Dear All, The recent Leaders article "The real digital divide" (March 12, 2005) in The Economist contained factual errors and had controversial claims on the roles of mobile phones in 'Information and Communication Technologies for Development'.
Find below Panos London's response (edited) in The Economist. To read the unedited version, please go to: http://www.panos.org.uk/global/economist2.asp <http://www.panos.org.uk/global/economist2.asp> ******** SIR - Pushing for poor countries to open up their telecoms markets doesn't mean that the poor will automatically have access to a mobile network. Mobile providers also need incentives to roll out their services to rural and less profitable areas. For example, in Uganda, mobile-network providers cite a lack of infrastructure for not establishing services in some areas. The digital divide is no longer about whether or not a rural farmer has an online connection in his hut, but is part of the overall development divide: improving the quality of rural peoples' lives relies in part on access to, and the use of, new technologies to communicate. Basic infrastructure, such as proper roads and electricity, are required to make these technologies work. The actual divide is between those with this infrastructure, who can make use of digital technologies, and those without. Murali Shanmugavalen London http://www.economist.com/printedition/displayStory.cfm?Story_ID=3809611 ******** Murali Shanmugavelan Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Communication for Development Programme Panos Institute http://www.panos.org.uk 9, White Lion Street London N1 9PD, UK Tel: +44 (0)207 239 7608 (direct) Tel: +44 (0)207 278 1111(board) Fax: +44 (0)207 278 0345 Panos London stimulates informed and inclusive public debate around key development issues in order to foster sustainable development. We are working to promote an enabling media and communications environment worldwide.
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