A monthly series from the Web Foundation
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** Covid-19 shows the web is not a luxury. It is a lifeline.
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Imagine living through the Covid-19 pandemic without access to the web.

True isolation, without a video connection to loved ones. No streaming movies, online workouts, and virtual concerts to keep you entertained. No glory in the online pub quiz.

Think about how much harder it would be to stay safe and healthy without the latest advice at your fingertips. And the difficult choices we’d face if we couldn't work or learn from home.

What feels impossible for many is the reality for nearly half of the world ([link removed]) . Today, 3.5 billion people remain unconnected, cut off as the world has shut down and gone online. And many more lack the quality of connection they need to use the full power of the web.

Here, we untangle the persistent digital divides that exist around the world — and what we must do to get everyone, everywhere meaningfully connected ([link removed]) .
The digital divide, in numbers
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Only 54% of the global population ([link removed]) is connected today. People in poorer regions ([link removed]) , women ([link removed]) , elderly people, and those living in remote and rural areas are far less likely to be online (ITU ([link removed]) )

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The web is a lifeline that over 3.5 billion people ([link removed]) across the globe can't access (ITU ([link removed]) )

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Men are 21% more likely ([link removed]) to be online than women — rising to 52% in the world's least developed countries (Web Foundation / Inclusive Internet Index ([link removed]) )

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Across Africa, only 1 in 4 people ([link removed]) have access to the internet (ITU ([link removed]) )

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In New York City, nearly a third of households lack a home broadband subscription (NYC Mayor's Office of the Chief Technology Officer ([link removed]) )

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87% of US adults say the internet has been essential ([link removed]) or important during the Covid-19 pandemic (Pew Research ([link removed]) )

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We’re not only facing a global health pandemic. We also have a catastrophic digital divide threatening to deepen offline inequalities.

- Eleanor Sarpong, Deputy Director of the Alliance for Affordable Internet ([link removed])


** Internet access is a basic right. We must get everyone connected.
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The Covid-19 pandemic has underlined the human cost of the digital divide that persists across the globe.

With the Alliance for Affordable Internet ([link removed]) (A4AI), we have recommended steps for governments, companies and civil society to bring people online ([link removed]) as quickly as possible. These include:

🏛 Governments
* Remove consumer facing taxes ([link removed]) on data and internet services
* End any internet shutdowns immediately
* Protect network infrastructure ([link removed]) from vandalism

💼 Service providers
* Waive late fees ([link removed]) and don't cut people off if they are behind on their bills ([link removed])
* Provide discounted data ([link removed]) or special affordable packages ([link removed]) for low income groups
* Zero-rate public service websites and services ([link removed])

🗣 Citizens
* Speak out for those who are offline — and put pressure on governments and companies to take action

Getting internet access for everyone is one the most pressing digital challenges of our time ([link removed]) . Now more than ever, we must double down on our efforts so everyone, everywhere has access to the web as a lifeline.
Read the policy brief ([link removed])
Ensuring the web works for everyone at this moment
The web is one of the most powerful tools we have to tackle this global health crisis together.

Learn more about our efforts to ensure the web serves humanity at this moment.

📝 President and CEO Adrian Lovett explains how the web can do more in the fight against Covid-19 ([link removed])

📄 Our policy brief on misinformation outlines the steps that governments, companies and citizens must take to fight ([link removed]) viral Covid-19 conspiracy theories, rumours, and false claims

🌐 A4AI members are keeping people connected during this crisis ([link removed])
Resources to explore

✏️ Official figures mask the scale of America’s internet inequality problem ([link removed]) , writes US Federal Communications Commissioner (FCC) Jessica Rosenworcel (CNN)

📰 A Guardian editorial says the pandemic shows the internet access should be treated like a public utility, and reviews our recommendations to bring affordable and meaningful connectivity to all ([link removed])

🎯 Without urgent action, we will miss global targets to get everyone connected ([link removed]) , analysis from Web Foundation Senior Research Manager Carlos Iglesias finds

📄 Access Now outlines how governments and telecoms companies can expand connectivity ([link removed]) to fight Covid-19

🎧 Web Foundation Research Director Dhanaraj Thakur spoke to BBC Tech Tent about what we must do to connect the unconnected ([link removed])

🌍 Web Foundation Research Manager for Gender and Digital Rights Chenai Chair spoke to Deutsche Welle about the disparities in internet access across Africa ([link removed])

🚘 The New York Times’ Cecilia Kang writes about people in the US camped out in their cars ([link removed]) , desperate to connect to nearby WiFi hotspots

📊 Capgemini Research Institute's new report looks at how bridging the digital divide could boost social and economic equality ([link removed])

💻 A4AI Executive Director Sonia Jorge and Regional Coordinator for Latin America and the Caribbean Yacine Khelladi spoke to DPL News about how the digital gender gap has left women cut off ([link removed]) from critical information during this crisis (Spanish)

🛑 TIME Magazine interviews doctors inhttps://time.com/5832256/kashmir-lockdown-coronavirus/Kashmir struggling to treat patients because they are forced to ([link removed]) rely on slow 2G speeds ([link removed]) to access the latest coronavirus health advice due to continued restrictions on 4G access
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2020

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