Internet access through mobile devices: world experience and perspectives of development in Ukraine

Abstract

The issue of the expanding access to the high-speed Internet through 4G wireless mobile network has been studied in the article. The purpose of the research was to determine the vectors for the development of Internet access through mobile devices in the world and the stage of implementation of these technologies in Ukraine by the case of Dnipropetrovsk region.The methodological basis of the study was the comparative analysis and the Foresight methodology. Documents of international organizations, open source data on the use of 3G / 4G technology by mobile network providers in the territory of Dnipropetrovsk region, expert surveys of specialists of governing bodies in the united territorial communities have been used as information sources. Speeds of mobile Internet networks in countries around the world have been reviewed by authors, paying attention to the current availability of 4G network coverage using mobile devices with the required operating frequency ranges and high requirements to network speeds. The result of the paper became the determination of relations between the spread of 3G / 4G mobile network and development of the e-governance in the studied territories. In particular, this includes the level of development and functioning of local governments’ web portals, ensuring the access of population to the public information and electronic public services. A comparative analysis of the open statistic data on Internet access through mobile devices in the EU and Ukraine has been made. The basic stages of mobile 3G, 4G and 5G generations networks implementation in Ukraine have been described. The available possibilities for mobile devices made for use on 4G networks have been presented.The research of the state of 3G / 4G network coverage in territories of 60 united territorial communities of Dnepropetrovsk region has been carried out and the data on aggregated integrated coverage indicators of 3G / 4G network have been systematized. It has been proven that the use of 3G / 4G technology creates opportunities for the digital inequality’s overcoming and further development of the e-governance in Ukraine. A number of concrete directions of optimization of public administration bodies’ activity in this sphere have been suggested.