Comments on: Clean water, cold vaccines, cell phones = a simple way to save lives

By: arun

arun — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 03:34:24 +0000

the issue of securing the connection seems the most difficult to me… Not sure what kind of security these towers have today but perhaps most people aren’t even aware that it has available A/C power. Once that becomes generally known in the village populace, the temptation to plug in other devices is going to be high. Even if the general populace resists it, the anti-social elements may try it.

By: Robin

Robin — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 14:14:15 +0000

Interesting-but remember the emergeny generators emitt air pollution…

By: Surjeet Ahluwalia

Surjeet Ahluwalia — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 14:03:45 +0000

This is such a fascinating idea. It’s amazing how widespread cell phones – and cell towers – are. This is another example of how to leverage private business for social change. I could see this being an opportunity for a public-private partnership or perhaps there is a business model here for other companies to partner with cell phone companies.

By: Thomas Pogge

Thomas Pogge — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 21:12:58 +0000

This is an incredibly good idea with the potential of making a phenomenal difference to the health of poor population at extremely low cost. The Yale Global Justice Program stands ready to lend active support.

By: Aidan Hollis

Aidan Hollis — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 20:49:43 +0000

This is a great idea. Mobile phones are already providing all kinds of important services — such as money transfer services through SMS — so relying on the transmission towers just seems like the next logical step. Another interesting question is how one maintains the security of the electrical system if it is used for a variety of purposes. That is, if there is access to the electrical supply for water filtration and refrigeration, how does one keep that supply secure so that it isn’t used for alternative — undesired — purposes as well?

It is hard to see why this system wouldn’t be commercially attractive to the mobile phone companies, provided the price is right.

By: HMC sophomore’s research links cell phones and health | Claremont University Consortium

Mon, 28 Jun 2010 22:34:45 +0000

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