With over half of the world’s population owning a mobile phone and with networks covering over 90% of people, the impact of these devices is set to be greater than that of PCs. A recent study highlights the potential for improving life in developing (as well as developed) countries through mobile communications. The study outlines several cases of how NGOs have adapted mobile technologies to deliver services.

The report lists 11 case studies in three areas: Global Health, Humanitarian Assistance and Environmental Conservation. Although I highly recommend reading the entire report here are a few highlights of the more creative ways that mobile phones have been used:

• A South African NGO called Cell-Life started an HIV/AIDS “Aftercare” program for rural and poor patients who have little access to healthcare services. A worker equipped with a mobile phone makes home visits to 15-20 patients. Data on each patient is captured and sent via text message to the organization’s database. It is then used to provide individualized care to the patient while yielding valuable information about the AIDS epidemic in each region.

• The World Food Programme piloted using text messages to alert refugees and displaced people about the availability of food aid. The project was launched in Syria, where many of the 1.4 million displaced Iraqis rely on the agency for survival. Whereas before, the WFP would need to rely on local NGOs to help with distribution, the text messaging campaign proved far more accurate and effective.

• FishMS is a service in South Africa that allows consumers to make more informed decisions about the seafood they buy. A user can text the name of a fish to FishMS and instantaneously receive a message indicating whether the species is sustainably harvested. In just over a year the service received 30 000 inquiries from concerned shoppers.

The report outlines several other case studies of how mobile technologies are allowing people to connect, self-organize or receive vital information to improve their lives. While initiatives such as the One Laptop per Child are commendable in trying to bring the information age to developing countries, it certainly seems that mobile technologies will remain one step ahead.