Is Your ISP Charging You Too Much? Heres

Is Your ISP Charging You Too Much? Heres

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Understanding Your Current Internet Plan and Bill


Understanding your current internet plan and bill can be a real hassle, but its super important if you wanna make sure youre not getting shafted by your ISP (Internet Service Provider)! Internet Service Provider . First off, take a close look at your bill. Sometimes, there are sneaky fees buried in the small print that you might not notice otherwise. And dont forget to check for any services you signed up for that youre not actually using!


Next, compare your plan to what other ISPs are offering. This can be a bit of work, but its worth it.

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Head over to some comparison sites where you can see what different providers offer, and even filter by your current download and upload speeds. You might be surprised to find out that there are better deals out there!


Also, keep an eye on your data usage. If you find yourself consistently going over your limit, it might be time to upgrade your plan. But if youre not using all that data, consider downgrading to save some cash.


And remember, dont be afraid to negotiate with your ISP. If you think youre being charged too much, give them a call and ask about better rates. It cant hurt to try! Maybe theyll throw in some extra perks to keep you as a customer.


So there you have it! A few tips to help you understand your internet bill and make sure youre not getting ripped off. Happy budgeting!

Benchmarking Prices: Whats the Average Cost of Internet?


Benchmarking prices can really help you figure out if your ISP is charging you too much for your internet! Lets talk about the average cost of internet. Its surprising how much variation there is out there. Some folks are paying as low as thirty bucks a month, while others might be shelling out twice that amount or more! Now, not everyone lives in an area with tons of competition, so prices can get pretty steep sometimes.

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But hey, if youre in an area where multiple ISPs are vying for your business, its definitely worth checking their rates.


I mean, who wants to be stuck with internet that feels more expensive than a new gadget? Yeah, I know, comparing internet to gadgets isnt exactly fair, but you get my point.

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The thing is, even in areas without much choice, you shouldnt just automatically accept the price they throw at you. Shop around, maybe call up your provider and see if they have any secret deals or discounts that arent advertised on their website.


And dont forget about speed packages either. Sometimes, the faster the internet, the less expensive it is per megabit! But other times, its the opposite - which just adds to the confusion. So, its important to look at both the cost and the speed. Oh, and dont be afraid to negotiate! A lot of providers will lower the price if you show them that youre thinking about leaving for another service.


But heres the kicker, not all ISPs are created equal. Just because one has cheaper rates doesnt mean their service is better. Make sure to do your research and read reviews from other customers. You wouldnt want to switch to a new provider only to find out that their customer service is terrible or their network is always down, would you?


So, in conclusion, benchmarking prices can definitely give you an idea of whether or not youre getting a good deal on your internet. Just remember to balance cost with quality and speed to ensure youre not missing out on anything (or paying more than necessary)!

Hidden Fees and Charges to Watch Out For


When it comes to internet service providers (ISPs), many folks just don't realize how much they might be overpaying. Hidden fees and charges can really add up, and it's so easy to miss them on your bill! First off, there are often installation fees that aren't included in the advertised price. You may think you're getting a good deal, but surprise! That low monthly rate doesn't account for the technician who comes to set everything up.


Then, there are the equipment rental charges. You might not even notice these little fees, especially if you're renting a modem or router. It's like, why should you pay extra just to use your own equipment? Some ISPs even charge for service calls-if something goes wrong, they might hit you with a fee just to send someone out!


Don't forget about data overage charges, too. If you happen to go over your limit, that's another sneaky fee that can catch you off guard. It's just frustrating! Many people don't even know they have a data cap until it's too late.


Moreover, promotional rates can sometimes lead to confusion. You might sign up for a great deal, but before you know it, those rates expire and you're left with a much higher bill. Yikes!


All in all, it's essential to read the fine print and question every charge. You shouldn't have to feel like you're playing a game of hide-and-seek with your money. So, take a closer look at your ISP bill and make sure you're not falling for those hidden fees and charges!

Negotiating with Your ISP for a Better Rate


Negotiating with your ISP for a better rate can be a bit daunting! But hey dont worry its not as impossible as it seems. First things first you gotta do your homework. Check out what other providers are offering in your area and see if theyre cheaper than what your current ISP is charging. Also look into any special deals or promotions they might have going on.


