Bottom of the pyramid expenditure patterns on mobile services in selected emerging Asian countries

Date

2011

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

USC Annenberg Press

Abstract

By following users in six Asian countries: Bangladesh, Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, the Philippines, and Thailand, this article analyzes patterns of expenditure on mobile phone services in poor and vulnerable populations. Are mobile phone services a luxury good or a necessity? Findings from this analysis show that mobile phone services for those at the bottom of the income pyramid are necessities; any increase in price or tax adds the greatest burden on the poorest of the poor, and the current high tax on mobile phone services in developing countries in Asia has an adverse effect on the poor.

Description

Keywords

ASIA, MOBILE PHONES, INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, ECONOMIC GROWTH, POVERTY ALLEVIATION, TELECOMMUNICATIONS, CONSUMER EXPENDITURE, INDIA, SRI LANKA, PHILIPPINES, THAILAND, PAKISTAN, BANGLADESH, BOP

Citation

Agüero, A., de Silva, H., & Kang, J. (2011). Bottom of the Pyramid Expenditure Patterns on Mobile Services in Selected Emerging Asian Countries. Information Technologies & International Development, 7(3), 19-32.

DOI