Digital divide

• digital divide

https://store.theartofservice.com/the-digital-divide-toolkit.html

Digital divide

1 The divide within countries (such as the digital divide in the United States) can refer to

inequalities between individuals, households, businesses, and geographic areas at different socioeconomic and other demographic levels, while the divide between countries is referred

to as the global digital divide, which designates nations as the units of analysis and

examines the gap between developing and developed countries on an international scale.


Digital divide - Approaches

1 Conceptualization of the digital divide is often as follows:



1 Subjects of connectivity, or who connects: individuals, organizations,

enterprises, schools, hospitals, countries, etc.



1 Characteristics of connectivity, or which attributes: demographic and socio-economic variables, such as

income, education, age, geographic location, etc.



1 Intensity of connectivity, or how sophisticated the usage: mere access, retrieval, interactivity,

innovative contributions.



1 Purpose of connectivity, or why individuals and their cohorts are

(not) connecting: reasons individuals are and are not online and uses of the Internet and information and

communications technologies ("ICTs").



1 In short, the desired impact and "the end justifies the definition" of the digital divide.


Digital divide - Explanatory variables

1 Gender was previously thought to provide an explanation for the digital divide,

many thinking ICT were male gendered, but controlled statistical analysis has shown that income, education and

employment act as confounding variables and that women with the same level of

income, education and employment actually embrace ICT more than men (see

Women and ICT4D) ).


Digital divide - Infrastructure

1 The infrastructure by which individuals, households, businesses,

and communities connect to the Internet address the physical

mediums that people use to connect to the Internet such as desktop

computers, laptops, basic mobile phones or smart phones, iPods or

other MP3 players, Xboxes or PlayStations, electronic books

readers, and tablets such as iPads.https://store.theartofservice.com/the-digital-divide-toolkit.html

Digital divide - Location

1 Internet connectivity can be utilized at a variety of locations such as

homes, offices, schools, libraries, public spaces, Internet cafe and

others. There are also varying levels of connectivity in rural, suburban,

and urban areas.


Digital divide - Applications

1 Common Sense Media, a nonprofit group based in San Francisco,

surveyed almost 1,400 parents and reported in 2011 that 47 percent of

families with incomes more than $75,000 had downloaded apps for

their children, while only 14 percent of families earning less than $30,000

had done so.


Digital divide - Overcoming the digital divide

1 Therefore, access is a necessary (but not sufficient) condition for overcoming the digital

divide



1 Furthermore, even though individuals might be capable of accessing the

Internet, many are thwarted by barriers to entry such as a lack of

means to infrastructure or the inability to comprehend the information that the Internet

provides



1 The United Nations is aiming to raise awareness of the divide by way of the World Information Society Day which has taken place yearly since May 17, 2001. It also sets up the Information and Communications

Technology (ICT) Task Force in November 2001.



1 While this dichotomy does exist, black communities are using the internet, especially websites like

Tumblr and Twitter, to narrow the gap of the digital divide


Digital divide - Effective use

1 Gurstein has also extended the discussion of the digital divide to

include issues around access to and the use of "open data" and coined

the term "data divide" to refer to this issue area.


Digital divide - Social capital

1 Once an individual is connected, Internet connectivity and ICTs can

enhance his or her future social and cultural capital


Digital divide - Second-level digital divide

1 Web 2.0 technologies like Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, and Blogs enable users to participate online and create content without having to understand how the

technology actually works, leading to an ever increasing digital divide between

those who have the skills and understanding to interact more fully with

the technology and those who are passive consumers of it


Digital divide - Second-level digital divide

1 Additionally, there is evidence to support the existence of the second-level digital divide at the K-12 level

based on how educators' use technology for instruction


Digital divide - The knowledge divide

1 Since gender, age, racial, income, and educational gaps in the digital divide have lessened compared to past levels, some

researchers suggest that the digital divide is shifting from a gap in access and connectivity

to ICTs to a knowledge divide. A knowledge divide concerning technology presents the possibility that the gap has moved beyond access and having the resources to connect

to ICTs to interpreting and understanding information presented once connected.


Internet access - Digital Divide

1 Despite its tremendous growth, Internet access is not distributed

equally within or between countries.



1 The gap between people with Internet access and those without is one of many aspects of the digital

divide



1 Government policies play a tremendous role in bringing Internet

access to or limiting access for underserved groups, regions, and

countries



1 The Obama administration has continued this commitment to

narrowing the digital divide through the use of stimulus funding



1 Access to computers is a dominant factor in determining the level of Internet access. In

2011, in developing countries, 25% of households had a computer and 20% had

Internet access, while in developed countries the figures were 74% of households had a

computer and 71% had Internet access. When buying computers was legalized in Cuba in 2007, the private ownership of computers

soared (there were 630,000 computers available on the island in 2008, a 23% increase over

2007).



1 To promote economic development and a reduction of the digital divide, national broadband plans have been and are being developed to increase

the availability of affordable high-speed Internet access throughout the

world.


Educational technology - Digital Divide

1 In most cases, this form of the digital divide means that those who have

access to a computer and the Internet are considered a digital

have, while on the other hand, those who do not are considered a digital

have not



1 This form of the digital divide is yet another barrier because it also goes hand-in-hand with the resources the

schools have and the training teachers receive



1 The generational digital divide is a common barrier because it

challenges teachers to keep up with the ever-changing technology in the

classroom


History of the Internet - Global digital divide

1 While developed countries with technological infrastructures were joining

the Internet, developing countries began to experience a digital divide#Global digital divide|digital divide separating them from the Internet. On an essentially continental basis, they are building organizations for

Internet resource administration and sharing operational experience, as more and more transmission facilities go into

place.https://store.theartofservice.com/the-digital-divide-toolkit.html

Digital literacy - The digital divide

1 Digital literacy and digital access have become increasingly important competitive differentiators. Bridging

the economic and developmental divides is in large measure a matter

of increasing digital literacy and access for peoples who have been

left out of the information and communications technology (ICT)

revolutions.https://store.theartofservice.com/the-digital-divide-toolkit.html


1 Scholar Howard Besser contends that the digital divide is more than just a gap between those who have access to

technology and those who don’t. This issue encompasses aspects such as information literacy, appropriateness of content, and

access to content. Beyond access, a digital divide exists between those who apply

critical thinking to technology or not, those who speak English or not, and those who

create digital content or merely consume it.



1 Research published in 2012 found that the digital divide, as defined by access to information technology,

does not exist amongst youth in the United States.Cohen, C



1 Community Informatics overlaps to a considerable degree with digital literacy by being concerned with ensuring the

opportunity not only for ICT access at the community level but also, according to

Michael Gurstein, that the means for the effective use of ICTs for community betterment and empowerment are

available. Digital literacy is of course, one of the significant elements in this process.



1 The United Nations Global Alliance for ICT and Development (GAID) seeks to address this set of issues at an international and global level. Many organizations (e.g. Per

Scholas|Per Scholas for underserved communities in the United States and

[http://interconnection.org/ InterConnection] for underserved communities around the

world as well as the U.S.) focus on addressing this concern at national, local and

community levels.


Digital Divide

1 From: http://www.apdip.net/publications/iespprimers/eprimer-egov.pdf the divide between countries is referred to as

the 'global digital divide', which designates nations as the units of

analysis and examines the gap between developing and developed countries on an international scale.


Digital Divide - Approaches

1 [http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.telpol.2011.06.012 The end justifies the definition: The manifold outlooks

on the digital divide and their practical usefulness for policy-

making]



1 # Subjects of connectivity, or 'who' connects: individuals, organizations,

enterprises, schools, hospitals, countries, etc.



1 # Characteristics of connectivity, or 'which' attributes: demographic and socio-economic variables, such as

income, education, age, geographic location, etc.



1 # Intensity of connectivity, or 'how' sophisticated the usage: mere access, retrieval, interactivity,

innovative contributions.



