by Inflation and a weakening Rand have pushed up the cost of electronics, specifically mobile phones, says manufacturers. WASPA, does not agree.
WASPA (Wireless Application Service Providers’ Association) believes cellphones should not be considered a luxury in South Africa and should be encouraged.
This is especially true when one looks at the strong relationship between mobile data usage and economic growth.
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The GSMA previously released a report, which states, “mobile phones have improved communication, social inclusion, economic activity and productivity in sectors such as agriculture, health, education and finance.
As technology develops, mobile services have the potential to further impact economic development through the provision of high value 3G and 4G data services accessed via smartphones, tablets and dongles that deliver mobile data services to businesses and consumers.”
Three primary reasons why mobile usage is good for the economy
- Greater efficiency – More can be achieved using the same time and resources.
- Creativity – Greater human ingenuity with each successive technological advance.
- Encourages consumption – In a retail-led economy such as ours, it keeps cash registers full and employment positions filled.
Economics notwithstanding, the Bill of Rights as enshrined in Chapter Two of the South African Constitution states that everyone has the right to “security of the person”, “freedom of expression”, “freedom of association” and “access to information”, amongst other inalienable rights. WASPA’s view is that these basic rights are enhanced by ready access to the kind of mobile communications enabled by cellphones.
WASPA’s view is that these basic rights are enhanced by ready access to the kind of mobile communications enabled by cellphones.
“A mobile handset is a tool which allows ordinary people to interact with prospective employers while searching for job opportunities in the most efficient way. A mobile handset and a smartphone, in particular, is more valuable to the one-quarter of unemployed citizens than any employment agency. In addition, the security-enhancing features of smartphones cannot be denied.”
