You Can Hear Me Now: How Microloans and Cell Phones are Connecting the World's Poor To the Global Economy

by Nicholas P. Sullivan

Bangladeshi villagers sharing cell phones helped build what is now a thriving company with more than $200 million in annual profits. But what is the lesson for the rest of the world? This is a question author Nicholas P. Sullivan addresses in his tale of a new kind of entrepreneur, Iqbal Quadir, the visionary and catalyst behind the creation of GrameenPhone in Bangladesh. GrameenPhone―a partnership between Norway's Telenor and Grameen Bank, co-winner of the 2006 Nobel Peace Prize―defines a new approach to building business opportunities in the developing world. You Can Hear Me Now offers a compelling account of what Sullivan calls the "external combustion engine"―a combination of forces that is sparking economic growth and lifting people out of poverty in countries long dominated by aid-dependent governments. The "engine" comprises three forces: information technology , imported by native entrepreneurs trained in the West, backed by foreign investors .

272 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2007

Reviews

[Kirtis · Rating 3 out of 5]

The effects of the disruptive technology cell phones. They are changing everything for the rural poor in Bangladesh

[Dave Golombek · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first half of this book got four stars, the second only three -- if I could give it half stars it would've been a bit higher. It's a quick read and worthwhile if you're interested in social entrepreneurship.

The first half of the book covers the founding of Grameen Phone, the pioneering company that brought cell phones to Bangladesh, in particular to rural areas, using a model similar to that of Grameen Bank. It covers the founding of the company, the challenge to build a coalition of companies to invest and provide expertise, the governmental obstacles that were overcome, and the build-out of the network once all the licenses were obtained.

The second half of the book is an overview of other companies doing similar things in Africa and SE Asia, as well as new ventures the protagonists have moved on to. The summaries of the other companies are interesting but unconnected to one another; the new ventures are less compelling (or practical, to my mind) than the original idea.

[Krish · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great compliment to books like "Leaving Microsoft to change the world" and "Banker to the Poor." It has both anecdotal and factual descriptions on starting a brave gigantic venture in a developing country. Highly recommend it.

[MRSHISS.WILLIAMS]

THAT FRIENDS SHOULD BE THERE FOR EACH OTHER AND ALWAYZ LISTEN TO EACH OTHER PROMBLEMS