1 # Purpose of connectivity, or 'why' individuals and their cohorts are

(not) connecting: reasons individuals are and are not online and uses of the Internet and Information and

communications technology|information and communications

technologies (ICTs).



1 # Dynamics of evolution, or 'whether' the gap of concern would increase or decrease in the future, 'when' the gap of concern would be

maximized.



1 Information Technologies and International Development, 6 Special Edition, 53–55 In short, the desired

impact and the end justifies the definition of the digital divide.


Digital Divide - Explanatory variables

1 Gender was previously thought to provide an explanation for the digital divide, many thinking ICT

were male gendered, but controlled statistical analysis has shown that income, education and employment act as confounding variables and that women with the same

level of income, education and employment actually embrace ICT more than men (see ICT4D#Women and

ICT4D|Women and ICT4D) [http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.wsif.2011.07.001 Digital

gender divide or technologically empowered women in developing countries? A typical case of lies, damned lies, and statistics ], Martin Hilbert (2011), Women’s Studies International Forum, 34(6), 479-489; free access to the study here: martinhilbert.net/DigitalGenderDivide.pdf).


Digital Divide - Overcoming the digital divide

1 The United Nations is aiming to raise awareness of the divide by way of the World Information Society

Day which has taken place yearly since May 17, 2001.[http://www.unesco.org/new/en/communication-and-information/resources/news-and-in-focus-articles/in-focus-articles/ United Nations Educational] UNDay It also sets up the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Task Force in November 2001.

[http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2001/dev2353.doc.htm UN Information and Communication

Technologies (ITC) Task Force Launched Today at Headquarters], Press Release, United Nations (New

York), 20 November 2001


Digital Divide - Overcoming the digital divide

1 While this dichotomy does exist, black communities are using the internet, especially websites like

Tumblr and Twitter, to narrow the gap of the digital divide


Digital Divide - Effective use

1 Gurstein has also extended the discussion of the digital divide to

include issues around access to and the use of open data and coined the term data divide to refer to this issue

area.


Digital Divide - Second-level digital divide

1 (2008) Literature Review: Understanding the second-level digital divide papers by Teresa

Correa


Digital Divide - Second-level digital divide

1 K-12 Teachers: Technology Use and the

Second Level Digital Divide


Cyberethics - Digital Divide

1 An issue specific to the ethical issues of the Freedom of Information is what

is known as the digital divide. This refers to the unequal socio-economic

divide between those who have access to digital and information

technology such as cyberspace and those who have limited or no access at all. This gap of access between countries or regions of the world is

called the global digital divide.https://store.theartofservice.com/the-digital-divide-toolkit.html

Global digital divide

1 The 'global digital divide' is the global disparities between developed and developing

countries in regards to access to computing and information resources such as the Internet

and the opportunities derived from such access.Lu, Ming-te (2001). Digital divide in

developing countries. Journal of Global Information Technology Management (4:3), pp. 1-4. Unlike the traditional notion of the digital

divide between social classes, the global digital divide is essentially a geographical one.


Global digital divide - The global digital divide versus the digital divide

1 The concept of the digital divide was originally popularized in regard to the disparity in Internet access between rural and urban areas of the United States of America; the global digital divide mirrors this disparity on an

international scale.


Global digital divide - The global digital divide versus the digital divide

1 The global digital divide also contributes to the inequality of access to goods and services available through technology


Global digital divide - Obstacles to overcoming the global digital divide

1 Many argue that basic necessities need to be considered before

achieving digital inclusion, such as an ample food supply and quality health care. Minimizing the global digital divide requires considering

and addressing the following types of access:



1 Involves, “the distribution of ICT devices per capita…and land lines

per thousands” (Wilson, III. E.J., 2004, p.306). Individuals need to obtain

access to computers, landlines, and networks in order to access the

Internet. This access barrier is also addressed in Article 21 of the

Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities by the United

Nations. https://store.theartofservice.com/the-digital-divide-toolkit.html


1 The cost of ICT devices, traffic, applications, technician and educator training, software, maintenance and

infrastructures require ongoing financial means.



1 Empirical tests have identified that several socio-demographic

characteristics foster or limit ICT access and usage. Among different countries, educational levels and

income are the most powerful explanatory variables, with age being a third one. Others, like gender, don't

seem to have much of an independent effect.



1 In order to use computer technology, a certain level of information literacy

is needed. Further challenges include information overload and the

ability to find and use reliable information.



1 Computers need to be accessible to individuals with different learning

and physical abilities including complying with Section 508 of the

Rehabilitation Act as amended by the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 in the United States(Section508.gov).



1 ;Institutional Access



1 In illustrating institutional access, Wilson (2004) states “the numbers of users are greatly affected by whether

access is offered only through individual homes or whether it is

offered through schools, community centers, religious institutions,

cybercafés, or post offices, especially in poor countries where computer access at work or home is highly

limited” (p.303). https://store.theartofservice.com/the-digital-divide-toolkit.html


1 Guillen Suarez (2005), argue that that “democratic political regimes

enable a faster growth of the Internet than authoritarian or totalitarian

regimes” (p.687)



1 Many experts claim that bridging the digital divide is not sufficient and

that the images and language needed to be conveyed in a language and images that can be read across different cultural lines (Carr 2007).


Global digital divide - Concrete examples of the global digital divide

1 In the early 21st century, residents of First World countries enjoy many

Internet services which are not yet widely available in Third World

countries, including:



1 * In tandem with the above point, mobile phones and small electronic communication

devices;



1 * E-communities and social-networking;



1 * Fast broadband Internet connections, enabling advanced Internet applications;This graphic

illustrates the difference in [http://www.ifs.du.edu/ifs/frm_GraphicalDisplay.aspx?ListNames=%22ICT,

%20Fixed%20Broadband,%20Subscribers%20per

%20100,%20History%20and%20Forecast

%22HistFor=TrueGrpOp=1Dim1=%22Afr-SubSahar

%22,%22EU27%22File=0 fixed broadband penetration (History and

Forecast)] between the European Union and Sub-Saharan Africa from

International Futures



1 * Affordable and widespread Internet access, either through personal

computers at home or work, through public terminals in public library|

public libraries and Internet cafes, and through wireless access points;



1 *Virtual globes featuring street maps searchable down to individual street addresses and detailed satellite and

aerial photography;



1 * Online research systems like LexisNexis and ProQuest which

enable users to peruse newspaper and magazine articles that may be

centuries old, without having to leave home;



1 * Electronic readers such as Kindle, Sony Reader, Samsung Papyrus and Iliad by iRex

Technologies;



1 *Price engines like Google Shopping which help consumers find the best possible online prices, and similar services like ShopLocal which find the best possible prices at local

Retailing|retailers;



1 *Electronic services delivery of government services, such as the ability to pay taxes, fees, and Fine

(penalty)|fines online.



1 * Further civic engagement through e-government and other sources such as finding information about

candidates regarding political situations.


Global digital divide - The bit as the unifying variable

1 (2010), The Information Society, 26(3)[http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/wti

m11/documents/inf/015INF-E.pdf Mapping the dimensions and characteristics of the world’s technological communication capacity during the period of

digitization], Martin Hilbert (2011), Presented at the 9th World

Telecommunication/ICT Indicators Meeting, Mauritius: International

Telecommunication Union (ITU); free access to the article can be found

here: http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/wtim11/d

ocuments/inf/015INF-E.pdf This approach has shown that the digital divide in kbps per capita is actually

widening in relative terms: While the average inhabitant of the developed

world counted with some 40 kbps more than the average member of

the information society in developing countries in 2001, this gap grew to

over 3 Mbps per capita in 2010


Global digital divide - The bit as the unifying variable

1 This shows the importance of measuring the divide in terms of kbps, and not merely to

count devices


Global digital divide - Solutions

1 Using previous studies (Gamos, 2003; Nsengiyuma Stork, 2005; Harwit, 2004 as cited in James), James asserts that in developing

countries, “internet use has taken place overwhelmingly among the

upper-income, educated, and urban segments” (James, 2008, p.58)

largely due to the high literacy rates of this sector of the population



1 It has also been suggested that there is a correlation between democrat regimes and

the growth of the Internet. One hypothesis by Gullen is, “The more democratic the polity, the greater the Internet use...Government

can try to control the Internet by monopolizing control and Norris et al. also

contends, If there is less government control of it, the Internet flourishes, and it is

associated with greater democracy and civil liberties (Pick Azari, 2008).



