ICTs should be available, affordable and accessible for all. Today, universal service, competition and associated issues of consumer protection and privacy have become all the more relevant given that digital technologies increasingly underlie the economic, social and political aspects of our lives. There is a need for international collaboration, cooperation and cross-cutting regulation.The author would like to discuss all these issues and invites comments. Disclaimer: Views are personal.
The Digital Divide has many contributing factors and there are several prerequisites required to eliminate it: Availability of the Internet/digital access, Affordability, Accessibility, Usability and ultimately Digital Literacy. Even an affluent nation like Denmark has an estimated 7% of the adult population who are 'offliners', individuals who have NEVER used the Internet. They are predominantly female, over 65, with below-average household incomes often living in peripheral, rural areas badly served with digital networks (poor Internet bandwidth, poor digital radio and TV coverage). The first 4 prerequisites require economic and technological resources. Digital literacy is somewhat different. Taking the first step requires motivation and a sense that it's worthwhile and doable on the part of the individuals concerned. Research on offliners in Denmark indicates that having the necessary confidence to take that first step requires a personal network of family or friends. That first step seems to be critical, surmounting the view that "I'm too old to do that", "I'll never learn how to use that phone/computer/ device X". Raising awareness, making a difference IS realistic, but it needs to take into consideration the social context, national circumstances. The UK digital literacy campaigns involving private volunteers such as "Give An Hour" show that a public-private initiative an free up the log-jam and get people started. In an Indian context where mobile solutions still use GPRS in addition to 3G, the challenge is daunting - but not insurmountable. Just over a month ago the UN held a special event in New York to establish a road map that will lead, by 2015, to a set of “Sustainable Development Goals” (SDGs), replacing the UN’s Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). In the run-up to that event, an article by Jeffrey Sachs (1) addressed the disconnect in policy-making as the result of short-term priorities and long-term needs being at odds with each other.
Sachs argues that resolving this problem requires a new approach. Setting goals is one thing; achieving them quite another. “When the new SDGs are set, they should start by confirming the success of the MDGs and making a commitment to the end of extreme poverty by 2030”,
“Target-driven technological change … is very different from the normal evolutionary path of established industries competing through incremental changes in products and processes”.
Sachs identifies three elements for success in promoting sustainable development: (1) “Backcasting” from a specific date (2020 or 2030) to establish what will be needed to reach those SDGs. (2) “Road-mapping” – establishing what the current state of technological maturity is in nation states and how we can target technological change to realize the SDGs; and (3) Global co-operation - pooling knowledge about what works and what doesn't rather than reinventing the wheel at national or regional level time and time again.
So if we are serious about the need to reduce and ultimately eliminate the Digital Divide, let's take a long hard look at what it would take to make change happen.
Peter Olaf Looms, Denmark
(1) Jeffrey Sachs. The Next Frontier The Economist Print Edition. September 21, 2013.
Thanks Peter for your comment. I agree. In India, we do have goals and targets as enunciated in national policies. There are many interwoven issues and problems along with silver linings in India. My focus (in this blog) is primarily that we need to get our regulation right so that it aids rather than hampers long term growth and development of electronic communications.
The Digital Divide has many contributing factors and there are several prerequisites required to eliminate it: Availability of the Internet/digital access, Affordability, Accessibility, Usability and ultimately Digital Literacy. Even an affluent nation like Denmark has an estimated 7% of the adult population who are 'offliners', individuals who have NEVER used the Internet. They are predominantly female, over 65, with below-average household incomes often living in peripheral, rural areas badly served with digital networks (poor Internet bandwidth, poor digital radio and TV coverage).
ReplyDeleteThe first 4 prerequisites require economic and technological resources. Digital literacy is somewhat different. Taking the first step requires motivation and a sense that it's worthwhile and doable on the part of the individuals concerned. Research on offliners in Denmark indicates that having the necessary confidence to take that first step requires a personal network of family or friends. That first step seems to be critical, surmounting the view that "I'm too old to do that", "I'll never learn how to use that phone/computer/ device X".
Raising awareness, making a difference IS realistic, but it needs to take into consideration the social context, national circumstances. The UK digital literacy campaigns involving private volunteers such as "Give An Hour" show that a public-private initiative an free up the log-jam and get people started.
In an Indian context where mobile solutions still use GPRS in addition to 3G, the challenge is daunting - but not insurmountable.
Just over a month ago the UN held a special event in New York to establish a road map that will lead, by 2015, to a set of “Sustainable Development Goals” (SDGs), replacing the UN’s Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). In the run-up to that event, an article by Jeffrey Sachs (1) addressed the disconnect in policy-making as the result of short-term priorities and long-term needs being at odds with each other.
Sachs argues that resolving this problem requires a new approach. Setting goals is one thing; achieving them quite another. “When the new SDGs are set, they should start by confirming the success of the MDGs and making a commitment to the end of extreme poverty by 2030”,
“Target-driven technological change … is very different from the normal evolutionary path of established industries competing through incremental changes in products and processes”.
Sachs identifies three elements for success in promoting sustainable development:
(1) “Backcasting” from a specific date (2020 or 2030) to establish what will be needed to reach those SDGs.
(2) “Road-mapping” – establishing what the current state of technological maturity is in nation states and how we can target technological change to realize the SDGs; and
(3) Global co-operation - pooling knowledge about what works and what doesn't rather than reinventing the wheel at national or regional level time and time again.
So if we are serious about the need to reduce and ultimately eliminate the Digital Divide, let's take a long hard look at what it would take to make change happen.
Peter Olaf Looms, Denmark
(1) Jeffrey Sachs. The Next Frontier The Economist Print Edition. September 21, 2013.
Thanks Peter for your comment. I agree. In India, we do have goals and targets as enunciated in national policies. There are many interwoven issues and problems along with silver linings in India. My focus (in this blog) is primarily that we need to get our regulation right so that it aids rather than hampers long term growth and development of electronic communications.
ReplyDelete