Implications for Welfare and the Digital Divide
A Critical Analysis of Disparities in Telecommunication Access Growth in West Nusa Tenggara Province From 2014 to 2023
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.63892/aletheia.2.2025.49-59Keywords:
Digital Divide, Digital Transformation, Rural Telecommunications, CAGR, West Nusa Tenggara, Digital Literacy, Technology AdoptionAbstract
Digital transformation has become a fundamental pillar of global development, yet the digital divide between urban and rural areas remains a significant challenge. This study analyzes the anomaly of telecommunications access growth in West Nusa Tenggara Province (NTB) that challenges conventional views on the digital divide. The identified research gap is the lack of empirical studies on the reversal of digital divide trends at the growth level and analysis of the transition from access gaps to utilization gaps in the Indonesian rural context. The research question posed is how the anomalous trend of rural household telecommunications growth in NTB that exceeds urban growth rates be explained theoretically and empirically? The study aims to conduct a critical analysis of the paradox of rural household telecommunications growth in NTB based on secondary data from BPS NTB Province for the period 2014–2023. The research method employs a descriptive-analytical approach with literature study, conducting comparative-descriptive analysis of CAGR data, literature synthesis, and thematic analysis. Findings show that rural internet access growth rate (21.89%) far exceeds urban (10.34%), but with relatively low telecommunications expenditure growth (1.86%), indicating digital adoption through non-conventional channels. Analysis reveals that rural digital acceleration is driven by infrastructure policy interventions and functional community drivers who view technology as an investment to improve livelihoods. The research novelty lies in presenting NTB as a case study proving that rural digital acceleration can exceed urban, challenging traditional innovation diffusion models. Conclusions indicate that while the first-level digital divide is being bridged, new challenges emerge in the form of second-level digital divide related to literacy and effective utilization. Recommendations include strengthening functional digital literacy, building integrated digital ecosystems, and holistic education for social welfare.
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