The expansion and spatial distribution of internet connectivity in Africa
Document Type
Poster Presentation
Start Date
20-4-2018 3:30 PM
End Date
20-4-2018 4:45 PM
Keywords
Africa, Internet, Mobile
Biography
My name is Keith Zeigler and I'm a West Virginia native and an undergraduate student at Marshall University studying for a B.Sc in Geography. Prior to studying here received an Associate Degree in Drafting and Design and worked as a CAD Tech for Enviroprobe Integrated Solutions. Through GIS I have decided to further my education and expand my knowledge in Geography. The integration of technology and geography has made this an exciting field to study. In the next few months Currently I am working to present a project on Africa for my senior capstone course.
Major
Bachelor of Science, Geography
Advisor for this project
Anita Walz, Ph.D.
Abstract
Africa is the continent with the most countries near the bottom of the developmental scale. However, development is rapidly accelerating. The adoption of the internet in Sub-Saharan Africa has seen significant growth in the past few years. This study examines various aspects of internet growth and mobile communications in African countries. This study also looks to discover how the spatial aspect of telecommunications and infrastructure play a role in migration. Data from the World Bank shows that African countries on the coastlines have the largest percentage of internet users, higher percentage of mobile subscriptions, and were first to receive connectivity. This is mainly due to undersea cables that have been run on the ocean floor that allow coastline countries to have internet access first and the highest percentage of users. As growth of the Internet and mobile communications continue exponentially, it is pivotal that growth be sustained and expand to underdeveloped countries and rural areas to help create economic development. It is important examine African countries with lower rates of internet connectivity to improve infrastructure in rural areas and close the digital divide gap. Greater internet access could be closely linked to economic growth, greater quality of life, and have effects on migration.
The expansion and spatial distribution of internet connectivity in Africa
Africa is the continent with the most countries near the bottom of the developmental scale. However, development is rapidly accelerating. The adoption of the internet in Sub-Saharan Africa has seen significant growth in the past few years. This study examines various aspects of internet growth and mobile communications in African countries. This study also looks to discover how the spatial aspect of telecommunications and infrastructure play a role in migration. Data from the World Bank shows that African countries on the coastlines have the largest percentage of internet users, higher percentage of mobile subscriptions, and were first to receive connectivity. This is mainly due to undersea cables that have been run on the ocean floor that allow coastline countries to have internet access first and the highest percentage of users. As growth of the Internet and mobile communications continue exponentially, it is pivotal that growth be sustained and expand to underdeveloped countries and rural areas to help create economic development. It is important examine African countries with lower rates of internet connectivity to improve infrastructure in rural areas and close the digital divide gap. Greater internet access could be closely linked to economic growth, greater quality of life, and have effects on migration.
