Digital divide: Improving Internet access in the developing world through affordable services and diverse content

In a recent paper, Darrell West examines some of the economic and political factors that prevent an estimated 4.2 billion people from accessing the Internet. Policies to mitigate the digital divide:

1. Zero rating services: A lack of disposable income is a major factor that prevents many from gaining Internet access. Users must also pay for data in addition to the cost of a device. Zero rating services circumvent this barrier by providing access to applications that have no associated data costs.
2. Reducing Taxes: Several countries have “connectivity taxes” on mobile and fixed Internet connections. These taxes drive up costs for consumers, which can make the Internet unaffordable for many families.
3. Diversifying content: English is the primary language of the Internet. This excludes millions of educated people who could use the Internet if content were available in their native tongue. Expanding the type of content on the Internet would also increase its attractiveness for people around the world.