Mobile Telephone Users Research Articles

Digital technologies and financial inclusion in Sub-Saharan Africa

The study investigates the digital technology-financial inclusion nexus in 43 Sub-Saharan African countries between 2004 and 2019. The methodologies are the Generalized Method of Moment (GMM) to take care of double causality and country heterogeneity and IV-Tobit to take into account the limited range in the dependent variables. At all levels, digital technology measured by ICT indicators of the subscription rate of fixed and mobile telephone users, fixed broadband, internet users and a composite indicator of digitalization have positive significant effects on financial inclusion. A further robustness check is conducted by computing a composite indicator of financial inclusion to determine how it is affected by digital technology. The findings indicate that the rate of financial inclusion in Sub Saharan Africa rises with increasing digital technologies. There should be more investments in terms of promoting financial and technological infrastructures and also in the human capital sector since financial literacy can play an important part in promoting financial stability and inclusive finance in Africa.

FUNCTIONAL MODELLING OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS DATA

This work deals with statistical modeling and forecasting of telecommunications data. Main mobile traffic events (SMS, Voice calls, Mobile data) are smoothed using B-spline functions and later analyzed in a functional framework. Functional linear auto-regression models are fitted using both bottom-up and topdown design methodologies. The advantages and disadvantages of both approaches for the prediction of mobile telephone users’ habits are discussed.

The Impact of Service Quality on Customer Satisfaction in Cameroon’s Mobile Telephony Sector

The objective of this study is to investigate the relationship between service quality and satisfaction of mobile telephone users in Cameroon. Service quality was measured using eight constructs (Tangibility, Reliability, Responsiveness, Empathy, Assurance, Economy, Technical Quality and Image) while users ’satisfaction was captured through perceived performance, comparison standards and repurchase intentions. Data was collected from 386 Cameroonian mobile telephone users of the cities of Yaounde, Douala, Bamenda and Buea. We regressed measures of customer satisfaction on service quality variables. The main result of the study is that high service quality contributes significantly to higher customer satisfaction. The most influential service quality variables were image and economy while the least effective determinant of satisfaction was responsiveness. Based on these findings, we recommend mobile telecommunication operators to concentrate on improving their image and reputation to achieve higher customer satisfaction. Moreover, given the relatively high value of the variable “economy”, a low-price strategy is also encouraged while least attention should be directed to “responsiveness”.

Analysis of QOS Delivered to Users of WCDMA Band in Different Locations: Case Study of University of Ilorin, Nigeria

Since 2001, which marked the advent of modern telephony in Nigeria, there is a significant increase in the capacity of the Mobile Network Operators (MNOs). Total connected active lines were quite over a hundred million according to the reports by Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC), the regulatory body in Nigeria. However, mobile telephone users in the country are experiencing poor quality of service at different locations in the country. Thus, NCC has set benchmark values for various keys performance Indicator. In this study, findings on the quality of service delivered to users of WCDMA Band by the MNOs in different locations within University of Ilorin will be made.

Commentary: Death by Distraction

Distraction is something that emergency medical personnel are intimately familiar with. We’re used to being distracted on our shifts. Observational studies have shown that interruptions during ED shifts occur as frequently as every 6 to 9 minutes. We tell ourselves that it’s okay because we’re excellent multitaskers; then we try to remember what we were doing and get back to it. In the meantime, studies demonstrating our multitasking effectiveness—or the lack thereof—are beginning to accumulate, and they suggest we’re not as facile with distractions as perhaps we’d like to be. A study of residents performing virtual surgery showed worse outcomes with pagers beeping and sign-out list questions being asked compared with that in a quiet environment. It’s widely accepted that interrupting nurses during medication preparation and administration is detrimental to patient safety. Yet, as providers, we often continue to believe that we’re immune to this effect. Language: en

Unconstitutionality of the Policy Against Mobile Number Portability on 01X G2 Mobile Telephone Users

