This limited access is of grave concern as the growing social division between the 'information haves and have-nots' entrenches itself as a feature of our society. These divisions will be more pronounced as education, employment opportunities and use of public services become contingent on internet skills and access.
In the recently released Human Development Report 1998, published for the United nations Development Program, technology and the advent of a knowledge based society is considered critical to sustainable futures (and the de-linking of economic growth with finite natural resources). This report traverses consumption trends globally, including information technologies and makes interesting observations about the need for 'poor peoples' technology'.
The prospect of social division has fuelled genuine insecurities of many in the community who feel they are being 'left behind'. In the search for strategies to address this critical political challenge, the convergence of information and communication technologies presents itself as a unique opportunity to address this inequity in our society.
Availability of the internet through appliances other than computers will present different options for people and families for whom the expense previously ruled out an internet connection at home. The most obvious example is the TV set. Internet via the telly is a service already available, albeit in it's infancy. The concept received some profile in the recent parliamentary debate regarding High Definition Televisionof internet on the telly already, but first lets have a look at digital content and how it is delivered.
As phone, fax, data, video and even TV signals each move towards or upgrade existing digital transmission, the opportunities for accessing the internet and therefore participating in the information society are greatly improved. This almost universal move towards digital content has had a big impact in the way it is delivered, not to mention by whom.
The way in which this digital signal is delivered to the home or business, be it copper wire, cable, optic fibre, radio spectrum or satellite takes on a whole new flexibility, with each 'pipe' able to carry the digital signal competing for quality, reliability and coverage.
So the word convergence is a word used to describe the trend towards the production and distribution of digital content. It is also a word that carries with it many vital social, economic and political considerations.
A range of very important policy issues confronting government are touched by this issue of convergence, including public ownership of Telstra, because Telstra owns the existing telecommunications infrastructure and therefore controls the greatest proportion of of digital content distribution.
The recent parliamentary debate about digital television focussed more on the transfer of broadcast services from analogue to 'high definition' digital technology otherwise known as a better picture on your tell. The issue was more about who would be allowed by government to distribute digital content via radio spectrum, and who will have control over the production of new digital content delivered in this way. It ignored the implications of distribution of digital content through other means.
The production and distribution of digital content are the key to ensuring everyone has the chance to use the internet and participate in the information society. The priority of Government must be to pursue equity of access to quality digital content in all its forms. It is not good enough for government to play arbitrator between corporate interests - such an approach is devoid of vision and squanders rare opportunities to harness social progression from technological change.