World connectivity is now at 57% or about 3/5 of the entire world, the United Nations reported. While many people are keen on bashing the seemingly slow progress of getting the rest of the world into the Internet fold, data from different global monitoring agencies paint a different picture.
For instance, CBS reported that consultancy firm IDC showed that the telecom sector was worth $1.67 trillion and growth has been at a steady 2% per year. This is largely driven by expansion in China and emerging markets. For 2015, global IT and telecom spending is expected to grow by 3.8% for a total of $3.8 trillion.
Additionally, the International Telecommunications Union projects that at the end of the year, mobile subscriptions will soon match the entire global population, reaching somewhere in the 7.1 billion mark. However, reports are inconsistent as European mobile operators have been experiencing a decline in revenues in the past years.
For the least developed nations, access to the Internet is absolutely necessary. "It is increasingly vital to extend access to digital education services, new capabilities, culture, entertainment, healthcare, financial and commercial services, along with training and education," according to the UN report.
"An 'information revolution' is needed to help inform and improve policy-making. Public and private sectors must work together in close partnership to achieve broadband for all," the report adds. To address this, the UN summit in New York this week will tackle the 2030 Agenda which includes Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Part of the SDGs is the opening up of Internet corridors to accelerate development.
"The 2030 Agenda recognizes the power of new technologies to accelerate human progress, to bridge the digital divide, to develop knowledge societies - we must do everything to support States in reaching these goals, especially developing States," Irina Bokova, director-general of the UN Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
Rappler reported that there are 48 recognized least developed countries or LDCs by the UN and these are the states that require assistance in the creation of Internet infrastructures. It is estimated that 90% of the people in the LDCs have zero internet connectivity.
It is important to note that the initiative to bring the Internet to LDCs has already been started by the private sector, most notably Facebook and SpaceX founder Elon Musk, who would like to use solar-powered drones and small satellites respectively to bring broadband to the rest of the world.
What are your thoughts on the progress of bringing the benefits of the Internet to 4 billion people around the globe? Share this article if you think that the public and private sectors, as well as private citizens, can do something about this critical issue.
