The people's phone

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/telecoms/article3368000.ece

Spice should be applauded for taking the initative on this matter and singlehandedly taking the mobile phone market to every single member of the indian community.

But is it really the right way of doing it? As a individual consumer in the UK, I can easily purchase a basic Nokia Handest with a £10 airtime voucher from a highstreet retailer for £15. Sure, it could very well be a "loss leader" type item that is an attempt to lock me into the network.

The premise however is simple, would it not have been easier to simply have signed a bulk purchase contract with Nokia/SonyEricsson/Motorola for one of their basic handsets, that could then be billed as the people's phone and sold for £10, delivering improved functionality and ease of use?

It's a moot point however, I'm sure, as a mobile phone of any standing will be welcomed by these members of our community.

Now, if only the same principle could be applied to clean, running water, we really would be getting somewhere...