The Economics of Internet Access: Bridging the Digital Divide
Despite the internet’s role as a global equalizer, 3.7 billion people—nearly half the world’s population—remain offline as of 2023. This digital divide persists not due to technological limitations but economic, geographic, and policy barriers. This article dissects the financial challenges of universal connectivity, evaluates innovative public-private partnerships, and explores disruptive models that could democratize access in underserved regions.