[cr-india] "CRS adopt mobile technology to drive social change"

Tue May 14 23:40:51 CDT 2013

Dear Suman and other listserv members,

To answer Suman's questions on the cost for mobile integration, I am 
happy to give an update that GRINS, which enables seamless voice call 
and SMS integration for CR stations, and earlier required a GSM device 
worth approximately Rs 15,000, now works using regular USB dongles which 
come for hardly Rs 1,500. We have already upgraded most of the stations 
using GRINS to the new USB module. As most of you would know, the GRINS 
software itself is free and open source. There are a few hardware 
dependencies on the sound card, but overall it is still quite 
affordable, and if we can find a technical partner in Nepal we are happy 
to train them on GRINS installation for CR stations in Nepal.

In addition, at Gram Vaani we have developed a new technology suite 
called v-Automate, which works in a cloud telephony manner. This means 
that no installation is required at the stations. We will create a 
call-in number on our servers at IIT Delhi, where we have reliable power 
and Internet access, and give you a web based administration interface. 
Several applications are available, including a helpline, a voice-based 
survey application, grievance tracking, and outbound messaging. Billing 
is done based on usage, in a per-minute manner, and options are 
available whether to keep it toll-free for callers or to have the 
callers pay to call. More details are available on our website: 
http://www.gramvaani.org/

We have also launched the Mobile Vaani partner program which enables CR 
stations to use these mobile tools at nearly zero costs, to become a 
part of the Mobile Vaani network. Our objective with the network is to 
make community media financial self-sustaining. This is a daunting 
challenge, but using the right technology and efficient processes, we 
feel that this can be done. The rural economy is growing rapidly and 
there is a lot of energy among local entrepreneurs to use mobile based 
technologies to build self sustaining business models which are scalable 
and replicable. In addition, the government departments are waking up to 
the need to connect with communities via existing networks. Our EoI for 
the Mobile Vaani partner program is still open, and several stations 
have already sent their interests, so do check out http://mobilevaani.in 
and write to us.

I also want to add to what Ram suggested, that spectrum subsidy should 
indeed extend to the use of mobile phones for social development and 
community empowerment. We can together build a strong case for this. But 
of course, it needs responsive agencies on the side of the government to 
listen to us! While we should continue to work hard and hammer this 
through, we cannot wait for them to respond and should try to create 
alternate market based solutions as well.

regards
Aaditeshwar

On 14-05-2013 19:55, Suman wrote:
>
> Dear Ram,
>
> Dear Sajan,
>
> Thanks to you both for initiating the discussion. I wish to request 
> you to answer the following to help me understand the matter clearly:
>
> Can mobile telephone be a way for CR stations to increase listeners 
> without jeopardizing existing listenership? And if the answer is yes 
> then should a CRS not pursue this irrespective of the fact that mobile 
> telephone users can by themselves be seen as a community?
>
> Secondly, how does the technology work, briefly? What is the basic of 
> linking a CRS to mobile telephone service and what costs are involved 
> (taking India as a case)?
>
> Thanks a lot and warmest regards, Suman, Kathmandu
>
> *From:*cr-india [mailto:cr-india-bounces at mail.sarai.net] *On Behalf Of 
> *ram bhat
> *Sent:* Tuesday, May 14, 2013 1:45 PM
> *To:* sajan venniyoor
> *Cc:* CR India
> *Subject:* Re: [cr-india] "CRS adopt mobile technology to drive social 
> change"
>
> Thanks Sajan for this link.
>
> There is no doubt that mobile telephony can benefit CRS
>
> Two things come to mind:
>
> 1) Use of mobile phones can produce certain kinds of communities, and 
> give the CRS an illusion that mobile phone owners are the community, 
> whereas in reality, there may be some who are marginalized who may not 
> own a mobile phone. Often there may be those who own a mobile phone 
> but cannot access it, e.g. women.
>
> 2) In terms of spectrum, CRS has successfully struggled to gain free 
> spectrum in the FM band, citing the 1995 judgment. However, for some 
> strange reason, we don't think that the same spectrum extends to 
> mobile telephony, and we're perfectly happy to pay private or public 
> service providers for telephony use, even though the purpose of that 
> spectrum usage is the same as that of CR - public interest/community 
> development. When P.B Sawant said airwaves are public property, he 
> didn't mean FM, he meant airwaves - which, assuredly, includes mobile 
> telephony spectrum, not to mention, wireless internet spectrum - 3G 
> and the forthcoming 4G spectrum.
>
> best,
>
>
> Ram
>
> On Tue, May 14, 2013 at 10:37 AM, sajan venniyoor <venniyoor at gmail.com 
> <mailto:venniyoor at gmail.com>> wrote:
>
> *CRS adopt mobile technology to drive social change 
> <http://www.radioandmusic.com/content/editorial/news/crs-adopt-mobile-technology-drive-social-change>*
> www.radioandmusic.com <http://www.radioandmusic.com> | 13 May 2013
>
>
> MUMBAI: Community Radio stations in remote areas have started 
> exploring the mobile technology to empower reach among their limited 
> audience. This technology is seen as a powerful tool to spread awareness.
>
> Speaking with Radioandmusic.com, Community Radio Association 
> vice-president NA Shah Ansari said, "Radio Namaskar had started an 
> innovative programme 'Chala School Ku Jiba' (let us go to school) to 
> reduce student dropout in the schools of its coverage area. It is the 
> first community radio of Odisha to integrate mobile technology with 
> community radio. Mobile technology is changing and has strength to 
> bring social change. It is the need of the hour."
>
> In remote areas like Konark, there is about 95 per cent reach. Ansari 
> highlighted, "In our campus, we have more than 100 per cent use of 
> mobile as people have started using two phones at one time. We have 
> witnessed around 200 listeners."
>
> Currently, Radio Namaskar is using mobile technology to create 
> awareness about the Public distribution schemes (PDS) among its 
> community. "In my community, people are aware about their rights 
> because of mobile technology that we have integrated. People are well 
> versed, informed and are satisfied about it which allows them to 
> express their grievances, Ansari said.Moreover, the integration has 
> also increased listenership. Ansari added, "We have about 10-20 calls 
> every day for PDS grievances alone. The grievances we receive through 
> people are compiled into a program by us or we directly send it to 
> administration to address it or get them answered for the people."
>
> Recently, Ansari had addressed the National Consultation on use of 
> mobile phones for social and behaviour change at New Delhi 
> highlighting the mobile technology. This consultation was organised by 
> UNICEF and Digital Empowerment Foundation that aims to  reflect on the 
> reach, access, use and potential of mobile phones amongst the users, 
> including women and adolescents and to understand some of the unique 
> programmes being implemented using mobile phones for social and 
> behavior change for information/knowledge dissemination, monitoring, 
> support to frontline workers and interpersonal communication.
>
> /Source: 
> /http://www.radioandmusic.com/content/editorial/news/crs-adopt-mobile-technology-drive-social-change
>
>
> Join the Community Radio Forum. For membership details, please go to 
> www.crforum.in <http://www.crforum.in>
>
>
>
> Join the Community Radio Forum. For membership details, please go to www.crforum.in

-- 
Aaditeshwar Seth
Co-founder, Gram Vaani Community Media

http://gramvaani.org
http://www.linkedin.com/company/gram-vaani-community-media

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