The U.S. is ranked third from the top after Canada and Norway. Progress is being made. Millions of Chinese now have Internet access, even though buying a PC can cost half a year s income. Consumers will be able to own these after 15 monthly installments. Telecenters and cyber cafes that provide Web access and services such as e-mail are spreading and are being used by many people.
Users pay by the number of minutes of connectivity.
Such a model exists in Costa Rica, where villages use facilities made of large shipping containers outfitted with computers. This concept was developed by the Costa Rican Foundation and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Media Laboratory. Called Lineos, these little Internet communities provide access to the Web, e-mail, videoconferencing, IT training and telemedicine via satellites. In July 2000, the leaders of seven industrialized nations appointed a digital opportunity task force to make recommendations on bridging the digital divide. Many companies in the U.S. are assisting.