World Dialogue on Regulation: Friday, 10 February 2006 Written by Ayesha Zainudeen, Rohan Samarajiva & Ayoma Abeysuriya
As a part of LIRNEasia’s Telecom Use on a Shoestring project and within the overall WDR theme of diversifying participation in network development, the use of ’strategic’ behaviour to curb communication costs amongst the financially constrained in Sri Lanka and India was explored. The findings relating to such ’strategic’ behavior are available for comment in the paper Telecom use on a shoestring: Strategic use of telecom services by the financially constrained in South Asia.
Abstract:
When one talks of a ‘shoestring’ budget, it is understood that reference is being made to constrained finances, where individuals make attempts to cut costs through various methods without harming utility. This paper looks at the use of ‘strategies’ by such ‘shoestring’ users to reduce their communication costs. While the use of ‘long-term’ strategies, relating to the investment in a phone, is evident, that of ‘short-term’ strategies, relating to everyday use are looked at is found to be low. It is concluded that this is a result of a series of constraints on users, rather than a lack of a concern for controlling spending on telecoms.
Also in this series is a Powerpoint presentation on Telecom Use on a Shoestring: a Study of the Financially Constrained in South Asia and a paper Telecom Use on a Shoestring: The Case of Bangladesh.
Comments are welcome on the LIRNEasia website at http://www.lirneasia.net/2006/02/strategic-use-of-telecom-services-on-a-shoestring/
Abstract:
When one talks of a ‘shoestring’ budget, it is understood that reference is being made to constrained finances, where individuals make attempts to cut costs through various methods without harming utility. This paper looks at the use of ‘strategies’ by such ‘shoestring’ users to reduce their communication costs. While the use of ‘long-term’ strategies, relating to the investment in a phone, is evident, that of ‘short-term’ strategies, relating to everyday use are looked at is found to be low. It is concluded that this is a result of a series of constraints on users, rather than a lack of a concern for controlling spending on telecoms.
Also in this series is a Powerpoint presentation on Telecom Use on a Shoestring: a Study of the Financially Constrained in South Asia and a paper Telecom Use on a Shoestring: The Case of Bangladesh.
Comments are welcome on the LIRNEasia website at http://www.lirneasia.net/2006/02/strategic-use-of-telecom-services-on-a-shoestring/
