WIMAX and social change

One of the most gratifying things that we, as technologists, can do is to change the lives of people for the better. The Internet revolution in the 1990’s greatly enhanced the ability of people to access information, the evolution of the World Web Web and Web 2.0 has lead to greater empowerment as users can interact directly with suppliers and government. 

 

One area that has lagged has been access to services, especially in the developing world. Services such as healthcare and education, and in some areas, even basic voice telephony. Wireless Broadband technology holds the promise to change that, with enhanced connectivity, at a cost that makes sense. 

 

I just had the privilege of spending part of last week with Broadband Africa, a new WiMAX operator with large ambitions. As they will be announcing and discussing their new service at ITU next week, I won’t take their thunder, except to say that they are focused on changing lives and transforming economies, especially in rural Africa.   Their three areas of initial focus – healthcare, education and communication (IP telephony).

 

In the WiMAX Forum I have been a champion of vertical applications, mostly because I see the need for these types of service – not just in Africa, but throughout the world in rural areas and urban slums. The vertical apps that will pay the operators cost serve the people with the means to pay the bill, but with the right kind to vision and business model, they can also serve the unmeet of the poor and underserved. I’m glad to see that kind of vision alive and well and on display in Geneva.

 

In an associated note, three initial services will be on display at the WiMAX Forum booth in Geneva.  They address digital healthcare, remote learning, and shared-link IP telephony, all operating over Cisco’s WiMAX access network. Please stop by!