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WHAT IS FREEDOM FONE?

WHAT IS FREEDOM FONE?. Free software that provides an interactive, voice-based communication service. Uses mobile networks Target audience is able to listen to voice menus, respond to sms polls, leave voice and text messages on a system that is ‘safe’, easily organised and evaluated.

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WHAT IS FREEDOM FONE?

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  1. WHAT IS FREEDOM FONE? • Free software that provides an interactive, voice-based communication service. • Uses mobile networks • Target audience is able to listen to voice menus, respond to sms polls, leave voice and text messages on a system that is ‘safe’, easily organised and evaluated. • No geographical limitations • No language barriers • User friendly and low cost option

  2. HISTORY • Freedom fone was conceived by Kubatana Trust Zimbabwe. • Inspired mainly due to the political and economic environment in Zimbabwe • Repressive laws against freedom of association and expression. • A need to engage with audiences marginalised from information. • Although internet usage is growing in Zimbabwe accessible mostly to the minority urban based Zimbabwean. • Growth of mobile users even in remote areas. • Provided a practical communication tool.

  3. What do you need? • Download software- free • Dedicated computer- minimum specs : 2GB Ram, dual core processor, 250GB hard drive, sound card and ether port. • Back-up power • GSM devices egMobiGater • Sim card/s • Audio recorder and editing software. • Estimated costs - $2 000- $3500

  4. What do audiences need? • A phone (fixed/landline, mobile phone, or Skype with call out credit) • Mobile phone credit if calling from a mobile phone • Adequate reception if calling from a mobile phone or internet access if using Skype

  5. Examples of freedom fone models • FARM RADIO INTERNATIONAL • THE KUKU HOTLINE, TANZANIA • FARMERS PHONE, GHANA • LIRNEASIA CRISIS RESPONSE

  6. Advantages… • Relatively low costs to set-up • Audiences access to internet not necessary • Able to target wider audience • Works on all mobile phones • Information on demand service • Multilingual • Literacy not an issue

  7. Disadvantages • Intended audience need credit in their phones. • Security??? • Infrastructure. • Technical knowledge. • Advertising costs. • Difficult to attract interest( get people to part with hard-earned money)

  8. Situations • Elections • Health • Journalism • Agriculture • Crisis • Business

  9. Security issues! • Telephony is inherently insecure. • Relatively easy for authorities to monitor the service and view messages. • Caller privacy compromised. • Employees can copy information .

  10. Digital Divide • Inequalities in terms of access to, use of, or knowledge of information and communication technologies. • Africa is the continent most struck by poverty and other global problems. • ICT’s critical for development? • Can open access solve Africa's information famine and bridge the divide? • What are the consequences of poor ICT infrastructure in developing countries?

  11. Information famine? • How Good is Open Access for developing countries? • By digital divide, we refer to inequalities in access to the Internet, extent of use, knowledge of search strategies, qualityoftechnical connections and social support, ability to evaluate the quality of information,anddiversity of uses. • Walsham (2000) argues industrialized countries have been the dominant in the production, development, and transfer of information technology, and their interest in the use of IT/S in the DCs has often been more concerned with the profitability of their own business enterprises than with any broader goals concerning the development

  12. ICT’S FRIEND OR FOE? • Assumption that ICT’s improve economic conditions. • Relevance. • Infrastructure capabilities- expensive indulgence (wouldn’t money better spent on water pipes?) • Maintenance costs. • Sustained by short-term grants/ donor dependence. • “CONDESCENDING ASSUMPTIONS”. • “Colonial developmentalism”/ “ICT COLONALISM”

  13. The end. • “The world’s poorest two billion people desperately need healthcare, not laptops.” Bill Gates

  14. REFERENCES • clear understanding to fully utilize ICT’s. • REFERENCES • Smith, M., Elder, L. 2010. “Open ICT Ecosystems Transforming the Developing World.” Information Technologies & International Development. 6.3 • Ahmed,A & Nwagwu, E.2006. Challenges and Opportunities of E-learning Networks in Africa.Development (2006) 49, 86–92. oi:10.1057/palgrave.development.1100250. Available through Rhodes University Library database. [Accessed 25 March 2012] • Kinkade, S., Verclas, K. 2008. Wireless Technology for Social Change: Trends in Mobile Use by NGOs. The Vodafone Group Foundation and the UN Foundation Partnership Access to Communication Publication Series Vol. 2 • Igun,S.2011. Bridging of Digital Divide in Africa. International Journal of Information and Communication Technology Education, 7(1), 11-20. • http://www.irma-international.org/viewtitle/49706/ • [Accessed 25 March 2012] • 2011.Freedom fone. http://www.freedomfone.org/ [Accessed 25 March 2012]. • 2012.Kubatana.net. http://www.kubatana.net/html/ff/ff_cont.asp. [Accessed 25 March 2012] • Rogers,C.2010.Top 7 Reasons Why Most ICT4D FAILS - Dr Clint Rogers.[Video on-line]. Available at< http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wLVLh0L7qJ0> [Accessed 25 March 2012].

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