IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/pal/palcom/v8y2021i1d10.1057_s41599-021-00848-0.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Access to electricity and digital inclusion: evidence from mobile call detail records

Author

Listed:
  • Georges V. Houngbonon

    (International Finance Corporation (IFC)-World Bank Group)

  • Erwan Le Quentrec

    (Orange Labs, Sociology and Economics of Networks and Services (SENSE))

  • Stefania Rubrichi

    (Orange Labs, Sociology and Economics of Networks and Services (SENSE))

Abstract

Despite significant progress in mobile connectivity, a large number of individuals in Sub-Saharan Africa are at risk of being left behind, especially those living in rural areas and women. In this paper, we use an original data set of mobile call detail records from Senegal and exploit variations across plausibly similar rural municipalities to assess the impact of access to electricity on mobile connectivity. We find that access to mobile connectivity for rural users, measured by mobile telephony subscriptions or smartphone ownership, increases with access to electricity, with a stronger impact for women. The impact on usage is also positive, but stems from the increased volume of incoming communications: rural mobile users with access to electricity do not place more calls than those with limited access; rather, they receive more calls and text messages from urban areas, especially those with higher living standards. These findings suggest that access to electricity can be a significant driver of digital inclusion in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Suggested Citation

  • Georges V. Houngbonon & Erwan Le Quentrec & Stefania Rubrichi, 2021. "Access to electricity and digital inclusion: evidence from mobile call detail records," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 8(1), pages 1-11, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:pal:palcom:v:8:y:2021:i:1:d:10.1057_s41599-021-00848-0
    DOI: 10.1057/s41599-021-00848-0
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://link.springer.com/10.1057/s41599-021-00848-0
    File Function: Abstract
    Download Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers.
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1057/s41599-021-00848-0?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Nina Czernich & Oliver Falck & Tobias Kretschmer & Ludger Woessmann, 2011. "Broadband Infrastructure and Economic Growth," Economic Journal, Royal Economic Society, vol. 121(552), pages 505-532, May.
    2. Harald Gruber & Pantelis Koutroumpis, 2011. "Mobile telecommunications and the impact on economic development [Discussion of “Why is infrastructure important?” in Alicia H. Munnell, (ed.), Is there a shortfall in public capital investment?]," Economic Policy, CEPR, CESifo, Sciences Po;CES;MSH, vol. 26(67), pages 387-426.
    3. Armey, Laura E. & Hosman, Laura, 2016. "The centrality of electricity to ICT use in low-income countries," Telecommunications Policy, Elsevier, vol. 40(7), pages 617-627.
    4. Mothobi, Onkokame & Grzybowski, Lukasz, 2017. "Infrastructure deficiencies and adoption of mobile money in Sub-Saharan Africa," Information Economics and Policy, Elsevier, vol. 40(C), pages 71-79.
    5. Lee, Sangwon & Marcu, Mircea & Lee, Seonmi, 2011. "An empirical analysis of fixed and mobile broadband diffusion," Information Economics and Policy, Elsevier, vol. 23(3), pages 227-233.
    6. Gruber, Harald, 2001. "Competition and innovation: The diffusion of mobile telecommunications in Central and Eastern Europe," Information Economics and Policy, Elsevier, vol. 13(1), pages 19-34, March.
    7. Lenz, Luciane & Munyehirwe, Anicet & Peters, Jörg & Sievert, Maximiliane, 2017. "Does Large-Scale Infrastructure Investment Alleviate Poverty? Impacts of Rwanda’s Electricity Access Roll-Out Program," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 89(C), pages 88-110.
    8. Lin, Mao-Shong & Wu, Feng-Shang, 2013. "Identifying the determinants of broadband adoption by diffusion stage in OECD countries," Telecommunications Policy, Elsevier, vol. 37(4), pages 241-251.
    9. Jenny C. Aker & Isaac M. Mbiti, 2010. "Mobile Phones and Economic Development in Africa," Journal of Economic Perspectives, American Economic Association, vol. 24(3), pages 207-232, Summer.
    10. Timo Schmid & Fabian Bruckschen & Nicola Salvati & Till Zbiranski, 2017. "Constructing sociodemographic indicators for national statistical institutes by using mobile phone data: estimating literacy rates in Senegal," Journal of the Royal Statistical Society Series A, Royal Statistical Society, vol. 180(4), pages 1163-1190, October.
    11. Bohlin, Anders & Gruber, Harald & Koutroumpis, Pantelis, 2010. "Diffusion of new technology generations in mobile communications," Information Economics and Policy, Elsevier, vol. 22(1), pages 51-60, March.
    12. Tanguy Bernard, 2012. "Impact Analysis of Rural Electrification Projects in Sub-Saharan Africa," The World Bank Research Observer, World Bank, vol. 27(1), pages 33-51, February.
    13. Kirubi, Charles & Jacobson, Arne & Kammen, Daniel M. & Mills, Andrew, 2009. "Community-Based Electric Micro-Grids Can Contribute to Rural Development: Evidence from Kenya," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 37(7), pages 1208-1221, July.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Houngbonon, Georges Vivien & Ivaldi, Marc & Palikot, Emil & Strusani, Davide, 2023. "The Impact of Shared Telecom Infrastructure on Digital Connectivity and Inclusion," TSE Working Papers 23-1427, Toulouse School of Economics (TSE).
    2. Kere, Safilidin & Zongo, Amara, 2023. "Digital technologies and intra-African trade," International Economics, Elsevier, vol. 173(C), pages 359-383.