When youre ready to approach your ISP (and lets face it most of us arent exactly thrilled about this) start by calling them up. Try to catch a customer service rep during their slower hours so you dont get stuck on hold forever. Be polite but firm when you explain your situation. You dont want to come off as rude but at the same time you need to make it clear that youre unhappy with the current rates and are looking to negotiate.


Dont be afraid to mention that youve found better deals elsewhere. Many ISPs will sweeten the deal to keep you as a customer. Ask about discounts for paying annually instead of monthly. Or maybe inquire about bundling services like internet and cable TV to see if that could save you some cash.


Sometimes they might offer you a discount that isnt quite as good as what you were hoping for. In that case you gotta decide whether its worth staying with them or if its better to switch providers. If you think you can do better dont hesitate to say no and shop around some more.


Remember negotiation is all about give and take. So even if you dont get everything you want coming in dont rule out the possibility of getting something out of it. And who knows you might surprise yourself and end up with a better rate than you thought possible!

Exploring Alternative Internet Providers in Your Area


When it comes to internet service providers (ISPs), many folks often feel like they're stuck with what they have, even if it's costing them an arm and a leg! But guess what? Exploring alternative internet providers in your area can really open up new possibilities.


You might think that your current ISP is the only option out there, but that's not true. There're actually plenty of alternatives that might fit your needs better. For example, if you're tired of slow speeds or constant buffering while streaming, checking out local providers could be a game changer. Some smaller companies offer competitive prices and faster speeds compared to the big names. Plus, they might even have better customer service (which is a huge bonus).


Now, I know what you're thinking: "How do I find these alternatives?" Well, it's not as hard as it seems. A quick search online or asking neighbors can reveal options you hadn't considered before.

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Sometimes, community forums even have great suggestions. You might discover that there're fiber-optic services in your area that you never knew existed!


Also, dont overlook the possibility of bundling services. Some providers offer discounts if you get internet, phone, and TV all together. It's worth it to do some math and see if switching could save you money in the long run. Just be sure to read the fine print; hidden fees can sneak up on ya.


In conclusion, don't settle for an ISP that's charging you too much. Take the time to explore your options! You might just find a provider that not only meets your needs but also saves you some cash. Remember, there's no harm in shopping around – you might be surprised at what's out there.

Bundling Services for Potential Savings


Hey there! So, when it comes to your internet service provider (ISP) and wondering if youre getting the best deal, one thing to consider is bundling services for potential savings! Now, I know not everyone is a fan of bundling because it can sometimes feel like youre being forced into buying things you dont need. But hear me out!


You see, ISPs often offer deals where you can save money by signing up for multiple services at once-like internet, TV, and phone. On the surface, this might not seem like a big deal, but if you do a little math, youll realize that these bundles can actually add up to some serious savings in the long run.


But heres the catch-sometimes these savings arent as clear-cut as they seem. You gotta read the fine print and make sure youre not being tricked into paying for services you dont want or need. Its like when youre at a buffet and you think youre getting a great deal, but then you realize the prices for certain dishes are just too high.


Now, some folks might argue that bundling limits their options or forces them into contracts they dont like. And thats totally valid! No one wants to feel locked into a deal they cant get out of. But remember, there are always other ISPs out there who might offer better deals without the bundling hassle.


In conclusion, bundling services can definitely be a way to save some cash, but its not for everyone. Just make sure you do your research and dont sign up for anything youre not completely comfortable with. After all, your internet service provider shouldnt be the one telling you what services you need!

When to Consider Switching ISPs


When to Consider Switching ISPs for Topic Is Your ISP Charging You Too Much?


Alright, so youre thinking about whether or not its time to jump ship with your current internet service provider (ISP). You might be feeling like theyre squeezing you dry with their prices, and youre not sure if its time to look elsewhere. Well, lets talk about it!


First off, you gotta ask yourself, are you paying more than you should be? Do a quick Google search and see what other ISPs in your area are charging for similar plans. If you find out youre paying $20 more a month than your neighbor for the same speed, thats a red flag. Dont just assume that every ISP in your area is going to charge the same rates, because they dont!


