Huawei 2011 Annual Report Download - page 92

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Bridging the Digital Divide
Aim:
■To enable more people to access information by providing
customized ICT solutions
■To support and develop telecom networks at regional
and national levels
■To nurture and support education in telecom technologies
in underdeveloped regions
Through our "Bridging the Digital Divide" strategy, Huawei aims
to better allocate information resources in developing effective
communications networks in underdeveloped regions that
would enable more people to have access to communications
and information systems. To achieve this goal, Huawei is
consistently expanding the coverage of communications
networks in underdeveloped regions and providing training
opportunities for local technicians and talent.
To sustain communication services and help bridge the
digital divide, Huawei focuses its activities on three main
elements: technology, funds, and knowledge transfer,
which foster mutual support and improvement.
Case: The Phone Lady Initiative in Bangladesh
In remote areas of Bangladesh where information
access is lacking, Huawei partnered with the largest
local carrier to initiate the Phone Lady solution and in
establishing the Communication Information Centers
(CICs). The goal of the initiative was to provide people
in rural areas with telephone and information access
services and enable them to benet from economic and
social success, thereby increasing their income.
Phone Lady initiative
The carrier helped many local proprietors, most of whom
were female, by arranging for loans from the local bank so
that they could own mobile phone devices. The carrier also
provided them with training on the operation and billing
of their services. The initiative was created to overcome
the difculty of providing Universal Access Service (UAS) to
people in rural areas to allow them to communicate with
their relatives, friends, and business partners.
The Phone Lady initiative succeeded in overcoming the
communication barrier through the provision of mobile
services. Building on this success, the carrier and Huawei
extended the UAS to information services by providing the
local people with internet and information services through
the CICs.
CIC initiative
The carrier partnered with the local units and proprietors in
establishing CICs, which were owned and independently
operated by the proprietors. The CICs functioned as
customer service centers to provide services such as pay
phone access, e-recharging, printing, scanning, and
copying. The CICs also served as information centers to
provide useful information, including prices of farm goods,
government website information, and job information. This
enabled people in remote areas to benet from a normal
economy, find jobs, obtain information on farm goods,
and increase their income.
Huawei's Participation
Huawei, as the carrier's strategic partner, provided network
support for the implementation of the projects. In addition
to providing network equipment, Huawei actively provided
customized services based on the business features of the
project. The entire network is now integrated with green
technology solutions in rural areas where the power supply
is unreliable, helping promote sustainable business growth.
Impacts and Benets of the Phone Lady Initiative
The Phone Lady initiative was a success. The carrier has
received a sound business return on its mobile services. The
Phone Lady initiative has employed more than 280,000
people. The proprietors are earning an income three
times higher than the average income in Bangladesh. This
initiative increased employment and improved livelihood in
rural areas, and created in-depth social effects as a result of
having access to communication and information services.
Corporate Social Responsibility