by zackrspv

Created on: May 24, 2008

Using the exact definition of the digital divide, it is clear to see that it is actually narrowing. As more countries and geographic areas of the world gain more access to the internet and digital devices, as well as global coverage for digital networks, the number of users is increasing significantly. Let us use the information at: http://www.internetworldstats.com/stats.htm as an example of this premise.

Generally speaking, the use and access to the global internet has increased, for North America, by a rate of 128% between the dates of 2000 and 2008. Globally, this accounts for 17.5% of worldwide traffic. As the increase is actually above 100%, and not stagnated (meaning below 100%), one can say the gap is indeed narrowing.

Let us take a look at the overall usage increase. According to the site, the world access to the global internet has increased by 290% over the 8 year period of 2000 to 2008. Divided by 8, simply that's an annual increase of 36.25% per year. Now, granted, that is a very basic calculation, but it does show that, on average, the access to the global internet is increasing. And thus, using the definition of the digital divide, it is clear to see that it is narrowing.

How can we further support these numbers and justify the statement? Several companies, IBM, most notably, have invested millions if not billions into the affordable laptop. The $100 laptop has been deployed around the world, both to third world countries, as well as to mainline areas as well. This increases the access of world users alone. Secondly, with thousands of telecommunications agencies upgrading their antiquated equipment from analog radio systems to digital fiber based and line based methods, the global coverage of digital networks is also increase.

It wasn't long ago, for example, that you could not use a tri-band phone in the united states. Due to the limitations of the digital network, the frequencies used to access the tri-band service were simply no available. With the advance of digital technology stateside, the use of tri and quad-band cell phones became possible. Now, with the advent of 3G technology, which, while it's days are numbered until a new network can be established, and the addition of large area digital internet access networks via cell phone technology, more users are becoming increasingly able to access the global internet from any location, not just their homes.

Technically speaking, the global definition of the digital divide is going to have to change

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