Reader Response Draft Two

In “World wakes up to digital divide”, Wakefield (2010) asserts that digital divide is a worldwide issue. Research by International Telecommunications Union (ITU) states that digital divide within a country correlates with its economic status. To solve this issue, governments of poorer countries have built infrastructure to introduce network for less developed areas. Digital divide not only exists in developing countries but also in developed countries. Accordingly to New America Foundation’s (NAF) study, disparity exist in America where only a significantly small proportion of native Americans use internet. However, it has shown that internet not only help minorities keep alive their culture, but also improve their standard of living. Through the study, that there is a need for a change in strategy to resolve the problem of digital divide, giving the example that America should be the role model where technologies are taught how to use rather then simply providing them.

In the article, Wakefield (2008) gave examples of success in the Wi-fi Villages in Hungary, but also mentioned the concerns that the technology could be too advance for the villagers. This was also my concern when I first came across the term “Wi-fi villages” in the article.  The government has attempted to solve the digital divide by providing Wi-fi infrastructure and the cheaper computers. However, it is questionable that this strategy could holistically resolve the issue of digital divide. According to Fink and Kenny (2003), digital divide is not just because people do not have access to technology, but is also due to the differences in ability to use, actual usage and impact of usage (Beltran & Fontenay, 2008). The government seems to overlook the gap in the people’s ability to use Wi-fi technology by just simply providing technology and expect that people would reap the benefits of the technology.

In my opinion, there are barriers to overcome before people can fully utilize the technology. Firstly, it would language barriers. The Government is targeting villagers living below the poverty line, many villagers could be illiterate and require education. Also, poverty would be barrier. Even though the government is providing cheaper computers to cater to the needs of poor people, it is unlikely that the villagers whom have difficulties making ends meet would splurge on computers which may not necessary improve their lives. As a result, even with access to Wi-fi technology, the villagers may not have the ability to use. Therefore, perhaps the government should consider the correlation between digital divide and the economic status mentioned by ITU and the nib the problem at its buds by resolving the issue of poverty first.

We have to acknowledge that there will always be a digital divide and the role of the government would be to narrow it. Even though the villagers may not utilise Wi-fi like a city dweller, it can still be incorporated into their lives. After the implementation of the technology, the government has to ensure that it is fully utilise, and not become a white elephant infrastructure. Even though improving connectivity in the rural villages would naturally lead to comparative advantage and attract foreign investments, villages may not be knowledgeable in incorporating technology into their businesses. The government would still have to aid the process of integrating technology in to the lives of the villagers and not just stop at the implementation. This would ensure that there is actual usage of the technology. One interesting success in Africa was how technology improved the lives of previously marginalised villages and improved their lives significantly. African farmers were able to consult experts on their crop failure and with the advises they saved their crops and livelihood (Treisman, 2014). As long as there is actual usage and the people are able to feel the impact after using technology, the divide of actual usage and impact of usage could be narrowed.

I feel that the government’s “Wi-fi villages” can be successful even though the technology may be too advance for the villagers. The government had taken the first step to provide the technology and with policies to educate the villagers, they could harness the technology to improve their lives:)