    3. Houngbonon, Georges V. & Ivaldi, Marc & Palikot, Emil & Strusani, Davide, 2023. "The Impact of Shared Telecom Infrastructure on Digital Connectivity and Inclusion," 32nd European Regional ITS Conference, Madrid 2023: Realising the digital decade in the European Union – Easier said than done? 277970, International Telecommunications Society (ITS).
    4. Bharadwaj, Bishal & Subedi, Mukti Nath & Malakar, Yuwan & Ashworth, Peta, 2023. "Low-capacity decentralized electricity systems limit the adoption of electronic appliances in rural Nepal," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 177(C).
    5. Aida Kanoute & Florence Carrouel & Jocelyne Gare & Serigne Ndame Dieng & Amadou Dieng & Mbathio Diop & Daouda Faye & Laurie Fraticelli & Denis Bourgeois, 2022. "Evaluation of Oral Hygiene-Related Mobile Apps for Children in Sub-Saharan Africa," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(19), pages 1-16, October.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Houngbonon, Georges V. & Le Quentrec, Erwan, 2019. "Access to Electricity and ICT Usage: A Country-level Assessment on Sub-Saharan Africa," 2nd Europe – Middle East – North African Regional ITS Conference, Aswan 2019: Leveraging Technologies For Growth 201728, International Telecommunications Society (ITS).
    2. Haucap, Justus & Heimeshoff, Ulrich & Lange, Mirjam R.J., 2016. "The impact of tariff diversity on broadband penetration—An empirical analysis," Telecommunications Policy, Elsevier, vol. 40(8), pages 743-754.
    3. Haucap, Justus & Heimeshoff, Ulrich & Lange, Mirjam R. J., 2014. "The impact of tariff diversity on broadband diffusion: An empirical analysis," 25th European Regional ITS Conference, Brussels 2014 101403, International Telecommunications Society (ITS).
    4. Abdulqadir, Idris A. & Asongu, Simplice A., 2022. "The asymmetric effect of internet access on economic growth in sub-Saharan Africa," Economic Analysis and Policy, Elsevier, vol. 73(C), pages 44-61.
    5. Bacha, Radia & Gasmi, Farid, 2022. "The broadband diffusion process and its determinants in Algeria: A simultaneous estimation," TSE Working Papers 22-1309, Toulouse School of Economics (TSE).
    6. Alderete, María Verónica, 2022. "The effect of broadband on economic growth in Latin America: an approach based on a simultaneous equations model," Revista CEPAL, Naciones Unidas Comisión Económica para América Latina y el Caribe (CEPAL), December.
    7. Ward, Michael R. & Zheng, Shilin, 2016. "Mobile telecommunications service and economic growth: Evidence from China," Telecommunications Policy, Elsevier, vol. 40(2), pages 89-101.
    8. Abdulqadir, Idris & Asongu, Simplice, 2021. "The asymmetric effect of internet access on economic growth in sub-Saharan Africa: Insight from a dynamic panel threshold regression," MPRA Paper 109904, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    9. Meriggi, Niccolò F. & Bulte, Erwin & Mobarak, Ahmed Mushfiq, 2021. "Subsidies for technology adoption: Experimental evidence from rural Cameroon," Journal of Development Economics, Elsevier, vol. 153(C).
    10. Prieger, James E., 2013. "The broadband digital divide and the economic benefits of mobile broadband for rural areas," Telecommunications Policy, Elsevier, vol. 37(6), pages 483-502.
    11. Mirjam R. J. Lange, 2017. "Tariff diversity and competition policy: drivers for broadband adoption in the European Union," Journal of Regulatory Economics, Springer, vol. 52(3), pages 285-312, December.
    12. Baburin, Vyacheslav & Zemtsov, Stepan, 2014. "Diffussion of ICT-products and "five Russias"," MPRA Paper 68926, University Library of Munich, Germany, revised 10 May 2014.
    13. Let, Halimahton Sa’diah & Hamzah, Hanny Zurina & Yusop, Zulkornain & Mazlan, Nur Syazwani, 2018. "ICT Adoption Drives Productivity in Developed and Developing Countries," Jurnal Ekonomi Malaysia, Faculty of Economics and Business, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, vol. 52(3), pages 205-217.
    14. Koutroumpis, Pantelis & Leiponen, Aija, 2016. "Crowdsourcing mobile coverage," Telecommunications Policy, Elsevier, vol. 40(6), pages 532-544.
    15. Oluwarotimi Ayokunnu Owolabi & Asa-Ruth Oboku Oku & Abidemi Alejo & Toun Ogunbiyi & Jeremiah Ifeanyi Ubah, 2021. "Access to Electricity, Information and Communications Technology (ICT), and Financial Development: Evidence From West Africa," International Journal of Energy Economics and Policy, Econjournals, vol. 11(2), pages 247-259.
    16. Malm, Meagan K. & Toyama, Kentaro, 2021. "The burdens and the benefits: Socio-economic impacts of mobile phone ownership in Tanzania," World Development Perspectives, Elsevier, vol. 21(C).
    17. Teklemariam, Mekuria Haile & Kwon, Youngsun, 2020. "Differentiating mobile broadband policies across diffusion stages: A panel data analysis," Telecommunications Policy, Elsevier, vol. 44(8).
    18. Chen,Rong - DECIG, 2021. "A Demand-Side View of Mobile Internet Adoption in the Global South," Policy Research Working Paper Series 9590, The World Bank.
    19. Fujii, Tomoki & Shonchoy, Abu S. & Xu, Sijia, 2018. "Impact of Electrification on Children’s Nutritional Status in Rural Bangladesh," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 102(C), pages 315-330.
    20. Cariolle, Joël, 2021. "International connectivity and the digital divide in Sub-Saharan Africa," Information Economics and Policy, Elsevier, vol. 55(C).

    More about this item

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:pal:palcom:v:8:y:2021:i:1:d:10.1057_s41599-021-00848-0. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Sonal Shukla or Springer Nature Abstracting and Indexing (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.nature.com/ .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.