Uneven Global Development of the Internet: A Cross-National Study

This study focuses on the phenomenon of uneven development of the Internet worldwide. Results of correlation analysis of aggregated data show that GNP per capita and income level of a country significantly correlate with Internet penetration. Literacy rate also shows a moderately strong linkage with the spreading of the Internet. Whether English is commonly used however is not related to Internet penetration. Furthermore, telecommunications infrastructure in general, telephone and cell phone penetration in particular, show strong associations with the diffusion of the emerging "network of networks" worldwide. Internet accessibility shows the strongest relationship to Internet penetration. Finally, significant linkages generally occur between Internet penetration and the level of mass media development, especially television sets per 1,000 and daily newspapers per 1,000. Government policy toward the Internet plays a role as well. This study concludes that the diffusion of the Internet worldwide is as uneven as the diffusion of previous new media technologies such at the telephone, television, and VCRs.