1 From an economic perspective, Pick Azari (2008) state that “in

developing nations…foreign direct investment (FDI), primary education,

educational investment, access to education, and government

prioritization of ICT as all important” (p.112)



1 There are projects worldwide that have implemented, to various

degrees, the solutions outlined above



1 Other proposed solutions that the Internet promises for developing

countries are the provision of efficient communications within and among developing countries, so that

citizens worldwide can effectively help each other to solve their own

problems



1 Fizz and Mansur, MIT Tech Talk, June 4, 2008[http://imara.csail.mit.edu/ IMARA Project at MIT]Fizz, Robyn,

[http://ist.mit.edu/news/communitech CommuniTech Works Locally to

Bridge the Digital Divide], IST News, MIT, April 8, 2011



1 Nevertheless, with its ability to encourage digital inclusion (Ali,

2011), social media can be used as a tool to bridge the global digital

divide.



1 Some cities in the world have started programs to bridge the digital divide for their residents, school children, students, parents and the elderly


Global digital divide - World Summit on the Information Society

1 Several of the 67 principles adopted at the World Summit on the

Information Society convened by the United Nations in Geneva in 2003 directly address the digital divide:

[http://www.itu.int/wsis/docs/geneva/official/dop.html Declaration of

Principles], WSIS-03/GENEVA/DOC/4-E, World Summit on the Information Society, Geneva, 12 December 2003



1 :10. We are also fully aware that the benefits of the information

technology revolution are today unevenly distributed between the

developed and developing countries and within societies. We are fully committed to turning this digital

divide into a digital opportunity for all, particularly for those who risk

being left behind and being further marginalized.



1 :11



1 :12. We affirm that development of ICTs provides enormous opportunities

for women, who should be an integral part of, and key actors, in

the Information Society. We are committed to ensuring that the

Information Society enables women's empowerment and their full

participation on the basis on equality in all spheres of society and in all decision-making processes. To this

end, we should mainstream a gender equality perspective and use ICTs as

a tool to that end.



1 :13. In building the Information Society, we shall pay particular attention to the special needs of

marginalized and vulnerable groups of society, including migrants,

internally displaced persons and refugees, unemployed and

underprivileged people, minorities and nomadic people. We shall also

recognize the special needs of older persons and persons with disabilities.



1 :14. We are resolute to empower the poor, particularly those living in

remote, rural and marginalized urban areas, to access information and to use ICTs as a tool to support their

efforts to lift themselves out of poverty.



1 :15. In the evolution of the Information Society, particular attention must be given to the special situation of indigenous

peoples, as well as to the preservation of their heritage and

their cultural legacy.



1 :16. We continue to pay special attention to the particular needs of

people of developing countries, countries with economies in transition, Least Developed

Countries, Small Island Developing States, Landlocked Developing Countries, Highly Indebted Poor

Countries, countries and territories under occupation, countries recovering from conflict and

countries and regions with special needs as well as to conditions that

pose severe threats to development, such as natural disasters.



1 :21. Connectivity is a central enabling agent in building the Information Society. Universal,

ubiquitous, equitable and affordable access to ICT infrastructure and services, constitutes one of the

challenges of the Information Society and should be an objective of all

stakeholders involved in building it. Connectivity also involves access to energy and postal services, which

should be assured in conformity with the domestic legislation of each

country.



1 :28. We strive to promote universal access with equal opportunities for all to scientific knowledge and the

creation and dissemination of scientific and technical information, including open access initiatives for

scientific publishing.



1 :46. In building the Information Society, States are strongly urged to take steps

with a view to the avoidance of, and refrain from, any unilateral measure not in accordance with international law and the

Charter of the United Nations that impedes the full achievement of economic and social development by the population of the affected countries, and that hinders

the well-being of their population.


Broadband Internet access - Digital Divide

1 Despite its tremendous growth, Internet access is not distributed

equally within or between countries.[http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/statistics/at_glance/KeyTelecom.html Internet

Users], Key ICT indicators for the ITU/BDT regions, International

Telecommunications Unions (ITU), Geneva, 16 November 2011Amir

Hatem Ali, Ahttps://store.theartofservice.com/the-digital-divide-toolkit.html


1 “Low-income, rural, and minority populations have received special scrutiny as the technological have-

nots.McCollum, S., [http://www.tolerance.org/magazine/number-39-spring-2011/getting-past-digital-divide Getting Past the 'Digital

Divide'], Teaching Tolerance, No



1 Government policies play a tremendous role in bringing Internet

access to or limiting access for underserved groups, regions, and

countries



1 The Obama administration has continued this commitment to

narrowing the digital divide through the use of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009|stimulus

funding



1 Access to computers is a dominant factor in determining the level of Internet access


World Summit on the Information Society - The Digital Divide

1 Kofi Annan, Secretary-General of the United Nations at the time, defined

the information society as that through which human capacity is expanded, built up, nourished and

liberated, by giving people access to the tools and technologies they

need, with the education and training to use them effectively. It is this kind of a society that the World Summit

on the Information Society set about to create.



1 In November 2002, United Nations Secretary-General|UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan issued

a Silicon Valley|Challenge to Silicon Valley[http://archive.is/20120715155028/http://ne

ws.com.com/2010-1069-964507.html Perspective: Kofi Annan's IT challenge to Silicon Valley] 5 November 2002 to create nearly up-to-date computers and communications systems

that would enable villages to afford Information and Communication Technologies for

Development (ICT4D). Some examples from around the world were:



1 * the Simputer movement in India



1 * Pocket PC from Microsoft in Redmond, Washington|Redmond, Washington, United

States



1 * localization of Linux into languages not supported by

commercial vendors



1 Yoshio Utsumi, Secretary General of the International Telecommunication

Union, declared that with the emergence of such a society comes

the risk of widening the existing digital divide



1 On the issue of narrowing the digital divide, the Holy See and the whole of

the United Nations stand hand-in-hand



1 Secretary General Utsumi said that in order to bring about the changes recommended, and new pact will need to be achieved between the

information haves and the have-nots



1 The overall intent of the World Summit on the Information Society

was to bring about a feasible way to eliminate the ever-gaping digital

divide


World Summit on the Information Society - Digital Divide and Digital Dilemma

1 Two main concerns seemed to be the issue and talk of the UN World

Summit on the Information Society held in Tunis, which were one the digital divide and two the digital dilemma. Not only did several

countries comment on one or both of these issues in light of the Holy See's

statement by Archbishop John P. Foley the Church seems to agree and

furthermore elaborate on these issues.



1 The term digital divide underlines the reality that not only individuals and groups but also nations must

have access to the new technology in order to share in the promised

benefits of globalization and not fall behind other nations.



