The “Digital Divide” Raised from the International Interconnection in Internet Times

Abstract

The available data in this paper illustrates that both the speeding development of Internet and the widening digital divide in Internet times is surprising the world. It is the cause that the special economic characteristics of Internet, that is, the economies of scale and the distinct externality of Internet, lead a monopoly and unfair charges in internet interconnection between countries. Then we point out that the “digital divide” reflects the seriously unbalanced distribution of Internet in the world, which damages both developing and developed countries and further aggravates the disequilibria of global economy. Finally, we present the principle of Internet interconnection and suggest that bridge “digital divide” needs international communities paying a close attention to and participating in setting up a fair and reasonable Internet settlement system.