LITERATURE REVIEW

History of Digital Divide

            Historically, the term digital divide rose publicly in the mid-1990s as the National Telecommunication and Information Administration (NTIA) survey (1995), as cited in Servon (2002, p. 2), identified the existence of a divide which “separates people with access to information technology from those without it” in America. Castells (2002), as cited in Fuchs & Horak (2008, p.248), identifies digital divide as "inequality to the internet". In short, the digital divide can be understood as disparities in access to information and communication technologies.

            As the United Nation General Secretary, Kofi Annan (1999), as cited in Fuch & Horak (2008, p.2), points out digital divide is “a pressing humanitarian issues”, it is understandable that this condition becomes a salient issue at international scope.

Multifaceted Nature of the Informations Have-Not

            Most people believe thet there are several factors to explain why the developing countries are trapped in "the information have-nots" (Servon, 2002, p.8). First factor is the market influence which correlates to high price of computers and internet services in developing countries. Second is unequal investment in infrastructure that suggests inadequate provision of high-end telecommunications facilities, and lastly, discrimination which implies in unbalance usage of ICT due to ethnic group's sentiment.

Digital Divide and Information Society: The State of Winner or Loser?

            As Giri (2002, p. 4) argues that "a major gap has always existed between affluent people living in developed societies with an access to modern information technology and underdeveloped countries", it is understandable if the digital divide reflects broader context of social and economic relations between developed and developing countries.

The ideal explanation is that the digital divide manifests with socioeconomic disparities. these disparities as believed will produce what Fuchs and Horak (2008, p. 4) call "classes of winners and lossers of the information society".

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

            Given attention to methodologies that will be used for this topic, the research will incorporate case studies and literature reviews. Case studies are performed to obtain facts related to the topic based on best practise. While literature reviews are necesarry to accomplish profound understanding of the research topic's framework. They will also serve as sources of substansial data and information.

            Academic literatures such as books, journals and reports will serve as research materials. These materials will mainly focus Information and Communication Technology (ICT), digital divide, and APT as well as Indonesia's position in the information society.

DISCUSSION

Bridging the Digital Divide: Study Case of Association of Progressive Communication (APC)

            The Association of Progressive Communication (APC) was established in 1990. APC is an international non-governmental organization and a network which 50 members are widespread in five continents around the globe, the majority is based in developing countries. Currently, APC works on two broad levels of digital divide bridging effort; practice and policies. In practical term, APC is formed to provide people with ICT infrastructures. In order to support its vision and missions, APC members designated six strategic priorities for the network until 2012:

1. Advocate for affordable internet access for all

2. Secure and defend internet rights

3. Use emerging technologies for social change

4. Make technology work to sustain the environment

5. Build the information-commons

6. Improve governance, especially internet governance

(Association for Progressive Communications, 2011a, p. 16)

Indonesia and the Digital Divide: A Smaller of Bigger Picture

            By the 21st century, technology developments have dominated the manner in which people live their life. One of notable discussions is regarding the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) inevitable infiltration to the society's daily basis activities

Indonesia, in this point, has also experiencing the same condition. As reflected by Nugroho (2010, p. 30) that the country, for some people, is "communication heaven". In fact, it is categorized as one of developing countries that alleviating its position from the "information have-nots" to those in "the information haves" due to the country's progressive ICT development.

Internet usage in Indonesia started to increase as platforms to access the net were provided more widely. The growing number of Warung Internet / Intenet Cafes (Warnet) was one significant factor that had contributed greatly to the ICT adoption among Indonesians. Another crusial element that magnified the ICT adoption among Indonesians, especially youngster, is the distribution of cheap mobile phone equipped with large internet capacity.

CONCLUSION

To conclude, disparities always exist in the world. One of those disparities is digital divide which takes information and communication technology into account. This divide presents many hurdles at international sphere since it is not only talking about inequality in ICT access and skills but also suggesting a broader context of international socio-economic gap between developed and developing countries. Thus, a lot of efforts have been taken in diminishing the gap even though certain barries still remain.