Benefits Of Increased Internet Access To A Nation

Broadband or high-speed Internet is becoming the dominant form of fixed-line connection, while wireless technologies have resulted in a boom in consumers who can access the Internet in some areas previously unserved by wired connection. While many countries in the world aim for increased connectivity, some of us maybe wondering what benefits does increased Internet access bring to a nation. I happen to come across some articles about this subject while I was browsing the web and I wish to share them with you. Briefly the articles I read say Internet and the accompanying infrastructures have beneficial implications for the economy, businesses and consumers.

Here are some of the benefits that a nation would get with increased Internet access by its citizens (Source: Q&A – Socio-economic impact of growing Internet usage):

• A World Bank report in 2009 found that a 10% increase in high speed connections leads to a rise of 1.3% in economic growth.
• Internet access together by a nation’s population with ICT (information and communications technology) knowledge improves a country’s business environment and global competitiveness through digital infrastructure, improved human capital and increases in labor productivity, all of which attract inward investment.
• Businesses benefit from Internet access and e-commerce as it connects them directly to their consumers, while giving them access to new consumer markets worldwide. Internet increases entrepreneurship by making it easier to form new businesses – this will help employment and government tax revenues. The Internet also increases business profits by improving efficiency, productivity and communications, while encouraging innovation and Research and Development (R&D).
• The Internet provides consumers with a valuable tool for information, empowering them with knowledge, while access to online markets increases competition and improves prices
• The Internet enables e-government which will improve the delivery of public services and reduce corruption. Services such as health care will benefit from the Internet by improving information and efficiency, thus reducing costs.
• Internet access will narrow regional divides especially between rural and urban areas. The Internet helps the agricultural sector in developing countries by giving farmers access to information and market prices. This in turn raises profits and income.
• It enables flexible labor markets as Internet connectivity improves home/work life balances. This is particularly important in countries that are looking to increase birth rates
• The Internet speeds up the globalization process by reducing physical barriers. Many businesses are able to reduce travel costs as online communication has improved.

With the many benefits of increased Internet access or connectivity, will you wonder why the upcoming administration is rumored to be not so keen in creating a line department that would take care of information and communications technology advances in our country? For me that would be cruel not only to the i-café industry but to the nation as a whole.