Now, heres the thing - just because youre paying a little extra doesnt necessarily mean you should switch. But if youre paying a whole lot more and not getting better service, that might be a different story. Also, keep in mind that sometimes ISPs have deals that are only available to new customers, so you might wanna see if you can negotiate a better rate with your current provider before you decide to go elsewhere.


But what if youre happy with your service and just want to make sure youre getting the best deal possible? In that case, maybe its worth checking out some of the newer ISPs that are popping up, like Google Fiber or SpaceXs Starlink. They might offer better deals or faster speeds that could be worth the switch.


One thing to consider is the customer service. If youve had issues with your ISP in the past and feel like they arent doing enough to help you, it might be time to look for a different provider. Good customer service can make all the difference when it comes to internet service, so dont underestimate the importance of that!


Alright, so when it comes down to it, you should definitely consider switching ISPs if you feel like youre being overcharged or if youre not getting the service you paid for. But if youre happy with your current provider and theyre treating you right, theres no need to change just for the sake of changing. Remember, the internet is a big world out there, and you deserve the best deal possible!

Citations and other links

Infotech (IT) is a set of associated areas within info and communications modern technology (ICT), that incorporate computer systems, software application, programs languages, information and data processing, and storage. Information technology is an application of computer science and computer system engineering. The term is frequently made use of as a synonym for computers and computer networks, however it also incorporates other details distribution modern technologies such as tv and telephones. A number of service or products within an economic situation are connected with infotech, consisting of computer hardware, software, electronic devices, semiconductors, web, telecom tools, and ecommerce. An infotech system (IT system) is usually a details system, an interactions system, or, a lot more especially talking, a computer system —-- consisting of all hardware, software program, and outer equipment —-- run by a minimal group of IT users, and an IT project normally refers to the commissioning and implementation of an IT system. IT systems play an important duty in helping with reliable information management, enhancing communication networks, and supporting business processes across different sectors. Effective IT tasks call for thorough preparation and continuous maintenance to guarantee optimum capability and alignment with business objectives. Although people have been keeping, obtaining, adjusting, analysing and communicating information considering that the earliest writing systems were created, the term infotech in its modern-day sense initially showed up in a 1958 post published in the Harvard Organization Testimonial; writers Harold J. Leavitt and Thomas L. Whisler commented that "the new innovation does not yet have a solitary recognized name. We shall call it infotech (IT)." Their definition includes three classifications: methods for handling, the application of analytical and mathematical approaches to decision-making, and the simulation of higher-order thinking through computer system programs.

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The following outline is provided as an overview of and topical guide to information technology:

Information technology (IT) – microelectronics based combination of computing and telecommunications technology to treat information, including in the acquisition, processing, storage and dissemination of vocal, pictorial, textual and numerical information. It is defined by the Information Technology Association of America (ITAA) as "the study, design, development, implementation, support or management of computer-based information systems, particularly toward software applications and computer hardware."

Different names

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There are different names for this at different periods or through fields. Some of these names are:

Underlying technology

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History of information technology

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Information technology education and certification

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IT degrees

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Vendor-specific certifications

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Third-party and vendor-neutral certifications

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Third-party commercial organizations and vendor neutral interest groups that sponsor certifications include:

General certification

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General certification of software practitioners has struggled. The ACM had a professional certification program in the early 1980s, which was discontinued due to lack of interest. Today, the IEEE is certifying software professionals, but only about 500 people have passed the exam by March 2005.

Information technology and society

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Software Testing

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Further reading

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  • Surveillance, Transparency and Democracy: Public Administration in the Information Age. p. 35-57. University of Alabama Press, Tuscaloosa, AL. ISBN 978-0-8173-1877-2

