Internet in the Third World

At the most important human level, the internet connects people and ideas. That is what Hector Ruiz said at the 2007 TED conference where he talked about AMD's (American Micro Processor) initiative to get 50% of the worlds population on the internet by 2015. video here

In the first world we have around 75% internet penetration. Internet connectivity is affordable and available nearly everywhere in the first world, and certainly everywhere it is needed most. The first world relies on internet for business, education, and entertainment. Instant access to communication is a wonderful thing and it is made so easy by the internet.

As Dorris and I have been experiencing this isn't the case in the Third World. Here in South Africa only around 10% have access and we have it good compared to the rest of the content which has only 5% (Ethiopia has only .5% penetration). South Africa has sound infrastructure and a relatively wealthy population, so why the low numbers? The problem is the cost is astronomical reaching nearly a hundred dollars a month (nearly 700R)*.

Dorris and I sat in on a meeting with PCB, Behind the Masks tech service. We were there to ask questions that concerned the new site we're building but we were also there to lend some tech experience to the BTM team. While there we learned a thing or two about South Africa's internet situation. Currently there is only one international line running from south Africa to the rest of the world, and that goes through India (see fig below). The line is owned by a single entity, Telecom, and with no competition they have kept the price high.


Image from:http://escience.anu.edu.au/lecture/comp1710/internet/image/10692573853map.gif

Over the next few years this will change. Several new lines are already in the works. One, being laid by Zamtel a consortium owned by the Zambian Government, is slated for completion later this quarter, dubbed the EASSy ( East Africa Submarine Cable System) with end points in South Africa and Sudan.

In addition to EASSy another cable, the SEA cable is planned for opperation in 2009. SEA will be laid by SEACOM and is being funded by Private equity, it will be managed by Neotel (South Africa's second largest tele-communications provider.)

What are the implications of the third world getting online? What's Africa's equivalent of dramatic look gofer? More importantly what are the implications for schools. Resources for education are slim all over Africa internet connectivity offers the worlds culture, current events, and history at a users finger tips. Even more than that the internet allows people to connect with other people, it makes the world seem smaller, and makes the distinction between people seem less relevant.

*1 dollar is worth 7.6 Rand, but 1 rand goes a lot further when purchasing food compared to purchasing electronics. For instance, a South African Pizza place is advertising two large 16" pies with two toppings each for around 80R that's about 10.50. Domino's charges more for a plain 14" pie. So when purchasing food $1 is worth about 1.5 to 2R. The pay scale is adjusted towards the low end so dollar for Rand the common South African pay rate doesn't look much different.