Economic and social benefits of expanding internet access
Internet connectivity has already changed many aspects of the
lives of individuals around the world and provided far-reaching
economic and social benefits. However, of the world's 7 billion
people only 2.7 billion have access to the internet today and the
unconnected typically live in developing countries. Extending the
opportunities that the internet can bring is critical to
accelerating economic and social growth in developing economies,
while enabling the transition from a resource-based to a
knowledge-based economy.
Facebook has launched a global partnership, Internet.org, with
the goal of making internet access available and affordable
to all. They have commissioned Deloitte to examine the ways
in which extending access can change economies and societies in
developing countries and what benefits this would generate on a
number of economic and social dimensions.
