Using Cell Phone for Market Forecasting

Instead of exploiting new function for the lucrative Smartphone,
Nokia is focusing on simpler cell phone market of the poorest
consumers. Nokia plans to announce an expanding program, called Lift
Tools, parts of its Ovi mobile service business, to Nigeria.Since
then, it will only cost 250 Nigerian naira, or $1.75 a month, for
Nigeria cell phone users to get text service contains information on
graphics, health and disease news, English language training or
entertainment and sports news. What's more. The cell phone users, like
the famers, can also get the latest market price through agricultural
extension, or weather forecast through weather agencies.As the handset
manufacture goes rapidly, almost all mobile company, like Samsung, LG,
Apple, and Sony Ericsson, tend to focus on the developing of
Smartphone's new function. However, 77% of all cell phones sold in the
third quarter were simpler models, with a basic function of sending
messages, making phone calls.According to Strategy Analytics,
two-thirds of the globe's 4.6 billion mobile phone users live in
emerging markets, where Nokia is the market leader with a share 34%.
And now, Nokia is blending commercial and humanitarian goals to
attract the next generation of upwardly mobile phone users by selling
valuable price data at a relatively low cost to Nigerian.As we all
know, Nigeria is one of the poorest countries in the world as well as
the most populous country of Africa. It has a population of 152
million, but only 29 percent of them own a cell phone. This new
service may change the data, and increase the popularity rate of
mobile phone in Nigeria.In order to earn more money, most of Nigerian
famers would rather join in the program, pay for the market price
service than buy a television or computer for live news. Dattarey
Bhonge said he learned through Life Tools that he could earn more by
selling his onions at a market in nearby Solapur. The additional
profit allowed him to buy new farm equipment.However, according to
Mary T. McDowell, the Nokia executive vice president, it is still too
early to say whether it is bringing concrete benefits to Nokia. But,
it is not only good business but also about doing good for the
community. And this service, if it continues to expand to other poor
area, will no doubt contribute to the development of developing
countries. So far, the farmers are embracing the service. And the sale
of cell phone in those countries is increasing fast.