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| Kids at Maharatenna in Kandy, using an app in Google Nexus One phone |
In January 2011, when Fusion was discussing with Tag ID, on our ambitious venture in to
"Smart Village" (using smart phones for village development in Sri Lanka), price of smart phones was a barrier at top of the list. Now in October, the project is moving forward with some refreshing learning's.
Read Tag ID post.
Read Fusion Blog.
Thanks to Android OS popularity, things have changed dramatically. Now android phones can be bought at Rs. 13,300 (roughly $ 120) in Sri Lanka. Amitha has done a good survey of models and prices below Rs. 35,000, in his blog post. Read Amitha's post.
Are you a android user? How do you think Androids can help meet challenges in rural Sri Lanka?
9 comments:
Isura,
I visited your 'Fusion Blog' site for the first time. It was heartening and wonderful to see the activities mentioned in there. Also, the creative thinking you guys had put into it are very praiseworthy. Wish you all the best for similar future endeavors.
Android is definitely redefining Mobile landscape in Sri Lanka. Magic is, it only cost for the hardware for manufacturers so larger the potential sales volumes, lower the cost they incur to manufacture one unit.
Even though, Android is the perfectly ‘democratic’ platform from the POV of a mobile user, it can be the enemy of mobile phone manufacturers and network operators at one point. Since, OS remains the same on all phone brands, consumer become indifferent about the make/brand and will become loyal to Android. This isn’t a good news for OEM’s like Samsung , HTC or SE. Initially, this can be for the advantage of upcoming brands like Huawei and MicroMax. HTC (one of the earliest OEM took on Android platform) has already felt this threat and now looking to develop their own OS.
Network operators on the other hand, will want to prolong the “Dumb Phone” era in SL, as there is still more money to be made from voice calls and SMS. Soon as a consumer switch to a Smartphone, “number portability” becomes irrelevant and they will keep changing the network as long as they get the best data plans to run their G-Talk, Skype or other VOIP applications. Imagine, if I can call to your Smartphone via Skype, it doesn’t matter you or me whether you are on Dialog, Mobitel or Etisalat, or how frequently you change your mobile number. These are the industry dynamics, so we have to keep watching how these OEM’s and operators respond in the future.
I guess, my comment came to the length of another blog post :-)
@udendra : Thanks! will keep you posted on the developments. And do follow the blog :)
@Amitha : Wonderful analysis. You opened my eyes about the "irrelevance of number portability". Fascinating. Rural Sri Lanka needs a different range of services than what we need here. They are looking for livelihood enhancement through smart phones. Not just the connection for the sake of it.
I will quote one of the self employed person I met in Kandy :
"I know Fusion provided a smartphone to our Sarvodaya society, and our kids are using it for their education. I know the potential and benefit of using internet, facebook and other media. Also I know it is now much more easier to get on line with smart phones. But here's the problem. I know I can input my products and contact details on web. I am very busy, working and selling my craft to make a living. I have no time to be on internet. And even if I do, how do I know if I would ever get a response to my requests? If I get a quick response, I would definitely use it"
(end of quote)
Good thing is, they are responding and hopeful. There are lot to be developed.
isura,
those are really encouraging signs and i saw the FB page of the person you quoted. Think he might take it more seriously once business starts to pour in through SM channels & if similar individuals try connecting with him via same means.
and Amitha,
wow what a comment! it really opened our eyes viz-a-viz OEMs and network operators. seems it might boil down to the hardware, infrastructure & data plans. Enlightening stuff.
Udendra,
Great!. What is your idea to get more traffic in to his FB page? How can he promote his page? (remember, he's also learning the ropes, still, with not much followers...)
Isura,
since I'm not an SM expert I think it would be better for you to consult a person who is involved in SM promotion to gain some insights on that aspect. Because as you mentioned you'd definitely have to consider the fact that he's still 'learning the ropes'. So that knowledge should be transferred to the person responsible of updating his FB page.
It wouldn't be a bad idea if they could maintain other networking channels such as Linkedin where he could join with similar individuals/groups in this country or abroad. Believe me, most tourists do look up SM sites and do a bit of research before they come to Sri Lanka. So if a person traveling to SL is keen on buying wood carvings he might do a search to find potential sellers in the country. In which case, a consistent web presence would immensely help. He could even offer to give a special discount for such buyers. You know, there are many creative marketing 'tricks' that gurus would tell you ;)
Then there are subtle offline things like, mentioning his FB account, etc on his business cards. That will give the message that this guy is really serious about it.
Mobile phones are one of the best devices to help emerging countries leapfrog -- cross the digital divide -- and create modern infra structure to help their citizens. I am happy to see this happening rapidly in Sri Lanka.
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