Although the Internet is making progress into Africa, it still lags behind the rest of the world, according to the US Internet Council`s State of the Internet 2000 report.
"For many African countries the number of active Internet users remains in the hundreds," concludes the council. The report singles out SA as the only nation on the continent with a sizable Internet population, with "just over a million active adult Internet users".
This figure is based on eMarketer 2000 data and differs significantly from the estimates of some local research companies, which say there are close to two million Internet users in SA.
The report also says the Congo is the only African country without direct Internet access.
The report cites poverty as the greatest barrier to Internet growth in Africa. "The monthly connection cost for the Internet in Africa exceeds the monthly income of a significant portion of the population."
Other problems highlighted are low computer penetration, illiteracy, lack of trained personnel, disinterest and a failure to understand the benefits of Internet access.
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The council is hesitant to make any predictions in the wireless Internet arena, but does venture that "industry is rushing to discover the ultimate wireless solution".
Apart from Wireless Application Protocol, it also mentions a number of new technologies including Bluetooth and Mobitex.
Mobitex is similar to cellular technology, but is specifically designed for moving data. It provides an infrastructure of fixed equipment to provide communication between the wireless terminals, which may be used in wearable, mobile or fixed applications, providing a secure two-way digital wireless packet switching network.
Bluetooth is taking the wireless LAN concept one step further, says the report. Bluetooth is equipped to create links with other Bluetooth devices, and to the Internet. When two devices come within a 10-metre range of each other, they become interconnected. This technology utilises a radio-based link and therefore does not require a line-of-sight connection in order to communicate.
Looking forward
The council makes the following recommendations to governments when it comes to the Internet: Governments need to recognise the benefits of the Internet and do nothing to cripple it. National governments should focus on sending signals to industry and the Internet about public policy goals that are priorities for that particular nation.
Governments should rely on technology to meet as many of its goals as possible. Where possible, governments should rely on the Internet to regulate itself. However, industry must realise that there are certain areas where governments must act. An example is the prosecution of child stalkers.
The council says governments should focus on those areas where it can be most effective and where its effectiveness is most important. These tend to be questions of access and infrastructure. Lastly, governments and industry need to sponsor continuing dialogues about how best to interface traditional geographic-based legal frameworks with the rapidly changing digital world.
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