Thank you both for introducing the subject of social aspects of the use of mobile phones in rural areas. I do think it's an essential point if we are to have a holistic approach in assessing the potential influence of mobile phones, and also other ICT, on users' lives. I'd like to cite the preoccupation of the sociologist André Nyamba, from the Ouagadougou University (Burkina Faso) about the awareness of these potential influences among rural people. Talking about rural areas in Burkina Faso, and confirming the existence of a very strong local will for integrating new technologies, Nyamba says that often "the use of ICT isn't the result of a rational previous consideration"*. It would be important thus to promote awareness not only about the pragmatic potentiality of ICT in generating technical and commercial advantages but also about possible adverse effects on social and cultural aspects. I think this kind of consideration can only be legitimate if done by the potential users themselves, because no other players could know better their culture. That's why I think external players can only promote, and follow this procedure, with an auxiliary role. The community may find ways of integrating ICT for their benefits, leaving a leeway for other social manifestations to occur in parallel so that negative aspects could be compensated. What do you think about it? thanks in advance. Cheers, Eric * free translation from: NYAMBA, A. (2005). Approche sociologique et anthropologique de la communication dans les villages africains. in Les télécommunications, entre bien public et marchandise, under the direction of Djilali BENAMRANE & Bruno JAFFRE & François-Xavier VERSCHAVE. Charles Léopold Mayer Editions. Page 82.