References

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  1. ^ "Information & Communication Technology" (PDF). www.un.org.
  2. ^ "Information technology". Archived from the original on 2013-08-26. Retrieved 2013-08-28.
  3. ^ "Data Communication Technology".
  4. ^ "Creative Digital Technologies".
  5. ^ "Design & technology".
  6. ^ "Communication Technology".
  7. ^ "Bachelor of Science in Information Technology".
  8. ^ "Master of Science in Information Technology".
  9. ^ "Bachelor of Computer Application".
  10. ^ "Master of Computer Applications" (PDF).
  11. ^ "AWS Certification". Amazon Web Services, Inc. Retrieved 22 May 2016.
  12. ^ "Apple - iServices - Technical Training". train.apple.com. Archived from the original on 2001-12-15.
  13. ^ "OCUP Certification - Home Page". Retrieved 22 May 2016.
  14. ^ By Shamus McGuillicuddy, SearchNetworking.com."SolarWinds offers network management training and certification Archived 2009-08-28 at the Wayback Machine." June 24, 2009. Retrieved August 20, 2009.
  15. ^ Haque, Akhlaque (2015). Surveillance, Transparency and Democracy: Public Administration in the Information Age. Tuscaloosa, AL: University of Alabama Press. pp. 35–57. ISBN 978-0-8173-1877-2.

 

A mindmap of ICTs
Internet history timeline

Early research and development:

Merging the networks and creating the Internet:

Commercialization, privatization, broader access leads to the modern Internet:

Examples of Internet services:

Information and communications technology (ICT) is an extensional term for information technology (IT) that stresses the role of unified communications[1] and the integration of telecommunications (telephone lines and wireless signals) and computers, as well as necessary enterprise software, middleware, storage and audiovisual, that enable users to access, store, transmit, understand and manipulate information.

ICT is also used to refer to the convergence of audiovisuals and telephone networks with computer networks through a single cabling or link system. There are large economic incentives to merge the telephone networks with the computer network system using a single unified system of cabling, signal distribution, and management. ICT is an umbrella term that includes any communication device, encompassing radio, television, cell phones, computer and network hardware, satellite systems and so on, as well as the various services and appliances with them such as video conferencing and distance learning. ICT also includes analog technology, such as paper communication, and any mode that transmits communication.[2]

ICT is a broad subject and the concepts are evolving.[3] It covers any product that will store, retrieve, manipulate, process, transmit, or receive information electronically in a digital form (e.g., personal computers including smartphones, digital television, email, or robots). Skills Framework for the Information Age is one of many models for describing and managing competencies for ICT professionals in the 21st century.[4]

Etymology

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The phrase "information and communication technologies" has been used by academic researchers since the 1980s.[5] The abbreviation "ICT" became popular after it was used in a report to the UK government by Dennis Stevenson in 1997,[6] and then in the revised National Curriculum for England, Wales and Northern Ireland in 2000. However, in 2012, the Royal Society recommended that the use of the term "ICT" should be discontinued in British schools "as it has attracted too many negative connotations".[7] From 2014, the National Curriculum has used the word computing, which reflects the addition of computer programming into the curriculum.[8]

Variations of the phrase have spread worldwide. The United Nations has created a "United Nations Information and Communication Technologies Task Force" and an internal "Office of Information and Communications Technology".[9]

Monetization

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The money spent on IT worldwide has been estimated as US$3.8 trillion[10] in 2017 and has been growing at less than 5% per year since 2009. The estimated 2018 growth of the entire ICT is 5%. The biggest growth of 16% is expected in the area of new technologies (IoT, Robotics, AR/VR, and AI).[11]

The 2014 IT budget of the US federal government was nearly $82 billion.[12] IT costs, as a percentage of corporate revenue, have grown 50% since 2002, putting a strain on IT budgets. When looking at current companies' IT budgets, 75% are recurrent costs, used to "keep the lights on" in the IT department, and 25% are the cost of new initiatives for technology development.[13]

The average IT budget has the following breakdown:[13]

  • 34% personnel costs (internal), 31% after correction
  • 16% software costs (external/purchasing category), 29% after correction
  • 33% hardware costs (external/purchasing category), 26% after correction
  • 17% costs of external service providers (external/services), 14% after correction

The estimated amount of money spent in 2022 is just over US$6 trillion.[14]

