The "El
Vergatario," produced and owned by the Venezuelan Government under a joint
venture with ZTE of China is producing a US$14 phone that includes an mp3
player, radio and a camera. Aiming at the Latin American and Caribbean market
-this phone should be a hit because it is reasonable to the poorest people in
the area. The key to the phones success is that it has all the gadgets much
more luxurious mobile phones contain.
India in the last few
years has become the home of many pioneering Companies producing some of the
cheapest products for their home markets. The "Peoples phone" is
next, formed by Spice, the basic phone is for sale for only US$10. Spices are
marketing the phone throughout the region, and should sell at least 2 million
units by the end of this year.
Technology is getting
cheaper, and more countries are able to manufacture their own luxurious
products for their poorest citizens. And in the future compete globally with
other well known mobile brands, particularly the "El Vergatario."
Many people in
developed Countries may scowl at the fact that countries can produce what is measured
a luxury item, and market it to the poor. But often owning a mobile phone can
give the poorest people, a possibility. In Countries without a social safety
network, poor people work or do business on a survival level. A phone could
help them sell their harvest and find new work. But more significantly keep in
contact with their families.
Many members of the
poorest families journey to work. They form the "working" class in
many developing countries, doing what are careful menial jobs, particularly in
construction, factories and in service industries. Owning a mobile phone can
keep them keep in stroke with their families. It can also help them network for
jobs, and industry.
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