In rural communities throughout emerging markets, phone- sharing could become a way of life. One member who owns a mobile and subscribes to the network service could share the facility. Others in the community can take turns using the phone. Nokia has developed easy-to-manage solutions such as cost-and time-tracking to provide the phone’s owner with a way to control usage. Some of Nokia’s mobile phones have the capacity for multiple phonebooks.

In urban centres in emerging markets, phone sharing becomes even more entrepreneurial. Enterprising local business owners have developed mobile phone booths including bicycles with phones mounted on them, which can follow the urban flow of people to wherever they need to make calls.

Given the chance, most people would like to own a mobile phone. However, in many emerging markets, lower income consumers face financial barriers that make it impossible to own a mobile phone. There is a way to increase opportunities for connectivity for these important entry-level consumers which is phone-sharing.

Phone-sharing can take various forms from unofficial sharing between friends, roommates or family members to small businesses that allow consumers to make calls or send text messages for a minimal fee. This enables the lower-income consumer a chance to connect with family and friends without the burden of paying for a device or being committed to a network service.

Whether it is a remote village or fast-paced urban centre, phone-sharing is making it possible for more people to stay connected. Business or pleasure and, above all, the latitude of connectivity is perhaps limitless, said, Director, Solutions Development, Nokia Siemens Networks Rauno Granath. He made these observations at the Nokia Convention titled ‘Every one has a reason’ last week in New Delhi.