Extension of density networks

Digital Access Index (DAI) The DAI developed by the International Telecommunications Union was the first index to globally measure countries access to and usage of ICT. The index looks at four aspects of ICT and then categorises countries as either high, upper, medium or low. The four aspects the index looked at are: Quality Infrastructure Knowledge Affordability Some of the categories are then subdivided into further sections. Below is a brief explanation of each: Quality: Quality looks at two aspects of ICT, the bandwidth (connection speed) of the country and the number of broadband subscribers (per 1000 of population). Infrastructure: Again looks at two aspects, the number of fixed telephone subscribers and the number of mobile cellular subscribers. Knowledge: Again this looks at two aspects, but interestingly this one looks at individuals ability to access ICT be measuring literacy and school enrollment. Affordability: This only looks at one aspect, the price of access the internet. As with many indexes there are some criticisms, for example many countries have leapfrogged the technology of landlines and also the number of subscribers does not accurately reflect peoples access. This is because many people access the internet and mobile phones through internet cafes and phone shops or even at their workplace. For a full list of the first rankings (2002) visit the International Telecommunications website at: http://www.itu.int/newsroom/press_releases/2003/30.html For more recent ICT developments look at the ITU 2011 publications on ICT: ITU 2011 ICT Facts and Figures.pdf Details Download 4 MB

Mobiles to Leapfrog into the Future - BBC article Mapping the Growth of the internet - BBC article EU shows geographic divisions - BBC article

Leapfrog technology: This is when a certain technology is not adopted but instead its successor is chosen. A good example is how many countries are not spending time and money developing a landline phone network, but instead moving straight to a mobile network. The reason for this leapfrog is that a mobile network is quicker and cheaper to install.

Internet Traffic or Mobile Usage You may well be asked to describe and explain maps that show internet and mobile connectivity. When describing follow the general rules of looking for trends i.e. a high amount of traffic between the US and Europe, looking for anomalies i.e. hardly any internet traffic into Africa and always using figures and the correct units. To help explain why some areas are not connected look at the information below the next table. Below are some reasons to explain traffic between countries and regions. Migration: There is going to be greater flows of traffic between countries that have experienced migration flows e.g. El Salvador and US Colinisation: There are likely to be flows between ex-colonies and colonial powers, especially if there has been migration between the two. Economic and TNCs: There will be strong flows between countries that have economic links. This might be because of the location of TNCs or that they are in trading blocs. Language: Countries with a shared language e.g. English between US and UK are likely to see bigger flows. Offers: There maybe a temporary or permanent increase in traffic if a phone company is offering a special rate between countries. Population size: There is obviously going to be greater flows of traffic between countries with large populations. Wealth: There will probably be stronger flows between wealthier countries because they can afford to establish networks and pay for the services. Education: More educated countries will probably have stronger flows because they understand the technology and can pay for it.

Map Showing Internet Traffic Around the World Libyan Rebels Improve Net Access - BBC article Severed Cable Disrupts Net Access - BBC article Egypt Severes Internet Cable Amid Growing Unrest - BBC article Internet Access is a Fundamental right - BBC article Snapshot of global internet speeds revealed - BBC article Ship's anchor slows down Eastern Africa Connection Speed - BBC article Google Fire: Can ultra fast internet change a city - BBC article Homeless hotspots plan causes controversy for BBH ad agency - BBC article

Advantages of internet and Mobile Connectivity

Disadvantages of internet and Mobile Connectivity

Stay in contact with friends and family (e-mail, text, Skype, etc.) Ability to start small businesses e.g. taxi firms Very useful for emergencies e.g. on a Geography fieldtrip Can help business contact customers and grow e.g. advertising Businesses can search and order supplies Small businesses can attempt to avoid exploitation e.g. coffee farmers can find the price of coffee beans Can purchase products e.g. holidays, DVDs, etc. Can be used to download and listen/watch films, music, etc. Can be used as a fashion symbol Emancipation as people better understand rights and can access support. The Arab Spring was largely arranged over the internet. Better and cheaper access to education and books e.g. online university courses. Possible protection of languages (Digital Tools to Save Languages - BBC article) Promotion of ideas and ideologies

