Celebrating the World Telecommunication and Information Society Day (WTISD) is a way to help raise awareness of the possibilities that the use of the Internet and other information and communication technologies (ICTs) can bring to societies and economies.
The WTISD, which focuses this year on "Empowering the least developed countries through information and communication technologies," also aims to bridge the digital divide between LDCs and implement the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (2030 Agenda) with its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which were adopted by the United Nations General Assembly resolution, regarding the study of the great potential to accelerate human progress.
Telecommunication has become the basis for many services that individuals rely on in their daily private and practical life, such as searching for information on Internet pages, making mobile calls, and sending text messages, in addition to being the main engine for any economic organization, especially with the globalization that dominates the market economy.
World Telecommunication Day has been celebrated annually on May 17 since 1969, marking the founding of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the signing of the first International Telegraph Convention in 1865. In 2006, the ITU Plenipotentiary Conference decided to celebrate both events, World Telecommunication Day and World Information Society Day, on May 17 as World Telecommunication and Information Society Day.
Figures issued by the ITU in 2023 show that there are an estimated 5.16 billion internet users in the world, or 64.4% of the world's 8 population.
These Figures are close to 2023 DataReportal's latest Global Overview Report which shows that a total of 5.44 billion people use mobile phones in early 2023, equating to 68 percent of the total global population. The report also shows that 2.85 billion people remain "unconnected" to the internet, with 96% of them living in developing countries.
The causes of the digital divide are due to poverty, illiteracy, and limited access to electricity, as well as the lack of digital skills, which remains one of the biggest challenges facing populations who do not have access to the Internet in poor countries, in addition to the poor telecommunication infrastructure in some developing countries.
The report data also show that the global internet user total increased by 1.9% over the past 12 months, and that the number of people shopping online worldwide grew by nearly 8.3% in 2022 to hit 4.11 billion, and nearly 59% spent on these online purchases was attributed to mobile devices.
Kepios analysis reveals that the global social media user total has increased by close to 30% since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, equating to more than 1 billion new users over the past three years. However, growth has slowed dramatically over the most recent 12 months, and the worldwide growth figure is the lowest ever seen.
As for the number of social media users around the world, it reached 4.76 billion users, equivalent to just under 60% of the world's total population. The highest applications and platforms on communication sites were as follows: YouTube ranked first, followed by Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram, and Messenger in ranks. From second to fifth, then the TikTok application ranked sixth, then Telegram comes seventh, ahead of Twitter, while Snapchat and Pinterest conclude the top ten social media applications by monthly active users, and this means that Meta and Google control the majority of applications. The most followed in terms of the number of active users per month.
There are now 4.76 billion social media users worldwide, just under 60% of the world's total population. YouTube ranked first, followed by Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram, and Messenger. TikTok came sixth, followed by Telegram, Twitter, Snapchat and Pinterest. This means that MITA and Google control the majority of the most followed apps in terms of the number of monthly active users.
In light of these figures, the ITU Telecommunication Development Bureau warns of widening digital gender divide in the least developed countries, as many of them face enormous challenges, especially in Africa (35% of men compared to 24% of women) and the Arab countries (68% of men compared to 56% of women), in addition to the urban-rural gap, as people in urban areas are twice as likely to use the Internet than those in rural areas (76% urban compared to 39% rural).
As communication companies aim to discuss the information technology concerns and complaints of all groups, the latest data issued by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) indicate that globally, 57% of women use the Internet compared to 62% of men. Additionally, the discrepancy of women in the least developed countries (LDCs) is higher as four out of five women live without an internet connection.
International data notes, as part of its plans to confront the damages that befall information technology, the increasing number of children and young adults subjected to cyberbullying, making safety the greatest concern, according to a survey conducted by the ITU on Twitter and LinkedIn.
International organisations have also paid attention to the stage of aging. One of the goals last year for this occasion was to encourage innovation to accelerate digital technologies for the elderly, achieve healthier aging, and facilitate communication for people with special needs to provide them with equal opportunities with the rest of society, such as job opportunities using electronics and information technology, including wired and wireless services.
There is no doubt that information and communication technology (ICT) helps health systems to advance preventive medicine and patient education, which provides economic savings and significant health benefits. The case is no different for the health industry, where electronic storage of data and rapid access to information represents significant improvements in diagnostic times and avoidance of unnecessary testing.
However, education represents the most prominent area for developing ICT, in terms of increasing students' flexibility in accessing education regardless of time and place, and providing the right environment and motivation to learn along with best practices and educational materials.
In Qatar, the ICT field has witnessed, in the past few years, an unprecedented increase in the use of "Internet of Things" (IoT) technology, smart devices, various services such as smart healthcare services, smart manufacturing, automation, smart cities, and others in line with the Qatar National Vision 2030 objectives.
Since 2014, the State of Qatar has begun to intensify efforts to achieve digital inclusion for all citizens and residents by activating the digital inclusion strategy to reach all sectors. The strategy identified groups of societies at risk of digital exclusion and community members were provided with a basic skill set to enable them to use ICT, increase awareness of social media to promote small businesses, and improve their ability to access online services.
Through the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, the country has sought further development and excellence by promoting a digital economy, building a knowledge society, and developing an advanced infrastructure that enables Qatari institutions to use modern technologies and implement innovative solutions to contribute to Qatar's national vision. The ICT field is the backbone for driving the economy by enhancing services, improving their quality, and reducing their costs, paving the way for making steady progress towards transforming the State of Qatar into a leading digital center regionally and internationally and achieving the Qatar National Vision 2030 goals.
The World Cup, hosted by Qatar at the end of 2022, was an opportunity to review the scale of the achievements in the telecommunications sector and to develop Qatars digital government. During the World Cup period, Qatar had successful technical experiences amidst the huge crowds who came to attend the events and matches, with widespread praise for the level of digital services and platforms that is in accordance with international standards. (QNA)
