Digital Access Index

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The DAI was created in 2003 and measures the overall ability of individuals in a country to access and use new ICTs. The DAI is built around 4 fundamental aspects of a country's ability to access ICT; infrastructure, affordability, knowledge and quality and actual usage of ICT. The DAI allows countries to see how they compare to peers and their relative strengths and weaknesses. It provides a transparent and globally measurable way of tracking progress towards improving access to ICTs.

High Access Countries:

Sweden - 0.85

Denmark - 0.83

Iceland - 0.82

Low Access Countries:

Bhutan - 0.13

Sudan - 0.13

Comoros - 0.11

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Conclusions of ICT access:

Closely connected to wealth of a nation but not solely

Apart from Canada ranked 9th the top 10 countries are Asian and European

First 4 Asian Tigers have made the greatest progress in ICT over time

English is no longer a decisive factor in rapid technological adoption as more content is made available in other languages

Fast broadband is demanded for competitive businesses

Access is unequal, recession may increase inequality

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United Arab Emirates:

Burj Tower Dubai;

Dubai Internet city - important information technology park

Created by government as free economic zone

Factors Affecting Access:

Isolation [physical]

Land formation [physical]

Being illiterate [physical]

Climate [physical]

Geology [physical]

Location - some tech only works in certain places [physical][environmental]

Government [political]

Censors [political]

Natural hazards [environmental]

Weather [environmental]

Catholic - contraception [religion]

Amish [religion]

Ethics - GM crops [religion]

War [military]