Once a staid practitioner of an old technology in shortwave, the VOA has of late seemed to drink from the fountain of youth by indulging in new technologies.
The latest is an announcement of text-based news for mobile phone users in the western Africa country of Guinea. By dialing a certain number, Guineans can receive VOA French language news summaries. The service is in league with the local cell phone service provider, Cellcom.
VOA Africa Division Director Gwen Dillard said: “VOA’s strategy is to use the right platform in the right place, and in Africa people are increasingly using mobile phones, so putting our news on those devices makes sense.”
The technology service is provided by AudioNow, a specialist in bringing broadcasters to cell phones and smartphones. AudioNow has aggressively recruited international broadcasters and mobile telecoms to use its service.