Less face to face contact (loss of social skills) Exploitation of children through evils like child pornography and child grooming (Computer-generated 'Sweetie' catches online predators - BBC article) Possible loss of language skills because of texting Increase in sedentary tendencies as people spending longer on their phones and the internet than exercising Loss of culture (homogenisation) as people start wearing the same clothes, listening to the same music, etc. Consumerism as people are constantly bombarded with adverts (spam) Possible fraud through internet scams and bank theft Loss of privacy as companies gather and sell search and personal information As well as the positive spread of ideas also negatives ones like terrorism can be spread on the internet Addictions e.g. gaming and porn (South Korean clinic treats web addicts - BBC article)

Reasons for differences in internet and mobile connectivity include:

• Population Density and Distribution: It is easier to build and develop internet/mobile networks in countries where the population is concentrated in small areas. Large countries with a sparsely distributed population will find it hard and costly to get full coverage.
• Market size (population): In countries with a bigger population it may be more profitable for a country to install a mobile/broadband network. To put in geographical terms a minimum threshold population needs to exist for a network to be provided.
• Technology: Some countries have access to mobile and broadband technology, while others don't or at least can't afford to buy it, or possibly have sanctions imposed upon them e.g. North Korea, Cuba.
• Country Wealth: Richer countries are better able to invest in the latest technology to provide fastest internet and mobile networks e.g. 4G and broadband
• Relief (topography): It is easier to build mobile and internet networks in countries where the land is flat and accessible (good transport links). It countries like Nepal that are mountainous and have poor roads building a network is much harder.
• Coverage/Network/Providers/Competition: Where there is a good network and multiple providers offering varying plans e.g. pay as you go, then access is cheaper and open to more people.
• Censorship: Some countries like China and many Middle Eastern countries heavily censor the internet and monitor mobile chatter making it hard to access everything people want to. It should be noted that censorship can be good when trying to eliminate things like child pornography.
• Cost: In countries where materials are expensive e.g. landlocked countries it is more expensive to build a network and more expensive to for consumers to access.

Some people or groups that lack access to the internet are:

• The old - technology that they do not understand
• The illiterate - people who can not read content
• Rural dwellers - Internet coverage is generally worse in rural areas
• Disabled - it is hard (although not impossible) for some people with disabilities to access the internet e.g. the blind
• The poor - Buying a computer or even visiting an internet cafe can be expensive, especially those suffering from absolute poverty
• People from LEDCs - networks tend to be less complete and slower in LEDCs
• Women - for whatever reason (money, freedom, etc.) less women have access to the internet

China and UK Compared

It is necessary to have a comparison of internet/mobile availability and usage into contrasting countries. Below are facts and figures about the UK and China, including internet users and mobile subscribers. Try and use the information in the table to explain why usage is higher in the UK than China.

	United Kingdom (UK)	China
Population Population Density	63 million 249 per sq km	1.34 billion 140 per sq km
Area Coastline	243,610 sq km 12,429 km	9,596,961 sq km 14,500 km
Physical Geography	The UK is a relatively small country with a very long coastline. Central and SE UK is relatively flat, while the north and SW of the UK is much more mountainous. Much of Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland (apart from the coast) is mountainous. The UK also has a large number of islands.	China is a huge country with a wide variety of terrains and climates. Large parts of the north of China near the Mongolian border are covered in desert (the Gobi). The west including Tibet is very mountainous (Himalayan Plateau). The East is much flatter and has a long coastline.
Urban Population Rural Population	80% 20%	47% 53%
GDP Per Capita	$33,238	$6,757
Internet Users	51 million	389 million
Landlines Mobile subscriptions	33 million 65.5 million (how can this be bigger than the population?)	294 million 393.5 million
Literacy Rate School life expectancy(primary to tertiary)	99% 16 years	92% 12 years
Roads Railways	394,428 km 16,454 km	3,860,800 km 86,000 km
	Trekking 1000km in China for e-mail - BBC article Blogger Describes Xinjiang as internet prison - BBC article China tightens internet censorship controls - BBC article China approves tighter rules on internet access - BBC article	UK Notspots Revealed - BBC article Broadband Digital Divide Looms - BBC article UK internet economy worth billions - BBC article Budget 2012: 'Super-connected cities' and video games tax credits - BBC article Scottish government in Highlands and Isles internet investment - BBC article Highlands and Islands remote broadband scheme under way - BBC article UK chancellor announces more fast broadband cities - BBC article

All facts from http://www.nationmaster.com/ and https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/index.html.