Comments on: Pre-Paid Minutes as Virtual Currency? Why Not! http://grandioseparlor.com/2007/03/pre-paid-minutes-as-virtual-currency-why-not/ Cogitations on sociopolitical and economic issues focusing on Nigeria & Africa Thu, 20 Nov 2008 08:31:35 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5 By: TonyD http://grandioseparlor.com/2007/03/pre-paid-minutes-as-virtual-currency-why-not/#comment-28181 TonyD Mon, 22 Oct 2007 20:23:30 +0000 http://grandioseparlor.com/2007/03/pre-paid-minutes-as-virtual-currency-why-not/#comment-28181 See <a href="http://business.iafrica.com/features/649690.htm">Africa's 'cyber' currency</a> See Africa’s ‘cyber’ currency

]]> By: Kunle http://grandioseparlor.com/2007/03/pre-paid-minutes-as-virtual-currency-why-not/#comment-26747 Kunle Tue, 09 Oct 2007 20:20:02 +0000 http://grandioseparlor.com/2007/03/pre-paid-minutes-as-virtual-currency-why-not/#comment-26747 Let's get this straight. Digital money is never giong to happen without efficient telecommication infrastructure for seamless data exchange. The current telecommication networks are just too feagued and disjointed to support any meaninful data interchange talkless of e-transactions. GSM networks are particularly terrible with data services. Note that they are primarily established for voice services which we are still hoping they get right some day. The institutionalization of e-money will occur naturally with the establishment of fast and efficient telecommunication networks. And this will only happen if there is someone at the top, preferably the president, who wants it to happen. He must be ready to set and enforce standards for telecoms practice. If i can make calls, send SMS and access my email anywhere without having to sleep at the computer, I will be more willing to explore paying and receiving e-money In a few decades if not years, children in some countries will be going to the museum to see the currencies we use now, just the way we go to museums to see the cowries our ancestors used in their days. Where will Africa be when this time comes? Let’s get this straight. Digital money is never giong to happen without efficient telecommication infrastructure for seamless data exchange. The current telecommication networks are just too feagued and disjointed to support any meaninful data interchange talkless of e-transactions. GSM networks are particularly terrible with data services. Note that they are primarily established for voice services which we are still hoping they get right some day.

The institutionalization of e-money will occur naturally with the establishment of fast and efficient telecommunication networks. And this will only happen if there is someone at the top, preferably the president, who wants it to happen.

He must be ready to set and enforce standards for telecoms practice. If i can make calls, send SMS and access my email anywhere without having to sleep at the computer, I will be more willing to explore paying and receiving e-money

In a few decades if not years, children in some countries will be going to the museum to see the currencies we use now, just the way we go to museums to see the cowries our ancestors used in their days. Where will Africa be when this time comes?

]]> By: Mark Herpel http://grandioseparlor.com/2007/03/pre-paid-minutes-as-virtual-currency-why-not/#comment-26298 Mark Herpel Sat, 06 Oct 2007 14:29:17 +0000 http://grandioseparlor.com/2007/03/pre-paid-minutes-as-virtual-currency-why-not/#comment-26298 Webmoney has the best solution I know of for non-bank transactions. They have prepaid cards, prepaid PINs for email delivery, Ukash, paysafecard and cashU for exchanging local cash to a voucher which can instantly fund their online Webmoney accounts. Cell phones can be used as well. Perhaps a local outlet for vouchers can be partnered with an existing network of nationwide shops for accepting cash and issuing vouchers or prepaid cards. Webmoney works just like e-gold for online transfers and paying merchants. Mark DigitalMoneyWorld Webmoney has the best solution I know of for non-bank transactions. They have prepaid cards, prepaid PINs for email delivery, Ukash, paysafecard and cashU for exchanging local cash to a voucher which can instantly fund their online Webmoney accounts. Cell phones can be used as well. Perhaps a local outlet for vouchers can be partnered with an existing network of nationwide shops for accepting cash and issuing vouchers or prepaid cards.

Webmoney works just like e-gold for online transfers and paying merchants.

Mark
DigitalMoneyWorld

]]> By: Global Voices amin'ny teny Malagasy » Blog Archive » Hisy e-varotra ve eto Afrika? http://grandioseparlor.com/2007/03/pre-paid-minutes-as-virtual-currency-why-not/#comment-25952 Global Voices amin'ny teny Malagasy » Blog Archive » Hisy e-varotra ve eto Afrika? Wed, 03 Oct 2007 15:40:43 +0000 http://grandioseparlor.com/2007/03/pre-paid-minutes-as-virtual-currency-why-not/#comment-25952 [...] Ny mahazatra ny ankamaroan’ny Nizeriana hitako – eny fa na dia ireo tsy mpandoa hetra aza – dia ny fividianana fahana ho amin’ny finday. Ara-dalàna amin’ny takalo ara-barotra an-tserasera sy ny e-varotra ve ny halavan’ora azo iantsoana amin’ireny fahana finday ireny ? [...] […] Ny mahazatra ny ankamaroan’ny Nizeriana hitako – eny fa na dia ireo tsy mpandoa hetra aza – dia ny fividianana fahana ho amin’ny finday. Ara-dalàna amin’ny takalo ara-barotra an-tserasera sy ny e-varotra ve ny halavan’ora azo iantsoana amin’ireny fahana finday ireny ? […]

]]> By: Any prospects for e-commerce in Africa? http://grandioseparlor.com/2007/03/pre-paid-minutes-as-virtual-currency-why-not/#comment-25718 Any prospects for e-commerce in Africa? Mon, 01 Oct 2007 20:54:53 +0000 http://grandioseparlor.com/2007/03/pre-paid-minutes-as-virtual-currency-why-not/#comment-25718 [...] Grandiose Parlor has this to ask: One “common denominator” characteristic of most Nigerians - including those in the informal economy - that I’ve discovered is that they all purchase airtime minutes. Could those minutes be used some how as legal tender for online transactions and e-commerce? [...] […] Grandiose Parlor has this to ask: One “common denominator” characteristic of most Nigerians - including those in the informal economy - that I’ve discovered is that they all purchase airtime minutes. Could those minutes be used some how as legal tender for online transactions and e-commerce? […]

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