IDIA2009 Conference
A survey of the commercial activities created by the mobile telephony for the informal business sector in Botswana
Athulang Mutshewa
Department of Library and Information Studies, University of Botswana, Botswana
Abstract
This paper reports the findings of a survey of the commercial activities created by the mobile telephony in the informal business sector in Botswana. Data for the study was collected using a questionnaire with both open and closed ended questions. All informal business dealing with cell phone products and services at Gaborone bus station were approached. One hundred and one respondents answered the questionnaire. Data was analysed using descriptive statistics. The findings of the study show that hand pieces (cell phones) are not common are not common in the informal business sector as only one respondent reported selling them. Twelve (11.9%) sell cell phone accessories including cell phone bags, earpieces, etc... Almost all, 99% of the respondents sell airtime coupons, 96% provide quick charge service while 88.1 % provide payphone services. In relation to battery charging, 31.7% of the businesses provide the service while only 18.8 % repair cell phones. Although, the revenue generated from the sales seemed to be relatively, most of the respondents were content with what they get and they were prepared to continue with their businesses. The study found that the mobile telephony is adding a critical value to the informal business sector, with some businesses having started with the sale of these products and services while others expanded to embrace the opportunities because of the potential they saw.
