Freedom Fone profile

This platform is an open source, interactive voice-based communications system that enables users to engage with their audiences across literacy, connectivity, and connectivity barriers. Interactive voice menus can be programmed to provide localized and multi-lingual agricultural information on demand. Callers can navigate via keypad or voice, and FREEDOM FONE also has a voicemail feature for providing quick audience feedback for future evaluation and playback. The software does not require the caller or user to have internet access. The platform provides a measure of security with role-based access control. Automated callback capability enables content providers to reach populations that are reluctant to call-in due to cost barriers. FREEDOM FONE can be deployed in an environment with irregular power supply as a stand-alone system with battery backup, and where internet access is available, it can be connected to voice over internet protocol (VoIP) services such as Skype. The technology used includes interactive voice response, voice-enabled GSM gateways, dedicated computers, and FreeSWITCH. FREEDOM FONE was conceived and made possible by the Kubatana Trust of Zimbabwe, a civil society non-governmental organization (NGO. It received a 2008 Knight Foundation grant to support platform development and additional support from Internews Europe and Hivos. The platform has been deployed nearly 100 times to date, with confirmed usage by 23 projects in 15 countries. FREEDOM FONE has been used by Farm Radio International to improve two-way communication with listeners at nine different radio stations in 4 countries. Interactive Voice Response (IVR) was used to provide short voice menus on market information, weather forecasts, and agricultural practices. The FREEDOM FONE platform operates under a "freemium" model, where basic functions are free and open source, while users pay for advanced dialer features, technical support, and cloud hosting. The platform also explores the potential for advertising revenue. The FREEDOM FONE website provides deployment updates and information on the platform's usage. The platform has been used by various users, including agricultural service providers, health service providers, community radio stations, NGOs, farmers, rural and urban populations with limited internet access, and crisis-affected communities. The FREEDOM FONE platform has been supported by various organizations, including the Kubatana Trust of Zimbabwe, the Knight Foundation, Internews Europe, and Hivos. The platform's primary markets include countries in Africa, Asia, and other regions. The FREEDOM FONE platform has been used to improve agricultural information dissemination and collection, and its impact has been demonstrated through its usage by various projects and organizations. The platform's standard phone rates apply, and vary greatly, with some features based on outgoing call volume.