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using mobile phones than fixed-line telephone (ITU, 2009). Cell-phones introduce new
ways of communication. The ability to send short messages (SMS) text to
communicate is one of the features of the cell-phone that is common and used
widely all over the world. The ITU (2010) reported that the total number of SMS
sent globally tripled between 2007 and 2010, from an estimated 1.8 trillion to a
staggering 6.1 trillion. This means that an average 200,000 text messages are sent every
second showing that SMS is the most favoured means for communication worldwide.
According to the International Telecommunication Unit (ITU), the recent facts and
figures obtained at the end of year 2010 show that the total number of mobile cellular
subscribers globally is estimated to be around 5.3 billion. Access to mobile networks is
now available to 90 percent of the world population and 80% of the world population
living in rural areas (ITU, 2010). It is crucial for governments to find ways to take
advantage of this new trend in communication.
There is evidence (Nerenberg, 2011) that mobile technology has greatly improved
service delivery to rural and difficult to reach areas in other parts of the world. For
example, SOHITCOM (Social Health and IT for Rural Communities) is a program that
was set up in such a way to enable women in the rural communities in Jordan to
communicate with competent doctors by sending text messages via cell phone in an
effort to overcome literacy and other social barriers. Based on this facts it can be
assumed that Vanuatu can also have the same benefits. This is one of the motivations to
conduct this research as explained in the following section.
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