1 In a statement delivered by Senator Burchell Whiteman from Jamaica he stressed that Jamaica realizes the importance of bridging the digital divide which he sees as promoting

social and economic development for 80% of the countries that are still struggling with this gap and the

impact that it has on them



1 Second the digital dilemma, which the Holy See emphasized as a

disadvantage to the information society, because of this one must

approach it with concern and caution to avoid taking the wrong steps



1 Whiteman from Jamaica agreed on the issue of facing digital

dilemmas as well



1 The Holy See's caution of the information society is being heard and echoed by other countries especially those that were present at the WSIS in Tunis. Echoing the statement made in Ethics in the Internet, The internet

can make an enormously valuable contribution to human life. It can foster prosperity and peace, intellectual and

aesthetic growth, mutual understanding among peoples and nations on a global

scale.https://store.theartofservice.com/the-digital-divide-toolkit.html

Digital divide in China

1 Though published literature gives a general picture of the 'digital divide' in China growing, along with other

development measurements such as per capita GDP



1 Seizing the Opportunity to Cross Digital Divide, Text of a speech at

Asia Society 's annual session held in India China Reform Forum, China

Reform Forum, Bangalore, March 13, 2001



1 Digital Divide and Social Cleavage: Case Studies of ICT Usage among Peasants in

Contemporary China


Digital divide in China - Overview

1 Moreover, the digital divide among regions and social groups inside

China is severe.Understanding the Digital Divide, OECD 2001, OECD Publications, 2rue Andre Pascal, 75775 Paris Cedex 16, France.



1 Internet Growth and the Digital Divide



1 Thus, it is left to China’s government to bridge the ever-expanding gap of the digital

divide.


Digital divide in China - Broadband

1 The slowdown will entrench a digital divide, because broadband is

approaching maturity in the big cities while the rural markets remain

almost untapped


Digital divide in China - Broadband

1 Household broadband penetration in Mainland China stood at 13 per cent by December 2006


Digital divide in China - Statistics

1 Finally, the image of worldwideweb users in China portrays a graphic

representation of the digital divide


Digital divide in China - Regional Distribution of Internet AccessChina Internet Network Information Center.

[http://www.cnnic.net.cn/uploadfiles/pdf/2007/2/14/200607.pdf Statistical Survey Report on the Internet Development in China]. Jan,

2007.

1 The current situation of telephone application and Internet use indicates

the severity of the digital divide among regions in Mainland China




2007.

1 Most researchers found that there is a close linkage between geographic

features and telecommunication application; this linkage shows that

geographic accessibility relates significantly to telecommunication

access




2007.

1 In particular, Internet users concentrate largely in metropolitan areas. The latest statistics by the China Internet Center show that

Internet users in Beijing account for 12. 39 percent of the national total; Shanghai accounts for 8.98 percent, while the corresponding figures for

Tibet and Qinghai Province in northwestern China are 0.0 percent

and 0.31 percent, respectively.https://store.theartofservice.com/the-digital-divide-toolkit.html

Digital divide in China - Concentration of World Wide Web Users in Mainland ChinaGiese, Karsten. Internet Growth and the Digital Divide.

China and the Internet. RoutledgeCurzon, 2003. Pg. 43

1 We concentrate on Chinas digital divide as their countries population is

huge. Nevertheless they are also known as a fast growing technology

country which is also a new industrilized country


Digital divide in China - Urban-rural areas

1 , 2003-05-27 Income, Education, Location and the Internet--The Digital

Divide in China Paper presented at the annual meeting of the

International Communication Association, Marriott Hotel, San

Diego, CA Online



1 China’s telecommunication development is severely imbalanced between its rural and

urban areas



1 Nevertheless, the situation of ICT development in rural China has improved gradually, thanks to

general economic development and to the influx of ICT investment in

rural areas



1 The majority of the rural areas are in a digital divide as the government haven't developed the technology

infrastructure here


Digital divide in China - Income levels

1 According to the OECD, income is a

key factor in PC and Internet access


Digital divide in China - Education levels

1 Differences in education levels are also highly correlated to PC and

Internet access: those with higher levels of education are more likely to

have ICTs at home and/or at work


Digital divide in China - Gender divide

1 In China, a gender-based digital divide appears to be much smaller than education- and income-based divides. According CNNIC's report from July 2011, 44.9% of Chinese

Internet users are women.


Digital divide in China - Factors contributing to the increase in the divide

1 Digital Divide and Social Cleavage: Case Studies of ICT Usage among Peasants in

Contemporary China



1 In addition, China is facing the problem of digital divide due to imbalance of diffusion of ICTs

infrastructure, high online charges, insufficiently trained staff, imperfect network legation, and information resource shortage in the Chinese

language.






1 Even if a rural area achieves the infrastructure for connectivity, high

costs of internet-compatible computers remains a problem in

rural areas. CNNIC touts that 26.6% of internet users have a monthly

income of less than RMB 500, which is close to the average urban income of RMB 523. However, the average real income for the rural population

is as low as RMB 187, deeming it impossibly expensive for the average rural person to access the internet.



1 The digital divide in China is directly

related to income.



1 For those who cannot afford computers, inadequate funding and geographical

coverage for public libraries which could provide shared internet access is another factor. Those without computers are also

facing a new limited access to Internet Café’s. The Ministry of Culture and the

Ministry of Information Industry have both issued a notice forbidding the opening of any new internet bars for the year 2007.Xinhua

News Agency, 6 March 2007



1 Illiteracy is a major problem that contributes to the digital divide

between the rural and urban areas. It is not unusual to find districts and

towns with 20% of the population not being able to read or write properly,

and less than 5% of children attending school.Xinhua News

Agency, 27 December 2000 It is necessary that the government

undertake efforts to improve education in the Western regions if it wants to build its information society

and bridge the digital divide.


Digital divide in China - Factors contributing to the reduction in the divide



Digital divide in China - Telecommunications policies and reforms

1 Under its unique macro-economic and political environment, the China

has adopted a special telecommunications policy and

strategy for telecommunications reform



1 Aiming at a deep reform, a new round of reform was launched in

1998. The basic idea was to form a fair market by breaking up CT and at the same time to strengthen Unicom through market restructuring. China Telecom Hong Kong, China Mobile

Group, Jitong, and China Net Communication were formed.

Competition has taken place among state-owned institutions.



1 With the goal of completely separating government and

enterprise functions, the Ministry of Information Industry was established

in 1998. MII became a neutral regulator by taking over the

regulatory functions of MPT, while ceding the functions of enterprise.

MII was organized into departments responsible for policymaking,

administration, market regulation, and internal affairs.



1 In parallel with reform and reorganization, the China also gave high priority to the legislature work

and industrial supervision of telecommunications. In 2000,

Regulations of Telecommunications of the People’s Republic of China and

the Administrative Methods of Internet Services were promulgated,

a centralized telecommunication regulatory body was created, and the

development of China’s telecommunications and industrial

administration were put on the track of the rule of law.



1 To further accelerate the ICT development, the national Ninth Five-

Year Plan (People's Republic of China)|Ninth Five-Year Plan

established an information and telecommunication industry as one

of the crucial industry



1 In addition, the China’s accession to WTO is generally recognized as an external drive force to deepen and accelerate the telecommunication

reform, because the domestic telecommunication market has gradually opened up to foreign

investors and competitors.


Digital divide in China - DOT Force

1 All of the stakeholders including the Chinese government, state-owned

enterprises, private companies, research institutes and universities

have played a role in trying to bridge the national digital divide.Press,

Larry



1 First it created a national strategy of informatization



1 These e-government program not only allow people to promptly obtain information on government policies,

regulations, law and enterprise services, but also is a crucial

initiative drive to bridge the domestic digital divide between the

information haves and have nots nationwide.



1 It was clear that bridging the digital divide was difficult without special expenditure from national budgets



1 Fourth is the action to narrow down the digital divide that caused by the difference in education and gender



1 Fifth is the state allowed the private sectors to provide information services. This policy

significantly helped the spread of Website development and Internet cafés throughout

the country. As a result, the severe competition from the private sectors

undermined the monopoly of state-owned Internet service providers and brought the cost of Internet access down to an affordable level for a large proportion of the population and a

rapid increase in the number of Internet users.


