Closing Europe’s digital divide

08/12/15 • Kategória: All,English,Research

When it comes to the digital divide, Europe is a mixed bag. Within the EU boundary, Denmark enjoys the highest broadband penetration in the world (37%), whereas Bulgaria has broadband penetration on a par with Botswana (about 8%). In economics, they say a rising tide lifts all ships, but when it comes to information and communications technology (ICT), some of the ships need a bit of assistance. Governments cannot assume that falling computer and broadband prices will eventually lead to universal usage. They need to actively ensure that all of its citizens—including the elderly, the disabled and the poor—have an equal opportunity to join the “information society”. The risks of not being part of that society are much greater today than they were ten years ago. People who do not have access to a computer or the Internet are much more likely to be socially and economically excluded.

In 2006, the EU acknowledged the importance of electronic inclusion (“e-inclusion”) and, under the auspices of the Riga ministerial declaration, committed to halving the digital divide by 2010. Today, there are several hundred government supported e-inclusion programmes across Europe. While progress in some quarters has been patchy, others have been more successful. The main question for government is how to design and implement programs to ensure they work effectively. Here are some of the lessons learned so far:

Know your audience. Even the best technology will fail if the audience’s needs and fears are not properly addressed.
Develop infrastructure. There is no point teaching people to use the Internet if access is hard to come by.
Be imaginative with funding. For example, the Portuguese government used the money they raised from auctioning “third generation” (3G) licences to telecommunications companies to fund a national e-inclusion project.
Raise awareness. Not everyone is aware of the benefits that ICT can bring. To overcome resistance, it is important to sell the benefits of technology.
Work with established groups. Partner with local groups and make use of their knowledge of the target audience.
Co-ordinate. E-inclusion projects often involve manifold companies and government departments and require careful co-ordination and frequent communication.
Train and support. One-on-one training, in the person’s home, is often the most effective form of training. On-going support is also crucial for maintaining momentum.
Measure. Without a yardstick for success, it is hard to make the case for additional funds or future projects.
Look ahead. Be aware of trends, such as the rapid uptake of the mobile Internet, and consider the impact on current projects.