Digital Reach

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VER THE PAST

fifteen years, the world economy and soci-

eties as we knew them have been transformed. China,

India and the nations of Eastern Europe have brought

three billion people into the global market place. Advanced tech-

nology has become more than just bits and bytes. It is now a

democratic tool that lowers the barriers to health, education, and

prosperity by making it easier to share ideas, compete and deliver

solutions.

These changes mean more competition at all levels, but also

far more opportunity. Prospects for growth, prosperity, health and

education are no longer restricted to a few wealthy, developed

nations.

In this new world of global challenges and opportunities,

sustained economic growth and prosperity depends more than

ever on producers, consumers and innovators to be able to connect

with each other. Jobs and growth flourish in nations with a tech-

nologically advanced workforce, policies conducive to free trade,

and modern communications and computing infrastructure.

Governments, businesses and individuals that are determined to

be successful in this new world must innovate, and the public and

private sectors must collaborate to foster these traits and encour-

age an environment of innovation and adaptability.

In short, by working together, we can meet the challenges of the

21st century global market place and harness the power of tech-

nology to create opportunities and ensure growth. Around the

world, nations small and large are embracing technology and

recognizing the potential to participate in an increasingly

connected worldwide economy.

The basics: technology, Internet access and content

In today’s world, nations must encourage the convergence of

three basic components in order to be fully engaged in the digital,

knowledge-based world economy. The availability of technology

tools, access to high-speed broadband Internet, and the devel-

opment of compelling content and services are the keys to greater

economic and social growth.

Broadband Internet connectivity plays a role in the 21st century

economy similar to that of the railroad in the nineteenth. It brings

people, places, goods and services together like never before. Yet

while the railroad took decades of technology innovation and stan-

dards development to become truly viable, we’re more fortunate.

WiMAX, an emerging standards-based wireless technology, offers

an affordable broadband solution to rural areas where high-speed

wire lines are difficult and very expensive to establish, as well as for

last-mile connectivity to homes and businesses in areas of higher

population density. One of the smartest steps any forward-looking

government can take to promote economic progress is to imple-

ment policies that accelerate WiMAX deployment and address

regulatory issues that would otherwise impede widespread usage.

However, access to a broadband infrastructure is not enough.

Even in countries such as South Korea, where advanced commu-

nications infrastructure is widely deployed, the motivation and

ability to use newly available technology are stronger in young,

wealthy, urban and male populations than in elderly, poorer, female

and rural populations. So, while providing broadband access is a

critical first step, the second is to encourage technology deployment

through initiatives that promote information and communication

technology (ICT) usage by citizens, businesses and education.

Affordable access to technology can be a significant driver of

national competitiveness as well. Several government-assisted PC

purchase programmes have proven to be a cost-effective way to

broaden PC use and increase digital literacy.

Sweden launched

the first such programme in 1998, and saw PC ownership double

in three years. Saudi Arabia recently launched a home comput-

ing initiative enabling families to pay around USD25 per month

for two years via their phone bill for a PC. The Brazilian

Government’s PC Connectado programme offers tax credits for

home PCs, and aims to add five million PCs over the next three

years. These programmes and others like them are helping to

provide new opportunities for citizens around the world to

connect. Over the long term, this means improved education and

e-commerce, increased national competitiveness and productiv-

ity, and new growth potential. These programmes also enable

citizens to access online government services, enhancing effi-

ciency and allowing the cost of such services to be amortized over

a larger pool of users.

Creating transformations: growth and

opportunity in the new global economy

Craig R. Barrett, Intel

Dr Craig R. Barrett, Chairman of the board of Intel Corporation