Internet usage - Digital divide

1 “Low-income, rural, and minority populations have received special scrutiny as the technological have-

nots.McCollum, S., [http://www.tolerance.org/magazine/number-39-spring-2011/getting-past-digital-divide Getting Past the 'Digital

Divide'], Teaching Tolerance, No



1 In the United States, billions of dollars has been invested in efforts

to narrow the digital divide and bring Internet access to more people in low-income and rural areas of the United States. Internet availability varies widely state by state in the U.S. In 2011 for example, 87.1% of

all New Hampshire residents lived in a household where Internet was

available, ranking first in the nation.https://store.theartofservice.com/the-digital-divide-toolkit.html


1 Meanwhile 61.4% of all Mississippi residents lived in a household where Internet was available, ranking last in

the nation.


Digital dividend after digital television transition

1 The digital dividend refers to the spectrum which is released in the

process of digital television transition



1 The digital dividend usually locates at frequency bands from 174 to

230MHz (Very high frequency|VHF) and from 470 to 862MHz (Ultra high

frequency|UHF). However, the location and size of digital dividend

vary among countries due to the factors including geographical

position and penetration of satellite/cable services.



1 As a result of the technological transition, a significant number of

governments are now planning for or allocating their digital dividends. For

examples, the United States completed its transition on 12 June 2009 and auctioned the spectrum.

Meanwhile, Australia is still planning for it.


Digital dividend after digital television transition - Potential uses

1 In countries where the digital television transition has not yet

finished, over-the-air broadcasting services are still using radio-

frequency spectrum in what is known as the Very High Frequency|Very High

Frequency (VHF) and Ultra high frequency|Ultra High Frequency

(UHF) bands.



1 After the completion of digital transition, part of this spectrum will be released as digital dividend to

provide a range of new communication services. Proposed utilization of the released spectrum

includes:



1 * Wireless Broadband services for public safety and disaster

relief (PPDR)



1 Analog television spectrum in the UHF bands is valuable to potential purchasers because of its ability to carry signals over long distances,

penetrate buildings and carry large amounts of data.



1 Lots of countries are in favour of using a part of the digital dividend

for electronic communications services, such as mobile

communications and wireless broadband. These new services

would utilize the upper part of the UHF band (790-862MHz).


Digital dividend after digital television transition - Allocation for mobile services

1 However, it would be difficult to fully realize the potentials of the digital dividend because countries in the world will not finish the switch to

digital TV simultaneously


Digital dividend after digital television transition - Allocation for mobile services

1 Although the allocations set a framework, they do not dictate

member countries how to allocate digital dividend spectrum


Digital dividend after digital television transition - Benefits of mobile broadband use

1 Experts see several benefits of using the freed spectrum for mobile

broadband because it is cheaper than fixed broadband to provide last

mile connectivity.



1 It could facilitate economic development. McKinsey's report

suggested that every 10% increase in household broadband penetration

will bring 1.4% increase of Gross domestic product|GDP growth.

Usually GDP growth leads to job creations. One good thing about mobile broadband is that mobile

penetration is much higher than PC penetration, that means mobile

broadband will help to the broadband penetration to increase faster.



1 Mobile broadband could be used to serve people living in rural area and low income groups, such as farmers.

It could provide them medical, educational and other general

information


Digital dividend after digital television transition - For bridging the digital divide

1 However, wireless broadband using the spectrum of the digital dividend offers an opportunity to overcome

the digital divide.[http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/p

apers.cfm?abstract_id=847186 Digital Divide to Digital Dividend]


Digital dividend after digital television transition - For bridging the digital divide

1 But not all of them agree with the point. Those who do not agree,

argued that this approach suffers from the trade-off between reach and speed significantly limit scalability of

the network. If the transmission demands grow at current rates, a

wireless broadband access network covering large areas will be likely outdated before being deployed.

Therefore the digital divide will still exist.


Digital dividend after digital television transition - United States of America

1 The chunk of spectrum being freed from broadcasting was auctioned for

commercial uses in the U.S. The 700MHz auction, known officially as

Auction 73, concluded with 1090 provisionally winning bids covering 1091 licenses and raised a total of

$19,120,378,000 in winning bids and $18,957,582,150 in net winning bids.



1 Due to its physical attributes, 700MHz band penetrates walls fairly

easily and well. This makes this chunk of spectrum perfect for either

cellular or long-range wireless broadband. A telco could build a

powerful wireless network by holding it. An ISP could also make a fortune

with it.



1 The auction went as the following way



1 There were lots of excitement over the auction of C and D

blocks



1 The block D licenses covers two 5MHz

sections for a total of 10MHz



1 The blocks A, B, and E covered 30MHz in total. The licenses for each

of the blocks were only good for small geographic areas. The FCC's

intention was that the winners would use the spectrum for regional or rural

area telecommunication services.



1 There were some other conditions for the winners of block

A, B, C, and E



1 Not all the licenses were sold, on April 15, 2011, the FCC announced

that they will hold auction 92 on July 19, 2011 to sell the available license of 700MHz. The results for all of the

block are as the following:


Digital dividend after digital television transition - Block A

1 Verizon Wireless and U.S. Cellular Corp. got 25 licenses each. But no

one company dominated the A-Block. Other notable winners include

CenturyTel Inc. and Cellular South. Verizon Wireless's licenses mainly covered densely populated urban

areas, while U.S. Cellular was focused on the ones for the Midwest,

Northeast and Northwest.https://store.theartofservice.com/the-digital-divide-toolkit.html

Digital dividend after digital television transition - Block B

1 ATT Mobility got one-third of the available licenses and spending $6.6

billion. U.S. Cellular snapped 127 licenses which are near its current

market clusters in the Midwest, Northeast and Northwest. Verizon Wireless scooped up 77 B-Block

licenses.


Digital dividend after digital television transition - Block C

1 Verizon Wireless paid more than $4.6 billion for licenses covering the continuous 48 states as well as

Hawaii. Triad 700 L.L.C. picked up C-Block licenses covering Alaska, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin

Islands, while Small Ventures USA L.P. bought the license for the C Block

covering the Gulf of Mexico.


Digital dividend after digital television transition - Block D

1 No licenses were sold in this block and new auction were scheduled to sell it.


Digital dividend after digital television transition - Block E

1 EchoStar Corp, satellite television provider, picked up 168 of the total 176 E-Block licenses for more than

$711 million. Qualcomm also bought 5 licenses covering markets in

California, Arizona and the Northeast.


Digital dividend after digital television transition - The winners

1 Of the 214 applicants approved to bid in the FCC's auction, 101 walked away with

spectrum.



1 The remaining C-block licenses were won by a number of operators:



1 * Triad 700 L.L.C. took the Alaska and Puerto Rico/U.S. Virgin Islands

licenses and Small Ventures USA L.P. took the Gulf of Mexico license.



1 * Qualcomm|Qualcomm Inc. won nine licenses for a total of around

$500 million: B-Block licenses covering Yuba City and Imperial,

Calif., and Hunterdon, N.J.; and five E Block licenses.



1 * MetroPCS|MetroPCS Communications Inc. scored only one

license, the A Block for Boston, for $313 million.



1 * Chevron walked away with the A, B and E Blocks covering the Gulf of

Mexico, most likely for the company's oil operations there.



1 * Cox Communications won $304 million in the A and B

blocks.



1 * U.S. Cellular won 152 licenses for $401 million

in the A and B Block.



1 * Regional telecom operator CenturyTel Inc. spent close to $150

million for 48 B-Block licenses and 21 A-Block licenses.



1 * Vulcan Inc.|Vulcan Ventures, owned by Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen,

won two licenses, in the Seattle/Tacoma and Portland/Salem

markets, for $112 million.



1 * Regional wireless provider Cellular South spent $191.5 million on A- and B-Block

licenses.


Digital dividend after digital television transition - Europe

1 Therefore, the complete digital dividend should be made available for communication

services



1 The EU published a schedule table in the 2009 Report for the European Commission 'Exploiting the digital dividend' – a European approach.



