Thursday, 31 July 2008

Grameen Foundation, Bakrie Telecom, and Qualcomm Build Telecommunications Access

Grameen Foundation, Bakrie Telecom, and Qualcomm Incorporated announced the launch of the first Village Phone Program in Indonesia, branded as Uber ESIA, using 3G CDMA technology to provide affordable wireless telecommunications services for rural communities.

They will be working with local Indonesian microfinance institutions to enable microfinance clients to borrow the money needed to purchase a Village Phone "business in a box", which consists of a wireless 3G CDMA-based phone and charger, marketing materials, tariff posters, business cards, and training materials.

The Village Phone Operators (VPOs) will operate their businesses in rural villages where telecommunications services did not previously exist, renting the use of the phone within their communities on a per-call basis.

According to Alex Counts, president and CEO of Grameen Foundation, the rural poor are not left behind in this rapidly changing information and communications technology environment.

On the other hand, Anindya N Bakrie, president director, PT Bakrie Telecom Tbk said that Uber ESIA is a breakthrough in Indonesia's telecommunication industry, as well as a valuable instrument to help Indonesia's rural communities to enhance the economic and social livelihoods of those who are underserved. "We always consider the poor communities as a productive because they also have the rights for telecommunications access. But in fact, most of them do not have the necessary purchasing power," said Bakrie.

Regarding this announcement, John Stefanac, president of Qualcomm Southeast Asia-Pacific said that Qualcomm believes access to advanced wireless voice and data services bring social and economic opportunities to all communities.