CellPhones - Revision history

Pauldwyer: /* Cell phones in developing economies */

2007-06-08T11:49:46Z

Cell phones in developing economies

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:49, 8 June 2007
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	Please add your questions, thoughts, and suggestions.		Please add your questions, thoughts, and suggestions.

	From [http://www.santafe.edu/events/workshops/index.php/Paul_Dwyer Paul]: I wonder whether there is a search factor that mediates the ability of a cell phone ~~user~~ to leverage the technology in expanding their current network of business associates. Take for example the fisherman, he already knows the fish buyer and can ask for his cell phone number. But how does he discover the phone numbers of other potential business partners? Word-of-mouth? Is that a critical micro issue that constrains the emergence of the macro phenomena discussed above?		From [http://www.santafe.edu/events/workshops/index.php/Paul_Dwyer Paul]: I wonder whether there is a search factor that mediates the ability of cell phone users to leverage the technology in expanding their current network of business associates. Take for example the fisherman, he already knows the fish buyer and can ask for his cell phone number. But how does he discover the phone numbers of other potential business partners? Word-of-mouth? Is that a critical micro issue that constrains the emergence of the macro phenomena discussed above?

	==Who's interested?==		==Who's interested?==

Pauldwyer: /* Cell phones in developing economies */

2007-06-08T01:09:04Z

Cell phones in developing economies

← Older revision		Revision as of 01:09, 8 June 2007
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	Please add your questions, thoughts, and suggestions.		Please add your questions, thoughts, and suggestions.

			From [http://www.santafe.edu/events/workshops/index.php/Paul_Dwyer Paul]: I wonder whether there is a search factor that mediates the ability of a cell phone user to leverage the technology in expanding their current network of business associates. Take for example the fisherman, he already knows the fish buyer and can ask for his cell phone number. But how does he discover the phone numbers of other potential business partners? Word-of-mouth? Is that a critical micro issue that constrains the emergence of the macro phenomena discussed above?

	==Who's interested?==		==Who's interested?==

Pauldwyer: /* Cell phones in developing economies */

2007-06-07T14:31:36Z

Cell phones in developing economies

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:31, 7 June 2007
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	How do cell phones affect economic growth in countries where communications infrastructure is poor?		How do cell phones affect economic growth in countries where communications infrastructure is poor?

	A recent paper covered in the Economist suggests that cell phones have reduced waste in fisheries, by giving boats price information before they return to shore. They can choose profitable markets for their catch. The reduction in waste increases the total value of the catch by 5% or more. Better arbitrage and lower information costs result in a sustained productivity gain.		A [[Media:CellPhonesAndFishing.pdf\|recent paper]] covered in the Economist suggests that cell phones have reduced waste in fisheries, by giving boats price information before they return to shore. They can choose profitable markets for their catch. The reduction in waste increases the total value of the catch by 5% or more. Better arbitrage and lower information costs result in a sustained productivity gain.

	There is lots more to the story here than simple arbitrage opportunities. Communications technology lowers the cost of information for all parties on the network. This should result in lower barriers to entry, lower transaction costs, more innovation, higher productivity, and access to many more customers.		There is lots more to the story here than simple arbitrage opportunities. Communications technology lowers the cost of information for all parties on the network. This should result in lower barriers to entry, lower transaction costs, more innovation, higher productivity, and access to many more customers.

Pauldwyer: /* Who's interested? */

2007-06-07T14:11:26Z

Who's interested?

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:11, 7 June 2007
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	Ryan Chisholm		Ryan Chisholm

			Paul Dwyer

	(please add yourself to this list)		(please add yourself to this list)

Vikasnshah: /* Financial transactions via text message */

2007-06-06T15:08:44Z

Financial transactions via text message

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:08, 6 June 2007
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	===Financial transactions via text message===		===Financial transactions via text message===
	Recently cell phone companies have permitted credits (essentially a form of cash) to be transferred among users via text message. This system of payments is a rudimentary financial service for households, potentially in competition with microfinance and the formal financial sector.		Recently cell phone companies have permitted credits (essentially a form of cash) to be transferred among users via text message. This system of payments is a rudimentary financial service for households, potentially in competition with microfinance and the formal financial sector.

			(Ben, this is what I was talking about. For some reason I can't find it on the NPR site. - Vikas) http://technology.guardian.co.uk/news/story/0,,2038302,00.html

Chisholm at 00:50, 6 June 2007

2007-06-06T00:50:56Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 00:50, 6 June 2007
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	Ben Mazzotta		Ben Mazzotta

	Saleha Habibullah		Saleha Habibullah

	Ryan Chisholm		Ryan Chisholm

Chisholm at 00:50, 6 June 2007

2007-06-06T00:50:44Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 00:50, 6 June 2007
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	==Who's interested?==		==Who's interested?==

	Ben Mazzotta,		Ben Mazzotta

	Saleha Habibullah		Saleha Habibullah
			Ryan Chisholm

	(please add yourself to this list)		(please add yourself to this list)

Naghmi at 23:32, 5 June 2007

2007-06-05T23:32:48Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:32, 5 June 2007
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	==Who's interested?==		==Who's interested?==

	Ben Mazzotta		Ben Mazzotta,

	Saleha Habibullah		Saleha Habibullah


	(please add yourself to this list)		(please add yourself to this list)

Naghmi at 23:32, 5 June 2007

2007-06-05T23:32:25Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:32, 5 June 2007
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	Ben Mazzotta		Ben Mazzotta
			Saleha Habibullah
	(please add yourself to this list)		(please add yourself to this list)

Benmazzotta at 16:15, 5 June 2007

2007-06-05T16:15:30Z

New page

==Cell phones in developing economies==
How do cell phones affect economic growth in countries where communications infrastructure is poor?

A recent paper covered in the Economist suggests that cell phones have reduced waste in fisheries, by giving boats price information before they return to shore. They can choose profitable markets for their catch. The reduction in waste increases the total value of the catch by 5% or more. Better arbitrage and lower information costs result in a sustained productivity gain.

There is lots more to the story here than simple arbitrage opportunities. Communications technology lowers the cost of information for all parties on the network. This should result in lower barriers to entry, lower transaction costs, more innovation, higher productivity, and access to many more customers.

Please add your questions, thoughts, and suggestions.

==Who's interested?==

Ben Mazzotta
(please add yourself to this list)

==Modeling issues==

* Firms and households are agents in the economy
* Market access: how do firms find customers?
* Innovation: simple productivity gains, or development of new economic niches?

==Other issues related to cell phones in emerging economies==

===Financial transactions via text message===
Recently cell phone companies have permitted credits (essentially a form of cash) to be transferred among users via text message. This system of payments is a rudimentary financial service for households, potentially in competition with microfinance and the formal financial sector.