1 Table: Spectrum auction plans for the digital dividend and left-over 2G and

3G spectrum in 2009Fitch Ratings (2009), “European Telecoms – Spectrum Issues for the Fore”,

Telecommunications EMEA Special Report, 7.



1 , the digital television transition has been completed in all of the member

states of the European Union with the exception of Romania (which is

due in 2015).


Digital dividend after digital television transition - Canada

1 In Canada, the key auction of radio airwaves that will support future mobile Internet use will be

delayed until late 2012.[http://www.kbspectrum.com/blog/?p=556

Canada Digital Dividend Spectrum Auction — Late 2012 according to Financial Post] There are a

number of obstacles to the sale of frequencies, including a continuing consultation by Industry Canada on whether to abolish or at least scale

back restrictions on foreign investment considered among the most restrictive in the G8

group of countries.


Digital dividend after digital television transition - Australia

1 In Australia an independent engineering consultancy firm, Kordia

Pty Ltd, was commissioned by the Department of Broadband,

Communications and the Digital Economy to identify issues and

options for releasing spectrum after analog television is switched off in

Australia.



1 Kordia found that it is possible for 126MHz of UHF spectrum to be

released as a digital dividend. The government also have some other

factors to consider.



1 1. The uncertainty of future uses of spectrum;



1 2. Australia needs to align spectrum allocations with major developed

countries because she is a technology taker.



1 Based on the political and technological considerations

Australia government's target digital dividend is 126MHz of contiguous

UHF spectrum.


Networked feminism - Digital divide

1 Networked feminism's impact is somewhat limited because not everyone has access to the internet. According to Samhita Mukhopadhyay, the executive editor of Feministing, a popular

feminist blog, we tend to forget the women who aren’t online – there is a digital divide – and I

think that part of the feminist movement should be focused on reaching out to people face-to-

face doing community work, doing international work. A lot of people are online but not

everybody,not by a long shot.”


Broadband universal service - Digital divide

1 http://www.internetworldstats.com/links10.htm Digital divide is not just about the access to the Internet, but

the quality of connection, and the related service availability.


Digital divide in the United States

1 “The Determinants of the Global Digital Divide: A Cross-Country

Analysis of Computer and Internet Penetration”


Digital divide in the United States - Trends in access and usage

1 The digital divide has been identified by policymakers as a concern in need

of a remedy, since technology has the potential to improve individual Americans' lives.Sautter, Jessica M



1 Internet connectivity varies widely state by state in the U.S., as well. For example, in 2011 89% of Washington

(state)|Washington residents were connected to the Internet in one or

more locations on one or more devices, ranking first in the nation.



1 In addition to a divide in access to connectivity, researchers have identified a skill, or knowledge, divide that demonstrates a gap

between groups in the United States on the basis of technological

competency and digital literacy.Mossberger, K., C.J. Tolbert,

and M. Stansbury. 2003. Virtual inequality: Beyond the digital divide.

Washington, DC: Georgetown University Press.



1 The effort by the United States' government to close the digital divide has included private and

public sector participation, and has developed policies to address

information infrastructure and digital literacy that promotes a digital

society in the United States.Choemprayong, Songphan. 2006. Closing Digital Divides: The

United States' Policies. Libri 56:201-212.


Digital divide in the United States - Gender

1 “Understanding the Digital Divide from a Multicultural Education

Framework.” EdChange Multicultural Pavilion


Digital divide in the United States - Age

1 Older generations of Americans have consistently reported the lowest level

of access to the Internet per age cohorts.Yi, Zhixian


Digital divide in the United States - Race and ethnicity

1 “The Ever-Shifting Internet Population: A new look at Internet access and the digital divide.” Pew Internet and American Life Project



1 81% of U.S



1 African Americans are behind Whites in Internet access, but the gap is most evident within the senior

population: in 2003, 11% of African Americans age 65 and older reported using the Internet, compared to 22%

of senior Whites



1 Finally, between 2000 and 2010, the racial population of Internet users has become increasingly similar to

the racial makeup of the United States population, demonstrating a closing racial divide.Smith, Aaron. 2010. Technology Trends Among

People of Color Pew Internet American Life Project. Retrieved

from: http://pewinternet.org/Commentary/2

010/September/Technology-Trends-Among-People-of-Color.aspx



1 By 2011 Internet usage by Hispanics had

surpassed that of Black households


Digital divide in the United States - Region

1 Internet connectivity also varies a lot by State


Digital divide in the United States - Income

1 Household income and Internet use are strongly related. In 2010, 57% of

individuals earning less than $30,000, 80% of individuals earning

$30,000 - $49,999, 86% of individuals earning $50,000 -

$74,999, and 95% of individuals earning $75,000 and more used the

Internet.Jansen, Jim. 2010, Use of the internet in higher-income

households. Pew Internet American Life Project. Retrieved from:

http://www.pewinternet.org/Reports/2010/Better-off-households/Overview.a

spx



1 In 2010, 57% of Latinos living in ), published a study and

recommendations titled Expanding Digital Opportunity in New York City Public Schools: Profiles of Innovators and Leaders Who Make a Difference.

The report was one of numerous initiatives and events implemented

by the Select Committee, which includes roundtables, conferences,

hearings, and collaborative partnerships.).



1 In 2007, projects called One Laptop per Child, Raspberry Pi and 50x15

were implemented in attempting to reduce the digital divide by providing cheaper infrastructure necessary to

connect.Portables to power PC industry. BBC News. 2007-09-27.

Retrieved from http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology

/7006316.stm on 2010-05-01.https://store.theartofservice.com/the-digital-divide-toolkit.html


1 New Free Software Will Help Close Digital Divide in

Education



1 The Broadband Access ($76 billion) and Community Connect ($57.7 million in grants)

programs



1 administered by the US Department of Agriculture (2007) and the e-Rate program

administered by the



1 Federal Communications Commission are the pillars of national policies

intended to promote the diffusion of broadband Internet service in rural America.Robert LaRose, Jennifer L.

Gregg, Sharon Strover, Joseph Straubhaar, and Serena Carpenter. 2007. Closing the rural broadband

gap: Promoting adoption of the Internet in rural America.

Telecommun. Policy 31, 6-7 (July 2007), 359-373.

DOI=10.1016/j.telpol.2007.04.004 http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.telpol.200

7.04.004



1 Since 2008, organizations such as Geekcorps http://www.iesc.org/ict-and-applied-technologies.aspx and Inveneo http://www.inveneo.org/ have been working to reduce the digital divide by emphasizing ICTs

within a classroom context. Technology used often includes

laptops, handhelds (e.g. Simputer, E-slate), and tablet

PCs.http://www.iesc.org/geekcorpshttps://store.theartofservice.com/the-digital-divide-toolkit.html


1 In 2011, Congresswoman Doris Matsui introduced the Broadband Affordability Act,

which calls for the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to subsidize broadband Internet service for low-income citizens,

assisting in closing the gap between high-income and low-income households. The Act

would expand the program to offer discounted internet service to lower-income consumers

living in both urban and rural areas.http://matsui.house.gov/index.php?option=com_contentview=articleid=3050


Digital divide in the United States - Digital literacy

1 Digital literacy has been defined as: The ability to use digital technology, communication tools or networks to

locate, evaluate, use and create information



1 Due to the exponentially increasing computing power of electronic

devices becoming commercialized a new type of digital divide between

the new generation of “media-savvy, multitasking” youth and their

preceding generation(s) has emerged which has been coined the

#Knowledge Divide|Knowledge Divide.Stephanie Vie, Digital Divide

2.0: “Generation M” and Online Social Networking Sites in the

Composition Classroom, Computers and Composition, Volume 25, Issue 1, 2008, Pages 9-23, ISSN 8755-4615, 10.1016/j.compcom.2007.09.004.



