The document discusses the digital divide between developed and developing countries in access to information and communication technologies (ICT). It shows that while access to both fixed-line and mobile technologies has increased significantly between 2007 and 2013, there remains a large gap between African and other developing nations and more developed regions. The document advocates for efforts to close this divide and leverage ICT to drive economic growth, education, and social inclusion. It outlines opportunities that increased ICT access in Zimbabwe could bring across sectors like health, transportation, government, and agriculture.
A Leap from Digital Divide to Digital Opportunities
1. A Leap from Digital Divide to
Digital Opportunities
Octavius Kahiya
+263 732 139 939
okahiya@telecelzim.co.zw
2. Scope of divide
Inequality in
terms of:
Evident within
same countries
More pronounced
Developed vs
Developing Countries
• Access
• Use
• Knowledge of ICT
• 30 % of Americans do not have broadband at
home (Pew internet and American Life Project Survey)
• 0nly 35% of Zimbabweans have access to the
internet (POTRAZ)
• IDI Rankings 2013: ITU
• South Korea ranked # 1 in the world Niger
ranked # 157, Zimbabwe ranked #115.
Zimbabwe ranked top 10 of most improved.
3. What is the IDI?
Composite measure of three clusters created by the UN-ITU
Access - captures ICT
readiness
Use - captures ICT
intensity
Skills - captures ICT
capability
Fixed-telephony
Internet users
Adult literacy
Mobile telephony
Fixed (wired)-broadband
Gross secondary
enrolment
International Internet
bandwidth
Mobile broadband
Gross tertiary enrolment
Households with
computers
Households with
Internet
5. Computers per 100 people
Fixed Subscriptions
2007*
2010^
2013*^
Africa
0.1%
0.2%
0.3%
Americas
10.9%
14.1%
17.1%
Arab States
0.9%
1.9%
3.3%
Asia & Pacific
3.2%
5.5%
7.6%
Commonwealth of Independent States
2.3%
8.2%
13.5%
Europe
18.4%
23.6%
27.0%
Mobile Subscriptions
2007*
2010^
2013*^
Africa
0.2%
1.8%
10.9%
Americas
6.4%
22.9%
48.0%
Arab States
0.8%
5.1%
18.9%
Asia & Pacific
3.1%
7.4%
22.4%
Commonwealth of Independent States
0.2%
22.3%
46.0%
Europe
14.7%
28.7%
67.5%
ITU 2013
6. An Illustration of the digital divide
“Our overall objective is to ensure universal access to the benefits of information
and communication technology – including for the two-thirds of the world's
population currently not on-line. A digital divide has no place in the information
age and 21st century knowledge economy. The management of information and
communication technology should be transparent, democratic and inclusive.“
Bin Ki Mon
7. Advantages of the Great Leap Forward:
1. Economic benefits of broadband for the European Commission’ there is a
consensus that a 10% increase in broadband penetration results in an
increase in GDP growth of between 0.9% and 1.5%
2. Engine of economic growth and development
Improves education and skills
Increased employment opportunity
Increased efficiencies
3. Improves educational and economic prospects
Harnessing ICT improves competitiveness, development, employment
and well-being
4. Allows rapid dissemination of information
5. Enhances social transparency
6. Lower socio-economic groups will get an opportunity to reduce
marginalisation and social exclusion
Research by Analysis Mason
8. We can make history!
IDI going up
for past 2
years
We have the
momentum
High
literacy
Digital
Natives
9. How
Policy Makers
Policy Direction and Legislation
Privacy and Security
Build infrastructure
Ensure access to technology
Encourage Innovation
Develop Human Capital
Ensure affordability
Businesses
Strengthen and renew core capabilities to prosper in
an all-digital world.
Develop deep analytic skills - as segments get smaller -Its now
1 to 1.
Ensure investments are clearly aligned with consumer shifts.
Behaviour shifts - for many big TMT players, if you can’t
connect with Millennials, you’ll
probably be out of business in ten years.
Implement the
ICT Policy that
has been in the
Offing for long
10. What Are the players Doing
Internet
penetration
rates in
Zimbabwe
Lowered
have moved
the cost of from 0.4% in
Sim Cards 2000 to 35%
in 2013
(Potraz)
Telecel has
increased 2G &
3G coverage
throughout
Zimbabwe
• 2G Population
coverage of 87%
still growing
• 3G Population
coverage of 52%
still growing
Providing 3G
enabled
handsets on
credit
Reduced
pricing of USB
modems to
the level of
subsidising
customers.
11. What Opportunities are there
1. Health – Reducing infant mortality & the personal health attendant
2. Air Travel – Self Check in
3. Inner City Public Transport – Swipe and Board (new business Model)
12. What Opportunities are there
E-Government – Pensioners Case study
Tourism – Use of Bank cards for hotel Check Booking.
Agriculture – The milking Parlor
14. The social front
The unregulated journalist
The digital era is here
Children born in this era
are the “millennials”
Cyber Vices
to
Cyber parenting skills
“Breaking: Two explosions
in the White House and
Barack Obama is injured”.
Impact on Dow Jones
