There is a clear digital divide between the developed and developing countries. It has been said by many world leaders that bridging this divide is one of the essential steps towards abolition of world poverty, and would be the precursor of great economic age. There is clearly some truth in this proposition but it should be treated with caution. For example, remember that half of the world’s population has never made a telephone call. 70% of the world’s poor live in remote, rural areas with almost no telecoms links to the outside world. There have been some innovative and political solutions to the problems causing, and caused by, the divide, but we are at the start of a very long process which is as much as socio-economics and political one as a technical one.
Showing posts with label The Digital Divide. Show all posts
Showing posts with label The Digital Divide. Show all posts
Wednesday, 29 October 2008
Friday, 24 October 2008
What did the World Summit Achieve?
I have studied the three reports on the World Summit and have come to the following conclusions.
The aim of the summit was to set ambitious goals to ensure that more than half of the world has access to some form of electronic media by 2015.
Three positive points that have come out of the summit are that delegates produced a statement of principles and an action plan intended to ensure that more than half the world has access to some form of electronic media by 2015. Plus there was a growing awareness of leaders of the political, economic and social impact of the internet and other communication technologies which was essential.
Three negative points that have come out of the summit are that people felt that words will not change things and that money and resources are really needed and that policy making was undermined by discussions on political issues.
To conclude, I think that this summit was successful because the world leaders were able to discuss the Information Age and they made some important decisions and set a deadline that half the world will have access to some sort of electronic media by 2015. However, I feel that we will have to wait until 2015 to see if the summit was successful, as we will see if the deadline was met, or how close we were to doing that.
The aim of the summit was to set ambitious goals to ensure that more than half of the world has access to some form of electronic media by 2015.
Three positive points that have come out of the summit are that delegates produced a statement of principles and an action plan intended to ensure that more than half the world has access to some form of electronic media by 2015. Plus there was a growing awareness of leaders of the political, economic and social impact of the internet and other communication technologies which was essential.
Three negative points that have come out of the summit are that people felt that words will not change things and that money and resources are really needed and that policy making was undermined by discussions on political issues.
To conclude, I think that this summit was successful because the world leaders were able to discuss the Information Age and they made some important decisions and set a deadline that half the world will have access to some sort of electronic media by 2015. However, I feel that we will have to wait until 2015 to see if the summit was successful, as we will see if the deadline was met, or how close we were to doing that.
Email in the Solomons
I have studied the news report on the creation of an internet link for the Solomon Islands on the BBC website. The extent of the divide in the Solomons Islands is that they are quite advanced because they have devised a number of solutions for their wish to communicate with the islands. The first is radio communications; however, this gave little privacy so they moved to satellite phone. This proved to be too costly for the majority, so it was decided that they would have a number of community centres which are owned by the community which contained a computer. This computer would then allow the people to email friends and family on neighbouring islands. Because of the success of this project they have decided to explore the possibilities of distance-learning and e-commerce, providing they can increase the bandwidth. The problems that have caused the divide are that the islands have endured years of bloodshed, corruption and economic decline. One further initiative that would be useful to the islanders in reducing the digital divide is that people could by second hand computers cheaply and then access a wireless signal emitted by these centres which would allow people to access the communications, distance learning and ecommerce.
Case Study - Laos
What is the extent of the digital divide in Laos?
The digital divide in Laos in huge, this is because there is thought to be less than 15000 computers.
Only 1% of the population have a fixed phone line
Literacy is low at 47%
Electricity is only available in a few urban areas
Lack of written information
What problems have caused the divide?
The mountainous geography
The weather with its monsoon rains
A lack of coordination among government agencies
Lack of IT standards to allow integration between systems
Lack of IT knowledge
Poor power and telecommunications infrastructure
Poor ISP service
High costs of ICT
Lack of language support
What is the impact of the divide on Laos?
Laos is one of the poorest countries in the world and has many people who are unable to read and write, or do not work and live in poverty.
Because they are not technically advanced or have the capabilities to the people are missing out are disadvantaged because of the divide.
This could be improved of the solutions were more wide spread.
What solutions have been provided so far?
