Wireless phones are the coolest...
Reading "The Real Digital Divide" in the May 10th edition of The Economist brings up an excellent point that mobile phones are more important and practical than computers in bridging the "digital divide" across the globe.
According to the article, the reason why the application of computers should not be looked to as the world's solution to the digital divide is, "Fewer people in poor countries than in rich ones own computers and have access to the internet simply because they are too poor, are illiterate, or have other more pressing concerns, such as food, health care and security. So even if it were possible to wave a magic wand and cause a computer to appear in every household on earth, it would not achieve very much: a computer is not useful if you have no food or electricity and cannot read."
Instead, the article advocates for the expansion of mobile phone networks and usage. Mobile phones allow for poorer countries to develop, rather than computers, which treat the symptoms, not the cause of the technology disparity in the world. "When it comes to mobile phones, there is no need for intervention or funding from the UN: even the world's poorest people are already rushing to embrace mobile phones, because their economic benefits are so apparent. Mobile phones do not rely on a permanent electricity supply and can be used by people who cannot read or write. "
Moreover, the article recommends that governments in such developing countries allow competition among telecommunication companies, which makes for a faster expansion of mobile phones. Mobile phones are of great purpose to those living in poorer countries, "reducing transaction costs, broadening trade networks and reducing the need to travel, which is of particular value for people looking for work. "
"77% of the world's population already lives within range of a mobile network." It is very interesting that a modern piece of technology, the mobile phone, is so widely used and serves such a great purpose even the poorest nations.
According to the article, the reason why the application of computers should not be looked to as the world's solution to the digital divide is, "Fewer people in poor countries than in rich ones own computers and have access to the internet simply because they are too poor, are illiterate, or have other more pressing concerns, such as food, health care and security. So even if it were possible to wave a magic wand and cause a computer to appear in every household on earth, it would not achieve very much: a computer is not useful if you have no food or electricity and cannot read."
Instead, the article advocates for the expansion of mobile phone networks and usage. Mobile phones allow for poorer countries to develop, rather than computers, which treat the symptoms, not the cause of the technology disparity in the world. "When it comes to mobile phones, there is no need for intervention or funding from the UN: even the world's poorest people are already rushing to embrace mobile phones, because their economic benefits are so apparent. Mobile phones do not rely on a permanent electricity supply and can be used by people who cannot read or write. "
Moreover, the article recommends that governments in such developing countries allow competition among telecommunication companies, which makes for a faster expansion of mobile phones. Mobile phones are of great purpose to those living in poorer countries, "reducing transaction costs, broadening trade networks and reducing the need to travel, which is of particular value for people looking for work. "
"77% of the world's population already lives within range of a mobile network." It is very interesting that a modern piece of technology, the mobile phone, is so widely used and serves such a great purpose even the poorest nations.
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