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BJTHK 3063 TECHNOLOGY POLICY AND STRATEGY

( GROUP D )

GROUP ASSIGNMENT

PREPARED FOR : DR. FADHILAH MAT YAMIN

PREPARED BY:

1. NUR AIN ATHIRAH BINTI SYAHAIDY (293824)

2. MOHAMAD LOQMAN HAKIM BIN SAHARUDIN (295304)

3. NURSHAHIDATUL NABILA BINTI MUSTAPA (293757)

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Digital inclusion refers to the equitable, meaningful, and safe access to use, lead, and design of digital technologies, services, and associated opportunities for everyone, everywhere.

Key Components of Digital Inclusion:

Access: Providing physical access to digital technologies, such as computers, smartphones, and the internet.

Affordability: Ensuring that digital technologies and services are affordable for all.

Skills: Offering training and education to help individuals and communities effectively use digital tools.

Support: Providing technical and community support to ensure continuous engagement and use of digital resources.

Equity: Addressing disparities and eliminating obstacles that prevent marginalized groups from participating fully in the digital world.

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1. Access to Technology

Existing Policies:

Broadband Expansion Initiatives: Governments and organizations often develop programs to expand broadband infrastructure to underserved areas. For example, initiatives like the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in the U.S. focus on providing affordable high-speed internet access to rural and low-income communities.

Device Distribution Programs: Policies like providing low-cost or subsidized devices (e.g., laptops, tablets) to underprivileged students or households to facilitate remote learning and work.

Evaluation:

Successes include increased access in underserved areas, but challenges like affordability and maintenance persist.

Gaps remain in rural areas and among low-income households, impacting digital inclusion.

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Challenges of Digital Inclusion

1. Lack of Access to Technology: Several millions of households lack reliable access to the internet and digital devices. For example, an estimated 7 million households in the UK lack either broadband or mobile internet, a situation worsened by the increasing cost of living that has forced many to cancel their services.

2. Digital Literacy: One of the most important barriers is the digital skill gap among specific sections of the population. According to reports, more than 5 million adults in the workforce of the UK cannot perform basic digital tasks essential for their jobs. This gap in skills is going to increase further, with basic digital literacy becoming a significant issue by 2030.

3. Inadequate Infrastructure: Most of the areas, especially rural ones, do not have proper infrastructure concerning mobile towers and Internet service providers. This scarcity of adequate infrastructure influences the underprivileged section of society.

4. Socio-economic Issues: Economic factors also contribute as a significant cause of digital exclusion. Poor people belonging to low-income categories cannot afford the facility of devices and the Internet, which in turn puts them in a vicious circle of poverty and exclusion.

5. Cultural and Gender Disparities: Systemic barriers faced by women and marginalized groups include early marriage, dependence on male family members for technology access, and limited time due to caregiving responsibilities. These factors all combine to ensure a significant gender digital divide.

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Opportunities for Digital Inclusion:

1. Community-Based Support: Community centers that set up ICT support and training facilities can help bridge the digital divide. These resources need to be adapted to the needs of seniors and people with disabilities so that they can learn with ease in a friendly, non-threatening environment.

2. Policy Interventions: Plans for national broadband, directed government investments in underserved areas, advance technology and Internet access, and thereby unfold the routes to economic progress.

3. Collaboration: Access to digital technologies might be promoted in a consolidated approach whereby governments, businesses, and civic entities connect to the effort more effectively and make sure that access is combined with skills training in an overall stakeholder effort.

4. New Technologies: The implementation of novel technologies, such as 5G, does show some promises for improving access in disadvantaged regions. Great care must be taken in the implementation so as not to widen existing disparities.

5. Education: Incorporation of digital literacy into education at early stages of a child's development will provide the future generation with the necessary competence to engage fully in the digital world.

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Expand Broadband Infrastructure:
Governments should focus on improving broadband connectivity in rural and underserved areas by investing in infrastructure projects. Collaboration with private sector partners can help accelerate this process, ensuring that high-speed internet becomes accessible to all communities.

Provide Subsidized Digital Access:
Policies should include subsidies for internet services and digital devices to support low-income households. This could involve offering affordable data plans, distributing free or low-cost devices, and providing tax incentives to encourage tech manufacturers to create affordable options.

Promote Digital Literacy Campaigns:
Nationwide campaigns are essential to improve digital skills, especially among vulnerable groups such as older adults, women, and those in rural areas. Community centers and public libraries can serve as accessible venues for hands-on training programs tailored to local needs.

Encourage Inclusive Technology Design:
Technology should be designed to meet the needs of all users, including people with disabilities and marginalized groups. Policies should enforce accessibility standards and offer incentives for tech companies to adopt inclusive design practices that eliminate barriers.

Strengthen Cross-Sector Collaboration:
Effective digital inclusion requires coordinated efforts from governments, non-governmental organizations, and private companies. By pooling resources and expertise, stakeholders can address critical challenges like affordability, infrastructure limitations, and the digital skills gap more efficiently.

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Digital inclusion is essential for promoting equal opportunities and driving sustainable development in an increasingly digital world. Although policies like broadband expansion and device distribution have improved access in many areas, significant challenges remain. These include inadequate infrastructure, gaps in digital literacy, and socio-economic inequalities that prevent full participation in the digital economy.

Despite these challenges, there are numerous opportunities to address these issues through innovative technologies, community-based programs, and collaborative strategies involving governments, businesses, and civil society. By adopting targeted recommendations such as improving broadband access, subsidizing digital resources, and enhancing digital education, societies can take meaningful steps toward closing the digital divide. Achieving true digital inclusion will empower individuals and communities to engage fully in the digital age, fostering equity and innovation on a global scale.

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1. Britain's digital divide: 7 million households have no internet access - Chris Skinner's blog

2. 54% of UK workforce lack proficiency in essential digital tasks for the workplace | Cosmic

3. Digital divide narrowed by pandemic, but around 1.5m homes remain offline - Ofcom

4. Digital exclusion worsens cost of living crisis - Understanding Society

5. The UK’s Digital Skills Gap: Navigating The Challenges Of Digitalisation | Webrecruit

6. Unpacking-the-hidden-middle_final-digital.pdf

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Britain’s digital divide: 7 million households have no internet access - Chris Skinner’s blog

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7 million households have no internet access according to the UK’s House of Lords’ Communications and Digital Committee (CDC) published, who its report at the end of June titled: Digital exclusion. Summarising their findings they say that the Government has “no credible strategy” to tackle digital exclusion. That’s a good start isn’t it? Statistics flagged…