Information Society Watch
A Southern Lens on the Information SocietyPhones at the bottom of the pyramid: Telecom accessibility
IS Policies | Telecommunications
October 2007, Ayesha Zainuddin and Anu Samarajiva, I4donline
The article takes a look at the prevalent situation with respect to the impact of ICT, and specifically mobile phone technology on most marginalised groups in society today. A recent survey conducted in some countries in the sub-continent and South-East Asia throws up stark contrasts in usage of mobile phones with respect to gender, and shows a distinct male bias with regard to access to such technologies. The authors present a reasoned analysis of the cause and effect of this gender divide with respect to mobile usage and consequently the impact of such an ICT technology on the deprived sections of society.