Why Free Texts Don't Flatten Political Voice: Uganda Study Reveals Price Paradox

Access to ICT changes political communication dynamics by lowering barriers for the poor, yet risks favoring connected citizens. A novel approach in Uganda tested this tension using randomized text message price experiments on 1600 residents.

Using bold labels and emojis:

• Existing Channels: Traditional methods often excluded marginalized groups due to cost barriers
• Our Innovation: Randomized pricing allowed direct comparison of different access models (existing rates, full cost subsidy)
• Key Insight: Subsidizing message costs increased overall uptake by over 40%, but free messaging didn't lead to further flattening
• Marginalized Advantage: Despite subsidies boosting use across the board, marginalized groups still showed lower educational attainment and higher status indicators than expected