Digital Divide Growing?

Internet is dividing rich and poor - vnunet.com Well, this is a depressing trend, if it proves out as it seems it will...it seems that the very tool that is lacking for those on the short end of the Digital Divide - Internet Access - is now being used by those on the "have" side to select neighborhoods, which sociologists fear will lead to a decline in mixed income neighborhoods, and more physical separation of "haves" and "have-nots." The report looks at the effect of Internet-based Neighborhood Information Systems (IBNIS), software tools that allow people to select an area to live in based on such neighborhood qualities as schools, housing and income profiles of residents.

In a sense, its not surprising that those with tools will use them to better their situation and improve their odds. In the face of such rational behavior, it would seem that the best way to counter this trend would be to get more people on the Internet. Municipal Network, anyone?

Posted on August 24, 2005 at 10:26 AM | Comments (0)

Digital Divide Perspectives: "Let them eat cake?"

Civitium's Weblog: Low-income = Low-value? When told that the peasants were starving in the streets of Paris, Queen Marie Antoinette is supposed to have said, "Let them eat cake!" This quote has become a poster child of indifference to the plight of the masses. As I read the Civitium blog by Greg Richardson and Philadelphia CIO Dianah Neff's response, I couldn't help but think of the parallels between the disconnect of the incumbent telecom companies, who have enjoyed regulated monopoly status for over 100 years, and that historic disconnect that led to the queen losing her head in the ensuing days of the French Revolution.

Richardson and Neff opine on the real perspective of telecom incumbents with regard to bringing broadband to the public in this blog, with shocking quotes on how SBC views the developing broadband market. High-speed access for the "high value" customers and low-to-no access for "low value" customers. Using the words of the incumbents themselves, these informed commenters define why public broadband initiatives are needed in this market.

Posted on July 17, 2005 at 10:45 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

Digital Divide: Community Wireless Resources

One of the most compelling aspects of wireless broadband technology is its potential to bring affordable high-speed Internet access to communities, both rural and urban, where there have been no affordable alternatives before.

This section will explore the issue that has been termed the "Digital Divide," where humanity becomes divided into those who have acccess to digital technologies, and those who don't. What is the role of government to provide for those who lack what is becoming a vital resource?

The Center for Neighborhood Technology has an answer to that question. Government should step up and provide help. The website Wireless Community Networks describes what this group is doing in the city of Chicago.

This recently launched website, Community Internet takes the position that high-speed access to the Internet is a community resource that should be available to all at an affordable price - not unlike the position taken with voice telphony when federal and state regualtors promoted Universal Service, creating a fund to ensure that everyone could have a telephone. We're not there yet with wireless broadband, but this group, also in America's heartland, is pushing in that direction.

Posted on May 25, 2005 at 04:24 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack