It's expensive being poor, this initiative by Vodafone might help
It's expensive being poor - because being poor means:
1) restricted communication options, including lack of internet - which means people can't afford things or save money because they can't surf for the cheapest deals often found online
2) because credit is expensive, poor credit rate hikes up the interest rates
Looks like Vodafone might help on both of these with this initiative:
- for 1) as the original poster "Not overblown at all" said being able to call a friend for best deals gets the user more opportunities to afford things and get cheaper deals, OK it's not internet but its slightly closer to it, and internet may come.
I believe basic internet/WAP has taken off in some developing countries already, as the first means to internet access they experienced, even though it was a flop in the UK - because we already had full access to compare it against.
- for 2) the micropayments system Vodafone are providing might enable more financial options
I like Vodafone for what they are doing here and for their SureSignal Femtocell system.
No, I don't work for them but I am a subscriber.
I know there may be other socially useful initiatives going on elsewhere, but I'll shrug off the archetypal, dour, cynical, sneering geek persona not uncommon here on the Reg, and embrace this article: would you rather be happy than clever?