Comments on: WGSDIA – Lobby For Cheaper SMS Charges

By: Davis Cook

Davis Cook — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 10:44:22 +0000

It is really nice that Google has launched innovative SMS service in Uganda. But I think the service cost should be such that a middle class people can also afford it.

By: Kevin Donovan

Kevin Donovan — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 11:38:28 +0000

@Steve I stand corrected

By: Steve Song

Steve Song — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 20:32:47 +0000

Completely agree about Ariely and mobile pricing. Not sure how it is that you see SMS infrastructure as non-generative. I see SMS infrastructure ideally as an extension of the Internet, with lots of potentially interesting additional features such as mobile banking, geo-aware functionality, QRcodes, etc, etc.

By: Kevin Donovan

Kevin Donovan — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 15:27:08 +0000

Agreed. And we also shouldn’t forget the psychological effects of pricing (Ariely speaks about these in Predictably Irrational).

However, Twitter innovation is different from SMS innovation due to the generativity of the ‘net. I may be wrong, but I think beeping is the exception rather than the rule. Twitter’s openness, interoperability and general “Internet ethic” means that hastags and @ replies are the rule.

I know I’m preaching to the choir about the importance of a read/write generativity, but think it deserves saying. (After all, YouTube wasn’t a zero-cost innovation, but it was possible due to a structure of generativity (including net neutrality).)

By: Steve frm berlin (ugandan)

Steve frm berlin (ugandan) — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 15:08:25 +0000

I do really enjoy this insightful discussion. My thinking is that , lets give google and mtn a chance to start ” a journey of 1000 miles begins with a step”