Application of emerging wireless technologies for videoconference and telehealth in rural migrant communities in Oaxaca, Mexico

The state of Oaxaca is a major sending of migrants who make their way to Baja California (San Quintin) in Mexico and San Diego County (mainly to the area of Vista) in the United States. The intensity of migration flows from Oaxaca to both Baja California and San Diego County makes the area an attractive case to apply information and communications technologies (ICT) and public policy strategies to explore applications of mobile videoconferencing technology that have socio-economic impact for migrants and their families in Oaxaca. This article describes a collaborative effort of CICESE Research Center in Ensenada Mexico, the Center for Research and Education in Economics, CIDE in Mexico City, the Center for Mexico-US Studies of the University of California in San Diego and Qualcomm Inc. We believe that working together for a common goal of prosperity for the people of both countries using ICT's has an important social contribution.