Abstract
Internet access in the former socialist block continues to lag behind more developed countries. Unequal access to Information Technology has produced uneven levels of participation in the networked economy and society. Internet access, which is important to maintaining a technologically competent labour force, is a staple in the developed countries. However, it continues to be limited in Romania. Would-be users are devising inventive solutions to the relatively costly access solutions in order to get on the Information Highway. A country case study of Internet access in Romania reveals the advent of self-established, co-operative networks providing shared Internet access - seemingly a unique and innovative approach. Several of the Internet access plans on the market are presented in this paper together with a discussion of cyber cafés and the home-grown, co-operative networks that seem to be popping up all over the country. Understanding the context within which these home-grown networks arise and prosper offers valuable lessons and ideas for transferring these approaches to other developing countries that, like Romania, are struggling to bridge the infamous digital divide.
Highlights
The Internet is at the core of the information technology revolution and the global economy
A review of the Internet Service Providers (ISP) that operate in Romania, complete with pricing structure, bandwidth and level of service is presented
In conjunction with the economic environment discussed in the previous sections, this study offers an understanding of the costs associated with Internet access and informs on what Romanian Internet users are facing
Summary
The Internet is at the core of the information technology revolution and the global economy. It allows everyone with a personal computer to communicate with all other computers connected to it, worldwide. The cost of the personal computer and the recurring costs related to Internet access can be a major burden for some end users. The Internet is slowly taking off in the countries of the former socialist block. Connecting to the Internet remains a costly endeavour for the majority of the population. As the world economy continues its push toward globalization, those countries that are slow to embrace the Internet face the unpleasant prospects of being left behind
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