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| reply to chlen
Re: Don't see this one going anywhere. chlen,
I do maintain contact with my former co-workers, many of whom still travel frequently throughout the African continent. Unfortunately, far too much of the existing infrastructures, including electrical lines and power plants, in many countries haven't been upgraded significantly since they were originally installed by European colonial powers. Degradation is a huge issue. (Although, granted it's a growing issue even in developed countries where budget pressures have lured local and federal governments in to ignoring recapitalization projects on basic infrastructures like water systems, electrical grids, etc.)
Cellphones are prevalent in some parts of Africa due to programs that are recycling old phones, mainly from Europe since they're on GSM, and distributing them free. However, cellphone penetration isn't nearly as extensive in Africa as other areas, given the fact that many people still just can't afford the service, even when given a free phone.
I really hope the focus of this effort is for schools. I believe that's more doable than expecting the average family to expend precious financial resources on a product they can't afford. | |
 chlenEthically ChallengedPremium
join:2001-01-16
Albany, NY
1 edit | said by voipdabbler:chlen, I do maintain contact with my former co-workers, many of whom still travel frequently throughout the African continent. Unfortunately, far too much of the existing infrastructures, including electrical lines and power plants, in many countries haven't been upgraded significantly since they were originally installed by European colonial powers. Degradation is a huge issue. (Although, granted it's a growing issue even in developed countries where budget pressures have lured local and federal governments in to ignoring recapitalization projects on basic infrastructures like water systems, electrical grids, etc.) Cellphones are prevalent in some parts of Africa due to programs that are recycling old phones, mainly from Europe since they're on GSM, and distributing them free. However, cellphone penetration isn't nearly as extensive in Africa as other areas, given the fact that many people still just can't afford the service, even when given a free phone. I really hope the focus of this effort is for schools. I believe that's more doable than expecting the average family to expend precious financial resources on a product they can't afford. I do agree that it is still in very poor condition, but my premise and the research I did indicating that installing cellular infrastructure, however limited, brought jobs, electricity, and sanitation systems to remote areas outside of urban centers. While I dont disagree with your writing at all or am saying there is now a fix for the sittuation, the penetration of chiefly western tephony companies like google make a significant inprovement over the conditions that exist and that saying they dont need it further put the continent away from parity even swith the poor part so SE Asia.
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| reply to voipdabbler
"Cellphones are prevalent in some parts of Africa..."
You aren't thinking about this from the proper perspective, albeit you have lived there. Everyone there does not have to have a personal cell phone in order to make a positive impact on the economies of Africa. Since landlines are prohibitively expensive, or simply unavailable, it's often their *only* way to get connected to information that might affect their livelihood, such as a fisherman trying to find a market for his catch. Even a single phone for a small village can be a catalyst for small improvements. You really have to think out of the box- less about what *isn't* there yet as compared to western standards, but what *could* be there with a little help from more fortunate souls abroad.
I'm with you 110% on requiring/creating better educational opportunities, but sometimes it's the chicken that comes before the egg. If they have more economic opportunities, better schools can arise out of such an improved situation. | |
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