For all their mobile wonders, smartphones and PDA phones still need a signal to communicate. And base stations make wireless transmission possible.

This presents a problem for rural communities, where even electricity has yet to spoil the pristine lands of the province, boondocks, the backwoods, the country, whatever you call it. And since base stations need power to work, areas with no electric wires are out of luck.

But it seems a joint venture between Idea Cellular and Ericsson (yes, no Sony before that) presents a solution. Burning certain plants is apparently enough to provide the power for a base station, granting people within the area coverage.

A great idea. Biodiesel pollutes less than your normal sources of electricity (coal, gas, oil, etc.). And without wires that can be cut by really strong winds, people will have a more reliable network to count on in times of great need.

Some of you may doubt the feasibility of making wireless services available in rural communities. But it's all a matter of providing programs that are cheap enough for customers. And at least here in the Philippines, farmers have no problems sticking to SMS. But none of that will happen if there's no coverage in the first place.

Thanks to I4U News for the heads-up.