Email in the Solomons

Study the news report on the creation of an internet link for the Solomon islands on the BBC website alongside the world bank data on the islands. Try to identify the extent of the digital divide, the problems that caused the divide, the impact of the divide and the solutions provided so far. Propose at least one furthur initative that would be useful to the islanders in reducing the digital divide.

The extent of the digital divide in the Soloman islands was phenomenal, even in the main city Honiara the internet was set up by the charity The PeopleFirst Network. The problems caused by the divide was the lack of communication between tribes and large families which ended up in fighting. The solution was a small laptop with a radio and a car battery powered by a solar panel which connected to be on the outside world and to other communities on the islands. This solution enabled the economic status to increase as business transactions could now take place with ease, for example using this system it can allow the charity to find out where to send the next ones. Another initive that would be useful to the islanders in reducing the digital divide could be English/chinese teachers, so that in thier climb in the world econemy would be made easier if they could share the same language.