Cellphones Bring a :-) to Remotest Africa

This article on cellphone use, repair, and maintenance in Namibia describes the services available to cellphone users, particularly in rural areas. It observes that with a car battery, a generator, phone jacks, and a variety of chargers, people open shops to service and recharge cell phones, which, as stated here, are regarded as critical to rural life, including some predominantly tribal areas.

According to Saadhna Panday, of South Africa's Human Sciences Research Council, "Cellphones are in the deepest rural areas in Africa. Young people today, more than any generation, have digital savvy. They all have access to SMS [short message service] and cellphones." As stated here, phone use has different characteristic than in Western culture. "Here, people send text messages to friends, but also use their cells to do banking and organize political rallies. In areas with no TV, farmers use phones to get agricultural news and weather reports. (The Kenya Agricultural Commodity Exchange, for instance, sends text messages with up-to-date market prices.) In townships, entrepreneurs will set up cellphone booths, where passers-by can use airtime for a slightly inflated price."


The article points out differences in "cellphone etiquette", including advance purchase of airtime, rather than contracts, which require a higher monthly income. "...there is much manoeuvring to save "units." Most Namibians, for instance, touch base with one another by inexpensive SMS", and particularly in Nambia on "free Fridays". In addition, "many people also have two or more phones, each with SIM (subscriber identity module) cards from different providers, so they can take advantage of the day's best deals."


Thrifty callers also use other people's airtime by calling and hanging up or sending free "please call" messages (free because of attached text advertisements) to let people know they are thinking of them. A friend can also text message a friend for a money transfer (also done via cellphone) to help purchase more airtime units (sometimes the message says "please recharge").


The reference to "unit" has found a place in pop culture, e.g., Congolese song lyrics: "All of love's units are used up. Please recharge my love account."

The vital place for cellphones in this social networking gives rise to both repair shops as a livelihood and competition. Many are located in shipping containers or even more basic structures and may be start-ups or sideline businesses of a mobile phone company employee.