Stephen A. Newton’s Post

STATEC recently released an infographic that provides an insightful overview of internet usage trends in Luxembourg and across Europe, particularly emphasising the changes observed before and after the pandemic. Here are the key highlights from the report:  ➡️ Luxembourg has achieved a remarkably high internet usage rate of 99.4% by 2023, up from 96% in 2019, positioning it as the leader in the EU27. This compares to the European average that rose from 86% in 2019 to 91% in 2023. ➡️ Only 0.4% of Luxembourg's residents have never used the internet in 2023, a significant drop from 2.9% in 2019. ➡️ The proportion of seniors who have never used the internet dropped from 13% in 2019 to just 2% in 2023, showcasing a significant decrease in non-users within this age group. ➡️ The gap in internet usage among people with different educational levels has almost closed. In 2023, 98% of individuals with a low level of education were using the internet, up from 93% in 2019. ➡️ There's been an overall increase in the daily use of the internet across all age groups. Notably, 79% of internet users aged 65-74 use the internet daily in 2023, compared to 71% in 2019. ➡️ Despite the widespread adoption of the internet, significant disparities remain in the frequency of use, particularly among individuals with varying levels of education. ➡️ There has been a significant increase in the number of internet users downloading or printing official documents, from 50% in 2019 to 66% in 2023. ➡️ The use of e-commerce has increased across the board, except among individuals with low education levels and those aged 65-74, indicating financial limitations and a preference for physical stores among these groups. Despite the substantial increase in internet usage in Luxembourg and a general trend toward digital adoption across Europe, the report also highlights persistent gaps, especially in e-commerce adoption among the less educated and older populations, indicating areas where further efforts could be made to bridge the digital divide. At MyConnectivity, consumer protection is a critical subject, and we are deeply committed to maintaining our efforts in this area. Following our recent Advisory Community event in September 2023, which focused on consumer protection, we are eager to continue our work in educate, inform and sensitise consumers. Stay tuned for our next updates! You can access and download the infographic here: https://lnkd.in/e-kVUw4E #DigitalInclusion #InternetUsage #Luxembourg #Statec #DigitalEurope #Connectivity

🌐 Navigating the Digital Horizon: Insights from the Global Internet Landscape in 2023 🚀 As the digital realm expands, the latest Digital Report 2023 reveals intriguing trends. Internet users globally have surged to 5.16 billion, marking a 1.9% increase. Join me as we explore usage patterns, regional trends, and the evolving reasons behind internet use. 📊💻 Additionally, discover how leading actors like RELIANOID contribute to high availability and security in this dynamic digital landscape. https://lnkd.in/e_FUjjCA #DigitalTrends #InternetUsage #GlobalConnectivity #DigitalEvolution #TechInsights #DigitalReport2023 #OnlineSecurity #HighAvailability #RELIANOID #ADCsolutions #InternetUsers #TechInnovation #DigitalTransformation #GlobalDigitalLandscape #TechLeadership #InternetStatistics

Earlier this week, we introduced the 8th edition of the #eConomySEA report 2023 by @Google, @Temasek, and @Bain & Company! Beyond the region’s digital economy approaching the key milestone of $100B in revenue in 2023, what stood out to me this year was how big the growth opportunity is if we can help more Southeast Asians to start using digital products and services. There is a need and opportunity to move from just digital INCLUSION to digital PARTICIPATION. But you may wonder, what's the difference between the two. Digital inclusion often points to efforts to provide everyone with equitable access to the internet and digital technologies, and SEA has seen good progress in recent years in bridging connectivity gaps in rural areas. Digital participation goes a step further and refers to ensuring people also have the opportunity to be actively involved in the digital economy. Consumers outside of metro cities are at risk of facing a widening digital economic divide because the current demand and supply gap can make it hard for them to participate. Addressing this gap is the collective responsibility of all digital economy stakeholders. This implies, for example, investors taking a digital inclusion lens, governments rolling out initiatives to improve digital and financial literacy or businesses designing new products that are easier to use by diverse audiences. If you’re keen to read more, download the report here: https://lnkd.in/daDNtfm2

The ways that residents interact with their local governments are changing. Gone are the days of arriving at city hall between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. to take a number and wait in line. Much like the business sector embraced technology to change how it interacts with customers, local governments are finding ways to better the resident experience using digital technology solutions. The key to this challenge is digital government, the process of delivering information and processing government transactions digitally through web and mobile applications. Download our white paper to learn how smart governments are cutting costs while still engaging residents through digital transformation initiatives. #LocalGovernment #DigitalTransformation #GovernmentSolutions CivicPlus #SmartCity #SmartCounty https://lnkd.in/ewGzfgT9

