Effective global networking has some interesting permutations. Such as the promotion of economic growth attributable to mobile phones.

“It is easy to imagine ways in which mobile phones could stimulate economic activity—they make up for poor infrastructure by substituting for travel, allow price data to be distributed and enable traders to engage with wider markets, and so on.”

An example cited in the study is that of the Kerala fisherman. Prior to the advent of mobile technology, fisherman had little choice as to which market they would sell to after bringing in the day’s catch. If they were concerned about getting a good price at their home market, they had to weigh the cost of extra fuel expended to try an alternative market, with no assurance of a better price. Fuel expenditures and the fear that the fish would go bad prevented further attempts to get a good price at other markets.

With the simple addition of a mobile phone, fisherman were able to call ahead. Once service covered the entire region, some interesting effects were noted in the market.

“Dividing the coast into three regions, Mr Jensen found that the proportion of fishermen who ventured beyond their home markets to sell their catches jumped from zero to around 35% as soon as coverage became available in each region. At that point, no fish were wasted and the variation in prices fell dramatically. By the end of the study coverage was available in all three regions. Waste had been eliminated and the “law of one price”—the idea that in an efficient market identical goods should cost the same—had come into effect, in the form of a single rate for sardines along the coast.

This more efficient market benefited everyone. Fishermen’s profits rose by 8% on average and consumer prices fell by 4% on average.”
(Source)