The term digital divide has most commonly been used to highlight the view that certain individuals and groups are not able to obtain access to personal computers or the Internet due to a variety of factors including race, socio-economic status, age, gender, place of residence, level of education, adeptness with technology, and/or social associations. While some factors may be beyond the control of the individual, the phrase has also been applied to those who have an aversion to technology and so choose, for one reason or another, not to make use of such technologies. The gap of the digital divide inflicts many communication problems such as social class inequality, political regimes control of communication technologies, developing countries need for digital communication, and ethnic barriers sustaining, on a global scale.
There was already a digital divide in India previous to the COVID-19 outbreak, but the pandemic widened it even further. New technological projects are swiftly approaching, such as the global debut of Metaverse, Virtual Reality and the deployment of the 5G spectrum. However, it's important to note that many parts of India lack access to a proper 3G/4G connection, let alone smartphones/devices, not to forget social/cultural barriers. Around 8,548 villages in the eight Northeastern states have no 3G/4G and 5,167 villages are yet to get mobile connectivity. In India, 37,439 inhabited villages of the country did not have 3G or 4G mobile connectivity. (East Mojo, 2021)
Furthermore, an improvement in network spectrum demands an upgrade in equipment, and the pandemic's impact on such underserved areas is well understood. This paper intends to highlight the drawbacks surrounding the implementation of proper technology all around the country of India. The study will also highlight the psychological, sociological and cultural implications of digital technology in India.