Unconstitutionality of the Policy Against Mobile Number Portability on 01X G2 Mobile Telephone Users

Surveying alcohol and other drug use through telephone sampling: a comparison of landline and mobile phone samples

BackgroundTelephone surveys based on samples of landline telephone numbers are widely used to measure the prevalence of health risk behaviours such as smoking, drug use and alcohol consumption. An increasing number of households are relying solely on mobile telephones, creating a potential bias for population estimates derived from landline-based sampling frames which do not incorporate mobile phone numbers. Studies in the US have identified significant differences between landline and mobile telephone users in smoking and alcohol consumption, but there has been little work in other settings or focussed on illicit drugs.MethodsThis study examined Australian prevalence estimates of cannabis use, tobacco smoking and risky alcohol consumption based on samples selected using a dual-frame (mobile and landline) approach. Respondents from the landline sample were compared both to the overall mobile sample (including respondents who had access to a landline) and specifically to respondents who lived in mobile-only households. Bivariate comparisons were complemented with multivariate logistic regression models, controlling for the effects of basic demographic variables.ResultsThe landline sample reported much lower prevalence of tobacco use, cannabis use and alcohol consumption than the mobile samples. Once demographic variables were adjusted for, there were no significant differences between the landline and mobile respondents on any of the alcohol measures examined. In contrast, the mobile samples had significantly higher rates of cannabis and tobacco use, even after adjustment. Weighted estimates from the dual-frame sample were generally higher than the landline sample across all substances, but only significantly higher for tobacco use.ConclusionsLandline telephone surveys in Australia are likely to substantially underestimate the prevalence of tobacco smoking by excluding potential respondents who live in mobile-only households. In contrast, estimates of alcohol consumption and cannabis use from landline surveys are likely to be broadly accurate, once basic demographic weighting is undertaken.

SMS‐based content alert system: a case with Bundelkhand University Library, Jhansi

Purpose – Short Message Service (SMS) is an application that is widely used by all types of mobile telephone users. Integration of these short messages for marketing different products and services has become a common practice in e‐commerce. This study aims to look at how SMS‐based mobile alerts can be effectively implemented in libraries for successfully marketing the library services and providing value‐added services. This study seeks to follow‐up an original pilot project conducted by the University of Swaziland and Emerald Group Publishing on SMS‐based alert services for a smaller group of users on Emerald's Intouch platform. In this new study the authors aim to try the same project with a combination of multiple databases and a heterogeneous user groups on an independent platform.Design/methodology/approach – With the experiences gained from the UNISWA‐Emerald pilot project on SMS alerts a similar project with a wider scope was attempted at Bundelkhand University, Jhansi, India, where an attempt was...

Recruitment using mobile telephones in an Irish general population sexual health survey: challenges and practical solutions

BackgroundNon-coverage of households without a landline telephone is a major concern of telephone survey researchers. Sampling mobile telephone users in national surveys is vital in order to gain access to the growing proportion of households that use mobile telephones extensively or exclusively. The complex logistics of conducting surveys with mobile telephones have been discussed in the literature. This paper outlines the actual challenges encountered during a recent national sexual health survey in Ireland, which utilized a mobile telephone sampling frame to recruit approximately half of the sample.MethodThe 2010 Irish Contraception and Crisis Pregnancy Survey (ICCP-2010) is a nationally representative sample of adults aged 18-45 years living in Ireland (n = 3002; 1416 recruited by landline telephone and 1586 recruited by mobile telephone). The overall response rate for the survey was 69% (79% for the landline telephone strand; 61% for the mobile telephone strand). All interviews were conducted using computer-assisting telephone interviewing.ResultsDuring the 18-week fieldwork period, five main challenges relating to the use of mobile telephones were encountered: (1) explaining to respondents how random digit dialling works in relation to mobile telephones; (2) establishing the respondent's eligibility; (3) calling the respondent with the Caller ID blocked or withheld; (4) calling the respondent when they are in any number of locations or situations; and (5) explaining to respondents the importance of refusal conversion calls for the response rate calculation. Details of how the survey protocols and procedures were monitored and adapted throughout the study to ensure a high response rate are outlined.ConclusionIt is undeniably more challenging to recruit respondents using mobile telephones as opposed to landline telephones. Respondents are generally not familiar with being contacted on their personal mobile telephone for the purposes of being recruited for a research study. The main challenge for survey methodologists and interviewers is to devise simple protocols to explain to respondents why they are being contacted on a mobile telephone. Recommendations for survey researchers interested in using this methodological approach in the future are discussed.

