Analysing ICT Micro-Enterprises using Activity Theory: The Case of Mobile Regulation in India

Analysing ICT Micro-Enterprises using Activity Theory: The Case of Mobile Regulation in India

Christopher Foster, PhD CandidateCentre for Development Informatics (CDI)

University of Manchester, UK

Technological Outline– IMEI – Unique mobile ID

– Security of mobile handsets (ETSI 2010)

Not implemented in India. Until…

Increasing unbranded phones..

Turning off ~25 million mobiles“Buyers throng outlets in the city to implant

IMEI”Times of India – 1st Dec 2009

“Mad rush to validate ‘smuggled’ handsets”Deccan Chronicle – 2nd Dec 2009

“low end and marginal subscribers, could well have grey market handsets with duplicate IMEIs and would be adversely affected by stringent action”

COAI 2004 (Cellular Owners Assocation of India)

Effects? Using Activity Theory– Activity as the most basic category of

analysis (not individual or technology)

– Activity as key source of change– Present forms of activity relate to

historic activity

– Connect between activity and wider aspects of community, rules & institutions

Indian mobile microentepreneursCentral to reaching BoP users in

India

– Unbranded technology as serving BoP (cheaper, more feature)

– Unique institutional, local environment

– Activity system includes supply chains, repairers etc

Post IMEI enforcement– Loss of trust in micro-entrepreneurs– Effect on Activity system – repairers,

supply chain

Appropriation

Conclusions for ICTD– IMEI Enforcement in India

– Non-adaptive entrepreneurs & supply chain– Modified technology & micro-entrepreneurs as

‘illegal’, ‘criminals’, ‘terrorist supporting’– Techno-orientated policy implementation

– AT Models – Entrepreneurs actively appropriating in activity– Modified technology relates to reaching BoP– Technology as more than a tool

– Techno-orientated policy implementation affects BoP customers, supply chains, knowledge, community norms,

References– COAI (2004) COAI Response to TRAI Preliminary

Consultation PaperNo. 2/2004. Cellular Operators Association of India, New Delhi, India. Available from: http://www.coai.com/docs/COAI%20Response%20to%20TRAI%202-2004-Mobile%20Phone%20Theft%20-%20Final.pdf [Accessed 18 July 2010].

– Engeström, Y. (1987) Learning by Expanding: An Activity-Theoretical Approach to Developmental Research. Orienta-Konsultit, Helsinki.

– ETSI (2010) Etsi Ts 122 016 - Digital Cellular Telecommunications System (phase 2+). Technical Specification, V9.0.1, European Telecommunications Standards Institute, Sophia Antipolis, France. Available from: http://pda.etsi.org/exchangefolder/ts_122016v090001p.pdf [Accessed 18 July 2010].

– Kaptelinin, V. & Nardi, B.A. (2006) Acting with Technology: Activity Theory and Interaction Design. MIT Press, Boston, MA.