6533b82dfe1ef96bd1290805

RESEARCH PRODUCT

Mobile Communities in Developing Countries

Waseem RehmatJari Veijalainen

subject

Management information systemsbusiness.industryComputer scienceInternet privacyMobile computingMobile technologySocial mediaThe InternetMobile business developmentMobile telephonybusinessMobile device

description

The number of mobile devices has exceeded four billions and is still growing. Especially in developing countries mobile devices are often the only access to Internet and digital services. In the most developed countries laptops, Wi-Fi and faster and faster wireless telecom networks have for long time made mobile access to various digital services possible while on the move. Still, large and instant mobile communities can only rely on more portable devices, such as mobile phones. In this paper we will analyze various mobile communities and the support they are offered by the social media sites. We will discuss the phenomena encountered in developing countries, like how the mobile technology transforms the rural areas. We will also cite some recent statistics about mobile penetration. We take a closer look at the development in Pakistan and surrounding Asian countries.

https://doi.org/10.1109/mdm.2010.62