Over
60 per cent of the people in the Asia-Pacific region live in rural
areas. The rural population tends to be poor, neglected and
marginalized groups of society. In comparison to urban areas,
the accessibility and availability of information and communications
technology (ICT) is significantly lower in rural areas. Government
and the private sector do not invest much in infrastructure
development for ICT in rural areas, as it is not cost-effective. In
case infrastructure is available, rural communities cannot afford to
purchase needed communications equipment such as telephones, radios
and computers or pay for connectivity to the Internet. Low
affordability and connectivity and the lack of awareness regarding
the use of these technologies, have greatly contributed to the
growing rural-urban digital divide.
Over
60 per cent of the people in the Asia-Pacific region live in rural
areas. The rural population tends to be poor, neglected and
marginalized groups of society. In comparison to urban areas,
the accessibility and availability of information and communications
technology (ICT) is significantly lower in rural areas. Government
and the private sector do not invest much in infrastructure
development for ICT in rural areas, as it is not cost-effective. In
case infrastructure is available, rural communities cannot afford to
purchase needed communications equipment such as telephones, radios
and computers or pay for connectivity to the Internet. Low
affordability and connectivity and the lack of awareness regarding
the use of these technologies, have greatly contributed to the
growing rural-urban digital divide.
