Internet Access, a fundamental right
Internet Access is one of the most precious resources that exists today. We could say is a transversal resource in the Maslow Pyramid, from the first level as a basic need to a key resource in the self-realization (fifth level). We can think that Internet access is something “normal”, that we all have, but if we dig a little deeper, we could find the real truth:
- 50% of the world population has access to the Internet
- 66% of the world population has a mobile device (and 76% of them have Internet access)
- 29% of Africa and 33% of South Asia have Internet access
- 38% of urban areas in Brazil, 34.4% in China, 31.1% in India, 23.6% in Russia and 23.3% in the United States do not have Internet access.
- 70% of Internet users in India or 67% in Indonesia are mobile users
There is a huge gap, both in big geographical areas (for example Africa) and in areas inside countries with high penetration, like the United States. This reminds me of a fantastic Motherboard video about Detroit, where 40% of the population has no Internet access; and the Equitable Internet Initiative (EII) project.
Internet Access is a window to the world, an infinite amount of free resources that can make a difference for the poorest areas in terms of knowledge, culture or communication. A lot of countries consider it a Human Right, you can’t prohibit Internet access, but should the governments strengthen it?
Regardless of the most local initiatives that try to fill this gap, there are very large initiatives like Google’s Project Loon, which wants to offer Internet access using hot air balloons; the drones of Facebook and Mark Zuckerberg; or the satellites of Elon Musk and SpaceX.
What do you think? Should the Internet be a fundamental right? Should the governments be involved to fill this gap?
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