Resumen
The billion -- a population equivalent to that of the US and Europe combined -- lives overwhelmingly in sub-Saharan Africa or Central Asia. Life expectancy in these regions is just 50 years. Not surprisingly, the bottom-billion nations have been among the least digital. But that is changing. Beyond the Internet, there is an even greater bottom-billion phenomenon: the cellphone. Ten years ago, Manhattan had more phone connections than all of Africa. Today, thanks to the cellphone, Africa has more phone connections than the US and Canada combined. IT can generate new market opportunities. Flying somewhat under the radar of government and donor agencies, IT can help directly create new microenterprises for the poor. IT can offer access to new sources of finance. Organizations like Kiva use Web microfinance portals to make a direct link between individual sponsors in the global North, and microentrepreneurs in the bottom billion.

Resumen
This article focuses on the computer software strategies adopted in developing countries. It has been a big business in developing countries. Many of these countries have cheap, talented labor that finds an easy route into a business that is labor-intensive, has relatively low entry barriers, and has few economies of scale. But this is also a multifaceted business. Extrapolation from the patchwork of incomplete and sometimes uncertain figures suggests these countries exported some $3 billion of software in 1998-99. The export image projected is one of virtual development, in which clients sitting in the West interact with software professionals developing packages overseas. The high profile of India's success makes many developing countries wish to follow in its footsteps. Those who do, however, find difficulties. Inter-developing countries markets are also growing. Africa, Asia, and the Middle East are the target for about 5% of India's software exports, while Korea and Malaysia are outsourcing to countries like the Philippines, China, and Vietnam. The vast majority of developing countries software firms sit in the position-D market segment, largely because it is by far the easiest for them to enter.