Vis201 Research Paper

Vis201 Research Paper

13-12-2007

Chan Kar Ying, Wing 1000423

Topic : Digital Divide as a worldwide issue

The topic of Digital divide is worth discussing and studying. It is because it is an existing issue that is inevitable in our highly technology developed society. It has far-reaching effects on every people worldwide, no matter a richer or a poor one.

In our computerized society, Digital divide has close relationship with all of us. In my point of view, I think that we are experiencing with it and it is our social responsibility to have a keenly aware and realization on the issue.

Therefore, in the essay, I will first stating what is called the digital divide and how it to be caused. Then I will use India, as a typical example, to talk about its severe condition and its relative responses. Afterwards, it will be focusing on the issue at local level in order to gain your identification and understanding. I will talk about the situation in Hong Kong and what responses would be taken to remedy the predicament in Hong Kong. Thus we will know that the consequences of digital divide contrast in different countries, and digital divide is, of a worldwide nature. Examples of typical locations, organizations and associations would be raised in the essay too.

"Digital Divide refers to the gap between those who benefit from digital technology and those who do not.”[1] It is the gap between those who have regular access to digital technology and those who haven't. In and other words, it is the gap between who are able to use technology to their own benefit and those who are not. For example, when some of the families may have numbers of computers in one household, some may have no computer for each family. That is the fact that certain parts of the population have substantially better opportunities to benefit from the new economy than other parts of the population.

It is not uneasy to see that the information technology gap and related inequities between industrialized and developing nations are widening. According to the Economic Times[2], there are about 544.2 million internet users worldwide. North America accounts for 33.27 per cent of these users. China, India and Indonesia account for 10.03 per cent. Even within countries from region to region. The personal computer or PC penetration in India is a mere 3.6 per thousand people, as compared to 362 in the USA. Many are concerning about the causes of this information technology gap and related inequities. The United Nations’ statement on Universal Access to Basic Communication and Information Services[3] also searched the reasons for the digital divide in the world. Four points could be summed up for realizing the general causes. Firstly, there is lack of affordable infrastructure, and access to core information resources and telecommunication systems. Secondly, there is lack of the capacity to handle the technologies involved. Thirdly, there is absence of policies that promote equitable public participation for both producers and consumers in the field of information and knowledge. And, there is absence of trained workforce to develop the value-added products and services required by an information economy.

We can see that the general reasons for the digital divide are lacking of suitable facilities and policies to complement with the phenomenon.

The Indian Context

India had only 13 telephone connections per 1000 people. 3 In India, while Maharashtra had 8.21 Internet connections per 1000 people, states like Uttar Pradesh had 0.12. According to a survey carried out by Taylor Nelson Sofres, [4] 31 per cent of internet users in India access government services or products online.

In India, the absence of technological and basic infrastructure ranging from adequate telephone connectivity to bandwidth problems is definitely an important reason for the prevalence of the digital divide. And, non-technological factors such as telecommunication policies and literacy levels also have a substantial impact on the digital divide. The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD)[5] report on the digital divide points out that liberalization of telecommunications markets at the end of 1998 has led to competition and a rapid drop in bandwidth prices, resulting in reduction of internet access prices and increased Internet usage. As is well recognized, the digital divide in India is deepened by low literacy levels.

Furthermore, according to The Economic Times, India, [6] “There appears to be a difference between large organizations and Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) in embracing Knowledge Management (KM), similar to the adoption of digital technologies. This is leading to a 'Divide'.”

In respond, many attempts were taken to remedy the situation. Reforms aimed at positioning India in the world economy were carried out. The foreign direct investment process has been streamlined, and the government has exempted the ICT industry from corporate income tax for five years. These reforms have helped India to increasingly integrate with the global economy through growth in the export of software and skill-intensive software services, such as business process outsourcing.

In 1986 , a new software policy was announced designed to serve as a catalyst for the software industry. As a result, the Indian software industry grew from a mere US$ 150 million in 1991-92 to a staggering US$ 5.7 billion (including over US$4 billion worth of software exports) in 1999-2000, representing an annual growth rate of over 50 per cent. This industry, attaining a services exports of over US$ 9.6 billion. [7]

The establishment of the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) was a key step towards effective implementation of telecommunications reforms. In 1992, the mobile phone market was opened up to private operators, in 1994 the fixed services market followed, and finally in 1999, national long distance operations were opened to private competition.

In addition, to attract foreign direct investment, the government permitted foreign equity of up to 100 per cent and duty-free import on all inputs. Government-created technology parks also offered professional labour services to clients, a cost-effective programme for India since ICT labour in the country is inexpensive by global standards.

The Media Lab Asia is another initiative help solving the problem. The main objective of Media Lab Asia is to conduct ICT research that is relevant for the common man, ensure successful leading innovator in bringing emerging technologies in service of the poor. Its full scope nine-year programme was launched in May 2003.

Digital Village was set as its theme that seeks to find a synergetic combination of technology with societal needs. It focus on bringing the benefits of most sophisticated technologies including ICT, nanotechnology, etc., to solve the daily problems of the common man in India.There are some noteworthy projects implemented by Media Lab Asia during the initial phase. For example, in order to enhance the connectivity in rural areas, Multi-hop wireless and Daknet using 802.11b technology, Geographic information system software and Linux operating system were suggested to implement.There are some other ongoing projects in various research themes of Media Lab Asia, which are now handled exclusively by Indian Scientists and engineers.

