Planned Completion & Graduation:
Fall 2007
Committee:
Manuel Castells (Chair)
Francois Bar, Clara Irazabal, Mizuko Ito
Dissertation Title:
Innovative Models of Access to Wireless Telephones in Ghana.
ABSTRACT:
This study examines the uses of mobile telephones in Ghana. The broad objective is to find out how people are in practice affecting and being affected by the availability of wireless communication technologies, and what this indicates about wireless communication as a socio-technical system in a developing country. A variety of qualitative methods will be used, including ethnographic observation, in-depth interviews and analysis of mobile phone call logs. The study populations include mobile payphone operators, mobile payphone users, mobile phone subscribers, mobile phone equipment vendors, mobile phone service providers, and telecommunications policy makers and regulators. Fieldwork will be conducted at two to four sites, including an equal number of rural and urban locations.