1 Currently, much of the developed digital literacy levels attained derive from self-exploration and learning by

doing. A majority of people also acquire information technology skills from required school coursework or

from their workplace.



1 Some strategies proposed to help react to this new form of the digital

divide include providing digital literacy workshops for parents and

educators who may have fallen behind the computer skill level of their children and/or pupils.Janet Martorana, Sylvia Curtis, Sherry

DeDecker, Sylvelin Edgerton, Carol Gibbens, Lorna Lueck, Bridging the gap: Information literacy workshops for high school teachers, Research Strategies, Volume 18, Issue 2, 2nd Quarter 2001, Pages 113-120, ISSN

0734-3310, 10.1016/S0734-3310(02)00067-8.



1 Other proactive strategies include developing preservice teachers to

‘think with technology’ with minimum threshold standards that

include:



1 # Demonstrating a sound understanding of technology operations and concepts.



1 # Planning and designing effective learning environments and experiences supported by

technology.



1 # Implementing curriculum plans that include methods and strategies for applying technology to maximize

student learning.



1 # Applying technology to facilitate a variety of effective assessment and evaluation

strategies.



1 # Using technology to enhance their

productivity and professional practice.



1 # Understanding the social, ethical, legal, and human issues surrounding the use of technology in PreK through

12 schools and apply that understanding in practice. Erickson, P.M., Fox, W. S., Stewart, D. (Eds.).

(2010). National Standards for Teachers of Family and Consumer

Sciences: Research, implementation, and resources. Published

electronically by the National Association of Teacher Educators for

Family and Consumer Sciences. Available at



1 Some groups have proposed changing traditional English or writing class curricula to integrate lessons on digital literacy and

teach their students how to navigate through our increasingly more digital and

information technology integrated environments to potentially provide an educational safety net for students who

may not have as capable electronic devices or as fast or speedy broadband connections

as othershttps://store.theartofservice.com/the-digital-divide-toolkit.html

Digital divide in the United States - Digital society

1 A digital society can have a variety of different meanings in a variety of contexts



1 In a digital society there exist newly combined institutions for government

and the economy denoted respectively as e-government and e-

commerce. Both utilize electronic resources and tools to eliminate the

geographical barriers for communication and making

transactions between citizens and their respective government entities

and businesses.https://store.theartofservice.com/the-digital-divide-toolkit.html


1 In the U.S., despite the Internet becoming commercially available to American citizens in 1995, a national

official government task force “targeted at improving the quality of

services to citizens, businesses, governments and government

employees, as well as the effectiveness and efficiency of the

federal government” was not established until July 2001.United

States of America



1 By Mark Forman



1 * Making it possible for citizens, businesses, other levels of

government and federal employees to easily find information and get

service from the federal government;



1 * Simplifying agencies' business processes and reducing costs

through integrating and eliminating redundant systems;



1 * Streamlining government operations to guarantee rapid response to citizen needs”



1 The means by which e-government becomes established on the

local/city/county level, state, and national level all vary but can be

more easily described with “a broad model with a three-phase and dual-pronged strategy for implementing electronic democracy [as] proposed

by Watson and Mundy.” Chen, Y



1 The Federal Communication Commission has projected that

expanding access and broadband services in the United States would

cost about $350 billion.Federal Communications Commission.

Federal Communications Commission Strategic Goals - Broadband. Federal



1 The United States’ most recent efforts to help improve the ubiquity and efficiency of e-government on the national level include Executive Order 13571 (Streamlining Service Delivery and Improving Customer Service), Executive Order 13576 (Delivering an Efficient, Effective,

and Accountable Government), the President’s Memorandum on

Transparency and Open Government, OMB Memorandum M-10-06 (Open

Government Directive), the National Strategy for Trusted Identities in

Cyberspace (NSTIC), and the 25-Point Implementation Plan to Reform Federal Information Technology

Management (IT Reform)



1 E-commerce has made a distinct impact on the United States

economy as it has outpaced the overall economy growth based on year-to-year percentage change,

accounting for 4.4 percent of total retail sales in 2010 and an estimated $169 billion, an increase from $145

billion in 2009.U.S



1 E-commerce is one of the solutions proposed by many groups that may help improve the lack of information

technology adoption within rural communities


Digital divide in the United States - Social capital

1 The majority of research on civic engagement and social capital shows

that the Internet enhances social capital in the United States, but

others report that after controlling for background variables, civic

engagement between users and non-users is not significantly

different.Putnam RD. 2000. Bowling Alone: The Collapse and Revival of American Community. New York:

Simon Schuster


Digital divide in the United States - Social capital

1 Of those who do believe that the Internet promotes social capital, a

longitudinal study in Pittsburgh found that Internet usage increased rates

of individual participation in community activities as well as levels

of trust


Digital divide in the United States - Economic gains

1 The United States is the world leader in Internet supply ecosystem, holding over 30% of global Internet revenues and more than 40% of global Internet

net income



1 In the United States, the Internet promotes private consumption

primarily through online shopping. In 2009, online purchases of goods and services totaled about $250 billion,

with average consumption per buyer equaling about $1,773 over the year.

That same year, the Internet contributed to 60% of the United

States' private consumption, 24% of private investment, 20% of public expenditure, and 3.8% of the GDP.



1 Between 1995 and 2009, the Internet has contributed to 8% of the GDP's growth in the

United States



1 Additionally, widespread use of the Internet by businesses and

corporations drives down energy costs


Digital divide in the United States - Within the capabilities approach

1 An individual must be able to connect in order to achieve

enhancement of social and cultural capital and achieve mass economic

gains in productivity


Digital divide in the United States - Criticisms

1 As is evident by policies enacted, agencies created, and policies administered listed

Digital_divide_in_the_United_Statesaction=submit#Overcoming_the_digital_divide_in_the_United_States|above, the United States has been active in closing the access gap in the

digital divide, but studies demonstrate that a digital divide is still present; that is, access is becoming universal, but the skills needed to

effectively consume and efficiently use information gained from ICTs are not.


Digital divide in the United States - Second level digital divide

1 The Digital Production Gap: The Digital Divide and Web 2.0

Collide


Digital divide in the United States - Knowledge divide

1 Thus the digital divide in the United States is no longer just a matter of

lack of access as mentioned previously but a sort of race where

the generations that created computers and the Internet must

now keep up with the improving skill level of ‘Generation M’



1 These differing groups can be classified based on ICT skill level by

the following or in similar terms:



1 * Athletes – technophiles; those who are very keen on technology and

usually have early adopter or innovator behavior and take pleasure

in utilizing the internet and other information technology



1 * The laidback – those who are attributed with a lack of clarity of the potential benefits of the internet and information technology adoption who

mainly use the internet and computers for search and email

exchange



1 * The needy – those who require external help to help develop an

initial inertia for starting to use the internet and information technologies

in meaningful waysEnrico Ferro, Natalie C. Helbig, J. Ramon Gil-Garcia, The role of IT literacy in

defining digital divide policy needs, Government Information Quarterly, Volume 28, Issue 1, January 2011,

Pages 3-10, ISSN 0740-624X, 10.1016/j.giq.2010.05.007.


E-services - Digital divide

1 Moreover, a serious e-government digital divide is that services mostly used by social

elites.


Digital Divide in South Africa

1 This disparity is commonly known as the

digital divide.Kroukamp,H


Digital Divide in South Africa - Telecommunications

1 Bridging the Digital Divide


Digital Divide in South Africa - Government

1 The introduction of e-governance such as implementation of online governmental websites has been proven to be a huge challenge to

South Africa


Digital Divide in South Africa - Education

1 Bridging the Digital Divide


Digital Divide in South Africa - Education

1 In both primary and secondary schools, basic computer knowledge is being taught. However, there is a

disparity in the capabilities of students and teachers to use ICT

effectively to integrate technology into teaching and

learning.Angathevar Baskaran and Mammo Muchie. (2006). Bridging the

Digital Divide. Adonis Abbey Publishers Ltd. Pg 203.