Cantennae
Pedal powered wireless computer in Phon Kham
The Jhai Foundation PC and communication and internet learning centres
Educational, Social, Economic and Cultural Impacts of the Solutions
Many people world be able to take advantage of the facilities and then make economic use, communicate with friends and family, lean new skills and research their culture and other things which may I interest them, e.g. current affairs.
This would have both positive and negative impacts for the people of Laos
The digital divide in Laos in huge, this is because there is thought to be less than 15000 computers.
Only 1% of the population have a fixed phone line
Literacy is low at 47%
Electricity is only available in a few urban areas
Lack of written information
What problems have caused the divide?
The mountainous geography
The weather with its monsoon rains
A lack of coordination among government agencies
Lack of IT standards to allow integration between systems
Lack of IT knowledge
Poor power and telecommunications infrastructure
Poor ISP service
High costs of ICT
Lack of language support
What is the impact of the divide on Laos?
Laos is one of the poorest countries in the world and has many people who are unable to read and write, or do not work and live in poverty.
Because they are not technically advanced or have the capabilities to the people are missing out are disadvantaged because of the divide.
This could be improved of the solutions were more wide spread.
What solutions have been provided so far?
Cantennae
Pedal powered wireless computer in Phon Kham
The Jhai Foundation PC and communication and internet learning centres
Educational, Social, Economic and Cultural Impacts of the Solutions
Many people world be able to take advantage of the facilities and then make economic use, communicate with friends and family, lean new skills and research their culture and other things which may I interest them, e.g. current affairs.
This would have both positive and negative impacts for the people of Laos
Discussion – The Success of Wireless Technology
Wireless technology is a successful solution to the digital divide because it is an idea to overcome the lack of internet access. Because it allows a vehicle to be driven round a fixed route collecting and transmitting wirelessly to villages on a set path. This is done as the vehicle has a mobile access point. This allows people to upload and download from the internet.
Wireless technology overcomes the fact that communications and infrastructure have to be installed. This allows remote villages to have access to email, messaging, bulletin boards, video and audio broadcast, information collection and much more.
The growth in available wireless technology has a clear social, economic, educational and cultural benefits for the society involved because people are able to access the wealth of information available on the internet. For example people can communicate, be educated, buy and sell goods and learn and research about their history and find the latest information in the world.
Wireless technology overcomes the fact that communications and infrastructure have to be installed. This allows remote villages to have access to email, messaging, bulletin boards, video and audio broadcast, information collection and much more.
The growth in available wireless technology has a clear social, economic, educational and cultural benefits for the society involved because people are able to access the wealth of information available on the internet. For example people can communicate, be educated, buy and sell goods and learn and research about their history and find the latest information in the world.
Wednesday, 22 October 2008
Investigate changes in access
The ITU has also created an index to measure and monitor access to digital technologies over time.
I have chosen two of these case studies from its list of countries and have created a short presentation on how these countries’ access to digital technologies has changed over time.
I have chosen two of these case studies from its list of countries and have created a short presentation on how these countries’ access to digital technologies has changed over time.
Reducing the divide
▲ There are a number of advantages for the developed world in bridging the global digital divide, for example it is key to the development of the world and is essential to promote wealth in the global economy.
▲ There are a number of advantages for the poorest nations, for example it will allow them to take advantage and use the facilities that we use for granted, for example communication and ecommerce, it will allow them to become a larger player with the rest of the developed world and other developing countries.
▲ President Clinton was correct in saying that matching internet access levels with telephone levels will do as much as anything to reduce income quality because it will fight poverty as more people will be able to get work, and maybe use educational resources online and communicate.
▲ I think that charities such as Computer Aid do more good than harm because they provide only the highest-quality, professionally refurbished computers for reuse in education, health and not-for-profit organisations in developing countries. For example Computer Aid has shipped over 130,000 PCs to where they are most needed in more than 100 countries, making them the world's largest and most experienced ICT 4 Development provider. This means that they are helping people who would not usually use computers take advantage of this great resource and wealth of information.
