Village Phone Direct Manual – Enabling microfinance institutions to bring affordable communication services to the poor
Table of Contents
Introduction
Foreword
Welcome
Part One: The Village Phone Model
A Village Phone Success Story
Benefits of the Village Phone Model
Benefits to the Microfinance Institution
Benefits to the Village Phone Operator
Benefits to the Customer
Village Phone and Village Phone Direct
Roles and Responsibilities in Village Phone Direct
The Village Phone Business Kit
Village Phone Communications Technology
Antenna as signal booster
Antenna to catch the Line Of Sight
Power technologies
Automobile Battery Solution
Solar-Power Solution
AA Battery Solution
Crank Power
Part Two: Village Phon e Direct Step-by-Step
Step 1: Get Institutional Commitment
Step 2: Assess Demand and Survey the Environment
Legal and business assessment
Geographical compatibility assessment
Village Phone Operator interest assessment
Step 3: Create a Business and Financial Model
Village Phone Operator business model
Financial modalities
Step 4: Select equipment and define sourcing
The phone handset with earpiece
External antenna, coupler and cables
Recharging solution Automobile Battery
Airtime
Marketing collateral
Documentation
Equipment warranty and repair
Step 5: Select Operators
Selecting the Village Phone Operator is critical
Selection criteria
Geographic distribution
Step 6: Develop an Operating Manual and Training Curriculum
Village Phone Operator training outline At deployment and establishment of a NEW Village Phone business
Step 7: Run a Pilot Program
Step 8: Market Village Phone
Personal contact
Advertising
Special promotions
Sponsorships
Step 9: Become an Airtime Distributor (Optional)
Airtime options
Distributor or Sub-Distributor
Financing the buying of airtime
Commissions
Step 10: Demand Management
Forecasting
Importance of cash flow
Bottlenecks/constraints
Equipment order and acquisition process for microfinance institutions
Demand management for Village Phone Operators
Step 11: Deployment
Staffing
Growth planning
Step 12: Ongoing Operations
Identify and resolve problems
Ongoing strategic planning process
Document business processes
Conclusion
Appendixes
Appendix A: Sample Surveys
Appendix B: Pilot Phase Plan and Agreement Template
Appendix C: Stock Forecasting
Appendix D: Geographical Forecasting
Appendix E: Skymasts Antenna Specification
Appendix F: Airtime Access
Appendix G: Signage Solutions
Appendix H: Operating Manual for Village Phone Operators
1.0 WELCOME
2.0 OBLIGATIONS OF A VILLAGE PHONE OPERATOR
3.0 EQUIPMENT
4.0 RUNNING YOUR VILLAGE PHONE BUSINESS
5.0 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS AND ISSUES
CALL LOG
SAMPLE RETAIL MARGINS
IMPORTANT PHONE NUMBERS
BATTERY CHARGING LOG
INTERNATIONAL DIALING CODES
HOW TO USE ADDITIONAL MENU FEATURES
POINTS TO REMEMBER
Appendix I: Phone Reference Guide
REFERENCE GUIDE ():
Call Tariffs
East Africa calling prefixes
Remember!
Appendix J: Reference Manual Template addressed to the Microfinance Field Officers
THE HELPLINE REFERENCE MANUAL
Appendix K: How to procure kits elements