Mobile services can make a major difference in the lives of users in emerging markets, but developers need to understand how to design for these markets. For example, Africa has more languages in use than any other continent, so user-generated localization allows a developer to put the power of language in the hands of a community. When designing for emerging markets, forget about 3G, not all mobile users in emerging markets will even have access to GPRS-level data services. You can design a fall-back mechanism that uses GPRS when available (it's least cost) but SMS when necessary (it's more available).

These techniques are part of a seven-facet framework to help design mobile services for consumers in emerging markets. The framework was designed and implemented by

• Gergely Herenyi, Sr. Software Engineer, Nokia
• JD Moore, UX Manager, Emerging Market Services, Nokia
• Daniel Orwa Ochieng, ICT Consultant and Researcher, University of Nairobi

Here is the SMS bearer code snippet.

Here is the full source code.

We are scheduling an online discussion with the developers. Check back here for time and URL, or make sure you subscribe to Forum Nokia Developer News and we will let you know when the event will take place.

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Check out this video where the developers behind the framework show how mobile applications can make a difference in the lives of users in emerging markets.