Reducing the Digital Divide: A Critical Focus

This paper examines the developmental divide manifested in the digital divide between the North and the South and indeed within regions and countries. We suggest that the most fundamental problem preventing a reversal of the divide is access, exacerbated by the widespread low levels of skills and knowledge in poor countries. In addition, industry stands to lose considerable benefit from the poor communication infrastructure that characterizes developing countries. The paper suggests a number of policy and institutional directions for bridging the digital divide.