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India.com
3 days ago
- India.com
No WhatsApp, No Instagram! THIS village in India has no internet connectivity, students climb hills to study, located in..., name is...
New Delhi: Do you know that there is a place in India where neither WhatsApp works nor Instagram Reels load? Here, in this article, we will tell you the story of a village where thousands of people are still not connected with internet services. Children here have to climb treacherous mountains every day, just to catch even the slightest signal of internet connectivity. Today, while discussions revolve around 4G and 5G internet connectivity, there exists a village far removed from the shining headlines of the nation's progress — struggling with a fundamental challenge: the absence of internet access. For the residents here, online education, digital payments, or access to information about government schemes are nothing more than distant dreams. Children and the younger generation feel disconnected from the modern world, as they are deprived of internet access that is readily available in cities. Away from the glitz of social media, the village is known for its natural beauty and peaceful way of life. Tourists come here from far and wide. Kibber village Kibber village is located in the Lahaul-Spiti district of Himachal Pradesh. In this village, the internet connectivity is still a major challenge. The village is situated at an altitude of over 14,000 feet in India's Spiti Valley Kibber may appear beautiful, but it remains digitally isolated. In today's age, when everything has gone online, the students and residents here face tremendous difficulties. To attend online classes or even fill out a form, they have to climb several kilometers to reach a spot where they can get even a faint glimpse of network connectivity. Internet Accessibility in India According to a 2023 report by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), around 2.6 billion people worldwide — approximately one-third of the global population — are still offline. These people still do not have access to the internet. They often live in remote villages located in mountains, deserts, or dense forests, where internet connectivity is unavailable. Smartphones are rarely seen in these areas, and the idea of connecting to the digital world is still very new to them.
Time of India
6 days ago
- Time of India
No Wi-Fi, No Google Maps, No Instagram: The last offline villages in the world where 2.6 billion still wait for internet
No Wi-Fi, No Google Maps, No Instagram: The last offline villages in the world where 2.6 billion still wait for internet Tech has transformed lives across much of the globe, with billions swiping, streaming, and scrolling through life. But for an astonishing 2.6 billion people—nearly a third of the global population—the internet remains out of reach. These individuals live beyond the edge of connectivity, often in remote villages carved into mountains, scattered across deserts, or hidden deep within tropical jungles. In these regions, Wi-Fi is non-existent, smartphones are rare, and the very concept of digital inclusion feels foreign. Despite the internet becoming central to everything from education and banking to health care and disaster response, a vast segment of humanity remains in digital darkness. Disconnected not by choice, but by circumstance, these communities span from the high Himalayas of India to the savannas of central Africa and the Amazon basin. Their daily lives are shaped not by tweets or TikToks, but by oral tradition, land-based navigation, and deeply rooted communal knowledge. This exclusion is not just about missing out on convenience—it has serious consequences for education, health, safety, and economic opportunity. In 2025, the persistence of offline villages is a humanitarian and developmental challenge as much as a technological one. Why 2.6 billion people in the world still live without internet in 2025 According to a 2023 report by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), roughly 2.6 billion people remain offline. The digital divide has narrowed over the past decade, but significant disparities remain. Most of the disconnected live in developing countries, often in regions that are: by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 21st Century Skills Start with Confident Communication Planet Spark Learn More Undo Geographically isolated (e.g., mountain villages, desert settlements) Politically unstable (e.g., conflict zones) Economically marginalized (e.g., post-colonial rural areas) Lacking in infrastructure (e.g., no roads or reliable electricity) The offline population is disproportionately rural, poor, and underrepresented. Many communities lack not just internet access , but even basic telecommunications infrastructure like 2G mobile coverage or landlines. Life without connection: Stories from the edges Kibber, India: Climbing for homework At over 14,000 feet, the Himalayan village of Kibber in India's Spiti Valley might have postcard views, but it's digitally isolated. Students there hike to ridges where a weak mobile signal allows them to download homework or send completed assignments. With no broadband, learning depends on weather, topography, and sheer persistence. Northern Mali: Oral traditions over Twitter In northern Mali, decades of conflict have shattered digital infrastructure. Armed groups routinely disable towers, making even basic mobile communication a rarity. In this void, oral traditions and storytelling remain dominant, linking generations through memory rather than media. Papua New Guinea: Maps in the dust In villages in Papua New Guinea, GPS means nothing. There are no Google Maps, and few have ever touched a smartphone. Directions are traced in dust, passed from elder