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Rich-poor "digital divide" still broad, says UNCTAD
07 февраля 2008 |
The digital divide between rich and poor countries is narrowing as mobile phones and Internet use become more available, but the developing world still lags far behind, a United Nations report said on Wednesday.
The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) said mobile phone subscribers have almost tripled in developing countries over the last five years, and now make up some 58 percent of mobile subscribers worldwide.
"In Africa, where the increase in terms of the number of mobile phone
subscribers and penetration has been greatest, this technology can
improve the economic life of the population as a whole," it said.
The report said mobile phones were the main communication tool for
small businesses in developing countries, reducing costs and increasing
the speed of transactions.
"Mobile telephony provides market information for, and improves the
earnings of, various communities, such as the fishermen of Kerala, the
farmers of Rajasthan, the rural communities in Uganda, and the small
vendors in South Africa, Senegal and Kenya," it said.
Internet use and penetration continue to increase worldwide but
developed countries still account for the majority of Internet users
and have the highest penetration.
"In 2002, Internet availability in developed countries was 10 times
higher than in developing countries; in 2006, it was 6 times higher,"
the report said.
Developed countries also continue to lead Internet subscriptions
worldwide, and the gap in terms of Internet broadband penetration has
widened since 2002, it said.
UNCTAD said the revolution in information and communication technology
was spreading to the developing world but said more had to be done to
make sure poorer countries reaped its opportunities in growth and
development.
Among its recommendations were that countries invest more in human
capital and infrastructure and better regulation of cyber laws.
Источник: Reuters
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