Technological capacity

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The world's technological capacity to store information grew from 2.6 (optimally compressed) exabytes in 1986 to 15.8 in 1993, over 54.5 in 2000, and to 295 (optimally compressed) exabytes in 2007, and some 5 zettabytes in 2014.[15][16] This is the informational equivalent to 1.25 stacks of CD-ROM from the earth to the moon in 2007, and the equivalent of 4,500 stacks of printed books from the earth to the sun in 2014. The world's technological capacity to receive information through one-way broadcast networks was 432 exabytes of (optimally compressed) information in 1986, 715 (optimally compressed) exabytes in 1993, 1.2 (optimally compressed) zettabytes in 2000, and 1.9 zettabytes in 2007.[15] The world's effective capacity to exchange information through two-way telecommunication networks was 281 petabytes of (optimally compressed) information in 1986, 471 petabytes in 1993, 2.2 (optimally compressed) exabytes in 2000, 65 (optimally compressed) exabytes in 2007,[15] and some 100 exabytes in 2014.[17] The world's technological capacity to compute information with humanly guided general-purpose computers grew from 3.0 × 10^8 MIPS in 1986, to 6.4 x 10^12 MIPS in 2007.[15]

Sector in the OECD

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The following is a list of OECD countries by share of ICT sector in total value added in 2013.[18]

Rank Country ICT sector in % Relative size
1  South Korea 10.7 10.7
 
2  Japan 7.02 7.02
 
3  Ireland 6.99 6.99
 
4  Sweden 6.82 6.82
 
5  Hungary 6.09 6.09
 
6  United States 5.89 5.89
 
7  India 5.87 5.87
 
8  Czech Republic 5.74 5.74
 
9 Finland 5.60 5.6
 
10  United Kingdom 5.53 5.53
 
11  Estonia 5.33 5.33
 
12  Slovakia 4.87 4.87
 
13  Germany 4.84 4.84
 
14  Luxembourg 4.54 4.54
 
15   Switzerland 4.63 4.63
 
16  France 4.33 4.33
 
17  Slovenia 4.26 4.26
 
18  Denmark 4.06 4.06
 
19  Spain 4.00 4
 
20  Canada 3.86 3.86
 
21  Italy 3.72 3.72
 
22  Belgium 3.72 3.72
 
23  Austria 3.56 3.56
 
24  Portugal 3.43 3.43
 
25  Poland 3.33 3.33
 
26  Norway 3.32 3.32
 
27  Greece 3.31 3.31
 
28  Iceland 2.87 2.87
 
29  Mexico 2.77 2.77
 

ICT Development Index

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The ICT Development Index ranks and compares the level of ICT use and access across the various countries around the world.[19] In 2014 ITU (International Telecommunication Union) released the latest rankings of the IDI, with Denmark attaining the top spot, followed by South Korea. The top 30 countries in the rankings include most high-income countries where the quality of life is higher than average, which includes countries from Europe and other regions such as "Australia, Bahrain, Canada, Japan, Macao (China), New Zealand, Singapore, and the United States; almost all countries surveyed improved their IDI ranking this year."[20]

The WSIS process and development goals

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On 21 December 2001, the United Nations General Assembly approved Resolution 56/183, endorsing the holding of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) to discuss the opportunities and challenges facing today's information society.[21] According to this resolution, the General Assembly related the Summit to the United Nations Millennium Declaration's goal of implementing ICT to achieve Millennium Development Goals. It also emphasized a multi-stakeholder approach to achieve these goals, using all stakeholders including civil society and the private sector, in addition to governments.

To help anchor and expand ICT to every habitable part of the world, "2015 is the deadline for achievements of the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), which global leaders agreed upon in the year 2000."[22]

In education

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Today's society shows the ever-growing computer-centric lifestyle, which includes the rapid influx of computers in the modern classroom.

There is evidence that, to be effective in education, ICT must be fully integrated into the pedagogy. Specifically, when teaching literacy and math, using ICT in combination with Writing to Learn[23][24] produces better results than traditional methods alone or ICT alone.[25] The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), a division of the United Nations, has made integrating ICT into education as part of its efforts to ensure equity and access to education. The following, which was taken directly from a UNESCO publication on educational ICT, explains the organization's position on the initiative.

