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Many emerging nations have cellular access, but Internet service is still fleeting, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa. In an attempt to disseminate information to Ugandans, Google has teamed up with African cell provider MTN to distribute information, free-of-charge, via text message to a culture that is text -- but not Internet -- savvy.
The program, which teams the American Web giant with the Grameen Foundation, will act like a simplified version of search, allowing farmers and residents to text information to Google and receive answers. Phone users could query about weather, farming tips, and even safe sex advice. Amina Nantume, a Ugandan woman, told the BBC that the service has helped her discuss the topic of sex with her daughters. She said, "I used to get embarrassed every time I sat with my daughters to talk to them about pregnancy."
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October 21st, 2009UncategorizedMany emerging nations have cellular access, but Internet service is still fleeting, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa. In an attempt to disseminate information to Ugandans, Google has teamed up with African cell provider MTN to distribute information, free-of-charge, via text message to a culture that is text -- but not Internet -- savvy.