USE AND IMPACT OF MOBILE TELEPHONY ON RURAL LIVELIHOODSIN THE DISTRICT OF DOWA

Abstract

Globalization and the rise of information society pose many challenges to communities of the developing nations. Many third-world governments and developing agencies are directing their efforts on outspreading telecommunication services, especially the mobile telephony into rural areas, as a way of lessening poverty, therefore inspiring livelihood growth and overcome perceived „digital divide‟ among the communities. For these communities to successfully use these technologies for livelihood enhancement, it is vital to understand the socio-economic structure on mobile phone uses and its apparent impacts. However, little is known about how communities in these areas benefit from mobile phone services and what impact it is having on their lives. This study endeavors to redress the balance, by examining the role of mobile telephones among rural communities in Dowa District, and how the technology contributes to their changing socio-economic livelihoods. Respondents indicated use of the technology for coordinating access to a variety of livelihood activities. The results suggested that most respondents value their mobile for the connectivity it affords with a variety of contacts for a number of purposes. Furthermore, the study identified a number of unique uses of mobile telephones, which confirm that these rural communities use mobile phones for developing their socio-economic status, signifying that digital inclusion impacts these isolated societies by creating opportunities that may foster livelihood development.