Misgivings and Missed Opportunities

Let's face it. For all the success stories, the uplifting anecdotes about plucky women making a living with their mobile phones, or farmers realizing greater profits by checking prices on the Internet, there are still many in the development community who are deeply ambivalent about the value and impact of technology. Yes, anyone who spends 10 minutes in Nairobi or Kuching can see the ubiquity of the mobile phone, and it's clear that clever, resourceful people are wringing value out of the devices far beyond simple phone calls and text messages. But a longer, deeper look at the impact of technology on society can be troubling. Social norms and traditions are disrupted by material acquisition. Kids who used to kick a ball of woven cloth now play video games. And in the most desperately needy corners of the world, clean water, food, shelter, education and medical care are higher priorities than phones and Internet access.

Within every philanthropic organization, regardless of its mission, there are opportunities to mitigate the negative effects of technology and maximize the positive ones - for individuals, societies, or the organization itself. In past Nuggets, we've considered how to extend mobile broadband and create an environment conducive to mobile-based health, finance, governance, commerce, and education. But what about smaller, local NGOs that aren't actively involved in this space? Or what if Internet access might help your programs, but isn't necessarily your core focus?

The truth is, mobile and broadband adoption is continuing apace. In Africa, which had less than 1% mobile penetration at the turn of the century, 60-80% of all adults will own a mobile phone by the end of this year. This means beneficiaries who once stood in line for a cash-based training per diem can now catch the bush taxi home and receive a mobile payment on the way. With the torrid pace of mobile and broadband adoption, local NGOs can now achieve far more than the obvious improvements in communication and reduced travel costs. This includes potential co-funding through partnerships, alignment with corporate or government priorities, better operational efficiency, and the opportunity to steer responsible, sustainable technology usage while it's still in its infancy. Local NGOs can also support local innovation and technological independence by delivering on-the-ground training programs and capacity support. Many development organizations have benefited from stepping back to re-assess their mission and program portfolios. A comprehensive review of programs and a reallocation of resources to maximize the benefits of the new tech reality would be both healthy and timely, even for the deeply ambivalent.

Net Wars - Attack of the Drones

At the recent Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg urged operators to offer unlimited, low-cost service bundles, in which free versions of Facebook, Whatsapp, Google, Skype and other popular sites are treated like "utilities." Experience in the Philippines and Paraguay, he said, prove that the net benefit - typically in broader penetration, more subscribers, and increased daily use - justifies the expense of building out a network and offering free and bundled services. This assertion received a polite but muted response from an audience that is all too aware of the capital and operating costs of rolling out more, bigger, and better networks. Less than a month after the MWC, Zuckerberg (as the figurehead and public face of Internet.org) reiterated his intention to deliver last-mile Internet services with solar-powered drones, satellites, and lasers. Though light on details, the idea has generated a fair amount of buzz and only a few critical comments about how developing countries may not be excited about a fleet of US-company-supported drones circling their airspace. Even fewer consider the implications of Facebook's drones (or Google's balloons) bypassing network operators completely, and putting the keys to Internet access firmly in the hands of advertising giants.

The Day of Global Internet Coverage is coming, though no one knows the date. It's notable that the advertising, e-commerce, and mobile phone crowd is making the most noise about it. And why shouldn't they? They have a lot to gain from Bushmen friending Sherpas. Someone will find a workable model for extending Internet connectivity to every corner of the globe, by working with network operators to reduce their CAPEX and OPEX exposure (e.g., through leasing models, sponsored access, compressed bandwidth technologies, PAYGI or PAYGS plans), or by floating drones and balloons, or with a combination of these and other ideas. 

No single company will achieve the goal of global coverage. Internet.org, with the footprint, depth of experience, and vast assets of all the partners (Facebook, Qualcomm, Ericsson, Samsung, and others) could move it along significantly. But all those assets still need to be marshalled under a clear and detailed strategy, as surely as solar-powered drones need the sun.