The 3bn information gap

The recent news of Google and HSBC’s joint venture to provide cheap high speed web access via satellite to emerging markets, raises some important questions for UK plc. The foresight to bring internet access to the third world is by no means a new vision, in fact more than a handful of companies have been working to such an end for several years. Where this new venture differs is in its vast ability to be an all consuming wave of connectivity…and in a short time frame.

This should be a wake up call for all those states (UK plc being among them) who feel confident of a consolidated position in world ICT. The first wave of emerging economies offering specialised ICT solutions, such as India with call centres, are already beginning to shake off their original associations and emerge as real contenders in the high-end market. The Philippines have in-turn re-branded themselves as the home of Medical and Law ICT translations, with many more ‘non-traditional’ states also beginning to encroach upon the realms of traditionally stronger ones.

Whist the filling of the information gap for the 3bn people without internet access is undoubtedly brilliant news, it does raise interesting questions. Is it possible that the filling of the information gap will in the future fill the gap left by the first wave of emerging ICT economies? This will of course not happen without strong governmental planning alongside business investment to allow for specialised solutions at a lower international than national rate. Something that will take a long time in many third world nation-states.

However, following in the footsteps of greater connectivity will undoubtedly be greater access to information and opportunities. The filling of the information gap will then at some point step up the pace of the game, and with it the UK will need to step up its own.