Once the essential elements of the solution has been formed, Pencil discussed them with a number of prominent figures in the world of development. The response was overwhelmingly positive. Among the many insights gained was that the information and communication requirements of the rural poor in the developing world differ from those of wealthier, urban nations, that the cost of developing new technology is radically less than the cost of deploying existing technology and that the needs and market already exist for the right products.

 

The result is PASSERBY^® technology, and products such as SECONDVOICE^®. The other result is a commitment to bringing technological innovtion directly to the world's rural poor, with products designed to suit rural needs, rather than reformulating technology originally desgined for a wealthier, urban audience.