The indices show considerable inequality between countries in terms of ICT infrastructure, which is a key factor limiting access to ICT. One important finding is that major gains have been made in access to mobile telephones and the Internet, measured by the degree of equality of the distribution of mobile phones and Internet users across countries. This suggests that the digital divide may be narrowing slowly, with more widespread access to mobile phones and Internet use among developing countries.
However, digital divide trends differ sharply according to the type of technology. Gains in mobile connectivity and Internet use among developing countries are not being matched by gains in other technologies, such as Internet hosts and personal computers (PCs). Strengthening public and shared access to ICT could be a key policy tool for overcoming the digital divide.
UNCTAD´s measurements of technological inequality are intended to help in formulating policies for narrowing the digital divide. African and South Asian countries need `catching-up´ policies; Latin America and the transition economies need `keeping-up´ policies. The report also examines grassroots projects, such as Uganda´s universal access funds and Egypt´s community access points, to identify key policy lessons emerging from the experience of developing countries.
