Tackling the divide on the ground

Tackling the divide on the ground 

Broadcasting

Digital broadcasting is both an empowering technology and of the political barriers that sometimes is a main factor between the digital divide between the rich and the poor. Satellite broadcasting allows geographically remote areas to receive news and information that was not previously available. In rural Asia they used to have low quality terrestrial broadcasts provided on unreliable equipment, however now they have High quality sound and images and a range that was previously unimaginable. Densely populated cities, Jungles and mountains are all traversed better with wireless technology than with expensive cable.

Greater Bandwidth

• Signals broadcast digitally have the advantage of greater bandwidth than analog transmissions. High-definition television is only available with a signal that's broadcast digitally. This is not the only format supported by digital media. High-definition and standard-definition digital signals are broken up into one of five signal patterns to accommodate multiple aspect ratios. This translates to a crisper picture for the consumer, regardless of the size of his digital television.

Automatic Tuning

• A consumer need not worry finding the resolution that is appropriate for her television. Digital signals automatically tune to the proper format resolution. This alleviates consumer anxiety surrounding electronics. With the assurance that their television is going to work no matter what bandwidth their signal is working at, consumers are free to purchase for the aesthetic and technical value of the given television, whether that be plasma, LCD or others.

Multiple Reception Outlets

• There are multiple ways to receive a digitally broadcast signal. The most common way is through a cable connection commonly referred to as "digital cable." Users are also able to receive the signal via satellite with the use of a dish. Advances in technology have also allowed digital broadcasting to run through DSL Internet connections and through mobile phones. There are now many televisions built with this desire in mind, many including hookups to accommodate a computer-to-television entertainment systems.

http://www.ehow.com/list_5959086_advantages-digital-broadcasting.html

  Mobile phones

Mobile phones have helped poverty-stricken nations like rural Pakistan and Bangladesh because it allows people to stay in touch in remote locations. Furthermore the mobile phone users in Pakistan and Bangledesh will double next year outnumbering fixed-line customers for the first time and marking a new era of communications.

Governance

A main factor in the digital divide comes in the form of the government of the under-served countries.Studies show that over 40 per cent of the world population does not have the opportunity to learn how to use a computer.  For example the state is only telecommunication provider, charges monopoly prices for its services and prevents other organisations providing competitive services. Also importing hi tech technology causes problems like high tariffs and strict regulations. This is where a government strategy is needed to deal with this problem.  Successful strategies of this nature have occured in the United Arab Emirates and Afghanistan where they have set up a free trade zone which is encouraging ICT investment throughout the middel east, Asia and Africa.