THE GLOBAL DIGITAL DIVIDE An overview of the uneven way in which technology drives globalisation and global interactions

TECHNOLOGY & GLOBALISATION Information & communications technology (ICT) is a key driver of globalisation Along with other factors and forces, such as international organisations and TNCs, ICT helps build connectivity

GLOBAL INTERNET UPTAKE The internet has really taken off since the 1990s It is the latest in a long history of communications Two-thirds of people in rich countries have home internet access; in Africa it is around one in a hundred Sweden is the most connected country in the world; Chad is the least

BUILDING A GLOBAL NETWORK The internet’s global networks relies on the use of undersea cables Fibre optic cables carry enormous amounts of data But they are vulnerable to ocean hazards… …including shark attacks! (no-one really knows why)

INTERNET & INTERACTIONS The internet allows or assists with different types of global flow and global interactions: Tourism (visitors investigate destinations online and book flights using the internet) TNCs (different offices can keep in touch) Diaspora (global ethnic groups, like people of Irish descent, can keep in touch online) Entertainment (globally popular websites like YouTube and downloads of music) Community (networking sites like Facebook) Human rights (upheld by online campaigns)

A RECENT INTERNET “SUCCESS STORY” Until recently, east Africa lacked broadband Now a new 10,625-mile undersea cable has been laid by Seacom The new cable links South Africa, Tanzania, Kenya & Uganda with London, Marseille and Mumbai It could help bring call centre businesses to Kenya

GLOBAL MOBILE UPTAKE (1) Since 2004, mobile ownership in African countries has tripled Around 30% of Africans own a mobile This technology has leapfrogged landlines which have still not been introduced to many regions

GLOBAL MOBILE UPTAKE (2) In Asia, mobile uptake is even higher In Bangladesh, 50 million people are mobile users (30%) In India, 500 million people are users (around 50%) 20 million Indians have mobile internet access

GLOBAL MOBILE UPTAKE (3) In Asia and Africa mobiles help people to: Stay in touch with migrant family members Send or receive money vouchers Find out the latest market prices for their crops Learn new skills

THE GLOBAL DIGITAL DIVIDE Photograph and image credits: Geography in the News, Simon Oakes, ydhsu (flickr), suneko (flickr)