2023-09-18 09:24:00
Internet for everyone? Today, this remains a dream that seems unattainable. According to a recent study by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), a third of the world’s population, or 2.6 billion people, remains without Internet access. Small reason for satisfaction: in one year, around 100 million additional people have had access to the Web. That said, more will be needed to completely eradicate digital deserts by 2030, as the UN wishes.
This Sunday, the United Nations Broadband Commission called on States and operators to mobilize more. The challenge is first of all to provide accessible and inexpensive Internet everywhere across the globe. But also to provide training so that the populations “have the skills and knowledge to use this connectivity”. To achieve its goals, the commission calls for “a high-level public-private partnership, which encourages digital cooperation”.
Many obstacles
“We must build a digital future that is inclusive, affordable, sustainable, secure and people-centered,” said Carlos Slim, the commission’s co-chair. There should be no digital desert in the world, and no one should be excluded from connectivity. People have the right to enjoy a safe, productive and affordable online experience. Broadband should improve everyone’s quality of life. »
Digital exclusion actually has consequences for education, employment and economic development. It contributes to further widening inequalities. Two main obstacles are holding back progress: populations that are still not connected are also the hardest to reach and there are difficulties in moving from simple access to regular and easy access. Other obstacles are often underestimated such as connection speeds that are too slow, prices that are too high for equipment and subscriptions, lack of digital culture or even cultural and language barriers, but also gender discrimination and sometimes simple lack of access to electricity.
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