This section features background information and resources relevant to the current research theme. It includes resources produced by WDR and external sources and is organised by regions and topics. An archive of resources recommended in previous research cycles is also available along with news from the WDR/Intelecon Regulatory News Service.
Affordability questionnaire Print E-mail
Tuesday, 14 June 2005

Telecom Demand: Measures for Improving Affordability Project

The researchers working on this project would be grateful for any information you can provide, or point us towards, on any of the following topics in relation to your own country.  Please also include any relevant personal experiences or anecdotes that you would like to share.  We especially need evidence of “what works” (or doesn’t work).

a) Any existing consumer research findings relevant to telecom affordability.  For example, is there evidence of people saving on transport costs by spending on telecoms? How are people minimising their spending on telecoms?

b) Examples of relevant good practices and innovative service offerings designed to improve affordability, e.g. virtual telephony, real-time tariffing; including both cost-reduction and pricing/packaging marketing initiatives. 

c) Separately for fixed phone service, mobile phone service and internet:

  • What are current tariffs, and how have they changed recently?
  • What changes in tariffs, or in other aspects of service, have particularly affected service take-up and use by people in lower income groups?
  • If there is a prepayment option, please rank the following improvements in the order (1 for most useful ) which, in your opinion,  would most help people with limited budgets to use the service.
    • Being able to prepay in smaller units (eg to pay $1 at a time rather than $5)
    • Prepaid credit lasting for longer (eg $5 card valid for 2 months rather than for 1 month)
    • More calling time for your money (eg 100 minutes for $5 rather than 50 minutes for $5)
    • Other (please describe)

d) Are there any regulatory requirements on operators intended to make telecom service affordable to more people? If so, please provide details or point to where they can be found. 
e) Any known information on demand elasticities

Please contact Claire Milne, Visiting Researcher, Department of Media and Communications, London School of Economics and Independent Consultant, with any responses

This project is undertaken for LIRNE.NET’s Preparing for WSIS: ICT Research and Dissemination Programme, funded by IDRC, Canada.