The document presents preliminary findings from a multi-country study of telecom use among low-income populations in Asia. The key findings from the study include: 1) The majority of respondents have used a phone in the last 3 months, with ownership and usage increasing since previous studies. However, computer and internet usage remains relatively low. 2) Most respondents access phones within their household rather than personally owning a phone. Female respondents and those in rural areas rely more on shared household or others' phones. 3) The top reasons for not owning a phone are the upfront cost and lack of perceived need, rather than lack of network coverage.

1. Teleuse@BOP4: Preliminary findings
Rohan Samarajiva, CEO
9 December 2011, Bangkok
The work was carried out with the aid of a grant from the International Development Research Centre, Ottawa, Canada (www.idrc.ca) and UKaid from the Department for
International Development, UK (www.dfid.uk).

2. Understanding emerging Asian BOP's use of ICTs
(mostly phones) via Teleuse@BOP studies
• Multi-country studies conducted in 2005, 2006, 2008, 2011
– Bangladesh, Pakistan , India, Sri Lanka, Indonesia (Java), Philippines, Thailand
– Quantitative (representative survey) and qualitative research conducted
• Target group: BOP teleusers aged 15-60
– BOP defined as Socio-Economic Classification (SEC) groups D and E
– Teleusers defined as having used any phone in previous three months
• Different methodology and target group (USD1.25/day group) in Java
2

3. 2011 focus on productive use of ICTs
• Representative sample of BOP teleusers (6 countries)
– Questions on how ICTs used for productive uses; perceptions of
economic benefits, etc.
• Non-representative sample of agricultural micro-
entrepreneurs: Growers (farmers) & non-growers (4
countries)
– Questions on knowledge and information needs, sources, uses, etc, as
well as ICT use.
– Separate presentation follows

4. Sample sizes
[1]
Bangladesh Pakistan India Sri Lanka Java[2] Thailand Total
BOP
2,050 1,835 3,181 1,200 1,088 800 10,154
teleusers
Margin of error @
95% CL (%) + 2.% + 2% + 2% + 3% + 2% + 4%
5
[1] Sri Lanka: Includes North and East
[2] Java region only; separate sampling procedures and BOP definition used

5. Multi-staged stratified sampling by probability proportionate to
size to ensure representation of target group
• Primary sampling units (Regions/states/provinces/districts)
randomly selected in 2006; kept the same for comparison in 2008
and 2011.
• Within selected PSUs, urban and rural centers randomly selected
• Within selected urban and rural centers, starting points randomly
selected
– Number of starting points within each center determined in
proportion to its population
– 10 HH per starting point selected using right-hand rule
• Kish grid used to select from eligible respondents within HH

6. AGENDA
• SAMPLE PROFILE
• ACCESS
• MOBILE OWNERSHIP AND USE
• MORE-THAN-VOICE
• PERCEIVED BENEFITS
• QUALITY OF SERVICE
• SUMMARY
8

7. Findings
SAMPLE PROFILE
9

8. Sample profile
Gender Age Location
Male (%) Female (%) Mean SD Urban (%) Rural (%)
Bangladesh 49 51 33 12 26 74
Pakistan 42 58 31 10 38 62
India 45 56 32 12 19 81
Sri Lanka 40 60 35 12 15 85
Java 52 48 34 13 25 75
Thailand 49 51 36 13 43 57
10

9. Majority either have no, or irregular personal
incomes
Personal income status (% of BOP teleusers)
27% 28%
54% 50%
56%
65%
No personal income
41% 40%
Irregular personal income
Regular and irregular personal income
24% 1%
9% 41% Regular personal income
38% 1% 9%
0%
31%
25% 21% 23%
0% 5%
6% 5%
Bangladesh Pakistan India Sri Lanka Java Thailand
11

