Access to the internet for everyone all of the time, is coming. With global plans by Google, Microsoft and Elon Musk, to link the world in a network of satellites and other innovations, there will come a day when no despotic dictator can cut off the internet or threaten to curb internet freedoms to quell dissent against repressive regimes.
This is Africa's 'space race' - the race for internet connectivity across the continent and lower broadband costs, says
Michèle Scanlon, new business development at Gondwana International Networks.
If you want to know what it is like to live without the internet in this day and age in a thriving economic hub, read
Monique Kwachou's stirring account of 'No Internet Cameroon' and the #Bringbackourinternet campaign. The English-speaking region of Cameroon has had its internet cut off by the government for three months, following protests.
In Kenya, it's a different story altogether as
Facebook and Surf launch free Wi-Fi express hotspots for the populace, in the belief that access to the internet should be available and affordable for everyone.
Have a great week!
Louise Marsland
Africa Editor: Bizcommunity.comComment online in our ed's column archive. Go mobile with apps and m.bizcommunity.com. Engage with us on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and Google+. Subscribe to YouTube and via RSS. Send all your African marketing and media news and event invitations to africanews@bizcommunity.com, exclusive opinion pieces to contributors-africa@bizcommunity.com and international news to internationalnews@bizcommunity.com. Read "How to contribute to Biz, from op-ed pieces to news".
