I am convinced that Frontline SMS or something similar should be part of an essential toolkit for rural radio stations within the footprint of a mobile telephone signal.
Frontline SMS is a text messaging system “conceived, designed and written firmly with the needs of the non-profit sector in mind”. Basically it is an SMS management and broadcast system that runs on a computer connected to a mobile phone with a data cable. All you need to do is insert a SIM card and you broadcast SMS messages to your listeners and classify and process messages received from them.
Being able to send SMS messages to your listeners informing them of programme updates, events, etc. is great (only to listeners who have requested your info of course. Don’t send SMS spam!), but better yet is being able to receive, classify and process messages.
Frontline SMS uses a custom database to automatically store and classify incoming and outgoing messages, so a message received in the afternoon with a question or comment for the next day’s morning programme will be flagged for the morning programme’s attention instead of getting lost among dozens of messages on a mobile handset.
The database also keeps track of phone numbers and owners and allows messages to be sent to customised groups.The system also includes a ‘Survey Manager’ module that allows the running of surveys, an unscientific but seful way of taking the pulse of your community on an issue. You can also use its ‘Reply Manager’ to provide text-based information services in which a keyword sent in by a listener sends back a message about bus schedules, cultural events, or programme highlights.
Frontline SMS got a high profile when it was used in February 2007 to help coordinate monitoring of Nigeria’s elections and it is being used this week to provide support for a campaign against General Musharaff’s imposition of martial law in Pakistan.
I haven’t heard of Frontline or any other SMS management system being used by rural stations yet, but I would be interested in hearing about any trials or even plans.
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Hi
Thanks for your post on FrontlineSMS!
I launched this product a couple of years ago and am now working on a new version after getting some MacArthur Foundation funding. As you rightly say, I have not been contacted by any rural radio stations looking to use it, although this was always one application which I thought was a great fit.
If you, or anyone, are interested in trying it out then I’d be more than happy to assist. The new version will be out in the coming weeks, and a trial in one or a number of rural radio stations would be great.
Just let me know if I can be of any help.
All the very best.
Ken
http://www.kiwanja.net