Growing Global Rift in ICT Access

Nearly one billion people still lack access to any type of information and communication technologies (ICT), leading to their exclusion from the global digital revolution and the vast array of Internet resources.

This divide is mainly predominant in developing countries, particularly in the Arab world, where less than 10% of the population have access to computers, thus limiting the competitiveness and economic vitality of the Arab region.

Factors that have contributed to this divide include lack of broadband, high cost of connectivity, poverty, illiteracy, lack of technology awareness, poor policy frameworks, and limited availability of locally relevant content.

Recently, advances in ICT infrastructure development and increased global competition have contributed to a significant spread of affordable ICT resources and connectivity services.

Despite this progress, existing ICT business models will remain inadequate to tackle future challenges and global development goals, without greater attention to business models that include corporate social responsibility as a component.