In this day and age, the hypothetical line between digital and physical worlds has ultimately vanished. As we proceed into a more interconnected and tech driven period of time, high speed internet access has transformed from a want to core human right. Without access to the internet, the assurance of equal chances and opportunities remains an unattainable ideal.
The Economic Cost of Being ‘Disconnected’
To not have access to the internet is to be economically imperceptible. Connectivity is no longer just about access to social media; it is the main infrastructure for economic engagement.
The Online Labor Market: Nowadays, the most sought after jobs are currently digital first. For individuals in remote or underprivileged regions, the internet is the only pathway to the worldwide talent pool. Without internet access, talent is thrown away and local economies stagnate.
Financial Jurisdiction: In this era, we are witnessing the end of physical cash in countless industries. Online banking and digital wallets provide the unbanked with the first taste of financial security, allowing them to attain fair wages, build credit and escape predatory local lending cycles.
Entrepreneurial Reach: Anyone in any rural village can now sell to a global audience; this is only achievable with a reliable, secure and fast network. Digital access democratizes the market places, stripping away traditional ‘gatekeeper’ barriers.
Why Policy Must Immediately Change
If we finally accept that medical care, academics and freedom of speech are basic human necessities, we must accept that digital access is the form of transportation through which these necessities are now delivered. When a government system or an economy fails to give out affordable broadband, they are effectively disenfranchising their people from the new modern world.
The digital divide is the new poverty line. To overcome it is to unlock the next wave of global innovation.
The aim is simple: universal, high quality and affordable connectivity. By treating the internet as a human right instead of a luxury good, we can reinsure that an individual’s economic potential is determined by their talent and drive, not by their proximity to a fiber optic cable.
