Infrastructure plays a major role in bridging the gap in digital divide. In the wireless world, two paths of accessing the Internet are emerging. One relies on developing Wi-Fi infrastructures so that by using a laptop, you can go online from anywhere. The other is through delivery right to your cellular phone. There are currently some 1.2 billion cellular users globally, and last year, nearly half a trillion dollars was spent on wireless services and equipment. Clearly, this represents opportunity, particularly in urban centres where dense concentrations of wireless users reside. The issue now is which technologies and devices will succeed in terms of usage (Morse, 2003). With such high cellular usage already in place, the technology infrastructure for the next generation of applications will be much easier to plant than the initial entry of the PC. Because high-speed Internet access is inherent in this new family of products, the current divide should decline at a rather brisk pace over the next few years. It means that urban entrepreneurs will have the same tools as everyone else and are therefore well positioned to create economic opportunity (Morse, 2003).
If public policy were to focus on the development of entrepreneurs, particularly those in urban centres-and not just through tax incentives, but also through other kinds of strategic investments-it might well be able to reduce chronic urban unemployment (Morse, 2003).
The use of information technology in rural and underserved settings has the potential for improving the quality of life and reducing the digital divide. However, high costs coupled with infrastructure tend to weaken the advantages (Kanungo, 2004).
People in rural areas are especially disadvantaged in their uptake of information and communication technologies due to the fact that they are already at a disadvantage in terms of education, income and health. Countries such as the USA and New Zealand have begun programmes to deal with the issue of rural disadvantage with the focus on closing the digital divide (Cullen, 2003).
The main barriers that are present in physical access are the lack of telecommunication infrastructure with sufficient reliable band-width for Internet connections, and cost, the ability to purchase, rent, or travel to utilise without financial hardship, the necessary equipment. Infrastructure is essential for participation in this new information age (Cullen, 2003). Rapid advancements in mobile telephone technology is likely to improve Internet access to some rural areas but only those which are already better served in terms of land-line services and band-width. Rural areas remain outside normal mobile telephone service, and development of in these areas is considered more expensive (Cullen, 2003).
Kanungo, S. (2004) “On the emancipatory role of rural information systems�? Information Technology & People vol.17, iss. 4, pg. 407
Morse, S. (2003) “Internet for all�? Telephony vol. 244, iss. 14 pp 48
Cullen, R. (2003) “A global and national call to action�? The Electronic Library vol. 21, iss. 3, pp. 247
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