Telecommunication Company Seeks Senate Intervention to Protect Operators from Market Dominance In a bid to address growing concerns over market domination in Kenya's telecommunications sector, a leading telecommunications company has called upon the Senate Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Committee to step in and regulate the industry. The plea was made during a private sector engagement retreat held in Mombasa on Friday. The head of regulatory affairs for the telecommunications giant highlighted the urgent need for Senate intervention, emphasizing the critical role of regulatory frameworks in maintaining a level playing field for all mobile network operators. "We urge the Senate ICT Committee to introduce measures that can protect smaller operators from being overshadowed by market dominance," the regulatory chief stated. The request underscores the increasingly competitive landscape of the Kenyan telecommunications market, where two major telcos are fiercely competing for dominance. The Kenyan telecommunications sector has witnessed significant changes over the past few years, with intensified competition and the emergence of new market entrants. These new players have begun challenging the established internet and communication network providers, creating a dynamic yet contentious environment. The regulatory chief's appeal to the Senate ICT Committee reflects the industry's broader concerns about ensuring fair competition and preventing monopolistic practices that could stifle innovation and limit consumer choices. During the retreat, the Senate committee acknowledged the telecommunications company's concerns, noting the importance of regulatory oversight in fostering a competitive and healthy market. "The head of regulatory for a company seeks the Senate ICT Committee’s intervention to regulate the telecommunications sector and protect mobile network operators from market dominance," the committee noted in its statement. This call for intervention comes at a critical time as Kenya's telecommunications sector is poised for further growth and innovation. Ensuring a balanced market where all operators, regardless of their size, can thrive is crucial for the continued development of the industry and the provision of quality services to consumers. As the Senate ICT Committee deliberates on potential regulatory measures, stakeholders across the telecommunications sector will be closely monitoring the developments. The outcome of these discussions could shape the future landscape of the industry, influencing how competition is managed and how market dominance is addressed. In conclusion, the appeal made in Mombasa highlights the urgent need for regulatory action to safeguard the interests of all mobile network operators in Kenya. By ensuring fair competition and preventing market dominance, the Senate ICT Committee can play a pivotal role in fostering a vibrant and equitable telecommunications sector that be

The ways that residents interact with their local governments are changing. Gone are the days of arriving at city hall between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. to take a number and wait in line. Much like the business sector embraced technology to change how it interacts with customers, local governments are finding ways to better the resident experience using digital technology solutions. The key to this challenge is digital government, the process of delivering information and processing government transactions digitally through web and mobile applications. Download our white paper to learn how smart governments are cutting costs while still engaging residents through digital transformation initiatives. #LocalGovernment #DigitalTransformation #GovernmentSolutions CivicPlus #SmartCity #SmartCounty https://lnkd.in/e4hkygxD

The global digital landscape is changing at an unprecedented pace. As we near the end of Q4 2023, a staggering 5.30 billion people around the world are now using the internet, with a 3.7 percent YoY growth rate. What's even more interesting is that 95 percent of internet users rely on mobile phones to access the internet. Mobile phones now account for roughly 57 percent of our online time. It's not just the number of internet users that's growing, but also the number of social media users. In fact, 61.4 percent of all the people on Earth now use social media every month, which suggests that social media has become an integral part of our lives. The number of mobile users is also on the rise, with more than two-thirds of the world's population now using a mobile phone. As of October 2023, the number of "unique" mobile users has reached 5.60 billion. #digitallandscape #digitaltransformation #internet #mobilephone #socialmedia

Credit to Marcus Lu with Bruno Venditti (Article/Editing) March 28, 2024 Visualizing Internet Usage by Global Region https://lnkd.in/ghARb59c Digital technologies have become an integral part of our daily lives, transforming communications, business, health, education, and more. Yet, billions of people around the world are still offline, and digital advancement has been uneven. Here, we map internet usage by region based on data from the World Bank’s Digital Progress and Trends Report 2023. According to the World Bank, between 2018 and 2022, the world gained 1.5 billion new internet users. In 2020 alone, the share of the global population using the internet increased by 6% (500 million people), marking the highest jump in history. India, in particular, has seen high rates of adoption. For example, in 2018, only 20% of Indians used the internet. By 2022, this percentage had grown to more than 50%. However, the progress of digitalization has been uneven both within and across countries. In 2022, one-third of the global population remained offline, with parts of Asia and Africa still experiencing very low rates of internet usage. For instance, more than half of businesses in Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Ghana, and Senegal reportedly lack internet connection. According to the World Bank’s report, when fast internet becomes available, the probability of an individual being employed increases by up to 13%, and total employment per firm increases by up to 22%. Moreover, firm exports nearly quadruple with the availability of fast internet. Across Africa, 3G coverage has been associated with a reduction in extreme poverty, with reductions of 10% seen in Senegal and 4.3% in Nigeria.

Local government agencies are improving their interaction with residents through digital government. 📱 The next step is to decrease expenses while enhancing engagement. Our integrated solutions accomplish both. Learn more in this whitepaper. 👇 #LocalGovernment #DigitalTransformation CivicPlus #SmartCity #SmartCounty #GovTech https://lnkd.in/g7Cz6CYf

Internet usage by region based on data from the World Bank’s Digital Progress and Trends Report 2023.