Local Geographies of Digital Inequality

38 Pages Posted: 3 Feb 2017

See all articles by Grant Blank

Grant Blank

University of Oxford - Oxford Internet Institute

Mark Graham

University of Oxford - Oxford Internet Institute

Claudio Calvino

Capgemini UK

Date Written: February 2, 2017

Abstract

Combining data from a sample survey, the 2013 Oxford Internet Survey (OxIS), with the 2011 UK census, we employ small area estimation to estimate Internet use in small geographies in Britain. This is the first attempt to estimate Internet use at any small-scale level. Doing so, allows us to understand the local geographies of British Internet use: showing that the area with least use is in the North East, followed by central Wales. The highest Internet use is in London and south eastern England. The most interesting finding is that after controlling for demographic variables, geographic differences become non-significant. The apparent geographic differences appear to be due to differences in demographic characteristics. We conclude by considering the policy implications of this fact.

Keywords: small area estimation (SAE), Internet use, geographical inequality, digital divide, Great Britain

Suggested Citation

Blank, Grant and Graham, Mark and Calvino, Claudio, Local Geographies of Digital Inequality (February 2, 2017). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2910555 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2910555

Grant Blank

University of Oxford - Oxford Internet Institute ( email )

1 St. Giles
University of Oxford
Oxford OX1 3PG Oxfordshire, Oxfordshire OX1 3JS
United Kingdom

Mark Graham (Contact Author)

University of Oxford - Oxford Internet Institute ( email )

1 St. Giles
University of Oxford
Oxford, Oxfordshire OX1 3JS
United Kingdom

HOME PAGE: http://www.geospace.co.uk

Claudio Calvino

Capgemini UK ( email )

40, Holborn Viaduct
London, EC1N 2PB
United Kingdom

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