Re: Moblie web split

Hello Gina,

I've a slightly different view. I've been working since 2 years on 
setting up a new initiative W3C just launched last week called Mobile 
Web for Social Development ([1]). This new group will investigate 
exactly the domain you are talking: the use of mobile web technologies 
to bring services to rural communities and under-privileged populations 
of Developing Countries.

I would not say that the mobile industry overlook Developing Countries. 
At the opposite, it is the most active and growing markets for most of 
the players, and they are really eager on developing services. The 
problem is that they are quite far from reality, and they are trying to 
replicate what did work in the past in a completly different environment.
Very few also believes on the viability of the Mobile Web in Developing 
Regions, mostly because they still have the view that mobile web access 
requires high-end phones. This is true if you want to access video and 
sounds, but not a requirements if you want to deliver simple services 
like health, banking, or government services.
So there was clearly a need to create a forum that will gather mobile 
players, practitionners (ngo in the field, those who have already 
understand and are using mobile phones as an ict platform in developing 
countries), international organizations (UN, the world bank,...) which 
are driving high-level programs, people with an anthropology or 
ethnography background, academics,... to study the overall ecosystem, 
and understand the barriers and challenges that still limit the 
potential of mobile phones as an ict-platform, and prevent the creation 
of thousands of services.

If you are interested more on this topic i would recommend you join this 
new group (open to public participation) or just join the mailing 
public-mw4d@w3.org
You might also be interested in a white paper i wrote few months ago:
http://www.w3.org/2006/12/digital_divide/ajc

[1] http://www.w3.org/2008/MW4D/

Cheers
Stephane
-- 
Stephane Boyera		stephane@w3.org
W3C				+33 (0) 4 92 38 78 34
BP 93				fax: +33 (0) 4 92 38 78 22
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France

Received on Friday, 6 June 2008 10:20:27 UTC