Whereas the radio did not reach mass media status for 38 years, and television required 13 years, the Internet soared from obscurity to 50 million users in just four years. By 1998 there were an estimated 143 million Internet users, with numbers expected to exceed 700 million by this year. Some 88% of all users in 1998 lived in industrial countries, home to less than 15% of the world's people. The U.S. has more computers than the rest of the world combined, and over 100 million Internet users."
But developing countries are not exactly conveniently blind to the advantages of the Internet. Some less-developed nations are trying hard to keep pace with technological advancement and have been seeking ways to provide greater Internet access to their people. India is one such country that may not be able to compete with U.S. And Europe both economically and technologically but is making serious effort to create greater Internet awareness. The country is highly favorable to the growth of Internet because of strong commitment to technological advancement by businesses and government.
In India, only the more educated urban class enjoys unlimited access to the Internet. We feel that the main reason why more people haven't yet been connected is because of the availability of telephone lines and poor electricity system. "Inadequate Internet and telephone connectivity to India's rural areas, where more than 70% of India's population lives,...
While people are being taught computers on a reasonable scale in the villages, they have yet to enjoy uninterrupted power supply. India is known for its power supply problems, which only adds to the existing problem of computer training in rural areas. The country needs to resolves these issues while addressing the problem of Internet access in order to minimize the digital divide.
References
1) Koss, Fabian a., Children falling into the digital divide. Journal of International Affairs; 9/22/2001;
2) Sonia Arrison, What Digital Divide: March 13, 2002: retrieved online on 4th September 2004: http://news.com.com/2010-1071-858537.html
3) John Ribeiro, India tackles the digital divide: IDG News Service, Bangalore Bureau 14th May, 2002: retrieved online on 4th September 2004 http://www.itworld.com/Tech/2987/020514digitaldivide/
