South Asia is one of the world’s largest and fastest growing mobile markets, surpassing traditional media like television, radio, printed press and newer media like the internet. And mobile platforms are becoming the natural choice for extending digital services – SMS and basic voice to smart phones and enterprise workflow. Mobile is the choice for new content and services. APC member Digital Empowerment Foundation (DEF) and the Government of India launches a new award to recognise the best mobile applications in the region with awards in ten categories “Find out more about the mBillionth award”:http://mbillionth.in/.

Following the initial rush of Information and communication technologies for development (ICT4D) projects in rural Africa, many did not yield the anticipated outcomes, and interest has been dying down. People then began talking about “sustainable ICT” projects, in which it was understood that projects would become self-sufficient after their initial donor-led investment and set-up period. But with the use of mobile phones gaining in popularity, popular rhetoric has begun to question the need of ICTs beyond the mobiles phone. While mobile phones certainly have had a great impact in rural areas, a new study by Ian Howard, commissioned by APC, through the analysis of two case studies he argues that the need for telecentres and affordable internet connections exists, as such centres cater to rural and niche markets the way larger companies cannot.