[Chapter-delegates] Google verification - now excluded an entire country

[Gaurab Raj Upadhaya]

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Hi,

The Google limitations apart, I am wondering if there is a local project
that needs free e-mails, and mailing lists, why not setup a server
locally in co-operation with one of the local operators.

If the communications are all (or mostly) local, having the messages
trombone the satellite link twice, uses valuable satellite bandwidth and
also introduces unwanted latency.

- -gaurab




On 4/15/10 7:53 PM, David Leeming wrote:
> Hi,
> 
>  
> 
> Google / Gmail accounts now use SMS or Voice call verification. In our
> region, the Pacific Islands, this effectively is excluding everyone from
> creating a new account.
> 
>  
> 
> For example, I just tried again, to create a Gmail account. It just says
> “this country (Solomon Islands) is not supported” and gives no other
> option. Looks like a whole country has been excluded!!! Others in the
> region have told me the same experience – Vanuatu for instance.
> 
>  
> 
> This is a blow because we have been building an online community for a
> Youth project here (http://isabel-youth.ning.com), using a Google group
> as an online  “community of practice”. Even if SMS verification worked,
> few of these people have mobile phones, even fewer of them live in a
> location with mobile coverage. Most access a shared/community Internet
> facility. Voice call verification would not be an option either, for
> same reason and also lack of fixed lines in 85% of the country (75% of
> the country with no mobile coverage). As calls into the Solomons are
> amongst the highest in the world (it costs over EUR 1 / min to call
> using a TOIP service) I can’t imagine voice call verification would be
> supported anyway. Google would not be that generous.
> 
>  
> 
> I think this is something ISOC might take up with Google. It is a very
> backward step, creating barriers to access for the most disadvantaged.
> 
>  
> 
> David Leeming
> 
> Leeming Consulting, P.O. Box 652, Honiara, Solomon Islands
> 
> Tel: +677 747-6396 (m) 24419 (h)
> 
> www.leeming-consulting.com
> 
> 
> 
> _______________________________________________
> Chapter-delegates mailing list
> Chapter-delegates at elists.isoc.org
> https://elists.isoc.org/mailman/listinfo/chapter-delegates

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