Service Quality Perceptions: A Case of Ugandan Telephony Users

The potential disparity between expected and actual service quality (Gap 5) among telephony users was investigated. A sample of 262 mobile telephone users from 4 networks in Uganda were investigated. Pilot tests indicated that the instrument had good internal consistency, with all Cronbach's alpha reliability coefficients greater than .8 for both expected and actual service perceptions. Three focus group interviews were conducted. Structural equation modelling was used to test the theory through confirmatory factor analysis and goodness-of-fit tests. Goodness-of-fit tests established that the model did not fit the subsample data. The paired samples t test indicated that Gap 5 was nonexistent among telephony users in Uganda. Qualitative findings showed that Gap 5 existed among users of telephony services. Similar findings are not available for underdeveloped countries. This study should be replicated in countries that mirror the socioeconomic characteristics of Uganda. A methodological contribution through adoption of triangulation approach.

Design and Implementation of Asking for Direction Multimedia System: Application of Mobile-GIS Technology

The aim of this paper is to study mobile geographic information system (mobile-GIS) technology to design an asking for direction multimedia system, by applying ArcGIS Engine developer kit, Database Management System (DBMS) and Winsock mechanism in Microsoft Visual Basic 6.0 computer programming environment, to help mobile telephone users find right target location in short time in secondary development. Databases store various types of geographic data with location information. The prototype system developed implements the function of asking for direction. After the Multimedia Message Service (MMS) request is sent, the multimedia message in picture format with detailed map information through wireless network will be received, which can be displayed on mobile telephones. According to the map instruction, mobile users can find the correct destination and a lot of time can also be saved. The result shows that the prototype system runs relatively stable. As a kind of value-added service of China mobile, the prototype system is worthy to popularize.

An international prospective cohort study of mobile phone users and health (Cosmos): Design considerations and enrolment

Background: There is continuing public and scientific interest in the possibility that exposure to radiofrequency (RF) electromagnetic fields (EMF) from mobile telephones or other wireless devices and applications might increase the risk of certain cancers or other diseases. The interest is amplified by the rapid world-wide penetration of such technologies. The evidence from epidemiological studies published to date have not been consistent and, in particular, further studies are required to identify whether longer term (well beyond 10 years) RF exposure might pose some health risk. Methods: The “Cosmos” study described here is a large prospective cohort study of mobile telephone users (ongoing recruitment of 250,000 men and women aged 18+ years in five European countries – Denmark, Finland, Sweden, The Netherlands, UK) who will be followed up for 25+ years. Information on mobile telephone use is collected prospectively through questionnaires and objective traffic data from network operators. Associations with disease risks will be studied by linking cohort members to existing disease registries, while changes in symptoms such as headache and sleep quality and of general well-being are assessed by baseline and follow-up questionnaires. Conclusions: A prospective cohort study conducted with appropriate diligence and a sufficient sample size, overcomes many of the shortcomings of previous studies. Its major advantages are exposure assessment prior to the diagnosis of disease, the prospective collection of objective exposure information, long-term follow-up of multiple health outcomes, and the flexibility to investigate future changes in technologies or new research questions.

