Introduction
The digital divide refers to the gap between those with access to technology and those without access. This divide worsens inequality between those who have access to the internet versus those who don’t in a wide variety of ways. This can manifest in terms of a lack of job opportunities or being unable to access essential government services such as benefits.
Mobile technology can help to bridge the gap. Smartphones are more accessible and less expensive to obtain and connect to the internet than traditional desktop computers and laptops.
This article focuses on the idea that the increased use of mobile technology is helping to bridge the digital divide.
Understanding the Digital Divide
Several factors combine to create the “digital divide.” The variance in the availability of high-quality internet access in some more rural areas indicates an inherent urban/rural divide.
There is also a generational divide, with many older people who didn’t grow up with the internet missing out on being connected. Many more elderly people don’t see the point of the internet and actively choose to exclude themselves from its use.
Socio-economic factors can also come into play, with some people simply unable to afford a desktop or laptop computer. This keeps people stuck in poverty, as they are unable to access the opportunities offered by technology. They can’t apply for jobs as easily, and because they lack technological skills, they are already behind in the modern job market.
When people are excluded digitally, all of the advances made in recent years don’t reach them. Banking and paying bills are more difficult and time-consuming, educational resources are more difficult to access, and job opportunities are harder to come by.
Digital inclusion touches on many facets of modern life, and this is why advancements in mobile technology are so important.
The Growing Impact of Mobile Technology
Smartphone usage is growing at an incredible rate, and between 2024 and 2029, it is forecast to rise by 1.7 billion users, according to Statista. The increased proliferation of smartphones globally can be shown to be of true significance when looked at alongside the growth in mobile internet usage worldwide. Mobile internet data usage is rising at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 4.28%, with the value of mobile data set to be US$758.2bn by 2028 .
Mobile Technology as a Tool for Bridging the Divide
The uptake of new mobile technologies will be the key factor in helping to close the digital divide, and MTN, which is the largest mobile network in Africa has been transforming communications infrastructure.
A partnership with BOSS Revolution allows users to recharge MTN accounts with credit directly from a smartphone app or through their mobile-optimized website. BOSS Revolution is one of the companies that also offers easy international money transfers. From 20th to 25th December, they will waive their fee for those sending money internationally. Users can enter the code JOY when they check out to activate this deal, covering two transactions.
Mobile networks like MTN have made connecting to internet services easier for remote areas. Their fast connectivity has allowed areas traditionally ignored by telecom companies to achieve stable internet connections.
Smartphones are much less expensive to produce than traditional computers. Even some of the more basic smartphone models can have functionality that allows for successful internet browsing, communication apps, mobile top-ups, and money transfers.
Modern money transfer technologies have made it much easier for people who have moved to other countries to send money home quickly and reliably, with fees that are lower than they have ever been. More innovation is expected to decrease fees further in the future, and this can only help close the digital divide.
When there is a genuine use case for new technology, more people of all ages will be willing to learn. International financial technology companies are proving that their services can make a real economic difference and allow the diaspora to send remittances home.
Successful Cases
Many countries around the world are doing what they can to tackle the digital divide. South Korea has increased investment in science and technology studies to equip more of its population with the digital skills they need.
The United Kingdom has a similar program which aims to help its citizens acquire the digital skills they need to thrive. There is also significant infrastructure investment in fiber broadband, which is helping to tackle the urban/rural aspect of the divide.
Many of the larger technology companies have also embraced the challenges. Microsoft and Google both have their own programs and collaborations with governments in the works to further this aimrt.
Future Prospects
One of the most exciting developments in the battle to close the digital divide has been SpaceX’s Starlink technology, which is helping to provide internet in more remote areas at a reasonable cost. Innovations like this and continued progress with money transfer and mobile top-up apps will also help to close the digital divide.
The “Internet of Things” innovation brings technology into the home in less obvious and obtrusive ways than with a computer. We are reaching a stage where apps can control homes, and this can be a way to show a use case to people who are skeptical about using a smartphone.
Conclusion
The digital divide is real and has a tangible impact on the life chances of many worldwide. Tackling some of the root causes of the divide will help to further drive uptake for mobile smartphones. The advent of faster and more reliable internet solutions has made it possible for people to connect to smartphones and the internet, no matter where they are.
Accessing all that the internet offers, including educational courses, job vacancies, and knowledge on a wide range of subjects, can help brighten people’s outlook on life and increase their prospects dramatically. New technologies such as Starlink will prove to be instrumental as we map out the digital future.