to child. The digital world is more myth than memory here. No signal, no safety: The deadly cost of being offline The idea of places untouched by technology often captures the imagination. No ads. No screen fatigue. No surveillance. But behind the romantic notion of a disconnected utopia lie harsh realities: No access to telemedicine during health crises No remote learning during pandemic lockdowns No early-warning systems during floods, cyclones, or earthquakes No digital banking or ID systems, limiting access to welfare schemes The COVID-19 pandemic laid bare the consequences. In 2020 and 2021, entire offline regions received vaccine updates, lockdown guidelines, and emergency warnings late—if at all. The absence of digital connection didn't protect them from the virus; it made them more vulnerable. Disconnected by design: When opting out is a choice Not all offline communities are victims of circumstance. In parts of rural Vermont or among Amish populations in Pennsylvania, disconnection is a conscious choice. Motivated by: Religious beliefs Environmental concerns Resistance to surveillance capitalism A desire for simpler living These groups navigate the digital world on their own terms, often using limited tech for essential tasks while rejecting broader adoption. But they are the exception. For the majority of the 2.6 billion offline people, disconnection is structural, not spiritual. Satellite dreams and grounded realities Starlink and the promise from the sky Elon Musk's Starlink, a low-Earth orbit satellite constellation, has been hailed as a possible equalizer. In theory, it can beam broadband to any corner of the planet. In practice, however: High costs make it inaccessible to most rural users Power reliability remains a barrier (no electricity = no modem) Device literacy is low in remote areas Installation logistics are complex in conflict zones or mountainous regions The fall of Project Loon Alphabet's Project Loon, which used high-altitude balloons to deliver internet, was grounded in 2021. Despite promising trials in Kenya and Puerto Rico, the initiative struggled with: Sustainability issues Coverage limitations High operational costs These experiments show that technical feasibility does not always translate into practical access on the ground. How poor planning keeps communities in the dark Even when governments pledge universal connectivity, bureaucratic inefficiencies, corruption, and poor planning often leave towers half-built or non-functional. In some African and South Asian nations, digital infrastructure projects are plagued by: Overpricing and tender manipulation Poor maintenance Lack of local technical expertise Inconsistent power supply As a result, some communities are within visible range of a cell tower but remain offline. Also read | Tech layoffs 2025: Over 61,000 jobs cut as Microsoft, Google, Amazon, and CrowdStrike reshape workforce
Asharq Al-Awsat
21-05-2025
- Business
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Saudi Arabia Ranks Second in G20 for ICT Regulatory Progress
Saudi Arabia has secured second place among G20 countries in the UN International Telecommunication Union's 2024 ICT Regulatory Tracker, marking a significant milestone in the Kingdom's efforts to modernize its digital regulatory environment. The achievement underscores Saudi Arabia's progress in developing a robust regulatory framework for the telecommunications and information technology sectors. It reflects the country's commitment to fostering innovation, building advanced digital infrastructure, and implementing effective regulatory tools that support investment and fuel the growth of the digital economy. The Communications, Space and Technology Commission said the index is designed to assist policymakers and regulators in keeping pace with rapid changes in the sector. The index evaluates 194 countries based on 50 indicators across four key areas: regulatory authority independence, mandate, framework, and market competition. The Kingdom's performance in the ICT Regulatory Tracker adds to a string of international successes in the technology sector. It has maintained its position as the second-highest ranking G20 nation in the ITU's ICT Development Index for a second consecutive year. Saudi Arabia also ranked second among G20 countries in the UN's Telecommunication Infrastructure Index. Separately, the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology announced on Tuesday that Saudi Arabia was named 'Country of the Year' and topped the global rankings for the fastest-growing tech startup ecosystem in the 2024 StartupBlink Index. Riyadh was recognized as the world's fastest-growing city in this category. Saudi Arabia ranked first globally in healthtech, and second in both insurtech and investment tech, as well as in logistics and delivery applications. It placed third in digital payments, fifth in gaming, and seventh worldwide in edtech. Riyadh also posted the highest global growth rate in innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystems. The capital ranked first in nanotechnology and transportation technology, and second in fintech. As part of its broader strategic vision, the Saudi government is working to maximize the economic impact of the tech sector. The digital economy now contributes more than SAR495 billion ($132 billion) to GDP, representing 15% of the total. The ICT market size exceeded SAR180 billion ($48 billion) in 2024, creating over 381,000 quality jobs. Women's empowerment has been a cornerstone of this transformation. Female participation in the tech sector surged from 7% in 2018 to 35% in 2024, the highest in the region and above the G20 and EU averages. In the realm of digital government, Saudi Arabia ranked fourth globally for digital services, second among G20 nations, and first in the region.