10. Educational attainment (% of BOP teleusers)
Most of BOP only have primary education
Highest educational achievement (% BOP teleusers)
1%
0% 2% 3% 1% 2%
2% 6%
2% 2%
15% 7%
17% 20% 20% 10%
13% University
51% Diploma, technical/vocational
50% 39%
education
Secondary schooling
69%
71%
67%
primary schooling
38% 40% No formal schooling
33%
10% 6% 5%
Bangladesh Pakistan India Sri Lanka Java Thailand
13
Among BOP teleusers

11. Findings
ACCESS
14

12. 90% of BOP have used a phone in previous 3 months
Used a phone in the last 3 months (% of BOP)
Bangladesh Pakistan India Sri Lanka Java Thailand
2008 95% 96% 86% 88% - 77 %
2011 99% 96% 89% 90% 90% 91%
15
Among BOP (OUTER SAMPLE)

13. More 70-80% of BOP has made a call during the last
week, except in IN
Last time respondent used a phone (% of BOP teleusers)
100%
90%
80%
70% 2-3 months ago
60% 1-2 months ago
3-4 weeks ago
50%
2-3 weeks ago
85% 85%
40%
1-2 weeks ago
70% 69% 70%
30% In the last week
50%
20% Today / Yesterday
10%
0%
Bangladesh Pakistan India Sri Lanka Java Thailand
16
Among BOP teleusers

14. 2008 vs 2011: Increase in % of BOP who made a
call on the "day" of the survey
Last time respondent used a phone (% of BOP teleusers)
100%
90%
80%
70% About 2-3 months ago
60% About 1-2 month ago
50%
85% 85% About a month ago
40% 81%
70% 69% 66% About 2-3 weeks ago
30% 62%
45% 48% 50%
20% About 1-2 weeks ago
10% During the last one week
0%
Yesterday / Today
2008 2011 2008 2011 2008 2011 2008 2011 2008 2011
Bangladesh Pakistan India Sri Lanka Thailand
17
Among BOP teleusers

15. Urban vs rural: Urban BOP make calls more
frequently, except LK and Java
Last time respondent used a phone (% of BOP teleusers)
100%
90% Between 2-3 months ago
80%
Between 1-2 months ago
70%
60% Between three to four
50% weeks ago
86% 91% Between 2-3 weeks ago
40% 85% 83% 80%
74% 71%
68% 67%
30% 60% Between 1-2 weeks ago
52% 50%
20%
10% During the last one week
0%
Today / Yesterday
Urban Rural Urban Rural Urban Rural Urban Rural Urban Rural Urban Rural
Bangladesh Pakistan India Sri Lanka Java Thailand
18
Among BOP teleusers

16. > 75 % of BOP have access within the household
Most frequently used phone (% of BOP teleusers)
100%
90%
80% Public access phones
70% A friends or relatives phone **
60%
A neighbours phone *
50%
40% Other household members personal
phone
30% I use the household (common) phone
20%
I use my own phone
10%
0%
Bangladesh Pakistan India Sri Lanka Java Thailand
19
Among BOP teleusers

17. 2008 vs 2011: Fall in public phone and increase
in household access
Most frequently used phone (% of BOP teleusers)
100% 6% 8%
1%
8% 3% 3% 0%
7% 6% 5%
90% 7% 3%
32% 13% 9%
33%
80% 16%
24% 16% 10%
70%
24%
60% 32%
20% 13%
50% 13% 39%
0% 17% 88%
40% 3% 7% 81%
65% 71%
30%
43% 48%
20% 37% 36% 37% 31%
10%
0%
2008 2011 2008 2011 2008 2011 2008 2011 2008 2011
Bangladesh Pakistan India Sri Lanka Thailand
I use my own phone I use the household (common) phone
Other household members personal phone A neighbours phone
A friends or relatives phone Public access phones
My work place / Office phone/employers phone
20
Among BOP teleusers

18. Male vs female: More females using household
phones and others' phones within household
Most frequently used phone (% of BOP teleusers)
100%
90% 4%
4% 3%
19% 15%
80% 11% 17%
11%
70% 8% 36%
60% 25% 11% 34%
50%
86% 86% 91%
40% 17% 76%
66% 21% 68%
30% 57%
50%
20%
31%
10% 21%
0%
Male Female Male Female Male Female Male Female Male Female
Bangladesh Pakistan India Sri Lanka Thailand
I use my own phone I use the household (common) phone
Other household members personal phone A neighbours phone
A friends or relatives phone Public access phones
21
Among BOP teleusers

