Digital Divide: A Phenomenon Shared by Some Countries of the World

Today, the technology sector has multiplied and transformed dramatically due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, there is still a gap in that stretch. That is why some organizations have conducted studies that indicate how much the investment must be to close it.

A recent report generated by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) investigates how the evolution of internet service has been in some nations. The study called "Digital Divide in Latin America and the Caribbean: Annual Report of the Broadband Development Index" reveals that the economy should be promoted by 7.7% and production should grow by 6.3%. In addition, $68,500 million is required to correct the gap, of which 59% should be set aside for connection improvements and 41% in rural areas.

On the other hand, the organism proposes growth in four areas, to be distributed in each region. These spaces are public policies, regulations, construction, applications, and training. That is why there are 26 nations that need a higher investment to achieve transformation. Brazil is the country that demands the most funding. Then there is Colombia, which wants an amount of $5,809,904,935 between mobile and fixed banking, delivering 41.3% in rural areas.

Global Ranking of the Internet Service Progress Index in Colombia

Colombia ranks 46th with 4.69% points, however, in the sub-index of public policies, it is in 51 places, with 4.34%. But, in the categorization of strategic regulations, it manages to place itself in rank 32, with 5.78%, achieving a good rating. In the construction sector, it dominates the 48th region, with 4.32%, and finally in the table of applications and training obtains the site 48, with 4.33%. Here are some investigations of other organisms that have the same result

Also read: HOW HAS THE PANDEMIC IMPACTED THE CREATIVE INDUSTRIES?

MinTIC Also Performs Its Analysis

Other studies were generated by the Ministry of Information Technologies and Communications (MinTIC) in Colombia at the end of 2020. They consider that the indices should be based on: material access, motivation, use, and digital skills. In addition, they reveal the evaluation in a thorough way and with different contexts, to manage the country's public policies.

World Economic Forum Connectivity Report

The document prepared by the Social Economic Council in March 2021 reveals the level of internet access in the world. It estimates that the connection in urban areas is two times greater than in rural areas, as is the gender gap. In addition, it shows that 55% of men have WiFi and only 48% of women use it. However, the difference in the least developed countries is more pronounced, that is, only 15% of women use it.

On the other hand, the financing and expansion of broadband have given great possibilities in affordability. However, there are still many challenges to be addressed in undeveloped countries. Technological and digital advances are often appropriate in nations with larger capitals. That is why the pandemic has strengthened the gap in digitized identity.

In definitive, the expansion and evolution of the development of connectivity, internet access, depends on global society. That is why the tools must be applied to achieve the purpose in a sustainable way.