Sourced fact
The News
According to Al Jazeera channel, satellite internet technology can close the digital gap in access, but the Global South should not trade between it and access to this technology in exchange for reliance on foreign companies.
Analysis & context
Analysis & Context
From an analytical perspective, this news refers to a growing global issue – the matter of digital access and control over sources of information in the 21st century. Developing countries have long suffered from a significant lack of infrastructure for communication and information technology compared to advanced nations, which limits their opportunities for economic and social development. Reliance on companies like Bezos and Musk, owners of satellite companies, raises questions about the control these companies will exert over access to information and determine usage terms, which could lead to exacerbating dependence and reducing diversification and innovation in the Global South.
In a broader context, we see here a repetition of similar stances that we witnessed in other fields such as agriculture and energy, where major corporations seek to control value chains and set prices, which harms the interests of developing countries. Investment in satellite internet solutions should be part of a comprehensive strategy aimed at empowering the Global South and enhancing its own capabilities, not just a means of selling expensive services.
