As part of my eLearing assignment this week on Internet Governance there is a debate sparked about how to bridge the divide of having “Internet access”. I’ve been giving this a few moments of my time, and will use this entry, and comments on it/follow up posts, as part of my gaining of insight into the sub-subject of having Internet access.

Many countries have defined Internet access as an fundamental right, but they have, cleverly, not defined ‘how’ this access should be provided for, and if it is to cost their population money.

So, how does people get online in todays world?
In many countries basic Internet access is first established through the use of an mobile browser on ones cellphone.

After this, many, many, many people have access to the Internet through Internet cafés in their local community or through educational institutions or work.

Thirdly, residential Internet access is spreading in all parts of the world, with Europe, the Pacific region of Asia and the northern parts of America as the head of the pack.

Finding a solution that globally defines “basic Internet access” or “Internet access” is key to being able to bridge this divide for the future generations. To make that happen, we need the nations of the world to unite under a common definition that have been agreed on in a neutral fora.
The G8 or G20 is no such fora, nor is the EU or other regional foras of trade/governmental membership. The UN might be a starting point, but I’m not sure of the UN is right either.