19. Urban vs rural: More reliance on other peoples'
phones in rural areas
Most frequently used phone (% of BOP teleusers)
100%
90%
80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
Urban Rural Urban Rural Urban Rural Urban Rural Urban Rural
Bangladesh Pakistan India Sri Lanka Thailand
I use my own phone I use the household (common) phone
Other household members personal phone A neighbours phone
A friends or relatives phone Public access phones
My work place / Office phone/employers phone
22
Among BOP teleusers

20. Fixed phones popular only in Sri Lanka
Household phone ownership (%of BOP teleusers' households)
12% 11%
1%
4%
34% 30%
15%
51%
62% 2%
2%
1%
24%
0%
85%
1%
64% 65%
49% 49%
36%
Bangladesh Pakistan India Sri Lanka Java Thailand
Own mobile Own mobile and fixed Own fixed Own nothing
23
Among BOP teleusers’ households

21. 24
0%
100%
10%
20%
30%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
40%
Electricity
Phone
Television
fixed
phone
Radio
Mobile or
Bangladesh
Computer
Electricity
Phone
Television
Radio
Pakistan
Computer
Electricity
Phone
Television
India
Radio
Computer
Electricity
Phone
Television
Radio
Sri Lanka
Computer
Household access (% of BOP teleusers)
Electricity
Phone
Television
Java
Radio
Computer
Electricity
Phone
Phones overtaken radio everywhere except LK
Television
Radio
Thailand
Computer
Among BOP teleusers

22. Access to household phones greater than to
personal transport in PK, BD, LK and Java
Household access to phones vs transport (% of BOP teleusers)
100%
Motorized transport
90%
Incl. motor
Phone
Phone
80% bike, three-wheeler,
70% scooter, tractor, etc
Bicycle
Phone
60%
Motorized transport
Bicycle
50%
Bicycle
Motorized transport
Motorized transport
Motorized transport
Motorized transport
Bicycle
Phone
40%
Phone
30% Phone
Bicycle
Bicycle
20%
10%
0%
Bangladesh Pakistan India Sri Lanka Java Thailand
25
Among BOP teleusers

23. Computer usage low overall
Usage of computers (% of BOP teleusers)
100%
12% 16%
90%
80%
70%
60% 74% 76% Don't know what a computer is
83%
50% 96%
83% No used a computer in last 12
Not
81% months
40%
Can't remember when, but I have used
30% one before
20% Yes a computer in last 12 months
Used
10% 17% 21% 22%
0% 5% 4% 2%
Bangladesh Pakistan India Sri Lanka Java Thailand
Among BOP teleusers

24. Internet use similarly low; awareness problems in BD and IN
Internet use (% of BOP teleusers)
100%
90% 17%
24%
80% I haven't heard of the internet
70% No
Can't remember when, but i have used it before
60% 78%
89% Less than once a month
50% 98%
82% At least once a month
40% 74%
At least two to three times a month
30%
At least once a week
20% At least two times a week
10% At least once a day
0%
Bangladesh Pakistan India Sri Lanka Thailand
Bangladesh Pakistan India Sri Lanka Thailand
Use the Internet (% of
2% 2% 1% 9% 21%
BOP teleusers)
Among BOP teleusers

25. Non-phone owners find phones too expensive
or have no need for a phone
Main reason for not owning a phone (% BOP who do not own phone)
100%
90%
80% 32%
40% Don't know to operator
47% 24%
70% 57%
Can't get a connection where I live
60%
89% (service not available)
50% I am restricted from purchasing a
40% phone by a particular pers
57% I don't see a need to have my own
30% 60% 57%
51% phone
20% 40% It is too expensive for me to afford
10%
11%
0%
Bangladesh Pakistan India Sri Lanka Java Thailand
28
Among BOP who don’t own a phone

