Usage Analysis of a Voice-based Social Media Service in India

Interactive Voice Response (IVR) systems play an important role in collecting and disseminating information in developing countries. Recently, researchers have used IVR technology to build voice forums, in which callers leave voice messages which can be heard over the Internet and over the phone. Mobile Voices (not original name, concealed for anonymity) is one such platform that operates in rural areas in north India. In this paper, we analyze the call data records of Mobile Voices to observe the behavior of its users. We have used clustering and timeline analysis tools to identify different categories of users and usage patterns, which can guide Mobile Voices administrators on how to build better content and user management processes. Our analysis also contributes to building an understanding of voice-based social media as a vehicle for communication and entertainment in remote and low-literacy populations.