▲ There are a number of advantages for the poorest nations, for example it will allow them to take advantage and use the facilities that we use for granted, for example communication and ecommerce, it will allow them to become a larger player with the rest of the developed world and other developing countries.
▲ President Clinton was correct in saying that matching internet access levels with telephone levels will do as much as anything to reduce income quality because it will fight poverty as more people will be able to get work, and maybe use educational resources online and communicate.
▲ I think that charities such as Computer Aid do more good than harm because they provide only the highest-quality, professionally refurbished computers for reuse in education, health and not-for-profit organisations in developing countries. For example Computer Aid has shipped over 130,000 PCs to where they are most needed in more than 100 countries, making them the world's largest and most experienced ICT 4 Development provider. This means that they are helping people who would not usually use computers take advantage of this great resource and wealth of information.
Monday, 20 October 2008
Data Response
I have read the article ‘Women and information technology in Sub-Saharan Africa’ by Dr Mayuri Odra-Syraub.
■ Dr Odedra cites a number of infrastructural reasons for the lack of effective ICT. For example, a reliable power supply to operate the computers, a well-functioning telephone network to transmit data, foreign currency to import the technology, and computer-literate personnel.
■ … is identified as the most pressing need for Africa in terms of ICT.
■ The computer-aid projects have been mostly unsuccessful.
■ They have failed because of the lack of secondary equipment, suitable electric power, or training.
■ A number of computer skills are identified as lacking, for example systems analysis, programming, maintenance and consulting, and at all operational levels from basic use to management.
■ Also the lack of business skills are identified as a major problem. These include the lack of long-term business plans in many organizations, business aptitudes and business practices.
■ Dr Odedra cites a number of infrastructural reasons for the lack of effective ICT. For example, a reliable power supply to operate the computers, a well-functioning telephone network to transmit data, foreign currency to import the technology, and computer-literate personnel.
■ … is identified as the most pressing need for Africa in terms of ICT.
■ The computer-aid projects have been mostly unsuccessful.
■ They have failed because of the lack of secondary equipment, suitable electric power, or training.
■ A number of computer skills are identified as lacking, for example systems analysis, programming, maintenance and consulting, and at all operational levels from basic use to management.
■ Also the lack of business skills are identified as a major problem. These include the lack of long-term business plans in many organizations, business aptitudes and business practices.
What leads to being on the wrong side of the divide?
The least digitally-developed countries according to the ITU are Guinea Biseau, Chad, Mali, Burkino Fasso, and Niger.
I have used an atlas and information from the ITU, Spectrum Online the World Bank and CIA Factbook, and have found a number of reasons why they might be on the wrong side of the digital divide.
Guinea Bissau
The Republic of Guinea-Bissau is a country in western Africa, and one of the smallest nations in continental Africa. It is bordered by Senegal to the north and Guinea to the south and east, with the Atlantic Ocean to its west. This country is likely to be on the wrong side of the divide, because it is a small African nation, and is one of the five poorest nations in the world, and depends mainly on farming and fishing. Because of this it is likely that there is not enough money to fund research or the purchasing of computer technologies, and that farming and fishing are manual jobs and can be hard to mechanise. Furthermore, it has a low electricity consumption of 55.8 million kWh and is not reliable and has a GDP of $343 million.
Chad
The Republic of Chad is a landlocked country in central Africa. It is bordered by Libya to the north, Sudan to the east, the Central African Republic to the south, Cameroon and Nigeria to the southwest, and Niger to the west. Chad is likely to be on the wrong side of the divide because of its distance from the sea which means it’s largely desert country, which means that the insulation of telecommunications if difficult. In addition, just a quarter of the population are educated (can read and write French or Arabic) which means that only this small minority are likely to be able to use a computer if they were given the opportunity, as you have to interact with it. It has a GDP of $7.095 billion, and has almost 50% working in industry and 20% in agriculture, however, is mostly manual work, as this method is cheaper than buying a computer which could cost six years worth of salaries.
I have used an atlas and information from the ITU, Spectrum Online the World Bank and CIA Factbook, and have found a number of reasons why they might be on the wrong side of the digital divide.