Using Mobile Positioning Data to Model Locations Meaningful to Users of Mobile Phones

The article introduces a model for the location of meaningful places for mobile telephone users, such as home and work anchor points, using passive mobile positioning data. Passive mobile positioning data is secondary data concerning the location of call activities or handovers in network cells that is automatically stored in the memory of service providers. This data source offers good potential for the monitoring of the geography and mobility of the population, since mobile phones are widespread, and similar standardized data can be used around the globe. We developed the model and tested it with 12 months' data collected by EMT, Estonia's largest mobile service provider, covering more than 0.5 million anonymous respondents. Modeling results were compared with population register data; this revealed that the developed model described the geography of the population relatively well, and can hence be used in geographical and urban studies. This approach also has potential for the development of location-based services such as targeting services or geographical infrastructure.

Exploring individual personality factors as drivers of M‐shopping acceptance

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to evaluate how personality variables related to technology (innovativeness, compatibility and affinity) can modify the influence of classical technology acceptance model (TAM) variables on behavioural adoption intention of mobile shopping.Design/methodology/approachThe impact of innovativeness, compatibility, affinity, TAM beliefs (ease of use and usefulness) and attitude on mobile shopping adoption is tested through structural equation modelling techniques. The sample consisted of 470 Spanish mobile telephone users selected on the basis of convenience.FindingsData analysis shows that the effect of perceived usefulness and, in a minor degree, perceived ease of use are over dimensioned if personality variables are omitted making intention formation to be perceived as more rational than it really is. Personality variables (affinity to mobile telephones, compatibility and innovativeness) have a direct and positive influence on the intention to engage in M‐shopping.Practical implicationsThis research enables mobile shopping agents to know what aspects to highlight in their communication strategies to increase the M‐services adoption rate. The complementary use of the mobile and the internet is recommended since the similarities between both methods may favour the acceptance of distance shopping systems. Mobile services should not be simply designed as easy to use, but also as an enjoyable experience.Originality/valueDespite the importance of personality factors on mobile shopping adoption, they were explicitly ignored when the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology was formulated. This research does not try to propose an extension of the TAM model, but analyses the degree in which the explicit rejection of personality variables could impoverish its performance.

Privacy, trust, and justice considerations for location‐based mobile telecommunication services

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to show how the development of location‐based services (such as those using global positioning satellite (GPS) systems) has accompanied the growth of mobile telecommunication, providing mobile telephone users with a variety of functions. The paper aims to considers the benefits and concerns that these location‐based services present to consumers.Design/methodology/approachThe paper identifies issues based on the academic literature, relevant theory, and current mobile telecommunication developments.FindingsWhile location‐based services offer many benefits to consumers, issues pertaining to privacy, trust and justice are significant areas of concern.Research limitations/implicationsTestable research propositions pertaining to consumer behaviour are offered to guide future research.Practical implicationsSocially‐responsible telecommunication firms should consider the issues that are raised here. They should adopt policies to safeguard data, build trust, and offer consumers fair policies as the firms offer location‐based services.Originality/valueWhile much has been written about GPS systems and wireless telecommunications, almost no empirical research has been conducted and little theoretical guidance has been offered to prospective researchers. The paper reviews the literature from a variety of disciplines and identifies important theoretical areas to guide future research on consumer behaviour. The paper identifies important issues for researchers and managers.

CHILDREN, YOUTH, AND MOBILE COMMUNICATION

Teens are, perhaps the most consummate mobile telephone users. Teens have made text messaging into a common form of interaction. They have learned how to coordinate and indeed microcoordinate inter...

