The Digital Divide and Major Telecom Companies

The digital divide is a topic that has been highly debated for many years, especially since the new millennium. Many believe that closing the digital gap will help unite the world in it’s technology use and will open many windows for its growth. The issue of broadband Internet seems to be at the center of the debate. When major companies such as Verizon and Comcast threaten to increase their price for Internet services, it only widens the chasm of the digital divide.

In Malkia Cyril’s article titled, A New Civil Rights Mandate: Champion Open Networks to Close the Digital Divide, Cyril agues that when these already profitable telecom companies charge more for their services, it excludes the lower working class, and those of color. Cyril argues for civil equality, which is essentially the core of the digital divide. Everyone should have the same opportunities as the next when it regards technological use and growth. Lesser-developed and lower income communities, as claimed in this article, are unfairly treated when it comes to broadband Internet.

Interestingly, Cyril addresses the threat of net neutrality and its effect on the digital divide. Although the debate over regulation of the Internet is only a small portion of the technology spectrum of the digital divide issue, the two are in fact closely related. If big Internet service providers start to charge for more advanced services, it starts to signal out those who are not as economically fortunate, which adds another crack in the digital divide. The issue is even more pronounced when companies such as Verizon and Comcast have had large profits in the past.

As stated in the article, people mostly use the Internet for non-commercial purposes, so it seems ironic that these providers would charge so much. What exactly are we, as users, paying for? Communication? We can communicate for free in one way or another, so why should we pay so that more when the foundation of it has been traditionally free. Obviously, there are reasons to pay for the service, but we defiantly should not be paying for the act and right to communicate.

However, regarding the severity of the digital divide, this article acts like the only people who are left behind are the lower class and people of color, which is not the case. Increased fees affect everyone, not just these groups of people. There are more demographics that feel the financial pressure around the United States and the world.

Cyril states that “we know that digital inclusion and closing the digital divide is only possible with affordable, accessible, and open high speed networks” but that is easier said than done. In reality, these services are never going to be free. Because of that, it is always going to be too expensive for someone, and it will never be fast enough to please everyone.

Malkia Cyril’s article is occasionally one-sided, but it solidifies the important role big telecom companies play in closing the digital divide. Influencing those of lower income and color, their prices combined with net neutrality can have a profound impact on the future of technological equality in the United States and around the globe.