Information and Communication Technology can contribute to universal access to education, equity in education, the delivery of quality learning and teaching, teachers' professional development and more efficient education management, governance, and administration. UNESCO takes a holistic and comprehensive approach to promote ICT in education. Access, inclusion, and quality are among the main challenges they can address. The Organization's Intersectoral Platform for ICT in education focuses on these issues through the joint work of three of its sectors: Communication & Information, Education and Science.[26]

OLPC Laptops at school in Rwanda

Despite the power of computers to enhance and reform teaching and learning practices, improper implementation is a widespread issue beyond the reach of increased funding and technological advances with little evidence that teachers and tutors are properly integrating ICT into everyday learning.[27] Intrinsic barriers such as a belief in more traditional teaching practices and individual attitudes towards computers in education as well as the teachers own comfort with computers and their ability to use them all as result in varying effectiveness in the integration of ICT in the classroom.[28]

Mobile learning for refugees

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School environments play an important role in facilitating language learning. However, language and literacy barriers are obstacles preventing refugees from accessing and attending school, especially outside camp settings.[29]

Mobile-assisted language learning apps are key tools for language learning. Mobile solutions can provide support for refugees' language and literacy challenges in three main areas: literacy development, foreign language learning and translations. Mobile technology is relevant because communicative practice is a key asset for refugees and immigrants as they immerse themselves in a new language and a new society. Well-designed mobile language learning activities connect refugees with mainstream cultures, helping them learn in authentic contexts.[29]

Developing countries

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Africa

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A computer screen at the front of a room of policymakers shows the Mobile Learning Week logo
Representatives meet for a policy forum on M-Learning at UNESCO's Mobile Learning Week in March 2017.

ICT has been employed as an educational enhancement in Sub-Saharan Africa since the 1960s. Beginning with television and radio, it extended the reach of education from the classroom to the living room, and to geographical areas that had been beyond the reach of the traditional classroom. As the technology evolved and became more widely used, efforts in Sub-Saharan Africa were also expanded. In the 1990s a massive effort to push computer hardware and software into schools was undertaken, with the goal of familiarizing both students and teachers with computers in the classroom. Since then, multiple projects have endeavoured to continue the expansion of ICT's reach in the region, including the One Laptop Per Child (OLPC) project, which by 2015 had distributed over 2.4 million laptops to nearly two million students and teachers.[30]

The inclusion of ICT in the classroom, often referred to as M-Learning, has expanded the reach of educators and improved their ability to track student progress in Sub-Saharan Africa. In particular, the mobile phone has been most important in this effort. Mobile phone use is widespread, and mobile networks cover a wider area than internet networks in the region. The devices are familiar to student, teacher, and parent, and allow increased communication and access to educational materials. In addition to benefits for students, M-learning also offers the opportunity for better teacher training, which leads to a more consistent curriculum across the educational service area. In 2011, UNESCO started a yearly symposium called Mobile Learning Week with the purpose of gathering stakeholders to discuss the M-learning initiative.[30]

Implementation is not without its challenges. While mobile phone and internet use are increasing much more rapidly in Sub-Saharan Africa than in other developing countries, the progress is still slow compared to the rest of the developed world, with smartphone penetration only expected to reach 20% by 2017.[30] Additionally, there are gender, social, and geo-political barriers to educational access, and the severity of these barriers vary greatly by country. Overall, 29.6 million children in Sub-Saharan Africa were not in school in the year 2012, owing not just to the geographical divide, but also to political instability, the importance of social origins, social structure, and gender inequality. Once in school, students also face barriers to quality education, such as teacher competency, training and preparedness, access to educational materials, and lack of information management.[30]

Growth in modern society and developing countries

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In modern society, ICT is ever-present, with over three billion people having access to the Internet.[31] With approximately 8 out of 10 Internet users owning a smartphone, information and data are increasing by leaps and bounds.[32] This rapid growth, especially in developing countries, has led ICT to become a keystone of everyday life, in which life without some facet of technology renders most of clerical, work and routine tasks dysfunctional.

