Editor,

RE: "Rwandan makes a prototype that enables WhatsApp users to call without internet” (The New Times, February 18).

How ingenious! Well done, Mr Mugenzi. Now quick to patent and license. For whilst the tech companies might want to steal a bargain off you for further development and commercialisation, the telecoms could be having different ideas altogether: acquire and asphyxiate. It’s called business.

Your comment in the penultimate paragraph was innocent. Regrettably, today’s world is all awash with those of a venal bent. So whilst you seek to impact, aim to commercialise ultimately. That’s the way of today’s world. Not personal, rather business.

Ggwanga mujje

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Why make such innovation public before it is in its early stage of development?

I am afraid that in a very short time someone else with means, especially from developed countries, will make improvement to Mr Mugenzi’s work, make it their own discovery, and start marketing and rendering his work a waste of time.

Local innovators need to contact lawyers and marketing experts before making public their discoveries.

Seth

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First off, I see the life changing idea and benefit towards the local and remote communities. It’s really appreciable.

However, the developer should still consider if the price to be set will surely be lower than the existing commercialised apps that offer the same services by just being linked to telecoms’ main networks.

It is worth competing but also foreseeing, because there are standard apps they can offer voice, audio and chats with a price which is close to "free”.

Again, he should not have exposed a premature project to other people other than telecoms because they are the ones to consult for almost every technical support. Otherwise, it’s a quite innovative idea.

Emmanuel Sangwa