In a bid to boost the deployment of mobile technology to country’s entrepreneurs, Nokia pioneered in the Philippines with the recent launching of the first-ever Nokia Mobile Entrepreneur Awards aimed at recognizing small entrepreneurs who use mobile technology in their business.

To reach out to many entrepreneurs as much as possible, Nokia Philippines formed a partnership with the Philippine Center for Entrepreneurship, more popularly known as Go Negosyo, to enhance the awareness of Filipino businessmen on the advantages of using mobile technology.

William Hamilton-Whyte, general manager of Nokia Philippines, said mobile communications has an important role to play in boosting livelihood, especially in emerging markets such as the Philippines.

“New technologies mean new opportunities. We believe that the field of mobile communications creates substantial socioeconomic benefits, especially in emerging markets, and is a successful tool for eliminating poverty,” said Hamilton-Whyte in a statement.

Now that Filipinos have made the mobile phone a vital part of their daily lives, Hamilton-Whyte said Nokia wants to push the envelope further, so to speak.

“Filipinos already love their mobile phones. What we want is for them to use it as a means to upgrade their lives. We want to showcase creative innovations in the use of mobile technology in the hope that it will inspire others to do the same,” he said.

Interestingly, the entry of mobile phones into the Philippines has already paved the way for the entry of microentrepreneurs who became an important part of the value chain in selling prepaid load to subscribers. Working on the concept of the sachet economy, the mobile phone has played an important role for the masses who want to boost their income by selling prepaid load. 

During the launch, Mosaic Communications Inc. president Dr. William Torres said the promotion of mobile technologies to boost business in the country is timely, considering that 99.6 percent of the Philippines is covered by wireless infrastructure.

“It may not be as robust and fast as you want. Infrastructure’s growth will be based on demand applications,” Torres said.

Torres said entrepreneurs will have to start small but later can grow as there will be more business opportunities available in the country.

Domingo Mapa, process director of Dell Philippines, said the main task for the proponents is to introduce the workable concepts of mobile entrepreneurship so many people will accept it. “The challenge now is to get it out of the woodwork,” he said.

“One good product of mobile technologies is m-elections,” he added

Rafael Ortega, deputy director of PCE, said the competition is prestigious for the country because it is the pilot area of a global idea. He said the competition will inspire further the members of Go Negosyo to innovate.

Nokia communications manager Nikka S. Abes added that deployment of mobile technologies in entrepreneurship can make a positive contribution in upgrading the lives of Filipinos.

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Mobile Entrepreneurs Nokia calls on entries for innovative contest

In a bid to boost the deployment of mobile technology to country’s entrepreneurs, Nokia pioneered in the Philippines with the recent launching of the first-ever Nokia Mobile Entrepreneur Awards aimed at recognizing small entrepreneurs who use mobile technology in their business.

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PUNO, C.J.:

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