Zawya
21-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Saudi Arabia ranks second among G20 in the ICT Regulatory Tracker Index
RIYADH — Saudi Arabia achieved an exceptional accomplishment by securing second place among the G20 countries in the ICT Regulatory Tracker index issued by the UN International Telecommunication Union (ITU) for 2024. The achievement confirms Saudi Arabia's remarkable progress in telecommunications and technology regulations, enhancing regulatory innovation, building cutting-edge digital infrastructure, and implementing effective market oversight mechanisms. It also demonstrates Saudi Arabia's dedication to providing an attractive regulatory environment that stimulates investment and accelerates digital economic growth, solidifying its position as a global regulatory leader. The index aims to support decision-makers and regulatory entities in keeping pace with developments in the vital sector, as it measures the maturity of ICT regulatory frameworks across 194 countries. It is based on 50 criteria divided into four main pillars: regulatory authority, regulatory mandates, regulatory regime, and competition framework. The achievement extends Saudi Arabia's series of international successes in the telecom and technology sector, as it continues to enhance its global position by achieving the highest classifications and advanced rankings. Saudi Arabia maintained second place among G20 countries in the ICT Development Index for two consecutive years, and it achieved second place among the G20 countries in the United Nations' Telecommunications Infrastructure Index (TII). © Copyright 2022 The Saudi Gazette. All Rights Reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Leaders
20-05-2025
- Business
- Leaders
Saudi Arabia Ranks 2nd Among G20 in ITU's ICT Regulatory Tracker Index
Saudi Arabia has achieved a significant milestone by ranking second among G20 countries in the 2024 ICT Regulatory Tracker issued by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), a specialized agency of the United Nations. This accomplishment reflects the Kingdom's substantial progress in the field of telecommunications and digital regulation. It highlights Saudi Arabia's commitment to regulatory innovation, the development of advanced digital infrastructure, and the implementation of effective market oversight. The result also underscores the Kingdom's dedication to fostering a regulatory environment that attracts investment and drives digital economic growth, reinforcing its standing as a global leader in regulatory excellence. The ICT Regulatory Tracker is designed to support policymakers and regulators in navigating the rapidly evolving ICT sector. It evaluates the maturity of ICT regulatory frameworks in 194 countries, using 50 indicators grouped into four key pillars: regulatory authority, regulatory mandates, regulatory regime, and competition framework. This recognition adds to a growing list of international achievements by Saudi Arabia in the telecom and technology sectors. The Kingdom has consistently maintained top-tier rankings, including second place among G20 nations in both the ICT Development Index for two consecutive years and the UN's Telecommunications Infrastructure Index (TII). Related Topics : Saudi Finance Minister Leads Delegation at G20 FMCBG Meeting in South Africa Saudi Arabia Participates at G20 Trade and Investment Ministerial Meeting in Brazil 3.9 BILLION PEOPLE ARE USING THE INTERNET Eastern Region Waterfronts: Top Ramadan Spots Offering Serene Spiritual Experience Short link : Post Views: 1 Related Stories
