SECTOR OVERVIEW

By linking BOP communities to vast networks of information and ecosystems, Information and Communications Technologies have the potential to transform the way BOP communities interact with the world.

Social enterprises in this sector take advantage of the recent advances in information technology (primarily the internet and mobile phones) to offer users access to information or communication capacities that were not previously available or affordable.

ICT SEs help increase income-generating opportunities and general well being by enabling BOP consumers to:
• Access government services more efficiently and transparently;
• Make and receive payments, and access other online money transfer and banking services;
• Build problem-solving capacity in the areas of health, education, agriculture and more;
• Manage inventory and contacts (for community business owners and franchisees);
• Access best practices, relevant weather forecasts, and commodity prices (smallholder farmers);
• Access outsourced work opportunities through Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) services, which combine the benefits of employment for marginalized populations with training in long-term useful skills.

Many ICT social enterprises employ a franchise model to distribute their services to a wide geographic area. Internet kiosks or rented mobile phones enable customers to pay for access as they need it. SEs that create networks of information collection or service points add more value as they add more locations. Challenges for ICT social enterprises include competition with traditional ICT firms and technical issues such as internet/phone connectivity and reliable sources of power.

Social Enterprises by Sub-Sector

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Metrics

- Number of users
- Improved telecom coverage
- Increase in sales as a result of technology use
- Price decrease in technology product (as becomes more ubiquitous)

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Online Resources

Funders and Enablers

Lists of Resources
Next Billion Telecommunications Resources- Resources on telecommunications from Nextbillion.net

Reports

Case Studies

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