For a more typical example, according to R.K. Bagga[8], “TARhaat, a portal designed to serve villages in rural India, provides job opportunity information on local websites in local languages. In addition, the establishment of local telecentres in countries such as Bangladesh, India and Senegal have created direct employment for thousands of local women and men.”

Digital divide is not only happened in poor countries, also the rich one, for example, at local level, our modern Hong Kong.Citizens in Hong Kong are enjoying surfing Internet for abundant information and tailor-made services. We enjoy communicating through e-mail with people globally.

However, disadvantaged groups have not embraced the new digital world

Poor families cannot afford to buy computers. Less-educated people lack ability and opportunity to learn computer skills and new technologies. Furthermore,

visually impaired and physically handicapped people have extra difficulties in accessing the Internet. More difficultly, senior citizens, unwilling to adopt new technologies. In fact, technological advancement should solve problems rather than create new ones help the disadvantaged to turn the challenge of IT into opportunity.

There should be million ways to help, and measures can never be exhausted.

According to Sin Chung-Kai stated in Digital Hong Kong 2005, [9] he urged that something should be done to alleviate the consequence of digital divide. He stated five main ideas as solutions, includes: getting the disadvantaged connected, overcoming psychological barriers, overcoming practical barriers and providing funding and measures tailored for specific groups.

More concretely, for example, providing more public facilities in low-income communities and organizing computer courses for the low income class, in order to bridge the information gap between rich and poor. Also, as some of the uneducated citizen would feel abandoned by a society gripped by dotcom fever and staying abreast by cyber trends, training opportunities are provided to allow them hands-on access to Internet. It will boost their confidence about entering the Digital Age

Moreover, promoting Chinese typing and increase Chinese-content availability and encouraging Non-Government organizations to organize non-profit courses in low-income communities and among disadvantaged could solve the language barrier. Furthermore, there were supplementary facilities and software to help the blind and visually impaired people. For example, speech technology and websites with plain text and high-contrast colors are of immense assistance. More importantly, it is legitimate to encourage the commercial sector to contribute to society by donating computers and by offering financial assistance to disadvantaged. It could also help the visually impaired people need substantial support in obtaining or developing expensive supplementary facilities and software to get online. Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and minority-interest groups also need funding to buy facilities and organize courses for promoting IT. These measures are very constructive and useful for bridging the digital divide in Hong Kong.

Therefore, to conclude, we know that digital divide is an existing and sever problem, of people in worldwide. It is not only occurring in poor country. Even in Hong Kong, a city which is rich of information and technology, there are still many problems created by the gap of digital divide. It is important to have the people worldwide to recognize that the problems created by the digital divide are complicated and diversified in many fields. They should be researched and remedy in every effort. In fact, people from any aspect could give help. According to Contra Costa Times, [10] “With an eye toward bridging the digital divide between those who have access to technology and those who don't, Kaiser(a computer teacher) has taught a crew of about 10 students how to refurbish the old machines.”
"For several students it's their first computer ever," Kaiser said.

One more, 'We hope the launch of the Eee PC will enable more children and people around the world to gain access to computers,' company chairman Jonney Shih said at the launch yesterday. [11]

Care for this divide should be appear in everywhere from everyone, no matter you are a teacher, a chairman, a researcher or not. It is our social responsibility to contribute to our society and beautiful our world by gaining equality all over the world. It is worth doing and achieving. I hope my essay can arouse your attention in the gravity of the digital divide’s problems. It is believed that with a culture of sharing and caring for others, our society would move closer to equality.

Website:

http://www.digitaldivide.org/dd/digitaldivide.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taylor_Nelson_Sofres

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_divide

Bibliography:

1. The Economic Times (2003), Internet Usage Worldwide, As on 31 July 2002

2. Jayaprakash Narayan, The ICT route to development, 3 Governance: Virtual to real, p.48

3. Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), ‘Understanding the Digital Divide’

4. LV Sastry, The Economic Times, India, The Great Divide, 2007-04-24

5. Kamal Kant Jaswal, Policy Issues in Bridging the Digital Divide, p116-117

6. R.K. Bagga, The State, It and Development, In Indian Context, p.119

7. Sin Chung-Kai, Incumbent representing the Information Technology Functional Constituency in the legislative Council 2000, Digital Hong Kong 2005

8. Andrew Becker, Contra Costa Times, Walnut Creek, Calif., New lives for old computers, 2007-05-14

9. Ong Hwee Hwee, Taiwan Correspondent, Taiwan's Asustek launches compact, low-cost laptop, The Straits Times(Singapore), 2007-10-17

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[1] http://www.digitaldivide.org/dd/digitaldivide.html

[2] The Economic Times (2003), Internet Usage Worldwide, As on 31 July 2002

[3] The ICT route to development, 3 Governance: Virtual to real, Jayaprakash Narayan

p.48

[4] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taylor_Nelson_Sofres

[5] Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), ‘Understanding the Digital Divide’

[6] LV Sastry, The Economic Times, India, The Great Divide, 2007-04-24

[7] Policy Issues in Bridging the Digital Divide, Kamal Kant Jaswal, p116-117

[8] R.K. Bagga, The State, It and Development, In Indian Context, p.119

[9] Digital Hong Kong 2005, Sin Chung-Kai, Incumbent representing the Information Technology Functional Constituency in the legislative Council 2000

[10] Andrew Becker, Contra Costa Times, Walnut Creek, Calif., New lives for old computers, 2007-05-14

[11] Ong Hwee Hwee, Taiwan Correspondent, Taiwan's Asustek launches compact, low-cost laptop, The Straits Times(Singapore), 2007-10-17