Explaining Variations in Internet Deployment Across Developing Countries

Ben A. PETRAZZINI <ben.petrazzini@itu.int>
INternational Telecommunications Union
Switzerland

Abstract

Although the Internet has experienced booming growth, the diffusion of this powerful communication technology has not been even throughout the world. Some countries have achieved a surprisingly high penetration of Internet host computers per inhabitants, many others are in the early stages of adoption of the technology, and there are still a few that do not yet have direct access. The African continent (excluding South Africa), for example, has fewer Internet hosts than the Slovak Republic, Estonia, or Iceland.

Then, the obvious question to ask is: Why does Internet development vary so much between countries? This paper explores possible variables affecting Internet growth and assess their impact against the backdrop of current experiences from around the world -- in particular in developing nations.

Contents