When there's talk about mobile these days it seems it's all about apps... And the fun things that can be done with them! But the most interesting report on mobile recently may indeed be the 15 pager from The Economist on how mobile phones are impacting developing countries. For instance, according to the World Bank, an extra 10 phones per 100 people in a typical developing country boosts GDP growth by .8%.
How? Consider mobile money which allows cash to travel as quickly as text messages through a network of corner shops (serving the role as bank) who take cash, turn it into digital vouchers and issue credits into a mobile account. That money can then be transferred (via text message) to other users who can withdraw the cash by visiting their own corner shops. One developing country who is using such a service is Kenya where household incomes have increased 5-30% since they started using mobile banking.
In 2000, developing countries represented 1/4 of the world's 700 million mobile subscribers. Today those countries represent three quarters of the 3.6 billion mobile subscribers and it looks as though the world will reach 100% teledensity within the decade (Kenya and Tanzania are expected to get there by 2013).
Anyway, amazing stats... For anyone studying mobile the article is a must read.
It also serves as an important reminder for mobile development... Apps are fun and valuable. But apps are a tactic not a strategy. As mobile strategies are set forth and/or refined, the considerations of the world in 2013 and the opportunities for brands to push the world forward through mobile value is what's really exciting to think about...