26. Findings
MOBILE OWNERSHIP AND USE
29

27. Significant increases in BOP mobile ownership
in Sri Lanka and Pakistan
Mobile phone ownership 2006-2011 - individual (% of BOP teleusers)
2006 2008 2011
90% 89%
71% 76%
65% 68%
49%
43% 38% 40% 37% 36%
23% 22%
9%
Bangladesh Pakistan India Sri Lanka Java Thailand
30
Among BOP teleusers

28. Male vs female: Gender gap in BOP mobile
ownership in Sub-continent
Mobile ownership - individual (% of BOP teleusers)
100%
90%
80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
Bangladesh Pakistan India Sri Lanka Java Thailand
Male Female
31
Among BOP teleusers

29. Urban vs rural: Urban mobile ownership higher
than rural
Mobile ownership - individual (% BOP teleusers)
100%
90%
80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
Bangladesh Pakistan India Sri Lanka Java Thailand
Urban Rural
32
Among BOP teleusers

30. Majority of BOP phones have radio; 24% have a
browser (perceived)
Features present on mobile handset (% of BOP mobile owners; all countries
except Java)
Alarm clock 92%
Calendar 90%
SMS 86%
Games 86%
Calculator 83%
Color Screen 72%
FM Radio 52%
Torch 48%
Music player 38%
Camera 35%
Video recorder and player 27%
MMS 22%
Bluetooth /USB 22%
Converter 16%
Download feature 15%
Browser 14%
Touch Screen 5%
Infa-red 3%
Among BOP mobile owners

31. 2006-2011: Dramatic drop in Pakistan multiple
SIM ownership; increase in BD
Multiple SIM ownership (% of BOP mobile owners)
2006 2008 2011
25%
20%
15%
10%
5%
0%
Bangladesh Pakistan India Sri Lanka Java Thailand
• Multiple SIM ownership higher among males than females
34
Among BOP mobile owners

32. Cheaper on-net calls the main reason for
multiple SIM ownership
Reason for multiple SIM ownership (% BOP MSOs)
100%
80%
60%
40%
20%
0%
To get low local call To get free services One for business, the In case one runs out of To get coverage
charges within each (e.g., calls, SMS, etc) other for personal credit everywhere
network
Bangladesh Pakistan India Sri Lanka Java Thailand
35
Among BOP multiple SIM owners

33. Most BOP owners have one handset currently,
but are on their second
Bangladesh Pakistan India Sri Lanka Java Thailand
No. of handsets owned 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.0
currently (mean)
No. owned until now 2.5 1.9 1.7 2.1 3.9 2.5
(mean)
36

34. What they do with mobile phones Among BOP mobile owners
% of BOP mobile owners
B’desh Pakistan India S’Lanka Java Thailand
Make phone calls 100 99 100 99 96 100
Receive phone calls 100 95 99 100 94 99
Send/receive missed calls 86 71 78 65 54 24
Send/receive SMS 19 38 23 55 89 37
Send/receive MMS 1 2 3 5 14 8
Send/receive e-mail 1 3 2
Browse the Internet 3 1 1 10 5
Take photos/video 19 7 8 14 26 19
Play games 27 21 18 11 31 16
Listen to radio 13 15 12 17 26 18
Listen to music 25 5 15 8 26 30
Share that you have content created 1 1 3 2 8 3
Send/receive or download/upload other content 1 1 2 2 6 3
Use as an organizer 7 5 8 2 15 8
Check my bill/credit 13 20 11 18 16 3
Send/receive talk time/load 10 5 2 2 35 0
Access facebook 1 1 7 2
Access other social networking or blog applications 2 1

