Socio-Economic Benefits of Mobile
- Disaster Relief
 The
role of mobile telecommunications during conflict in Lebanon, 2006
[June 07]
During the conflict in Lebanon in July/August 2006, over 1,200
people were killed, 30,000 homes were destroyed, and the local
economy suffered $2.5 billion in physical damages and unmeasured
billions in losses. Mobile telecommunications was the main communication
channel for the hundreds of thousands of people that were stranded
throughout the country, helping to transmit vital information via
SMS for evacuation purposes; enabling doctors to locate people
in need of urgent medical care, and giving a new dimension to media
coverage through the use of phone integrated cameras. Throughout
the conflict, the patterns of mobile use in Lebanon confirm the
findings from other emergencies of the importance to individuals
of access to mobile communication, and showcase the resilience
of the mobile network in extreme circumstances. In July 2007, Middle
East and African regional mobile operator, MTC, published a 64-page
report, "Mobility: A nation under siege", examining mobile telecommunications
usage patterns during the conflict; the views and experiences of
MTC Touch's customers, and the ways in which MTC Touch was able
to keep its operation running throughout the conflict.
Click
here to read the Executive Summary
Click
here to download the full report
 Mobile
Phones Play Vital Role In Aftermath Of A Disaster
[Dec 05]
Study says text is often best way to communicate in emergencies
The mobile phone has become the device most people turn
to in an emergency. Mobile networks experience huge increases in
traffic immediately following a disaster and high-levels of demand
continue for many days afterwards, according to data in a study
published by the GSM Association.
GSMA Press release... Download
the report...
  Paulo
Lustosa
Vice Minister of Communications, Brazil
“Mobile phone use brings unparalleled value to
the Brazilian people. It allows us the benefit of connection
across our great country, lessening the divide of great
distances while ensuring easy reach from parents to their
children. Further and importantly, it has extended the
ability and opportunity for micro and small entrepreneurial
businesses to flourish and enhance the cornerstone of our
economy.”
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 Dayanidhi
Maran
Minister of Communications & Information Technology,
Government of India
“Looking ahead, we see vibrant
competition, increased affordability, enhanced rollout
and exchange, higher rural traffic, lower roaming charges,
and next generation services as growth drivers for the
future.”
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 Robert G. Conway
CEO & Board Member, GSM Association
"Mobile services can change millions of lives.
One of the key roles of government is to work with the
mobile industry and investors, to develop programmes that
build a sustainable ecosystem around mobile networks."
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