tailieunhanh - Economic Impact of Mobile Communications in Sudan

This briefing paper was commissioned by Ericsson (global provider of telecommunications equipment and related services) and Zain (mobile operator active in seven Middle Eastern and fifteen sub-Saharan African countries) in order to describe the social and economic impact that mobile communication is having in Sudan. The paper aims to give a concise overview of the key economic and social effects of mobile telephony in Sudan and the social and economic development case for continued investment in telecommunications infrastructure by foreign companies. This paper summarizes the findings of three commissioned sub-reports: “The Nile Connection” (de Bruijn and Brinkman, February 2008) available on , “Economic Impact of Mobile Communications in Sudan”. | Zain Group and Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson This briefing paper was commissioned by Ericsson global provider of telecommunications equipment and related services and Zain mobile operator active in seven Middle Eastern and fifteen sub-Saharan African countries in order to describe the social and economic impact that mobile communication is having in Sudan. The paper aims to give a concise overview of the key economic and social effects of mobile telephony in Sudan and the social and economic development case for continued investment in telecommunications infrastructure by foreign companies. This paper summarizes the findings of three commissioned sub-reports The Nile Connection de Bruijn and Brinkman February 2008 available on Economic Impact of Mobile Communications in Sudan Deloitte June 2009 and Sudan Mobile Communication a driver for growth Majanen and Kruse October 2008 all of which were mutually commissioned by Zain and Ericsson as part of this study. Mobile telephony has been described by Professor Jeffrey Sachs as the single most transformative technology development of recent times. Congratulations to Zain and Ericsson on the new report on mobile communications in Sudan. The report provides fascinating insights and detail into the remarkable impact of mobile telephony in economic development showing how and why mobile phones have quickly penetrated Sudan s economy and society. Mobile telephony has quickly assumed a central place in Sudan s economy in direct employment in the telecomms sector itself in providing market information and logistical support in the dominant agriculture sector and in enabling families to stay in contact in the course of conflicts migration and large population displacements. Mobile penetration has extended beyond the Khartoum region to include South Sudan and even conflict-ridden Darfur. The use of mobile phones in refugee camps to support health education and family reunification is also being tested. In short the