35. What they did in 2008
% of BOP mobile owners
Bangladesh Pakistan India Sri Lanka Thailand
Taking phone calls 100 100 99 100 100
Receiving phone calls 100 100 98 100 100
Sending/receiving missed calls / beeps/ flashes / ring-cuts 94 84 84 73 39
Sending/receiving SMS 32 47 33 52 53
Sending/receiving MMS 1 4 4 6 4
Sending/receiving emails 0 0 1 0 1
Browsing the Internet 0 1 1 2 2
Taking photos /video clips 4 2 1 8 18
To play games by myself 13 18 7 21 17
To listen to the radio 0 7 3 12 22
To listen to music 4 5 3 7 22
To share content that you have created 1 2 2 6 3
To send or receive or download or upload other content 0 2 3 8 9
As an organizer 1 7 8 4 14
To check my bill / credit balance 11 40 25 50 39
Sending/receiving talk-time/load 8 35 7 3 6
38

36. Male vs female: No big difference in SMS
frequency amongst those who SMS
SMS frequency (% mobile owners who use SMS)
100%
90%
80%
70%
60%
Less frequently than once a week
50%
Once or twice a week
40% Several times a week
30% Once or twice a day
20% Several times a day
10%
0%
Male Female Male Female Male Female Male Female Male Female
Bangladesh Pakistan India Sri Lanka Thailand
39 Among mobile owners who use SMS

37. Top reasons for not using SMS: Don't know what it
is; it's too confusing; too difficult to type
Bangladesh Pakistan India Sri Lanka Thailand
I don't know what it is 54 11 61 14 3
Using SMS is too confusing to me 41 50 42 50 20
It is too difficult for me to go through menu and
6 20 25 17 8
open it
It is too difficult for me to type 10 31 34 33 33
It is too expensive for me 3 5 8 4 13
It takes too much time to do it 12 27 19 21 27
I cannot read or write (my language) 8 33 12 5 0
SMS is not available in my own language 3 2 4 9 0
I don't see any benefits of using it 11 6 9 13 16
SMS does not fit into my lifestyle 5 5 4 28 17
I don't trust SMS in delivering what I want to say 4 2 2 10 2
I'm afraid if it fails to deliver my message 1 4 1 1 4
No one has sent me an SMS before 1 1 3 9 10
I don't know anyone I can send SMS to 4 1 1 25 50
People in my community don't like SMS 0 2 3 5 10
40
Among BOP mobile owners who don’t use SMS

38. Postpaid at BOP only in Sri Lanka and Thailand
Primary mobile connection (% BOP mobile owners)
Bangladesh Pakistan India Sri Lanka Java Thailand
Pre paid 100 100 100 95 100 96
Post paid - - - 5 - 4
41 Among BOP mobile owners

39. Top-up cards still most popular in Sri Lanka and
India
Method of top-up (%BOP mobile owners with prepaid connections)
100%
90%
80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
Top-up cards/scratch cards SMS top-up or reload from a SMS top-up or reload from I dont know how
shop/agent/dealer others (family
members/friends)
Bangladesh Pakistan India Sri Lanka Thailand
42 Among BOP mobile owners with prepaid connection

40. Majority don't use mobiles for financial, business or
work related communication, except Java
Use of phone for financial, business or work related communications (% of phone
owners)
100%
90%
27%
80%
46%
70% I do not use for these purposes
64% 62%
68%
60% 74% Less than once a month
Once a month
50%
Two to three times a month
40%
Once a week
30%
Two times a week
20% Everyday
10%
0%
Bangladesh Pakistan India Sri Lanka Java Thailand
43
Among BOP who own personal or household phones

41. Findings
MORE-THAN-VOICE
45

42. Awareness of entertainment and competition
polls highest in Sri Lanka
Awareness of MTV services that can be accessed through phone or computers (% of BOP teleusers)
100%
90%
80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
Banking and Making or Governmental Health Services Competition polls Entertainment Livelihood related Other general
financial services receiving services or participation related information information
payments information
services
Bangladesh Pakistan India Sri Lanka Java Thailand
Among BOP teleusers

