The document discusses the concept of "Digital Divide 2.0" which focuses not just on access to computing devices and internet connections, but also access to digital content and capabilities. It examines differences in technology adoption and access across the world, with developing regions facing significant barriers due to cost and infrastructure limitations. While mobile phones have provided some countries an avenue for "leapfrogging" technology gaps, the reality is that most of the world's poor can only afford very basic mobile access and services. The document argues that both government policies and grassroots innovations are needed to help bridge Digital Divide 2.0 and ensure greater global access to emerging technologies.

1. Global Digital Divide 2.0:
Always Off in an Always On
World
STIA-422: Information Technology (IT)
in a Changing World
November 4, 2008
Gaurav Mishra

2. Introduction
Emerging
Markets
+
Emerging
Technologies
The intersection
of technology,
culture and
development
www.gauravonomics.com

3. Digital Divide

4. Digital Divide
Source: ITU-UNCTAD World Information Society Report 2007

5. World Map: Computer Penetration
Source: United Nations Global Development Goals Indication

6. World Map: Internet Penetration
Source: Emiel van Wegen based on World Internet Stats data

7. World Map: Optical Fiber
Source: Tata Communications

8. Price of Broadband Access
Japan $0.06 per 100 kbps (0.002% of average monthly wage) vs. Mozambique $361.83 per 100 kbps
(1400 times average monthly wage)
Source: Wired Magazine based on ITU data

9. Price of Broadband Access
Source: ITU-UNCTAD World Information Society Report 2007

10. Reasons for Differential
Technological Achievement

11. Three Types of Technology
Transfers
Innovation
 2 1 
3
Adaption Diffusion

Source: World Bank Global Economic Prospects 2008

12. Three Types of Technology
Transfers
Source: World Bank Global Economic Prospects 2008

13. Technological Achievement Index
Source: World Bank Global Economic Prospects 2008

14. What is Digital Divide 2.0?

15. The 4 Cs of Digital Divide 2.0
1 2 3 4
Computing
Devices Connection
Content
Capabilities
The Digital Binary Group:
Focus on Access
(Computers + Connection)
The Digital Inequality
Group: Focus on
Application (Content +
Capabilities)
Source: Technology and Social Inclusion, Mark Warschauer, 2003; Eszter Hargittai, 2001

16. Digital Divide 2.0
D
Semantic Web i
Mobile 2.0 g
Web 2.0 i
t
E-Mail
a
SMS
l
D
i
v
i
Mobile d
Internet e
Broadband
3G 2
.
Next Generation Networks
0

17. The Promise/ Myth of
Leapfrogging

18. The Promise of Leapfrogging
Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0bh3HP51rJs

19. The Economic Value of Mobile
As much as
8% of GDP
Source: McKinsey & Co, 2006, Leonard Waverman et al, 2005

20. Why is Mobile an Exception?
mobile use
Source: ITU-UNCTAD World Information Society Report 2007; The Economist, 2008

21. The Myth of Leapfrogging
Source: World Bank Global Economic Prospects 2008

22. Mobile Interface for Illiterate Users
Source: Jan Chipchase et al, Nokia Research, 2007

23. Telecom Usage at the BOP
Source: Teleuse at the Bottom of the Pyramid, LIRNEasia, 2007
Video1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MScc9UNeX7k
Video 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4pfAy_A7Klk

24. Telecom Usage at the BOP
94% have used a phone Only 38% of non-owners
but only 13% own one, plan to buy a phone in
>70% use public phones the next 2 years
> 90% can only afford a
Average of one call per startup cost of <$30 &
day, 78% local, , 72% to monthly cost of <$5
stay in touch, 90% of
them <5 min long 99% have monthly
incomes of <$150
Only 35% use SMS,
<10% use it daily 30% want to buy a fixed
phone
66% of non-users don’t
72% haven’t heard of the
know how to use SMS
internet, <<1% have
used it
95% use pre-paid cards
All figures for India, 2006
Image: http://flickr.com/photos/dipu87/2553076909/
Data: Teleuse at the Bottom of the Pyramid, LIRNEasia, 2007

25. How to Bridge Digital Divide
2.0?

26. Government Policy is Important
Source: World Bank Global Economic Prospects 2008

27. Grassroots Innovations Are
Equally Important

28. VNL WorldGSM MicroTelecom
Low cost, rugged, solar powered mobile network to serve rural populations profitably
Source: www.vnl.in

29. Grameen Village Phone (B’desh)
Microloans to help poor rural woman become public phone operators
Source: www.grameenfoundation.org

30. United Villages (India)
Drive-by wifi network to connect remote villages to the internet, with a time lag
Source: www.unitedvillages.com

31. QuestionBox (India)
Use human mediation to connect illiterate users to the internet
Source: www.questionbox.org

32. EkGaon Mobile Framework (India)
Paper-mobile hybrid document management system for semi-literate users
Source: www.ekgaon.com

33. BabaJob/Microsoft Research(India)
Text-free job search engine
Source: www.babajob.com /tf/textfree.htm

34. Ushahidi (Kenya)
Mapping crisis information through text messages sent by users
Source: www.ushahidi.com

35. MobiChange (India)
Lowest common denominator mobile social networking platform
Photo: http://www.flickr.com/photos/pulguita/323775179/

36. Discussion
- Digital divide: narrowing or widening?
- Leapfrogging: myth or reality?
- Solution: government policy or grassroots
innovations?