Title: New Paths: Exploring Mobile-Centric Internet Use in South Africa
Authors: Jonathan Donner, Shikoh Gitau
Pages: 21 pp.
Date (published): 01/05/2009
Date (accessed): 06/11/2009
Type of information: research paper
Language: English
On-line access: yes (pdf)
Abstract:
"This paper reports on ongoing qualitative/exploratory research in low income communities in urban South Africa. Through convenience and snowball sampling, the researchers have sought out ‘early adopters’ among mobile-only internet users. The analysis of the interviews will delineate and describe distinctive new “paths” to Internet use that largely bypass PCs. We draw on a domestication approach (Haddon, 2003; Hahn & Kibora, 2008; Silverstone & Hirsch, 1992) to move beyond an ‘adoption’ or ‘diffusion’ paradigm and to complement aggregate statistical perspectives.
As exploratory research, this project cannot definitively identify all the new paths to the internet, nor the relative frequency with which individuals choose these paths. However, early findings will illustrate current and emerging practices in mobile-only internet use, as well as opportunities and constraints for policymakers interested in promoting or leveraging internet use among a much broader community of the world’s inhabitants"

Paper presented at "Mobile 2.0: Beyond Voice?” Pre-conference workshop at the International Communication Association (ICA) Conference, Chicago, Illinois 20 – 21 May 2009