43. 2008 vs 2011: Awareness of MTV services has
declined in some countries on some services
2008 vs 2011
Awareness of MTV services available on phones and computers (% of BOP teleusers)
80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
2008 2011 2008 2011 2008 2011 2008 2011 2008 2011 2008 2011 2008 2011 2008 2011 2008 2011
Banking and financial services services
Payment Government services Voting, competitions, reality shows, etc
Health services Entertainment information services
Livelihood information services
Other general information services
At least one MTV servic
Bangladesh Pakistan India Sri Lanka Thailand
Among BOP teleusers

44. BOP not taking up MTV services
MTV service usage through phone or computer (% BOP aware of services)
100%
90%
80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
Banking and financial services
Payment services overnment services HealthVoting, competitions, reality shows,information services Other general information ser
G services Entertainment etc Livelihood information services
Bangladesh Pakistan India Sri Lanka Java Thailand
Among BOP who are aware of MTV services

45. 2008 vs 2011: MTV usage at BOP has fallen
More-than-voice usage, 2008 vs 2011 (% of BOP teleusers who are aware of those services)
40%
35%
30%
25%
20%
15%
10%
5%
0%
2008 2011 2008 2011 2008 2011 2008 2011 2008 2011 2008 2011 2008 2011 2008 2011
Banking and financial services
Payment services Government services Health services competitions, reality shows, etc
Voting, Entertainment information services
Livelihood information services information serv
Other general
Bangladesh Pakistan India Sri Lanka Thailand
Among BOP teleusers who are aware of MTV services

46. Findings
PERCEIVED BENEFITS
50

47. Main economic benefit of phone is reducing
travel
Benefits of phones (%BOP teleuser)
1=No change 5=Improved greatly
Access to finance Thailand
Sri Lanka
India
Ability to contact people related to your work or
Pakistan
job
Bangladesh
Efficiency of your day to day work
Ability to reduce travel
1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 4 4.5 5
51
Among BOP teleusers

48. The phone mainly benefits personal life
Benefits of phones (%BOP teleuser)
1=No change 5=Improved greatly
Social status/ recognition in the community Thailand
Sri Lanka
India
Pakistan
relationships with family and friends Bangladesh
Ability to act or contact others in an emergency
1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 4 4.5 5
52
Among BOP teleusers

49. Findings
QUALITY OF SERVICE
53

50. Sri Lanka performs best on perceptions of how
frequent quality problems are faced by BOP
Frequency of the problem faced (among mobile owners that face the problem)
0 = Never, 4=Always
4.00
3.50
3.00
2.50
2.00
1.50
1.00
0.50
0.00
Often cant get signal, or Often cant get a call Connection not clear Calls get dropped (cut off)
signal strength is weak through (network is busy)
Bangladesh Pakistan India Sri Lanka Thailand
55
Among BOP mobile owners

51. Over 50% of BOP handsets were brand new
when obtained
How handsets were obtained (%BOP mobile owners)
100%
90%
80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
Bangladesh Pakistan India Sri Lanka Thailand
Brand new Second hand Gifted or handed over
56
Among BOP mobile owners

52. Male vs female: Males more often obtained
brand new handsets in sub-continent
How main handset was obtained (%BOP mobile owners)
100%
90%
80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
Male Female Male Female Male Female Male Female Male Female
Bangladesh Pakistan India Sri Lanka Thailand
Don't know Gifted or handed over Second hand
57
Among BOP mobile owners

53. Thailand handset costs well ahead of other
countries
Approximate price paid for handset (USD)
Mean SD
Bangladesh 37 24.5
Pakistan 43 129.3
India 45 63.7
Sri Lanka 51 32.2
Thailand 93 82.2
58
Among BOP mobile owners

54. Findings
SUMMARY
59

55. Summary
• Access is improving at both personal and household
levels
– Phones overtaken TV and radio
– Mostly mobile: majority of BOP own a mobile; many on second
handset
– QOS problems perceived by BOP are moderate
• Usage is still limited to voice (with some SMS, radio,
games etc)
– Little use of mobile for productive purposes; benefits mostly
perceived in emergency communication and maintaining
relationships
– Awareness and use of MTV services among BOP not progressed
much since 2008
60

56. samarajiva@lirneasia.net
www.lirneasia.net
61