Digital Divide in South Africa - Internet

1 According to Statistics, by the end of 2009, 10.8 percent of the entire

population in South Africa has access to the

Internet.[http://www.internetworldstats.com/af/za.htm.], Internet World

Stats


Knowledge divide - The Knowledge Divide and The Digital Divide

1 The information and ICT systems that support knowledge are very

important. This is why digitization is viewed closely related to knowledge. Scientists generally agree that there is a digital divide, recently different

reports also showed the existence of knowledge divide.Information Society

Commission, 2002; UNESCO, 2005



1 The creation and effective use of knowledge are increasingly related to

the development of an ICT infrastructure. Without ICT, it is

impossible to have an infrastructure able to process the huge flow of

information required in an advanced economy. In particular, without

adequate technical support, it is difficult to develop and use e-

learning and electronic documents to overcome time and space

constraints.



1 The knowledge divide is, however, but one important part of the larger

knowledge divide. As UNESCO states, “closing the digital divide will not suffice to close the knowledge

divide, for access to useful, relevant knowledge is more than simply a

matter of infrastructure—it depends on training, cognitive skills and regulatory frameworks geared

towards access to contents.”UNESCO 2005, 22.


United Nations Information and Communication Technologies Task Force - Bridging the Digital Divide with Broadband Wireless Internet

1 The 17 November round table focused on the critical role that

broadband wireless infrastructure deployments play in bridging the

digital divide.


Information inequity - Libraries and the digital divide

1 This project has the potential to narrow the digital divide by not only giving the people of the Durban area

access to this digital resource, but also by incorporating the community members into the process of creating

it.



1 Another attempt to narrow the digital divide takes the form of One Laptop

Per Child (OLPC).[http://one.laptop.org/about/

mission One Laptop Per Child]



1 Access isn't enough: Merely connecting people and computers won't close the digital

divide


Information inequity - Overcoming the digital divide

1 Social media websites serve as both manifestations of and means by

which to combat the digital divide


Information inequity - Second-level digital divide

1 (2008) Literature Review: Understanding the second-level digital divide papers by Teresa

Correa


Information inequity - The global digital divide

1 [http://www.uncg.edu/bae/jgitm/Vol4no3.pdf Digital divide in developing countries]


Information inequity - The global digital divide

1 The Internet is expanding very quickly, and not all countries—especially developing countries

—are able to keep up with the constant changes. The term digital divide doesn't

necessarily mean that someone doesn’t have technology; it could mean that there is simply a difference in technology. These differences

can refer to, for example, high-quality computers, fast Internet, technical assistance, or telephone services. The difference between

all of these is also considered a gap.


Information inequity - The global digital divide versus the digital divide

1 The global digital divide is a special case of the digital divide, the focus is set on the fact

that Internet has developed unevenly throughout the world causing some countries to fall behind in technology, education, labor, democracy, and tourism. The concept of the

digital divide was originally popularized in regard to the disparity in Internet access

between rural and urban areas of the United States of America; the global digital divide

mirrors this disparity on an international scale.


Information inequity - Obstacles to overcoming the global digital divide

1 Involves, the distribution of ICT devices per capita…and land lines per thousands. Individuals need to

obtain access to computers, landlines, and networks in order to

access the Internet. This access barrier is also addressed in Article 21

of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities by the

United Nations. https://store.theartofservice.com/the-digital-divide-toolkit.html


1 In illustrating institutional access, Wilson states the numbers of users

are greatly affected by whether access is offered only through

individual homes or whether it is offered through schools, community

centers, religious institutions, cybercafés, or post offices, especially

in poor countries where computer access at work or home is highly

limited. https://store.theartofservice.com/the-digital-divide-toolkit.html


1 Guillen Suarez argue that that democratic political regimes enable a

faster growth of the Internet than authoritarian or totalitarian regimes


Digital Divide Data

1 'DDD' is a social enterprise that delivers digital content, data and

research services to clients worldwide


Digital Divide Data - History

1 The group returned to Cambodia during the summer and founded

Digital Divide Data, (now known as DDD) with a plan to start a data

entry operation in Phnom Penh.Thomas L



1 Friedman The World is Flat (New York, 2006), 451 The enterprise began as a single small office in Phnom Penh,

digitizing the Harvard Crimson.http://www.digitaldividedata.org/about/our-story In 2003, Digital

Divide Data opened an office in Vientiane, Laos, which in early 2004

was followed by a third office in Battambang, Cambodia



1 DDD currently operates three offices with over 1000

staff.http://www.digitaldividedata.org/about/our-story It is currently the

largest technology employer in Cambodia and

Laos.http://www.digitaldividedata.org/about/our-story


Digital Divide Data - Social Model

1 The innovative work/study program that is core to DDD’s social

enterprise enables young women and men from very poor families to gain work experience plus access to higher education. As a result, they secure professional jobs and earn

lasting higher incomes, breaking the cycle of poverty. Since 2001, the

projected increase in lifetime earnings for youth in DDD’s program

is more than $250 million.



1 DDD recruits disadvantaged high school graduates, ages 17-24,

including young women and men, and youth with disabilities. Recruited

youth participate in a work/study program which offers training,

employment, and the opportunity to complete higher education. A

rigorous recruitment process ensures that the youth who join DDD have

the skills, commitment and maturity to succeed in the work/study

program.



1 Participants typically work 36 hours a week providing digital content

services to clients. After a one year probation period, they are eligible for

a scholarship package to support their university education. Once

enrolled in university, they continue to work, enabling them to study and complete their degrees in 4-5 years.



1 Since 2001, DDD has trained over 2000 youth, employed more than 1500, and graduated over 500 to

better paying jobs. Graduates of DDD earn more than four times the

average annual income in Cambodia and

Laos.http://www.digitaldividedata.org/about/


Digital Divide Data - Board of Directors

1 Asterisk denotes co-founder of DDD


Digital Divide Data - Services

1 * Data entry and conversion services include: academic data entry, database content and support, survey digitization, and direct

marketing support.



1 * Digital publishing services include: XML enhancement/conversion, eBook

conversion, magazine conversion, journal digitization, and newspaper

conversion.



1 * Digital libraries services include: digitization of archives, newspaper digitization, EAD conversion, and

OCR assessment.http://www.digitaldivided

ata.org/what-we-do


Digital Divide Data - Awards and Recognition

1 * ICT Association of Kenya 2013 Value Award for Excellence in Digital Contenthttp://www.digitaldividedata.

org/about/awards-case-studies



1 * The Global Journal's List of World's Top 100 NGOs, 2012 and

2013http://www.digitaldividedata.org/about/awards-case-studies



1 * Vision 2030 Award for Best Business Process Outsourcing Firm in Kenyahttp://www.digitaldividedata.or

g/about/awards-case-studies



1 * eAsia Award for Best Employment Creation Initiative in Asia,




1 * Skoll Foundation Award for Social Enterprise in




1 * World Bank Development Marketplace

Awardhttp://www.digitaldividedata.org/about/awards-case-studies



1 * IFC Grassroots Business Initiativehttp://www.digitaldividedata.org/abou

t/awards-case-studies



1 * Global Knowledge Partnershiphttp://www.digitaldividedata.org/a

bout/awards-case-studies



1 * 2008 Clinton Global Initiative panelist and

participanthttp://www.digitaldividedata.org/about/awards-case-studies



1 * Siemens Non-Profit Global Impact Award for Supplier Excellence, June




1 * Member of The New York 100 for business, July



For More Information, Visit:

• https://store.theartofservice.com/the-digital-divide-toolkit.html

The Art of Servicehttps://store.theartofservice.com






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Digital divide