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An ecology of public internet access: exploring contextual internet access in an urban community

Powell, Alison (2007) An ecology of public internet access: exploring contextual internet access in an urban community. Electronic Journal of Communication, 17 (1-2). ISSN 1183-5656

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Abstract

This paper explores public internet access in an inner-city community with many “digital divide” characteristics. Using a qualitative methodology attentive to social, technical, and geographic contexts, the paper describes how internet access is integrated into a communicative ecology: specifically how internet access is identified by residents; what it affords; and its potential for effective use. In addition, it argues that the concept of “universal access” to internet infrastructures must be refined to consider “contextual access” that is, access provided that takes into account cultural, geographic, and demographic factors. Finally, at the level of practice, the paper recommends striking a balance between “universal” and “contextual” internet access in an urban area so that internet access becomes linked with other cultural services, and is integrated into local contexts of use.

Item Type: Article
Official URL: http://www.cios.org/www/ejcmain.htm
Additional Information: © 2007 Communication Institute for Online Scholarship, Inc
Divisions: Media and Communications
Subjects: G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GF Human ecology. Anthropogeography
H Social Sciences > HM Sociology
T Technology > T Technology (General)
Date Deposited: 11 Oct 2010 14:19
Last Modified: 15 Sep 2023 13:29
URI: http://eprints.lse.ac.uk/id/eprint/29503

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