The most recent authoritative data, released in 2014, shows "that Internet use continues to grow steadily, at 6.6% globally in 2014 (3.3% in developed countries, 8.7% in the developing world); the number of Internet users in developing countries has doubled in five years (2009–2014), with two-thirds of all people online now living in the developing world."[20]

Limitations

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However, hurdles are still large. "Of the 4.3 billion people not yet using the Internet, 90% live in developing countries. In the world's 42 Least Connected Countries (LCCs), which are home to 2.5 billion people, access to ICTs remains largely out of reach, particularly for these countries' large rural populations."[33] ICT has yet to penetrate the remote areas of some countries, with many developing countries dearth of any type of Internet. This also includes the availability of telephone lines, particularly the availability of cellular coverage, and other forms of electronic transmission of data. The latest "Measuring the Information Society Report" cautiously stated that the increase in the aforementioned cellular data coverage is ostensible, as "many users have multiple subscriptions, with global growth figures sometimes translating into little real improvement in the level of connectivity of those at the very bottom of the pyramid; an estimated 450 million people worldwide live in places which are still out of reach of mobile cellular service."[31]

Favourably, the gap between the access to the Internet and mobile coverage has decreased substantially in the last fifteen years, in which "2015 was the deadline for achievements of the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), which global leaders agreed upon in the year 2000, and the new data show ICT progress and highlight remaining gaps."[22] ICT continues to take on a new form, with nanotechnology set to usher in a new wave of ICT electronics and gadgets. ICT newest editions into the modern electronic world include smartwatches, such as the Apple Watch, smart wristbands such as the Nike+ FuelBand, and smart TVs such as Google TV. With desktops soon becoming part of a bygone era, and laptops becoming the preferred method of computing, ICT continues to insinuate and alter itself in the ever-changing globe.

Information communication technologies play a role in facilitating accelerated pluralism in new social movements today. The internet according to Bruce Bimber is "accelerating the process of issue group formation and action"[34] and coined the term accelerated pluralism to explain this new phenomena. ICTs are tools for "enabling social movement leaders and empowering dictators"[35] in effect promoting societal change. ICTs can be used to garner grassroots support for a cause due to the internet allowing for political discourse and direct interventions with state policy[36] as well as change the way complaints from the populace are handled by governments. Furthermore, ICTs in a household are associated with women rejecting justifications for intimate partner violence. According to a study published in 2017, this is likely because "access to ICTs exposes women to different ways of life and different notions about women's role in society and the household, especially in culturally conservative regions where traditional gender expectations contrast observed alternatives."[37]

In health care

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In science

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Applications of ICTs in science, research and development, and academia include:

Models of access

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Scholar Mark Warschauer defines a "models of access" framework for analyzing ICT accessibility. In the second chapter of his book, Technology and Social Inclusion: Rethinking the Digital Divide, he describes three models of access to ICTs: devices, conduits, and literacy.[40] Devices and conduits are the most common descriptors for access to ICTs, but they are insufficient for meaningful access to ICTs without third model of access, literacy.[40] Combined, these three models roughly incorporate all twelve of the criteria of "Real Access" to ICT use, conceptualized by a non-profit organization called Bridges.org in 2005:[41]

  1. Physical access to technology
  2. Appropriateness of technology
  3. Affordability of technology and technology use
  4. Human capacity and training
  5. Locally relevant content, applications, and services
  6. Integration into daily routines
  7. Socio-cultural factors
  8. Trust in technology
  9. Local economic environment
  10. Macro-economic environment
  11. Legal and regulatory framework
  12. Political will and public support

Devices

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The most straightforward model of access for ICT in Mark Warschauer's theory is devices.[40] In this model, access is defined most simply as the ownership of a device such as a phone or computer.[40] Warschauer identifies many flaws with this model, including its inability to account for additional costs of ownership such as software, access to telecommunications, knowledge gaps surrounding computer use, and the role of government regulation in some countries.[40] Therefore, Warschauer argues that considering only devices understates the magnitude of digital inequality. For example, the Pew Research Center notes that 96% of Americans own a smartphone,[42] although most scholars in this field would contend that comprehensive access to ICT in the United States is likely much lower than that.

Conduits

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A conduit requires a connection to a supply line, which for ICT could be a telephone line or Internet line. Accessing the supply requires investment in the proper infrastructure from a commercial company or local government and recurring payments from the user once the line is set up. For this reason, conduits usually divide people based on their geographic locations. As a Pew Research Center poll reports, Americans in rural areas are 12% less likely to have broadband access than other Americans, thereby making them less likely to own the devices.[43] Additionally, these costs can be prohibitive to lower-income families accessing ICTs. These difficulties have led to a shift toward mobile technology; fewer people are purchasing broadband connection and are instead relying on their smartphones for Internet access, which can be found for free at public places such as libraries.[44] Indeed, smartphones are on the rise, with 37% of Americans using smartphones as their primary medium for internet access[44] and 96% of Americans owning a smartphone.[42]

