Assignment 2

1. Concerning the penetration and the use of the Internet, data remians incomplete, in some countries we have only “guesstimates”. Can this statement apply to Morocco?

• Concerning the penetration and the use of the internet data provided in Morocco, I think data are sometimes representative and well explanatory. For instance, the data provided by the ARNT gives a clear idea about the penetration of internet in the Moroccan society. For instance, we have statistics claiming the number of subscribers and the number of internet users. The study provides clear idea about the number of PCs, internet providers ect. Still some data is incomplete because it misses some important issues. For example, the number of connectors differs between the ones being connected from cybercafe, business, houses, schools and others. Another example is about the number of PC in Morocco. The statistics ignore the fact that most of the PCs are brought from abroad either from Europe or the US. Therefore, having a clear number would be impossible. Adding to this, the major difference between rural and urban area is making access to information more difficult.

2. What does the digital divide mean for you? (100 word, checklist style)

• The digital divide is the difference between the one who have access to information and others who have not.
• The digital divide is tha gap between the ones who have access to the means of information and the ones who have not.
• the digital devide can not be only about having access because this one is not enough. the digital devide is also about using the technology thanks to required skills and tools. Therefore, the digital devide put apart people who have access, skills, and knwoledge of the means of information and the ones who have not.

3. How can we measure the digital divide in Morocco? (100 word, checklist style)

• To measure the digital divide in Morocco, one should examine the folowing indicators:
• 
  1. Indicators (info-density)
  - Number of mobile phones in household
  - Numbers of telecommunications providers
  - Method of access and bandwidth for internet use in household
  - Number of PCs
  - Number of Internet users
  - ICT expenditure( percent of GDP)
  - Presence of fixed telephone lines in households
  - Languages of internet sites visited

2. Indicators (info-use)
- Purpose of PC use
- Purpose of internet use

4. How can we bridge the digital divide in Morocco? (250 word, checklist style)

To bridge the digital divide in Morocco:

• First, deciding and standarizing indicators is a must to measure the digital divide.
• Second, deciding about indicators would help in measuring the actual digital divide and thus thinking of ways to leapfrog it.
• Third, among the important issues Morocco is facing is illitracy. In order to improve the technology and information, education must be the pillar in the future agenda. This could be done thanks to ICTs for the purpose of enhancing and fosterign education.
• Fourth, to bridge the digital devide, people needs to aquire skills and knowledge. I think these two concepts would be essential in the leapfrogging step. Any technology needs essentail skills and knowledge, so the government needs to spend money and energy to encourage these two concepts within future generations. Schools needs to be the major target in order to enhance the needed skills and knowledge to bridge the digital gap.
• Fifth, having access is a universal matter. In Morocco the priority would be to provide a universal access to all people especially in the rural area. Having access would be easily done since one needs only electricity and telephone lines which are most of the time provided.