Electronic folklore among teenagers: SMS messages

The development of ICT media made way for a new form of folklore communication. Newly developed media, such as mobile phones, make it possible for their users to participate in electronically mediated communication, thus approaching the form of oral communication. The exchange of special type of SMS text messages represents a new way of transmitting contemporary folklore short forms. These messages use poetic language, they have standard style themes, patterns and formulas, and they form different genres and categories corresponding with already existing familiar folklore forms. The communication process that happens during the exchange of these messages also has folklore’s characteristics: it takes place within small groups, the communication is informal, the texts circulate in chain style, and undergo different transformation which generates the making of variants, etc. This form of electronic folklore is especially popular among teenagers, where it’s social functions and meanings are also most emphasized. Within this population, it adds to an older tradition of children’s written folklore poetry albums. Like poetry albums, SMS exchange influences the development of girls’ gender identity, providing also a socially defined channel for contacts between the sexes. It also functions as a mechanism of socialization and stratification within the group. At the same time, it creates a new field of meaning, which derives from the very media’s novelty and significance. In this sense, the exchange of SMS represents a symbolic act of acknowledging one’s belonging to the group of mobile telephone users. In this way, a new phenomenon is being symbolically processed through a new form of folklore.

Korean airwaves [wireless telecommunications, lessons to be learned

Korea's cdma2000 networks went commercial in 2002 and today virtually half of all Korean mobile telephone users have migrated from 2G to 3G. In 2003 Samsung and LG ranked third and fifth respectively in the global handset vendor market. Korea sees itself alongside, or even ahead of, Japan and is determined to play a leading role in defining the global mobile future. For these reasons, a team from the UK mobile communications industry sponsored by the DTI GlobalWatch programme visited Korea last June to see first-hand what is happening there and what is planned for the future.

Epidemiology of Health Effects of Radiofrequency Exposure

We have undertaken a comprehensive review of epidemiologic studies about the effects of radiofrequency fields (RFs) on human health in order to summarize the current state of knowledge, explain the methodologic issues that are involved, and aid in the planning of future studies. There have been a large number of occupational studies over several decades, particularly on cancer, cardiovascular disease, adverse reproductive outcome, and cataract, in relation to RF exposure. More recently, there have been studies of residential exposure, mainly from radio and television transmitters, and especially focusing on leukemia. There have also been studies of mobile telephone users, particularly on brain tumors and less often on other cancers and on symptoms. Results of these studies to date give no consistent or convincing evidence of a causal relation between RF exposure and any adverse health effect. On the other hand, the studies have too many deficiencies to rule out an association. A key concern across all studies is the quality of assessment of RF exposure. Despite the ubiquity of new technologies using RFs, little is known about population exposure from RF sources and even less about the relative importance of different sources. Other cautions are that mobile phone studies to date have been able to address only relatively short lag periods, that almost no data are available on the consequences of childhood exposure, and that published data largely concentrate on a small number of outcomes, especially brain tumor and leukemia.

Safety standards for human exposure to radio frequency radiation and their biological rationale

Exposure guidelines for RF radiation have been promulgated for nearly half a century. However, our understanding of biological effects of exposure to RF radiation is still evolving and more so for cellular mobile telephones and wireless personal communication devices. There are two different sets of guidelines promulgated for limiting human exposure to RF radiation, worldwide. Currently, there is a backdrop of persistent, publicly expressed lack of confidence in radio-frequency (RF) exposure standards, pertaining to the maximum permissible exposure (MPE) level of humans exposed to RF electromagnetic radiation. Much of the current effort is driven by the advent of cellular mobile telephony, which uses RF radiation in the range of 800-2,500 MHz. The setting of guidelines or standards for maximum permissible levels of exposure to RF and microwave radiation is a valid approach to managing the risk of such exposures. The existing guidelines, however, are based on results obtained from acute, short-term studies that are atypical of the RF exposures associated with the handset of cellular mobile telephones. For the first time in human history, a source of RF radiation is located right next to the head of millions of cellular mobile telephone users. Biological effects after repeated, prolonged, or lifelong exposure to RF energy emitted by these low-power wireless telecommunication devices have been investigated only during the past few years. The existing scientific results are equivocal and arguable in many respects. Consequently, there remains a widespread public concern about the adequacy of existing guidelines in safeguarding the general population against possible harm of RF radiation from cellular mobile telephones.