Mobile Connectivity or Food?

Researchers in Kenya have provided a partial answer to the debate of whether the priority of the government is to provide mobile connectivity or basic needs like food. In a survey that covered poor people in Africa (with income below $2.50 per day), the researchers found that the target segment was willing to sacrifice basic needs like food to save money for making a call or sending a SMS. The weekly savings put aside for mobile phones usage was as sometimes as big as one day wage. We can infer that mobile phone is perceived to be increasing their future ability to earn more. The report is available here. (Also see: World Bank's blog on the report).