Digital Divide in Finland
Well, in Finland we haven´t got in media any cases about digital divide, at least I haven´t noticed. Maybe the situation in general is so good? Of course there are people in Finland too who are poor and can´t afford buying computers and so on or live in a place where Internet connection is hard to get (even impossible?) or just not interested in media and that´s why they don´t have the needed equipments.
But mostly it is their own choice, since even if you are poor (or otherwise don´t have your own equipments or connections) there are always the public computers and accesses to Internet, for example in libraries or some Internet Cafes.
So I´d say that digital divide in Finland is a choice.
And seems like it´s not only my opinion:
"As in other countries with high ICT penetration, closing the digital divide in Finland now seems to depend increasingly on citizens’ own choices. In addition to improved access and cost, computer and Internet use will depend on citizens’ perceptions of the value-added of online services, thereby further raising the stakes for improving e-government."
Source
Internet availability in Finland
Internet availability is very good in Finland - as long as you live in Southern Finland. It is so easy just to think this busy Southern Finland and forget that in the North there is a lot of wilderness.
I´d say that in North you do get to Internet if you want to, for example in a library. But connections at home might be more rare.
Even we had some difficulties having Internet connection. Or to get it wasn´t hard, but there was only one provider and the price was quite salty.. And we live only 60km North from Helsinki! But yes, we live in the country side.
Some statistics
Population: 5 244 749
Country Area: 388 145 sq km
Internet Users (Mar/2008): 3 600 000
Penetration per ITU: 68,6%
Broadband subscribers (June/2007): 1 518 900, per OECD, 29%
Source
Well, in Finland we haven´t got in media any cases about digital divide, at least I haven´t noticed. Maybe the situation in general is so good? Of course there are people in Finland too who are poor and can´t afford buying computers and so on or live in a place where Internet connection is hard to get (even impossible?) or just not interested in media and that´s why they don´t have the needed equipments.
But mostly it is their own choice, since even if you are poor (or otherwise don´t have your own equipments or connections) there are always the public computers and accesses to Internet, for example in libraries or some Internet Cafes.
So I´d say that digital divide in Finland is a choice.
And seems like it´s not only my opinion:
"As in other countries with high ICT penetration, closing the digital divide in Finland now seems to depend increasingly on citizens’ own choices. In addition to improved access and cost, computer and Internet use will depend on citizens’ perceptions of the value-added of online services, thereby further raising the stakes for improving e-government."
Source
Internet availability in Finland
Internet availability is very good in Finland - as long as you live in Southern Finland. It is so easy just to think this busy Southern Finland and forget that in the North there is a lot of wilderness.
I´d say that in North you do get to Internet if you want to, for example in a library. But connections at home might be more rare.
Even we had some difficulties having Internet connection. Or to get it wasn´t hard, but there was only one provider and the price was quite salty.. And we live only 60km North from Helsinki! But yes, we live in the country side.
Some statistics
Population: 5 244 749
Country Area: 388 145 sq km
Internet Users (Mar/2008): 3 600 000
Penetration per ITU: 68,6%
Broadband subscribers (June/2007): 1 518 900, per OECD, 29%
Source
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