BROADBAND ACCESS

By Claire Daniolou

October 30, 2020

As psychologists review Maslow’s outdated “Hierarchy of Needs” model, they seem to redefine the sense of connection as a basic survival instinct. With about 59% of the global population having access to the internet by the spring of 2020, there does not exist a more useful tool to satisfy the need for global connection than the digital world. But how does this affect the percentage of the population that do not have online access? Especially in the time of crisis, such as the COVID-19 one, during which most functions of the everyday life were digitalised, do the areas and the people without internet access have equal opportunities for economic and cultural growth or are they deprecated with their voices and rights being, simply, ignored? 

Effects

Broadband can overcome the boundaries set by physical location and bring together people, places, and business from all over the world. Rural areas have local products, perceptions, languages, and traditions that can offer great diversity and uniqueness to online markets and discussions. However, issues such as isolation can prevent such cultures from being recognised by the rest of the world, a problem that is known as the “rural penalty”. Broadband (BB) can be used to alleviate this penalty, but lack of access to BB usually amplifies it. Therefore, the issue of “digital divide” is born, meaning the gap of communication created between the part of the world that uses the internet and the part that does not. Rural areas that belong in the second category tend to have larger populations with lower levels of educational attainment, lower income, and more restricted access to healthcare and travel services. 

Actions

Several government, non-government, and academic organisations are taking action to provide broadband and technology education to remote areas. Numerous studies have shown that internet access has a positive effect on the economy, the businesses, the education, the health, and the overall well-being of rural areas. For example, the academic GoGlobal initiative has introduced e-commerce models to developing countries, boosting their international business appearance and confidence. The EU examines digital strategies across Europe to ensure such beneficial results for all parties. As technology develops, ways to realise rural internet connectivity develops with it, thus rendering the need to study the outcomes of connecting a rural area online.

Results

Broadband enables fast and efficient communication with anyone from around the globe. Much like through travelling, people can exchange ideas and experiences, learn from one another and form friendships without ever having to pay travel tickets.

Online communication can also be used in cases of emergency to alleviate the distance between the people in need and the ones who can help, in cases of physical or emotional crisis. 

One of the main advantaged of the Internet is the access it provides to organised information. From a single google search to mobile libraries, broadband users can learn about science, news, fashion, politics etc. without any restrictions. Therefore, the digital world provides open access to education, impacting social inclusion and human development.

The Internet also plays an imperative role in the business world. Whether it is used in local shops, the tourism industry, design, or farming, online presence has the ability to help a business thrive, increase individual incomes, and ameliorate the overall quality of life of the workers. 

Dangers

On the other hand, as is the case with any powerful tool, the Internet can do more harm than good if misused. Online information can be misleading, so without a critical thinking, parts of the digital population can be manipulated. Cultural heritage diversity can be susceptible to fading into a globally endorsed culture, stripped from all uniqueness. In extreme cases, even violence and domestic terrorism may be promoted. 

Areas that lack internet connectivity are excluded from the global community, hence suffer from the effects of social marginalisation. There are increasing efforts to offer broadband access to rural areas and strengthen the international network with rapid technological developments taking place. However, not having access to the internet connectivity is not the only issue. Technological illiteracy can be even more harmful than no internet at all, therefore access to broadband must be provided with proper education on how to use it.