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There are some 950M cell phones in India. I've always wondered how the poorest of the poor actually afford these things. It isn't unusual to see someone who's l
by coastside_geek 14y ago
There are some 950M cell phones in India. I've always wondered how the poorest of the poor actually afford these things. It isn't unusual to see someone who's leading an obviously poor life with a cellphone.
- pm90 14y agoUsed cellphones are thrown away; the poor get them for free. Incoming calls are free. You can buy recharge cards of Rs.5, which, I think, is within the reach of the poor
- coastside_geek 14y agoInteresting. I've also noticed that until about 5 years ago or so most people in India were using the Nokia models which had been phased out in US. My guess is that Nokia kept the factories running and sold the older models for a very low price to increase penetration, brand-awareness etc. Perhaps this is a distribution model which would work. Sell high-end tablets to rich, status-conscious folks first (there are plenty of those in India now). Then as prices start coming down people of humbler means will want them and be able to afford them.
- pm90 14y agoThat is correct. Also,the meme about Nokia phones being indestructible is not without basis, so that helps too