According to the Public Telecommunications Service Supply Program to 2030, the goal of supporting 400,000 smartphones for the poor has been set, along with the orientation of ensuring 100% of poor households with internet access needs. This figure, from a policy perspective, is not only about supporting equipment, but also about "enabling access" to information and technology.
Digital transformation is not just a story of infrastructure, data or technology platforms. Its core lies in the ability of each individual to participate in the digital ecosystem. But reality shows that a significant part of the population, especially the poor, is still outside the game just because of a lack of a connected device.
Without smartphones, people have difficulty accessing online public services, cannot pay digitally, cannot study online, and cannot even update official information in a timely manner.
A smartphone, when placed in the right hands of the person in need, can create very big changes. For farmers, it is a tool to access the market, sell goods online, update prices. For freelancers, it is a means of finding jobs, connecting services. For students, it is a door to knowledge.
When people have devices, they can "enter" the digital economy at the lowest cost.
Therefore, the phone support policy not only has the meaning of accessing information, but also opens up new livelihood opportunities. This is the difference between traditional support (for food) and modern support (for tools to create value).
However, it would be a shortcoming if it only stops at the distribution of devices.A smartphone will not have much meaning if users do not know how to exploit it.
Reality shows that many elderly people, people in remote and isolated areas, even though they have phones, only use them to make calls, and have not taken advantage of digital utilities.
The State, telecommunications businesses and social organizations need to coordinate to implement basic digital skills training programs: Using applications, information security, online transactions... Then, the phone will truly become a tool to improve the quality of life.
In the national digital transformation picture, phone support for the poor is a small "piece" but fundamental, because it is directly related to people. When each citizen can connect, access and participate in the digital environment, the digital nation will be formed sustainably and inclusively. In other words, popularizing smartphones for the poor is not just about supporting technology, but about giving opportunities. In the digital age, opportunities are the key so that no one is left behind.
