Village Phone Replication Manual: Creating Sustainable Access to Affordable Telecommunications for the Rural Poor
One of the greatest success stories in international development has been Grameen's Village Phone program in Bangladesh. In rural villages where no telecommunications service has previously existed, mobile phones are provided to very poor women who use the phone to operate a business. These micro-entrepreneurs purchase the phone with a loan from Grameen Bank and then sell the use of it on a per call basis. The benefits to both the operator and the community have been tremendous. The Grameen...
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Staff of the Grameen Technology Center explain how to finance and implement its Village Phone program that has provided affordable mobile communications in Bengladesh and Uganda. After making a case for offering such services in partnership with the rural poor, the manual offers details of implemented models, and guidelines and forms for local variants. Published in conjunction with the Grameen Foundation USA. Not indexed. Annotation ©2006 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR
ForewordiPrefaceiiiIntroductionvIntroducing the Village Phone Replication Manual1Village Phone1The Need for Village Phones1What is Village Phone?2How Village Phone Works2Village Phone Roles and Responsibilities4Success in Bangladesh5Replication in Uganda7Keys for success8All Parties Win8Partner with the Microfinance sector as a channel to market10Wholesale airtime rates from the Telecommunications Company10In-country staff are essential10Steps for Replication of Village Phone12Steps for Replication - 1Identify a Target Country13Fundamentals13Drivers14Other Factors19Steps for Replication - 2Business Planning, Analysis and Financial Model Development20Steps for Replication - 3Identify Stakeholders and Relationships27Initial Catalyst / Champion27Village Phone Company27Telecommunications Company28Microfinance Institutions28Village Phone Operators29Partnership Considerations29Steps for Replication - 4Structuring the Company31Low cost infrastructure31For-Profit, Not-For-Profit or Not-for-Loss32Corporate Social Responsibility32Ownership and Governance32Microfinance Institutions34Pre-Paid vs. Post-Paid35Steps for Replication - 5Financing Village Phone36Steps for Replication - 6Establish Operational Foundation36Steps for Replication - 7Equipment Selection and Sourcing43Mobile phone43External antenna47Recharging solution48SIM card and airtime49Marketing collateral49Documentation53Equipment Warranty and Repair53Equipment Procurement and Inventory Management54Steps for Replication - 8Developing a Training Curriculum55New Village Phone Operator Training Agenda55Steps for Replication - 9Pilot Program57Set Pilot Parameters60Establish reporting mechanism and data analysis system60Create Customer Support Help Line61Establish MSISDN range61Steps for Replication - 10Operationalize the Business62Hire Staff62Ongoing Strategic Planning Process66Network Planning66Deployment Planning and Forecasting66Village Phone Operators Application and Approval Process66Equipment Order and Acquisition Process for Microfinance Institution68Call Center - Customer Support Help Line68MFI Incentive Program69Administration69Human Resources71Information Technology and Reporting71Additional Information71Steps for Replication - 11Formal Launch72Steps for Replication - 12Marketing72Steps for Replication - 13Ongoing Operations73Identify and resolve problems73Document business processes73Improve efficiency74Steps for Replication - 14Sharing Best Practices74Village Phone Evaluation75Impact Assessment and Evaluation75Hypotheses to be tested by the framework75Structuring the framework76Additional supporting evidence of impact78Village Phone Model Variants and Extensions82Microfinance as a Channel to Market83Creating Infrastructure83Case Study - Village Phone in Bangladesh84Organizations involved84Results85Market specific success keys87Case Study - Village Phone in Uganda88Closing Thoughts91In the Public Domain91Appendix AVillage Phone Resources and Publications92Appendix BTemplate MOU95Appendix CMicrofinance Manual for Village Phone98MFI Incentive Program108Additional Finance Products110Obligations of the Village Phone Operator115Call Center115Temporary and Permanent Blocks on Phones116Appendix DVillage Phone Operator Manual for Village Phone131Appendix EOperations Manual Outline for Village Phone Company154Appendix FHelp Line Reference Manual Template159Appendix GHeads of Agreement Template170Appendix HEquipment Suppliers173Appendix ISample Business Model174
