Page 141 - SAMENA Trends - September-October 2022

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

Internet Surge Slows, Leaving 2.7 Billion People Offline in 2022

the Internet but are able to use it regularly and
effectively to improve their lives – is complex.
Often, such challenges are overlooked
or under-estimated. Barriers can include
slow Internet speed; limited affordability
of hardware and subscription packages;
inadequate digital awareness and skills; and
linguistic and literacy barriers, as well as
issues like gender discrimination or the lack
of reliable a power source. All these need to
be addressed if everyone is to enjoy equitable
access to online resources.
Doreen Bogdan-Martin, Director of the ITU
Telecommunication Development Bureau, said:
“While the rise in the number of people using
the Internet worldwide is positive, we should not
assume the robust growth witnessed in recent
years will continue unabated. Those who are still
not using the Internet will be the most difficult
to bring online. They live in remote areas, often
belong to disadvantaged groups, and in some
cases are unfamiliar with what the Internet can
offer. That is why our target needs to be not just
universal connectivity, but universal meaningful
connectivity." ITU defines 'meaningful
connectivity' as a level of connectivity that allows
users to have a safe, satisfying, enriching and
productive online experience at an affordable
An estimated 2.7 billion people – or focus on skills development as we cost. Globally, the number of Internet users grew
one-third of the world's population – move to a post-pandemic era." ITU's by 7 per cent and Internet penetration – the share
remain unconnected to the Internet in new estimate of 2.7 billion people of individuals using the Internet – grew by 6 per
2022. New data from the International unconnected compares with an updated cent between 2021 and 2022. However, growth
Telecommunication Union (ITU), the estimate of 3 billion people unconnected is unevenly distributed across regions. Areas
United Nations specialized agency worldwide in 2021. In 2019, prior to with low Internet penetration have achieved the
for information and communication the COVID pandemic, an estimated 3.6 fastest growth over the past year – following a
technologies, point to slower growth in billion people, or nearly half the world's typical diffusion pattern for new and emerging
the number of Internet users than at the population, were unconnected. Amid technologies.
height of COVID-19. An estimated 5.3 concerns about slowing progress, ITU • Africa, the least connected of ITU's six world
billion people worldwide are now using analysis indicates two major challenges regions, achieved 13 per cent year-on-year
the Internet. While continued growth in terms of advancing the world's digital growth of Internet penetration. Today, 40 per
is encouraging, the trend suggests transformation: cent of the population in Africa is online.
that without increased infrastructure • First, achieving universal connectivity • The Arab States showed robust growth, with
investment and a new impetus to foster – which in effect means bringing the the Internet now reaching 70 per cent of the
digital skills, the chance of connecting remaining one-third of humanity online population.
everyone by 2030 looks increasingly – will prove increasingly difficult. • In Asia and the Pacific, Internet penetration
slim. “The COVID-19 pandemic gave us Most relatively easy-to-connect grew from 61 per cent in 2021 to 64 per cent
a big connectivity boost, but we need communities now have access to in 2022, relative to the region's population.
to keep the momentum going to ensure technologies like mobile broadband, • The Americas, the Commonwealth of
that everyone, everywhere can benefit spurring rapid and widespread uptake Independent States, and Europe each achieved
from digital technologies and services," of digital services. Those still offline 3 per cent growth, with more than 80 per cent
said ITU Secretary-General Houlin mostly live in remote, hard-to-reach of the population online in each region.
Zhao. “This can only be achieved with areas. • Europe remains the most connected region
more investments in digital networks • Second, the shift from basic to globally, with 89 per cent of its population
and technologies, implementing best meaningful connectivity – by which online.
practice regulation, and a continued people not only have ready access to

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