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NEW PATHS: EXPLORING MOBILE-CENTRIC INTERNET USE IN SOUTH AFRICA By Donner & Gitau. Reason for research Who are they (mobile-centric users)? How do they discover and access the mobile internet? Data costs How does the mobile-internet fit into their lives? Internet Security.
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NEW PATHS: EXPLORING MOBILE-CENTRIC INTERNET USE IN SOUTH AFRICABy Donner & Gitau • Reason for research • Who are they (mobile-centric users)? • How do they discover and access the mobile internet? • Data costs • How does the mobile-internet fit into their lives? • Internet Security
Reasons for research • There’s a lot of interest and enthusiasm around the mobile internet globally and in Africa. • Mobile internet holds a lot of potential for reaching many people. • Research community knows comparatively little about this large market. • Mobile internet is now broadly accessible. • Mobile internet in developing countries.
Who are they (mobile-centric users)? • The research was done in low-income areas around Cape Town and Khayelitsha. • 39 interviews • The respondents were between 11 and 29yrs old. • Mix between mobile-only, mobile and Pc, and PC only users. • The mobile internet is not the first means of mobile-mediated data transfer. They have used Bluetooth.
How do they discover and Access the mobile internet? • Mxit, e-mail, and Facebook • Trusted influencers and “tech savvy” friends • Help with installing, changing the settings and using the MXitprogramme. • Preferrence for using the internet on their phones rather than on a PC.
Opera Mini: Social Media User Percentage (Source: State of Mobile Opera Mini Report 2011)
Opera Mini • Flexible mobile browser: can be used on more than 3 000 different mobile-phone models. • It’s the 2nd most popular mobile web browser worldwide, after Google. • It comes pre-loaded on some Samsung phones. • It compresses web pages to increase speed and reduce data download costs.
Most Popular Phones and Websites For Opera Mini Users (Source: www.balancingact-africa.com)
How does the mobile-internet fit into their lives? • Domestication • Self-expression - maintain or expand their social networks– rather than utility. • Second to social networking, respondents use their mobile internet as a means to access news. • Immigrant community uses the mobile internet to access information about their home country. • Users seek out low-cost communication options. • Pre-paid/ pay as you go users. • Websites which have been optimized for mobile are preferred.