Guinea Bissau
The Republic of Guinea-Bissau is a country in western Africa, and one of the smallest nations in continental Africa. It is bordered by Senegal to the north and Guinea to the south and east, with the Atlantic Ocean to its west. This country is likely to be on the wrong side of the divide, because it is a small African nation, and is one of the five poorest nations in the world, and depends mainly on farming and fishing. Because of this it is likely that there is not enough money to fund research or the purchasing of computer technologies, and that farming and fishing are manual jobs and can be hard to mechanise. Furthermore, it has a low electricity consumption of 55.8 million kWh and is not reliable and has a GDP of $343 million.
Chad
The Republic of Chad is a landlocked country in central Africa. It is bordered by Libya to the north, Sudan to the east, the Central African Republic to the south, Cameroon and Nigeria to the southwest, and Niger to the west. Chad is likely to be on the wrong side of the divide because of its distance from the sea which means it’s largely desert country, which means that the insulation of telecommunications if difficult. In addition, just a quarter of the population are educated (can read and write French or Arabic) which means that only this small minority are likely to be able to use a computer if they were given the opportunity, as you have to interact with it. It has a GDP of $7.095 billion, and has almost 50% working in industry and 20% in agriculture, however, is mostly manual work, as this method is cheaper than buying a computer which could cost six years worth of salaries.
Mali
The Republic of Mali is a landlocked nation in Western Africa. Mali is the seventh largest country in Africa, bordering Algeria on the north, Niger on the east, Burkina Faso and the Côte d'Ivoire on the south, Guinea on the south-west, and Senegal and Mauritania on the west. Mali has a mixed climate as it is subtropical to arid and its terrain is mostly flat to rolling northern plains covered by sand; savanna in south and rugged hills in northeast which means that the installation of telecommunications is hard. Plus Mali is among the poorest countries in the world and with 65% of its land area desert it is not appealing to industry.
The Republic of Mali is a landlocked nation in Western Africa. Mali is the seventh largest country in Africa, bordering Algeria on the north, Niger on the east, Burkina Faso and the Côte d'Ivoire on the south, Guinea on the south-west, and Senegal and Mauritania on the west. Mali has a mixed climate as it is subtropical to arid and its terrain is mostly flat to rolling northern plains covered by sand; savanna in south and rugged hills in northeast which means that the installation of telecommunications is hard. Plus Mali is among the poorest countries in the world and with 65% of its land area desert it is not appealing to industry.
Burkina Faso
Burkina Faso is a landlocked nation in West Africa. It is surrounded by six countries: Mali to the north, Niger to the east, Benin to the south east, Togo and Ghana to the south, and Côte d'Ivoire to the south west. There have been a number of recent droughts and desertification which has severely affected agricultural activities, population distribution, and the economy. This has led to there not being excess in money to invest in new technologies, which has meant that they are on the wrong side of the divide.
Burkina Faso is a landlocked nation in West Africa. It is surrounded by six countries: Mali to the north, Niger to the east, Benin to the south east, Togo and Ghana to the south, and Côte d'Ivoire to the south west. There have been a number of recent droughts and desertification which has severely affected agricultural activities, population distribution, and the economy. This has led to there not being excess in money to invest in new technologies, which has meant that they are on the wrong side of the divide.
Niger
Niger is a landlocked country in Western Africa, named after the Niger River. It borders Nigeria and Benin to the south, Burkina Faso and Mali to the west, Algeria and Libya to the north and Chad to the east. Niger is one of the poorest countries in the world, ranking near last on the United Nations Development Fund index of human development. As it is so poor the country has other things to develop before it even thinks about becoming more digitally advance, due to its poor wealth, it is on the wrong side of the digital divide.
Niger is a landlocked country in Western Africa, named after the Niger River. It borders Nigeria and Benin to the south, Burkina Faso and Mali to the west, Algeria and Libya to the north and Chad to the east. Niger is one of the poorest countries in the world, ranking near last on the United Nations Development Fund index of human development. As it is so poor the country has other things to develop before it even thinks about becoming more digitally advance, due to its poor wealth, it is on the wrong side of the digital divide.
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