Indian telecom operator Uninor, in association with GSMA, announced Project Sampark to enhance mobile phone usage among women.
The total cost of the project is $183,654.
Uninor will be contributing $113,654.
GSMA will be granting $70,000 to support the project that will have a duration of 7-month.
Morten Karlsen Sorby, CEO of Uninor, said: “Gender disparity is echoed in mobile usage. This is a significant area of concern and what better way than using mobile connectivity to help deal with this developmental challenge.”
Project Sampark will aim to enhance tele-density among women especially in the rural pockets of India by removing the blocks.
Uninor has identified 87 villages of Aligarh district of Western UP to pilot the project by testing business case of a commercial offering. For the roll out of the pilot, 40 women and four supervisors will participate. Influential women in the region who are Anganwadi and ASHA supporters, who can spread the message, will also be part of the project.
Uninor, a 100 percent subsidiary of Telenor, will train women entrepreneurs to sell mobile prepaid connections and recharge vouchers.
