The use of information and communication technology (ICT) continues to increase worldwide, accelerating the flow of information and boosting key services. However, much of its potential as a driver of development is still untapped.
Globally, only a minority has access to the internet and a large share of this minority uses slow dial-ups that cannot cope with web services designed for high-speed connections. The EU’s development cooperation in the area of ICT focuses on this digital divide. Making the benefits of new technologies, especially ICTs, widely available has also been defined as a target under the Millennium Development Goals.