Internet Connectivity and Closing the Digital Divide

Archived Topic Box from the 2005 Fifth Annual Benchmark Report

The rapid introduction of the Internet and various other Information & Communication Technologies (ICT) over the past decade has had a profound effect on modern society, changing the way we do business, interact with one another, and learn. The pace of this change has been phenomenal, especially when compared to the diffusion of many past communications technologies, with millions of people around the world now using the Internet on a daily basis from home, the office, or public access locations. While this spread has been rapid it certainly has not been equal across all countries, or even within all regions and groups in BC. In fact, BC, like many other jurisdictions has a "digital divide" meaning that there is a critical difference in access to information and opportunities for those who are connected to the Internet and those who are not.

The ability to access the Internet, specifically a high-speed efficient broadband connection, has gained substantial attention due to its importance in today's knowledge-based world where it is now a key link to great amounts of information and a multitude of services that can provide significant benefits to individuals and their communities. The economic benefits of Internet access are a key reason often cited for ensuring its widespread adoption. Broadband access allows businesses to compete efficiently in a technology intensive and highly competitive environment through using online procurement and e-commerce services, better communicating with customers and employees, accessing financial and other business services, and providing contact with markets beyond the immediate region. The economic effects of Internet access are especially important to ensure that businesses are able to survive in small remote communities with limited population bases, markets, business services and suppliers.

Internet access also has significant social benefits through providing essential services to the population. Through the Internet all BC residents can access extensive health care information, a service that is especially critical in remote communities where telehealth services can have a significant impact on the quality of medical treatment – treatment that might not otherwise be available in many communities. Also, Internet connections allow improved access to online information, training and education resources that allow residents to upgrade skills and improve employability without leaving their communities.

British Columbians are fortunate to live in the most connected province in the country in one of the most connected nations in the world. In 2003, 70.6% of all BC households reported access to the internet compared to 64.2% for Canada. Despite this superb performance on connecting the province's residents a geographical divide has persisted with many of BC's remote and rural communities still lacking broadband access. This divide has been well documented by the Premier's Technology Council in seven consecutive reports tracking the connectivity of BC's 366 communities (i.e., those with a public school, library or health care facility). In 2004, although 89% of British Columbians had broadband access, these residents lived in just over half of BC's communities. Fully, 151 communities do not have access, 76 of which were First Nations or communities in close proximity to First Nations.

The digital divide is expected to close soon as a result of a recent joint agreement between the provincial government and the private sector (with selected assistance from federal programs) to bring broadband access to all remaining communities by the end of 2006. Of these communities, close to 30 will be connected using digital and satellite based Internet connections, where these relatively new technologies are already allowing enhanced access to the Internet in areas where traditional fibre optic cable connections would be impossible to install or be cost prohibitive. These new technologies hold future promise in connecting more of BC's remote residents.

Closing the digital divide in BC is an important step for the survival of BC communities and the economic and social well-being of the province's residents – but there is room to improve access after this goal has been met. The term digital divide has come to be associated with regional or geographical disparities in Internet access but when first coined, the term referred to any and all barriers to access that meant some population groups had greater access to information and economic opportunities provided by the Internet than others. Using this definition, other access gaps that require attention – based on age, ethnicity, disability, income, education and gender – may exist in BC. For example, while 82% of British Columbians reported using the Internet in 2002, only 27% of those 55 and over did so. Similarly, education and income has a significant effect on usage patterns with 82% of those with a university degree using the Internet, while only 47% of those without do so. Similar differences can be found across income brackets, with higher incomes positively correlated with usage.

Sources: NetWork BC, (2005), Closing the Digital Divide for British Columbia Communities; Internet World Stats, The Digital Divide, ICT and the 50x15 Initiative; Premier's Technology Council (2005), 7th Report; Premier's Technology Council (2002), Premier's Technology Council Second Quarterly Report.