Information Society Watch

February 2008, Murali Shanmugavalen, Panos London

This article draws attention to some of the challenges that lie in the way to bridging the digital divide. First, even as many developing countries witness expansion of new means of communication such as the Internet and mobile phones, a significant proportion of their populations, especially those in the rural areas, remain unserved or underserved.

September 2007, id21 insights

This issue of id21 insights presents snapshots of research on the role and the impact of mobile phones across the developing world. Studies show the 'incremental benefits', such as offering cheaper means of communication, as well as the 'transformational benefits', such as creating new means of livelihood, that mobile phones bring.

February 7, 2008, The Economist

This article discusses the possibilities for new technologies to leapfrog developing countries into the 21st century, bypassing the 20th century and straight away reaping the benefits of mobile technologies. It focuses on a recent report from the World Bank, which points out that the spread of new technologies often depends on the availability of more basic technologies. The article reminds readers that 21st century technologies are underpinned by much earlier infrastructure. For example, computers and broadband require reliable electricity supplies and the latest medical equipment requires basic sanitation and facilities. The World Bank report finds that low levels of penetration prevent new technologies from bringing benefits to all people in poor countries and development policies must be formed accordingly.

April 10, 2008, Michael Fitzgerald, Wired.com

Picking up where municipal WiFi projects have failed, non-profit organisations in the US are working to provide Internet access to low-income Americans and communities. These organisations are learning from the challenges faced by past projects, such as lack of clear financial models for how to develop and sustain a public good like municipal wireless.

December 19, 2007, Business Week

The next two years are poised to become a significant milestone in the development of wireless communications. The availability of new spectrum for wireless deployment due to the shutdown of analog television will lead to greater accessibility and interoperability than exists at present.

February 7, 2008, The Economist

The article examines the spread of technology in developing countries from the viewpoint of measuring the rate and scale of adoption of new technologies. A recent World Bank report has thrown some interesting light on this subject. What has emerged is that developing countries such as India and China have extremely concentrated levels of technology use in certain areas, while large masses are still being left out of the process.

October 20, 2006, Garth Graham, Alternative Telecommunications Policy Forum

This note from a panel on telecommunications and the public good discusses issues around Internet governance and community networking. The Internet has evolved from a repository of information to a means of linking people together and allowing them to more effectively communicate, thus building social networks.

September 2007

In the last decade, the Internet has become the ubiquitious repository of human knowledge. Harnessed properly, the net can provide a huge impetus to the world of education by providing access to this vast knowledge store.

December 18, 2007, BBC News

This article discusses the importance of the Internet for a continent such as Africa. Given the abysmal standards of living of a large section of the continent's population, people have often criticised efforts for Internet growth and accessibility in Africa, which according to them should be accorded very low priority.

November 2005, e-Agriculture

The article looks at the challenges confronted by organisations looking to make an impact in rural communities by using ICTs. It outlines some of the key strategies that should be adopted in order successfully implement ICT programmes to positively change agriculture based livelihoods.