This report reviews basic facts about ICT access and use, examines approaches to the problems, and provides an extensive list of resources for further information. It reflects on what is working best and what is failing—and why. It illustrates the key elements necessary for integrating technology into society in an effective, sustainable way so that people can put technology to use to improve their lives: what we call “real access” to technology. Originally published in 2001, this bridges.org seminal piece continues to be cited as one of the most influential reports in the field.

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Table of contents

Executive Summary
1 Introduction

1.1 The fervour about the digital divide
1.2 What is the real problem?
1.3 Why another report on the digital divide?
1.4 Our Suggestions For What Is Needed

2 International and Domestic Digital Divides

2.1 What Are We Measuring?
2.2 Disparities in ICT Use Between Countries – the International Divide
2.3 Disparities Within Countries – Domestic Divides
2.4 The Future of Digital Divides
2.5 Analysis
2.6 What Knowledge is Missing?

3 Studies And Recommendations

3.1 Who is Measuring Digital Divides?
3.2 Who is Recommending New Policies and Programs?
3.3 Directing Scarce Resources to Move Beyond Studies

4 On the Ground Efforts to Bridge the Digital Divide

4.1 Initiatives
4.2 Understanding the Initiatives
4.3 Drawing Out Lessons and Best Practices

5 Policy and Digital Divides

5.1 Policy Goals (Perspectives)
5.2 Summary of Relevant Policies
5.3 Current and Planned Policies
5.4 Analysis
5.5 What is Missing?

6 Conclusions
Annexes (attached separately)
1. Perspectives on the Digital Divide
2. Statistics Used to Measure the Digital Divide
3. Reports Measuring the Digital Divide
4. On the Ground Initiatives in the Developing World
5. Relevant Policies
6. Policy Organizations – Key to Abbreviations
7. Measuring Policy: Aggregated Data from the World Bank
8. Case Study: South African Telecommunications Policy
9. Other Resources
10. Bibliography