Framework Notes

Hello,
  Sorry to interrupt the ongoing discussion on illiteracy and internet. It
is indeed interesting but I just seem to get the idea that we are
again beginning yet another X4D forum with presumptions and
over-simplifications. As you know, many industry players and industry bodies
have ongoing projects and initiatives focusing on developing/emerging
countries handling different aspects of an issue so complex that discussion
without a common framework might lead us nowhere.

Some of the presumptions that I can gather based on the discussions here:

1. By default, everyone in the emerging/market is eager to use the mobile
web.
2. Only issues stopping them from using mobile web or for that matter
Web are technological or economics in nature
3. Developing/Emerging markets are homogenous in nature with the same
economic status, literacy rate, aspirations and culture

I do not know if the MW4D IG is working on a framework or if some other
forum might have already done this. If not, then we should, in my opinion,
strive to do the following:

1. Framework: Create a framework document as the first deliverable with the
following definitions:
                   - defining the scope of mobile web
                   - a classification of the heterogenous nature of an
emerging/developing market.

Unless we do this, we cannot have a constructive discussion that leads to
tangible results. In other words, we might again end up being "just another
project on development" with lots of nice and informative 200 page
deliverables, but creating little practical change in reality.

2. Leverage and Liaison: There is already an enormous wealth of information
generated by other forums such as ICT4D, GSMA, W3C and industry players.
Leverage the existing literature and liaison with ongoing efforts to avoid
reinventing the wheel.

In my opinion, one of the key reasons for the enormous success of mobile
phones in the emerging markets (as well as in developed world in the early
years) was due to the presence of a killer service, i.e., voice. So, we
should not be disappointed if a similar rate of adoption is not seen for the
mobile Web/ Fixed Internet unless there is one such killer app. Also, we
should resist the temptation to prescribe killer services/applications to
the population. This will only add to the failure.

I will take this opportunity also to add an off-topic concern. This mailing
list is currently publicly archived with the emailids unmasked which is not
the practice followed by most forums. I request the webmaster or any
concerned person to kindly follow this practice as many of the members will
use their official ids which can become a hotspot for spammers. Considering
that spamming is a major issue to tackle also in mobile web, I would really
appreciate if you can take this issue seriously.

Thanks.

Regards
Renjish