Orange

Want To Know The Secret On How Startups and Mobile Operators Work Together in Emerging Markets?

~ Venkata Gandikota

Check the infographic and also the web link to see a detailed report on how useful APIs are between mobile operators and start-ups in emerging markets.

API Mobiles Infographic

According to the article on GSMA website, there are around 15,000 APIs, with 40 new ones created every week. Salesforce already generates 50 per cent of its revenues via APIs, eBay generates 60 per cent, and Expedia 90 per cent. Welcome to the new API economy.

An API, or Application Programming Interface, is what allows software programs to “talk” to one another and reach a broader audience. APIs are what allow you to share a news article on LinkedIn or send your location on WhatsApp using your smartphone. APIs are also what allow a farmer in Senegal to check crop prices via SMS (MLouma) or a student in the Philippines to pay for their bus ride using their mobile airtime credit (Bustayo) . Services like these are powered by the APIs of local mobile operators.

If you want to directly read the report, it is in pdf format here.

Engie And Orange Are Jointly Developing Off-grid Solutions In West Africa That Would Be Paid Via Mobile Phone Credit

~ Venkata Gandikota

Engie Seeks to Tap Off-Grid Solar to Power Millions in Africa ‪#‎frugal‬ ‪#‎accessible‬ ‪#‎solutions‬.

In an article on Bloomberg, Engie (a French utility formerly known as GDF Suez) has signed an agreement with Orange SA, the French telecom company, to jointly develop off-grid products that would be paid for through mobile phone credit. They are currently working on pilot projects in West Africa.

“The world is changing. Our chairman used to say that we are building power plants with 1,000 megawatts. With solar and wind farm, we have gone down to just 1 megawatt,” Bensasson said. “With solar home systems and mini-grids we are going down to kilowatts or watts. As a power company we can and we must accompany this shift.”