Another week ends, and we have yet another study into the size of the digital divide. First there was the Economist Intelligence Unit report saying that in global terms the divide has decreased. Then we had the European Commission saying the divide had increased within Europe. Now we have Ofcom saying that the digital divide within the UK is narrowing.
The Ofcom study was geographical, looking at differences between the UK's four nations. Their 'narrowing' announcement is based on the fact that Northern Ireland seems to be catching up with the other nations in terms the number of the number of homes with broadband and digital TV.
The gap in broadband take-up between first and last was reduced from 12 percentage points in 2005 to 3 points in 2006:
England 45%, Scotland 42%, Wales 42%, NI 42%
The gap in digital TV take-up is down from 19 to 13 points, with Wales still in front:
Wales 82%, Scotland 76%, England 75%, NI 69%
Congratulations to Northern Ireland, but also to Wales... which was also found to have more WiFi access points per person than the US, Japan and Germany.
It's possible all three studies (Ofcom, Commision, EIU) are correct. However, if I had to say which was the most significant and worthy of serious consideration, I'd have to say it was the negative one - the Commission findings that the divide is growing in Europe.
RB
Friday, 25 May 2007
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2 comments:
Why believe in the EU report over the others????? not explained
It's not that I believe this one more. They are probably all true. And I know the Commission probably has an interest in talking up the divide to make the case for them getting more powers, but I think their study has more policy relevance.
The global divide is obviously enormous. So big that just having a few more mobile phone masts in Africa seems like a big reduction - so I don't think the Economist report is really describing a big policy success as it seems to be.
In Europe we are looking at high income countries pulling away from middle income countries. This is a worry - these countries should have the infrastructure to be making more progress than they are.
As for the Ofcom study, some of the detailed findings are so confusing that I can't find much of a theme to it at all. If you read the full report, let me know if you can.
RB
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