Internet Access for Development
The Internet has been remarkably successful in developing greater opportunities for
communication access - and economic growth and social development - for the first
billion users. The majority of the next several billion users will be mainly from
developing countries and will connect to the Internet principally via wireless networks.
But there are substantial discrepancies in access to ICTs between developed and developing
countries and also within countries, depending on factors such as gender, rural coverage,
skills and educational levels.
This book examines how the market for internet traffic exchange has evolved and explores
the coherence of policies pursued by developed and developing countries. It notes
the increasing innovation occurring in a number of developing countries with competitive
markets and discusses how liberalisation has helped to expand of access networks and
make ICT services increasingly affordable and available to the poor. The report also
highlights the employment, micro-entrepreneurial and social development opportunities
which have emerged as access levels have risen among low-income users. The study notes
that gateway service monopolies - still in 70 countries - raise the prices for accessing
international capacity and reduce the affordability of Internet access to business
and end users.
Published on June 16, 2009
In series:The Development Dimensionview more titles