Wavesight explores how the gaps in digital proficiency originate from a lack of equal internet access. The company delves into how a lack of digital skills are limiting in terms of jobs and education and ultimately result in individuals suffering from digital disconnect.
In modern society, digital skills are more important than ever before. Many jobs require baseline digital proficiency, schools require students to have home internet access to complete projects and vast economic opportunities exist online.
However, not everyone has equal access to these technologies. As more and more people need digital skills to obtain work, participate in civil activities and complete their education, it is clear that access to digital technology is no longer optional.
Public and private organisations alike will need to develop solutions to the internet access divide and promote equity among marginalised populations.
According to UNESCO, nearly 45% of global households do not have access to the internet. A report from the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) estimates that 1.3 billion children between the ages of three and 17 lack internet access at home. This is nearly two-thirds of the world’s school-age children.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the digital divide became more apparent than ever. As millions of schools and jobs moved online, lack of connectivity made it difficult for students to participate in remote learning.
Adults who could not perform their jobs virtually were often subject to layoffs or reduced work hours.
A major solution to reducing the digital divide is to increase connectivity in all communities. Providing widespread internet access can help previously unconnected users take advantage of economic and learning opportunities.
Access to computing devices can help increase connectivity. Additionally, equitable broadband access and strong, future-proof architecture is also important. With these investments, governments and organisations can connect as many people as possible to the digital world.
Digital literacy is important for individuals to become connected citizens. By having strong knowledge of digital technologies, users can:
With these skills, users can effectively engage with digital technologies and leverage these platforms to their benefit.
For example, a person who understands how to find credible information online is more likely to obtain a research-based job than someone who struggles to navigate search engines. Improved literacy is necessary to reduce the digital divide.
If a user does not know how to navigate a computing device or the internet, they are unable to derive as much value from these technologies as their tech-savvy counterparts.
The cost of internet access services makes it difficult for many people to gain relevant skills, heightening the digital divide. For unconnected groups to gain technological proficiency, they need affordable access to the internet.
However, many free or low-cost initiatives provided by the private sector can exacerbate the divide. To combat this issue, internet access must not only be affordable—it also has to be equitable.
Lower income users must be able to engage with the same websites, content and platforms as higher income communities. This access can help level the playing field and help users gain modern technical proficiency.
Wavesight helps bridge the digital divide with a proven, comprehensive and integrated solution with a stack of technologies and know-how that integrates seamlessly with or is a reliable alternative to conventional fibre, microwave and satellite.
Wavesight offers an integrated “hybrid” solution that is affordable and efficient in remote and rural areas where conventional telecom models do not work. Our range of products and solutions deliver communication and connectivity capabilities.
Wavesight uses existing infrastructure and available spectrum more effectively. Helping deliver and distribute up to 2 Gbps of data over a 2 mile radius. Securely.
With the help of patented software, Wavesight ensures a seamless and a balanced distribution of data helping the hardware in the network perform more efficiently.
Lastly, the technology landscape is changing. And so does the solution from Wavesight, keeping in mind to be flexible, scalable and affordable.
