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

WHAT IS FREEDOM FONE?

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.

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 eg MobiGater Sim card/s Audio recorder and editing software. Estimated costs - $2 000- $3500

What do you 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

What do audiences need?

FARM RADIO INTERNATIONAL

THE KUKU HOTLINE, TANZANIA

FARMERS PHONE, GHANA

LIRNEASIA CRISIS RESPONSE

Examples of freedom fone models

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

Advantages…

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)

Disadvantages

Elections

Health

Journalism

Agriculture

Crisis

Business

Situations

Telephony is inherently insecure.

Relatively easy for authorities to monitor the service and view messages.

Caller privacy compromised.

Employees can copy information .

Security issues!

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?

Digital Divide

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, qualityof technical connections and social support, ability to evaluate the quality of information,and diversity 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

Information famine?

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”

ICT’S FRIEND OR FOE?

“The world’s poorest two billion people

desperately need healthcare, not laptops.” Bill Gates

The end.

clear understanding to fully utilize ICT’s. REFERENCES Smith, M., Elder, L. 2010. “Open ICT Ecosystems Transforming the Developing World.” Info

rmation 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].

REFERENCES