationwide.“Do you have a child under 5?

Mobile phones turned citizens into election observers in Guinea’s landmark presidential election. The technology will also be used to help voters in the upcoming September run-off poll.By Kwami Ahiabenu IIOn June 27, 2010, Guinea held what is widely being hailed as the nation’s first freely run democratic election since gaining independence in 1958. A run-off between the two presidential candidates earning the most votes will take place on September 19, 2010. Another first in this landmark election process is the use of mobile phone technology.Mobile phones have become a preferred means of communication in Africa because they are convenient and affordable relative to other methods.

Tawanda Karombo reports on Econet’s plans to significantly upgrade its mobile network in the capital. The company just received a multimillion line of credit from a Swedish creditor. by Tawanda KaromboHarare, Zimbabwe— Buoyed by rising demand for services in the country’s major urban centers, Zimbabwe’s biggest telecommunications company, Econet Wireless Zimbabwe, has secured a US$25.6 million loan facility and plans to plow the money into upgrading the mobile operators’ network in Harare.The majority of Econet’s subscribers are in the capital Harare. The company has more than 4 million subscribers on its network and is eyeing further expansion into the country’s outlying areas.