Culled From BBC.Com
Kenyan companies are launching mobile internet services, anticipating greater
demand for these services than has so far been seen in the West. Swift
Global, an internet service provider, and KenCell Communications, a mobile
phone company, have launched a joint mobile internet service aimed at
increasing internet access, especially in rural areas. The joint deal with
KenCell Communications means that all KenCell Yes customers can connect to
the internet, either using a WAP-enabled mobile phone or a computer. The two
companies believe that, because of the scarcity of fixed line phone or
internet services, demand for mobile services should boom. Mobile take-off
The two mobile operators that started business in Kenya 18 months ago have
already rolled out more than 600,000 mobile phones, Richard Bell, managing
director of Swift Global, told the BBC's World Business Report This compares
with the estimated 200-300,000 fixed line phones that exist after 40 years of
service. "What is happening this year is that both of those mobile networks
are continuing to roll out their networks particularly into the high density,
rural areas," Mr Bell said. "There is an awful lot of people with mobile
phones." Reducing poverty Reports have suggested that the internet could play
a role in reducing poverty in developing countries. This is especially true
in rural areas of Africa, a World Bank report suggested. The argument is that
access to internet could provide greater access to information, thus boosting
the ability to increase earnings. In Sri Lanka, the introduction of telephone
services in rural areas meant that more farmers got a greater share of the
price for which crops were sold in the capital city.
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