Literacy

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Youth and adults with ICT skills, 2017

In 1981, Sylvia Scribner and Michael Cole studied a tribe in Liberia, the Vai people, who have their own local script. Since about half of those literate in Vai have never had formal schooling, Scribner and Cole were able to test more than 1,000 subjects to measure the mental capabilities of literates over non-literates.[45] This research, which they laid out in their book The Psychology of Literacy,[45] allowed them to study whether the literacy divide exists at the individual level. Warschauer applied their literacy research to ICT literacy as part of his model of ICT access.

Scribner and Cole found no generalizable cognitive benefits from Vai literacy; instead, individual differences on cognitive tasks were due to other factors, like schooling or living environment.[45] The results suggested that there is "no single construct of literacy that divides people into two cognitive camps; [...] rather, there are gradations and types of literacies, with a range of benefits closely related to the specific functions of literacy practices."[40] Furthermore, literacy and social development are intertwined, and the literacy divide does not exist on the individual level.

Warschauer draws on Scribner and Cole's research to argue that ICT literacy functions similarly to literacy acquisition, as they both require resources rather than a narrow cognitive skill. Conclusions about literacy serve as the basis for a theory of the digital divide and ICT access, as detailed below:

There is not just one type of ICT access, but many types. The meaning and value of access varies in particular social contexts. Access exists in gradations rather than in a bipolar opposition. Computer and Internet use brings no automatic benefit outside of its particular functions. ICT use is a social practice, involving access to physical artifacts, content, skills, and social support. And acquisition of ICT access is a matter not only of education but also of power.[40]

Therefore, Warschauer concludes that access to ICT cannot rest on devices or conduits alone; it must also engage physical, digital, human, and social resources.[40] Each of these categories of resources have iterative relations with ICT use. If ICT is used well, it can promote these resources, but if it is used poorly, it can contribute to a cycle of underdevelopment and exclusion.[45]

Environmental impact

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Progress during the century

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In the early 21st century a rapid development of ICT services and electronical devices took place, in which the internet servers multiplied by a factor of 1000 to 395 million and its still increasing. This increase can be explained by Moore's law, which states, that the development of ICT increases every year by 16–20%, so it will double in numbers every four to five years.[46] Alongside this development and the high investments in increasing demand for ICT capable products, a high environmental impact came with it. Software and Hardware development as well as production causing already in 2008 the same amount of CO2 emissions as global air travels.[46]

There are two sides of ICT, the positive environmental possibilities and the shadow side. On the positive side, studies proved, that for instance in the OECD countries a reduction of 0.235% energy use is caused by an increase in ICT capital by 1%.[47] On the other side the more digitization is happening, the more energy is consumed, that means for OECD countries 1% increase in internet users causes a raise of 0.026% electricity consumption per capita and for emerging countries the impact is more than 4 times as high.

Currently the scientific forecasts are showing an increase up to 30700 TWh in 2030 which is 20 times more than it was in 2010.[47]

Implication

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To tackle the environmental issues of ICT, the EU commission plans proper monitoring and reporting of the GHG emissions of different ICT platforms, countries and infrastructure in general. Further the establishment of international norms for reporting and compliance are promoted to foster transparency in this sector.[48]

Moreover it is suggested by scientists to make more ICT investments to exploit the potentials of ICT to alleviate CO2 emissions in general, and to implement a more effective coordination of ICT, energy and growth policies.[49] Consequently, applying the principle of the coase theorem makes sense. It recommends to make investments there, where the marginal avoidance costs of emissions are the lowest, therefore in the developing countries with comparatively lower technological standards and policies as high-tech countries. With these measures, ICT can reduce environmental damage from economic growth and energy consumption by facilitating communication and infrastructure.

In problem-solving

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ICTs could also be used to address environmental issues, including climate change, in various ways, including ways beyond education.[50][51][52]

See also

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References

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  44. ^ a b Anderson, Monica (13 June 2019). "Mobile Technology and Home Broadband 2019". Pew Research Center.
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Sources

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Further reading

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[edit]

 

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